bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Filtering blebs imaging by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Savini Giacomo , Zanini Maurizio , Barboni Piero 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPurpose:  To assess the ability of standard optical coherence tomography to visualize filtering blebs after glaucoma surgery.Methods:  A prospective interventional case series was conducted in a private practice. Twenty‐nine eyes of 24 patients (21 with good, 2 with fair and 6 with poor intraocular pressure [IOP] control) were investigated. After the focus was manually adjusted on the conjunctiva, blebs were scanned perpendicularly to the limbus.Results:  Hyporeflective fluid‐filled spaces were detected in 19 out of the 21 eyes with good IOP. Within this group, blebs were classified into three different categories according to their optical coherence tomography pattern: type A (featuring a thick wall and a single large fluid‐filled space), type B (featuring a thin wall and multiple large fluid‐filled spaces) and type C (featuring multiple, irregular and flattened fluid‐filled spaces). Fluid‐filled spaces were not observed in three out of the six eyes with poor IOP control. Trabeculectomy without antimetabolites was associated with type A blebs (P = 0.015, Fisher's exact test), mitomycin‐C trabeculectomy with type B blebs (P = 0.0025) and mitomycin‐C phacotrabeculectomy with type C blebs (P = 0.0173).Conclusions:  Although it was not developed to evaluate the anterior segment of the eye, standard optical coherence tomography can visualize filtering blebs and reveal interesting details of their morphology. Clinicians using optical coherence tomography to diagnose glaucoma can take advantage of this ability of the instrument to obtain more information about their patients in the postoperative course of trabeculectomy and phacotrabeculectomy.
New Zealand experience of I125 brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma
Authors: Stack Rebecca , Elder Mark , Abdelaal Al , Hidajat Rudy , Clemett Richard 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPurpose:  To examine patient survival, visual function and complications in all patients with choroidal melanoma treated with I125 brachytherapy between 1995 and 2003 at the authors’ institution. To compare the results from their institution with those from international series.Methods:  Data were collected on 92 consecutive patients. Dosimetry was calculated for the lens, fovea, optic nerve and tumour apex. Follow‐up status of each patient domiciled outside the treatment centre was analysed from a postal questionnaire.Results:  Average pretreatment tumour dimensions were 3.9 mm (thickness) and 15.2 mm (diameter). Complete follow‐up data were available on 92% of patients. Regression of tumour occurred in 88% of cases. Five enucleations were performed. There were five melanoma‐related deaths. Visual acuity remained >6/12 in 35% of patients and >6/60 in 51% of patients. The most frequently observed complication was radiation retinopathy (maculopathy 23%, peripheral retinopathy 17%). Radiation cataract was seen in 11% and optic neuropathy in 10%. Dose of more than 90 Gy to the macula gave a 63% chance of developing maculopathy (P < 0.01). A tumour larger than 4 mm significantly increased the risk of developing radiation maculopathy (P = 0.003). Development of radiation cataract was dose‐related; >25 Gy to the lens gave a 44% risk of cataract development (P < 0.001). For tumours less than 4 mm from the disc margin there was a 50% risk of optic neuropathy (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Patient outcomes following brachytherapy were excellent with a high percentage of patients retaining mobility vision. Development of complications was related to the tumour location and dose to non‐tumour structures.
25‐Gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy system in the surgical management of children with posterior capsular opacification
Authors: Lam Dennis SC , Fan Dorothy SP , Mohamed Shaheeda , Yu Christopher BO , Zhang Shao‐bin , Chen Wei‐qi 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPurpose:  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the 25‐gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) system in the surgical management of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) in pseudophakic children.Methods:  Pars plana membranectomy was performed for PCO in 10 pseudophakic eyes of six children (mean age 35.1 ± 37.8 months; range 6–93 months) using the TSV system. Surgical technique, intraoperative problems and postoperative complications including wound leakage, hypotony and the need for suturing were recorded.Results:  Wound leakage and other intraoperative problems were not noted in any of the eyes. All eyes showed improvement of visual acuity from a mean of 6/67 before to 6/29 after surgery (P = 0.001). Mean postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) was 7.8 ± 3.1 mmHg (range: 3–10 mmHg). Four eyes (40%) had hypotony on the first postoperative day (IOP: 3–5 mmHg), which was transient in three eyes. One eye in a patient with uveitis had persistent hypotony, but hypotony was also present preoperatively, and the postoperative IOP returned to preoperative levels. This eye also developed recurrent PCO and a second capsulotomy was performed using the 25‐gauge TSV system.Conclusions:  Posterior capsulotomy using the 25‐gauge TSV system appears to be a safe and effective approach in the management of PCO in pseudophakic children. Advantages include easier manipulation with the smaller instruments in these small eyes, and it can be considered in appropriate cases.
Effect of fixation tasks on multifocal visual evoked potentials
Authors: Martins Alessandra , Klistorner Alexander , Graham Stuart , Billson Frank 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPurpose:  This study investigated the effects of cognitive influence on the multifocal visual evoked potential (mVEP) at different levels of eccentricity. Three different foveal fixation conditions were utilized involving varying levels of task complexity. A more complex visual fixation task has been known to suppress peripheral signals in subjective testing.Methods:  Twenty normal subjects had monocular mVEPs recorded using the AccuMap objective perimeter. This allowed simultaneous stimulation of 58 segments of the visual field to an eccentricity of 24°. The mVEP was recorded using three different fixation conditions in random order. During task 1 the subject passively viewed the central fixation area. For task 2 alternating numbers were displayed within the fixation area; the subject on viewing the number ‘3’ in the central fixation area indicated recognition by pressing a button. Throughout task 3, numbers were displayed as in task 2. The subject had the cognitive task of summating all the numbers.Results:  Analysis revealed that the increased attention and concentration demanded by tasks 2 and 3 in comparison with task 1 resulted in significantly enhanced central amplitudes of 9.41% (Mann–Whitney P = 0.0002) and 13.45% (P = 0.0002), respectively. These amplitudes became reduced in the periphery and approached those of task 1, resulting in no significant difference between the three tasks. Latencies demonstrated no significant difference between each task nor at any eccentricity (P > 0.05). As the complexity of each task increased the amount of alpha rhythm was significantly reduced.Conclusions:  Our findings indicate that task 1 required a minimal demand of cognition and was associated with the greatest amount of alpha rhythm. It was also the most difficult to perform because of loss of interest. The other two tasks required a greater demand of higher order cognitive skills resulting in significantly enhanced amplitudes centrally and the attenuation of alpha rhythm. Therefore, amplitudes are increased around the area of attention.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677 C‐T and homocysteine levels in Turkish patients with pseudoexfoliation
Authors: Turaçli M Erol , Tekeli Oya , Özdemir Filiz , Akar Nejat 
Published: September 2005

AbstractPurpose:  The 677 C‐T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is associated with hyperhomocysteinaemia. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of MTHFR 677 C‐T polymorphism and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in Turkish patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX).Methods:  This prospective study consisted of 60 patients with PEX glaucoma, 16 with PEX syndrome and 34 controls. All patients and control subjects were of Turkish origin. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Plasma Hcy levels were measured using fluorescence polarization immunoassay (Abbott Diagnostics). Hyperhomocysteinaemia was defined as a plasma Hcy level above 14 µmol/L. MTHFR 677 C‐T was genotyped by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (Roche Diagnostics).Results:  There was no statistically significant difference in patient and control groups for the age and sex (P > 0.05). The mean plasma Hcy levels were 15.76, 14.98 and 17.43 µmol/L in patients with PEX glaucoma, with PEX syndrome and controls, respectively. No significant differences between Hcy levels among the three groups (P > 0.05) were found. MTHFR 677 polymorphism did not show significant differences between the total patients with PEX (PEX glaucoma + PEX syndrome) and control subjects (CC: 51.3%n = 39, CT: 40.8%n = 31, TT: 7.9%n = 6 for patients with PEX; CC: 52.9%n = 18, CT: 35.3:%n = 12, TT: 11.8%n = 4 for controls) (P > 0.05). Frequency of T allele was 28.28% and 29.41% for the total patients with PEX and controls, respectively.Conclusion:  In Turkish patients with PEX, the authors could not find any association between Hcy levels, MTHFR 677 C‐T polymorphism, and the disease.
Fibrin glue in the management of corneal melt
Authors: Sii Freda , Lee Graham A 
Published: September 2005

AbstractHuman fibrin glue aids physiological healing thereby reducing corneal vascularization and scarring compared with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive. A 40‐year‐old intellectually disabled man with a corneal melt is reported who was managed successfully using human fibrin glue, alleviating the need for emergency penetrating keratoplasty.
Serial autofluorescence imaging over two years following indocyanine green‐assisted internal limiting membrane peel for macular hole
Authors: Kersey Thomas L , Bolton Anne , Patel CK 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA 65‐year‐old patient with an idiopathic full‐thickness macular hole underwent a vitrectomy, inner limiting membrane (ILM) peel and gas tamponade. The ILM was stained using 0.5% indocyanine green (ICG). Postoperative autofluorescence imaging shows a central focal hyperfluorescence surrounded by a perifoveal hypofluoresecnt area corresponding to the dyed and peeled ILM. Serial autofluorescence images showed progressive decrease in staining until 2 years later when no signs of ICG autofluorescence were apparent. The visual acuity for this patient improved two Snellen lines from 6/36 to 6/18 at 2 years. ICG may not be clinically toxic as is currently feared.
Absent upper eyelid skin crease: a sign of hypoglobus
Authors: Toh Tze’Yo , Weatherhead Robert G 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe association of an absent upper eyelid skin crease on downgaze with hypoglobus has not been described in the literature before. Herein a case of silent sinus syndrome that demonstrates this sign is described. The possible mechanism of such a sign is discussed.
Management of subconjunctival haematoma by tissue plasminogen activator
Authors: Mimura Tatsuya , Yamagami Satoru , Funatsu Hideharu , Usui Tomohiko , Ono Kyoko , Araie Makoto , Amano Shiro 
Published: September 2005

AbstractA patient with subconjunctival haematoma related to enterovirus 70 who was treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is reported. A 46‐year‐old man developed a severe subconjunctival haematoma and discharge in the left eye. Investigations, including coagulation tests, showed no abnormalities apart from a high‐serum antibody titre for enterovirus 70. The polymerase chain reaction demonstrated enterovirus 70 DNA in resected conjunctival tissue, leading to a diagnosis of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis. The left eye was treated with a single subconjunctival injection of tPA (16 000 IU) and the subconjunctival haematoma resolved completely after 3 days. Severe subconjunctival haematoma can occur in patients with acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis due to enterovirus 70. Subconjunctival injection of tPA may be useful for the treatment of severe subconjunctival haematoma.
Use of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection in unilateral idiopathic juxtafoveal telangiectasis
Authors: Li Kenneth KW , Goh Terence YH , Parsons Hugh , Chan Wai Man , Lam Dennis SC 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIdiopathic juxtafoveal telangiectasis (IJT) is one of the primary retinal telangiectasia that can result in visual impairment attributed to resultant cystoid macular oedema and rarely, choroidal neovascularization. The authors herein report successful treatment using intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in a case of unilateral IJT that did not respond to prior laser photocoagulation. Serial optical coherence tomography was used to monitor the effectiveness of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of IJT.
Severe loss of vision after removal of cataract caused by intravitreal triamcinolone in combination with photodynamic therapy for exudative age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Larsson Jörgen , Gillies Mark C 
Published: September 2005

AbstractIntravitreal triamcinolone has been suggested as an adjunctive to photodynamic therapy in the treatment of exudative macular degeneration. One of the side‐effects of intravitreal triamcinolone is the development of cataract, and it is known that cataract extraction can exacerbate macular degeneration. A case is presented where combined intravitreal triamcinolone and photodynamic therapy stopped the progression of the exudative macular degeneration. Subsequent progression of cataract required cataract extraction, which resulted in a very rapid progression of the exudative macular degeneration and loss of vision.
Primary treatment of choroidal amelanotic melanoma with photodynamic therapy
Authors: Donaldson Mark J , Lim Lyndell , Harper C Alex , Mackenzie John , G Campbell William 
Published: September 2005

AbstractThe management of choroidal melanoma involves a delicate balance between preserving vision and preventing metastasis. Plaque brachytherapy has become standard management of most small lesions; however, this can result in radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy. Transpupillary thermotherapy avoids these side‐effects; however, it can also result in visual loss and its effectiveness is limited in amelanotic lesions. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin has shown promise in animal studies of choroidal melanoma, and has recently been used in the management of lesions that have failed to respond to conventional therapy. The authors report a case of primary treatment of a small choroidal amelanotic melanoma with photodynamic therapy using verteporfin.
Solitary infantile myofibroma of the orbital bone
Authors: Nam Dong Heun , Moon Hyun Seung , Chung Dong Hae , Baek Se Hyun 
Published: September 2005

AbstractInfantile myofibroma of the orbit is an extremely rare condition. Only a few instances of this condition have ever been reported. A 3‐year‐old boy visited our clinic with lateral lower eyelid swelling and a palpable mass in the left eye, which had apparently persisted for 2 months. A computed tomography scan revealed a well‐circumscribed mass in the inferolateral orbital portion of the zygomatic bone, coupled with erosion of bone and orbital extension with reactive hyperostosis. Immunohistochemical stains proved positive for smooth muscle actin, supporting the diagnosis of solitary infantile myofibroma of the orbital bone (zygoma). Although rarely found in the orbit, solitary infantile myofibroma can display more aggressive or malignant neoplasm. Immunohistochemistry is integral to the differential diagnosis and a systemic evaluation for multicentric myofibroma is essential.
Participation of octopaminergic reward system and dopaminergic punishment system in insect olfactory learning revealed by pharmacological study
Authors: Unoki Sae , Matsumoto Yukihisa , Mizunami Makoto 
Published: September 2005

AbstractBiogenic amines play major roles in the regulation of behavior in vertebrates and invertebrates. Previous studies in honey bees and fruit‐flies Drosophila suggested that octopamine (OA, invertebrate counterpart of noradrenaline) and dopamine (DA) participate in appetitive olfactory conditioning with sucrose reward and aversive olfactory conditioning with electric shock punishment, respectively. In order to determine whether the effects of the two chatecholamines on electric shock and sugar learning can be generalized to other kinds of appetitive and aversive reinforcers, we studied the effects of OA and DA receptor antagonists on appetitive olfactory learning with water reward, and aversive olfactory learning with saline punishment in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. Crickets injected with epinastine or mianserin, OA receptor antagonists, into the hemolymph exhibited an impairment of appetitive learning with water reward, while aversive learning with saline punishment remained intact. In contrast, fluphenazine, chlorpromazine or spiperone, DA receptor antagonists, impaired aversive learning without affecting appetitive learning. This finding, combined with findings in previous studies, suggests that the octopaminergic reward system and dopaminergic punishment system participate in insect olfactory learning with various appetitive and aversive reinforcements.
Camille Melchior Gibert (1797–1866)
Authors: Díaz Díaz RM , Jiménez M Casado 
Published: September 2005

ABSTRACTCamille Melchior Gibert was born in 1797 in Paris. He interned there under Doctor Biett at l’Hôpital Saint‐Louis and worked at the Broca and Saint‐Louis Hospitals. He is best remembered for his description of Pityriasis rosea, which has been associated with him. He died in the 1866 Paris cholera epidemic.
Telomerase down‐regulation does not mediate PC12 pheochromocytoma cell differentiation induced by NGF, but requires MAP kinase signalling
Authors: Li He , Pinto Alexander Ruvantha , Duan Wenzhou , Li Jinhua , Toh Ban‐Hock , Liu Jun‐Ping 
Published: September 2005

AbstractTelomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that maintains chromosomal telomere homeostasis and underlies continuous renewal of stem cells and immortalization of neoplastic cells. Telomerase is down‐regulated during cell differentiation, but the mechanisms of down‐regulation are largely unknown. Here, we examined roles of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase and phosphatidylinositol‐3 (PI3) kinase signalling pathways in telomerase down‐regulation triggered by nerve growth factor (NGF), and the role of telomerase down‐regulation in NGF‐induced neural differentiation in PC12 cells. We report that NGF‐induced telomerase down‐regulation requires MAP kinase signalling. While mutations of all putative Akt phosphorylation sites in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) has no effect on telomerase activity, inhibition of MAP kinase signalling by PD98059 or U0126 abolishes NGF‐induced telomerase down‐regulation in a concentration‐dependent manner. Reversal of NGF‐induced telomerase down‐regulation by TERT overexpression does not prevent NGF‐induced neural differentiation. Down‐regulation of telomerase by silencing TERT gene expression does not trigger cell differentiation in the absence of NGF, nor enhances NGF‐induced differentiation. Thus, telomerase, withdraws by a mechanism at TERT gene transcription level involving MAP kinase signalling while cells cease proliferation and undergo differentiation. The withdrawal of telomerase is not required to mediate NGF‐induced PC12 cell differentiation and re‐establishment of telomerase activity at significant levels does not inhibit differentiation.
Recombinant prion protein induces rapid polarization and development of synapses in embryonic rat hippocampal neurons in vitro
Authors: Kanaani Jamil , Prusiner Stanley B. , Diacovo Julia , Baekkeskov Steinunn , Legname Giuseppe 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWhile a β‐sheet‐rich form of the prion protein (PrPSc) causes neurodegeneration, the biological activity of its precursor, the cellular prion protein (PrPC), has been elusive. We have studied the effect of purified recombinant prion protein (recPrP) on rat fetal hippocampal neurons in culture. Overnight exposure to Syrian hamster or mouse recPrP, folded into an α‐helical‐rich conformation similar to that of PrPC, resulted in a 1.9‐fold increase in neurons with a differentiated axon, a 13.5‐fold increase in neurons with differentiated dendrites, a fivefold increase in axon length, and the formation of extensive neuronal circuitry. Formation of synaptic‐like contacts was increased by a factor of 4.6 after exposure to recPrP for 7 days. Neither the N‐terminal nor C‐terminal domains of recPrP nor the PrP paralogue doppel (Dpl) enhanced the polarization of neurons. Inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and of Src kinases, including p59Fyn, blocked the effect of recPrP on axon elongation, while inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase showed a partial inhibition, suggesting that signaling cascades involving these kinases are candidates for transduction of recPrP‐mediated signals. The results predict that full‐length PrPC functions as a growth factor involved in development of neuronal polarity.
Development of microsatellite markers for the crown‐of‐thorns starfish Acanthaster planci
Authors: YASUDA N. , NAGAI S. , HAMAGUCHI M. , LIAN C. L. , NADAOKA K. 
Published: September 2005

AbstractWe isolated nine polymorphic microsatellites from the crown‐of‐thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci. These loci provide one class of highly variable genetic marker as the number of alleles ranged from three to 12 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.130 to 0.783 and from 0.163 to 0.862, respectively. We consider that these loci are potentially useful for detailing the genetic structure and gene flow among A. planci populations.
Characterization of immunoglobulin G fragments in liquid intravenous immunoglobulin products
Authors: Diemel Robert V. , Ter Hart Hendricus G.J. , Derksen Gerardus J.A. , Koenderman Anky H.L. , Aalberse Rob C. 
Published: September 2005

BACKGROUND: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products formulated as a liquid instead of a powder have become commercially available. Preferably, such liquid products should not alter after storage outside the refrigerator. Therefore, a thorough characterization of immunoglobulin G (IgG) fragmentation at various storage temperatures is required.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Storage experiments with liquid IVIG products from five manufacturers were performed at 4, 25, and 37°C and IgG fragments were analyzed.RESULTS: Storage of liquid IVIG products at 4°C resulted in negligible alterations, whereas an increase of IgG fragments was observed after prolonged storage at elevated temperatures. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis of five liquid IVIG products revealed three IgG fragments (12, 26, and 54 kDa) in all products. Fragments of similar molecular mass were produced upon incubations of IgG with blood‐derived proteases. N‐terminal amino acid sequencing revealed the cleavage site of these fragments, suggesting human neutrophil elastase to cause the 12‐kDa fragment. The presence of elastase in liquid IVIG was confirmed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The origin of the 26‐ and 54‐kDa fragments, both with an aspartic acid residue at the cleavage site, could not be determined unambiguously.CONCLUSION: IgG fragmentation in liquid IVIG is negligible when stored in the refrigerator. Only after prolonged storage at elevated temperature does proteolytic degradation of IgG become apparent.