Articles

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate which ocular parameters have an impact on visual results obtained after an extended depth of focus (EDF) wavefront-designed intraocular lens (IOL). Setting: The study was conducted in three Italian centers (private practice in Lucca and two ambulatory surgical centers in Pisa and in Rome) from 01/09/2014 to 30/09/2015.Design: The study population included 178 eyes of 91 patients who had cataract surgery and implantation of an EDF wavefront - designed IOL (Mini Well Ready - SIFI Med Tech S.r.l.).Methods: Preoperative and postoperative refractive corneal spherical aberration (SA), ocular axial length, or anterior chamber depth were measured.Results: The majority of patients were spectacle-independent for near, intermediate, and distance vision and no one reported disturbing halos or glare. No overall significant differences were observed when stratifying anterior chamber depth (ACD) and ocular axial length (AL) by uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA); p = 0.465 and 1.000 respectively, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA); p = uncorrected near visual acuity (UCNVA); p = 1.000 and 0.728 respectively; p = 1.000 under both parameters and halos; 1.000 under both parameters. Still, there was a statistically significant difference when stratifying SA with 5 mm only by UDVA (p = 0.040).Conclusion: These results are consistent with similar outcomes in the scientific literature as measured with tests of visual acuity, either with or without optical correction. We also demonstrated that these IOLs can be used in myopic and hyperopic eyes, although it may be useful to evaluate the preoperative corneal SA to achieve better results.

Background/Introduction: WHO recommended ‘ready to use therapeutic food’ (RUTF) for community-based management (CMAM) of severely malnourished children (SMC). This is often rejected by children. The objective is to identify and map the locally produced and socio-culturally acceptable food items to treat SMC. Methods: Through community participation, eight varieties of MAHAN Local therapeutic foods (LTFs) were prepared by tribal females at our center as per WHO norms with a shelf life of 4 weeks. LTFs with micronutrients were given at the feeding centers in the villages under supervision 3 - 4 times a day. Results: Multiple, palatable, culturally acceptable, safe, feasible with local womanpower, and cost-effective recipes were developed. Hence, our LTFs are qualitatively superior to other therapeutic foods. This mapping exercise provides a ready reference to other government or non-government organizations for CMAM. Conclusion: MAHAN-LTF is a multiple, palatable, generalizable, and sustainable therapeutic food and are being used in other tribal blocks of India.

Nanotechnology is starting the characterization, fabrication, and possible applications of numerous materials at the Nano-scale. Over the last few eras, nanomaterials provide a platform for researchers from diverse arenas due to the high surface-to-volume ratio and other novels, and new significant belongings. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are receiving diverse biomedical applications because of their distinctive antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antifungal, antileishmanial, anti-larvicidal, wound healing, anticholinergic, and anti-diabetic properties. Different physical and chemical approaches have been used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles, but these methods cause ecotoxicity and are time-consuming and costly. Therefore, there is a need for more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and safe methods. Such biogenic Zinc oxide nanoparticles offer more advantages over other physiochemically synthesized methods. In this review, we have summarized the recent literature for the understanding of the green synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles, their characterization, and their various biomedical applications. 

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci that are associated with complex traits. However, the majority of GWAS discoveries are located in non-coding regions and the biological mechanisms behind these associations are not well understood. Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) have gained popularity in recent years by generating biological interpretable discoveries and facilitating the identification of novel associations that have been missed by GWAS. TWAS has identified more than hundreds of susceptibility genes for many complex diseases and traits, including cancers. Here, in this review, we first summarize TWAS methods, then discuss the opportunities for cancer studies and finally review current challenges and future directions for this method.

The epidemics of heart failure and an aging population resulted in an exponential rise in the use of cardiac implantable devices (CIEDs) in developed countries. This is paralleled by the increased rate of complications such as system infection or malfunction. The higher number of complications, and longer patient life expectancies, are followed by an increase in the need for lead extractions. 

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the most feared complications after brain tumor surgery. Despite several factors being considered to influence bleeding, an increasing number of clinical studies emphasize that hemostatic disorders, developed during surgical aggression and tumor status, could explain unexpected ICH. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of perioperative D-dimer levels on ICH after brain tumor surgery. Methods: This prospective, observational, 18-month study, at a single third-level hospital, included all consecutive adults operated on brain tumors and postoperative stay in an intensive care unit. Three blood samples evaluated D-dimer levels (A-baseline, B-postoperative and C-24 hours after surgery). The normal range considered was 0-500ng/ml. ICH, as a primary outcome, was defined as bleeding that generates radiological signs of intracranial hypertension either by volume or by mass effect on the routine CT scan 24 hours after surgery. Other tumor features and hemostasis variables were analyzed. Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact test were used in the inferential analysis for qualitative variables and Wilcoxon and T-Test for quantitative ones. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant for a confidence interval of 95%. Results: A total of 109 patients operated on brain tumor surgery were finally included, 69 male (63,30%) and 40 female (36,70%), with a mean age of 54,60 ± 14,75 years. ICH was confirmed in 39 patients (35,78%). Their average of DDimer was A-1.526,70 ng/dl, B-1.061,88 ng/dl, and C-1.330,91 ng/dl (A p0.039, B p0,223 C p0.042, W-Wilcoxon test). The male group was also associated with ICH (p0,030 X2 test). Of those 39 patients with ICH, 30 in sample A (76,9%), 20 in sample B (51,28%) and 35 in sample C (89,74%) had a D-dimer > 500 ng/dl (p0,092, p1, p0,761 X2 test) and the relative risk of developing a postoperative hematoma in this patients was increased 0,36-fold presurgery, 0,25-fold postsurgery and 0,40-fold 24hours after surgery. D-dimer variation, had no statistical significance (p0,118, p0,195, p0,756 T-test). Platelets and prothrombin activity were associated with D-dimer levels only in sample A (p 0,02 and p 0,20, W Wilson). Conclusion: High levels of perioperative D-dimer could be considered a risk marker of ICH after brain tumor surgery. However, more studies would be worthwhile to confirm this association and develop primary prevention strategies for stroke. 

The question of the interaction of light with small particles, with molecules, atoms in gases, in liquids has been considered by many authors in the scientific literature. As a rule, this is elastic, Raman, or Rayleigh scattering. The frequency of the scattered light in the first case is the same as that of the incident, and in cases 2 and 3, the spectrum of scattered radiation is enriched with the corresponding components. The subject of this work is the interaction between each other in the medium of two coherent light beams. 

The radial artery shows great anatomical variability with respect to its origin [1]. Generally, its origin is located in the cubital fossa at the level of the neck of the radius [2]. However, the artery may have a high origin from the brachial artery or even the axillary artery [1].

Given improvements in neonatal care and the increased survival rates of infants born pre-term, Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) is now the leading cause of visual impairment (VI) in the developed world. In this study, Step VEPS, transient VEPS and Vernier Sweep VEPs all demonstrated unbiased relationships with Preferential looking (PL) cards over the whole range of Visual Acuity (VA) in children with CVI, allowing equations for clinical use to be derived. The results also suggested that a slower, vernier steady-state stimulus of 80% contrast and presented with the Step VEP algorithm could further improve VA agreement with PL and optimise developmental sensitivity. An eye tracking device has proved very useful in the clinical assessment of this cohort. It is also now known that children can have good VA and CVI, and that sweep VEPS can highlight higher processing deficits. As well as negative findings, compensatory neuroplasticity is thought to occur during maturation and it is now realistic to study this mechanism, and other age-related changes across VI with functional tests and neuroimaging (including VEPS). A cross-sectional study of adults would highlight CVI’s ultimate functional limitations.

Due to the global pandemic spread of COVID-19, the medical field has experienced many changes [1]. One of the main changes is the attention to Telemedicine (Digital Medicine), which is a part of Digital Health. The combination of ‘Digital’ and ‘Dentistry’ can be awkward because dental treatment is often conducted face-to-face with clinical treatment, but it is planned to proceed with the inevitable flow of the times [2,3]. In addition, Digital therapeutics (DTx), a part of digital dentistry, is a narrower concept and has an evidence-based effect on diseases. This article contains opinions on the concept and current status of Teledentistry and the application of DTx [4].