A 5-year analysis of endothelial penetrating keratoplasty graft survival in Chinese patients.

Aim: To determine if there is any difference in long term graft survival between Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PK).

Methods: A retrospective 5-year cases analysis of bullous keratopathy secondary to Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, receiving either DSEK or PK. A total of 42 DSEK cases and 25 PK cases were included in the analysis.

Recent advances in understanding and managing Lichen Sclerosus.

Lichen sclerosus (LS), or balanitis xerotica obliterans as it was previously known, is a chronic inflammatory lymphocyte-mediated scarring dermatosis that often affects the preputial skin and glans, leading to phimosis and urethral strictures if left untreated. We present a narrative review of the literature assessing its aetiology and pathogenesis and discuss its links to penile cancer and its medical and surgical management. Possible hypotheses for the development of LS include chronic exposure to trapped urine, leading to changes in the epithelial structure.

Novel grid and sectoral analyses in monitoring corneal scars.

Purpose: We aim to design two sampling methods, the grid and sectoral methods, to provide more precise detection of focal corneal scar changes with time following pterygium excision with the Pentacam imaging system.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of our previous prospective observational case series. Thirty patients underwent primary pterygium excision with adjuvant topical mitomycin-C application were followed up and imaged with Pentacam system at postoperative weeks 1, 4, 12 and month 18.

Perturbation of Retinoid Homeostasis Increases Malformation Risk in Embryos Exposed to Pregestational Diabetes.

Pregestational diabetes is highly associated with an increased risk of birth defects. However, factors that can increase or reduce the expressivity and penetrance of malformations in pregnancies in women with diabetes remain poorly identified. All- retinoic acid (RA) plays crucial roles in embryogenesis.

Long-Term Density Changes in Corneal Layers After Primary Pterygium Excision With Topical Mitomycin-C.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term change in average corneal densities at 18 months after primary pterygium excision with topical adjuvant mitomycin-C application, particularly the relationship between anterior and posterior corneal layer densities.

Methods: Prospective observational case series. Patients were imaged with the Pentacam at 18 months after their surgery.

The Incidence of Postoperative Endophthalmitis Before and After a Revised Preoperative Surgical Site Preparation Protocol.

Purpose: To compare the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis before and after the implementation of a preoperative surgical site preparation protocol for cataract surgery.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Records of patients with postoperative endophthalmitis between January 2006 and August 2013 were reviewed.

Human Ocular Dirofilariasis in Hong Kong.

Purpose: Human dirofilariasis is a helminthic infestation caused by filarial nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria. We report two cases of subconjunctival dirofilariasis in adult Chinese patients.

Case Reports: Case 1: A 57-year-old woman presented to us with 1-day history of left eye redness and migratory foreign body sensation.

Long-term outcomes of endothelial keratoplasty in Chinese eyes at a University Hospital.

Background: Endothelial keratoplasty (EK) is used increasingly for the management of cases with endothelial dysfunction. Long-term outcomes of the surgery are not widely reported in the literature. We report our experience of EK in Chinese eyes at a University teaching hospital.

Eighteen months of anterior chamber inflammation.

A 60-year-old Chinese patient was seen multiple times in the ophthalmology outpatient department due to persistent anterior-chamber inflammation and raised intraocular pressure. The patient was being treated with topical corticosteroids and oral acyclovir. Signs of corneal endotheliitis were observed in subsequent follow-ups.

DNA-repair measurements by use of the modified comet assay: an inter-laboratory comparison within the European Comet Assay Validation Group (ECVAG).

The measurement of DNA-repair activity by extracts from cells or tissues by means of the single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay has a high potential to become widely used in biomonitoring studies. We assessed the inter-laboratory variation in reported values of DNA-repair activity on substrate cells that had been incubated with Ro19-8022 plus light to generate oxidatively damaged DNA. Eight laboratories assessed the DNA-repair activity of three cell lines (i.

The value of preprocedure computed tomography for planning insertion of inferior vena cava filters.

Purpose: To determine if valuable information could be obtained from abdominal computed tomography (CT) performed before insertion of an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was performed on IVC filter insertions with a CT performed before the procedure. Cavagram and CT were compared for renal vein and IVC anatomy, the diameter of the IVC, and the prevalence of iliocaval thrombus.

An ECVAG trial on assessment of oxidative damage to DNA measured by the comet assay.

The increasing use of single cell gel electrophoresis (the comet assay) highlights its popularity as a method for detecting DNA damage, including the use of enzymes for assessment of oxidatively damaged DNA. However, comparison of DNA damage levels between laboratories can be difficult due to differences in assay protocols (e.g.

Variation in the measurement of DNA damage by comet assay measured by the ECVAG inter-laboratory validation trial.

The comet assay has become a popular method for the assessment of DNA damage in biomonitoring studies and genetic toxicology. However, few studies have addressed the issue of the noted inter-laboratory variability of DNA damage measured by the comet assay. In this study, 12 laboratories analysed the level of DNA damage in monocyte-derived THP-1 cells by either visual classification or computer-aided image analysis of pre-made slides, coded cryopreserved samples of cells and reference standard cells (calibration curve samples).

The alpha(1S) subunit of the L-type calcium channel is not a predisposition gene for thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

Objective: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TTP) has been associated with genetic variations in the gene encoding the alpha 1 subunit of the L-type calcium channel (CACNA1S). Mutations in CACNA1S are known to account for the majority of cases of familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis (HOKPP). In this study we have examined 48 genetic polymorphisms in the CACNA1S gene and genotyped a tagging set of representative polymorphisms to determine the role of this gene in TPP.

A relook into the association of the estrogen receptor [alpha] gene (PvuII, XbaI) and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a study of 540 Chinese cases.

Study Design: A genetic association study of estrogen receptor-[alpha] gene (ESR1) with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) in Chinese.

Objectives: To investigate whether: 1) PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms in ESR1 are predisposition factor for AIS and 2) these polymorphisms correlate with the severity of curvature in AIS.

Summary Of Background Data: A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in ESR1 (XbaI) was found to be associated with curve severity in Japanese AIS patients recently.

No mutation in the KCNE3 potassium channel gene in Chinese thyrotoxic hypokalaemic periodic paralysis patients.

Objectives: Mutation in KCNE3 gene (Isk-related family potassium voltage-gated channel member 3 gene) was recently associated with the aetiology of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP). We studied 79 Chinese TPP patients by DNA sequencing of the entire coding sequence of KCNE3 to determine if this gene is the cause of TPP in Chinese patients.

Design And Measurements: A case-control genetic association study was carried out to determine the role of mutation/polymorphism in KCNE3 gene in the pathogenesis of TPP.