bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Results of Trabeculotomy and Guarded Filtration Procedure for Glaucoma Associated with Sturge-Weber Syndrome
Authors: Irkeç M. , Kiratli H. , Bilgiç S. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To assess the efficacy of trabeculotomy and guarded filtration procedure in the management of glaucoma associated with the Sturge-Weber syndrome. Methods Six patients (seven eyes) with Sturge-Weber syndrome who underwent glaucoma surgery were retrospectively reviewed. One patient had bilateral glaucoma. Age at the time of operation ranged between 23 days and 9 years. The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 30.6 mmHg (range 25–38 mmHg). Trabeculotomy and guarded filtration procedure were performed in three eyes each and both techniques were used in one eye. Results The mean follow-up was 6.3 (range 2–11) years. A single procedure lowered the intraocular pressure and arrested the progression of the disease in five eyes. Two patients required topical antiglaucoma medication. No patient needed reoperation. Two eyes suffered intra- and post-operative temporary choroidal effusions. Conclusions Trabeculotomy in infancy and guarded filtration procedure in older children effectively stabilized the eyes and prevented further glaucomatous damage in our patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome.
Bacteriological Profile of Ophthalmic Infections in an Israeli Hospital
Authors: Mezer E. , Gelfand Y.A. , Lotan R. , Tamir A. , Miller B. 
Published: January 2018

Aim To find the optimal antibiotic treatment for ophthalmic infections in an Israeli hospital. Methods In a retrospective study from our laboratory, which serves as both a primary and secondary referral center, we analyzed the bacteriological profile and the antibiotic sensitivity of ophthalmic infections using the computerized laboratory reports of 331 consecutive ophthlamic bacteriological cultures from patients with various ophthalmic infections. Results Microbiological growth was obtained in 113 samples (34.1%). The most commonly isolated organism was coagulase-negative staphylococcus (19.5%), followed by coagulase-positive staphylococcus (16.8%), Enterobacteriaceae (14.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.3%), and streptococcal species (8.9%). Pseudomonas species were the most common isolates from the lacrimal pathways (20.0%). Streptococci were the most common isolates cultured from the conjunctiva (27.3%). Coagulase-positive staphylococcus was the most common isolate from corneal ulcers (33.3%), and coagulase-negative staphylococcus from the vitreous (30.8%). The overall antibiotic sensitivity of common ophthalmic pathogens was similar to that reported from other parts of the world. Conclusions Although essentially similar to previous series, this report from the Middle East differs as follows. Firstly, Pseudomonas species were the most common isolates from the lacrimal pathways. Secondly, the overall rate of streptococcal isolates was lower than in previous reports. Thirdly, streptococcal species were rarely isolated from corneal samples. Although other studies from the region have described the causative organisms of ocular infections in specific ocular sites, this is the first study from the Middle East to summarize the full bacteriological profile of ocular infections in one medical center.
Tc-99m Labeled Red Blood Cells Scintigraphy: A Diagnostic Method for Orbital Cavernous Hemangioma
Authors: Gdal-On M. , Gelfand Y.A. , Israel O. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To evaluate Tc-99m labeled red blood cells scintigraphy (Tc-99m RBC scintigraphy) as a diagnostic method for orbital cavernous hemangioma. Patients and Methods Retrospective analysis of the medical records of all patients who were diagnosed as suffering from orbital cavernous hemangioma over the last 16 years. Results Medical records of 12 patients with orbital cavernous hemangioma were identified. In all twelve patients, the tentative diagnosis of orbital cavernous hemangioma was made by CT scan. In all of them, the diagnosis was established by Tc-99m RBC scintigraphy, demonstrating a typical picture of “perfusion blood- pool mismatch” (This is normal radionuclide angiography, followed by a variable radionuclide uptake during the early blood-pool study and an intensive radionuclide uptake during the delayed blood-pool study). The tumor was surgically removed in all 12 patients. This diagnostic method was found to be reliable as no single case was recorded in which the preoperative diagnosis was not confirmed pathologically after surgical removal of the tumor. Conclusions Tc-99m RBC scintigraphy is a reliable method for diagnosing orbital cavernous hemangioma. It should be included in our arsenal of diagnostic techniques, particularly for cases which are otherwise difficult to diagnose.
Retinal Vein Occlusion in Armenia
Authors: Malayan A. S. , Shakhsuvaryan M. L. , Grigoryan G.L. , Melkonyan A.K. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To determine the demographic characteristics, associated ophthalmic and systemic conditions of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and associations of central retinal vein occlusion among Armenian patients. Methods A retrospective study of 460 patients aged 30 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of RVO who were seen in the five-year period between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1997 at the Eye Hospital. Results Signs of central RVO were found in 297 eyes (64.5%), branch RVO in 163 eyes (35.5%). Among the 460 patients occlusion was hemispheric in 4 eyes (2.4%), hemicentral in 5 eyes (3%). CRVO was more common among the younger patients (odds ratio [OR] = 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–5.65). Hypercoagulability was noted in the majority of RVO cases. Glaucoma was an associated condition (12.6%). Systemic hypertension was the most frequent association. In CRVO a significant association was found with hypertension (OR= 1.89, 95% CI: 1.23–2.70). Conclusions Our results suggest RVO is associated with glaucoma and hypertension. RVO was more closely associated with hypertension than BRVO. There were no differences in the distribution for the site of occlusion with regard to sex in patients with CRVO and BRVO. No seasonal pattern was found in the onset of any type of RVO. Hypercoagulability may be a contributing factor in the pathogenesis. The findings reinforce recommendations to carefully evaluate patients with RVO for open-angle glaucoma, and to diagnose and treat systemic hypertension.
Retinitis Pigmentosa, Coats Disease and Uveitis
Authors: Solomon A. , Banin E. , Anteby I. , Benezra D. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To study the anamnestic immune response to retinal specific antigens of two patients suffering from a rare triad of retinitis pigmentosa, Coats disease and uveitis. Patients 17-year-old girl presented with an acute episode of panuveitis, and her 19-year-old brother suffered from chronic uveitis. On examination, both patients showed retinal vascular changes and subretinal exudations typical of Coats disease, with bone-spicule pigmentary changes as observed in retinitis pigmentosa. Results All routine examinations were unrevealing. However, the peripheral lymphocytes from these two siblings gave a specific anamnestic response to retinal antigens in vitro. A stimulation index of 4.6 was obtained when the sister's lymphocytes were stimulated with interphotoreceptor binding protein. IRBP-during the acute stage of the uveitis. The brother's lymphocytes showed a stimulation index of 2.7 towards S-Ag during the chronic phase of his uveitic condition. Conclusions These results indicate that autoimmunity towards retinal antigens may play some role in specific types of retinitis pigmentosa. Whether these autoimmune reactions are a primary pathological mechanism or are secondary to the extensive destruction of the photoreceptor layer resulting from the retinitis pigmentosa remains debatable
Morphological Evaluation of Full-Thickness Idiopathic Macular Holes by Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Ripandelli G. , Coppé A.M. , Bonini S. , Giannini R. , Curci S. , Costi E. , Stirpe M. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To assess the efficacy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the morphological evaluation of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes and for detecting any morphological changes with time. Methods Serial sagittal tomographs through the macula were taken by OCT in a consecutive series of 34 eyes of 34 patients with diagnosis of idiopathic full-thickness macular hole. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of “recent” (group 1, 25 patients) or “not-recent” (group 2, 9 patients) onset of symptoms related to the macular hole. Fourteen of the 25 patients in group 1 and all nine in group 2 underwent vitrectomy. The 11 in group 1 who refused surgery were observed by OCT examination with follow-up from 6 to 13 months. Results In most eyes OCT scans revealed two different anatomical features of macular holes depending on the time of onset of symptoms. Eleven of the 14 “recent-onset” holes that underwent surgery showed “sharp”, undermining edges at preoperative OCT; the other three had “rounded” edges. Seven of the nine eyes operated for long-standing full-thickness macular holes had preoperative “rounded” edges, while the edges in the remaining two eyes were “sharp”. OCT of eight of the 11 non-operated eyes in group 1 showed a morphological evolution of the macular hole edges from a “sharp” to a “rounded” contour and an increase in the diameter of the hole. Conclusions OCT can help in the morphological evaluation of idiopathic full-thickness macular holes and in the detection of morphological changes with time.
Long-Term Outcome of RPE Allografts in Non-Immunosuppressed Patients with AMD
Authors: Algvere P. V. , Gouras P. , Dafgård Kopp E. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To determine the long-term outcome of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) transplants in patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Using pars plana microsurgical techniques, RPE allografts were transplanted subretinally to four groups of AMD patients: five patients received organized patch transplants after removal of choroidal neovascular membranes, four got small patch transplants in dry AMD; suspensions of RPE cells were transplanted in five cases with dry AMD, and two patients with RPE tears. None received immunosuppression. Transplants were followed for 24–38 months by biomicroscopy, fundus photography, SLO microperimetry, and fluorescein angiography. Rejection was defined as loss of visual function over the transplant, development of an exudative response (subretinal fluid with or without neovascularization), fluorescein leakage, and disruption, depigmentation, or encapsulation of the transplant. Results Four of 16 transplants (25%) presented no clinical signs of rejection. Three of the four small patch transplants remained pigmented and essentially unchanged after 30–32 months. Clinical signs of graft rejection appeared within three months in all cases of neovascular AMD (disrupted blood-retinal barrier, BRB), but after 6 - 20 months in five of nine eyes with non-exudative AMD (intact BRB). Conclusions Subretinal human RPE allografts present a high rejection rate (75%) without immunosuppression. However, small extrafoveal transplants remained unchanged in shape, size and color for more than two years in non-exudative AMD. A disrupted BRB is likely to enhance graft rejection, which occurs earlier in exudative than in non-exudative AMD.
Bilateral Medial Rectus Recession in Convergence Excess Esotropia, with and without Distance Orthophoria
Authors: Damanakis A.G. , Arvanitis P.G. , Kalitsis A. , Ladas I.D. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose To evaluate the effectivity and safety of bilateral medial rectus recession for the correction of acquired convergence excess esotropia, with and without distance orthophoria. Methods Thirty-five pediatric patients with acquired convergence excess esotropia were operated with bilateral medial rectus recessions based on the near angle measured through the distance correction. Preoperatively, in 26 patients, full hypermetropic correction did not fully correct the distance angle; these patients were operated for the residual angle for distance and near. In nine patients full hypermetropic correction produced distance orthophoria and these cases also had near orthophoria through a near add; these patients could have used bifocals, but surgery was chosen instead. Results Postoperatively, 19 of the 26 patients with distance esotropia (73%) and 6 of the 9 with distance orthophoria (66.6%) were successfully aligned. Consecutive exotropia developed in two patients (7.6%) in the distance esotropia group and one (11.1%) in the distance orthophoria group. Conclusions These results suggest that bilateral recession of the medial recti based on the near deviation is effective in eliminating the near angle in convergence excess esotropia. In patients with distance orthophoria this operation can be used as an initial treatment instead of bifocals. Although the risk of consecutive exotropia was low in this series, a larger number of patients would determine its actual rate more accurately.
Magnetic resonance imaging changes following natalizumab discontinuation in multiple sclerosis patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Hodel Jérôme , Bapst Blanche , Outteryck Olivier , Verclytte Sébastien , Deramecourt Vincent , Benadjaoud Mohamed Amine , Pruvo Jean-Pierre , Vermersch Patrick , Leclerc Xavier 
Published: January 2018

Background: Detecting early progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (PML-IRIS) is clinically relevant. Objective: Evaluating magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes following natalizumab (NTZ) discontinuation and preceding PML-IRIS. Methods: MRIs (including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2-FLAIR), post-contrast T1-weighted sequences) were performed every week following PML diagnosis in 11 consecutive NTZ-PML patients. PML expansion, punctate lesions, contrast-enhancement, and mass-effect/edema were evaluated on each MRI sequence, following NTZ discontinuation. Results: PML-IRIS occurred from 26 to 89 days after NTZ discontinuation. MRI changes prior to early PML-IRIS appeared significantly more pronounced using DWI compared to T2-FLAIR imaging ( p < 0.003). Two DWI features (marked PML expansion, punctate lesions) systematically preceded contrast-enhancement. Conclusion: Subtle changes may occur on DWI preceding contrast-enhancement.
Gender differences among adolescents with substance abuse problems at Maria clinics in Sweden
Authors: Anderberg Mats , Dahlberg Mikael 
Published: January 2018

Aim: The article describes similarities and differences regarding various risk factors between girls and boys with substance abuse problems who begin outpatient treatment at the Maria clinics in Sweden. Potential hypotheses and some implications are also discussed. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on interview data from 2169 adolescents obtained over three years from outpatient clinics in 11 Swedish cities. Results: Girls appear to consistently have more difficult family and childhood environments than boys, and are more likely to have problems related to school, more serious substance abuse problems, and more severe mental health problems. Criminal activity is significantly higher among boys. Conclusions: The study shows that girls entering treatment generally have significantly more risk factors than boys and thus more extensive problems in several aspects of life, which in turn increases the risk of developing serious drug and alcohol problems in adulthood. The study supports the gender-paradoxical relationship in which a smaller proportion of girls than boys enter treatment for substance abuse, even though girls tend to have more problematic life situations.
Genome-Wide Analysis Identified a Number of Dysregulated Long Noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hao Sijie , Yao Lie , Huang Jiaxin , He Hang , Yang Feng , Di Yang , Jin Chen , Fu Deliang 
Published: January 2018

Background: Long noncoding RNAs have been shown to play crucial roles in cancer biology, while the long noncoding RNA landscapes of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have not been completely characterized. We aimed to determine whether long noncoding RNA could serve as early diagnostic biomarkers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Method: We conducted a genome-wide microarray analysis on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and their adjacent noncancerous tissues from 8 Chinese patients. Results: A total of 3352 significantly differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs were detected. Of total, 1249 long noncoding RNAs were upregulated and 2103 were downregulated (fold change ≥2, P < 0.05, FDR <0.05). These differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs were not evenly distributed among chromosomes in human genome. Hierarchical clustering of these differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs revealed large variabilities in long noncoding RNA expression among individual patient, indicating that certain long noncoding RNAs could play a unique role or be used as a biomarker for specific subtype of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Gene Ontology enrichment and pathway analysis identified several remarkably dysregulated pathways in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue, such as interferon-γ-mediated signaling pathway, mitotic cell cycle and proliferation, extracellular matrix receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. The co-expression network analysis detected 393 potential interactions between 80 differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs and 105 messenger RNAs. We experimentally verified 7 most markedly dysregulated long noncoding RNAs from the network. Conclusion: Our study provided a genome-wide survey of dysregulated long noncoding RNAs and long noncoding RNA/messenger RNA co-regulation networks in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue. These dysregulated long noncoding RNA/messenger RNA networks could be used as biomarkers to provide early diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma or its subtype, predict prognosis, and evaluate treatment efficacy.
Stent-assisted coiling of cerebral aneurysms with the Neuroform Atlas stent
Authors: Cay Ferdi , Peker Ahmet , Arat Anıl 
Published: January 2018

Objectives The Neuroform Atlas stent (AS) is the smallest intracranial stent with an open-cell design. This study reports the first clinical experience with AS. Methods All intracranial aneurysms treated by stent-assisted coiling using a single AS in a single institution were retrospectively evaluated. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, angles between the parent artery and stented branch, technical success, and clinical and angiographic follow-up were analyzed. Results Fifty-five consecutive aneurysms treated with AS-assisted coiling were included. Of these, 69.1% were located distal to the circle of Willis. Technical success rate was 100%. The mean diameters of proximal and distal parent arteries were 2.62 mm (range 1.5–4.4) and 1.8 mm (range 0.8–3.5), respectively. Except for a minor stroke in a patient who completely discontinued antiplatelet therapy on postoperative day 4, there were no clinical events with permanent sequelae, and 94.1% of patients had Raymond-Roy score of 1 or 2 aneurysmal occlusion at a mean follow-up duration of 7.9 months. Although the angle between the parent artery and the stented branch increased significantly ( p < 0.001) with time, the angular change at follow-up was only 16.45 ± 11.03 degrees and was inversely correlated both with preoperative angle and the diameter of the distal parent artery ( r = −0.465 and r = −0.433, respectively, p = 0.004 for both). Conclusion AS-assisted coiling was associated with a favorable early clinical outcome and angiographic results in this series. This stent can be used for distally located aneurysms and results in minimal alteration of the arterial anatomy.
Peer characteristics associated with improved glycemic control in a randomized controlled trial of a reciprocal peer support program for diabetes
Authors: Kaselitz Elizabeth , Shah Megha , Choi Hwajung , Heisler Michele 
Published: January 2018

Objective In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial of diabetes reciprocal peer support, we examined characteristics of peers associated with improvements in their partner’s glycemic control. Methods A total of 102 adults with diabetes were randomized to the reciprocal peer support arm (vs. a nurse care management arm). The primary outcome was change in A1c over six months. Intermediate outcomes were insulin initiation and peer engagement. A number of baseline characteristics of peers were hypothesized to influence outcomes for their peer, and concordant characteristics of peer dyads were hypothesized that would influence outcomes for both peer partners. Results Improvement in A1c was associated with having a peer older than oneself ( P < .05) or with higher diabetes-related distress ( P < .01). Participants with peers who reported poorer health at baseline had worse glycemic control at follow-up ( P < .01). Hypothesized concordant characteristics were not associated with A1c improvements. Participants whose peers had a more controlled self-regulation style were more likely to initiate insulin ( P < .05). Discussion The improved outcomes of peers whose partners were older and reported more diabetes distress at baseline supports the need for further research into the peer characteristics that lead to improved outcomes. This could allow for better matching and more effective partnerships.
Factors affecting clinical decision-making in inflammatory bowel disease and the role of point-of-care calprotectin
Authors: Derwa Yannick , Williams Christopher J.M. , Sood Ruchit , Mumtaz Saqib , Bholah M. Hassan , Selinger Christian P. , Hamlin P. John , Ford Alexander C. , Gracie David J. 
Published: January 2018

Objectives: Patient-reported symptoms correlate poorly with mucosal inflammation. Clinical decision-making may, therefore, not be based on objective evidence of disease activity. We conducted a study to determine factors associated with clinical decision-making in a secondary care inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) population, using a cross-sectional design. Methods: Decisions to request investigations or escalate medical therapy were recorded from outpatient clinic encounters in a cohort of 276 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD). Disease activity was assessed using clinical indices, self-reported flare and faecal calprotectin ≥ 250 µg/g. Demographic, disease-related and psychological factors were assessed using validated questionnaires. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association between clinical decision-making and symptoms, mucosal inflammation and psychological comorbidity. Results: Self-reported flare was associated with requesting investigations in CD [odds ratio (OR) 5.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84–17.0] and UC (OR 10.8; 95% CI 1.8–64.3), but mucosal inflammation was not (OR 1.62; 95% CI 0.49–5.39; and OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.21–1.05, respectively). Self-reported flare (OR 7.96; 95% CI 1.84–34.4), but not mucosal inflammation (OR 1.67; 95% CI 0.46–6.13) in CD, and clinical disease activity (OR 10.36; 95% CI 2.47–43.5) and mucosal inflammation (OR 4.26; 95% CI 1.28–14.2) in UC were associated with escalation of medical therapy. Almost 60% of patients referred for investigation had no evidence of mucosal inflammation. Conclusions: Apart from escalation of medical therapy in UC, clinical decision-making was not associated with mucosal inflammation in IBD. The use of point-of-care calprotectin testing may aid clinical decision-making, improve resource allocation and reduce costs in IBD.