bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual Acuity after Segmental Buckling and Non-Drainage: A 15-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Kreissig I. , Simader E. , Fahle M. , Lincoff H. 
Published: April 2018

Background The question addressed is: how does the postoperative visual acuity in eyes treated with segmental buckling compare over time with the paired fellow eyes? Methods 107 detachments were followed prospectively. The eyes were divided into: group I, macula attached (46); group II, macula partially detached (10); group III, macula completely detached (51). Mean preoperative visual acuity was 20/30 in group I, 20/100 in group II, and 20/400 in group III. The operation consisted of segmental buckling without drainage. No eye had cerclage or vitrectomy. Results The retina remained attached in 99 eyes during the 15-year follow-up. The mean visual acuity of all patients improved six months postoperatively to 20/40 with a maximum of 20/30 at one year. Thereafter there was a linear decrease in all three groups. Conclusions Visual acuity improved during the first year, followed by a linear decrease of 0.07 line/year. The paired eyes decreased similarly in relation to age. There was no real difference in the visual acuity of the operated and unoperated eyes (P=0.079) during the 15 years of follow-up. Mean visual acuity was 20/40 in the operated eyes of 72 patients who were living after 15 years. These data present a challenge to those surgeons who use techniques that include encircling the eye to review and compare their long-term visual results.
Ophthalmologic Aspects of Pituitary Apoplexy
Authors: Milazzo S. , Toussaint P. , Proust F. , Touzet G. , Malthieu D. 
Published: April 2018

Pituitary apoplexy is an acute hemorragic or ischemic infarction in pituitary adenomas. The incidence in our series was 6.5%. Clinical diagnosis can often be difficult as the patient is frequently unaware of an existing adenoma (seven out of 11 patients). Therefore, the classic features of the syndrome must be known. They include sudden headaches, impairment of consciousness, endocrinological disturbances and sudden visual deterioration or oculomotor palsies. In this retrospective study from 1987 to 1994 of 14 patients presenting pituitary apoplexy there were 11 cases with visual abnormalities. Oculomotor palsies were more common (82%) than chiasmatic impairment (54.5%) and often revealed pituitary adenoma. CT-Scan and MRI examinations led to diagnosis, and emergency treatment (surgical removal by rhinoseptal approach or less often medical treatment) generally led to a regression of visual disturbances.
Temporary Silicone Oil Tamponade and Intraocular Pressure: An 11-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Gonvers M. , Andenmatten R. 
Published: April 2018

Background A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the risk of increased intraocular pressure (IOP) following a temporary silicone oil (SO) tamponade and to study some parameters possibly involved in this hypertension. Methods Forty-four patients with retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) were treated by vitreoretinal surgery and SO tamponade. One to 11 years after SO removal, they underwent full ophthalmic examination. All these patients had a healthy, non-operated, normotensive fellow eye. Results Six (14%) of 44 eyes had IOP higher than 20 mmHg. Five other eyes (11%) had their IOP controlled by beta blockers. Phakic and pseudophakic eyes had a very limited tendency to develop ocular hypertension and anyway responded well to beta blockers. Residual SO droplets in the eye after removal of the big bubble of SO disappeared exponentially with a mean disappearance time of three years. Eyes with residual SO were no more prone to ocular hypertension than those without (p>0.50). No association was found between IOP and duration of SO tamponade (r=0.13) or between IOP and flare (r=0.14). Conclusion This study suggests that the risk of developing ocular hypertension after a temporary SO tamponade is moderate. No satisfactory explanation could be found for this increase of IOP.
Visual Function during Acute Hypoglycaemia
Authors: Tabandeh H. , Ranganath L. , Marks V. 
Published: April 2018

Hypoglycaemia symptoms are of particular interest in view of the importance of hypoglycaemia unawareness. Visual symptoms arising during acute hypoglycaemia may be the result of metabolic disturbances in the visual pathways within the central nervous system or impairment of the refractive apparatus of the eye and binocular function. This study investigated the effect of hypoglycaemia upon visual acuity, binocular interaction and contrast sensitivity. Various aspects of visual function were examined in ten normal subjects before, during and after acute insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. A simultaneous study of hypoglycaemic symptoms enabled us to relate the objective findings to the symptoms as reported by the subjects. Snellen visual acuity, fusion and stereopsis were not affected by hypoglycaemia. Five subjects noted visual disturbance. Eight developed significant impairment of contrast sensitivity, which closely matched the lowered blood glucose concentration. These observations suggest that hypoglycaemic visual symptoms are due to neuroglycopenia of central visual pathways rather than changes within the refractive apparatus or abnormality of binocular function. Although these symptoms are not a constant feature of the hypoglycaemic state, subtle impairment of visual function occurs in most cases. Contrast sensitivity testing can be useful for assessment of fine changes in visual function.
The Early Results of Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy for Compound Myopic Astigmatism
Authors: Horgan S.E. , Pearson R.V. 
Published: April 2018

An excimer laser (VISX Twenty/Twenty Excimer Refractive System) was used to treat 51 eyes for myopia and astigmatism. Uncorrected pretreatment visual acuity was between 6/18 and 6/60 (log unit +0.45 to +1.0) in 59% and worse than 6/60 in 29%. The mean pretreatment spherical refractive error was –4.05 dioptre (range 1.25 to 13.25), and the mean pretreatment cylindrical error was –0.97 dioptre (range 0.25 to 4.00). Results Uncorrected visual acuity measured 6/6 or better (log unit 0.0 or less) in 80% at three months, and averaged 6/6 for all eyes at six months post-treatment, with 75% eyes obtaining 6/6 or better. The mean post-treatment spherical error decayed according to pretreatment values, with a mean sphere of –0.20 dioptre for eyes initially less than –2.00 dioptre, –0.40 dioptre (for those between –2.25 and –3.00), –0.71 dioptre (for those between –4.25 and –5.00), and –1.15 dioptre for eyes initially above –6.25 dioptre. Vectored cylindrical correction exhibited response proportional to initial refraction, with a mean post-treatment cylinder of –1.83 dioptre for eyes formerly averaging –3.08 dioptre, –0.55 dioptre (eyes initially averaging –1.63 dioptre), and –0.51 dioptre (eyes initially averaging –0.67 dioptre). Vector analysis of post-treatment astigmatism showed 58% eyes exhibiting 51 or more degrees of axis shift, although 34% eyes remained within 20 degrees of their pretreatment axis. Conclusions An effective reduction in spherocylindrical error was achieved with all eyes, although axis misalignment was a common event.
The Lactoferrin Tear Test in the Diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Da Dalt S. , Moncada A. , Priori R. , Valesini G. , Pivetti-Pezzi P. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the lactoferrin tear test (LTT) in the diagnosis of keratoconjunctivitis sicca due to Sjögren's syndrome (SS), comparing it with the other lacrimal tests and with immunological tests. Methods. 25 patients suffering from SS (24 women and 1 man, median age 51.5 years, s.d. 16.3); control group: 20 patients with various kinds of conjunctivitis without dry eye. Tests in both groups: Schirmer I (ST), BUT, ferning test, lactoferrin immunoassay, fluorescein and Rose Bengal staining. Immunological tests: serum titers of anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-DNA, anti-ENA (SS-A, SS-B, RNP, FR) antibodies. In the patients with SS, labial salivary gland biopsy was also performed. Results. LTT had a specificity of 95% and a sensitivity of 72%, compared to 85% and 64% for the Schirmer I test. The ferning test has the highest sensitivity (92%), and none of the cases positive to BUT was negative to the ferning test. The combination of LTT and ferning test gave a value of 78% compared to 70% with ST. The correlations between positive LTT and positive ANA, SS-A and labial biopsy were respectively 83%, 67% and 80%, as against 67%, 50% and 65% for the Schirmer I test. Conclusions. In our study, LTT showed very high specificity, good sensitivity particularly when combined with qualitative tear tests, and a good correlation with the immunological and bioptic tests for SS. Since it is easy to perform, in our opinion LTT can be included in the diagnostic routine for keratoconunctivitis sicca in SS.
Congenital Glaucoma Associated with An Arginase Deficit: A Case Report
Authors: Saccà S.C. , Campagna P. , Ciurlo G. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. Argininemia is a rare congenital disease caused by deficiency. We present here a case in which argininemia and buphthalmos are associated. Case report. This female patient, who died at eighteen, had intraocular pressure correlated with her blood levels of arginine. Hyperammoniemia causes a change in pH that could explain an increase in aqueous humor (from the ciliary body). Ammonium ions could also damage the matrix of the trabecular meshwork. Conclusions. The association of argininemia and buphthalmos have never been described. This might be because of the different expressions of the disease, or because nobody has ever looked for ocular hypertension in these patients unless they had subjective symptoms.
Automatic Speech Recognition in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery. A Project for a Prototypal Computer-Based Voice-Controlled Vitrectomy Machine
Authors: Rossi L. , Sacerdoti Dn. , Billi B. , Lesnoni G. , Orciuolo M. , Rossi T. , Sacerdoti Dv. , Bertollini L. 
Published: April 2018

In the past half decade automatic speech recognition techniques, software and hardware technology have matured enough to support sophisticated medical applications. The project described aimed at introducing a computer-based, voice-controlled prototype system in a simulated vitreo-retinal surgery scenario. The aim was to provide the surgeon with a tool that could significantly improve the quality and ease of work and shorten the duration of intervention. The speech recognition system allows voice entry of simple commands to simulate surgical instrument control, including the infusion pump, vitreous cutter and diathermy. The project relies on a Markov-based, speaker-dependent, commercial isolated-word recognizer, and consists of a specific recognition vocabulary and application software, created and developed by the authors. Results have been encouraging. The system performed well under the test conditions, proving robust, simple to use and accurate (over 97% average word recognition rate). On the basis of their experience, the authors believe that automatic speech recognition technology, though suffering from some limitations such as the need for training, speaker dependence and a relatively small vocabulary, and requiring extensive testing under operating conditions, merits further development and opens new perspectives for a possible new generation of surgical instruments.
Levels of Some Cytokines in Subretinal Fluid in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy and Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment
Authors: Kenarova B. , Voinov L. , Apostolov C. , Vladimirova R. , Misheva A. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. To determine the cytokine-mediated pathways of inflammation in the clinical course of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Methods. Cytokines IL-2, IL-6, INF-γ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Aspirates of subretinal fluid were obtained from 14 eyes with PVR and six with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Aspirates obtained via pars plana from ten cadaver vitreouses of normal eyes were used as controls. Results. Subretinal fluids from eyes with PVR, uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and cadaver vitreous contained low concentrations of IL-2, with inconsequential differences between groups. IL-6 and IFN-γ were twice as high in the subretinal fluid from eyes with rhetmatogenous retinal detachment as in cadaver vitreous. INF-γ was elevated up to six times in eyes with PVR compared to controls. Fibronectin was found in a larger proportion of eyes with PVR than with uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and cadaver vitreous from healthy persons. Conclusions. These are only preliminary investigations and are too few for statistical analysis. The results suggest that cytokine-mediated pathways of inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and in cellular interactions leading to the development of PVR.
The Role of Patient's Age in Regression of Holmium: Yag Thermokeratoplasty-Induced Correction of Hyperopia
Authors: Gezer A. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. Hyperopic correction can be induced with holmium: YAG laser thermokeratoplasty, which changes corneal curvature by shrinking stromal collagen. The thermal effectiveness of pulsed Ho:YAG laser depends on the water content of the corneal stroma, which should be related to age. This study investigated the presumed effect of age on the stability of the results of Ho:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty. Methods. Ho:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty was done in 63 eyes of 45 patients for low to moderate hyperopic correction (up to 5 diopters). Patients were treated with one or two rings of 8 spots each, with an optical zone of 6 or 7 mm diameters respectively. Results. Regression of the therapeutic effect was evaluated on the basis of the difference between the attempted to achieved correction ratio on the first postoperative day and at the last visit. The regression ratio was 18% in the patients older than 20 years. Patients younger than 20 years showed a ratio of 48%. Achieved correction was +2.40 D in older patients and +2.05 in younger patients. These values are respectively 43% and 35% of the attempted corrections. Conclusions. It appears that age-dependent corneal factors do influence the effectiveness of thermal energy on stromal collagen.
The Significance of Serum Anti-Borrelia Antibodies in the Diagnostic Work-Up of Uveitis
Authors: Mikkilä H. , Seppälä I. , Leirisalo-Repo M. , Karma A. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose. To assess the utility of testing uveitis patients for anti-Borrelia antibodies in an area endemic for Lyme borreliosis. Methods. We examined 161 uveitis patients for serum antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi by Lyme ELISA. Antibodies were determined in patients with uveitis of unknown etiology and non-selectively from patients with an established diagnosis. Results. Concentrations of antibodies to B. burgdorferi were elevated in 26 uveitis patients (16.1%), with elevated IgG in 11 of them (6.8%). In four of these patients Lyme borreliosis was a highly suggestive cause of uveitis because of a history of tick bites, systemic symptoms, response to antibiotic therapy, and/or a positive polymerase chain reaction result. Other causes of uveitis were ruled out. All these patients had vitritis. Conclusions. Non-selective testing of uveitis patients for Lyme antibodies is not reasonable even in endemic areas. We recommend using the Borrelia antibody test only in cases of uveitis of unknown cause, especially in patients with vitritis or other symptoms of Lyme borreliosis.
Slime Production by Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Isolated in Chronic Blepharitis
Authors: Oto S. , Aydin P. , Çiftçioğlu N. , Dursun D. 
Published: April 2018

Background The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of slime-producing strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) on non-ulcerative blepharitis. Formerly considered harmless organisms, CNS are now recognised as opportunistic pathogens. Although these microorganisms are a component of normal conjunctival flora, they often produce the typical signs and symptoms of chronic staphylococcal blepharoconjunctivitis. Certain strains produce a polysaccharide extracellular material called “slime”. Slime production is considered to be associated with the virulence of the organism. Methods Swabs were taken from the lids of 38 eyes of 19 patients with chronic non-ulcerative blepharitis and cultured for CNS. A group of 42 normal control eyes were similarly sampled. The strains of CNS isolated from 26 eyes (68.4%) of the patients with blepharitis and 25 eyes (59.5%) of the normal subjects were studied for slime layer production. Results No significant difference was found between normal subjects and patients in the incidence of slime producing CNS strains from the conjunctiva. The antibiotic sensitivity profiles of the slime-producing strains were no different from the slime-negative isolates in the blepharitis (p=0.85) and normal group (p=0.25). Conclusions Our data suggest that slime production by CNS does not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal blepharitis.
The Penetration of Ofloxacin into Human Aqueous Humor Given by Various Routes
Authors: Hanioglu-Kargi S. , Basci N. , Soysal H. , Bozkurt A. , Gürsel E. , Kayaalp O. 
Published: April 2018

This study was designed to measure the concentration of ofloxacin in aqueous humor after topical, oral and intravenous administration in 50 patients undergoing cataract extraction. In Group 1, ofloxacin 0.3% eyedrops were topically instilled ten times and the aqueous humor concentration was 2.73 ± 0.88 μg/ml. In Group 2, ofloxacin 0.3% eyedrops were topically instilled six times and the aqueous humor concentration was 0.84 ± 0.61 μg/ml. Aqueous humor concentration 12 hours after 200 mg oral dose in Group 3, was 0.38 ± 0.12 μg/ml. In Group 4, patients were given ofloxacin as a single intravenous 200 mg dose and the aqueous humor concentration 2 hours after the end of infusion was 0.45 ± 0.11 μg/ml. Concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. There was a significant difference between Group 1 and the other groups, but not between Group 2 and Groups 3, 4. It was concluded that ofloxacin penetrates the corneal and the blood-aqueous barriers and can achieve good aqueous levels when given topically and systematically. Ofloxacin can be applied topically for external bacterial infections such as conjunctivitis and keratitis. Systematically administered ofloxacin reached higher levels than the MIC for some bacteria which cause endophthalmitis.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy in Two Families
Authors: Park D.W. , Schatz H. , Gaffney M.M. , Mcdonald H.R. , Johnson R.N. , Schaeffer D. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose and Methods. The reported occurrence of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in families is rare. We report two families (five patients) who have been diagnosed with CSCR. The diagnosis of CSCR was made on clinical and fluorescein angiographic findings. Results Three members of the first family and two members of the second family had CSCR. Affected individuals were all males. Conclusions CSCR has been associated with psychological and emotional stress and the occurrence of CSCR in families may be due to similar inherited psychological and physiological characteristics and responses that predispose these families to the development of CSCR.
Effect of Sex in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Simsek S. , Demirok A. , Çinal A. , Yasar T. 
Published: April 2018

Purpose To evaluate the effect of sex in relation to crossing numbers, arterial overcrossings and occlusion sites in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods Fifty-one eyes with BRVO (study group) and 48 eyes with retinal problems other than BRVO (control group) were investigated. All venous occlusions were examined in detail with regard to their anatomical positions, sites and arteriovenous crossings on the retinal surrounding area two disc diameters nasally, four disc diameters temporally, three disc diameters superiorly and three interiorly from the optic disc, in the arteriovenous phase of fundus fluorescein angiography and fundus color photography. Results The study group comprised 29 women (56.86%) and 22 men (43.14%). All occlusions were unilateral and located at the crossing areas. BRVO had arterial overcrossing in 28 eyes (96.6%) in females and 22 eyes (95.5%) in males (p>0.005). The average numbers of crossings were 7.79 ± 1.57 in females and 7.82 ± 1.05 in males in the study group (p>0.05), and respectively 7.30 ± 1.19 and 6.95 ± 1.13 (p>0.05) in the control group. The average arterial overcrossing ratios were 75% in females and 71% in males in the study group (p>0.05), and 74% and 65% in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions Our data suggest that females have a higher risk than males because of their arterial overcrossing ratio and BRVO prefer arterial overcrossing. However the insignificant difference between the female and male patients leads us to assume that the effect of sex on BRVO cannot be explained only by local anatomical factors since their effect is only slight.
Seroprevalences and Correlates of Hepatitis B and C Among Cameroonian Pregnant Women
Authors: Fouelifack Florent Ymele , Fouedjio Jeanne Hortence , Fouogue Jovanny Tsuala , Fouelifa Loic Dongmo 
Published: April 2018

Background and rationale: Viral hepatitis B (VHB) and viral hepatitis C (VHC) are major public health issues in resource-poor countries where vertical transmission remains high. Aim: To assess prevalences and correlates of VHB and VHC among women attending antenatal clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study at the Yaounde Central Hospital from January 1 to June 30, 2016. We included 360 pregnant women who were screened for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HbsAg) and VHCAb by rapid diagnostic test (DiaSpot Diagnostics, USA) followed by confirmation of positive results by a reference laboratory. Odds ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) were used to measure associations between variables. Statistical significance was set for P-value <.05. Results: Mean age was 27.9 ± 5.6 years. The prevalences of HbsAg and VHCAb were 9.4% (n = 34) and 1.7% (n = 6), respectively. Multiplicity of sex partners was significantly associated with HbsAg positivity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 11.6; 95% CI: 5.1-26.7; P < .001) while none of the studied factors was associated with VHCAb. Conclusion: The high prevalence of hepatitis B among pregnant women supports systematic screening and free vaccination of pregnant women and women of childbearing age.
How Local Media Coverage of Voter Fraud Influences Partisan Perceptions in the United States
Authors: Udani Adriano , Kimball David C. , Fogarty Brian 
Published: April 2018

AbstractExtant findings show that voter fraud is extremely rare and difficult to prove in the United States. Voter's knowledge about voter fraud allegations likely comes through the media, who tend to sensationalize the issue. In this study, we argue that the more voters are exposed to media coverage of voter fraud allegations, the more likely that they will perceive that voter fraud is a frequent problem. We merge the 2012 Survey of Performance of American Elections with state-level media coverage of voter fraud leading up to the 2012 election. Our results show that media coverage of voter fraud is associated with public beliefs about voter fraud. In states where fraud was more frequently featured in local media outlets, public concerns about voter fraud were heightened. In particular, we find that press attention to voter fraud has a larger influence on Republicans than Democrats and Independents. We further find that media coverage of voter fraud does not further polarize partisan perceptions of voter fraud. Rather, political interest moderates state media coverage on voter fraud beliefs only among Republicans. Last, our results provide no support that demographic changes, approval of election administration, or information concerning actual reported voting irregularities have any discernable effects on partisan perceptions.