Comparison of complications after Ahmed versus Baerveldt implant in glaucoma patients: one year follow-up

AIM: To compare surgical results of the Ahmed and Baerveldt implant procedures in glaucoma patients at 1y follow-up at Jakarta Eye Center (JEC) Eye Hospitals. METHODS: This cohort retrospective study was conducted on glaucoma patients aged ≥18y who had undergone Ahmed and Baerveldt implant surgery. Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, glaucoma medication, success rate, early and late postoperative complications, and the number of resurgeries were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 351 eyes in the Ahmed group and 94 eyes in the Baerveldt group were included in this study. At 1y follow-up, the mean IOP was found to be significantly lower in the Baerveldt group (13±4.47 mm Hg) compared to the Ahmed group (15.02±5.73 mm Hg; P=0.025). Glaucoma medication was required in both the Ahmed and Baerveldt groups (58.92% vs 71.67%). Comparable success rate was found in both groups. The Ahmed group revealed a complete and qualified success of 86.82%, and failure of 13.17%. Similarly, the Baerveldt group showed complete and qualified success in 87.75% and failure in 12.25% cases. In the Ahmed group, 11.97% early complications, 26.06% late complications and 9.97% resurgeries were observed. In comparison, in the Baerveldt group, 23.40% early complications, 30.95% late complications and 11.70% resurgeries were observed. CONCLUSION: Both groups of glaucoma implants show significant IOP reduction, however, the Baerveldt implant group demonstrates greater IOP reduction with more failure rates and complications than the Ahmed implant group.     

The role of omega-3 fatty acids contained in olive oil on chronic inflammation

Nowadays, people have been eating lots of unhealthy dietary excesses, that make them have chronic inflammatory diseases or known as chronic diseases. Countless millions of people worldwide can not help eating selectively massive quantities of unhealthy foods, until they become sick, often mortality. The omega-6 fatty acids account for the majority of PUFA (Poly Unsaturated Fatty Acids) in the food supply. They are the pre-dominant PUFA in all diets, especially the western diets, which produce pro-inflammatory metabolic products. The persistent antigenic or cytotoxic effects will lead to chronic inflammation. Olive tree is native to the Mediterranean basin and parts of Asia Minor. Its compression-extracted oil from the fruit has a wide range of therapeutic and culinary applications. It had been used as aphrodisiacs, emollients, laxatives, nutritives, sedatives, and tonics. In the later part of the 20th century, several studies had revealed that the olives in the Mediteranian diet is linked to a reduced incidence of degenerative diseases. It is one of phytomedicine which has omega-3 fatty acid as its constituent, may inhibit inflammation composing chronic inflammatory process in many chronic diseases, such as coronary artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and even cancer.     

Effect of anion in carboxylate-based ionic liquids on catalytic activity of transesterification with vinyl esters and the solubility of cellulose

The role of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (Emim) carboxylate-type ionic liquid (IL) as the solvent and organocatalyst for transesterification reaction of cellulose was investigated. The reported method using Emim acetate and vinyl ester caused an undesired side reaction: the acetate anion derived from EmimOAc was introduced into cellulose ester. To improve the reaction system, ILs with a high cellulose solubility, a high degree of substitution (DS) value, and low side-reaction were systematically explored. Newly synthesized Emim p-anisate and a mixed solvent system achieved the transesterification reaction of cellulose with a high DS value derived from the employed vinyl esters (DS > 2.9), and a low DS value derived from side reaction (selectivity > 99%).

The role of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium carboxylate-type ionic liquid as the solvent and organocatalyst for transesterification reaction of cellulose was investigated.     

湿润烧伤膏与蜂蜜敷料在Ⅱ度烧伤创面治疗中的随机对照试验

目的当今有很多局部外用产品可用于Ⅱ度烧伤创面的治疗,笔者从天然抗菌性、抗炎性及创面愈合3方面对湿润烧伤膏（MEBO）及蜂蜜进行了比较。在烧伤创面治疗中,此两种药物已被证明均优于磺胺嘧啶银。方法本实验为随机对照试验,为期6个月,研究样本均为30％TBSA以下的急性Ⅱ度烧伤患者。本试验共有34名患者被随机编入MEBO组及蜂蜜组（蜂蜜为印尼当地生产）,创面每日换药1次．并给予相应处理措施。人院时评估创面深度及烧伤面积,此后2周内每周再评估1次;使用视觉模拟量表（VAS）评估患者疼痛水平;每周进行创面拭子分泌物培养获得创面微生物情况;同时,记录各组的每日治疗成本。结果相比于蜂蜜组,MEBO组的Ⅱ度烧伤创面愈合较快,VAS疼痛评分较低;两组在创面拭子分泌物培养的细菌类型中无差异,但MEBO在细菌繁殖方面具有更有效地抑制作用;MEBO组的全程治疗费用亦低于蜂蜜组。结论作为治疗Ⅱ度烧伤的外用药,MEBO在愈合速度,疼痛缓解程度,细菌繁殖率及成本一效益率4个方面均优于当地生产的蜂蜜。     

Associations of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Vision-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy in Indonesian Population with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Jogjakarta Eye Diabetic Study in the Community (JOGED.COM)

Purpose: To investigate the association of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes adults.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study of adults with type 2 diabetes. DR was assessed from disc- and macula-centred fundus photograph, and categorised into mild, moderate non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and Vision-Threatening DR (VTDR). Worse eye was used to determine the person’s DR severity. PA was assessed using WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). All of the PA components, including daily sitting time, walking distance, sleeping duration, and exercise were converted based on the physical activity ratio and then calculated to obtain the mean physical activity level (PAL). The mean PAL was then classified into sedentary, moderate, and vigorous lifestyle.

Results: There were 1116 participants, 43.1% with any DR and 26.3% VTDR. The prevalence of DR/VTDR in sedentary, moderate, and vigorous physical activity group was 41.9%/22.7%, 39.2%/23.9%, and 32.7%/20.4% respectively. A longer duration of daily sedentary lifestyle (>3 hours) was significantly associated with presence of DR (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.17–2.35; p < 0.01) and VTDR (OR 1.74; 1.16–2.62; p < 0.01). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure and physical activity. There was no significant association between sleeping duration, walking distance, and vigorous activity and DR.

Conclusions: In this study, prolonged daily sedentary activity was strongly associated with VTDR. This finding suggests that public health campaign for reducing daily sedentary activities in individuals with type 2 diabetes may offer benefit to reduce the burden of DR and VTDR.     

Serum heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) level,and neonatal outcome in early onset,late onset preeclampsia,and normal pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the level of serum heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), soluble FMS like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), and neonatal outcome in early onset preeclampsia (EO-PE), late onset preeclampsia (LO-PE), and normal pregnancy (NP).

Methods: In this prospective observational case control study, HO-1 and sFlt-1 levels were measured in blood samples within 24 h of hospital admission. Preeclampsia cases were divided into two groups based on gestational age at delivery: EO-PE (<34 weeks) and LO-PE (≥34 weeks). A total of 45 patients were involved in this study.

Result: Maternal serum level of sFlt-1 was higher in EO-PE than LO-PE and NP groups (mean ± SD; 14.50 ± 17.12 ng/ml vs 5.20 ± 6.69 ng/ml vs 2.72 ± 1.2 ng/ml [p = 0.020]. Maternal serum level of HO-1 was not different between EO-PE, LO-PE, and NP groups (p = 0.681). Birthweights were significantly lower in the EO-PE group compared with the LO-PE and NP groups (1580 ± 536 g vs 2635 ± 578 g vs 3010 ± 371 g [p = 0.000]). The rate of small for gestational age infant (26.7% vs 6.7% vs 0%; p = 0.046) and perinatal death (20% vs 0 vs 0; p = 0.037) was also significantly higher in EO-PE compared to LO-PE and NP. The maternal sFlt-1 level was negatively correlated with birthweight (p = 0.006; CC = ?0.445).

Conclusion: This study did not find a correlation between maternal HO-1 levels and sFlt-1 levels. Maternal serum sFLt-1 levels in preeclampsia were higher in EO-PE and were associated with a worse perinatal outcome.     

Rationale and Methodology for a Community-Based Study of Diabetic Retinopathy in an Indonesian Population with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Jogjakarta Eye Diabetic Study in the Community

Purpose: There are no available data about diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the Indonesian population. This report summarizes the rationale and study design of the Jogjakarta Eye Diabetic Study in the Community (JOGED.COM), a community-based study to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of DR in persons with type 2 diabetes in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.

Methods: The JOGED.COM aimed to examine a cross-sectional sample of 1200 persons with type 2 diabetes aged 30 years and older residing in the study area. We identified 121 community health centers (CHCs) in Jogjakarta and listed 35 CHCs with non-communicable diseases facilities. Multi-stage, clustered random sampling was used to select 22 CHCs randomly. We included CHCs with coverage population >30,000, and excluded those classified as 100% rural. Lists of persons with diabetes confirmed by their family physician were provided from each CHC. Examinations procedures included detailed interviews, general and eye examinations, anthropometry and body composition scan, and dilated fundus photography.

Results: We collaborated with local health authorities, family physicians, and local health practitioners in the recruitment phase. A total of 1435 invitations were distributed, and 1184 people (82.5%) with type 2 diabetes participated in this study, of whom 1138 (79.3%) had completed data with gradable retinal images.

Conclusions: JOGED.COM is the first epidemiologic study of DR in an Indonesian population. This study will provide key information about the prevalence and risk factors of DR in the community. These data are very important for future health promotion programs to reduce the burden of DR in the population.