Search

Yu Matsuo,1 Yu Monden,1 Kensuke Sasaki,1 Hodaka Akune,1 Shuntaro Ikeda,1 Daiki Ishio,1 Kenta Murotani,2 Koji Nagafuji,3 Shigeo Yoshida1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan; 2Biostatistics Center, Kurume University, Kurume, Japan; 3Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JapanCorrespondence: Yu Matsuo, Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan, Tel +81 942 31 7574 ; Fax +81 942 37 0324, Email matsuo_yuu@med.kurume-u.ac.jpPurpose: To report the outcomes of different therapies in patients with conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.Patients and Methods: This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with conjunctival MALT lymphoma between August 2000 and April 2022. Patients were classified into three groups according to their treatment: an observation group, a radiation therapy (RT) group, and a rituximab group (rituximab with or without chemotherapy). We analyzed overall survival (OS), overall, local, and systemic relapse-free survival (RFS), and adverse events after treatment.Results: This study included 15 patients (22 eyes). The 10-year OS was 100%. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall RFS rates were 80.1%, 41.2%, and 41.2% in all patients, respectively. The 2- and 5-year local RFS rates in the observation group were 100% and 0%, respectively. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year local RFS rates were 87%, 87%, and 87% in the RT group and 83%, 67%, and 67% in the rituximab group, respectively. The 2- and 5-year systemic RFS rates in the observation group were both 100%, and the 2-, 5-, and 10-year systemic RFS rates were 92%, 55%, and 55% in the RT group, and 100%, 60%, and 60% in the rituximab group, respectively. After RT, 53.3% of the eyes developed cataracts and 75% of these were treated with cataract surgery. In addition, 53.3% of the eyes developed dry eyes and were treated with eye drops. Rituximab with or without chemotherapy resulted in some systemic adverse events, but these improved following symptomatic therapies.Conclusion: RT resulted in good local control of conjunctival MALT lymphoma; however, systemic relapse may occur during long-term follow-up. Local and/or systemic relapse may also occur during long-term follow-up in patients treated by observation or rituximab with or without chemotherapy. Patients with conjunctival MALT lymphoma should be followed-up carefully for as long as possible after treatment.Keywords: conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, overall survival, relapse-free survival

Yumiko Matsuo,1,2 Emiko Ogawa,1,2 Yoko Tsunoda,1 Akio Yamazaki,1 Satoru Kawashima,1 Yasuki Uchida,1 Hiroaki Nakagawa,1 Daisuke Kinose,1 Masafumi Yamaguchi,1 Yasutaka Nakano1 1Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, Japan; 2Health Administration Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga, JapanCorrespondence: Emiko Ogawa, Health Administration Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga, 520-2192, Japan, Tel/Fax +81-77-548-2212, Email eogawa@belle.shiga-med.ac.jpPurpose: Disease probability measure (DPM) is a useful voxel-wise imaging assessment of gas-trapping and emphysematous lesions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To elucidate the progression of COPD, we performed a cluster analysis using the following DPM parameters: normal (DPMNormal), gas-trapping (DPMGasTrap), and emphysematous lesions (DPMEmph). Our findings revealed the characteristics of each cluster and the 3-year disease progression using imaging parameters.Patients and Methods: Inspiratory and expiratory chest computed tomography (CT) images of 131 patients with COPD were examined, of which 84 were followed up for 3 years. The percentage of low attenuation volume (LAV%) and the square root of the wall area of a hypothetical airway with an internal perimeter of 10 mm (√Aaw at Pi10) were quantitatively measured using inspiratory chest CT. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed using the DPM parameters at baseline. Five clusters were named according to the dominant DPM parameters: normal (NL), normal-GasTrap (NL-GT), GasTrap (GT), GasTrap-Emphysema (GT-EM), and Emphysema (EM).Results: Women were predominantly diagnosed with GT. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s gradually decreased in the following order: NL, NL-GT, GT, GT-EM, and EM. DPMEmph correlated well with LAV%. Four clusters other than NL showed significantly higher values of √Aaw at Pi10 than NL; however, no significant differences were observed among them. In all clusters, DPMEmph increased after 3 years. DPMNormal only increased in the GT cluster.Conclusion: Clusters using DPM parameters may reflect the characteristics of COPD and help understand the pathophysiology of the disease.Keywords: cluster analysis, computed tomography, COPD, DPM, gas-trapping, emphysema

Nobuhiro Kato, Masatoshi Haruta, Kei Furushima, Rikki Arai, Yu Matsuo, Shigeo Yoshida Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, JapanCorrespondence: Masatoshi Haruta, Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, Japan, Tel +81 942 31 7574, Fax +81 942 37 0324, Email haruta_masatoshi@med.kurume-u.ac.jpPurpose: Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents such as brolucizumab and aflibercept are used widely to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD); however; they may theoretically affect the ocular blood flow. We investigated the short-term changes in the ocular blood flow between eyes with nAMD treated with intravitreal brolucizumab injections (IVBr) and intravitreal aflibercept injections (IVA).Methods: This study included 21 eyes of 21 Japanese patients with nAMD treated with either IVBr or IVA at Kurume University Hospital from April 2021 through June 2022. The rates of ocular blood flow at the optic nerve head (ONH mean blur rate [MBR]-vessel) and at the choroid (CHOR MBR) were analyzed before and 30 minutes after injections using laser speckle flowgraphy.Results: In the IVBr-treated group, the ONH MBR-vessel and CHOR MBR rates decreased significantly by 10.6% and 16.9% from baseline to 30 minutes after IVBr, respectively. In the IVA-treated group, ONH MBR-vessel and CHOR MBR rates decreased significantly by 9.4% and 6.1% from baseline to 30 minutes after IVA, respectively. There was no significant difference in the rates of decrease in the ONH MBR-vessel or CHOR MBR between the IVBr-treated and IVA-treated groups.Conclusion: Intravitreal injections of brolucizumab and aflibercept in eyes with nAMD cause significant decreases in ocular blood flow at the ONH and the choroid 30 minutes after injection. The rate of decrease in ocular blood flow was not significant between the eyes treated with brolucizumab and aflibercept. However, 3 of 10 eyes treated with brolucizumab but none of 11 eyes treated with aflibercept had more than a 30% decrease in the ocular blood flow at the choroid 30 minutes after injection.Keywords: anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, choroid, laser speckle flowgraphy, mean blur rate, optic nerve head

Hiromi Asada,1 Yoshimitsu Takahashi,1 Yuka Ono,2 Noriko Kishi,2 Yukinori Matsuo,2 Takashi Mizowaki,2 Takeo Nakayama1 1Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; 2Department of Radiation Oncology and Image-Applied Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, JapanCorrespondence: Hiromi Asada, Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan, Tel/Fax +81-75-753-9479, Email asada.hiromi.62a@st.kyoto-u.ac.jpPurpose: Patients undergoing radiotherapy often have their skin marked. Previous studies on skin markings examined the durability and physical effects of the markings, but no study has focused on patients’ emotional experiences toward the markings. This study aimed to clarify how patients undergoing radiotherapy feel about skin markings, as well as factors that affect patients’ emotional experiences.Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire and medical records. Participants were patients aged ≥ 20 years undergoing cancer radiotherapy at a designated cancer care hospital. The primary outcome was the level of uncomfortable emotions toward skin markings, and the secondary outcome was the level of favorable ratings on skin markings. To examine factors related to uncomfortable emotions, ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: Questionnaire forms were distributed to 153 patients, and responses were collected from 132 (86%). Among 108 patients included in the analysis, 56% (59/105, excluding 3 who did not answer this question) responded that they were uncomfortable with skin markings. The proportion of patients who favorably rated skin markings was 63% (59/93, excluding 15 who did not answer this question). No factors were significantly associated with the primary outcome.Conclusion: Many patients accepted skin markings with resignation, as they understood the necessity of the markings in their treatment. Medical staff should understand the emotional experiences of patients toward skin markings and take sufficient care to ensure that they are provided with explanations, including the impact of skin markings on their daily lives, as well as a sense of security that treatment is being performed in a precise manner.Keywords: radiotherapy, marking, emotional experiences, questionnaire survey

Yu Matsuo,1 Masatoshi Haruta,1 Yumi Ishibashi,1 Koki Ishibashi,1 Kei Furushima,1 Nobuhiro Kato,1 Kenta Murotani,2 Shigeo Yoshida1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan; 2Biostatistics Center, Kurume University, Kurume, JapanCorrespondence: Masatoshi HarutaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume, Fukuoka, 830-0011, JapanTel +81 942 31 7574Fax +81 942 37 0324Email haruta_masatoshi@med.kurume-u.ac.jpPurpose: Patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) may develop large submacular hemorrhages (SMHs), which may result in severe visual loss. This study was performed to determine the visual outcomes and prognostic factors of large SMHs secondary to PCV.Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with PCV who developed a large SMH. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) data were collected at the SMH development, 1 month, 1 year after the SMH development, and at the final visit. Patients’ medical information also were collected and included age, gender, systemic hypertension, current regular use of an anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication, the initial area of the SMH, breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage, ocular treatment, and fellow eye status. Univariate and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors for the BCVA 1 year after the development of large SMHs.Results: Thirty eyes of 29 patients were included in this study. The mean area of the SMHs at the development was 17.0 disc areas. The mean follow-up period after the development of SMHs was 53.5 months. The mean BCVA at the development, 1 month, and 1 year after the development, and at the final visit were 20/151, 20/263, 20/138, and 20/152, respectively. Multiple regression analyses indicated that a SMH 20 disc areas or larger was a significant negative factor, and the BCVA 1 month after the development was a significant positive factor affecting the BCVA 1 year after the development of large SMHs.Conclusion: The increase in the initial area of SMH was correlated inversely with the BCVA 1 year after the development of SMH. The BCVA 1 month after the development may predict the BCVA 1 year after the development of a large SMH.Keywords: anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, indocyanine green angiography, multiple regression analyses, optical coherence tomography, pneumatic displacement

Yumiko Matsuo,1 Emiko Ogawa,1,2 Ruriko Seto-Yukimura,1 Yasushi Ryujin,1,3 Daisuke Kinose,1 Masafumi Yamaguchi,1 Makoto Osawa,1 Taishi Nagao,1 Hajime Kurosawa,4 Yasutaka Nakano1 1Division of Respiratory Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan; 2Health Administration Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan; 3Ryujin Medical Clinic, Osaka, Japan; 4Center for Environmental Conservation and Research Safety, Department of Occupation Health, Tohoku University, Miyagi, JapanCorrespondence: Emiko OgawaHealth Administration Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta Tsukinowa-Cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, JapanTel/Fax +81-77-548-2212Email eogawa@belle.shiga-med.ac.jpPurpose: The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a non-invasive method to measure respiratory impedance, the respiratory resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs). The disease probability measure (DPM) is a useful computed tomography (CT) imaging variable for the assessment of gas trapping and emphysema in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using pairs of inspiratory and expiratory CT images. We aimed to develop FOT-based phenotypes and determine whether the phenotypes and their imaging characteristics could facilitate the understanding of COPD pathophysiology.Patients and methods: FOT and spirometry were examined in 164 COPD patients and 22 non-COPD smokers. COPD patients were divided into four FOT-based phenotypes (NL, normal group; RD, resistance-dominant group; XD, reactance-dominant group; and MIX, mixed group) based on the 3rd quartile values of R5 (Rrs at 5Hz) and X5 (Xrs at 5Hz) in the non-COPD group. The emphysematous lesions and the airway lesions were quantitatively assessed in CT images by low attenuation volume and the square root of the wall area of a hypothetical airway with an internal perimeter of 10 mm (√Aaw at Pi10), respectively. DPM imaging analysis was also performed in 131 COPD patients. We investigated the differences in COPD parameters between the FOT-based phenotypes.Results: √Aaw at Pi10 were significantly higher in the RD, XD, and MIX groups than in the NL group. The XD group showed lower pulmonary function and higher dyspnea scores than the RD group. No significant changes in DPM values were observed between the RD and the NL groups. The gas-trapping area was significantly higher in the XD group than in the NL group. The MIX group showed the highest dyspnea score, most emphysematous lesions, and the lowest forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted value.Conclusion: The FOT-based phenotyping may be useful to assess pathophysiological changes of COPD with CT assessments.Keywords: oscillometry, emphysema, exhalation, quantitative evaluation, COPD

A novel laser spectroscopy technique -“OROCHI” (Optical Radioisotopes Observation in Condensed Helium as Ion-catcher) has been proposed. This method aimed to investigate the structure of exotic nuclei systematically by measuring nuclear spins and moments. For in-situ laser spectroscopy of atoms in He II, a method to trap atoms precisely at the observation region of laser is highly needed. In this work, a setup composed of a degrader, two plastic scintillators and a photon detection system is further tested and verified for adjusting and checking the stopping position of 84–87Rb beam. Details of the current setup, experimental results using this method are presented.

An experimental search for an electric dipole moment in the diamagnetic atom 129Xe is in progress through the precision measurement of spin precession frequency using an active nuclear spin maser. A 3He comagnetometer has been incorporated into the active spin maser system in order to cancel out the long-term drifts in the external magnetic field. Also, a double-cell geometry has been adopted in order to suppress the frequency shifts due to interaction with polarized Rb atoms. The first EDM measurement with the 129Xe active spin maser and the 3He comagnetometer has been conducted.

Uncertainty in the frequency precision of the planned experiment to search for a 129Xe atomic electric dipole moment is dominated by drifts in the frequency shift due to contact interaction of 129Xe with polarized Rb valence electrons. In order to suppress the frequency shift, a double-cell geometry has been adopted for the confinement of 129Xe gas. A new process has been identified to take part in the optical detection of spin precession. The parameters controlling the oscillation of the maser in this new double-cell arrangement were optimized. As a result, the frequency shift has been reduced by a factor of 10 or more from the former single-cell geometry.