BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intravitreal anti-vascular endothothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection on intraocular pressure (IOP) and mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP).MethodsMOPP results were obtained by measuring mean arterial pressure (MAP) and IOP just before the injection, immediately after the injection, at 30 min, 1 day, and 1 week after injection from 65 eyes of 42 patients.ResultsPre-injection mean IOP was 16.66 ± 3.50 mmHg, and mean IOP was 43.81 ± 9.69 mmHg immediately after the injection, 17.57 ± 4.44 mmHg at 30 min, 15.00 ± 4.21 mmHg at 1 day, and 15.90 ± 3.63 mmHg at 1 week after the injection. Pre-injection mean MOPP was 46.39 ± 5.78 mmHg, and mean MOPP was 25.14 ± 8.79 mmHg immediately after the injection, 45.87 ± 6.31 mmHg at 30 min, 46.93 ± 6.25 mmHg at 1 day, and 46.50 ± 4.94 mmHg at 1 week after the injection.ConclusionThe instant increase in IOP by intravitreal anti-VEGF injection led to a transient decrease in MOPP. Based on this finding, the instant increase in IOP after intravitreal anti-VEGF injection does not significantly impair retinal blood flow.

PurposeItopride hydrochloride (itopride) inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and antagonizes dopamine D2 receptor, and has been used as a gastroprokinetic agent. However, its prokinetic effect on the small bowel or colon has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of itopride on motor functions of the ileum and colon in guinea pigs.Materials and MethodsThe distal ileum was excised and the activity of peristaltic contraction was determined by measuring the amplitude and propagation velocity of peristaltic contraction. The distal colon was removed and connected to the chamber containing Krebs-Henseleit solution (K-H solution). Artificial fecal matter was inserted into the oral side of the lumen, and moved toward the anal side by intraluminal perfusion via peristaltic pump. Colonic transit times were measured by the time required for the artificial feces to move a total length of 10 cm with 2-cm intervals.ResultsIn the ileum, itopride accelerated peristaltic velocity at higher dosage (10-10-10-6 M) whereas neostigmine accelerated it only with a lower dosage (10-10-10-9 M). Dopamine (10-8 M) decelerated the velocity that was recovered by itopride infusion. Itopride and neostigmine significantly shortened colonic transit at a higher dosage (10-10-10-6 M). Dopamine (10-8 M) delayed colonic transit time that was also recovered after infusion of itopride.ConclusionItopride has prokinetic effects on both the ileum and colon, which are regulated through inhibitory effects on AChE and antagonistic effects on dopamine D2 receptor.

The electrochemical properties of a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane are estimated using a combination of molecular dynamics simulation and statistical thermodynamic model. We obtain all parameters in an ionic conductivity model from an atomistic simulation and remove all adjusted model parameters. From a microscopic point of view, the hydrated PFSA membrane shows micro-phase segregation which separated into hydrophilic and hydrophobic phases. Our present work originates with this phenomenon and we treat this phase segregation as if it is a continuous phase for each of which the proton (H þ ) is transported inside the PFSA membrane/solvent (water and alcohols) mixture. The chemical potential for a given system is estimated using a molecular simulation technique to predict the van der Waals interaction energy between the polymer and solvent. In addition, the self diffusion coefficients are calculated from the molecular dynamics simulation. We study various polymer/solvent compositions to understand the concentration dependence of self diffusion coefficient. Our self diffusion coefficients and also the predicted final ionic conductivity agree well with previously reported experimental data.

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