Habitat visualization, acquisition features and necessity of the gammaproteobacterial symbiont of pistachio stink Bug, Acrosternum heegeri (Hem.: Pentatomidae).

Plant-sucking stinkbugs are especially associated with mutualistic gut bacterial symbionts. Here, we explored the symbiotic relationship of a pistachio stinkbug, Acrosternum heegeri Fieber by histological, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), real-time PCR and molecular phylogenetic techniques. Furthermore, the effects of the symbiont on the resting/wandering behaviors of the newborn nymphs, pre-adult survival rates, and stage compositions were investigated. Transmission electron microscopy and real-time PCR analyses showed that a rod-shaped gammaproteobacterium was persistently located within the posterior midgut crypts. Molecular phylogenetic and FISH techniques strongly suggested that this symbiont should be placed in the genus Pantoea of the Enterobacteriales. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of the bacterial cells on the egg surface which the surface sterilization of the eggs resulted in the successful removal of the symbiont from the eggs. Symbiotic and aposymbiotic A. heegeri showed no significant differences in the wandering behaviors of the first nymphal stages, while the symbiont-free insects suffered retarded growth and lower survivability. Together, the results highlight the habitat and acquisition features of Pantoea symbiont and its contribution in A. heegeri biology that might help us for better pest management in the future.

Anterior lamellar recession, blepharoplasty, and supratarsal fixation for cicatricial upper eyelid entropion without lagophthalmos.

PURPOSE: To assess the results of anterior lamellar recession, blepharoplasty, and supratarsal fixation procedure in patients with upper eyelid cicatricial entropion without lagophthalmos. METHODS: In a prospective interventional case series, 52 eyelids (32 patients) were included (April 2009-December 2010). Excluded were patients with previous eyelid surgeries, lagophthalmos, and <12 months of follow-up. Using a microscope, after recessing anterior lamella 3-4 mm above the eyelid margin, it was fixed with 4-5 interrupted 6-0 vicryl sutures. Excess anterior lamella was then excised (blepharoplasty), supratarsal fixation sutures (6-0 vicryl) were put and the skin was closed with 6-0 nylon sutures. Success and failure defined based upon eyelash-globe touch on the last follow-up visit (at least 12 months), respectively. RESULTS: There were 21 females (65.6%) and 11 males (34.4%) with a mean age of 69.7 years (SD=6.9) and mean follow-up of 21.06 months (SD=8.26). Success was observed in 39 (75%) and failure in 13 (25%). Mean time of failure was 4.5 months (SD=3). Although re-treatment with radio-frequency electrolysis (eight eyelids) and re-anterior lamellar recession (two eyelids) resulted in success in 12 eyelids with failure, two patients (three eyelids) declined further procedure. Except for thickened eyelid margin, no complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Anterior lamellar recession, blepharoplasty, and supratarsal fixation procedure is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of the upper eyelid cicatricial entropion without lagophthalmos.

Hyperthyroid vs hypothyroid eye disease: the same severity and activity.

PURPOSE: To compare demographics, severity, and activity of thyroid eye disease (TED) in patients with hyperthyroidism (Hr-TED) vs primary hypothyroidism (Ho-TED). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, demographics, complete eye examination, severity score (NOSPECS, total hundred eye score), clinical activity score, and Rundle grading were recorded for patients with TED and different thyroid disorders referred from an endocrinology clinic from 2003 to 2006. RESULTS: TED was clinically found in 303 patients (303/851, 35.6%). The majority of them (280/303, 92.4%) had Graves' hyperthyroidism and 23 (23/303, 7.5%) had primary hypothyroidism. Mean age, gender, mean severity score, mean activity score, Rundle grade, unilateral presentation of TED, smoking habit, mean duration of eye disease, and mean interval time of thyroid to TED were not significantly different between the two groups (0.06

External lacrimal punctum grading: reliability and interobserver variation.

PURPOSE: To test the reliability and interobserver variation of external lacrimal punctum (ELP) grading. METHODS: In a population-based epidemiologic study, ELP was visually graded based on slit lamp examination (grade 0 to 5), as described previously. Grades 0, 1, and 2 are for closed or stenotic ELP and grade 3 is for normal ELP (subjective grades). Grades 4 and 5 are for larger than normal (slit) ELP measured in millimeters by slit lamp beam (objective grades). Upper and lower ELP were graded by an oculoplastic surgeon and a senior ophthalmology resident. Both observers were masked to the reading of the other. Both observers were familiar to the grading system for past few years, although the oculoplastic surgeon had more experience in this regard. Patients with previous periocular surgery, medial lid mass obscuring the ELP, anatomically distorted punctum, and subjects with grade 4 and 5 ELP (objective grades) were excluded. The intraclass correlation coefficient test was used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 632 eyes from 174 (55.10%) male and 142 (44.90%) female subjects. Subjects' ages ranged from 7 to 87 years (mean +/- SD = 54+/-17.56). The intraclass correlation coeficient test showed a positive and strong correlation between two observers for grading the upper (value=+0.87, 95% CI: 0.84 and 0.88, p=0.000) and lower (value=+0.91, 95% CI: 0.90 and 0.92, p=0.000) ELP. In general, the less experienced observer tended to overestimate both upper and lower ELP grading. CONCLUSIONS: Reliability of the new ELP grading makes it a recommendable option for use in the clinic and comparing reports on ELP pathologies.

Endoscopically assisted balloon dacryocystoplasty and silicone intubation versus silicone intubation alone in adults.

PURPOSE: To compare the success rate of endoscopically assisted balloon dacryocystoplasty (DCP) and silicone intubation (DCP-SI) with endoscopically assisted silicone intubation alone (SI) in adults with incomplete nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. METHODS. In a retrospective nonrandomized comparative case series, 62 eyes of 55 adult patients with incomplete NLD obstruction underwent endoscopic probing and either SI (n=39 eyes) or DCP-SI (n=23 eyes) under general anesthesia. The last follow-up examination included diagnostic probing and irrigation if there was not success. Success was defined as disappearance of the symptoms and failure as partial improvement or absence of improvement at last follow-up. RESULTS: Patients ranged from 20 to 85 years of age (mean: 60.93, SD: 15.60). Tubes were removed between 6 and 20 weeks (mean: 7.49, SD: 2.25) postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 63 months (mean: 14.60, SD: 10.33). Success rate of the eyes with SI (21/39, 53.84%) and DCP-SI (14/23, 60.86%) were not statistically different (p=0.60). Complications included slight nasal and canalicular bleeding in almost all eyes in both groups which was easily controlled, slit punctum in four eyes with bicanalicular intubation (4/50, 8%), and monocanalicular tube lost in three eyes prematurely. CONCLUSIONS: Success rate of endoscopic DCP-SI had no statistically significant difference from silicone intubation alone in treatment of incomplete NLD obstruction in adults.

Late and very late initial probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction: what is the cause of failure?

AIMS: To find the cure rate of late (second year of age) and very late (3-5 years of age) initial probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) and to identify the factors contributing to the failure rate of the probing in older children. METHODS: In a prospective interventional case series study, 169 eyes of 125 consecutive patients (1-5 years old) with CNLDO underwent probing under general anaesthesia. Cure was defined as absence of tearing and discharge in the affected eye. RESULTS: 138 eyes of 101 patients aged 13-60 months (mean 23.4 (SD 10.2)) were included. Of 15 eyes (10.8%) with complex CNLDO, 80% presented after 24 months of age (p<0.0001). The cure rate was 89% in patients 13-24 months of age and 72% after the age of 24 months (p = 0.01). It was 90.2% in the membranous and 33.3% in the complex CNLDO in both late and very late probing (p<0.0001). There was a high correlation (r = 0.97) and no significant difference between the cure rate at 1 week and final follow up. CONCLUSION: Accumulation of the complex CNLDO is the main risk factor for failure of probing in the older children. The outcome of the nasolacrimal duct probing at 1 week follow up is highly indicative of the final outcome.