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In this study, low bandgap polymers containing a monofluoroquinoxaline (FQx) or a difluoroquinoxaline (DFQx) as the electron-deficient unit and 2-thiophenylbenzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']dithiophene as the electron-rich unit were synthesized by Stille polymerization. The polymers exhibit satisfactory thermal stability and a broad absorption band from 300 to 650 nm. The HOMO/LUMO energy levels of PB-FQx and PB-DFQx were − 5.62/− 3.64 and − 5.70/− 3.63 eV, respectively. We found that for a high number of fluorine atoms in the conjugated backbone, the HOMO energy levels were deeper, which led to increased VOC. The PB-DFQx:ITIC-based PSC exhibited the best power conversion efficiency of 6.31%, with its VOC of 0.99 V, JSC of 10.61 mA/cm2, FF of 60%.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex, DEX implant) 0.7 and 0.35 mg in the treatment of patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).Design: Two randomized, multicenter, masked, sham-controlled, phase III clinical trials with identical protocols were conducted. Data were pooled for analysis.Participants: Patients (n = 1048) with DME, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/50 to 20/200 Snellen equivalent, and central retinal thickness (CRT) of ≥300 μm by optical coherence tomography.Methods: Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to study treatment with DEX implant 0.7 mg, DEX implant 0.35 mg, or sham procedure and followed for 3 years (or 39 months for patients treated at month 36) at ≤40 scheduled visits. Patients who met retreatment eligibility criteria could be retreated no more often than every 6 months.Main Outcome Measures: The predefined primary efficacy endpoint for the United States Food and Drug Administration was achievement of ≥15-letter improvement in BCVA from baseline at study end. Safety measures included adverse events and intraocular pressure (IOP).Results: Mean number of treatments received over 3 years was 4.1, 4.4, and 3.3 with DEX implant 0.7 mg, DEX implant 0.35 mg, and sham, respectively. The percentage of patients with ≥15-letter improvement in BCVA from baseline at study end was greater with DEX implant 0.7 mg (22.2%) and DEX implant 0.35 mg (18.4%) than sham (12.0%; P ≤ 0.018). Mean average reduction in CRT from baseline was greater with DEX implant 0.7 mg (−111.6 μm) and DEX implant 0.35 mg (−107.9 μm) than sham (−41.9 μm; P < 0.001). Rates of cataract-related adverse events in phakic eyes were 67.9%, 64.1%, and 20.4% in the DEX implant 0.7 mg, DEX implant 0.35 mg, and sham groups, respectively. Increases in IOP were usually controlled with medication or no therapy; only 2 patients (0.6%) in the DEX implant 0.7 mg group and 1 (0.3%) in the DEX implant 0.35 mg group required trabeculectomy.Conclusions: The DEX implant 0.7 mg and 0.35 mg met the primary efficacy endpoint for improvement in BCVA. The safety profile was acceptable and consistent with previous reports.

PURPOSE To subsegment the choroid in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and to determine whether the ratio of choriocapillaris/Sattler layer thickness to total choroidal thickness is decreased at sites of polypoidal pathology. METHODS Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study. A total of 320 eyes of 305 patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy were studied with optical coherence tomography and dye angiography. The ratio of choriocapillaris/Sattler layer thickness to total choroidal thickness was calculated at polypoidal lesion sites in eyes with subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) ≤200 μm. RESULTS Mean SFCT was 267.7 ± 118.5 μm for the entire cohort. Mean SFCT was 151.2 ± 35.0 μm in eyes with SFCT ≤200 μm (n = 124, 39%). In this subgroup, dilated Haller vessels (pachyvessels) were identified under the site of neovascular ingrowth in 117 eyes (94%). Choroidal thickness in the pachyvessel zone was greater (213.3 ± 52.2 μm) than SFCT (P < 0.001) with a significantly lower choriocapillaris/Sattler layer to total thickness ratio (P < 0.001). Qualitative alterations of the retinal pigment epithelium were observed in 60 eyes (51%). CONCLUSION Eyes with normal or subnormal SFCT exhibited extrafoveal choroidal thickening at sites of polypoidal disease. The choriocapillaris and Sattler layers were attenuated at these locations, but Haller vessels were markedly dilated. These changes were topographically associated with sites of neovascular ingrowth and support the classification of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy as a pachychoroid disorder.

Purpose To describe the findings of enhanced depth imaging (EDI) optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the lamina cribrosa (LC) in glaucoma and pachychoroid spectrum diseases associated with peripapillary retinoschisis. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Participants A total of 16 patients from 1 institution. Methods Detailed medical case histories, optic disc and retinal imaging with EDI using the Spectralis OCT (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany), and clinical course were reviewed for patients with peripapillary retinoschisis without a known predisposing condition. Main Outcome Measures Clinical features and findings of the EDI OCT. Results Among the 16 eyes with peripapillary retinoschisis that had abnormal findings on EDI of the LC, 8 had glaucoma and 8 had pachychoroid spectrum diseases, including chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) (6 eyes), small pigment epithelium detachment (1 eye), and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) (1 eye). The abnormal LC findings were central or peripheral focal LC defects in eyes with glaucoma and LC disinsertions or peripheral focal LC defects in eyes with pachychoroid spectrum diseases. Central LC defects were related to inner layer retinoschisis, whereas LC disinsertions and peripheral LC defects were related to outer layer retinoschisis. The peripapillary retinoschisis did not show a topographic association with the underlying chronic CSC- or PCV-associated lesions. In 6 treated eyes with pachychoroid, peripapillary retinoschisis resolved along with subretinal fluid after anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injection in 4 eyes, whereas retinoschisis persisted after the resolution of subretinal fluid in 2 eyes. Conclusions Enhanced depth imaging OCT of the LC demonstrated alterations associated with peripapillary retinoschisis, pachychoroid spectrum diseases, and glaucoma.

To develop carbon dioxide (CO2)-reducible polymeric materials, block copolymers (PLA-PEC-PLA) of CO2-reducible polymers, poly(lactide) (PLA) and poly(ethylene carbonate) (PEC) were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of lactide in the presence of PEC diol using stannous octoate. Differential scanning calorimetry and contact angle measurements showed that the incorporation of the PEC block decrease the crystallinity of PLA and increases the hydrophilicity and flexibility due to its compatibility. The enzymatic degradation in Tris-HCl buffer containing proteinase K showed that the degradation rate of L-PLA-PEC-L-PLA was faster than that of L-PLA due to the decreased crystallization and increased hydrophilicity after copolymerization as well as degradation of PEC.

Two type of triblock copolymers [poly(l-lactide)-b-perfluoro polyether-b-poly(l-lactide) (fluoro l-PLA) and poly(d-lactide)-b-perfluoro polyether-b-poly(d-lactide) (fluoro d-PLA)] (fluoro PLAs) were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The synthesized triblock copolymers showed more hydrophobic properties than pristine l-PLA due to the perfluoro polyether (PFPE). To control the surface properties, the blends were prepared by mixing fluoro PLAs with l-PLA. The degradation rates of the fluoro PLAs/l-PLA blends were retarded due to the surface segregation of PFPE which has lower surface energy. In case of the fluoro d-PLA/l-PLA blends, however, the stereocomplex formation between the l-lactide and d-lactide sequences enhanced the thermal and enzymatic stabilities of l-PLA. As a result, the biodegradability of l-PLA can be controlled by copolymerization or the formation of a stereocomplex.

The nanoparticles of magnesium oxide used mainly for additives were synthesized through precipitation method in the presence of precipitants. The effects of preparation parameters, such as NaOH and Ca(OH)2 concentrations, dilution rate, rotation speed on size and morphology of the nanoparticles were investigated. The magnesium oxide was produced from magnesium hydroxide in the waste-seawater bittern. The properties of the obtained nanoparticles were analyzed by XRD and SEM. The obtained magnesium oxide crystals showed a wide distribution of globular structure including sphere or cubic-like morphology. Also size and crystallinity of magnesium oxide crystals increased from 50 to 180 nm with increasing a rotation speed.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in elderly people globally. It is estimated that there will be more Asians with AMD than the rest of the world combined by 2050. In Asian populations, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a common subtype of exudative AMD, while choroidal neovascularization secondary to AMD (CNV-AMD) is the typical subtype in Western populations. The two subtypes share many common clinical features and risk factors, but also have different epidemiological and clinical characteristics, natural history and treatment outcomes that point to distinct pathophysiological processes. Recent research in the fields of genetics, proteomics and imaging has provided further clarification of differences between PCV and CNV-AMD. Importantly, these differences have manifested as disparity in response to intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatment between PCV and CNV-AMD, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis of PCV and in distinguishing PCV from CNV-AMD, particularly in Asian patients. Current clinical trials of intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy and photodynamic therapy will provide clearer perspectives of evidence-based management of PCV and may lead to paradigm shifts in therapeutic strategies away from those currently employed in the treatment of CNV-AMD. Further research is needed to clarify the relative contribution of specific pathways in inflammation, complement activation, extracellular matrix dysregulation, lipid metabolism and angiogenesis to the pathogenesis of PCV. Findings from this research, together with improved diagnostic technology and new therapeutics, will facilitate more optimal management of Asian AMD.

Trichomoniasis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis is a common sexually transmitted disease. Its association with several health problems, including preterm birth, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and transmission of human immunodeficiency virus, emphasizes the importance of improved access to early and accurate detection of T. vaginalis. In this study, a rapid and efficient loop-mediated isothermal amplification-based method for the detection of T. vaginalis was developed and validated, using vaginal swab specimens from subjects suspected to have trichomoniasis. The LAMP assay targeting the actin gene was highly sensitive with detection limits of 1 trichomonad and 1 pg of T. vaginalis DNA per reaction, and specifically amplified the target gene only from T. vaginalis. Validation of this assay showed that it had the highest sensitivity and better agreement with PCR (used as the gold standard) compared to microscopy and multiplex PCR. This study showed that the LAMP assay, targeting the actin gene, could be used to diagnose early infections of T. vaginalis. Thus, we have provided an alternative molecular diagnostic tool and a point-of-care test that may help to prevent trichomoniasis transmission and associated complications.

To evaluate the 1-year results of adjunctive photodynamic therapy in patients with Type 1 neovascularization associated with thickened choroid who were refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy.Data on 28 eyes of 28 patients with Type 1 neovascularization with a minimum subfoveal choroidal thickness of 300 μm were reviewed. All showed persistent subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid after at least 4 anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections in the 6 months before adjunctive photodynamic therapy. No eyes had certain polypoidal lesions on indocyanine green angiography.At 3 months, complete fluid absorption was observed in 24 eyes (85.7%). The mean best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved (20/53-20/44, P = 0.040) and mean subfoveal choroidal thickness reduced (386 to 350 μm, P0.001) compared with baseline. Over a 1-year follow-up period, 17 eyes (60.7%) were free from recurrent fluid accumulation. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection was mainly used in retreatment (mean: 1.5). At 12 months, best-corrected visual acuity improved by ≥0.3 logMAR or maintained compared with baseline in 27 eyes (96.4%).Adjunctive photodynamic therapy in eyes with Type 1 neovascularization with thickened choroid that were refractory to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monotherapy resulted in complete fluid absorption in most eyes, which translated to visual improvement until 1 year.

Objectives/Hypothesis Unilateral cochlear implantation has emerged as a widely accepted procedure to treat severe to profound hearing loss, but many studies have reported benefits in terms of speech comprehension when listeners with residual low-frequency hearing in the nonimplanted ear use a hearing aid. Study Design Retrospective study. Methods In this study, we analyzed the speech performance and satisfaction of bimodal hearing according to the residual low-frequency hearing level in the nonimplanted ear. Based on low-frequency pure-tone audiometry (average of 250 Hz and 500 Hz) in the nonimplanted ear, we classified individuals into three groups as follows: group A (under 70 dB), group B (71–90 dB), and group C (over 91 dB). Listeners were tested using the Word Recognition Score, the Korea-Central Institute for Deaf sentence recognition test, and the Korean version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly questionnaire. Results We observed a bimodal benefit when the residual low-frequency threshold was less than 70 dB HL and a greater satisfaction with bimodal hearing compared to cochlear implant alone, when the residual low-frequency threshold was less than 70 dB HL. Conclusions This study supports the benefits of bimodal hearing in listeners with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss as standard clinical practice, when the residual low-frequency hearing threshold is under 70 dB in the nonimplanted ear. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 126:2817–2822, 2016

This study explored epidemiological trends in trichomoniasis in Daegu, South Korea. Wet mount microscopy, PCR, and multiplex PCR were used to test for Trichomonas vaginalis in vaginal swab samples obtained from 621 women visiting 2 clinics in Daegu. Of the 621 women tested, microscopy detected T. vaginalis in 4 (0.6%) patients, PCR detected T. vaginalis in 19 (3.0%) patients, and multiplex PCR detected T. vaginalis in 12 (1.9%) patients. Testing via PCR demonstrated high sensitivity and high negative predictive value for T. vaginalis. Among the 19 women who tested positive for T. vaginalis according to PCR, 94.7% (18/19) reported vaginal signs and symptoms. Notably, more than 50% of T. vaginalis infections occurred in females younger than 30 years old, and 58% were unmarried. Multiplex PCR, which simultaneously detects pathogens from various sexually transmitted infections, revealed that 91.7% (11/12) of patients were infected with 2 or more pathogens. Mycoplasma hominis was the most prevalent co-infection pathogen with T. vaginalis, followed by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamydia trachomatis. Our results indicate that PCR and multiplex PCR are the most sensitive tools for T. vaginalis diagnosis, rather than microscopy which has been routinely used to detect T. vaginalis infections in South Korea. Therefore, clinicians should take note of the high prevalence of T. vaginalis infections among adolescent and young women in order to prevent persistent infection and transmission of this disease.

Because diabetic retinopathy increases fracture risk, we studied the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and diabetic retinopathy in a nationally representative sample. A significant association between the presence of diabetic retinopathy and low BMD was observed. Therefore, diabetic retinopathy might be considered as a marker of low BMD. Several diabetic complications, including nephropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy, are associated with a higher fracture risk in diabetic subjects. However, in contrast to diabetic nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy, which are associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), little is known about the association between BMD and diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is associated with BMD. This cross-sectional study included a nationally representative sample consisting of 4357 men aged 50 years and older and 4392 postmenopausal women who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2008 to 2011 and underwent BMD measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and diabetic retinopathy assessments using seven standard gradable photographs. The diabetic women with retinopathy had lower mean BMD at all measured sites than those without retinopathy, although the BMD difference between the two groups was small (3–5 %). In addition, the diabetic women with retinopathy were 2.27 times more likely to have osteoporosis following adjustments for all clinically relevant covariates. However, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) or diabetic retinopathy was not associated with the prevalence of osteoporosis in men. This study has shown that the presence of diabetic retinopathy is significantly associated with a reduced BMD and increased prevalence of osteoporosis in diabetic women.

Background. The prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (non-mRCC) is controversial, although NLR has been established as a prognostic factor in several cancers. The objective of our study was to assess the prognostic significance of preoperative NLR in non-mRCC, based on a large, multicenter cohort analysis. Methods. Totally, 1,284 non-mRCC patients undergoing surgery were enrolled from six institutions between 2000 and 2014. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were calculated, and the prognostic significance of NLR was evaluated. Results. Patients with higher NLR had larger tumors (p<0.001), higher T stage (p<0.001), worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p<0.001), worse symptoms (p=0.003), sarcomatoid differentiation (p=0.004), and tumor necrosis (p<0.001). The 5-year RFS and CSS rates were significantly lower in patients with high NLR than in those with low NLR (each p<0.001). Multivariate analysis identified NLR to be an independent predictor of RFS and CSS (each p<0.05). Moreover, predictive accuracy of multivariate models for RFS and CSS increased by 2.2% and 4.2%, respectively, with NLR inclusion. Conclusions. Higher NLR was associated with worse clinical behavior of non-mRCC. Also, NLR was a significant prognostic factor of both RFS and CSS.

The 2-year efficacy and safety of combination therapy of ranibizumab administered together with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT) compared with ranibizumab monotherapy in participants with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are unclear.To compare treatment outcomes of ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, plus prompt vPDT combination therapy with ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, monotherapy in participants with PCV for 24 months.This 24-month, phase IV, double-masked, multicenter, randomized clinical trial (EVEREST II) was conducted among Asian participants from August 7, 2013, to March 2, 2017, with symptomatic macular PCV confirmed using indocyanine green angiography.Participants (N = 322) were randomized 1:1 to ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, plus vPDT (combination therapy group; n = 168) or ranibizumab, 0.5 mg, plus sham PDT (monotherapy group; n = 154). All participants received 3 consecutive monthly ranibizumab injections, followed by a pro re nata regimen. Participants also received vPDT (combination group) or sham PDT (monotherapy group) on day 1, followed by a pro re nata regimen based on the presence of active polypoidal lesions.Evaluation of combination therapy vs monotherapy at 24 months in key clinical outcomes, treatment exposure, and safety. Polypoidal lesion regression was defined as the absence of indocyanine green hyperfluorescence of polypoidal lesions.Among 322 participants (mean [SD] age, 68.1 [8.8] years; 225 [69.9%] male), the adjusted mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gains at month 24 were 9.6 letters in the combination therapy group and 5.5 letters in the monotherapy group (mean difference, 4.1 letters; 95% CI, 1.0-7.2 letters; P = .005), demonstrating that combination therapy was superior to monotherapy by the BCVA change from baseline to month 24. Combination therapy was superior to monotherapy in terms of complete polypoidal lesion regression at month 24 (81 of 143 [56.6%] vs 23 of 86 [26.7%] participants; P .001). Participants in the combination group received fewer ranibizumab injections (median, 6.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 4.0-11.0]) than the monotherapy group (median, 12.0 [IQR, 7.0-17.0]) up to month 24. The combination group required a median of 2.0 (IQR, 1.0-3.0) vPDT treatments for 24 months, with 75 of 168 participants (44.6%) requiring only 1 vPDT treatment.The 24-month data findings confirm that ranibizumab therapy, given as monotherapy or in combination with vPDT, is efficacious and safe for treatment of PCV. Combination therapy with vPDT added to ranibizumab achieved superior BCVA gain, increased odds of complete polypoidal lesion regression, and fewer treatment episodes compared with ranibizumab monotherapy.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01846273.

PURPOSE. To evaluate the depth and pattern of retinal hemorrhage in acute central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and to correlate these with visual and anatomic outcomes. METHODS. Retinal hemorrhages were evaluated with color fundus photography and fluorescein angiography at baseline and follow-up. Snellen visual acuity (VA), central foveal thickness (CFT), extent of retinal ischemia, and development of neovascularization were analyzed. RESULTS. 108 eyes from 108 patients were evaluated. Mean age was 63.6 ± 16.1 years with a predilection for the right eye (73.1%). Average follow-up was 17.2 ± 19.2 months. Mean VA at baseline was 20/126 and 20/80 at final follow-up. Baseline (P = 0.005) and final VA (P = 0.02) in eyes with perivascular nerve fiber layer (NFL) hemorrhages were significantly worse than in eyes with deep hemorrhages alone. Baseline CFT was greater in the group with perivascular hemorrhages (826 ± 394 μm) compared to the group with deep hemorrhages alone (455 ± 273 μm, P < 0.001). The 10 disc areas of retinal ischemia was more common in patients with perivascular (80.0%) and peripapillary (31.3%) versus deep hemorrhages alone (16.1%, P < 0.001). Neovascularization of the iris was more common, although this differrence was not significant, in the groups with peripapillary (14.3%) and perivascular (2.0%) NFL versus deep hemorrhages alone (0.0%). CONCLUSIONS. NFL retinal hemorrhages at baseline correlate with more severe forms of CRVO, with greater macular edema, poorer visual outcomes, and greater risk of ischemia and neovascularization. This may be related to the organization of the retinal capillary plexus. The depth and pattern of distribution of retinal hemorrhages in CRVO may provide an easily identifiable early biomarker of CRVO prognosis.

Although several types of penile augmentation (PA) fillers have been recently introduced, no long-term follow-up studies have compared them. This study aimed to compare the long-term clinical outcomes of hyaluronic acid (HA) and polylactic acid (PLA) filler injections for PA. Our multicenter, patient-blinded/evaluator-blinded, randomized comparative trial was performed for 18 months after the single injection of fillers. Sixty-seven healthy men reporting a small penis were administered an injection between November 2016 and May 2017. Subjects were divided into the HA group (n = 33) and PLA group (n = 34). At 18 months, the mean penile girths had significantly increased in both groups (each p &lt, 0.001). Changes in the mean penile girth of both groups were not significantly different during the study period. Satisfaction levels at 18 months were significantly higher than those at baseline in both groups (each p &lt, 0.01). Changes in satisfaction levels did not differ significantly during the study period. Injection-associated adverse events (AEs) occurred in three (9.1%) patients in the HA group and in two (5.9%) patients in the PLA group, no serious AEs occurred. In conclusion, HA and PLA filler injections for PA led to significant augmentation and increased satisfaction. Clinical efficacy and safety were comparable between groups.

Background and objectiveMany men tend to desire a larger penis than women want because it symbolizes masculinity and sexual prowess. Micropenis is a normally developed penis with at least 2.5 standard deviations below the mean size in stretched length for age. Unlike micropenis, small penis syndrome (SPS) refers to uncomfortable feelings about one’s penis size, even though penis size does not fall within the micropenis category. Some men seriously worry or feel ashamed of their penis size, and they may meet the diagnosis criteria of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Unlike micropenis, the differential diagnosis of BDD is very important, because it is associated with high rates of committing suicide. In particular, when combined with BDD, it is known that poor outcomes after cosmetic interventions are expected. Several validated assessment tools are available to differentiate SPS and the degree of BDD, but they are still controversial. Furthermore, many physicians are performing cosmetic interventions on patients who have not been fully assessed and counseled by a psychologist, thereby leading to unsatisfactory results. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the definition of disease for penis size and review its diagnosis and treatment. This will be helpful both for physicians to enable them to provide adequate counseling and treatment and for patients to help them avoid unsatisfactory treatment.

Purpose We sought to evaluate longer-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept monotherapy (IAI) vs IAI plus rescue photodynamic therapy (rPDT) in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). Design This was a prospective multicenter, double-masked, sham-controlled randomized clinical study across 62 centers. Methods In this phase 3b/4 study, patients with PCV with best-corrected visual acuity of 73–24 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (20/40–20/320 Snellen equivalent) received IAI 2 mg every 4 weeks until week 12, when they were randomized 1:1 to receive IAI or IAI plus rPDT if rescue criteria were met. Patients not requiring rescue received IAI every 8 weeks; those requiring rescue received IAI every 4 weeks plus sham/active PDT. At week 52 (the primary endpoint), IAI was noninferior to IAI plus rPDT. After week 52, treatment intervals could be extended beyond 8 weeks at the investigators' discretion. Noninferiority of IAI vs IAI plus rPDT for mean best-corrected visual acuity change from baseline to week 96 was evaluated. Results Over 96 weeks, 54 patients (17.0%) met rescue criteria. At week 96, IAI was noninferior to IAI plus rPDT in terms of Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters gained (+10.7 vs +9.1, P = .48). Proportions of patients with complete polyp regression (33.1% vs 29.1%) or without active polyps (82.1% vs 85.6%) were similar. In year 2, the mean number of injections was 4.6 in both arms. No new safety signals were observed. Conclusion IAI monotherapy was noninferior to IAI with rescue PDT up to 96 weeks, and functional and anatomical improvements achieved at 52 weeks were maintained. Few patients required rescue PDT, which provided no additional visual benefit.

Background Studies about the clinical utility of fillers on penile augmentation (PA) are lacking. Furthermore, no randomized study has compared the utilities of fillers. Aim To compare the efficacy and safety between hyaluronic acid (HA) and polylactic acid (PLA) filler injection for PA. Methods This prospective, randomized patient/evaluator-blind, comparative multicenter study consisted of an initial 2-week baseline period and 48-week patient/evaluator-blind post-injection period. 72 patients with small penis syndrome were enrolled from 3 institutions between March–July 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the HA group, comprising 36 patients injected with HA, and the PLA group, comprising 36 patients injected with PLA. Main Outcome Measures Penile girth and satisfaction were assessed at baseline and at 4, 12, 24, and 48 weeks after injection. Results Penile girth increases adequately lasted ≤48 weeks in both groups (16.95 ± 10.53 and 13.49 ± 9.98 mm of mean increase in the HA and PLA groups, respectively; P < .001). The mean penile girth increase in the HA group was significantly greater than that in the PLA group at 4 weeks (P < .001). Subsequently, it gradually decreased and was no longer significantly different at 48 weeks (P = .075). Satisfaction levels increased after injection and were maintained ≤48 weeks. No significant differences were observed in the overall satisfaction level between the groups (P > .05). Filler injection–related adverse events were mild and transient and occurred in 1 and 3 patients in the HA and PLA groups, respectively. Clinical Implications This study provides an overview of the efficacy and safety of HA and PLA fillers, which are the most commonly used soft tissue fillers for PA. Strength and Limitations This study, to our knowledge, is the first to compare the efficacy and safety between different filler injections for human PA. However, it was impossible to perform a researcher-blinded trial because of the unique properties of fillers, and 31 patients (43.1%) were dropped during the study period. Conclusions Both HA and PLA filler injections for PA led to a significant augmentative effect without serious adverse events and had clinically comparable efficacy and safety.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) combination therapy to single-agent antibiotic therapy for the resolution of symptoms during two restricted activity days in patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC)Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective, randomized control pilot study. A total of 55 patients were enrolled. Group I (n=28) was treated with cepodoxime (100 mg twice per day), and Group II (n=27) was treated with cepodoxime (100 mg) and aceclofenac (100 mg) twice per day; both groups were treated for three days. Upon dysuria after each administration, the participants entered a value on a numerical pain scale. The primary outcome was whether there were any differences in the decrease rate in pain scale between the two groups.Result: The average age of the 55 patients was 49.9 ± 13.5 years, and prior to the clinical visit, the patients ex-perienced an average of 2.4 ± 2.2 days of dysuria symptoms. The average numerical pain scale score for dysuria was 4.98 ± 2.18. Thirty-four patients (61.8%) showed positive culture results, and E. coli was the most commonly found bacteria, cultured in 32 patients.Fifty-one patients visited the clinic on day 7, and 42 (76.4%) reported symptom improvement, while nine patients (16.3%) had persistent symptoms. The follow-up numerical pain score was 0.39 ± 1.02 points. The pain score was dramatically decreased after medication. No difference was observed in the magnitude of the pain scale reduction between the two groups (P = 0.134). However, group II showed faster symptom resolution (P = 0.035) at the third administration (day 1.5).Conclusion: Combination therapy with NSAIDs and antibiotics for AUC patients can improve symptoms faster during two restricted activity days when patients have difficulty performing daily living activities.

To identify prognostic factors that may predict the amount of long-term visual improvement after idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal.A retrospective study of 114 patients who underwent epiretinal membrane removal was performed. The central foveal thickness, inner retinal layer thickness, inner retinal irregularity index, length of the cone outer segment tip line defect, and length of the ellipsoid zone defect were measured. The optical coherence tomography parameters that were associated with the amount of visual improvement were determined at 24 months postoperatively.Central foveal thickness and inner retinal irregularity index were not associated with best-corrected visual acuity at 24 months (P = 0.227 and P = 0.544, respectively), whereas the lengths of cone outer segment tip line defect and ellipsoid zone defect were associated with worse best-corrected visual acuity at 24 months (P = 0.015 and P0.001, respectively). Univariate regression analysis indicated that central foveal thickness and inner retinal irregularity index were associated with visual improvement (P = 0.011 and P0.001, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that inner retinal irregularity index, a marker of the inner retinal deformation, was associated with visual improvement after adjusting for age, gender, and other optical coherence tomography findings (P0.001).Patients with preoperative inner retinal deformation were found to have significantly improved long-term visual outcomes after epiretinal membrane removal.

Importance Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is common in Asian populations, but an optimal treatment approach remains to be confirmed. Objective To evaluate intravitreal aflibercept injection (IAI) in participants with PCV and compare IAI monotherapy with IAI plus rescue photodynamic therapy (PDT). Design, Setting, and Participants This 96-week, double-masked, sham-controlled phase 3b/4 randomized clinical trial was conducted at multiple centers in Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan from May 2014 to August 2016, and included adults 50 years or older with symptomatic macular PCV and a best-corrected visual acuity of 73 to 24 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (20/40-20/320 Snellen equivalent). Interventions Participants received 2 mg of IAI at weeks 0, 4, and 8. At week 12, participants with a suboptimal response were randomized 1:1 to receive IAI plus sham PDT (IAI monotherapy) or a “rescue” of IAI plus rescue PDT (IAI/PDT). Participants who did not qualify for rescue received IAI every 8 weeks; those qualifying for rescue received IAI every 4 weeks plus sham/active PDT. When the rescue criteria were no longer met, injection intervals were gradually extended to 8 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures Noninferiority of IAI monotherapy to IAI/PDT for mean change in best-corrected visual acuity from baseline to week 52 (95% CI of the difference entirely above −5 letters). Results Of the 318 participants, the mean (SD) age was 70.6 (8.2) years, 96 (30.2%) were women, and 152 (47.8%) were Japanese. Monotherapy with IAI was noninferior to IAI/PDT for the primary end point (+10.7 vs +10.8 letters, respectively; 95% CI, −2.9 to 1.6;P = .55), with few participants requiring rescue therapy (19 [12.1%] vs 23 [14.3%], respectively). Participants in both treatment groups had similar reductions in central subfield thickness from baseline to week 52 (−137.7 [IAI monotherapy] vs −143.5 μm [IAI/PDT]). At week 52, 49 (38.9%) and 60 participants (44.8%) had no polypoidal lesions observed on indocyanine green angiography in the IAI monotherapy and IAI/PDT groups, respectively. Furthermore, 116 (81.7%) and 136 (88.9%), respectively, had no polypoidal lesions with leakage. The most frequent ocular adverse events were conjunctival hemorrhage (IAI monotherapy, 8 [5.1%]) and dry eye (IAI/PDT, 9 [5.6%]). Conclusions and Relevance Improvement in visual and/or functional outcomes was achieved in more than 85% of participants who were treated with IAI monotherapy, with no signs of leakage from polypoidal lesions in more than 80%. As fewer than 15% met the criteria of a suboptimal response to receive PDT, the potential benefit of adding PDT cannot be determined. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02120950

IMPORTANCE To reveal choroidal morphological profiles under pachydrusen. BACKGROUND Drusen in pachychoroid disorders show certain differences from conventional drusen and are recently named as "pachydrusen." This study analysed the specific choroidal morphology under pachydrusen. DESIGN This study is a cross-sectional case series. PARTICIPANTS Enrolled were 136 eyes with pachydrusen from 134 patients. METHODS The presence of pachydrusen in fundus area covered by a 12 × 9 mm2 optical coherence tomography (OCT) image was accessed in eyes with pachychoroid-related diseases or their fellow eyes using colour fundus photography and swept source OCT. Choroidal morphology under the pachydrusen was analysed using OCT B-scans and en face images. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Choroidal thicknesses and topographical correlation between pachydrusen and pachyvessels. RESULTS A total of 225 pachydrusen in 136 eyes were analysed. The mean number of pachydrusen was 1.65 ± 1.07 per eye. Most pachydrusen were located para- or perifoveally (37 subfoveal, 86 parafoveal and 102 perifoveal). The proportion of Haller's layer to total choroidal thickness was higher at the area of the pachydrusen compared to the subfovea (0.881 ± 0.081 vs 0.765 ± 0.111, P

Purpose This study analyzes a subset of patients with peripapillary polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) to determine whether quantifiable pachychoroid features colocalize with disease foci. Methods Patients with PCV diagnosed by indocyanine green angiography were identified for the analysis of medical records and multimodal imaging and classified as having peripapillary or macular PCV. The ratio of Haller layer thickness to total choroidal thickness was calculated at the fovea and at the site of dilated Haller vessels that showed spatial correlation with the origin of neovascularization. Choroidal thickness was measured horizontally across the fovea and circumferentially around the temporal side of the disk to study its relationship to neovascularization. Results Three hundred and fourteen eyes of 299 patients with PCV were identified, of which 17 eyes (5%) had peripapillary disease. Although eyes with peripapillary PCV exhibited thinner subfoveal choroids than those with macular PCV, at the extrafoveal disease foci, choroidal thickness, Haller's layer thickness, and its ratio to total choroidal thickness were relatively high. Conclusion Quantitative indices of choroidal structure previously identified in macular PCV performed consistently when applied to a peripapillary PCV cohort, thus supporting the hypothesis that inner choroidal thinning and Haller vessel enlargement are mechanistically relevant to these related entities.

The funding number was incorrect in the original published article. The correct funding number should read as follows.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The prognostic value of obesity is unestablished for renal cell carcinoma. We assessed the age-dependent prognostic value of body mass index (BMI) in a large multicenter cohort of patients with non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (nm-cRCC). METHODS This study evaluated 2092 patients with nm-cRCC who underwent surgery with curative intent at five Korean institutions between 2001 and 2014. RESULTS There was no significant difference in BMI between the young (

Pachychoroid is a relatively novel concept describing a phenotype characterized by attenuation of the choriocapillaris overlying dilated choroidal veins, and associated with progressive retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction and neovascularization. The emphasis in defining pachychoroid-related disorders has shifted away from simply an abnormally thick choroid (pachychoroid) toward a detailed morphological definition of a pathologic state (pachychoroid disease) with functional implications, which will be discussed in this review. Several clinical manifestations have been described to reside within the pachychoroid disease spectrum, including central serous chorioretinopathy, pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy, pachychoroid neovasculopathy, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy/aneurysmal type 1 neovascularization, focal choroidal excavation, peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome. These conditions all exhibit the characteristic choroidal alterations and are believed to represent different manifestations of a common pathogenic process. This review is based on both the current literature and the clinical experience of our individual authors, with an emphasis on the clinical and imaging features, management considerations, as well as current understanding of pathogenesis of these disorders within the context of the recent findings related to pachychoroid disease.摘要: 肥厚型脉络膜疾病是近年来提出的新概念, 其描述了一类特征为脉络膜毛细血管层的静脉扩张, 并且与进行性视网膜色素上皮功能障碍和新生血管的形成有关的一类疾病。定义肥厚型脉络膜相关疾病的重点已经从简单的脉络膜厚度异常 (脉络膜肥厚) 转向影响功能的病理状态 (“肥厚型脉络膜疾病”) 的详细形态学定义, 这将在本综述中详细讨论。属于肥厚型脉络膜疾病谱的疾病, 包括中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变, 肥厚型脉络膜色素上皮病变, 肥厚型脉络膜新生血管病变, 息肉状脉络膜血管病变/1型动脉瘤新生血管, 局灶性脉络膜凹陷, 视盘周围毛细脉络膜肥厚综合症。这些病症都表现出特征性的脉络膜改变, 并且被认为代表了常见致病过程的不同临床表现。 本综述基于目前已发表的文献和作者自身的临床经验以及最近在肥厚型脉络疾病的相关研究结果, 重点强调了临床表现、影像学特征、治疗要点以及目前对这些疾病发病机制的探讨。.

Luminescence nanocomposites based on barium titanate nanoparticles (BaTiO3), polystyrene (PSt), and terbium ion (Tb3+) were synthesized by using a combination of reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization, Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction and coordination chemistry. The modification of the surface of BaTiO3 was conducted by an exchange process with S-benzyl S’-trimethoxysilylpropyltrithiocarbonate to anchor macro-initiators for the polymerization of styrene. Subsequently, PSt grafted barium titanate was functionalized by the substitution reaction between 4-(chloromethyl) benzoic acid and PSt to produce hybrids, BaTiO3-g-PSt -COOH. The coordination of the hybrids with Tb3+ ions in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) afforded fluorescent Tb3+ tagged carboxylic acid functionalized polystyrene/barium titanate (BaTiO3-g-PSt-Tb3+-Phen). FT-IR, XRD, TGA, and SEM analyses revealed the formation of BaTiO3-g-PSt-Tb3+-Phen hybrids. The optical properties of BaTiO­3-g-PSt-Tb3+-Phen were ...

Aluminum (Al) is a lightweight, thermally high conductive, reflective and non-toxic metal that can be easily machined. However, weak corrosion and wear resistant of Al, comparing to other metals are limited to apply it to a heat transfer plate. In order to overcome these drawbacks, anodic oxidation method has been applied to produce anodic Al oxide (AAO) and then the AAO sheet is then immersed into the nano-hybrid solution. The properties of obtained samples were evaluated. It was found that the modified Al anodizing one could produce a hard oxide coating with good corrosion protection and thermal conductivity.

A biocompatible polymer composite film was prepared by casting method of the mixed solution of poly(L-lactide) (PLA) and lotus leaf powder (LLP) in chloroform. The obtained composite film showed hydrophobic properties. The surface wettability and change in the surface morphology of the film before and after degradation in the enzyme solution were analyzed by contact angle measurement and high resolution scanning electron microscopy. The degradation rate of PLA could be controlled by mixing the right composition of LLP to PLA.

Since single-use disposable plastic usage has steadily been increasing, recent trends in polymeric research point to increasing demand for eco-friend materials which reduce plastic waste. A huge amount of non-degradable polypropylene (PP)-based pots for seedling culture are discarded for transplantation. The purpose of this study is to investigate an eco-friendly biodegradable material as a possible substitute for PP pot. The blend of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) was used because of its good mechanical and flexible properties as well as biodegradation. After landfill, various properties of the blend pot were investigated by UTM, SEM, NMR and TGA. The results showed the tensile strength of the blend film rapidly decreased after 5 weeks of landfill due to degradation. From NMR data after landfill, the composition of PLA in the blend was decreased. These results indicate that the biodegradation of the blend preferentially occurs in PLA component. To investigate the effect of holes in pot bottom and side on root growth, a plant in the pot was grown. Some roots came out through holes as landfill period increases. These results indicate that the eco-friendly pot can be directly planted without the removal of pot.

In this study, vanadium dioxide (VO2) powder well known as a thermochromic material was prepared from V2O5 powder and oxalic acid dihydrate by hydrothermal and calcination process at various conditions. The chemical bonding and crystal structures in addition to thermal property of samples were determined using FE-SEM, XRD, XPS, and DSC. Also, spectroscopic and thermochromic properties of film samples were analyzed by UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy after the thin film was prepared from the sol dispersed with the size of below 50 nm by the ball-milling of powder sample. With increasing the calcination temperature, the phase transition temperature of samples increased from 40 ℃ to 70 ℃ due to the increase of particle size.

Objective The primary study hypothesis was that ranibizumab 0.5 mg monotherapy or combined with laser is superior to laser monotherapy based on mean average change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) over 12 months in Asian patients with visual impairment resulting from diabetic macular edema (DME). Design A 12-month, randomized, double-masked, multicenter, laser-controlled, phase III study. Participants Three hundred ninety-six patients aged ≥18 years, with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, BCVA of 78–39 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letters, and visual impairment resulting from DME. Methods Patients were randomized to ranibizumab + sham laser (n = 133), ranibizumab + active laser (n = 132), or sham injection + active laser (n = 131). Ranibizumab/sham injections were administered on day 1 and continued monthly. As of month 3, monthly injections were continued if stable vision was not reached. Treatment was reinitiated if BCVA decreased because of DME progression. Active/sham laser was administered on day 1 and thereafter according to ETDRS guidelines. Main Outcome Measures Average change in BCVA from baseline to months 1 through 12, central retinal subfield thickness (CRST), and safety over 12 months. Results Ranibizumab monotherapy or combined with laser was superior to laser in improving mean average change in BCVA from baseline to months 1 through 12 (+5.9 and +5.7 vs +1.4 letters). At month 12, greater proportion of patients gained ≥15 letters with ranibizumab and ranibizumab + laser compared with laser (18.8% and 17.8% vs 7.8%). Mean CRST reduced significantly from baseline to month 12 with ranibizumab (−134.6 μm) and ranibizumab + laser (−171.8 μm) versus laser (−57.2 μm). Patients received a mean of 7.8 and 7.0 ranibizumab injections in the ranibizumab and ranibizumab + laser arms, respectively, and 1.5–1.9 active laser across treatment arms over 12 months. Conjunctival hemorrhage was the most common ocular, whereas nasopharyngitis and hypertension were the most common nonocular adverse events. Ranibizumab was not associated with any cases of cerebrovascular hemorrhage and cerebrovascular ischemia. No death related to study treatment was reported. Conclusions Ranibizumab monotherapy or combined with laser showed superior BCVA improvements over laser treatment alone in Asian patients with visual impairment resulting from DME. No new ocular or nonocular safety findings were observed and treatment was well tolerated over 12 months.

In this study, to obtain isoindoline compounds with the high thermal resistance and reddish yellow color using an environ- mental friendly method without the use of any surfactants, isoindoline derivatives with different structures were added at vari- ous reaction temperatures for the synthesis and the product was then crystallized by controlling temperatures and times in autoclave. Chemical structures, particle sizes, color differences, and optical properties were evaluated by the means of FT-IR, FE-SEM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, PSA (particle size analyzer) and Zeta potential analyzer. The samples with an enhanced dis- persibility, highly thermal resistance, uniform particle sizes were achieved possibly due to the addition of isoindoline de- rivatives into the crystallization processing mixtures. The color change trend was also observed depending upon synthesis conditions.

Preoperatively predicting postoperative kidney function is an essential step to achieve improved renal function and prevent chronic kidney disease. We introduce a novel formula especially to calculate resected and ischemic volume before partial nephrectomy. We examined whether resected and ischemic volume would have value for predicting postoperative renal function.We performed a retrospective cohort study in 210 patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy between September 2006 and October 2013 at a tertiary cancer care center. Based on abdominopelvic computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging we calculated resected and ischemic volume by the novel mathematical formula using integral calculus. We comparatively analyzed resected and ischemic volume, and current nephrometry systems to determine the degree of association and predictability regarding the severity of the postoperative functional reduction.On multivariable analysis resected and ischemic volume showed a superior association with the absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate/percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (B = 6.5, p = 0.005/B = 6.35, p = 0.009). The ROC AUC revealed accurate predictability of resected and ischemic volume on the stratified event of an absolute change in estimated glomerular filtration rate/event of percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to 3 representative nephrometry systems. The calibration plot of this model was excellent (close to the 45-degree line) within the whole range of predicted probabilities.We report a method of preoperatively calculating resected and ischemic volume with a novel formula. This method has superior correlation with the absolute and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to current nephrometry systems. The predictive model achieved a strong correlation for the absolute and percent change in estimated glomerular filtration rate.

To examine the correlation between estimated intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (eIELT) and stopwatch-measured intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (sIELT), and to assess the clinical utility of eIELT in identifying men more likely to have lifelong premature ejaculation (PE).A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted. Between July 2010 and August 2011, 118 healthy men aged 30-70 years, more likely to have lifelong PE, were recruited from 5 institutions in Korea. All patients underwent preliminary assessments including collection of medical and sexual history, physical examination, determination of eIELT, and the Premature Ejaculation Profile questionnaire. During the 1-week study period, patients were requested to engage in sexual intercourse at least twice and to record the sIELT.eIELT and sIELT correlated well (r = 0.512; P .001). However, eIELT was overestimated by a mean of 1.2 ± 0.2 minutes (median, 1.0 minutes) compared with sIELT (P = .046). eIELT showed a reduced correlation with the Premature Ejaculation Profile measures, compared with sIELT (each P-value .05). The diagnostic accuracy of eIELT was 67.9% (P = .001), and an eIELT of 2 minutes was the acceptable cutoff value to diagnose lifelong PE.Although eIELT correlated well with sIELT, it was overestimated by approximately 1 minute and had lower clinical utility than sIELT. Our study suggests that eIELT and sIELT cannot be directly interchanged and that caution should be used when substituting sIELT with eIELT to identify men who are more likely to have lifelong PE.

To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment results of adult patients with ocular toxocariasis.A total of 54 consecutive patients who were clinically and serologically diagnosed with ocular toxocariasis were retrospectively reviewed.Among patients, 66.7 and 77.3% showed increases in eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and total Ig E in serum, respectively. Four eyes (7.2%) initially presented as neuroretinitis with subsequent motile retinal lesion. The recurrence rates in the combination treatment group with albendazole and corticosteroids were significantly lower than those in the steroid-alone group during the mean follow-up of 27.6 months (p = 0.001).The adjunctive test of serum total IgE level may be helpful for the diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis. Ocular toxocariasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unilateral neuroretinitis with subsequent motile retinal lesion. Combined treatment with albendazole and corticosteroids appeared to be effective for reducing the recurrence of intraocular inflammation.

Two dimensional (2D) layered materials have recently attracted significant research interest owing to their unique physical and chemical properties for efficient electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, we present a neoteric approach to fabricate high performance MoS2 thin film supercapacitor electrodes by using a direct magnetron sputtering technique. The novel three-dimensional (3D) porous structure of the MoS2 film exhibits an excellent capacitance of ∼330 F cm−3 along with a high volumetric power and energy density of 40–80 W cm−3 and 1.6–2.4 mW h cm−3, respectively. Moreover, the optimized MoS2 electrode shows an outstanding cyclic stability, yielding capacitance retention over 97% after 5000 cycles of charging/discharging. The contemporary approach to MoS2 supercapacitor electrode fabrication will enable new opportunities in flexible electronic and energy devices.

Hybrid assemblies consisting of metal nanoparticles (NPs) and fluorophores are quite interesting because the intrinsic properties of fluorophores can be engineered in the assembled structure. In this regard, we utilized the self-segregation properties of block copolymer micelles to organize metal NPs and fluorophores simultaneously in a specific arrangement. From the viewpoint of assembly methods, we first encapsulated Au NPs in the PS cores of polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-PAA) micelles. Then, positively charged fluorescent dyes of rhodamine 123 (R123) were bound to the negatively charged PAA coronas by electrostatic interactions. Since carboxylic acid in the PAA block is a weak acid, the degree of R123 binding to PS-PAA micelles can be adjusted by varying the pH of the solution. Therefore, by changing the pH, we were able to control the assembly and disassembly of R123 molecules to PS-PAA micelles and the corresponding change in the fluorescence signal.

Post hoc analyses of the Asian subpopulation of the VIEW trials demonstrated that visual and anatomic outcomes were similar in eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept and ranibizumab, and were similar to outcomes seen in white patients., Purpose: To assess the treatment effect of intravitreal aflibercept and ranibizumab in Asian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Methods: We evaluated data from VIEW 1 and VIEW 2, comparing functional and morphologic outcomes at Week 96 between intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg monthly (2q4) or 2 mg bimonthly after 3 initial monthly doses (2q8) versus ranibizumab 0.5 mg monthly among Asian patients (n = 269) and between Asian and white patients (n = 2044). Results: In Asian patients, there were no significant differences between intravitreal aflibercept 2q4 and 2q8 compared with ranibizumab in mean gain in best-corrected visual acuity (10.23 and 8.35 vs. 8.51 letters). Reduction in central retinal thickness was greater for intravitreal aflibercept 2q4 (150.43 μm, P = 0.0075) and 2q8 (148.15 μm, P = 0.0126) than ranibizumab (119.46 μm). The proportion of dry retinas was greater for intravitreal aflibercept 2q4 (65.7%, P < 0.01) than ranibizumab (41.7%). There were no differences in outcomes between Asian and white patients. Serious treatment-emergent ocular adverse events occurred in

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of a new surgical technique involving use of a contralateral autologous internal limiting membrane (ILM) free flap for closure of a refractory macular hole (MH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Closure could not be achieved after several MH surgeries in a 72-year-old woman with an epiretinal membrane (ERM) in the right eye and a chronic MH in the left eye. Therefore, the authors performed surgery on the left eye using a contralateral autologous ILM free flap obtained during ERM surgery performed on the right eye. RESULTS: The refractory MH had disappeared, and the patient's corrected visual acuity was improved in both eyes by 4 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: When a suitable free flap cannot be obtained from the operated eye, contralateral autologous ILM transplantation has the potential to improve functional and anatomical outcomes in an eye with a refractory MH. [ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina . 2018;49:e75–e77.]