Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Human to Domestic Ferret

We report a case of natural infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmitted from an owner to a pet ferret in the same household in Slovenia. The ferret had onset of gastroenteritis with severe dehydration. Whole-genome sequencing of the viruses isolated from the owner and ferret revealed a 2-nt difference.     

Transcanalicular diode laser-assisted dacryocystorhinostomy

Objective:

We present a prospective, non-comparative case series study of 126 consecutive diode laser-assisted transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy (TCL-DCR) procedures on 122 patients. We analyzed success rate, procedure time and amount of laser energy needed for a 5 mm osteotomy.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and twenty-two patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction were included in the study. The procedure was performed under general anesthesia, and the nasal mucosa was anesthetized. An endoscope was used for examination of the lacrimal pathways. The site of osteotomy was determined with transillumination of the lateral nasal wall. We achieved osteotomy by applying laser energy via an optic fiber. We used a 980 nm diode laser with power of 10 Watts. We inserted a bicanalicular silicone stent as the last step. Success of procedure was absence of epiphora (subjective), or patency of the lacrimal drainage system on irrigation (objective).

Results:

We performed 126 successive endoscopic laser (EL-DCR) with bicanalicular intubation in 122 patients. The average procedure time was 12 min, and on average 245 Joules of laser energy was needed. The silicone stents were removed three to eight months after surgery. We observed absence of epiphora and a patent nasolacrimal duct on irrigation in 105 out of 126 treated eyes. Eighteen patients had epiphora despite a patent nasolacrimal duct on irrigation. This yields a success rate of 83.3%, with an average follow-up period of 12 months.

Conclusions:

The 980 nm EL-DCR with bicanalicular intubation is a new contribution to the field of lacrimal surgery. It is a minimally invasive quick procedure yielding a high success rate.     

The association of matrix metalloproteinases polymorphisms and interleukins in advanced age-related macular degeneration

Purpose: To assess the impact of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)1-1607 1G/2G (rs1799750), MMP7-181 A/G (rs11568818) single-nucleotide polymorphism and systemic cytokins interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6 levels on the development of exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD)

Methodology: The study group comprised 282 patients with eAMD, and the control group enrolled 379 randomly selected persons. The genotyping of MMP1-1607 (rs1799750) and MMP7-181 (rs11568818) was performed by using the polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method. To determine IL-1β and IL-6 serum levels, the immunoenzymatic method with monoclonal antibodies coated plates was performed.

Results: MMP1 rs1799750 1G/2G genotype was more frequently found in the development of eAMD. It was associated with a 4.3-fold increased risk for eAMD under the codominant model and a 4.9-fold increased risk for eAMD under the overdominant model. The effect was more pronounced at the age of less than 65 years. IL-1β concentration was significantly higher for MMP1 rs1799750 1G/1G genotype and MMP7 rs11568818 A/G genotype in eAMD patients compared with control group subjects.

Conclusions: MMP1 rs1799750 1G/2G genotype was found to play a significant role in the development of eAMD at the age of less than 65 years. IL-1β concentration was significantly higher in eAMD patients for MMP1 rs1799750 1G/1G genotype and MMP7 rs11568818 A/G genotype compared with control group subjects.     

Detection of Laryngotracheitis Virus in Poultry Flocks with Respiratory Disorders in Slovenia

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute, highly contagious infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract in chickens and other poultry species that causes significant economic losses in countries worldwide. Between 2017 and 2019, seven outbreaks of mild to severe respiratory disorders with high suspicion of ILT occurred in commercial and backyard poultry flocks in Slovenia. In all submissions, infection with ILT virus (ILTV) was confirmed by PCR, which is the first report of ILT in Slovenia. Circulating ILT strains were characterized by the sequence and phylogenetic analysis of two fragments of the ICP4 gene. Four strains—three detected in non-vaccinated flocks and one in a flock vaccinated against ILT—were identical or very similar to the chicken embryo–origin live virus vaccines, and the other three were closely related to Russian, Chinese, Australian, and American field strains and to tissue culture origin vaccine strains. As in other diseases, coinfections with other respiratory pathogens in confirmed ILT cases may cause a more severe condition and prolong the course of the disease. In our study, coinfections with Mycoplasma synoviae (7/7 tested flocks), infectious bronchitis virus (5/5 tested flocks), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (4/7 tested flocks), Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (3/4 tested flocks), and avian pox virus (1/2 tested flocks) were confirmed, indicating the importance of these pathogens in the occurrence of ILT infections.     

Repetitive Er:YAG laser irradiation of human skin: a histological evaluation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Deep coagulation of skin collagen by Er:YAG laser repetitive pulses has been predicted by previous theoretical models and later demonstrated on animal skin. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of repetitive Er:YAG laser pulses on human skin and its response to this treatment. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lid skin of six female volunteers with blepharochalasis has been treated with laser at day 0, 7, and 21 before elective surgery-blepharoplasty. The treated skin was excised as part of the procedure and prepared for further histological examination. We used a 2,940 nm Er:YAG laser (Fidelis M320A by Fotona) with 'smooth' mode parameters: fluence from 0.50 to 2.00 J/cm2; six pulses per packet; 550 microsecond/pulse, 250 millisecond/packet; single pass, no overlapping; spot size 5 mm; repetition rate 20 Hz. RESULTS: We observed deep collagen denaturation at laser fluences of 1.25 J/cm2 and over; epidermal damage was proportional to fluence with total coagulation of the epidermal layer at fluences of 1.75 J/cm2 and over. At day 7 after laser treatment we observed a complete regeneration of the epidermal layer and a regeneration zone within the dermis with prominent infiltration of CD68+ monocytes/macrophages. At day 21 after laser treatment we observed collagen remodeling and (myo-)fibroblast proliferation at tissue depths of up to 240 microm. CONCLUSIONS: Repetitive Er:YAG laser irradiation is effective in deep denaturation and remodeling of human skin collagen in vivo, with less epidermal damage compared to standard Er:YAG laser skin resurfacing.     

Successful freezing and thawing of blastocysts cultured in sequential media using a modified method

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical role of blastocyst freezing and thawing after prolonged culturing in sequential media. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 293 blastocyst freeze-thawing cycles. SETTING: University hospital infertility unit. PATIENT(S): Nonselected couples undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Blastocysts were frozen and thawed by a modified method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Blastocyst recovery after freeze-thawing and pregnancy rates after the transfer. Evaluation of the effect of the number of transferred blastocysts, the method of IVF, and of the woman's age on the results achieved by frozen-thawed blastocysts. RESULT(S): Frozen-thawed blastocysts provided a 29.5% clinical pregnancy rate per transfer. After the transfer of three blastocysts the pregnancy rate was 42.0%, and after the transfer of one or two blastocysts it was approximately the same (25.0% and 28.0%, respectively). The method of IVF did not affect pregnancy rates, but the increasing age of the woman did. Pregnancies were characterized by a low abortion rate (8.0%) regardless of the age of the woman. CONCLUSION(S): A modified method for blastocyst freeze-thawing provides good clinical results. It offers the possibility for a single-thawed blastocyst transfer and represents a good alternative for older women because of its lower risk of spontaneous abortion.     

Impact of laser pulse duration on the reduction of intraocular pressure during selective laser trabeculoplasty

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal tension glaucoma (NTG) or ocular hypertension (OHT), when performed with laser pulse duration of 1 ns compared with standard 3–5 ns.

Methods

Bilateral SLT with a 532 nm Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet laser was conducted in 30 patients (60 eyes) with POAG (n = 5), NTG (n = 2) or OHT (n = 23). Pulse duration was 1 ns in the right eye (30 eyes; cases) and 3–5 ns in all left eyes (controls). Main outcome measures were IOP at 1 h, 1 day, 8 weeks and 6 months, and the rate of adverse ocular tissue reactions in all eyes.

Results

Mean 1 ns and 3–5 ns SLT IOPs were 24.1 and 24.3 mmHg, respectively, at baseline. No statistically significant difference in mean 1 ns and 3–5 ns SLT IOP was observed at 1 h (P = 0.761), 1 day (P = 0.758), 8 weeks (P = 0.352) and 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.879). No significant difference in postoperative anterior chamber inflammation was observed between the eyes (P = 0.529). Treatment with both laser pulse durations resulted in minor ultrastructural changes in the drainage angle.

Conclusions

SLT performed with a 1 ns laser pulse duration does not appear to be inferior to SLT performed with the standard 3–5 ns duration at lowering IOP in treatment-naïve patients with POAG, NTG or OHT.