bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Primary production and other limnological aspects of Cleveland Dam, Harare, Zimbabwe
Authors: Ndebele Mzime Regina 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPrimary production, plankton community and some limnological aspects of Cleveland dam were investigated for 15 weeks to ascertain the health of the reservoir’s ecological system. Sampling was conducted on one site near the dam wall on a weekly basis, at a 1 m interval depth profile. The sampling period (from September 2005 to January 2006) reflected the results of a hot, dry season (from September to November) and a hot, wet season (from December to January). On average, the pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen concentration, light penetration and photosynthetically active radiation decreased with depth. In contrast, the primary production, phytoplankton biomass, phytoplankton density, and the total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations did not conform to the same pattern, instead tending to increase at a depth of ≈4–5 m below the water surface, suggesting it was the optimum plankton habitat. There were no significant differences between depths for all parameters, suggesting that the reservoir, although exhibiting signs of stratification, was nevertheless too shallow to exhibit the varied differences down a vertical profile typical of tropical reservoirs, at least during the sampling period of this study. Although the present limnology of Cleveland Dam confirms its oligotrophic nature, the conditions prevailing in its catchment could ultimately lead to adverse effects in the reservoir. The ecological health of Cleveland Dam is discussed in regard to land use patterns in the catchment that pose threats as potential pollution sources. Cleveland Dam is possibly in danger of being polluted. There is a need to address the legal instruments currently in place for water management in order to curb such environmental degradation as they do not adequately address the problems faced.
Application of GIS modelling to quantify fish habitats in lakes
Authors: Douglas John , Hunt Taylor , Abery Nigel , Allen Micheal 
Published: June 2009

AbstractQuantitative measures of fish habitat in lakes and impoundments have seldom been proposed. The availability of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), however, now provides a means for researchers to assess fish habitat on a whole‐lake scale. GIS modelling was used in this study to quantify the impacts of stratification on the amount and distribution of brown trout (Salmo trutta) habitat in a large reservoir in Victoria, Australia. Species‐specific temperature and dissolved oxygen tolerance ranges for brown trout were applied to the hydrological profile and lake bathymetry. The model predicted that brown trout habitat was reduced by 82% in the summer, and the model was validated with position data from acoustically tagged adult brown trout. This study demonstrated that a quantifiable assessment of fish habitat on a whole‐lake spatial scale can be made. It also could be applied to a range of fish species, with applications in ecosystem monitoring and fisheries management.
Beta lactam allergy in children from two ethnically different populations
Authors: Broides Arnon , Kirjner Lia , Gorodischer Rafael , Hershkovich Jacob 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  The effects of ethnicity on beta lactam allergy have not been reported. The Negev Desert in Southern Israel is inhabited by two ethnically distinct populations: Jews and Bedouin Muslims. Approximately 60% of the pediatric population of the area is Jewish. Whereas most Jews live in Westernized urban centers, Bedouins are in the process of transition from semi‐nomadic conditions to a sedentary lifestyle and the majority of them now live in towns and villages. We sought to determine the rate and characteristics of physician‐reported beta lactam allergy in Jewish and Bedouin children.Methods:  The medical records of all children registered in five primary community clinics were reviewed and screened for allergy to beta lactam antibiotics.Results:  A total of 26 655 medical records were reviewed: of 11 069 Jewish children and 15 586 Bedouin children. Beta lactam allergy was registered in 344 records (1.3%), and was more frequent in Jewish (n= 226, 2.1%) than in Bedouin children (n= 118, 0.8%, P < 0.0001). Beta lactam allergy was more common in boys in both populations (P < 0.01). The clinical features of the reaction that led to the diagnosis of beta lactam allergy were not significantly different between the two ethnic populations, although the specific antibiotics prescribed and the diagnoses for which they were prescribed were different in the two ethnic populations.Conclusions:  We concluded in this study that pediatric beta lactam allergy was registered more frequently in Jewish than in Bedouin children, and in boys more than in girls.
Foreign body aspiration in children: Field report of a German hospital
Authors: Göktas Önder , Snidero Silvio , Jahnke Volker , Passali Desiderio , Gregori Dario 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  The aspiration of foreign bodies (FB), especially by small children, is a life‐threatening situation and can be fatal. The aim of this survey was to study the types of foreign bodies in the upper airways and digestive tract, and the circumstances leading to the aspiration on the basis of hospital records of the Berlin University Hospital in Germany from 1997–2002.Methods:  We performed a retrospective review of hospital records using a standardized protocol. Foreign body aspiration that occurred in children aged 0–14 were considered for inclusion in the database. During the study period, 78 patients with a diagnosis of FB were included in the database. Forty‐five patients were male and 33 were female. The median age was 1.Results:  In 89.5% of all cases, the children were under the age of 3. Seventy‐five of the 78 patients had a foreign body in the trachea/bronchial trees/lungs based on International Classification of Diseases‐9 codes at the time of discharge.At the time the injury occurred, the children had either been eating (41.1%) or playing (50.0%). More than 50% of the children were being supervised by an adult at the time the injury occurred.The foreign bodies (FB) were always extracted by using an endoscopic procedure (n= 43 rigid, n= 6 flexible and n= 29 combination of both methods). Moreover, hospitalization was always required due to an institutional requirement. The most commonly found foreign bodies were seeds, nuts, berries and grains.Conclusion:  Most of the foreign bodies were found in the bronchial tubes, trachea, and lungs. The extraction method from these areas is rigid and/or flexible bronchoscopy or gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure requiring anesthesia.There seems to be no association between the aspirated foreign bodies and other purchased objects or packaging material. The fact that a large fraction of the injuries occur under the supervision of the adults suggests that the number and severity of the injuries could be reduced by educating parents and children. Our experience confirms, therefore, that further research into the behavioral aspects leading to FB injuries is needed.
Efficacy of topical cyclosporine A in the treatment of severe trachomatous dry eye
Authors: Guzey Mustafa , Karaman Suleyman Korhan , Satici Ahmet , Ozardali Ilyas , Sezer Sezgin , Bozkurt Omer 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) treatment in patients with severe trachomatous dry eye.Methods:  Sixty‐four severe trachomatous dry eye patients who had undergone Schirmer testing with topical anaesthetic measured 5 mm or less and a tear film break‐up time (TFBUT) of 5 s or less were included in the study. Thirty‐two patients were treated with CsA 0.05% ophthalmic emulsion twice daily and concomitant five times daily non‐preserved artificial tear, and the other 32 patients who were designated as the control group received vehicle emulsion twice daily and non‐preserved artificial tear five times daily. Pretreatment and post‐treatment evaluations included subjective assessment of the patients (total symptoms scores and ocular surface disease index [OSDI] scores), Schirmer testing with topical anaesthesia, TFBUT, rose Bengal and fluorescein staining scores, conjunctival impression cytological scoring and goblet cell counting.Results:  Following 6 months of CsA treatment, the differences between the pretreatment and post‐treatment test results including total symptoms scores and OSDI scores, the rose Bengal and fluorescein staining scores, TFBUT values, and the Schirmer testing measurements were found to be statistically significant. Impression cytology also showed improvement of squamous metaplasia in 26 patients (81.25%) and increase in goblet cell density in 23 patients (71.88%).Conclusions:  Topical CsA was effective in the treatment of severe trachomatous dry eye, yielding improvements in both objective and subjective measurements with a safety profile.
Comparison of refractive outcomes using immersion ultrasound biometry and IOLMaster biometry
Authors: Landers John , Goggin Michael 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  The IOLMaster determines axial length using partial coherence interferometry. This study was designed to compare the refractive outcomes of patients who had been measured preoperatively by both immersion ultrasound and IOLMaster biometry.Methods:  Patients were recruited from those who had undergone cataract surgery during the preceding 12 months by one surgeon at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (55 eyes from 55 patients). Each patient underwent measurement of axial length by immersion ultrasound and the IOLMaster. Target refraction was determined using an SRK‐T formula and the amount that this differed postoperative refraction was calculated for immersion ultrasound and the IOLMaster. These results were then compared.Results:  Eyes measured longer by the IOLMaster method compared with immersion ultrasound (23.37 ± 0.87 vs. 23.25 ± 0.90 mm, t = 4.83; P < 0.0001). However anterior chamber depth was the similar. Postoperatively, final refractive outcome was 0.01 ± 0.63 dioptres (D) more hypermetropic than the target refraction when using the IOLMaster compared with 0.25 ± 0.73 D more myopic when using immersion ultrasound (t = 3.83; P < 0.0001). Seventy‐five per cent of patients were within 0.5 D of target refraction and 93% were within 1.0 D when the IOLMaster was used, compared with 49% and 85% within 0.5 and 1.0 D respectively when using immersion ultrasound (χ2 = 8.34; P = 0.04).Conclusions:  Biometry performed using the IOLMaster produces a more predictable refractive outcome than immersion ultrasound, with patients' spherical equivalent more likely to be closer to their target refraction.
Plaque brachytherapy for the management of ocular surface malignancies with corneoscleral invasion
Authors: Walsh‐Conway Natalie , Conway R Max 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To describe the outcome of patients treated by surgical excision followed by plaque brachytherapy for primary or recurrent ocular surface malignancies with evidence of deep margin (corneoscleral) invasion.Methods:  Retrospective, non‐comparative, interventional case series. Eleven consecutive patients presenting with biopsy‐proven scleral and/or corneal stromal involvement from either conjunctival melanoma (CM) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the conjunctiva were reviewed.Results:  Five patients had CM (pT3 N0 M0 [n = 3], pT4 N0 M0 [n = 2]) and six patients had SCC (T3 N0 M0 [n = 6]). Mean age was 60.8 years and male : female (3 : 8). Mean follow up was 23.4 months (range 12–36 months). All patients were treated with Iodine‐125 plaque following biopsy‐proven corneoscleral invasion on histopathology. The treatment dose was 100 Gy to a depth of 1.5–2.5 mm. Outcomes: Median visual acuity and intraocular pressure were unchanged after surgery. Five patients experienced corneal ulceration in the immediate postoperative period. None experienced recurrence at the treatment site. One SCC patient and two CM patients experienced new lesions distant from the treatment site. No sight‐threatening complications were observed. No patients developed distant metastases.Conclusion:  Plaque brachytherapy is an effective and well‐tolerated modality for the management of patients with ocular surface malignancy with evidence of localized corneoscleral invasion.
Graves' ophthalmopathy and gene polymorphisms in interleukin‐1α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐1 receptor and interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist
Authors: Khalilzadeh Omid , Anvari Mehdi , Esteghamati Alireza , Mahmoudi Mahdi , Tahvildari Maryam , Rashidi Armin , Khosravi Farideh , Amirzargar Aliakbar 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  Interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) is known to have an important role in pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Polymorphisms in IL‐1 gene have been associated with autoimmune reactions. This study aimed to investigate the association of GO with single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL‐1 family (IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐1 receptor [IL‐1R] and IL‐1 receptor antagonist [IL‐1RA]).Methods:  A total of 57 patients of Graves' disease without GO, 50 patients with GO and 140 healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were recruited consecutively from the outpatient endocrine clinic of a large university general hospital. Cytokine typing was performed by the polymerase chain reaction with sequence‐specific primers assay. The allele and genotype frequencies of the following polymorphisms were determined: IL‐1α (−889C/T), IL‐1β (−511C/T), IL‐1β (+3962C/T), IL‐1R (Pst‐1 1970C/T) and IL‐1RA (Mspa‐1 11100C/T). Genotype distributions among patients were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium for all polymorphisms.Results:  Among the five SNPs studied, the frequencies of the T allele and the TT genotype of IL‐1α (−889C/T) were significantly higher among patients with GO than those without GO (odds ratio [OR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25–3.74; P = 0.006 and 5.67, 95% CI = 1.66–49.34; P = 0.005, respectively). For IL‐1RA (Mspa‐1 11100C/T), the frequencies of the C allele and the CC genotype were significantly higher among patients with GO (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.34–4.00; P = 0.004 and 6.73 95% CI = 1.94–23.36; P = 0.004, respectively; P < 0.01). No significant association was found for other SNPs.Conclusion:  This is the first study to show a positive correlation between polymorphisms in the IL‐1α and IL‐1RA genes and susceptibility to GO. These findings promote further research into genetic correlates of GO.
Cataract surgery in high‐risk age‐related macular degeneration: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hooper Claire Y , Lamoureux Ecosse L , Lim Lyndell , Fraser‐Bell Samantha , Yeoh Jonathan , Harper Colin A , Keeffe Jill E , Guymer Robyn H 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  To investigate if cataract surgery causes progression, from high‐risk early age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) to choroidal neovascularization (CNV), in the postoperative period.Methods:  Randomized controlled trial. Patients, with visually significant cataract and fundus features of early AMD at high risk of progression to CNV, were randomized into two groups and were evaluated at baseline and 6 months. The study patients (n = 27) underwent immediate cataract surgery. The control group (n = 29) comprised patients who had cataract surgery deferred until after the 6‐month visit. Assessment included visual acuity, quality of life (QoL) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA).Results:  Of 68 eligible eyes, 60 participated and 56 completed the study. Three referred eyes (3.2%) were ineligible on the basis of a pre‐existing, unsuspected occult CNV that was detected by baseline FFA. All three cases had end‐stage exudative AMD in the fellow eye. Of the study eyes in the immediate surgery arm (n = 27), one (3.7%) developed CNV compared with none (0/29) in the deferred arm (χ2; P = 1.0) at 6 months. In the operated group, there was a 2.8‐line improvement in logMAR visual acuity and 2.1‐fold average gain in QoL at 6 months.Conclusions:  No increased short‐term risk of progression of AMD to CNV in high‐risk fundi following uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery was found. A low threshold for performing preoperative imaging in patients with AMD, especially in those with exudative AMD in the fellow eye, to exclude undetected CNV is recommended. Provided there is no CNV, there are distinct benefits of cataract surgery in people with early AMD.
Spherical aberration after implantation of an aspheric versus a spherical intraocular lens in high myopia
Authors: Yu A‐Yong , Wang Qin‐Mei , Sun Jing , Xue An‐Quan , Zhu Shuang‐Qian , Wang Shu‐Lin , Li Jin‐Yang 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To compare visual performance and wavefront aberration in high myopia implanted with an aspheric intraocular lens (IOL) and a spherical IOL.Methods:  In this prospective investigation, 31 highly myopic patients were randomized to receive two IOL types: aspheric IOL (Acri.Smart 36A, 22 eyes) and spherical IOL (Rayner Superflex 620H, 23 eyes). Complete ophthalmological examination including best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and corneal aberration (Humphrey corneal topography) were performed preoperatively, 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Ocular aberration (WASCA wavefront analyser) was performed 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Contrast sensitivity under different lighting condition (CSV‐1000) was performed 3 months postoperatively.Results:  The aspheric IOL group and the spherical IOL group did not differ in baseline characteristics, including corneal spherical aberration Z40 (for 5‐mm pupil diameter 0.13 ± 0.06 vs. 0.15 ± 0.08 µm, P = 0.317; for 6‐mm pupil diameter 0.30 ± 0.11 vs. 0.29 ± 0.13 µm, P = 0.764). Compared with the spherical IOL group, the aspheric IOL group showed statistically significant less induction of Z40 of total ocular aberration at a pupil size of 5 and 6 mm 3 months postoperatively (0.07 ± 0.06 vs. 0.12 ± 0.06 µm, P = 0.017; 0.17 ± 0.11 vs. 0.27 ± 0.12 µm, P = 0.010), but not for 4‐mm pupil (0.03 ± 0.04 vs. 0.02 ± 0.04 µm, P = 0.54). The BCVA and contrast sensitivity were not statistically different between the two groups postoperatively.Conclusions:  The aspheric IOL induces significantly less spherical aberration than the spherical IOL after implantation in high myopia. Implantation of an aspheric IOL may reduce spherical aberration in high myopia, but clinically superior vision is not achieved.
Isolated extraocular muscle involvement as the ophthalmic manifestation of leukaemia
Authors: Kiratli Hayyam , Balci Kadriye E , Himmetoğlu Çiğdem , Üner Ayşegül 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  Clinical and imaging features of patients with orbital leukaemia primarily involving extraocular muscles were evaluated.Methods:  This retrospective case series includes patients with leukaemia whose only ophthalmic manifestation was extraocular muscle enlargement. Demographic data, clinical information on the systemic disease, prominent ocular signs and symptoms, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics, treatments applied and the outcomes were collected.Results:  Five patients were diagnosed as leukaemic infiltration of extraocular muscle between 1995 and 2008. The age at presentation ranged between 3 and 61 years. Acute myeloid leukaemia was the diagnosis in two patients, and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia and biphenotypic acute leukaemia were found in one patient each, respectively. One patient had bilateral involvement. The lateral rectus muscle was affected in four patients and the superior rectus muscle in one case. Restricted ocular motility was the most common finding. In one patient who had no prior history of leukaemia, an incisional biopsy established the diagnosis. All patients received multi‐agent chemotherapy. Four patients expired after a rapid decline of the systemic status within a mean period of 7 months.Conclusions:  Leukaemic infiltration of extraocular muscles is a rare and late manifestation of the advanced disease associated with relapse and there seems to be a predilection for the lateral rectus muscle. Systemic prognosis remains dismal despite intensive chemotherapy.
Notable role of glaucoma club on patients' knowledge of glaucoma
Authors: Chen Xueli , Chen Yuhong , Sun Xinghuai 
Published: June 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To assess how general glaucoma patients understand their disease compared with patients from the Shanghai Glaucoma Club and various influencing factors as well. Shanghai Glaucoma Club was further evaluated to determine its efficacy on its members' understanding and knowledge of glaucoma.Methods:  A total of 301 glaucoma patients in Shanghai Glaucoma Club and 314 general glaucoma patients were investigated by a questionnaire, composed of three parts and consisting of 20 questions. The first part asked questions about ‘level of cognition about glaucoma’, the second part was about ‘compliance of medication and follow‐up’, and the third part was about ‘life style and habit’. Answers were graded on each question and scores were summed up separately for each part and as a total. Differences of scores and influencing effects were analysed using multivariate linear regression (stepwise) between the two groups.Results:  The average total scores of the general glaucoma patients and the glaucoma club members were 19.6 ± 5.4 and 23.8 ± 4.0 (t = −11.14 P < 0.01), respectively. After multivariate linear regression adjustment for the effects of age, diagnosis and educational level glaucoma club members still had 3.73 points edge over the general patients.(t = 8.14, P < 0.01). The club was shown to be the strongest positive factor influencing patients' cognition. Patients in Shanghai Glaucoma Club understood the nature and course of glaucoma significantly better than the general glaucoma patients (t = 10.97, P < 0.01) and also lived healthier lives (t = 7.55, P < 0.01). The level of background education was found to be a positive influencing factor although age was negatively correlated with total score. Primary glaucoma patients demonstrated better cognition of their diseases compared with secondary glaucoma patients, and those patients unaware of their type of glaucoma produced lower scores.Conclusions:  This study demonstrated significant differences regarding the basic understanding of glaucoma between two groups: general glaucoma patients and members of the Shanghai Glaucoma Club. Club members presented with better cognition of glaucoma and self‐management compared with general glaucoma patients. Therefore, the Shanghai Glaucoma Club is an effective medium to improve patients' knowledge of disease and compliance for medication.