bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of intravitreal adalimumab on the treatment of active noninfectious ocular inflammation: A pilot study
Authors: HAMAM R , MANSOUR A 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the short term efficacy of intravitreal adalimumab (IVA) for the treatment of eyes with active noninfectious uveitis.Methods In a prospective noncomparative interventional case series, consecutive eyes with active noninfectious uveitis were injected with IVA at 0, 2 then every 4 weeks for total of 6 months. Change in VA, grade of inflammation (cells, haze, leakage on FA adopted from the angiography scoring for uveitis working group), and central retinal thickness (CRT) were recorded. No systemic or ocular therapies were added to the IVA treatment during the study period.Results Six out of seven patients (12 of 13 eyes) completed 26 weeks of treatment. One patient (1 eye) failed treatment. Median logMar VA at baseline was 0.243 and improved to 0.049 at 26 weeks. Seven out of twelve eyes had improvement of ≥2 ETDRS lines. All three eyes with anterior chamber cells grade ≥1 at baseline had zero cells at 26 weeks. Also, all nine eyes with vitreous haze grade ≥1 at baseline had zero haze on last follow up. Median CRT at baseline was 317 microns and decreased to 277 microns. Five out of eight eyes with macular edema had complete resolution. Median FA score at baseline was 14 and improved to 4. Using Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, the decrease in logMar, CRT and FA score at 26 weeks compared to baseline was significant (n=12 eyes; p=0.003, 0.021, 0.002 respectively). No local or systemic side effects were detected. Stratifying the data to include one eye per patient revealed similar results.Conclusion IVA was safe in this pilot study; was effective in improving the VA in 7/12 eyes, resolving macular edema in 5/8 eyes & decreasing AC cells, vit haze and FA score in 12 eyes while 1 patient (1 eye) failed treatment.
Characterization of uveitis in association with multiple sclerosis
Authors: MACKENSEN F , MESSENGER W , HILDEBRANDT L , SUHLER E , ROSENBAUM JT 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose Characterize uveitis in association withmultiple sclerosis (MS) including anatomic presentations, age, gender, and outcome.Methods Retrospective chart review of patients with uveitis and MS at two uveitis centers (Portland, Oregon, USA and Heidelberg, Germany). Baseline characteristics and ophthalmic data were collected at the patient’s first and last visits. Additionally, neurologic records were obtained when possible. In a sub‐analysis, controls with idiopathic intermediate uveitis were compared to cases with intermediate uveitis and MS.Results We identified 113 patients (196 eyes), 83 (73%) female and a mean age of presentation of 41 years (range 13‐64). Vision was fair with mean visual acuity of 20/39. After classifying anatomically, intermediate, anterior, posterior and pan‐uveitis comprised 80%, 15%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. Fifty‐four patients (56%) were diagnosed with uveitis before MS, 15 patients (15%) simultaneously, and 28 patients (29%)after having MS. Optic neuritis was present in 33% of our patients. During an average follow‐up of 4.2 years (range 0.04 – 21), visual acuity improved ‐0.09 logMar/year. Compared to our location‐matched controls with idiopathic intermediate uveitis(n=16), patients with MS and intermediate uveitis were significantly older when diagnosed with uveitis (p=0.027) and more likely to be female (p=0.01). There was no statistical difference in visual acuity or rate of vision change between our cases and controls.Conclusion Uveitis with MS generally presents as intermediate uveitis with a minority presenting with anterior uveitis. Patients are significantly older and more likely to be female than patients with idiopathic intermediate uveitis. The visual prognosis is generally favorable.
Commercial interest
Pars plana vitrectomy and IOL implantation in uveitic children with cataract
Authors: NYSTRÖM A , PÅLSSON S , SJÖDELL L , JAKOBSSON G , BYHR E , ANDERSSON GRöNLUND M , ZETTERBERG M 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe have performed a study with the purpose to evaluate the outcome of combined cataract surgery with primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in children with uveitis. This paper is accepted for publication in Journal of ocular immunology and inflammation.
Neurological considerations
Authors: KAWASAKI A 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSeeing light flashes, scintillations, movement, simple or complex forms which are not based on actual sensory visual input from the external world represents a group of positive visual phenomena , often referred to as « hallucinations ». Such visual experiences arise from abnormal endogenously‐ activated neural discharges and can originate from any part of the visual system. In certain cases of disordered spatial perception, the lesion may even arise from the brainstem vestibular pathway. This lecture will examine the possible central mechanisms by which hallucinations are generated and give clinical examples of different types of positive visual phenomena.
Prognostic factors in myopic choroidal neovascularisation
Authors: SILVA R , WONG TY , ASMUS F 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To assess effects of age and baseline axial length on best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in patients (pts) with myopic CNV receiving intravitreal aflibercept (IVT‐AFL).Methods MYRROR was a 48 week, double‐masked, sham‐controlled, Phase 3 multicentre study (NCT01249664). Pts were randomised 3:1 to IVT AFL or sham/IVT‐AFL (sham to Week 20 [W20]; IVT‐AFL from W24 to W48). Post hoc analyses assessed effects of baseline pt age and axial length on mean BCVA change at W24 and W48. Subgroups were based on median cut‐offs (age: ≤62 y vs >62 y; axial length: ≤28.6 mm vs >28.6 mm).Results 121 pts were analysed (IVT‐AFL, n=90 / sham/IVT‐AFL, n=31). With age ≤62 y, mean BCVA changes were 13.0/14.7 letters (W24/W48) for IVT‐AFL vs ‐0.8/ 8.1 for sham/IVT‐AFL. With age >62 y, changes were 11.1/12.2 letters for IVT‐AFL vs ‐3.6/‐1.2 for sham/IVT‐AFL. With axial length ≤28.6 mm, mean BCVA changes were 12.6/13.8 letters (W24/W48) for IVT‐AFL vs ‐2.1/1.7 for sham/IVT‐AFL. With axial length >28.6 mm, changes were 11.6/13.2 letters for IVT‐AFL vs ‐2.0/7.0 for sham/IVT‐AFL. Correlation coefficients based on age were ‐0.234 and ‐0.215 (W24/W48) (both P<0.05); coefficients based on axial length were non significant. Ocular AEs were mainly mild and occurred at a similar rate with IVT‐AFL and sham/IVT‐AFL (37.4% vs 38.7%; most common, respectively: conjunctival haemorrhage [11.0%] and punctate keratitis [12.9%]). 7 (5.7%) pts had a serious AE (all IVT‐AFL; only one SAE in study eye [macular hole]). No deaths were reported.Conclusion IVT‐AFL was well tolerated and associated with clinically meaningful BCVA improvements in pts stratified by age or baseline axial length. Treatment benefits may be greater among younger myopic CNV pts. Baseline axial length did not appear to affect outcomes.
Commercial interest
Correlation between peripapillary choroidal thickness and retinal vessel oxygen saturation in young healthy individuals
Authors: VAN KEER K , ABEGãO PINTO L , WILLEKENS K , STALMANS I , VANDEWALLE E 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To investigate the correlation between the peripapillary choroidal thickness (CT) and the retinal vessel oxygen saturation (SO2) in young healthy individuals.Methods Young healthy volunteers were recruited in this observational, cross‐sectional study. Peripapillary CT was obtained using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI‐OCT). Arterial (SaO2) and venous retinal oxygen saturation (SvO2) were measured by a noninvasive spectrophotometric retinal oximeter in all four quadrants. Spearman’s rank correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to determine relationships between choroidal thickness and oxymetric parameters.Results 54 eyes of 54 individuals aged 21.6±1.1 years were analyzed. Average SaO2 (92.3±3.0%) and SvO2 (55.4±4.6%) were positively correlated with the average peripapillary CT at 500µm from the optic disc margin (Spearmans’s R = 0.477 , p < 0.001 and 0.414 , p < 0.002 respectively). These results were confirmed to be independent of intraocular pressure and hemodynamic parameters on multivariate linear regression analysis (p < 0.01).Conclusion In young healthy individuals, retinal vessel oxygen saturation appears to be positively correlated with the peripapillary choroidal thickness.
Findings in low luminance kinetic and static perimetry
Authors: KRASTEL H , GAGYI‐PALFFY Z , BEUTELSPACHER S , SCHLICHTENBREDE F , JONAS J 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To transfer the neutral density filter test to perimetry; i.e. to show that the diagnostic battery can be supplemented by low luminance visual fields, if the standard procedures yield unsatisfactory information.Methods The Goldmann perimeter uses one single incandescent light source for both stimulus and background illumination (BI). By dimming the luminance was reduced by 0.6 log units. The accompanying change in colour temperature was ignored. The i) Twinfield and ii) Tübingen automatic perimeters were modified to low luminance conditions using neutral grey filters i) in front of the eye, or ii) in the stimulus and the BI light paths. Special attention was paid to perform glaucoma fields at normal IOP level as proven by GAT and/or by Corvis tonometry (the latter to avoid affection of the tear film by anesthetics).Results Low luminance perimetry produces more pronounced scotomas in kinetic, and more distinct loss of sensitivity in static perimetry than otherwise identical perimetric procedures in standard luminance. Cases concern inflammatory, ischemic and compressive optic nerve diseases, glaucoma, and ischemic and diabetic retinopathies. Results in hereditary, dystrophic and toxic retinal conditions vary depending on whether the rods and the scotopic system are mainly affected, or the cones and the photopic system. Cone diseases lack visual field deterioration in low luminance and instead may show improvement.Conclusion Low luminance perimetry is a supplementary diagnostic tool which may add helpful diagnostic information, particularly if standard results are insignificant.
Commercial interest
Choroidal blood flow and choroidal thickness
Authors: POURNARAS C , DONATI G , FROUNTZOU E , GEISER M , RIVA CE 
Published: August 2014

AbstractA progressive decrease of the choroidal blood flow related to macular degeneration was observed with glaucoma and aging. Abnormal regulation of the choroidal blood flow in patients suffering from neovascular AMD or Diabétic microangiopathy was also reported. Recent clinical studies have shown a decrease of the choroidal thicknessof in high myopia, AMD or in retinal dystrophies and increased choroidal thickness in central serous chorioretinopathy. Continuous real time Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) has been used in humans for the evaluation of the subfoveal choroidal circulation and the investigation of the regulatory processes of the choroidal blood flow in response to various physiological stimuli, such as increase and decrease of the ocular perfusion pressure. The correlation of the subfoveal choroidal blood flow with the anatomical changes of the choroidal circulation, as observed by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography(EDI‐OCT), was investigated in healthy volonteeres. No significant correlation was found between the subfoveal choroidal thickness and the choroidal blood flow. However, decreased subfoveal choroidal thickness was associated with decreased refractive error and axial length.
How to get your research published?
Authors: STEFANSSON E 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe quality of an article depends first and foremost on its scientific content. However, the way in which the scientific material is presented may determine whether it will receive proper attention. The aim of this presentation is to point out general characteristics of good papers. The title can decide whether a potential reader will give your article a proper look. A good title is descriptive and may also give a statement if the journal style allows. The abstract is the most important part of your article. People will proceed to read the article only if they find the abstract interesting. Describe the material or patients and the methods in brief. It is advisable to specify the study design. Present the most important results in a brief manner. Give quantitative data with confidence limits whenever applicable. The reader wants to know what your results were, not just whether they were “statistically significant”. In the discussion, put your data into context with the clinical practice, literature or both. What have we learned? A common mistake is to include general conclusions which are not specifically supported by the data presented. Please check that the conclusions are in line with the stated aim of the study.
Excimer vs Femtosecond laser for nonmechanical keratoplasty – Where are the true benefits?
Authors: SEITZ B , EL‐HUSSEINY M , JANUNTS E , LANGENBUCHER A , SZENTMARY N 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose: To compare the intraoperative feasibility and postoperative outcome of the excimer (EXL) and femtosecond laser (FSL) for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Methods: Since 1989 more than 3500 non‐contact nonmechanical PKPs using the Zeiss‐Meditec MEL70® 193 nm EXL along metal masks with eight "orientation teeth/notches" (PKP) were performed. Since 2006 various groups applied the FSL for PKP with various 3D‐configurations. Results: The technique of EXL PKP may improve donor and recipient centration, reduce "vertical tilt" and "horizontal torsion" of the graft in the recipient bed, thus resulting in significantly less "all‐sutures‐out" astigmatism, higher regularity of the topography and better visual acuity. Clinical results of FSL PKP ‐ requiring variable amounts of applanation thus causing distortion of corneal tissue ‐ are still very limited and not yet finally convincing. Conclusions: Because of undisputed clinical advantages, especially in eyes with keratoconus, EXL trephination is still favoured in Homburg/Saar in daily practise. To determine potential benefits of FSL over EXL PKP, a prospective randomized study for keratoconus and Fuchs dystrophy is ongoing in Homburg/Saar.
Diagnostic contribution of ocular imaging techniques in a multimodal diagnostic approach of small pigmented choroidal tumors
Authors: ZOGRAFOS L , PETROVIC A , SCHALENBOURG A 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose The differential diagnosis of small pigmented choroidal tumors is based on the evaluation of the tumor diameter, thickness, retinal detachment, pigment epithelium changes, and possible associated symptoms.Methods The diagnostic contribution of color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), was analyzed in 85 eyes with a small pigmented choroidal tumors, measuring 2‐10 mm in diameter and 0.8‐2.5 mm in thickness. The presumed diagnosis was a large choroidal nevus in 60 cases (71%), and a small choroidal melanoma in 25 cases (29%). The identification of the tumor border, the presence of any retinal detachment on the tumor surface or outside the tumor borders, the presence of orange pigment, drusen, pigment epithelium changes and/or pin points were analyzed on each imaging technique.Results The highest identification score for the tumor margins was reached by color fundus photography. An associated retinal detachment was best identified on OCT. Orange pigment was best detected on fundus color photography and then by FAF. Drusen identification reached the same score on fundus color photography and FA. The appearance of pin points was exclusively seen on FA. Pigment epithelium changes showed the best score on FAF.Conclusion The majority of the investigated ocular imaging techniques played an important role in the identification of diagnostic elements that contribute to the distinction between a small choroidal melanoma and a large nevus. Multimodal imaging techniques have to be used in order to obtain a higher efficacy in differentiating small pigmented choroidal tumors.
Aquaporin‐4 and potassium channel kir4.1 in amd and serous retinal detachment secondary to choroidal melanoma
Authors: MADIGAN M , DIEP M , JUNGHANS B , VALTER K 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose Aquaporin‐4 (AQP4) and potassium channel Kir4.1 are normally expressed in retinal Müller glia, and play a major role in controlling retinal fluid and maintaining retinal integrity and function. We examined AQP4 and Kir4.1 distribution and expression in human eyes with late age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) or long‐term serous retinal detachment secondary to choroidal melanoma.Methods Paraffin sections of central and peripheral choroid/retina from young (<40 years, n=5), aged (>70 years, n=4) and AMD (>70 years, n=5) human post‐mortem eyes, and whole human eyes with choroidal melanoma (n=5), were co‐immunolabelled with antibodies to AQP4, Kir4.1 and GFAP, and visualised using immunofluoresence and confocal microscopy.Results We found differential expression of AQP4 and Kir4.1 in detached retina of melanoma eyes, with upregulation of AQP4 and downregulation of Kir4.1 compared to unaffected eyes. This was most obvious in the retina overlying melanomas and in detached retina separated from underlying choroid. GFAP immunoreactitvity was upregulated in areas of serous retinal detachment, and retinal thinning; Müller cell processes extended along the anterior surface of melanomas. No apparent difference in distribution or expression of AQP4 or Kir4.1 was observed for retinas with late stage AMD compared to controls.Conclusion Decreased Kir4.1 expression in long term serous retinal detachment may be associated with Müller cell proliferative gliosis, as suggested in earlier animal studies. Increased AQP4 expression suggests efforts to restore retinal fluid balance in areas with photoreceptor degeneration and compromised outer blood‐retinal barrier. Support: NFMRI (MCM), Lions NSW Eye Eyebank
MAP kinase and pi3k/mTOR pathways involvement in tumor progression of conjunctival melanocytic proliferations
Authors: MOULIN A , BUCHER M , SCHALENBOURG A , NICOLAS M 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose As activating mutations of BRAF and NRAS have been identified in 47% of conjunctival melanoma, we evaluated the activation status of the MAP kinase and PI3K/mTOR pathways in benign and malignant conjunctival melanocytic proliferations. As loss of PTEN locus has been reported in conjunctival melanoma, we also assessed the expression of PTEN in conjunctival nevi and melanoma.Methods The phosphorylation status of MEK, ERK, AKT, S6 ribosomal protein and the expression of PTEN was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 35 conjunctival naevi and 31 conjunctival melanoma. Statistical analysis was performed with JUMP 8,0 software. Immunohistochemistry was assessed independently by three observers.Results There were 13 subepithelial nevi and 22 compound nevi. There were 14 females and 21 males with a mean age was 36.9 yo. P‐MEK, p‐ERK, p‐S6, p‐AKT and PTEN were respectively found in 59%, 49 %, 49%, 83.9% and 100% of the nevi. The melanoma group was composed of 17 females and 14 males with a mean age of 67.1 yo. P‐MEK, p‐ERK, p‐AKT, p‐S6 and PTEN were respectively found in 87%, 87%, 94.3%, 94% and 96.7% of the melanoma. The phosphorylation of MEK and ERK, AKT and S6 was significantly elevated in the melanoma compared to the nevi (p=0,0050; p=0,0004; p=0,0031;p> 0,0001 respectively). There was also a significant correlation between the activation of MEK and ERK (p=0,0045).Conclusion Our results demonstrate ex vivo a significant increase in the activation of the MAP kinase pathway in malignant conjunctival melanocytic proliferations as well as a significant increase in the phosphorylation of pAKT and S6 ribosomal protein, suggesting a contribution of the PI3K/mTOR pathway to conjunctival melanoma development.
Orbital solitary fibrous tumor – Case series and new perspectives
Authors: IRION L , BONSHEK R , KUMAR A , QURESHI F , COOK A , ATAULLAH S , BARBIER J , LEATHERBARROW B 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To present a case series of orbital solitary fibrous tumour (OSFT) from a tertiary referral centre focussing on diagnostic features including assessment of STAT6, a recently described antibody for immunohistochemistry (IHC) in which positivity is said to indicate NAB2‐STAT6 gene fusion.Methods This is a retrospective case series. Among all orbital tumours resected between 2001‐2014, 12 OSFT cases were identified. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical presentation, morphological and IHC features, management and clinical outcome. IHC for STAT6 was also performed in other soft tissue tumours to assess its specificity.Results There were 3 males and 9 females. The average age was 46 years (18 – 81). The mean follow‐up was 39.3 months (3‐156 months). Presenting symptoms included proptosis(n=6), periocular mass(n=4), foreign body sensation(n=1), and epiphora(n=3). Cellularity, hyalinisation and myxoid areas were variable. Necrosis was seen in one recurrent case. Giant cells were present in 3 cases. <4/10HPF mitoses were seen in 6 cases. All cases showed diffuse strong nuclear positivity with STAT6. In contrast, STAT6 expression was not demonstrated in other pathologies (e.g. neurofibroma, schwannoma, haemangioma, nodular fasciitis). CD34, CD99 and BCL2 ware positive in most cases but with varied staining pattern. One case was CD31 positive and 2 cases expressed SMA focally. All cases underwent elective surgical resection or debulking with complete histopathological clearance in 6 cases.Conclusion This case series confirms previously described variation in presentation and management challenges associated with OSFT. STAT6 antibody can be a helpful adjuvant in the diagnosis of OSFT.
The outcomes of Mycophenolate Mofetil therapy combined with systemic corticosteroids in acute uveitis associated with Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada Disease
Authors: ABU EL ASRAR A 
Published: August 2014

AbstractTo study the effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with systemic corticosteroids in acute uveitis associated with Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada (VKH) disease. The outcomes in this group were compared with those of another group of patients with VKH disease who were treated with corticosteroid monotherapy. Nineteen patients (38 eyes) were studied prospectively. Mean follow‐up period was 27.011.1 months. Corticosteroid‐sparing effect was achieved in all patients. Mean interval between starting treatment and tapering prednisone to 10 mg or less daily was 5.11.2 months. Ten (53%) patients discontinued treatment without relapse of inflammation. Mean time observed off of treatment was 17.311.9 months. Visual acuity of 20/20 was achieved by 38% of the eyes in the corticosteroid group and by 74% in the corticosteroid + MMF group (p<0.001). Recurrent inflammation of 3 times was reduced significantly (p=0.0383) in the corticosteroid + MMF group (3%) as compared to corticosteroid group ( 18%). Development of all complications was significantly higher in the corticosteroid group (43%) compared to the corticosteroid + MMF group (8%) (p<0.001). None of the eyes in the corticosteroid + MMF group developed “sunset glow fundus”.