bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Relaxing Incisions on the Maxillary Growth after Primary Unilateral Cleft Palate Repair in Mild and Moderate Cases: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Rossell-Perry Percy , Cotrina-Rabanal Omar , Figallo-Hudtwalcker Olga , Gonzalez-Vereau Alicia 
Published: January 2017

Background:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the use of relaxing incisions and maxillary growth disturbance after primary palatoplasty in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Methods:
This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial study with ethical committee approval between 2 groups of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who were operated on using the two-flap and one-flap techniques from 2008 to 2011. Two groups of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were operated on using the mentioned techniques by the Outreach Surgical Center Program Lima since 2008. Data collection was accomplished by evaluation of maxillary arch dimensions and dental arch relationships (scored using the 5-year-olds’ index).

Results:
The mean score for the 5-year-olds’ index was 2.57 for two-flap technique and 2.80 for one-flap technique without statistical significant differences (P = 0.71). Our comparative study did not find statistically significant differences in maxillary arch dimensions between the studied techniques for unilateral cleft palate repair. Good levels of agreement were observed according to the κ statistics.

Conclusions:
The results arising from this clinical trial do not provide statistical evidence that one technique let us obtain better maxillary development than the other at 5 years. The use of relaxing incisions was not associated with maxillary growth impairment. A technique with limited relaxing incisions does not has better maxillary growth. Additional longer term study is necessary to confirm this preliminary report.
PREVENTING PUPILLARY CAPTURE AFTER VITRECTOMY AND TRANSSCLERAL FIXATION OF AN INTRAOCULAR LENS
Authors: Kim Dae Yune , Lim Hyung Bin , Kang Tae Seen , Kim Jung Yeul 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To investigate the effects of concurrent iridotomy using a vitreous cutter probe on the prevention of pupillary capture in patients undergoing transscleral fixation of intraocular lens implantation.

Methods:
A total of 79 eyes from 79 patients, who underwent transscleral fixation of intraocular lens without preexisting vitreoretinal disorders and who were followed up for 6 months were included. Subjects were divided into a noniridotomy group (51 eyes) and an iridotomy group (28 eyes). After conventional 23-gauge vitrectomy and transscleral fixation of intraocular lens implantation in all patients, 28 patients underwent concurrent iridotomy intraoperatively. The patients were followed up to evaluate the incidence of surgery-related complications, including pupillary capture.

Results:
There were no statistically significant differences in the preoperative demographic findings between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was a significant difference in pupillary capture in 15 eyes (29.4%) of the noniridotomy group, compared with 1 eye (3.6%) of the iridotomy group (P = 0.007). There were no differences in postoperative best-corrected visual acuity between the two groups, and no iridotomy-related complications were observed.

Conclusion:
Concurrent iridotomy using a vitreous cutter probe is an easy, rapid, and effective procedure to prevent possible pupillary capture after combined vitrectomy and transscleral fixation of intraocular lens implantation.
CHOROIDAL STRUCTURE ALTERED BY DEGENERATION OF RETINA IN EYES WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA
Authors: Kawano Hiroki , Sonoda Shozo , Saito Shiro , Terasaki Hiroto , Sakamoto Taiji 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To compare the structural characteristics of the choroid in the areas with greater retinal degeneration to the areas with less retinal degeneration in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods:
Patients with RP who had a hyperautofluorescent ring were studied. The choroidal images obtained by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography located 7,500 μm from the optic disk in the horizontal plane were analyzed. The cross-sectional areas of the total, luminal, and stromal choroid were measured. The area within the hyperautofluorescent ring was defined as the “central choroid” with less retinal degeneration.

Results:
Thirty-seven eyes of 24 patients with RP were studied. The cross-sectional area of the total choroid was significantly smaller in the RP eyes than that in the control eyes (P < 0.01). The stromal areas of the choroid were not significantly different from the stromal areas of the controls. However, the luminal areas of the nasal and temporal choroid in the RP eyes were significantly smaller than that of the corresponding areas of the controls. The ratio of the luminal area to the total choroidal area in the central choroid was 68.0 ± 3.3% which was significantly larger than that of the nasal or the temporal choroid (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:
The choroidal structure is differentially altered in eyes with RP. The changes in the choroid were dependent on whether they were located within the hyperautofluorescent or outside the hyperautofluorescent ring.
OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY OF THE FOVEA IN CHILDREN BORN PRETERM
Authors: Falavarjani Khalil Ghasemi , Iafe Nicholas A. , Velez Federico G. , Schwartz Steven D. , Sadda Srinivas R. , Sarraf David , Tsui Irena 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To compare the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measured by optical coherence tomography angiography in children who had been born preterm with age-matched controls.

Methods:
In this cross-sectional observational comparative case series, 43 eyes of 26 children (28 eyes of 15 former preterm infants and 15 eyes of 11 former term infants) between the ages of 4 and 12 years old were included. Optical coherence tomography angiography with a scan size of 3 × 3 was performed for all eyes. Foveal avascular zone area was measured using the Optovue RTVue AVANTI instrument (Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA) software. Inner and outer retinal thicknesses were measured with the instrument caliper.

Results:
A distinct FAZ was absent in 12 eyes (42.8%) of children with a history of preterm birth, however, it was present in all (100%) control eyes. The FAZ area was significantly correlated with gestational age (r = 0.82, P < 0.001) and birth weight (r = 0.80, P < 0.001). The gestational age was less than 29 weeks and birth weight was less than 1,480 grams in eyes with no distinct FAZ. Mean central foveal vessel density in the superficial capillary plexus was 41.8 ± 4.4% in the preterm group and 32.8 ± 5.8% in the control group (P < 0.001). In all eyes, a significant negative correlation was found between the central foveal vessel density and gestational age (r = −0.63, P = 0.001) and birth weight (r = −0.59, P = 0.002). On spectral domain optical coherence tomography examination, the foveal depression was absent and the inner retinal layers were preserved in all eyes with absent FAZ. In all eyes, a significant negative correlation was found between the inner retinal thickness and gestational age (r = −0.68, P < 0.001) and birth weight (r = −0.61, P = 0.001). Ten eyes of 6 preterm children had a history of laser therapy for retinopathy of prematurity. A distinct FAZ was absent in six eyes (60%) with retinopathy of prematurity with history of laser therapy, and six eyes (33.3%) with preterm birth without laser therapy. Eyes with history of laser therapy had a statistically significantly higher inner retinal thickness and central foveal vessel density and smaller FAZ compared with the eyes with preterm birth without laser therapy (P < 0.001, P = 0.04 and P = 0.03, respectively).

Conclusion:
Optical coherence tomography angiography is a novel modality for noninvasive visualization of the retinal vasculature in pediatric patients and expands our knowledge of foveal abnormalities in retinopathy of prematurity. A small or absent FAZ seems to be a distinct sign of prematurity.
VITRECTOMY FOR PERSISTENT MACULAR HOLES FOLLOWING OCRIPLASMIN INJECTION
Authors: Schumann Ricarda G. , Wolf Armin , Hoerauf Hans , Lommatzsch Albrecht , Maier Mathias , Wachtlin Joachim , Koss Michael J. , Kreutzer Thomas , Bertelmann Thomas , Kazerounian Sara , Mennel Stefan , Priglinger Siegfried G. ,   on behalf of the German EXPORT [expert grading of ocriplasmin treatment effects] Study Group
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To determine functional and anatomical outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for persistent full-thickness macular hole (MH) after intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin.

Methods:
This is a multicenter retrospective interventional study of 37 eyes of 37 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling for persistent MH after ocriplasmin treatment between December 2013 and December 2015 and comparison with 35 eyes of 35 patients who were offered ocriplasmin injection but underwent pars plana vitrectomy alone without pharmacologic vitreolysis before surgery. In addition, 24 matched pairs (MH diameter at baseline ±5 µm) were analyzed. Clinical data such as visual acuity, intraoperative characteristics, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography images were reviewed. Main outcome measures were visual acuity and MH closure rate.

Results:
After a mean follow-up period of 9 months, postoperative mean visual acuity showed no significant differences between ocriplasmin-treated eyes (logarithm of minimum angle of resolution 0.37 ± 0.26, Snellen 20/47) and eyes without ocriplasmin treatment (logarithm of minimum angle of resolution 0.39 ± 0.25; Snellen 20/49) (P > 0.9). After ocriplasmin injection, mean MH diameter enlarged from 217 ± 102 µm to 384 ± 239 µm (P < 0.001). Matched-pair analysis revealed no difference in gain of visual acuity between the first visit and the last follow-up (P = 0.29). Macular hole closure was observed in similar proportion in ocriplasmin-treated eyes (97%) and vitrectomy-only eyes (94%) (P > 0.5).

Conlcusion:
Eyes with persistent MH after ocriplasmin injection showed significant visual improvement after pars plana vitrectomy. Matched-pair analysis revealed no statistical differences in functional and anatomical postoperative results comparing with eyes of similar MH diameter that proceeded directly to surgery without ocriplasmin pretreatment.
ASSESSMENT OF RETINAL BLOOD FLOW IN DIABETIC RETINOPATHY USING DOPPLER FOURIER-DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Srinivas Sowmya , Tan Ou , Nittala Muneeswar G. , Wu Jennifer L. , Fawzi Amani A. , Huang David , Sadda SriniVas R. 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:
To evaluate retinal blood flow measurements in normal eyes and eyes with varying levels of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using Doppler Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT).

Methods:
Twenty-two eyes of 19 subjects, 10 with severe nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and 12 with proliferative DR (PDR), were compared with 44 eyes of 40 healthy control subjects. All eyes were scanned by RTvue FD-OCT. Color disk photographs and cube/volume scans of the optic nerve head were obtained. Doppler OCT scans and accessory imaging data were imported into Doppler OCT of Retinal Circulation grading software to calculate TRBF and vascular parameters (e.g., venous and arterial cross-sectional area). Measurements were compared between cases and controls using independent t-tests.

Results:
Mean TRBF was 44.98 ± 9.80 (range: 30.18–64.58) µL/minute for normal eyes, 35.80 ± 10.48 (range: 20.69–49.56) µL/minute for eyes with severe NPDR, and 34.79 ± 10.61 (range: 16.77–48.9) µL/minute for eyes with PDR. Mean TRBF was significantly lower in eyes with severe NPDR (P = 0.01) and PDR (P = 0.003) than in normal eyes.

Conclusion:
Total retinal blood flow was significantly lower in eyes with severe NPDR and PDR compared with normal eyes. Retinal blood flow determined by Doppler OCT may be a useful parameter for evaluating patients with DR.
HOW VITREOMACULAR INTERFACE MODIFIES THE EFFICACY OF ANTI-VEGF THERAPY FOR MYOPIC CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION
Authors: Iacono Pierluigi , Battaglia Parodi Maurizio , Iuliano Lorenzo , Bandello Francesco 
Published: January 2017

Purpose:To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab in the treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) complicated by vitreoretinal interface alterations.Methods:Thirty-two patients affected by mCNV and concurrent vitreoretinal interface disorders, including macular epiretinal membrane (18 patients), lamellar macular hole (4 patients), full-thickness macular hole (1 patient), broad/focal vitreomacular traction (3 patients), broad/focal vitreomacular adhesion (4 patients), and myopic foveoschisis (2 patients), were enrolled in a prospective study. After a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, each patient received a first intravitreal ranibizumab. Further re-treatments were performed in the presence of choroidal neovascularization activity (new hemorrhages, leakage on fluorescein angiography, intraretinal/subretinal fluid on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, visual acuity loss of five letters). Main outcome measure was the change in the BCVA and in the central foveal thickness. Data were compared with the historical control group with uncomplicated mCNV.Results:The median BCVA in the epiretinal membrane–myopic choroidal neovascularization subgroup showed a stabilization from the baseline value of 0.30 logarithm of minimal angle resolution (20/40) to 0.40 (20/50,P: 0.49) at the last visit (30 ± 13 months). Median BCVA significantly improved from 0.30 (20/40) to 0.10 (20/25,P: 0.0005) in the mCNV group and was better than the epiretinal membrane–myopic choroidal neovascularization subgroup (0.008). Central foveal thickness reduced significantly within both groups, with no difference between the groups at the final examination. Considering the vitreoretinal alterations with lower prevalence, BCVA stabilization was registered after a follow-up of 28.9 ± 13 months, with a median BCVA of 0.3 logarithm of minimal angle resolution (20/40) at the baseline and at the final examination. A nonstatistically significant reduction in the median central foveal thickness was registered at the final examination (P: 0.12).Conclusion:The data show that ranibizumab is effective in controlling mCNV activity when associated with vitreoretinal interface alterations. However, a visual recovery was observed only in patients with uncomplicated mCNV.
Single Center Experience of a New Endoscopic Clip in Managing Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Wander Praneet , Castaneda Daniel , D’Souza Lionel , Singh Simi , Serouya Sam , Velazquez Ana I. , Mamun Rifat , Voaklander Rebecca , Benias Petros , Carr-Locke David L. 
Published: January 2017

Background:
To assess the safety and efficacy of the Instinct clip in the acute endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB).

Materials and Methods:
This is the first large series reporting this clip in achieving hemostasis. A retrospective descriptive chart review was performed on patients presenting with recent overt GI bleeding treated with endoclip therapy at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center between May 2013 and January 2016. Results are expressed in absolute numbers, percentages, and trends.

Results:
In total, 178 consecutive patients with UGIB were included. Source of bleeding was identified as duodenal ulcer (29.2%), gastric ulcer (22.5%), gastro-esophageal junction tear (8.4%), anastomosis (5.6%), erosive gastropathy (5.6%), Dieulafoy (5.1%), gastric polyp (4.5%), postendoscopic procedure (3.9%), angioectasia (3.4%), esophageal ulcer (2.8%), benign duodenal mass (2.8%), peg tube site (2.3%), gastric neoplasm (1.7%), esophagitis (1.1%), and small bowel ulcer (1.1%). Lesions demonstrated active bleeding in 47.5% (11.3% spurting and 36.2% oozing) and nonbleeding lesions in 52.5% (25.0% visible vessel, 11.9% hematin in ulcer base, 10.0% adherent clot, 5.6% flat spot). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 96.6%. Additional methods were used in 24.1% (argon plasma coagulation and epinephrine injection in 21.3%, surgery in 0.6%, and interventional radiology in 2.2%). There were no adverse events. In-hospital rebleeding was 7.3% and 3.9% presented with rebleeding within 30 days. Average procedure duration was 22.9 minutes and average length of hospital stay was 11.3 days.

Conclusions:
The Instinct clip, when used for UGIB, seems to be safe and effective with similar rebleeding rates compared with other modalities.
Astrocytic control of synaptic function
Authors: Papouin Thomas , Dunphy Jaclyn , Tolman Michaela , Foley Jeannine C. , Haydon Philip G. 
Published: January 2017

Astrocytes intimately interact with synapses, both morphologically and, as evidenced in the past 20 years, at the functional level. Ultrathin astrocytic processes contact and sometimes enwrap the synaptic elements, sense synaptic transmission and shape or alter the synaptic signal by releasing signalling molecules. Yet, the consequences of such interactions in terms of information processing in the brain remain very elusive. This is largely due to two major constraints: (i) the exquisitely complex, dynamic and ultrathin nature of distal astrocytic processes that renders their investigation highly challenging and (ii) our lack of understanding of how information is encoded by local and global fluctuations of intracellular calcium concentrations in astrocytes. Here, we will review the existing anatomical and functional evidence of local interactions between astrocytes and synapses, and how it underlies a role for astrocytes in the computation of synaptic information.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.
Multiple shared mechanisms for homeostatic plasticity in rodent somatosensory and visual cortex
Authors: Gainey Melanie A. , Feldman Daniel E. 
Published: January 2017

We compare the circuit and cellular mechanisms for homeostatic plasticity that have been discovered in rodent somatosensory (S1) and visual (V1) cortex. Both areas use similar mechanisms to restore mean firing rate after sensory deprivation. Two time scales of homeostasis are evident, with distinct mechanisms. Slow homeostasis occurs over several days, and is mediated by homeostatic synaptic scaling in excitatory networks and, in some cases, homeostatic adjustment of pyramidal cell intrinsic excitability. Fast homeostasis occurs within less than 1 day, and is mediated by rapid disinhibition, implemented by activity-dependent plasticity in parvalbumin interneuron circuits. These processes interact with Hebbian synaptic plasticity to maintain cortical firing rates during learned adjustments in sensory representations.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.
Variance and invariance of neuronal long-term representations
Authors: Clopath Claudia , Bonhoeffer Tobias , Hübener Mark , Rose Tobias 
Published: January 2017

The brain extracts behaviourally relevant sensory input to produce appropriate motor output. On the one hand, our constantly changing environment requires this transformation to be plastic. On the other hand, plasticity is thought to be balanced by mechanisms ensuring constancy of neuronal representations in order to achieve stable behavioural performance. Yet, prominent changes in synaptic strength and connectivity also occur during normal sensory experience, indicating a certain degree of constitutive plasticity. This raises the question of how stable neuronal representations are on the population level and also on the single neuron level. Here, we review recent data from longitudinal electrophysiological and optical recordings of single-cell activity that assess the long-term stability of neuronal stimulus selectivities under conditions of constant sensory experience, during learning, and after reversible modification of sensory input. The emerging picture is that neuronal representations are stabilized by behavioural relevance and that the degree of long-term tuning stability and perturbation resistance directly relates to the functional role of the respective neurons, cell types and circuits. Using a ‘toy’ model, we show that stable baseline representations and precise recovery from perturbations in visual cortex could arise from a ‘backbone’ of strong recurrent connectivity between similarly tuned cells together with a small number of ‘anchor’ neurons exempt from plastic changes.
This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.
Histological and haematological analysis of the ascidianBotrylloides leachii(Savigny, 1816) during whole-body regeneration
Authors: Blanchoud Simon , Zondag Lisa , Lamare Miles D. , Wilson Megan J. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract (250 words)Whole-body regeneration, the formation of an entire adult from only a small fragment of its own tissue, is extremely rare among chordates. Exceptionally, in the colonial ascidianBotrylloides leachii, a fully functional adult is formed from their common vascular system, upon ablation of all adults from the colony, in just 10 days thanks to their high blastogenetic potential. While previous studies have identified key genetic markers and morphological changes, no study has yet focused on the haematological aspects of regeneration despite the major involvement of the remaining vascular system and the contained haemocytes in this process. To dissect this process, we analysed colony blood flow patterns using time-lapse microscopy to obtain a quantitative description of the velocity, reversal pattern, and average distance travelled by haemocytes. We also observed that flows present during regeneration are powered by temporally and spatially synchronized contractions of the terminal ampullae. In addition, we revised previous studies onB.leachiihaematology as well as asexual development using histological sectioning, and compared the role of haemocytes during whole-body regeneration. We found that regeneration starts with a rapid healing response characterized by blood clotting and infiltration of immunocytes, followed by increased activity of haemoblasts, recruitment of macrophage-like cells for clearing the tissues of debris, and their subsequent disappearance from the circulation concomitant with the maturation of a single regenerated adult. Overall, we provide a uniquely detailed account of the haematological properties of regeneratingB.leachiicolonies, providing novel lines of inquiry towards the decipherment of regeneration in chordates.