Preparation and electrochemical properties of LiMoO/C composites for rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

Layered LiMoO is a potential candidate for a high-capacity positive electrode material for Li-ion batteries because of its excess lithium composition. However, the difficulty of single-phase preparation and its insulating nature are drawbacks for its application in lithium-ion batteries. A small quantity of acetylene black added in the starting material solves these drawbacks, i.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) profiles as a novel biomarker to evaluate the existence of a functional cryptorchid testis in Japanese Black calves.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone (T) profiles in blood were investigated before and after an hCG stimulation test to assess their sensitivity and specificity for the existence of a functional cryptorchid testis in Japanese Black calves. The hCG (3,000 IU) was administered on Day 0, and peripheral blood was collected on Days 0 (just before hCG injection), 5 and 7 in intact male calves (Intact; n=19), bilateral castrated calves (Castrated; n=17), unilateral cryptorchid calves, which abdominal testis could been extracted (Uni-crypto; n=9). Castration of a descended testis was carried in the Castrated and Uni-Crypto groups on Day -14.

[Long-term progression in a case of transvitreal endoresection of a posterior choroidal malignant melanoma].

Background: In Japan, there are few reports of the prognosis of the endoresection of malignant choroidal melanoma. We previously reported this case of transvitreal endoresection of a posterior choroidal malignant melanoma. The tumor recurred and enucleation was carried out.

Endophthalmitis caused by Enterococcus mundtii.

Enterococcus mundtii has rarely been isolated from environmental or human sources. We report the identification of E. mundtii as a pathogen of human infectious disease by DNA sequencing of 16S rRNA and sodA genes in a case of endophthalmitis developed in a 66-year-old immunocompetent gardener.

Bilaterally identical monoclonality in a case of primary intraocular lymphoma.

Purpose: To report a case of primary intraocular lymphoma possessing bilaterally identical monoclonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) gene.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: A 78-year-old woman with bilateral vitritis, subretinal infiltrates in the right eye, and no involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) was diagnosed histologically with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by a transvitreal subretinal biopsy of the right eye.

Indocyanine green staining for the triple corneal procedure.

Background And Objective: In the triple corneal procedure, successful completion of capsulorhexis is of the utmost importance. Another use of indocyanine green dye for better visualization of the anterior lens capsule of mature cataract during the triple corneal procedure is described.

Patients And Methods: Four consecutive patients (mean age, 69.

Isolating triamcinolone acetonide particles for intravitreal use with a porous membrane filter.

Purpose: To report a new, simple, rapid method to isolate triamcinolone acetonide particles and to remove additives from its commercially available suspension (Kenacort-A) for intravitreal use.

Methods: The contents of a Kenacort-A vial (40 mg triamcinolone acetonide suspended in 1.0 mL vehicle) were loaded into a syringe and passed through a porous membrane filter with 0.

Optical coherence tomographic and angiographic findings of a case with subretinal toxocara granuloma.

Purpose: To study a case with a subretinal Toxocara granuloma.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: A patient with a exudative macular lesion, diagnosed as ocular toxocariasis, was examined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and angiography before and after systemic corticosteroid and anthelminthic therapy.

Immunohistochemical and molecular genetic evidence for type IV collagen alpha5 chain abnormality in the anterior lenticonus associated with Alport syndrome.

Objective: To present evidence for a type IV collagen alpha5 chain (alpha5[IV]) abnormality in the anterior lens capsule of a patient with anterior lenticonus associated with Alport syndrome.

Methods: The anterior lens capsule obtained from a 54-year-old man with anterior lenticonus associated with Alport syndrome was examined ultrastructurally and stained immunohistochemically for the alpha chains of type IV collagen, alpha1(IV) to alpha6(IV). A search was also made for a mutation in the COL4A5 complementary DNA encoding the alpha5(IV) chain by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of illegitimate transcripts.

Temporary use of a customized, glued-on hard contact lens before penetrating keratoplasty for descemetocele or corneal perforation.

Descemetocele or corneal perforation makes it difficult to perform penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). To circumvent this difficulty, a polymethylmethacrylate hard contact lens with a diameter of 4.0 mm was customized and applied to the cornea with tissue adhesive prior to PKP in three patients, one with corneal perforation and two with descemetoceles.

Accuracy of intraocular pressure by Tono-Pen XL over amniotic membrane patching in rabbits.

Purpose: To report an accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) by Tono-Pen XL over amniotic membrane patching in rabbits.

Design: Experimental study.

Methods: Seven male albino rabbits were used in this study.

Temporary amniotic membrane patching for acute chemical burns.

Purpose: To describe the surgical technique, and its usefulness, of temporary amniotic membrane patching (AMP) in the acute phase of ocular chemical injury.

Methods: Temporary AMP with modification in suture placement was performed on five eyes of five consecutive patients inflicted with acute chemical injury having a greater than grade II injury by the Roper-Hall classification.

Results: All patients reported herein presented with a large epithelial defect on the cornea and conjunctiva.

Does precipitation reduce tissue staining by indocyanine green dye solutions?

Purpose: Indocyanine green (ICG) dye precipitates when mixed with certain ophthalmic irrigation solutions. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether this precipitation reduces ICG staining of the anterior lens capsule.

Methods: ICG was diluted with each of the following solutions: BSS Plus, physiological saline, or Opeguard Neo.

Surgical treatment of limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis by resection of a limbal lesion.

Purpose: To report our experience managing a limbal mass associated with limbal vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) by surgical excision.

Methods: A 16-year-old girl was referred to our hospital with the chief complaints of itching and photophobia in both eyes. She had a 2-year history of gradually enlarging limbal gelatinous masses on the temporal limbus in both eyes, which were diagnosed as limbal papillae of VKC.

Characterization and diabetes-induced impairment of nitric oxide synthase in rat choroid.

Purpose: To examine the nitric oxide (NO) system in the choroid of normal rats and rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes.

Methods: We assayed NO synthase (NOS) activity by monitoring the conversion of L-[(14)C] arginine to L-[(14 )C] citrulline, identified the NOS isoforms by immunoblotting, and examined the effects of STZ-induced diabetes on NOS in the rat choroid.

Results: Calcium-independent NOS activity was insignificant in the choroid of normal and diabetic rats.

Detection of measles virus genomic RNA in tear samples from a patient with measles keratitis.

Purpose: To report a case of measles keratitis, in which measles virus genomic RNA was detected in tear samples.

Methods: Samples of tears and pharyngeal mucus were obtained from a 19-year-old man with active systemic measles on day 7 after illness onset. These specimens were then subjected to reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using measles-specific primers.

Fornix and conjunctiva reconstruction by amniotic membrane in a patient with conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma.

Background: Conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a rare, low-grade, non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma. Herein, we report our successful management of the large conjunctival defect caused by resection of conjunctival MALT lymphoma by covering it with transplanted amniotic membrane.

Case: A 28-year-old Japanese man, who had been diagnosed histologically as having conjunctival MALT lymphoma in his left eye, was referred to us for treatment.

Successful management of conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia by interferon alpha-2b.

Background: Interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha 2b) was recently shown to be effective as an alternative therapy for conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Herein, we report our successful management of CIN by the use of IFN alpha 2b.

Case: A 73-year-old woman presented with a complaint of irritation due to a tumorous lesion in her left eye.

Visualization of conjunctival cyst by indocyanine green.

Purpose: To report complete removal of conjunctival cyst using indocyanine green solution to facilitate visualization.

Design: Interventional case report.

Methods: A 71-year-old woman referred with the diagnosis of severe conjunctival chemosis of her right eye of several months' duration was found to have a large conjunctival cyst.

Identification of a novel fluorophore, xanthurenic acid 8- O -beta-D-glucoside in human brunescent cataract.

We have identified the chemical structure of a novel protein-unbound fluorescent glucoside (Fl-Glc), found to be far more abundant in the human brunescent cataractous lens nuclei than in non-brunescent ones. Our earlier experiments showed that long-term incubation of the protein-free filtrate of non-brunescent cataractous nuclei generated increasing amounts of a particular yet to be characterized fluorophore (Fl-X). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses revealed Fl-X and Fl-Glc to be identical.

Perfluorocarbon liquid assists in stripping the ILM to treat detached retina caused by macular hole.

Stripping the internal limiting membrane (ILM) is supposed to be beneficial in attaching the retina in retinal detachment because of macular hole. However, it is difficult to lift up and strip the ILM over extensively detached retinas because such retinas are very mobile. To evade this difficulty, we flattened the detached retina with perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) and peeled the ILM in the presence of PFCL.

Multi-layer amniotic membrane graft for pterygium in a patient with xeroderma pigmentosum.

Background: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare, autosomal recessive, premalignant condition of the skin, and is reported to be associated with ocular surface disorders such as conjunctival malignancy and pterygium. Herein, we report a case of successful management of pterygium with multi-layer amniotic membrane graft (AMG) in a young XP patient.

Case: An 11-year-old Japanese girl, who had been diagnosed as having XP, was referred to us for treatment of her bilateral pterygium.

Two types of K+ currents modulated by arachidonic acid in bovine corneal epithelial cells.

Purpose: Fenamate sensitivity of the large-conductance K+ current in the corneal epithelium suggests that K+ transport could be modulated by arachidonic acid (AA) and/or its metabolites, which also regulate corneal epithelial migration. The main purpose of this study was to investigate AA-induced modulation of K+ currents expressed in the bovine corneal epithelium.

Methods: Freshly isolated bovine corneal epithelial cells were perfused with Ringer solution.