bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Histopathological Study of the Effects of Dura Adhesive Agents Used in Spinal Surgery Practice on Spinal Epidural Fibrosis in Experimental Animal Model
Authors: Ural Pinar , Albayrak Hümeyra K. , Gürcan Oktay , Kazanci Atilla , Gürçay Ahmet G. , Özateş Mehmet Ö.
Published: January 2024

Objective:

Histopathological examination of the effects of Tisseel, Cova, Glubran and Coseal, which are used for sealing purposes in spinal surgery practice, on epidural fibrosis is aimed.

Methods:

Forty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups in our study as Group 1 (n=8) control group (Laminectomy); Group 2 (n=8) Cova group (Laminectomy + Cova); Group 3 (n=8) Tissel group (Laminectomy + Tisseel); Group 4 (n=8) Coseal group (Laminectomy + Coseal); and Group 5 Glubrane group (Laminectomy + Glubrane). Control group was only applied laminectomy. After laminectomy to other groups, Cova was applied to the 2nd group, Tissel to the 3rd group, Coseal to the 4th group and Glubran to the 5th group in surgical fields. After the rats were monitored in separate cages for 6 weeks after the operation, the relevant spinal level was extracted and the samples were examined histopathologically and the results were evaluated statistically.

Results:

It was found that there was a statistically significant difference in Tisseel and Glubran groups in terms of fibrosis grading compared to the control group, and this had a positive effect on fibrosis. Compared to the control group, there was no statistically significant difference on fibrosis in Cova and Coseal groups.

Conclusion:

As dura adhesive agents used in spinal surgery practice did not increase spinal epidural fibrosis statistically significantly, we concluded that these products can be used safely during spinal surgery if necessary.
Neuromyelitis Optica Presenting as Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus
Authors: Rohatgi Shalesh , Rao Prajwal , Nirhale Satish , Naphade Pravin , Kotharu Sravya , Gupta Sahil
Published: January 2024

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a demyelinating disease predominantly involving optic nerves, spinal cord and peri-ventricular regions which are rich in Aquaporin-4 receptors. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies are implicated in the pathogenesis of NMO. Association of hydrocephalus (communicating and non communicating) with NMO is very rare. We report a case of 32 years old female patient who presented with 2 months history of progressive headache, visual obscurations and gait imbalance. Clinical examination revealed bilateral papilloedema with preserved visual acuity. She had truncal and gait ataxia. Rest of the examination of nervous system was normal. MRI brain showed non- communicating hydrocephalus and T2 and FLAIR hyperintensities in periventricular and periaqueductal regions. AQP4 antibodies were positive in serum and negative in cerebrospinal fluid(CSF). Ventriculo - peritoneal shunt was placed and she was treated with steroids and azathioprine. Her headache and visual symptoms improved. However, after 8 months she presented with acute optic neuritis of right eye which was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and plasmapharaesis.
Study on the Correlation between Blood Urea Nitrogen, Creatinine Level, Proteinuria and Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Yang Guang , Wang Ling Zhi , Zhang Rong , Zhang Xiao Yu , Yu Yue , Ma Hai Rong , He Xiao Gang
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Parkinson's disease (PD) is related to renal insufficiency. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between PD and blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and proteinuria.

Methods:

The case-control study method was adopted in this study. In total, 200 patients with PD who were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were selected as the PD group, and 110 healthy patients during the same period were selected as the control group. The differences in clinical data and laboratory results between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression analysis, ROC curve, and Spearman correlation analysis were used to determine the correlation between PD and blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urine protein.

Results:

The levels of cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and apolipoprotein B in the PD group were lower than those in the control group. The levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, and proteinuria in the PD group were higher than those in the control group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urine protein levels were risk factors for PD, and elevated LDL-C levels were protective factors for PD. The blood urea nitrogen level of patients with PD was positively correlated with the course of PD, Hoehn–Yahr staging, and UPDRS exercise score (r = 0.309, 0.434, and 0.540, respectively; P < 0.01). Serum creatinine level was positively correlated with the course of PD, Hoehn–Yahr staging, and UPDRS exercise score (r = 0.139, 0.320, and 0.290, respectively; P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine levels, and proteinuria can be regarded as the onset of PD and a biomarker of disease progression.
Histopathological Validation of Microvascular Anastomosis using Two-Throw Reef Knots - An Experimental Study
Authors: Gohil Dhaval , Mahadevan Anita , Prabhuraj AR , Pruthi Nupur
Published: January 2024

Background:

Knot configuration is an important but relatively neglected topic in microvascular anastomosis literature.

Objective:

To study the differences between end-to-end microvascular anastomosis performed with two-throw reef knots as compared to traditional three-throw knots in a rat femoral artery model at the histological level.

Material and Methods:

Sprague Dawley rats underwent end-to-end microvascular anastomosis of the right femoral artery (one-way-up method). The rats were divided into two groups: two-throw reef knots versus traditional three-throw knots. The patency was checked by the standard empty refill method. After 2 weeks, the rats underwent re-exploration. An anastomotic segment was sent for histological analysis. Histological alterations including luminal patency and changes in Tunica intima, Tunica media, and Tunica adventitia were compared between the two groups.

Results:

Twenty-nine rats were operated on by the senior author (17 by three-throw and 12 by two-throw reef knots). In the two-throw reef knot group versus the traditional three-throw knot group, the immediate patency rates were 100% versus 82.4%, and the delayed patency rates were 90.9% versus 62.5%, respectively. The histopathological patency rates were concordant with delayed patency rates. Subintimal proliferation and fibrosis were comparable in both groups. Adventitial granulomas were noted in all, irrespective of the knotting technique. Tunica media preservation rates for the two-throw reef knot versus the traditional three-throw knot group were 63.6% versus 0%. Five rats were operated by the beginner in the field, all by two-throw reef knots (to assess the safety of this new method in the hands of a beginner).

Conclusion:

Microvascular anastomosis performed with two-throw reef knots appears not only feasible but better in terms of anastomosis patency. Histological superiority in terms of Tunica media preservation further validates the technique.
Listeria Rhombencephalitis and Infratentorial Brain Abcesses ın a Young Adult with Stroke Like Presentation
Authors: Iyigundogdu Ilkin , Gedik Ender , Derle Eda , Kibaroglu Seda
Published: January 2024

Rhombencephalitis refers to the inflammation of rhombencephalon, and Listeria monocytogenes is one of the causes of infectious rhombencephalitis. Listeria rhombencephalitis is a rare and severe infection with high mortality and morbidity. As the disease can present with a variety of neurological symptoms and nonspecific laboratory tests, it can easily be misdiagnosed. Sudden onset of neurological signs without fever can resemble stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging can be useful in patients for confirmation of the diagnosis and during the follow-up. Early diagnosis and treatment are especially important for improvement of the outcomes. Here we report a case with stroke-like presentation that was diagnosed as Listeria rhombencephalitis in follow-up and present the serial brain magnetic resonance imaging features.
Recurrent Regional Autonomic Dysfunction as a Presentation of Relapsing Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, Responsive to Ketamine Infusion
Authors: Darole Pramod A , Tayade Kamalesh S , Uma Sundar , Wadal Aniket R , Patara Pratik P
Published: January 2024

Diagnostic criteria of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) have expanded to include many new symptoms since the original description of Devic's disease in 1894, and the formulation of diagnostic criteria in 2006. Herein, we describe a patient with serum aquaporin positive NMOSD with the unusual presentation of recurrent regional autonomic dysfunction, with concordant MRI findings. The symptomatic treatment of the patient's causalgia required IV ketamine infusion. Besides, as the long segment myelitis occurred in the setting of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), there was the added challenge of ruling out TB myelitis and choosing an immunosuppressant that would have the least risk of reactivation of TB.
Clinical Spectrum of Biopsy Proven Mitochondrial Myopathy
Authors: Menon Deepak , Nair Sruthi S , Radhakrishnan Neelima , Saraf Udit Umesh , Nair Muralidharan
Published: January 2024

Objectives:

Clinical spectrum of mitochondrial myopathy extends beyond chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO). While information on encephalomyopathies is abundant, clinical data on predominant myopathic presentation of mitochondrial disorders are lacking.

Materials and Methods:

Clinical, electrophysiological, biochemical, and follow-up data of patients with predominant myopathic presentation and muscle biopsy confirmed primary mitochondrial myopathy was obtained. We excluded known syndromes of mitochondrial cytopathies and encephalomyopathies.

Results:

Among 16 patients, 7 had CPEO, 4 had CPEO with limb-girdle muscle weakness (LGMW), and 5 had isolated LGMW. Systemic features included seizures with photosensitivity (n = 3), diabetes (n = 1), cardiomyopathy (n = 1), and sensorineural hearing loss (n = 1) and were more common in isolated LGMW. Elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate levels and electromyography (EMG) myopathic potentials were more frequent with LGMW. During follow-up, LGMW had more severe progression of weakness.

Conclusion:

We identified three subsets of mitochondrial myopathy with distinct clinical features and evolutionary patterns. Isolated LGMW was seen in 30% of patients and would represent severe end of the spectrum.
Split-face intradermal botulinum toxin versus saline injection for facial aging: a single-center study
Authors: Elbasiony Hala M. , Elfar Nashwa N. , Gheida Shereen F. , Doghim Noha N.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

There are many treatment modalities for facial wrinkles. The most popular non-surgical one is Botulinum toxin A which inhibits Acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions then leads to facial muscle relaxation. It also induces collagen neogenesis, downregulates its degradation and increases skin hydration. Objectives:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal injection of diluted botulinum toxin type A for facial aging.

Methods

This split face comparative study included 20 patients with facial wrinkles. The right side was injected intradermally by diluted Botulinum toxin A and the left side was injected by saline. Photographic records were acquired before and after injection. Two blinded dermatologists evaluated the results using wrinkle severity, facial pore, and global aesthetic improvement scales.

Results

There was significant improvement of facial wrinkles in the right side injected with Botulinum toxin A when compared with the left side injected with saline after treatment regarding the wrinkle severity, facial pore, and global aesthetic improvement scales, (P = 0.006, P = 0.001, and P > 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Double dilution of intradermal Botulinum toxin A represents an effective and cheap method to reduce facial wrinkles, pores and improve skin texture especially with forehead and crow’s feet wrinkles and in younger subjects. It has no significant side effects and is safe and lasts around three months after injection.
Flow-mediated Dilation of the Brachial Artery in Women with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Authors: Oguntade Babatunde Opeyemi , Ibitoye Bolanle Olubunmi , Makinde Olufemiwa Niyi , Idowu Bukunmi Michael , Okedere Tolulope Adebayo
Published: January 2024

Background:

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) comprise chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and preeclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. HDP complicate up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide and carry significant risks of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the derangement and characteristics of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) in women with HDP.

Methods:

The BAFMD of the right brachial artery of 80 women with HDP (pregnant HDP), 80 normotensive pregnant women (pregnant non-HDP), and 80 healthy nonpregnant women (nonpregnant controls) was evaluated with B-mode ultrasound. The age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), brachial artery diameter, and BAFMD of the participants were compared. P ≤ 0.05 was statistically significant.

Results:

The pregnant HDP group had significantly lower mean BAFMD compared to pregnant non-HDP and nonpregnant controls (6.9% ± 2.53% vs. 8.32% ± 3.4% vs. 9.4% ± 2.68%; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean BAFMD of the pregnant HDP subgroups: preeclampsia (5.81% ± 1.7%) versus gestational hypertension (6.43% ± 3.02%); P = 0.57. BAFMD diminished with advancing gestational age in both the pregnant HDP and pregnant non-HDP groups. On regression analysis, BAFMD was a poor marker for HDP, while BMI was an independent predictor for HDP.

Conclusion:

Even though HDP were associated with significantly diminished BAFMD, it was not a good marker for HDP.
A study on unmet need of family planning among married tribal women in a rural area in Eastern India during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chandra Archi , Jha Sankar Nath , Ray Rituparna
Published: January 2024

Background:

COVID-19 has impacted health system worldwide including family planning, acting as a major hindrance in the way of population control. This study is conducted to assess the unmet need of family planning among married tribal women, various reasons behind it, and its relation with sociodemographic variables during COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Burda village of Purulia district of West Bengal in Eastern India. A sample size of 80 was calculated. Study subjects, who fulfilled our inclusion criteria, were selected using simple random sampling from the list of eligible couples which was obtained from ASHA. After obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, permission from panchayat of Burda village, and consent from the study subjects, they were interviewed using a pretested, predesigned, and semi-structured schedule. Data were entered into MS Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 version (Armonk, NY, USA: IBM Corp.).

Results:

81.2% were willing to use family planning methods; among them, 80% stated media as their prime source of information. 68.6% had used male condoms as a method of family planning. 82.4% stated government health-care facility as their source of availability of family planning methods. Unmet need of family planning among the study subjects was 17.5%. Major reason for nonuse of family planning methods was that they did not take anything from health-care providers due to fear of getting COVID-19 infection. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association of unmet need of family planning with educational status of husband (P = 0.023, odds ratio [OR] = 4.211) and type of family (Fisher’s exact significance = 0.047, OR = 7.719).

Conclusion:

Unmet need of family planning among tribal population is still high during this pandemic, and the causes are needed to be acted upon.
A clinical study of puberty menorrhagia in the modern era at a tertiary health-care center
Authors: Kulkarni Nitin , Jagtap Akshay , Athawale Prashant
Published: January 2024

Background:

Puberty Menorrhagia is the most common gynecological complication. Puberty menorrhagia when accompanied by serious systemic complications such as anemia and high blood protein (i.e., hypoproteinemia) poses substantial difficulties among gynecologists. The foundation of managing puberty menorrhagia is its early diagnosis and individualized treatment customized to each and every patient. The exclusion of pregnancy is mandatory in all cases, regardless of the history, and following up regularly along with a balanced diet and iron therapy goes a long way towards successful treatment.

Objectives:

To evaluate the etiology, clinical presentation, and therapeutic efficacy in patients suffering from puberty menorrhagia in our program.

Materials and Methods:

The prospective observation study method was opted for this study. Study participants were forty women who presented to JMF’s ACPM Medical College, Dhule between November 1, 2019 and October 31, 2020 with excessive vaginal bleeding between the onset of menarche and 19 years of age. All cases were evaluated using history, physical assessment, and pertinent laboratory investigations.

Results:

In our study, half of the patients (50%) were between the age group of 13 and 16 years. Nine out of every ten patients had hemoglobin levels of 10 g% or less, and 55% of patients were suffering from puberty menorrhagia for 6 months to a year. Our study suggests that polycystic ovary disease (25%) and anovulatory dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) (47.5%) were the basic etiological factors, resulting in the puberty menorrhagia. Genitourinary tuberculosis (7.5%), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (5%), ectocervical polyps (5%), hypothyroidism (7.5%), and Von Willebrand’s disease (2.5%) were found to be a common cause of excessive bleeding. The fundamental medical therapy for managing puberty menorrhagia comprises nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tranexamic acids, and hormones.

Conclusion:

Menorrhagia during puberty is a distressing ailment for both the sufferer and her parents. The majority of instances are caused by self-limiting anovulatory DUB. For effective diagnosis and therapy, a thorough history, clinical examination, and investigation are required. Patient counseling is an integral aspect of management. Surgical approaches are preferred in a few cases, while long-term medical assistance is largely effective.
Episcleral brachytherapy in Portugal for the treatment of uveal melanoma
Authors: Chaves João , Raimundo Miguel , Fernandes Júlia , Casalta-Lopes João , Simões Paulo César , Murta Joaquim , Fonseca Cristina
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcomes of our institution, the National Ocular Oncology Reference Center (Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra) on Episcleral Brachytherapy (EBT) for the treatment of uveal melanoma (UM), since its beginning in November 2013, regarding local control, survival rates, metastatic rates, and side effects and to compare them with the international literature.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective study of patients referred to the Ocular Oncology Reference Center and treated with EBT between November 2013 and August 2020. Data were collected regarding local control, survival, distant metastasis, and treatment side effects. Data analysis evaluated treatment outcomes and radiation side effects.

Results:

A total of 150 patients underwent EBT but only 143 were considered for analysis. In 95.5% of cases local control was achieved and only 4.5% underwent secondary enucleation due to treatment failure and disease progression. Tumor initial maximum diameter was a predictor of time to melanoma-related death (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.24 [95% confidence interval [CI] - 1.03–1.50] P = 0.018) and time to metastasis (HR = 1.43 [95% CI - 1.2–1.71] P ≤ 0.001). Among the 143 patients, the most common radiation side effect was cataract (58.33%) followed by the development of any form of radiation retinopathy (42,36%). One patient (0.7%) underwent secondary enucleation due to uncontrolled neovascular glaucoma.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate excellent clinical outcomes of local control with EBT, with satisfactory overall survival and metastasis-free survival rates, comparable to international literature. Considering the high rates of local control and globe preservation, this research validates de use of EBT as a mainstay treatment in UM.
A comparative evaluation of sub-Tenon's anesthesia versus peribulbar anesthesia in manual small-incision cataract surgery
Authors: Deepthi P. Ramya , Amruth Chavan Kumar , Asritha Biradavolu , Gowtami Vuppaluru
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to compare analgesic, akinetic effects, and safety profile of sub-Tenon's and peribulbar anesthesia in manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS).

Materials and Methods:

In a hospital-based randomized, comparative study, patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria and who have been posted for elective surgery for uncomplicated cataracts were randomized to receive either sub-Tenon's or peribulbar block. Pain during anesthesia and surgery, akinesia, lid movements during surgery, and complications after anesthesia were assessed.

Results:

A total of 120 eyes of 120 patients were studied. Of which, 60 underwent sub-Tenon and another 60 had undergone peribulbar block. Pain during anesthesia was significantly less in sub-Tenon group (37/60, 61.6%) than peribulbar group (10/60, 16.6%), whereas pain during surgery was comparable in both groups, 40/60 (66.6%) in sub-Tenon group and 45/60 (75%) in peribulbar group. Peribulbar group has significantly Grade 0 akinesia (31/60, (51.7%) than 0% in sub-Tenon group. Mild complications such as chemosis 34/60 (56.7%) and subconjunctival hemorrhage (37/60, 61.7%) were more in sub-Tenon group than in the peribulbar group, 17/60 (28.3%) and 22/60 (36.7%), respectively.

Conclusion:

This study has shown that sub-Tenon's anesthesia provides adequate analgesia and akinesia for cataract surgery with minimal and less severe complications. Therefore, sub-Tenon's anesthesia is a relatively safe method with lesser learning curve, effective, and alternate to peribulbar anesthesia for MSICS.
An observational study of exotropia with the application of the Classification of Eye Movement Abnormalities and Strabismus
Authors: Thakre Snehal R. , Malgi Vishwesh Shirish , Deshmukh Pradnya A.
Published: January 2024

Exotropia is a cosmetically distressing strabismus with lasting negative psychosocial impact on the patient.

Aim:

The purpose of our study was to apply the Classification of Eye Movement Abnormalities and Strabismus (CEMAS) to the patients of exotropia (XT) in our study, identify the common types and causes of this cosmetically and psychosocially distressing strabismus, and to determine if any of these causes are preventable.

Materials and Methods:

A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out in patients aged 6 months and more with exotropia attending the ophthalmology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital from December 2016 to July 2018. Complete strabismus evaluation of the patients was done, the exotropia seen in the patients was categorized in types according to the CEMAS classification and possible causes of exotropia were studied.

Results:

Of the total 120 patients, 110 had comitant XT, whereas 10 had incomitant. Of the 110 comitant cases, intermittent XT was maximum – 54 (45%). A significant number of patients had XT due to sensory or neurological causes 46 (38.8%). The etiology of XT due to sensory or neurological causes included amblyopia due to uncorrected refractive errors, trauma, media opacities in cornea and lens, and posterior segment diseases. Other causes included developmental delay, congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles, isolated 3rd N palsy, and basic XT.

Conclusions:

Our study shows that although majority of the patients had intermittent exotropia, a significant number of patients had exotropia due to visual or neurological causes, which may be preventable in many cases. Diagnosis of the cause of XT at the appropriate time may prevent unnecessary visual loss and reduce the negative psychosocial impact of squint.
Iris claw to the rescue - A case series
Authors: Ramani Soumya , Kotian Rachana
Published: January 2024

The utility of retropupillary (RP) iris-fixated lenses, even when the iris support is deemed inadequate is portrayed in this case series. The case series emphasizes iris-claw lens as an effective alternative in cases where there is a disfigurement of the iris with meticulous surgical skills. A 58-year-old with diminution of vision in the right eye for 6 months had a vision of 6/60, iris coloboma inferiorly with zonule loss and cataractous lens. Manual small-incision cataract surgery (M-SICS) was performed with placement of iris-claw lens despite the presence of iris disfiguration. A 62-year-old male with diminution of vision in the left eye had a vision of counting fingers at 1 m. On slit-lamp examination, iris atrophy, an oval-shaped pupil with a maximum of 5 mm eccentric dilation, cataractous lens inferiorly subluxated and partially absorbed, a breach in the anterior capsule, and vitreous strands were noted in the anterior chamber. M-SICS with iris-claw lens was then performed. A 3-year-old female child with a history of trauma to the left eye had a vision of perception of light only. On anterior segment evaluation, she had radial, full-thickness corneoscleral tear with iris plugging the wound, iris trauma, and traumatic immature cataract. Left eye corneal tear repair with cataract extraction and iris-claw insertion was performed. Postoperative vision on follow-up after a month was 6/12p in all three cases. Iris claw lens being readily available, and surgical technique of insertion being easy and quick, serves as one of the effective alternatives for the intraocular lens in difficult situations.
Association between glaucoma and smoking in an eye bank sample
Authors: Valle Isabela Vianello , Coblentz Jacqueline , Mansure José Joao , Burnier Miguel N.
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Although smoking has an important vascular and oxidative role in cardiovascular diseases, the association of smoking with the development and evolution of glaucoma is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to correlate smoking with the incidence of glaucoma.

Subjects and Methods:

A retrospective study of 442 postmortem paired donor eyes obtained from the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank of Canada (Toronto, Ont.) between 2015 and 2019 was evaluated. All donors' eyes were collected with detailed clinical history, including the glaucoma diagnosis, gender, and smoking habits. A statistical analysis and correlation between these variables were performed.

Results:

No correlation was found between glaucoma and smoking when the total number of smokers of both genders were examined (P = 0.258). However, male patients demonstrated a significant positive correlation (P = 0.008). This correlation was not observed when only female patients were evaluated (P = 0.077). In addition, the eyes of patients, between 70 and 75 years of age (P = 0.04) and 76 and 80 years of age who were smokers, demonstrated an increased risk of glaucoma (P = 0.027). This relationship was even stronger for males between 76 and 80 years of age (P = 0.006). Interestingly, the duration of the smoking habit showed no correlation to the development of glaucoma.

Conclusion:

An association of smoking and glaucoma was found in patients between 70 and 80 years of age, particularly male patients. Further investigation will be conducted examining the histopathological features and other comorbidities to better elucidate these findings.
Correlation between Axial Length, Anterior Chamber Depth, and Other Biometric Measurements with IOL Master 700 in Normal Eyes, Short Eyes, Long Eyes, and Extremely Long Eyes in Latin American Population
Authors: Rodriguez Lopez Carlos Emiliano , Mora Gonzalez Guadalupe Fernando , Felix Jorge Rendon , Perez Garcia Saira Yadira , Ibanez Hernandez Miguel Angel , Munoz Aranzazu Robledo
Published: January 2024

Background:

Several studies have shown the correlation between ocular biometry with refractive errors. Since these parameters can be influenced by race, ethnicity, and genetics, their differences between different populations can probably explain the differences in refractive errors. We present the biometric values measured in 431 eyes with normal, short, long, and extremely long axial length (AL) from the Latin American population.

Patients and Methods:

All eye measurements were performed using optical biometry with IOL Master and stratified according to AL and anterior chamber depth (ACD) and evaluated in relation to each other. Symmetry between right eye (RE) and left eye (LE) was also analyzed.

Setting:

The study was conducted at Private practice, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Results:

ACD, white-to-white (WTW), and average keratometries (K) increase as AL increases in normal, short, and long eyes, but this correlation is not maintained in extremely long eyes. Most of the short eyes and eyes with normal AL have a normal ACD, but most of the long and extremely long eyes have an ACD >2.5 mm. In normal and short eyes, the AL and WTW are symmetric in both eyes, but in long and extremely long eyes, there are significant differences between RE and LE. ACD is symmetric in RE and LE regardless of AL.

Conclusions:

The importance of the ocular biometry in Latin American eyes relies on clarifying the assumptions of biometric measurements commonly used in various areas of ophthalmology including intraocular lens calculation formulas.
Phacoemulsification causes increase in peripheral corneal thickness
Authors: Chaurasiya Ritesh Kumar , Gupta Akansha , Goswami Sarbojeet
Published: January 2024

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to compare the central and peripheral corneal thickness before and after cataract surgery during three postoperative visits.

Materials and Methods:

Prospective, comparative study was carried out among 92 patients who underwent cataract surgery in right eye. The central and peripheral corneal thickness (nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior) was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography before and after cataract surgery. The mean value of the corneal thickness was compared between preoperative and postoperative.

Results:

The central corneal thickness (CCT) showed statistically significant differences between preoperative and postoperative measurement during all follow-up visits including 3 days. We also found statistically significant differences at all locations during a postoperative visit at 3 days. Superior, nasal, and inferior points on cornea were found to have significant differences when measured preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 month. A positive correlation was established between cataract grade and CCT during a postoperative 3-day visit using Pearson's correlation.

Conclusion:

CCT was found to increase significantly after cataract surgery. There was a significant increase in peripheral corneal thickness right after cataract surgery.
Simultaneous clinical presentation of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease and ocular tuberculosis
Authors: Ruiz-Lozano Raul E. , Rivera-Alvarado I Jocelyn , Rodriguez-Gutierrez Luis A. , Garza-Garza Lucas A. , Rodriguez-Garcia Alejandro
Published: January 2024

The simultaneous occurrence of an infectious and an autoimmune systemic disorder associated with bilateral panuveitis is always feasible but improbable. While Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada requires prompt systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressives, ocular tuberculosis (TB) requires multiple antibiotic therapies, and to a certain extent, corticosteroids to avoid inflammatory damage to crucial intraocular structures. We report a patient with granulomatous bilateral panuveitis, in which VKH and ocular TB were diagnosed simultaneously. This case emphasizes the importance of ruling out TB in the presence of a granulomatous panuveitis, despite the lack of pulmonary manifestations, especially in an endemic country. The hindmost because both diseases require different treatments.
Scare air gun-induced ocular trauma in an agriculture farm in India
Authors: Sanjay Srinivasan , Gupta Aditi , Uday Shylaja
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

The purpose was to highlight the potential dangers of the air gun loaded with carbide commonly used by the farmers, causing injury to the eye. Scare airguns are used to prevent the birds from destroying the crops in their fields.

Method:

This was an observational study.

Results:

A 44-year-old Indian male presented to us with redness, diminution of vision, and mucopurulent discharge in his right eye (RE). On evaluation, it showed lid edema, excoriations, conjunctival congestion, corneal epithelial defect, anterior chamber inflammation, and hyphema in his RE. On his last follow-up a month later, hyphema and anterior chamber inflammation had resolved in his RE with an improved visual acuity. He was also educated about the dangers of using illegal air guns.

Conclusion:

Eye protection should be used when using devices that are inflammable. Ocular air gun injuries can range from some causing minor corneal abrasions to potentially serious ones. Due to the timely evaluation and treatment of our patient, the patient did not suffer significant visual morbidity.
Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome by sporotrichosis
Authors: Piloni-Parreira Romulo , Pinheiro Bruno Martins , Cartagenes Santos Ana Cristina , Neves Lais Lauria , de Melo Junior Irineu Ribeiro , Mendonca Silva Juliana Rocha
Published: January 2024

Parinaud's Oculoglandular Syndrome (POGS) is a rare and atypical form of granulomatous conjunctivitis, classically composed of a triad: fever, unilateral granulomatous follicular conjunctivitis and preauricular satellite lymphadenopathy or ipsilateral submandibular, commonly related to cat scratch disease caused mainly by Bartonella henselae, or also caused, even if not tipically, by Sporothrix schenckii. In endemic areas, such as in South America, especially Brazil and Peru, ocular sporotrichosis, associated with POGS, should be considered a diagnostic hypothesis of ophthalmic diseases especially if this patient has a history of contact with cats . Itraconazole must be the first choice of medication for treatment and this patient would need assistance until complete clinical improvement, with family members oriented about possible sources of contamination, being important the early and appropriate treatment, due to the risk of eye sequelae . As a neglected public health problem in Brazil, where there has been a large increase in cases in the last decades, an accurate understanding of this disease is essential, with focus in the southeast region, mostly in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
SASLT guidelines: Update in treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, 2024
Authors: Alghamdi Abdullah S. , Alghamdi Hamdan , Alserehi Haleema A. , Babatin Mohammed A. , Alswat Khalid A. , Alghamdi Mohammed , AlQutub Adel , Abaalkhail Faisal , Altraif Ibrahim , Alfaleh Faleh Z. , Sanai Faisal M.
Published: January 2024

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been a major global health concern, with a significant impact on public health. In recent years, there have been remarkable advancements in our understanding of HCV and the development of novel therapeutic agents. The Saudi Society for the Study of Liver Disease and Transplantation formed a working group to develop HCV practice guidelines in Saudi Arabia. The methodology used to create these guidelines involved a comprehensive review of available evidence, local data, and major international practice guidelines regarding HCV management. This updated guideline encompasses critical aspects of HCV care, including screening and diagnosis, assessing the severity of liver disease, and treatment strategies. The aim of this updated guideline is to assist healthcare providers in the management of HCV in Saudi Arabia. It summarizes the latest local studies on HCV epidemiology, significant changes in virus prevalence, and the importance of universal screening, particularly among high-risk populations. Moreover, it discusses the promising potential for HCV elimination as a public health threat by 2030, driven by effective treatment and comprehensive prevention strategies. This guideline also highlights evolving recommendations for advancing disease management, including the treatment of HCV patients with decompensated cirrhosis, treatment of those who have previously failed treatment with the newer medications, management in the context of liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma, and treatment for special populations.
The Utilization of Psychometric Functions to Predict Speech
Intelligibility in Vehicles
Authors: Samardzic Nikolina , Lavandier Mathieu , Shen Yi
Published: January 2024

In this study, a novel assessment approach of in-vehicle speech intelligibility
is presented using psychometric curves. Speech recognition performance scores
were modeled at an individual listener level for a set of speech recognition
data previously collected under a variety of in-vehicle listening scenarios. The
model coupled an objective metric of binaural speech intelligibility (i.e., the
acoustic factors) with a psychometric curve indicating the listener’s speech
recognition efficiency (i.e., the listener factors). In separate analyses, two
objective metrics were used with one designed to capture spatial release from
masking and the other designed to capture binaural loudness. The proposed
approach is in contrast to the traditional approach of relying on the speech
recognition threshold, the speech level at 50% recognition performance averaged
across listeners, as the metric for in-vehicle speech intelligibility. Results
from the presented analyses suggest the importance of considering speech
recognition accuracy across a range of signal-to-noise ratios rather than the
speech recognition threshold alone, and the importance of considering individual
differences among listeners when evaluating in-vehicle speech
intelligibility.
Le livre de cuisine franco-allemand de Johann Rottenhöfer (1858 et 1867) et sa copie hongroise (1881 et 1883)
Authors: Piechnik Iwona
Published: January 2024

The French-German cookbook by Johann Rottenhöfer (1858 and 1867) and its Hungarian copy (1881 and 1883)

The aim of this article is to present Johann Rottenhöfer’s French-German cookbook, his French inspirations and his ideas of political gastronomy from the court of King Maximilian II of Bavaria. Next, a cookbook in Hungarian from 1881 is presented : it is almost identical to Rottenhöfer’s, but published under the name of József C. Dobos, then republished in 1883 under the name of Károly Duby.
Food as a cultural symbol: The case study of François Rabelais’s Gargantua and Pantagruel and its Ukrainian translations
Authors: Shmiher Taras , Naniak Yuliia
Published: January 2024

Food became a symbol of societal and national identity throughout the Renaissance, when perceptions of the world shifted from divine to anthropocentric. There were more descriptions of food in Renaissance texts; the authors provided a thorough account of the composition of dishes, as well as traditions and customs of the time. Food, like humanism, has the same aims in Rabelais’ works: human progress through the nutrition system. Two Ukrainian translations of Rabelais’ “Gargantua et Pantagruel” are examined in the article, and the significance and content of food-related episodes are interpreted in various ways.
Le thème du vin dans Moderato cantabile de Marguerite Duras à la lumière de la sémantique interprétative textuelle
Authors: Wołowska Katarzyna
Published: January 2024

The theme of wine in the novel Moderato cantabile by Marguerite Duras in the light of textual interpretative semantics

The objective of the article is to analyze the theme of wine conveyed in the novel Moderato cantabile by Marguerite Duras. It is a question of accounting for the way in which the theme, fundamental in the text analyzed and perceptible on the paradigmatic level (in its tabular reading), is constructed on the syntagmatic level (in the linear reading) through the establishment of a network of relevant semantic isotopies.
Wsparcie systemowe zdrowia psychicznego osób uczących się
Authors: Kękuś Gabriela , Malkusz Natalia
Published: January 2024

Pogarsza się zdrowie psychiczne dzieci i młodzieży. Wskazuje na to zwiększająca się liczba prób samobójczych wśród osób niepełnoletnich. Celem pracy było zwrócenie uwagi na problem zdrowia psychicznego osób uczących się i stworzenie propozycji rozwiązań systemowych wspierających dobrostan psychiczny uczniów. Na podstawie przeprowadzonego badania internetowego wśród 313 osób w wieku 14–25 lat (29% stanowili studenci, a 71% uczniowie szkół średnich) wykazano, że co najmniej 20% osób uczących się negatywnie ocenia zarówno swój stan zdrowia psychicznego, jak i samoocenę. Z pomocy psychologa szkolnego korzysta mniej niż 25% uczniów, niezależnie od stanu zdrowia psychicznego. Dodatkowo respondenci uważają, że środowisko szkolne jest dla nich bardzo stresogenne. Dlatego sugeruje się wprowadzenie rozwiązań systemowych wspierających zdrowie psychiczne uczniów opartych na rzetelnych informacjach i dostępie do wykwalifikowanych specjalistów.
Fonoholizm – zagrożenie współczesnej młodzieży
Authors: Kiper Marcin
Published: January 2024

Celem badawczym artykułu jest zaprezentowanie najważniejszych treści dotyczących uzależnienia młodzieży od telefonu komórkowego na podstawie wybranej literatury przedmiotu oraz prezentacja i opisanie wyników badań własnych. Celem badań była próba opisania wybranych aspektów zjawiska, jakim jest używanie przez młodzież telefonów komórkowych. Badania przeprowadzono w dniach od 9 do 13 maja 2022 roku w grupie liczącej 80 uczniów szkoły ponadpodstawowej. W celu przeprowadzenia badań wykorzystano metodę sondażu diagnostycznego, do którego stosownie wybrano technikę ankiety z narzędziem badawczym – kwestionariuszem ankiety. Wnioski z badań wskazują, że z niepokojem należy patrzeć na sposób, w jaki współczesna młodzież korzysta z telefonów komórkowych. W następstwie uzyskanych wyników z badań należy rozważyć wprowadzenie edukacji medialnej w szkołach.
Public Service Innovation as a Source of Risk: An Explorative Case Study from Poland
Authors: Lewandowski Mateusz , Moskała Aleksandra
Published: January 2024

The relationship between risk and innovation in the sector of public services has gained little attention and remains mainly only outlined theoretically with very few empirical insights. This paper presents a case-based exploration of cultural public service innovation as a source of risk. The collected evidence demonstrates the complexity of the relations between innovation and risks and the interrelations between risk types. As a result, a refined framework of risk management styles is proposed. The new framework outlined in this article merges the two former theoretical contributions known from the literature and offers possible practical implementations.
Parents as stakeholders in the school management process
Authors: Noworól Kamilla
Published: January 2024

(1) Background: The author analyzes the role of significant risk in school management and the decision-making process including aspirations and potential actions taken by parents as stakeholders. The aim of this article is a preliminary identification of complex school-parents interactions.

(2) Methods: The focus of this article is on the Polish education system and the principles of primary and secondary schools operations irrespective of their management style or status. The author focuses on the influence of parents on the school management process and the potential result from these interactions for the school management, using research that includes the analysis of legal acts and the results of a pilot study in the form of an electronic questionnaire addressed to school head teachers and employees, as well as a questionnaire for students' parents of public and private schools.

(3) Results: The author presents the results of research on legal acts concerning the functioning of schools in Poland in the context of parental participation. Additionally, the results of pilot surveys of parents and teachers were presented.

(4) Conclusions: Against the background of the analysis of the existing legal rules, recommendations were drawn up for further research and the construction of a model of cooperation between the school and parents, in order to minimize the risk of conflicts and actions in opposition to school managers.
A study on the role of school administrators in teaching practice process in Poland and Türkiye
Authors: Taşcı Sibel
Published: January 2024

Changes seen in the content and quality of education systems are among the most discussed topics in the world. These changes depend on the parallel content and quality changes taking places in teacher education programs. In recent years, the insufficiencies of education systems in many countries have been associated with the state of teacher education programs and continuous reforms and studies have been carried out in this regard. As a result, it can be seen that there are many different teacher training programs and practices in the world. During the teaching practice, school administrators take on important responsibilities. The purpose of this article is to examine the education policies and types of teaching practice activities in the context of teacher training programs in Poland as well as to compare the education process of school administrators in Türkiye and in Poland. The case study method was used in this article for the training policies of teaching practice activities examined in Türkiye and in Poland.
Bariery dla aktywności obywatelskiej mieszkańców mniejszych miast
Authors: Szperlich-Kosmala Marta
Published: January 2024

Niska aktywność obywatelska dotyczy całego kraju, ale jest szczególnie widoczna na rubieżach metropolii. Czyli właśnie tam, gdzie zgodnie z reformą samorządową z 1999 r., powinna rozkwitać. W artykule, kierowanym zarówno do badaczy jak i praktyków, poddano analizie istniejące bariery dla aktywności obywatelskiej mieszkańców i mieszkanek mniejszych miast. Mając na uwadze lokalną specyfikę, punktem odniesienia jest rodzinne miasto autorki, Starachowice. Prezentowana lista barier dla aktywności obywatelskiej bynajmniej nie jest katalogiem zamkniętym, a jedynie próbą uchwycenia i unaocznienia stopnia skomplikowania problemu. Diagnozując przyczyny tego zjawiska, będziemy w stanie w przyszłości zaprojektować usługi i produkty, które pomogą gminom rozwiązać ten problem społeczny.