Purpose: To evaluate the compatibility and usability of test results obtained from the IDRA and Keratograph 5M in clinical settings by comparing their performance in patients with dry eye disease. Methods: From December 27 to 30, 2022, a study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with dry eye utilizing both the Keratograph 5M and IDRA devices. The parameters compared and analyzed included lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, tear film break-up time, and meibography. A paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. The lipid layer thickness in the Keratograph 5M was graded on a scale from 0 to 4 based on thickness. Results: No significant differences were found between the two devices in tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, and meibography (p = 0.148, 0.072, 0.124, respectively). However, the tear lipid layer thickness measured by IDRA showed a proportional relationship with the grade assigned by the Keratograph 5M (Kendall R = 0.217, p = 0.037; Spearman R = 0.260, p = 0.045). Conclusions The IDRA device offers the advantage of performing multiple dry eye tests; simultaneously, thereby saving time compared to the Keratograph 5M. Both devices can be used compatibly with IDRA particularly advantageous for providing a numerical value for tear lipid layer thickness which enhances the convenience of dry eye diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the compatibility and usability of test results obtained from the IDRA and Keratograph 5M in clinical settings by comparing their performance in patients with dry eye disease. Methods: From December 27 to 30, 2022, a study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with dry eye utilizing both the Keratograph 5M and IDRA devices. The parameters compared and analyzed included lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, tear film break-up time, and meibography. A paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. The lipid layer thickness in the Keratograph 5M was graded on a scale from 0 to 4 based on thickness. Results: No significant differences were found between the two devices in tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, and meibography (p = 0.148, 0.072, 0.124, respectively). However, the tear lipid layer thickness measured by IDRA showed a proportional relationship with the grade assigned by the Keratograph 5M (Kendall R = 0.217, p = 0.037; Spearman R = 0.260, p = 0.045). Conclusions The IDRA device offers the advantage of performing multiple dry eye tests; simultaneously, thereby saving time compared to the Keratograph 5M. Both devices can be used compatibly with IDRA particularly advantageous for providing a numerical value for tear lipid layer thickness which enhances the convenience of dry eye diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the compatibility and usability of test results obtained from the IDRA and Keratograph 5M in clinical settings by comparing their performance in patients with dry eye disease. Methods: From December 27 to 30, 2022, a study was conducted on 30 patients diagnosed with dry eye utilizing both the Keratograph 5M and IDRA devices. The parameters compared and analyzed included lipid layer thickness, tear meniscus height, tear film break-up time, and meibography. A paired t-test was used for statistical comparison. The lipid layer thickness in the Keratograph 5M was graded on a scale from 0 to 4 based on thickness. Results: No significant differences were found between the two devices in tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, and meibography (p = 0.148, 0.072, 0.124, respectively). However, the tear lipid layer thickness measured by IDRA showed a proportional relationship with the grade assigned by the Keratograph 5M (Kendall R = 0.217, p = 0.037; Spearman R = 0.260, p = 0.045). Conclusions The IDRA device offers the advantage of performing multiple dry eye tests; simultaneously, thereby saving time compared to the Keratograph 5M. Both devices can be used compatibly with IDRA particularly advantageous for providing a numerical value for tear lipid layer thickness which enhances the convenience of dry eye diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) point-of-assay and clinical symptoms and signs of dry eye disease. Methods: We performed a retrospective study for patients diagnosed with dry eye. MMP-9 (InflammaDry) was performed on 235 patients. Patients were assessed using Schirmer test, corneal staining score, tear film breakup time (TBUT) and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: The score of Schirmer test was lower significantly in MMP-9 positive group than in MMP-9 negative group (for each 4.21 ± 5.80 mm, 5.96 ± 8.14 mm; p = 0.035). TBUT was shorter significantly in MMP-9 positive group than in MMP-9 negative group (for each 5.46 ± 4.06 s, 8.27 ± 4.75 s; p = 0.0008). The ratio of positive corneal stain (for each 83%, 31%) and OSDI even or greater than 13 (for each 80%, 75%) was significantly higher in MMP-9 positive group than in MMP-9 negative group (p = 0.00001, p = 0.0044). The value of MMP-9 point-of-care assay showed showed the negative correlation with Schirmer test (Rs = 0.383, p < 0.001), and TBUT (Rs = 0.310, p < 0.05), and showed the positive correlation with corneal staining score (Rs = 0.527, p < 0.001), OSDI (Rs = 0.510, p < 0.001). Conclusions MMP-9 point-of-assay accords with clinical symptoms and signs of Dry eye disease, and may be helpful in diagnosing Dry eye disease.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the humoral response to and reactogenicity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination according to the vaccine type and to analyze factors associated with immunogenicity in actively treated solid cancer patients (CPs). Materials and Methods: Prospective cohorts of CPs, undergoing anticancer treatment, and healthcare workers (HCWs) were established. The participants had no history of previous COVID-19 and received either mRNA-based or adenovirus vector–based (AdV) vaccines as the primary series. Blood samples were collected before the first vaccination and after 2 weeks for each dose vaccination. Spike-specific binding antibodies (bAbs) in all participants and neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) wild-type, Delta, and Omicron variants in CPs were analyzed and presented as the geometric mean titer. Results: Age-matched 20 HCWs and 118 CPs were included in the analysis. The bAb seroconversion rate and antibody concentrations after the first vaccination were significantly lower in CPs than in HCWs. After the third vaccination, antibody levels in CPs with a primary series of AdV were comparable to those in HCWs, but nAb titers against the Omicron variant did not quantitatively increase in CPs with AdV vaccine as the primary series. The incidence and severity of adverse reactions post-vaccination were similar between CPs and HCWs. Conclusion CPs displayed delayed humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The booster dose elicited comparable bAb concentrations between CPs and HCWs, regardless of the primary vaccine type. Neutralization against the Omicron variant was not robustly elicited following the booster dose in some CPs, implying the need for additional interventions to protect them from COVID-19.

The authors recently found a mistake in their previously published article and sincerely regret these errors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone formation around recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2)-coated implants placed with or without absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) in rabbit maxillary sinuses. METHODS: The Schneiderian membrane was elevated and an implant was placed in 24 sinuses in 12 rabbits. The space created beneath the elevated membrane was filled with either blood (n=6) or ACS (n=6). In the rabbits in which this space was filled with blood, rhBMP-2-coated and non-coated implants were alternately placed on different sides. The resulting groups were referred to as the BC and BN groups, respectively. The AC and AN groups were produced in ACS-grafted rabbits in the same manner. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed after eight weeks of healing. RESULTS: In micro-computed tomography analysis, the total augmented volume and new bone volume were significantly greater in the ACS-grafted sinuses than in the blood-filled sinuses (P<0.05). The histometric analysis showed that the areas of new bone and bone-to-implant contact were significantly larger in the AC group than in the AN group (P<0.05). In contrast, none of the parameters differed significantly between the BC and BN groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study indicate that the insertion of ACS after elevating the Schneiderian membrane, simultaneously with implant placement, can significantly increase the volume of the augmentation. However, in the present study, the rhBMP-2 coating exhibited limited effectiveness in enhancing the quantity and quality of regenerated bone.
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Collagen* ; Dental Implants ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Membranes ; Nasal Mucosa ; Osteogenesis* ; Pilot Projects ; Porifera* ; Rabbits ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Transplants* ; X-Ray Microtomography

PURPOSE: Recently, single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been popular for minimally invasive surgery and cosmetic improvement. However, some papers have reported that SILS for an appendectomy (SILS-A) has had the more postoperative complaints of pain. We investigated postoperative pain relief using wound infiltration with 0.5% bupivacaine in SILS-A and compared the result with that for conventional SILS-A. METHODS: Between July 2010 and September 2012, 75 patients who underwent SILS-A were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups: conventional SILS-A group (C-SILS-A) or wound infiltrated with 0.5% bupivacaine in SILS-A group (W-SILS-A). Forty-five patients were in the C-SILS-A, and 30 patients were in the W-SILS-A. Patients with perforated appendicitis were excluded. The clinical outcomes were compared between the groups by using the verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS). RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were similar in both study groups except for the pain score. The W-SILS-A group showed significantly lower numbers of additional pain killers and lower VNRS scores 1, 6, and 12 hours after surgery than the C-SILS-A group. CONCLUSION: W-SILS-A is a technically simple and effective method of reducing early postoperative pain. It may be applicable in SILS-A for pain control system.
Appendectomy* ; Appendicitis ; Bupivacaine* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy* ; Methods ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Wounds and Injuries*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the rotator cuff tear (RCT) and the muscle strength in hemiplegic side, and the effects of paralysis on the affected shoulders in hemiplegic patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study performed in a university hospital was presented. The study enrolled 55 participants with hemiplegia of diverse degree of motor paresis, excluding those with bilateral lesions, history of major trauma or other co-existing musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder. The main outcome measurements were muscle strength of the affected upper extremity (based on Medical Research Council scale), RCTs of the bilateral shoulders (by ultrasonography), and presence of shoulder pain, subluxation of the glenohumeral joint, passive range of motions, and subacromial spurs. RESULTS: Comparing each side of the shoulders, the prevalence of shoulder pain and supraspinatus muscle tear was higher (p<0.0001, p=0.007), and the range of motion was restricted (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001, p<0.0001) in the affected side. There was a significant trend toward higher prevalence of RCT and shoulder subluxation in the weaker shoulder (p=0.019, p<0.0001). In a multivariate analysis, Manual Muscle Test grade of less than three was an independent risk factor for RCT (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: RCT in hemiplegia had a linear trend with muscle weakness in the affected side and the degree of weakness was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of RCT. In addition, shoulder pain, limitation of range of motions, and RCT were more frequent on the hemiplegic side of the shoulders. It is the first study to reveal a linear trend between RCT and upper extremity weakness and will provide physicians an insight to the management of RCTs in hemiplegic patients.
Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Muscle Strength ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscles ; Paralysis ; Paresis ; Prevalence ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Risk Factors ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Shoulder Pain ; Tendon Injuries ; Upper Extremity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the musculoskeletal cause of hemiplegic shoulder pain using ultrasonographic evaluation of hemiplegic shoulder. METHOD: Thirty-six hemiplegic patients admitted to rehabilitation department were enrolled. Ultrasonographic investigation of shoulder and physical examinations including range of motion (ROM), muscle power, spasticity and subluxation of shoulders were performed. RESULTS: Eighteen (55.6%) patients reported pain in hemiplegic shoulder. The abnormal sonographic findings, ROM, muscle power, spasticity, and subluxation of hemiplegic shoulder were not significantly different between subjects with painful hemiplegic shoulder and those without. The presence of ultrasonographic abnormality combined with focal tenderness, however, was significantly related with the painfulness of hemiplegic shoulder (p-value = 0.03). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ultrasonographic evaluation is useful to investigate the musculoskeletal component of painful hemiplegic shoulder, when collaborated with physical examination of focal tenderness.