Wood cellulose films with different foldabilities triggered by dissolution and regeneration from concentrated H2SO4 and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions.

Forests are a major source of wealth for Canadians, and cellulose makes up the "skeleton" of wood fibers. Concentrated H2SO4 and NaOH/urea aqueous solutions are two efficient solvents that can rapidly dissolve cellulose. Our preliminary experiment obtained regenerated wood cellulose films with different mechanical properties from these two solvents. Therefore, herein, we aim to investigate the effects of aqueous solvents on the structure and properties of wood cellulose films. Regenerated cellulose (RC) films were produced by dissolving wood cellulose in either 64 wt% H2SO4 solution (RC-H4) or NaOH/urea aqueous solution (RC-N4). RC-H4 showed the higher tensile strength (109.78 ± 2.14 MPa), better folding endurance (20-28 times), and higher torsion angle (42°) than RC-N4 (62.90 ± 2.27 MPa, un-foldable, and 12°). The increased cellulose contents in the H2SO4 solutions from 3 to 5 wt% resulted in an improved tensile strength from 102.61 ± 1.99 to 132.93 ± 5.64 MPa and did not affect the foldability. RC-H4 also exhibited better water vapor barrier property (1.52 ± 0.04 × 10-7 g m-1 h-1 Pa-1), superior transparency (~90 % transmittance at 800 nm), but lower thermal stability compared to RC-N4. This work provides special insights into the regenerated wood cellulose from two aqueous solvents and is expected to facilitate the development of high-performance RC films from abundant forestry resources.

Generative adversarial network-based deep learning approach in classification of retinal conditions with optical coherence tomography images.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a deep learning approach using generative adversarial networks (GANs) is beneficial for the classification of retinal conditions with Optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. METHODS: Our study utilized 84,452 retinal OCT images obtained from a publicly available dataset (Kermany Dataset). Employing GAN, synthetic OCT images are produced to balance classes of retinal disorders. A deep learning classification model is constructed using pretrained deep neural networks (DNNs), and outcomes are evaluated using 2082 images collected from patients who visited the Department of Ophthalmology and the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Tri-service General Hospital in Taipei from January 2017 to December 2021. RESULTS: The highest classification accuracies accomplished by deep learning machines trained on the unbalanced dataset for its training set, validation set, fivefold cross validation (CV), Kermany test set, and TSGH test set were 97.73%, 96.51%, 97.14%, 99.59%, and 81.03%, respectively. The highest classification accuracies accomplished by deep learning machines trained on the synthesis-balanced dataset for its training set, validation set, fivefold CV, Kermany test set, and TSGH test set were 98.60%, 98.41%, 98.52%, 99.38%, and 84.92%, respectively. In comparing the highest accuracies, deep learning machines trained on the synthesis-balanced dataset outperformed deep learning machines trained on the unbalanced dataset for the training set, validation set, fivefold CV, and TSGH test set. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, deep learning machines on a synthesis-balanced dataset demonstrated to be advantageous over deep learning machines trained on an unbalanced dataset for the classification of retinal conditions.

Uveitis increases the risk of stroke among patients with ankylosing spondylitis: A nationwide population-based longitudinal study.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is known to increase the risk of stroke. Among patients with AS, uveitis is the most common extra-articular manifestation. However, no previous investigations have discussed the association between uveitis and the risk for developing stroke in patients with AS. This retrospective cohort study aimed to explore the relationship between uveitis and the incidence of stroke in patients with AS by obtaining medical records from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2015, from the National Health Insurance Research Database, according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes. The primary outcome was the incidence of stroke. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used to analyze variables. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models with and without Fine and Gray's competing risk model were used to analyze data. Total 828 AS patients with uveitis and 3,312 AS patients without uveitis were identified. During the follow-up period, 137 patients in the uveitis group and 344 in the non-uveitis group developed stroke. Uveitis is a significant risk factor for stroke development in patients with AS (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.846, p < 0.001). Age, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation were associated with a higher risk of stroke. After subgroup analysis, both anterior uveitis and posterior segment involvement were found to increase the risk of stroke in patients with AS. Uveitis is associated with an increased risk in both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in patients with AS. Therefore, when uveitis is identified, clinicians should pay more attention to the cerebrovascular risk in patients with AS, especially in those with underlying comorbidities.

General deep learning model for detecting diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND: Doctors can detect symptoms of diabetic retinopathy (DR) early by using retinal ophthalmoscopy, and they can improve diagnostic efficiency with the assistance of deep learning to select treatments and support personnel workflow. Conventionally, most deep learning methods for DR diagnosis categorize retinal ophthalmoscopy images into training and validation data sets according to the 80/20 rule, and they use the synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) in data processing (e.g., rotating, scaling, and translating training images) to increase the number of training samples. Oversampling training may lead to overfitting of the training model. Therefore, untrained or unverified images can yield erroneous predictions. Although the accuracy of prediction results is 90%-99%, this overfitting of training data may distort training module variables. RESULTS: This study uses a 2-stage training method to solve the overfitting problem. In the training phase, to build the model, the Learning module 1 used to identify the DR and no-DR. The Learning module 2 on SMOTE synthetic datasets to identify the mild-NPDR, moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and proliferative DR classification. These two modules also used early stopping and data dividing methods to reduce overfitting by oversampling. In the test phase, we use the DIARETDB0, DIARETDB1, eOphtha, MESSIDOR, and DRIVE datasets to evaluate the performance of the training network. The prediction accuracy achieved to 85.38%, 84.27%, 85.75%, 86.73%, and 92.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the experiment, a general deep learning model for detecting DR was developed, and it could be used with all DR databases. We provided a simple method of addressing the imbalance of DR databases, and this method can be used with other medical images.

Chorioretinal Folds in the Trabeculectomized Eye with Normal Intraocular Pressure after Phacoemulsification.

Background and Objectives: This case report discusses possible causes of chorioretinal fold (CRF) formation. Materials and Methods: A case report. Results: A 48-year-old man presented with a history of high myopia and primary open-angle glaucoma in both eyes. He underwent a trabeculectomy followed by phacoemulsification in both eyes. Two months later, he complained of blurred vision in the right eye. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 17 mmHg in the left eye and 9 mmHg in the right eye. Refraction showed a hyperopic shift in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination showed a deep anterior chamber without cells and a well-functional bleb without leakage. Fundus examination revealed CRFs in the macula of the right eye. No papilledema, choroidal lesions, or other retinal lesions were found. Wrinkling of CRFs at the macula, an increase in central foveal thickness, and a fluid cleft were demonstrated by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. After using steroid eye drops, the IOP in the right eye and refraction in both eyes recovered to the baseline level. Visual acuity improved in both eyes. Conclusions: CRFs in trabeculectomized eyes with normal IOP after phacoemulsification have not been reported. This case demonstrated that the trabeculectomized eye remains at risk of CRF formation, even if the IOP is normal without hypotony. The importance of a detailed fundus examination in patients with unexplained blurred vision may be necessary after having undergone these procedures. The early recognition of the cause of visual loss may facilitate immediate treatment and may avoid irreversible changes with permanent visual loss.

A Novel Procedure for the Management of Severe Hyphema after Glaucoma Filtering Surgery: Air-Blood Exchange under a Slit-Lamp Biomicroscopy.

Background and Objectives: This study introduces a novel office-based procedure involving air-blood exchange under a slit-lamp microscope for treatment of severe hyphema after filtering surgery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 17 patients (17 eyes) with a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma with severe hyphema (≥4-mm height) after filtering surgery. All patients were treated with air-blood exchange under a slit-lamp using room air (12 patients) or 12% perfluoropropane (C3F8; five patients). Results: The procedures were successful in all 17 patients; they exhibited clear visual axes without complications during follow-up. In the room air group, the mean visual acuity (VA) and hyphema height significantly improved from 1.70 ± 1.07 LogMAR and 5.75 ± 1.14 mm before the procedure to 0.67 ± 0.18 LogMAR and 2.83 ± 0.54 mm after the procedure (p = 0.004; p < 0.001). In the C3F8 group, the mean VA showed a trend, though not significant, for improvement from 1.70 ± 1.10 LogMAR to 0.70 ± 0.19 LogMAR (p = 0.08); the mean hyphema height showed a trend for improvement from 5.40 ± 0.96 mm to 3.30 ± 0.45 mm. Compared with the C3F8 group, the room air group showed the same efficacy with a shorter VA recovery time. Conclusions: "Air-blood exchange under a slit-lamp using room air" is a convenient, rapid, inexpensive, and effective treatment option for severe hyphema after filtering surgery, and may reduce the risk of failure of filtering surgery.

Increased risk for central serous chorioretinopathy in nephrotic syndrome patients: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by various etiologies that damage the glomerulus. Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) is a retinal disease characterized by neurosensory detachment of the retina. Several case reports have described the relationship between both. Therefore, we try to analyze the epidemiological associations between NS and CSCR using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. METHODS: Data spanning 14 years were extracted from the National Health Insurance Research Database and sub-grouped. The variables were analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test. The risk factors for disease development with or without comorbidities were examined using an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR). Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to evaluate the cumulative incidence of CSCR with or without NS. RESULTS: A total of 14 794 patients with NS and 14 794 matched controls without NS were enrolled in this cohort study. The incidence rate of CSCR was higher in the study cohort than in the control cohort (aHR = 3.349, p < 0.001). The overall incidence of CSCR was 44.51 per 100 000 person-years in the study cohort and 33.39 per 100 000 person-years in the control cohort. In both groups, CSCR occurred more frequently in males than in females. Patients aged 40-49, 50-59, and ≥60 years in the study cohort had a significantly higher risk of developing CSCR than those in the control cohort (aHR = 3.445, 5.421, and 4.957, all p < 0.001). NS patient with a 4-week history of steroid usage has a higher risk of developing CSCR (aHR = 2.010, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that patients with NS have an increased risk of developing subsequent CSCR. Physician should routinely refer their NS patients to ophthalmologist for ophthalmic evaluation. This is the first nationwide epidemiological study reporting the association between these two diseases. Further studies are needed to clarify this relationship.

Evaluation of the relationship between central serous chorioretinopathy and liver cirrhosis: A nationwide, population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and liver cirrhosis share numerous risk factors and may have possible connections. We aimed to investigate whether patients with liver cirrhosis and the severity of cirrhosis have an increased incidence of CSCR. METHODS: This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted by collecting data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2015. We included patients who were newly diagnosed with cirrhosis and selected an equal number of sex- and age-matched control subjects. The effect of cirrhosis on the risk of CSCR was examined via a Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. The cumulative incidence of CSCR was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. RESULTS: Both groups in this study comprised a total of 25 925 individuals. The cirrhotic patients had a significantly higher cumulative risk of developing CSCR in following years than patients without cirrhosis (log-rank test < 0.001). Furthermore, compared with noncirrhotic patients, the risk of CSCR was increased 3.59-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.31-5.28) in cirrhotic patients with complications, and 2.34-fold (95% CI, 1.27-3.24) in cirrhotic patients without complications. Additionally, male sex, springtime, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus statistical significantly increased the incidence of CSCR. CONCLUSION: Cirrhosis is an independent indicator of CSCR. Among the cirrhotic population, patients with ascites and other complications have a higher incidence of CSCR than those with uncomplicated cirrhosis. Physicians should be observant when managing cirrhotic patients with visual disturbances.

Outcomes of Small Size Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation in Asian Chronic Angle-Closure Glaucoma.

For chronic angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) is a useful drainage device for intraocular pressure (IOP) control but there are few reports discussing the outcomes of small size AGV in adult patients. This retrospective study involved 43 Asian adult patients (43 eyes) with chronic ACG. All patients had undergone small size AGV insertion and were divided into anterior chamber (AC) group and posterior chamber (PC) group. In the AC group, tube was inserted through sclerectomy gap into the anterior chamber. In the PC group, tube was inserted into posterior chamber through a needling tract. Outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, number of antiglaucoma medications, survival curve and incidence of complications. In total, 43 eyes of 43 patients, 24 in the AC group and 19 in the PC group, were reviewed. The mean follow-up period was 28.5 months (95% confidence interval: 25.5-31.4). Mean IOP had significantly decreased following AGV insertion. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a probability of success at 24 months of 67.4% for qualified success and 39.5% for complete success. There were no significant differences between the AC and PC groups in terms of the mean IOP, cumulative probability of success, visual acuity change or antiglaucoma medication change, except IOP at 1-day and 1-month mean IOP. The most common complications noted was hyphema in the PC group. For adult chronic ACG patients, small size AGV insertion could be effective at lowering IOP. Besides, tube insertion into AC with sclerectomy may prevent the hypertensive phase in the early postoperative period.

The impact of diabetes mellitus medication on the incidence of endogenous endophthalmitis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between diabetic mellitus (DM) treatment and the incidence rate of endogenous endophthalmitis (EE). DESIGN: This study used a matched cohort design. We utilized the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database to identify outpatients and inpatients who were diagnosed with DM and treated with medication from 2000 to 2010. METHODS: Several factors and different DM medications were also investigated. The influence of DM medication on the incidence of EE was examined by using Cox proportional hazards regression models, and the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of EE was lower in DM patients treated with medication than in subjects in the control group (P = 0.002). The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) was 0.47-fold lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P = 0.004). With respect to DM medication, single-agent therapy with insulin, metformin, gliclazide, glimepiride, or repaglinide and combination therapy with glimepiride/metformin or repaglinide/metformin were associated with decreased AHRs (0.257-0.544, all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients treated with medication had lower AHRs than those in the control group. Further stratification indicated that liver abscess, liver disease DM patients who were treated with medication had a lower risk of developing EE. Several specific DM medications may decrease the incidence of EE.

Relationship between heart failure and central serous chorioretinopathy: A cohort study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Both central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) and heart failure (HF) are disorders with a complex pathogenesis, whereas the two diseases might share similar pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate whether patients with HF are exposed to potential risk of CSCR by using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). METHODS: Data were collected from the NHIRD over a 14-year period. Variables were analyzed with the Pearson chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. The risk factors for disease development were examined by adjusted hazard ratio (aHR). Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to compare the cumulative incidence of CSCR. RESULTS: A total of 24 426 patients with HF were enrolled in the study cohort, and there were 24 426 patients without HF in the control cohort. The incidence rate of CSCR was higher in the study cohort than in the control cohort (aHR = 4.572, p < 0.001). CSCR occurred more commonly in males than in females. The overall incidence of CSCR was 30.07 per 100 000 person-years in the study cohort and 23.06 per 100 000 person-years in the control cohort. Besides, subgroup analysis revealed that no matter in gender or age group, HF patients were in an increased risk of CSCR diagnosis (male/female, aHR = 3.268/7.701; 20-59 years/≥60 years, aHR = 3.405/5.501, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: HF is a significant indicator for CSCR. Patients with HF should stay alert for potential disorder of visual impairment. Further prospective studies to investigate the relationship between HF and CSCR could provide more information.

Hydrocolloidal properties of flaxseed gum/konjac glucomannan compound gel.

The present study was designed to determine the hydrocolloidal properties and synergistic effect of a novel compound gel prepared under specific physical gelling conditions using flaxseed gum (FSG) and konjac glucomannan (KGM); and proposed the possible application of compound gel in the food industry. The hydrocolloidal properties of compound gel was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), rapid visco analyzer (RVA), turbidimeter, texture analyzer (TPA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Among compound gels significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in microstructure, infrared spectra, gelatinization temperatures, swelling power, solubility, turbidity, texture and pasting characteristics depending upon their concentrations of FSG and KGM. The microstructures of compound gels became dense with small size of pores and showed a strong interaction and synergistic effect between FSG and KGM; whereas increased the pore size of compound gel by increasing the concentration of KGM. FT-IR spectra demonstrated an obvious interaction between FSG and KGM molecular chains in the compound gels.

Optical coherence tomography angiography in unilateral multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) has the advantage to visualize the microvascular structure of the retina in vivo and was utilized clinically in various neovascular retinal diseases. The OCT-A has also been used to examine the lesion in multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis (MCP). This study aimed to describe a case of MCP and present the disease process of a punched-out lesion in the chorioretina with neovascular activity using OCT-A. PATIENTS CONCERNS: A 32-year-old female Caucasian patient presented with a 2-week history of progressive blurred vision in her right eye with photophobia and a diminished temporal visual field. On presentation, her best corrected visual acuity was 6/60 in the right eye with a prominent anterior uveitis seen under slit lamp examination. DIAGNOSES: Dilated fundus examination of the right eye showed vitritis and multiple, punched-out yellowish-white lesions over the peripheral retina. Additional multimodal imaging (MMI) were done including fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), which all revealed characteristic findings of MCP. In general, the diagnosis of unilateral MCP was made. Furthermore, one of the punched-out lesions in the right eye was particularly selected and examined under OCT and OCT-A, which revealed a subretinal elevated lesion with high flow signal under OCT-A. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with oral prednisolone at 30 mg daily with topical prednisolone acetate 1% every 2 hours were prescribed, which were gradually tapered down within a 2-month course. OUTCOMES: The patient's best corrected visual acuity of the right eye returned to 6/6 at 2 months after the diagnosis. The flow signal in the OCT-A study of the punched-out lesion had also resolved after steroid treatment. LESSONS: The MCP is an uncommon uveitis with multiple inflammatory chorioretinal lesions. Using multimodal imaging technique, physicians can better differentiate these lesions for diagnosis and for further monitoring. Our results demonstrated that these chorioretinal lesions in MCP may display neovascular activities that might not be seen easily using conventional FA or ICGA study. With OCT-A, ophthalmologists could identify and monitor subtle choroidal neovascularization (CNV) changes over these punched-out lesions.

Iatrogenic Posterior Lens Capsule Rupture and Subsequent Complications due to Nd:YAG Laser Vitreolysis for Vitreous Floaters: A Case Report.

Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis has been used as a noninvasive approach to treat visually significant vitreous strands and floaters. However, severe vision-threatening complications may occur. The authors describe a rare case of a 60-year-old woman who had suffered rupture of the posterior lens capsule with subsequent cataract formation 1 week post-Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis in the right eye. The authors performed phacoemulsification, pars plana vitrectomy, and intraocular lens implantation at the ciliary sulcus. At 1 month post-surgery, the patient's visual acuity had not recovered well and optical coherence tomography showed epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation. Thus, she underwent secondary pars plana vitrectomy for ERM removal. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e214-e217.].

Application of lateral tarsoconjunctival flap to correct ocular complications of Madelung's disease: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Madelung's disease is a specific type of benign symmetric lipomatosis, which is characterized by overgrowing fat distributed at the neck and shoulder. This excessive fat accumulation may occur in different regions, including vital organs, such as the larynx, trachea, or the orbits. Surgery is usually performed to correct the esthetic or functional concern of the affected area. There are only few case reports mentioned about the orbital involvement of this disease. This study aimed to describe a case of Madelung's disease with ocular complications and the successful treatment using tarsoconjunctival flap. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 90-year-old obese male presented with decreased visual acuity accompanied with severe band form punctate epithelial erosions and ciliary injections in both eyes. Exophthalmos and ectropion of the lower eyelids were observed. DIAGNOSES: Orbital computed tomography revealed a rare entity of Madelung's disease with significant massive deposits of lipomas located symmetrically around the orbit and neck region. INTERVENTIONS: Bilateral lateral tarsoconjunctival flaps with lateral tarsal strip procedures were performed to correct the lower eyelid ectropion-related exposure keratopathy. OUTCOMES: The patient obtained improved visual acuity, intact and clear corneal surfaces, and perfect lower eyelid positions over both eyes. LESSONS: Madelung's disease is a rare condition. There are few reports to describe its ocular complications, due to lipoma overgrowing in the orbit. We shared our successful experience to correct ocular complications using tarsoconjunctival flap technique.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome with associated autoimmune thyroid disease: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome is a rare disease and could be associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). This report was aimed to investigate the utility of F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) for the diagnosis of VKH syndrome with AITD and to perform a literature review on the association between the 2 diseases. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old woman without the history of ocular trauma suffered from chronic headache. She was presented with painful blurred vision of both eyes with headache for 2 weeks. Ophthalmic evaluations revealed panuveitis, exudative retinal detachment, and papilloedema in both eyes. The clinical symptoms and presentations are compatible with the diagnosis of VKH syndrome. Other examinations for intraocular infection, malignancy, and lupus choroidopathy were of negative results. The result of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the brain was normal. Due to the history of cancer in the patient's families, a F-FDG PET/CT whole-body scan was performed. The result indicated a focal of 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) uptake at the right upper lobe of the thyroid. Therefore, the patient's thyroid function was examined and the result indicated euthyroidism with detectable thyroid peroxidase/thyroglobulin antibodies. DIAGNOSES: VKH syndrome with associated AITD. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with intravenous pulse systemic methylprednisolone (1000 mg daily) was prescribed for 3 days and then shifted gradually to tapered oral steroid medication. OUTCOMES: Symptoms of papillitis and serous retinal detachment of VKH syndrome was relieved after steroid treatment LESSONS:: F-fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) can be used for the effective diagnosis of VKH syndrome with AITD.