Noxious effects of riot control agents on the ocular surface: Pathogenic mechanisms and management

Riot Control Agents (RCAs) are chemical compounds used by law enforcement agencies to quell violent demonstrations as an alternative to lethal force and as part of police/military training. They are also known as tear gases because of the hallmark ocular irritation and lacrimation they cause. The most common RCAs include oleoresin capsicum (contained in Mace and pepper spray), chlorobenzylidene malononitrile, dibenzoxazepine, and chloroacetophenone (previously the main content of Mace); some of which have been in use for decades. Their immediate incapacitating effects are mediated through polymodal afferent fibers innervating the corneal surface, inducing the release of peptides that cause neurogenic inflammation. Although previously thought to have only transient effects on exposed patients more severe complications such as corneal stromal opacities, corneal neovascularization, neurotrophic keratopathy, conjunctival necrosis, and pseudopterygium can occur. Concerningly, the lack of research and specific therapies restrict the current management to decontamination and symptom-tailored support. This manuscript will provide an overview of the toxic mechanisms of RCAs, their clinical manifestations, and current therapy after exposure to tear gases

Clinical Implication of Patchy Pattern Corneal Staining in Dry Eye Disease

Corneal fluorescein staining in a form that is commonly called a “patchy pattern (PP)” is sometimes seen with or without superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) in dry-eye diseases (DEDs). Here, we investigated the differences in the clinical features of DED patients with and without PP corneal staining (PPCS). This study involved 35 DEDs with PPCS (PPCS group) and 30 DEDs with SPK and without PPCS (non-PPCS group). The tear meniscus radius (TMR, mm), spread grade (SG) of the tear-film lipid layer (i.e., SG 1–5, 1 being best), noninvasive breakup time (NIBUT, seconds), fluorescein breakup time (FBUT, seconds), corneal epithelial damage (CED, 15 points maximum), conjunctival epithelial damage (CjED, six points maximum), the Schirmer’s 1 test (ST1, mm), and the prevalence of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) were examined, and then compared between the two groups. Our findings revealed that between the groups (PPCS vs. non-PPCS), there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in CjED (3.1 ± 1.9 vs. 1.3 ± 1.6), ST1 (5.6 ± 7.4 vs. 14.8 ± 11.4), and the prevalence of SS (60.0% vs. 16.7%). Our findings suggest that DEDs and dry-eye patients with PPCS may indicate not only SS itself, but also the ophthalmological characteristics compatible with SS

Assessment Report of Doctoral Theses

ニッケル-モリブデン複硼化物系硬質合金の焼結プロセスのその諸性質に関する研究[駒井]散逸積分法による速度分布側および摩擦則の検証に関する研究原口]Study on A New Nonlinear-Optical Organic Crystal : L-N-(5-Nitro-2-Pyridyl)Leucinol[宇加地]プラズマを応用した半導体加工技術の研究[松尾]珪藻土を原料に用いた窒素ケイ素ウイスカの合成と生成機構に関する研究[水原]加工熱処理による鋼の強靭化過程の定式化に関する研究[吉江]Reversible Alignment Change of Liquid Crystals Induced by Photochromic Molecular Films[青木

学位論文審査報告

ニッケル-モリブデン複硼化物系硬質合金の焼結プロセスのその諸性質に関する研究[駒井]散逸積分法による速度分布側および摩擦則の検証に関する研究原口]Study on A New Nonlinear-Optical Organic Crystal : L-N-(5-Nitro-2-Pyridyl)Leucinol[宇加地]プラズマを応用した半導体加工技術の研究[松尾]珪藻土を原料に用いた窒素ケイ素ウイスカの合成と生成機構に関する研究[水原]加工熱処理による鋼の強靭化過程の定式化に関する研究[吉江]Reversible Alignment Change of Liquid Crystals Induced by Photochromic Molecular Films[青木