bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low contrast visual acuity in pseudophakic patients implanted with an anterior surface modified prolate intraocular lens
Authors: Ricci Federico , Scuderi Gianluca , Missiroli Filippo , Regine Federico , Cerulli Angelica 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine whether implantation of a new intraocular lens (IOL) with a modified prolate anterior surface, designed to reduce the positive spherical aberration of the pseudophakic eyes, results in improved contrast sensitivity assessed in terms of low contrast visual acuity (VA). Methods:  We carried out an intraindividual study of 12 patients with bilateral cataracts, randomized to receive a prolate anterior surface IOL (Tecnis Z9000, Pharmacia) in one eye and a biconvex spherical surface IOL (CeeOn 911 A, Pharmacia) in the other. High and low contrast VA was assessed under photopic conditions, before and after pupil dilation. Results:  After mydriasis, the Technis Z9000 provided significantly better low contrast VA at contrast levels ≤ 25%. No significant difference was found under normal pupil conditions. Conclusion:  Our results confirm the hypothesis that the spherical aberration of the eye after cataract surgery can be reduced by an anterior prolate surface IOL.
A comparison of the effects of dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination versus latanoprost on intraocular pressure and pulsatile ocular blood flow in primary open‐angle glaucoma patients
Authors: Janulevicienë I. , Harris A. , Kagemann L. , Siesky B. , McCranor L. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To evaluate the effects of dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (D/T) compared to latanoprost on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) in primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Methods:  Thirty patients with POAG were randomized in an open‐label, cross‐over study. Intraocular pressure reduction was achieved by 4 weeks medical therapy with D/T twice daily or latanoprost 0.005% dosed once in the evening. During a 4‐week run–in and a 4‐week wash‐out period between study arms, patients ceased use of all other glaucoma medications and used timolol maleate 0.5% twice daily. Primary efficacy variables were IOP and POBF. Results:  There was no difference in baseline IOP and POBF parameters between the two study arms. Both D/T and latanoprost statistically significantly reduced IOP by 4.6 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and 3.75 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and increased POBF by 2.048 µl/second (p = 0.0030) and 2.147 µl/second (p = 0.0009), respectively. Repeated measures anova detected significant changes in POBF with treatment (p = 0.0361). Dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination statistically significantly increased pulse volume by 0.767 µl (p = 0.0087), while latanoprost therapy had no significant effect (p = 0.2407). Conclusions:  Both drugs had similar effects in terms of IOP reduction. Dorzolamide/timolol significantly increased pulse volume while latanoprost had no effect. Further studies are necessary to establish whether the enhancement of choroidal blood flow can prevent glaucoma progression.
Quantitative analysis of retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: identification of prognostic parameters for developing visual loss secondary to diabetic maculopathy
Authors: Hove M. N. , Kristensen J. K. , Lauritzen T. , Bek T. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To describe whether quantitative assessment of early changes in the morphology of retinopathy lesions can predict development of vision‐threatening diabetic maculopathy. Methods:  We used a nested case‐control study, and we studied 11 type 2 diabetes patients who had developed visual loss secondary to diabetic maculopathy. For each diabetes patient, we also studied three matched control patients who had been followed for a comparable period of time without developing visual loss. Fundus photographs describing the early development of retinopathy were digitized and subjected to a full manual quantitative grading on a computer monitor. Differences in the early development of retinal morphology were compared between the two groups. The outcome parameters were changes in the number and area of haemorrhages and exudates in different regions of the fundus, and the weighted distance of these lesions from the fovea and the optic disc. Results:  In patients who developed visual loss secondary to diabetic maculopathy there was significant early progression in the total area and number of haemorrhages and exudates. The haemorrhages had progressed in all retinal areas except the area around the optic disc and the temporal vascular arcades. The exudates had progressed temporally from the fovea and in the retinal periphery. Conclusions:  The results suggest that a quantitative description of the regional development of early diabetic retinopathy may help in identifying patients who will later develop vision‐threatening maculopathy.
Effect of voriconazole on a corneal abscess caused by fusarium
Authors: Polizzi Anna , Siniscalchi Cristina , Mastromarino Antonio , Saccà Sergio C. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To describe a case of corneal abscess caused by Fusarium solani that did not respond to common antifungal agents.Method:  Case report.Results:  Twenty days after accidental contact with vegetation, a 56‐year‐old man presented with a corneal abscess. Corneal ulceration developed and a perforating keratoplasty was performed. After a microbiological examination, the diagnosis of F. solani infection was made. Systemic and topical amphotericin B and fluconazole were prescribed, with no results. A new abscess formed on the transplanted graft and a wound leak developed. We administered topical and systemic voriconazole. No side‐effects were observed. The choroidal detachment and the surgical transplant recovered completely in 20 days. A vascular leukoma developed at the site of the transplanted corneal abscess.Conclusion:  From a functional point of view, another corneal transplant will be necessary. Voriconazole was effective in treating a severe keratomycosis caused by F. solani that was resistant to other topical and systemic antifungal agents.
Protective role of corneal epithelium against ultraviolet radiation damage
Authors: Podskochy Alexander 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  It is known that the corneal epithelium strongly absorbs ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The aim of the present study was to examine the protective role of corneal epithelium against UVR damage by comparing the biological effect of UVR exposure on whole corneas with that on de‐epithelialized corneas. Methods:  Six New Zealand albino rabbit corneas were exposed to UVR centred around 280 nm at a dose that causes biomicroscopically significant keratitis (012 J/cm2). Three corneas underwent manual de‐epithelialization prior to UVR exposure. A control group of three rabbits underwent only manual de‐epithelialization. The animals were killed 76 hours after treatment. The corneas were stained with haematoxylin and evaluated by light microscopy. Results:  Corneas that underwent only the exposure to UVR showed a loss of epithelial cells in the treated area. No damage to keratocytes or the stroma was detected. Corneas that underwent manual de‐epithelialization showed a loss of epithelial cells, and also keratocytes in the anterior quarter of the corneal stroma. However, corneas that were exposed to UVR after manual de‐epithelialization showed very deep stromal damage. The keratocytes disappeared through the entire thickness of the stroma in the UVR‐exposed area. Conclusion:  Exposure to UVR at 280 nm alone does not result in any deep damage to the corneal stroma and keratocytes. Manual de‐epithelialization causes the disappearance of anterior keratocytes. However, the stromal damage caused by UVR in the de‐epithelialized corneas was very deep. The corneal epithelium serves to protect the deeper corneal structures against UVR damage, probably by absorbing a substantial amount of the UVR energy applied to the eye.
The effects of coloured light filter overlays on reading rates in age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Eperjesi Frank , Fowler Colin W. , Evans Bruce J. W. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine the effect of coloured light filter overlays on reading rates for people with age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). Method:  Using a prospective clinical trial design, we examined the null hypothesis that coloured light filter overlays do not improve reading rates in AMD when compared to a clear filter. Reading rates for 12 subjects with non‐exudative AMD, associated with a relative scotoma and central fixation (mean age 81 years, SD 5.07 years) were determined using the Rate of Reading Test® (printed, nonsense, lower case sans serif, stationary text) with 10 different, coloured light filter overlays (Intuitive Overlays®; figures in brackets are percentage transmission values); rose (78%), pink (78%), purple (67%), aqua (81%), blue (74%), lime‐green (86%), mint‐green (85%), yellow (93%), orange (83%) and grey (71%). A clear overlay (Roscolene # 00) (360 cdm‐2) with 100% transmittance was used as a control. Results:
anova indicated that there was no statistically significant difference in reading rates with the coloured light filter overlays compared to the clear filter. Furthermore, chi‐squared analysis indicated that the rose, purple and blue filters had a significantly poorer overall ranking in terms of reading rates compared to the other coloured and clear light filters. Conclusion:  Coloured light filter overlays are unlikely to provide a clinically significant improvement in reading rates for people with non‐exudative AMD associated with a relative scotoma and central fixation.
Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in patients with age‐related macular degeneration and juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Frennesson Christina I. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose:  To investigate the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in a clinical patient material. Methods:  Thirty eyes in 30 consecutive patients with AMD and a juxtafoveal CNV underwent PDT with verteporfin with standard parameters. The patients were followed up for 12 months and retreated every 12 weeks in the event of leakage from CNV. Nineteen patients (63.3%) had a predominantly classic CNV, eight (26.7%) had a 100% occult CNV and three (10%) had a minimally classic lesion. In 27 patients (90%) the lesion was ≤ 3 MPS (Macular Photocoagulation Study) disc diameters and ≤ 3 MPS disc areas. Results:  There was a positive correlation between duration of symptoms and loss of visual acuity at 12 months (p < 0.02). For predominantly classic lesions, there was a positive correlation between duration of symptoms and lesion size (p < 0.005). At 12 months, leakage had stopped after 3.3 ± 0.9 treatments in 80% of the patients. Visual acuity remained stable in 63.3% of the patients. Conclusion:  Photodynamic therapy appears to be beneficial in patients with AMD and juxtafoveal CNV.
Corneo‐conjunctival autograft transplantation for pterygium surgery
Authors: Frau Eric , Labétoulle Marc , Lautier‐Frau Marie , Hutchinson Sacha , Offret Hervé 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of surgical management of pterygium with corneo‐conjunctival autograft transplantation.Setting: Ophthalmology Department, Bicêtre Hospital, University Paris XI and the Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, France.Methods: The records of 104 patients (114 eyes), comprising 40 women and 64 men, who underwent corneo‐conjunctival autograft transplantation for primary (104 eyes) and recurrent (10 eyes) pterygia between 1992 and 1998, were reviewed in a retrospective survey. Follow‐up ranged from 12 to 78 months (mean 22.5 months).Results: All grafts were planted promptly and donor sites re‐epithelialized with no excessive scar tissue formation. No recurrence was noted. Improvement of visual acuity was achieved in 24 patients and stabilization was achieved in 76 patients. The main complication was progression of corneal astigmatism exceeding 4 dioptres in two patients.Conclusion: These results indicate that corneo‐conjunctival autograft transplantation is an effective treatment for pterygia.
Management of diabetes using adaptive control
Authors: Hovorka Roman 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe review focuses on adaptive systems for insulin treatment in type 1 diabetes. The review consists of two parts. First, adaptive approaches are described, which exploit infrequent glucose measurements (four to seven measurements per day). Second, adaptive approaches are described, which exploit frequent or continuous glucose measurements (every hour or more often). Each part is further divided into two subparts separating off‐line and on‐line adaptive techniques. The latter represents treatment strategies, which rely on continuous re‐assessment of the glucoregulatory system. The former refers to treatment strategies, which are fixed for a day or longer and are revisited from time to time. It is concluded that the role of adaptive approaches will increase as new continuous glucose‐sensing monitors reach the market. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Megalourethra: A report of three cases associated with maternal diabetes and a review of the literature—is sonic hedgehog the common pathway?
Authors: Vaux Keith K. , Jones Marilyn C. , Benirschke Kurt , Bird Lynne M. , Jones Kenneth L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe mechanisms by which maternal diabetes causes malformations in the offspring have yet to be elucidated. The purpose of this report is twofold: first, to describe three male infants born with multiple congenital anomalies and megalourethra, a defect which has not been previously reported in infants of women with diabetes; and second, to indicate that the defects seen in association with megalourethra in these three infants are similar to those seen as a consequence of abnormalities in sonic hedgehog, suggesting that maternal diabetes may affect sonic hedgehog expression in susceptible tissues during critical stages of development. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dentin phosphoprotein compound mutation in dentin sialophosphoprotein causes dentinogenesis imperfecta type III
Authors: Dong Juan , Gu TingTing , Jeffords Leticia , MacDougall Mary 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA rare compound mutation involving a 36 bp deletion and 18 bp insertion within exon 5 of the dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene has been identified in a family with dentinogenesis imperfecta type III (DGI‐III). The DSPP gene encodes two major tooth matrix proteins dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and dentin phosphoprotein (DPP). DSPP mutations associated with DGI‐III results in an in frame truncation of the serine aspartic acid triplet repeat found in DPP near the highly conserved carboxyl terminal region shortening the protein by six amino acids. Clinically this family presents with discolored amber opalescent teeth and severe attrition of the tooth structure. This study is the first report of a mutation within DPP associated with a genetic dentin disease. Our study indicates that DGI‐III is allelic with some forms of DGI‐II with and without progressive hearing loss and dentin dysplasia type II that have been shown to be caused by mutations within the DSP coding or signal peptide regions. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optothermomechanical device for the interferometric characterization of fibers
Authors: Hamza A. A. , Sokkar T. Z. N. , El‐Farahaty K. A. , El‐Dessouky H. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAn optothermomechanical (OTM) device was designed and constructed for fiber characterization with a double‐beam interference microscope. This device enabled us to correlate both the mechanical properties and the thermal properties with the optical properties of fibers. The OTM device consisted of three parts, which were used for the drawing (stress–strain), cooling, and heating of the fibers. The designed OTM device (cooling and heating) was attached to the Pluta microscope for the determination of the optical properties of high‐density polyethylene (PE) fibers at different temperatures (0–50°C). Also, this OTM device (drawing and heating), connected to the Pluta microscope, was used to study the influence of the temperature (10–50°C) and draw ratio (1–7) simultaneously on the optical properties of polypropylene (PP) fibers. Microinterferograms were provided for illustration. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 647–658, 2005
Culture of Escherichia coli under dissolved oxygen gradients simulated in a two‐compartment scale‐down system: Metabolic response and production of recombinant protein
Authors: Sandoval‐Basurto Edgar A. , Gosset Guillermo , Bolívar Francisco , Ramírez Octavio T. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA significant problem of large‐scale cultures, but scarcely studied for recombinant E. coli, is the presence of gradients in dissolved oxygen tension (DOT). In this study, the effect of DOT gradients on the metabolic response of E. coli and production of recombinant pre‐proinsulin, accumulated as inclusion bodies, was determined. DOT gradients were simulated in a two‐compartment scale‐down system consisting of two interconnected stirred‐tank bioreactors, one maintained at anoxic conditions and the other at a DOT of at least 6%. Cells were continuously circulated between both vessels to simulate circulation times (tc) of 20, 50, 90, and 180 sec. A complete kinetic and stoichiometric characterization was performed in the scale‐down system as well as in control cultures maintained at constant DOT in the range of 0–20%. The performance of E. coli cultured under oscillating DOT was significantly affected, even at a tc of 20 sec corresponding to transient exposures of only 13.3 sec to anaerobic conditions. Specific growth rate decreased linearly with tc to a maximum reduction of 30% at the highest tc tested. The negative effect of DOT gradients was even more pronounced for the overall biomass yield on glucose and the maximum concentration and yield of pre‐proinsulin. In these cases, the losses were 9%, 27%, and 20%, respectively, at tc of 20 sec and 65%, 94%, and 87%, respectively, at tc of 180 sec. Acetic, lactic, formic, and succinic acids accumulated during oscillatory DOT cultures, indicating that deviation of carbon flow to anaerobic metabolism was responsible for the observed losses. The results of this study indicate that even very short exposures to anaerobic conditions, typical of large‐scale operations, can substantially reduce recombinant protein productivity. The information presented here is useful for establishing improved rational scale‐up strategies and understanding the behavior of recombinant E. coli exposed to DOT gradients. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Five-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic total versus anterior 180° fundoplication
Authors: Ludemann R , Watson D I , Jamieson G G , Game P A , Devitt P G 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Background
Total fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease may be followed by unwanted side-effects. A randomized trial demonstrated that an anterior 180° partial fundoplication achieved effective reflux control and was associated with fewer side-effects in the short term than total fundoplication. This paper reports longer-term (5 year) outcomes from that trial.

Methods
Between December 1995 and June 1997, 107 patients were randomized to undergo either laparoscopic total fundoplication or a laparoscopic anterior 180° fundoplication. After 5 years, 101 of 103 eligible patients (51 total, 50 anterior) were available for follow-up. Each patient was interviewed by a single blinded investigator and a standardized questionnaire was completed. The questionnaire focused on symptoms and overall satisfaction with the results of fundoplication.

Results
There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to control of heartburn or patient satisfaction with the overall outcome. Dysphagia, measured by a visual analogue score for solid food and a composite dysphagia score, was worse at 5 years after total fundoplication. Symptoms of bloating, inability to belch and flatulence were also more common after total fundoplication. Reoperation was required for dysphagia in three patients after total fundoplication and for recurrent reflux in three patients after anterior fundoplication.

Conclusion
Anterior 180° partial fundoplication was as effective as total fundoplication for managing the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux in the longer term. It was associated with a lower incidence of side-effects, although this was offset by a slightly higher risk of recurrent reflux symptoms.
Lower gastrointestinal symptoms are not predictive of colorectal neoplasia in a faecal occult blood screen-positive population
Authors: Ahmed S , Leslie A , Thaha M A , Carey F A , Steele R J C 
Published: December 2004

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of lower gastrointestinal symptoms in faecal occult blood (FOB) test-positive participants in a colorectal screening programme, and to compare the colonoscopic findings in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

Methods
Five hundred and sixty-three consecutive individuals with a positive FOB test in the Scottish arm of the national colorectal cancer screening pilot were studied. All were aged between 50 and 69 years and underwent colonoscopy. Before the procedure the participants were given a standard questionnaire to elicit gastrointestinal symptoms; these were correlated with the colonoscopic findings.

Results
Of the 563 participants, 439 (78·0 per cent) had one or more lower gastrointestinal symptoms and 124 (22·0 per cent) were symptom free. Taking adenoma and carcinoma together, 322 (57·2 per cent) of the subjects were found to have colorectal neoplasia, and 128 (22·7 per cent) had a completely normal colon. Rectal bleeding was the most common symptom, followed by change in bowel habit, abdominal pain, tenesmus, unexplained weight loss, rectal pain and unexplained anaemia. No significant associations were found between any of these symptoms and the findings at colonoscopy.

Conclusion
In a FOB test-positive screened population, lower gastrointestinal symptoms are common, but are not predictive of colorectal neoplasia.