7-Year Results of SMILE for High Myopia: Visual and Refractive Outcomes and Aberrations.

Purpose: To evaluate the 7-year visual, refractive, and optical outcomes following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for high myopia and myopic astigmatism.

Methods: Sixty-nine eyes (69 patients) undergoing SMILE between March 2011 and January 2012 at Aarhus University Hospital were included. Preoperative, 3-month, 3-year, and 7-year evaluation included: manifest refraction and uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities, total corneal refractive power (TCRP), average keratometry (Km), aberrations, and central corneal thickness (CCT).

Intrastromal Lenticule Rotation for Treatment of Astigmatism Up to 10.00 Diopters Ex Vivo in Human Corneas.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of intrastromal lenticule rotation (ISLR) as a novel technique for management of astigmatism up to 10.00 diopters (D).

Methods: Eighteen human donor corneas were mounted on an artificial anterior chamber.

Functional Optical Zone and Centration Following SMILE and LASIK: A Prospective, Randomized, Contralateral Eye Study.

Purpose: To compare centration and functional optical zone (FOZ) after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, single-masked, paired-eyed, clinical trial, 70 patients received SMILE in one eye and LASIK in the other eye for myopia and myopic astigmatism. FOZ was calculated using custom software on 3-month postoperative refractive power maps (Pentacam HR; Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany).

Corneal remodelling and topography following biological inlay implantation with combined crosslinking in a rabbit model.

Implantation of biological corneal inlays, derived from small incision lenticule extraction, may be a feasible method for surgical management of refractive and corneal diseases. However, the refractive outcome is dependent on stromal remodelling of both the inlay and recipient stroma. This study aimed to investigate the refractive changes and tissue responses following implantation of 2.

Review of Corneal Biomechanical Properties Following LASIK and SMILE for Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism.

Worldwide, femtosecond Laser Assisted Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a well known and commonly used refractive technique, although Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) has become increasingly popular since it was introduced in 2011. In LASIK, a corneal flap is cut with a microkeratome or femtosecond laser, followed by thinning of the stromal bed with excimer laser ablation. In SMILE, a minor intrastromal lenticule is cut with a femtosecond laser and subsequently removed through a small incision, leaving the anterior and strongest part of the cornea almost intact.

Reshaping and Customization of SMILE-Derived Biological Lenticules for Intrastromal Implantation.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of excimer laser reshaping of biological lenticules available after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Methods: Fresh and cryopreserved SMILE-derived human lenticules underwent excimer laser ablation for stromal reshaping. The treatment effects in the lasered group were compared with the nonlasered group with respect to changes in surface functional groups (by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR]) and surface morphology (by scanning electron microscopy [SEM] and atomic force microscopy [AFM]).

Initiating transitional care for adolescents with cystic fibrosis at the age of 12 is both feasible and promising.

Aim: Adolescence is a vulnerable period in cystic fibrosis, associated with declining lung function. This study described, implemented and evaluated a transition programme for adolescents.

Methods: We conducted a single centre, nonrandomised and noncontrolled prospective programme at the cystic fibrosis centre at Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet from 2010 to 2011, assessing patients aged 12-18 at baseline and after 12 months.

Biological Lenticule Implantation for Correction of Hyperopia: An Ex Vivo Study in Human Corneas.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in corneal tomography after stromal lenticule implantation ex vivo, with respect to the dependency of the lenticule thickness and implantation depth on the corneal curvature and the postoperative biomechanical strength at increased chamber pressure.

Methods: Twenty-eight human donor corneas underwent pocket implantation of refractive stromal lenticules. Four groups were created by the combination of two implantation depths (110 and 160 µm) and two lenticule thicknesses (95 µm = 4.

Refractive Correction and Biomechanical Strength Following SMILE With a 110- or 160-μm Cap Thickness, Evaluated Ex Vivo by Inflation Test.

Purpose: To examine the refractive correction and corneal biomechanical strength after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) by using a 110- or 160-μm cap thickness.

Methods: Thirty-two human donor corneas were allocated into 4 groups, combining one of two cap thicknesses (110 and 160 μm) with one of two spherical corrections (-4 D and -8 D). Each cornea was mounted on an artificial anterior chamber.

Intraoperative Patient Experience and Postoperative Visual Quality After SMILE and LASIK in a Randomized, Paired-Eye, Controlled Study.

Purpose: To compare intraoperative and postoperative subjective patient experience after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK.

Methods: In a prospective, randomized, paired-eye, single-masked clinical trial at Singapore National Eye Centre, 70 patients were randomly treated with SMILE and LASIK in each eye. The intraoperative questionnaire was completed immediately after surgery and included light perception and levels of anxiety, fear, and discomfort.

Glycosylation is important for legumain localization and processing to active forms but not for cystatin E/M inhibitory functions.

The asparaginyl endopeptidase legumain and its inhibitor cystatin E/M are endogenously glycosylated. However, little is known about the nature of the carbohydrate groups and whether they affect the functions of these proteins. In this study both glycosylated and unglycosylated forms of legumain and cystatin E/M were studied.

Proximal 21q deletion as a result of a de novo unbalanced t(12;21) translocation in a patient with dysmorphic features, hepatomegaly, thick myocardium and delayed psychomotor development.

Background: IInterstitial 21q deletions can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms depending on the size and the location of the deletion. It has previously been suggested that the long arm of chromosome 21 can be divided into three regions based on the clinical severity of the patients and deletion of the region from 32.3 Mb to 37.

Identification of chlorinated solvents degradation zones in clay till by high resolution chemical, microbial and compound specific isotope analysis.

The degradation of chlorinated ethenes and ethanes in clay till was investigated at a contaminated site (Vadsby, Denmark) by high resolution sampling of intact cores combined with groundwater sampling. Over decades of contamination, bioactive zones with degradation of trichloroethene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) to 1,2-cis-dichloroethene (cis-DCE) and 1,1-dichloroethane, respectively, had developed in most of the clay till matrix. Dehalobacter dominated over Dehalococcoides (Dhc) in the clay till matrix corresponding with stagnation of sequential dechlorination at cis-DCE.

Mammalian tissues defective in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay display highly aberrant splicing patterns.

Background: Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) affects the outcome of alternative splicing by degrading mRNA isoforms with premature termination codons. Splicing regulators constitute important NMD targets; however, the extent to which loss of NMD causes extensive deregulation of alternative splicing has not previously been assayed in a global, unbiased manner. Here, we combine mouse genetics and RNA-seq to provide the first in vivo analysis of the global impact of NMD on splicing patterns in two primary mouse tissues ablated for the NMD factor UPF2.

UPF2 is a critical regulator of liver development, function and regeneration.

Background: Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a post-transcriptional RNA surveillance process that facilitates the recognition and destruction of mRNAs bearing premature terminations codons (PTCs). Such PTC-containing (PTC+) mRNAs may arise from different processes, including erroneous processing and expression of pseudogenes, but also from more regulated events such as alternative splicing coupled NMD (AS-NMD). Thus, the NMD pathway serves both as a silencer of genomic noise and a regulator of gene expression.

Acquired cryptorchidism is frequent in infancy and childhood.

Accurate prevalence data for acquired cryptorchidism are currently sparse and systematic prospective studies have not yet been reported. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of testicular ascent in childhood. In a prospective longitudinal population-based child cohort from Copenhagen, Denmark (1997-2007), testicular position was examined according to a standardised protocol in a total of 1072 boys, at birth (n = 1051), at 3 months (n = 983), 18 months (n = 888), 36 months (n = 790) and again once between 4 1/2 and 10 years of age (n = 509).

Risk factors for congenital cryptorchidism in a prospective birth cohort study.

Background: Risk factors for congenital cryptorchidism were investigated in a prospective birth cohort study in Denmark and Finland from 1997 to 2001.

Methodology And Principal Findings: In total, 2,496 boys were examined for cryptorchidism at birth (cryptorchid/healthy: 128/2,368) and three months old (33/2,215). Information on risk factors was obtained antenatally (questionnaire/interview) or at birth from birth records.

NMD is essential for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and for eliminating by-products of programmed DNA rearrangements.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a post-transcriptional surveillance process that eliminates mRNAs containing premature termination codons (PTCs). NMD has been hypothesized to impact on several aspects of cellular function; however, its importance in the context of a mammalian organism has not been addressed in detail. Here we use mouse genetics to demonstrate that hematopoietic-specific deletion of Upf2, a core NMD factor, led to the rapid, complete, and lasting cell-autonomous extinction of all hematopoietic stem and progenitor populations.

Mutation of C/EBPalpha predisposes to the development of myeloid leukemia in a retroviral insertional mutagenesis screen.

The CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPalpha) is an important myeloid tumor suppressor that is frequently mutated in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We have previously shown that mice homozygous for the E2F repression-deficient Cebpa(BRM2) allele develop nonfatal AML with long latency and incomplete penetrance, suggesting that accumulation of secondary mutations is necessary for disease progression. Here, we use SRS19-6-driven retroviral insertional mutagenesis to compare the phenotypes of leukemias arising in Cebpa(+/+), Cebpa(+/BRM2), and Cebpa(BRM2/BRM2) mice, with respect to disease type, latency of tumor development, and identity of the retroviral insertion sites (RISs).

Concentrations of persistent organochlorine compounds in human milk and placenta are higher in Denmark than in Finland.

Background: A significantly reduced male reproductive health status, including a higher prevalence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias, has been documented in Danish men compared with Finnish men. Exposure to environmental pollutants with endocrine disrupting activities has been suggested as a possible contributing factor. In this study, we investigated whether there was a difference in milk and placental concentrations of persistent organohalogen compounds, between the two countries.

Cryptorchidism and maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Background: Prenatal exposure to alcohol can adversely affect the fetus. We investigated the association between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and cryptorchidism (undescended testis) among newborn boys.

Methods: We examined 2,496 boys in a prospective Danish-Finnish birth cohort study for cryptorchidism at birth (cryptorchid/healthy: 128/2,368) and at 3 months of age (33/2,215).

Persistent pesticides in human breast milk and cryptorchidism.

Introduction: Prenatal exposure to some pesticides can adversely affect male reproductive health in animals. We investigated a possible human association between maternal exposure to 27 organochlorine compounds used as pesticides and cryptorchidism among male children.

Design: Within a prospective birth cohort, we performed a case-control study; 62 milk samples from mothers of cryptorchid boys and 68 from mothers of healthy boys were selected.

Larger testes and higher inhibin B levels in Finnish than in Danish newborn boys.

Context: Recent studies showed that male reproductive health problems, such as cryptorchidism, hypospadias, testicular cancer, and low sperm quality, are more prevalent in Denmark than in Finland.

Objectives: We hypothesized that, if fetal testicular dysgenesis contributed to these observations, differences in gonadal development and the hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis would already be detectable perinatally. Thus, we investigated healthy newborn boys in both countries.

Human breast milk contamination with phthalates and alterations of endogenous reproductive hormones in infants three months of age.

Unlabelled: Phthalates adversely affect the male reproductive system in animals. We investigated whether phthalate monoester contamination of human breast milk had any influence on the postnatal surge of reproductive hormones in newborn boys as a sign of testicular dysgenesis.

Design: We obtained biologic samples from a prospective Danish-Finnish cohort study on cryptorchidism from 1997 to 2001.