Optimized keratometry and total corneal astigmatism for toric intraocular lens calculation.

Purpose: To compare keratometric astigmatism (KA) and different modalities of measuring total corneal astigmatism (TCA) for toric intraocular lens (IOL) calculation and optimize corneal measurements to eliminate the residual refractive astigmatism.

Setting: G.B.

Accuracy of a New Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Biometer for IOL Power Calculation and Comparison to IOLMaster.

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of the measurements provided by a new optical biometer (OA-2000, Tomey Corporation, Nagoya, Japan) for calculating the intraocular lens (IOL) power and to compare the refractive outcomes to those obtained with the IOLMaster 500 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany).

Methods: In this interventional multicenter study, consecutive patients having cataract surgery were enrolled. Only the IOL model used in the largest sample of patients was selected and the eyes implanted with that IOL were subsequently analyzed.

Optical coherence tomography angiography in acute arteritic and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to describe the feature of acute non-arteritic or arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION and A-AION) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and to compare it with fluorescein angiography (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

Methods: In this retrospective, observational case-control study four NA-AION patients and one A-AION patient were examined by FA, ICGA and OCT-A within 2 weeks from disease presentation. The characteristics of the images were analyzed.

Repeatability, Reproducibility, and Agreement of Two Scheimpflug-Placido Anterior Corneal Analyzers for Posterior Corneal Surface Measurement.

Purpose: To evaluate the intraoperator repeatability and interoperator reproducibility of two Scheimpflug-Placido anterior corneal analyzers (Sirius; Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy, and TMS-5; Tomey, Nagoya, Japan) for the measurement of posterior corneal surface in normal eyes and the agreement between the two devices.

Methods: The current prospective study investigated 55 right eyes of 55 healthy patients in a random order. The posterior steep keratometry (Ks), flat keratometry (Kf), mean keratometry (Km), and astigmatism were randomly measured by two independent experienced operators using the Sirius and TMS-5 Scheimpflug-Placido systems.

IOL Power Calculation in Short and Long Eyes.

An analysis of the studies published in the past 50 years reveals that the Haigis, Hoffer Q, and Holladay 2 formulas are the best options for intraocular lens power prediction in short eyes (<22 mm). In long eyes (>26 mm), the Barrett Universal II, Haigis (with optimized constants), Olsen, and SRK/T formulas provide the most accurate outcomes for intraocular lens power prediction.

Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): bluetongue.

A specific concept of strain was developed in order to classify the BTV serotypes ever reported in Europe based on their properties of animal health impact: the genotype, morbidity, mortality, speed of spread, period and geographical area of occurrence were considered as classification parameters. According to this methodology the strain groups identified were (i) the BTV strains belonging to serotypes BTV-1-24, (ii) some strains of serotypes BTV-16 and (iii) small ruminant-adapted strains belonging to serotypes BTV-25, -27, -30. Those strain groups were assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of Article 7, Article 5 on the eligibility of bluetongue to be listed, Article 9 for the categorisation according to disease prevention and control rules as in Annex IV and Article 8 on the list of animal species related to bluetongue.

Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using baculovirus-expressed VP7 for detection of epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) antibodies.

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a vector-borne infectious viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants. EHD could spread from infected northern African countries in free territories like the EU; therefore, the availability of diagnostic assays would represent key components for adequate surveillance and control programs. In this study, the gene encoding the VP7 protein of EHD virus (EHDV) was expressed into a baculovirus-infected insect cell system.

Corneal Asphericity and IOL Power Calculation in Eyes With Aspherical IOLs.

Purpose: Given that a previous study found that corneal asphericity influences the refractive outcome of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation by means of thin-lens formulas in eyes with spherical IOLs, the authors aimed to verify whether such influence can also be observed in eyes with aspherical IOLs.

Methods: In this retrospective comparative case series, IOL power was calculated with the Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and SRK/T formulas in two groups of eyes undergoing phacoemulsification and implantation of an aspherical IOL (Acrysof SN60WF; Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX).

Mosquito species involved in the circulation of West Nile and Usutu viruses in Italy.

Usutu (USUV) and West Nile (WNV) are mosquito-borne Flavivirus emerged in Italy in 1996 and 1998, respectively, and reappeared 10 years later. The aim of this work is to review the Italian mosquito species found positive for WNV and USUV between 2008 and 2014. Moreover, the role of mosquitoes in promoting the overwintering of these viruses is discussed, as a result of the mosquito collections performed in Molise region between September 2010 and April 2011.

Bluetongue outbreaks: Looking for effective control strategies against Culicoides vectors.

Several arthropod-borne diseases are now rising with increasing impact and risks for public health, due to environmental changes and resistance to pesticides currently marketed. In addition to community surveillance programs and a careful management of herds, a next-generation of effective products is urgently needed to control the spread of these diseases, with special reference to arboviral ones. Natural product research can afford alternative solutions.

Comparison of ocular biometric measurements between a new swept-source optical coherence tomography and a common optical low coherence reflectometry.

The purpose of the current study was to compare the measurements between a new optical biometer based on swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), the OA-2000 (Tomey, Japan), and an optical biometer based on optical low coherence reflectometry (OLCR), the Lenstar (Haag-Streit, Switzerland). Ninety-nine eyes of 99 healthy subjects were included. The axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), aqueous depth (AD), lens thickness (LT), keratometry (K) readings, including flat K (Kf), steep K (Ks), mean K (Km), astigmatism vectors J, J at diameters of 2.

Estimating Total Corneal Astigmatism From Anterior Corneal Data.

Purpose: To determine keratometric astigmatism (KA), posterior corneal astigmatism (PCA), and total corneal astigmatism (TCA) in 951 normal eyes, to establish a model for estimating TCA from anterior corneal data, and to test this method in a new group of eyes with toric intraocular lenses (TIOLs).

Methods: We used a Pentacam HR (high-resolution) Scheimpflug camera to determine KA, PCA, and TCA in 951 normal eyes. A model to estimate TCA from anterior corneal data was evaluated by the difference (=error) between the measured TCA and the estimated value.

Control of Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Northwestern Italy: Preparedness from One Season to the Next.

Introduction: Mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) are spreading worldwide due to globalization and climate change, representing a threat for both humans and animals. Of great concern are the infections caused by viruses belonging to the Flavivirus genus as West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) transmitted by Culex sp. or Dengue virus and Zika virus (ZIKV), transmitted by Aedes sp.

Emerging vector-borne diseases in dromedaries in Tunisia: West Nile, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease and Rift Valley fever.

A total of 118 sera were collected during 2016 from two groups of dromedaries from Kebili and Medenine governorates in the south of Tunisia. The aim of this study was to provide the first serological investigation of four emerging vector-borne diseases in two groups of dromedaries in Tunisia. Sera were tested by ELISA and serum neutralisation test to identify West Nile virus (WNV), bluetongue virus (BTV), epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV).

Correction: Accuracy of optical biometry combined with Placido disc corneal topography for intraocular lens power calculation.

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

Novel putative Bluetongue virus in healthy goats from Sardinia, Italy.

In recent years, novel Bluetongue virus (BTV) serotypes have been isolated and/or sequenced by researchers within the field. During Bluetongue surveillance activities, we identified a putative novel BTV serotype in healthy goats from Sardinia, Italy. RNAs purified from blood and serum samples were positive for BTV by a generic real time RT-PCR and c-ELISA, respectively, whereas genotyping and serotyping were unsuccessful.

A novel Bluetongue virus serotype 3 strain in Tunisia, November 2016.

Since 1998, southern Europe has experienced multiple incursions of different serotypes and topotypes of Bluetongue virus, a vector-borne transmitted virus, the causative agent of Bluetongue (BT), a major disease of ruminants. Some of these incursions originated from northern Africa, likely because of wind-blown dissemination of infected midges. In this report, we describe the detection and whole genome characterization of a novel BTV-3 strain identified in a symptomatic sheep in Tunisia.

Optical coherence tomography angiography of the peripapillary retina and optic nerve head in dominant optic atrophy.

Peripapillar and nerve head vessel density (VD) was measured in 10 patients affected by Dominant optic atrophy (DOA) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and compared to the measurements of 15 age- and gender-matched controls. DOA patients showed VD reduction, mostly in the temporal and inferotemporal peripapillary sectors, according to the preferential involvement of the papillomacular bundle. Despite poor best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), OCT-A revealed good repeatability.

Meta-analysis of optical low-coherence reflectometry versus partial coherence interferometry biometry.

A meta-analysis to compare ocular biometry measured by optical low-coherence reflectometry (Lenstar LS900; Haag Streit) and partial coherence interferometry (the IOLMaster optical biometer; Carl Zeiss Meditec). A systematic literature search was conducted for articles published up to August 6th 2015 in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Medline, Embase, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database and Wanfang Data. A total of 18 studies involving 1921 eyes were included.

Accuracy of optical biometry combined with Placido disc corneal topography for intraocular lens power calculation.

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of a new optical biometer for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in eyes undergoing cataract surgery.

Methods: Consecutive eyes of patients undergoing cataract surgery with the same IOL model were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Axial length (AL) and corneal power were measured with an optical biometer based on optical low-coherence interferometry and Placido-disc corneal topography.

Genetic evidence for a worldwide chaotic dispersion pattern of the arbovirus vector, Aedes albopictus.

Background: Invasive species represent a global concern for their rapid spread and the possibility of infectious disease transmission. This is the case of the global invader Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito. This species is a vector of medically important arboviruses, notably chikungunya (CHIKV), dengue (DENV) and Zika (ZIKV).