ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The present study explored novel methods in visual field tests that actively induce the gaze of the examinee to the fixation target in the center vision and compared their effectiveness. METHODS: Four gaze induction methods (dot-on, dot-off, number-on, and number-off) were prepared by combining 2 types of fixation targets (dot and number) and 2 conditions of sound presence (on and off). The gaze induction methods were implemented to a PC-based visual field testing system and the 24-2 visual field testing protocol was administered to 14 participants without glaucoma. The performance of the gaze induction method was evaluated in terms of fixation error rate, target detection rate, and subjective satisfaction (7-point scale, 1 for least satisfied and 7 for most satisfied). RESULTS: The fixation error rates of dot-on (5.7%) and number-on (6.4%) were relatively lower than the other methods; the target detection rates of the induction methods were very high (95-96%) without significant differences, and the subjective satisfaction levels of dot-on (5.7) and number-on (5.4) were significantly higher than the other methods. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we determined number-on as the preferred effective gaze induction method compared to the conventional dot-off method when fixation error rates and subjective satisfaction were considered.
Subject(s)
Glaucoma , Vision, Ocular , Visual Field Tests , Visual FieldsABSTRACT
The mu opioid receptor (MOR) has been regarded as the main site of interaction with analgesics in major clinical use, particularly morphine. The repressor element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST) functions as a transcriptional repressor of neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells. However, it is expressed in certain mature neurons, suggesting that it may have complex and novel roles. In addition, the interactions between MOR and REST and their functions remain unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of morphine on the expression of REST mRNA and protein in human neuroblastoma NMB cells to investigate the roles of REST induced by MOR activation in neuronal cells. To determine the effects of morphine on REST expression, we performed RT-PCR, real-time quantitative RT-PCR, western blot analysis and radioligand binding assays in NMB cells. By RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR, the expression of REST was found to be unchanged by either the MOR agonist morphine or the MOR specific antagonist CTOP. By western blot, morphine was shown to significantly inhibit the expression of REST, but this suppression was completely blocked by treatment with CTOP. In the radioligand binding assay, the overexpression of REST led to an increased opioid ligand binding activity of endogenous MOR in the NMB cells. These results together suggest that morphine inhibits the expression of REST in human neuroblastoma cells through a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism mediated through MOR.
Subject(s)
Humans , Analgesics , Blotting, Western , Morphine , Neuroblastoma , Neurons , Receptors, Opioid, mu , RNA, Messenger , Somatostatin , Transcription FactorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To ascertain the incidence of proximal humeral epiphyseal ossification centers, as shown on chest radiographs, in neonates and infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distribution of corrected age(CA) of the infantswas from 24 weeks of gestational age to 6 months of postnatal age. They were obtained from inborn and outborn infants without developmental problems. Proximal humeral epiphyseal ossification centers were evaluated by two radiologists from a total of 440 chest radiographs. Of these, 196 were of the female chest and 244 were of themale. Corrected ages based on postnatal age are expressed as weeks before two months of age and as months after two months of age. The ossified or nonossified epiphyses of the humeral heads were plotted against corrected age. From these graphs, the percentages of ossification according to their corrected age was observed. RESULTS: 37weeks of corrected age in which 9.1%(1/11) was ossified was the earliest age of humeral epiphyseal ossification in the female. While 35 weeks of CA in which 6.3%(1/16) was ossified was the earliest age in the male. In full-term neonates(=40 weeks of CA), 20%(6/30) of epiphysis was ossified in the female and 23.3%(7/30) in the male. The female group of 43-44 weeks of corrected age showed ossification of 50% and the male group of 44-45 weeks of corrected age showed ossification of 50%. By five months of corrected age, 100% of epiphyses, both in the female and in the male, were ossified. CONCLUSION: Humeral ossification centers are seen from 35-37 weeks of correctedage. By five months of age, all humeral epiphyses are ossified.