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Objectives : To compare intraocular lens (IOL) position and refractive outcomes between eyes that underwent sole phacoemulsification with those that underwent combined 25-gauge phacovitrectomy with a plate-haptic toric IOL implantation. Methods : This retrospective study included 60 eyes of 60 patients. Of these, 30 eyes underwent 25-gauge phacovitrectomy, while the other 30 eyes received phacoemulsification alone. In both groups, a plate-haptic toric intraocular lens (AT Torbi 709M, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) was implanted. The main outcome measures were the refractive outcome, the refraction prediction error (PE), the difference in the postoperative anatomical lens position (ALP) change, and rotational stability. Results : The mean spherical equivalent decreased considerably from -2 ± 4.4 diopters (D) to -0.6 ± 1.4 D after phacovitrectomy ( p = 0.05) and -0.7 D ± 5.5 D to -0.1 ± 1.1 D after phacoemulsification ( p = 0.5). The prediction error (PE) was comparable between the two groups for all formulas (Haigis-T: p = 0.8, Barrett TK Toric: p = 0.8, Z CALC: p = 0.7). No significant difference in absolute ALP change and postoperative rotational stability was observed between the phacovitrectomy and phacoemulsification group (1.4 mm vs. 1.4 mm, p = 0.96; 2.9° vs. 2.1°, p = 0.5). Conclusions : The implantation of plate-haptic toric IOLs in the combined phacovitrectomy group resulted in refraction and IOL positioning outcomes comparable to those in the phacoemulsification-only group.

Descemet's Stripping Only (DSO) is a surgical technique that utilizes the peripheral corneal endothelial cell (CEnC) migration for wound closure. Ripasudil, a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, has shown potential in DSO treatment; however, its mechanism in promoting CEnC migration remains unclear. We observed that ripasudil-treated immortalized normal and Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) cells exhibited significantly enhanced migration and wound healing, particularly effective in FECD cells. Ripasudil upregulated mRNA expression of Snail Family Transcriptional Repressor ( SNAI1/2 ) and Vimentin ( VIM ) while decreasing Cadherin ( CDH1 ), indicating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activation. Ripasudil activated Rac1, driving the actin-related protein complex (ARPC2) to the leading edge, facilitating enhanced migration. Ex vivo studies on cadaveric and FECD Descemet's membrane (DM) showed increased migration and proliferation of CEnCs after ripasudil treatment. An ex vivo DSO model demonstrated enhanced migration from the DM to the stroma with ripasudil. Coating small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) tissues with an FNC coating mix and treating the cells in conjunction with ripasudil further improved migration and resulted in a monolayer formation, as detected by the ZO-1 junctional marker, thereby leading to the reduction in EMT. In conclusion, ripasudil effectively enhanced cellular migration, particularly in a novel ex vivo DSO model, when the stromal microenvironment was modulated. This suggests ripasudil as a promising adjuvant for DSO treatment, highlighting its potential clinical significance.

Accurate assessment of corneal curvatures using frequency domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with galvanometer scanners remains challenging due to the well-known scan field distortion. This paper presents an algorithm and software for correcting the distortion using only two simple measurements in which a readily available standard sphere is positioned in different depths in front of the OCT scanner. This offers a highly accessible and easily reproducible method for the field distortion correction (FDC). The correction was validated by measuring different spherical phantoms and conducting corneal curvature measurements of ex vivo porcine corneas using a commercial spectral-domain OCT system and a clinically approved swept-source OCT as a reference instrument. Thus, the error in radius measurements of spherical phantoms was reduced by >90 % and astigmatism by >80 % using FDC. In explanted porcine eyes, the error in astigmatism measurements with the Telesto was reduced by 75% for power and 70% for angle. The best fitting sphere radius was determined up to a deviation of 0.4% from the Anterion. This paper describes a correction algorithm for OCT immanent distortion that is applicable to any scanning OCT setup and enables precise corneal curvature measurements. The MATLAB software for the FDC is publicly available on GitHub.

Aim: To evaluate the postoperative intraocular lens (IOL) rotational stability and residual refractive astigmatism following combined 25-gauge vitrectomy and cataract surgery with implantation of a plate haptic toric IOL., Methods: In this retrospective case series, 32 eyes of 32 patients underwent a combined 25-gauge vitrectomy and phacoemulsification for vitreoretinal diseases and cataract with regular corneal astigmatism of at least 1 diopter (D). A plate haptic toric IOL (AT Torbi 709M, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) was implanted in all eyes. The outcome measures were rotational stability and refractive astigmatism up to 6mo postoperatively as well as the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)., Results: Preoperative refractive astigmatism was 2.14±1.17 D, which was significantly reduced to 0.77±0.37 D six to eight weeks postoperatively and remained stable throughout the observation period (0.67±0.44 D at three months and 0.75±0.25 D at six months; for all groups: P <0.0001 compared to baseline). BCVA improved significantly from 0.36±0.33 logMAR preoperatively to 0.10±0.15 logMAR following surgery ( P =0.02). Mean IOL axis deviation from the target axis was 3.4°±2.9° after six to eight weeks and significantly decreased over time (2.4°±2.6° six months after surgery; P =0.04). In one patient IOL, re-alignment was performed., Conclusion: Corneal astigmatism is significantly reduced following combined 25-gauge vitrectomy and cataract surgery. The plate haptic toric IOL position and axis remain stable during the observation period of six months., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Background: Physical and social distancing recommendations aimed at limiting exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic have forced residency programs to increasingly rely on videoconferencing and web-based resources., Objective: In this pilot study, we aimed to explore the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency training experience, and to delineate the perceived barriers to the successful implementation of web-based medical education., Methods: A 19-item survey was compiled and distributed electronically using Qualtrics. This anonymous survey included information on the training level of each resident, their participation in formal didactics before and during the pandemic, and their perception of the ease and limitations of virtual didactics. The resident's opinions on specific educational resources were assessed, and the effectiveness of new delivery methods on resident engagement and learning was examined., Results: Thirty anesthesiology residents were surveyed, 19 of whom agreed to participate in the pilot study. One participant with incomplete responses was excluded, yielding a final cohort of 18 respondents. Most residents (56%, 10/18) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected their residency training. The time spent on didactic training and independent studies was, nevertheless, not affected by the pandemic for 90% (16/18) of respondents. Nonetheless, 72% (13/18) of residents were less engaged during virtual lectures in comparison to in-person didactics. Important limitations included distraction from the physical environment (67%, 12/18), internet instability (67%, 12/18), less obligation to participate (44%, 8/18), technical difficulty and unmuted microphones (33%, 6/18, each), and people speaking over each other (28%, 5/18). Despite these limitations, most residents stated that they would like to keep a combination of virtual didactics including live Zoom lectures (56%, 10/18), prerecorded web didactics (56%, 10/18), and virtual ground rounds via Zoom (50%, 9/18) as the "new normal.", Conclusions: Despite important limitations listed in this report, anesthesia residents would like to keep a combination of virtual lectures and presentations as the new normal after the COVID-19 pandemic., (©Ala Nozari, Shivali Mukerji, Ling-Ling Lok, Qingrou Gu, Lauren Buhl, Sanjay Jain, Rafael Ortega. Originally published in JMIR Medical Education (https://mededu.jmir.org), 31.03.2022.)

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal interstitial lung disease. Repetitive injury and reprogramming of the lung epithelium are thought to be critical drivers of disease progression, contributing to fibroblast activation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and subsequently loss of lung architecture and function. To date, Pirfenidone and Nintedanib are the only approved drugs known to decelerate disease progression, however, if and how these drugs affect lung epithelial cell function, remains largely unexplored., Methods: We treated murine and human 3D ex vivo lung tissue cultures (3D-LTCs; generated from precision cut lung slices (PCLS)) as well as primary murine alveolar epithelial type II (pmATII) cells with Pirfenidone or Nintedanib. Murine 3D-LTCs or pmATII cells were derived from the bleomycin model of fibrosis. Early fibrotic changes were induced in human 3D-LTCs by a mixture of profibrotic factors. Epithelial and mesenchymal cell function was determined by qPCR, Western blotting, Immunofluorescent staining, and ELISA., Results: Low μM concentrations of Nintedanib (1 μM) and mM concentrations of Pirfenidone (2.5 mM) reduced fibrotic gene expression including Collagen 1a1 and Fibronectin in murine and human 3D-LTCs as well as pmATII cells. Notably, Nintedanib stabilized expression of distal lung epithelial cell markers, especially Surfactant Protein C in pmATII cells as well as in murine and human 3D-LTCs., Conclusions: Pirfenidone and Nintedanib exhibit distinct effects on murine and human epithelial cells, which might contribute to their anti-fibrotic action. Human 3D-LTCs represent a valuable tool to assess anti-fibrotic mechanisms of potential drugs for the treatment of IPF patients.

We propose a method for increased-speed all-optical XOR operation using semiconductor optical amplifiers. We demonstrate XOR and XNOR operations at 86.4 Gb/s using a pair of photonic-integrated semiconductor optical amplifier Mach-Zehnder interferometers.

Vitamin D status may affect risk of cancer. In a cross-sectional study with a nested case-control analysis, we determined whether risk of breast cancer is associated with prediagnostic plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels and the effects of lifestyle characteristics known to influence vitamin D status on risk of breast cancer. We studied women without a prior history of breast cancer referred to a diagnostic mammography examination (n = 2,465). Cases were women diagnosed with an incident breast cancer (n = 142). Controls were women not diagnosed with a breast cancer matched to cases on age, menopausal status, and time of year of blood sampling (n = 420). Characteristics of cases and controls were assessed by a self-administrated questionnaire. Blood samples were collected prior to the diagnostic mammography examination. Cases had lower plasma 25OHD levels than controls. Compared with the lowest tertile of 25OHD levels, risk of breast cancer was significantly reduced among women in the highest tertile (relative risk, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.85). Risk estimates were similar in women with an estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer. Use of vitamin D supplements, sunbathing frequency, and fish intake was associated with 25OHD levels, but did not affect the risk of breast cancer. Accordingly, risk of breast cancer was inversely associated with 25OHD levels. Randomized controlled trials are warranted in order to assess whether a causal relationship exists.

Poly-alpha 2-8 sialic acid (PSA), attached to the neural cell adhesion molecule, is a permissive determinant for numerous morphogenetic and neural plasticity processes, making it a potential therapeutic target. Here, using a monoclonal antibody specific for PSA, we screened a phage-display library and identified two cyclic nine-amino acid peptides (p1, p2) that are PSA epitope analogues. We evaluated their bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. In culture, micromolar concentrations of the peptides promoted axon growth, defasciculation, and migration of neural progenitors. When injected into developing chicken retina, the peptides modified the trajectory of retinal ganglion cell axons. Moreover, they enhanced migration of grafted neuroblasts in mouse brain. These effects were selective and dependent upon the presence of PSA on transplanted cells. Our results demonstrate the feasibility and therapeutic potential of enhancing PSA biological activity.

A human mesothelioma was heterotransplanted to nude mice, and the urinary excretions of hypoxanthine, xanthine, pseudouridine, orotic acid, 7-methylguanine, and 1-methylhypoxanthine have been followed before and after the tumor transplantation. The compounds were measured by means of isotachophoresis, which has been found a rapid and precise method. The tumor reached maximum size within 30 days, and at this time a significantly increased excretion of pseudouridine and hypoxanthine was observed. Tumor growth was stopped by chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, and Adriamycin), and corresponding to this, a decrease occurred in both pseudouridine and hypoxanthine excretion to normal values.