Effect of Photochromic Contact Lens Wear on Indoor Visual Performance and Patient Satisfaction.

Introduction: To quantitatively assess visual performance and patient satisfaction during photochromic contact lens (CL) wear in an indoor environment.

Methods: This observational study comprised 82 eyes of 41 healthy subjects (mean age ± standard deviation, 21.7 ± 0.

Neofunctionalization of a Noncoding Portion of a DNA Transposon in the Coding Region of the Chimerical Sex-Determining Gene dm-W in Xenopus Frogs.

Most vertebrate sex-determining genes (SDGs) emerge as neofunctionalized genes through duplication and/or mutation of ancestral genes that are involved with sexual differentiation. We previously demonstrated dm-W to be the SDG in the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis and found that a portion of this gene emerged from the masculinization gene dmrt1 after allotetraploidization by interspecific hybridization between two ancestral species around 17-18 Ma. dm-W has four exons consisting of a noncoding exon 1, dmrt1-derived exons 2 and 3, and an orphan exon 4 (Ex4) of unknown origin that includes coding sequence (CDS).

Factors Influencing Contrast Sensitivity Function in Eyes with Mild Cataract.

This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) and several optical factors in eyes suffering mild cataract. We enrolled 71 eyes of 71 patients (mean age, 71.4 ± 10.

Prediction of distance visual acuity in presbyopic astigmatic subjects.

This study was aimed to determine the effect of the amount of astigmatism on distance visual acuity, and to provide a prediction formula of visual acuity according to astigmatism, in a presbyopic population. We comprised 318 eyes of 318 consecutive patients (158 phakic and 160 pseudophakic subjects) without any eye diseases, except for refractive errors with astigmatism of 3 diopter or less. We assessed the relationship of the spherical equivalent visual acuity (SEVA) with astigmatism, and also provided a regression formula of visual acuity according to astigmatism in such subjects.

Regional comparison of preoperative biometry for cataract surgery between two domestic institutions.

Purpose: Regional variations of the preoperative biometry can affect the refractive accuracy of cataract surgery. We aimed to compare the preoperative biometric data for cataract surgery between two domestic institutions.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative biometric data of 673 consecutive eyes undergoing standard cataract surgery at Miyata Eye Hospital (Miyazaki; M group) and Kitasato University Hospital (Kanagawa; K group), and compared these data between the two groups.

Comparison of Conventional Keratometry and Total Keratometry in Normal Eyes.

Purpose: The relationship between conventional keratometry and total keratometry has not been fully investigated. This study was aimed at conventional keratometry measured with the automated keratometer and total keratometry with the corneal tomographer in ophthalmologically normal subjects.

Methods: We enrolled fifty eyes of 50 consecutive subjects (mean age ± standard deviation, 34.

Visual performance and patient satisfaction of multifocal contact lenses in eyes undergoing monofocal intraocular Lens implantation.

Purpose: To assess visual performance and patient satisfaction of multifocal contact lenses in eyes having monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Methods: We prospectively assessed uncorrected visual acuity at all distances (0.3, 0.

Comparison of angle-to-angle distance using three devices in normal eyes.

Purpose: To compare the angle-to-angle (ATA) distance, and the repeatability and the reproducibility of these measurements among the three devices.

Methods: We performed the ATA measurements in 26 healthy subjects using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (CASIA2, Tomey, Japan), the Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam HR, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), and the combined Placido-ring corneal topography and Scheimpflug camera (TMS-5, Tomey). We also compared the repeatability and the reproducibility of the ATA measurements among these three devices.

Keratoconus detection using deep learning of colour-coded maps with anterior segment optical coherence tomography: a diagnostic accuracy study.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of keratoconus using deep learning of the colour-coded maps measured with the swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Design: A diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: A single-centre study.

Effects of Target Size and Test Distance on Stereoacuity.

Target size and test distance effects on stereoacuity were investigated in 24 subjects using a three-dimensional monitor. Examination 1: Target Size Effects. The test distance was 2.

Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements using a NT-530P noncontact tono/pachymeter and correlation of central corneal thickness with intraocular pressure.

Purpose: To investigate the repeatability and reproducibility of intraocular pressure (IOP) and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements using a noncontact tono/pachymeter (NT-530P) and to assess the correlation of CCT with IOP.

Methods: Forty-six eyes of healthy volunteers were measured by two examiners. Three consecutive measurements per eye were performed.

Work capacity evaluation among nursing aides.

Work force aging generates the need to develop studied with the purpose to evaluate work capacity. The objective of this study was to analyze the work capacity of the nursing aides of a public health institute. A cross-sectional study was developed on the work capacity of these professionals regarding their demographic, work and lifestyle characteristics (n=241).

Corneal biomechanical properties in normal-tension glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate the intraocular pressure (IOP) and corneal biomechanical properties of normal and normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes.

Methods: This study included 83 normal and 83 NTG eyes. We measured corneal-compensated IOP (IOPcc), Goldmann-correlated IOP (IOPg), corneal resistance factor (CRF), corneal hysteresis (CH) and central corneal thickness (CCT) three times each for normal and NTG eyes using an Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA).

Comprehensive genetic analysis of 182 unrelated families with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Background: Genetic analysis is commonly performed in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Study Objective: The objective of the study was to describe comprehensive CYP21A2 mutation analysis in a large cohort of CAH patients.

Methods: Targeted CYP21A2 mutation analysis was performed in 213 patients and 232 parents from 182 unrelated families.

Effect of corneal astigmatism on intraocular pressure measurement using ocular response analyzer and Goldmann applanation tonometer.

Purpose: To assess the effect of corneal astigmatism on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements using an Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) and a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT).

Methods: We prospectively examined 59 normal eyes of 59 healthy volunteers (18 men, 41 women; age, mean +/- standard deviation, 40.5 +/- 14.

Intraocular pressure measured by dynamic contour tonometer and ocular response analyzer in normal tension glaucoma.

Background: To investigate intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement values in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) eyes using two different types of tonometer that are supposed to be little affected by corneal biochemical properties.

Methods: This study included 30 normal eyes of 16 healthy subjects and 30 eyes of 16 patients with NTG. IOP was measured with a Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), a Pascal dynamic contour tonometer (DCT), and a Reichert ocular response analyzer (ORA) three times each for normal and NTG eyes.

Fixation point after successful macular hole surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling.

Background And Objective: This study evaluated the fixation points of macular holes using scanning laser ophthalmoscope microperimetry before and after surgery with internal limiting membrane peeling.

Patients And Methods: This prospective non-comparative study examined 21 eyes (21 patients) with macular holes. Hole size and distance between preoperative and postoperative fixation points were measured.

Factors affecting corneal hysteresis in normal eyes.

Background: To evaluate factors affecting corneal hysteresis (CH) in normal eyes.

Methods: We examined 86 normal eyes of 43 healthy volunteers (age, 39.1 +/- 14.

Detection of mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and SSCP-hybrid methods.

Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis detects mutations based on the fact that single-nucleotide changes in DNA sequences alter the mobility of single-stranded DNA in nondenaturing gels. Four methods for detecting mutations based on SSCP are described here. (1) Traditional SSCP analysis is technically easy and can be used for screening large numbers of samples.

The novel human SHOX allelic variant database.

Short stature due to SHOX deficiency represents the most commonly known form of growth failure, with a frequency greater than 1:1,000 in the Caucasian population. As many different mutations can cause SHOX haploinsufficiency, a comprehensive collection of gene variants represents an essential tool to distinguish between functional variants and polymorphisms. We have created a novel and widely extended SHOX database using the "LOVD in a box-solution.

A novel polypseudorotaxane composed of cyclic beta-peptide as bead component.

A polypseudorotaxane composed of cyclic hexamers of beta-glucosamino acid and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was constructed, where the beads were stacked unidirectionally together via hydrogen bonds to form a peptide nanotube.

Double assembly composed of lectin association with columnar molecular assembly of cyclic tri-beta-peptide having sugar units.

A novel double assembly was prepared by association between a columnar molecular assembly of cyclic tri-beta-peptides having sugar units and lectins. The NMR, FT-IR, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy as well as computational calculations revealed that this compound took a flat and C3 symmetrical conformation and that the amide N-H and C=O groups protruded vertically to the ring plane. This disk-shaped molecule stacked one by one to form a columnar structure via intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the amide groups.

Columnar assembly formation and metal binding of cyclic tri-beta-peptides having terpyridine ligands.

[reaction: see text] A novel cyclic tri-beta-peptide having terpyridine (tpy) metal ligands was synthesized to investigate its assembly formation and metal complexation. Microscopic observation revealed that this cyclic peptide formed a rod-shaped molecular assembly. The assembly was able to bind Cu(II) because the tpy ligands covered the surface of the crystal, keeping the tpy plane parallel to the ring plane of the cyclic tri-beta-peptide.

Molecular assembly formation of cyclic hexa-beta-peptide composed of acetylated glycosamino acids.

A novel cyclic hexamer of acetylated beta-glycosamino acid was synthesized and its conformation and molecular assembly formation was investigated. Variable temperature NMR study indicated that the cyclic hexapeptide took a C(3) symmetric conformation at room temperature, but at elevated temperatures a C(6) symmetric one, which was not due to averaging of the C(3) symmetric conformation, appeared. Computational geometry optimization showed that the C(6) symmetric conformation was a highly planar structure with amide groups orienting perpendicular to the ring plane.

Columnar assembly of cyclic beta-amino acid functionalized with pyranose rings.

A novel cyclic trimer and tetramer of protected beta-glycamino acids were synthesized and investigated on conformation and assembly formation. A characteristic point of these cyclic beta-glycamino acids is their better solubility than other cyclic beta-amino acids due to the pyranose rings. Thus, the assembling process of the cyclic molecules could be examined by CD or NMR spectroscopy.