Clinical outcome of diffractive multifocal lens versus monofocal lens in post-laser in situ keratomileusis patients: A retrospective, comparative study

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of diffractive multifocal and monofocal lenses in post?laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) patients who underwent cataract surgery. Methods: This was a retrospective, comparative study of clinical outcomes that was conducted at a referral medical center. Post?LASIK patients who underwent uncomplicated cataract surgery and received either diffractive multifocal or monofocal lens were studied. Visual acuities were compared at baseline and postoperatively. The intraocular lens (IOL) power was calculated with Barrett True?K Formula only. Results: At baseline, both groups had comparable age, gender, and an equal distribution hyperopic and myopic LASIK. A significantly higher percentage of patients receiving diffractive lenses achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) of 20/25 or better (80 of 93 eyes, 86% vs. 36 of 82 eyes, 43.9%, P = 1.0 x 105) and uncorrected near vision of J1 or better (63% vs. 0) compared to the monofocal group. The residual refractive error had no significant difference (0.37 ± 0.39 vs. 0.44 ± 0.39, respectively, P = 0.16) in these two groups. However, more eyes in the diffractive group achieved UCDVA of 20/25 or better with residual refractive error of 0.25–0.5 D (36 of 42 eyes, 86% vs. 15 of 24 eyes, 63%, P = 0.032) or 0.75–1.5 D (15 of 21 eyes, 23% vs. 0 of 22 eyes, P = 1.0 x 10?5) compared to the monofocal group. Conclusion: This pilot study shows that patients with a history of LASIK who undergo cataract surgery with a diffractive multifocal lens are not inferior to those who receive monofocal lens. Post?LASIK patients with diffractive lens are more likely to achieve not only excellent near vision, but also potentially better UCDVA, regardless of the residual refractive error.

Cytological findings of NK/T-cell lymphoma in pericardial effusion: A case report with a review of the literature

Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL) is an aggressive NK or cytotoxic T-cell neoplasm. The cytological features of NK/T-cell lymphoma have been rarely described, mainly focusing on the fine needle aspiration cytology from lymph nodes or soft tissue, except for a few cases focused on body fluid. A 46-year-old man visited the hospital due to generalized weakness and weight loss. Three months prior, computed tomographic scan revealed mesenteric panniculitis and reactive lymph nodal enlargement, as well as a mildly thickened left adrenal gland, suggesting an inflammatory condition. About 100 days later, marked enlargement of both adrenal glands with pericardial effusion was noted. The pericardial effusion contained medium-sized atypical lymphocytes, suspicious for malignant lymphoma, and the left adrenal mass was histologically confirmed as ENKL on biopsied specimen. Herein, we describe the cytological features of NK/T-cell lymphoma in body fluid cytology along with a review of the literature.

Cyclophotocoagulation with an illuminated laser probe under a noncontact wide-angle retinoscope: A modified technique of ciliary body photocoagulation

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of cyclophotocoagulation with an illuminated laser probe under a noncontact wide-angle retinoscope in treating refractory glaucoma. Methods: Eleven patients (11 eyes) with refractory neovascular glaucoma were treated with ciliary body photocoagulation. Preoperative and postoperative corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), ophthalmofundoscopy, B-ultrasound and ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and fundus fluorescein angiography were performed. Results: Preoperative IOP ranged from 45 to 58 mmHg (mean 51.9 mmHg). At postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months, the IOPs ranged between 16 and 33 mmHg (mean 27.1 mmHg), 14–28 mmHg (mean 20.6 mmHg), and 14–28 mmHg (mean 18.5 mmHg), respectively. IOP at the last follow-up (range 7–12 months) was 15–24 mmHg (mean 18.8 mmHg). An average of 63.8% decrease in postoperative IOP was found in these patients with no associated complications. The postoperative fibrotic exudate, anterior chamber hyphema, and exudative choroidal detachment were all well-managed and resolved. No patients experienced intraocular lens deviation or dislocation, hypotonia oculi, atrophy of eyeball, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, or sympathetic ophthalmia. Conclusion: Cyclophotocoagulation with an illuminated laser probe under a noncontact wide-angle retinoscope is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of neovascular glaucoma.

Association between polymorphisms in the APOB gene and hyperlipidemia in the Chinese Yugur population

We investigated the influence of apolipoprotein B gene (APOB) variants on the risk of hyperlipidemia (HL) in 631 middle-aged and elderly members of the Chinese Yugur population (HL, n=336; normolipidemia, n=295). APOB polymorphisms were identified using mass spectrometry, and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs1042034, rs2163204, rs512535, rs676210, and rs679899) and serum lipids were further analyzed. rs1042034 and rs676210 were significantly associated with HL (P<0.05). Compared with the GG or AA genotype, individuals with AG and AG+AA in rs1042034 and with AG and AG+GG in rs676210 had a 1.67-fold (95%CI=1.20-2.33),1.63-fold (95%CI=1.19-2.24), 1.72-fold (95%CI=1.24-2.40), and 1.67-fold (95%CI=1.21-2.291) increased risk of high HL, respectively. rs2163204 was in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs1042034, rs676210, and rs679899, and strong disequilibrium was observed between rs1042034 and rs676210 (D′>0.9). Compared with the GTGAA haplotype, haplotypes ATGGA and ATAGG were more strongly associated with HL [odds ratio (OR)=1.46, 95%CI=0.02-2.11; OR=1.63, 95%CI=1.03-2.60, respectively]. The risk factors age (P=0.008), body mass index (P<0.0001), GA+GG genotype in rs676210 (P=0.009), and alcohol consumption (P=0.056) contributed strongly to HL development. The A allele of rs1042034 and the G allele of rs676210 may thus predispose middle-aged and elderly members of the Chinese Yugur population to HL in combination with other genetic or nutritional factors, and could be used as new genetic markers for HL screening.

Theileria buffeli infections in grazing cattle in the Republic of Korea

Theileria infections are encountered worldwide, occasionally resulting in serious economic losses for the livestock industry. This study is an epidemiological survey of Theileria infections in Korean indigenous cattle populations in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Blood samples were collected from 100 cattle in April (n=50) (prior to pastureland grazing), and again four months later, in August (n=50) (half of the cattle put out for grazing and the other half kept in housing). All samples were tested for the presence of Theileria infection based on PCR amplification of the small subunit of ribosomal RNA gene. Twenty-two samples across the whole study were verified as positive for Theileria infection by PCR methods. In August, Theileria infection was markedly increased in grazing cattle (16/25 animals, 64%) compared with indoor cattle (4/25 animals, 16%); affected animals exhibited no clinical signs of infection. The red blood cell, hematocrit, and hemoglobin values were significantly lower in Theileria- positive cattle than in Theileria-negative cattle. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the isolates from this study belonged to the T. buffeli species, and were significantly related to Types A, B, C, and E, and were distinct from T. buffeli Type D, which is known to be more pathogenic. These findings indicate that T. buffeli identified in Korean indigenous cattle have a low-to-mild pathogenicity. These results suggest that the T. buffeli infection is relatively higher in the ROK, and the infection rate may increase following grazing. Taken together, T. buffeli infection may not only be seasonally correlated, but also may be affected by management practices such as pastureland grazing.

CPU0213, a novel endothelin type A and type B receptor antagonist, protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The efficacy of endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is controversial, and the mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CPU0123, a novel endothelin type A and type B receptor antagonist, on myocardial I/R injury and to explore the mechanisms involved. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomized to three groups (6-7 per group): group 1, Sham; group 2, I/R + vehicle. Rats were subjected to in vivo myocardial I/R injury by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and 0.5 percent sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (1 mL/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately prior to coronary occlusion. Group 3, I/R + CPU0213. Rats were subjected to identical surgical procedures and CPU0213 (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally immediately prior to coronary occlusion. Infarct size, cardiac function and biochemical changes were measured. CPU0213 pretreatment reduced infarct size as a percentage of the ischemic area by 44.5 percent (I/R + vehicle: 61.3 ± 3.2 vs I/R + CPU0213: 34.0 ± 5.5 percent, P < 0.05) and improved ejection fraction by 17.2 percent (I/R + vehicle: 58.4 ± 2.8 vs I/R + CPU0213: 68.5 ± 2.2 percent, P < 0.05) compared to vehicle-treated animals. This protection was associated with inhibition of myocardial inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, reduction in Akt (protein kinase B) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation induced by myocardial I/R injury was limited by CPU0213 (P < 0.05). These data suggest that CPU0123, a non-selective antagonist, has protective effects against myocardial I/R injury in rats, which may be related to the Akt/eNOS pathway.