bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protecting privacy in tourism – a perspective article
Authors: Hall Colin Michael , Ram Yael
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a perspective on privacy in tourism and hospitality.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of journals was undertaken in addition to thematic analysis.

Findings

Relatively little research has been undertaken on privacy in tourism and hospitality with privacy often regarded as synonymous with security.

Originality/value

One of the few commentaries on privacy in tourism.
The influence of IT-competency dimensions on job satisfaction, knowledge sharing and performance across industries
Authors: Kucharska Wioleta , Erickson G. Scott
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Technology makes knowledge management easier. Knowledge sharing is essential for organizational development. Job satisfaction fosters knowledge sharing. Hence, this study aims to develop an understanding of the mutual relationship between knowledge sharing and job satisfaction when both are predicted by information technology (IT)-competency dimensions such as IT-operations, IT-knowledge and IT-infrastructure in the context of company performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The results were achieved based on the examination of 910 Polish knowledge workers with different roles and experiences across various sectors. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling method.

Findings

The findings suggest that the company’s IT-competency drives job satisfaction and knowledge sharing more strongly for IT industry knowledge workers than for other industries. Also, a stronger mediation function of knowledge sharing and job satisfaction is observed for IT-operations when the IT industry is controlled.

Originality/value

The main value of the study is the empirical evidence that the influence of a particular IT-competency dimension varies for industries when it comes to job satisfaction and knowledge sharing processes.
Cocoa agroforest multifunctionality and soil fertility explained by shade tree litter traits
Authors: Sauvadet Marie , Saj Stéphane , Freschet Grégoire T. , Essobo Jean‐Daniel , Enock Séguy , Becquer Thierry , Tixier Philippe , Harmand Jean‐Michel
Published: December 2019

Manipulating plant functional diversity to improve agroecosystem multifunctionality is a central challenge of agricultural systems world‐wide. In cocoa agroforestry systems (cAFS), shade trees are used to supply many services to farmers, yet their impact on soil functioning and cocoa yields is likely to vary substantially among tree species.

Here we compared the impact of five shade tree species (Canarium schweinfurthii (Canarium), Dacryodes edulis (Safou), Milicia excelsa (Iroko), Ceiba pentandra (Kapok tree), Albizia adianthifolia (Albizia)) and unshaded conditions on the functioning of poor sandy savanna soils within eight cocoa farms in Central Cameroon. We assessed the effects of plant functional traits, leaf litterfall and fine root biomass on a range of soil functions and on cocoa yield.

Shade trees generally improved soil pH, , and Olsen P content, biomass production of bioassays and soil total C and N content, while leaving cocoa yields unchanged. However, these effects varied largely among species. Improvements of soil functions were low under the two fruit trees (Canarium and Dacryodes), medium under the legume tree Albizia and high under the two timber trees (Milicia and Ceiba). Low litter recalcitrance was most strongly associated with increases in soil fertility indicators such as N and P availability, whereas soil C and N content increased with litter Ca restitution.

Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate that cocoa agroforest multifunctionality is substantially influenced by the functional traits of shade tree species. Shade tree species with the most dissimilar traits to cocoa (cocoa showing the lowest leaf litter quality) showed the largest improvement of soil functions. Therefore, selection of shade trees based on their functional traits appears as a promising practice to adequately manage soil functioning. In order to fully assess the beneficial role of shade trees in these agroecosystems. Future research will need to extend this approach to other below‐ground traits and other aspects of multifunctionality such as long‐term cocoa health and yield.
Non‐negligible contribution of subordinates in community‐level litter decomposition: Deciduous trees in an evergreen world
Authors: Guo Chao , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Tuo Bin , Ci Hang , Yan En‐Rong
Published: December 2019

Subordinate species have relatively low abundance compared to dominant species; however, they may contribute significantly to functional diversity and ecosystem functionality, particularly if they differ strongly from the dominants in key traits. Here we investigated whether this phenomenon might be applied to litter decomposition as a key carbon and nutrient cycling process.

We hypothesized that species litter mass‐weighted predictions of community‐level litter decomposition based on dominant rates only, would deviate strongly from observed community‐level rates, and that predictions would improve as subordinates with strongly contrasting traits were combined with those of their dominant counterparts.

We tested this hypothesis through a 1‐year field decomposition experiment across a chronological sequence in a subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest. The experiment included the single‐species litter of evergreen dominants, evergreen subordinates and deciduous subordinates, respectively, as well as community‐level litter mixtures.

The expected community‐weighted mean decomposition rates based on the evergreen dominants alone, with or without the addition of evergreen subordinates, deviated strongly from those of observed community litter mixtures at the middle and late succession stages, but not at the early stage. When adding deciduous subordinates to this expectation, there was no longer any difference to the observed community litter decomposition rate across succession stages. Deciduous subordinates alone explained 7%, 21% and 15% of the total variation in community litter mixture decomposition rate for early, middle and late successional stages, respectively, which is more than would be expected from their litter mass fraction.

Synthesis. Deciduous subordinates with strongly contrasting nutritional and water‐storage traits compared to the dominant evergreens significantly impacted litter decomposition at the community‐level in spite of their low abundance. This study highlights the importance of ‘being different’ for subordinates to be influential in ecosystem carbon cycling.
The long non‐coding RNA HCG18 promotes the growth and invasion of colorectal cancer cells through sponging miR‐1271 and upregulating MTDH/Wnt/β‐catenin
Authors: Li Shunle , Wu Tao , Zhang Di , Sun Xiaoli , Zhang Xinwu
Published: December 2019

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently emerged as key regulators of the occurrence and progression of various human cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, the regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs in the tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the potential role of lncRNA HCG18 in colorectal cancer. Herein, we found that HCG18 expression was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of HCG18 significantly inhibited the growth and invasion of colorectal cancer cells, while its overexpression had the opposite effect. Moreover, HCG18 was identified as a sponge of miR‐1271. Our results showed that knockdown of HCG18 markedly upregulated miR‐1271 expression in colorectal cancer cells. Notably, HCG18 expression was inversely correlated with miR‐1271 expression in colorectal cancer specimens. Further investigation revealed that HCG18 contributed to the enhancement of MTDH/Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in colorectal cancer cells. The antitumour effect of HCG18 inhibition was significantly reversed by miR‐1271 inhibition or MTDH overexpression. Overall, the results of our study demonstrate that HCG18 exerts a potential oncogenic function in colorectal cancer by enhancing MTDH/Wnt/β‐catenin signalling via sponging of miR‐1271, highlighting the importance of HCG18/miR‐1271/ MTDH/Wnt/β‐catenin signalling in the progression of colorectal cancer.
How well does the Best Guess method predict children's weight in an emergency department in 2018–2019?
Authors: Pan Daming , Foster Mieke , Tagg Andrew , Klim Sharon , Kelly Anne‐Maree
Published: December 2019

Objective

For seriously ill children, weight is often required to direct critical interventions. As it is not always feasible to measure weight in emergencies, age‐based weight prediction formulae may be used as an alternative. The Best Guess formulae, derived in Australia, have been shown to be among the most accurate age‐based methods in Australian children. They were validated in 2010. The present study aims to re‐validate the Best Guess formulae and compare their performance to the previous validation cohort.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted in the paediatric ED of a community teaching hospital. It included a convenience sample of children aged 1 month to 10 years who presented between July 2018 and April 2019. Seriously ill children were excluded. Data collected included measured weight, height, gender, age and ethnic group. The outcomes of interest were predictive performance of Best Guess formulae and comparison of predictive accuracy with a 2005 cohort from the same ED.

Results

A total of 961 patients were included; 42% girls, median age 3 years. The sample was ethnically diverse. Mean percent difference in weight was −3.3% with the formulae usually over‐estimating weight. Overall, agreement within 10% was 41.8%; agreement within 20% was 72.6%. Predictive accuracy was not significantly different between the cohorts.

Conclusion

The Best Guess method has not reduced in accuracy as a weight estimation method in emergent situations in this Australian cohort, despite a tendency to slightly over‐estimate children's weight. Further study is needed to test the Best Guess method's accuracy in ethnic subgroups.
Predicting 3‐year mortality based on the tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration in low‐flux hemodialysis patients
Authors: Thang Le Viet , Loc Nguyen D. , Dung Nguyen H. , Kien Nguyen T. , Quyen Dao B. Q. , Tuan Nguyen M. , Ha Do M. , Kien Truong Q. , Dung Nguyen T. T. , Van Diem T. , Van Duc Nguyen , Ha Nguyen T. T. , Toan Pham Q. , Usui Tomoko , Nangaku Masaomi
Published: December 2019

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) is an inflammatory cytokine produced during acute inflammation. Few studies have evaluated the association between serum TNF‐α and its receptors and their clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients. However, a study assessing patients using a low‐flux dialyzer reuse has not been conducted yet. The serum TNF‐α concentrations of 319 prevalent hemodialysis patients (mean age, 45 ± 15 years; median duration of hemodialysis, 48 [interquartile range, 26‐79] months; 185 males and 134 females) was examined to predict their 3‐year mortality. The patients were divided into tertiles according to their serum TNF‐α concentrations: T1 (n = 106; serum TNF‐α concentration, <41.22 pg/mL), T2 (n = 106; serum TNF‐α level, from 41.22 to 67.28 pg/mL), and T3 (n = 107; serum TNF‐α concentration, ≥ 67.29 pg/mL). During the 36‐month follow‐up period, a total of 50 (15.7%) patients died from all causes. The Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed that the all‐cause mortality in T3 was significantly higher compared to that in T1 and T2 (log‐rank test, P < .001). The serum TNF‐α level was a significant predictor for all‐cause mortality (area under the curve = 0.887, P < .001, cutoff value, 89.812 pg/mL, sensitivity = 76%, specificity = 96.3%). The serum TNF‐α level was a better predictor of mortality than the duration of hemodialysis and serum albumin, serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and serum beta‐2 microglobulin concentrations. The serum TNF‐α concentration was a good predictor of the 3‐year mortality in low‐flux hemodialysis patients.
Usefulness of CHA2DS2‐VASc score to predict mortality and hospitalization in patients with inflammatory arthritis
Authors: Cioffi Giovanni , Viapiana Ombretta , Orsolini Giovanni , Idolazzi Luca , Fracassi Elena , Ognibeni Federica , Dalbeni Andrea , Gatti Davide , Carletto Antonio , Fassio Angelo , Rossini Maurizio , Giollo Alessandro
Published: December 2019

Background

Inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are disorders at increased risk of morbidity and mortality for which a validated prognostic tool for facilitating clinical management is needed. CHA2DS2‐VASc (congestive heart failure/hypertension/age diabetes/stroke/vascular disease/age/sex category) score was initially conceived and used to estimate thromboembolic risk in non‐valvular atrial fibrillation, and then successfully applied in community populations with sinus rhythm. We tested CHA2DS2‐VASc‐score as a prognosticator of adverse outcomes in patients in sinus rhythm with RA/AS/PsA.

Methods

Between March 2014 and March 2015, 414 patients (214 RA, 75 AS, 125 PsA) in sinus rhythm without cardiac disease were consecutively analyzed and prospectively followed‐up. Primary and co‐primary end‐points were a composite of all‐cause death/all‐cause hospitalization and CV death/CV hospitalization, respectively.

Results

Patients were divided into LOWscore and HIGHscore groups if CHA2DS2‐VASc was = 0/1 point or greater than 1 point, respectively. The HIGHscore group comprised 190 patients who were older with higher prevalence of CV risk factors and arthritis disease activity than 224 LOWscore patients. During a follow up of 36 months, the event rate for primary and co‐primary end‐point was 37% and 12% in the HIGHscore vs 22% and 4% in LOWscore group (P = .001 and .002 respectively). At multivariate Cox regression analysis CHA2DS2‐VASc‐score was related to primary end‐point (hazards ratio [HR] 1.30 [1.07‐1.59], P = .009) and co‐primary end‐point (HR 1.35 [1.01‐1.79], P = .04) independently of traditional CV risk factors analyzed individually and indexes of inflammation or disease duration.

Conclusion

CHA2DS2‐VASc‐score accurately identifies in the mid‐term patients in sinus rhythm with RA/AS/PsA at different risks for CV and non‐CV mortality and hospitalization.
Interleukin‐5 drives glycolysis and reactive oxygen species‐dependent citric acid cycling by eosinophils
Authors: Jones Nicholas , Vincent Emma E. , Felix Lindsey C. , Cronin James G. , Scott Louis M. , Hole Paul S. , Lacy Paige , Thornton Catherine A.
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Eosinophils have been long implicated in antiparasite immunity and allergic diseases and, more recently, in regulating adipose tissue homeostasis. The metabolic processes that govern eosinophils, particularly upon activation, are unknown.

Methods

Peripheral blood eosinophils were isolated for the analysis of metabolic processes using extracellular flux analysis and individual metabolites by stable isotope tracer analysis coupled to gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry following treatment with IL‐3, IL‐5 or granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). Eosinophil metabolism was elucidated using pharmacological inhibitors.

Results

Human eosinophils engage a largely glycolytic metabolism but also employ mitochondrial metabolism. Cytokine stimulation generates citric acid cycle (TCA) intermediates from both glucose and glutamine revealing this previously unknown role for mitochondria upon eosinophil activation. We further show that the metabolic programme driven by IL‐5 is dependent on the STAT5/PI3K/Akt signalling axis and that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX)‐dependent ROS production might be a driver of mitochondrial metabolism upon eosinophil activation.

Conclusion

We demonstrate for the first time that eosinophils are capable of metabolic plasticity, evidenced by increased glucose‐derived lactate production upon ROS inhibition. Collectively, this study reveals a role for both glycolysis and mitochondrial metabolism in cytokine‐stimulated eosinophils. Selective targeting of eosinophil metabolism may be of therapeutic benefit in eosinophil‐mediated diseases and regulation of tissue homeostasis.
The influence of migration on women’s use of different aspects of maternity care in the German health care system: Secondary analysis of a comparative prospective study with the Migrant Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire (MFMCQ)
Authors: Seidel Vera , Gürbüz Burcu , Großkreutz Claudia , Vortel Martina , Borde Theda , Rancourt Rebecca C. , Stepan Holger , Sauzet Odile , Henrich Wolfgang , David Matthias
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Approximately 21% of Germany's inhabitants or their parents have been born abroad. There is evidence that immigrant women are starting antenatal care later than nonimmigrants. In Berlin, equality in health care access had improved until 2011‐2012, leaving only women with Low German language proficiency and an insecure residence status particularly at risk. With the recent influx of refugees, we analyzed whether access to antenatal and postpartum care differs depending on immigration, residence status, income, and education.

Methods

At our Berlin tertiary care center, a modified version of the Migrant Friendly Maternity Care Questionnaire was administered to women who delivered in the first half of 2017. Multivariate modeling compared nonimmigrant women, immigrants, and women who are direct descendants of immigrants.

Results

The study included 184 nonimmigrant women, 214 immigrant women, and 62 direct descendants of immigrants. Germany is relatively good in prenatal care for immigrant women, as most are getting adequate prenatal care. However, 21% of immigrants compared with 11% of nonimmigrant women started pregnancy care after the first trimester (P = .03). Low income was a more powerful predictor than immigration status for starting prenatal care after the first trimester. Immigrant women (23%) were less informed on postpartum care availability than nonimmigrants (3%) and used less postpartum midwifery care.

Conclusions

When designing health care interventions for immigrant women, not only migration‐specific factors should be considered but also low income as a barrier to access to maternity care.
The spectrum of dystonia severity before status dystonicus
Authors: Lumsden Daniel E
Published: December 2019

This commentary is on the original article by Garone et al. on pages 742–749 of this issue.
Identification and characterization of bacterial strains associated with diseased oak trees in Northern Iran
Authors: Bakhshi ganje Meysam , Shams‐Bakhsh Masoud , Mackay John , Rahimian Heshmatollah
Published: December 2019

Oak decline syndrome is characterized by periodic occurrences of decline and death of oaks over widespread areas. An outbreak of a new emerging disease on oak trees was reported in the Hyrcanian forest of Iran (Mazandaran and Golestan provinces) that showed stem bleeding and canker symptoms. Bacterial isolates were characterized through biochemical and physiological tests, protein electrophoresis, DNA fingerprinting (rep‐PCR, ERIC and BOX primers) and sequencing of 16S rRNA and MLSA (multilocus sequencing analysis) for housekeeping genes (gyrB, infB and atpD). A complex community of the genus Brenneria spp. (Brenneria goodwinii, Brenneria roseae subsp. roseae, Brenneria sp. and Brenneria nigrifluens) and a few isolates in the genus Gibbsiella were identified as major groups involved. Isolate differentiation was more accurate using concatenated partial gene sequences within the main groups. All bacterial isolates showed hypersensitivity reactions (HR) on Pelargonium leaves (Pelargonium × hortorum). Pathogenicity studies of different Brenneria and Gibbsiella strains revealed that they have potential to cause the disease in oak seedlings and devastating oak canker and stem bleeding symptoms in northern Iran. Due to the presence of several potentially pathogenic agent(s) associated with the oak decline, identification of the principal agent(s) is of major interest. To our knowledge, this is the first report of potentially pathogenic bacteria associated with oak bleeding and canker in Iran.
Circulating extracellular vesicle‐associated CD163 and CD206 in multiple myeloma
Authors: Kvorning Sarah L. , Nielsen Marlene C. , Andersen Niels F. , Hokland Marianne , Andersen Morten N. , Møller Holger J.
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important for intercellular signalling in cancer. Tumour‐associated macrophages, expressing the haemoglobin‐haptoglobin and mannose receptors CD163 and CD206, are crucial for cancer progression. We recently identified CD163 on EVs in the circulation as a fraction of total soluble CD163 (sCD163). Here, we investigated the presence of CD163 and CD206‐positive EVs (EV‐CD163, EV‐CD206) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

We enrolled patients with MM (n = 32), monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) (n = 8) and healthy donors (n = 16). Plasma protein levels were determined by ELISA before and after vesicle precipitation. Monocytes were examined by flow cytometry, and leucocyte CD163 mRNA by qPCR.

Results

Fractions of EV‐CD163 and EV‐CD206 were significantly elevated in patients with newly diagnosed MM (median = 39.8%, 76.5%, respectively) compared to patients with relapse (15.6%, P = .02, 42.5%, P = .003), remission (16.9%, P < .0001, 25.2%, P < .0001), MGUS (17.8%, P < .01, 33.1%, P = .0005) and healthy donors (14.8%, P < .0001, 35.5%, P < .0001). Whole blood CD163 mRNA did not vary between the groups. The intermediate monocyte subset showed a higher CD163 expression in newly diagnosed patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that macrophage‐derived EVs may play a role in the late phase of malignant progression of MM, and encourage further EV investigations in functional experiments.
Effect of lysine incorporation, annealing and heat moisture treatment alone and in combination on the physico‐chemical, retrogradation, rheological properties and in vitro digestibility of kithul (Caryota urens L.) starch
Authors: Sudheesh Cherakkathodi , Sunooj Kappat Valiyapeediyekkal , Anjali K.U. , Aaliya Basheer , Navaf Muhammed , Kumar Sunny , Sajeevkumar Vallayil Appukuttan , George Johnsy
Published: December 2019

Physico‐chemical, retrogradation, rheological properties and in vitro digestibility of lysine incorporated kithul starch modified by annealing, heat moisture treatment and its combinations were studied. LS‐AHMT (annealed‐heat moisture treated lysine incorporated kithul starch) exhibited lowest amylose leaching. LS‐AHMT showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher relative crystallinity. LS‐ANS (annealed lysine incorporated kithul starch), LS‐HMT (heat moisture treated lysine incorporated kithul starch) and LS‐AHMT formed more weak gel by the effect of annealing, heat moisture treatment and its combination. LS‐AHMT showed lowest pasting viscosities, G′ and G″ values among the modified kithul starch, which indicates its lower retrogradation properties. In vitro digestibility of kithul starch decreased after modifications and LS‐ANS, LS‐HMT and LS‐AHMT showed significantly higher resistant starch content. The current study showed that annealing, heat moisture treatment and its combination on NS‐LS (lysine incorporated kithul starch) effectively modified kithul starch properties.
Mechanism of cone cells death in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Campochiaro Peter A.
Published: December 2019

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of diseases in which one of a large number of mutations causes death of rod photoreceptors. After rods die, cone photoreceptors slowly degenerate in a characteristic pattern. Rod cell death causes night blindness, but visual disability and blindness result from cone degeneration and therefore it is critical to determine the mechanisms by which it occurs. The death of rods reduces oxygen consumption resulting high tissue levels of oxygen in the outer retina. The excess oxygen stimulates superoxide radical production by mismatches in the electron transport chain in mitochondria and by stimulation of NADPH oxidase activity in cytoplasm. The high levels of superoxide radicals overwhelm the antioxidant defense system and generate more reactive species including peroxynitrite which is extremely damaging and difficult to detoxify. This results in progressive oxidative damage in cones which contributes to cone cell death and loss of function because drugs or gene transfer that reduce oxidative stress promote cone survival and maintenance of function. Oral administration of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) has shown good efficacy in mouse models of RP prompting the FIGHT RP1 open label clinical trial, the results of which will be presented.
Contribution of French ophthalmologists
Authors: Soubrane Gisèle
Published: December 2019

In France, ophthalmology was an essential part of medicine in the Gallo‐Roman period ascertained by the oculist stamps. During the Middle‐Ages, couching of the cataractous lens was the only method and this was performed by barber‐surgeons. Ambroise Paré, a military surgeon, considered a pioneer in surgical technics, conceived an artificial eye. His followers opened the way to Daviel who initiated cataract extraction and designed the adapted instruments in the early XVIII th century, the century of surgery. The XVII th century witnessed the development of optics with Descartes. Later, Monoyer and Parinaud designed far and reading scales still used to day. Hauy and Braille took care of the education and created an alphabet for the blind. Meanwhile the introduction of the microscope allowed the description for example of Descemet membrane, Cloquet’s canal, Tenon’s capsule. In the field of retina the introduction of the ophthalmoscope, increased tremendously the level of precision in diagnosis and treatment of ophthalmologic conditions. Giraud Teulon conceived the first binocular indirect ophthalmoscope that will become popular one century later with Schepens. Bonnet‐Blanc ‐Dechaume described the arterio venous communications 6 years before Wyburn‐Mason. After Vienna and Berlin, Paris became a center of excellence in ophthalmology attracting numerous students.
Integrating exome and whole genome analysis with the Human Phenotype Ontology for discovery of new genes in rare eye diseases
Authors: Pontikos Nikolas
Published: December 2019

Exome and whole genome sequencing have become the preferred approaches for discovering novel causal mutations in monogenic disorders.

The effectiveness of these approaches has greatly improved thanks to large datasets of non‐monogenic controls such as Exac and Gnomad, and bioinformatics approaches such as the Variant Effect Predictor.

In parallel the detailed encoding of clinical features using the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) is greatly helping refine our candidate gene lists by linking patients across databases, mining literature phenotypes from model organisms, and providing improved statistical power through grouping of patients by HPO term. To this aim, we have developed Phenopolis (www.phenopolis.org) for browsing and discovery of gene to phenotype relationships in our large dataset (6000) of HPO annotated exomes and genomes.
Overview of latest clinical advances
Authors: Francesca Cordeiro M.
Published: December 2019

The realisation that lowering IOP is unable to prevent progressive vision loss in all glaucoma patients, has led to investigation of neuroprotection as an alternative or additional treatment option. Although confirmation of neuroprotective effects by randomized clinical trials is needed, there was a demonstration of positive non‐IOP dependent effects in the LoGTS study, although recently negative published results of the Memantine study. Furthermore, it has been proposed as a treatment strategy in other ocular diseases, such as AMD. Neuroprotection has been advocated for many years in neurodegeneration. Indeed, the therapies that have been suggested in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease are similar to those investigated in ophthalmology. This talk will review the evidence for neuroprotection and its role in glaucoma and application as a practical and future treatment strategy.
Optical coherence tomography – basic optical principles
Authors: Irsch Kristina
Published: December 2019

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an optical analogue to ultrasound imaging. The much higher speed of light compared with sound allows for finer cross‐sectional views of the retina and anterior segment. Since it is extremely difficult to directly detect the shorter “echo” times it takes light to travel from different structures at axial distances within the eye, interferometry is used. Incident light is thus split into two beams, and the beam backscattered from the ocular tissue is then compared (“interfered”) with the beam that has traveled a known time from the reference mirror. Broadband (i.e., low “coherence”) light sources are used, because they produce a wider band of wavelengths, and thereby enable greater sensitivity in comparing the travel time differences of the two beams. In time‐domain OCT, the reference mirror position is altered, so that interference patterns are generated whenever the two beams have traveled almost the same amount of time. In spectral‐domain OCT, the reference mirror position is fixed and the mixed interference patterns are separated via spectral wavelength analysis. This lecture will explain underlying concepts of OCT with a discussion of cutting‐edge technological developments.
Adaptive optics – basic optical principles
Authors: Irsch Kristina
Published: December 2019

Adaptive Optics (AO) refers to a technique to compensate for distortions caused by optical aberrations in the media between the camera and the object being imaged. It was originally developed for use in astronomical telescopes to compensate for optical distortions induced by the inhomogeneous earth atmosphere. It has since evolved to become a powerful clinical tool in ophthalmology. In the eye, a “wavefront sensor” (aberrometer) measures the distortion of incoming light induced by inhomogeneities within the cornea and crystalline lens, which is then “undistorted” via reflection by a deformable mirror. AO thus enables imaging of the human retina with unprecedented resolution in vivo, such as revealing individual photoreceptors or the walls of blood vessels. One should note that AO by itself does not provide an image; rather an AO subsystem is incorporated into an existing imaging device. AO subsystems have thus far been successfully integrated into three ophthalmic imaging devices: fundus cameras, scanning laser ophthalmoscopes, and the OCT device. This lecture will introduce the basic principles of AO, illustrate its value with state‐of‐the‐art clinical examples, and discuss potential future applications in ophthalmology.
Ocular thermography in contact lens wearers
Authors: gonzalo carracedo rodriguez juan
Published: December 2019

The infra‐red thermal images have been used in the past for measuring the ocular surface temperature, its main advantage being the non‐invasive means. It is well‐known for its ability to detect the pathological and physiological changes in the eye.

There are a few studies about ocular surface temperature and contact lenses. Some authors found that insignificant changes in ocular surface. temperature in soft contact lenses did occur, but other authors described that the pre‐lens tear film in soft lens wearers is cooler than that of the non‐CL‐wearing eye, while the temperature of the post‐lens tear film beneath the CL is higher. Regarding hard and gas permeable corneal contact lenses, the changes are between 0.5–1.5°C compared to the naked eyes. However, gas permeable scleral contact lens seems not to modify the ocular surface temperature despite the presence of the tear film stagnation under the lens.

This presentation will navigate in the scientific literature about the usability and applicability of ocular thermography in contact lens wearers.
IOL calculation concepts
Authors: Langenbucher Achim
Published: December 2019

The first intraocular lenses implanted resampled the shape of the natural lens and resulted in high postoperative myopia. First attempts to preoperatively calculate the intraocular lens (IOL) power by vergence formulas were presented by Fjodorov in 1967. Other authors soon followed presenting numerous attempts to estimate the required IOL power. While most of the calculation schemes nowadays are based on the vergence formula, there were also empirical approaches such as the SRK and SRK‐II formulas. Beside different interpretation of corneal power from the measured radii of curvature and several offset values, the main difference between formulas is in the estimation of the effective lens position (reference plane of the thin lens in the pseudophakic eye) (ELP): We will present various approaches for calculating IOL power and discuss differences between formulas as well as the pros and cons of these different concepts.
Expression of VEGFA‐regulating miRNAs and mortality in wet AMD
Authors: Blasiak Janusz
Published: December 2019

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and hundreds of them act in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), whose degeneration is critical in age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Repeated injections with anti‐VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A) is the only remedy in wet AMD. We investigated the correlation between the expression of 18 miRNAs involved in the regulation of the VEGFA gene in serum of 76 wet AMD patients and 70 controls. Pharmacogenetic efficacy of anti‐VEGFA treatment was evaluated by the number of injections monitored up to 12 years. In addition, we compared the relative number of deaths in AMD patient and control groups. We observed a decreased expression of miR‐34‐5p, miR‐126‐3p, miR‐145‐5p and miR‐205‐5p in wet AMD patients as compared with controls. These miRNAs are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, cytoprotection and protein clearance. No miRNA was significantly correlated with the treatment outcome. Wet AMD patients had greater mortality than controls and their survival was inversely associated with the number of anti‐VEGFA injections per year. No association between miRNA expression and mortality was observed. Our study supports the importance of and the need for further research on the role of miRNA regulation in AMD pathogenesis.
Dealing with the complications of uveitis
Authors: Tranos Paris
Published: December 2019

Uveitis may exist as a clinical manifestation of an underlying systemic disease or may represent an idiopathic entity, sometimes with a very characteristic pattern. A plethora of ocular complications including cataract, glaucoma, macular edema and retinal detachment are associated with intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis and may occur during the acute, active phase or even when remission of the inflammatory process has been achieved. Early diagnosis and optimal treatment initiatives remain imperative to reduce the ocular complication–related burden and attain better functional and anatomical outcomes.
Comparison of in vitro assays to study the effectiveness of antiparasitics against Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites and cysts
Authors: Shi Lei , Stachon Tanja , Latta Lorenz , Ibrahem Elhawy Mohamed , Orosz Erika , Kiderlen Albrecht F. , Seitz Berthold , Bischoff Marukus , Szentmáry Nóra
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To compare LDH release assay, trypan blue and fluorescent stainings and non‐nutrient Escherichia coli (E. coli) plate assay in determining treatment efficacy of antiamoebic‐agents against Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites and cysts, in‐vitro.

Methods

A. castellanii strain 1BU‐trophozoites/cysts were challenged with the antiamoebic‐agents 0.02% polyhexamethylen‐biguanid (PHMB), 0.1% propamidin‐isethionate (PD) and 0.0065% miltefosine (MF). Efficacies of the drugs were determined by LDH‐release and trypan blue assays. The fluorescent dyes Hoechst 33343, calcein‐AM, and ethidium‐homodimer‐1 were tested for their abilities to differentiate between viable and dead 1BU‐trophozoites/cysts following treatment, a non‐nutrient agar E. coli plate assay was applied to monitor the outgrowth of 1BU‐trophozoites/cysts challenged with antiamoebic‐agents.

Results

All three antiamoebic‐agents induced a significant LDH‐release from trophozoites, when compared to controls (p < 0.0001). There was a negligible trypan blue, Hoechst33342, calcein‐AM and ethidium‐homodimer‐1 staining in untreated 1BU‐throphozoites and cysts. Percentage of trypan blue positive trophozoites/cysts was 59.3 ± 1.5% /100% after challenge with PHMB, 100%/99.3 ± 0.5% upon PD treatment, and 95.6 ± 2.5%/77.6 ± 5.1% when using MF. Hoechst 33342 stained 100%/100%, ethidium‐homodimer‐1 100%/100%, calcein‐AM 75.33 ± 4.04%/60.67 ± 3.51% of PHMB treated trophozoites/cysts. Hoechst 33342 and ethidium‐homodimer‐1 were 100%/100%, calcein‐AM 9.67 ± 2.52%/36.67 ± 4.51% positive in PD‐treated trophozoites/cysts. MF treatment resulted in 100%/100% Hoechst 33342 and ethidium‐homodimer‐1 positive trophozoites/cysts, while none of them became positive for calcein‐AM. On non‐nutrient agar E. coli plates, in controls and MF treated 1BU trophozoites/cysts, new trophozoites appeared within 24 hr, and encystment occured after 5 weeks of cultivation. In PHMB and PD treated 1BU‐throphozoites/cysts, irregularly shaped, smaller trophozoites appeared after 72 hr, which failed to form new cysts within 5 weeks.

Conclusions

None of the enzymatic‐ and dye‐based viability assays tested here generated survival rates for trophozoites/cysts that were comparable with those yielded with the non‐nutrient agar E. coli plate assay, suggesting that the culture‐based assay is the best method to study the treatment efficacy of drugs against Acanthamoeba.
Comparison of Anterior Segment Parameters Between Phakic and Pseudophakic Eyes of Subjects with Emmetropia and Degenerative Myopia
Authors: Demir Mehmet , Akpolat Cetin , Arslan Gurcan Dogukan , Sendul Yekta
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To compare and assess anterior segment measurements including corneal endothelial parameters in phakic and pseudophakic patients with degenerative myopia and emmetropic participants.

Methods

The individuals were divided into two main groups of Group 1 (control group) and Group 2 (study group). Emmetropic, mild myopic and/or hypermetropic patients were enrolled in Group 1. Degenerative myopic patients were enrolled in Group 2. Group 1 and 2 were composed of phakic (Group 1A, Group 2A) and pseudophakic (Group 1B, Group 2B) eyes. Corneal endothelial cell density (CD), the coefficient of variation of cell size (CV), hexagonality (HEX) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were of the parameters measured by the specular microscope. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), white to white (WTW) diameter and axial length (AXL) were the parameters measured by optical biometer.

Results

The mean ACD was 3.45 ± 0.55 mm and 3.74 ± 0.61 mm (p = 0.005), and the mean AXL was 23.3 ± 0.9 mm and 28.6 ± 5.3 mm (p <0.001) in the control and study group, respectively. Mean BCVA values were worse and mean SE values were higher in degenerative myopic eyes than in emmetropic eyes of both phakic and pseudophakic subjects. Mean ACD was higher in degenerative myopia. Mean K2 was different between Group 1B and Group 2B (p=0.003).

Conclusions

Degenerative myopia has high SE, ACD and AXL values. However, most of the specular microscope measurements did not show a significant difference in degenerative myopia.
Corneal asphericity differences between nasal‐temporal and superior‐inferior quadrants in myopic Korean children
Authors: Chun Heejeong , Ha Minji , Na Kyungsun
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Corneal asphericity (Q‐value) represents the difference in curvature from center to periphery of the cornea. This study evaluated horizontal and vertical asymmetry in corneal asphericity in myopic children and its relationship with various ocular parameters.

Methods

This retrospective study included 22 eyes in 11 myopic Korean children. Corneal parameters, such as corneal asphericity and thickness, apical radius of curvature, and high order aberrations including total RMS, spherical aberration, coma, and trefoil were analyzed by Pentacam. Axial lengths and anterior chamber depths (ACD) were measured by IOL master. From these values, characteristics of corneal asphericity differences between nasal‐temporal and superior‐inferior quadrants in myopic children and their relationship with other ocular parameters were evaluated.

Results

The mean Q‐value (8 mm) was −0.298 ± 0.093, representing a prolate corneal shape. The mean superior‐inferior Q‐value differences (8 mm) was 0.249 ± 0.216, which was greater than the mean nasal‐temporal Q‐value differences (8 mm) measured as 0.130 ± 0.141. The mean Q‐value (8 mm) had a positive correlation with ACD (p = 0.019), whereas Q‐values in each quadrant (8 mm) showed no significant relationship with corneal thickness in each corresponding quadrants. The nasal‐temporal Q‐value differences (8 mm) showed a positive relationship with total RMS (p = 0.03) and a negative relationship with oblique trefoil (p = 0.045), and the superior‐inferior Q‐value differences (8mm) showed a negative relationship with vertical trefoil (p = 0.042).

Conclusions

The results of the study showed a variation of nasal‐temporal and superior‐inferior Q‐value differences, and the relationship between corneal shape and other ocular dimensions in myopic Korean children. A single value of asphericity of anterior cornea could not precisely reflect corneal structure. Further study with large data set is merited to ascertain the epidemiologic data of Asian ethnicity.
Probiotic bacteria Escherichia coli Nissle decrease the severity of intraocular inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveitis
Authors: Dusek Otakar , Svozilkova Petra , Klimova Aneta , Brichova Michaela , Kverka Miloslav , Tlaskalova‐Hogenova Helena , Fajstova Alena , Coufal Stepan , Hrncir Tomas , Kucera Tomas , Heissigerova Jarmila
Published: December 2019

Purpose

The purpose of the project was to test the influence of probiotic bacteria Escherichia coli Nissle (EcN) on severity of intraocular inflammation in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU).

Methods

EAU was induced in C57BL/6J mice by interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein in complete Freund´s adjuvant and pertussis toxin. The grade of uveitis (0–4) was assessed clinically (21st and 27th day) by using otoscope connected to camera and histologically (28th day) on hematoxylin and eosin stained tissues. Probiotic bacteria EcN were administered orally three times a week and saline solution was administered to control group. Different regimens of administration were tested as follows: administration throughout the experiment (47 eyes), prophylactically (26 eyes) and therapeutically (24 eyes). Mesenteric and cervical lymph nodes were collected at the end of experiment for flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte populations (Treg, Th17, ILC3) and intracellular cytokines (IFNγ, TNFα, IL‐17).

Results

Probiotics significantly reduced the severity of uveitis compared to the control group in all three regimens by clinical evaluation i.e. throughout the experiment (p = 0.0003), prophylactically (p = 0.0015) and therapeutically (p = 0.02) and by histological evaluation throughout the experiment (p = 0.0002) and prophylactically (p = 0.0017). There was no significant difference in the lymphocyte population counts and cytokines production between groups.

Conclusions

Orally administered probiotic bacteria EcN successfully prevented or reduced the severity of EAU in mice. This may have valuable implications for the control of sight‐threatening uveitis in patients.

Supported by Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic (grant 17‐31248A) and Charles University Institutional Program SVV 260367.
Influence of coenzyme Q10 on ocular surface mıcrobıata
Authors: Kocaturk Tolga , Telli Murat , Korkmazgil Berna , Bilgen Mehmet
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of Coenzyme Q10 on the proliferation of the most common ocular surface bacteria; S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and fungus; C. albicans.

Methods

Experiments were performed in‐vitro with total 15 glass tubes of each filled with 1.5 mL. of fluid media were prepared. The tubes were then divided equally into three groups to culture the bacteria S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and fungus C. albicans. In a set of 5 tubes, colony of each microorganism was thus produced. In each group, Tube (numbered 0) was established as a control. The remaining Tubes 1–4 were respectively added with 1–4 drops of CoQ10 containing eye drops. The tubes were then evaluated at 0, 1, 2, 4, 5 and 24 hr. The proliferation of microorganism in a liquid medium resulted in turbidity from which microbial concentration was estimated using McFarland barium sulphate turbidity standard. Measurements were performed on the spectrophotometer as McFarland standard and interpreted through the changes in reproduction. For each group, the estimates of the average numbers of the corresponding microorganisms subjected to the four different strengths of CoQ10 were recorded and statistically compared to those in the control group.

Results

In all the groups, the concentrations of the microorganisms (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans) increased with time. However, exposure to CoQ10 containing eye drops did not significantly alter the microorganismal growth as the measurements from the CoQ10‐instilled tubes remained comparable to those of the controls.

Conclusion

CoQ10 under in‐vitro conditions did not induce proliferation of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and C. albicans.
Long‐term clinical courseafter vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Kim Chulgu
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To investigate the long‐term clinical course after vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

This retrospective study included 45 eyes that underwent vitrectomy due to breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular AMD. The patients were divided into two groups: typical neovascular AMD group and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) group. Within each group, the status of the eye within 6 months after the surgery and that at the final follow‐up was identified. The visual acuity at the final visit was additionally compared between the two groups.

Results

The patients were followed up for a mean period of 39.9 ± 19.4 months after the surgery. In the typical neovascular AMD group (n = 17), re‐bleeding requiring vitrectomy was noted in four eyes and extensive scar formation was noted in six eyes within 6 months after the surgery. At the final visit, treatment was discontinued due to poor visual outcome in 12 eyes. In the PCV group (n = 28), re‐bleeding requiring vitrectomy was noted in one eye, and extensive scar formation was noted in four eyes within 6 months after the surgery. At the final visit, treatment was discontinued in eight eyes. The visual acuity at the final visit was significantly better in the PCV group (p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The long‐term clinical course after vitrectomy for breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage was markedly different between typical neovascular AMD and PCV, showing significantly better long‐term visual outcomes in PCV.