Choroidal Mass in a Patient with Undiagnosed Pulmonary Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis.

BACKGROUND: Langerhan cell histiocytosis (LCH), although not a common cause, should be kept in the differential diagnosis for a patient that presents with a choroidal mass. CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old female presented with a 4-day history of vision loss and associated pain in her right eye. EXAMINATION AND INVESTIGATIONS: A dilated fundus examination revealed a deep subretinal, orange, mottled lesion with associated serous retinal detachment. Ultrasonography demonstrated a solid mass at the posterior pole. Fluorescein angiography revealed corresponding, small, punctate, hyperfluorescent areas with leakage and pooling in the late phase outlining the subretinal fluid. Optical coherence tomography confirmed the choroidal elevation and subretinal fluid. In addition to starting oral steroids for addressing the patient's acute symptoms, a metastatic workup was ordered due to the lesion's appearance. Diagnosis: Computed tomography (CT) of the chest showed nodular lesions and subsequent lung biopsy was S-100 and CD1a positive, diagnostic of Langerhan's cell histiocytosis (LCH). TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The patient was treated with six cycles of vinblastine and prednisolone therapy followed with a subsequent taper of steroids. Complete resolution of signs and symptoms was noted. DISCUSSION: A review of all reported cases of ophthalmic LCH with or without choroidal involvement was conducted. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches described in these reportshave been summarized in the current manuscript. This case highlights the importance of pursuing a systemic workup in patients with uveal mass lesions. LCH should be considered in the differential of every choroidal mass.

Comparative Study of Machine Learning Models for Bee Colony Acoustic Pattern Classification on Low Computational Resources.

In precision beekeeping, the automatic recognition of colony states to assess the health status of bee colonies with dedicated hardware is an important challenge for researchers, and the use of machine learning (ML) models to predict acoustic patterns has increased attention. In this work, five classification ML algorithms were compared to find a model with the best performance and the lowest computational cost for identifying colony states by analyzing acoustic patterns. Several metrics were computed to evaluate the performance of the models, and the code execution time was measured (in the training and testing process) as a CPU usage measure. Furthermore, a simple and efficient methodology for dataset prepossessing is presented; this allows the possibility to train and test the models in very short times on limited resources hardware, such as the Raspberry Pi computer, moreover, achieving a high classification performance (above 95%) in all the ML models. The aim is to reduce power consumption and improves the battery life on a monitor system for automatic recognition of bee colony states.

Prevalence of periodontitis in a population of patients on dialysis in Colombia.

The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of Chronic Periodontitis (CP) in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and to ascertain its relationship with several factors or indicators of micro inflammation. One hundred and thirty-jive CKD patients on dialysis treatment were included. Biochemical parameters, clinical attachment level and pocket depth were recorded according of the American Academy of Periodontology and the CDC (CDC-AAP). Gingivitis and CP were recorded based on the biofilm-gingival interface (BGI) periodontal diseases classification. The rate of non-response to the survey was 10 percent. A total 2,636 teeth in 135 patients were examined, of whom 52.5% were males. Average age was 55.7 years (SD ± 1.32); 41.4% had a smoking history; 78/135 patients were on hemodialysis and 57/135 on peritoneal dialysis; 55.5% had been on dialysis for more than three years. Prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis was 14.8%, 95% CI (9.7-21.9) and 82.2%, 95% CI (74.7 - 87.8), respectively; according to the BGI Index. Severity of CP was: No periodontitis, 14.0% 95% CI (9.1 - 21.1); mild, 11.1% 95% CI (6.7 -17.7); moderate, 28.8% 95% CI (21.7- 37.1); and severe, 45.9% 95% CI (31.6-54.47). Peritoneal dialysis and time on dialysis > 3 years increase the chance of having periodontitis, OR 11.0 95% CI (2.2-53.8) and OR 7.6 95% CI (1.1-50.2), respectively. In view of the high prevalence of CP in this population, programs designed to ensure better periodontal and gingival care in the population on dialysis need to be established.

El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la prevalencia de Periodontitis Crónica (PC) en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) en diálisis y determinar la relación de su presencia con algunos indicadores de micro inflamación. Un total de 135 pacientes con ERC en terapia dialítica fueron incluidos en este estudio. Se evaluaron parámetros bioquímicos, nivel de inserción clínica (NIC) y profundidad de sondaje (PS), de acuerdo con la Asociación Americana de Periodoncia y el CDC de Atlanta (CDC-AAP). También fue evaluada, la gingivitis y la PC de acuerdo con la clasificación interface biopelicula-encia (BGI). La tasa de no respuesta a la encuesta fue del 10%. Un total de 2636 dientes en 135 pacientes fueron evaluados, (52.5% hombres, edad promedio 55.7 ± 1.32), 56% con antecedente de tabaquismo. 78/135 en hemodiálisis y 57/135 en diálisis peritoneal, el 55.5 % con un tiempo en diálisis mayor a tres años. La prevalencia de gingivitis por la clasificación BGI fue del 14.8% IC 95% (9.7 - 21.9) y de periodontitis 82.2% IC 95% (74.7 - 87.8). La severidad de la PC fue: sin periodontitis 14.0% 95% IC (9.1 - 21.1); leve 11.1% 95% IC (6.7 - 17.7); moderada 28.8% 95% IC (21.7 - 37.1) y severa 45.9% 95% IC (31.6-54.47) La diálisis peritoneal y el tiempo en diálisis aumentaron la chance de tener PC: OR 11.0 95% IC (2.2-53.8) y OR 7.6 95% CI (1.1-50.2) respectivamente. Por la alta prevalencia de PC en esta población, es necesario establecer programas para asegurar el cuidado de la salud periodontal en esta población en diálisis.

Prevalence of periodontitis in a population of patients on dialysis in Colombia

The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of Chronic Periodontitis (CP) in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and to ascertain its relationship with several factors or indicators of micro inflammation. One hundred and thirtyfive CKD patients on dialysis treatment were included. Biochemical parameters, clinical attachment level and pocket depth were recorded according of the American Academy of Periodontology and the CDC (CDCAAP). Gingivitis and CP were recorded based on the biofilmgingival interface (BGI) periodontal diseases classification. The rate of nonresponse to the survey was 10 percent. A total 2,636 teeth in 135 patients were examined, of whom 52.5% were males. Average age was 55.7 years (SD ± 1.32); 41.4% had a smoking history; 78/135 patients were on hemodialysis and 57/135 on peritoneal dialysis; 55.5% had been on dialysis for more than three years. Prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis was 14.8%, 95% CI (9.721.9) and 82.2%, 95% CI (74.7 ­ 87.8), respectively; according to the BGI Index. Severity of CP was: No periodontitis, 14.0% 95% CI (9.1 21.1) ; mild, 11.1% 95% CI (6.7 17.7) ; moderate, 28.8% 95% CI (21.7 37.1) ; and severe, 45.9% 95% CI (31.654.47). Peritoneal dialysis and time on dialysis > 3 years increase the chance of having periodontitis, OR 11.0 95% CI (2.253.8) and OR 7.6 95% CI (1.150.2), respectively. In view of the high prevalence of CP in this population, programs designed to ensure better periodontal and gingival care in the population on dialysis need to be established (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la prevalencia de Periodontitis Crónica (PC) en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) en diálisis y determinar la relación de su presencia con algunos indicadores de micro inflamación. Un total de 135 pacientes con ERC en terapia dialítica fueron incluidos en este estudio. Se evaluaron parámetros bioquímicos, nivel de inserción clínica (NIC) y profundidad de sondaje (PS), de acuerdo con la Asociación Americana de Periodoncia y el CDC de Atlanta (CDCAAP). También fue evaluada, la gingivitis y la PC de acuerdo con la clasificación interface biopeliculaencia (BGI). La tasa de no respuesta a la encuesta fue del 10%. Un total de 2636 dientes en 135 pacientes fueron evaluados, (52.5% hombres, edad promedio 55.7 ± 1.32), 56% con antecedente de tabaquismo. 78/135 en hemodiálisis y 57/135 en diálisis peritoneal, el 55.5 % con un tiempo en diálisis mayor a tres años. La prevalencia de gingivitis por la clasificación BGI fue del 14.8% IC 95% (9.7 21.9) y de periodontitis 82.2% IC 95% (74.7 ­ 87.8). La severidad de la PC fue: sin periodontitis 14.0% 95% IC (9.1 21.1) ; leve 11.1% 95% IC (6.7 17.7) ; moderada 28.8% 95% IC (21.7 37.1) y severa 45.9% 95% IC (31.654.47) La diálisis peritoneal y el tiempo en diálisis aumentaron la chance de tener PC: OR 11.0 95% IC (2.253.8) y OR 7.6 95% CI (1.150.2) respectiva mente. Por la alta prevalencia de PC en esta población, es necesario establecer programas para asegurar el cuidado de la salud periodontal en esta población en diálisis (AU)

Managing daily surgery schedules in a teaching hospital: a mixed-integer optimization approach.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the daily surgical scheduling problem in a teaching hospital. This problem relates to the use of multiple operating rooms and different types of surgeons in a typical surgical day with deterministic operation durations (preincision, incision, and postincision times). Teaching hospitals play a key role in the health-care system; however, existing models assume that the duration of surgery is independent of the surgeon's skills. This problem has not been properly addressed in other studies. We analyze the case of a Spanish public hospital, in which continuous pressures and budgeting reductions entail the more efficient use of resources. METHODS: To obtain an optimal solution for this problem, we developed a mixed-integer programming model and user-friendly interface that facilitate the scheduling of planned operations for the following surgical day. We also implemented a simulation model to assist the evaluation of different dispatching policies for surgeries and surgeons. The typical aspects we took into account were the type of surgeon, potential overtime, idling time of surgeons, and the use of operating rooms. RESULTS: It is necessary to consider the expertise of a given surgeon when formulating a schedule: such skill can decrease the probability of delays that could affect subsequent surgeries or cause cancellation of the final surgery. We obtained optimal solutions for a set of given instances, which we obtained through surgical information related to acceptable times collected from a Spanish public hospital. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a computer-aided framework with a user-friendly interface for use by a surgical manager that presents a 3-D simulation of the problem. Additionally, we obtained an efficient formulation for this complex problem. However, the spread of this kind of operation research in Spanish public health hospitals will take a long time since there is a lack of knowledge of the beneficial techniques and possibilities that operational research can offer for the health-care system.

Multifocal melanoma of the conjunctiva in an African American patient with neurofibromatosis type 1.

A 22-year-old African American female with neurofibromatosis type 1 and multifocal conjunctival melanoma with scleral invasion. The lesion was detected during pregnancy, and after early induction of childbirth, staging by sentinel lymph node biopsy and imaging studies were performed. Systemic evaluation was negative, and the patient was treated with excisional biopsy and cryotherapy. The recurrent multifocal melanoma with scleral extension was treated with brachytherapy by a 2-stage procedure. Follow-up at 2 years reveals the absence of recurrence and 20/25 visual acuity.

Biocompatible reverse thermal gel sustains the release of intravitreal bevacizumab in vivo.

PURPOSE: We assessed the in vivo release profile of bevacizumab from and biocompatibility of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly-(serinol hexamethylene urethane), or ESHU, a thermoresponsive hydrogel administered intravitreally for drug delivery. METHODS: The technical feasibility of injection was assessed quantitatively via mechanical testing. For in vivo studies, New Zealand White rabbit eyes were injected intravitreally with 0.05 mL of either: ESHU dissolved in 25 mg/mL bevacizumab, ESHU dissolved in PBS, or 25 mg/mL bevacizumab. Clinical examination included IOP measurements and examination with indirect ophthalmoscopy for signs of inflammation. Additionally, eyes were examined histologically following euthanasia. To quantify bevacizumab release, aqueous humor samples were obtained via anterior chamber paracentesis and ELISA was used to determine the concentration of drug weekly. In vitro cytotoxicity testing also was performed using bovine corneal endothelial cells. RESULTS: The ESHU was injected easily through a 31-gauge needle, was well tolerated in vivo, and caused minimal cell death in vitro when compared to other common materials, such as silicone oil. The long-term presence of the gel did not affect IOP, and there was no evidence of inflammation histologically or through indirect observation. The ESHU sustained the release of bevacizumab for over 9 weeks and maintained a drug concentration that averaged 4.7 times higher than eyes receiving bolus bevacizumab injections. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating sustained bevacizumab release in vivo from an intravitreally injected hydrogel formulation, suggesting that this delivery system may be a promising candidate for ocular drug delivery.

Radiation therapy: age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe irreversible vision loss in patients over the age of 50 years in the developed world. Neovascular AMD (NVAMD) is responsible for 90% of the cases with severe visual loss. In the last decade, the treatment paradigm for NVAMD has been transformed by the advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Despite the excellent results of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, frequent injections remain a necessity for most patients. The burden of these frequent visits as well as the cumulative risks of indefinite intravitreal injections demand continued pursuit of more enduring therapy that provides similar functional results. Radiotherapy has been studied for two decades as a potential therapy for NVAMD. Because of its antiangiogenic properties, radiation therapy remains a promising potential adjunctive resource for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization secondary to NVAMD. This review considers the past, present and future of radiation as a treatment or combination treatment of NVAMD.

Radiation therapy: anterior segment complications.

The goal of radiotherapy is to produce maximal damage to the tumor yet at the same time produce minimal damage to the surrounding tissues. Here we discuss anterior chamber complications of radiotherapy. These can vary from ocular surface irritation to blindness and can be subdivided into acute (<4 weeks) and chronic (>4 weeks). Prevention and management is also discussed and subdivided by affected tissue.

Immunological disruption of antiangiogenic signals by recruited allospecific T cells leads to corneal allograft rejection.

Corneal transplantation is the most common solid organ transplantation. The immunologically privileged nature of the cornea results in high success rates. However, T cell-mediated rejection is the most common cause of corneal graft failure. Using antiangiogenesis treatment to prevent corneal neovascularization, which revokes immune privilege, prevents corneal allograft rejection. Endostatin is an antiangiogenic factor that maintains corneal avascularity. In this study, we directly test the role of antiangiogenic and immunological signals in corneal allograft survival, specifically the potential correlation of endostatin production and T cell recruitment. We report that 75% of the corneal allografts of BALB/c mice rejected after postoperative day (POD) 20, whereas all syngeneic grafts survived through POD60. This correlates with endogenous endostatin, which increased and remained high in syngeneic grafts but decreased after POD10 in allografts. Immunostaining demonstrated that early recruitment of allospecific T cells into allografts around POD10 correlated with decreased endostatin production. In Rag(-/-) mice, both allogeneic and syngeneic corneal grafts survived; endostatin remained high throughout. However, after T cell transfer, the allografts eventually rejected, and endostatin decreased. Furthermore, exogenous endostatin treatment delayed allograft rejection and promoted survival secondary to angiogenesis inhibition. Our results suggest that endostatin plays an important role in corneal allograft survival by inhibiting neovascularization and that early recruitment of allospecific T cells into the grafts promotes destruction of endostatin-producing cells, resulting in corneal neovascularization, massive infiltration of effector T cells, and ultimately graft rejection. Therefore, combined antiangiogenesis and immune suppression will be more effective in maintaining corneal allograft survival.