Search

Introduction: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a serious condition resulting from optic nerve injury, often due to head trauma. This study systematically reviews the existing literature to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments in improving visual outcomes in TON patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from January 1992 to October 2024. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria that focused on TON patients treated with corticosteroids, conservative therapy, erythropoietin therapy, or surgical interventions. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Risk of Bias Tool for each design. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers, with a meta-analysis conducted to evaluate the pooled visual acuity (VA) improvement rates. Results: A total of 23 studies were included, encompassing 1,851 patients with TON. The meta-analysis revealed a pooled VA improvement rate of 50.6% across all treatment modalities. Specifically, corticosteroid-only treatment resulted in a 56.2% improvement rate, while combined corticosteroid and surgical decompression showed a 42.9% improvement rate. Conservative therapy had a 47.8% improvement rate. The heterogeneity among studies was significant (I2= 89.9%), and no significant publication bias was detected. Subgroup analyses indicated varied outcomes, with some studies reporting better results with early intervention. Conclusion: The treatment of TON remains challenging, with no single modality showing clear superiority. The corticosteroids and surgical interventions provide potential benefits; however, conservative therapy might be appropriate for certain cases. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment protocols and exploring new therapeutic options, such as erythropoietin to improve visual outcomes in TON patients.

Abstract This study aimed to assess the impact of light perception presence or absence on visual function recovery in patients with traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 206 TON patients. Based on the presence or absence of light perception after injury, patients were categorized into a light perception group and a non-light perception group. A comparison was made between the two groups regarding visual acuity recovery before and after treatment. The non-light perception group comprised 63 patients, with a treatment effectiveness rate of 39.68%. The light perception group consisted of 143 patients, with a treatment effectiveness rate of 74.83%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 23.464, P

Introduction: The pitch pattern test (PPT) is a test of temporal ordering in which a subject needs to correctly repeat a sequence of three auditory stimuli comprised of high and low frequencies. Traditionally, tones are used, but here the aim was to develop a PPT using vowels. The tests were done in young adults and a comparison was made between the two methods. Material and methods: The study involved 40 young adults with normal hearing sensitivity and was done in two phases. Phase I involved the development of a PPT using the vowel /a/, and in Phase II the test was administered. A comparison was made with the PPT based on tones. In both tests, stimuli were delivered monaurally. Results: All participants were able to do the PPT using either vowels or tones. No ear or gender effects were observed. However, the mean scores for PPT using tones were notably better than those obtained using vowels. Conclusions: The present study has developed a PPT using the vowel /a/ and has compared scores with the tonal pitch pattern test. The absence of a ceiling effect in the PPT using a vowel gives it an advantage in terms of potential clinical utility. The strong positive correlation between the PPT using a vowel and the PPT using a tone shows a significant relationship between the two tests in the specific domain of temporal ordering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Tacrolimus is a commonly used immunosuppressant medication after lung transplantation. In rare cases, tacrolimus causes a medication-induced optic neuropathy (TON) that can lead to significant vision loss. OBSERVATIONS: In this series, we describe three cases of TON, 1-10 years after medication use. Two patients were young (22yr and 33yr) females with cystic fibrosis. The last case was a 65yr male with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In 2/3 cases tacrolimus serum levels were normal. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/300, and vision loss occurred acutely to sub-acutely, over a span of 2-3 months. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: As presented here, TON can be highly variable. MRI findings are often non-specific, from normal brain findings to extensive white matter changes. There remains an unclear association with graft-versus-host disease and reduced kidney function. Visual findings are often subtle, including color vision aberration and peripheral visual field deficits, both of which usually require an ophthalmologic evaluation. When diagnosed in a timely fashion, TON is at least partially reversible in up to half of all cases. While rare, the cases described here support post-lung transplant ophthalmologic evaluation in those taking high-risk medications.

Copyright of Akofena is the property of Universite Felix Houphouet Boigny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Akofena is the property of Universite Felix Houphouet Boigny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

[Display omitted] • Simple, economical and environmentally friendly synthesis of metal nanoparticles. • Excellent reproducibility, nanoparticles with very good colloidal stability in aqueous medium. • High catalytic capacity, TON and TOF values of 105 and 500 s−1 respectively. • Reuse without reactivation process or separation of the reaction medium. • Synergistic effect between AgNps and gentamicin against E. coli and S. aureus. Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have gained interest due to their practical applications in various areas. The synthesis of NPs from biomass proposes a simple, economical and environmentally friendly alternative. In this work, gold NPs (AuNPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) were synthesized from aqueous extracts of dried Ligustrum lucidum fruits. The biomolecules of the extract, in addition to acting as a reducing agent, are absorbed on the surface of the NPs giving excellent colloidal stability, increasing their catalytic capacity reflected in their recyclability. The TON and TOF values obtained for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol in the presence of NaBH 4 , are 1.4 105 and 500 s−1 respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were established for AgNPs using pathogens from certified collections (E. coli MIC = 25 µg/mL; S. aureus MIC = 100 µg/mL). Fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs) in the presence of gentamicin showed synergistic effects (FICI = 0.5). The results demonstrate that the aqueous extract of L. lucidum allows the synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs, which have attractive catalytic and antimicrobial activities, in a simple and environmentally friendly way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, generalized therapy for traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is lacking. Various strategies have been developed to protect and regenerate retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after TON. Intravitreal injection of supplements has been approved as a promising approach, although serious concerns, such as low delivery efficacy and pain due to frequent injections, remain. In this study, we tested an injectable thermosensitive hydrogel drug delivery system engineered to deliver ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA). The results of rheological studies showed that the prepared drug-loaded hydrogel possessed a suitable mechanical modulus of ∼300 Pa, consistent with that of vitreum. The hydrogel exhibited thermosensitive with sustained drug release performance. In vitro co-culture of the CNTF-loaded hydrogel system with primary RGCs also induced significant axon regeneration, with 38.5% increase in neurite length, indicating the regenerative response of the thermosensitive hydrogel drug delivery system. A Sprague-Dawley rat optic nerve crush model was constructed and applied to determine the neuroprotective and regenerative capacities of the system. The results demonstrated that a single intravitreal injection of the drug-loaded hydrogel (PLGA-PEG-PLGA + TA or PLGA-PEG-PLGA + CNTF) significantly increased RGC survival at both 14 and 28 days. The RGC survival rate was 31.05 ± 1.41% for the drug-loaded hydrogel system (the control group was 16.79 ± 1.50%) at Day 28. These findings suggest that the injectable drug-loaded thermosensitive hydrogel delivery system is a promising therapeutic tool for treating optic nerve degeneration., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press.)

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a significant cause of vision loss and irreversible blindness worldwide. It is defined as retinal ganglion cell death and axon degeneration caused by injury. Optic nerve crush (ONC), a well-validated model of TON, activates retinal microglia and initiates neuroinflammation. High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a non-histone chromosomal binding protein in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, is an important inducer of microglial activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine release. The purpose of this study was to examine the protective effects and mechanism of the HMGB1 inhibitor BoxA to neuroinflammation-induced retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) damage in traumatic optic neuropathy. For that purpose, an optic nerve crush model was established in C57BL/6J mice at 10–12 weeks. Model mice received an intravitreal injection of PBS and the HMGB1 inhibitor BoxA. Our data demonstrated that HMGB1 expression increased after optic nerve crush. Retinal ganglion cell function and morphology were damaged, and retinal ganglion cell numbers were reduced after optic nerve crush. Intravitreal injection of BoxA after ONC can alleviate damage. Furthermore, BoxA reduced microglial activation and expression levels of nuclear factor κB (NF-kB), nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC) in experimental ONC mice. In summary, HMGB1 mediates NLRP3 inflammasome via NF-kB to participate in retinal inflammatory injury after ONC. Thus, intravitreal injection of BoxA has potential therapeutic benefits for the effective treatment of RGC death to prevent TON. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corporate disclosure became more descriptive rather than quantitative over time. Thus, textual analysis gained popularity in finance and business, however, it requires massive computing power. The paper presents the panel set of the raw frequencies of positive and negative words across 90,463 Forms 10-K filed at Security Exchange Commission (SEC) in EDGAR (the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) over the period 1995–2008. The dataset consists of 456 variables. The texts of the forms were retrieved from the SEC servers and processed using text mining techniques. The data relevant for archive analysis on the sentiment of the financial statements and financial reporting on SEC registrants. Potential reuse for creation of the tone or sentiments indexes. Long-time data series allows for dynamic analysis. The data set allows reducing the computer power requirements for further research.

Децентралізовані системи займають особливу роль у сучасному житті, а проблеми їх регулювання починають обговорюватися та вирішуватися на державному рівні. Аналіз проекту, який за своїми масштабами та охопленням здатний вплинути на світову економіку та технології в цілому є актуальним та необхідним з точки зору спостереження за технологічними інноваціями. Майбутній повномасштабний запуск комплексної системи з великим потенційним числом користувачів потребує виконання її ретельного дослідження, задля забезпечення усвідомленого використання можливостей системи, а також захисту від потенційних загроз. В статті наведено офіційні матеріали, які проливають світло на внутрішні компоненти, виконуючі роль основних складових системи, а також описано проблеми, які стосуються майбутнього регулювання системи, а також користувацького досвіду, пов’язаного з використанням вбудованих процесів та сервісів, присутніх у системі на етапі запуску. Проведення дослідження та опису основних складових проекту, виявлення їх основних переваг та недоліків, висвітлення основних структурних елементів та понять, реалізованих при розробці складових, можливих нюансів, які матимуть вплив на майбутній досвід користування внутрішніми сервісами проекту. Винесення висновків щодо інноваційності та децентралізованості проекту, його майбутнього потенціалу та впливу на інформаційне середовище в цілому. В статті розглянуто наступні базові компоненти: TON P2P Network, TON DNS, TON Storage, TON Services, TON Payments, TON Blockchain, Gram token, а також складові, використані при їх реалізації. Також описані основні потенційні можливості при майбутньому використанні даних технологій, з’ясовані під час дослідження та аналізу документації складових проекту. Детально описано проблеми технології Blockchain та їх вирішення у реалізованому TON Blockchain. У підсумку приведено висновки щодо проекту в цілому, його складових, можливих проблем у процесі роботи, а також минулі конфузи, що могли підірвати довіру потенційних користувачів. Також наведені висновки щодо можливого майбутнього криптовалюти Gram, її ціни та розповсюдження в мережі, цінності для звичаних користувачів та «валідаторів» мережі

Purpose: To assess the value of the flash visual evoked potential (FVEP) in determining final visual prognosis in patients with indirect traumatic optic neuropathy (TON). Subjects and Methods: We included 30 patients diagnosed with indirect TON. Within one week of the onset of the trauma, visual acuity was recorded, pupillary reactions were assessed, FVEP was performed in both eyes. The amplitudes (N1p1 and N2P2) and the latency of P2 for each eye were recorded and amplitude ratio of N2P2 between the affected and normal eye was calculated. In follow-up visits, the cases underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, assessment of visual acuity, pupillary reaction, and FVEP. Results: The study included 22 males (73.3%) and 8 females (26.7%). The right eye was involved in 16 patients (53.3%) and left eye was involved in 14 cases (46.7%). According to the findings of FVEP, there was a direct correlation between final visual acuity and initial amplitude of N1p1 and N2P2 and negative correlation with latency of P2 wave. In 20 patients in whom the N1P1 and N2P2 amplitude was within the normal range and amplitude ratio of N2P2 of normal and fellow eye was at least 0.5 and the P2 implicit time was less than 140 ms, they achieved better visual outcome and visual acuity improved in the affected eye. In other 10 patients in whom the N1P1 and N2P2 amplitude was below normal range and the N2P2 amplitude ratio between the normal and the affected eye was less than 0.5 and the P2 implicit time was more than 140 ms, the visual acuity in the affected eye was less than 0.01 and these patients achieved less or no improvement in their visual function. Conclusion: Cases with TON usually present with severe loss of vision. FVEP is highly predictive of final visual outcome in patients having indirect TON given that the other eye is normal to be used as the patients' internal control. More studies are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nontraditional machining processes are used for machining too hard, brittle and strong conductive materials. The aim of this research is to achieve an economic and efficient machining process in machining HSS by using wire cut machine. Experimental investigations were conducted on WEDM with using different machining parameters such as (pulse duration (μs), pulse interval (μs), Servo feed and Servo voltage (V)). The experiments were designed according to DOE, which is done by using Taguchi design parameter method to investigate the optimum machining parameters, which gives the best values for MRR and CS in order to achieve an economic and efficient machining process. The results obtained from the experimental work show that the optimum values of MRR and CS are obtained with the best values of Servo voltage (V), pulse duration (μs), pulse interval (μs), Servo feed and which they are presented with (A1, B3, C2 and D3) which they are equal to (20 v, 120 μs, 35 μs, and 450 mm/min).

In the 1960s several groups reported the isolation and preliminary genetic mapping of Escherichia coli strains tol erant towards the action of colicins. These pioneering studies kick-started two new fields in bacteriology; one centred on how bacteriocins like colicins exploit the Tol (or more commonly Tol-Pal) system to kill bacteria, the other on the physiological role of this cell envelope-spanning assembly. The following half century has seen significant advances in the first of these fields whereas the second has remained elusive, until recently. Here, we review work that begins to shed light on Tol-Pal function in Gram-negative bacteria. What emerges from these studies is that Tol-Pal is an energised system with fundamental, interlinked roles in cell division – coordinating the re-structuring of peptidoglycan at division sites and stabilising the connection between the outer membrane and underlying cell wall. This latter role is achieved by Tol-Pal exploiting the proton motive force to catalyse the accumulation of the outer membrane peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein Pal at division sites while simultaneously mobilising Pal molecules from around the cell. These studies begin to explain the diverse phenotypic outcomes of tol-pal mutations, point to other cell envelope roles Tol-Pal may have and raise many new questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Signata is the property of Presses Universitaires de Liege and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Inventum. Ingenieria, Tecnologia e Investigacion is the property of Corporacion Universitaria Minuto de Dios and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Dans le présent article, nous nous proposons de décrire ce qu’est la transgression ressentie dans les énoncés ironiques en général (ironie standard et non-standard) dans le cadre de la théorie argumentative de la polyphonie (TAP), et de montrer qu’il s’agit bien plus de transgression que de violation (selon Grice) pour qu’un effet ironique soit réalisé dans un énoncé. Irony: “violation” or “transgression” of the Maxims of Conversation ? Abstract: In the present article, we try to depict what is felt as transgression in ironical utterances in general (standard and non-standard ironies) in the framework of the Argumentative Polyphony Theory (TAP), and to show that transgression is a more appropriate term than violation (according to Grice) to describe properly ironical effects in utterances.

Copyright of Zeszyty Teoretyczne Rachunkowości is the property of Stowarzyszenie Ksiegowych w Polsce Rada Naukowa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Studii de Ştiintă şi Cultură is the property of Studii de Stiinta si Cultura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

It is on opposition to the notion of representation that the enunciation is usually defined. Our utterances would simultaneously represent the world and would communicate the speaker's attitude to such representation: the latter could evaluate in terms of truth and falseness (Frege), declare it desirable, threatening (Bally), making use of it to demand, promise, presuppose (Austin) or even conceive it as the thought of other than you (Bally). Ducrot's theory, as it is known, has opposed to this division and specifically to the hypothesis that it would be possible to isolate, within the meaning of an utterance, a representation of the world totally apart from the speaker's intuitions (Ducrot, 1993). The Theory of Argumentation within Language, followed by the Theory of Semantic Blocks (TSB) came up in order to appraise a positive meaning to Ducrot's refusal. Thus, as it is said by TSB, the contents of our utterances might be intertwines as argumentative threads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]