bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Oocyte Quality: Who is Driving the Follicle?
Authors: Mermillod P , Dalbiès‐Tran R , Uzbekova S , Thélie A , Traverso J‐M , Perreau C , Papillier P , Monget P 
Published: July 2008

ContentsMammalian ovaries contain a large stock of oocytes enclosed in primordial follicles. Ovarian cyclic activity induces some of these follicles to initiate growth towards a possible ovulation. However, most of these follicles terminate their growth at any moment and degenerate through atresia. In growing follicles, only a subset of oocytes are capable to support meiosis, fertilization and early embryo development to the blastocyst stage, as shown through embryo in vitro production experiments. This proportion of competent oocytes is increasing along with follicular size. Growing lines of evidence suggest that oocyte competence relies on the storage of gene products (messenger RNA or protein) that will be determinant to support early stages of embryo development, before full activation of embryonic genome. Given these facts, the question is: are these gene products stored in oocytes during late folliculogenesis, allowing an increasing proportion of them to become competent? Alternatively, these transcripts may be stored during early folliculogenesis as the oocyte grows and displays high transcription activity. Several arguments support this latter hypothesis and are discussed in this review: (i) many attempts at prolonged culture of oocytes from antral follicles have failed to increase developmental competence, suggesting that developmental competence may be acquired before antral formation; (ii) the recent discovery of oocyte secreted factors and of their ability to regulate many parameters of surrounding somatic cells, possibly influencing the fate of follicles between ovulation or atresia, suggests a central role of oocyte quality in the success of folliculogenesis. Finally, in addition to their role in interfollicular regulation of ovulation rate, late folliculogenesis regulation and atresia could also be seen as a selective process aimed at the elimination through follicular atresia of oocytes that did not succeed to store proper gene products set during their growth.
Topographical relationship between urethral rhabdosphincter and rectourethralis muscle: A better understanding of the apical dissection and the posterior stitches in radical prostatectomy
Authors: Soga Hideo , Takenaka Atsushi , Murakami Gen , Fujisawa Masato 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  To clarify the topographical relationship between the urethral rhabdosphincter and the rectourethralis muscle as these structures lying dorsally to membranous urethra are important factors to post‐prostatectomy urinary continence.Methods:  Pelvic floor specimens including prostate, bulbus penis, and anorectum, obtained from 15 male cadavers (ages at death 66 to 80 years), were examined with standard histologic and immunohistochemical techniques using semiserial sagittal and transverse sections.Results:  The rectourethralis muscle was defined. It was found to be located at the interface between the levator ani muscle and rectum. It was not possible to histologically identify the fibromuscular node known as the perineal body. The urethral rhabdosphincter was found to be inserted into the rectourethralis muscle, which is composed of the smooth muscle fibers. Abundant nerves passed between the rectourethralis muscle and the levator ani, or through the rectourethralis muscle. The urethral rhabdosphincter was closely attached to the apical or ventral portion of the rectourethralis muscle. Morphologically, the membranous urethra was fixed to the rectourethralis muscle through the urethral rhabdosphincter.Conclusions:  The rectourethralis muscle influences the stabilization of membranous urethra. The posterior stitches for the reconstruction of the dorsal musculofascial plate might injure the nerve fibers running along and through the rectourethralis muscle.
Subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy in Chinese patients with myopic choroidal neovascularization: one‐ and two‐year follow up
Authors: Wu Pei‐Chang , Chen Yung‐Jen , Chen Chih‐Hsin , Chen Yi‐Hao , Kao Min‐Lun , Shin Shyi‐Jang , Ko Yueh‐Min , Kuo Hsi‐Kung 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:  To perform a safety and efficacy study of subthreshold transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) in Chinese patients with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia.Methods:  In a prospective study, patients with subfoveal or juxtafoveal CNV secondary to high myopia underwent subthrehold TTT with fixed treatment and follow‐up protocols. From October 2002 to July 2005, 12 and 24 months of follow up were completed for 21 eyes and 13 eyes respectively.Results:  The mean best‐corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were maintained at the baseline level at 1 and 2 years. Seventy‐two per cent of eyes and 63% of eyes had stable or improved BCVA at 12 and 24 months. Thirty‐four per cent and 39% of eyes had a moderate gain in vision (improved by three or more lines) at 12 and 24 months respectively. The average number of subthreshold TTT treatments was 1.7. The major complication of subthreshold TTT included laser‐related low‐grade retinal pigment epithelium atrophy in two eyes of young patients with clear lenses. The final VA was significantly associated with pretreated VA (r = 0.614, P = 0.003). The final VA improvement was significantly associated with pretreatment VA in negative correlation (r = −0.731, P = 0.0002, Person correlation test).Conclusions:  Subthreshold TTT in Chinese patients with pathologic myopia and subfoveal or juxtafoveal CNV generally maintained vision at 1‐ and 2‐year follow up. Using decreased power of subthreshold TTT, especially in the younger patients with a clear lens, is suggested.
Topical Cyclosporin A in the treatment of acute graft rejection: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Poon Alexander , Constantinou Marios , Lamoureux Ecosse , Taylor Hugh R 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:  Corneal graft rejection is the commonest cause of graft failure. Currently, intensive topical steroid is the treatment for graft rejection. We hypothesized that the use of topical Cyclosporin A (CsA) 0.05%, specifically Restasis (Allergan) in addition to intensive steroids would aid in the reversal and treatment of endothelial graft rejection.Methods:  In a randomized double masked control study, we recruited 108 patients with acute endothelial graft rejection. They were randomized to two groups. The first group received intensive prednisolone acetate and placebo. The second group received intensive prednisolone acetate and Restasis.Results:  There was no difference between the baseline characteristics for the two groups. Nine out of 54 in the placebo group and five out of 54 (16.7% vs. 9.2% P = 0.23) in the treatment group were exited from the study because of worsening signs despite treatment. No significant difference was found between the two groups for time to reversal and resolution. Side‐effects of the treatment include increased intraocular pressure and punctate epithelial erosions. These changes most likely relate to the use of intensive prednisolone acetate.Conclusion:  The use of commercially available CsA as an adjunct to topical steroids does not appear to improve the outcome of graft rejection.
K469E polymorphism of the intracellular adhesion molecule 1 gene is associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Petrovič Mojca Globočnik , Osredkar Joško , Saraga‐Babić Mirna , Petrovič Daniel 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:  In proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) increased levels of cytokines, inflammatory cells and angiogenic factors are present. These factors increase the expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the polymorphisms of the ICAM‐1 gene (K469E, G241A) and the development of PDR among patients with type 2 diabetes in the Slovenian population (Caucasians).Methods:  For the purpose, 195 subjects with type 2 diabetes with PDR were compared with 143 subjects with type 2 diabetes of duration of more than 10 years who had no clinical signs of diabetic retinopathy. We analysed serum ICAM levels in 54 subjects with type 2 diabetes and 25 subjects without diabetes.Results:  A significantly higher frequency of the EE genotype of the K469E polymorphism of the ICAM‐1 was found in the patients with PDR compared with those without diabetic retinopathy (OR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–3.5; P = 0.013), whereas the G241A polymorphism of the ICAM‐1 gene failed to yield an association with PDR. Moreover, significantly higher sICAM‐1 serum levels were demonstrated in diabetics with the EE genotype compared with those with the other (EK + KK) genotypes (918 ± 104 vs. 664 ± 209 µg/L; P = 0.001). The G241A polymorphism of the ICAM‐1 gene, on the other hand, failed to affect sICAM‐1 serum levels in diabetics.Conclusions:  We may conclude that the EE genotype of the K469E polymorphism of the ICAM‐1 might be a risk factor for PDR in the Slovenian population (Caucasians) with type 2 diabetes.
Correlation between CFH Y402H and HTRA1 rs11200638 genotype to typical exudative age‐related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy phenotype in the Japanese population
Authors: Gotoh Norimoto , Yamada Ryo , Nakanishi Hideo , Saito Masaaki , Iida Tomohiro , Matsuda Fumihiko , Yoshimura Nagahisa 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:  Typical exudative age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are two of the major macular diseases found in Asians. Although genomic studies have shown a contribution by CFH and LOC387715/HTRA1 polymorphisms to the development of these two diseases, the correlation of the clinical phenotypes to these genotypes has not been determined in Asian patients.Methods:  The prevalence of the CFH Y402H and HTRA1 rs11200638 genotypes was determined in 116 patients with typical exudative AMD and in 204 patients with PCV. Potential correlations of these polymorphisms were tested retrospectively and cross‐sectionally for bilaterality of the disease, final visual acuity and the greatest linear dimension of the choroidal neovascular (CNV) lesion.Results:  There was no significant difference in the incidence of CFH Y402H (P = 0.598) and HTRA1 rs11200638 (P = 0.290) between eyes with typical exudative AMD and with PCV. There was a significant association between the lesion size and HTRA1 rs11200638. For eyes with typical AMD, the size of the lesion (6363 ± 2837 µm) was significantly larger in the high‐risk homozygous group (AA), than in the low‐risk homozygous group (GG) (3866 ± 1947 µm; P = 0.0003). The same tendency was observed for the size of the lesion in PCV cases (homozygous group: 6347 ± 2673 µm, non‐risk homozygous group: 4405 ± 2066 µm, P = 1.3 × 10−5).Conclusions:  A common genetic background may exist between typical exudative AMD and PCV patients. Among the patients with these two clinical entities, those with a homozygous HTRA1 rs11200638 risk allele had larger CNV lesions.
Superiorly hinged blepharoplasty flap for reconstruction of medial upper eyelid defects following excision of xanthelasma palpebrum
Authors: Then Siew‐Yin , Malhotra Raman 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThis paper documents an interventional case series which describes a novel technique for reconstructing large medial upper eyelid skin defects following excision of xanthelasma palpebrum. All visible upper eyelid xanthelasma is excised and a superiorly hinged blepharoplasty skin flap is created with a classic skin crease and lateral blepharoplasty incision, the latter acting as an effective ‘back‐cut’ to allow medial advancement of the flap into the defect. Excess triangles of skin are excised and the flap is sutured without tension into the defect in a conventional manner. The patients selected were patients with medial upper eyelid skin defects not amenable to direct closure following surgical excision of xanthelasma. The main outcome measures were the upper eyelid aesthetic and functional outcome, postoperative complications and need for revisionary surgery. In our study seven patients with bilateral medial upper eyelid xanthelasma excised and reconstructed with this technique were identified. Good aesthetic outcome and high patient satisfaction without functional compromise was achieved in all patients at the last follow‐up visit. Patient age ranged from 30–52 years old. Follow up ranged from 8 to 18 months. In conclusion, the superiorly hinged blepharoplasty skin flap is a novel and simple technique for the reconstruction of skin defects that are not amenable to direct closure following xanthelasma excision. It avoids the complications of skin grafting and non‐surgical ablative methods, particularly in dark‐skinned patients.
Components of the fibrinolytic system in the vitreous body in patients with vitreoretinal disorders
Authors: Ulrich Jan Niklas , Spannagl Michael , Kampik Anselm , Gandorfer Arnd 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To assess components of the fibrinolytic system in the vitreous humour and serum of patients with vitreoretinal disorders.Methods:  Forty‐three samples of vitreous humour and plasma of 43 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for macular hole, macular pucker, retinal detachment or proliferative vitreoretinopathy were evaluated for their content of plasminogen, a2‐antiplasmin, plasminogen‐activator‐inhibitor 1, plasmin‐a2‐antiplasmin‐complex, tissue plasminogen activator, total protein, albumin, d‐dimer. Patient groups were compared with each other using the U‐test (Mann and Whitney) for non‐parametric testing of two independent samples.Results:  The groups of retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy had elevated vitreal levels of plasminogen‐activator‐inhibitor 1 (352.5 and 370.7 ng/mL vs. 1.86 and 56.6 ng/mL, P = non‐significant), plasmin‐a2‐antiplasmin‐complex (2416.5 and 1836.2 µg/L vs. 124.2 and 133.4 µg/L, P < 0.001), albumin (0.08 and 0.15 g/dL vs. 0.03 and 0.07 g/dL, P < 0.05) and d‐dimer (4.76 and 1.64 µg/mL vs. 0.40 and 0.48 µg/mL, P = non‐significant) when compared with patients with macular hole and macular pucker.Conclusions:  There are significant differences in the vitreal concentration of components of the fibrinolytic system in patients with vitreoretinal disorders. Breakdown of the blood–retinal barrier and complex disease‐specific mechanisms are thought to be responsible for an increase of components of the fibrinolytic system in the vitreous.
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia as the first apparent manifestation of HIV infection in Malawi
Authors: Spitzer Martin S , Batumba Nkume H , Chirambo Tamara , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl U , Kayange Petros , Kalua Khumbo , Szurman Peter 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed and asymptomatic HIV infection in patients with ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) in an urban patient population in Malawi.Methods:  A consecutive series of patients presenting with OSSN was evaluated in an African academic centre. A detailed history and physical examination in 53 consecutive patients with conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma and conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia were performed. Thirty‐eight (72%) patients agreed to undergo serological HIV testing.Results:  Seventy‐nine per cent (30 of 38) patients were HIV positive. None of the patients had previous HIV testing or was aware of having symptoms of HIV. Seventy per cent (n = 21) of the HIV‐positive patients had no other symptoms suggestive of HIV infection or any other disease. Patients were far more likely to refuse HIV testing if they were married and male.Conclusions:  The conjunctival tumour may be the primary and only apparent manifestation of HIV in patients presenting with OSSN in Sub‐Saharan Africa.
Red‐green colour blindness in Singaporean children
Authors: Chia Audrey , Gazzard Gus , Tong Louis , Zhang Xiaoe , Sim Ee‐Ling , Fong Allan , Saw Seang Mei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurpose:  X‐linked red‐green colour blindness is the most common form of colour blindness. Various studies suggest that, worldwide, 2–8% of men are afflicted with this condition. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of red‐green colour blindness in Singaporean schoolchildren.Method:  A total of 1249 children aged 13–15 years were screened using the Ishihara 24‐plate edition book during the School Cohort study of the Risk factors for Myopia visit.Results:  A total of 1210 children (96.8%) managed to correctly identify at least 13 of the initial 15 plates and were deemed to have normal colour vision. Thirty‐three children (32 boys, one girl) were only able to identify nine or less plates and were considered to be colour blind. Overall, 5.4% (95% confidence interval 3%, 7%) of Chinese, 4.9% (1%, 9%) of Malay and 4.9% (2%, 11%) of Indian boys were colour blind (P = 0.97). Classification plates 16–17 were useful in determining deutran or protan tendencies in only 14 (43%) of the 33 children identified as being colour blind.Conclusion:  5.3% of boys and 0.2% of girls were found to be colour blind in this Singapore‐based study. Although the Ishihara test proved useful in identifying colour‐blind children, other tests are required to accurately classify the types of red‐green colour blindness in these children.
Combined penetrating keratoplasty and keratolimbal allograft transplantation in comparison with corneoscleral transplantation in the treatment of severe eye burns
Authors: Shi Weiyun , Gao Hua , Wang Ting , Xie Lixin 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurpose:  The aim of this study is to compare the therapeutic outcomes between penetrating keratoplasty (PK) combined with keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) transplantation and corneoscleral transplantation in patients with severe corneal burns.Methods:  Thirty‐eight patients (39 eyes) diagnosed severe corneal burns in stable status with vascularization and corneal opacity were included. We performed combined PK with KLAL transplantation in 23 eyes (group A) and corneoscleral transplantation in 16 eyes (group B). The main outcome measures were postoperative complications and long‐term visual acuity and rejection.Results:  The incidence of postoperative complications (corneal epithelium defect, hyphaema and hypotony) in group A were obviously less than those in group B. Fifteen eyes (65%) in group A and four eyes (25%) in group B had best‐corrected visual acuity of >0.05 at 24 months (P = 0.022). Limbal stem cell rejection occurred in eleven grafts (48%) in group A and eight grafts (50%) in group B (P = 1.000). Nine grafts (39%) in group A and 12 grafts (54%) in group B had endothelial rejection (P = 0.049).Conclusions:  PK combined with KLAL transplantation may reduce the risk of postoperative complications. Long‐term prognosis appears better than corneoscleral transplantation in the treatment of severe eye burns.
Cytotoxicity of ophthalmic solutions with and without preservatives to human corneal endothelial cells, epithelial cells and conjunctival epithelial cells
Authors: Ayaki Masahiko , Yaguchi Shigeo , Iwasawa Atsuo , Koide Ryohei 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurpose:  The cytotoxicity of a range of commercial ophthalmic solutions in the presence and absence of preservatives was assessed in human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs), corneal epithelia and conjunctival epithelia using in vitro techniques.Methods:  Cell survival was measured using the WST‐1 assay for endothelial cells and the MTT assay for epithelial cells. Commercially available timolol, carteolol, cromoglicate, diclofenac, bromfenac and hyaluronic acid ophthalmic solutions were assessed for cytotoxicity in the presence and absence of preservatives. The preservatives benzalkonium, chlorobutanol and polysorbate were also tested. The survival of cells exposed to test ophthalmic solutions was expressed as a percentage of cell survival in the control solution (distilled water added to media) after 48 h exposure.Results:  HCEC survival was 20–30% in ophthalmic solutions diluted 10‐fold. The survival of HCEC was significantly greater in all solutions in the absence of preservative than in the presence of preservative. The survival of corneal and conjunctival epithelia was consistent with that of HCECs for all test ophthalmic solutions. The preservatives polysorbate and benzalkonium were highly cytotoxic with cell survival decreasing to 20% at the concentration estimated in commercial ophthalmic solutions. By comparison, the survival of cells exposed to chlorobutanol was 80% or greater.Conclusions:  The cytotoxicity of ophthalmic solutions to HCEC, corneal epithelia and conjunctival epithelia decreased in the absence of preservative.
Bimanual microincision phacoemulsification in treating hard cataracts using different power modes
Authors: Liu Yizhi , Jiang Yuzhen , Wu Mingxing , Liu Yuhua , Zhang Tieying 
Published: July 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To compare the performance of the Multiburst mode, the Shortpulse mode and the Whitestar technology of the Sovereign platform in treating hard cataracts with bimanual microincision phacoemulsification.Methods:  101 eyes with hard cataracts (nuclear density Grade 3 and Grade 4 or above) were randomized into three groups. Bimanual microincision phacoemulsification was performed using the Multiburst mode, the Shortpulse mode and the Whitestar technology of the Sovereign phacoemulsification machine respectively. The average power, total duration of ultrasonic power release (US Time), effective phaco time, complications, best‐corrected visual acuity and rate of corneal endothelial cell loss were measured and compared among the study groups.Results:  For hard cataracts of various nuclear densities, average ultrasonic power was highest in the Whitestar group followed by the Shortpulse group. The Multiburst group had the highest US Time, effective phaco time and rate of corneal endothelial cell loss whereas the Whitestar Group had the lowest. The differences between the groups were found to be statistically significant by variation analysis and the Fisher's least significant difference procedure. However, there were no significant differences between the US Time values of the Shortpulse Group and the Whitestar Group (P = 0.051). In the Multiburst Group, wound burn occurred in one eye, and three eyes had abnormal fluctuations in the anterior chamber depth.Conclusions:  The Whitestar technology showed the best performance in this study. The Multiburst mode was proved to be a relatively unsuitable ultrasonic power mode in treating hard cataracts with bimanual microincision phacoemulsification.