Ulnar Nerve Entrapment Among Cell Phone Users: Cell Phone Elbow (Cubital Tunnel Syndrome).

Introduction Cell phone usage has tremendously increased, and to make usage comfortable, accessories such as Bluetooth earphones are available. But still, most people use cell phones for a long period of time by flexing their elbows near their ears. When the users flex the elbow to hold the phone near the ear, this results in increased pressure over the ulnar nerve since the ulnar nerve runs superficially at the level of the elbow. The extensive pressure over the ulnar nerve may result in nerve compression, which results in cubital tunnel syndrome, recently called the cell phone elbow. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess the ulnar nerve function among cell phone users in relation to the duration of usage. Materials and methods Young healthy volunteers (n = 30) aged between 20 and 25 years were selected for the study in order to prevent age-related neuropathic changes. After getting a history of mobile phone usage, the subjects were asked about neural symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain while using cell phones. Ulnar nerve function was assessed by Froment's sign and Wartenberg's sign. An ulnar nerve conduction study was done. Results Seventy percent of the subjects (n = 21) out of the 30 subjects participating in the study reported tingling and numbness during mobile phone usage. But Froment's sign and Wartenberg's sign were negative for all the subjects. There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.913 and r = 0.8253) between the duration of mobile phone use and latency and a negative correlation (r = -0.8439) with conduction velocity. Conclusion The malposition of the elbow during prolonged cell phone use results in ulnar nerve entrapment. The continuous usage of cell phones without rest by flexing the elbow causes nerve compression. This can be taken as a warning sign to prevent further damage.

Hybrid Epithelial-Mesenchymal Phenotypes Are Controlled by Microenvironmental Factors.

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been associated with cancer cell heterogeneity, plasticity, and metastasis. However, the extrinsic signals supervising these phenotypic transitions remain elusive. To assess how selected microenvironmental signals control cancer-associated phenotypes along the EMT continuum, we defined a logical model of the EMT cellular network that yields qualitative degrees of cell adhesions by adherens junctions and focal adhesions, two features affected during EMT. The model attractors recovered epithelial, mesenchymal, and hybrid phenotypes. Simulations showed that hybrid phenotypes may arise through independent molecular paths involving stringent extrinsic signals. Of particular interest, model predictions and their experimental validations indicated that: (i) stiffening of the extracellular matrix was a prerequisite for cells overactivating FAK_SRC to upregulate SNAIL and acquire a mesenchymal phenotype and (ii) FAK_SRC inhibition of cell-cell contacts through the receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatases kappa led to acquisition of a full mesenchymal, rather than a hybrid, phenotype. Altogether, these computational and experimental approaches allow assessment of critical microenvironmental signals controlling hybrid EMT phenotypes and indicate that EMT involves multiple molecular programs. SIGNIFICANCE: A multidisciplinary study sheds light on microenvironmental signals controlling cancer cell plasticity along EMT and suggests that hybrid and mesenchymal phenotypes arise through independent molecular paths.

Visual and Refractive Outcomes following Bilateral Implantation of Extended Range of Vision Intraocular Lens with Micromonovision.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes following bilateral ERV intraocular lens implantation with micromonovision. METHODS: 25 subjects underwent bilateral Tecnis Symfony IOL implantation with micromonovision. The dominant eye was targeted for emmetropia and the nondominant eye for myopia of -0.75 D. Uncorrected and corrected distance (UDVA, CDVA), intermediate (UIVA, CIVA), and near visual acuity (UNVA, DCNVA); reading performance; defocus curve; and contrast sensitivity were studied. Follow-ups were conducted at 1 week and 1 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively, the mean binocular UDVA, CDVA, UNVA, and DCNVA were -0.036 ± 0.09, -0.108 ± 0.07, 0.152 ± 0.11, and 0.216 ± 0.10 logMAR, respectively. Binocular UIVA and DCIVA were 0.048 ± 0.09 and 0.104 ± 0.08 logMAR, respectively, at 60 cm and -0.044 ± 0.09 and 0.012 ± 0.09 logMAR, respectively, at 80 cm. All patients had ≥0.2 logMAR UDVA and UNVA. Reading acuity and reading speeds showed improvement over time. Between defocus range of -2.50 and +1.00 D, the visual acuity remained ≥0.2 logMAR. Contrast sensitivity scores were within the normal range. 4 patients used reading glasses for very fine print. CONCLUSION: Bilateral ERV IOL implantation leads to excellent outcomes for far and intermediate vision, satisfactory outcomes for near vision, and good tolerance to micromonovision at the end of the 6 months. This trial is registered with CTRI/2015/10/006246.

Interface healing and its correlation with visual recovery and quality of vision following small incision lenticule extraction.

PURPOSE: To study the time course of interface healing and its correlation with visual acuity, modulation transfer function (MTF), and aberrations after myopic small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) correction. METHODS: Seventy-eight eyes of 78 patients (1 eye per patient) with a mean age of 25.7 years and mean spherical equivalent (SE) of -3.74D, undergoing bilateral SMILE procedure, were included in this study. On postoperative day 1, 2 weeks, and 3 months, dilated retroillumination photographs were taken and morphology of corneal interface was graded by comparing them with 5 standard templates representing 5 grades of interface roughness (IRG): IRG - 0 (clear), IRG - 1 (mild), IRG - 2 (moderate), IRG - 3 (severe), and IRG - 4 (severe IRG with Bowman's folds in visual axis). Pearson's correlations were computed to study correlation associations, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intragroup comparison of means. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: At 3 months, 90.70% eyes were Grade 0 while 9.30% eyes still had Grade 2 interface granularity. Mean IRG significantly improved from 2.47 ± 0.57 at day 1 to 0.62 ± 0.53 at 3 months (P = 0.00). At day 1, pre-SE showed a significant positive correlation with IRG; however, mean postoperative corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA, in decimal), corneal Strehl ratio (SR), and MTF showed weak but significant negative correlation with IRG (r2 = 0.28 for SE, -0.052 for CDVA, -0.017 for SR, and -0.39 for MTF, respectively, P < 0.05 for all correlations). At 2 weeks and 3 months, corneal MTF continued to show a significant negative correlation, whereas other parameters did not show any correlation with IRG. CONCLUSION: Visual quality and corneal MTF may be significantly affected by the IRG in the immediate postoperative period after SMILE and may take 3 months or more for complete recovery.

Long-term visual outcomes and patient satisfaction following bilateral implantation of trifocal intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To study the long-term visual and refractive outcomes and evaluate patient satisfaction after bilateral implantation of trifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: Nethradhama Superspeciality Eye Hospital, Bangalore. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized study. METHODS: Eligible patients undergoing bilateral phacoemulsification with trifocal IOL implantation were included. Follow-up examinations were conducted at day 1, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months. Postoperatively, 1 month onward evaluation of uncorrected and distance-corrected far and near visual acuity; reading acuity and reading speeds (using Salzburg Reading Desk) at 70, 80, and 90 cm; contrast sensitivity; defocus curves; and patient satisfaction was carried out. RESULTS: Fifty eyes from 25 patients with a mean age of 58±13.44 years were included. All eyes showed significant improvement in spherical equivalent, uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, uncorrected near visual acuity, and corrected near visual acuity at 1 month compared to preoperative values (P<0.05), with no significant change in these parameters thereafter until the last follow-up (P>0.05). At 12 months, mean uncorrected reading acuities and reading speeds at 70, 80, and 90 cm were in the range of 0.09-0.04 logMAR units and 153.6-169.0 words per minute, respectively, with significantly better results at 80 cm. Five eyes underwent YAG laser capsulotomy for early posterior capsule opacification (PCO) at a mean follow-up of 7.2±2.9 months. Contrast sensitivity scores at 12 months were comparable to 1 month (P>0.05 for all spatial frequencies). All patients reported good tolerance and 100% independence from spectacles for all activities. CONCLUSION: Trifocal IOLs provided excellent unaided vision at all distances. Reading performance was good through the complete intermediate distance range. PCO occurrence and subsequent YAG capsulotomy did not affect the long-term visual outcomes.

Results of Intraoperative Manual Cyclotorsion Compensation for Myopic Astigmatism in Patients Undergoing Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE).

PURPOSE: To study the safety, efficacy, and outcomes of manual cyclotorsion compensation in small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopic astigmatism. METHODS: Eligible patients with myopia from -1.00 to -10.00 diopters (D) spherical equivalent with a minimum astigmatism of 0.75 D undergoing SMILE were included. Intraoperative cyclotorsion compensation was performed by gently rotating the cone and aligning the 0° to 180° limbal marks with the horizontal axis of the reticule of the right eye piece of the microscope of the femtosecond laser after activating the suction. RESULTS: In this study, 81 left eyes from 81 patients were analyzed for vector analysis of astigmatism. The mean cyclotorsion was 5.64° ± 2.55° (range: 2° to 12°). No significant differences were found for surgically induced astigmatism, difference vector, angle of error (AE), correction index, magnitude of error, index of success (IOS), and flattening index between 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively (P > .05). The eyes were categorized into low (≤ 1.50 D, n = 37) and high (> 1.50 D, n = 44) cylinder groups. At 3 months, intergroup analysis showed a comparable correction index of 0.97 for the low and 0.93 for the high cylinder groups, suggesting a slight undercorrection of 3% and 7%, respectively (P = .14). However, the AE and IOS were significantly lower in the high compared to the low cylinder group (P = .032 and .024 for AE and IOS, respectively), suggesting better alignment of the treatment in the high cylinder group. However, the mean uncorrected distance visual acuity of both groups was comparable (P = .21), suggesting good visual outcomes in the low cylinder group despite a less favorable IOS. CONCLUSIONS: Manual compensation may be a safe, feasible, and effective approach to refine the results of astigmatism with SMILE, especially in higher degrees of cylinders. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(8):506-512.].

Matched population comparison of visual outcomes and patient satisfaction between 3 modalities for the correction of low to moderate myopic astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To compare toric implantable collamer lens (T-ICL), femto-LASIK, and ReLEx SMILE for the treatment of low to moderate myopic astigmatism in terms of long-term visual and refractive outcomes and predictability of astigmatic correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 eyes from 30 patients between the age groups of 21 and 40 years, undergoing bilateral surgery with any of the three procedures - T-ICL, femto-LASIK, or ReLEx SMILE - for correction of myopic astigmatism within the range of -3 to -8 D spherical equivalent (SE), with a minimum astigmatism of -0.75 D. Patients were followed up at day 1, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. RESULTS: At 1 year, the mean cylinder reduced to -0.21±0.28, -0.17±0.36, and -0.22±0.28 D in the T-ICL, femto-LASIK, and ReLEx SMILE group, respectively. The predictability of astigmatism correction was comparable, with no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups (P>0.05). A total of 97% of eyes in ReLEx SMILE achieved a uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better, compared to T-ICL (93%) and FS-LASIK (90%). However, gain in lines of corrected distant visual acuity (CDVA) was maximum in T-ICL group (60%). Four eyes in the femto-LASIK group had loss of CDVA by one line. Three eyes required exchange due to high vault and rotation of the T-ICL, which did not affect the final outcome. CONCLUSION: All 3 modalities were effective for myopic astigmatism at the end of 1 year. Quality of vision and patient satisfaction with T-ICL and ReLEx SMILE were similar and better than FS-LASIK. However, slight chances of postoperative rotation and exchange exist with T-ICL, which warrant thorough preoperative planning.

Ral-Arf6 crosstalk regulates Ral dependent exocyst trafficking and anchorage independent growth signalling.

Integrin dependent regulation of growth factor signalling confers anchorage dependence that is deregulated in cancers. Downstream of integrins and oncogenic Ras the small GTPase Ral is a vital mediator of adhesion dependent trafficking and signalling. This study identifies a novel regulatory crosstalk between Ral and Arf6 that controls Ral function in cells. In re-adherent mouse fibroblasts (MEFs) integrin dependent activation of RalA drives Arf6 activation. Independent of adhesion constitutively active RalA and RalB could both however activate Arf6. This is further conserved in oncogenic H-Ras containing bladder cancer T24 cells, which express anchorage independent active Ral that supports Arf6 activation. Arf6 mediates active Ral-exocyst dependent delivery of raft microdomains to the plasma membrane that supports anchorage independent growth signalling. Accordingly in T24 cells the RalB-Arf6 crosstalk is seen to preferentially regulate anchorage independent Erk signalling. Active Ral we further find uses a Ral-RalBP1-ARNO-Arf6 pathway to mediate Arf6 activation. This study hence identifies Arf6, through this regulatory crosstalk, to be a key downstream mediator of Ral isoform function along adhesion dependent pathways in normal and cancer cells.