Effect of ripasudil after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C: a multicentre, randomised, prospective clinical study.

Background: To investigate if there are improvements in trabeculectomy outcomes supporting filtration bleb formation caused by Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitors.

Methods: This prospective, multicentre, randomised, open-label clinical study examined open-angle glaucoma patients who underwent trabeculectomy or trabeculectomy combined with cataract surgery followed by 3-month postoperative ripasudil treatments. After randomly allocating patients to ripasudil-ROCK inhibitor (ripasudil) or without ripasudil (non-ripasudil) groups.

Early-life atomic-bomb irradiation accelerates immunological aging and elevates immune-related intracellular reactive oxygen species.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in immune responses; however, their excessive production and accumulation increases the risk of inflammation-related diseases. Although irradiation is known to accelerate immunological aging, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. To determine the possible involvement of ROS in this mechanism, we examined 10,023 samples obtained from 3752 atomic-bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who participated in repeated biennial examinations from 2008 to 2016, for the effects of aging and radiation exposure on intracellular ROS (H O and O ) levels, percentages of T-cell subsets, and the effects of radiation exposure on the relationship between cell percentages and intracellular ROS levels in T-cell subsets.

Transcriptome and methylome analysis of CNS germ cell tumor finds its cell-of-origin in embryogenesis and reveals shared similarities with testicular counterparts.

Background: CNS germ cell tumors (GCTs) predominantly develop in pediatric and young adult patients with variable responses to surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the complex and largely unknown pathogenesis of CNS GCTs.

Methods: We used a combined transcriptomic and methylomic approach in 84 cases and conducted an integrative analysis of the normal cells undergoing embryogenesis and testicular GCTs.

Low tumor cell content predicts favorable prognosis in germinoma patients.

Background: Germinoma preferentially occurs in pediatric and young adult age groups. Although they are responsive to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, the treatment may cause long-term sequelae in their later lives. Here, we searched for clinical and histopathological features to predict the prognosis of germinoma and affect treatment response.

Inconvenient relationship of haemoglobin A1c level with endothelial function in type 2 diabetes in a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level with flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-induced vasodilation (NID) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: 22 university hospitals and affiliated clinics in Japan.

Intracellular reactive oxygen species level in blood cells of atomic bomb survivors is increased due to aging and radiation exposure.

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) play important roles in immune responses, excessive ROS production and accumulation might enhance the risk of inflammation-related diseases. Moreover, impaired immune function and the acceleration of pre-clinically persistent inflammation due to aging and radiation exposure have been observed in atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors more than 60 years post-exposure. Meanwhile, the effects of aging and radiation exposure on ROS production in immune cells have not been characterized.

Relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and endothelial function in women: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and endothelial function in women.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: 22 university hospitals and affiliated clinics in Japan.

Steroid-responsive Nivolumab-induced Involuntary Movement with Anti-thyroid Antibodies.

We herein report a 68-year-old man with neurologic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) who exhibited nivolumab-induced steroid-responsive progressive ataxia, tremor, and anti-thyroid antibodies. His symptoms matched abnormalities on N-isopropyl-p-(123I)-iodoamphetamine single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and dopamine transporter SPECT. Based on these clinical findings, we diagnosed the patient with a condition similar to the cerebellar type of Hashimoto's encephalopathy with nivolumab-induced anti-thyroid antibodies.

Integrated clinical, histopathological, and molecular data analysis of 190 central nervous system germ cell tumors from the iGCT Consortium.

Background: We integrated clinical, histopathological, and molecular data of central nervous system germ cell tumors to provide insights into their management.

Methods: Data from the Intracranial Germ Cell Tumor Genome Analysis (iGCT) Consortium were reviewed. A total of 190 cases were classified as primary germ cell tumors (GCTs) based on central pathological reviews.

Site-dependent differences in the composite fibers of male pelvic plexus branches: an immunohistochemical analysis of donated elderly cadavers.

Background: Although the pelvic autonomic plexus branches are considered to be a mixture of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, little is known regarding the composite fibers of the pelvic plexus branches. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical features of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves in the pelvic autonomic plexus branches.

Methods: Using 10 donated elderly male cadavers, the detailed topohistology of nerve fibers at and around the bladder, seminal vesicle, prostate, and rectum was examined.

The clinical trial on the safety and effectiveness of the photodynamic diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer using fluorescent light-guided cystoscopy after oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA).

Objective: To examine the utility and safety of photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) after oral administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) (ALA-PDD) of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) using fluorescent-light (FL)-cystoscopy.

Methods: The study was a single-arm, open-label, multi-center prospective study on ALA-PDD of NMIBC, with safety as the primary endpoint and efficacy as the secondary endpoint. Diagnostic potential was evaluated through comparisons with the conventional diagnostic method using a white-light (WL)-source.

Experimental studies of remarkable monoamine releases and neural resistance to the transient ischemia and reperfusion.

Introduction: The literature described that neural damage caused by ischemia definitely occurs in brain areas. However, few studies have shown real-time changes of extracellular monoamine levels at the time of transient ischemia.

Methods: We examined changes in the responses of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) release in the nucleus accumbens (ACC) of rats treated with four-vessel occlusion (4VO) in experiment 1.

Long-term administration of vasopressin can cause Ménière's disease in mice.

Conclusion: A new murine model of Ménière's disease has been developed, based on long-term administration of vasopressin. Induction of vestibular dysfunction in the present animal model can cause additional stress, by reducing inner ear blood flow. Latanoprost, a selective agonist for the FP prostanoid receptor, may become a new remedy for Ménière's disease.

Expression of prostanoid receptors (EP1, 2, 3, and 4) in normal and methimazole-treated mouse olfactory epithelium.

Conclusion: Prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) are expressed in the olfactory epithelium (OE), and the EP4 prostanoid receptor may play an important role in the OE.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the expression and localization of the four types of prostanoid receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) in the OE of normal and methimazole-treated mice to gain more complete knowledge about the functional significance of the prostanoid receptors in OE.

Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study.

Expression of transient receptor potential channel mucolipin (TRPML) and polycystine (TRPP) in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusions: TRPML3 may play distinct roles in the inner ear, such as stereociliar organization, sensory cell transduction, and inner ear fluid homeostasis, and TRPP3 may be important for fluid homeostasis in the inner ear.

Objective: To study the expression of TRPML1-3 and TRPP2, 3, and 5 in the mouse inner ear.

Materials And Methods: Localization of TRPML1-3 and TRPP2, 3, and 5 in the inner ear of CBA/J mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Expression of canonical transient receptor potential channel (TRPC) 1-7 in the mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: It is suggested that TRPCs play a functional role in the sensory cell transduction system in the inner ear.

Objective: To study expression of TRPC 1-7 in the mouse inner ear.

Materials And Methods: The localization of TRPC 1-7 in the inner ear of CBA/J mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Age-dependent changes in the expression of klotho protein, TRPV5 and TRPV6 in mouse inner ear.

Conclusions: Klotho protein content decreases with increasing age, which weakens resistance to oxidative stress, resulting in induced cell death as well as modulating endolymph fluid homeostasis. Down-regulation of klotho also leads to down-regulation of TRPV5 and TRPV6, resulting in modified Ca(2+) homeostasis in the inner ear, dysfunction of sensory cell transduction and causing hearing loss and/or vestibular disorders.

Objective: Expression of klotho, TRPV5 and TRPV6 in the mouse inner ear and age-related changes were analysed.

Expression of transient receptor potential channel melastin (TRPM) 1-8 and TRPA1 (ankyrin) in mouse inner ear.

Conclusions: It has been shown that TRPMs may play a functional role in sensory cell physiology, fluid homeostasis, sensory cell death, and thermosensation in the inner ear, while TRPA1 plays an important role in sensory transduction.

Objective: To study expression of TRPM1-8 and TRPA1 in the mouse inner ear.

Materials And Methods: The localization of TRPM1-8 and TRPA1 in the inner ear of normal and gentamicin-treated CBA/J mice was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

Effect of inner ear blood flow changes in Ménière's model mice.

Conclusions: The endolymphatic sac (ES) is important for inner ear fluid homeostasis. A dysfunctional ES can cause vertigo attacks following additional stress such as a sudden change in endolymphatic volume and/or pressure, or restricted inner ear blood flow.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of vertigo attacks in Ménière's disease.

Expression of transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1, 2, 3, and 4 in mouse inner ear.

Conclusion: It is suggested that transient receptor potential vanilloids (TRPVs) may play a functional role in cell physiology and TRPV-4 and -2 may play an important part in fluid homeostasis in the inner ear.

Objective: Expression of TRPV-1, -2, -3, and -4 in the normal mouse inner ear was studied.

Materials And Methods: CBA/J mice were used in this study.

A new animal model for Ménière's disease.

Conclusion: A new murine model for the study of Ménière's disease has been developed by treatment with both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and aldosterone. Induction of vestibular dysfunction in the hydropic animal model may entail additional stress such as reduced inner ear blood flow, and sudden acute changes in endolymph volume and/or pressure.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a more suitable animal model, showing closer resemblance to the pathophysiological process in Ménière's disease.

Protective effect of edaravone against endolymphatic hydrops.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that edaravone prevented the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Edaravone also delayed the formation of endolymphatic hydrops in guinea pigs, but had no effect on endolymphatic hydrops.

Objective: To analyse the protective effect of a free radical scavenger, edaravone, on endolymphatic hydrops.

Ménière's disease: a long-term follow-up study of bilateral hearing levels.

Conclusion: It is suggested that a holistic factor - such as psychological stress--is involved in Menière's disease (MD) and that the pathological changes in MD may be a result not only of endolymphatic hydrops but also of disorders affecting the entire cochlea.

Patients And Methods: Changes in the hearing of 51 patients with unilateral MD were investigated to ascertain the correlation between changes in hearing loss (a) in the affected ear vs the contralateral ear and (b) at low frequencies vs high frequencies.

Results: About half of the MD patients showed a significant positive correlation between the hearing level in the affected ear and that in the contralateral ear and also between the average hearing level at lower frequencies and that at 8 kHz.

Pollicization of the index finger for traumatic thumb amputation.

Background: Indications for pollicization of the index finger have decreased since the toe-to-thumb transfer and wraparound flap have been developed for thumb reconstruction. Pollicization, however, remains a useful method of thumb reconstruction depending on the amputation level, age, and patients' requests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the authors' results and to clarify indications for pollicization.