Basal inferoseptal segment is highly susceptible to deformation in the clinical spectrum of transthyretin-derived amyloid cardiomyopathy.

Aims: While the prevalence of transthyretin-derived amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is on the rise, detailed understanding of its morphological and functional characteristics within the left ventricle (LV) across heart failure (HF) remains limited.

Methods And Results: Utilizing two-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography, we assessed longitudinal strain (LS) in 63 histology-confirmed ATTR-CM patients. Additionally, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images measured native T1 and extracellular volume (ECV), compared with LS across 18 LV segments.

Central and Peripheral Corneal Endothelial Cell Analysis With Slit-Scanning Wide-Field Contact Specular Microscopy: Agreement With Noncontact Specular Microscopy.

Purpose: The prospective case series aimed to examine the agreement between the use of a slit-scanning contact specular microscope and a noncontact specular microscope in corneal endothelial cell (CEC) analysis and to evaluate the differences between the central and peripheral regions in normal corneas.

Methods: After confirming normal corneal endothelium with slit-lamp microscopy, CEC images of 56 eyes of 56 cataractous patients were analyzed in the central and 4 peripheral regions using a slit-scanning contact specular microscope. A noncontact specular microscope was used for the analysis in the central region.

Sustainability of Pain Relief After Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking in Eyes With Bullous Keratopathy.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the efficiency and sustainability of pain relief produced by corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in eyes with bullous keratopathy (BK) and to explore the histopathological changes in the stroma by using in vivo confocal microscopy.

Design: Prospective observational case series.

Methods: Fourteen eyes of 14 consecutive BK patients were treated with CXL with dehydration of the corneal stroma and followed up for 1 year after treatment.

Supplemental psyllium fibre regulates the intestinal barrier and inflammation in normal and colitic mice.

Our previous study demonstrated that supplemental psyllium fibre increased cytoprotective heat-shock protein (Hsp) 25 levels in the intestinal cells of mice. Here, we examined the effect of psyllium fibre on colonic gene and protein expression and faecal microbiota in normal and colitic mice to improve the understanding of the preventive role of the supplement. DNA microarray analysis revealed that a 10 % psyllium fibre diet administered for 5 d up-regulated eleven extracellular matrix (ECM)-associated genes, including collagens and fibronectins, in normal mice.

Transient Left Ventricular Contractile Dysfunction during the Treatment of Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Transient left ventricular contractile dysfunction (TLVCD) is often observed as a result of stress-related cardiomyopathy; however, recent reports suggest that rhabdomyolysis and eating disorders can also induce the development of TLVCD. We report a 52-year-old malnourished man who developed acute heart failure on day 4 of treatment for rhabdomyolysis. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed severe hypokinesis at the apical and mid-ventricular segments, except for the basal segments of the left ventricular wall, which recovered within one week.

Dietary psyllium fiber increases intestinal heat shock protein 25 expression in mice.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) protect intestinal epithelial cell function, integrity and viability against many forms of stress. We hypothesized that dietary fibers (DFs) in the diet may increase HSP expression, since DFs are known to exhibit beneficial effects on intestinal health. The present study investigated the regulation of intestinal HSP expression by DFs, particularly psyllium fiber.

Suppression of surface light scattering in intraocular lenses manufactured using an improved production process.

Purpose: To clinically examine the suppression of surface light scattering after implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) manufactured using an improved production process.

Setting: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan.

Design: Comparative case series.

Clinical utility of femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy after cataract surgery.

Purpose: To examine the clinical utility of femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy (FSL-AK) for eyes after cataract surgery.

Methods: Eight eyes of 6 patients with an intraocular lens and corneal astigmatism of 2.0 diopters (D) or more underwent FSL-AK.

Influences of cycloplegia with topical atropine on ocular higher-order aberrations.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of cycloplegia with topical atropine on higher-order aberrations (HOAs) of the eye in children.

Design: Prospective, noncomparative study.

Participants: Twenty-three eyes of 23 subjects (11 boys and 12 girls) with hyperopia, ranging in age from 3 to 12 years (average, 5.

Comparison of central corneal thickness measurements by rotating Scheimpflug camera, ultrasonic pachymetry, and scanning-slit corneal topography.

Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness measurements and their reproducibility when taken by a rotating Scheimpflug camera, ultrasonic pachymetry, and scanning-slit corneal topography/pachymetry.

Design: Experimental study.

Participants: Seventy-four eyes of 64 subjects without ocular abnormalities other than cataract.