bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propagation of elite rescue dogs by somatic cell nuclear transfer
Authors: Oh Hyun Ju , Choi Jin , Kim Min Jung , Kim Geon A , Jo Young Kwang , Choi Yoo Bin , Lee Byeong Chun
Published: September 2015

The objective of the present study was to compare the efficiency of two oocyte activation culture media to produce cloned dogs from an elite rescue dog and to analyze their behavioral tendencies. In somatic cell nuclear transfer procedure, fused couplets were activated by calcium ionophore treatment for 4 min, cultured in two media: modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) with 1.9 mmol/L 6‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (SOF‐DMAP) or porcine zygote medium (PZM‐5) with 1.9 mmol/L DMAP (PZM‐DMAP) for 4 h, and then were transferred into recipients. After embryo transfer, pregnancy was detected in one out of three surrogate mothers that received cloned embryos from the PZM‐DMAP group (33.3%), and one pregnancy (25%) was detected in four surrogate mothers receiving cloned embryos from the SOF‐DMAP group. Each pregnant dog gave birth to one healthy cloned puppy by cesarean section. We conducted the puppy aptitude test with two cloned puppies; the two cloned puppies were classified as the same type, accepting humans and leaders easily. The present study indicated that the type of medium used in 6‐DMAP culture did not increase in cloning efficiency and dogs cloned using donor cells derived from one elite dog have similar behavioral tendencies.
Production of a bacteriocin‐like inhibitory substance by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum 213M0 isolated from Mongolian fermented mare milk, airag
Authors: Arakawa Kensuke , Yoshida Saki , Aikawa Hiroki , Hano Chihiro , Bolormaa Tsognemekh , Burenjargal Sedkhuu , Miyamoto Taku
Published: September 2015

Strain 213M0 was selected with productivity of a bacteriocin‐like inhibitory substance (BLIS) among 235 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Mongolian fermented milk ‘airag’. Strain 213M0 was species‐identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum by morphological observation, carbohydrate fermentation profiling and sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Incubation temperature proper to produce the BLIS was 25°C rather than 30 and 37°C, and the production actively proceeded during the exponential growth phase of the producer cells. Antibacterial effect of BLIS 213M0 was limited to all nine strains of Listeria sp. bacteria and seven strains of LAB cocci among 53 tested strains, which corresponds to a typical feature of the class IIa pediocin‐like bacteriocins. BLIS 213M0 was not inactivated in every broad pH range solution (pH 2.0‐11.0), and was stable against storage at 25°C for 1 week and heating at 121°C for 15 min under pH 4.5. Peptide frame of BLIS 213M0 was confirmed by inactivation with some peptidases, and then its molecular weight was estimated to be 2.6‐3.0 kDa using an in situ activity assay following sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The estimated size was different from the other Leuconostoc bacteriocins already reported. These results suggest that BLIS 213M0 would be a novel listericidal bacteriocin.
Smartphone data as an electronic biomarker of illness activity in bipolar disorder
Authors: Faurholt‐Jepsen Maria , Vinberg Maj , Frost Mads , Christensen Ellen Margrethe , Bardram Jakob E , Kessing Lars Vedel
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Objective methods are lacking for continuous monitoring of illness activity in bipolar disorder. Smartphones offer unique opportunities for continuous monitoring and automatic collection of real‐time data. The objectives of the paper were to test the hypotheses that (i) daily electronic self‐monitored data and (ii) automatically generated objective data collected using smartphones correlate with clinical ratings of depressive and manic symptoms in patients with bipolar disorder.

Methods

Software for smartphones (the MONARCA I system) that collects automatically generated objective data and self‐monitored data on illness activity in patients with bipolar disorder was developed by the authors. A total of 61 patients aged 18–60 years and with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to ICD‐10 used the MONARCA I system for six months. Depressive and manic symptoms were assessed monthly using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17‐item (HDRS‐17) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), respectively. Data are representative of over 400 clinical ratings. Analyses were computed using linear mixed‐effect regression models allowing for both between individual variation and within individual variation over time.

Results

Analyses showed significant positive correlations between the duration of incoming and outgoing calls/day and scores on the HDRS‐17, and significant positive correlations between the number and duration of incoming calls/day and scores on the YMRS; the number of and duration of outgoing calls/day and scores on the YMRS; and the number of outgoing text messages/day and scores on the YMRS. Analyses showed significant negative correlations between self‐monitored data (i.e., mood and activity) and scores on the HDRS‐17, and significant positive correlations between self‐monitored data (i.e., mood and activity) and scores on the YMRS. Finally, the automatically generated objective data were able to discriminate between affective states.

Conclusions

Automatically generated objective data and self‐monitored data collected using smartphones correlate with clinically rated depressive and manic symptoms and differ between affective states in patients with bipolar disorder. Smartphone apps represent an easy and objective way to monitor illness activity with real‐time data in bipolar disorder and may serve as an electronic biomarker of illness activity.
A Flexible, Computationally Efficient Method for Fitting the Proportional Hazards Model to Interval-Censored Data
Authors: Wang Lianming , McMahan Christopher S. , Hudgens Michael G. , Qureshi Zaina P.
Published: September 2015

The proportional hazards model (PH) is currently the most popular regression model for analyzing time-to-event data. Despite its popularity, the analysis of interval-censored data under the PH model can be challenging using many available techniques. This article presents a new method for analyzing interval-censored data under the PH model. The proposed approach uses a monotone spline representation to approximate the unknown nondecreasing cumulative baseline hazard function. Formulating the PH model in this fashion results in a finite number of parameters to estimate while maintaining substantial modeling flexibility. A novel expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is developed for finding the maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters. The derivation of the EM algorithm relies on a two-stage data augmentation involving latent Poisson random variables. The resulting algorithm is easy to implement, robust to initialization, enjoys quick convergence, and provides closed-form variance estimates. The performance of the proposed regression methodology is evaluated through a simulation study, and is further illustrated using data from a large population-based randomized trial designed and sponsored by the United States National Cancer Institute.
Duration and numerical estimation in right brain‐damaged patients with and without neglect: Lack of support for a mental time line
Authors: Masson Nicolas , Pesenti Mauro , Dormal Valérie
Published: September 2015

Previous studies have shown that left neglect patients are impaired when they have to orient their attention leftward relative to a standard in numerical comparison tasks. This finding has been accounted for by the idea that numerical magnitudes are represented along a spatial continuum oriented from left to right with small magnitudes on the left and large magnitudes on the right. Similarly, it has been proposed that duration could be represented along a mental time line that shares the properties of the number continuum. By comparing directly duration and numerosity processing, this study investigates whether or not the performance of neglect patients supports the hypothesis of a mental time line. Twenty‐two right brain‐damaged patients (11 with and 11 without left neglect), as well as 11 age‐matched healthy controls, had to judge whether a single dot presented visually lasted shorter or longer than 500 ms and whether a sequence of flashed dots was smaller or larger than 5. Digit spans were also assessed to measure verbal working memory capacities. In duration comparison, no spatial‐duration bias was found in neglect patients. Moreover, a significant correlation between verbal working memory and duration performance was observed in right brain‐damaged patients, irrespective of the presence or absence of neglect. In numerical comparison, only neglect patients showed an enhanced distance effect for numerical magnitude smaller than the standard. These results do not support the hypothesis of the existence of a mental continuum oriented from left to right for duration. We discuss an alternative account to explain the duration impairment observed in right brain‐damaged patients.
The urologist's role in multidisciplinary management of placenta percreta
Authors: Norris Briony L. , Everaerts Wouter , Posma Elske , Murphy Declan G. , Umstad Mark P. , Costello Anthony J. , Wrede C. David , Kearsley Jamie
Published: September 2015

Objective

To evaluate urological interventions in patients with placental adhesive disorders in our collaborative experience at a tertiary referral centre.

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data set, consisting of all women that presented with placental adhesive disorders at the Royal Women's Hospital from August 2009 to September 2013. Patients who required urological intervention were identified and perioperative details were retrieved.

Results

Of the 49 women that presented with placental adhesive disorders, 36 (73.5%) underwent urological interventions. The patients were divided into three groups: planned hysterectomy (37 patients), planned conservative management (five) and undiagnosed placenta percreta (seven). In the planned hysterectomy group, 29 patients underwent preoperative cystoscopy and ureteric catheter placement. In 10 patients (34%), the placenta partially invaded the bladder and/or ureter, requiring urological repair. In the conservative management group, four underwent preoperative cystoscopy and ureteric catheter placement, and one case required closure of a cystotomy. Of the seven patients with undiagnosed percreta, two were noted to have bladder involvement requiring repair at the time of Caesarean hysterectomy.

Conclusion

Patients with placental adhesive disorders frequently require urological intervention to prevent or repair injury to the urinary tract. These cases are best managed in specialist centres with multidisciplinary expertise including urologists and interventional radiologists.
Maternal factors in the origin of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: A population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Vermes Gabor , László Daniel , Czeizel† Andrew E. , Ács Nándor
Published: September 2015

In most patients affected by isolated infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) the etiology is largely unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to estimate possible maternal risk factors in the origin of IHPS. The study samples included 241 cases with IHPS, 357 matched controls and 38 151 population controls without any defect in the population‐based large dataset of the Hungarian Case‐Control Surveillance of Congenital Abnormalities, 1980–1996. Exposures that had been medically recorded in prenatal maternity logbooks during the critical period of IHPS were evaluated separately. The findings of this case‐control study suggested that – beyond the well‐known robust male excess (85.5%) – maternal hyperthyroidism (OR with 95% CI: 4.17, 1.53–11.38) and oral nalidixic acid treatment (OR with 95% CI: 6.53, 3.03–14.06) associated with a higher risk for IHPS in their children. In conclusion, our findings suggest that cases with IHPS had mothers with a higher proportion of hyperthyroidism and nalidixic acid treatment during pregnancy.
Clinical Fitting and Adjustment Time for Implant‐Supported Crowns Comparing Digital and Conventional Workflows
Authors: Joda Tim , Katsoulis Joannis , Brägger Urs
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to investigate clinical and laboratory performance of implant‐supported reconstructions comparing the digital to the conventional workflow.

Materials and Methods

Twenty study participants were treated in a cross‐over design for single‐tooth replacement in posterior sites, each with a customized titanium abutment plus computer‐assisted design and computer‐assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM)‐zirconia‐suprastructure (test: digital workflow; n = 20) and a standardized titanium abutment plus PFM‐crown (control: conventional pathway; n = 20). Evaluation of the 40 reconstructions included: 1) feasibility of laboratory cross‐mounting of each abutment‐crown‐connection, and 2) assessment of adaptation time for clinical adjustments of interproximal and occlusal surfaces. Statistical analyses were performed using the exact Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

Results

Laboratory cross‐mounting was feasible for three reconstruction pairings revealing a 15% vice versa transfer success rate. All implant crowns could be provided successfully within two clinical appointments, independently of the workflow used. The mean clinical adjustment time was significantly lower (p < .001) for test reconstructions from the digital workflow with 2.2 min (standard deviation [SD] ± 2.1) compared with the ones from the conventional pathway with 6.0 min (SD ± 3.9).

Conclusions

The digital workflow was almost threefold more efficient than the established conventional pathway for fixed implant‐supported crowns. Clinical fitting could be predictably achieved with no or minor adjustments within the digital process of intraoral scanning plus CAD/CAM technology.
Ischemic and injured bowel evaluation by Fluorescence imaging
Authors: Nowak K. , Sandra‐Petrescu F. , Post S. , Horisberger K.
Published: September 2015

Aim

Although fluorescence has been proposed for estimation of bowel perfusion decades ago it is still not widely used. In emergency situations like mesenteric ischemia, fluorescence might give objective criteria to evaluate the perfusion and guide the decisions of surgeons.

Method

The use of near‐inrafrared angiography by PinPoint (Novadaq) in a serial of four emergency situations of acute mesenteric ischemia has been evaluated in a university hospital setting.

Results

The use of the near‐infrared tool is in emergency situations easy to handle and little time‐consuming. The angiography showed clearly the perfusion in regions that were not estimated as recoverable by the surgeons. In one of the cases a significant amount of bowel could be spared by use of the system.

Conclusion

Although the assessment of the perfusion with the applied system is comprehensible, it would be desirable to evaluate a threshold level in order to further objectify it. While the surgeons who used the tool were subjectively assured by the expressiveness it would need a randomized and maybe experimental setting to evaluate objectively the amount of spared bowel length.
Fluorescence angiography in laparoscopic low rectal and anorectal anastomoses with pinpoint perfusion imaging‐ a critical appraisal with specific focus on leak risk reduction
Authors: James D. R. C. , Ris F. , Yeung T. M. , Kraus R. , Buchs N. C. , Mortensen N. J. , Hompes R. J.
Published: September 2015

Background and aims

Anastomotic dehiscence is one of the most feared complications in colorectal surgery leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Progressively lower anastomoses are associated with a greater leak rate. One of the key factors is the perfusion of the bowel to be joined. Presently, surgeons rely on a variety subjective measures to determine anastomotic perfusion and mechanical integrity however these have shortcomings. The aim of this paper is to appraise the literature on the use of fluorescence angiography (FA) in laparoscopic rectal surgery.

Materials and methods

A Pubmed search was undertaken using terms ‘fluorescence angiography’ and ‘rectal surgery’. The search was expanded using the related articles function. Studies were included if they used FA specifically for rectal surgery. Outcomes of interest including anastomotic leak rate, change of operative strategy and time taken for FA were recorded.

Results

Eleven papers detailing the use of FA in rectal surgery are outlined demonstrating that this technique may change operative strategy and lead to a reduction in anastomotic leak rate.

Conclusion

In this paper, we discuss assessment of colorectal blood supply using FA and how this technique holds great potential to detect insufficiently perfused bowel. In so doing, the operator can adjust their operative strategy to mitigate these affects with the aim of reducing the complications of anastomotic leak and stenosis. However, it is highlighted that there is a clear need for randomised controlled trials in order to determine this definitively.
Evolutionary Algorithm‐Based Radial Basis Function Neural Network Training for Industrial Personal Computer Sales Forecasting
Authors: Chen Zhen‐Yao , Kuo R. J.
Published: September 2015

Forecasting is one of the crucial factors in applications because it ensures the effective allocation of capacity and proper amount of inventory. Because Box–Jenkins models using linear forecasting have their constraint to predict complexity in the real world, other nonlinear approaches are developed to conquer the challenge of nonlinear forecasting. With the same goal, we are proposing a hybrid of genetic algorithm and artificial immune system (HGAI) algorithm with radial basis function neural network learning for function approximation and further applying it to conduct an industrial personal computer sales forecasting exercise. In addition, five well‐known benchmark problems were used to evaluate the results in the experiment, and the newly proposed HGAI algorithm has returned better results than the Box–Jenkins models and other algorithms.
Changing disaster relief regimes in China: an analysis using four famines between 1876 and 1962
Authors: Fuller Pierre
Published: September 2015

Once afflicted by frequent episodes of famine, China—particularly the Chinese state—is growing in importance as a player in the overseas aid and development sector. This paper examines four famines in modern China—defined as the period since the First Opium War of 1839–42—to shed light on the changing nature of state involvement in disaster relief in the country, while also demonstrating the breadth and diversity of relief agency in the past. It makes the case that traditional disaster relief principles and methods were active well into the twentieth century, and that the statist model of today's People's Republic is not an essential characteristic of Chinese humanitarian organisation. Rather, the extent to which the Chinese state will continue to assume a dominant role in the country's re‐emerging civic and charity sector is, as in earlier times, a function of the political developments and struggles that lie ahead.
Paternal transmission of MTHFD1 G1958A variant predisposes to neural tube defects in the offspring
Authors: Prasoona Kattekola R , Sunitha Tella , Srinadh Buragadda , Deepika Madireddy L N , Kumari Tiruvatturu M , Jyothy Akka
Published: September 2015

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (MTHFD1) G1958A variant (rs2236225) as a ‘maternal, paternal, or embryonic’ genetic risk factor for neural tube defect (NTD) susceptibility. It also estimated differential associations based on type of NTD, offspring sex, maternal–paternal–offspring genotype incompatibility, and parent‐of‐origin effects (POE) using both case–control and family‐based approach. In addition, genotype impact on serum folate levels was also assessed.

Method

The study population (n=900) consisted of 120 NTD case‐parent triads (n=120×3=360) and 180 healthy control‐parent triads (n=180×3=540) from South India. Umbilical cord tissues were collected from those with NTD and control newborn infants, and blood samples from case and control parents. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Statistical analysis used were SPSS, transmission disequilibrium test and POE. Serum folate levels were estimated using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In the case–control study, those with the MTHFD1 G1958A variant were associated with around twofold risk of anencephaly (p=0.01) and spina bifida (p<0.01). Among parents, fathers were associated with around twofold risk of having an offspring with anencephaly (p<0.01). Considering offspring sex, the A allele in single or double dose conferred around two‐ to fourfold risk of anencephaly (p=0.01), spina bifida (p<0.01), and encephalocele (p<0.05) in females only. Maternal AA genotype was not associated independently but conferred threefold risk when combined with paternal GA genotype (p=0.01). Transmission disequilibrium and POE were not observed in controls (p>0.05) but revealed excess total (odds ratio [OR]=2.21; p<0.01) and paternal transmission (OR=7.00; p<0.01) of the G1958A allele to those with spina bifida, which remained the same for female cases (total transmission OR=3.00, p=0.01; paternal transmission OR=12.00, p<0.01). Increased serum folate levels were observed in case fathers with GA and AA genotypes than control fathers (p<0.01).

Interpretation

Our research provides the first evidence supporting a paternal, rather than a maternal, transmission bias of MTHFD1 G1958A variant for NTD susceptibility in the offspring.
Evidence for mate‐encounter Allee effect in an invasive longhorn beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae)
Authors: RHAINDS MARC , HEARD STEPHEN B. , HUGHES CORY , MACKINNON WAYNE , PORTER KEVIN , SWEENEY JON , SILK PETER , DEMERCHANT IAN , MCLEAN SARAH , BRODERSEN GARRETT
Published: September 2015

1. Limited empirical support is available for mate‐encounter Allee effects in invasive insects due to the logistical challenges of studying demographic trends in low‐density populations.

2. Traps baited with pheromone and spruce volatiles were used to monitor the abundance of female Tetropium fuscum F. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) at multiple sites in Nova Scotia in 2011 and 2012. Each female was dissected to determine the presence or absence of sperm in its spermatheca (mated or virgin female, respectively).

3. Both male and total T. fuscum abundance declined with increasing distance to the focal point of T. fuscum's invasion. Female mating probability declined with male abundance and with distance from the invasion focus, and mating probabilities were very low at the most peripheral sites. Difficulty in encountering mates may thus contribute to limiting the spread of T. fuscum.

4. The approach outlined here could be integrated into existing surveys of wood borers using traps baited with semiochemicals to improve our understanding of the role of the mate‐encounter Allee effect in invasion dynamics.
Evidence for a substantial host‐use bottleneck following the invasion of an exotic, polyphagous weevil
Authors: MOISE ERIC R. D. , FORBES GLEN B. H. , MORRISON ANDREW , SWEENEY JON D. , HILLIER NEIL K. , JOHNS ROB C.
Published: September 2015

1. The successful establishment of novel plant–insect interactions may depend on the availability of suitable hosts, which itself is influenced by the inherent flexibility of the herbivore for the native plants in its new range. The polyphagous beech leaf mining weevil, Orchestes fagi L., is a recent invader to eastern Canada, and while beech is a primary host, it remains unclear the extent to which it might also utilise co‐occurring secondary hosts, as has been observed in its native European range.

2. A combination of field and laboratory feeding trials were used to quantify weevil secondary host use. Based on its expansive native host range in Europe, it was predicted that American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.), as well as several additional plant species, would be susceptible to weevil damage.

3. Contrary to this prediction, weevil feeding was almost entirely exclusive to beech in both the field and laboratory feeding trials. This result is further supported by field observations that revealed an absence of weevils and eggs on species other than beech. In general, the lack of pre‐diapause feeding on any alternate host species represented an extreme departure from feeding habits observed within the native range.

4. Overall, this host‐use bottleneck suggests that the adoption of a novel primary host by O. fagi, in this case American beech, may remove the normal requirement for secondary hosts and suggests a significant departure from native feeding habits with possible consequences for related life‐history parameters such as overwintering survival and fecundity.
Beyond cool: adapting upland streams for climate change using riparian woodlands
Authors: Thomas Stephen M. , Griffiths Siân W. , Ormerod Steve J.
Published: September 2015

Managed adaptation could reduce the risks of climate change to the world's ecosystems, but there have been surprisingly few practical evaluations of the options available. For example, riparian woodland is advocated widely as shade to reduce warming in temperate streams, but few studies have considered collateral effects on species composition or ecosystem functions. Here, we use cross‐sectional analyses at two scales (region and within streams) to investigate whether four types of riparian management, including those proposed to reduce potential climate change impacts, might also affect the composition, functional character, dynamics and energetic resourcing of macroinvertebrates in upland Welsh streams (UK). Riparian land use across the region had only small effects on invertebrate taxonomic composition, while stable isotope data showed how energetic resources assimilated by macroinvertebrates in all functional guilds were split roughly 50:50 between terrestrial and aquatic origins irrespective of riparian management. Nevertheless, streams draining the most extensive deciduous woodland had the greatest stocks of coarse particulate matter (CPOM) and greater numbers of ‘shredding’ detritivores. Stream‐scale investigations showed that macroinvertebrate biomass in deciduous woodland streams was around twice that in moorland streams, and lowest of all in streams draining non‐native conifers. The unexpected absence of contrasting terrestrial signals in the isotopic data implies that factors other than local land use affect the relative incorporation of allochthonous subsidies into riverine food webs. Nevertheless, our results reveal how planting deciduous riparian trees along temperate headwaters as an adaptation to climate change can modify macroinvertebrate function, increase biomass and potentially enhance resilience by increasing basal resources where cover is extensive (>60 m riparian width). We advocate greater urgency in efforts to understand the ecosystem consequences of climate change adaptation to guide future actions.
Operational research on the correlation between skin diseases and HIV infection in Tigray region, Ethiopia
Authors: Padovese Valeska , Racalbuto Vincenzo , Barnabas Gebre Ab , Morrone Aldo
Published: September 2015

Background

In Ethiopia, skin diseases are among the leading causes of outpatient attendance to primary health service. Correlation of skin diseases and HIV has long been recognized and used to guide medical management in resource‐limited settings. Therefore, this study aims to assess the correlation of skin diseases and HIV infection, to estimate epidemiological distribution in the study area, and to provide health workers of skin indicators for HIV early detection.

Methods

The operational research was designed as a case‐control study and carried out in three intervention districts of Tigray region; baseline and final data on skin diseases and HIV were compared with those of three control districts matched for population size, density, and environmental characteristics. Health workers of intervention districts were trained on skin diseases/STIs diagnosis and treatment. Data were collected from study and control districts and then analyzed at the Italian Dermatological Centre (IDC) in Mekele.

Results

In the research period, a total of 1044 HIV positive patients were detected. Disorders of skin and mucous membranes statistically related with HIV (P < 0.05) were tongue papillary atrophy (80%), oral hairy leukoplakia (69%), herpes zoster (66%), oral candidiasis (50%), pruritic papular eruption (43%), condylomata acuminata (38%), and telogen effluvium (27%).

Conclusions

The high frequency of oral disorders and telogen effluvium is not described in literature and may be indicative for case detection. Operational research offers significant gains on health service delivery and outcomes at relatively low cost and in a short timeframe.
Discovering the treasures of the EGS website: from educational opportunities to newsletter
Authors: Stalmans I.
Published: September 2015

The European Glaucoma Society stands for Innovation, Education and Communication. The EGS website www.eugs.org content reflects these goals. The fourth edition of the EGS Guidelines is now downloadable free of charge. The Tip of the Month and Journal club contain clinical tips and tricks and relevant highlights from the literature which are monthly updated. The congress calendar gives information on upcoming meetings. And the EGS also promotes education by supporting travel grants and fellowship programs. These are only a few examples to illustratie that the website is a rich source of useful clinical and practical information. During this lecture, a virtual tour through the website will be provided.
Optometrists and the management of glaucoma; the Rotterdam experience
Authors: Lemij H.
Published: September 2015

Shared glaucoma care is performed in 2 different ways in the Rotterdam area: 1) through telemedicine connecting optometrists and a glaucoma specialist and 2) by technicians following a strict working protocol in a separate department of the Rotterdam Eye Hospital. In the Telemedicine project, extensive information is provided via a secured internet connection, including a detailed history, pachymetry, applanation tonometry, slit lamp examination, gonioscopy, fundus photographs and sophisticated imaging (OCT or GDx). It primarily serves the detection of glaucoma and the monitoring of those at risk. In the hospital based follow‐up, strict criteria are observed that require referral to the glaucoma clinic; these criteria relate to the history, visual acuity, applanation tonometry, target IOP and any progression in structural or functional measurements. Eligible patients are those deemed stable. Both projects function well. In the Telemedicine project, initially 32% of patients were referred to a glaucoma specialist, but, as the provided information improved, later only approx. 10%. The hospital based follow‐up unit was preferred slightly by the patients to the regular visits to their glaucoma specialists.
Sealed‐capsule irrigation with distilled deionized water to prevent posterior capsule opacification
Authors: Rekas M. , Kluś A. , Kosatka M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate efficacy and safety of sealed‐capsule irrigation (SCI) using distilled water (DW).

Materials and methods

Phacoemulsification was performed in 60 patients. In the control the capsular bag was mechanically cleaned (MC), in the DW group DW for 3′ in SCI was additionally applied. SN60WF IOL was implanted in all eyes. Examinations were performed before and 1, 30, 180 days, 1 and 2 years after surgery. UDVA, CDVA, IOP, K2‐SIA, SEQ, endothelial cell and the complications were examined. Total PCO score in the area of 1, 3 mm and capsulorhexis (CAPS) were determined using EPCO 2000.

Results

As far as safety parameters are concerned, no differences were observed between groups (P > 0.05). However, in the DW group the endothelial cell loss was higher (P < 0.05). Total PCO score differences were observed in both groups between the areas (P < 0.05). In CAPS area both, Total PCO score and PCO area were decreased in DW group (P < 0.05). PCO was also lower within 3 mm zone in the DW group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

SCI is a safe procedure and the endothelial cells loss can be associated with the Perfect Capsule™ device in the anterior chamber insertion. DW irrigated for 3′ reduces PCO in long‐term follow‐up.
Choroidal thickness in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy: Assessment of haller's and sattler's layers
Authors: Kim S.W. , Chung Y.R. , Kim J.W. , Lee K.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To investigate the change in choroidal thickness and subanalyze the Haller's and Sattler's layers among central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) eyes, uninvolved fellow eyes, and control eyes of healthy subjects using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI‐OCT).

Methods

Ocular findings and clinical features were analyzed retrospectively from medical records of the patients diagnosed with CSC from October 2014 to March 2015. The subfoveal choroidal thickness including the thickness of Haller's layer and Sattler's layer was measured using EDT‐OCT in CSC eyes as well as in uninvolved fellow eyes, and compared to age, gender, and spherical equivalent‐matched healthy control eyes.

Results

Thirty‐one eyes affected by CSC and 24 uninvolved fellow eyes were included in this study. Thirty eyes from healthy subjects were recruited for control. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness and the mean thickness of Haller's layer were significantly greater in CSC eyes compared to fellow eyes or normal control eyes, while those of fellow eyes were also significantly thicker than those of normal control eyes. The thickness of Sattler's layer showed no significant difference among the three groups.

Conclusions

The subfoveal choroidal thickness was increased mainly due to the increase in thickness of Haller's layer in CSC patients. It is believed that the Haller's layer was thickened by the enlarged large choroidal vessels and the action of non‐vascular smooth muscle cells of choroid in response to increased sympathetic tone in CSC patients.
Epiretinal membrane peeling for eyes with asteroid hyalosis: a case‐control study
Authors: Mouna A. , Conart J.B. , Kurun S. , Ameloot F. , Berrod J.P.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To evaluate anatomical and functional results of epiretinal membrane peeling for patients with asteroid hyalosis (AH) comparing with those of a control population without AH.

Methods

Retrospective, case‐control study, of a cohort of 1104 patients operated from an epiretinal membrane(EM) between January 2002 and February 2014. Forty four consecutive patient were included in the EM associated with AH group and were compared to 44 control patient without AH, matched for: age, sex, date of surgery, and axial length. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness on OCT (CMT) were measured at baseline and postoperatively at 1, 6 and 12 months. intraoperative and/or postoperative complications were also analyzed.

Results

34 men and 10 women were included in the AH group. Respectively, the mean initial BCVA was 0.49 +/‐ 0.21 logMar for the AH group Vs 0.44 +/‐ 0.21 logMAR for the control group (p = 0.2), and the mean initial CMT was 415 +/‐ 71 µm Vs 422 +/‐ 73 µm (p = 0.6). No significant difference was found regarding the final BCVA, with respectively a mean of 0.37 Vs 0.24 logMAR(p = 0.26) at 1 month, 0.27 Vs. 0.23 logMAR(p = 0.5) at 6 months, and 0.17 Vs 0.2 log MAR(p = 0.26) at 12 months. Also, no difference was found regarding the evolution of CMT, with respectively a mean of 368 Vs 353 µm (p = 0.5) at 1 month, 347 Vs 358 µm (p = 0.61) at 6 months, 345 Vs 349 µm (p = 0.87) at 12 months. Only a single macular hole was recorded in the AH group in the follow up.

Conclusions

The presence of asteroid hyalosis does not constitute a factor of poor prognosis for visual recovery after epiretinal membrane peeling.
Correlation of visual acuity and central macular thickness in diabetic macular edema
Authors: El Matri Hassairi A. , Chebil A. , Ben Abdallah M. , Maamouri R. , Chaker N. , El Matri L.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To investigate the correlation of retinal thickness measured with SD OCT and visual acuity in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) before and after intravitreal injection of anti‐VEGF

Methods

Seventy‐four patients (96 eyes) with DME who underwent three monthly intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (IVB) as their first treatment. Type of DM, duration, treatment, laboratory examinations, history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetic nephropathy, were documented. Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was evaluated using the international vision test chart. Foveal thickness was measured by SD OCT.

Results

The correlation coefficients for visual acuity (VA) versus OCT center point thickness were 0.57 at baseline and 0.47, 0.38, and 0.40 at 1, 3, and 6 months post‐laser photocoagulation. A subset of eyes showed paradoxical improvements in VA with increased center point thickening (5–13% at the three time points) or paradoxical worsening of VA with a decrease in center point thickening (12–24% at the three time points).

Conclusions

There is modest correlation between OCT‐measured center point thickness and VA, and modest correlation of changes in retinal thickening and visual acuity following focal laser treatment for DME. In addition, paradoxical changes in VA and retinal thickening may be observed. Indeed, retinal thickness only accounts for up to 27% of variability in concurrently measured VA suggesting that other factors are important determinants of VA in the presence of diabetic macular edema.
Project RESET. REtinal Surgery systEm for Training
Authors: Cotin S. , Keppi J.J. , Allard J. , Bessard R. , Courtecuisse H. , Gaucher D.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Retina surgery is an increasingly performed procedure for the treatment of a wide spectrum of retinal pathologies.

Methods

Yet, as most micro‐surgical techniques, it requires long training periods before being mastered. To properly answer requests from clinicians for highly realistic training on one hand, and new requirements from accreditation or recertification from surgical societies on the other hand, we propose to develop a high‐fidelity training system for retinal surgery.

Results

This simulator will be built upon our strong scientific expertise in the field of real‐time simulation, and a success story for technology transfer in the field of cataract surgery simulation.

Conclusions

Members of the consortium have a long expertise in the development of prototypes, as well as collaboration with clinical partners. The simulation system that we propose to develop will be based on the Open Source simulation platform SOFA, and will rely on expertise from our partners to ensure clinical and industrial relevance.
Safety and Efficacy of a Polyethylene Glycol/Propylene Glycol Based Lubricant Eye Drop in Patients with Dry Eye
Authors: Labetoulle M. , Messmer E. , Ogundele A. , Mouriaux F. , Baudouin C.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol based eye drop (PEG/PG; Systane® Ultra) to an osmoprotective‐carboxymethylcellulose based eye drop (CMC/O; Optive®) in patients with dry eye.

Methods

This was a multicenter, observer masked, parallel‐design study, subjects were randomized to PEG/PG or CMC/O QID for 35 days (Phase 1) and then as needed for 55 days (Phase 2). Eligible subjects were diagnosed with dry eye and exhibited signs and symptoms at screening. Supportive efficacy assessments included the total ocular staining score (TOSS) score change from baseline to Day 90 (15‐point Oxford scale).

Results

Demographic characteristics were similar between the PEG/PG (n = 46) and CMC/O groups (n = 48). The efficacy of PEG/PG was similar to CMC/O at Day 90 (LS mean treatment difference in TOSS score change from baseline to Day 90 of −0.10 units in favor of PEG/PG). In addition, ocular surface staining associated with dry eye decreased following treatment with PEG/PG with a mean TOSS score change from baseline at Day 90 of −2.7 units. No treatment‐related serious adverse events were reported. Five subjects discontinued due to treatment‐related AEs (2 PEG/PG and 3 CMC/O subjects).

Conclusions

PEG/PG based drop demonstrated comparable efficacy to the CMC/O based drop after 90 days treatment with a favorable safety profile in patients with dry eye.
Postoperative Endophthalmitis: Incidence, Causes and Comparison Between Medical and Surgical Treatment in a United Kingdom Region in the Last 10 Years
Authors: Shalaby A. , Di Simplicio Cherubini S. , Lockwood A. , Newsom R.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To investigate the incidence, procedures performed, isolated causative microorganisms if found and final visual outcome of Endophthalmitis in a UK tertiary referral centre

Methods

A retrospective audit of all cases treated as postoperative endopthalmitis in the last 10 years has been performed. Details of each case (preceding ophthalmic procedure, isolated microorganisms, management plan and visual acuity before and after treatment) were recorded

Results

Sixty patients have been diagnosed with post‐operative Endophthalmitis over the audit period. Full data were available for 44 patients. Twenty‐four patients (54.54%) had intravitreal injections procedures (IVI) of Anti‐VEGF 4 weeks or less before day of presentation, eighteen patients (40.91%) had endophthalmitis following cataract surgery and 2 patients after trabeculectomy (4.55%). Incidence rates were calculated for cataract surgery and IVI in the last 5 years and were 0.024% and 0.048% respectively. All cases received intravitreal injections of antibiotics. Microorganisms were detected in 8 patients. There were 7 culture positive cases with coagulase negative staphylococcus aureus (6 cases after cataract operation, 1 after IVI) and one case with Staphylococcus Legdunens (after IVI). Eighteen patients presented with visual acuity of CF or worse. Eleven of them have been treated with vitrectomy (1st group) while the other seven have not (2nd group). Ten patients from the first group could achieve better visual acuity that that at the time of presentation, while only three patients of the second group showed improvement (p value = 0.04, Fisher Exact test)

Conclusions

The incidence of endophthalmitis in this audit is comparable to larger studies. Vitrectomy may be recommended for postoperative endophthalmitis patients with visual acuity of CF or worse.
The Liverpool Uveal Melanoma Prognosticator Online (LUMPO) for prognosing metastasis free survival in the absence of cytogenetic data after ruthenium brachytherapy for uveal melanoma
Authors: Rospond‐Kubiak I. , Wroblewska‐Zierhoffer M. , Twardosz‐Pawlik H. , Kociecki J.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Liverpool Uveal Melanoma Prognosticator Online (LUMPO) is a tool developed by Eleuteri et al. to establish the prognosis for uveal melanoma patients according to the initial tumour characteristics and cytogenetic data. It has been validated with two separate cohorts of patients in United Kingdom and more recently in US. The aim of this study was to test the prognosticator in a homogenous group of patients treated with with ruthenium brachytherapy where genetic analysis was not performed.

Methods

The records of the patients treated with ruthenium brachytherapy for uveal melanoma at the Department of Ophthalmology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences between 1994 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The probability of 3‐year, 5‐year and 10‐year metastasis free survival were obtained for each patient using the LUMPO accessed online and then compared with the existing follow‐up data.

Results

We identified 102 patients, 60 women, 42 men in a mean age of 59 years. Mean largest basal diameter of the treated tumours was 9.29 (range: 4.04–18.9 )mm, mean tumour thickness: 4.8 (range: 2.6–7.01) mm. Follow‐up ranged from 3 to 22 years, mean: 7.55 years. 33 patients died, 18 (17.65%) out of metastatic disease. The metastatic death was not related to patients’ age (p = 0.6866), LBD (p = 0.3049) or tumour thickness (p = 0.7063) alone. The probability of metastasis free survival according to LUMPO was significantly lower for the metastatic group comparing to the surviving group at 3 years (p = 0.0017) and 5 years post treatment (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

LUMPO is a useful tool for prognostication for uveal melanoma patients. However, the use of cytogenetic data makes this prognosis more precise.
Parsing populism: Who is and who is not a populist these days?
Authors: Müller Jan‐Werner
Published: September 2015

Donald Trump is but Bernie Sanders isn't; Syriza is, sometimes. In analysing the state of contemporary populism, Jan‐Werner Müller argues that it is not just anti‐elitist, but also necessarily anti‐pluralist, and in this exclusive claim to representation lies its profoundly undemocratic character.
Two degrees of separation: What would a successful Paris summit mean for the battle against climate change?
Authors: Garman Joss
Published: September 2015

Joss Garman argues that positive effects of the Paris negotiations are already being seen in unilateral commitments by major polluting nations, including China and the US, and that the foundations are in place to reach a vital agreement on how progress is measured and compared.
Orientation‐Dependence of Thermal Depolarization and Phase Development in Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3‐BaTiO3 Single Crystals
Authors: Schneider Deborah , Rödel Jürgen , Rytz Daniel , Granzow Torsten
Published: September 2015

The direction‐dependence of pyroelectric properties of (1 − x)Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3 − xBaTiO3 (BNT − 100xBT) is investigated, using single crystal samples with well‐defined orientations for x = 0.036 and x = 0.063. The results are compared with those of temperature‐dependent measurements of the ferroelectric and dielectric hysteresis. The depolarization temperature Td of each crystal composition is found to depend on crystal orientation, a fact that is explained by differences in the stability of respective domain configurations. A rationalization is offered for the observation that Td differs from the ferroelectric‐relaxor transition temperature, depending on orientation. The hysteresis curves of BNT − 3.6BT are typical for a rhombohedral system with a ferroelectric‐relaxor transition, with polarization reversal close to Td occurring in a multistep process that includes decay of ferroelectric domains into polar nanoregions and re‐formation of domains. BNT − 6.3BT, a composition in the region of the morphotropic phase boundary, shows the same feature, but additionally is characterized by a field‐induced transition between rhombohedral and tetragonal symmetry. This combination results in an effective piezoelectric coefficient of pm/V.