Spectrum of variants associated with inherited retinal dystrophies in Northeast Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Inherited retinal dystrophies are hereditary diseases which have in common the progressive degeneration of photoreceptors. They are a group of diseases with clinical, genetic, and allelic heterogeneity. There is limited information regarding the genetic landscape of inherited retinal diseases in Mexico, therefore, the present study was conducted in the northeast region of the country. METHODS: Patients with inherited retinal dystrophies were included. A complete history, full ophthalmological and medical genetics evaluations, and genetic analysis through a targeted NGS panel for inherited retinal dystrophies comprising at least 293 genes were undertaken. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included. Cases were solved in 74.6% of the study's population. Retinitis pigmentosa accounted for the most found inherited retinal disease. Ninety-nine causal variants were found, being USH2A and ABCA4 the most affected genes (26 and 15 cases, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The present study documents the most prevalent causative genes in IRDs, as USH2A, in northeastern Mexico. This contrasts with previous reports of IRDs in other zones of the country. Further studies, targeting previously unstudied populations in Mexico are important to document the genetic background of inherited retinal dystrophies in the country.

Identifying keystone connectivity spots under climate change: Implications to conservation and management of riparian systems.

Climate change has intensified the effects of habitat fragmentation in many ecosystems, particularly exacerbated in riparian habitats. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify keystone connectivity spots to ensure long-term conservation and sustainable management of riparian systems as they play a crucial role for landscape connectivity. This paper aims to identify critical areas for connectivity under two contrasting climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 models) for the years 2030, 2050 and 2100 and to group these critical areas by similar connectivity in keystone spots for sustainable management. A set of analyses comprising climate analysis, drainage network analysis, configuration of potential riparian habitats, riparian habitat connectivity, data clustering, and statistical analysis within a Spanish river basin (NW Spain) were applied. The node and link connectivity would be reduced under the two climate change scenarios (≈2.5 % and 4.4 % reduction, respectively), intensifying riparian habitat fragmentation. Furthermore, 51 different clusters (critical areas) were obtained and classified in five classes (keystone spots) with similar connectivity across the different scenarios of climate change. Each keystone spot obtained by hierarchical classification was associated with one or more climate scenarios. One of these keystone spots was especially susceptible to the worst climate change scenario. Key riparian connectivity spots will be crucial for the management and restoration of highly threatened riparian systems and to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.

Simulating with a combination of RUSLE GIS and sediment delivery ratio for soil restoration.

Erosion by water is the main cause of land degradation. Landscapes degraded by erosion need to be restored in many respects, and particularly in terms of ecosystem services. From an economic and management perspective, care is needed to select priority areas and determine the means to be applied to restore them. Globally, the model most commonly used to produce scenarios for the prevention of soil losses is the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). This study of the subbasin of the Sulakyurt Dam Basin in Turkey aims (1) to identify the distribution of soil losses over time and by location, and (2) to grade the priority areas for the prevention of soil losses by means of a simulation. The average potential soil losses in the area under study are estimated at 42.35 t ha-1 year-1, and the average actual losses at 39.49 t ha-1 year-1. According to the simulation, 27.61% of the study area (2782 ha) is of the highest priority for soil restoration. In our study, forests have the highest soil losses, which is contrary to the natural protection that forests provide against erosion. The high rates are due to the slope, the forest area is very steep. So it is the slope factor that outweighs the vegetation cover factor. Of the forest areas, 41.74% (1766 ha) falls within the areas of highest priority. The study serves as a guide for landscape planning and the determination of erosion risk in restoration efforts, and for identifying the methods to be adopted during the restoration work to reduce the loss of soil.

Consumption of foods rich in antioxidants in outpatients with diabetic retinopathy at Hospital La Carlota during 2021 / Consumo de alimentos ricos en antioxidantes en pacientes ambulatorios con retinopatía diabética del Hospital La Carlota durante el 2021

The objective of this work was to assess the quality of the consumption of foods rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, E and selenium, in a sample of 28 patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) who attended outpatient consultation at the Institute of Vision, of the La Carlota Hospital, in February 2021. The research was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, with an analytical component. Patients older than 20 years with DR were included, who agreed to participate in the food survey applied by hospital professionals. Sociodemographic and ophthalmological variables and food consumption were measured. Results: 60% of the cases were men, the mean age was 56 ± 13 years. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was the most frequent diagnosis. Regarding food consumption, the most frequently mentioned were eggs, onion, garlic, parsley, orange, banana, lemon, corn tortillas, chili peppers, avocado. It was almost zero intake of whole fiber, nuts and vegetable oils. The median consumption of vitamin C was 87.5 mg, vitamin E 13.9 mg, and selenium 36.7 mcg. Deficient consumption of these micronutrients was found in 63% of cases, especially in men. In this research, no statistically significant association was found between poor consumption of foods rich in antioxidants and PDR (X2 p= 0.2). Conclusion: There is a marked deficit in the consumption of foods with a high contribution of antioxidants in patients with RD, but this situation does not affect the severity of the disease.

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo valorar la calidad del consumo de alimentos ricos en antioxidantes como la vitamina C, E y selenio, en una muestra de 28 pacientes con retinopatía diabética (RD) que acudieron a consulta ambulatoria en el Instituto de la Visión, del Hospital La Carlota, en febrero del 2021. La investigación fue observacional, descriptiva, transversal, con componente analítico. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 20 años con RD, quienes aceptaron participar de la encuesta alimentaria aplicada por profesionales del hospital. Se midieron variables sociodemográficas, oftalmológicas y el consumo alimentario. Resultados: El 60% de los casos eran hombres, la edad media fue de 56 ± 13 años. La retinopatía diabética proliferativa (RDP) fue el diagnóstico más frecuente. En cuanto al consumo alimentario, los mencionados con mayor frecuencia fueron huevo, cebolla, ajo, perejil, naranja, plátano, limón, tortillas de maíz, chiles, aguacate. Fue casi nula ingesta de fibra integral, frutos secos y aceites vegetales. La mediana de consumo de vitamina C fue de 87,5 mg, de vitamina E 13,9 mg y de selenio 36,7 mcg. Se comprobó consumo deficiente de estos micronutrientes en el 63% de los casos, especialmente en los hombres. En esta investigación, no se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el consumo deficiente de alimentos ricos en antioxidantes y la RDP (X2 p=0,2). Conclusión: Existe un marcado déficit en el consumo de alimentos con alto aporte de antioxidantes en los pacientes con RD, pero esta situación no incide en la gravedad de la patología.

Assessment of Ecological Bridges at Wildlife Crossings in Türkiye: A Case Study of Wild Boar Crossings on the Izmir-Çesme Motorway.

In this study, the use of an ecological bridge installed as a wildlife overpass and constructed in the Zeytinler neighborhood in 2020 was analyzed as a mitigating factor in wild-boar-vehicle collisions (WVCs) on the Izmir-Çesme motorway. In this context, this study aimed to assess the use of the Zeytinler Ecological Bridge by wild boars (Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758). To this end, wildlife crossings were monitored, analyzed, and modeled with Bayesian networks. Between August 2020 and December 2022, a total of 686 instances of movement were observed among six medium to large wild mammal species. Wild boars accounted for approximately 87.5% of the recorded wildlife crossings, with foxes comprising 10%. The findings showed that the highest frequency of wildlife crossings occurred during the autumn season, particularly between 22:00 (10 p.m.) and 02:00 (2 a.m.), coinciding with the Waxing Gibbous and Waxing Crescent phases of the moon. The model outcomes highlighted that during the autumn season with a full pond, wild boar crossings increased by one and a half times in comparison to regular herd crossings. Throughout the observation period, there were no instances of wild boar fatalities subsequent to the completion of the bridge.

Gas Tamponade for the Prevention of Postoperative Vitreous Hemorrhaging After Diabetic Vitrectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To compare vitreous substitution with sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas to balanced salt solution (BSS) for the prevention of postoperative vitreous hemorrhage (VH) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the indication of non-clearing VH. METHODS: One hundred forty-four PDR subjects requiring PPV for the indication of non-clearing VH were enrolled into the trial. Subjects were prospectively randomized into 1 of 2 vitreous substitution groups: Group A subjects underwent 20% to 30% SF6 gas tamponade, whereas Group B subjects underwent vitreous substitution with BSS. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative VH during the 6-month trial period. Secondary outcomes were unplanned PPV for VH and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6-months follow-up. RESULTS: Ninety-six subjects underwent randomization and completed 6-months follow-up. Postoperative VH during the trial period occurred in 6 of 54 subjects in Group A (SF6) (11.1%) and 14 of 42 in Group B (BSS) (33.3%) (P = .008). Unplanned PPV during the trial period for postoperative VH occurred in 2 of 54 in Group A (3.7%) and 6 of 42 in Group B (14.2%) (P = .06). The mean BCVA was not significantly different at 6-months follow-up between groups (P = .58). CONCLUSIONS: This trial indicates that vitreous substitution with SF6 gas lowers the incidence of postoperative VH compared with BSS in PDR subjects undergoing PPV for the indication of non-clearing VH at 6-months follow-up. Specialists may consider SF6 gas tamponade during PPV as a means of helping reduce postoperative VH in this patient population. NOTE: Publication of this article is sponsored by the American Ophthalmological Society.

Ziv-aflibercept versus bevacizumab administration prior to diabetic vitrectomy: a randomised and controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of intravitreal ziv-aflibercept (IVZ) to intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) administered preoperatively to patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for severe manifestations of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DESIGN: Randomised clinical trial (RCT). METHODS: Two hundred and six patients with PDR-related complications requiring PPV were randomised into one of two treatment groups: Group A received IVZ (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) 1-10 days before PPV, while Group B received IVB (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) 1-10 days before PPV. The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcome measures were perioperative tractional retinal detachment (TRD) rates, surgical times, intraoperative and postoperative complications and incidence of unplanned PPV during the 6 month study interval. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy three subjects underwent PPV and completed the 6-month follow-up interval. Group A subjects had better BCVA at 6 months (p=0.0035), shorter surgical times (p=0.0013) and were less likely to have a recurrence of vitreous haemorrhaging in the postoperative period (p=0.0101) when compared with subjects in Group B. There were no significant differences among the treatment groups with regards to baseline characteristics, perioperative TRD development, intraoperative complications and incidence of unplanned PPV during the 6 month study interval. CONCLUSIONS: This RCT demonstrated better final visual outcomes, shorter operating times and less vitreous haemorrhage recurrences in the postoperative period when subjects received IVZ compared to IVB prior to PPV for the treatment of PDR-related complications.

Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness: Prevalence of blindness, visual impairment and diabetes in nuevo leon, Mexico 2014.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of blindness, visual impairment, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic retinopathy in patients aged 50 years and older in the State of Nuevo León, Mexico. METHODS: Ninety-one clusters of 60 people aged 50+ were selected randomly and a rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) was conducted. Participants had their visual acuity and cause of visual impairment assessed, underwent a random glucose test and fundoscopy under mydriasis if they had diabetes. The diabetic retinopathy (DR) degree was classified according to the Scottish diabetic retinopathy grading scheme. RESULTS: From the sample 5,055 (92.6%) people were examined. The blindness prevalence was 1.7% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.3-2.1%). Cataract (32.6%), DR (29.1%) and glaucoma (16.3%) were the leading causes of blindness. The prevalence of severe, moderate, and early visual impairment was 1.0%, 5.1%, and 7.7%, respectively. Among respondents, 31% had diabetes and 8.1% of them was not diagnosed prior to the study. Of all participants with diabetes, 50% had glucose levels of 200 mg/dl or higher and 15.7% had sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Besides strengthening of cataract intervention activities, more ophthalmic services for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma control are needed in Nuevo León to provide timely intervention to prevent blindness.

Bevacizumab before Diabetic Vitrectomy: A Clinical Trial Assessing 3 Dosing Amounts.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the optimal dosing of preoperative intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for manifestations of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred six patients with severe manifestations of PDR underwent PPV at a single university-based hospital. METHODS: Patients were randomized into 1 of 3 treatment groups: group A received 0.625 mg IVB (0.025 ml) 1 to 10 days before PPV, group B received 1.25 mg IVB (0.05 ml) 1 to 10 days before PPV, and group C received 2.5 mg IVB (0.1 ml) 1 to 10 days before PPV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 6 months. Secondary outcome measures were rates of perioperative tractional retinal detachment (TRD) development, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and incidence of unplanned PPV at 6 months. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-seven patients underwent PPV and completed 6 months of follow-up. There were no significant differences between treatment groups regarding baseline characteristics, final BCVA, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, or unplanned PPV rates. There were no patients in group A (0.0%), 3 patients in group B (7.0%), and 5 patients in group C (8.5%) who demonstrated perioperative TRD after IVB administration, but before PPV (P = 0.0283). This difference was significant between groups A and B (P = 0.0494) and between groups A and C (P = 0.0080). CONCLUSIONS: This randomized clinical trial demonstrated that patients receiving the 0.625-mg dose of IVB before PPV for the treatment of PDR-related manifestations showed similar visual acuity, but a lower incidence of perioperative TRD development compared with patients receiving the 1.25-mg and 2.5-mg doses. Clinicians should consider adopting the lowest effective dose, 0.625 mg, into clinical practice. The current study is limited by the lack of a control group receiving no IVB before PPV.

Calcareous amendments to soils to eradicate Tuber brumale from T. melanosporum cultivations: a multivariate statistical approach.

Calcareous amendments are being used in Tuber melanosporum truffle plantations in attempts to eradicate Tuber brumale. However, there are no studies available which provide soil analysis and statistical data on this topic. We studied 77 soil samples to compare the values for carbonates, pH and total organic carbon in T. brumale truffières with the values for T. melanosporum truffières on contaminated farms and in natural areas. Statistical analyses indicate that the concentrations of active carbonate and total carbonate in the soil are significantly higher in T. brumale truffières than in T. melanosporum truffières, but that there are no significant differences in pH and total organic carbon. We conclude that liming would not suppress T. brumale ectomycorrhizas in contaminated T. melanosporum farms, and calcareous amendments do not therefore seem be a means of eradicating T. brumale in these farms.