Fungal Keratitis: Diagnosis, Management, and Recent Advances.

Fungal keratitis is one of the major causes of microbial keratitis that may lead to corneal blindness. Many problems related to diagnosis and therapy are encountered in fungal keratitis, including difficulty in obtaining laboratory diagnoses and the availability and efficacy of antifungal medications. Intensive and prolonged use of antifungal topical preparations may not be enough.

Femto-SMILE after photo-therapeutic keratectomy in an eye with failed LASIK flap: A case report.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to describe a case where Femtosecond Intrastromal Lenticule Extraction was used to address the refractive defect following topography-guided phototherapeutic keratectomy (topo-PTK) to regularise a scarred corneal surface after an initial LASIK flap formation attempt failed.

Observations: A 23-year-old female experienced a thin and irregular corneal flap, during a microkeratome LASIK surgery of the right eye. Subsequently, she experienced epithelial ingrowth.

Comparison between three different high fluence UVA levels in corneal collagen cross-linking for treatment of experimentally induced fungal keratitis in rabbits.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Photo-Activated Chromophore for Keratitis - Corneal Collagen Cross-linking (PACK-CXL) of three different total UVA fluence levels and topical voriconazole in treatment of fungal keratitis experimentally induced in rabbits.

Methods: This is an interventional experimental study including both eyes of 16 rabbits (32 eyes). Fungal keratitis was induced by intrastromal injection of Fusarium Solani into the cornea.

Characteristics of silicon nanowire solar cells with a crescent nanohole.

In recent years, newly emerging photovoltaic (PV) devices based on silicon nanowire solar cells (SiNW-SCs) have attracted considerable research attention. This is due to their efficient light-trapping capability and large carrier transportation and collection with compact size. However, there is a strong desire to find effective strategies to provide high and wideband optical absorption.

Transesophageal Versus Transthoracic Echocardiography for Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function.

Background: Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has not been compared to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) for assessment of left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF). Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a disease model of premature myocardial disease.

Methods: 66 patients with SLE (mean age 36±12 years, 91% women) and 26 age-and-sex matched healthy volunteers (mean age 34±11 years, 85% women) underwent TEE immediately followed by TTE.

BioMonitor 2 in-office setting insertion safety and feasibility evaluation with device functionality assessment: results from the prospective cohort BioInsight study.

Background: Insertable cardiac monitors are utilized for the diagnosis of arrhythmias and traditionally have been inserted within hospitals. Recent code updates allow for reimbursement of office-based insertions; however, there is limited information regarding the resources and processes required to support in-office insertions. We sought to determine the safety and feasibility of in-office insertion of the BioMonitor 2 and better understand in-office procedures, including patient selection, pre-insertion protocols, resource availability, and staff support.

Modified Pull-Through Technique for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Upgrades in Patients with Occluded Access Veins.

The number of procedures for upgrading implantable devices for cardiac resynchronization therapy has increased considerably during the last decade. A major challenge that operators face in these circumstances is occlusion of the access vein. We have modified a pull-through method to overcome this obstacle.

Hybrid salvage of thrombosed dialysis access grafts.

Background: To report our experience and evaluate the results of a hybrid procedure comprising of surgical thrombectomy and adjuvant high pressure balloon angioplasty for management of thrombosed arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) with underlying venous anastomotic stenosis.

Methods: Between January 2015 and June 2017, 148 patients with first-time thrombosis of AVGs were considered for treatment with surgical thrombectomy followed by high pressure balloon angioplasty of the underlying venous anastomotic lesions. Monitoring and surveillance was subsequently performed using clinical and hemodialysis criteria to detect a failing/failed access.

Anatomic Patterns of Renal Arterial Sympathetic Innervation: New Aspects for Renal Denervation.

Aims: Initial studies of catheter-based renal arterial sympathetic denervation to lower blood pressure in resistant hypertensive patients renewed interest in the sympathetic nervous system's role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. However, the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 study failed to meet its prespecified blood pressure lowering efficacy endpoint. To date, only a limited number of studies have described the microanatomy of renal nerves, of which, only two involve humans.

A Novel Method of Axillary Venipuncture Using the Cephalic Vein as a Sole Anatomic Landmark.

The use of axillary venipuncture for pacemaker lead implantation has become a common technique. However, because of its relatively high complexity, it is still not the method of choice in most hospitals. As such, we propose an effective, simple, and safe technique for axillary venipuncture using only the cephalic vein as an anatomic landmark, with the possibility of selective cephalic contrast venography as a backup.

Clinical safety of the Iforia implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system in patients subjected to thoracic spine and cardiac 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging scanning conditions.

Background: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are generally considered a contraindication to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Objective: The purpose of the ProMRI Phase C study, a multicenter, prospective, single-arm, nonrandomized study, was to evaluate the clinical safety of the Biotronik ProMRI Iforia ICD system during MRI.

Methods: Patients were enrolled after ICD implantation, with either a dual-chamber DR-T or single-lead VR-T DX system.

Aortic stiffness is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus: a controlled transesophageal echocardiographic study.

Background: Aortic stiffness and left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction are common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Hypothesis: In SLE, aortic stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction may be associated.

Methods: This 6-year-duration, cross-sectional, and controlled study was conducted in 76 SLE patients (69 women; mean age, 37 ± 12 years) and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

An analysis of implantable cardiac device reliability. The case for improved postmarketing risk assessment and surveillance.

Implantable cardiac devices have become the mainstay of the treatment of patients with heart disease. However, data regarding their reliability and, inferentially, safety have been called into question. We reviewed annual reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration Office of Device Evaluation by device manufacturers from 2003 to 2007.

Valvular perforation in left-sided native valve infective endocarditis.

Background: Left-sided native valve infective endocarditis (LNVIE) can result in mitral (MP) and aortic (AP) valve perforation, the prognostic significance of which remains poorly defined.

Hypothesis: Valvular perforation is associated with worse outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective review of patients with LNVIE during 1998-2005 was performed to examine characteristics and outcome predictors of LNVIE complicated by valve perforation.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: pathogenetic insights and myocardial perfusion kinetics using myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Transient apical ballooning syndrome or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a novel acute cardiac syndrome, characterized by regional systolic dysfunction involving the apex and mid-ventricular segments, with hyperkinesis of the basal segments. Mid-ventricular ballooning cardiomyopathy (MVBC) is a recently recognized variant of TC. Both disorders share the same precipitating factors, clinical features and course; however, unlike TC, MVBC is characterized by ballooning and akinesis of the mid-ventricular segments with hypercontractility of the basal and apical segments.

Aldosterone antagonists: the most underutilized class of heart failure medications.

Background: Aldosterone antagonists have been proven to be beneficial in severe heart failure (HF) as a result of systolic dysfunction. We sought to determine if there is a disparity in their utilization compared with ACE inhibitors and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (beta-blockers).

Methods: In the first part of the study, we asked physicians to answer a questionnaire presenting a hypothetical HF patient.