PFS Group Research Articles

Exploring the metabolomic landscape: Perilla frutescens as a promising enhancer of production, flavor, and nutrition in Tan lamb meat

Addressing health-related concerns linked to the metabolite profile of lamb meat has become paramount, in line with the growing demand for enhanced flavor and taste. We examined the impact of Perilla frutescens seeds on Tan lamb growth, carcass traits, and metabolite profiles. Three diets were employed: a low-concentrate group (LC), a high-concentrate group (HC), and a PFS group (the LC diet supplemented with 3% Perilla frutescens seeds) on a dry matter basis. Forty-five male Tan-lambs (approximately six months) with similar body weights (25.1 kg ± 1.12 SD) were randomly assigned to one of these three groups for 84-day feeding, including an initial 14-day adjustment phase. The supplementation of PFS resulted in increased average daily gain (P < 0.01) and improved carcass quality and meat color (P < 0.05). Additionally, it led to an enhancement in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) and a reduction in the omega-6/omega-3 ratio (P < 0.05). Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, 369 volatile compounds were identified with enhanced levels of acetaldehyde and 1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene associated with PFS (P < 0.05). Among the 807 compounds identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, there were 66 significantly differential compounds (P < 0.05), including 43 hydrophilic metabolites and 23 lipids. PFS supplementation led to significant alterations in 66 metabolites, with three metabolites including 2,5-diisopropyl-3-methylphenol, 3-hydroxydecanoic acid, and lysophosphatidylcholine (15:0) emerging as potential PFS-related biomarkers. The study indicates that PFS supplementation can enhance Tan-lamb growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality, potentially providing lamb meat with improved flavor and nutritional characteristics.

A serial analysis of serum aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion and prolonged febrile seizure

BackgroundThere are no established biomarkers for diagnosing acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) in the early acute phase, called “the 1st seizure phase”. Based on our clinical experience, we hypothesized that serial examinations of blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in children with febrile convulsive status epilepticus (FCSE) revealed higher levels in patients with AESD in the 1st seizure phase than in those with prolonged febrile seizures (PFs). MethodsTo test our presented hypothesis, we retrospectively investigated changes in serum AST in patients with FCSE due to AESD (n = 11) or PFs (n = 27) who were serially examined within 48 h of the onset of convulsions. ResultsThe rate of increase in AST was significantly higher in patients with AESD than in those with PFs. The rate of increase in AST correlated with previously reported scoring systems, i.e., Yokochi and Tottori scores, for the prediction of AESD. A positive correlation between the rate of increase in AST and creatinine levels in the first examination were observed; however, creatinine levels did not significantly differ between the AESD and PFs groups in the first or second examination. Blood levels of pH, ammonia, and sugar in the first examination and C-reactive protein in the second examination were significantly higher in the AESD group than in the PFs group. ConclusionsThe present study revealed that the rate of increase in AST was significantly higher in patients with AESD than in those with PFs. A novel predictive scoring system needs to be established in combination with the rate of increase in AST and reported clinical parameters, which will improve the prognosis of patients with FCSE.

Identification of Early-Onset Metastasis in SF3B1 Mutated Uveal Melanoma.

Simple SummaryThis study describes clinical and genetic characteristics of the largest aggregated cohort of Splicing Factor 3 Subunit B1 (SF3B1)-mutated Uveal Melanoma (UM) in the literature (n = 146). Missense mutations in the spliceosome gene SF3B1 result in an altered splice site recognition and aberrant mRNA transcripts. The SF3B1-mutated UM show early- and late-onset of metastatic disease for which, currently, no distinguishing biomarkers exist. Using a cutoff of 60 months for stratification, we found that a largest basal tumor diameter was more prevalent in the early-onset metastatic disease group. Furthermore, using differential gene expression and the detection of aberrant transcripts, we found that the expression of alpha/beta-Hydrolase domain containing 6 (ABHD6) is associated with early-onset metastatic SF3B1 and aberrant transcripts that are associated with early-onset SF3B1-mutated UM. Our results provide more accurate prognostication and targets for future functional studies in an effort to elucidate pathogenesis of SF3B1-mutated UM.Approximately 25% of all uveal melanoma (UM) contain driver mutations in the gene encoding the spliceosome factor SF3B1, and whilst patients with such SF3B1 mutations generally have an intermediate risk on developing metastatic disease, a third of these patients develop early metastasis within 5 years after diagnosis. We therefore investigated whether clinical and/or genetic variables could be indicative of short progression-free survival (PFS < 60 months) or long PFS (PFS ≥ 60 months) for SF3B1-mutated (SF3B1mut) UM patients. We collected 146 SF3B1mut UM from our Rotterdam Ocular Melanoma Studygroup (ROMS) database and external published datasets. After stratification of all SF3B1mut UM using short PFS vs. long PFS, only largest tumor diameter (LTD) was significantly larger (mean: 17.7 mm (±2.8 SD) in the short PFS SF3B1mut group vs. the long PFS group (mean: 14.7 (±3.7 SD, p = 0.001). Combined ROMS and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) transcriptomic data were evaluated, and we identified SF3B1mut-specific canonical transcripts (e.g., a low expression of ABHD6 indicative for early-onset metastatic disease) or distinct expression of SF3B1mut UM aberrant transcripts, indicative of early- or late-onset or no metastatic SF3B1mut UM.

Early clearance of serum HE4 and CA125 in predicting platinum sensitivity and prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer

ObjectivesTo assess the clinical value of early clearance of HE4 and CA125 for platinum sensitivity and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer.MethodHE4 and CA125 value including clinical data of 89 patients with ovarian cancer were collected. The clearance of HE4 and CA125 were assessed base on the platinum sensitivity, two-year PFS, PFS and OS.ResultsSixteen patients were classified as platinum resistant and 73 as platinum sensitive according to the response to platinum-base chemotherapy. When HE4 clearance after 3rd cycle chemotherapy or CA125 clearance after 1st cycle chemotherapy, it gave the highest AUC of 0.788, with 100% of sensitivity and 57.5% of specificity respectively between platinum resistant and platinum sensitive group. In addition, 59 patients were classified as two-year PFS group and 30 as not achieved two-year PFS group according to obtaining two-year PFS or not. It gave the highest AUC of 0.730, with 83.3% of sensitivity and 62.7% of specificity respectively when HE4 clearance after 3rd cycle chemotherapy or CA125 clearance after 1st cycle. The prolonged PFS and OS were significantly associated by the clearance of HE4 after 3rd cycle chemotherapy (p< 0.0001, p< 0.0001) as well as CA125 after 1st cycle chemotherapy (p< 0.0001, p< 0.0001).ConclusionsOur data suggested that the early clearance of HE4 and CA125 could predict platinum response and prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. Monitoring the HE4 and CA125 during first-line chemotherapy might be helpful in predicting platinum sensitivity and risk to progress and relapse.

Relationship of early tumor shrinkage and depth of response with the prognosis and treatment effect of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer patients with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive

Objective: To explore the relationship of early tumor shrinkage (ETS) and depth of response (DpR) with the prognosis and treatment effect of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as first-line treatment in advanced gastric cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) positive. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 23 patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed by imaging in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 1st, 2008 to December 31th, 2017. Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test were used for the survival analysis. Cox regression was used to analyze the factors associated with prognosis. Results: The objective response rate (ORR) of the 23 patients was 43.5% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 82.6%. Univariate analysis showed the median progress-free survival (mPFS) of ETS≥20% and ETS<20% were 13.0 months and 4.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of ETS≥20% and ETS<20% were 26.8 months and 10.1 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). The median progress-free survival (mPFS) of DpR≥15% and DpR<15% were 13.0 months and 4.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of DpR≥15% and DpR<15% were 26.8 months and 9.5 months, respectively, with statistical significance (P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed ETS was an independent factor of PFS (P=0.030), tumor site and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score were independent factors of OS (P<0.05). Conclusion: ETS and DpR might be used to predict the treatment efficacy and prognosis of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment of HER-2 positive gastric cancer.

Termination of lambs fed concentrate or pasture: performance and technical feasibility

A total of 28 uncastrated lambs, with 20kg of body mass (BM) were distributed into two different finishing systems where animals were fed either concentrate (CFS) or pasture (PFS) until 35 kg BM. The CFS diet consisted of 77.4% of corn grain; 20.2% soybean meal; 1.4% limestone and 1.0% sodium bicarbonate. The PFS diet consisted of both native pasture and ryegrass. The evaluated parameters were: dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), crude protein intake (CPI), neutral detergent fiber intake (NDFI), feed conversion (FC), mean daily gain, days to reach 35kg BM, ruminal pH, in vivo biometric measurements, carcass composition, percentage of commercial cuts, pallet composition, and proportion of body components. The CFS animals had higher DMI, OMI, CPI and lower NDFI when compared to PFS. Also, animals feed CFS presented higher mean daily gain and better FC. Animals from CFS took 77 days to reach 35kg BM whereas animals from PFS took 278 days. The ruminal pH was higher, and more adequate, in the PFS group when compared to the CFS group. The CFS lambs presented better quantitative characteristics and conformation, and higher fat deposition. PFS lambs, on the other hand, provided leaner and more muscular carcasses. Thus, the termination of lambs without use of bulky feed is technically feasible and provides better zootechnical performance and carcass characteristics. However, the ruminal pH drop may compromise the system and must be observed.

Reduction of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella enterica Serovar Heidelberg Using a Dairy-Originated Probiotic Bacterium, Propionibacterium freudenreichii freudenreichii B3523, in Growing Turkeys

SUMMARY We investigated the antibacterial efficacy of a dairy-origin probiotic bacterium, Propionibacterium freudenreichii freudenreichii B3523 (PF), on a multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg (SH) in growing turkeys. In 2 independent experiments, day-old poults (N = 24/experiment) were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (8 turkeys/group). The groups were: a negative control (NC; turkeys without PF supplementation or SH challenge), an SH control (SC; turkeys challenged with SH without PF supplementation), and a test group (PFS; turkeys supplemented with PF and challenged with SH) raised until 7 wk of age. Turkeys in the PFS group received PF once in 2 d at 1012 cfu in 5 gallon drinking water from day 0 until 6 wk of age. Turkeys in SC and PFS groups were challenged with SH as crop gavage at 6 wk of age. After SH inoculation, the PFS group received PF daily for 7 d until the end of the study. The colonization of SH and PF in turkey ceca was determined 2 and 7 d post-inoculation of the pathogen. In addition, the effect of PF supplementation on the dissemination of SH to liver and spleen was determined. Results indicated that PF was recoverable at 4 to 4.5 log10 cfu/g at the end of the study. Additionally, PF supplementation significantly reduced SH colonization in the PFS group by 1 to 1.3 log10 cfu/g in the turkey ceca 2 and 7 d after SH inoculation (P ≤ 0.05), compared to the SC group. In addition, PF supplementation reduced dissemination of SH to liver and spleen (P ≤ 0.05), compared to the SC group. Results indicate that PF could be a potential probiotic strategy in turkeys to control SH colonization at a later stage of turkey production.

Progression Free Survival below 12 Months Following Stem Cell Transplant Is a Hallmark of High-Risk Myeloma Which Is Associated with Inferior Overall Survival — Data from the Ukmrc Myeloma XI Trial

Introduction Multi-agent induction chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is a standard of care for younger patients with multiple myeloma, aimed at maximising the depth and duration of first response (PFS1). However, the duration of PFS1 is variable between patients. Improved understanding of how to identify high risk patients who relapse early and the ability to design strategies applicable to their biology represents the central aim of personalized medicine approaches for MM. This landmarked analysis of the Myeloma XI trial was designed to identify the characteristics of patients with PFS1 of less than a year after ASCT. Patients and methods In MXI patients were randomised to induction therapy with CTD (cyclophosphamide, thalidomide and dexamethasone) or RCD (lenalidomide, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone) and +/- CVD (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone) intensification in patients with Patients who completed ASCT were identified with very early relapse (PFS1 Results Of 1274 patients receiving ASCT: 178 (14%) relapsed within 12m and 1096 (86%) thereafter. There were higher rates of ≥VGPR in the PFS1≥12m group (70% vs 59%) and in both groups most patients responded at ≥PR (PFS1 Inferior outcomes continued for the PFS1 As PFS1 Discussion Nearly three quarters of those with PFS1 Disclosures Bygrave:Amgen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding. Pawlyn:Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Takeda Oncology: Consultancy, Other: Travel support; Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel support. Davies:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Takeda: Consultancy, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; MMRF: Honoraria; ASH: Honoraria; TRM Oncology: Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Consultancy. Cairns:Merck Sharp and Dohme: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding. Striha:MSD: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Hockaday:Millenium: Research Funding; MSD: Research Funding; Janssen: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding; Abbvie: Research Funding. Jones:Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding. Kishore:Celgene: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: travel support. Garg:Amgen: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Takeda: Other: Travel Grant; Novartis: Other: travel support, Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria. Williams:Janssen: Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel support; Amgen: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Karunanithi:Janssen: Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Celgene: Other: Travel support, Research Funding. Lindsay:Celgene: Honoraria, Other: Travel support; BMS: Consultancy, Other: Travel support; Takeda: Other: Travel support; Janssen: Consultancy; Novartis: Other: Travel support. Jenner:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Chugai: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Travel support, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau. Cook:Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlycoMimetics, Celgene, Janssen and Takeda and Sanofi: Honoraria; Celgene, Janssen and Takeda: Research Funding. Drayson:Abingdon Health: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Owen:Takeda: Honoraria, Other: Travel Support; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Travel support. Gregory:Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Merck Sharp and Dohme: Research Funding. Morgan:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria. Jackson:Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Chugai: Honoraria; Janssen: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Kaiser:Chugai: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel support; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: Travel Support; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

Treatments (tx) after progression to first-line FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab (bev) in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients (pts): A pooled analysis of TRIBE and MOMA studies by GONO group.

3542 Background: FOLFOXIRI plus bev is regarded by international guidelines as a valuable option in the first-line tx of mCRC pts. One of the major concerns for the adoption of this regimen is the potential limitation of subsequent therapeutic options. The aim of the present analysis was to focus on treatments received after progression in TRIBE (NCT00719797) and MOMA (NCTNCT02271464) studies. Methods: We collected data of tx received after progression and their outcome in terms of 2ndPFS (time from 2nd line tx start to disease progression or death) and OS II (time from 2nd line tx start to death). For pts in which the same drugs used in first-line were totally or partially reintroduced, the chemotherapy-free interval (CFI, time from the last administration of irinotecan or oxaliplatin during first-line to disease progression) was calculated. Results: Out of 482 pts treated with upfront FOLFOXIRI plus bev, 429 progressed. 303 (70.6%) pts received a 2nd line tx: 93 FOLFOXIRI +/- bev (Group A), 119 FOLFOX/XELOX or FOLFIRI +/- bev (Group B) and 91 other tx (Group C), including an anti-EGFR moAb in 60 cases. No difference was observed among the three groups in terms of 2ndPFS (median 2nd PFS Group A: 5.6 vs Group B: 4.4 vs Group C: 3.9 mos; p = 0.60) or OS II (median OS II Group A: 14.9 vs Group B: 13.8 vs Group C: 11.7 mos; p = 0.49). In the subgroup of pts with a CFI &lt; 6 mos, Group A (n = 52) reported longer 2ndPFS compared to both Group B (n = 58) (median 2ndPFS 5.3 vs 3.0 mos; HR: 0.61,95%CI 0.41-0.89; p = 0.009) and Group C (n = 58) (5.3 vs 3.2 mos; HR: 0.71, 95%CI 0.48-1.05; p = 0.07). Consistent results were achieved in OS II (Group A vs Group B; median OS 13.6 vs 10.8 mos; HR: 0.65, 95%CI 0.42-1.00; p = 0.053; Group A vs Group C 13.6 vs 8.9 mos; HR: 0.60, 95%CI 0.39-0.93; p = 0.002). In the subgroup of pts with a CFI ≥ 6 mos, no significant difference was shown between Group A (n = 41) and Group B (n = 61) or C (n = 33). Conclusions: Tx after progression to first-line FOLFOXIRI plus bev are feasible and show expected efficacy results. The reintroduction of the triplet plus bev seems more effective than doublets plus bev or other tx when a more aggressive disease biology is suggested (CFI &lt; 6 mos).

Subgroup analyses of METEOR, a randomized phase 3 trial of cabozantinib versus everolimus in patients (pts) with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

499 Background: Cabozantinib (C) inhibits tyrosine kinases including VEGFRs, MET, and AXL. The METEOR phase 3 trial (NCT01865747) met its primary endpoint of significant improvement in PFS with C versus everolimus (E) in pts with advanced clear cell RCC and prior exposure to VEGFR TKIs (7.4 mo median PFS [C] vs 3.8 mo [E], HR = 0.58, 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.75; p &lt; 0.001). The improvement in PFS was accompanied by a significant improvement in ORR and a trend for improved OS at an interim analysis. Safety profiles of C and E in this trial were similar to prior experience with each drug in this pt population. This analysis further evaluates PFS and ORR across pt subgroups. Methods: Pts had advanced RCC with clear cell component, measurable disease per RECIST 1.1, KPS ≥ 70%, and were stratified by MSKCC prognostic criteria and number of prior VEGFR TKIs. Pts must have progressed during treatment or within 6 months of the last dose of their most recent VEGFR TKI. 658 pts were randomized 1:1 to receive C (60 mg QD) or E (10 mg QD). The primary endpoint was PFS among the first 375 pts randomized. ORR was a secondary endpoint. Results: In the PFS group, 187 pts were randomized to C and 188 to E. 73% pts had 1 and 27% pts ≥ 2 prior VEGFR TKIs; 43% pts had favorable, 41% intermediate, and 15% poor risk by MSKCC criteria. Across multiple subgroups defined by baseline characteristics, PFS HRs favored C over E. PFS HRs were similar for subgroups defined by prior number of TKIs (HR = 0.56 [1 prior] and 0.67 [ ≥ 2 prior]), and showed higher activity of C over E in pts with fewer MSKCC risk factors (HR = 0.54 [0 factors], 0.56 [1 factor], 0.84 [ ≥ 2 factors]) or with metastases in various organs (HR = 0.47 [lung mets], 0.53 [liver mets], 0.50 [bone mets]). Detailed analysis of the clinical activity of C and E (PFS and ORR) across pt subgroups will be presented, including treatment duration with first VEGFR TKI ( &lt; or ≥ 6mo), receipt of prior anti-PD1/PDL1 agents, time to progression after most recent TKI ( &lt; or ≥ 3mo), and frequency/location of metastases. Conclusions: The METEOR trial met its primary endpoint of improved PFS, and subgroup analyses of the endpoints PFS and ORR generally favored C over E in patients with advanced RCC. Clinical trial information: NCT01865747.

Interferon regulatory factor 1 is an independent predictor of platinum resistance and survival in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma

ObjectiveHigh-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) that is resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy has a particularly poor prognosis. Response to platinum has both prognostic survival value and dictates secondary treatment strategies. Using transcriptome analysis, we sought to identify differentially expressed genes/pathways based on a tumor's platinum response for discovering novel predictive biomarkers. MethodsSeven primary HGSOC tumor samples, representing two extremes of platinum sensitivity/timing of disease recurrence, were analyzed by RNA-Seq, Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) and Upstream Regulator Analysis (URA), and used to explore differentially expressed genes and prevalent molecular and cellular processes. Progression-free and overall survival (PFS, OS) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method in two different sample sets including GEO and TCGA data sets. ResultsIPA and URA highlighted an IRF1-driven transcriptional program (P=0.0017; z-score of 3.091) in the platinum sensitive improved PFS group. QRT-PCR analysis of 31 HGSOC samples demonstrated a significant difference in PFS between low and high IRF1 expression groups (P=0.048) and between groups that were platinum sensitive versus not (P=0.016). In a larger validation data set, increased levels of IRF1 were associated with both increased PFS (P=0.043) and OS (P=0.019) and the effect on OS was independent of debulking status (optimal debulking, P=0.025; suboptimal, P=0.041). ConclusionTranscriptome analysis identifies IRF1, a transcription factor that functions both in immune regulation and as a tumor suppressor, as being associated with platinum sensitivity and an independent predictor of both PFS and OS in HGSOC.

Difference in the posterior pole profiles associated with the initial location of visual field defect in early-stage normal tension glaucoma.

To identify the differences in posterior pole profiles between early normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients with an initial central visual field (VF) loss and those with a peripheral VF loss. Normal tension glaucoma patients with parafoveal scotoma (PFS; within a central 10° of fixation; superior, n=47; inferior, n=24) and peripheral nasal step (PNS; VF defect in the nasal meridian outside 10° of fixation; superior, n=27; inferior, n=32) in either hemifield were enrolled, if their mean deviation was greater than -10 decibels (dB). Disc tilt (tilt ratio), disc torsion, area of peripapillary atrophy and disc-foveal angle (angle between a horizontal line through the disc centre and the line connecting the fovea and the disc centre) were analysed from red-free fundus photographs. The mean disc-foveal angles (shortest diameter) in PNS and PFS groups were 6.2±4.5 and 7.7±4.0°, respectively. In multivariate analysis, eyes with PFS were associated with a greater disc-foveal angle, compared with PNS (p=0.042). In subgroup analysis, superior PFS group showed greater disc-foveal angle compared with inferior PFS group (p=0.018). In the PNS group, the direction of disc torsion was associated with superior and inferior hemifield defects (p=0.004). The posterior pole profiles were different in NTG patients according to their location of damage. Disc-foveal angle was the major determinant of the VF location in patients with VF loss at the central region and disc torsion in patients with loss at the peripheral region.

충남 일부지역 남자 중학생의 무상급식에 대한 인식 및 만족도

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to investigate perception, necessity, and satisfaction of a free foodservice in male middle school students. This study was conducted at male middle schools with paid foodservice (PFS group, 250 students) and with free foodservice (FFS group, 250 students) in Chungnam. Average age of stu-dents in the PFS group was 13.1 while that of FFS students was 12.8 years. Exactly 88% of PFS students and 94% of FFS students responded that school foodservice is necessary, which was a significant difference (P＜0.05). As the reason for participating in foodservice, about 32% of the PFS students answered the school’s request while 33.6% of FFS students answered nutrition, showing a significant difference (P＜0.001). Exactly 72.8% of PFS and 96.4% of FFS knew about FFS (P＜0.001). More PFS students (86.4%) than FFS students (66%) answered they would not participate in foodservice if the FFS would be introduced and the quality of meal service would deteriorate. After initiation to FFS, there were significant differences in assess-ment of foodservice: 77.6% of PFS students answered expected that the quality of foodservice would degrade, whereas 74.4% of FFS students answered that quality would not degrade (P＜0.001). Satisfaction of foodser-vice was 2.3 points for FFS students, which was significantly lower than the 2.5 points for PFS students (P＜0.001). To sum up assessment of foodservice was positive, whereas satisfaction was not significantly differ-ent between PFS and FFS. Based on this research, households, schools, and governments should promote FFS in order to diminish financial pressure for students.

Glaucoma Diagnostic Ability of Ganglion Cell–Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Differs According to the Location of Visual Field Loss

To determine whether the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) or circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cpRNFL) is better at distinguishing eyes with early glaucoma from normal eyes on the basis of the the initial location of the visual field (VF) damage. Retrospective, observational study. Eighty-four patients with early glaucoma and 43 normal subjects were enrolled. The patients with glaucoma were subdivided into 2 groups according to the location of VF damage: (1) an isolated parafoveal scotoma (PFS, N= 42) within 12 points of a central 10 degrees in 1 hemifield or (2) an isolated peripheral nasal step (PNS, N= 42) within the nasal periphery outside 10 degrees of fixation in 1 hemifield. All patients underwent macular and optic disc scanning using Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). The GCIPL and cpRNFL thicknesses were compared between groups. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated. Comparison of diagnostic ability using AUCs. The average and minimum GCIPL of the PFS group were significantly thinner than those of the PNS group, whereas there was no significant difference in the average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness between the 2 groups. The AUCs of the average (0.962) and minimum GCIPL (0.973) thicknesses did not differ from that of the average RNFL thickness (0.972) for discriminating glaucomatous changes between normal and all glaucoma eyes (P =0.566 and 0.974, respectively). In the PFS group, the AUCs of the average (0.988) and minimum GCIPL (0.999) thicknesses were greater than that of the average RNFL thickness (0.961, P =0.307 and 0.125, respectively). However, the AUCs of the average (0.936) and minimum GCIPL (0.947) thicknesses were lower than that of the average RNFL thickness (0.984) in the PNS group (P =0.032 and 0.069, respectively). The GCIPL parameters were more valuable than the cpRNFL parameters for detecting glaucoma in eyes with parafoveal VF loss, and the cpRNFL parameters were better than the GCIPL parameters for detecting glaucoma in eyes with peripheral VF loss. Clinicians should know that the diagnostic capability of macular GCIPL parameters depends largely on the location of the VF loss.