The Toxicity of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Eye Drops against Human Corneal Epithelial Cells in Vitro

This study investigated the toxicity of commercial non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye solutions against corneal epithelial cells in vitro. The biologic effects of 1/100-, 1/50-, and 1/10-diluted bromfenac sodium, pranoprofen, diclofenac sodium, and the fluorometholone on corneal epithelial cells were evaluated after 1-, 4-, 12-, and 24-hr of exposure compared to corneal epithelial cell treated with balanced salt solution as control. Cellular metabolic activity, cellular damage, and morphology were assessed. Corneal epithelial cell migration was quantified by the scratch-wound assay. Compared to bromfenac and pranoprofen, the cellular metabolic activity of diclofenac and fluorometholone significantly decreased after 12-hr exposure, which was maintained for 24-hr compared to control. Especially, at 1/10-diluted eye solution for 24-hr exposure, the LDH titers of fluorometholone and diclofenac sodium markedly increased more than those of bromfenac and pranoprofen. In diclofenac sodium, the Na⁺ concentration was lower and amount of preservatives was higher than other NSAIDs eye solutions tested. However, the K⁺ and Cl^- concentration, pH, and osmolarity were similar for all NSAIDs eye solutions. Bromfenac and pranoprofen significantly promoted cell migration, and restored wound gap after 48-hr exposure, compared with that of diclofenac or fluorometholone. At 1/50-diluted eye solution for 48-hr exposure, the corneal epithelial cellular morphology of diclofenac and fluorometholone induced more damage than that of bromfenac or pranoprofen. Overall, the corneal epithelial cells in bromfenac and pranoprofen NSAID eye solutions are less damaged compared to those in diclofenac, included fluorometholone as steroid eye solution.     

Bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) In Combination With Oxaliplatin Is Safe and Well Tolerated in Patients Who Experienced Coronary Vasospasm With Infusional 5-FU or Capecitabine

Introduction

Coronary vasospasm associated with fluoropyrimidine (FP)-based chemotherapy is a potentially serious complication and reported to occur more often with infusional 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or capecitabine than with bolus 5-FU. Given the additional benefit of oxaliplatin over FP alone in the management of colorectal cancer, retaining oxaliplatin in the treatment regimen is desirable, but the safety of combining bolus 5-FU with oxaliplatin in patients with FP-induced vasospasm is not well established. We performed a retrospective review to explore the safety of substituting FLOX (bolus 5-FU, oxaliplatin, leucovorin) for FOLFOX (infusional 5-FU, oxaliplatin, leucovorin) and CAPOX (capecitabine, oxaliplatin) in patients who had FP-induced coronary vasospasm.

Characteristics of single ocular motor nerve palsy associated with anti-GQ1b antibody

Journal of Neurology - To define the prevalence and characteristics of single ocular motor nerve palsy (OMNP) associated with positive serum anti-GQ1b antibody. We performed a prospective...     

Retreatment using a dual mode of low-fluence Q-switched and long-pulse Nd:YAG laser in patients with melasma aggravation after previous therapy

Background: Aggravated melasma after treatment is vulnerable to stimulation, can easily deteriorate, and may be distressing without proper management. Objective: To retrospectively assess the effectiveness and safety of combination therapy using low-fluence Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (QSNY) and long-pulse Nd:YAG laser (LPNY) (dual toning) in patients with rebound melasma. Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients with aggravated melasma after previous therapy who were treated with dual toning were enrolled. A total of 10 sessions were conducted at 1-week intervals, followed by maintenance treatment. The results were evaluated using the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) and the physician's global assessment (PGA) before and 2 months after completing the 10 treatment sessions. Results: The baseline mMASI was 10.48 ± 3.64, which significantly decreased to 3.22 ± 1.45 2 months after completing the 10 treatment sessions (p < 0.001). Twenty-four patients (80%) had PGA grade 4 (76–100% improvement) and 6 patients (20%) had PGA grade 3 (51–75% improvement). Conclusion: Dual toning may be a safe and effective salvage treatment for patients with aggravated melasma after previous treatment. LPNY may stabilize melasma activity to prevent rebound hyperpigmentation via dermal remodeling.     

ALDH1 and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes as predictors for neoadjuvant chemotherapy response in breast cancer

Many studies have reported that Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are related to breast cancer prognosis. However, the clinical significance of ALDH1 and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in breast cancer has not been fully investigated in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We studied the significance of the expression of ALDH1 and the population of TIL for predicting the prognosis and chemotherapeutic response of patients with breast cancer who had received NAC. Forty patients who underwent NAC were enrolled in this study. ALDH1 and TIL (T cells and tumor associated macrophages) were evaluated before and after NAC. The influences of ALDH1 expression status and TIL populations on both prognosis and chemotherapeutic response were evaluated. ALDH1 positivity was related to estrogen receptor (p?=?0.026) and progesterone receptor negativity (p?=?0.025). Positive change of ALDH1 after NAC tended to be associated with a poor NAC response (p?=?0.078). Patients with more CD8+ T cells before NAC and fewer CD68 (+) macrophages after NAC tended to have better OS, respectively (p?=?0.086, p?=?0.096). The chemotherapeutic response and prognosis of patients with breast cancer who received NAC are thought to be determined by the tumor microenvironment. Further research with more patients and a longer study period is needed.