Sputum Inflammatory Cells and their Impact on Asthma Control in Adults: A Prospective Study

Background: Asthma is broadly categorized as eosinophilic or noneosinophilic. Noneosinophilic asthma (NEA) can be paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA), mixed granulocytic asthma (MGA), or neutrophilic asthma (NeuA). A relationship between the cytological type of inflammation and response to treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma has been of great interest. The objective of the current study was to predict the control of asthma according to sputum inflammatory cells. Materials and methods: A total of 58 patients were evaluated. Sputum was induced and sent for cytological examination. Patients were prescribed controller and reliever medications as per the GINA guidelines. Accordingly, subjects were divided into eosinophilic, neutrophilic, mixed granulocytic, and paucigranulocytic asthma. The response to treatment was classified as poorly controlled based on ACT score. Results: Out of 58 patients, eosinophilic asthma (EA) was 24% and noneosinophilic 76% (NeuA 17%, MGA 23%, and PGA 36%). After treatment, 14 (24.13%) patients were found poorly controlled. Poor control was in 5.17% among EA and 18.97% in NEA phenotypes. Poor control was significantly higher in females, NeuA, and MGA. Peripheral eosinophilia affects control of asthma adversely. Conclusion: Pretreatment sputum analysis can predict the asthma control and steroid responsiveness. Mixed granulocytic asthma and NeuA are difficult to control, and PGA is the best responder.

Phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract: Experience from a tertiary eye care Centre in North India

Purpose: To determine the rate of posterior capsular rupture (PCR) and assess the postoperative outcomes in patients of posterior polar cataract (PPC) undergoing phacoemulsification using a combination of 揤� or �� nucleofractis and viscodissection. Methods: It was a retrospective study of 80 eyes of 64 patients undergoing surgery for PPC. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. After completion of the continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (CCC), controlled hydrodelineation was used to separate the endonucleus from the epinuclear shell with limited viscodissection. Phacoemulsification was then carried out by making a 揤� or lambda-shaped nucleofractis with the phaco tip followed by multiple chopping of the nucleus, ensuring the integrity of the epinuclear part of the lens. The epinuclear plate was removed after viscodissection. Results: The overall rate of PCR was 7.5% (6 out of 80 eyes). Of the 6 eyes, 4 eyes had been documented to have a pre-existing posterior capsular defect on slit-lamp examination. The rate of 搊n table� PCR, that is, PCR occurring intraoperatively was only 2.6% (2 of 76 eyes). Nucleus drop was not encountered in any case. Overall 87.5% eyes achieved a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better with 68.75% being 20/20 or better. Of the eyes developing PCR, two-third achieved a visual acuity of 20/30 or better. Conclusion: Using a combination of surgical techniques of V groove or lambda technique for nucleofractis and removal of epinucleus by viscodissection can result in a low rate of PCR and extremely good postoperative outcomes in cases of PPC.

Effect of Cage or Deep Litter Housing on Production Performance of White Leghorn Chickens

The effect of cage or deep litter housing on production performance of White Leghorn was investigated in this experiment. A total 144 pullets of White Leghorn were randomly assigned to two treatments as; Cage housing and Deep litter housing. Results revealed that body weight at sexual maturity was significantly (P<0.05) lower in birds reared in cage than the deep litter housing. Moreover, lower feed intake was observed in birds kept in cages than that of deep litter housing. Feed conversion ratio in terms of feed intake/dozen eggs or feed intake/kg egg mass was better in birds reared in cages than the deep litter housing. The average hen day and hen house egg production were not affected due to different housing systems. Egg quality traits like albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit score were significantly (P<0.05) higher for eggs produced by birds reared in cage housing than the deep litter housing. The profit of about 20% was observed in cage housing over deep litter housing. It was concluded that the lower feed consumption and body weight at sexual maturity, better feed conversion, egg quality and economic returns were achieved in cages compared to deep litter housing. However, cage or deep litter housing had no effect on egg production

Combination of capsular tension ring and capsular tension segment for the management of lens coloboma >4 clock hours

Lens colobomas extending more than 4 clock hours and causing visual impairment require lens extraction along with capsular support devices with scleral fixation for adequate centration of the capsular bag and for prevention of capsular fornix aspiration with inadvertent extension of zonular dialysis intraoperatively. In this case series, we describe a technique for the management of isolated lens colobomas involving 4–5 clock hours by clear lens extraction and intraocular lens implantation using a combination of a capsular tension ring with a capsular tension segment (CTS) for the centration and stability of the capsular bag. Hoffman's corneoscleral pocket and half-bow sliding knot technique were used for scleral fixation of the CTS.

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome: Evaluation of patient demographics and endothelial morphology by in vivo confocal microscopy in an Indian cohort

Purpose: To evaluate the patient demographics and morphological characteristics of corneal endothelium by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM), in patients with Iridocorneal Endothelial (ICE) Syndrome. Methods: In this retrospective observational series, IVCM acquired endothelial images of patients with ICE syndrome were evaluated. 'ICE cells' morphology was classified as “?” or “+” if they were larger or smaller than contralateral normal endothelium. It was correlated with patient demographics and clinical manifestations. Results: IVCM was performed on 41 eyes of 21 patients, with 13 males (62%) and 8 females (38%). The disease was unilateral in 19 (90.5%) and bilateral but asymmetric in two (9.5%) patients. Total ICE was seen in 91% eyes. Eighty percent patients (12 out of 15) with ICE—cells were males while 83.3% (5 out of 6) patients with ICE + cells were females. Mean age of patients with ICE- cell type and ICE + cell type was 45.8 ± 17.8 years and 40.3 ± 9.2 years respectively (P = 0.02). Both ICE – and ICE + eyes had similar incidence (33.3%) of corneal edema. ICE + eyes had more severe (grades 2/3) glaucoma (n = 5/6 eyes, 83.3%) compared to ICE – eyes (n = 8/15 eyes, 53.3%). Conclusion: A male preponderance, predilection of ICE – and + cell variants for male and female gender respectively, lack of association of the endothelial cell morphology with corneal edema, and apparent association of ICE + phenotype with more severe glaucoma occurring at a relatively younger age, are some novel findings of the present study. In the clinical setting correlation of patient demographics with these IVCM findings may help in better long-term prognostication of eyes with ICE syndrome.

A multipronged approach to prevent Argentinian flag sign in intumescent cataracts

In this communication, we describe a technique for creation of a single stage, adequately sized capsulorrhexis in intumescent cataracts by depressurizing the anterior and posterior intralenticular compartments in a nonleaky anterior chamber (AC) to prevent capsulorrhexis extension and Argentina flag sign. Initially, an incomplete main-port incision is made by the partial entry of a 2.2-mm keratome. A cohesive dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) is injected into AC. Standard side-port incisions are made, followed by anterior capsular staining. The fluid cortex in anterior intralenticular compartment is aspirated by puncturing anterior capsule in the center using a 30-gauge needle entered through a separate limbal stab incision. The nucleus edge is gently tipped posteriorly with the needle tip to release the fluid from posterior intralenticular compartment also and as much fluid aspirated as possible. OVD is again injected and capsulorrhexis is performed in a single stage using micro-capsulorrhexis forceps.

Chandelier-assisted retroillumination for phacoemulsification in phacovitrectomy

Purpose: To describe chandelier-assisted retroillumination for phacoemulsification in patients with poor fundal glow due to posterior segment pathology during combined phacovitrectomy procedure. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Thirty eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and 25G sutureless pars plana vitrectomy. Sclerotomy port for chandelier tip was made in the inferotemporal or superonasal quadrant based on the incision site for phacoemulsification. Later, it was replaced with infusion cannula or endoilluminator. Cases included had posterior segment pathologies such as vitreous hemorrhage and vitritis. Results: Red reflex was markedly enhanced during phacoemulsification for all cases. In all eyes, a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was achieved without the use of dye. The posterior capsule remained intact in all cases. The visual acuity in all patients improved, and the median best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (range: 4/60�/30) at 6 months. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Conclusion: Cases with poor red reflex pose a challenge for anterior segment surgeons, and chandelier-assisted retroillumination proves to be a safe and effective tool in combined phacovitrectomy surgeries. Moreover, no additional cannula port is required for this chandelier insertion.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on sustained virological response in genotype 1/4 chronic hepatitis C treatment-naïve patients from India

Background & objectives: The effect of vitamin D supplementation on response to antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and 4 infection still remains unclear, with studies yielding inconsistent results. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on treatment outcome in patients with genotype 1/4 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection. Methods: Sixty consecutive, treatment-naïve, genotype 1 and 4 chronic HCV patients were included in the study. The patients were randomized into two groups: Vitamin D supplemented group received pegylated (PEG)-interferon ?-2a 180 ?g per week plus ribavirin (RBV) (1000-1200 mg/d) together with vitamin D3 (2000 IU/d) and control group received identical therapy without vitamin D (32 patients). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index and baseline laboratory values. Lower vitamin D levels were associated with higher grades of fibrosis in liver histology (vitamin D >20 ng/ml - 70% vs vitamin D <20 ng/ml - 37%, P<0.05). Vitamin D supplemented group had similar rapid viral response (40 vs 28%, P=0.36), complete early viral response (53.2 vs 40%, P=0.34), end of treatment response (64 vs 46%, P=0.17) and sustained virological response (SVR) (60 vs 44%, P=0.19) as compared to control group. Interleukin 28B polymorphism [odds ratio (OR)-15.37, 95% confidence interval (CI)-2.32-101.76, P=0.04] and baseline serum vitamin D levels (OR-6.36, 95% CI-1.36-29.61 P=0.02) were independent predictors of SVR in genotype 1/4 CHC. Vitamin D supplementation was not found to be predictor of response in genotype 1/4 CHC on multivariate analysis (OR-2.79, 95% CI- 0.63-12.34, P=0.74). Interpretation & conclusions: The present study showed that addition of vitamin D to PEG/RBV combination therapy in treatment-naïve patients who were infected with HCV genotype 1/4 had no effect on the rates of rapid, early and sustained viral responses.