scholarly journals Quantitative analysis of retinal vasculature in normal eyes using ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 1915-1920
Author(s):  
Jing-Wen Jiang ◽  
◽  
Xiao-Ling Wang ◽  
Jue-Jun Liu ◽  
Gong-Peng Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Fluorescein Angiography ◽  
Retinal Vasculature ◽  
Retinal Area ◽  
Vascular Perfusion ◽  
Imaging Device ◽  
Vascular Morphology ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Healthy Eyes

AIM: To quantify the area and density of retinal vascularity by ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA). METHODS: In a retrospective study, UWFA images were obtained using an ultra-widefield imaging device in 42 normal eyes of 42 patients. Central and peripheral steered images were used to define the edge of retinal vasculature by a certified grader. The length from the center of the optic disc to the edge of retinal vascularity (RVL) in each quadrant and the total retinal vascular perfusion area (RVPA) were determined by the grader using OptosAdvance software. The density of retinal vascularity (RVD) was quantified in different zones of central-steered images using Image J software. RESULTS: Among 42 healthy eyes, the values for mean RVL in each quadrant were 19.007±0.781 mm (superior), 18.467±0.869 mm (inferior), 17.738±0.622 mm (nasal) and 24.241±1.336 mm (temporal). The mean RVPA was 1140.117±73.825 mm2. The mean RVD of the total retina was 4.850%±0.638%. RVD varied significantly between different retina zones (P<0.001), and significant differences existed in the RVD values for total retinal area in patients over 50 years old compared to those under 50 years old (P=0.033). No gender difference was found. CONCLUSION: The UWFA device can be a promising tool for analyzing the overall retinal vasculature and may provide a better understanding of retinal vascular morphology in normal eyes. Aging may be related to lower RVD.

scholarly journals Quantitative evaluations of vortex vein ampullae by adjusted 3D reverse projection model of ultra-widefield fundus images

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryoh Funatsu ◽  
Hiroto Terasaki ◽  
Hideki Shiihara ◽  
Sumihiro Kawano ◽  
Mariko Hirokawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Optic Disc ◽  
3D Model ◽  
Fundus Images ◽  
Projection Model ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Vortex Vein ◽  
Healthy Eyes ◽  
Quantitative Evaluations

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the number and location of vortex vein ampullae (VVA) in normal eyes. This was an observational retrospective study. Montage images of one on-axis and two off-axis ultra-widefield images of 74 healthy eyes were enhanced, and reverse projected onto a 3D model eye. The number and distance between the optic disc to each VVA in the four sectors were compared. The significance of correlations between these values and age, sex, visual acuity, refractive error, and axial length was determined. The mean number of VVA was 8.10/eye with 1.84, 2.12, 2.19 and 1.95 in upper lateral, lower lateral, upper nasal, and lower nasal sectors, respectively. The mean number of VVA/eye was significantly greater in men at 8.43 than women at 7.76 (P = 0.025). The mean distance between the optic disc and VVA was 14.15 mm, and it was 14.04, 15.55, 13.29 and 13.66 mm in the upper lateral, lower lateral, upper nasal and lower nasal sectors, respectively (all P < 0.05). The number and location of VVA can be obtained non-invasively, and the number was significantly higher in men than women. This technique can be used to determine whether these values are altered in a retinochoroidal disease.

Revisiting the Natural History of Chronic Scaphoid Nonunions: A Retrospective Study of 20 Cases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Terrence Jose Jerome
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Scaphoid Nonunion ◽  
Proximal Pole ◽  
Degenerative Arthritis ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background The natural history of scaphoid nonunion is the development of degenerative arthritis. A lot of information is still unclear about this progression. The purpose of this study is to analyze patients with scaphoid nonunions who had not received any kind of treatment and to assess the functional outcome. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study that analyzed the patients with chronic scaphoid nonunions between 2009 and 2019. None of the patients received any treatment. The age at the time of injury, examination, pattern of fracture, types of scaphoid nonunion, symptoms, and duration of nonunion were noted. Diagnosis was confirmed by radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scapholunate and radiolunate angles were recorded. Pain score, modified mayo wrist score, grip strength, range of movement, and the functional outcome of these scaphoid nonunions were analyzed. A statistical correlation between the scaphoid nonunion presentations and the functional outcome was assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range: 35–82 years.). There were 17 male and 3 female patients. There were 9 waist and 11 proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. The mean duration of scaphoid nonunion was 34 years (range: 10–62 years). None of the patients had avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal scaphoid. The age at examination, gender, side of injury, fracture pattern (waist/proximal pole), fracture displacement ≤ 1 mm or > 1 mm, nonunion duration, and radiographic arthritic parameters had no significant impact on the functional outcome. Conclusions Untreated chronic scaphoid nonunion leads to the development of degenerative arthritis over a period of years, which is still unpredictable. Most of the patients become aware of the nonunion following a precedent injury or other reasons. Most of the patients have fair/good functional outcome despite reduced range of movements and grip strength. Many do not favor surgical intervention in the course of nonunion. Chronic nonunions open a lot of unanswered questions. Clinical relevance There have been numerous studies on the treatment aspects of scaphoid nonunion, with little knowledge about certain people with nonunion who did not have any kind of treatment. The demographics, clinical findings, and radiological parameters do confirm the progression of these nonunion to arthritis, but most of them had fair-to-good outcome throughout their life. It opens our thinking about the real need of treatment in such nonunions and raises numerous questions about the disease. Level of evidence This is a Level IV study.

scholarly journals PSV-16 Infrared thermography technology as a promising tool for assessing temperament of water buffaloes

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 220-221
Author(s):  
Caroline L Francisco ◽  
André M Castilhos ◽  
Daiane C Marques da Silva ◽  
Fabiola Martinez da Silva ◽  
Aline S Aranha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Thermography ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Thermal Imager ◽  
Initial Body Weight ◽  
Water Buffaloes ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Positive Correlations

Abstract This study evaluated the use of the infrared thermography (IT) as a tool to identify the temperament of 75 non-castrated water buffaloes (390±32 days of age; 310±61.27 kg of initial body weight) of 3 genetic groups (GG:Jafarabadi, Mediterranean, and Murrah; n = 25 for each GG). The animals were classified for temperament through the temperament score (TSc) obtained by the mean of the sum of the scores of the time of entry into the squeeze chute (1 to 5: 1=greater time spent for entry; 5=less time spent for entry) and the exit velocity score (1 to 5: 1=lower speed; 5=higher speed) calculated after the period of adaptation to the feedlot (d0). The animals were categorized into adequate (ADQ; TSc≤3) or excitable (EXC; TSc &gt;3) temperaments. The rectal temperature was measured and IT images were obtained (Testo 882 Thermal Imager, Testo, Inc, Germany) from regions of the chest, eye, snout, cheek, foreleg (left side), ribs, hind legs, rear area (left side), and scrotum on d0. Data were analyzed using MIXED procedure in SAS, considering the GG, temperament, and the resulting interaction as fixed effects. Correlation was analyzed using the CORR procedure of SAS. There were no effects of interactions (P ≥ 0.14). ADQ animals showed lower rectal (P = 0.02) and ribs (P = 0.05) temperatures than EXC animals (Table1). Tendencies for temperament effect were detected for chest (P = 0.06) and rear area (P = 0.07). There was no effect of temperament for other variables (P = 0.19). Positive correlations were verified between the TSc and rectal (r=0.36; P &lt; 0.01), chest (r=0.35; P &lt; 0.01), and rear area (r=0.33; P &lt; 0.01) temperatures. Tendency for a positive correlation was detected between TSc and scrotum (r=0.23; P = 0.07). In conclusion, the temperament causes changes in the temperature of some body regions suggesting the IT technology may be a promising tool for assessing the temperament of water buffaloes. Supported by FAPESP (#2018/25939-1; #2014/05473-7).

scholarly journals Evaluating the Authenticity of the Raw-Milk Cheese Fontina (PDO) with Respect to Similar Cheeses

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 350
Author(s):  
Luisa Pellegrino ◽  
Johannes A. Hogenboom ◽  
Veronica Rosi ◽  
Paolo D’Incecco
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Free Amino Acids ◽  
Free Amino ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Manufacturing Processes ◽  
Food Authenticity ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Production Area ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Raw Milk Cheese

The implementation of quality assurance schemes for the assessment of PDO food authenticity is an issue involving manufacturers, traders, retailers and consumers. In this respect, reliable analytical methods are needed to integrate paper-trailing information. The feasibility of distinguishing the Italian Fontina PDO cheese from the generic Fontal cheese was preliminarily evaluated on a set of commercial samples by measuring selected parameters (pH, alkaline phosphatase activity, content of copper, volatiles, extent of proteolysis) related to the different manufacturing processes. The relative profile of free amino acids proved to be a promising tool. A new set of 41 samples of Fontina PDO cheese was collected at representative dairies within the recognized production area and analyzed for free amino acids. A chemometric model of Fontina PDO cheese was built based on the mean content and standard deviation of 15 free amino acids. On this basis, all of the PDO samples were correctly identified, whereas all of the Fontal cheeses were recognized as different cheeses.

scholarly journals The design of RIP belts impacts the reliability and quality of the measured respiratory signals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristofer Montazeri ◽  
Sigurdur Aegir Jonsson ◽  
Jon Skirnir Agustsson ◽  
Marta Serwatko ◽  
Thorarinn Gislason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Automatic Assessment ◽  
Signal Reliability ◽  
Respiratory Airflow ◽  
Flow Quality ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Home Sleep Apnea Testing ◽  
Apnea Testing

Abstract Purpose Evaluate the effect of respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) belt design on the reliability and quality of respiratory signals. A comparison of cannula flow to disposable cut-to-fit, semi-disposable folding and disposable RIP belts was performed in clinical home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) studies. Methods This was a retrospective study using clinical HSAT studies. The signal reliability of cannula, thorax, and abdomen RIP belts was determined by automatically identifying periods during which the signals did not represent respiratory airflow and breathing movements. Results were verified by manual scoring. RIP flow quality was determined by examining the correlation between the RIP flow and cannula flow when both signals were considered reliable. Results Of 767 clinical HSAT studies, mean signal reliability of the cut-to-fit, semi-disposable, and disposable thorax RIP belts was 83.0 ± 26.2%, 76.1 ± 24.4%, and 98.5 ± 9.3%, respectively. The signal reliability of the cannula was 92.5 ± 16.1%, 87.0 ± 23.3%, and 85.5 ± 24.5%, respectively. The automatic assessment of signal reliability for the RIP belts and cannula flow had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 99% compared with manual assessment. The mean correlation of cannula flow to RIP flow from the cut-to-fit, semi-disposable, and disposable RIP belts was 0.79 ± 0.24, 0.52 ± 0.20, and 0.86 ± 0.18, respectively. Conclusion The design of RIP belts affects the reliability and quality of respiratory signals. The disposable RIP belts that had integrated contacts and did not fold on top of themselves performed the best. The cut-to-fit RIP belts were most likely to be unreliable, and the semi-disposable folding belts produced the lowest-quality RIP flow signals compared to the cannula flow signal.

The effect of insulin pump therapy in retinal vasculature in type 1 diabetic patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212199057
Author(s):  
Tomás de Oliveira Loureiro ◽  
João Nobre Cardoso ◽  
Carlos Diogo Pinheiro Lima Lopes ◽  
Ana Rita Carreira ◽  
Sandra Rodrigues-Barros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Metabolic Control ◽  
Insulin Pump Therapy ◽  
Vascular Density ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Retinal Vasculature ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Type 1 Diabetic Patients

Background/objectives: Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) is a treatment for type 1 diabetes that improves metabolic control and reduces micro and macrovascular complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of CSII versus traditional multiple daily injections (MDI) therapy on retinal vasculature. Methods: We performed a prospective study with type 1 diabetic patients with no prior history of ocular pathology other than mild diabetic retinopathy. The patients were divided into two groups according to their therapeutic modality (CSII vs MDI). The retinal nerve fiber layers thickness and vascular densities were compared between groups in both macula and optic disc. The correlations between vascular density and clinical features were also determined. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: The study included 52 eyes, 28 in the insulin CSII group. The mean age was 36.66 ± 12.97 years, with no difference between groups ( p = 0.49). The mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was found to be lower in the CSII group (7.1% ± 0.7 vs 7.5% ± 0.7 p < 0.01). The parafoveal vascular density was found to be higher in the CSII group (42.5% ± 0.4 vs 37.7% ± 0.6, p < 0.01). We found an inverse correlation between HbA1c value and parafoveal vascular densities ( p < 0.01, r = −0.50). Conclusion: We found that CSII provided better metabolic control than MDI and this seemed to result in higher parafoveal vascular density. As lower vascular density is associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy, these results suggest that CSII could be the safest therapeutic option to prevent retinopathy.

scholarly journals Multi-Temporal Arable Land Monitoring in Arid Region of Northwest China Using a New Extraction Index

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5274
Author(s):  
Xinyang Yu ◽  
Younggu Her ◽  
Xicun Zhu ◽  
Changhe Lu ◽  
Xuefei Li
Keyword(s):  
Arable Land ◽  
Ground Truth ◽  
Northwest China ◽  
Hexi Corridor ◽  
Ground Truth Data ◽  
Land Protection ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Multi Temporal ◽  
The Mean

Development of a high-accuracy method to extract arable land using effective data sources is crucial to detect and monitor arable land dynamics, servicing land protection and sustainable development. In this study, a new arable land extraction index (ALEI) based on spectral analysis was proposed, examined by ground truth data, and then applied to the Hexi Corridor in northwest China. The arable land and its change patterns during 1990–2020 were extracted and identified using 40 Landsat TM/OLI images acquired in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. The results demonstrated that the proposed method can distinguish arable land areas accurately, with the User’s (Producer’s) accuracy and overall accuracy (kappa coefficient) exceeding 0.90 (0.88) and 0.89 (0.87), respectively. The mean relative error calculated using field survey data obtained in 2012 and 2020 was 0.169 and 0.191, respectively, indicating the feasibility of the ALEI method in arable land extracting. The study found that arable land area in the Hexi Corridor was 13217.58 km2 in 2020, significantly increased by 25.33% compared to that in 1990. At 10-year intervals, the arable land experienced different change patterns. The study results indicate that ALEI index is a promising tool used to effectively extract arable land in the arid area.

scholarly journals Minimal Invasive Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Hiatus Hernia—Our Experience: A Case Series with Review of Literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafique Umer Harvitkar ◽  
Abhijit Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease ◽  
Gastroesophageal Reflux ◽  
Operating Time ◽  
Type I ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Gerd Symptoms

Abstract Introduction Laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) has almost completely replaced the open procedure performed for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatus hernia (HH). Several studies have suggested that long-term results with surgery for GERD are better than a medical line of management. In this retrospective study, we outline our experience with LF over 10 years. Also, we analyze the factors that would help us in better patient selection, thereby positively affecting the outcomes of surgery. Patients and Methods In this retrospective study, we identified 27 patients (14 females and 13 males) operated upon by a single surgeon from 2010 to 2020 at our institution. Out of these, 25 patients (12 females and 13 males) had GERD with type I HH and 2 (both females) had type II HH without GERD. The age range was 24 to 75 years. All patients had undergone oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD scopy). A total of 25 patients had various degrees of esophagitis. Two patients had no esophagitis. These patients were analyzed for age, sex, symptoms, preoperative evaluation, exact procedure performed (Nissen’s vs. Toupet’s vs. cruroplasty + gastropexy), morbidity/mortality, and functional outcomes. They were also reviewed to examine the length of stay, length of procedure, complications, and recurrent symptoms on follow-up. Symptoms were assessed objectively with a score for six classical GERD symptoms preoperatively and on follow-up at 1-, 4- and 6-weeks postsurgery. Further evaluation was performed after 6 months and then annually for 2 years. Results 14 females (53%) and 13 males (48%) with a diagnosis of GERD (with type I HH) and type II HH were operated upon. The mean age was 46 years (24–75 years) and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 27 (18–32). The range of duration of the preoperative symptoms was 6 months to 2 years. The average operating time dropped from 130 minutes for the first 12 cases to 90 minutes for the last 15 cases. The mean hospital stay was 3 days (range: 2–4 days). In the immediate postoperative period, 72% (n = 18) of the patients reported improvement in the GERD symptoms, while 2 (8%) patients described heartburn (grade I, mild, daily) and 1 (4%) patient described bloating (grade I, daily). A total of 5 patients (20%) reported mild dysphagia to solids in the first 2 postoperative weeks. These symptoms settled down after 2 to 5 weeks of postoperative proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy and by adjusting consistency of oral feeds. There was no conversion to open, and we observed no perioperative mortality. There were no patients who underwent redo surgeries in the series. Conclusion LF is a safe and highly effective procedure for a patient with symptoms of GERD, and it gives long-term relief from the symptoms. Stringent selection criteria are necessary to optimize the results of surgery. Experience is associated with a significant reduction of operating time.

scholarly journals High Dose of Lamivudine and Resistance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamid Ullah Wani ◽  
Saad Al Kaabi ◽  
Manik Sharma ◽  
Rajvir Singh ◽  
Anil John ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis B ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Lamivudine Therapy ◽  
Daily Dose ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Emergence Of Resistance

Background. Lamivudine is the most affordable drug used for chronic hepatitis B and has a high safety profile. With the daily dose of 100 mg there is progressive appearance of resistance to lamivudine therapy. In our study we used 150 mg of lamivudine daily as a standard dose which warrants further exploration for the efficacy of the drug. Aims of the Study. To assess the efficacy of lamivudine 150 mg daily on resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods. This retrospective study consists of 53 patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with 150 mg of lamivudine daily. The biochemical and virological response to the treatment were recorded at a 1-year and 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year period and time of emergence of resistance to the treatment was noted. Results. The mean age of the patients was 54 years with 80% being males. The resistance to lamivudine 150 mg daily at 1 year and 2, 3, and 5 years was 12.5%, 22.5%, 37.5%, and 60%, respectively, which is much less compared to the standard dose of 100 mg of lamivudine. Conclusions. Lamivudine is safe and a higher dose of 150 mg daily delays the resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document