Ultrafast adaptive optics for imaging the living human eye.

Adaptive optics (AO) is a powerful method for correcting dynamic aberrations in numerous applications. When applied to the eye, it enables cellular-resolution retinal imaging and enhanced visual performance and stimulation. Most ophthalmic AO systems correct dynamic aberrations up to 1-2 Hz, the commonly-known cutoff frequency for correcting ocular aberrations.

More precise method of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol estimation for tobacco and electronic cigarette smokers: A cross-sectional study.

Smoking is associated with elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. However, the accuracies of the Friedewald, Sampson, and Martin LDL-C-estimating equations based on smoking status are unclear. We analyzed the accuracy of LDL-C levels estimated using these three equations based on tobacco and electronic cigarette smoking status.

Impact of body mass index on repeat coronary revascularization rates in patients with LDL-C below 55 mg/dL and LDL-C below 70 mg/dL: a 42-month cohort study in Korea.

Background: Previous studies revealed a linear relationship between body mass index (BMI) and repeat coronary revascularization rate in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, this relationship has not been demonstrated in Korean patients who meet old and new target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of Korean dyslipidemia guidelines. Therefore, we conducted this study to find out the effect of BMI on repeat coronary revascularization rate in patients with LDL-C <55 mg/dL and patients with LDL-C <70 mg/dL.

Comparison of modal and zonal wavefront measurements of refractive extended depth of focus intraocular lenses.

Extended depth-of-focus (EDoF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) are typically evaluated using commercially available aberrometers. Given the intricate optical design of these IOLs, employing an appropriate wavefront reconstruction method with a sufficient sampling resolution of the aberrometer is crucial. A high-resolution Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor was developed by magnifying the pupil aperture by a factor of five onto a lenslet array (pitch: 133 µm) and utilizing a full-frame CMOS sensor (24 by 36 mm), resulting in a 26.

Potential vision tester using adaptive optics, Maxwellian view, and small pupil.

We demonstrate a free-space, trolley-mounted potential vision tester (PVT), designed to study and improve the accuracy of visual acuity (VA) measurements in the aging eye. Key features include a high-resolution visual display presented in Maxwellian view, a 3 mm pupil to limit wavefront (WF) aberrations, and a moderate cost deformable mirror to induce or correct higher order optical aberrations. The visual display supported accurate measurement of visual acuities down to 20/5.

Widefield wavefront sensor for multidirectional peripheral retinal scanning.

The quantitative evaluation of peripheral ocular optics is essential in both myopia research and the investigation of visual performance in people with normal and compromised central vision. We have developed a widefield scanning wavefront sensor (WSWS) capable of multidirectional scanning while maintaining natural central fixation at the primary gaze. This Shack-Hartmann-based WSWS scans along any retinal meridian by using a unique scanning method that involves the concurrent operation of a motorized rotary stage (horizontal scan) and a goniometer (vertical scan).

Randomized, multicenter, parallel, open, phase 4 study to compare the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin/amlodipine polypill versus atorvastatin/amlodipine polypill in hypertension patient with dyslipidemia.

The authors performed this study to investigate the efficacy and safety of a rosuvastatin (RSV)/amlodipine (AML) polypill compared with those of atorvastatin (ATV)/AML polypill. We included 259 patients from 21 institutions in Korea. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: RSV 10 mg/AML 5 mg, RSV 20 mg/AML 5 mg, or ATV 20 mg /AML 5 mg.

Anti-heat shock protein 10 IgG in chronic spontaneous urticaria: Relation with miRNA-101-5p and platelet-activating factor.

Background: Anti-heat shock protein (HSP) autoantibodies are detected in autoimmune diseases. We sought to ascertain whether anti-HSP10 IgG is present in patients with CSU and to elucidate the role of HSP10 in CSU pathogenesis.

Method: Using a human proteome microarray, six potential autoantibodies had higher expression in 10 CSU samples compared with 10 normal controls (NCs).

The Comparison of the Associations of Lipoprotein(a) and the Atherogenic Index of Plasma With Coronary Artery Calcification in Patients Without High LDL-C: A Comparative Analysis.

Objective: Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) have been reported as predictive markers of coronary artery calcium (CAC). However, previous studies demonstrated that the cardiovascular risk associations with Lp(a) are attenuated in patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≤135 mg/dL. However, few articles have identified the risk factors of CAC in patients without high LDL-C.

An Alternative Method to Evaluate Resistance to Pear Scab (Venturia nashicola).

Two pear cultivars with different degrees of resistance to Venturia nashicola were evaluated on the basis of a disease severity rating for pear scab resistance under controlled environmental condition. Two inoculation techniques were tested: the procedure for inoculation by dropping conidia suspension of V. nashicola; the procedure by deposition of agar plug on the abaxial surface of pear leaves.

The LDL-C/Apo B predicts coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C.

The apolipoprotein B (Apo B), Apo B/A1 ratio, lipoprotein (a), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/Apo B ratio are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the association between these parameters and CAD in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C levels is unclear. Our goal was to assess which parameter was most strongly associated with CAD in non-diabetic patients without high LDL-C levels.

Comparison of Framingham risk score and pooled cohort equations for the prediction of coronary atherosclerosis in patients who meet the target LDL-C level of Korean dyslipidemia guideline.

This study aims to compare the predicting performance of coronary atherosclerosis between Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) in moderate to high-risk patients who meet the target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level of Korean dyslipidemia guidelines. Among 1207 patients aged 40 to 65 who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography at outpatient for chest discomfort, we included 414 moderate-risk patients (non-diabetes) and 86 high-risk patients (diabetes). They were divided into 3 groups according to FRS and PCE, then compared with coronary artery calcification score (CACS) and plaque burden degree strata.

Comparison of apolipoprotein B/A1 ratio, TC/HDL-C, and lipoprotein (a) for predicting outcomes after PCI.

Background And Aims: The Apo B/A1 ratio is a major factor that predicts future cardiovascular outcomes. However, it is unclear whether the apolipoprotein B (Apo B)/apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) is a better predictor of future outcome than the total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio or lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)) after the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Therefore, we performed this study to evaluate the impact of the Apo B/A1 ratio on the patients who achieved LDL-C below 70 mg/dL one year after PCI.

ST-segment elevation due to myocardial invasion of lung cancer mimicking ST elevation myocardial infarction: A case report.

Introduction: When a cancer patient presents with ST-segment elevation on an electrocardiogram (ECG), several causes including acute myocardial infarction (MI) should be considered. Myocardial metastasis is one of the rare causes of ST-segment elevation in cancer patients and its clinical silence makes it difficult to diagnose.

Patient Concerns: A 78-year-old man with lung cancer presented to the emergency room for chest pain.

Association between in-stent neointimal characteristics and native coronary artery disease progression.

Background And Aims: The prognosis of stented lesions differs according to in-stent neointimal characteristics on optical coherence tomography (OCT). In particular, patients who show in-stent heterogeneous neointima are associated with a higher incidence of target lesion revascularization (TLR) compared with those who show in-stent non-heterogeneous neointima. However, the relationship between in-stent neointimal characteristics and native coronary atherosclerosis progression has not been clearly elucidated.

Revealing How Color Vision Phenotype and Genotype Manifest in Individual Cone Cells.

Purpose: Psychophysical and genetic testing provide substantial information about color vision phenotype and genotype. However, neither reveals how color vision phenotypes and genotypes manifest themselves in individual cones, where color vision and its anomalies are thought to originate. Here, we use adaptive-optics phase-sensitive optical coherence tomography (AO-PSOCT) to investigate these relationships.

Neointima characteristics as a prognostic marker for drug-coated balloon angioplasty in patients with in-stent restenosis: an optical coherence tomography study.

Background: Research has shown that the prognosis of in-stent restenosis (ISR) lesions after drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty can differ in relation to in-stent neointimal characteristics. However, changes in neointima characteristics after DCB have not been studied. This study sought to investigate changes in neointima characteristics after DCB for ISR.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Nonhyperemic Pressure Ratios: Resting Full-Cycle Ratio, Diastolic Pressure Ratio, and Instantaneous Wave-Free Ratio.

Background Nonhyperemic pressure ratios (NHPRs) such as instantaneous wave-free ratio, resting full-cycle ratio, or diastolic pressure ratio have emerged as invasive physiologic indices precluding the need for hyperemic agents. The current study sought to evaluate the long-term prognostic implications of NHPRs compared with fractional flow reserve (FFR). Methods and Results NHPRs were calculated from resting pressure tracings by an independent core laboratory in 1024 vessels (435 patients).

Impact of PRECISE-DAPT and DAPT Scores on Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration After 2nd Generation Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation.

Purpose: Determining the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is an important clinical issue. We evaluated the effects of ischemia (by DAPT score) and bleeding (by PRECISE-DAPT score), as well as the impact of DAPT duration, on clinical outcomes.

Methods: From pooled analysis of four randomized clinical trials, 5131 patients undergoing second-generation DES implantation were randomized to short-duration (n = 2575; ≤ 6 months) or standard-duration (n = 2556; ≥ 12 months) DAPT groups.

Ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate imbalance is associated with distinct inflammatory phenotypes of uncontrolled asthma.

Background: Asthma is associated with inflammatory dysregulation, but the underlying metabolic signatures are unclear. This study aimed to classify asthma inflammatory phenotypes based on cellular and metabolic features.

Methods: To determine cellular and metabolic profiles, we assessed inflammatory cell markers using flow cytometry, sphingolipid (SL) metabolites using LC-MS/MS, and serum cytokines using ELISA.

Sex Differences in Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Deferred Revascularization Following Fractional Flow Reserve Assessment: International Collaboration Registry of Comprehensive Physiologic Evaluation.

Background Sex-specific differences may influence prognosis after deferred revascularization following fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. This study sought to investigate the sex differences in long-term prognosis of patients with deferred revascularization following FFR assessment. Methods and Results A total of 879 patients (879 vessels) with deferred revascularization with FFR >0.

Distance Dependence of Electronic Coupling in Rigid, Cofacially Compressed, π-Stacked Organic Mixed-Valence Systems.

A series of new π-stacked compounds, 1,8-bis(2',5'-dimethoxybenzene-1'-yl)naphthalene (), 1,4-bis(8'-(2″,5″-dimethoxybenzene-1″-yl)naphthalen-1'-yl)benzene (), and 1,8-bis(4'-(8″-(2‴,5‴-dimethoxybenzene-1‴-yl)naphthalen-1″-yl)benzene-1'-yl)naphthalene (), have been synthesized and characterized herein as precursor molecules of monocationic mixed-valence systems (MVSs). The three-dimensional geometries of these compounds were determined by X-ray crystallography. A near-orthogonal alignment of the naphthalene pillaring motif to the dimethoxybenzene redox center, or the phenylene spacer, imposes cofacial alignment of these units in a juxtaposed manner with sub-van der Waals interplanar distances.

Risk Factors for Closure Failure following Percutaneous Transfemoral Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

Background: The percutaneous access site of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures is commonly closed using a preclosure technique with suture-type closure devices. We sought to evaluate the predictors and outcomes of percutaneous closure device (PCD) failure during transfemoral TAVI.

Methods And Results: This single-center retrospective analysis included 184 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI using 2 ProGlide sutures for severe aortic stenosis between July 2011 and September 2018.

Editor's Choice - Impact of Endovascular Pedal Artery Revascularisation on Wound Healing in Patients With Critical Limb Ischaemia.

Objective: The present study investigated the impact of endovascular pedal artery revascularisation (PAR) on the clinical outcomes of patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI).

Methods: This retrospective analysis of a single centre cohort included 239 patients who underwent endovascular revascularisation of infrapopliteal arteries for a chronic ischaemic wound. PAR was attempted in 141 patients during the procedure.