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Haifa A Madi,1,* Ibrahim Masri,1,* David H Steel1,2 1Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, 2Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle, UK *These authors contributed equally to this work Abstract: This review evaluates the current surgical options for the management of idiopathic macular holes (IMHs), including vitrectomy, ocriplasmin (OCP), and expansile gas use, and discusses key background information to inform the choice of treatment. An evidence-based approach to selecting the best treatment option for the individual patient based on IMH characteristics and patient-specific factors is suggested. For holes without vitreomacular attachment (VMA), vitrectomy is the only option with three key surgical variables: whether to peel the inner limiting membrane (ILM), the type of tamponade agent to be used, and the requirement for postoperative face-down posturing. There is a general consensus that ILM peeling improves primary anatomical hole closure rate; however, in small holes (400 µm) and chronic holes (>1-year history) are usually treated with long-acting gas and posturing. Several studies on posturing and gas choice were carried out in combination with ILM peeling, which may also influence the gas and posturing requirement. Combined phacovitrectomy appears to offer more rapid visual recovery without affecting the long-term outcomes of vitrectomy for IMH. OCP is licensed for use in patients with small- or medium-sized holes and VMA. A greater success rate in using OCP has been reported in smaller holes, but further predictive factors for its success are needed to refine its use. It is important to counsel patients realistically regarding the rates of success with intravitreal OCP and its potential complications. Expansile gas can be considered as a further option in small holes with VMA; however, larger studies are required to provide guidance on its use. Keywords: ocriplasmin, vitrectomy, inner limiting membrane peel, posturing, tamponade agent, expansile gas

Priyanka Sharma,1 Haifa A Madi,1 Richard Bonshek,2 Stephen J Morgan11Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, UK; 2National Specialist Ophthalmic Pathology Service, Department of Histopathology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, UKSummary: We report a case of previously unsuspected myeloma, presenting with cornea verticillata due to intracorneal paraprotein deposition.History: An 85-year-old female presented via her optician with a 4-month history of cloudy vision. She had undergone an uneventful bilateral phacoemulsification surgery 7 years earlier. Extensive spiraling corneal epithelial opacification was noted on slit-lamp examination. On further investigation, she was found to have a previously unsuspected low-grade multiple myeloma. We established the nature of the corneal deposits with corneal epithelial biopsy histopathology and electron microscopy. It is very rare for multiple myeloma to present in this fashion. Ophthalmologists should be aware that such a presentation may rarely be due to systemic multiple myeloma.Keywords: corneal crystals, multiple myeloma, crystalline keratopathy, vortex keratopathy

This study aimed to determine the effect of black cumin (Nigella sativa) supplementation through drinking water on the histology of broiler chickens’ small intestine and large intestine. The research was conducted from April-September 2020 in a cage facility of the Integrated Field Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung. This research used a completely randomized design with four treatment groups and three replications (five broilers per replication) with a total of 60 male broilers. The treatments were drinking water without Black Cumin (P0, control); drinking water with Black Cumin 36 mg/kg BW/day (P1); 72 mg/kg BW/day (P2); and 144 mg/kg BW/day (P3). Three broilers from each group were randomly necropsied at 31 days old, and samples of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and large intestine were fixed with 10% formalin solution and sent to the Lampung Disease Investigation Center for histological preparations. The observation of preparations was carried out microscopically using the Leica DM500® Binocular Microscope to accurately calculate various parameter sizes. The results were analyzed statistically with one way Analysis of Variance at significant level 5% and if proven significant, then a Tukey test was conducted. The results of this study were that the supplementation of black cumin 72 mg/kg BW/day through drinking water could significantly increase (P0.05) 1) the average sizes of villi height and villi area of small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) and large intestine (colon) of broiler chickens; 2) the average sizes of basal villi width, villi apex width, and gland diameter of broiler duodenum; and 3) the average size of apex villi width of broiler colon. The conclusion of this study was the supplementation of black cumin at dose of 72 mg/kg BW/day through drinking water could increase the histological sizes of the small intestine and large intestine of broilers.

This service aims to provide knowledge to poultry farmers about the management and maintenance of poultry health, the formation of a vaccinator cadre, and the implementation of a vaccination program in Mandah Village, Natar District, South Lampung Regency. Implementing methods: 1) dissemination of information and knowledge regarding the management of poultry health and care related to the importance of vaccination, 2) Establishment of vaccinator cadres to facilitate access for the public in the implementation of vaccination based on knowledge correct, routine, and scheduled, and 3) Vaccination of poultry raised by the community for the prevention of avian influenza (AI) and Newcastle disease (ND). The target of this service is livestock groups and the community who own poultry in Mandah Village, Natar District, South Lampung Regency. Activity evaluation is carried out to determine to participants respond to the implementation of service activities by comparing changes in values in the initial evaluation (pre-test) and the final evaluation (post-test). The result of community service activities is that this activity provides tremendous benefits to the percentage of breeders' knowledge and ability before the activity of 41.65% and after the activity was carried out to 91.53%, which is in the high category. Health checks by the service team and the application of ND and AI vaccinations by the vaccinator cadres were carried out on 420 birds which are raised by breeders in Mandah Village, Natar District, South Lampung Regency. In conclusion, this activity can provide an increase in the knowledge and ability of farmers on maintenance management, health, and the importance of vaccination programs in poultry through health checks and the application of AI and ND vaccinations.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of commercial ration by the addition of ammonium sulfate and urea fermented feed ingredients on the blood fat levels of local male ducks. This study used a completely randomized design with 32 male ducks which were divided into four groups namely R0, R1, R2, R3, and R4. Each group was given the following treatment: R0 only given commercial ration; R1 was given 80% commercial ration + 20% fermentation of EM-4 + 1.5% urea); R2 was given 80% commercial ration + 20% EM-4 + 1.5% ammonium sulfate fermentation; and R3 was given 80% commercial ration + 20% EM-4 + 1.5% urea + 1.5% ammonium sulfate. Variables in this study were blood fat consisting of cholesterol, triglyceride, High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL). The data obtained were analyzed by using 5% real level and LSD. The results showed that the provision of commercial ration added with local feed fermented with ammonium sulfate and urea had a significant effect on cholesterol levels (P0.5), but not significant (P0.05) on triglyceride, HDL, and LDL levels. Furthermore, the ration that gave the best effect on the blood fat levels of male ducks blood was the ration given to R3 group.

This research aimed to study the effect of microclimate modification of pensby misting and the goats breeds (Boer and Ettawa crossbreeds) on physiological responses to adapt to the hot environments. The study was conducted from August-September 2018 at the UPTD Goat Breeding Center, Lampung Plantation and Livestock Service Office located in Negeri Sakti, Pesawaran Regency. The study used a split plot design in completely randomized design. Two treatments were applied in this study, namely modification of the pen consisting of pens without misting and pens with misting and the goat breed namely Boerawa and Ettawa crossbreed (PE). Twelve female goats were used in this study, each of six Boerawa and PE respectively. The parameters observed were microclimate conditions, namely air temperature,relative humidity, and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and physiological responses consisted of respiration rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, and Heat Tolerance Coefficient (HTC). The results showed that there was no effect of the interaction between the treatment of misting and the breeds of goat on respiration rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, and HTC. Misting can improve air temperature, THI, respiration rate and HTC, on the other hand, does not affect the heart rate and rectal temperature. Goat breed has no effect on all physiological responses. Thus, modification of the microclimate by misting effectively maintains body temperature under normal conditions and increases the adaptability of goats to hot environments.

The study was conducted on dairy cattle livestock at Lampung Province in July - August 2012, aiming to determine the prevalence of liver worms. Disease in livestock caused by liver worm infections are called Fasciolosis. Fasciolosis is an important parasitic disease because it can cause high economic losses. The research method was the census method. Data retrieval were 125 dairy cattle faecal samples from people's dairy farms in Lampung Province. The datas obtained were analyzed descriptively. Examination of faecal samples was carried out at the Lampung Veterinary Center using the Sedimentation Test. The results showed the prevalence of liver worms in dairy cattle in Lampung Province was 12.00%, 15 dairy cattle those were positively infested by liver worms. The highest dairy cattle prevalence in West Lampung Regency at 33.33%, while the lowest prevalence is in dairy cattle in Bandar Lampung City and Tanggamus Regency at 0%.

Worm disease is a disease caused by infestation of worms in the body of animals with minimal risk to cause death, but causes losses in the form of decreased body weight, milk production, body resistance to other diseases and stunted growth, especially goats at a young age. Population of goats in Lampung Province is the third largest position in Indonesia that it is important to know the effects that can be caused due to intestinal worms. The purpose of this study was to determine the ratio of goat body weight infestated by various types of intestinal worms so that the researchers knew the impact of digestive tract worms infestation on goat body weight. The study was conducted in the period July - October 2018 in the Budi Lestari Livestock Group, Gedong Tataan, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung Province. The type of goat used in the study was the Etawa Breeders Goat. The method is a completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments, namely the group of uninfested goats (P1); goat infested with 1 type of worm (P2); goat infested with 2 types of worms (P3); goats infected with 3 types of worms (P4); and goats infected with 4 types of worms (P5). Implementation procedures were (1) conducting a survey of PE goat populations; (2) Determining the age of PE goats; (3) Taking feces; (4) Identifying worm eggs (Mc Master Test and Sedimentation Test); (5) Determine samples; (6) Considering body weights; (7) Data tabulation and analysis. Data analysis was carried out using One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method at a 95% confidence level with SPSS 24 software program, if there were significant differences then proceed with the Least Significant Differences (LSD) and Duncan Test. The results of the data analysis showed that there were no significant differences between treatments (p> 0.05), but based on the average data of PE goats body weight from various treatments the highest in the treatment group that did not infest worm infestation (P1) was 25.25 kg, continued to decline respectively P2 (19.00 kg), P3 (18.25 kg), P4 (16.00 kg), P5 (15.25 kg). The conclusion of the study is the more types of worm infestations in the body, the lower of PE goats body weight.

The objectives of the study were (1) to know there was or no interaction between soaking time in bay leaf and type of carcass to the physical quality of broiler meat; (2) To know the duration of optimum immersion for the physical quality of the muscles of the breast and thighs. This research was arranged using Completely Randomized Design (RAL) with factorial pattern. The first factor is the length of meat immersion in bay leaf solution, namely: P0: control; P1 (20 minutes); P2 (40 minutes); P3 (60 minutes). While the second factor is a piece of carcass, namely: K1 (thigh) and K2 (chest). Each treatment was repeated 3 times. The research variables were pH of meat, WHC, and cooking loss. The data obtained were proceed to variance analyze and further tested by BNT Test for length of immersion and Tukey test for carcass type at 5% level of significant. The results showed that there was no interaction (P>0,05) between soaking time and carcass cut. The duration of immersion had no significant (P>0,05) effect on pH, WHC, and cooking loss. Carcasses cut of thight and breast have a significant effect (P0,05) for WHC. The pH value of the thigh meat is significantly (P

This study was aimed to test the growth of bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacillus sp. which were exposed to magnetic fields. In the first stage of the study, the effect of magnetic fields on the growth of E. coli and Bacillus sp were observed. The futher study was aimed to evaluate the effect of magnetic field on antibiotic sensitivity againts the growth of E. coli and Bacillus sp. The magnetic fields treatments were 0.0 mT (control), 0.1 mT, 0.2 mT, 0.3 mT which were exposed for 10 hours for each treatment. Five antibiotics (trimethoprim, ampicillin, nalidixic acid, streptomycin and chloramphenicol) were used for each bacteria. The result showed that the magnetic field did not influence the colony growth of E.coli, but in Bacillus sp. was seen the increasing of colony area in magnetic field of 0.1 mT and 0.2 mT compared with control treatment. Antibiotic of trimethoprim, nalidixic acid, and ampicillin increase the growth inhibition of E. coli when the bacteria have been exposed to 0.1 mT; 0.2 mT; 0.3 mT magnetic field for 10 minutes. The inhibition by streptomycin and chloramphenicol antibiotic on E. coli did not affected by magnetic field exposure. The inhibition of Bacillus sp by trimethoprim and ampicillin increased when the bacteria have been exposed to 0.2 mT and 0.3 mT magnetic field for 10 minutes. The inhibition of nalidixic acid, streptomycin and chloramphenicol to Bacillus sp. did not affected by the magnetic field exposure.

The aim of this research was to find out the effect of probiotic on blood cholesterol in laying hens. Materials used were laying hens (Isa Brown strain) 43 weeks old and ration using probiotics. This research was conducted by using completely randomized design (CRD). The advanced research was done with testing the local probiotic with various concentration treatment, they are P0 (ration without probiotic), P1 (ration + 1% local probiotic), P2 (ration + 2% local probiotic), and P3 (ration + 3% local probiotic) with 5 time repetitions and in every repetitions consists of 2 chicken. Variables that were observed in the advance research were laying hens’s blood cholesterol that consists of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and total leucocyte. The level of total cholesterol on P0, P1, P2, and P3 were 129.00±38.26, 116.00± 26.53, 121.00±33.72, and 137.00±52.53 mg/dL (P0.05) respectively; the HDL level were 50.60±16.47, 35.80±11.28, 59.40±19.74; 56.80±30.56 mg/dL (P0.05); the LDL level were 100.20±49.53, 39.20±17.14, 104.60±51.23, and 96.80±66.22 mg/dL (P0.05), respectively; the trigycerides level were 862.00±355.5, 533.00±146.1, 829.00±242.6, and 810.00±304 mg/dL (P0.05), respectively; and leucocyte count were 22.00±1.72, 21.00±3.79, 31.00±3.99, and 34.00±3.55 x103 mm3 (P0.01), respectively. In conclusion, the administrtion of local probiotic do not effect the blood cholesterol of layer chicken.

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of different level of protein addition in goat ration on feed addition in the ration on feed intake and physiological responses of Saburai goats (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate). Twenty male Saburai goats were randomly divided into 4 treatments group with 5 goats each. Goats in group 1 (PO) were fed with forage, while goats in group 2 (P1), 3 (P2), and 4 (P3) were fed with forage + concentratre with 13%, 16%, and 19% crude protein, respectively. The treatments were P0= feeding forage, P1= feeding forage + concentrate with 13% crude protein (CP), P2= feeding forage + concentrate with 16% CP, and P3 feeding forage + concentrate with 19% CP. The results showed that the rectal temperature and heart rate did not significantly affected (P0.05) in all treatment, however the heart rate was significantly (P0.05) affected among the treatments. The conclusion is the addition of different protein level in the ration has no effect on rectal temperature and respiratory rate, but significantly increases the heart rate frequency.

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh penambahan vitamin E dan mineral Zn terhadap kualitas semen kambing Boer. Rancangan yang digunakan adalah rancangan acak lengkap (RAL) dengan empat perlakuan, yakni P0= tanpa penambahan vitamin E maupun mineral Zn; P1= pemberian vitamin E 50 IU/ekor/hari; P2= pemberian mineral Zn 25 mg/ekor/hari; P3= pemberian vitamin E 50 IU/ekor/hari dan mineral Zn 25 mg/ekor/hari. Penelitian menggunakan 12 ekor kambing berumur 3 tahun, masing-masing perlakuan menggunakan 3 ekor kambing. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan analisis ragam dan dilanjutkan dengan uji beda nyata terkecil (BNT). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian vitamin E dan mineral Zn serta kombinasi keduanya tidak memengaruhi volume semen kambing Boer, tetapi berpengaruh terhadap motilitas dan persentase spermatozoa abnormal (P0,05) dan terhadap persentase spermatozoa hidup (P0,01). Pemberian mineral Zn dan campurannya dengan vitamin E mampu meningkatkan kualitas spermatozoa kambing Boer.

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui jenis bahan pengencer yang paling baik untuk mempertahankan kualitas sperma sapi Limousin selama penyimpanan dan pembekuan. Dalam penelitian ini digunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok ®(RAK) dengan 3 penggunaan bahan pengencer yaitu P =Andromed ; P =tris–kuning telur; P =susu skim, dan 4 kelompok 1 2 3 ®waktu koleksi sebagai ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pengencer Andromed memberikan pengaruh terbaik ® terhadap kualitas spermatozoa. Motilitas spermatozoa dengan pengencer Andromed selama penyimpanan 18 jam, setelah ekuilibrasi, dan setelah thawing masing-masing adalah 61,45; 73,13; dan 48,13%. Persentase spermatozoa hidup dengan ® pengencer Andromed selama penyimpanan 18 jam, setelah ekuilibrasi, dan setelah thawing masing-masing adalah 83,25; ® 81,88; dan 55,53%. Persentase spermatozoa abnormal dengan pengencer Andromed selama penyimpanan 18 jam, setelah ekuilibrasi, dan setelah thawing masing-masing adalah 4,60; 10,73; dan 11,70%.

Objectives: To analyse the changes in reported frequency of retinal detachment admissions and vitreo-retinal surgery procedures performed between 2000 and 2018 in England. To obtain information useful to contribute towards the planning of service delivery., Methods: Analysis of England's Hospital Episode Statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre and population data from the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics., Results: Episodes of 'retinal detachments with breaks' increased year on year from 3447 (7.0/100 M) in 2000 to 10,971 (19.7/100 M) in 2018 (p < 0.001), whereas records of 'tractional retinal detachment' increased from 290 (0.6/100 M) to 910 (1.6/100 M) in the same period (p < 0.0001). The number of reported pars plana vitrectomies irrespective of indication increased over fourfold from 5761 to 26,900 (p < 0.0001), while the number of scleral buckling records decreased by two thirds from 2897 to 780 (p < 0.0001). During the same period, the population of England increased from 49.2 to 55.6 million, proportionally at a slower rate than that for recorded hospital episodes., Conclusions: The frequency of admissions to hospital for surgically treated retinal detachment seems to have been increasing significantly since 2000. This effect is more marked in cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This may be explained by increased incidence of disease (due to increased rates of cataract surgery, increasing longevity and increasing rates of myopia) as well as repeat surgery in cases of recurrent retinal detachment. Other factors which may play a role include improvements in patient access, increased public awareness and improved local coding and reporting practice., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.)

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a non-invasive retinal imaging innovation that has been gaining popularity for the evaluation of the retinal vasculature. Of clinical importance is its current use either as an alternative or in conjunction with conventional dye-based angiography in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. OCTA is not without limitations and these include image artefact, a relatively small field of view and failure of the segmentation algorithms, which can confound the interpretation of findings. While there are numerous publications on OCTA in neovascular AMD, few have examined the diagnostic accuracy of this new technology compared with the accepted gold standard of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). In this review, we summarise the literature on the clinical application of OCTA in nAMD. In particular, we have reviewed the published articles that have reported the sensitivity and specificity of OCTA in the diagnosis of nAMD, and those that have described and or correlated the morphological findings and compared them to dye-based angiography.

Purpose: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients presenting with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) after ocriplasmin (OCP) injection., Methods: Retrospective, multi-centre, observational case series with case note review., Results: Eight patients with symptomatic vitreomacular traction (six with concomitant macular hole) were diagnosed with RRD after a median of 16 days (range 3-131 days) post-OCP injection. Presentation was within 3 weeks of the OCP injection in six of the cases. Five patients presented with symptoms post-OCP, and three were diagnosed asymptomatically on planned visits. Seven cases were phakic, one had high myopia (>8 dioptres), and two cases had lattice degeneration. Following RRD surgery, hole closure was achieved in 5/6 MH cases. The final median BCVA at 7 months was 20/80 (range 20/40-20/1200) similar to the baseline BCVA 20/80, with four patients gaining ≥1 line of vision compared to baseline but three losing ≥3 lines., Conclusions: RRD is a non-negligible risk associated with intravitreal OCP, and it should be used with caution in eyes with high myopia and peripheral retinal pathology predisposing to RRD. Detailed peripheral retinal examination is recommended pre- and postoperatively at all visits. Patients should be advised to seek attention if symptoms recur after initial presentation., Competing Interests: Compliance with ethical standards Funding No funding was received for this research Conflict of interest All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript. Haifa Madi — none Richard Haynes – advisory board meetings for Alcon Diana Depla — none Morten la Cour — advisory board meetings for Alcon and a paid talk for Alcon concerning ocriplasmin Sarit Lesnik-Oberstein — none Mahi Muqit - None Niall Patton — advisory board meetings for ALCON Nick Price — none David Steel — Alcon consultancy, research funding Ethical approval For this type of study formal consent is not required.

Aims: Analysis of pre-operative spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of full-thickness macular holes (FTMH) and effect on optimum management., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed SD-OCT characteristics of a consecutive cohort of patients waitlisted for FTMH surgery and categorized them by current evidence-based treatments., Results: Out of the 106 holes analysed, 36 were small, 40 medium and 30 large. Initially, 33 holes had vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). 41 holes were analysed for change in characteristics with a median duration of 8 weeks between the scans. The number of small or medium holes decreased from 20 to 6 and that of large holes doubled. The number of holes with VMA halved. Smaller hole size (p = 0.014) and being phakic (p = 0.048) were associated with a larger increase in size. The strongest predictor of hole progression into a different surgical management category was the presence of VMA., Conclusion: FTMH characteristics can change significantly pre-operatively and affect optimal treatment choice.

Purpose: To describe the intraoperative staining pattern of the internal limiting membrane (ILM)-specific dye Brilliant Blue G (BBG) in a cohort of patients with idiopathic macular holes; to analyze the associations of the staining pattern with pre- and postoperative variables and to correlate the staining pattern with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the excised ILM., Methods: Fifty-five consecutive patients were studied. The staining pattern was divided into three subtypes based on the intraoperative appearance. The presence of a narrow rim of nonstaining around the macular hole (MH) edge was noted and measured. In the final 21 patients, the excised ILM was examined with TEM., Results: The pattern of staining observed was categorized as uniform in 33 patients (60%), patchy nonstaining in 17 (31%), and no visible staining in 5 (9%). The staining pattern correlated with the MH stage. In the patients with uniform or patchy staining, a nonstaining rim was observed in 26 (52%) of the 50. The presence of a rim was associated with a greater hole diameter and lower postoperative visual acuity. The stain pattern correlated significantly with the amount of cellular tissue on the vitreous side of the ILM on TEM, with a greater proportion of multicellular layer membranes and new collagen in the incomplete staining groups., Conclusions: A variety of nonstaining patterns around macular holes can be observed using BBG, and these patterns correlate to the amount of cellular tissue on the vitreous side of the ILM seen histologically. These patterns could be used to guide the ILM peeling requirement or extent in future studies., (Copyright 2014 The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.)

Comparing ante-mortem and post-mortem dental characteristics has been a reliable, accurate and quick human identification method. This is based on the assumption that each individual's set of teeth is unique; however, there is little evidence to support this assumption. This research aimed to determine the uniqueness of basic dental features in a cohort of multinational dental patients. Dental charts were retrieved from the archives of the College of Dentistry at the University of Sharjah. Dental patterns were coded into letters representing basic dental characteristics, and entered into a computer program that was written specifically for analysing the results of this research. Two thousand dental charts were included in this research; the average age of the sample was 31.9 years (11-87 years). The male:female ratio was 1.4:1 from 55 nationalities. One thousand one hundred and fifty-nine dental charts (57.95%) had absolutely unique dental patterns. The remaining charts (n=841 [42.05%]) were found to have identical patterns with others, the most common of which was 'all virgin' teeth (n=482 [24.1%]). Introducing a single dental modification dropped this percentage to 1.05%. This percentage was further narrowed down to 0.7% when the gender variable was introduced to the comparison. The results of this research support the assumption that dental characteristics show a diversity that is useful for human identification, even when those characteristics are recorded in their simplest forms.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of saphenous vein (SV) graft stenosis following coronary artery bypass. Graft stenosis is caused by intimal hyperplasia, a pathology characterized by smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration. We hypothesized that SV-SMC from T2DM patients were intrinsically more proliferative and migratory than those from nondiabetic individuals. SV-SMC were cultured from nondiabetic and T2DM patients. Cell morphology (light microscopy, immunocytochemistry), S100A4 expression (real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting), proliferation (cell counting), migration (Boyden chamber assay), and cell signaling (immunoblotting with phosphorylation state-specific antibodies) were studied. SV-SMC from T2DM patients were morphologically distinct from nondiabetic patients and exhibited a predominantly rhomboid phenotype, accompanied by disrupted F-actin cytoskeleton, disorganized alpha-smooth muscle actin network, and increased focal adhesion formation. However, no differences were observed in expression of the calcium-binding protein S100A4, a marker of rhomboid SMC phenotype, between the two cell populations. T2DM cells were less proliferative in response to fetal calf serum than nondiabetic cells, but both populations had similar proliferative responses to insulin plus PDGF. Under high glucose concentration conditions in the presence of insulin, migration of diabetic SV-SMC was greater than nondiabetic cells. Glucose concentration did not affect SV-SMC proliferation. No differences in insulin or PDGF-induced phosphorylation of ERK-1/2 or components of the Akt pathway (Akt-Ser473, Akt-Thr308, and GSK-3beta) were apparent between the two populations. In conclusion, SV-SMC from T2DM patients differ from nondiabetic SV-SMC in that they exhibit a rhomboid phenotype and are more migratory, but less proliferative, in response to serum.