bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of tear film osmolarity after mechanical lasik, femtosecond laser‐assisted sub‐bowman keratomileusis and lasek
Authors: CANADAS SUAREZ P , GARCIA‐GONZALEZ M , ORTEGA MARIA , TEUS M 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the tear osmolarity in patients that underwent LASIK (performed with a microkeratome or a femtosecond laser) or LASEK three months before.Methods We performed a prospective observational study of consecutive eyes that had LASIK performed with a mechanical microkeratome (MM‐LASIK), with a femtosecond laser (FS‐LASIK) or that had LASEK. Three months postop, tear osmolarity was measured with the TearLab TM Osmolarity System. This measure was performed only in one eye per patient. A normality value of 308 ± 5 mOsm/L (provided by the manufacturer) was used to clasify the tear osmolarity.Results 105 eyes of 105 patients were included in the study (35 eyes in each group). No significant differences were found in the mean preoperative refractive defect and patient age between groups. Three months postop, mean osmolarity values were 304.8 ± 20.2 mOsm/L (range, 275 to 371) in the MM‐LASIK group; 306.8 ± 17.7 mOsm/L (range, 280 to 342) in the FS‐LASIK group and 307.9 ± 17.6 mOsm/L (range, 280 to 374) in the LASEK group. After three months, there was no statistically significant difference in tear osmolarity between the groups.Conclusion Our results suggest that tear film osmolarity measured with the TearLabTM Osmolarity system tends to achieve normal values three months after MM‐LASIK, FS‐LASIK and LASEK.
Dynamic corneal wavefront aberrations and quality of vision in patients with dry eye disease
Authors: DENOYER A , RABUT G , BAUDOUIN C 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose This clinical, prospective, and comparative study was conducted to evaluate the time‐course of corneal optical quality along with patient‐centered visual deterioration in dry eye.Methods Twenty patients diagnosed for dry eye and twenty controls were included. Clinical evaluation of the ocular surface included tear break‐up time (BUT) measurement, Schirmer's test, corneal and conjunctival staining scores. Dynamic corneal aberrometry was performed using KR‐1W aberrometer (Topcon, Tokyo, Japan). Patient‐centered quality of vision was evaluated according to the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Corneal aberration (CA) dynamics were compared between both groups then analyzed regardless to other clinical data.Results Mean slope for aberration time‐course was significantly higher in dry eye patients than in controls (P=0.01). Dry eye was associated with an increase in corneal high‐order aberrations from 3 to 10 seconds after blinking (P<0.001) mainly due to rapid increase in third‐ and fourth‐order CAs. Correlation matrix revealed significant relation between CA dynamics and BUT (P<0.001), corneal staining (P<0.001), OSDI vision‐subscore (P=0.009) and OSDI overall score (P=0.02). BUT and Oxford’s score were found to correlate with CA dynamics in multiple regression analysis.Conclusion Dynamic corneal aberrometry appears as a new objective tool to better understand visual disturbances due to dry eye, and it could constitute a repeatable and reproducible method to follow the disease and improve the therapeutic management.
High‐mobility group box‐1 and biomarkers of inflammation in the vitreous from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: ABU EL ASRAR A , NAWAZ MI , KANGAVE D , GEBOES K , OLA MS , AHMAD S , AL‐SHABRAWEY M 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose To measure levels of high‐mobility group box‐1 (HMGB1), and soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) in the vitreous fluid from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to correlate their levels with clinical disease activity and the levels of the inflammatory biomarkers monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (sICAM‐1), interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). In addition, we examined the expression of HMGB1 in the retinas of diabetic mice.Methods Vitreous samples from 29 PDR and 17 nondiabetic patients were studied by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Retinas of mice were examined by immunofluorescence analysis and Western blotting.Results HMGB1 was detected in all vitreous samples and sRAGE was detected in 5 PDR samples. IL‐1 was detected in 3PDR samples and GM‐CSF was not detected. Mean HMGB1 levels in PDR with active neovascularization were 2‐fold and 3‐fold higher than that in inactive PDR and nondiabetic patients, respectively. Mean HMGB1 levels in PDR patients with hemorrhage were significantly higher than those in PDR patients without hemorrhage and nondiabetic patients (p=0.0111). There were significant correlations between levels of HMGB1 and levels of MCP‐1 (r=0.333, p=0.025) and sICAM‐1 (r=0.548, p<0.001). HMGB1 expression was also upregulated in the retinas of diabetic mice.Conclusion Subclinical, chronic inflammation might contribute to the progression of PDR.
Alteration of plasmalogens in erythrocytes of patients with diabetic retinopathy
Authors: ACAR N , SAAB S , BERDEAUX O , BRON AM , CREUZOT C , BRETILLON L 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose Plasmalogens are phospholipids characterized by a vinyl ether bond and the preferential esterification of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). We have shown that the lack of plasmalogens leads to abnormal retinal vascularisation. Because we hypothesize that plasmalogens are negative regulators of vascular development, we aimed to check their circulating levels in patients having a retinal pathology with vascular proliferation.Methods Blood samples were collected from 4 control subjects and 42 patients having proliferative or non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR). Patients were classified according to the stage of DR. The plasmalogen content and the fatty acid composition of erythrocyte phospholipids were determined using gas chromatography. Individual species of phospholipids, including plasmalogens, were quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (HPLC‐ESI+MS/MS).Results Gas chromatographic analyzes did not reveal any change in plasmalogens. The analysis of individual species of phospholipids by HPLC‐ESI+MS/MS showed reduced levels of plasmalogens in patients with DR. Five species of plasmalogens having PUFA were at reduced concentrations in erythrocytes of DR patients. In parallel, the amounts of conventional phospholipids having docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were altered in DR patients when compared to control subjects.Conclusion Mechanisms responsible for the reduction in blood levels of plasmalogens and DHA in patients with DR are unknown. Since erythrocyte membrane lipid composition is admitted to reflect the lipid composition of nervous tissues, including the retina, one may suggest that DR patients have altered retinal concentrations of plasmalogens and DHA.
Health related quality of life in patients with diabetic retinopathy
Authors: TADROS C , KONTODIMOPOULOS N , FERETIS E , KABANAROU SA , PETO T 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose To assess Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among Greek patients with Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Maculopathy(DMac) and to compare the results with data from existing studies.Methods Patients were recruited from the Diabetic Eye Clinic of the Hellenic Red Cross Hospital while attending their scheduled appointment. The study comprises of 85 patients with DR/DMac. HRQoL was measured using three different types of measurement, the NEI VFQ‐25, the SF‐12 and the EQ‐15D independently of their treatment.Results The response rate was 86.73%. There were 51 males, the average age was 57.7±16.4 years and the average duration of diabetes was 10.9±6.6 years.Patients with proliferative DR and existing DMac scored lower on all VFQ‐25 subscales compared to patients with non‐proliferative DR and those without DMac, respectively, especially in the dimensions "General Health"(34.2±24.9 versus 74.3±15.7 and 25.1±18.7 versus 69.8±19.2) and "Role Difficulties"(33.7±28.3 versus 87.7±25.2 and 23.6±23.1 versus 79.9±26.7). In the SF‐12 questionnaire the mean value in the Physical Component Scale (CS) was 45.6±11.3 and in the Mental CS was 45.2±16.8 while values in general Greek population are 49.4 and 48.9,respectively. In the EQ‐15D the mean value was significantly lower,0.761,while published values in Greek diabetic patients without DR are 0.813.Conclusion This study confirms that Greek patients with DR and DMac report poorer HRQoL than the general population. Therefore, the prvention and management of DR and DMac is essential to improve quality of life for these patients.
Treatment accuracy and patient pain compared in Retinal Navigated Laser (Navilas®) versus conventional laser in diabetic macular edema
Authors: KERNT M , ULBIG MW , KAMPIK A , NEUBAUER AS 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose Treatment accuracy and patient pain were evaluated using a novel navigating laser (NAVILAS) compared to conventional laser treatment in clinically significant macular edema (CSME).Methods Focal Navilas laser was performed in 42 patients. On color images (CI) and OCT laser spots were analyzed regarding accuracy spot placement compared to planning. Treatment pain was quantified on a visual‐analogue‐scale (VAS) and compared to a matched control. Up to one year clinical follow‐up investigated retreatment and visual acuity compared to a control of 113 patients treated by conventional laser.Results 79% of laserspots were visible on CI, of which 96% were within 100µm from the planned target. OCT confirmed that laser effects were limited to the outer retina . The number of laser spots per patient was 115+/‐97 with Navilas, (43+/‐36) with conventional laser. Pain on VAS was mean 1.6 (SD 1.0), 4.4 (SD 1.8) for the control. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed separation of the retreatment curves after 4‐5 months with less retreatments for Navilas.Conclusion Compared to conventional laser, significantly more laserspots were placed with Navilas, patient reported pain was significantly lower. the tendency for lower retreatment rates tend with Navilas may be important when considering possible combination laser and anti‐VEGF drug therapy.
Commercial interest
Diabetic retinopathy macular edema : Treatment by series of 3 Ranibizumab injections after 3 years follow‐up
Authors: GONZALEZ C 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the functional, anatomical, vascular,anti‐exudative effects of intravitreal injections (IVT) for Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Edema, by a protocol with 3 Ranibizumab IVT series, and the recurrences frequency at 3 years evolution.Methods 44 eyes of 26 patients, 16 men, 10 women, with Diabetic Retinopathy Macular Edema. Patients received intravitreous Ranibizumab, 3 times, every 4 weeks in an inductive treatment. The next injections (IVT) depended on the follow‐up results and were done by series of 3. First and 2 months’ interval follow‐up exam included ETDRS visual acuity (VA), complete ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT),fluorescein (FA) angiography. VA and OCT were done before each IVT. We want to evaluate the incidence of this protocol on the exudation and frequency of recurrence of exudation and so on the number of IVT needed.Results VA improved in 79% cases, stabilized in 10,5%. Diffuse edema was 77% normalised ,total thickness was 55% less in the average follow‐up, cysts 100% disappeared in 75% cases, in 40% were diminished in size , volume and number, by OCT. At Angiography, no leakage in 64% cases, cystic macular edema disappeared, microaneurysm’s size and number diminished. Most of patients had good functional, anatomical results, with few IVT needed, no scars in the retina. Inductive treatment was sufficient in 6 cases, needed 2 IVT series in 30% eyes, failed in no cases. This protocol was compared ,discussed .Conclusion The results, with improved visual function, reduction of exudation on OCT, lack of fluorescein leakage, few recurrences, suggest this protocol, with series of 3 Ranibizumab IVT seems effective, more retinal protective. This protocol seems attractive, specif
Cytokine concentration in aqueous humor of eyes with diabetic macular edema
Authors: JONAS JB , JONAS R , NEUMAIER M , FINDEISEN P 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose To measure cytokine concentrations in aqueous humor of eyes with diffuse diabetic macular edema.Methods The study included a study group of 23 patients with diffuse diabetic macular edema and a control group of 22 patients undergoing cataract surgery were compared. Cytokine concentrations were measured in aqueous humor samples using a Luminex xMAP suspension array technology.Results In the study group as compared to the control group, significantly higher concentrations were measured for epidermal growth factor (EGF)(P<0.001), human growth factor (HGF)(P<0.001), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM1)(P<0.001), interleukin 1a2 (IL1a2)(P=0.04), interleukin 6 (IL6)(P=0.001), interleukin 8 (IL 8)(P<0.001), interferon‐gamma induced protein (IP10)(P=0.004), monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1)(P<0.001), monokine induced by interferon gamma (MIG)(P<0.001), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1)(P=0.02), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9)(P<0.001), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1)(P<0.001), placenta growth factor (PlGF) (P<0.001), tissue growth factor beta (TGF‐ß) (P=0.003), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)(P<0.001), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)(P<0.001). Retinal macula thickness was significantly associated with the concentrations of the EGF, ICAM1, IL3, IL6, IL8, MCP‐1, MIG, MMP9, TGF‐ß, PlGF, VCAM, and VEGF. In multivariate analysis, macular thickness remained to be significantly associated with the concentration of ICAM1 (P=0.006;r=0.40).Conclusion Numerous cytokines are associated with the presence and the amount of diabetic macular edema. Among these cytokines, ICAM1 was the most significantly associated with the disease parameters.
Experimental study of distinguishing small retinal heamorrhages from dust artefacts using HLS colour space
Authors: SUZUKI N , YAMANE K 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose Many ophthalmologists consider it difficult to distinguish small retinal heamorrhages of early diabetic retinopathy from dust artefacts on fundus cameras.Methods Photographs of the fundi of five patients with diabetic retinopathy were taken. Paint Shop Pro v. 8.0 was used to measure HLS colour spaces of both hemorrhagic area and the area around the heamorrhage at two locations of each photograph. We constructed the experimental device, which has an illumination optical system and a photographic optical system separated by a mirror having a hole with 4 mm diameter. The device consists of a canon EOS 50D camera, an EF 50mm f/1.8‐2 camera lens, a Speedlite 270EX flash, an object lens, four double‐convex lenses, two aperture stops and four artificial eyes. The eye ground is a half sphere made of polythene terephthalate painted by four mat colour sprays: red, white brown, ochre and yellow. Five fragments of house dust on the object lens were photographed under each artificial eye. Paint Shop Pro 8.0 was used to measure the HLS colour spaces of dust artefacts and the area around the artefacts.Results The evaluation space of house dust was calculated using the HLS data obtained from the experimental device. Hue was red, −7.1±16.9; white brown, −5.7±7.4; yellow, 3.4±1.6 and ochre 0.3±2.3. Lightness was red, 10.7±3.4; yellow, 9.9±3.0; ochre, 9.5±1.8 and white brown, 8.2±2.1. Saturation was red, 25.5±23.5; white brown, 22.6±12.2; yellow, 15.1±12.3 and ochre, 5.0±2.8.Conclusion The lightness of the HLS colour space helped in distinguishing dust from heamorrhage in all colour spectra. However, hue and saturation could distinguish dust from heamorrhage only under certain conditions.
Nurse‐led glaucoma clinics‐ the pros and cons
Authors: ANSARI E , GAMBLE A 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose Addressing the need for increased capacity in glaucoma follow‐up clinics by delegating resposibility to a trained nurse practitioner. A specialist hospital‐based study.Methods A senior nurse practitioner (NP) was trained by a glaucoma specialist in the management of glaucoma follow‐ups. Once training was completed, glaucoma cases were transferred to NP‐led clinic for follow‐up alongside consultant clinic. Certain criteria had to be met for inclusion in NP clinic: 1.Good compliance and control on topical treatment+/‐laser 2.Stability of visual fields over previous 3 years 3.No post‐surgical cases 4.No complex cases or co‐morbiditiesResults 200 follow‐up cases were accomodated in NP clinic over a period of 3 years, thus adding capacity to an increasingly overburdened service.There were no cases lost to follow‐up, a non‐attendance rate of 2% and no cases had a progression of visual fields MD>0.75dB/year. The most frequent reasons for seeking advise of the specialist were the need to change treatment regime due to increasing IOP (10%),or poor comliance/tolerability to treatment (10%).Conclusion 1.NP‐led clinics add capacity without compromising on standard of care 2.NP skills and confidence improved with regular practice 3.Patients' experience was excellent 4.Capacity was freed up in consultant clinic to see more complex cases in a timely manner 5.Training does take a long time 6.In order to run smoothly and safely the NP‐led clinic had to be alongside the consultant clinic 7.There is a limit to the number of cases that can be seen in NP clinic without compromising on quality of care.
CTNND2 is a genetic variant for high myopia
Authors: SAW SM , FAN Q , YOSHIMURA N , KHOR CC , TAI ES , GOH LK , YOUNG T , LI YL 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose To determine novel genetic variants for high myopia in Singaporean Chinese.Methods A meta‐analysis of 2 genome‐wide association (GWA) datasets in Chinese and a follow‐up replication cohort in Japanese.Two independent datasets of Singaporean Chinese individuals aged 10 to 12 years (Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk factors for Myopia [SCORM]: cases = 65, controls = 238) and more than 21 years (Singapore Prospective Study Program [SP2]: cases = 222, controls = 435) for GWA studies, and a Japanese dataset aged more than 20 years (cases = 959, controls = 2128) for replication.Genomic DNA samples from SCORM and SP2 were genotyped using various Illumina Beadarray platforms (>HumanHap 500). High myopia, was defined by spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ ‐6.00 diopters (D) and controls defined by SE between ‐0.50 and +1.00 D.Single‐locus association tests were conducted for each dataset with meta‐analysis using pooled z‐scores. The top‐ranked genetic markers were examined for replication in the Japanese dataset. Fisher P was calculated for the combined analysis of all 3 cohorts.Results Two SNPs (rs12716080 and rs6885224) in the gene CTNND2 on chromosome 5p15 ranked top in the meta‐analysis of our Chinese datasets (meta P = 1.14 × 10(‐5) and meta P = 1.51 × 10(‐5), respectively) with strong supporting evidence in each individual dataset analysis (max P = 1.85 × 10(‐4) in SCORM: max P = 8.8 × 10(‐3) in SP2). Evidence of replication was observed in the Japanese dataset for rs6885224 (P = 0.035, meta P of 3 datasets: 7.84 × 10(‐6)).Conclusion This study identified a strong association of CTNND2 for high myopia in Asian datasets. The CTNND2 gene maps to a known high myopia linkage region on chromosome 5p15.
Identification of novel germline mutations in the VHL gene in Hungarian von Hippel‐Lindau patients
Authors: LOSONCZY G , FAZAKAS F , PFLIEGLER G , KOMAROMI I , BERTA A 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose Von Hippel‐Lindau disease is an autosomal dominantly inherited highly penetrant tumor syndrome predisposing to retinal and central nervous system hemangioblastomas, renal cell carcinoma and pheochromocytoma among other less frequent complications. Our goal was to establish genotype‐phenotype correlation in Hungarian von Hippel‐Lindau patients.Methods Fourteen members (9 patients and 5 healthy family members) of 6 unrelated families with type 1 VHL disease underwent clinical and molecular genetic examination. The effect of a novel missense mutation was predicted using molecular modeling.Results Retinal angioma was detected in seven patients; six patients had central nervous system hemangioblastoma and three patients developed RCC. Molecular genetic investigations detected four novel (c.232A>T, c.340+1G>A, c.163G>T, c.555C>A) and two previously described (c.583C>T and c.472C>G) germline mutations in the VHL gene, including four mutations leading to protein truncation and two missense mutations.Conclusion RCC only associated to MLTP among our patients, in accordance with previous findings. The novel c.163G>T mutation associated to bilateral RCC and retinal angioma in a 15‐years‐old male patient, which is the earliest occurrence of RCC in VHL disease reported so far. Molecular modeling of the VHL‐Elongin C complex predicted that the c.232A>T mutation responsible for the p.Asn78Tyr amino acid exchange remarkably changes the 77‐83 loop structure of the VHL protein destabilizing the VHL protein and the VHL‐ Elongin C complex. Therefore it is predicted to cause type I phenotype, as seen in our patient indeed. Our results can be useful for genetic counseling and follow‐up of VHL patients.
iPS cells ‐ an alternative source of RPE?
Authors: CARR A 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPurpose We have previously shown that human embryonic stem cells spontaneously differentiate into RPE, and, after transplantation into the dystrophic RCS rat, maintain visual acuity. Recent advances in the generation of stem cells from somatic cells have led us to investigate the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS) as a potential source of therapeutic RPE.Methods iPS cells spontaneously differentiate after removal of bFGF from the culture medium. Isolated pigmented colonies were dissociated for expansion. The enriched population was then characterised morphologically and at the gene and protein expression level. Functionality of iPS‐derived RPE cells was assessed by RPE phagocytosis of retinal debris in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic effect of iPS‐derived RPE was examined by injection of cells into the subretinal space of the dystrophic RCS rat.Results In culture iPS‐RPE were morphologically similar to, and expressed many markers of developing and mature RPE. These cells also phagocytose photoreceptor material, in vitro and in vivo following transplantation into the RCS dystrophic rat. Preservation of the neural retina layers and maintenance of visual acuity was observed 13 weeks following transplantation, however at this stage very few human cells remained and a number of large pigmented macrophages were observed in the subretinal space.Conclusion iPS cells can readily differentiate into functional RPE which facilitate the short‐term maintenance of photoreceptors. However, long‐term maintenance of the dystrophic RCS rat neural retina is likely to be due to a protective host response initiated against the xenografted cells. The use of iPS‐RPE as a cell therapy requires further investigation, however these cells provide a new model system in which to study RPE specific diseases in vitro.