Label-free quantitative imaging of conjunctival goblet cells.

Purpose: To introduce and validate quantitative oblique back-illumination microscopy (qOBM) as a label-free, high-contrast imaging technique for visualizing conjunctival goblet cells (GCs) and assessing their functional changes.

Methods: qOBM was developed in conjunction with moxifloxacin-based fluorescence microscopy (MBFM), which was used for validating GC imaging. Initial validation was conducted with polystyrene beads, followed by testing on normal mouse conjunctiva under both ex-vivo and in-vivo conditions.

Evaluation of prediction errors in nine intraocular lens calculation formulas using an explainable machine learning model.

Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between prediction errors (PEs) and ocular biometric variables in cataract surgery using nine intraocular lens (IOL) formulas with an explainable machine learning model.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent standard cataract surgery with a Tecnis 1-piece IOL (ZCB00) at a single center. We calculated predicted refraction using the following IOL formulas: Barrett Universal II (BUII), Cooke K6, EVO V2.

Agreement in anterior segment measurements between swept-source optical coherence and dual Scheimpflug tomography devices in keratoconus eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the agreement of ocular biometry measured using a swept-source optical coherence (Casia 2) and a dual Scheimpflug (Galilei G6) tomography in keratoconus.

Methods: This retrospective study included 102 eyes from 102 keratoconus patient examined using both devices. Parameters compared included flat (Kf) and steep (Ks) keratometry, astigmatism of anterior, posterior, and total keratometry, central (CCT) and thinnest (TCT) corneal thickness.

Efficacy of RCI001 as a Therapeutic Candidate in a Primary Sjögren Syndrome Mouse Model.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of RCI001 (RCI) in a mouse model of primary Sjögren syndrome.

Methods: Eight 12-week-old NOD.B10-H2b mice were used in this study.

Surface tracking integrated extended depth-of-field microscopy for rapid non-contact examination of conjunctival goblet cells in humans.

Conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) are specialized epithelial cells playing key roles for ocular surface homeostasis, and their examination is important for diagnosing ocular surface diseases. Despite recent advancements in high-contrast CGC imaging for non-invasive examination, significant challenges remain for human applications. High-speed large-area imaging over the curved ocular surface is needed to assess statistically meaningful CGCs in the extensive human conjunctiva.

Efficacy of RCI001 as a therapeutic candidate of dry eye disease in a modified mixed dry eye model.

Background: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of topical RCI001 (RCI) and compare its efficacy with that of 1% prednisolone acetate (PDE) and 5% Lifitegrast in a modified mixed dry eye disease (DED) model.

Methods: The environmental DED model was induced in BALB/c mice in a dry chamber with scopolamine. The eyes of the mice were treated topically with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), PDE, Lifitegrast or RCI twice daily for 1 week.

Distinct patterns of vital sign and inflammatory marker responses in adults with suspected bloodstream infection.

Objectives: To identify patterns in inflammatory marker and vital sign responses in adult with suspected bloodstream infection (BSI) and define expected trends in normal recovery.

Methods: We included patients ≥16 y from Oxford University Hospitals with a blood culture taken between 1-January-2016 and 28-June-2021. We used linear and latent class mixed models to estimate trajectories in C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood count, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature and identify CRP response subgroups.

Deep learning-based fully automated grading system for dry eye disease severity.

There is an increasing need for an objective grading system to evaluate the severity of dry eye disease (DED). In this study, a fully automated deep learning-based system for the assessment of DED severity was developed. Corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) images of DED patients from one hospital for system development (n = 1400) and from another hospital for external validation (n = 94) were collected.

New Korean Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Dry Eye Disease.

New Korean guidelines for the diagnosis and management of dry eye disease were developed based on literature reviews by the Korean Dry Eye Guideline Establishment Committee, a previous dry eye guideline by Korean Corneal Disease Study Group, a survey of Korean Dry Eye Society (KDES) members, and KDES consensus meetings. The new definition of dry eye was also proposed by KDES regular members. The new definition by the regular members of the KDES is as follows: "Dry eye is a disease of the ocular surface characterized by tear film abnormalities and ocular symptoms.

Is the UN receiving ethical approval for its research with human participants?

This paper examines the institutional mechanisms supporting the ethical oversight of human participant research conducted by the United Nations (UN). The UN has served an instrumental role in shaping international standards on research ethics, which invariably require ethical oversight of all research studies with human participants. The authors' experiences of conducting research collaboratively with UN agencies, in contrast, have led to concern that the UN frequently sponsors, or participates in, studies with human participants that have not received appropriate ethical oversight.

Risk factors for early graft detachment requiring rebubbling in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty with imported pre-cut donor tissues.

Graft detachment is a common and significant complication in Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). We investigated the risk factors of graft detachment requiring rebubbling after DMEK using imported pre-cut donor tissues. The medical records of 48 patients who underwent DMEK for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED) or bullous keratopathy (BK) at Seoul National University Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Deep learning framework for automated goblet cell density analysis in in-vivo rabbit conjunctiva.

Goblet cells (GCs) in the conjunctiva are specialized epithelial cells secreting mucins for the mucus layer of protective tear film and playing immune tolerance functions for ocular surface health. Because GC loss is observed in various ocular surface diseases, GC examination is important for precision diagnosis. Moxifloxacin-based fluorescence microscopy (MBFM) was recently developed for non-invasive high-contrast GC visualization.

Longer axial length is associated with better prediction for refractive error after sutureless flanged intrascleral fixation of intraocular lens.

Objective: To investigate refractive outcomes and associated factors after sutureless flanged intrascleral fixation of intraocular lens (SFIF-IOL).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent SFIF-IOL at a single centre. The prediction error (PE; difference between the achieved and target refractive error) and absolute PE (APE) were analysed.

Intraocular lens power calculation in eyes with a shallow anterior chamber depth and normal axial length.

We compared the accuracy of three intraocular lens (IOL) calculation formulas in eyes with a shallow anterior chamber depth (ACD) and normal axial length (AXL) and control eyes. We retrospectively reviewed eyes with a shallow ACD (<2.5 mm from the corneal epithelium) with normal AXL (22.

1,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid from Pseudognaphalium affine ameliorates dry eye disease via suppression of inflammation and protection of the ocular surface.

Purpose: Pseudognaphalium affine (P. affine), a medicinal plant, has long been used to treat various diseases due to its astringent and vulnerary effects. These therapeutic benefits are largely attributed to high contents of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, that have anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective activities.

Effect of pterygium on corneal astigmatism, irregularity and higher-order aberrations: a comparative study with normal fellow eyes.

Pterygium is an abnormal growth of fibrous conjunctival tissue that invades the cornea, resulting in corneal distortion, astigmatism, and increased higher-order aberrations (HOAs). However, few studies have compared eyes with pterygium to normal fellow eyes when interpreting HOAs and there is no study that revealed the effect of the thickness or grading of the pterygium on the change of HOAs. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of nasal pterygium by comparing the normal fellow eye of 59 patients.

Long-Term Impact of a Smartphone App on Prescriber Adherence to Antibiotic Guidelines for Adult Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Interrupted Time-Series Study.

Background: Mobile health platforms like smartphone apps that provide clinical guidelines are ubiquitous, yet their long-term impact on guideline adherence remains unclear. In 2016, an antibiotic guidelines app, called SCRIPT, was introduced in Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand, to provide local antibiotic guidelines to clinicians on their smartphones.

Objective: We aimed to assess whether the provision of antibiotic guidelines in a smartphone app resulted in sustained changes in antibiotic guideline adherence by prescribers.

SS-OCT-based ocular biometry in an adult Korean population with cataract.

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of ocular biometric parameters in adult Korean patients with cataract.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Multicenter prospective validation study for international chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease consensus diagnostic criteria.

Purpose: To validate the international chronic ocular graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) diagnostic criteria (ICCGVHD) compared to the National Institute of Health diagnostic criteria 2014 (NIH2014) for chronic ocular GVHD.

Methods: Between 2013 and 2019, the study enrolled 233 patients with or without chronic ocular GVHD combined with the presence or absence of systemic chronic GVHD in an internationally prospective multicenter and observational cohort from 9 institutions. All patients were evaluated for four clinical parameters of ICCGVHD.

The Eyelid Meibomian Gland Deficiency in Fucosyltransferase 1 Knockout Mice.

To investigate the effect of fucosyltransferase (FUT) 1-mediated fucosylation on meibomian glands (MG), we first confirmed that FUT1 and its fucosylated products were expressed in the eyelid, conjunctiva and skin in wild-type (WT) mice, whereas their mRNA and protein levels were downregulated in Fut1 knock-out (KO) mice. We then evaluated age-dependent changes in the total and acinar areas of MG, meibocyte differentiation, lipid synthesis, and eyelid inflammation and oxidative stress in Fut1 KO and WT mice. Results show that both the total and acinar areas of MG were smaller in Fut1 KO mice than in WT mice in all evaluated age groups.

Infectious Keratitis in Patients with Ocular Sjögren's Syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the incidence, characteristics, risk factors, and treatment outcomes for infectious keratitis in patients with ocular Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who had been followed up for ocular SS in Seoul National University Hospital from 2010 to 2020 and identified cases where infectious keratitis developed. The incidence, demographical and clinical characteristics, risk factors, microbiological profiles, and treatment outcome were investigated, some of which were compared with infectious keratitis cases in the non-SS group.