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Shinji Maruoka

Publications and source records attributed to Shinji Maruoka.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

[Objective evaluation of the visual field defects in a patient with cerebral infarction using multifocal VEPs].

PURPOSE: We investigated whether visual field defects can be objectively evaluated using multifocal visual evoked potentials (mVEP) in a patient with cerebral infarction in whom it is difficult to measure the visual field. METHODS: To determine normal waves in mVEP recording was performed using a VERIS Junior Science (Mayo, Aichi, Japan) in 20 healthy subjects (20 eyes), peak latency and amplitude were used for assessment. In a patient with cerebral infarction, mVEP were recorded, and compared with the lesion observed by computed tomography. RESULTS: In 20 healthy subjects, the waveforms in the nasal and temporal quadrants were very similar but the waveforms in the superior and inferior quadrants were mirror images. The mVEP in patient with cerebral infarction showed abnormal waves, corresponding to the visual field defects in the lesion observed by computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Objective evaluation of visual field defects using mVEP may be useful in patients with cerebral infarction in whom kinetic/static perimetry as a subjective examination is difficult.

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Photoreceptor cells from mouse ES cells by co-culture with chick embryonic retina.

Degeneration of photoreceptors is a consistent and common endpoint in retinal diseases. Herein, we report the efficient induction of photoreceptor-like cells from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells using chick embryonic retina tissue. Undifferentiated mouse ES cells were initially cultured in a preferential condition into a neural lineage, and ES cells were then co-cultured with chick embryonic day 6 (E6) retina tissues. After a 10-day co-culture, approximately 20% of the mouse ES derivatives became immuno-positive for rhodopsin. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated expression of the transcription factor crx and a distinct increase of rod photoreceptor-specific markers, IRBP and recoverin, after the start of the co-culture. These results indicate that co-culture of ES cells with chick embryonic retina tissue is a useful and efficient method for the induction of photoreceptor-like cells.

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Corneal epithelial barrier function in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the corneal epithelial barrier function in diabetic patients. METHODS: In 29 eyes of 29 diabetic patients and 55 eyes of 55 nondiabetic controls, corneal epithelial permeability to fluorescein was measured using an anterior fluorophotometer. The average fluorescein concentration in the central cornea was compared between diabetic patients and controls. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the factors that affect corneal epithelial barrier function in diabetic patients. RESULTS: The average fluorescein concentrations in diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls were 44.1 +/- 25.3 ng/mL and 29.9 +/- 19.8 ng/mL (mean +/- SD), respectively (P = 0.0057, unpaired t test). An explanatory variable relevant to the impaired corneal epithelial barrier function was the serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentration (standardized partial regression coefficient = 0.466, P = 0.0163). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal epithelial barrier function is impaired in diabetic patients. Diabetic patients with higher serum HbA1c levels are more predisposed to impaired barrier function in the corneal epithelium.

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Efficacy and safety of the soft-shell technique in cases with a hard lens nucleus.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the soft-shell technique in reducing corneal endothelial cell damage during cataract surgery in patients with a hard lens nucleus. SETTING: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Japan. METHODS: Sixty eyes of 57 cataract patients with a hard lens nucleus (Emery-Little classification grade 3 or higher) had phacoemulsification using the soft-shell technique with Healon((R)) (sodium hyaluronate 1%) and Viscoat (sodium hyaluronate 3.0%-chondroitin sulfate 4.0%) (soft-shell group) or with Healon alone (control group). The visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), flare intensity in the anterior chamber, central corneal thickness, and corneal endothelial cell density were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no significant IOP elevations in either group. The mean central corneal thickness in the control group was 539 microm +/- 26.0 (SD) preoperatively and 578 +/- 52.0 microm 1 day after surgery; the increase was significant (P =.0154). There was no significant change in the central corneal thickness in the soft-shell group. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, IOP, flare intensity in the anterior chamber, and central corneal thickness throughout the follow-up. The rate of endothelial cell loss 3 months after surgery was 6.4% +/- 9.6% in the soft-shell group and 16.3% +/- 9.8% in the control group (P =.0003). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the soft-shell technique is safe and effective in protecting corneal endothelial cells during cataract surgery in patients with a hard lens nucleus.

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Corneal endothelial cell protection during phacoemulsification: low- versus high-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of low- and high-molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate in protecting corneal endothelial cells during phacoemulsification. SETTING: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Japan. METHODS: One hundred forty-nine eyes of 136 cataract patients were randomly assigned to have cataract surgery using sodium hyaluronate 1% with a low molecular weight (0.6 to 1.2 million d, Opegan) or sodium hyaluronate 1% with a high molecular weight (4 million d, Healon) during phacoemulsification. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups depending on the amount of ultrasound (% min) used during phacoemulsification, which was defined as the mean phacoemulsification energy (%) multiplied by phacoemulsification time (minutes). Corneal endothelial cell density was examined preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. The rate of cell loss was compared between the subgroups in the Opegan group and the Healon group. RESULTS: In the subgroups with ultrasound of 50% min or less, the mean rate of endothelial cell loss 3 months after surgery was 3.2% +/- 4.1% (SD) in the Opegan group and 5.9% +/- 5.3% in the Healon group (P =.0214). In the subgroups with ultrasound over 50% min, the mean rate of endothelial cell loss 3 months after surgery was 7.5% +/- 10.6% in the Opegan group and 14.8 +/- 9.0% in the Healon group (P =.0029). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Opegan is more effective than Healon in protecting corneal endothelial cells during phacoemulsification regardless of the amount of ultrasound energy used.

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Biocompatibility of polyvinylalcohol gel as a vitreous substitute.

Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) hydrogel cross-linked by gamma irradiation was assessed as a possible vitreous substitute. From a series of experiments, rise of intraocular pressure and inflammatory changes in the vitreous cavity after operation were observed in some cases. Crab-eating macaques were used for this experiment. PVA gels were injected into vitreous cavity after vitrectomy and followed clinically by opthalmoscopy, tonometry, fundus photography, electroretinogram (ERG), chemotaxis, and flare cell meter. Histopathologic examination by light and electron microscopy was performed after 3 months. As a result, there were no significant changes in ophthalmoscopic findings. No abnormal rising of intraocular pressure (IOP) was recognized. ERG did not show meaningful amplitude weakness. From the photon counting of flare cell meter, significant break of blood-aqueous barrier and blood-retinal barrier was not observed. Histopathologic examination revealed that all layers of the retina were intact and no loss of tissue was evident. However, in PVA gel-injected eyes, some vacuolations of the inner retina were found in some specimens. To conclude, PVA gel was well tolerated in these experiments. The gel with a network similar to the vitreous body showed the best biocompatibility, though it is necessary to investigate the biocompatibility for the long-term. PVA gel is a good candidate for a vitreous substitute.

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