bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of blindness and visual impairment and its causes among people aged 50 years and above in Karnali Zone, Nepal
Authors: Dulal S , Sapkota Y D 
Published: July 2012

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment and its causes among those aged 50 years and above in Karnali Zone. Materials and methods: Stratified cluster sampling method was used. Twenty four clusters of 50 people aged 50 years and above were selected for the study. Visual acuity was recorded with simplified vision testing card with one optotype “E” of size 60 on one side and size 18 on the other side. Examination by ophthalmologist under mydriasis was done for those with a pinhole visual acuity of less than 6/18. Results: Of 1200 enumerated persons 1,174 were examined (97.8% response rate). The prevalence of blindness (VA <3/60 in better eye) with available correction was 3.4% (40), (95% CI=2.36-4.44); 2.3% (15) for male and 4.8% (25) for female; with best correction it was 1.6% (19), (95% CI=0.9-2.34), 1.1% (7) for male and 2.3% (12) for female. Untreated cataract was the cause of blindness in 67.5%. Severe visual impairment (<6/60 - 3/60 BCVA in better eye) was seen in 2.1% (1.1% male and 3.4% female). Refractive error was the cause of visual impairment in 36.8% and untreated cataract in 58.8%. Conclusion: Cataract and refractive error are the commonest cause of blindness and visual impairment. Females are 3 times more prone to blindness than their male counterpart. Accessible and equitable services are necessary for blindness prevention.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i2.6545 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2012; 4 (2): 282-287
Homocystinuria masquerading as vitamin B12 deficiency
Authors: Wadhwani M , Beri S , Saili A , Garg S 
Published: July 2012

Background: Homocystinuria is a rare metabolic disorder charcterised by excess homocysteine in the urine. Vitamin B12 deficiency has diverse cutaneous, nervous and ophthalmic manifestations. Objective: To report a case of homocystinuria masquerading as vitamin B 12 deficiency. Case: We hereby are presenting an interesting case of a 4 year old boy who was being treated for Vitamin B 12 deficiency on the basis of history of delayed milestone, abdominal pain and hyperpigmentation of skin which was diagnosed as homocystinuria. Conclusion: It is important to carry out ophthalmological examination in every case of megaloblastic anemia if associated with blurring of vision and mental retardation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i2.6554 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2012; 4 (8): 326-328
Malignant transformation of kissing nevus- a rare entity
Authors: Kharel R Sitaula , Bhatta S , Shrestha G B , Shrestha J K 
Published: July 2012

Background: Kissing nevus is a congenital nevus in adjacent parts of the eyelids. Malignant transformation of kissing or divided nevi of the eyelids is rarely described. Objective: To report a very rare case of malignant transformation of kissing nevus with ocular and extraocular spread. Case: A 57- year- old man with 6/6 visual acuity in both eyes presented with a kissing nevus present since birth in right upper and lower eyelids which had a slow growth phase. The upper lid in the area of the nevus was thickened with a 20x12x15 mm black pigmented crusted hemorrhagic nodular lesions. The lower lid had a 6 mm black pigmented ulcerated lesion over the pre-existing nevus in the lateral third of the lid with full thickness infiltration. Another 5x4 mm pigmented lesion over the lower medial lid margin with a thickness of about 3 mm extended to the conjunctival side of the lower lid. Right sided pre-auricular and submaxillary nodes were palpable. A biopsy of tissue samples from the eyelid and pre-auricular nodes were consistent with malignant melanoma.Conclusion: Malignant transformation of kissing nevus is rare. It can spread to the conjunctiva, pre-auricular and sub-mandibular lymphnodes.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i2.6555 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2012; 4 (2): 329-332
An unusual case of transient cortical blindness with sagittal sinus thrombosis in a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Authors: Samanta S K , Mahapatra N , Aich B , Sarkar N , Chatterjee A 
Published: July 2012

Introduction: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is one of the most common causes of small vessel vasculitis in children, but sometimes may have an atypical presentation. Objective: To report an unusual case of transient cortical blindness in a patient with Henoch-Schonlein purpura. Case: A 3-year-old female child was brought with the complaint of diffuse abdominal pain and hematochezia, which was preceded by high grade fever and cough. Three days later she developed hematuria, hematemesis, melena and hemoptysis along with palpable purpura. Four days later she became irritable and developed a few episodes of generelized tonic clonic seizure, followed by cortical blindness. The CT scan of the brain showed bilateral nonenhancing occipital hypodensity. The magnetic resonance venography showed thrombosis in transverse and sigmoid sinus. She was treated with corticosteroids and her mental status and vision improved. Conclusion: The HSP can cause transient cortical blindness, and recovery is good if therapy is initiated at the appropriate time.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i2.6556 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2012; 4 (2): 333-335
Weill- Marchesani Syndrome: a rare case report
Authors: Puri L R , Sharma H , Aryal S 
Published: July 2012

Objective: To describe the presenting features of Weill-Marchesani syndrome Case: A 22-year-old man presented with high myopia and progressive visual disturbance. He was of short stature and had brachydactyly. His initial Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 6/24 in his right eye and 6/12 in his left eye. Slit lamp examination revealed a sub-luxated micro-spherophakic lens. The patient was diagnosed with Weill-Marchesani syndrome.Conclusion: Weill-Marchesani syndrome can present wwith progressive myopia in a person of short stature and brachydactyly.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i2.6558 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2012; 4 (2): 336-338
Choroidal metastases as the sole initial presentation of metastatic lung cancer: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Salah S , Khader J , Yousef Y , Salem A , Al-Hussaini M , Al-Asady R 
Published: July 2012

Background: Choroidal metastasis as an initial presenting feature of metastatic lung cancer is exceedingly rare. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is an effective and widely accepted therapeutic modality. However, data addressing the effectiveness of other treatment strategies is limited. Herein, we present a patient with choroidal metastases secondary to lung cancer and review the relevant literature. Case report: A 25-year-old male presented with deterioration of vision. His evaluation revealed bilateral choroidal metastasis secondary to adenocarcinoma of the lung. Unfortunately, his vision continued to deteriorate despite treatment with EBRT and chemotherapy.Conclusion: Metastatic lung cancer can manifest with choroidal metastasis as an initial presentation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v4i2.6559 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2012; 4 (2): 339-342
Role of Individual Academics and International Universities in Health Research in Nepal
Authors: Simkhada P , Van Teijlingen E 
Published: July 2012

Nepal has made progress in health sciences and medical education over the past decade. We believe that there is a need in Nepal for a greater research emphasis on mixed-methods approaches, qualitative research, critical appraisal & systematic reviewing and health economics. Specifically to the discipline of epidemiology, Nepal should consider establishing more and better epidemiological studies, the kind of population-based studies that can identify risk factors, track changes over time at a population level over the decades to come. We know how important such long-term research is but we are also painfully aware how expensive this kind on long-term research can be.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v2i2.6572 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2012;2(2):179-81
Petrosal approaches to brainstem cavernous malformations
Authors: Gross Bradley A. , Dunn Ian F. , Du Rose , Al-Mefty Ossama 
Published: August 2012

Object
Although they provide excellent ventral and lateral exposure of the brainstem, petrosal approaches to brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs) are infrequently reported.

Methods
The authors reviewed their experience with petrosal approaches to brainstem CMs in combination with a comprehensive review of the literature to elucidate resection rates, complication rates, and outcomes.

Results
Including their own results, the authors found 65 cases in 20 reports of brainstem CMs treated with petrosal approaches. The specific approaches were posterior petrosal in 37 cases (57%), anterior petrosal in 17 (26%), extended posterior petrosal in 10 (15%), and a combined petrosal approach in 1 case (2%). For 50 cases in 16 reports with detailed outcome information, the overall complete resection rate was 90%, with early postoperative morbidity reported in 30% of cases and permanent morbidity in 14%. The rate of CSF leakage was 6%.

Conclusions
The versatile petrosal approaches to brainstem CMs are associated with good outcomes and an acceptable morbidity rate. More expansive lesions can be approached using a combination of the standard anterior and posterior petrosal approach, preserving hearing and avoiding the greater complication rates associated with extended posterior petrosal approaches.
Pattern of Poisoning Cases in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Parvin Rukhsana , Haque Nazmul , Ahmed Naser , Ali Md Imran , Uddin AKM Rafique 
Published: July 2012

Background: Poisoning with various substances is a global problem. It is one of the most important reasons for emergency admission in the hospital. The earlier the initial resuscitations, gastric decontamination and use of specific antidotes, the better is the outcome. Epidemiology of poisoning differs from region to region. This study was carried out to determine the pattern and severity of poisoning in a tertiary care hospital. Objective: To characterize the poisoning cases admitted in Enam Medical College Hospital. Materials and Methods: All cases admitted to the emergency department of Enam Medical College Hospital during the period of April to December, 2010 were evaluated retrospectively. We reviewed data obtained from the hospital medical records and included the following factors: demographic characteristics, etiology and outcome of the acutely poisoned patients. Total 84 poisoning cases were found and they were included in the study. Results: The overall case fatality rate was 3.5%. More detailed data from 2010 reveals that two-thirds of the patients were 20-30 years old, 53% male and 47% female. Organophosphorus was the most common cause (73.9%) followed by unknown poisoning (9.5%), sedative (5.9%), harpic (4.7%), aluminium phosphide (2.4%), savlon (1.2%), paracetamol (1.2%) and amitryptiline (1.2%). 90.5% cases were suicidal and 9.5% were homicidal. Conclusion: This study provides important information on the characteristics of the poisoning in this region. Community education about the danger of the drugs and reduction of exposure to pesticides are recommended. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v1i1.11133J Enam Med Col 2011; 1(1): 19-23
Isolation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Escherichia coli Causing Urinary Tract Infection in Enam Medical College Hospital
Authors: Ahmed Mejbah Uddin , Khairuzzaman Md , Begum Afroza , Ahmed Iftikhar 
Published: July 2012

Background: Since antibiotic resistance of uropathogens has gradually been rising, knowledge of antimicrobial resistance pattern of Escherichia coli (Esch. coli), the predominant pathogen of urinary tract infection (UTI), is important in selecting empirical antimicrobial therapy.Objectives: To find out the common organisms causing UTI with their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in Enam Medical College Hospital.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in the department of Microbiology, Enam Medical College Hospital, Savar, Dhaka between January 2010 to June 2011 to see the antimicrobial resistance pattern of Esch. coli in urine sample. A total of 512 urine samples were studied from clinically suspected UTI cases irrespective of age and sex. Esch. coli were isolated and antibiogram of the isolates were done.Results: The results of antibiogram revealed the resistance pattern of the isolated Esch. coli to ampicillin (93.94%), cefradine (70.71%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (48.49%), azithromycin (41.42%), ciprofloxacin (39.40%), ceftazidime (35.56%), nitrofurantoin (29.30%), ceftriaxone (10.11%), gentamicin (7.08%) and imipenem (3.04%).Conclusion: It can be inferred that our findings will render useful information to clinicians in determining the appropriately directed antimicrobial regimen when given empirically. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v1i2.11463 J Enam Med Col 2011; 1(2): 60-62
A Case of Congenital Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Jahan Ishrat , Parvez Mehedi , Yeasmin Laisha 
Published: July 2012

Congenital tuberculosis is an unusual and severe clinical presentation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. It is usually difficult to diagnose and treat. We report a tenweek-old male infant who had presented with fever, difficulty in breathing, abdominal distension, convulsion, low weight gain since one month of his age. The diagnosis was made by demonstration of MTB bacilli in the gastric aspirate of baby and chest radiography. Treatment with the four drug regimen including streptomycin was initiated, but the baby died on the third day of ATT. This case gives an account of difficulties in diagnosis and therapeutic management of congenital tuberculosis and alerts for development of protocols that foresee these difficulties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v1i2.11469 J Enam Med Col 2011; 1(2): 85-87
Optical and Visual Quality Comparison of Implantable Collamer Lens and Laser in Situ Keratomileusis for Myopia Using an Adaptive Optics Visual Simulator
Authors: Pérez-Vives Cari , Dominguez-Vicent Alberto , García-Lázaro Santiago , Ferrer-Blasco Teresa , Montés-Micó Robert 
Published: July 2012

Purpose. To compare optical and visual quality of the implantable Collamer lens (ICL) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia. Methods. An adaptive optics visual simulator (CRX1, Imagine Eyes, France) was used to simulate the vision after ICL implantation and LASIK procedure from the wavefront aberration pattern for −3 and −6 D. Monocular visual acuity (VA) at different contrasts and contrast sensitivity (CS) at 10, 20, and 25 cycles/degree (cpd) were measured for 3- and 5-mm pupils. Modulation transfer function (MTF) and point spread function (PSF) were calculated for a 5-mm pupil. Results. The ICL showed a MTF near of diffraction-limited MTF, but the post-LASIK of MTF worsened moving away from both curves. Statistically significant differences were found in VA between both procedures for all conditions (p<0.05). For −3 D ICL and LASIK, we did not find statistically significant differences in CS between the procedures for both pupils and any spatial frequencies (p>0.05). But for −6 D ICL and LASIK, the effect of aberrations became apparent, finding statistically significant differences in CS between both procedures for 2 pupils and all spatial frequencies evaluated (p<0.05). In all cases optical and visual quality was better with the ICL procedure. Conclusions. Both ICL and LASIK procedures provide good optical and visual quality, although the ICL provides better outcomes, especially for large refractive errors and pupil sizes. These outcomes are due to the LASIK procedure inducing higher higher-order aberrations than ICL implantation.
Long-term effects of lowland sawah system on soil physicochemical properties and rice yield in Ashanti Region of Ghana
Authors: Obalum S. E. , Oppong J. , Nwite J. C. , Watanabe Y. , Buri M. M. , Igwe C. A. , Wakatsuki T. 
Published: August 2012

Lowland sawah is viewed as a sustainable alternative to traditional rice culture in West Africa. Sawah (a bund-demarcated, puddled, leveled, and water-regulated rice field) has received growing research attention lately, but no data exist yet on the system’s long-term agronomic impact. In a clayey inland-valley soil in southern Ghana, 10-year-old sawah plots (OSP), fresh sawah plots (FSP), and non-sawah plots (NSP) were maintained under both ponded and non-ponded conditions in 2007. The OSP enhanced soil status of exchangeable nutrients compared to NSP. There were relative improvements in soil bulk density, total porosity, and field moisture content (OSP ≥ FSP > NSP), with clear benefits of ponding over non-ponding in OSP. The NSP was so unsustainable that it showed less favourable values of these variables than an adjacent fallowed plot. These soil variables deteriorated with time, with significant differences in FSP. Soil moisture retention data for tension range of 0-300 kPa depicted the importance of puddling and ponding. During 2001-2009, OSP consistently out-yielded NSP by five times on average. During 2007-2009 when all three plots co-existed, grain yields averaged 5.80, 4.80 and 1.10 Mg ha−1 in OSP, FSP and NSP, respectively. In 2007 yields, OSP minus FSP was higher than NSP; in 2008/2009, the opposite prevailed. These results highlight the agronomic benefits of continuous sawah-based rice production. Although the positive effects of puddling on the soil hydrophysical properties were largely responsible for the wide margin in yield between sawah and traditional systems, the latter lacked other yield-enhancing factors, particularly bunds for water control, were also lacking in the latter.
Modeling and Simulation of Equivalent Circuits in Description of Biological Systems - A Fractional Calculus Approach
Authors: Gómez F. , Bernal J. , Rosales J. , Cordova T. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Using the fractional calculus approach, we present the Laplace analysis of an equivalent electrical circuit for a multilayered system, which includes distributed elements of the Cole model type. The Bode graphs are obtained from the numerical simulation of the corresponding transfer functions using arbitrary electrical parameters in order to illustrate the methodology. A numerical Laplace transform is used with respect to the simulation of the fractional differential equations. From the results shown in the analysis, we obtain the formula for the equivalent electrical circuit of a simple spectrum, such as that generated by a real sample of blood tissue, and the corresponding Nyquist diagrams. In addition to maintaining consistency in adjusted electrical parameters, the advantage of using fractional differential equations in the study of the impedance spectra is made clear in the analysis used to determine a compact formula for the equivalent electrical circuit, which includes the Cole model and a simple RC model as special cases.
Palladium‐Catalyzed 1,4‐Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Butadiene Monoxide
Authors: Hamasaki Akiyuki , Maruta Shuhei , Nakamura Aki , Tokunaga Makoto 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPalladium complexes catalyze the 1,4‐addition of acetic acid to butadiene monoxide to give 4‐hydroxybut‐2‐en‐1‐yl acetate. The highest 1,4‐/1,2‐addition selectivity of 18.9 was achieved. The reaction seems to proceed via a Wacker‐like mechanism.
Lewis Acid‐Catalyzed Conjugate Addition of sp3 CH Bonds to Methylenemalononitriles
Authors: Qian Bo , Shi Dengjian , Yang Lei , Huang Hanmin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe Lewis acid‐catalyzed conjugate addition of 2‐alkylazaarenes to methylenemalononitriles through sp3 CH bond functionalization has been developed, which provides an efficient and reliable method for incorporation of the nitrile group into the heterocycles.
Red Fluorescent Proteins: Advanced Imaging Applications and Future Design
Authors: Shcherbakova Daria M. , Subach Oksana M. , Verkhusha Vladislav V. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn the past few years a large series of the advanced red‐shifted fluorescent proteins (RFPs) has been developed. These enhanced RFPs provide new possibilities to study biological processes at the levels ranging from single molecules to whole organisms. Herein the relationship between the properties of the RFPs of different phenotypes and their applications to various imaging techniques are described. Existing and emerging imaging approaches are discussed for conventional RFPs, far‐red FPs, RFPs with a large Stokes shift, fluorescent timers, irreversibly photoactivatable and reversibly photoswitchable RFPs. Advantages and limitations of specific RFPs for each technique are presented. Recent progress in understanding the chemical transformations of red chromophores allows the future RFP phenotypes and their respective novel imaging applications to be foreseen.
Transmission of a Chemical Signal by Sequential Transfer of Energy and Electron in a Pigment Membrane on a Semiconductor
Authors: Fromgerz Peter , Arden Wolfgang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractTwo pigments are mounted in a lipoid membrane matrix on a semiconductor electrode. The pigment at the electrolyte/membrane interface is a pH‐modulated light absorber and energy donor. The pigment at the membrane/electrode interface is energy acceptor and electron injector. The assembly is a molecular device. Its function is transmission of the chemical response of a dye — the acid‐base equilibrium — onto the electrical response of a semiconductor on a molecular level, by the sequential transfer of energy and electron. The single steps of synthesis are discussed, as the quality of the matrix and the yields of the coupling processes involved.
Kinetic Analysis of Protontransport‐coupled ATP Synthesis in Chloroplast
Authors: Rumberg B. , Heinze Th. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractATP formation in photosynthesis takes place at the expense of free energy stored in the light‐induced proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. Three protons have to be translocated down the gradient for each ATP molecule which is synthesized. — Extensive studies have been performed in order to evaluate the influence of both internal and external proton concentration on the kinetics of ATP formation. The results deliver information on the coupling mechanism between the processes of proton translation and ATP formation. A detailed functional model is worked out, which is based on the model of cooperative enzymes of Monod, Wyman, and Changeux. The model is in quantitative accordance to the experimental results.
2D NMR Spectra from Stochastic NMR. Coupling and Exchange Information from Third Order Frequency Kernel
Authors: Blümich B. , Ziessow D. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIt is shown how 1D and 2D NMR spectra can be derived from one NMR experiment. The method is based on the evaluation of the non‐linear response of the nuclear spin system to stochastic excitation the strength of which corresponds to values close to the maximum of the saturation curve. Thus, optimum sensitivity is obtained at the expense of slight line broadening in the 1D spectrum. Crosspeaks in the 2D plane indicate the existence of saturation transfer between two transitions at the respective frequencies. This is demonstrated with simulated (AB) as well as experimental spectra (AB, chemical exchange).
Self‐Diffusion of Components in Aniline‐Benzene Solution
Authors: Hawlicka E. , Reimschüssel W. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractSelf‐diffusion coefficients of aniline and benzene in aniline‐benzene solution in the temperature range 290.2 ≦ T/K ≦ 313.2 have been measured over the entire composition range. The influence of specific electro‐donor‐acceptor type interactions between aniline and benzene molecules on self‐diffusion has been observed.