Decoding task specific and task general functional architectures of the brain.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used to capture complex and dynamic interactions between brain regions while performing tasks. Task related alterations in the brain have been classified as task specific and task general, depending on whether they are particular to a task or common across multiple tasks. Using recent attempts in interpreting deep learning models, we propose an approach to determine both task specific and task general architectures of the functional brain.

Correction: A knowledge, attitude, and practice survey on mediation among clinicians in a tertiary-care hospital in Singapore.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

A knowledge, attitude, and practice survey on mediation among clinicians in a tertiary-care hospital in Singapore.

Healthcare delivery is a highly complex, deeply personal and costly endeavour that involves multiple specialties and services. There is an imbalance in knowledge between the healthcare provider and consumer that may contribute to doubts and uncertainty over treatment and outcomes. It is unsurprising that conflict and dispute can develop between healthcare providers and patients and their next-of-kin.

Evaluation of the Sorbent Properties of Single- and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes for Volatile Organic Compounds through Thermal Desorption-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess well-defined structural and chemical characteristics coupled with a large surface area that makes them ideal as sorbent materials for applications where adsorption processes are required. The adsorption properties of carboxylated derivatives of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNT) and singlewalled carbon nanotubes (COOH-SWCNT), together with their nonfunctionalized counterparts (MWCNT and SWCNT) for 48 common atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined using thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GCMS). The CNTs exhibited similar recoveries for many of the VOCs compared to the standard sorbent materials, Carbopack X and Tenax TA.

Surgical smartphone applications across different platforms: their evolution, uses, and users.

Introduction: There are a vast array of smartphone applications that could benefit both surgeons and their patients. To review and identify all relevant surgical smartphone applications available for the Apple iPhone iOS and Google Android platform based on their user group and subspecialty for which they were designed.

Method: Both the literature using PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the following terms: application$, smartphone$, app$, app*, surgery, surgical, surg*, general surgery, general surg*, bariatric$, urology and plastic surgery, ortho*, orthop(a)edic, cardiac surgery, cardiothoracic, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology.

Controlled release of bone morphogenetic protein 2 and dexamethasone loaded in core-shell PLLACL-collagen fibers for use in bone tissue engineering.

Electrospun nanofibers mimic the native extracellular matrix of bone and have generated considerable interest in bone tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to fabricate novel poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLLACL), PLLACL/collagen nanofibers blended with bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and dexamethasone (DEX) for controlled release during bone tissue engineering (BTE). The morphology, surface hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties of the PLLACL/collagen nanofibrous mats were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle and mechanical stability determination.

Nasolabial fold angle measurement using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in normal subjects.

Purpose: The human nasolabial fold angle (NFA) has been measured using MRI and photogrammetry and has been shown to decrease with age. The authors aimed to evaluate a novel method using optical coherence tomography to measure the NFA.

Methods: In this cross-sectional observational series, the authors used anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) to image the NFA of both cheeks of 126 subjects aged 21 to 79 years.

Combined treatment with bevacizumab and 5-fluorouracil attenuates the postoperative scarring response after experimental glaucoma filtration surgery.

Purpose: This study evaluated the use of combined bevacizumab with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on postoperative scarring and bleb survival after experimental glaucoma filtration surgery in comparison to the agents alone.

Methods: Filtration surgery was performed on 26 female New Zealand White rabbits. The rabbits were allocated to one of four treatments: 5-FU combined with bevacizumab, 5-FU alone, bevacizumab alone, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

Salzmann nodular degeneration after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Purpose: To report a case of Salzmann nodular degeneration after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 36-year-old woman with no significant medical history underwent routine myopic LASIK in both eyes and 3 months later developed Salzmann nodular degeneration at the inferotemporal and inferonasal flap edges of the left eye only.

High-definition optical coherence tomography imaging of the iridocorneal angle of the eye.

Objective: To assess the ability of high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) to image the anterior chamber angle.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive subjects with phakic eyes underwent gonioscopy and anterior chamber angle imaging with HD-OCT adapted with a 60-diopter aspheric lens mounted over the imaging aperture. The patients' fixation was directed to the side using an external fixation light, and scans were taken of the temporal and nasal quadrants.

Diabetic retinopathy in diabetics referred to a tertiary centre from a nationwide screening programme.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in a multi-ethnic diabetic patient cohort referred for retinal evaluation from a nationwide diabetic retinopathy screening programme in Singapore.

Materials And Methods: Seven hundred and forty-two patients, aged 21 to 95, referred for suspected diabetic retinopathy on annual one-field non-mydriatic 45 degree retinal photographs (Topcon TRC-NW6, Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) from primary care to the Singapore National Eye Centre diabetic retinopathy clinic were included. The photographs had been interpreted by 24 trained family physicians accredited every 2 years with a training programme.

Molecular analysis of CHX10 and MFRP in Chinese subjects with primary angle closure glaucoma and short axial length eyes.

Purpose: The genetic basis of primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) has yet to be elucidated. Ocular characteristics related to PACG such as short hyperopic eyes with shallow anterior chambers suggest the involvement of genes that regulate ocular size. CHX10, a retinal homeobox gene associated with microphthalmia, and MFRP, the membrane-type frizzled-related protein gene underlying recessive nanophthalmos, represent good candidate genes for PACG due to the association with small eyes.

Lack of association between the rs2664538 polymorphism in the MMP-9 gene and primary angle closure glaucoma in Singaporean subjects.

Purpose: A recent study identified the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2664538 within the MMP-9 gene with risk for acute primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). The aim of this study was to confirm this association in Singaporean Chinese subjects with both acute and chronic PACG.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study.

Association analysis of CFH, C2, BF, and HTRA1 gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

Purpose: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is a major cause of serosanguinous maculopathy in Chinese patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Variants in the CFH and HTRA1/LOC387715 genes are strongly associated with AMD in Caucasians and Chinese. Variants in the C2 and BF genes have been found to confer a significantly reduced risk of AMD.

Lack of association between interleukin-1 gene cluster polymorphisms and glaucoma in Chinese subjects.

Purpose: A recent study identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL-1 gene cluster at chromosomal locus 2q13 that were associated with reduced risk for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in whites. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between IL-1 SNPs and glaucoma in Chinese patients with either POAG or primary-angle closure glaucoma (PACG).

Methods: Patients with POAG with a mean IOP without treatment that was consistently <21 mm Hg on diurnal testing were classified as having normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and those with higher IOP were classified as having high-tension glaucoma (HTG).

Lens opacity, thickness, and position in subjects with acute primary angle closure.

Purpose: To compare lens thickness (LT), lens position (LP), relative lens position (RLP), and degree and type of lens opacity between affected and fellow eyes of subjects with acute primary angle closure (APAC) to identify any differences in lens characteristics that may be contributory to the acute episode. In addition, axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements were evaluated.

Methods: Seventy-three study subjects with unilateral APAC were treated with sequential laser iridotomy (LI) in both eyes.

Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness variations with myopia.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and myopia using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Design: Prospective observational case series.

Methods: One hundred thirty-two young males with myopia (spherical equivalent [SE], -0.

Surgical management of late dislocated lens capsular bag with intraocular lens and endocapsular tension ring.

A case of late spontaneous dislocation of the lens capsular bag (CB) with foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) and endocapsular tension ring (CTR) and its surgical management is reported in a 52-year-old man. The dislocation occurred 2 years 3 months after phacoemulsification cataract surgery in which a CTR was used for zonular instability. A 3-port pars plana vitrectomy was performed.

Use of surodex in phacotrabeculectomy surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of Surodex (Oculex Pharmaceuticals, Sunnyvale, California) a drug delivery system incorporating 60 micrograms of dexamethasone in a pellet, in phacotrabeculectomy surgery.

Design: Nonrandomized, prospective, interventional case series.

Methods: Phacotrabeculectomy was performed on 37 Asian subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using a standardized technique.

Use of optical coherence tomography to assess variations in macular retinal thickness in myopia.

Purpose: To investigate the variation in macular retinal thickness in otherwise normal young Asian myopic subjects by using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: One hundred thirty ophthalmically normal men 19 to 24 years of age with myopia (spherical equivalent, -0.25 to -14.

Configuration of the drainage angle, intraocular pressure, and optic disc cupping in subjects with chronic angle-closure glaucoma.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between drainage angle configuration with untreated intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic disc cupping in subjects with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CACG).

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Participants: Two hundred seventy-five Asian subjects with CACG who participated in a randomized controlled trial that investigated the IOP-reducing effect of latanoprost and timolol.