Intermediate-term outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract

International Ophthalmology - To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with refractory glaucoma...     

Antibody and memory B cell responses to the dengue virus NS1 antigen in individuals with varying severity of past infection

To further understand the role of NS1-specific antibodies (Abs) in disease pathogenesis, we compared neutralizing antibody levels (Nabs), NS1-Ab levels, IgG antibody subclass profiles and NS1-specific memory B-cell responses (Bmems) in individuals, with varying severity of past dengue. Nabs (Neut50 titres) were assessed using the Foci Reduction Neutralization Test (FRNT) and in-house ELISAs were used to assess NS1-Abs and NS1-Ab subclasses for all four DENV serotypes in individuals with past DF (n = 22), those with past DHF (n = 14) and seronegative (SN) individuals (n = 7). B-cell ELISpot assays were used to assess NS1-specific Bmem responses. 15/22 (68.18%) individuals with past DF and 9/14 (64.29%) individuals with past DHF had heterotypic infections. Neut50 titres were found to be significantly higher for DENV1 than DENV2 (p = 0.0006) and DENV4 (p = 0.0127), in those with past DHF, whereas there was no significant difference seen in titres for different DENV serotypes in those with past DF. Overall NS1-Ab to all serotypes and NS1-specific IgG1 responses for DENV1, 2 and 4 serotypes were significantly higher in those with past DHF than individuals with past DF. Those with past DHF also had higher IgG1 than IgG3 for DENV1 and DENV3, whereas no differences were seen in those with past DF. Over 50% of those with past DF or DHF had NS1-specific Bmem responses to >2 DENV serotypes. There was no difference in the frequency of Bmem responses to any of the DENV serotypes between individuals with past DF and DHF. Although the frequency of Bmem responses to DENV1 correlated with DENV1-specific NS1-Abs levels (Spearman r = 0.35, p = 0.02), there was no correlation with other DENV serotypes. We found that those with past DF had broadly cross-reactive Nabs, while those with past DHF had higher NS1-Ab responses possibly with a different functionality profile than those with past DF. Therefore, it would be important to further evaluate the functionality of NS1-specific antibody and Bmem responses to find out the type of antibody repertoire that is associated with protection against severe disease.     

Revisiting lip shave: a solution for disorders of the vermilion border

Actinic keratosis, leukoplakia, carcinoma in situ, and superficially invasive carcinomas of the lower lip are caused mainly by the cumulative effects of exposure of the vermilion of the lower lip to ultraviolet radiation. Current treatments all have limitations: cryosurgery or electrosurgery is suitable to treat only focal lesions; topical chemotherapy, which is an option for diffuse actinic damage, yields unreliable results; and laser treatment fails to rejuvenate the vermilion. However, “lip shave”, which involves full-thickness excision of the damaged vermilion and reconstruction with an advancement labial mucosal flap, will produce a fresh mucosal lining to the vermilion border. We describe our experience of the technique and evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes in 20 patients treated between January 2011 and January 2016. The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 60 months. Three-quarters of the patients had dysplasia or superficially invasive malignancy. Resected lesions were about 63 mm long, 13.7 mm wide, and 3.9 mm deep. No patients had recurrence or secondary lesions during follow up, functional disturbance was minimal, and the cosmetic outcome pleasing. Lip shave can efficiently reconstruct the vermilion of the lower lip with minimum deformity.     

MicroRNA Signature and Cellular Characterization of Undifferentiated and Differentiated House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) Cells

Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology - MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expressions and control a wide variety of cellular functions. House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1...     

Cannabis,Cigarettes, and Their Co-Occurring Use: Disentangling Differences in Gray Matter Volume

Background:

Structural magnetic resonance imaging techniques are powerful tools for examining the effects of drug use on the brain. The nicotine and cannabis literature has demonstrated differences between nicotine cigarette smokers and cannabis users compared to controls in brain structure; however, less is known about the effects of co-occurring cannabis and tobacco use.

Methods:

We used voxel-based morphometry to examine gray matter volume differences between four groups: (1) cannabis-dependent individuals who do not smoke tobacco (Cs); (2) cannabis-dependent individuals who smoke tobacco (CTs); (3) cannabis-naïve, nicotine-dependent individuals who smoke tobacco (Ts); and (4) healthy controls (HCs). We also explored associations between gray matter volume and measures of cannabis and tobacco use.

Results:

A significant group effect was observed in the left putamen, thalamus, right precentral gyrus, and left cerebellum. Compared to HCs, the Cs, CTs, and Ts exhibited larger gray matter volumes in the left putamen. Cs also had larger gray matter volume than HCs in the right precentral gyrus. Cs and CTs exhibited smaller gray matter volume than HCs in the thalamus, and CTs and Ts had smaller left cerebellar gray matter volume than HCs.

Conclusions:

This study extends previous research that independently examined the effects of cannabis or tobacco use on brain structure by including an examination of co-occurring cannabis and tobacco use, and provides evidence that cannabis and tobacco exposure are associated with alterations in brain regions associated with addiction.     

A prospective investigation of depression and adverse outcomes in patients undergoing vascular surgical interventions: A retrospective cohort study using a large mental health database in South London

BackgroundPatients with depression are more susceptible to cardiovascular illness including vascular surgeries. However, health outcomes after vascular surgery among patients with depression is unknown. This study aimed to investigate associations of depression with post-operative health outcomes for vascular surgical patients.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted using data from a large mental healthcare provider and linked national hospitalization data for the same south London geographic catchment. OPCS-4 codes were used to identify vascular procedures. Health outcomes were compared between those with/without depression including length of hospital stay (LOS), inpatient mortality, and 30 day emergency hospital readmissions. Predictors of these health outcomes were also assessed.ResultsVascular surgery was received by 9,267 patients, including 446 diagnosed with depression. Patients with depression had a higher risk of emergency admission for vascular surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; 1.03, 1.59), longer index LOS (IRR 1.38; 1.33–1.42), and a higher risk of 30-day emergency readmission (OR 1.82; 1.35–2.47). Patients with depression had higher inpatient mortality after adjustment for sociodemographic status (1.51; 1.03, 2.23) but not on full adjustment, and had longer emergency readmission LOS (1.13; 1.04, 1.22) after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and cardiovascular disease. Correlates of vascular surgery hospitalization among patients with depression included admission through emergency route for longer LOS, inpatient mortality, and 30-day hospital readmission.ConclusionPatients with depression undergoing vascular surgery have substantially poorer health outcomes. Screening for depression prior to surgery might be indicated to target preventative measures.     

A comparative study on endothelial cell loss in nanophthalmic eyes undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to compare the endothelial cell loss (ECL) in nanophthalmic eyes and age-matched controls undergoing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and also to identify the risk factors influencing the endothelial cell density (ECD). This was a prospective comparative interventional case series.Methods:We enrolled 19 nanophthalmic eyes (study group) and 42 age-matched cataract controls (control group) undergoing phacoemulsification after meeting the inclusion criteria. Ocular parameters like best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, pachymetry, specular microscopy, and slit lamp findings were noted preoperatively and at month 1 and 3 postsurgery. All nanophthalmic eyes underwent cataract surgery with concomitant prophylactic posterior sclerostomy.Results:The median percentage endothelial loss in nanophthalmic eyes was 4.0 (IQR 0–23.5), 7.4 (IQR 1.0–-22.4) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively compared to 6.3 (IQR 1.7–14.1) and 6.4 (IQR 2.6–-12.1) in age controlled normal eyes (P = 0.94, P = 0.46, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed increasing age as the only variable influencing the percentage decrease in corneal ECD in the study group (P = 0.001). Nanophthalmic eyes with ACD <2.5 mm had a significantly greater reduction in ECD at 3 months postcataract surgery compared to baseline (P = 0.039). Visual outcomes and IOP reduction in the study group with ACD >2.5 mm were significantly better postcataract surgery (P = 0.02 and P = 0.002, respectively).Conclusion:The percentage of ECL in nanophthalmic eyes undergoing phacoemulsification is equivalent to normal eyes. However, in the nanophthamic eyes with AC depth <2.5 mm, the percentage cell loss was significantly higher warranting the need for extensive intraoperative care. Increasing age was found to be the only significant risk factor influencing the ECD in short eyes.     

The Role of Breastfeeding in Childhood Otitis Media

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature, both systematic reviews and recently published original studies not included within those reviews, on the relationship between breastfeeding and childhood otitis media (OM).

Recent Findings

There is clear evidence that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of OM in childhood with sound biological plausibility to support that the association is likely causal. Any breastfeeding reduces OM risk in early childhood by 40–50 %. Systematic reviews also support a further reduced risk for continued breastfeeding. Recent studies have estimated burden of disease savings if breastfeeding within countries and globally approached WHO guidelines. Cost savings per year for reduced cases of OM by increasing ever and exclusive breastfeeding rates are estimated to be millions of pounds or dollars for UK and Mexico.

Summary

Breastfeeding reduces OM in children. The burden of disease and economic impact of increasing breastfeeding rates and duration would be substantial.

     

Components of pathogenic Leptospira spp. with potentials for diagnosis of human leptospirosis

Existing serological methods for diagnosis of leptospirosis are still unsatisfactorily due mainly to their low accuracy. In this study, serum samples of 18 clinically diagnosed-, IgM dipstick positive-, MAT positive-leptospirosis patients (group 1) were analyzed by IgG Western blotting against SDS-PAGE separated-whole cell homogenates of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Leptospira spp. belonging to 20 serovars of 15 serogroups. The samples of group 1 were collected from the patients at days 3 to 10 after the fever onset (fist samples). Second and third samples could be obtained from 4 patients. Sera of the 22 patients with other febrile illnesses (group 2) and 22 healthy counterparts (group 3) were used as patient- and normal- controls, respectively. Irrespective of the serovar or serogroup of the pathogenic Leptospira spp. used as antigen in the Western blotting, all of the 18 sera of patients with leptospirosis (group 1) gave characteristic diffuse antigen-antibody reactive bands located at approximately 35-38 and 22-26 kDa; and thus 100% diagnostic sensitivity of the Western blot assay. Some serum samples of the leptospirosis patients also reacted to components located at 80-100, approximately 70, 60, 54, and 48 kDa. More bands or the early recognized bands with increased intensity were observed when tested the second and third samples. The characteristic bands were not seen when homogenates of L. biflexa, serogroup Semaranga, serovar Patoc (saprophytic) and L. biflexa, serogroup Andamana, serovar Andamana (non-pathogenic but can infect host) were used in the assay. Sera of groups 2 and 3 did not react to the components at the seven locations implying 100% diagnostic specificity of the IgG Western blot assay. While awaiting validation with more patients' samples, the IgG Western Blot analysis aiming at the detection of the characteristic antigen-antibody reactive bands described in this study has high potential for early, rapid, simple and accurate diagnosis of human leptospirosis.