Effect of trapping method on species identification of phlebotomine sandflies by MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling.

Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) (Newstead, 1911) are blood-feeding insects that transmit human pathogens including Leishmania (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) parasites, causative agents of the leishmaniases. To elucidate Leishmania transmission cycles, conclusive identification of vector species is essential. Molecular approaches including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) protein profiling have recently emerged to complement morphological identification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the trap type used to collect sandflies, specifically Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light or sticky traps, the two most commonly used in sandfly surveys, on subsequent MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling. Specimens of five species (Phlebotomus ariasi, Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus sergenti, Sergentomyia minuta) collected in periurban and agricultural habitats in southeast Spain were subjected to protein profiling. Acquired protein spectra were queried against an in-house reference database and their quality assessed to evaluate the trap type effect. The results indicate that trap choice can substantially affect the quality of protein spectra in collected sandflies. Whereas specimens retrieved from light traps produced intense and reproducible spectra that allowed reliable species determination, profiles of specimens from sticky traps were compromised and often did not enable correct identification. Sticky traps should therefore not be used in surveys that deploy MALDI-TOF MS protein profiling for species identification.

[Endophtalmitis after injury with intraocular foreign body in posterior segment of the eye]. / Endoftalmitída po poranení s cudzím vnútroocným telesom v zadnom segmente oka.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate morphological and functional results of therapy in patients with endophthalmitis associated with intraocular foreign bodies in posterior segment in retrospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava we treated 216 patients (216 eyes) with intraocular foreign bodies in posterior segment of the eye in the years 1989-2007. Endophthalmitis developed in 34 eyes (15.7%). Patients were in age between 7-59 years, average 35.6 years. Patients were examined in outpatient department, follow up ranged from 1 month to 5.6 years, average 1.6 years. We evaluated epidemiological factors, morphological and functional results in this study. RESULTS: Good morphological results were achieved in 18 patients (52.9%) and bad morphological results in 16 patients (47.1%). Enucleation, evisceration of the globe, phthisis and retinal detachment were defined as bad morphological results. Initial visual acuity 5/50 and better had 4 patients (11.8%), less than 5/50 and better than hand movement had 4 patients (11.8%) and hand movement and less had 26 patients (76.5%). Final visual acuity 5/50 and better had 8 patients (23.5%), less 5/50 and better than hand movement had 4 patients (11.8%) and hand movement and less had 22 patients (64.7%). CONCLUSION: Early recognition and correct treatment of posttraumatic endophthalmitis is necessary for maintaining of the eye and its functions. Initial visual acuity better than hand movement is a good prognostic factor.

[The therapy for acute acquired syphilitic uveitis]. / Liecba akútnych získaných syfilitických uveitíd.

PURPOSE: In retrospective study (analysis) to report the effectiveness of therapy on anatomic and functional outcomes in patients with acute acquired syphilitic uveitis. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: 3 patients (4 eyes) with symptoms of ocular acute inflammation which occurred in latent stage of syphilis are included in our study. In all patients uveitis was the first clinical symptom of syphilis. METHODS: In all 3 patients the infection of acquired syphilis was diagnosed using specific and non-specific tests for treponemal antibody. In 2 eyes we performed diagnostic and therapeutic pars plana vitrectomy. The management of ocular syphilis in all patients consisted of mega units of aqueous penicillin intravenously or intramusculary, in 2 patients we used the combination with steroids. RESULTS: In 2 eyes with perioperatively obtained material of vitreous (during pars plana vitrectomy) specific treponemal antibody was detected using specific (TPHA) test. In the third patient infection was verified serologically. The final visual acuity of all 4 eyes is better than or equal to 6/12. The visual acuity of one exe is 6/6. CONCLUSION: Uveitis and neuroretinitis may be the first symptom of acquired syphilis in latent stage. Early antibiotic treatment significantly improves anatomical reparation of infection and visual outcomes.

[Pars plana vitrectomy for diabetic pseudophakic macular edema]. / Pars plana vitrektómia pre edém makuly u diabetikov po operácii katarakty.

PURPOSE: In retrospective study to evaluate the anatomical and functional results of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with peeling of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) on pseudophakic eyes with diabetic macular edema. MATERIAL AND METHOD: PPV with peeling of the ILM was performed in 5 eyes (5 diabetic patients) after cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Group of patients enrolled 4 female and one male aged from 44 to 62 years (average 56.2 y.). 2 eyes had undergone focal fotocoagulation previously for clinically significant macular edema. The macular edema was diagnosed by clinical examination and by retinal fluorescein angiography from 3 to 8 months (mean 6 m.) after cataract surgery. Visual acuity (VA) and angiographic changes were monitoring. RESULTS: In pseudophakic eyes with diabetic macular edema that underwent surgery, the angiography documented decrease of hyperfluorescens in all cases. VA improved in 3 eyes (80%) more than +2 lines of Snellen test, stabilized in one eye (20%). VA detoriated in one eye by -1 line of Snellen test. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that PPV with ILM peeling is effective surgical procedure on pseudophakic diabetic macular edema.

[Peroperative use of mitomycin C in excision of primary pterygia]. / Peroperacné pouzitie Mitomycinu C u excízie primárneho pterygia.

The authors in a retrospective study assess the recurrence rate of pterygium after the application of a single intraoperative dosage of topical Mitomycin C during the pterygium excision. The group involves 21 eyes of 19 patients with primary pterygia. When using technique of simple pterygium excision followed by application 0.02% MMC onto a bare sclera in duration 3 minutes, pterygium recurred in 5 patients (23.8%). The authors noticed a distinct difference in pterygium recurrence relating to the age of patients. Under the age 50 the recurrence occurred in each of 4 patients, above the age 50 only in one out of 17 patients (5.9%).

[Endophthalmitis after lens surgery]. / Endoftalmitídy po operáciách sosovky.

At the University Eye Clinic Bratislava we performed a retrospective study on the occurrence of endophthalmitis after lens operations. Over the years 1993-1995 we performed 2374 lens operations. Endophthalmitis occurred in 20 eyes (0.84%). Endophthalmitis occurred after uncomplicated as well as after surgical procedures with various perioperative complications. All patients were treated with antibiotics locally and parenterally. Nine patients were treated with steroids. In these patients we did not performed pars plana vitrectomy. Owing to endophthalmitis one eye was eviscerated. In one eye after previous vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy developed later inoperable retinal detachment. In one eye was present an old retinal detachment before the cosmetic cataract extraction was performed. Without any complications were cured nine eyes. In eight eyes are remained iris synechiae and vitreous opacities. Two eyes lost light perception and one eye was without light perception already before cataract extraction. The final visual acuity was better than 2/60 in 70% of the eyes and better than 6/36 in 50% of the eyes.

Representations and rates of approximation of real-valued Boolean functions by neural networks.

We give upper bounds on rates of approximation of real-valued functions of d Boolean variables by one-hidden-layer perceptron networks. Our bounds are of the form c/n where c depends on certain norms of the function being approximated and n is the number of hidden units. We describe sets of functions where these norms grow either polynomially or exponentially with d.

[Endophthalmitis after intraocular interventions]. / Endophthalmitiden nach intraokularen Eingriffen.

BACKGROUND: Endophthalmitis is serious complication of intraocular surgery. At the University Eye Clinic Bratislava we performed a retrospective study on the occurrence of endophthalmitis after various intraocular procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over the years 1993-1995 we performed 2374 cataract extractions, 305 anti-glaucoma operations, 106 perforating keratoplasties and 926 pars plana vitrectomies. The charts of all patients were reviewed. The occurrence of endophthalmitis, type of surgery, perioperative complications, elapsed time between surgery and start of endophthalmitis, results of preoperative conjunctival smear cultures, final anatomical and functional results were evaluated. RESULTS: The frequency of endophthalmitis after cataract extraction was 0.84%, after antiglaucoma surgery 1.31% and 0.97% after pars plana vitrectomy. No endophthalmitis was found after penetrating keratoplasties. In most cases endophthalmitis began in the first three days after surgery. Endophthalmitis occurred after uncomplicated as well as after surgical procedures with various perioperative complications. The preoperative conjunctival smear cultures were sterile in 22 patients. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly cultured germ. All patients were treated with antibiotics parenterally and locally. Pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal application of antibiotics was performed only exceptionally. Enucleation was required in two eyes and two other eyes become phthitical. 22 eyes recovered without serious complications. Five eyes were blind and in 11 eyes the final visual acuity was better than 6/36. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-, peri-, and postoperative measures must be improved to prevent postoperative endophthalmitis. In cases of endophthalmitis all therapeutical options have to be performed as soon as possible to save the patient's eye and sight.