OCT-meniscometry as a method for quantifying the balance of the lacrimal system

Author(s):  
I. Aldarraji ◽  
◽  
S. Shkolnik ◽  
G. Shkolnik ◽  
А. Vasilyeva ◽  
...  

All diseases of the lacrimal apparatus of the eye disrupt the balance of the lacrimal system either due to changes in the production of tears, or due to the insufficiency of its removal, so the study of the quantity and quality of tears on the eye surface allows us to reliably assess the effectiveness of methods of treating the pathology of the lacrimal organs. OCT-meniscometry is the only non-contact, non-invasive, accurate method of examining the lacrimal apparatus, which is reflected in the publications of many authors. The aim of our study was to improve the accuracy and automate the process of calculating the area of the lacrimal meniscus, as well as to evaluate the correlation between the indicators of OCT-meniscometry and functional tests. Materials and methods. The study included 50 patients with dacryostenosis (group 1), who were examined before and 1 month after surgical treatment (recanalization of SOP), as well as 30 patients without pathology of the lacrimal organs, who did not complain of lacrimation and dry eyes (group 2). All patients underwent a Schirmer and Norn test according to the generally accepted method, and OCT-meniscometry was performed using an optical coherence tomograph. The resulting OCT-meniscogram was transferred to a special mathematical program. Green's formula was used to calculate the area. Results. Meniscometry data had a strong correlation with functional tests (p<0.05) and high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion. The method of OCT-meniscometry has a higher sensitivity and specificity compared to routine tests, is less invasive, highly informative, which, of course, increases the reliability of the analysis of treatment results. Key words: meniscometry, TMA, lacrimal meniscus area, lacrimal system balance, dacryology.

To identify the prevalence of early pathology of cardiovascular diseases, a survey of 400 200 girls) in the age group 15 and 17 years old was conducted as a part of routine medical of the level of blood pressure (BP) was carried out, with the calculation of the average level pressure on the basis of three separate measurements estimated by percentile tables for a registration of a standard resting ECG in 12 leads. According to the results of the survey, into 3 groups: with an increase in blood pressure above 95 ‰ (group 1 – 16 people), which recorded in males (p<0,05); Group 2 (67 people) – adolescents with a normal blood pressure level and group 3 of adolescents with a decrease in blood pressure below 5 ‰ changes in the form of rhythm and conduction disturbances were noted in almost every a predominance of sinus tachycardia in the first group. In the third group of adolescents, form of ectopic rhythm and pacemaker migration were significantly more frequently only 78 % of adolescents were referred for consultation and in-depth examination by a pediatric cardiologist.


2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-16
Author(s):  
Oksana K. Melekhovets ◽  
Tetyana O. Kharchenko ◽  
Victor F. Orlovskiy ◽  
Iuirii V. Melekhovets ◽  
Alevtina S. Radko ◽  
...  

Introduction: Trophic ulcers of the lower extremities are an unresolved problem of modern medicine. The treatment of this pathology requires new methods that optimize care regimens and improve patients’ quality of life. Aim: The study to improve efficacy of treatment of the patients with trophic ulcers of the lower limbs with consideration to pathogenesis. M aterials and Methods: The study included 32 patients with chronic venous disease C6 (1st group) and 31 with diabetes mellitus type 2, moderate severity, compensation stage with diabetic foot syndrome II stage according to Wagner’s classification (2nd group). In addition to basic therapy in both groups photodynamic therapy was added at the first stage of the study, and at the second stage plasma rich in growth factors was prescribed. Results: At baseline evaluating of the chronic venous disease demonstrates that a total score in patient of the 1st group was 20,9 points on a modified VCSS scale; after two weeks – 15,71 points (improvement by 24.83%), and 6 weeks after–9,72 points (improvement by 53.49%). In patients with DM (2nd group) at the baseline a total score average was 13,91 points according to S(AD)SAD-1 scale; after 2 weeks – 12,29 (improvement by 11,65%), after 6 weeks – 6,39 points (improvement by 54,06%). Conclusions: The inclusion of photodynamic therapy and plasmatherapy in complex therapy in both groups led to a significant improvement of the healing process and helps to reduce the depth and area of the wound surface. However, the wound healing in patients in group 2 was slower.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-111
Author(s):  
Nadia Shafei ◽  
Mohammad Saeed Hakhamaneshi ◽  
Massoud Houshmand ◽  
Siavash Gerayeshnejad ◽  
Fardin Fathi ◽  
...  

Background: Beta thalassemia is a common disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. The most prenatal diagnostic methods are the invasive techniques that have the risk of miscarriage. Now the non-invasive methods will be gradually alternative for these invasive techniques. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of two non-invasive diagnostic methods for fetal thalassemia using cell free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) and nucleated RBC (NRBC) in one sampling community. Methods: 10 ml of blood was taken in two k3EDTA tube from 32 pregnant women (mean of gestational age = 11 weeks), who themselves and their husbands had minor thalassemia. One tube was used to enrich NRBC and other was used for cff-DNA extraction. NRBCs were isolated by MACS method and immunohistochemistry; the genome of stained cells was amplified by multiple displacement amplification (MDA) procedure. These products were used as template in b-globin segments PCR. cff-DNA was extracted by THP method and 300 bp areas were recovered from the agarose gel as fetus DNA. These DNA were used as template in touch down PCR to amplify b-globin gen. The amplified b-globin segments were sequenced and the results compared with CVS resul. Results: The data showed that sensitivity and specificity of thalassemia diagnosis by NRBC were 100% and 92% respectively and sensitivity and specificity of thalassemia diagnosis by cff-DNA were 100% and 84% respectively. Conclusion: These methods with high sensitivity can be used as screening test but due to their lower specificity than CVS, they cannot be used as diagnostic test.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Proff ◽  
B Merkely ◽  
R Papp ◽  
C Lenz ◽  
P.J Nordbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronotropic incompetence (CI) in heart failure (HF) population is high and negatively impacts prognosis. In HF patients with an implanted cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device and severe CI, the effect of rate adaptive pacing on patient outcomes is unclear. Closed loop stimulation (CLS) based on cardiac impedance measurement may be an optimal method of heart rate adaptation according to metabolic need in HF patients with severe CI. Purpose This is the first study evaluating the effect of CLS on the established prognostic parameters assessed by the cardio-pulmonary exercise (CPX) testing and on quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Methods A randomised, controlled, double-blind and crossover pilot study has been performed in CRT patients with severe CI defined as the inability to achieve 70% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR). After baseline assessment, patients were randomised to either DDD-CLS pacing (group 1) or DDD pacing at 40 bpm (group 2) for a 1-month period, followed by crossover for another month. At baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups, a CPX was performed and QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The main endpoints were the effect of CLS on ventilatory efficiency (VE) slope (evaluated by an independent CPX expert), the responder rate defined as an improvement (decrease) of the VE slope by at least 5%, percentage of maximal predicted heart rate reserve (HRR) achieved, and QoL. Results Of the 36 patients enrolled in the study, 20 fulfilled the criterion for severe CI and entered the study follow-up (mean age 68.9±7.4 years, 70% men, LVEF=41.8±9.3%, 40%/60% NYHA class II/III). Full baseline and follow-up datasets were obtained in 17 patients. The mean VE slope and HRR at baseline were 34.4±4.4 and 49.6±23.8%, respectively, in group 1 (n=7) and 34.5±12.2 and 54.2±16.1% in group 2 (n=10). After completing the 2-month CPX, the mean difference between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 modes was −2.4±8.3 (group 1) and −1.2±3.5 (group 2) for VE slope, and 17.1±15.5% (group 1) and 8.7±18.8% (group 2) for HRR. Altogether, VE slope improved by −1.8±2.95 (p=0.31) in DDD-CLS versus DDD-40, and HRR improved by 12.9±8.8% (p=0.01). The VE slope decreased by ≥5% in 47% of patients (“responders to CLS”). The mean difference in the QoL between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 was 0.16±0.25 in group 1 and −0.01±0.05 in group 2, resulting in an overall increase by 0.08±0.08 in the DDD-CLS mode (p=0.13). Conclusion First results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of CLS in CRT patients with severe CI revealed that CLS generated an overall positive effect on well-established surrogate parameters for prognosis. About one half of the patients showed CLS response in terms of improved VE slope. In addition, CLS improved quality of life. Further clinical research is needed to identify predictors that can increase the responder rate and to confirm improvement in clinical outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Biotronik SE & Co. KG


Author(s):  
Beatrice Heim ◽  
Florian Krismer ◽  
Klaus Seppi

AbstractDifferential diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes is considered one of the most challenging in neurology. Quantitative MR planimetric measurements were reported to discriminate between progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and non-PSP-parkinsonism. Several studies have used midbrain to pons ratio (M/P) and the Magnetic Resonance Parkinsonism Index (MRPI) in distinguishing PSP patients from those with Parkinson's disease. The current meta-analysis aimed to compare the performance of these measures in discriminating PSP from multiple system atrophy (MSA). A systematic MEDLINE review identified 59 out of 2984 studies allowing a calculation of sensitivity and specificity using the MRPI or M/P. Meta-analyses of results were carried out using random effects modelling. To assess study quality and risk of bias, the QUADAS-2 tool was used. Eight studies were suitable for analysis. The meta‐analysis showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity for the MRPI of PSP versus MSA of 79.2% (95% CI 72.7–84.4%) and 91.2% (95% CI 79.5–96.5%), and 84.1% (95% CI 77.2–89.2%) and 89.2% (95% CI 81.8–93.8%), respectively, for the M/P. The QUADAS-2 toolbox revealed a high risk of bias regarding the methodological quality of patient selection and index test, as all patients were seen in a specialized outpatient department without avoiding case control design and no predefined threshold was given regarding MRPI or M/P cut-offs. Planimetric brainstem measurements, in special the MRPI and M/P, yield high diagnostic accuracy for the discrimination of PSP from MSA. However, there is an urgent need for well-designed, prospective validation studies to ameliorate the concerns regarding the risk of bias.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Demenko ◽  
G.A Chumakova

Abstract Background Mental disorders in patients with cardiovascular disease have a significant impact on the course, the prognosis of the underlying disease and quality of life (QOL). Objective We aimed to examine the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders and their impact on the quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Materials and methods In 52 with permanent AF and 50 with paroxysmal AF patients, we administered the depression scale Tsung, the scale of situational anxiety (SA) and personal anxiety (PA) Spielberger-Hanin; QOL was assessed the SF-36 quality of life assessment scale. Correlation analysis using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results The prevalence symptoms mild depression situational or neurotic genesis was 21.1% (12 patients) in Group 1 and 12.0% (6 patients) in Group 2 (p&gt;0.05). Subdepressive state was two percents of patients in Group 1 and Group 2. The incidence SA was 59.6% (31 patients) in Group 1 and 52.0% (26 patients) in Group 2. The incidence PA was 74.0% (37 patients) in Group 2 and 67.3% (35 patients) in Group 1. The average score the physical component of health (PCH) was 29,8±4,3 in Group 1, the mental component of health (MCH) – 49.5±7.4 points; p&lt;0.05. In Group 2: PCH – 44.8±6.6 points, MCH – 26.6±7.5 points; p&lt;0.05. Correlation analysis showed negative strong correlations between SA and MCH (r=−0.64, p=0.0005) and between PA and MCH (r=−0.69, p&lt;0.0001), between SA and PCH (r=−0.71, p=0.0001), between depression and PCH (r=−0.69, p=0.023). Negative statistically significant correlation between depression and MCH (r=−0.69, p=0.54) and negative medium correlation between depression and PCH (r=−0.64, p=0.23). Conclusion These findings suggest that we did not identify patients with symptoms of a true depressive (that can cause pseudodementia and influenced to complete tests). 16.5% patients with AF had mild depression of situational or neurotic genesis. Depression may be a pathogenetic factor of AF or develop because of paroxysms AF – psychological stress. More than 50% patients in Group 1 and Group 2 had an increased anxiety score. SA is more common in patients with permanent AF, probably because older people difficult to adapt to a new situation. PA is more common in patient with paroxysmal AF, probably because disease is sudden and causes anxiety. The PCH of QOL is more impairment in patients with permanent AF, because complications (for example heart failure) impairment physical activity. However, PCH also reduced in patient with paroxysmal AF, because disease is sudden may occur during physical activity. The MCH of QOL is more impairment in patients with paroxysmal AF, because waiting attack effect on mental health and social functioning. An increased level of anxiety and depression negatively affected the mental and physical health of patients with AF. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Cosmetics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Tassahil Messas ◽  
Achraf Messas ◽  
George Kroumpouzos

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) causes significant symptomatic aggravation that affects the quality of life (QoL). Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), the hallmark of GSM, is managed with topical non-hormonal therapy, including moisturizers and lubricants, and topical estrogen application. Patients not responding/being unsatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies are candidates for a noninvasive modality. Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy, especially the fractionated type (FrCO2), has drawn considerable attention over the past two decades as a non-invasive treatment for GSM. This systematic review describes the accumulated evidence from 40 FrCO2 laser studies (3466 participants) in GSM/VVA. MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched through April 2021. We analyze the effects of FrCO2 laser therapy on symptoms, sexual function, and QoL of patients with GSM/VVA. As shown in this review, FrCO2 laser therapy for GSM shows good efficacy and safety. This modality has the potential to advance female sexual wellness. Patient satisfaction was high in the studies included in this systematic review. However, there is a lack of level I evidence, and more randomized sham-controlled trials are required. Furthermore, several clinical questions, such as the number of sessions required that determine cost-effectiveness, should be addressed. Also, whether FrCO2 laser therapy may exert a synergistic effect with systemic and/or local hormonal/non-hormonal treatments, energy-based devices, and other modalities to treat GMS requires further investigation. Lastly, studies are required to compare FrCO2 laser therapy with other energy-based devices such as erbium:YAG laser and radiofrequency.


Pituitary ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Fahad Arshad ◽  
Oluwafunto Ogunleye ◽  
Richard Ross ◽  
Miguel Debono

Abstract Purpose There is no consensus on quality of life (QOL) in patients with acromegaly requiring medical treatment after surgery compared with those achieving remission by surgery alone. Methods QuaLAT is a cross-sectional study comparing QOL in surgery-only treated acromegaly patients versus those requiring medical treatment post-surgery. Patients attending clinics were identified and divided into—Group 1: patients who had surgery only and were in biochemical remission, Group 2: all patients on medical treatment post-surgery, Group 3: patients from Group 2 with biochemical control. Participants were asked to fill three questionnaires; Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (ACROQOL), 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF36), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results There were 32 patients in Group 1 and 25 in Group 2. There was no difference in QOL scores between groups 1 and 2, as measured by ACROQOL (mean difference [MD] = − 2.5, 95% CI − 16.6 to 11.6; p = 0.72), SF36v2 [Physical component score (PCS) MD = − 4.9, 95% CI − 10.9 to 1.2; p = 0.12; mental component score MD = − 3.0, 95% CI − 10.5 to 4.4; p = 0.44], or FSS (MD = − 0.004, 95% CI − 1.14 to 1.33; p = 0.1). Comparison between groups 1 and 3 however showed that PCS (and 3 subdomains) was significantly better in group 3 (MD = − 8.3, 95% CI − 14.8 to -1.8; p = 0.01). All three QOL scores were lower when compared with healthy controls. Conclusions Medical treatment not only achieves a QOL comparable to surgery, it may also be associated with better QOL in physical subdomains. When compared with healthy controls, QOL remains worse in treated acromegaly patients compared to controls.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Li ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Shizhao Ma ◽  
Chaoqun Zhang ◽  
Hua Liu ◽  
...  

AbstractTo understand the characteristic of changes of serum metabolites between healthy people and patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection at different stages of disease, and to provide reference metabolomics information for clinical diagnosis of liver disease patients. 255 patients with different stages of HBV infection were selected. 3 mL blood was collected from each patient in the morning to detect differences in serum lysophosphatidylcholine, acetyl-l-carnitine, oleic acid amide, and glycocholic acid concentrations by UFLC-IT-TOF/MS. The diagnostic values of four metabolic substances were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The results showed that the optimal cut-off value of oleic acid amide concentration of the liver cirrhosis and HCC groups was 23.6 mg/L, with a diagnostic sensitivity of 88.9% and specificity of 70.6%. The diagnostic efficacies of the three substances were similar in the hepatitis and HCC groups, with an optimal cut-off value of 2.04 mg/L, and a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 47.2%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of lecithin of the HBV-carrier and HCC groups was 132.85 mg/L, with a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 88.9% and 66.7%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value of oleic acid amide of the healthy and HCC groups was 129.03 mg/L, with a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 88.4% and 83.3%, respectively. Lysophosphatidylcholine, acetyl-l-carnitine, and oleic acid amide were potential metabolic markers of HCC. Among them, lysophosphatidylcholine was low in the blood of HCC patients, and its diagnostic efficacy was better than that of acetyl-l-carnitine and oleic acid amide, providing reference metabolomics information in clinical diagnosis and future research.


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