bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tim-3 and PD-1 blocking cannot restore the functional properties of natural killer cells in early clinical stages of chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Astaneh Mojgan , Rezazadeh Hadiseh , Hossein-Nataj Hadi , Shekarriz Ramin , Zaboli Ehsan , Shabani Mahdi , Asgarian-Omran Hossein 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and T-cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3) are two major immune checkpoint receptors expressed on immune cells and their expression is related to the exhaustion phenotype. In the present in vitro study, blocking of PD-1 and Tim-3 molecules was performed on isolated natural killer (NK) cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) to restore their functional properties.

Materials and Methods:
NK cells fraction was positively isolated from fresh peripheral blood of 18 CLL patients, treated with anti-PD-1 and anti-Tim-3 blocking monoclonal antibodies and co-cultured with K562 target cells to evaluate their apoptosis induction by Annexin V-PI method. Blocked NK cells were also incubated with anti-CD107a antibody to assess their degranulation properties by flow cytometry. The level of secreted tumor node factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by NK cells was also measured by ELISA.

Results:
Our results showed similar functional properties in terms of degranulation and apoptosis of K562 target cells by isolated NK cells from CLL patients in PD-1/Tim-3 blocked and control groups. It was also shown that blocking of PD-1 and Tim-3 could not improve the production of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines by isolated NK cells from CLL patients.

Conclusion:
Altogether, our results indicated that pretreatment of NK cells with anti-PD-1 and anti-Tim-3 blocking antibodies in CLL patients at early clinical stages cannot improve their functional properties. Besides many other malignancies, the application of checkpoint inhibitors in CLL needs more investigations and complementary studies.
Randomized controlled study for comparison of efficacy and safety between thermocoagulation and cryotherapy in visual inspection with acetic acid positive cervical lesions
Authors: Verma Manju Lata , Singh Uma , Kumari Ruby , Sachan Rekha , Sankhwar Pushp Lata , Solanki Vandana 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Less literature is available on the performance of thermocoagulation for treatment of premalignant cervical lesions and its comparison with cryotherapy from low- and middle-income countries like India.

Materials and Methods:
A prospective randomized controlled study was done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology from August 2018 to September 2019 after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Review Board (Reg no: ECR/262/Inst/Up/2013/RR/16) Ref no: 278/Ethics/R. cell-18). A total of 68 women with Visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) positive cervical lesion were randomized into two groups. Group A was treated with cryotherapy and Group B was treated with thermocoagulation. Estimates of cure, adverse effects or complications were presented as frequencies, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation.

Results:
Out of 667 patients, 624 patients underwent VIA testing among which 68 were VIA positive (10.89%, 68/624). The efficacy of thermocoagulation was 93.54% and that of cryotherapy was 90.32%. Immediate side effects were significantly lesser in thermocoagulation group (P = 0.008) in comparison to cryotherapy.

Conclusion:
Thermocoagulation is better treatment modality than cryotherapy for VIA-positive cervical lesions may not be in terms of efficacy but definitely in terms of patient comfort and safety.
Corneal Cross-Linking in Pellucid Marginal Degeneration
Authors: Irajpour Matin , Noorshargh Pegah , Peyman Alireza 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
To evaluate the long-term outcome of corneal cross-linking (CXL) for pellucid marginal degeneration (PMD).

Methods:
In a retrospective study, forty eyes of forty patients were enrolled. All subjects had undergone CXL for PMD at least 5 years before the assessments. Visual acuity, refraction, and topography data were compared to their respective values before CXL.

Results:
The comparison between mean preoperative logMAR uncorrected visual acuity and 5-year postoperative evaluation revealed no significant change (1.20 ± 0.65 and 1.17 ± 0.64,P> 0.05). No statistically significant difference was noted comparing preoperative mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and postoperative mean logMAR BCVA (0.24 ± 0.19 and 0.22 ± 0.20,P> 0.05). We did not find any significant difference between pre- and postoperative spherical equivalent and spherical refractive errors (P = 0.419 andP= 0.396, respectively). Regarding the BCVA Snellen lines, 23 eyes had no significant change in pre- and postoperative examinations, 11 eyes had improvement, and 6 subjects showed worsening defined as significant when two or more lines change. The spherical equivalent refractive error improved in 4 subjects, was stable in 25, and worsened in 11 subjects, while a 0.5 diopter or more myopic change was considered significant. Furthermore, regarding steep keratometry values, 25 subjects were stable, 7 had improvements, and 8 worsened.

Conclusion:
CXL appears to be a safe and effective procedure to halt the progression of PMD.
A Comparison between Wavefront-Optimized and Wavefront-Guided Photorefractive Keratectomy in Patients with Moderate-To-High Astigmatism
Authors: Razmjou Hassan , Peyman Alireza , Moshfeghi Saeedreza , Kateb Hamideh , Naderan Morteza 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
To compare clinical outcomes of wavefront-optimized (WFO) and wavefront-guided (WFG) photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in patients with moderate-to-high astigmatism.

Methods:
Patients with corneal cylinder above 2 diopters and myopic spherical equivalent were randomized into WFO or WFG PRK. Visual acuity (VA), refraction, contrast sensitivity, higher-order aberrations (HOAs), and astigmatic vector differences were documented and compared for 6 months after surgery.

Results:
The total number of 362 eyes from 181 patients was analyzed. The amount of total aberration was reduced 2.7 root mean square (RMS) and 2.9 RMS in the WFO and WFG groups, respectively (P < 0.001 in each group and between the groups). HOAs including coma, trefoil, and spherical aberrations increased in both the groups (P < 0.001) but were significantly more in the WFO group (P < 0.001). The increased spherical aberration was similar in both the groups (P = 0.12). Surgically induced astigmatism was not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.20). The magnitude of error was significantly higher in the WFO group (P < 0.001), but the absolute angle of error and the arithmetic angle of error were not significantly different between the groups (P = 0.20 andP= 0.30, respectively).

Conclusion:
WFO and WFG platforms of PRK appear comparable in terms of VA, refractive correction, and total aberration. Yet, HOAs may increase especially after WFO PRK.
Clinical Features and Outcomes of Congenital Cataract Surgery with Primary Intraocular Lens Implantation in a Tunisian Cohort
Authors: Malek Ines , Sayadi Jihene , Sammouda Takwa , Choura Racem , Mekni Manel , Zghal Imen , Khairallah Moncef , Nacef Leila 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
To describe the clinical features of congenital cataract (CC) in a Tunisian cohort and to assess the surgical outcomes of primary intraocular lens implantation in two groups based on the age at surgery.

Methods:
This study was a prospective analysis of children under 5 years with CC that were operated between January 2015 and 2020. The surgery consisted of phacoaspiration with posterior capsulorhexis and primary implantation. Group 1 comprised children operated at <2 years of age and Group 2 comprised children operated between 2 and 5 years. Peri and postoperative surgical events as well as refractive and visual outcomes were compared between both the groups.

Results:
Fifty-five (84 eyes) infants were enrolled. Group 1 included 30 (48 eyes) children and Group 2 included 25 (36 eyes) patients. The mean follow-up was 27.60 ± 19.89 months. The mean delay between the diagnosis and the cataract surgery was 11.97 ± 13.84 months. Of 14 (16.7%) eyes with postoperative visual axis opacification (VAO), 9 (10.7%) eyes required pars plana membranectomy. The VAO was not statistically associated with the age at surgery (P = 0.112), but significantly correlated with sulcus implantation (P = 0.037). The final mean visual acuity was 0.51 logMAR and comparable between both the groups (P = 0.871). Poor visual outcome was significantly associated with low age at presentation (<6 months;P= 0.039), delay between the diagnosis and time of surgery (P = 0.001), preoperative nystagmus (P = 0.02), and poor parental compliance to amblyopia treatment (P = 0.009).

Conclusions:
Primary implantation seems to be safe and efficient. VAO appears to become an avoidable occurrence owing to better surgical techniques. Amblyopia remains the biggest barrier to final visual outcome.
Preserflo™ Microshunt Combined with Phacoemulsification Versus Preserflo™ Microshunt as a Standalone Procedure in Patients with Medically Resistant Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Fili Sofia , Kontopoulou Kalliopi , Vastardis Iraklis , Perdikakis Georgios , Bechrakis Nikolaos , Kohlhaas Markus 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
To compare the efficacy and safety of PreserFlo™ MicroShunt (Santen, Osaka, Japan) combined with phacoemulsification to PreserFlo™ MicroShunt as a standalone procedure in eyes with moderate to advanced open-angle glaucoma.

Methods:
In an observatory, prospective, clinical study, 30 patients (30 eyes) with moderate to advanced angle glaucoma were allocated to either PreserFlo™ MicroShunt combined with phacoemulsification (15 eyes; Group A) or PreserFlo™ MicroShunt as a standalone procedure (15 eyes; Group B). The follow-up time of the study was 12 months.

Results:
Average intraocular pressure (IOP) at 12 months was 11.62 ± 1.6 mmHg in Group A and 13.8 ± 3.6 mmHg in Group B, which was significantly lower than baseline IOP (Group A: 23.47 ± 8.99 mmHg,P< 0.001; Group B: 23.4 ± 8.68 mmHg,P< 0.001). The absolute reduction of IOP within the 12 postoperative months was not significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.056). The number of the topical medications that were administered 12 months after ocular surgery was 0 in Group A and 0.6 ± 0.8 in Group B, compared to 3.13 ± 1.02 in Group A (P < 0.001) and 2.4 ± 1.45 in Group B (P = 0.004) at baseline. Phacoemulsification combined with PreserFlo™ MicroShunt significantly reduced the number of antiglaucoma agents after 12 months compared to the standalone procedure (P = 0.026). One eye in Group A was referred for bleb revision due to bleb fibrosis and a consequent acute postoperative rise in IOP. One eye in Group A required transscleral cyclophotocoagulation with MicroPulse® laser. One bleb revision was also necessary in Group B at the 4th postoperative week. Endothelial cell density did not significantly change over 12 months in either group (Group A: baseline, 2017.3 ± 346.8 cells/mm2; 12 months, 1968.5 ± 385.6 cells/mm2;P= 0.38; Group B: baseline, 2134.1 ± 382.6 cells/mm2; 12 months, 2094.4 ± 373.3 cells/mm2,P= 0.42). The PreserFlo™ MicroShunt combined with phacoemulsification produced higher absolute success rates after 12 months in patients with moderate to advanced open-angle glaucoma than the PreserFlo™ MicroShunt as standalone procedure (Group A: 80% and Group B: 60%,P= 0.022).

Conclusions:
In eyes with moderate to advanced open-angle glaucoma, PreserFlo™ MicroShunt with or without phacoemulsification is effective in reducing IOP and the number of the antiglaucoma agents with a very small incidence of complications and subsequent glaucoma surgeries. However, adding phacoemulsification to PreserFlo™ MicroShunt successfully reduces IOP without the need for ongoing topical medications as are needed after the standalone procedure.
Outcomes of Bilateral Lateral Rectus Resection in Residual Esotropia Following Bilateral Medial Rectus Recession
Authors: Nabie Reza , Manouchehri Vahideh , Meydan Sepideh Rostam 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
To evaluate the success rate, dose-response ratio, and predictive factors of success in patients with residual esotropia (≥25 prism diopter [pd]) following bilateral medial rectus (BMR) recession who underwent bilateral lateral rectus (BLR) resection.

Methods:
In a retrospective study, medical records were reviewed for 47 patients with equal or more than 25 pd residual esotropia following 6 mm BMR recession. Sex, age at second surgery, the interval between first and second surgery in months, visual acuity, refraction, presence of amblyopia, presence of dissociated vertical deviation or inferior oblique overaction/superior oblique overaction, preoperative and postoperative angle of deviation, amount of BLR resection, and months of follow-up were evaluated. Surgical success was defined as postoperative deviation within 8 pd of orthophoria.

Results:
The mean age of patients at reoperation was 48.59 ± 21.46 months. The mean near and far residual esotropia before BLR resection was 34.57 ± 11.02 and 33.83 ± 10.99 pd, respectively, reduced to 8.12 ± 1.43 pd in near and 6.32 ± 2.1 pd in far postoperatively. The mean BLR resection dosage was 5.53 ± 1.22 mm and each millimeter of BLR resection (1 mm for each eye) corrected an average of 7.95 pd of deviation in near and 7.40 pd in far. The success rate was 74.5%. After analysis using multivariate logistic regression, there were no factors associated with success.

Conclusions:
Bilateral rectus resection in patients with a previous BMR recession has acceptable outcomes. The recommended surgical table can be used as a guide by strabismus surgeons in patients with residual esotropia.
Prevalence and Distribution of Refractive Errors Among Ophthalmic Patients in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Owusu-Afriyie Bismark , Kombra Moses , Gende Theresa , Kia Anna , Mou Isabella 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:
To assess the prevalence and distribution of refractive errors in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Methods:
A retrospective hospital-based study was conducted at Madang Provincial Hospital Eye Clinic. It is a free eye clinic and spectacle costs are further subsidized by a nongovernmental organization. Nonprobability purposive sampling was used to retrieve patients' records at the eye clinic from January to December 2016. Only demographic and clinic data on the patients' first visit to the eye clinic were recorded and these included their age, gender, location, presenting visual acuity (VA), and refractive correction.

Results:
One thousand and one hundred eighty-four patients' records were retrieved, of which 622 (52.53%) had refractive error. The mean age of refractive error presentation was 49.68 ± 16.29 years with a range of 9–86 years. There were more males (55%) than females. About a quarter of the patients (21.2%) presented with moderate visual impairment. There was a statistically significant relationship between visual impairment and age group (P< 0.001). Myopia (53.1%) was the most common type of refractive error followed by hyperopia (32.5%) and astigmatism (14.4%). The uptake of spectacle correction was very high (95.3%) among the patients. More than one-tenth of the patients (12.5%) reported from other provinces. Almost one-third of the patients (31.4%) could not obtain a VA of 6/6 after refraction. About one-fifth (17.0%) of the patients were suspected of functional amblyopia.

Conclusions:
Uncorrected refractive error (URE) is a significant cause of visual impairment in PNG. There is a need for the integration of eye care services into primary health care for early detection, treatment, and prevention of visual impairment caused by UREs.
Management of a Bilateral Post-Uveitic Complex Glaucoma with Pupillary Block, Rupture of the Anterior Lens Capsule, and Malignant Glaucoma Following Laser Peripheral Iridotomies
Authors: El Matri Khaled , Gouider Dhouha , Limaiem Rim , Chebil Ahmed , Henchiri Meher , Falfoul Yousra , El Matri Leila 
Published: July 2022

Purpose:To report a case of a bilateral complex uveitic glaucoma (UG) with pupillary block, rupture of the anterior lens capsule, and malignant glaucoma in a young high-myopic patient and to report anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) findings initially and following surgery.Methods:A 21-year-old high-myopic woman who had a history of anterior uveitis with extensive posterior synechiae, presented with acute bilateral ocular pain, redness, and blurred vision following bilateral Nd: YAG laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI).Results:Visual acuity was limited to light perception in both eyes (OU), with a flat anterior chamber (AC) and anterior luxation of lens fragments. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was over 60 mmHg OU. AS-OCT showed closed angles and hyperreflective heterogeneous material within the flat AC. The iris and lens fragments were plated against the corneal endothelium OU. We performed an urgent pars plana vitrectomy associated with lensectomy. It was uneventful in OU. Repeated AS-OCT revealed a deep AC, widely open angles, and aphakia. IOP was lowered to 9 mmHg and visual acuity improved to 5/10 in OU.Conclusion:Performing LPI might be harmful in the presence of UG with extensive posterior synechia, resulting in complex mechanism glaucoma with aqueous misdirection syndrome associated with a pupillary block due to anterior lens luxation, even in high-myopic eyes. Nd: YAG LPI should not be performed simultaneously in OU, especially in pathologic eyes, to prevent bilateral vision-threatening complications. AS-OCT was of great help, allowing easy and detailed ultrastructural assessment of the ACs, and iridocorneal angles before and after surgery.
Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of the updated Sydney system and single biopsy
Authors: Torun Cundullah , Yavuz Arda , Akan Kubra , Seneldir Hatice , Toksoz Ayse Nur , Ulasoglu Hak Celal , Tuncer Ilyas 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Updated Sydney system (USS) recommends taking biopsies from certain areas of the stomach for the diagnosis of precancerous lesions associated with Helicobacter pylori. Our aim was to evaluate the contribution of each of the biopsy sites to the diagnosis.

Methods:
This prospective study included 97 patients aged 40 and over with dyspeptic complaints. Biopsies were taken from five regions: the lesser curvature of the antrum (LCA), the lesser curvature of the corpus (LCC), incisura angularis (IA), the greater curvature of the antrum (GCA), and the greater curvature of the corpus (GCC). Biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin–eosin stain, periodic acid Schiff–alcian blue, and Giemsa histochemical stain and evaluated according to the Sydney classification.

Results:
Thirty-seven (38%) patients were positive for H. pylori in at least one biopsy site. Atrophic gastritis without intestinal metaplasia (IM) was found in 17 (17.5%) of the patients (6.2% in IA, 5.2% in each of LCA, GCA, and LCC, and 2% in GCC). The prevalence of atrophic gastritis with IM was 42.3% (21.6% in LCA, 20.6% in GCA, 20.6% in IA, 14.4% in LCC, and 5.2% in GCC). Endoscopic follow-up was planned in 21 (22%) patients due to the presence of extensive atrophy or incomplete IM. If a single biopsy of the LCA or a biopsy of both LCA and GCA was taken, endoscopic follow-up would have been missed in 12 (57%) or 6 (29%) patients, respectively.

Conclusion:
Taking biopsies in accordance with the USS had higher sensitivity in detecting atrophic gastritis with or without IM compared to single biopsy. One or two biopsies is not sufficient to identify patients for whom endoscopic follow-up is recommended.
Vitamin K and vascular calcification in chronic kidney disease: An update of current evidence
Authors: Lin Yu-Li , Hsu Bang-Gee 
Published: July 2022

Abstract
Vascular calcification, characterized by calcium deposition in the intimal and medial layers of the arterial wall, is frequently encountered in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and leads to an enhanced risk of adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. However, the underlying complex pathophysiology remains incompletely understood. Recently, Vitamin K supplementation aimed at correcting Vitamin K deficiency highly prevalent in CKD holds great promise to mitigate the progression of vascular calcification. This article discusses the functional Vitamin K status in CKD, the pathophysiology linking Vitamin K deficiency and vascular calcification, and reviews current literature from animal models, observational studies, and clinical trials across the different spectrum of CKD. While favorable effects of Vitamin K on vascular calcification and CV outcomes are suggested in animal and observational studies, most recently published clinical trials investigating the effects of Vitamin K on vascular health failed to support the beneficial role of Vitamin K supplementation, despite improving the functional status of Vitamin K. We address the potential reasons for these discrepancies and provide further perspective on Vitamin K research in CKD.
Alimentary Figurativeness in the Novel by A.V. Korolev “Laughter”
Authors: Zavyalova Elena 
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the study was to determine the functions of alimentary signs in the novel “Laughter” by A.V. Korolev (2001–2011). Elements related to food images, situations, and customs related to gastronomy were identified, analyzed, and systematized. It is proved that the author of the work actively uses stable phrases associated with images of food. Allegorical turns of “Laughter” contain references to the absorption and digestion of food, and a number of coloronyms are based on “food” associations. Most case-law texts are chosen on the same principle. The novel lists animals that are suitable for traditional cuisine. Birds are mentioned many times. The primacy in the plot belongs to quails and chickens, which is explained by a number of circumstances of folklore, social-historical, domestic and physiological nature. In the minds of ordinary characters, food becomes the substratum of existence. Quite often in “Laughter” the theme of Anthropophagy sounds. The reversibility of food to the eater, the transformation of dishes for a wedding celebration into dishes for a funeral meal-fundamentally important for understanding the idea of “Laughter” inversions. A.V. Korolev brings the image of the victim to the fore. Many lines of the novel are connected with the problem of cruelty: Palace intrigues at the court of the Bourbons, mass propaganda during the Third Reich, Stalin's system of terror and informers, “Nord-Ost”. In “Laughter” the writer clearly and in detail recreates the panorama of modern hedonism. The novel by A.V. Korolev could be called “The History of World GourMania.”