Assessment of a Novel Lens Surface Treatment for Scleral Lens Wearers With Dry Eye.

OBJECTIVES: To compare lens comfort and dry eye (DE) symptoms of DE scleral lens (SL) wearers fit with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based surface-treated and untreated SLs. Dry eye signs, comfortable SL wearing time (WT), vision quality, and lens-related ocular surface changes were also assessed. METHODS: Twenty-one SL wearers with DE and SL discomfort were enrolled in a double-masked crossover study. Participants were randomized to wear their untreated or PEG (Tangible Hydra-PEG, Tangible Science; Redwood, CA) surface-treated SL of the same parameters first for 30 days. Lens comfort, DE symptoms, and ocular surface assessments were measured at baseline, after the first test period, and after the crossover. Comfortable lens WT and frequency of foggy vision were recorded. Comparisons were assessed using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Polyethylene glycol-treated SL wear resulted in significantly improved: lens comfort (P=0.003), DE symptoms (P=0.004), corneal sodium fluorescein staining (P=0.01), temporal conjunctival lissamine green staining (P=0.01), lid wiper epitheliopathy (P=0.002), conjunctival papillae (P=0.003), frequency of foggy vision (P=0.002), tear break-up time (TBUT) (P=0.01), and comfortable lens WT (P=0.002) compared with untreated wear. There were no significant changes between treated and untreated lens wear for TBUT over the SL (P=0.14) and nasal conjunctival lissamine green staining (P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Polyethylene glycol surface-treated SLs provided improved comfort, reduced DE symptoms, and reduced ocular surface compromise compared with untreated SLs for participants with DE.

Organic zinc and copper supplementation on antioxidant protective mechanism and their correlation with sperm functional characteristics in goats.

Trace minerals feeding had significant effects on sperm production and fertility with better absorption and proper utilization within the body for optimum reproductive function. Several studies have shown that more influenced trace elements in the diets of animals are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Bucks showing deficiency of this mineral might affect the quality of semen production which in turn would affect the fertility. This experiment was thus designed to test the effects of organic Cu and Zn supplementation on antioxidants enzyme activities and sperm functional attributes in fresh semen of bucks. Forty bucks (n = 40, Aged 5 months) were assigned to ten groups of four animals in each group, supplemented (for a period of 8 months) with different levels of organic Zn: 20 mg (T2), 40 mg (T3) and 60 mg (T4), organic Cu: 12.5 mg (T5), 25 mg (T6), 37.5 mg (T7) and combined organic Zn and Cu: 20 + 12.5 mg (T8), 40 + 25 mg (T9), 60 + 37.5 mg (T10), respectively, per kg dry matter and no additional mineral diet (control; T1). One hundred and sixty semen samples were collected through electro-ejaculator and analysed for sperm quantity, quality, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity and correlated with the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities in seminal plasma. The results indicated organic Cu and zinc supplemented bucks produced more sperm cells, had higher sperm concentrations, maintained higher (p < .01) sperm livability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, more motility and velocity. The increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress and lowered lipid peroxidation were positively correlated (p < .05) with the sperm functional attributes. In conclusion, organic Cu and Zn supplement to male goats showed protective roles against oxidative damage and maintained better fresh semen characteristics.

Synthesis, characterization and thermoluminescence studies of (ZnS)1-x (MnTe)x nanophosphors.

The present paper reports the thermoluminescence (TL) of (ZnS)1-x (MnTe)x nanophosphors that were prepared by a wet chemical synthesis method. The structure investigated by X-ray diffraction patterns confirms the formation of a sphalerite phase whose space group was found to be F 4¯3m. From XRD, TEM and SEM analyses the average sizes of the particles were found to be 12 nm, 11 nm and 15 nm, respectively. Initially the TL intensity increased with increasing values of x because the number of luminescence centres increased; however, for higher values of x the TL intensity decreased because of the concentration quenching. Thus the TL, mechanoluminescence and photoluminescence intensities are optimum for a particular value of x, that is for x = 0.05. Thermoluminescence of the (ZnS)1-x (MnTe)x nanophosphor has not been reported previously. There were two peaks seen in the thermoluminescence glow curves in which the first peak lay at 105-100 °C and the second peak lay at 183.5-178.5 °C. The activation energies for the first and second peaks were found to be 0.45 eV and 0.75 eV, respectively.

Segmental polymethylmethacrylate-augmented fenestrated pedicle screw fixation for lumbar spondylolisthesis in patients with osteoporosis - A case series and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Instrumentation in patients with osteoporosis is challenging. Bone cement-augmented fenestrated pedicle screw fixation is a new procedure for fixation in osteoporotic bone. Very few studies related to this procedure are published in literature. AIMS: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)-augmented fenestrated pedicle screw fixation in patients with spondylolisthesis having significant osteoporosis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational, single centre study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and osteoporosis with symptomatic neural compression, managed surgically with PMMA-augmented fenestrated pedicle screws, were included in the study. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by means of Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog score (VAS); and, radiologically by plain radiography and computed tomography. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Wilcoxon nonparametric test for paired samples with a level of significance of 0.05 was performed. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients of spondylolisthesis with osteoporosis (average T score of -3.0) were included in the study. The average age at presentation was 56.5 years. Females predominated with a female:male ratio of 3.16:1.Most of the patients had spondylolisthesis at the L4/L5 level followed by the L5/SI level. All the patients underwent spinal fusion with instrumentation and bone cement (PMMA)-augmentation through fenestrated cannulated pedicle screws. Preoperative and postoperative functional assessment done with VAS and ODI showed statistically significant improvement. All the patients had an evidence of bone fusion at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fenestrated pedicle screw fixation with bone cement-augmentation in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and osteoporosis provided effective and lasting screw purchase.

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and Acute Kidney Injury due to Glyphosate Ingestion.

The literature, particularly from India, is scarce on the renal effects of glyphosate poisoning. Glyphosate causes toxicity not only after its ingestion but also after dermal exposure by inhalation route and on eye exposure. We present a patient report of glyphosate consumption which resulted in toxic epidermal necrolysis - the first report after glyphosate consumption and acute kidney injury.

Mass production of functional human pancreatic ß-cells: why and how?

Diabetes (either type 1 or type 2) is due to insufficient functional ß-cell mass. Research has, therefore, aimed to discover new ways to maintain or increase either ß-cell mass or function. For this purpose, rodents have mainly been used as model systems and a large number of discoveries have been made. Meanwhile, although we have learned that rodent models represent powerful systems to model ß-cell development, function and destruction, we realize that there are limitations when attempting to transfer the data to what is occurring in humans. Indeed, while human ß-cells share many similarities with rodent ß-cells, they also differ on a number of important parameters. In this context, developing ways to study human ß-cell development, function and death represents an important challenge. This review will describe recent data on the development and use of convenient sources of human ß-cells that should be useful tools to discover new ways to modulate functional ß-cell mass in humans.

Is the fracto-mechanoluminescence of ZnS:Mn phosphor dominated by charged dislocation mechanism or piezoelectrification mechanism?

Mathematical approaches made for both the charged dislocation model and piezoelectrically induced electron bombardment model of fracto-mechanoluminescence (FML), the luminescence induced by fracture of solids, in ZnS:Mn phosphor indicate that the piezoelectrically induced electron bombardment model provides a dominating process for the FML of ZnS phosphors. The concentration of 3000 ppm Mn(2+) is optimal for ML intensity of ZnS:Mn phosphor. The decay time of ML gives the relaxation time of the piston used to deform the sample and the time tm of maximum of ML is controlled by both the relaxation time of the piston and decay time of charges on the newly created surfaces of crystals. As the product of the velocity of dislocations and pinning time of dislocations gives the mean free path of a moving dislocation. Both factors play an important role in the ML excitation of impurity doped II-VI semiconductors. The linear increase of total ML intensity IT with the impact velocity indicates that the damage increases linearly with impact velocity of the load. Thus, the ML measurement can be used remotely to monitor the real-time damage in the structures, and therefore, the ML of ZnS:Mn phosphor has also the potential for a structural health monitoring system.

Effect of particle size on activation energy and peak temperature of the thermoluminescence glow curve of undoped ZnS nanoparticles.

This paper reports the effect of particle size on the thermoluminescence (TL) of undoped ZnS nanoparticles. ZnS nanoparticles were prepared using a chemical precipitation method in which mercaptoethanol was used as the capping agent. The nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. When the concentrations of mercaptoethanol used are 0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.015, 0.025, 0.040 and 0.060 M, the sizes of the nanoparticles are 2.86, 2.81, 2.69, 2.40, 2.10, 1.90 and 1.80 nm, respectively. Initially, the TL intensity of UV-irradiated ZnS nanoparticles increases with temperature, attains a peak value Im for a particular temperature Tm, and then decreases with further increases in temperature. The values of both Im and Tm increase with decreasing nanoparticle size. Whereas the activation energy decreases slightly with decreasing nanoparticle size, the frequency factor decreases significantly as the nanoparticle size is reduced. The order of kinetics for the TL glow curve of ZnS nanoparticles is 2. Expressions are derived for the dependence of activation energy (Ea) and Tm on nanoparticle size, and good agreement is found between the experimental and theoretical results.

Clinical, radiological, and functional evaluation of surgical treatment in degenerative lumbar canal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis is a frequent indication for spinal surgery. The clinical symptoms may not be accurately reflected on radiological studies. Treatment is aimed at not only obtaining immediate pain relief but also in preventing its long-term disabling sequelae. The walking ability needs to be correlated with functional outcome measures in assessing patients with symptomatic lumbar canal stenosis (LCS). AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study and evaluate the outcome of surgery for degenerative LCS on a clinical, radiological, and functional basis, and to establish an association between various factors that may be influencing the development of LCS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 48 patients was carried out at the Department of Neurosurgery, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupathi, in whom the LCS was confirmed and measured on magnetic resonance imaging images by thecal sac cross-sectional area (CSA). Their functional assessment was done by motorized treadmill test for assessment of the time of appearance of first symptom and the maximum walking distance. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and Short Form-36 (SF-36) score were also evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The post-operative VAS, ODI, JOA, SF-36 scores showed a significant improvement from the preoperative ones. Postoperative thecal sac measurements showed a significant neural decompression substantiating the results of improvement in the functional assessment scores after surgery. The treadmill test is a quantifiable means of dynamic function. It may be considered as a useful tool for the assessment of functional impairment and for the correlation of thecal sac CSA with lumbar canal stenosis. A combination of functional scores, treadmill test, and thecal sac CSA may be included in the preoperative assessment of outcome in patients with LCS.

An algorithmic approach for clinical management of low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is caused by a variety of conditions. When conventional imaging failed, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was superior to scintigraphy in identifying the pathology. Injection therapies are often helpful in treating the pathology. AIM: To determine the cause of chronic low backache in individuals with normal conventional imaging (radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging), to determine the specific pathology using scintigraphic studies and diagnostic blocks; and, to treat the individuals with various spinal injection techniques and determine their efficacy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the patients having chronic back pain on presentation in the outpatient clinic from April 2013 to October 2014 were prospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The 40 patients included in the study were followed up pre- and post operatively with various pain scales (visual analogue scale [VAS], Oswestry disability index [ODI] and short form health survery 36 [SF36]). The mean age at presentation was 41.3 years. Female patients formed the predominant subgroup in the study (57.5% female and 42.5% male patients). Pain indices like VAS and ODI were helpful in assessing the efficacy of spinal injections. Preoperative and postoperative pain scale assessment, supplemented by a SPECT evaluation of the sacroiliac and facet joints, showed a statistically significant difference, which correlated with clinically significant pain relief. CONCLUSIONS: SPECT imaging is helpful in diagnosing sacroiliac joint syndrome and facetal syndrome. Epidural injections were a better choice in cases of low backache, where clinically, the patient had no signs of sacroiliac joint syndrome and facetal syndrome. Spinal injections with steroid and local anaesthetic had better relief. Radiotracer uptake at the pain generating area is a good predictor of outcome. Image guided spinal injection improves the accuracy of the injection.

Magnon bands in pyrochlore slabs with Heisenberg exchange and anisotropies.

The pyrochlore lattice is a versatile venue to probe the properties of magnetically ordered states induced or perturbed by anisotropic terms like the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions or single-ion anisotropy. Several such ordered states have been investigated recently as precursors of topological magnons and the associated surface states. In parallel, there has been recent progress in growing thin films of magnetic materials with this lattice structure along high symmetry directions of the lattice. In both cases, an account of the magnetic excitations of relevant Hamiltonians for finite slabs is a necessary step in the analysis of the physics of these systems. While the analysis of bulk magnons for these systems is quite common, a direct evaluation of the magnon spectra in the slab geometry, though required, is less frequently encountered. We study here magnon bands in the slab geometry for a class of spin models on the pyrochlore lattice with Heisenberg exchange, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and spin-ice anisotropy. For a range of model parameters, for both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange, we compute the classical ground states for different slab orientations and determine the spin wave excitations above them. We analyze the ferromagnetic splay phase, the all-in-all-out (AIAO) phase and a coplanar phase and evaluate magnon dispersions for slabs oriented perpendicular to the [111], [100] and [110] directions. For all the phases considered, depending on the slab orientation, magnon band structures can be non-reciprocal and we highlight the differences in the three orientations from this point-of-view. Finally, we present details of the surface localized magnons for all the three slab orientations in the phases we study. For the ferromagnetic splay phase and the AIAO phase we analyze surface states associated with point degeneracies or nodal lines in the bulk spectrum by computing the magnonic Berry curvature and Weyl charges or Chern numbers associated with it.

Anti-tumorigenic action of 2-[piperidinoethoxyphenyl]-3-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzo(b)pyran: evidence for involvement of GPR30/EGFR signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of non-steroidal, pure antiestrogenic benzopyran derivative i.e., 2-[piperidinoethoxyphenyl]-3-[4-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzo(b)pyran (K-1) on the growth of human endometrial cancer cells in vivo and in vitro and to elucidate its mechanism of action. METHODS: Cell proliferation was assayed by measuring the incorporation of 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine in Ishikawa and primary endometrial cancer cells. The expression of proliferation and apoptotic markers was analyzed by immunoblotting. The effect of K-1 on GPR30-regulated proteins was analyzed by ELISA and by immunoblotting. Nude mice bearing subcutaneous implanted-Ishikawa tumors, were treated for 14days with K-1 (200µg/kg body weight/day/orally). The proliferation markers, GPR30-regulated proteins and apoptotic markers were analyzed by immunoblotting in tumor xenograft. The apoptotic effect of compound K-1 was determined by TUNEL assay. RESULTS: Compound K-1 inhibited proliferation of endometrial adenocarcinoma cells and decreased the expression of proliferation markers. It caused apoptosis by increasing the expression of apoptotic markers (NOXA, PUMAα) and reducing the expression of p-CREB and BclxL. Compound interfered with GPR30-regulated-EGFR activation, decreased p-ERK, p-c-jun, c-fos, cyclinD1 and c-myc expression. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with K-1 resulted in a significant decrease in tumor volume and weight. Decreased expression of p-ERK and its downstream molecules and increased expression of apoptotic markers were observed in tumor in K-1 treated animals. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the potent inhibitory effect of compound K-1 on endometrial cancer cellular growth (in-vitro) and on tumor size (in-vivo) which is mediated at least, in part, by interference with GPR30-signaling.

Meta-analysis of Long-term De Novo Acid Reflux-Related Outcomes Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: Evidence Against the Need for Routine Postoperative Endoscopic Surveillance.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of long-term de novo acid reflux-related complications following sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to determine whether routine postoperative surveillance endoscopy is necessary. METHODS: A systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, CENTRAL, the Web of Science, and bibliographic reference lists was conducted. A proportion meta-analysis model was constructed to quantify the risk of the de novo gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), oesophagitis, and Barrett's oesophagus (BE) at least 4 years after SG. Random-effects modelling was applied to calculate pooled outcome data. RESULTS: Thirty-two observational studies were included reporting a total of 7904 patients who underwent primary SG and were followed up for at least 4 years. The median follow-up period was 60 months (48-132). Preoperative acid-reflux symptoms existed in 19.1% ± 15.1% of the patients. The risk of development of de novo GORD, oesophagitis, and BE after SG was 24.8% (95% CI 18.6-31.0%), 27.9% (95% CI 17.7-38.1%), and 6.7% (95% CI 3.7-9.7%), respectively. The between-study heterogeneity was significant in all outcome syntheses. It was suspected that several of the included studies have not reported BE and oesophagitis because such events might not have happened in their cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term risk of de novo GORD after SG seems to be comparable with those of the general population which questions the merit of surveillance endoscopy after SG in asymptomatic patients. De novo BE and oesophagitis after SG have not been reported by most of the available studies which may lead to overestimation of the rates of both outcomes in any evidence synthesis. We recommend endoscopic surveillance for symptomatic patients only.

Development and characterization of novel cell lines from Etroplus suratensis and their applications in virology, toxicology and gene expression.

Four novel cell lines from tissues of eye, gill, kidney and brain of Etroplus suratensis were developed and characterized. The cell lines of eye, gill, kidney and brain were sub-cultured for 245, 185, 170 and 90 passages, respectively, since 2008. These cell lines showed predominantly epithelial-like cells. Effects of temperature and foetal bovine serum concentration on the growth of these cell lines were examined and optimum growth was found at the temperature of 28° C with 20% foetal bovine serum. All the four cell lines were successfully cryopreserved and revived at different passage levels. Cell-cycle analysis of these cell lines was carried out by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products obtained from the cells and tissues of E. suratensis with primers specific to the conserved region of 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome oxidase I genes of E. suratensis revealed the origin of cell lines from E. suratensis. Antibodies raised against the tissues and cells of eye, kidney and gill were highly cross reacted to their specific tissue and cells of E. suratensis. Chromosomal analysis revealed that E. suratensis cells have a normal diploid karyotype with 2n = 48. The cells of these cell lines were successfully transfected with pEGFP vector DNA. The eye (IEE), gill (IEG) and kidney (IEK) cell lines were found to be susceptible to nodavirus but resistant to infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV). The cells of gill, kidney and eye were applied to test the cytotoxicity of tannery effluents.

Cisternostomy versus Decompressive Craniectomy for the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The goal of treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is to avoid secondary brain injury. Decompressive craniectomy has been shown to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP), but it actually provides an outlet for brain tissue to expand without reducing edema. Basal cisternostomy is an emerging microsurgical technique to manage cerebral edema in TBI. Cerebrospinal fluid is released from basal cisterns, which reduces cerebral edema. We compared outcomes of cisternostomy with decompressive craniectomy in a randomized controlled trial and studied the effectiveness of cisternostomy in decreasing cerebral edema. METHODS: All enrolled patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups and assessed clinically and radiologically. TBIs were categorized as mild, moderate, and severe injuries, and Marshall computed tomography-based score was assessed. Intraoperative ICP was measured in both groups. Outcomes were assessed based on postoperative intensive care unit stay, days on ventilator support, and Glasgow Outcome Scale score. RESULTS: There were 50 patients randomly assigned to 2 groups (25 patients in each group). Mortality rate was 32% (8 deaths) in the cisternostomy group and 44% (11 deaths) in the decompressive craniectomy group. Patients in the cisternostomy group had decreased mean days of ventilator support and intensive care unit stay. Cisternostomy resulted in significant decreases in ICP after craniotomy. Age, time from trauma to surgery, and Marshall score showed prognostic importance on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Cisternostomy was effective in reducing ICP in patients with TBI. Good Glasgow Outcome Scale scores and low rates of complications were found in the postoperative period after cisternostomy. Age, presenting Glasgow Coma Scale score, Marshall score, other major injuries, and time from trauma to surgery had a significant prognostic impact on outcome in management of TBI.

Establishment and characterization of a fin cell line from Indian walking catfish, Clarias batrachus (L.).

A new cell line, Indian Catfish Fin, derived from the fin tissue of Indian walking catfish, Clarias batrachus, was established and characterized. The cell line grew well in Leibovitz's L-15 medium supplemented with 15% foetal bovine serum (FBS) and has been subcultured more than 110 times since its initiation in 2007. The cells were able to grow at a range of temperature from 28 to 37 °C with optimal growth at 28 °C. The cell line predominantly consists of fibroblast-like cells. The growth rate of fin cells increased as the FBS concentration increased from 2% to 20% at 28 °C with optimum growth at a concentration of 15% or 20% and poor growth at a concentration of 5%. The cells were found to be susceptible to fish nodavirus and IPNV-ab and infection was confirmed by cytopathic effect and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. PCR amplification of mitochondrial 12S rRNA using primers specific to C. batrachus confirmed the catfish origin of the cell line. The cell line was characterized further by immunocytochemistry, transfection efficiency with pEGFP-N1 and cell cycle analysis by fluorescent-activated cell sorting.

Percutaneous transplantation of allogenic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the management of paraplegia secondary to Hansen type I intervertebral disc herniation in a Beagle dog.

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is one of the common causes of spinal cord injury (SCI) in dogs. It is commonly treated by performing surgical decompression that involves the removal of the extruded disc material. However, the recovery rates after surgical interventions are variable and many times unsatisfactory. This report aims to document a case of paraplegia associated with IVDH in a Beagle dog and its therapeutic management using allogenic bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (aBM-MSCs). CASE DESCRIPTION: The dog was presented with paraplegia that was initiated three weeks back. Based on the findings of computed tomography (CT), the condition was diagnosed as Hansen type I IVDH at T12-T13 intervertebral space. FINDINGS/TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Neurological examination was performed to grade the neurological deficit. The isolation, culture, and characterization of aBM-MSCs were done as per the standard protocol. The prepared cell suspension of aBM-MSCs was percutaneously transplanted to the spinal cord parenchyma at the site of injury. A total of four doses of 1 × 106 cells were given at an interval of 15 days along with methylcobalamin and gabapentin orally. Improvement was evaluated based on the neurological examination and grading. Considerable improvement was noticed after the first dose of aBM-MSCs. The animal started complete weight bearing on its pelvic limbs after two doses. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transplantation of aBM-MSCs might have played an important role in reversing the neurological deficits secondary to IVDH in this dog. Further studies are required preferably in a larger population to confirm the efficacy of aBM-MSCs therapy in ameliorating neural deficits associated with IVDH.

F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography Findings in an Interesting Case of Primary Cauda Equina Lymphoma with Literature Review.

Primary lymphomatous involvement of spinal cord, nerve roots, and cauda equina is a rare entity and comprises only 0.1% of extra-nodal lymphoma spectrum. Here, we present a case of non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving cauda equina, initially suspected as ependymoma on magnetic resonance imaging that was later confirmed on nerve root biopsy as high B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of L1-S1 nerve roots. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography was performed for staging workup which showed abnormal metabolic activity within the spinal canal from D10-S2 with no evidence of distant organ involvement.

The contact Lens risk survey to assess risk of soft contact lens-related inflammatory events.

PURPOSE: To test the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth Contact Lens Risk Survey (CLRS) scoring algorithm in soft contact lens (SCL) wearers presenting with SCL-related adverse events and healthy matched controls. METHODS: This prospective case-control study compared CLRS responses in SCL wearers presenting with symptomatic red eyes (Cases) with age-, sex- and site-matched healthy SCL wearers (Controls) at six locations across North America. Responses to individual questions from Cases and Controls were analyzed using either the Pearson, Mantel-Haenszel chi-square, or Fisher's exact test. Differences in the CLRS scores were compared using t-tests. RESULTS: A total of 171 SCL wearers were enrolled (n = 57 Cases, 114 Controls). Cases were adjudicated to consensus and classified as contact lens-related serious and significant (S&S) or non-serious events. S&S Cases scored significantly higher on the CLRS (56.1 ±â€¯11.1) than either their matched Controls (44.3 ±â€¯11.1) (P <  0.001) or the non-Serious Cases (44.8± 12.8 P =  0.002). Scores of non-serious Cases were not significantly different than scores of their Controls (43.4 ± 10.7, P = 0.33) CONCLUSIONS: The CLRS scoring algorithm discriminated between SCL wearers presenting with S&S CL-related adverse events from healthy SCL wearers and those with non-serious events. This survey and scoring system could help practitioners identify patients at greatest risk for CL-related adverse events and support targeted interventions aimed at reducing risk behaviors.