The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of purified high-dose anthocyanoside oligomer administration on nocturnal visual function and clinical symptoms in low-to-moderate myopia subjects. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial and involved sixty subjects with asthenopia and refractive errors between 21·00 and 28·00 diopters in both eyes. Thirty subjects were administered a purified high-dose anthocyanoside oligomer (100 mg tablet comprising 85 % anthocyanoside oligomer), and thirty were given a placebo in tablet form twice daily for 4 weeks. Prior to the treatment, the placebo and anthocyanoside groups were similar in terms of age and contrast sensitivity. Before and after treatment, subjects completed a questionnaire to determine their clinical symptoms and were also assessed for nocturnal visual function using contrast sensitivity testing. Questionnaire data analysis showed that, following treatment, twenty-two (73·3 %) anthocyanoside subjects showed improved symptoms, whereas only one placebo subject showed an improvement (Fisher's exact test, P,0·0001). Contrast sensitivity levels according to each cycle per degree significantly improved in the anthocyanoside group and remained stable in the placebo group. The mean contrast sensitivity change in the anthocyanoside group was 2·41 (SD) 1·91, compared with 20·66 (SD) 2·66 dB for the placebo group (unpaired Student's t test, P,0·0001). At all cycle per degree levels, contrast sensitivity changes in the anthocyanoside group were better than in the placebo group (unpaired Student's t test, P,0·05). The present data show that the administration of anthocyanoside oligomer appears to improve subjective symptoms and objective contrast sensitivity in myopia subjects with asthenopia.

The morbidity and mortality of HCC during pregnancy has improved over time, as diagnoses have tended to be made earlier and patients have tended to receive surgical and other treatments.

Purpose We evaluated the validity of robotic surgery (RS) for pediatric choledochal cyst (CC) in comparison to open surgery (OS). Materials and Methods From January 2009 to April 2013, clinical data from 79 consecutive pediatric patients with CC, who underwent RS (n=36) or OS (n=43) performed by a single pediatric surgeon, were analyzed retrospectively. Results In the RS group, the age of the patients was significantly older, compared to the OS group. Operation and anesthesia times were significantly longer in the RS group than the OS group. Fluid input rates to maintain the same urine output were significantly smaller in the RS group than the OS group. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, length of postoperative hospital stay, and the incidence of surgical complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion Although early complications could not be avoided during the development of robotic surgical techniques, RS for pediatric CC showed results comparable to those for OS. We believe that RS may be a valid and alternative surgery for pediatric CC. After further development of robotic surgical systems and advancement of surgical techniques therewith, future prospective studies may reveal more positive results.

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