Scar formation is the most common cause for failure of glaucoma filtration surgery because of increased fibroblast proliferation and activation. We have now examined the effect of Y‐27632, a Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, on postsurgical scarring formation in human Tenon fibroblasts (HTFs). Collagen gel contraction assay was used to compare contractility activity of Y‐27632 with several antiglaucoma drugs. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to examine expression of scar formation–related factors. We found that Y‐27632 inhibited collagen gel contraction, as well as α‐smooth muscle actin and vimentin expression; these were promoted by treatment with latanoprost, timolol, or transforming growth factor (TGF)–β. To investigate the effect of Y‐27632 in postsurgical scarring, we mimicked TGF‐β secretion by stimulating HTFs with TGF‐β prior to Y‐27632 treatment. HTFs cultured in the presence of TGF‐β significantly increased gel contraction. In contrast, when HTFs were treated with 10μM Y‐27632, contraction was significantly inhibited. Furthermore, Y‐27632 reduced TGF‐β–induced phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase signalling. These results suggest that ROCK inhibitors may inhibit fibrosis by inhibiting transdifferentiation of Tenon fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and by inhibiting TGF‐β signalling after surgery through mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway suppression. These results implicate that ROCK inhibitors may improve outcomes after filtering surgery with a potential antiscarring effect, while latanoprost and timolol may induce fibrosis. Significance of the study Scar formation is the primary cause of failure after glaucoma filtration surgery. A ROCK inhibitor, Y‐27632, has been introduced as a novel potential antiglaucoma treatment to reduce intraocular pressure. The aim of our study was to elucidate the effect of Y‐27632 on scarring formation after glaucoma filtration surgery, in direct comparison with other antiglaucoma drugs. Our findings thus suggested that Y‐27632 may inhibit fibrosis and improve outcome after glaucoma filtration surgery through inhibition of transdifferentiation of Tenon fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and the TGF‐β and MAPK signalling after surgery, while latanoprost and timolol may induce fibrosis.

Background The end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PETCO2) can be used to estimate the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) in patients who undergo mechanical ventilation via endotracheal intubation. However, no reliable method for measuring PETCO2 during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation and agreement between PaCO2 and PETCO2 measured by these two methods and to compare them in patients who underwent NIV after extubation. Methods This study was a randomized, open-label, crossover trial in a mixed intensive care unit. We included patients who were planned for NIV after extubation and for whom the difference between PETCO2 and PaCO2 was ≤ 5 mmHg. We compared mainstream capnography using an inner cup via face mask (the novel method) with sidestream capnography (the previous method) during NIV. The relationships between PaCO2 and PETCO2 were evaluated by computing the Pearson correlation coefficient, and the agreement between PaCO2 and PETCO2 was estimated using the Bland–Altman method. Results From April 2020 to October 2021, 60 patients were included to the study. PaCO2 and PETCO2 were well correlated in both methods (the novel methods: r = 0.92, P < 0.001; the previous method: r = 0.79, P < 0.001). Mean bias between PaCO2 and PETCO2 measured using the novel method was 2.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.15–3.26) mmHg with 95% limits of agreement (LoA) ranging from − 1.61 to 7.02 mmHg, similar to the result of measurement during SBT (mean bias, 2.51; 95% CI, 2.00–3.02; 95% LoA, − 1.45 to 6.47 mmHg). In contrast, measurement using the previous method demonstrated a larger difference (mean bias, 6.22; 95% CI, 5.22–7.23; 95% LoA, − 1.54 to 13.99 mmHg). Conclusion The current study demonstrated that the novel PETCO2 measurement was superior to the previous method for PaCO2 prediction. During NIV, the novel method may collect as sufficient exhalation sample as during intubation. Continuous PETCO2 measurement combined with peripheral oxygen saturation monitoring is expected to be useful for early recognition of respiratory failure among high-risk patients after extubation. Trial registration UMIN-CTR UMIN000039459. Registered February 11, 2020.

11 (2019) Survival Rates and Initial Growth of Japanese Cedar and Hinoki Cypress Saplings in Experimental Plots Aimed at Low-cost Silviculture. J Jpn For Soc 101: 94⊖98 To explore adaptive sapling types, with the goal of low-cost silviculture, we examined survival rates and growth in height of Japanese cedar and hinoki cypress saplings for five years (partly four years) at 13 sites in Japan. We tested normal bare-rooted saplings, large bare-rooted saplings (height＞60 cm), and saplings grown in multi-cavity containers, vinyl pods and ceramic pipes. All the saplings originated from seedling or cutting. As for Japanese cedar, the large bare-rooted saplings originating from seedling showed the greatest growth in height among all sapling types, and the saplings from seedling showed significantly greater growth in height than the saplings from cutting. The hinoki ceramic-pipe sapling showed a significantly lower survival rate than all sapling types and less growth in height than the normal bare-rooted hinoki cypress saplings. The GLMM analyses for Japanese cedar showed that the height growth rate of the saplings was affected by the frequency of weeding, the sapling type (bare-rooted, multi-cavity container or pod) , and their origin (seedling or cutting). Our results suggest that large bare-rooted saplings of Japanese cedar may contribute to reducing the cost of reforestation; however, it has specific requirements, such the vicinity of roads for their installation.