bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Topical N‐acetylcystein on patients with refractory filamentary keratitis
Authors: Koh J.W. , Yang Y.R. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo investigate the effect of topical N‐acetylcystein (NAC) on patients with refractory filamentary keratitis.Methods29 eyes from 20 patients diagnosed with filamentary keratitis were reviewed retrospectively. The cause, treatment methodology, relief of symptoms, number of filaments, change in fluorescein stains score, degree of healing and relapse of the disease were reviewed.Results19 eyes of 14 patients completely healed in average 10.78 ± 8.68 days using drops of topical antibiotics, artificial tears, steroid, serum, cyclosporine, therapeutic lense and punctal plug. After complete remission, one patient with GVHD and two patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCC) experienced relapse. 10 eyes of 6 patients refractory to the therapy for more than 1 month were additionally prescribed with 10% topical N‐acetylcystein (NAC). In average of 60.33 ± 21.11 days, 7 eyes were completely healed and 2 eyes were partially healed. One eye were ceased of 10% topical N‐acetylcystein (NAC) due to severe eye irritation.ConclusionsTopical N‐acetylcysteine treatment might have some side effect as irritation in the eye, but it could be considered as an effective treatment of refractory filamentary keratitis.
The effect of silica nanoparticles on human corneal epithelial cells
Authors: Park J. , Yim B. , Park C.Y. , Chang M.W. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeSilica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are manipulated as potential drug delivery method. Some previous studies focused on the cellular toxicities depending on size and dose. In this study, we analyzed the effect of SiNPs on human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs).Methods

Cell culture‐HCECs were purchased from American Type Culture Collection

Treatment of SiNPs‐50 nm, 100 nm and 150 nm of SiNPs are provided from Chung‐Ang Univ.

Cell Viability Assay‐performed using CCK‐8 reagent

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) assay‐was measured by LDH cytotoxicity detection kit

Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐detected using OxiSelect In Vitro ROS/RNS Assay Kit

Total Glutathione (GSH) assay‐was measured by OxiSelect™ Total Glutathione Assay Kit

Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase (TUNEL) assay‐performed with APO‐BrdU TUNEL assay kit

Western Blot‐rabbit anti‐LC3B (1:1,000), rabbit anti‐Beclin1 (1:1,000), rabbit anti‐pmTOR (1:1,000), rabbit anti‐mTOR (1:1,000), and β‐actin (1:10,000).

ResultsIntracellular and extracellular ROS elevated dose‐dependently in all size of SiNPs and, especially, intracellular ROS by 50 and 100 nm‐SiNPs showed most dramatic increase. Total GSH was also diminished dose dependently in all size of SiNPs. In addition, cellular autophagy was slightly increased as revealed by western blot for LC3A/B. Despite these changes, the cellular cytotoxicity and membrane damage were not observed. Apoptosis of HCEC were not affected by 24 h‐treatment of SiNPs as shown by flow cytometry, HCEC proliferation was slightly increased by SiNPs. Further analysis about the upper part of signaling cascade, the mTOR pathway was significantly activated in 150 nm‐SiNPs treated cells unlike other 50 and 100 nm size of SiNPs.ConclusionsOur data suggested SiNPs affected cellular ROS and autophagy in HCEC, however, this cellular stress did not influence the viability.
Robot assisted retinal vein cannulation in an in vivo porcine retinal vein occlusion model
Authors: Willekens K. , Gijbels A. , Schoevaerdts L. , Esteveny L. , Janssens T. , Jonckx B. , Feyen J.H.M. , Meers C. , Reynaerts D. , Vander Poorten E. , Stalmans P. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of robot assisted retinal vein cannulation for retinal vein occlusion.MethodsProspective experimental study performed in in vivo porcine eyes. A standard three port pars plana vitrectomy was followed by laser induced branch retinal vein occlusion. Consequently, a retinal vein cannulation with the help of a surgical robot and a micro‐needle was performed. Complete success was defined as a stable intravenous position of the needle tip confirmed by blood washout for at least 3 min. Secondary outcomes were the occurrence of intraoperative complications and technical failures.ResultsCannulation was successful in 15 out of 18 eyes with a complete success rate (duration of infusion of more than 3 min) of 73.3% after exclusion of 2 eyes from analysis due to failure in establishing a blood clot. There were no technical failures regarding the robotic device. The intravessel injections of ocriplasmin in 2 out of 2 eyes led to a clot dissolution. In a subset of 5 eyes, a second cannulation attempt at the border of the optic disc resulted in a stable intravessel position and infusion during 361.8 (±138.5) seconds.ConclusionsRobot assisted retinal vein cannulation with prolonged infusion time is technically feasible. Human experiments are required to analyze the clinical benefit of this new therapy.
Hypoxia and inflammation in human retinal cells
Authors: Arjamaa O. , Aaltonen V. , Piippo N. , Csont T. , Petrovski G. , Kaarniranta K. , Kauppinen A. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeRetina is extremely sensitive to low oxygen tension as its metabolic rate is the highest one among tissues. In diabetic macular edema, there always occur both hypoxia and inflammation. It is not, however, clear if VEGF release in hypoxia takes place without inflammation in retinal cells. We set out to study the issue using both human ARPE cells and human primary RPE cell culture.MethodsHuman ARPE‐19 cells were routinely cultured in humified CO2 atmosphere as reported previously. The cells were exposed for 24 h to hypoxia and a part of a cell culture was followed up to 48 h. Inflammatory responses were induced with a pre‐treatment by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In parallel, human primary RPE cells were used to verify results. IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β, IL‐18 and VEGF were measured with specific ELISA kits. Statistical analyses were performed with the GraphPadPrism software.ResultsSignificantly increased IL‐6 and IL‐8 levels were found after hypoxia exposure in ARPE cells and the trend was seen in the primary RPE cell culture as well; LPS‐treatment did not change the expression profile of these interleukins. Hypoxia and LPS pre‐treatment did not affect the release of IL‐1β and IL‐18. The hypoxia exposure increased significantly the release of VEGF as anticipated but the LPS pre‐treatment had no effects on the release.ConclusionsHypoxia induced inflammation both in human ARPE cells and in human primary RPE cell culture as shown with IL‐6 and IL‐8. LPS pretreatment increased this response. Hypoxia stimulated directly the VEGF secretion independent of the inflammatory pathway.
Optical coherence tomography in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Rojas Lozano M.P. , Salobrar‐García E. , Salazar J.J. , Ramírez A. , Urcelay Segura J.L. , Muñoz Blanco J.L. , Ramírez J.M. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo correlate OCT parameters Macular Thickness (MT), Ganglion Cell Layer (GCL) and Retinal Nerve‐Fiber Layer (RNFL), in mild Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in comparison with age‐matched controls.MethodsIn a prospective study, 9 ALS patients in the first year of diagnosis were compared with 11 age‐matched healthy controls. All patients underwent a complete neurological and ophthalmological examination and spectral domain OCT Cirrus HD, using Optic Disc Macular Cube 200 × 200 and 512 × 128 Cube scanning protocols.ResultsThe OCT measurement showed a statistically significant increase of MT in the superior, nasal, and inferior perifoveal areas (p < 0.05, in all cases). A non‐significant decrease of GCL was observed (p > 0.05). RNFL registered a non‐significant increase in the temporal quadrant, corresponding to papillo‐macular bundle, and a decrease in the remaining quadrants, while the nasal quadrant proved statistically significant (p < 0.05). ALS patients underwent a significant decrease (18%) in sectors 2 and 6 compared to controls (p < 0.05).ConclusionsMT increases in ALS patients, probably due to a process of reactive gliosis. Furthermore, the nasal papilla thins in ALS patients, presumably because of a loss of ganglion cells. This is the first report available which classifies ALS patients by the time course of the disease and describes these changes in the macula, in correlation with early changes in retina previously shown in pathological studies.
Choroid thickened after non‐penetrating deep sclerectomy
Authors: Rebolleda G. , De Juan V. , Moreno‐Montañés J. , Muñoz‐Negrete F.J. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo evaluate changes in peripapillary and macular choroidal thickness (CT) as well in optic nerve head (ONH) including prelaminar tissue, lamina cribrosa and optic disc cupping following deep sclerectomy (DS) and to analyze the relationship between these parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP) change.MethodsProspective observational study involving glaucomatous eyes undergoing DS. ONH was evaluated by Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) and enhanced depth imaging (EDI) technology. CT was automatically measured with swept‐source – OCT Triton at the macula (fovea, inner and outer ring) and at four peripapillary locations. All OCTs were performed before surgery and at 1 week postoperatively and changes in choroid and ONH postoperatively were calculated. Linear regression models were used to determine predictors of choroidal changes including age, IOP change, and axial length (AL).ResultsThirty‐two eyes of 32 patients undergoing DS were included (mean age: 71.9 ± 9.4). There was a significant reversal of ONH cupping after DS (p = 0.001). The mean choroidal thicknesses significantly increased compared to preoperatively (p = 0.002 for average peripapilar, p = 0.000 for four locations around the optic disc and p = 0.000 for all nine macular sectors). Mean pCT thickening was inversely correlated with the mean IOP change (rho −0.754, p = 0.000). Mean cupping reversal significantly correlated with both mean prelaminar tissue thickening and pCT thickening (rho: −0.832, p = 0.000 and rho: −0.582, p = 0.012 respectively).ConclusionsBesides the well‐known ONH morphological changes following IOP reduction after DS, peripapillary and macular choroid significantly thickened early after DS. Larger studies with longer follow‐up are necessary to establish if these changes remain stable over time.
Consensus on guidelines for idebenone administration in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)
Authors: Carelli V. ,   on behalf of the Consensus Study Group
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo reach a consensus on guidelines for diagnostic and clinical management including idebenone administration in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). Idebenone has recently received provisional approval by the European Agency of Medicine (EMA) with the indication of LHON.MethodsA consensus international meeting was held in Milan, Italy, on 17th March 2016, with the participation of a study group of 15 invited experts in the field of mitochondrial optic neuropathies, with particular interest and expertise in LHON. The group discussed and voted 19 statements, mostly oriented at defining disease stages, clinical and diagnostic criteria, and precise guidelines for idebenone administration with four choices 1) Disagree 2) Partially disagree 3) Partially agree 4) Agree.ResultsThe key result was the agreement on treating with idebenone 900 mg/day all patients with subacute/dynamic stage of disease (<6 months from onset and 6–12 months from onset), starting as soon as possible. However, there was not sufficient evidence for recommending treatment in chronic patient between 1 and 5 years, and no evidence at all to recommend treatment in chronic patients with more than 5 years of disease duration. Furthermore, in subacute/dynamic patients the treatment should be continued for at least 1 year in order to assess response, and if the outcome is favorable and clinically relevant, the treatment should be continued after plateau for 1 more year. Last, treatment was unanimously not recommended for asymptomatic relatives of LHON patients, whereas lifestyle counseling was suggested.ConclusionsThe consensus, after extensive debate, defined a series of recommendations without being unanimous in most cases, in consideration of evidence‐based idebenone administration in LHON.
Congenital malignant ciliary body medullepithelioma in two newborns
Authors: Hadjistilianou T. , Mittica P. , Bagaglia S. , Fruschelli M. , Menicacci C. , Fusco F. , Defrancesco S. , Borri M. , Galluzzi P. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeIntraocular medulloepithelioma is an extremely rare unilateral intraocular tumor arising from the nonpigmented ciliary epithelium. Medulloepitheliomas may be classified as benign and malignant and as teratoid and nonteratoid tumors.Ciliary body medulloepithelioma is usually manifesting in early childhood, rarely at birth.Differential diagnosis includes in particular unilateral retinoblastoma. Intraocular medulloepithelioma may also occur as masquerade‐syndrome simulating uveitis.MethodsWe report two new cases of intraocular malignant ciliary body medulloepithelioma in newborns presenting as leucokoria and buphthalmos at birth..ResultsBoth infants were enucleated and diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology.ConclusionsMedulloepithelioma is a rare childhood tumor and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intraocular mass in a child.Imaging plays a limited role in differentiating the mass from other solid and cystic ciliary body masses but it is valuable in determining tumor extension and recurrences.Advanced medulloepithelioma at birth with buphthalmos can simulate retinoblastoma and easily be misdiagnosed.
Novel harmful recessive haplotypes for reproductive traits in pigs
Authors: Häggman J. , Uimari P. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryHarmful recessive haplotypes for reproductive and fertility traits have previously been detected in cattle, but so far, no studies have been published for pigs. The aim of this study was to locate chromosomal regions with putative lethal haplotypes and estimate the effects of the identified haplotypes on reproductive traits in the Finnish Yorkshire pig breed. We used marker genotypes of 871 Finnish Yorkshire AI boars, genotyped with Illumina's PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. The analysed traits were number of stillborn piglets in first (NSB1) and later (NSB2) parities, total number of piglets born in first and later parities and piglet mortality between birth and weaning in first and later parities. A haplotype was claimed as a putative lethal if it was common in the population, but no homozygous animals were found. We detected altogether 26 putative lethal haplotypes, but only one haplotype on chromosome 8 (position 107.0–113.3 Mb) was significantly associated with traits NSB1 and NSB2. Three possible candidate genes were found in this chromosomal region: MAD2LI, FGF2 and ANXA5. Further analysis is needed to confirm the role of these genes on pig reproductive performance.
Disappearance of Idiopathic Outflow Tract Premature Ventricular Contractions After Catheter Ablation of Overt Accessory Pathways
Authors: SZILI TOROK TAMAS , DE VRIES LENNART J. , ÖZCAN EMIN E. , HASDEMIR CAN , KIS ZSUZSANNA , KARDOS ATTILA , GÉCZY TAMAS , KOVACS ISTVAN , BENEDEK IMRE , OOSTERWERFF ERIK , HENDRIKS ASTRID A. , KHAN MUCHTIAR , YAP SING‐CHIEN 
Published: September 2016

Outflow Tract PVC Termination After AP AblationBackgroundMultiple mechanisms have been proposed for idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) originating from the outflow tracts (OTs). Recent observations such as the coexistence of these arrhythmias with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardias and the association between discrete prepotentials and successful ablation sites of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) from the OTs suggest a common link.ObjectiveIn this case series we draw attention to a unique association between accessory pathways (APs) and idiopathic PVCs from the OTs, disappearing after AP ablation.MethodsWe identified 6 cases in collaboration with several international electrophysiology centers, which presented with pre‐excitation in association with OT, and in 1 case inflow tract (IT), PVCs on 12‐lead surface ECG.ResultsSix cases displayed pre‐excitation and PVCs, in 5 cases originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and in 1 case from the right ventricular inflow tract (RVIT). In all patients, PVCs were monomorphic and had fixed coupling intervals, in 3 cases presenting in bigeminy. Catheter ablation of the AP led to the simultaneous disappearance of PVCs in 5 of 6 cases. The sites of ablation were remote from the OTs in all these cases. In most cases, the occurrence of OT PVCs was closely associated with the presence of pre‐excitation.ConclusionThe coexistence of pre‐excitation and PVCs from the OTs and the fact that in 5 of 6 cases PVCs disappeared after AP ablation suggests a common mechanism for arrhythmia genesis.
Alternol, a natural compound, exerts an anti‐tumour effect on osteosarcoma by modulating of STAT3 and ROS/MAPK signalling pathways
Authors: Zuo Dongqing , Zhou Zifei , Wang Hongsheng , Zhang Tao , Zang Jie , Yin Fei , Sun Wei , Chen Jiepeng , Duan Lili , Xu Jing , Wang Zhuoying , Wang Chongren , Lin Binhui , Fu Zeze , Liao Yuxin , Li Suoyuan , Sun Mengxiong , Hua Yingqi , Zheng Longpo , Cai Zhengdong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOsteosarcoma (OS) is the most frequent primary malignant bone tumour. Alternol, a novel compound purified from microbial fermentation products exerts anti‐tumour effects across several cancer types. The effect of alternol on human OS remains to be elucidated. We first evaluated the anti‐tumour effect of alternol in several human OS cell lines in vitro and investigated its underlying mechanism. Alternol inhibited OS cell proliferation, migration and induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis, G2/M cell cycle arrest in a dose and time‐dependent manner. Moreover, alternol treatment inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3) phosphorylation in 143B and MG63 human OS cells, as evaluated using a STAT3‐dependent dual luciferase reporter system. Exposure to alternol resulted in excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Jun amino‐terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and p38 activation. Furthermore, alternol‐induced cell death was significantly restored in the presence of the ROS scavenger, N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) or a caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK. NAC also prevented G2/M phase arrest and phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK), but did not reverse STAT3 inactivation. Finally, alternol suppressed tumour growth in vivo in the nude mouse OS tibia orthotopic model. Immunohistochemistry revealed that alternol treatment resulted in down‐regulation of phosph‐STAT3 Tyr705 and up‐regulation of cleaved caspase‐3 and phosph‐SAPK (Stress‐activated protein kinases)/JNK expression. Taken together, our results reveal that alternol suppresses cell proliferation, migration and induces apoptosis, cell cycle arrest by modulating of ROS‐dependent MAPK and STAT3 signalling pathways in human OS cells. Therefore, alternol is a promising candidate for developing anti‐tumour drugs target OS.
Effect of Intensive Chemotherapy on Physical, Cognitive, and Emotional Health of Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Klepin Heidi D. , Tooze Janet A. , Pardee Timothy S. , Ellis Leslie R. , Berenzon Dmitriy , Mihalko Shannon L. , Danhauer Suzanne C. , Rao Arati V. , Wildes Tanya M. , Williamson Jeff D. , Powell Bayard L. , Kritchevsky Stephen B. 
Published: September 2016

ObjectivesTo measure short‐term changes in physical and cognitive function and emotional well‐being of older adults receiving intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).DesignProspective observational study.SettingSingle academic institution.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 60 and older with newly diagnosed AML who received induction chemotherapy (N = 49, mean age 70 ± 6.2, 56% male).MeasurementsGeriatric assessment (GA) was performed during inpatient examination for AML and within 8 weeks after hospital discharge after induction chemotherapy. Measures were the Pepper Assessment Tool for Disability (activity of daily living, instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), mobility questions), Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), grip strength, Modified Mini‐Mental State examination, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Distress Thermometer. Changes in GA measures were assessed using paired t‐tests. Analysis of variance models were used to evaluate relationships between GA variables and change in function over time.ResultsAfter chemotherapy, IADL dependence worsened (mean 1.4 baseline vs 2.1 follow‐up, P < .001), as did mean SPPB scores (7.5 vs 5.9, P = .02 for total). Grip strength also declined (38.9 ± 7.7 vs 34.2 ± 10.3 kg, P < .001 for men; 24.5 ± 4.8 vs 21.8 ± 4.7 kg, P = .007 for women). No significant changes in cognitive function (mean 84.7 vs 85.1, P = .72) or depressive symptoms (14.0 vs. 11.3, P = .11) were detected, but symptoms of distress declined (5.0 vs 3.2, P < .001). Participants with depressive symptoms at baseline and follow‐up had greater declines in SPPB scores those without at both time points.ConclusionsShort‐term survivors of intensive chemotherapy for AML had clinically meaningful declines in physical function. These data support the importance of interventions to maintain physical function during and after chemotherapy. Depressive symptoms before and during chemotherapy may be linked to potentially modifiable physical function declines.
Differences Between Men and Women Aged 65 and Older in the Relationship Between Self‐Reported Sleep and Cognitive Impairment: A Nationwide Survey in Taiwan
Authors: Chiu Hsiao‐Yean , Lai Fu‐Chih , Chen Pin‐Yuan , Tsai Pei‐Shan 
Published: September 2016

ObjectivesTo examine the prevalence of self‐reported sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment in men and women aged 65 and older and to determine sex‐specific effects on the relationship between self‐reported sleep and cognitive impairment.DesignA secondary data analysis from the 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey.ParticipantsIndividuals aged 65 and older (N = 2,413, n = 1,094 men, n = 1,319 women).MeasurementsSubjective sleep characteristics including sleep duration, difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early‐morning awakening, daytime sleepiness, difficulty breathing during sleep, habitual snoring, and daytime napping were measured using survey questions. The Mini‐Mental State Examination was used to identify cognitive impairment.ResultsThe prevalence of cognitive impairment was 16.3% for men and 27.1% for women. Men and women with cognitive impairment had higher prevalence of self‐reported sleep disturbances than those without. There was a significant effect of the interaction between sex and difficulty breathing during sleep on cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.20–0.77). In men, difficulty breathing during sleep (aOR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.39–3.84), habitual snoring (aOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.49–3.54), and prolonged sleep duration (> 8.5 hours) (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.11–3.43) correlated significantly with cognitive impairment. In women, only prolonged sleep duration (>8.5 hours) was associated with higher likelihood of cognitive impairment (aOR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.33–4.03).ConclusionThis nationwide survey confirmed sex differences in the association between various self‐reported sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment in people aged 65 and older.