Psychometric evaluation and derivation of the Kannada version of the modified (29-item model) Indian Vision Function Assessment Questionnaire.

Background/aims: India's linguistic and cultural diversity necessitates a region-specific validated Visual Functioning Questionnaire. The objective of this study was to translate the Indian Vision Function Questionnaire-33 (IND-VFQ-33) into the Kannada language and test its psychometric properties, underlying factor structure, and model fit.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 participants, and basic psychometric properties (reliability, convergent, discriminant, construct validity, responsiveness, etc.

Clinico-demographic profile and visual outcomes of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in a multi-tier eyecare network in India.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the clinico-demographic characteristics of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK), its visual outcomes, factors associated with the choice of treatment, and poor visual outcomes of PBK.

Methods: In this hospital-based retrospective study, electronic medical records data of new patients who presented to a multi-tier ophthalmology hospital network in India (November 2010-June 2022) were extracted. Patients with at least 4 weeks of follow-up were analyzed for visual outcome data.

Statistical analysis plan for the phaco TIp position during clear corneal Phacoemulsification Surgery (TIPS) randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cornea is the most important refractive media in the eye, and damage to the corneal endothelium is one of the most common causes of poor visual outcome following cataract surgery, particularly in those with predisposing factors. The role of phaco tip position during phacoemulsification on corneal endothelial damage is ambiguous, and there is no consensus regarding the most cornea-friendly phaco tip position (bevel-up or bevel-down). The objective of the trial is to compare the effect of phaco tip position (bevel-up vs.

Does the phaco TIp position during clear corneal Phacoemulsification Surgery adversely affect corneal endothelium? TIPS study protocol for a randomised, triple-masked, parallel-group trial of bevel-up versus bevel-down phacoemulsification.

Globally, at least 30 million cataract surgeries are required annually to prevent cataract-related blindness. Corneal endothelial decompensation is one of the most common causes of poor visual outcome following cataract surgery, particularly in those with predisposing factors. The increasing ageing population and reduced visual impairment threshold for cataract surgery have resulted in rising cataract surgical rates and hence, an increase in corneal endothelial decompensation is expected.

Evaluating the quality of municipal strategic plans.

Local governments increasingly use strategic planning as a tool to anticipate and address the complex challenges they face. Strategic planning is the process of setting long-term goals, prioritizing actions to achieve the goals, and mobilizing human and financial resources to execute the actions. Although there has been considerable debate about the appropriate scope, content, and procedures for strategic planning in local government, less attention has been paid to the quality of municipal strategic plans, meaning the presence or absence of key characteristics that analysts typically associate with good plans.

Factors associated with good near vision after cataract surgery with monofocal intraocular lens implantation at a tertiary eye hospital in southern India.

Purpose: Although multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) are effective methods of dealing with surgical presbyopia, there are associated limitations (cost, technique, and patient-reported symptoms). Given their scalability challenge (due to economic factors), it is imperative to explore alternative low-cost and sustainable solutions to achieve good near vision postcataract surgery. This study aimed to determine the proportion of and the factors associated with good near vision in patients following cataract surgery with monofocal IOL implantation.

Can ultrasonic biometric indices with optimal cut-offs be a potential screening tool for primary angle closure disease? A case-control study.

Background/objectives: Despite a significant disease burden and potential to cause blindness, primary angle closure disease (PACD) does not have a population-based screening programme. Biometric indices using ultrasound A-scan is a potential tool for glaucoma case-detection. Given that genetic and environmental factors influence these parameters and paucity of data on their discrimination thresholds in Indian populace, we conducted a matched case-control study to determine the biometric indices and their discrimination thresholds associated with PACD.

Ergonomic practices and musculoskeletal disorders among ophthalmologists in India: An online appraisal.

Introduction: Ergonomics in ophthalmology is neither taught during professional training nor does it readily receive consideration or priority in clinical practice. Owing to a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among ophthalmologists, ergonomic awareness, and practices are vital in averting this modern epidemic.

Objective: To assess the ergonomic practices and prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders among ophthalmologists in India.

Phospholipase D1 regulation of TNF-alpha protects against responses to LPS.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory disorder with organ dysfunction and represents the leading cause of mortality in non-coronary intensive care units. A key player in septic shock is Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α). Phospholipase (PL)D1 is involved in the regulation of TNF-α upon ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice.

Occupational exposure to unburnt tobacco and potential risk of toxic optic neuropathy: A cross-sectional study among beedi rollers in selected rural areas of coastal Karnataka, India.

Background: Beedi also known as poor man's cigarette is manufactured in almost all major states of India. Beedi workers are exposed to various health risks. There is an increased risk of systemic absorption of tobacco through skin and mucous membrane.

Alemtuzumab improves preexisting disability in active relapsing-remitting MS patients.

Objective: To characterize effects of alemtuzumab treatment on measures of disability improvement in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) with inadequate response (≥1 relapse) to prior therapy.

Methods: Comparison of Alemtuzumab and Rebif Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (CARE-MS) II, a 2-year randomized, rater-blinded, active-controlled, head-to-head, phase 3 trial, compared efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab 12 mg with subcutaneous interferon-β-1a (SC IFN-β-1a) 44 μg in patients with RRMS. Prespecified and post hoc disability outcomes based on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), and Sloan low-contrast letter acuity (SLCLA) are reported, focusing on improvement of preexisting disability in addition to slowing of disability accumulation.

Central corneal thickness changes in bevel-up versus bevel-down phacoemulsification cataract surgery: study protocol for a randomised, triple-blind, parallel group trial.

Introduction: Corneal endothelial damage following phacoemulsification is still one of the major concerns of modern day cataract surgery. Although many techniques have been proposed, the risks of posterior capsular rupture and corneal endothelium damage persist. In theory, damage to the corneal endothelium is minimised by delivering the lowest phaco energy only in the direction necessary to emulsify the lens nucleus.

Vascular pharmacology of a novel cannabinoid-like compound, 3-(5-dimethylcarbamoyl-pent-1-enyl)-N-(2-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)benzamide (VSN16) in the rat.

Background And Purpose: A putative novel cannabinoid receptor mediates vasorelaxation to anandamide and abnormal-cannabidiol and is blocked by O-1918 and by high concentrations of rimonabant. This study investigates VSN16, a novel water-soluble agonist, as a vasorelaxant potentially acting at non-CB1, non-CB2 cannabinoid receptors in the vasculature.

Experimental Approach: VSN16 and some analogues were synthesized and assayed for vasodilator activity in the rat third generation mesenteric artery using wire myography.

GPR55 and the vascular receptors for cannabinoids.

CB1 and CB2 receptors mediate most responses to cannabinoids but not some of the cardiovascular actions of endocannabinoids such as anandamide and virodhamine, or those of some synthetic agents, like abnormal cannabidiol (abn-cbd). These agents induce vasorelaxation which is antagonised by rimonabant but only at high concentrations relative to those required to block CB1 receptors. Vasorelaxation to anandamide is sensitive to Pertussis toxin (though that to abn-cbd is not), and so is thought to be mediated by a G protein-coupled receptor through Gi/o.

Radiation-induced genomic instability is associated with DNA methylation changes in cultured human keratinocytes.

The mechanism by which radiation-induced genomic instability is initiated, propagated and effected is currently under intense scrutiny. We have investigated the potential role of altered genomic methylation patterns in the cellular response to irradiation and have found evidence for widespread dysregulation of CpG methylation persisting up to 20 population doublings post-irradiation. Similar effects are seen with cells treated with medium from irradiated cells (the 'bystander effect') rather than subjected to direct irradiation.

Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation on intestinal inflammation and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a neonatal rat model.

Inasmuch as long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, metabolites of the essential n-3 and n-6 fatty acids) are known to modulate inflammation, we hypothesized that supplementation of formula with these compounds would prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and intestinal inflammation in our neonatal rat model. Newborn rats were stressed with asphyxia and formula feeding, and randomly assigned to control formula, control with PUFA supplementation, and PUFA with nucleotides. Animals were followed for 72--96 h and assessed for death, gross and histologic NEC, intestinal apoptosis, endotoxemia, and intestinal mRNA synthesis of phospholipase A(2)-II (rate-limiting enzyme for platelet activating factor production), platelet activating factor receptor, and inducible nitric oxide synthase.

Bifidobacterial supplementation reduces the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in a neonatal rat model.

Background & Aims: Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating gastrointestinal disease of premature infants partly caused by intestinal bacterial proliferation. Because bifidobacteria are thought to reduce the risk for intestinal disturbances associated with pathogenic bacterial colonization, we hypothesized that exogenous bifidobacterial supplementation to newborn rats would result in intestinal colonization and a reduction in the incidence of neonatal NEC.

Methods: Newborn rat pups were given Bifidobacterium infantis (10(9) organisms per animal daily), Escherichia coli, or saline control and exposed to the NEC protocol consisting of formula feeding (Esbilac; 200 cal.