Distance and near vision changes after intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection in eyes with center-involving diabetic macular edema

Purpose: To elucidate distance and near vision changes after intravitreal injections in center?involving diabetic macular edema (CIDME) in phakic and pseudophakic groups. Methods: A retrospective study was done on 148 eyes (72 phakic and 76 pseudophakic) with center?involving DME. All eyes were treated with intravitreal anti?vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injection. All patients underwent distance best?corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, near BCVA testing, dilated fundus examination, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline and follow?up visits. Eyes that could not improve after the first injection were given 2nd, 3rd, and more injections in the subsequent visits. Results: On follow?up, post injections in the phakic group (n = 72), there were 65 eyes (90.3%) with stable/improved near vision and 59 eyes (81.9%) with stable/improved distance vision, whereas in the pseudophakic group (n = 76), 63 eyes (82.9%) and 60 eyes (78.9%), respectively. Both in phakic and pseudophakic eyes, 7.7%–13% of the cohort showed only near vision improvement. Conclusion: In DME, besides the changes in distance vision, there are also changes in near vision. These changes should be taken into account while determining the response to anti?VEGF in DME treatment.

olf413 Gene Controls Taste Recognition, Preference and Feeding Activity in Drosophila melanogaster

Recognition and responsiveness to food taste becomes a crucial event in foraging and feeding behaviour of an organism. Adjusting the feeding behaviour through a sophisticated and robust taste system is critical to fulfil their nutritional needs and facilitate its survival in environment. Palatability of food sources depends on the sensory and motor cues provided by the brain, in co-ordination with the other body systems to enable decisive feeding. Drosophila melanogaster is an apt model organism to decipher these behavioural paradigms. Octopamine a neurotransmitter, is required in regulation of feeding behavioural responses. olf413, a paralogue of TH, is a gene predicted for its involvement in octopamine biosynthesis. The biological function of this gene is yet to be unravelled. Here we propose this gene function in taste recognition, food preference and feeding activity. We test the olf413 loss of function mutants for food preference between two fruit extracts using CAFE and horizontal box methods. In our study we have used olf413 gene disruption strain, olf413MI02014 homozygous and in transheterozygous condition with another allele isolated in our lab, olf413SG1.1. The results show that olf413 mutants display a severe phenotype in feeding behaviour and there is an allele specific phenotypic distinction between the two strains. Thus implying that olf413 gene function is required for taste recognition, starvation driven initiation and execution of feeding behaviour of the flies.

Scleral cut-down technique of subretinal fluid drainage in scleral buckle surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

Background: The art of scleral buckle (SB) surgery is being largely forgotten. However, it still remains a good option for selected cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) is one of the most crucial steps of the surgery. When performed correctly, it gives the advantage of immediate retinal reattachment, and it hastens recovery. However, it has its own set of complications. Purpose: To demonstrate, step by step, the scleral cut?down technique of SRF drainage in SB surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and to discuss its indications, contraindications, and complications. Synopsis: Longstanding RRDs with bullous detachments, old age, inferior breaks, or multiple breaks are indications of SRF drainage. In shallow RDs or young patients, a non?drainage procedure may be preferred. It is safer to drain at the bed of the buckle. After the sclera is cut and dissected, it is essential to inspect the choroid for the presence of large vessels. Choroidal vessels are avoided from getting injured while perforating. The release of pigments indicates the end of the drainage. Various possible complications can be prevented by being careful in the surgical technique. Highlights: Diagrammatic illustrations explain the steps of the surgical technique. Intraoperative complications have been explained in an easy?to?understand manner with tips to manage such conditions and their prevention. The video highlights the correct way of performing SRF drainage

Surgical management of complicated retinal detachment in a case of retinal hemangioblastoma

Background: A 40-year-old male presented with a complaint of sudden onset diminution of vision in the left eye for 2 weeks. He was a follow-up case with retinal hemangioblastoma in both eyes. He underwent two sittings of fundus fluorescein angiography-guided trans-pupillary thermotherapy 2 years back. Since then, he was regularly followed up for 2 years with stable vision and stable retinal findings. At present, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the right eye is 6/6, and in the left eye, it is counting fingers 2 meters. On fundus examination, he had one active hemangioblastoma in the right eye and total retinal detachment in the left eye with multiple active lesions. The right eye was treated with a single sitting of thermotherapy, and the left eye underwent pars plana vitrectomy and angioma excision, followed by silicone oil tamponade. The immediate and late post?operative periods were uneventful, with successful anatomical and functional outcomes. The left eye BCVA on late follow-up was 6/36, no further treatment was advised, and the patient was kept under follow-up and observed closely. Purpose: To educate regarding the systemic workup, diagnosis, and surgical management of complicated retinal detachment in retinal hemangioblastoma. Synopsis: Systemic workup, diagnosis, and surgical steps in the management of complicated retinal detachment in retinal hemangioblastoma were performed. Highlights: Close follow-up, keen observation, and prompt treatment in the early stages of the disease are indispensable to prevent untoward sequelae of retinal hemangioblastoma. A thorough systemic workup is necessary to diagnose the systemic involvements early. Surgery, if indicated for the retinal hemangioblastoma or its associated sequelae, should be performed diligently and with careful handling of blood vessels and anomalous tissues.

The effect of oil pulling with rice bran oil, sesame oil, and chlorhexidine mouth rinsing on halitosis among pregnant women: A comparative interventional study.

Context: Rice bran oil, owing to its potential antioxidant benefits, could be an effective and novel alternative to sesame oil for oil pulling. As it is safe and a growingly popular edible oil, it may be acceptable during pregnancy, especially in the Indian context where women may be hesitant to use chemical plaque control methods for preventing halitosis. Aims: The present study was conducted to compare the effects of oil pulling with rice bran oil, oil pulling with sesame oil, and oil pulling with chlorhexidine mouth rinsing on reducing halitosis among pregnant women. Settings and Design: Thirty pregnant women who attended the Gynecology Outpatient Department (OPD) of Muslim Medical Hospital, Haran Khana Road, Pani Gate, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, were recruited in the present randomized double-blind interventional study. Subjects and Methods: Eligible pregnant women individuals who gave consent for the study were randomly allocated to receive the interventions under investigation. Halitosis was measured at baseline and after 14 days of intervention using TANITA breath checker HC-212M-BL. Statistical Analysis Used: Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel 2007, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to interpret the differences in baseline and postintervention halitosis levels. One-way ANOVA was done to compare the mean reduction in halitosis scores of the three intervention groups. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in the grades of halitosis at baseline and 14 days after intervention for all the three groups. There was no statistically significant difference between chlorhexidine mouth rinsing, oil pulling with sesame oil, and oil pulling with rice bran oil in halitosis reduction. Conclusions: Rice bran oil when used in oil pulling was effective in reducing halitosis. It performed comparably and marginally superior to other agents tested in the study when change in halitosis postintervention was considered.

Evaluation of shear bond strength with different enamel pretreatments: An in vitro study.

Context: Bonding procedures are time consuming and debonding of brackets is a common problem encountered in orthodontics. Aims: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) with different enamel pretreatment (acid etching, air abrasion, and bur abrasion) to enhance the bonding performance. Subjects and Methods: A total of 60 extracted premolars for orthodontic purposes were randomly assigned to three groups based on conditioning method: Group I ‑ conventional etching with 37% phosphoric acid; Group II ‑ air abrasion with 50 μm aluminum oxide; and Group III ‑ bur abrasion with diamond fissure (#330, MANI, Dia‑Burs, New Jersey, USA). After storing the specimens for 24 h in distilled water at 37°C, SBS was measured with Universal testing machine (Lloyd Universal testing machine‑Model No. L.R 100K, UK). The shear force at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min was transmitted to brackets. The adhesive remnant index (ARIs) scores were recorded after bracket failure. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics, multiple comparisons of the SBS of different groups, were performed by analysis of variance. The Tukey’s test was used to evaluate differences in ARI scores between groups. All statistical evaluations were calculated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Windows, release 10.0.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Results: The analysis of SBS variance (P < 0.01) and Chi‑square test of ARIs scores (P < 0.01) revealed significant differences among three groups tested. The SBS in Group I (mean: 8.822 ± 0.92 MPa) and Group III (mean: 6.015 ± 0.87 MPa) was significantly higher than Group II (mean: 3.824 ± 0.57 MPa). The ARI was used to evaluate the residual adhesive on the enamel after bracket removal. The Tukey’s test was used to evaluate differences in the ARI scores among the groups. Conclusions: The current findings indicate that enamel surface preparation using bur abrasion results in a significant higher than air abrasion; within the limitations of this study recommend bur abrasion as a viable alternative to acid etching.

Laparo-endoscopic single-site left adrenalectomy using conventional ports and instruments

Laparo-endoscopic single-site adrenalectomy [LESS-A] is commonly performed using specialized access devices and/or instruments. We report a LESS-A in a 47-year-old woman with a left aldosteranoma via a subcostal approach utilizing conventional laparoscopic ports and instruments. The feasibility and cost-effectiveness of this approach are highlighted and the literature on the subject is reviewed

Evaluation of antioxidants and lipid peroxidation status among students.

The study aims to estimate the changes in the plasma levels of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), non-enzymatic antioxidants: vitamin C and E and enzymatic antioxidant: superoxide dismutase (SOD). The population used were healthy students (100 male, 100 female); mean age 22.4 years, range 18- 25 years. The level of lipid peroxidation was found to be significantly increased among the students which were inversely related to the level of antioxidants (p<0.05). Increased antioxidant levels show a multiple link between fruit and vegetable intake among the study group. Diminished antioxidant status disturbed oxidant-antioxidant balance alleviating oxidative stress state in less fruit and vegetable intake group. Therefore, the alterations in the level of antioxidants in blood plasma could be used as biomarkers for nutritional tribulations.