No abstract

ABSTRACT. Continuous estimates of Neocalanus cristatus abundance were obtained with an electric particle counter along a cruise track in the subarctic western North Pacific in spring. In meso-to megascale observations, with sampling interval 510 m and coverage 2519 km, the number of patches decreased exponentially both with increasing patch size and with density of the copepods in the patch. The maximum patch size and density were 6.6 km and 1230 ind. m-3, respectively. In micro-scale observations, with sampling interval 10 to 30 m, the number of patches also decreased exponentially with patch size and density. Spectral analysis of temperature, salinity, in v~v o chlorophyll fluorescense and copepod abundance showed that the copepod did not have the characteristic patch-length or wavenumber dependencies observed in the other parameters These white-noise-like spectra, together with the general observations on micro-to mega-scales, suggested that N crjstatus had patches in all length scales from at least 10 m to 50 km, and that patches of a given order were constituted by the gathering of smaller-scale patches.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine outcomes when using Trabectome surgery and to evaluate factors associated with its effects in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and exfoliation glaucoma (EXG).MethodsThis was a prospective, non-randomized, observational, comparative cohort study in which Trabectome surgery was used alone in patients with POAG or EXG. Trabectome surgery was considered to have failed when at least one of the following three criteria was fulfilled: intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥21 mmHg and a <20% reduction below the baseline IOP on two consecutive follow-up visits 3 months or more after surgery; need for additional glaucoma surgery; and an increase in number of medications compared with baseline.ResultsThe subjects were 32 males (34 eyes) and 46 females (48 eyes). POAG was observed in 43 eyes and EXG in 39 eyes. IOP after Trabectome surgery decreased significantly from 22.3±6.8 mmHg at baseline to 14.0±3.9 mmHg (23.0% reduction) at month 24 in all cases (P<0.0000). The success rate at 2 years was 51.2% for all cases (POAG, 50.9%; EXG, 49.2%). There was no significant difference in success rate between POAG and EXG (P=0.91). Preoperative IOP (P=0.033) and number of medications (P=0.041) were significant factors for surgical success/failure in multivariate logistic regression. No serious complications were observed.ConclusionTrabectome surgery achieved favorable IOP control and was equally effective in patients with POAG and those with EXG. Its effects were influenced by preoperative IOP and number of preoperative medications.

The technique of endoscopic full-thickness resection of gastrointestinal tract under laparoscopic observation is a safe, simple, and can be radical surgical procedure for a small duodenal carcinoid tumor. This surgical procedure may be applicable in the case of other gastrointestinal tumors.

Background/AimsTo perform a 12-month comparison between the different extents and locations of Schlemm’s canal incisions during suture trabeculotomy ab interno for open-angle glaucoma (OAG).MethodsThis is a prospective, single-centre, three-arm randomised trial. A total of 99 eyes of 99 patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the 360° incision group (n=34), the upper-180° incision group (n=34) and the lower-180° incision group (n=31). Intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications and complications were evaluated until 12 months after surgery. Surgical success (with or without medication) was defined as IOP ≤21 mmHg and ≥20% IOP reduction (criterion A) or IOP ≤15 mmHg and ≥20% IOP reduction (criterion B).ResultsThe mean IOP (±SD) in all eyes was reduced from 18.6 (5.9) mmHg with 3.1 (1.1) medications to 13.7 (3.4) mmHg (20.8% reduction; p<0.001) with 1.4 (1.3) medications (p<0.001) at postoperative 12-month. Each group produced comparable mean reductions in both IOP and the number of medications throughout 12 months of follow-up. Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival analyses showed no significance among these three groups for criterion A and criterion B. Postoperative hyphema with niveau formation occurred significantly more in the 360° group than in the lower-180° group (p=0.031).ConclusionsThe different extents and locations of Schlemm’s canal incisions during suture trabeculotomy ab interno for OAG, including the 360° incision, the upper-180° incision and the lower-180° incision, do not affect both the IOP reduction and the medications throughout 12 months of follow-up.Trial registration numberUMIN000021169.