Evaluation of the corneal thickness and endothelial changes following uncomplicated phacoemulsification in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with pseudo-exfoliation syndrome by specular microscopy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal endothelial cell changes following uncomplicated phacoemulsification in diabetic patients with PEX, compared with diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients with PEX. METHODS: This prospective, comparative, non-randomized cohort study included 61 eyes of 61 patients who were diagnosed as having senile cataract. Patients were divided into three groups: Group (1) included 19 eyes of patients with DM and PEX, group (2) included 22 eyes of diabetic patients, and group (3) included 20 eyes of patients with PEX. All included patients had uncomplicated phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. Patients were examined by non-contact specular microscopy (NIDEK, CEM-530, Japan), preoperatively and postoperatively at regular follow-up periods (one, three, and six months postoperatively) with analysis of the endothelial cell density, percentage of hexagonal cells, CV, and CCT. RESULTS: By the end of follow-up period, there was a statistically significant reduction in ECD and HEX with a significant increase in CV and CCT in group one (DM-PEX). In group two (DM), a statistically significant decrease in ECD and HEX with a significant increase in CCT was reported, while in group three (PEX), the only significant difference was found in the form of ECD reduction. CONCLUSION: Patients with DM and PEX had significant changes regarding ECD, CV, HEX, and CCT which were more pronounced than in patients with DM only or PEX only. More attention should be paid while operating on diabetic patients with PEX to save corneal endothelium and decrease postoperative complications. STUDY REGISTRATION NUMBER: The study was retrospectively registered (16 July 2021) on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04965168).

Macular microvascular changes in children with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of iron overload on macular perfusion among transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) METHODS: The study is a prospective observational case-control study. It included 27 eyes from 27 children with transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia and 25 eyes from 25 age-matched controls. All participants were evaluated clinically and with OCTA Avanti RTVue-XR system (Optovue) to assess macular microvascular changes, by measuring vessels density (VDs) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, at both superficial and deep retinal plexuses and at choriocapillaris level. RESULTS: Foveal and parafoveal zones were significantly thinner among thalassemia patients, with significantly larger FAZ area at the level of both superficial and deep retinal plexuses when compared with control group. The thalassemia group showed significant lower values compared with the controls regarding whole-image, foveal, and parafoveal deep VD. There were significant negative correlations between serum ferritin and deep (whole image and parafoveal) VD (r = - 0.429, P = 0.026, and r = - 0.452, P = 0.018, respectively). Choriocapillaris VDs (whole image and foveal) showed significant negative correlations with serum ferritin levels (r = - 0.390, P = 0.044 and r = - 0.401, P = 0.038, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: Macular microvascular changes were detected by OCTA examination in patients with TDT, mostly due to iron overload effect, as we selected patients on iron-chelating agent with the least harmful effect on the retina. The most affected layer is the DCP. Changes at the deep layer could be used as a sensitive biomarker for early macular perfusion changes in those patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Study registration number is UMIN000042657, date of registration: 2020/12/04 (retrospectively registered).

Evaluation of ciliary body by ultrasound bio-microscopy after trans-scleral diode cyclo-photocoagulation in refractory glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the morphological changes of the ciliary body after diode laser trans-scleral cyclo-photocoagulation using ultrasound bio-microscopy in refractory glaucoma. SETTINGS: This prospective, interventional, non-comparative, non-randomized, longitudinal study was performed on 40 eyes with refractory glaucoma, during the period between February 2016 and March 2018. METHODS: All patients were treated with single session diode laser trans-scleral cyclo-photocoagulation. The intraocular pressure was obtained over a period of 3 months after the operation and morphological changes of the ciliary body were observed using ultrasound bio-microscopy. RESULTS: Trans-scleral cyclo-photocoagulation has achieved a reasonable success in reducing intraocular pressure to less than 22 mm Hg without increasing the number of glaucoma medication. The overall success rate was 40%, as the intraocular pressure decreased from a baseline mean value of 54.70 ± 12.27 to 42.45 ± 9.85 mm Hg 1 week after operation, 33.50 ± 8.00 mm Hg after 1 month, and 25.60 ± 6.62 after 3 months of operation. Ultrasound bio-microscopy detected reduction in the length and width of ciliary processes in addition to the ciliary muscle thickness of the treated quadrants. Intraocular pressure was more correlated to the width of the ciliary processes. CONCLUSION: Trans-scleral cyclo-photocoagulation is a rapid and effective procedure in treatment of refractory glaucoma with intraocular pressure reduction. Ultrasound bio-microscopy is a promising twin tool for cyclo-destructive procedures to detect ciliary body changes and can be used as a guide for re-treatment procedures.

Visual behaviour in robotic surgery-Demonstrating the validity of the simulated environment.

BACKGROUND: Eye metrics provide insight into surgical behaviour allowing differentiation of performance, however have not been used in robotic surgery. This study explores eye metrics of robotic surgeons in training in simulated and real tissue environments. METHODS: Following the Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery (FRS), training curriculum novice robotic surgeons were trained to expert-derived benchmark proficiency using real tissue on the da Vinci Si and the da Vinci skills simulator (dVSS) simulator. Surgeons eye metrics were recorded using eye-tracking glasses when both "novice" and "proficient" in both environments. Performance was assessed using Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic skills (GEARS) and numeric psychomotor test score (NPMTS) scores. RESULTS: Significant (P ≤ .05) correlations were seen between pupil size, rate of change and entropy, and associated GEARS/NPMTS in "novice" and "proficient" surgeons. Only number of blinks per minute was significantly different between pupilometrics in the simulated and real tissue environments. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the value of eye tracking as an objective physiological tool in the robotic setting. Pupilometrics significantly correlate with established assessment methods and could be incorporated into robotic surgery assessments.

Accelerated Epithelium-Off Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking For Keratoconus: 12-Month Results.

PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to report visual, refractive, topographic, and aberrometric results of accelerated CXL in patients with keratoconus who were followed for 12 months and to highlight the important parameters that can be used in follow-up. SETTINGS: It was a prospective interventional non-randomized case series study, in which 40 keratoconus eyes of 40 patients were studied in the period between April 2016 and July 2018. METHODS: All eyes were examined preoperatively and post-accelerated CXL to evaluate visual acuity, refractive state, keratometric values, keratoconus indices, and corneal higher order aberrations (HOAs). RESULTS: The mean age of the studied patients was 28.4 ± 8.6 years (18-37years). One year after cross-linking, 11.6% of the eyes gained two lines of the UCVA, 26.4% of the eyes gained one line, 49.8% showed no change, 7.1% lost one line, and 5.1% lost two lines. Postoperative  BCVA showed 13.7% of the eyes gained at least two lines, 32.5% gained one line, 49.9% had no change, and 3.9% lost one line. The keratometric values changed significantly after CXL; K1 decreased by a mean of 0.41D, K2 by 0.62D while Kmax by 1.57 D. The significant changes in keratoconus indices were in index of vertical asymmetry (IVA), index of surface variance (ISV), and keratoconus index (KI). Vertical coma, spherical aberrations, and trefoil decreased significantly at 12 months compared to baseline values (p = 0.04, 0.017, 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: Keratoconus indices especially ISV, IVA, and KI along with HOAsparticularly vertical coma, spherical aberrations, and trefoil can add value beside keratometric readings in the follow-up of eyes treated with accelerated CXL.

Keratoconus Screening Among Myopic Children.

AIM: To assess the topographic corneal changes and the incidence of keratoconus among children with high myopia. SETTINGS: It is a prospective study, in which 174 eyes of children with high myopia were studied in the period between August 2015 and June 2018. METHODS: All patients were examined to assess the refractive error and corneal examination using Scheimpflug camera to evaluate different corneal parameters. RESULTS: Studied children aged between 6 and 14 years (11.05±1.98). Males represented 54% of the cases (n=94). The mean spherical error was -7.75±2.97 ranging from -6 to -13.50D. The mean cylindrical error was -4.12±1.78D (-1 to -8). Regarding corneal examination, data recorded were those about maximum K reading (kmax), thinnest location, highest anterior and posterior elevation in 4mm zone, and higher-order corneal aberrations. Analysis of the obtained data revealed 16 eyes (9.2%) with keratoconus. These eyes were considered as a separate group and compared with the remaining eyes. There was significant difference in kmax (p= 0.03), anterior elevation, and posterior elevation (p=0.01 for both). Regarding myopia or astigmatism, there were no significant differences when compared with normal eyes. But high myopia with low astigmatism were found in five eyes of them (31.2%). The main statistically different aberrations were vertical coma (-2.04±0.99) (p=0.01) and spherical aberrations (-0.9±0.78) (p=0.02). Regarding gender, there were 11 eyes in boys (68.7%), and this was statistically significant (p=0.01). Vernal keratoconjunctivitis with frequent eye rubbing was found in 6 eyes (37.5%). CONCLUSION: Children with high myopia irrespective of the degree of astigmatism may have corneal abnormalities which are more pronounced in cases with vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Corneal examination should be performed for highly myopic children to detect any corneal abnormality and to treat it as early as possible.

Evaluating the impact of image guidance in the surgical setting: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Image guidance has been clinically available for over a period of 20 years. Although research increasingly has a translational emphasis, overall the clinical uptake of image guidance systems in surgery remains low. The objective of this review was to establish the metrics used to report on the impact of surgical image guidance systems used in a clinical setting. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out on all relevant publications between January 2000 and April 2016. Ovid MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched using a title strategy. Reported outcome metrics were grouped into clinically relevant domains and subsequent sub-categories for analysis. RESULTS: In total, 232 publications were eligible for inclusion. Analysis showed that clinical outcomes and system interaction were consistently reported. However, metrics focusing on surgeon, patient and economic impact were reported less often. No increase in the quality of reporting was observed during the study time period, associated with study design, or when the clinical setting involved a surgical specialty that had been using image guidance for longer. CONCLUSIONS: Publications reporting on the clinical use of image guidance systems are evaluating traditional surgical outcomes and neglecting important human and economic factors, which are pertinent to the uptake, diffusion and sustainability of image-guided surgery. A framework is proposed to assist researchers in providing comprehensive evaluation metrics, which should also be considered in the design phase. Use of these would help demonstrate the impact in the clinical setting leading to increased clinical integration of image guidance systems.

Traumatic renal injury in a UK major trauma centre - current management strategies and the role of early re-imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the contemporary management of renal injuries in a UK major trauma centre and to evaluate the utility and value of re-imaging. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospectively maintained 'Trauma Audit and Research Network' database was interrogated to identify patients with urinary tract injuries between January 2014 and December 2017. Patients' records and imaging were reviewed to identify injury grades, interventions, outcomes, and follow-up. RESULTS: Renal injury was identified in 90 patients (79 males and 11 females). The mean (sd; range) age was 35.5 (17.4; 1.5-94) years. Most of the renal traumas were caused by blunt mechanisms (74%). The overall severity of injuries was: 18 (20%) Grade I, 19 (21%) Grade II, 27 (30%) Grade III, 22 (24%) Grade IV, and four (4%) Grade V. Most patients (84%) were managed conservatively. Early intervention (<24 h) was performed in 14 patients (16%) for renal injuries. Most of these patients were managed by interventional radiology techniques (nine of 14). Only two patients required an emergency nephrectomy, both of whom died from extensive polytrauma. In all, 19 patients underwent laparotomy for other injuries and did not require renal exploration. The overall 30-day mortality was 13%. Re-imaging was performed in 66% of patients at an average time of 3.4 days from initial scan. The majority of re-imaging was planned (49 patients) and 12% of these scans demonstrated a relevant finding (urinoma, pseudoaneurysm) that altered management in three of the 49 patients (6.1%). CONCLUSION: Non-operative management is the mainstay for all grades of injury. Haemodynamic instability and persistent urine leak are primary indications for intervention. Open surgical management is uncommon. Repeat imaging after injury is advocated for stable patients with high-grade renal injuries (Grade III-V), although more research is needed to determine the optimal timing.

Effect of bilberry extract on slowing high-myopia progression in children: 2-year follow-up study.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of oral Difrarel on progression of high myopia in children and to study myopia course after its discontinuation. METHODS: A total of 64 highly myopic children were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into two equal groups: group 1 was administered Difrarel for 1 year and stopped its intake for another year, and group 2 (control) did not take Difrarel. Refraction and axial length of the right eye of every subject were measured every 6 months in both groups. RESULTS: Each group had 32 eyes of 32 patients. The mean age was 9.34±2.27 years in group 1 and 9.33±2.2 years in group 2. Mean refraction and axial length at the start of the study were -10.78±2.6 D and 23.7±1.2 mm, respectively, in group 1, and -10.5±2.55 D and 23.9±1.4 mm in group 2. Refraction and axial length measurements every 6 months revealed statistically significant lower numbers in group 1 than group 2 after 1 year. After discontinuation of the drug, the difference between both groups remained significant. CONCLUSION: Oral Difrarel slowed axial elongation and stopped myopia progression in children with high myopia. The drug effect was consistent after its discontinuation for 1 year.

Uma Proposta Educativa para Abordar Objeção de Consciência em Saúde Reprodutiva durante o Ensino Médico / An Educational Proposal to Address Conscientious Objection in Reproductive Health during Medical Education

RESUMO OBJETIVO Este estudo procurou avaliar a técnica do role-playing na abordagem da objeção de consciência no currículo médico, estimulando o raciocínio ético e a habilidade de comunicação, competências necessárias a um maior conforto na alegação de recusa por parte do profissional. MÉTODOS Estudo de intervenção que envolveu 120 acadêmicos de Medicina no momento em que encerravam o internato em Perinatologia. Os estudantes responderam a um questionário autoaplicável, antes e depois da intervenção, contendo variáveis demográficas e questões sobre a anuência de conduzir ou não situações em saúde reprodutiva, como abortamento legal, orientação contraceptiva a jovens adolescentes e prescrição da pílula do dia seguinte. O grau de conforto dos estudantes ao conduzirem estes casos e os conhecimentos éticos sobre o tema também foram questionados. Recolhidos os questionários, os alunos assistiram a três filmes de curta-metragem, um tratando da recusa de um médico a realizar um abortamento previsto em lei; outro sobre orientação contraceptiva a uma jovem de 13 anos e sem o consentimento dos pais; e um terceiro, acerca da prescrição da pílula do dia seguinte a uma jovem que teve uma relação desprotegida no 14º dia do ciclo. Encerrada esta etapa, se estimulou uma discussão sobre os seguintes tópicos: aspectos legais sobre o tema, direito à objeção de consciência do médico, violação da autonomia da paciente e prejuízo à saúde do solicitante decorrente da recusa por parte do médico. Encerrada esta fase preparatória, formaram-se subgrupos de três alunos que simularam os três casos clínicos, havendo um revezamento entre os papéis de médico, paciente e observador. Após a dramatização, os estudantes foram estimulados a discutir as inter-relações nos papéis de médico e paciente, a objeção de consciência do médico, o efeito da recusa ao tratamento no paciente e a capacidade de comunicação do médico. Ao final, foi reaplicado o mesmo questionário, com as mesmas questões sobre a anuência ou não da condução dos casos clínicos, o conforto ou não ao conduzi-los, como também as perguntas referentes aos conhecimentos éticos sobre objeção de consciência. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste do X2, teste t e teste de McNemar, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS A alteração do conforto do estudante na condução do abortamento previsto em lei, após a intervenção, foi significativa (p < 0,001). O mesmo foi observado na orientação contraceptiva a jovens adolescentes (p < 0,001) e na prescrição da contracepção de emergência (p = 0,002). A mudança de opinião quanto à objeção ao abortamento legal foi significativa (p = 0,003) e também quanto à orientação contraceptiva a jovens adolescentes (p = 0,012). Não se observaram diferenças na prescrição da pílula do dia seguinte (p = 0,500). CONCLUSÕES A aplicação dessa metodologia no grupo participante tornou mais confortável a condução dos casos discutidos e forneceu um conteúdo técnico, legal e ético para melhor embasamento de suas opiniões.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effectiveness of role-playing in addressing the issue of conscientious objection in the medical curriculum. METHODS This is an intervention study involving 120 medical students on completion of their internship in Perinatology.The project consisted of eight modules with 15 students in each. Initially a questionnaire was applied to obtain the students' demographic information, religion, ethical knowledge of conscientious objection in medical practice, whether or not the students agreed with it, and the level of comfort in addressing situations such as legal abortion, the prescription of emergency contraceptives, and giving advice on contraception to young adolescents. Subsequently, three short films, created exclusively for the project, were shown. The first addressed a doctor's refusal to perform an abortion on a 15-year-old girl who had been the victim of sexual violence. The second simulatedes a doctor's objection to providing advice on contraception to a 13-year-old adolescent without parental consent, and the third portrayed the doctor's refusal to prescribe emergency contraception to a young woman after having unprotected intercourse on the 14th day of her cycle. A discussion was then instigated on the following topics: the existing legislation on the subject, the doctor's right to conscientious objection, violation of the patient's autonomy, and the potential for discrimination and harm to the patient's health due to the doctor's refusal. Subgroups of three students were then formed, to simulate clinical cases, with the students taking turns to play the roles of the physician, patient and observer. At the end, the questionnaire was reapplied. The data were analyzed by the χ2 test, t-test and McNemar's test, with a level of significance of 5%. RESULTS Abortion was rejected by 35.8% of the students, contraception for adolescents by 17.5%, and emergency contraception by 5.8%. The predictors identified with legal abortion were stronger religious belief (p < 0.001) and more frequent attendance of religious services (p = 0.034). The refusal to provide contraception to adolescents was significantly higher among women (p = 0.037).Of the sample, 25% did not explain the reason for their refusal, 15% did not describe all procedures, and 25% said they would not forward patients. The change in comfort in conducting legal abortion after the intervention was significant (p < 0.001). The same was observed in the attitude to providing contraceptives to young adolescents (p < 0.001) and in the prescription of emergency contraception (p = 0.002). The change of opinion regarding objection to legal abortion was significant (p = 0.003), as was the attitude to providing and also regarding the contraceptives to young adolescents (p = 0.012). No differences were observed in the prescription of emergency contraception (p = 0.500). CONCLUSIONS The application of this methodology in the participant group made the students more comfortable about conducting cases like those discussed, and provided technical, legal and ethical content for a better grounding of their opinions.

Prevalence, Attitudes, and Factors Motivating Conscientious Objection toward Reproductive Health among Medical Students.

OBJECTIVE: We have evaluated the prevalence of and the motivating factors behind the refusal to provide reproductive health services and the ethical knowledge of the subject among medical students from the Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study involved 120 medical students. A questionnaire was utilized. The dependent variables were students' objections (or not) regarding three clinical reproductive health cases: abortion provided by law, contraceptive guidance to an adolescent without parental consent, and prescription of emergency contraception. The independent variables were age, gender, religion, ethical value, degree of religiosity, and attendance at worship services. Ethical knowledge comprised an obligation to state the reasons for the objection, report possible alternatives, and referral to another professional. Data were analyzed with χ2 tests and t-tests with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Abortion, contraception to adolescents, and emergency contraception were refused by 35.8%, 17.5%, and 5.8% of the students, respectively. High religiosity (p < 0.001) and higher attendance at worship services (p = 0.034) were predictors of refusing abortion. Refusal to provide contraception to adolescents was significantly higher among women than men (p = 0.037). Furthermore, 25% would not explain the reason for the refusal, 15% would not describe all the procedures used, and 25% would not refer the patient to another professional. CONCLUSION: Abortion provided by law was the most objectionable situation. The motivating factors for this refusal were high commitment and religiosity. A reasonable portion of the students did not demonstrate ethical knowledge about the subject.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e os fatores motivadores da recusa em prestar serviços de saúde reprodutiva, bem como o conhecimento ético do tema, entre estudantes de medicina. MéTODOS: Estudo transversal, envolvendo 120 estudantes de medicina. Aplicou-se um questionário cujas variáveis dependentes foram a existência ou não de objeções quanto à condução de três casos clínicos sobre saúde reprodutiva: o abortamento previsto em lei, a orientação contraceptiva a uma adolescente sem consentimento dos pais, e a prescrição de contracepção de emergência. As varáveis independentes foram: idade, gênero, religião, valor ético, grau de religiosidade e frequência a cultos religiosos. Os conhecimentos éticos pesquisados foram a obrigação de expor os motivos da objeção, relatar as alternativas possíveis e encaminhar a paciente a outro profissional. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste do χ2 e pelo teste-t, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: O abortamento foi recusado por 35,8% dos estudantes, a contracepção aos adolescentes por 17,5%, e a contracepção de emergência por 5,8%. A alta religiosidade (p < 0,001) e uma maior frequência a cultos (p = 0,034) foram os preditores identificados no caso do abortamento previsto em lei. A recusa da contracepção aos adolescentes foi significativamente maior entre as mulheres (p = 0,037). Entre os estudantes, 25% não explicariam o motivo da recusa, 15% não descreveriam todos os procedimentos e 25% não fariam o encaminhamento da paciente para outro profissional. CONCLUSãO: O abortamento previsto em lei, foi a situação mais objetada. Os fatores motivadores a esta recusa foram o alto comprometimento e maior religiosidade. Uma parcela razoável dos alunos não demonstrou ter conhecimentos éticos sobre o tema.

Prevalence, attitudes, and factors motivating conscientious objection toward reproductive health among medical students / Prevalência, atitudes e fatores motivadores à objeção consciente com relação à saúde reprodutiva entre estudantes de medicina

Abstract Objective We have evaluated the prevalence of and the motivating factors behind the refusal to provide reproductive health services and the ethical knowledge of the subject among medical students from the Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Methods The present cross-sectional study involved 120 medical students. A questionnaire was utilized. The dependent variables were students' objections (or not) regarding three clinical reproductive health cases: abortion provided by law, contraceptive guidance to an adolescent without parental consent, and prescription of emergency contraception. The independent variables were age, gender, religion, ethical value, degree of religiosity, and attendance at worship services. Ethical knowledge comprised an obligation to state the reasons for the objection, report possible alternatives, and referral to another professional. Data were analyzed with χ2 tests and t-tests with a significance level of 5%. Results Abortion, contraception to adolescents, and emergency contraception were refused by 35.8%, 17.5%, and 5.8% of the students, respectively. High religiosity (p < 0.001) and higher attendance at worship services (p = 0.034) were predictors of refusing abortion. Refusal to provide contraception to adolescents was significantly higher among women than men (p = 0.037). Furthermore, 25% would not explain the reason for the refusal, 15% would not describe all the procedures used, and 25% would not refer the patient to another professional. Conclusion Abortion provided by law was the most objectionable situation. The motivating factors for this refusal were high commitment and religiosity. A reasonable portion of the students did not demonstrate ethical knowledge about the subject.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a prevalência e os fatoresmotivadores da recusa emprestar serviços de saúde reprodutiva, bem como o conhecimento ético do tema, entre estudantes de medicina. Métodos Estudo transversal, envolvendo 120 estudantes demedicina. Aplicou-se um questionário cujas variáveis dependentes forama existência ou não de objeções quanto à condução de três casos clínicos sobre saúde reprodutiva: o abortamento previsto em lei, a orientação contraceptiva a uma adolescente sem consentimento dos pais, e a prescrição de contracepção de emergência. As varáveis independentes foram: idade, gênero, religião, valor ético, grau de religiosidade e frequência a cultos religiosos. Os conhecimentos éticos pesquisados foram a obrigação de expor os motivos da objeção, relatar as alternativas possíveis e encaminhar a paciente a outro profissional. Os dados foram analisados pelo teste do χ2 e pelo teste-t, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados O abortamento foi recusado por 35,8% dos estudantes, a contracepção aos adolescentes por 17,5%, e a contracepção de emergência por 5,8%. A alta religiosidade (p < 0,001) e uma maior frequência a cultos (p = 0,034) foram os preditores identificados no caso do abortamento previsto em lei. A recusa da contracepção aos adolescentes foi significativamente maior entre as mulheres (p = 0,037). Entre os estudantes, 25% não explicariam o motivo da recusa, 15% não descreveriam todos os procedimentos e 25% não fariam o encaminhamento da paciente para outro profissional. Conclusão O abortamento previsto em lei, foi a situação mais objetada. Os fatores motivadores a esta recusa foram o alto comprometimento e maior religiosidade. Uma parcela razoável dos alunos não demonstrou ter conhecimentos éticos sobre o tema.

Evaluation of Optic Nerve Head Parameters and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Axial Myopia Using SD OCT.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this research was to study the effect of increased axial myopia, in non-glaucomatous eyes, and its correlation with ONH parameters, and RNFL thickness, using Cirrus HD 4000 SD-OCT. METHODS: The myopia group included 86 eyes of 86 patients, while the control group involved 92 eyes of 92 patients, attending the Ophthalmology Outpatient Clinic in Minia University Hospital, between November 2013 and March 2015. ONH parameters and peripapillary RNFL thickness measurement were evaluated by using SD-OCT, selecting the standard optic disc cube 200 × 200. RESULTS: The mean age of the myopia group was (36.55 ± 9.44), the mean spherical equivalent was (-12.70 ± 3.87 D), and the mean axial length was (27.88 ± 1.92 mm). The control group had mean age of (34.82 ± 8.87), mean spherical equivalent of -0.65 ± 0.41 D, and mean AL of (22.16 ± 0.82). A significant difference was reported between the two groups, regarding disc area (p = 0.01), rim area (p = 0.001), vertical C/D (p = 0.01), average C/D ratio (p = 0.001), average and temporal RNFL thickness (p = 0.0001, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: A significant difference was found between highly myopic non-glaucomatous eyes and the control group, regarding ONH parameters and RNFL thickness as measured by SD-OCT. As OCT magnification adjusted ONH parameters were larger, global and the temporal RNEL were thicker in the myopia group, those magnification adjusted parameters helped in an accurate evaluation of ONH and RNFL in highly myopic eyes, in order to avoid misdiagnosis of glaucoma in such eyes.

Assessment of Posterior Segment Using Spectral Domain OCT in Highly Myopic Eyes.

PURPOSE: Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) was used to evaluate retinal and vitreo-retinal changes that occur in highly myopic patients. METHODS: This prospective study included 472 eyes of 472 patients suffering from high myopia (> -6.00 D), between May 2012 and December 2015. All patients were examined, using Cirrus HD OCT (Zeiss Cirrus TM HD-OCT model 4000), to detect any retinal or vitreo-retinal interface abnormalities.All obtained data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 17 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) and the paired two-sided t-test. Bivariate correlations were performed between different parameters using the Spearman correlation coefficient (r). RESULTS: Mean spherical equivalent (MSE) was -13.11± 4.35D. Mean axial length (AL) was 28.5±1.62 mm. Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was the most frequent OCT finding; representing 33.4% of the cases, 13.7% of them were associated with macular traction. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between AL and MTM, full thickness macular hole, PVD with traction, and dome shaped macula (r = 0.49 and P = 0.001, r = 0.422 and P = 0.0001, r = 0.25 and P = 0.03, r=0.475, P=0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: OCT is a valuable tool in detecting retinal and vitreo-retinal interface abnormalities in highly myopic eyes, and it can be used for follow up of those patients to avoid advanced retinal damage.

[Competences acquired during medical training and the opinions and attitudes about abortion]. / Competências adquiridas durante a formação médica e as opiniões e atitudes sobre o aborto.

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the knowledge, attitudes and opinions of medical students about abortion in Brazil during the progression of the course. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 174 medical students. A questionnaire was applied whose dependent variables were degree of information about abortion, including its legal aspects in Brazil, situations in which the students would agree with the expansion of permitted legal abortion, knowledge of someone undergoing abortion, and discomfort about performing the procedure legally. The independent variables were sociodemographic data, religion, and academic standing (first or second half of the course). For data analysis it was used χ2 and Fisher's exact tests, with the level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS: Among the interviewees, 59.8 % considered themselves well informed about the topic. Students demonstrated knowledge about the complications of abortion, with no differences with the progression of the course. Knowledge about the legal aspects of abortion in Brazil was shown by 48.9% of the sample, being significantly higher among students in the second half of the course (34.0 and 68.9%, respectively; p<0.001). Experiencing situations of clandestine abortion was significantly higher among students in the final half of the course (3.05 and 59.4%, respectively; p<0.001), the same being observed about knowing someone who underwent the procedure illegally (5.0 and 18.9%, respectively; p<0.001). The expansion of permissive legal abortion in Brazil was agreed about by 86.2% students, although 54.6% of the students reported that they felt uncomfortable about performing the procedure even legally, without statistical significance with the evolution of the course regarding the two situations. CONCLUSIONS: The experiences of abortion and the knowledge of legal aspects were significantly higher among students in the second half of the course, with no significant changes in attitudes or opinions about abortion being observed with the competences acquired during medical training.

Competencias adquiridas durante a formacao medica e as opinioes e atitudes sobre o aborto / Competences acquired during medical training and the opinions and attitudes about abortion

OBJETIVO: Avaliar e comparar o conhecimento, as atitudes e opiniões dos estudantes de Medicina quanto ao aborto no Brasil durante o evoluir do curso. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal envolvendo 174 estudantes de Medicina. Foi aplicado um questionário cujas variáveis dependentes foram: o grau de informação sobre o aborto, incluindo seus aspectos jurídicos no Brasil, as situações em que concordaria com a ampliação do permissivo legal do aborto, o conhecimento de alguém submetido ao abortamento e o desconforto em realizar o procedimento de forma legal. As variáveis independentes estudadas foram: dados sociodemográficos, religião e situação acadêmica (primeira ou segunda metade do curso). Para análise dos dados foram utilizados os testes do χ2 e exato de Fischer, com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Entre os entrevistados, 59,8% foram considerados bem informados acerca do tema. Os estudantes demonstraram conhecimento a respeito das complicações decorrentes do abortamento, sem diferenças com o evoluir do curso. O conhecimento dos aspectos legais do abortamento no Brasil foi demonstrado por 48,9% da amostra, sendo significativamente superior entre os alunos da segunda metade do curso (34,0 e 68,9% respectivamente; p<0,001). A vivência de situações do abortamento clandestino foi significativamente maior entre os alunos da metade final do curso (35,0 e 59,4% respectivamente p<0,001), o mesmo ocorrendo quanto ao conhecimento de alguém que tenha sido submetida ao procedimento de forma ilegal (5,0 e 18,9% respectivamente; p<0,001). A ampliação do permissivo legal do abortamento no Brasil foi concordado por 86,2% da amostra, porém 54,6% dos estudantes relataram que se sentem desconfortáveis em realizar o procedimento mesmo de forma legal, ambos sem significância ...

PURPOSE: To analyze and compare the knowledge, attitudes and opinions of medical students about abortion in Brazil during the progression of the course. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 174 medical students. A questionnaire was applied whose dependent variables were degree of information about abortion, including its legal aspects in Brazil, situations in which the students would agree with the expansion of permitted legal abortion, knowledge of someone undergoing abortion, and discomfort about performing the procedure legally. The independent variables were sociodemographic data, religion, and academic standing (first or second half of the course). For data analysis it was used χ2 and Fisher's exact tests, with the level of significance set at 5%. RESULTS: Among the interviewees, 59.8 % considered themselves well informed about the topic. Students demonstrated knowledge about the complications of abortion, with no differences with the progression of the course. Knowledge about the legal aspects of abortion in Brazil was shown by 48.9% of the sample, being significantly higher among students in the second half of the course (34.0 and 68.9%, respectively; p<0.001). Experiencing situations of clandestine abortion was significantly higher among students in the final half of the course (3.05 and 59.4%, respectively; p<0.001), the same being observed about knowing someone who underwent the procedure illegally (5.0 and 18.9%, respectively; p<0.001). The expansion of permissive legal abortion in Brazil was agreed about by 86.2% students, although 54.6% of the students reported that they felt uncomfortable about performing the procedure even legally, without statistical significance with the evolution of the course regarding the two situations. CONCLUSIONS: The experiences of abortion and the knowledge of legal aspects were significantly higher among students in the second half of the course, with ...

Comparative Virulotyping of Salmonella typhi and Salmonella enteritidis.

Members of Salmonella enterica are important foodborne pathogens of significant public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to determine a range of virulence genes among typhoidal (S. typhi) and non-typhoidal (S. enteritidis) strains isolated from different geographical regions and different years. A total of 87 S. typhi and 94 S. enteritidis strains were tested for presence of 22 virulence genes by employing multiplex PCR and the genetic relatedness of these strains was further characterized by REP-PCR. In S. typhi, invA, prgH, sifA, spiC, sopB, iroN, sitC, misL, pipD, cdtB, and orfL were present in all the strains, while sopE, agfC, agfA, sefC, mgtC, and sefD were present in 98.8, 97.7, 90.8, 87.4, 87.4 and 17.2 %, of the strains, respectively. No lpfA, lpfC, pefA, spvB, or spvC was detected. Meanwhile, in S. enteritidis, 15 genes, agfA, agfC, invA, lpfA, lpfC, sefD, prgH, spiC, sopB, sopE, iroN, sitC, misL, pipD, and orfL were found in all S. enteritidis strains 100 %, followed by sifA and spvC 98.9 %, pefA, spvB and mgtC 97.8 %, and sefC 90.4 %. cdtB was absent from all S. enteritidis strains tested. REP-PCR subtyped S. typhi strains into 18 REP-types and concurred with the virulotyping results in grouping the strains, while in S. enteritidis, REP-PCR subtyped the strains into eight profiles and they were poorly distinguishable between human and animal origins. The study showed that S. typhi and S. enteritidis contain a range of virulence factors associated with pathogenesis. Virulotyping is a rapid screening method to identify and profile virulence genes in Salmonella strains, and improve an understanding of potential risk for human and animal infections.

Variable carbon catabolism among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is strictly a human intracellular pathogen. It causes acute systemic (typhoid fever) and chronic infections that result in long-term asymptomatic human carriage. S. Typhi displays diverse disease manifestations in human infection and exhibits high clonality. The principal factors underlying the unique lifestyle of S. Typhi in its human host during acute and chronic infections remain largely unknown and are therefore the main objective of this study. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To obtain insight into the intracellular lifestyle of S. Typhi, a high-throughput phenotypic microarray was employed to characterise the catabolic capacity of 190 carbon sources in S. Typhi strains. The success of this study lies in the carefully selected library of S. Typhi strains, including strains from two geographically distinct areas of typhoid endemicity, an asymptomatic human carrier, clinical stools and blood samples and sewage-contaminated rivers. An extremely low carbon catabolic capacity (27% of 190 carbon substrates) was observed among the strains. The carbon catabolic profiles appeared to suggest that S. Typhi strains survived well on carbon subtrates that are found abundantly in the human body but not in others. The strains could not utilise plant-associated carbon substrates. In addition, α-glycerolphosphate, glycerol, L-serine, pyruvate and lactate served as better carbon sources to monosaccharides in the S. Typhi strains tested. CONCLUSION: The carbon catabolic profiles suggest that S. Typhi could survive and persist well in the nutrient depleted metabolic niches in the human host but not in the environment outside of the host. These findings serve as caveats for future studies to understand how carbon catabolism relates to the pathogenesis and transmission of this pathogen.

[Clinical predictors of asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy]. / Preditores clínicos de bacteriúria assintomática na gestação.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women attended at our university prenatal care clinic and to identify probable clinical predictors. METHODS: Across-sectional study was carried out from August 2008 to October 2009 at the Bahiana School of Medicine involving 260 pregnant women without symptoms of urinary tract infection. The following exclusion criteria were considered: presence of clinical signs such as fever, dysuria, vesical tenesmus, lumbar pain, history of active genital bleeding or loss of amniotic fluid, use of antimicrobial agents in the 30 days prior to sample collection, and refusal to participate in the project. The presence of single pathogen bacterial colonization ≥10(5) CFU/mL in the urine sample obtained from the middle jet was considered to be a dependent variable. The predictive factors evaluated were as follows: age, race, marital status, schooling, gestational age, hypertension, anemia, vaginal infection, sickle cell trait and previous history of urinary tract infection, urinary symptoms related to the lower urinary tract (frequency, urgency and nocturia) and data obtained from the urine summary (leukocyturia, increased bacterial flora, hematuria, proteinuria, and presence of nitrite). Statistical analysis was performed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 13.0 and the level of significance was set at p<0.05. Prevalences were expressed as percentage, and the confidence interval considered was 95% (95%CI). RESULTS: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 12.3% (95%CI=8.3-16.3). E. coli was the most frequent etiologic agent (59.4%). Logistic regression indicated that urgency to void (OR=5.99; 95%CI=2.20-16.31; p<0.001); leukocyturia (OR=2.85; 95%CI=1.04-7.83; p=0.042) and increased bacterial flora (OR=10.62; 95%CI=3.95-28.56; p<0.001) were independent predictors of asymptomatic bacteriuria. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in the studied population was high. The prediction score created for the final logistic regression model has an accuracy of 91.9% for bacteriuria.