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Background/Objectives: Epidemiologic evidence on the relationship between antioxidant vitamin intake and stroke is limited. We aimed to investigate the association between dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins and the incidence of total stroke and ischemic stroke. Subjects/Methods: The subjects were 82 044 Japanese men and women aged 45-74 years under the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Cohort Study. Between 1995 and 1997, dietary assessment was done using a food frequency questionnaire. During 983 857 person-years of follow-up until the end of 2009 we documented 3541 incident total strokes and 2138 ischemic strokes. Results: Dietary intakes of [alpha]-carotene, [beta]-carotene, [alpha]-tocopherol and vitamin C were not inversely associated with the incidence of total stroke and ischemic stroke adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and selected lifestyle variables. When stratified by current smoking status, the inverse association between dietary vitamin C intake and incidence of total stroke observed among non-smokers but not smokers, with respective multivariable hazard ratios for the highest versus lowest quintiles of vitamin C of 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68-0.96; P-trend=0.03) among non-smokers; and 1.03 (0.84-1.25; P-trend=0.55) among smokers. As for ischemic stroke, the corresponding multivariable hazard ratios were 0.76 (0.60-0.96; P-trend=0.02) among non-smokers; and 1.00 (0.78-1.28; P-trend=0.61) among smokers. Conclusions: Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with the incidence of total stroke and ischemic stroke among non-smokers., Author(s): S Uesugi [sup.1] , J Ishihara [sup.2] , H Iso [sup.3] , N Sawada [sup.4] , R Takachi [sup.5] , M Inoue [sup.4] [sup.6] , S Tsugane [sup.4] , [...]

Toshio Kamimura,1 Kazutaka Kida,1 Masashi Takeda,1 Shunsuke Sato,1 Masato Fujii,1 Masahiro Inoue,1 Hiromasa Tsukino,1 Shoichiro Mukai,1 Atsushi Nanashima,2 Kunihide Nakamura,2 Toshiyuki Kamoto1 1Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan; 2Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan Abstract: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) shows extreme hypervascularity, which may cause significant bleeding during surgery. For this reason, control of arterial blood supply is an important factor in the choice of operative procedure and in avoiding perioperative complications. This case series reports the successful dissection of renal artery in the preliminary stage of laparoscopic procedure in three ccRCC patients with inferior vena cava (IVC) extension. Patient 1 had right renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with level I tumor thrombus through two renal veins, and the renal artery was successfully dissected by retroperitonealscopic approach. Patient 2 had right invasive, immobilized RCC with significant infiltration to IVC and liver. Ligation of renal artery was performed by transperitoneal laparoscopic procedure. Patient 3 had left RCC with level III tumor thrombus and lung metastasis. Ligation of left renal artery and mobilization of peritoneal organs and kidney were performed by transperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. These cases suggest that combined laparoscopic-open surgery for RCC with IVC extension may facilitate early control of arterial blood supply. Keywords: renal cell carcinoma, IVC extension, combined laparoscopic-open surgery

Akira Arakawa,1,2 Maiko Inoue,2 Shimpei Sato,2 Shin Yamane,2 Kazuaki Kadonosono2 1Department of Ophthalmology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama City Seibu Hospital, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept therapy in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter scores.Subjects and methods: This study was a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional exploratory clinical trial performed in an institutional setting. Patients with PCV were treated with intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg/0.05 mL every 2 months after 3 initial monthly doses, for 1 year. Visual acuity test using the ETDRS chart and indocyanine green angiography was performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after initiating the treatment, in addition to routine examinations performed at each visit. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients who achieved

BACKGROUND: Focal intestinal perforation (FIP) is a devastating complication of premature birth, and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants are at highest risk. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and portal vein (PV) blood flow velocities to investigate the association between intestinal blood flow and FIP. In addition, the herbal formula Daikenchuto (TJ-100) is expected to improve intestinal blood flow disorders; therefore, we evaluated its effect. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 15 ELBW infants from January 2020 to August 2021. Measured variables included birth weight, 5-minute Apgar score, time of oral feeding initiation, ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure (percent), diastolic and systolic blood pressure, SMA and PV blood flow velocity, and FIP onset data. Fifteen infants were divided into three groups: a non-surgery group (Group I; 6), a surgery group with FIP (Group II; 4), and a TJ-100 administration group (Group III; 5). The main outcome parameters included SMA and PV blood flow velocities with TJ-100. RESULTS: SMA and PV blood flow differed significantly for the SMA of Group I and the SMA and PV of Group III (P < 0.01, P = 0.01, and P = 0.04, respectively). There was a correlation between SMA and PV in Group III (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: TJ-100 may increase SMA and PV blood flow and improve intestinal blood flow in ELBW infants at risk of FIP. Therefore, the effects of TJ-100 should undergo further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Although vitamin D has been experimentally reported to inhibit tumorigenesis, cell growth and prostate cancer invasion, epidemiologic data regarding prostate cancer risk are inconsistent, and some studies have suggested positive but nonsignificant associations. Further, the impact of vitamin D on prostate cancer between Western and Japanese populations may differ due to different plasma vitamin D levels. Subjects/Methods: We performed a nested case-control study within the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective (JPHC) Study in 14,203 men (40-69 years) who answered a self-administered questionnaire at baseline (1990-1994) and gave blood samples, and were followed until 2005. We identified 201 prostate cancers which are newly diagnosed during follow-up (mean 12.8 years). We selected two matched controls for each case from the cohort. We used a conditional logistic regression model to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for prostate cancer with respect to levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) in plasma. Results: We did not observe statistically significant association between 25(OH)D level and total prostate cancer (multivariate OR=1.13 (95%CI=0.66-1.94, P.sub.trend=0.94) for the highest versus lowest tertile) However, 25(OH) levels were slightly positively associated with advanced cancer. The results remained substantially unchanged after stratification by intake of fish or calcium intake. Conclusions: 25(OH)D level showed no association with overall prostate cancer among Japanese men in this large cohort., Author(s): N Sawada [sup.1] , M Inoue [sup.1] [sup.2] , M Iwasaki [sup.1] , T Yamaji [sup.1] , T Shimazu [sup.1] , S Sasazuki [sup.1] , S Tsugane [sup.1] , [...]

Shimpei Sato,1 Maiko Inoue,2 Shin Yamane,2 Akira Arakawa,2 Mikiro Mori,1 Kazuaki Kadonosono2 1Department of Opthalmology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the anatomic and functional effect of microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods: The medical records of 101 eyes of 101 patients who had undergone MIVS with ILM peeling for macular edema secondary to BRVO were studied. Patients were classified into ischemic and non-ischemic BRVO based on angiograph. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT), determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.Results: Preoperative mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA ± standard deviation (SD) was 0.52±0.43 and mean CFT ± SD was 489.4±224.9 µm. Postoperative mean BCVA ± SD values were 0.41±0.35, 0.35±0.41, 0.29±0.36, and 0.25±0.41, and mean CFT values were 370.1±148.9, 327.5±157.5, 310.9±154.9, and 274.4±135.3 µm at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, respectively. The mean BCVA was significantly improved at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (all P

Makoto Inoue,1 Dina Joy K Abulon,2 Akito Hirakata1 1Kyorin Eye Center, School of Medicine, Kyorin University, Tokyo, Japan; 2Alcon Research, Ltd., Irvine, CA, USA Purpose: To compare the effects of different 23- and 25-gauge microincision vitrectomy trocar cannula entry systems on incision architecture.Methods: We tested one ridged microvitreoretinal (MVR), one non-ridged MVR, one pointed beveled, and one round-tipped beveled blade (n=10 per blade design per incision type). Each blade’s straight and oblique incision architecture was assessed in a silicone disc simulating the sclera. Wound leakage under pressure and endoscopic observations were conducted on sclerotomy sites of isolated porcine eyes (n=4 per blade design) after simulated vitrectomy.Results: Differences in blade design created distinct incision architecture. Incisions were linear with the ridged MVR blade, flattened “M-shaped” with the non-ridged MVR blade, asymmetrical chevron-shaped with the pointed beveled blade, and curved with the round-tipped beveled blade. With the exception of oblique entry incision thickness, both MVR blade designs created thinner incisions than the beveled blades at entry and exit sites. Only the ridged MVR blade created incisions with no leakage. Vitreous incarceration was observed with all trocar cannula systems.Conclusion: Wound closure in porcine eyes was similar with all blades despite differences in incision architecture. Wound leakage occurred at low to moderate infusion pressures with most blades; no wound leakage was observed with ridged MVR blades. Keywords: entry system, incision closure, leakage, pars plana incision, sclerotomy, trocar blade

Maiko Inoue, Akira Arakawa, Shin Yamane, Kazuaki Kadonosono Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Background: The purpose of this study was to assess visual function and vision-related ­quality of life after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) using a pro re nata regimen for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.Methods: A prospective study of 54 eyes in 54 patients scheduled to undergo IVR for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration was performed. A self-administered, 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was completed before and 3 and 12 months after the initial IVR treatment. We evaluated logMAR visual acuity and NEI VFQ-25 scores preoperatively and postoperatively. Further, associations between the changes in NEI VFQ-25 scores and patient characteristics were investigated at 12 months. Results: Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly when compared with the preoperative visual acuity throughout the 12-month period (P