Effectiveness and safety of intense pulsed light therapy for dry eye symptoms due to meibomian gland dysfunction-A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dry eye disease is a common ocular condition, affecting quality of life and function for many people worldwide. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy for dry eye symptoms due to meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), as they are not yet established.

Methods: Comprehensive searches were conducted in January 2024 (Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE).

Study of measurement of the alcohol biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in dried blood spot (DBS) samples and application of a volumetric DBS device.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids formed in cell membranes following alcohol consumption. PEth measurement in whole blood samples is established as a specific alcohol biomarker with clinical and medico-legal applications. This study further evaluated the usefulness of dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected on filter paper for PEth measurement.

Effect of transferrin glycation on the use of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin as an alcohol biomarker.

Aims: Measurement of an alcohol-induced shift in the serum transferrin glycosylation pattern, termed carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), is used as a biomarker for sustained high alcohol consumption. The present work examined whether non-enzymatic reaction of transferrin with glucose (glycation) might interfere with the use of CDT as an alcohol biomarker.

Methods: The blood specimens were leftover volumes from the routine sample pool.