Serum free fatty acids levels not associated with normal tension glaucoma

Kenya Yuki, Itaru Kimura, Kazuo TsubotaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, JapanPurpose: To determine the free fatty acid levels in the sera of patients with normal-tension glaucoma and compare it with that of normal controls.Methods: Forty-four consecutive patients with newly diagnosed normal-tension glaucoma and forty-four age and gender matched controls were evaluated. The type and level of fatty acids in the sera were measured by gas chromatography (Model GC17A; Shimazu, Kyoto, Japan). Twenty-four fatty acids were identified from 12:0 to 24:1. The values were compared between the normal-tension glaucoma and control groups by Mann–Whitney U tests.Results: No statistically significant difference was found in the levels of any free fatty acids between the normal-tension glaucoma group and control group.Conclusion: No significant association was found in the serum free fatty acids levels including docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid between normal-tension glaucoma patients and controls.Keywords: free fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, normal tension glaucom

An exocyst component, Sec5, is essential for ascospore formation in Bipolaris maydis

In this study, we identified Sec5 in Bipolaris maydis, a homologue of Sec5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and a possible exocyst component of the fungus. To examine how Sec5 affects the life cycle of B. maydis, we generated null mutant strains of the gene (Δsec5). The Δsec5 strains showed a strong reduction in hyphal growth and a slight reduction in pathogenicity. In sexual reproduction, they possessed the ability to develop pseudothecia. However, all ascospores were aborted in any of the asci obtained from crosses between Δsec5 and the wild-type. Our cytological study revealed that the abortion was caused by impairments of the post-meiotic stages in ascospore development, where ascospore delimitation and young spore elongation occur

Neural Degeneration in the Retina of the Streptozotocin-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Model

Diabetic retinopathy, a vision-threatening disease, has been regarded as a vascular disorder. However, impaired oscillatory potentials (OPs) in the electroretinogram (ERG) and visual dysfunction are recorded before severe vascular lesions appear. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying the retinal neural degeneration observed in the streptozotocin-(STZ-) induced type 1 diabetes model. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) both cause OP impairment and reduced levels of synaptophysin, a synaptic vesicle protein for neurotransmitter release, most likely through excessive protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. ROS also decrease brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inner retinal neuronal cells. The influence of both RAS and ROS on synaptophysin suggests that RAS-ROS crosstalk occurs in the diabetic retina. Therefore, suppressors of RAS or ROS, such as angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers or the antioxidant lutein, respectively, are potential candidates for neuroprotective and preventive therapies to improve the visual prognosis

Transpupillary thermotherapy for atypical central serous chorioretinopathy

Ryosuke Kawamura1,2, Hidenao Ideta1, Hideyuki Hori1, Kenya Yuki2, Tsuyoshi Uno1, Tatsurou Tanabe1, Kazuo Tsubota2, Tsutomu Kawasaki11Ideta Eye Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan; 2Keio University, School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo, JapanBackground: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) has been traditionally treated with laser photocoagulation. We thought that transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) utilizing a lower temperature than that of conventional laser photocoagulation might minimize permanent retinal and choroidal damage. Studies suggest that undesirable effects on vision due to TTT are minimal even if it is applied to foveal and/or parafoveal lesions when TTT requires a larger irradiation spot. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of TTT in the management of atypical CSC.Methods: We defined atypical CSC as bullous retinal detachment with diffuse or several leakages, severe leakage with fibrin formation under serous retinal detachment, or leakage within a pigment epithelium detachment. Eight consecutive patients with atypical CSC underwent visual acuity testing, ophthalmic examination, color photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography to evaluate the results of transpupillary thermotherapy. Retreatment of atypical CSC was based on ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography. TTT was performed on the leaking spots shown in fluorescein angiography, with a power of 50–250 mW, spot size of 500–1200 µm, and exposure time of 13–60 seconds to minimize retinal damage.Results: In five of eight affected eyes, serous detachments completely resolved within 1 month after the initial TTT. One eye had persistent subretinal fluid and required a second TTT treatment. Two eyes showed no resolution of CSC and were treated by conventional photocoagulation. Initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 20/600 to 20/20 (mean, 20/40; median, 20/30). Final BCVA ranged from 20/200 to 20/20 (mean, 20/25; median, 20/20). BCVA improved in all cases. Only two eyes with persistent subretinal fibrin and existing retinal pigment epithelial alternations in macular area showed limited improvement of BCVA despite the absence of subretinal exudation. The presence of retinal attachment was confirmed by optical coherence tomography in six eyes (75%).Conclusions: TTT seems to be effective for the treatment of atypical CSC in the short term. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety.Keywords: transpupillary thermotherapy, central serous chorioretinopathy, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, serous detachmen