Hexagonal distributions of cities in Southern Germany and Eastern USA: Group-theoretic spectrum analysis

Cities in Southern Germany are envisaged to form hexagonal distributions in central place theory; however, rigorous verification of this theory has been lacking over years. To support this theory, we introduce a group-theoretic Fourier spectrum analysis that can detect geometrical patterns of cities based on the statistical population data. In addition to hexagonal patterns in the theory, we propose a core--satellite pattern. Using this analysis, we detected a strong power spectrum for this pattern for population data in Southern Germany. Moreover, a gigantic hexagonal distribution of cities in Eastern USA was found to be an assemblage of the core--satellite and hexagonal patterns. The amazing geometrical regularity of this distribution implies the existence of such patterns in the real world, thereby underpinning the theory

Group-theoretic spectrum analysis of hexagonal city distributions in Southern Germany and Eastern USA

Hexagonal distributions of cities of various sizes in Southern Germany are envisaged in central place theory. Yet scientific verification of this theory has been lacking. To scientifically support this theory, we propose a group-theoretic double Fourier spectrum analysis procedure that can detect geometrical patterns in population distributions of cities. In addition to hexagonal patterns in the theory, we propose megalopolis patterns. Using this procedure, strong power spectra for megalopolis patterns were detected for population data in Southern Germany. Moreover, a gigantic hexagonal distribution of cities in Eastern USA was found to be an assemblage of megalopolis and hexagonal patterns. The amazing geometrical regularity of this distribution manifests the existence of these patterns in the real world, thereby underpinning central place theory

Group-theoretic spectrum analysis of hexagonal city distributions in Southern Germany and Eastern USA

Hexagonal distributions of cities of various sizes in Southern Germany are envisaged in central place theory. Yet scientific verification of this theory has been lacking. To scientifically support this theory, we propose a group-theoretic double Fourier spectrum analysis procedure that can detect geometrical patterns in population distributions of cities. In addition to hexagonal patterns in the theory, we propose megalopolis patterns. Using this procedure, strong power spectra for megalopolis patterns were detected for population data in Southern Germany. Moreover, a gigantic hexagonal distribution of cities in Eastern USA was found to be an assemblage of megalopolis and hexagonal patterns. The amazing geometrical regularity of this distribution manifests the existence of these patterns in the real world, thereby underpinning central place theory

Effect of oral tranexamic acid on macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion or diabetes

Purpose: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a widely used antifibrinolytic agent that can also cause a decrease in vascular permeability. We hypothesized that TXA could improve macular edema (ME) that is caused by an increase in retinal vascular permeability. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of oral TXA for ME associated with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) or diabetic ME (DME).Patients and methods: Oral TXA (1,500 mg daily for 2 weeks) was administered to patients with persistent ME secondary to RVO (7 eyes) and DME (7 eyes). After 2 weeks (ie, the final day of administration) and 6 weeks (ie, 4 weeks after the final administration), best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness (CMT) were measured and compared with baseline. Analyses were performed for RVO and DME cases. No other treatment was performed during the study period.Results: In RVO cases, significant improvement in CMT was found between baseline (467.7±121.4 µm) and 2-week measurements after treatment (428.7±110.5 µm, p=0.024). No significant change was found in CMT between measurements taken at baseline and 6 weeks after treatment. In DME cases, no significant change was found in CMT between measurements taken at baseline and 2 or 6 weeks after treatment. In all analyses of best-corrected visual acuity, no significant change was observed.Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that plasmin plays a role in the development of ME associated with RVO, and oral TXA administration may be useful as an adjuvant treatment when combined with other agents such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor

Current state of hypnotic use disorders: Results of a survey using the Japanese version of Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire

Aims Benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZ-RAs) are frequently prescribed to treat insomnia; however, their long-term use is not recommended. To introduce an appropriate pharmaco-therapy, the current state and background factors of BZ-RAs\u27 dependence must be elucidated. In this study, we developed a Japanese version of the Benzodiazepine Dependence Self-Report Questionnaire (Bendep-SRQ-J) and conducted a study of BZ-RAs\u27 use disorder. Methods The Bendep-SRQ-J was created with permission from the original developer. Subjects were inpatients and outpatients receiving BZ-RAs between 2012 and 2013. Clinical data collected were Bendep-SRQ-J scores, sleep disorders for which BZ-RAs were prescribed, physical comorbidities, psychotropic drugs, and lifestyle factors. Logistic analysis was performed to extract factors associated with severe symptoms. Results Of the 707 patients prescribed BZ-RAs, 324 had voluntarily tapered or discontinued their drugs. Logistic analysis showed that the total number of drugs administered in the last 6 months correlated with both worsening of symptoms or conditions. This was more notable among younger patients, and the proportion of patients with severe symptoms or conditions increased with the increasing number of drugs. Conclusion Using the Bendep-SRQ-J, we elucidated the current state of BZ-RA dependence. Nearly half of the patients were non-compliant. The proportion of patients with severe symptoms or disease conditions increased with the increase in the number of drugs administered. These findings highlight the need for clinicians to be aware of the likelihood of benzodiazepine dependence, especially in young patients and patients prescribed multiple hypnotics

Background Factors Affecting Visual Acuity at Initial Visit in Eyes with Central Retinal Vein Occlusion : Multicenter Study in Japan

Purpose: To determine the baseline characteristics of patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) that were significantly associated with the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the initial examination. Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter study using the medical records registered in 17 ophthalmological institutions in Japan. Patients with untreated CRVO (≥20-years-of-age) who were initially examined between January 2013 and December 2017 were studied. The patients’ baseline factors that were significantly associated with the BCVA at the initial examination were determined by univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses. Results: Data from 517 eyes of 517 patients were analyzed. Univariate analyses showed that an older age (r = 0.194, p < 0.001) and the right eye (r = −0.103, p < 0.019) were significantly associated with poorer BCVA at the initial visit. Multivariate analyses also showed that an older age (β = 0.191, p < 0.001) and the right eye (β = −0.089, p = 0.041) were significantly associated with poorer BCVA at the initial visit. Conclusions: The results indicate that an older age, a known strong factor, and the right eye were significantly associated with poorer BCVA at the initial visit to the hospital. These results suggest that functional and/or anatomical differences between the right and left eyes may be involved in these results

Suppression and Regression of Choroidal Neovascularization in Mice by a Novel CCR2 Antagonist, INCB3344

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of an intravitreally administered CCR2 antagonist, INCB3344, on a mouse model of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). METHODS: CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation on Day 0 in wild type mice. INCB3344 or vehicle was administered intravitreally immediately after laser application. On Day 14, CNV areas were measured on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-choroid flat mounts and histopathologic examination was performed on 7 µm-thick sections. Macrophage infiltration was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on RPE-choroid flat mounts and quantified by flow cytometry on Day 3. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein in RPE-choroid tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, VEGF mRNA in sorted macrophages in RPE-choroid tissue was examine by real-time PCR and expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK 1/2) in RPE-choroid tissue was measured by Western blot analysis on Day 3. We also evaluated the efficacy of intravitreal INCB3344 to spontaneous CNV detected in Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) deficient mice. Changes in CNV size were assessed between pre- and 1week post-INCB3344 or vehicle administration in fundus photography and fluorescence angiography (FA). RESULTS: The mean CNV area in INCB3344-treated mice decreased by 42.4% compared with the vehicle-treated control mice (p<0.001). INCB3344 treatment significantly inhibited macrophage infiltration into the laser-irradiated area (p<0.001), and suppressed the expression of VEGF protein (p = 0.012), VEGF mRNA in infiltrating macrophages (p<0.001) and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (p<0.001). The area of spontaneous CNV in Sod1⁻/⁻ mice regressed by 70.35% in INCB3344-treated animals while no change was detected in vehicle-treated control mice (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: INCB3344 both inhibits newly forming CNV and regresses established CNV. Controlling inflammation by suppressing macrophage infiltration and angiogenic ability via the CCR-2/MCP-1 signal may be a useful therapeutic strategy for treating CNV associated with age-related macular degeneration

Long-term follow-up after vitrectomy to treat idiopathic full-thickness macular holes: visual acuity and macular complications.

To assess time-course changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) up to 5 years after vitrectomy to treat idiopathic full-thickness macular holes (MHs) and identify the relationship of the changes to postoperative complications.Twenty-three consecutive patients with an idiopathic MH underwent vitrectomy without adjuvant treatment. BCVA and complications were assessed postoperatively.Twenty-two of 23 (95.7%) MHs closed after the first surgery, with a final anatomic success rate of 100%. The time course of the BCVA was analyzed in 20 cases in which data were obtained for over 5 years. The BCVA improved by 0.43 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) unit 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.001) and continuously improved by 0.05, 0.06, and 0.07 logMAR units between 6 months and 1 year, 1 year and 3 years (by 0.11 logMAR unit between 6 months and 3 years; P = 0.049), and 3 years and 5 years (P = 0.018) postoperatively, respectively. Macular complications developed in seven (35%) of the 20 cases; the mean BCVA at 5 years in these cases was significantly (P < 0.001) worse than in cases without complications.The BCVA might improve gradually for 5 years after vitrectomy to treat MHs. However, the macular complications that can develop postoperatively could limit that possibility

Transcanthal Canthopexy for Involutional Lower Eyelid Entropion Corrects Horizontal Laxity

In this prospective observational study, we aimed to examine improvements in horizontal laxity after lower eyelid retractor advancement and transcanthal canthopexy for involutional lower eyelid entropion. The study included 19 sides in 15 patients with involutional entropion who underwent transcanthal canthopexy with the advancement of the lower eyelid retractor. Using the pinch test, the distance from the lowest part of the corneal limbus to the eyelid margin was measured using callipers. All measurements were performed preoperatively and at postoperative 3 and 6 months. Using the pinch test, the distance from the lowest part of the corneal limbus to the lower eyelid margin was significantly shortened during each postoperative follow-up period. None of the included cases experienced recurrence. Our results indicated that transcanthal canthopexy could preserve postoperative horizontal tightness