Neurotrophic keratopathy: General features and new therapies.

Neurotrophic keratopathy is an uncommon degenerative corneal disorder characterized by compromised corneal sensory innervation resulting in the formation of epithelial defects and nonhealing corneal ulcers. Various treatment modalities are available to stabilize disease progression, improve patient well-being, and prevent vision loss. For eligible patients, medical and surgical reinnervation have emerged as pioneering therapies, holding promise for better management. We present a comprehensive review of the disorder, providing an update relevant to ophthalmologists on pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment options, and novel therapies targeting pathophysiological pathways.

Risk-Benefit Comparison Between Endoloop and Endostapler Devices for the Closure of Appendiceal Stumps in Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

Introduction Acute appendicitis is a common cause of acute abdomen and the most frequent surgical emergency in the world. Since the nineteenth century, surgical resolution has been the most accepted treatment worldwide, and laparoscopic appendectomy is currently preferred as the treatment of choice because it has several benefits. The closure of the appendiceal stump is the most crucial step during appendectomy since its inadequate management can cause post-surgical complications. Throughout recent years, several methods have been proposed to perform this closure. This study was performed to compare the post-surgical outcomes of the use of endoloop and endostapler devices. Methods This is a retrospective study of 290 patients aged 18 to 83 who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between 2016 and 2020. Demographic data, clinical history, tomographic findings, and laboratory data were collected, as well as appendicular base management technique, severity degree of appendicitis at hospital admission, postoperative complications at 30 days, hospital readmission, and in-hospital stay. Statistical tests and binary logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results Demographic data and clinical history did not show statistically significant differences. The presence of a pre-surgical abscess with tomography was 1.58 times higher in the endostapler group. Post-surgical results showed that the use of endostapler devices represented a 2.7 times higher risk of post-surgical abscess. The endostapler group was also found to have 1.87 times the risk of post-surgical sepsis. Conclusion Our study shows that the use of an endoloop reduces the risk of postoperative abscess by 16.5% and protects against the development of post-surgical sepsis by 30%.

Doppler de la arteria oftálmica: un modelo para predicción de preeclampsia / Ophthalmic artery Doppler: a model for the prediction of preeclampsia

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: En México, la preeclampsia sigue siendo un problema de salud pública; en la actualidad es la principal causa de muerte materna. Su incidencia es de 47.3 casos por cada 1000 nacimientos. La preeclampsia trae consigo repercusiones en la madre y el feto; de ahí la necesidad de la validación de modelos de tamizaje efectivos que permitan su diagnóstico oportuno. La evaluación Doppler de la arteria oftálmica sigue siendo motivo de diversas investigaciones porque aporta información valiosa de los cambios hemodinámicos intracraneales que suceden, incluso, antes del curso sintomático de la enfermedad. OBJETIVO: Analizar las recomendaciones emitidas por diferentes autores que han evaluado la utilización del Doppler de la arteria oftálmica como modelo de tamizaje para la predicción y diagnóstico tempranos de preeclampsia. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio retrospectivo basado en la búsqueda exhaustiva en diferentes bases de datos de metanálisis y estudios clínicos aleatorizados que describieran, detalladamente, la población estudiada y los parámetros de la arteria oftálmica evaluados. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 22 publicaciones y en el cribado se excluyeron 8 artículos que estaban duplicados, 2 por no cumplir con los criterios de inclusión y 1 por encontrarse en otro idioma diferente al inglés; al final se revisaron 11 títulos y para complementar el tema de estudio se revisaron otros 60 artículos. CONCLUSIONES: La evaluación mediante Doppler de la arteria oftálmica es un examen simple, rápido, reproducible, seguro y no invasivo que puede incorporarse a la predicción y diagnóstico temprano de pacientes con alto riesgo de preeclampsia.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia remains a public health problem in Mexico and is currently the leading cause of maternal death. Its incidence is 47.3 cases per 1000 live births. Pre-eclampsia has consequences for the mother and the fetus, so there is a need to validate effective screening models for early diagnosis. Doppler assessment of the ophthalmic artery continues to be studied because it provides valuable information on intracranial hemodynamic changes that occur before the symptomatic course of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the recommendations of different authors who have evaluated the use of ophthalmic artery Doppler as a screening model in the prediction and early diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective study based on the search exhaustive search of different databases of meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials describing in detail the population studied and the ophthalmic artery parameters evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-two publications were identified and after screening, 8 articles were excluded as duplicates, 2 for not meeting the inclusion criteria and 1 for being in a language other than English; finally, 11 titles were reviewed, and another 60 articles were reviewed to complement the study topic. CONCLUSIONS: Doppler evaluation of the ophthalmic artery is a simple, rapid, reproducible, safe, and noninvasive test that can be used to evaluate the ophthalmic artery.

Reliability, repeatability, and accordance between three different corneal diagnostic imaging devices for evaluating the ocular surface.

Purpose: To evaluate repeatability, reproducibility, and accordance between ocular surface measurements within three different imaging devices. Methods: We performed an observational study on 66 healthy eyes. Tear meniscus height, non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) and meibography were measured using three corneal imaging devices: Keratograph 5M (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), Antares (Lumenis, Sidney, Australia), and LacryDiag (Quantel Medical, Cournon d'Auvergne, France). One-way ANOVAs with post hoc analyses were used to calculate accordance between the tear meniscus and NITBUT. Reproducibility was assessed through coefficients of variation and repeatability with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Reliability of meibography classification was analyzed by calculating Fleiss' Kappa Index and presented in Venn diagrams. Results: Coefficients of variation were high and differed greatly depending on the device and measurement. ICCs showed moderate reliability of NITBUT and tear meniscus height measurements. We observed discordance between measurements of tear meniscus height between the three devices, F2, 195 = 15.24, p < 0.01. Measurements performed with Antares were higher; 0.365 ± 0.0851, than those with Keratograph 5M and LacryDiag; 0.293 ± 0.0790 and 0.306 ± 0.0731. NITBUT also showed discordance between devices, F2, 111 = 13.152, p < 0.01. Measurements performed with LacryDiag were lower (10.4 ± 1.82) compared to those of Keratograph 5M (12.6 ± 4.01) and Antares (12.6 ± 4.21). Fleiss' Kappa showed a value of -0.00487 for upper lid and 0.128 for inferior lid Meibography classification, suggesting discrete to poor agreement between measurements. Conclusion: Depending on the device used and parameter analyzed, measurements varied between each other, showing a difference in image processing.

[Nurse resolution of self-limiting mild processes in health care. Descriptive study]. / Resolución enfermera de los procesos leves autolimitados en atención primaria: estudio descriptivo.

BACKGROUND: To describe the capacity of the primary health care's nurse in the resolution of the self-limiting mild processes after the implementation of the healthcare demand's process in Basque Country. SETTING: 25 primary health care centers of the OSI Bilbao-Basurto. TYPE OF STUDY: An observational, descriptive, transversal study. Using as a guide protocols previously agreed and within hers scope of competence, the nurse values and resolves five self-limiting mild processes: upper airway infection, sore throat, fever, nausea and/or vomiting and diarrhea. Furthermore, the nurse can refer patients to other specialist in the cases concomitant disease is detected or their state of heath is aggravated. PARTICIPANTS: 6985 patient's records, who consulted 1 of 5 self-limiting mild processes from 1st November 2019 to 29th February 2020, were analyzed. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The main variable was the nurse's resolution. The three possible resolutions ways were health education, health education, medical administrative consultation and health education, and medical consultation. RESULTS: The nurse solved the 47% of the self-limiting mild processes. According to the type of process, differences in the resolution were appreciated, solving as far as 57% of the processes of consultations for diarrhea. 10.5% (CI 95%; 9.8-11.2%) of the assisted people were followed-up for reasons related to the self-limiting mild processes of the origin. The follow-up consultations were not related to the way the process was resolved. CONCLUSIONS: The nurse solves nearly half of the processes that values in spite of not having some of the tools such as, the competence of indicate and dispense medications.

Resolución enfermera de los procesos leves autolimitados en atención primaria: estudio descriptivo / Nurse resolution of self-limiting mild processes in health care. Descriptive study

Objetivo : Describir la capacidad de la enfermera de Atención Primaria en la resolución de los procesos leves autolimitados (PLA), tras la implementación de la Gestión de la Demanda Asistencial (GDA) en Euskadi.Emplazamiento : Se analizaron 25 centros de salud de Atención Primaria de la OSI Bilbao-Basurto.Diseño : Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal. Utilizando como guía protocolos previamente consensuados y dentro de su ámbito competencial, la enfermera valora y resuelve cinco PLA: catarro vías altas, dolor de garganta, fiebre, náuseas y/o vómitos y diarrea. Además, puede derivar a otros profesionales los casos que detecta patología concomitante o agravantes de salud.Participantes : Se analizaron 6.985 registros de pacientes que consultaron por uno de los cinco PLA, entre el 1 de noviembre de 2019 y el 29 de febrero de 2020.Mediciones principales : La variable principal fue la resolución enfermera. Los tres modos posibles de resolución fueron: educación sanitaria, educación sanitaria y consulta administrativa médica y educación sanitaria y consulta médica.Resultados : La enfermera resolvió el 47% de los PLA. Se apreciaron diferencias en la resolución según el tipo de proceso, llegando a resolver hasta el 57% de los procesos en las consultas por diarrea. El 10,5% (IC 95%: 9,8%-11,2%) de las personas atendidas reconsultaron por motivos relacionados con el PLA de origen. Las reconsultas no guardaron relación con el modo de resolución del proceso.Conclusiones : La enfermera resuelve casi la mitad de los procesos que valora a pesar de no disponer de algunas herramientas como la competencia para indicar y dispensar medicamentos.(AU)

Background : To describe the capacity of the primary health care's nurse in the resolution of the self-limiting mild processes after the implementation of the healthcare demand's process in Basque Country.Setting : 25 primary health care centers of the OSI Bilbao-Basurto.Type of study : An observational, descriptive, transversal study. Using as a guide protocols previously agreed and within hers scope of competence, the nurse values and resolves five self-limiting mild processes: upper airway infection, sore throat, fever, nausea and/or vomiting and diarrhea. Furthermore, the nurse can refer patients to other specialist in the cases concomitant disease is detected or their state of heath is aggravated.Participants : 6985 patient's records, who consulted 1 of 5 self-limiting mild processes from 1st November 2019 to 29th February 2020, were analyzed.Main measurements : The main variable was the nurse's resolution. The three possible resolutions ways were health education, health education, medical administrative consultation and health education, and medical consultation.Results : The nurse solved the 47% of the self-limiting mild processes. According to the type of process, differences in the resolution were appreciated, solving as far as 57% of the processes of consultations for diarrhea. 10.5% (CI 95%; 9.8-11.2%) of the assisted people were followed-up for reasons related to the self-limiting mild processes of the origin. The follow-up consultations were not related to the way the process was resolved.Conclusions : The nurse solves nearly half of the processes that values in spite of not having some of the tools such as, the competence of indicate and dispense medications.

Maximizing length with precice nail: a novel technique.

Intramedullary magnetic lengthening nails represents a marked advance in the process of limb lengthening, reducing the complications associated with other methods, and improving patient's comfort. However, one important limitation is its lengthening ability, especially when it comes to short bones. Previous reports have shown techniques that may allow further lengthening but at a cost of having to carry out repeated procedures, requiring the use of other devices, and submitting the patient to long-winded surgical procedures. This report presents a novel technique to achieve lengthening beyond the initial reach of the nail, in a simple and quick procedure, without the need of implanting any additional devices.

Significant Association Between Variant in SGCD and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

CFH and HTRA1 genes are traditional markers of increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) across populations. Recent findings suggest that additional genes-for instance, in the dystrophin-associated protein complex-might be promising markers for AMD. Here, we performed a case-control study to assess the effect of SGCD single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), a member of this protein family, on AMD diagnosis and phenotype. We performed a case-control study of an under-studied population from Hispanics in Mexico City, with 134 cases with 134 unpaired controls. Cases were 60 years or older (Clinical Age-Related Maculopathy Staging (CARMS) grade 4⁻5, as assessed by experienced ophthalmologists following the American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO) guidelines), without other retinal disease or history of vitreous-retinal surgery. Controls were outpatients aged 60 years or older, with no drusen or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes on a fundus exam and a negative family history of AMD. We examined SNPs in the SGCD gene (rs931798, rs140617, rs140616, and rs970476) by sequencing and real-time PCR. Genotyping quality checks and univariate analyses were performed with PLINK v1.90b3.42. Furthermore, logistic regression models were done in SAS v.9.4 and haplotype configurations in R v.3.3.1. After adjusting for clinical covariates, the G/A genotype of the SGCD gene (rs931798) significantly increases the odds of being diagnosed with AMD in 81% of cases (1.81; 95% CI 1.06⁻3.14; p = 0.031), especially the geographic atrophy phenotype (1.82; 95% CI 1.03⁻3.21; p = 0.038) compared to the G/G homozygous genotype. Moreover, the GATT haplotype in this gene (rs931798, rs140617, rs140616, and rs970476) is associated with lower odds of AMD (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.13; 95% CI 0.02⁻0.91; p = 0.041). SGCD is a promising gene for AMD research. Further corroboration in other populations is warranted, especially among other Hispanic ethnicities.

Highly reactive 2-deoxy-2-iodo-d-allo and d-gulo pyranosyl sulfoxide donors ensure ß-stereoselective glycosylations with steroidal aglycones.

The preparation of well-defined d-xylo and d-ribo glycosides represents a synthetic challenge due to the limited configurational availability of starting materials and the laborious synthesis of homogeneous 2-deoxy-ß-glycosidic linkages, in particular that of the sugar-steroid motif, which represents the "stereoselective determining step" of the overall synthesis. Herein we describe the use of 2-deoxy-2-iodo-glycopyranosyl sulfoxides accessible from widely available d-xylose and d-ribose monosaccharides as privileged glycosyl donors that permit activation at very low temperature. This ensures a precise kinetic control for a complete 1,2-trans stereoselective glycosylation of particularly challenging steroidal aglycones.

Histological differences between various methods of hemiepiphysiodesis: is guided growth really different?

Traditional systems of hemiepiphysiodesis are based on the application of asymmetrical compression to the physis to correct angular deformities. The guided growth method claims to act as a tension plate avoiding compression. The aim of this study was to confirm or refute this claim. Twenty-four White New Zealand rabbits were subjected to a proximal tibial hemiepiphysiodesis using either staples or a plate and two-screws method. Both methods succeeded in producing deformity. The initial existent histological differences between systems became less apparent after 6 weeks of hemiepiphysiodesis, when histological results were very similar. The findings suggest that the eight-plate system produces, like staples, compression of the physis, but the forces are applied more gradually.

Guided growth: the importance of a single tether. An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: During the last few years, the use of the 8-plate as a technique for hemiepiphysiodesis has gained wide acceptance, as it has been shown that it works in a more physiological way than other methods such as staples or transphyseal screws. It has mechanically been compared with a tension band plate, and for this reason, only a single plate is needed. The following study was undertaken to test the 8-plate against the staples and assess factors that can influence the difference in results. METHODS: A prospective experimental study was designed to compare the ability of 2 hemiepiphysiodesis methods, the 8-plate and the double staple, to produce angular deformity in the rabbit's tibia (group I). The variable studied was the variations in the articular line-diaphysis angle at 6 weeks. As the results showed that the 8-plate produced a bigger deformity, a second group was designed (group II) comparing single against double staple, under the hypothesis that the differences observed in the first group could be related to the number of anchors put across the physis and consequently depend on the volume of physis involved by the staples. RESULTS: In group I, the 8-plate produced a bigger angulation at 6 weeks' time than the 2 staples (a difference of 6.5 degrees, P = 0.03). Similarly, in group II, the single staple produced a greater angulation than the 2 staples (difference 6 degrees, P = 0.08). When both groups were compared, no differences in the angulation produced by the 8-plate and the single staple with respect to the 2 staples were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that one of the reasons why the 8-plate may act in a more "physiological way" (vs. the traditional 2-staple or 3-staple hemiepiphysiodesis) could be the fact that the growth plate is tethered only at a single point. Therefore, the physis retains a major potential for growth and deformity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The 8-plate is superior in producing/correcting angular deformity when compared with the traditionally used staples (2 or more) but not when compared with a single staple.

Screw length in the guided growth method.

BACKGROUND: The appearance of the 8-plate as a method for hemiepiphysiodesis has renewed the interest for the use of this technique. However, many questions remain unanswered about the way of action of the guided growth method. Although screw length has been said to play no role, to our knowledge, no clinical or experimental evidence exists. METHODS: An experimental prospective randomized study with 40 WNZ Rabbits aged 8 weeks was conducted. Four experimental groups were established. Each tibia was randomly allocated to one of the following groups: Staples (group 1), 8-plate either using self-taping screws of 9 mm (group 2), or 5 mm lengths (groups 3) and control (group 4). Radiological assessment of the tibial deformity was done in a weekly fashion, and ALDA (articular line-diaphyseal angle) variations at 6 weeks were used as the control variable. RESULTS: The 8-plate as a whole produced a significant bigger deformity than the staples (10°). No significant differences between the two models of the 8-plate were found along the study (3.7°). CONCLUSIONS: The 8-plate has shown to be more efficient in producing angular deformity than staples. However, the length of the screw has showed no role in the 8-plate function.

Intraoperative ERCP: What role does it have in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

In the treatment of patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis (CBDS) detected during intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), or when the preoperative study of a patient at intermediate risk for CBDS cannot be completed due to the lack of imaging techniques required for confirmation, or if they are available and yield contradictory radiological and clinical results, patients can be treated using intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during the laparoscopic treatment or postoperative ERCP if the IOC finds CBDS. The choice of treatment depends on the level of experience and availability of each option at each hospital. Intraoperative ERCP has the advantage of being a single-stage treatment and has a significant success rate, an easy learning curve, low morbidity involving a shorter hospital stay and lower costs than the two-stage treatments (postoperative and preoperative ERCP). Intraoperative ERCP is also a good salvage treatment when preoperative ERCP fails or when total laparoscopic management also fails.

Is outpatient ERCP suitable, feasible, and safe? The experience of a Spanish community hospital.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to evaluate the safety of outpatient endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The follow-up of an ERCP outpatient during a short observation period could be a feasible and safe approach. METHODS: To evaluate the safety of outpatient ERCP, we assessed the rate of post-ERCP complications found and missed during a 6-h observation period after therapeutic ERCP. RESULTS: We performed 236 ERCPs on an outpatient basis, with a failure rate of 3.7% but with an overall completion rate for the intended treatment of 90.7%. Seventy-eight percent of the ERCPs were primarily therapeutic. The age of the patients was 63.9 years and 61.9% were females. One hundred seventy-seven (74.5%) patients were discharged from the hospital after the observation period. Thirty-three (14.1%) patients were admitted without further delay due to unexpected ERCP findings or for early detection of complications. Twenty-seven (11.4%) patients had a prolonged hospital stay because of complications during the observation period. Just two patients previously discharged developed later complications: cholangitis and pancreatitis (0.84% of the ERCPs and 7.4% of the overall complications). There were 27 ERCP complications (12.1%). Of the overall complications, 29.6% were diagnosed very early after the procedure and 62.9% were diagnosed during the observation period. 8.9% out of the 12.1% of the ERCP complications were mild to moderate. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Twenty-five (92.6%) of ERCP complications occurred during the first 6 h, making the use of this short observation period safe for an early discharge. The evolution of the patients who developed delayed complications was unremarkable. Whenever outpatient ERCP is feasible, it should be done to help cut costs.