In vitro fluid dynamics of the Ahmed glaucoma valve modified with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Purpose: Long-term intraocular pressure reduction by glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) is often limited by the fibrotic capsule that forms around them. Prior work demonstrates that modifying a GDD with a porous membrane promotes a vascularized and more permeable capsule. This work examines the in vitro fluid dynamics of the Ahmed valve after enclosing the outflow tract with a porous membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

Influence of serum sodium on MELD-based survival prediction in alcoholic hepatitis.

Objective: To compare the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) with the modified model including sodium (MELDNa) for predicting 180-day mortality in patients with alcoholic hepatitis (AH) and determine the subset in whom serum sodium may enhance 180-day mortality prediction.

Patients And Methods: We examined 26 patients with AH enrolled in a prospective trial between June 1, 2004, and June 30, 2007, at Mayo Clinic. Logistic regression analysis was done to assess the effect of MELD and MELDNa scores on 180-day mortality.

Use of sirolimus in liver transplant recipients with renal insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Unlabelled: Sirolimus is used in patients with renal insufficiency after liver transplantation (LT) and especially in those with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-associated nephrotoxicity. We conducted a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials and observational studies to test the hypothesis that the use of sirolimus is associated with an improvement in renal function at 1 year in LT recipients with renal insufficiency [glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/minute or creatinine level ≥ 1.5 mg/dL].

Selective laser trabeculoplasty reduces mean IOP and IOP variation in normal tension glaucoma patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review was performed of NTG patients who had undergone SLT at the Duke University Eye Center between 12/2002 and 7/2005. For each eye of each patient at pre-laser and post-laser time points, the IOP measurements were summarized by mean, standard deviation, and range.

Daclizumab induction therapy in liver transplant recipients with renal insufficiency.

Background: The role of interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor antibodies to avoid the nephrotoxic effects of calcineurin inhibitors in the early post-liver transplant (LT) period is not well defined.

Aim: To examine the use of daclizumab induction in LT recipients with renal insufficiency.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2005, 62 patients (median pre-LT creatinine 2.

Evaluation of the ICare rebound tonometer as a home intraocular pressure monitoring device.

Purpose: (a) To investigate whether the ICare rebound tonometer can provide accurate measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the hands of an inexperienced user compared with ICare measurements and Goldmann tonometry by a trained technician and (b) to assess the intrauser reproducibility of IOP measurements and the learning curve among patients using the ICare rebound tonometer.

Methods: A trained technician used the ICare rebound tonometer to measure the IOP of the right eye of 100 glaucoma patients. The technician then instructed each patient on use of the ICare tonometer.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolation from the vitrectomy specimen four hours after initial treatment with vancomycin and ceftazidime.

A patient presented with acute-onset, postoperative endophthalmitis and visual acuity of light perception. Because of a time delay in arranging a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), the patient was treated with a prompt vitreous tap for culture an injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime. Four hours later, the PPV was performed and additional antibiotics were injected.

Organ allocation for chronic liver disease: model for end-stage liver disease and beyond.

Purpose Of Review: Implementation of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score has led to a reduction in waiting list registration and waitlist mortality. Prognostic models have been proposed to either refine or improve the current MELD-based liver allocation.

Recent Findings: The model for end-stage liver disease - sodium (MELDNa) incorporates serum sodium and has been shown to improve the predictive accuracy of the MELD score.

Alcoholic liver disease-related mortality in the United States: 1980-2003.

Objectives: Data on temporal changes in alcoholic liver disease (ALD)-related mortality in the United States are lacking. This longitudinal assessment is important, given the divergent data on trends in worldwide ALD-related mortality, concerns for underestimation of mortality attributed to ALD in previous investigations, and shifting attention to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related mortality.

Methods: We analyzed mortality data compiled in the multiple cause-of-death public-use data file from the National Vital Statistics System from 1980 to 2003 using categorization by both International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 systems.

Three-dimensional nature of retinal nerve fiber layer defects.

Objective: To demonstrate the 3-dimensional nature of wedge-shaped retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) losses. To study the impact of training glaucoma fellows in this identification technique by evaluating their rate of RNFL loss detection on stereo disc photographs.

Methods: Wedge-shaped RNFL defects were identified in stereo disc photographs of early-glaucoma patients.

Donor race does not predict graft failure after liver transplantation.

Background & Aims: Donor race has been proposed to predict graft failure after liver transplantation. We evaluated the extent to which the center where the transplantation surgery was performed and other potential confounding factors might account for the observed association between donor race and graft failure.

Methods: We analyzed data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (January 2003-December 2005) for adult patients undergoing primary liver transplantation in the United States.

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane alters tissue response to implanted Ahmed glaucoma valve.

Purpose: Long-term intraocular pressure control by glaucoma drainage implants is compromised by the formation of an avascular fibrous capsule that surrounds the glaucoma implant and increases aqueous outflow resistance. It is possible to alter this fibrotic tissue reaction and produce a more vascularized and potentially more permeable capsule around implanted devices by enclosing them in a porous membrane.

Methods: Ahmed glaucoma implants modified with an outer 5-microm pore size membrane (termed porous retrofitted implant with modified enclosure or PRIME-Ahmed) and unmodified glaucoma implants were implanted into paired rabbit eyes.

Surgical management of hypotony owing to overfiltration in eyes receiving glaucoma drainage devices.

Purpose: To assess rates of surgical revision of glaucoma drainage devices (GDDs) from hypotony owing to overfiltration and its management.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: Demographic characteristics, type of GDD implanted, type of surgical revision, and outcomes were obtained from the charts of patients undergoing GDD implantation and > or = 1 subsequent GDD revision in 2002 to 2006.

Lack of association between hepatitis C infection and chronic kidney disease.

Background & Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can have a negative impact on the natural history of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) infection; patients with HCV and CKD often have adverse outcomes. We evaluated a large and geographically diverse group of patients to determine whether HCV status has an independent effect on the risk of developing CKD.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 167,569 patients included in a national health care claims database from January 1, 2003-December 31, 2006, with a mean follow-up of 25.

Optical coherence tomography errors in glaucoma.

Purpose: To demonstrate the types and prevalence of errors associated with the use of optical coherence tomography in a cross section of glaucoma patients. The association of different types of artifacts and certain coexisting ocular diagnoses was also evaluated.

Patients And Methods: The optical coherence tomography data of glaucoma patients in a 3-month period was evaluated for evidence of errors in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) map and the macular thickness map.

Simultaneous bilateral angle closure glaucoma in a patient with giant cell arteritis.

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral angle closure in a patient with giant cell arteritis.

Design: Observational case report.

Methods: Review of clinical, photographic, and biopsy data of a 53-year-old patient who presented with bilateral angle closure glaucoma and was found to have giant cell arteritis.

Lemierre's syndrome: A systematic review.

Objectives/hypothesis: Lemierre's syndrome is characterized by a history of recent oropharyngeal infection, clinical or radiological evidence of internal jugular vein thrombosis, and isolation of anaerobic pathogens, mainly Fusobacterium necrophorum. It was once called the forgotten disease because of its rarity, but it may not be that uncommon after all. This review aims to provide physicians with an update on the etiology, management, and prognosis of Lemierre's syndrome.

Optical coherence tomography in the eyes of normal children.

Objective: To collect a normative database of macular thickness, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thicknesses, and optic nerve topography in the healthy eyes of children aged 3 to 17 years using optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements.

Methods: Scans were obtained for 286 healthy children (black, 114; white, 154; other, 18). Each child had a dilated eye examination, an axial length measurement using the IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California), and OCT measurements using the fast macular map, fast RNFL thickness, and fast optic disc protocols of the Stratus OCT (OCT-3; Carl Zeiss Meditec).

Effects of medications and surgery on intraocular pressure fluctuation.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) varies dynamically throughout the circadian cycle. IOP elevations during the nocturnal period may be particularly important in the pathogenesis of glaucoma, although sleeping IOP cannot be measured at this time. Additionally, IOP fluctuations may be an independent risk factor for glaucoma.

Correlation between optical coherence tomography and glaucomatous optic nerve head damage in children.

Aim: To compare analysis of macular and nerve fibre layer thickness by optical coherence tomography (OCT) with optic nerve head (ONH) morphology based on stereophotography.

Design: Prospective observational case-control series.

Methods: Normal and glaucomatous eyes of children (age 4-17 years) were scanned using Stratus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA).

Detailed visualization of the anterior segment using fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

Objective: To study details of the anterior chamber drainage angle using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography in healthy subjects and patients with angle abnormalities.

Methods: A high-speed anterior segment optical coherence tomography prototype was developed using a 1310-nm-wavelength swept light source. Six healthy subjects and 6 patients with glaucoma were imaged in an observational cross-sectional study.

Imaging the ocular anterior segment with real-time, full-range Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography.

We have demonstrated a novel Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography system and signal-processing algorithm for full-range, real-time, artifact-free quantitative imaging of the anterior chamber. Cross-sectional full-range images comprising 1024 x 800 pixels (axial x lateral) were acquired and displayed at 6.7 images/s.