Impact of the Comprehensive Awareness Modification of Mouth, Chewing and Meal (CAMCAM) Program on the Attitude and Behavior Towards Oral Health and Eating Habits as Well as the Condition of Oral Frailty: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES

Preserving sufficient oral function and maintaining aadequate nutrition are essential for preventing physical frailty and the following long-term care. We recently developed the 6-month Comprehensive Awareness Modification of Mouth, Chewing And Meal (CAMCAM) program, in which participants gather monthly to learn about oral health and nutrition while eating a textured lunch together. This study examined whether the CAMCAM program could improve attitude and behavior towards oral health, mastication, and diet as well as ameliorate oral frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

Single-arm pre-post comparison study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 271 community-dwelling adults (72.3 ± 5.7 years of age; 159 women [58.7%]) in 4 Japanese municipalities were recruited, of which 249 participants (92%) were assessed at the final evaluation.

INTERVENTION

Participants gathered once a month at community centers to learn about oral health and nutrition while eating a "munchy" textured lunch containing proper nutrition.

MEASUREMENTS

Oral frailty, frailty, and eating behavior were evaluated with the Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), Kihon checklist (KCL), and CAMCAM checklist, respectively. Participants were divided into Oral frailty (OF) and Robust groups according to OFI-8 scores. The differences in KCL and CAMCAM checklist results between the OF and Robust groups were statistically tested along with changes in scores after the program.

RESULTS

KCL and CAMCAM checklist scores were significantly lower in the OF group at the initial assessment. OFI-8 and KCL findings were significantly improved in the OF group after completing the program (all P <0.05). Regarding the CAMCAM checklist, awareness of chewing improved significantly in the Robust group (P=0.009), with a similar tendency in the OF group (P=0.080).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this pilot study suggest that the CAMCAM program may improve both oral and systemic frailty in addition to attitudes towards chewing, oral health, and meals, especially in individuals with oral frailty. The CAMCAM program merits expansion as a community-based frailty prevention program.

Testing mosses exposed in bags as biointerceptors of airborne radiocaesium after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station accident

Eight years after the Fukushima nuclear accident, mosses exposed in bags were used to investigate their ability to accumulate radiocaesium and therefore to act as biointerceptors of ¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs in the evacuated area of the Fukushima territory. Bags were filled with 3 widely studied moss species (Sphagnum palustre, Hypnum cupressiforme, and Hypnum plumaeforme) and exposed for 3, 6 or 9 weeks at 5 former residential sites within the Fukushima area and, for comparison, at three background sites located 700 km away. The radiocaesium activity concentrations found in moss bags were evaluated as function of exposure time, site conditions and moss species. In the Fukushima area, the moss bags accumulated ¹³⁷Cs at all exposure sites and in all exposure periods, with S. palustre having the highest ¹³⁷Cs accumulation ability. The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations (from 28 to 4700 Bq kg^-1) measured in moss bags increased with the exposure time and were consistent with the decontamination status of each exposure site, highlighting the big potential of moss bags to discriminate among exposure sites. Time dependency of ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations measured in mosses allowed the calculation of location-specific and species-specific factors, which can be used to predict radiocaesium accumulation trends in future biomonitoring surveys performed in the same area with the same experimental design. Autoradiography and electron microscopy analyses of the moss surfaces revealed a prevalence of soil-derived particulate form of radiocaesium, suggesting the use of moss bags as warning sensors of resuspended particles potentially harmful for local residents.

Predictability of combined cataract surgery and trabeculectomy using Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula

Purpose

To compare the predictability of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using the Barrett Universal II and the SRK/T formulas in eyes undergoing combined cataract surgery and trabeculectomy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 56 consecutive eyes undergoing cataract surgery and trabeculectomy. IOL power calculations were performed using the Barrett Universal II and SRK/T formulas. We compared the prediction error, the absolute error, and the percentages within ± 0.5 D and ±1.0 D of the targeted refraction, 3 months postoperatively, and also investigated the relationship of the prediction error with the keratometric readings and axial length, using the two formulas.

Results

The prediction error using the SRK/T formula was significantly more myopic than that using the Barrett Universal II formula (paired t-test, p<0.001). The absolute error using the Barrett Universal II formula was significantly smaller than that using the SRK/T formula (p = 0.039). We found significant correlations of the prediction error with the axial length (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.273, p = 0.042), and the keratometric readings (r = -0.317, p = 0.017), using SRK/T formula, but no significant correlations between them (r = 0.219, p = 0.167, and r = -0.023, p = 0.870), using the Barrett Universal II formula.

Conclusions

The Barrett Universal II formula provides a better predictability of IOL power calculation and is less susceptible to the effect of the axial length and the corneal shape, than the SRK/T formula. The Barrett Universal formula, rather than the SRK/T formula, may be clinically helpful for improving the refractive accuracy in such eyes.

OP0008 A NOVEL SITE-SPECIFIC PEGYLATED IL-2 WITH POTENT AND TREG-SELECTIVE ACTIVITY IN VIVO

Background

Decreased regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Treg dysfunction are hallmarks of a various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. While low-dose IL-2 therapy induces Treg expansion in vivo and has clinical benefits in some diseases (e.g., SLE and chronic graft-versus-host disease [GvHD]), there are many concerns about adverse events due to low Treg-selectivity. Furthermore, frequent dosing is needed due to the short half-life.

Objectives

We discovered a novel site-specific PEGylated IL-2 variant, KKC80, with high Treg selectivity and a long half-life in vivo, which overcomes the issues of low-dose IL-2 therapy.

Methods

Based on the co-crystal structure of wild-type IL-2 and its heterotrimeric receptor (PBD ID: 2ERJ), amino acid residues that were to be PEGylation sites were substituted with oAzZLys, an azide-containing lysine derivative. The PEG molecule was site-specifically attached to oAzZLys-incorporated IL-2 by copper-free click chemistry. The binding property to the IL-2 receptors were measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In vitro, Treg selectivity was evaluated by the IL-2-dependent proliferation activity of Tregs and NK cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In vivo pharmacological activity after the single subcutaneous administration in cynomolgus monkeys was measured by changes in Treg count and Treg activation status in peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated according to serum PEGylated IL-2 concentration. Efficacy in mouse xenogeneic GvHD model using human PBMC-transplanted NOG mice and in monkey DTH model were evaluated.

Results

A novel PEGylated IL-2, KKC80 (human IL-2 desA1/C125S /I129oAzZLys_W-shaped 80 kDa PEG) was discovered by optimizing the PEGylation site and PEG structure based on Treg selectivity and PK. SPR analysis showed that the binding affinity of KKC80 to CD25 was moderately decreased from wild-type IL-2, while binding affinity of KKC80 to IL-2Rβγ was remarkably decreased due to a significant change of the association rate constant. In vitro, wild-type IL-2 activated both Tregs and NK cells in the same concentration range, whereas KKC80 selectively activated Tregs. The Treg selectivity of KKC80 was comparable to another IL-2 mutein, Fc.IL-2 V91K. KKC80, but not Fc.IL-2 V91K, retained its biological activity, even in the presence of a large amount of recombinant soluble CD25, which mimicked the endogenous decoy receptor for IL-2. In monkeys, KKC80 selectively increased peripheral blood Tregs in a dose-dependent manner; the average maximum rate of increase of Treg count in animals treated with 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg was 1.5, 3.5, 28, 50 and 154-fold, respectively. In contrast to Tregs, the rates of increase of conventional CD4+ T, CD8+ T and NK cells were low. The Treg increase peaked on day 8 or 11 and lasted for over day 29. KKC80 showed a more sustained upregulation of functional Treg markers (e.g., Foxp3 and CD25) in comparison to Fc.IL-2 V91K. The half-life of KKC80 was calculated as 83.5 to 150 h. At high doses, inflammation-related adverse effects, including increased CRP (≥0.3 mg/kg) and deterioration of general conditions (1 mg/kg) were observed. In the mouse xenogenic GvHD model, KKC80 ameliorated GvHD symptoms and suppressed multiple tissue inflammation markers. Decreased soluble CD25 and IFN-γ were also confirmed, suggesting Treg-mediated anti-inflammatory effect by KKC80 administration were exerted in vivo. In the monkey DTH model, KKC80 suppressed skin inflammation and antibody production.

Conclusion

Among next-generation IL-2 variants, KKC80 showed a best-in-class biological profile for Treg activation. A drastic and sustained increase of Tregs with high Treg-selectivity and anti-inflammatory effects were observed in vivo. These data suggest that in comparison to current IL-2 therapy, KKC80 provides superior therapeutic index and efficacy in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Figure 1.

Disclosure of Interests

Masahiro Ikeda Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shinpei Yamaguchi Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Masumi Murakami Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shigeki Takaoka Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Yasuko Sakaguchi Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shunki Yasui Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Kousuke Iijima Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Kenichiro Nanya Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Hideyuki Onodera Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Toru Amano Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.

Social Detachment Influenced Muscle Mass and Strength during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Women

Social detachment due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a decline in physical activity, leading to sarcopenia and frailty in older adults. This study aimed to compare muscle mass, strength, and function values in older women before and after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-May 2020). Furthermore, changes in muscle measures across women who experienced different levels of impact on their social participation due to the COVID-19 pandemic were examined. Muscle mass (total, trunk, and appendicular muscle), grip strength, oral motor skills, social interactions (social network and participation), and social support were assessed in 46 Japanese community-dwelling older women (mean, 77.5 y; range 66-93 y) before and after the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trunk muscle mass significantly decreased after the first wave of the pandemic. When comparing changed values between the enhanced/maintained and reduced group during the pandemic, significant group difference was observed in trunk muscular mass, grip strength, and oral motor skills. Intriguingly, those who enhanced social participation had a positive change of grip strength values, showing that social participation might influence muscle function during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparison of Visual Performance and Patient Satisfaction After Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation and During Multifocal Contact Lens Wear After Monofocal Intraocular Lens Implantation: A Pilot Study

Purpose

To compare the visual performance and patient satisfaction in multifocal intraocular lens (IOL)-implanted eyes and multifocal contact lens (CL)-wearing eyes undergoing monofocal IOL implantation.

Methods

We retrospectively assessed visual acuity at all distances (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, and 5 m), contrast sensitivity function, patient satisfaction score, and the rate of spectacle independence in the multifocal IOL and multifocal CL groups.

Results

Binocular visual acuity at 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, and 5 m was 0.05 ± 0.11, − 0.02 ± 0.09, − 0.02 ± 0.09, − 0.02 ± 0.09, and − 0.04 ± 0.07, respectively, in the multifocal IOL group and 0.25 ± 0.13, 0.04 ± 0.10, 0.01 ± 0.09, − 0.01 ± 0.07, and 0.00 ± 0.08, respectively, in the multifocal CL group. We found significant differences in visual acuity at all distances. The area under the log contrast sensitivity function was 1.32 ± 0.14 and 1.33 ± 0.16 in the multifocal IOL and CL groups, respectively (p = 0.444). The patient satisfaction score for overall vision was 80.2 ± 20.6 and 82.9 ± 10.5 (p = 0.889), and the rate of spectacle independence was 23.4% and 41.7% in the multifocal IOL and CL groups, respectively (p = 0.277).

Conclusions

According to our experience, both multifocal IOLs and CLs provided good near-to-distance binocular vision and subsequent high patient satisfaction in daily activities with acceptable contrast sensitivity, suggesting their viability for presbyopic correction in elderly subjects.

TRENDS IN THE PREVALENCE OF FRAILTY IN JAPAN: A META-ANALYSIS FROM THE ILSA-J

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether age-specific prevalence of frailty in Japan changed between 2012 and 2017.

DESIGN

This study performed meta-analyses of data collected from 2012 to 2017 using the Integrated Longitudinal Studies on Aging in Japan (ILSA-J), a collection of representative Japanese cohort studies.

SETTING

The ILSA-J studies were conducted on community-living older adults.

PARTICIPANTS

ILSA-J studies were considered eligible for analysis if they assessed physical frailty status and presence of frailty in the sample. Seven studies were analyzed for 2012 (±1 year; n = 10312) and eight studies were analyzed for 2017 (±1 year; n = 7010). Five studies were analyzed for both 2012 and 2017.

MEASUREMENTS

The study assessed the prevalence of frailty and frailty status according to 5 criteria: slowness, weakness, low activity, exhaustion, and weight loss.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of physical frailty was 7.0% in 2012 and 5.3% in 2017. The prevalence of frailty, especially in people 70 years and older, tended to decrease in 2017 compared to 2012. Slight decreases were found in the prevalence of frailty subitems including weight loss, slowness, exhaustion, and low activity between 2012 and 2017, but change in the prevalence of weakness was weaker than other components.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of physical frailty decreased from 2012 to 2017. There are age- and gender-related variations in the decrease of each component of frailty.

Comparison of Mean and Centroid of Surgically Induced Astigmatism After Standard Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To compare the arithmetic mean of surgically induced astigmatism (M-SIA) and the centroid of surgically induced astigmatism (C-SIA) after standard cataract surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively examined 200 eyes of 100 consecutive patients undergoing bilateral cataract surgery through a 2.8 mm temporal clear corneal incision. We quantitatively measured the magnitude and axis of corneal astigmatism preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively using an automated keratometer (TONOREFF-II, Nidek). We assessed the M-SIA, the C-SIA, and the double angle plots for the display of the individual SIA distributions.

Results: For bilateral data analysis, the magnitude of corneal astigmatism significantly increased from 0.66 ± 0.39 D preoperatively to 0.74 ± 0.46 D postoperatively (paired t-test, p = 0.012). The M-SIA was 0.50 ± 0.36 D. On the other hand, the C-SIA was 0.18 ± 0.60 D at an axis of 97°. For unilateral analysis, we obtained similar outcomes between the right and left eye groups.

Conclusions: According to our experience, standard cataract surgery induces the M-SIA by approximately 0.5 D. The magnitude of the C-SIA largely decreased to approximately 40% of the M-SIA, and the direction of the C-SIA showed a tendency toward with-the-rule astigmatism. It should be noted that the M-SIA was considerably different from the C-SIA, especially when selecting the appropriate toric IOL model and power.

Association of residual gastric acid secretion with persistent symptoms in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients receiving standard-dose proton pump inhibitor therapy

BACKGROUND

Although a third of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients are refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy, the underlying mechanism of the refractoriness remains unclear. We compared the level of gastric acid suppression during PPI treatment between responders and non-responders by directly measuring gastric acid secretion in GERD patients taking PPIs.

METHODS

Seventy-five consecutive patients receiving standard-dose PPI therapy for GERD were prospectively recruited, irrespective of persistent GERD symptoms. They were asked about their GERD symptoms using a validated questionnaire, and simultaneously underwent both a routine endoscopic examination and a gastric acid secretory testing using an endoscopic gastrin test. Associations between residual gastric acid secretion during PPI treatment and persistent GERD symptoms were analyzed by a logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 26 of 75 (34.7%) patients were judged to be positive for persistent GERD symptoms. The patients with and without persistent symptoms showed similar gastric acid secretion levels (1.3 [1.3] mEq/10 min vs. 1.4 [2.0] mEq/10 min). Sufficient gastric acid suppression, defined as < 0.6, was not significantly associated with persistent GERD symptoms (odds ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 0.40-3.5).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided solid evidence to support that the gastric acid suppression level during PPI treatment does not differ between patients with and without persistent GERD symptoms. The insignificant role of residual gastric acid in the persistent GERD symptoms suggests that the use of medications other than those that enhance gastric acid inhibitory effects would be an essential approach for the management of PPI-refractory GERD.

Frailty Checkup Supporters' Intentions to Participate in Human-Resource Development and Training Activities

BACKGROUND

Frailty prevention is one of social prescriptions for an aging society. That requires community level intervention.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined frailty checkup supporters' (FCSs') intentions to engage in human-resource development and training activities (i.e., leadership activities) and related factors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Three municipalities in suburban area, Eastern Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-five of 59 FCSs completed anonymous self-administered questionnaires.

MEASUREMENTS

Questionnaire sought information regarding their sociodemographic data, their perceptions and experiences of FCS activities, and their intentions to participate in human-resource development and training activities. Participants were divided into a high intention (HI) and low intention group (LI). The two groups were compared using quantitative and qualitative data.

RESULTS

Eleven FCSs reported intending to engage in leader-related activities. Factors associated with FCSs' intentions were finding FCS activities rewarding and the willingness to continue performing FCS activities. The participants who changed their daily activities (p = .041) and perceptions regarding contributing to the community (p = .018) showed significantly higher intention than LI participants. Free description about the changes in perceptions and lifestyles as a consequence of participating in FCS activities were analyzed qualitatively. FCSs who changed their daily activities and perspectives about contributing to the community described positive changes in both the groups. Meanwhile, FCSs who did not change their daily activities and perspectives about contributing to the community described their reason only in the LI group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results might encourage FCSs to participate in training and guidance activities, as they have positive experiences and receive recognition obtained through participation in such activities.

Regional comparison of preoperative biometry for cataract surgery between two domestic institutions

PURPOSE

Regional variations of the preoperative biometry can affect the refractive accuracy of cataract surgery. We aimed to compare the preoperative biometric data for cataract surgery between two domestic institutions.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative biometric data of 673 consecutive eyes undergoing standard cataract surgery at Miyata Eye Hospital (Miyazaki; M group) and Kitasato University Hospital (Kanagawa; K group), and compared these data between the two groups.

RESULTS

We found significant differences in the mean keratometric readings (44.39 ± 1.56 D vs. 44.09 ± 1.74 D) (unpaired t test, p = 0.034), the anterior chamber depth (3.14 ± 0.43 mm vs. 3.46 ± 0.62 mm) (p < 0.001), the axial length (23.98 ± 1.62 mm vs. 24.59 ± 1.82 mm) (p < 0.001), and the lens thickness (4.64 ± 0.48 mm vs. 4.37 ± 0.62 mm) (p < 0.001), in the M and K groups, respectively. Otherwise, we found no significant differences in corneal astigmatism (p = 0.104), or central corneal thickness (p = 0.480) between the two groups. For subgroup analysis, the prediction error (0.06 ± 0.47 D) in the M group was significantly more hyperopic than that (- 0.09 ± 0.54 D) in the K group (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

There were significant differences in the mean keratometric readings, the anterior chamber depth, the axial length, and the lens thickness, by approximately 0.3 D, 0.3 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.3 mm, respectively. Regional variations of the preoperative biometry did exist to some extent, and were not clinically negligible, in consideration of the precise IOL power calculation and the subsequent refractive accuracy of cataract surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (000037994).

Visual performance and patient satisfaction of multifocal contact lenses in eyes undergoing monofocal intraocular Lens implantation

PURPOSE

To assess visual performance and patient satisfaction of multifocal contact lenses in eyes having monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed uncorrected visual acuity at all distances (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, 1, and 5 m), higher-order aberrations (HOAs), objective scattering index (OSI), contrast sensitivity, and patient satisfaction, before and during multifocal contact lenses wear in IOL-implanted eyes.

RESULTS

Visual acuity at 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.7, 1, and 5 m during wearing multifocal contact lenses was 0.21 ± 0.08, 0.11 ± 0.06, 0.01 ± 0.08, -0.02 ± 0.10, -0.02 ± 0.08, and -0.01 ± 0.07, respectively. We found a significant improvement at near to intermediate distances (30, 40, and 50 cm), but no significant change at intermediate to far distances (70 cm, 1 m, and 5 m). Log contrast sensitivity significantly decreased at 6 and 12 cycles/degrees, but did not significantly change at 1.5, 3, and 18 cycles/degrees. Third-order aberrations significantly increased after CL treatment, but fourth-order aberrations or total higher-order aberrations did not significantly change during CL treatment. The OSI and log(s) did not significantly change during CL treatment. The patient satisfaction score for overall vision significantly improved during CL treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Multifocal contact lenses significantly improved visual acuity at near to intermediate distances, and subsequent patient satisfaction, even though contrast sensitivity function slightly decreased, suggesting its viability of presbyopic correction in monofocal IOL-implanted eyes.

Association between Traditional Japanese Diet Washoku and Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Findings from the Kashiwa Study

OBJECTIVES

To identify the dietary patterns among community-dwelling Japanese older adults and to explore the association between these patterns and sarcopenia.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Kashiwa city, Chiba prefecture, Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Community-dwelling older adults (n = 1241) aged 65 years and over who were not eligible for long-term care.

MEASUREMENTS

Dietary intake was assessed using the brief self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Dietary patterns were identified using both principal component analysis and the score on the Japanese diet comprising soybeans and soybean products, fish, vegetables, pickles, mushroom, seaweeds, and fruits. Sarcopenia was defined by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed with sarcopenia status as the dependent variable after adjusting for economic status, living alone status, BMI, energy intake, multimorbidity, and physical activity.

RESULTS

Participants' mean age was 74.6 years, and 52.1% were male. According to AWGS criteria, 5.1% had sarcopenia. Three dietary patterns were identified from the principal component analysis. Dietary pattern 1 (DP1), showed high loadings for fish, tofu, vegetables, and fruits which are similar to the side dishes in a typical Japanese diet. Dietary pattern 2 (DP2) had high factor loadings for fish, rice, and miso soup which are main dishes in a typical Japanese diet. Dietary pattern 3 (DP3) had a high factor loading for noodles. Men with the lowest tertile of DP1 score had a higher likelihood of being sarcopenic (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-11.2). Women with the lowest tertile of DP2 score had a moderate likelihood of being sarcopenic (AOR 2.71, 95%CI 0.99-7.46). Low adherence to Japanese dietary pattern was associated with prevalence of sarcopenia in both genders.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to a dietary pattern high in foods characteristic of a Japanese diet including fish, soybean products, vegetables, and fruits was associated with low prevalence of sarcopenia in both genders.

Predictability of intraocular lens power calculation in eyes after phototherapeutic keratectomy

PURPOSE

To compare the predictability of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using several corneal power measurements in eyes that underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical charts of 42 eyes of 25 consecutive patients who underwent cataract surgery after PTK for granular corneal dystrophy or band keratopathy. IOL power calculations were performed using the SRK/T formula with four corneal power measurements [automated keratometry (AK) measured with a partial coherence interferometer, simulated keratometry (Sim K), true net power (TNP), and total corneal refractive power (TCRP) measured with a rotating Scheimpflug camera]; we determined the prediction error, absolute error, and percentage within ± 1.0 D of the targeted refraction, 1 month postoperatively.

RESULTS

The prediction error in the TCRP group was significantly better than those in the AK, Sim K, and TNP groups. The absolute error was also significantly better than those in the AK and Sim K groups, but not significantly different from that in the TNP group. The percentages of within ± 0.5 and 1.0 D in the TCRP group were significantly higher than those in the AK and Sim K groups, but not significantly different from that in the TNP group.

CONCLUSIONS

The TCRP provides the highest predictability of IOL power calculation in post-PTK eyes. This result suggests that the use of the TCRP, rather than of conventional anterior keratometry, may be clinically helpful for improving the refractive accuracy of post-PTK eyes.

Living with Family yet Eating Alone is Associated with Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Kashiwa Study

OBJECTIVES

Eating alone is related to depression, nutritional risk, and mortality. These effects are also influenced by living status. However, little is known about the relationship between eating alone despite living with family and frailty. This study explores the relationship of eating alone and living status with frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Kashiwa city, Chiba prefecture, Japan; randomly selected community-dwelling older adults (aged 65 years and over).

MEASUREMENTS

Eating status was assessed by the question, "Do you eat meals with anyone, at least once a day: yes or no?" Frailty was defined by Kihon Checklist (KCL) score 8 or over. Domains of frailty were divided into instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), physical strength, nutrition, eating, socialization, memory, and mood, based on KCL categories. Binary logistic regression analysis was used, adjusting for age, years of education, chronic diseases, number of teeth and cognitive function.

RESULTS

Among the total of 1,914 participants, 49.8% were male, and the overall mean age was 72.9 ± 5.5 years. Of all participants, 56 (5.9%) of men and 112 (11.7%) of women were frail. Older adults who ate alone despite living with others were more likely to be frail (OR 2.49, 95%CI 1.1-5.5 for men and OR 2.16, 95%CI 1.0-4.5 for women). Of particular note, eating and living status were associated with lower physical strength and mood in men, whereas in women these statuses were associated with lower scores for IADL, socialization, memory, and mood.

CONCLUSIONS

Eating alone despite living with others was associated with high frailty in both genders; however, the pathways were different between genders. These results might help yield a simple, fundamental intervention approach to multifaceted frailty, reflecting gender and associated high-risk domains.

Radiologic and Pathologic Features of the Transmantle Sign in Focal Cortical Dysplasia: The T1 Signal Is Useful for Differentiating Subtypes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The transmantle sign is a characteristic MR imaging finding often seen in focal cortical dysplasia type IIb. The transmantle sign is typically hyperintense on T2WI and FLAIR and hypointense on T1WI. However, in some cases, it shows T1 high signal. We evaluated the imaging and pathologic findings to identify the causes of the T1 high signal in the transmantle sign.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the preoperative imaging data of 141 consecutive patients with histologically proved focal cortical dysplasia. We selected 25 patients with focal cortical dysplasia with the transmantle sign and divided them into groups based on the pathologic focal cortical dysplasia subtype and T1 signal of the transmantle sign. We evaluated the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings, including the number of balloon cells and dysmorphic neurons and the severity of gliosis or calcifications and compared them among the groups.

RESULTS

Nine of the 25 patients had a T1-high-signal transmantle sign; the other 16 patients did not. All 9 patients with a T1-high-signal transmantle sign were diagnosed as type IIb (group A). Of the 16 patients with no T1-high-signal transmantle sign, 13 were diagnosed as having type IIb (group B), and the other 3 patients, as type IIa (group C). The number of balloon cells was significantly higher in group A than in the other groups, but there were no differences regarding dysmorphic neurons, the severity of gliosis, or calcifications.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 6% (9/141) of this patient series had a T1-high-signal transmantle sign, and all were type IIb. The signal may reflect a rich density of balloon cells. This finding could support the differentiation of subtypes, especially type IIb.

Design Improvement of the Jellyfish Valve for Long-term Use in Artificial Hearts

In a previous communication, we reported a leaflet fracture in a Jellyfish valve that was incorporated into a blood pump, after a 312-day animal implant duration. Subsequent finite element analysis revealed that the fracture location was consistent with an area of maximum strain concentration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to improve the durability in the light of these findings. Based on the engineering analysis results, a new valve seat having a concentric ring of 0.5mm width, located at a radius of 7.0 mm, was designed and fabricated. Accelerated fatigue tests, conducted under the conditions recommended by ISO 5840, demonstrated that the durability of this new prototype was extended by a factor of 10, as compared to the original valve. Moreover, further finite element analysis indicated that the maximum equivalent elastic strain of the proposed new valve was reduced by 52.3% as compared to the original valve. Accordingly, it has been confirmed that the modified Jellyfish valve is suitable for use in long-term artificial hearts.

Predictability of Intraocular Lens Power Calculation for Cataract with Keratoconus: A Multicenter Study

This study was aimed to assess the predictability of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation after cataract surgery for keratoconus. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 102 eyes of 71 consecutive keratoconic patients who developed cataract. We determined manifest spherical equivalent, prediction errors, and absolute errors, 1 month postoperatively. The achieved refraction was significantly more hyperopic than the targeted refraction, when keratometric readings were used (p = 0.001). At 1 month, 36% and 63% of the eyes were within ±0.5 and ±1.0 D, respectively, of the targeted correction. We found a significant correlation between the prediction error and the mean keratometry (Pearson correlation coefficient r =−0.545, p < 0.001). No vision-threatening complications occurred in any case. The achieved refraction was significantly more myopic than the targeted refraction, when total corneal refractive power was used (p = 0.013). Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation appeared to be safe and effective, and the accuracy was also good in mild keratoconus, but not in severe keratoconus. It should be noted that that a large amount of hyperopic shift occurred especially in advanced keratoconic patients, when keratometric readings were used for IOL power calculation, and that a slight, but significant, myopic shift occurred, when total corneal refractive power was used.

Oxidative stress serves as a key checkpoint for IL-33 release by airway epithelium

BACKGROUND

Interleukin (IL)-33 is implicated in the pathophysiology of asthma and allergic diseases. However, our knowledge is limited regarding how IL-33 release is controlled. The transcription factor nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a key role in antioxidant response regulation.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this project was to investigate the role of cellular oxidative stress in controlling IL-33 release in airway epithelium.

METHODS

Complementary approaches were used that included human bronchial epithelial cells and mouse models of airway type-2 immunity that were exposed to fungus Alternaria extract. The clinically available Nrf2 activator 2-cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me) was used to evaluate the role of Nrf2-induced antioxidant molecules.

RESULTS

Human bronchial epithelial cells produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) when they were exposed to Alternaria extract. ROS scavengers, such as glutathione (GSH) and N-acetyl cysteine, prevented extracellular secretion of ATP and increases in intracellular calcium concentrations that precede IL-33 release. Administration of CDDO-Me to mice enhanced expression of a number of antioxidant molecules in the lungs and elevated lung levels of endogenous GSH. Importantly, CDDO-Me treatment reduced allergen-induced ATP secretion and IL-33 release by airway epithelial cells in vitro and protected mice from IL-33 release and asthma-like pathological changes in the lungs.

CONCLUSIONS

The balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant responses plays a key role in controlling IL-33 release in airway epithelium. The therapeutic potential of Nrf2 activators needs to be considered for asthma and allergic airway diseases.

IL-33 mediates reactive eosinophilopoiesis in response to airborne allergen exposure

BACKGROUND

Exposure to aeroallergens induces eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with asthma and allergic airway diseases. The circulating number of eosinophils in peripheral blood is relatively small, leading us to hypothesize that bone marrow needs to be engaged quickly to meet the demands of the tissues.

METHODS

To investigate the communication between the lungs and bone marrow, we used acute allergen exposure and airway inflammation models in mice. Gene-deficient mice and cytokine reporter mice as well as in vitro cell culture models were used to dissect the mechanisms.

RESULTS

Naïve BALB/c mice produced increased numbers of eosinophil precursors and mature eosinophils in the bone marrow when their airways were exposed to a common fungal allergen, Alternaria alternata. Expression of IL-5 and IL-33 increased rapidly in the lungs, but not in the bone marrow. Sera from allergen-exposed mice promoted eosinophilopoiesis in bone marrow cells from naïve mice, which was blocked by anti-IL-5 antibody. Mice deficient in the IL-33 receptor ST2 (i.e., Il1rl1(-/-) mice) were unable to increase their serum levels of IL-5 and allergen-induced eosinophilopoiesis in the bone marrow after allergen exposure. Finally, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the lungs showed robust expression of IL-5 after Alternaria exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

These finding suggests that lung IL-33, through innate activation of ILC2s and their production of IL-5, plays a key role in promoting acute reactive eosinophilopoiesis in the bone marrow when naïve animals are exposed to airborne allergens. Therefore, bone marrow eosinophilopoiesis may be affected by atmospheric environmental conditions.

Screening for Malnutrition in Community Dwelling Older Japanese: Preliminary Development and Evaluation of the Japanese Nutritional Risk Screening Tool (NRST)

BACKGROUND

Early and effective screening for age-related malnutrition is an essential part of providing optimal nutritional care to older populations.

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to evaluate the adaptation of the original SCREEN II questionnaire (Seniors in the Community: Risk Evaluation for Eating and Nutrition, version II) for use in Japan by examining its measurement properties and ability to predict nutritional risk and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Japanese people. The ultimate objective of this preliminary validation study is to develop a license granted full Japanese version of the SCREEN II.

PARTICIPANTS

The measurement properties and predictive validity of the NRST were examined in this cross-sectional study of 1921 community-dwelling older Japanese people.

MEASUREMENTS

Assessments included medical history, and anthropometric and serum albumin measurements. Questions on dietary habits that corresponded to the original SCREEN II were applied to Nutritional Risk Screening Tool (NRST) scoring system. Nutritional risk was assessed by the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) and the short form of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF). Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People.

RESULTS

The nutritional risk prevalences determined by the GNRI and MNA-SF were 5.6% and 34.7%, respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 13.3%. Mean NRST scores were significantly lower in the nutritionally at-risk than in the well-nourished groups. Concurrent validity analysis showed significant correlations between NRST scores and both nutritional risk parameters (GNRI or MNA-SF) and sarcopenia. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of NRST for the prediction of nutritional risk were 0.635 and 0.584 as assessed by GNRI and MNA-SF, respectively. AUCs for the prediction of sarcopenia were 0.602 (NRST), 0.655 (age-integrated NRST), and 0.676 (age and BMI-integrated NRST).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the NRST is a promising screening tool for the prediction of malnutrition and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Japanese people. Further development of a full Japanese version of the SCREEN II is indicated.

Predictability of Intraocular Lens Power Calculation After Simultaneous Pterygium Excision and Cataract Surgery

This study was aimed to assess the predictability of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation after simultaneous pterygium excision and phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 60 eyes of 60 consecutive patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 73.5 ± 7.0 years) who developed pterygium and cataract. We determined visual acuity (logMAR), manifest spherical equivalent, manifest astigmatism, corneal astigmatism, and mean keratometry, preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. Corrected visual acuity was significantly improved from 0.19 ± 0.20 preoperatively to -0.06 ± 0.07 postoperatively (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Uncorrected visual acuity was also significantly improved from 0.62 ± 0.33 preoperatively to 0.31 ± 0.32 postoperatively (P < 0.001). At 3 months, 48% and 82% of the eyes were within ± 0.5 and ± 1.0 D, respectively, of the targeted correction. We found significant correlations of the prediction errors with the changes in the mean keratometry (Spearman signed-rank test, r = -0.535, P < 0.001) and with the pterygium size (r = -0.378, P = 0.033). Simultaneous pterygium and cataract surgery was safe and effective, and the accuracy was moderately predictable. However, it should be noted that a significant myopic shift occurred postoperatively, possibly resulting from the steepening of the cornea after pterygium removal, especially when the size of pterygium was large.

Demographics of patients having cataract surgery after laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE

To retrospectively assess the demographics of patients having cataract surgery in eyes with previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, and Sanno Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

This study evaluated eyes of consecutive patients scheduled for cataract surgery after previous LASIK (Group 1). The control groups comprised eyes with axial lengths (ALs) matched with ALS in Group 1 (Group 2) and all eyes scheduled for cataract surgery (Group 3). Assessed were age, sex, corrected distance visual acuity, manifest refraction, keratometry (K) readings, corneal astigmatism, and corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs).

RESULTS

Group 1 comprised 40 eyes of 40 patients; Group 2, 606 eyes of 606 patients; and Group 3, 3642 eyes of 3642 patients. The mean age at cataract surgery of patients in Group 1 was 54.6 years ± 8.1 (SD), which was significantly younger than in Group 2 (by approximately 10 years) and Group 3 (by approximately 15 years) (P < .001, Student t test). In Group 1, 70.0% of patients were men, a significantly higher percentage than in Groups 2 and 3 (P < .05, Fisher exact test). The rate of corneal HOAs was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2 and 3 (P < .05, Student t test). There were no significant differences in other demographics except in K readings.

CONCLUSION

A long AL and an increase in corneal HOAs might contribute to a tendency for cataract surgery to be performed earlier in eyes in which LASIK has been performed.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Basophil infiltration in eosinophilic oesophagitis and proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia

BACKGROUND

The features of proton pump inhibitor-responsive oesophageal eosinophilia (PPI-REE) are similar to those of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), but PPI-REE demonstrates symptomatic and histological responses to PPI therapy. Several studies have shown that basophils play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.

AIM

To identify and compare basophil infiltration in the oesophageal epithelium in patients with EoE, PPI-REE, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and normal oesophagus (controls).

METHODS

Biopsy specimens from 43 patients, including 12 with EoE, 11 with PPI-REE, 10 with GERD and 10 normal oesophagus, were analysed. Immunohistochemistry was performed to quantify the number of basophils and mast cells in the oesophageal epithelium. Double immunofluorescence staining for thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and basophils was performed. Patients with EoE were treated with swallowed fluticasone.

RESULTS

There were no differences in clinical, endoscopic or histological features between patients with EoE and PPI-REE. There were more basophils and mast cells in patients with EoE and PPI-REE than in patients with GERD and control subjects. Basophil infiltration of the oesophageal epithelium in patients with EoE was higher than that in patients with PPI-REE (3.6 ± 2.8 per high power field vs. 1.2 ± 0.9 per high power field respectively; P = 0.02); however, there was no significant difference in mast cell infiltration between the two groups. TSLP was highly expressed in the oesophageal epithelium in areas infiltrated by basophils. Steroid therapy significantly decreased intraepithelial basophils in patients with EoE.

CONCLUSION

Basophils may play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic oesophagitis.

Identification of a high-risk group for low-dose aspirin-induced gastropathy by measuring serum pepsinogen in H. pylori-infected subjects

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated in humans that the extent of low-dose aspirin (LDA)-induced gastropathy was directly related to the individual gastric acid secretion level. We also established reliable cutoff serum pepsinogen (PG) values to predict gastric acid secretion status. In this study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of measuring the serum pepsinogen values for identifying a high-risk group for gastric mucosal injury among chronic LDA users.

METHODS

One hundred long-term LDA users were enrolled in this analysis. Serum from each subject was subjected to determination of H. pylori status and measurement of pepsinogen values. According to our recent report, a PG I value ≥ 50 ng/mL was defined as estimated hyperchlorhydria in H. pylori-negative subjects, while a PG I/II ≥ 3.3 was defined as estimated hyperchlorhydria in H. pylori-positive subjects. The grade of gastric mucosal injury was assessed endoscopically, and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the risk.

RESULTS

Estimated hyperchlorhydria was a strong independent risk for intensive gastric mucosal injury with an OR (95% CI): 34.0 (4.5-259) and for gastric ulcer with an OR (95% CI): 10.2 (1.8-58.3) in H. pylori-positive subjects, while it was not a significant risk in H. pylori-negative subjects. The association persisted even after excluding those with conventional risks for LDA-gastropathy such as ulcer histories.

CONCLUSION

Using simple serum measurement of H. pylori antibody and pepsinogen concentrations, an extremely high-risk group for LDA-induced gastropathy could be extracted, and these patients should become a therapeutic target for prevention of LDA-induced gastropathy.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells and CD4+ T cells cooperate to mediate type 2 immune response in mice

BACKGROUND

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play important roles in innate immunity and tissue remodeling via production of various cytokines and growth factors. Group 2 ILCs (ILC2s) were recently shown to mediate the immune pathology of asthma even without adaptive immunity. However, little is known about possible interactions between ILC2s and other immune cells. We sought to investigate the capacity of ILC2s to regulate effector functions of T cells.

METHODS

We isolated ILC2s from the lungs of naïve mice. We cultured CD4(+) T cells with ILC2s in vitro and examined the functions of these cell types. The mechanisms were investigated using blocking antibodies and cells isolated from cytokine-deficient mice. For the in vivo study, we adoptively transferred ILC2s and CD4(+) T cells into Il7ra(-/-) mice and subsequently exposed the mice to ovalbumin and a cysteine protease.

RESULTS

Lung ILC2s enhanced CD4(+) T-cell proliferation and promoted production of type 2 cytokines in vitro. The interaction between ILC2s and CD4(+) T cells involved costimulatory molecule OX40L and cytokine IL-4, which was mainly derived from ILC2s. Adoptive transfer of both ILC2 and CD4(+) T-cell populations, but not each population alone, into Il7ra(-/-) mice resulted in induction of a robust antigen-specific type 2 cytokine response and airway inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Lung ILC2s function to promote adaptive immunity in addition to their established roles in innate immunity. This novel function of ILC2s needs to be taken into account when considering the pathophysiology of asthma and other allergic airway diseases.