Progression Over 5 Years of Prelaminar Hyperreflective Lines to Optic Disc Drusen in the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 Eye Study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to examine 5-year changes in eyes with optic disc drusen at baseline on optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans and the relation of incident drusen to hyperreflective prelaminar lines. METHODS: The study included children who presented at baseline, when participants were aged 11-12 years, and again 5 years later. Grading for optic disc drusen was made in all. Grading for prelaminar lines was made in all children at follow-up and in eyes with optic disc drusen at baseline. Analyses included associations with scleral canal diameter at baseline in all children with optic disc drusen and a nested control group of 115 children without optic disc drusen. Data are reported as the number of children having at least one drusen or at least one hyperreflective line per person. RESULTS: The analysis included 724 children who attended both rounds of the study. Of these, 11 (1.5%) had optic disc drusen at baseline. Five additional children had developed optic disc drusen at follow-up, whereas optic disc drusen had disappeared in none, so that 16 (2.2%) children had optic disc drusen in one or both eyes at follow-up. Children with optic disc drusen at the 5-year follow-up had had a mean scleral canal diameter of 1,364 µm (interquartile range [IQR] 81 µm), compared with 1,457 µm (IQR 197) µm in 115 nested controls without optic disc drusen (P < 0.001). Optic disc drusen at follow-up were associated with more hypermetropic refraction. All children who had optic disc drusen at follow-up also had prelaminar hyperreflective lines. In addition, such lines were found at follow-up in 24 of the remaining 708 children without optic disc drusen (P < 0.001). Prelaminar hyperreflective lines with or without optic disc drusen were associated with a narrower scleral canal (diameter 1,364 µm, IQR 119 µm) compared with absence of prelaminar lines (1,486 µm, IQR 206 µm; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence from a prospective study that small optic discs and prelaminar hyperreflective lines on OCT are risk factors for the development of optic disc drusen. The association between prelaminar hyperreflective lines, hypermetropia, and a narrow scleral canal supports that a crowded disc is an essential predisposing factor for the development of optic disc drusen.

Dissipation and translocation of saisenxin in tobacco and soil under conventional field and controlled laboratory conditions.

The aim of this investigation was to investigate the fate and translocation characteristics of saisenxin (SSX), a novel organic zinc fungicide, in the environment and tobacco plants under conventional field and laboratory conditions. A rapid and sensitive analytical technique based on high-performance liquid chromatography was used for determination of SSX, in soil samples and tobacco leaf, stem and root samples. The method had satisfactiry linearity (R2 = 0.9999) and the limits of detection and of quantitation of the target compound were 0.06 and 0.20 mg kg-1, respectively. The average recoveries were in the range of 89.74-94.24% in soil, leaf, stem and root samples, with relative standard deviations of <8%. For conventional field trials, the half-life (t1/2) of SSX was 5.9-6.5 days in soil and 4.8-5.3 days in tobacco leaves; the corresponding values under controlled laboratory conditions were extended to 7.1 and 7.6 days. The translocation factor (TF) values were in the range of 0-2.25 and 0-0.25 for foliage and root irrigation treatments, respectively. The TFs of SSX in tobacco indicated that tobacco had a high ability to transfer SSX upward.

The Longitudinal Danish High Myopia Study, Cohort 1948: at age 66 years visual ability is only occasionally affected by visual field defects.

PURPOSE: A descriptive study on visual fields, as part of a 50-year follow-up of high myopia in an unselected cohort-based Danish sample, now aged 66 years. METHODS: In a Copenhagen 1948 birth cohort (n = 9243), 39 individuals aged 14 years were identified with myopia of at least -6 D, and with regular clinical follow-ups since then. In 2002 (n = 34, age 54 years) and 2008 (n = 32, age 60), the individual ambulatory visual field was outlined by kinetic Goldmann large object perimetry (IV or V,4e). At age 66 years, 28 attended for the 2014-2015 follow-up, at which smaller Goldmann objects (II and I,4e) were added, further to identify relative defects. RESULTS: Repeated large object perimetry disclosed statistically significant general peripheral narrowing over the 12-13-year test period, though slight and without practical implications. Two new cases showing absolute defects were however added to the three already known. The addition of small Goldmann objects disclosed relative defects in another eight participants, in some to suggest a refraction-related pattern (fundus ectasia; uncorrected high myopia). However, comparing eyes with and without defects, statistical importance could not be attached to the degree of myopia, fundus ectasia or optic disc morphology (χ2 , n.s.). CONCLUSION: (i) Serial large object Goldmann isopters over the 'senior' decade up to age 66 demonstrated a slight general peripheral narrowing by age of visual fields in high myopia. (ii) Overall 42% of the participants had absolute or relative defects (in 5 and 8, respectively), however, without socio-visual consequences when binocular. (iii) Visual field loss by age still appears a minor issue in clinically unselected high myopia.

Choroidal thickness at age 66 years in the Danish high myopia study cohort 1948 compared with follow-up data on visual acuity over 40 years: a clinical update adding spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A population-based Copenhagen birth year 1948 cohort with high myopia recorded since age 14 years (spherical equivalent less than or equivalent to -6 D) has been followed over 50 years. Despite complications, current follow-ups have outlined a better visual prognosis than usually drawn from selected clinical series in the literature. For the present status at age 66 years, focus was on visual ability and choroidal thickness. METHODS: Twenty-eight of the original 39 participants were available in 2014. Medical history was updated. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) data were compared with subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), now measured by enhanced depth optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Due to at least better eye visual acuity (VA), all patients had maintained their everyday visual capacity. Only one participant was marginal regarding visual status for a driver's licence; low vision was not on record. Based on all eyes, choroidal thickness correlated negatively with axial length (AL), which also held for the fraction with high myopia (AL >26.5 mm). In high myopia, the mean choroidal subfoveal thickness was 114 ± 75 µm versus 182 ± 94 µm in lower myopia (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Despite the generally maintained individual visual capacity in the series, significant correlation could be demonstrated between SFCT and (i) axial elongation and (ii) recorded VA, with a negative and a positive sign, respectively. Overall, the visual prognosis was relatively benign, in particular when compared with the selected high myopia hospital series that predominate in the ophthalmic literature.

Anterior lamina cribrosa surface position in idiopathic intracranial hypertension and glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the anterior lamina cribrosa (LC) surface position in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), primary open-angle glaucoma (high-tension glaucoma [HTG] and normal-tension glaucoma [NTG]), and healthy controls using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study of 11 eyes with IIH, 20 eyes with HTG, 20 eyes with NTG, and 37 control eyes. Serial horizontal B-scans of the optic nerve head were obtained using EDI-OCT. The LC depth, defined as the distance from the Bruch membrane opening plane to the anterior LC surface, was manually measured on selected B-scans covering the central three-quarters of the optic nerve head in each eye. RESULTS: Mean LC depth in patients with IIH (325.2 ± 92.1 µm) was significantly (p<0.01) decreased compared to control subjects (387.8 ± 53.9 µm). In HTG, the mean LC depth (493.0 ± 115.2 µm) was significantly increased compared to NTG (376.6 ± 27.1 µm, p<0.05) and control subjects (332.7 ± 53.1 µm, p<0.001). The trans-LC pressure difference (TLPD) (intraocular pressure - cerebrospinal fluid pressure) was positively correlated with the LC depth (r = 0.96, p<0.001) and inversely correlated with visual field perimetric mean deviation in patients with IIH (r = -0.88, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The LC is positioned anteriorly in patients with IIH and posteriorly in glaucomatous eyes compared to normal controls. The positional changes of the LC could be a result of the TLPD between the intraocular and intracranial pressure compartments.

Catheter-directed thrombolysis combined with manual aspiration thrombectomy for acute inferior vena cava filter thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter thrombosis has been reported, however, the optimal treatment of IVC thrombosis has not been established yet. The aim of this study was to assess the results of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) combined with aspiration thrombectomy (AT) in the treatment for IVC filter thrombosis. METHODS: A total of 35 consecutive patients received endovascular treatment with CDT alone or CDT with AT for IVC filter thrombosis at Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University from May 2009 to May 2014 were included in this study. The procedure, complications and clinical outcome between these two groups were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 44.7±15.8 years (range: 17-74 years). The patients were consisted of 21 males and 14 females. CDT alone and CDT with AT were performed in 16 and 19 patients, respectively. The mean procedural time in the group receiving CDT alone group was longer than in the group receiving CDT with AT (99.5±51.4 vs. 64.9±35.9 hours, P<0.05) and the dose of urokinase used during the procedure was significantly lower in the CDT + AT group (2.1±1.1 vs. 1.5±0.6 million IU, P<0.05). Besides, total number of complications in the CDT + AT group was smaller than in the group treated with CDT alone (9 vs. 4 cases, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that CDT with AT was a safe and effective method in the treatment of acute IVC filter thrombosis. Compared with CDT alone, it was better performing thanks to a shorter thrombolysis time and a lower urokinase dose required. In addition, it may decrease the occurrence of complications.

The incidence of pulmonary embolism in patients with combined lower extremity deep venous thrombosis and iliac vein compression syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with combined lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS). METHODS: Between January 2011 and February 2014, 399 patients diagnosed with combined lower extremity DVT and IVCS at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were included in this retrospective study. The odds of symptomatic PE versus combined lower extremity DVT and IVCS were assessed using logistic regression models. The association between thrombophilic risk factors, stenosis, collateral filling, endovascular thrombolysis, and symptomatic PE were assessed. RESULTS: Of 399 patients, 28 (7.0%) presented with symptomatic PE. Among the risk factors, collateral filling (odds ratio [OR]=2.61, 95%CI:1.07-6.37, P=0.035) and endovascular thrombolysis (OR=0.32, 95%CI:0.14-0.74, P=0.008) were significantly and independently associated with the presence of PE. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with combined lower extremity DVT and IVCS, the grade of collateral filling and endovascular thrombolysis treatment are the risk factors associated with the presence of PE.

Belimumab in systemic lupus erythematosus: a perspective review.

Belimumab (Benlysta(®)) is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits B-lymphocyte stimulator (also known as B cell activating factor of the tumor necrosis factor family) and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Evaluation Agency for treatment of autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults. This review discusses the key findings of the phase III trials, post hoc analyses, and real-world postmarketing use of belimumab in the routine care of SLE patients. It also highlights the safety profile of belimumab and gives insight into its potential use to treat childhood-onset SLE. It concludes with a discussion of the current clinical trials investigating belimumab in specific SLE disease states and a look to the future with novel targeted B-cell therapies.

Flow patterns on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography reveal flow directions at retinal vessel bifurcations.

PURPOSE:   To study intravascular characteristics of flowing blood in retinal vessels using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS:   Examination of selected arterial bifurcations and venous sites of confluence in 25 healthy 11-year-old children recruited as an ad hoc subsample from the population-based, observational Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 study. RESULTS:   The blood stream in retinal arteries maintains a figure-of-8 SD-OCT profile consistent with a laminar flow in concentric sheets and a parabolic velocity distribution up to the point of divergence at arterial bifurcations. In contrast, the blood stream at the site of confluence of two retinal veins remains divided into two parallel sets of sheets with separate velocity distribution for a downstream distance of at least four trunk vessel diameters. Consequently, retinal trunk vessels near bifurcations/confluences have distinctly different internal SD-OCT profiles, a figure-of-8 pattern in arteries and a figure figure-of-88 in veins that can be used to distinguish between the two vessel types. CONCLUSION:   This study verified the hypothesis that directions of blood flow at dichotomous vascular branchings can be determined using SD-OCT. This feature may assist the identification of flow reversal near sites of vascular occlusion, the analysis of blood flow near vascular malformations and the segmentation of retinal SD-OCT images.

Choroidal thickness in relation to birth parameters in 11- to 12-year-old children: the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To examine choroidal thickness in a population-based child cohort in relation to birth parameters. METHODS: The Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 Eye Study examined 1406 children aged 11 to 12 years using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT), ocular biometry and measurement of height, weight, refraction, and self-reported pubertal development status. Birth parameters were obtained from the Danish Medical Birth Registry. RESULTS: The subfoveal choroid in low birth weight children (<2500 g, n = 51, mean 324 ± 76 µm) was thinner than in normal birth weight children (2500-4500 g, n = 1194, mean 361 ± 78 µm), the difference being -37 (CI95 -60 to -15) µm, P = 0.001 after adjusting for age, sex, height, Tanner stage by sex, axial length, anterior chamber depth, and spherical equivalent refractive error. The subfoveal choroid in high birth weight children (>4500 g, n = 48, mean 351 ± 63 µm) was comparable with normal birth weight children, P = 0.44. The subfoveal choroid was thinner in preterm children, however the difference was not significant (-18 [-37 to 2] µm, P = 0.08). Small for gestation children had thinner subfoveal choroid (-19 [-37 to -1] µm, P = 0.04) compared with appropriate for gestation children. Longer birth length was associated with a thicker subfoveal choroid (2 [1-4] µm/cm, P = 0.005). Macular choroidal thickness at 16 extrafoveal locations was measured in a subset of children and found to have the same associations with birth weight as the subfoveal choroidal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: In 11- to 12-year-old children, thinner choroids were associated with lower birth weight, lower birth length, and being small for the gestational age.

Retinal and choroidal intravascular spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To examine retinal and choroidal blood vessels using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: Retrospective case series. RESULTS: Scans through retinal blood vessels in healthy subjects demonstrated vessel wall reflexes and a tri-layer profile of the blood column on longitudinal scans and a figure-of-eight configuration on cross-sectional scans. Intravascular reflectivity decreased with increasingly oblique angles of observation and was absent when blood flow was parallel to the line of sight. The high blood flow in the choroidal vessels in healthy subjects and the low flow in the retinal vessels in patients with ocular ischaemic syndrome and central retinal artery occlusion were both associated with lower reflectivity of the blood and an unstructured intravascular SD-OCT profile. DISCUSSION: This qualitative in vivo study found a characteristically structured SD-OCT profile of the blood column in retinal vessels with normal blood flow. Both structure and total reflectivity faded when blood flow was lower or higher than normal or at oblique angles to the line of sight. In conclusion, SD-OCT scans of the vessels in the posterior pole of the eye may assist the clinical assessment of gross abnormalities of ocular blood flow, e.g. in carotid artery stenosis.