Visual Outcomes after Bilateral Implantation of an Extended Depth of Focus Intraocular Lens: A Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual performance after bilateral implantation of an extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: This multicenter, prospective, observational study included 100 patients who underwent bilateral cataract surgery with a toric or non-toric EDOF IOL (Tecnis Symfony), and 96 patients completed the final assessment at 4 to 6 months. Binocular corrected distance visual acuity and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (UIVA), and uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), spectacle independence, visual symptoms, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean decimal visual acuity results showed a binocular corrected distance visual acuity of 1.10 ± 0.18, UDVA of 1.04 ± 0.17, UIVA of 0.96 ± 0.16, and UNVA of 0.68 ± 0.18. Binocular UDVA and UIVA were 0.8 (decimal) or better in 98% and 94% of patients, respectively. Binocular UNVA was 0.63 (decimal) or better in 76% of patients. Overall, 76% of the patients achieved spectacle independence across all distances, and more than 85% reported no or mild dysphotoptic phenomena. On a scale of 0 to 10, the median patient satisfaction score was 9 for far, 9.5 for intermediate, and 8 for near vision. CONCLUSIONS: The Symfony EDOF IOL provided excellent distance, intermediate visual outcome, and functional near visual acuity. The visual results were associated with prominent levels of spectacle independence and patient satisfaction.

Effects of flow-induced shear stress on limbal epithelial stem cell growth and enrichment.

The roles of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) are widely recognized, but for these cells to be utilized in basic research and potential clinical applications, researchers must be able to efficiently isolate them and subsequently maintain their stemness in vitro. We aimed to develop a biomimetic environment for LESCs involving cells from their in vivo niche and the principle of flow-induced shear stress, and to subsequently demonstrate the potential of this novel paradigm. LESCs, together with neighboring cells, were isolated from the minced limbal tissues of rabbits. At days 8 and 9 of culture, the cells were exposed to a steady flow or intermittent flow for 2 h per day in a custom-designed bioreactor. The responses of LESCs and epithelial cells were assessed at days 12 and 14. LESCs and epithelial cells responded to both types of flow. Proliferation of LESCs, as assessed using a BrdU assay, was increased to a greater extent under steady flow conditions. Holoclones were found under intermittent flow, indicating that differentiation into transient amplifying cells had occurred. Immunofluorescent staining of Bmi-1 suggested that steady flow has a positive effect on the maintenance of stemness. This finding was confirmed by real-time PCR. Notch-1 and p63 were more sensitive to intermittent flow, but this effect was transient. K3 and K12 expression, indicative of differentiation of LESCs into epithelial cells, was induced by flow and lasted longer under intermittent flow conditions. In summary, culture of LESCs in a bioreactor under a steady flow paradigm, rather than one of intermittent flow, is beneficial for both increasing proliferation and maintaining stemness. Conversely, intermittent flow appears to induce differentiation of LESCs. This novel experimental method introduces micro-mechanical stimuli to traditional culture techniques, and has potential for regulating the proliferation and differentiation of LESCs in vitro, thereby facilitating research in this field.

Quantification of AML1-ETO fusion transcript as a prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In spite of the high complete remission rate that chemotherapy achieves in acute myeloid leukemia with AML1-ETO gene rearrangement, relapse is a major cause of treatment failure in this condition. We aimed to determine a predictor of relapse with the real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) of AML1-ETO chimeric mRNA. DESIGN AND METHODS: We serially monitored AML1-ETO fusion transcripts using RQ-PCR in 113 bone marrow or peripheral blood samples from 21 patients with AML1-ETO-positive acute myeloid leukemia and analyzed the prognostic relevance of the results. RESULTS: Higher transcript levels at diagnosis were associated with a higher probability of relapse (p=0.038 in all patients and p=0.001 in adult patients). A decrease of less than 3-log at the time of achieving complete remission was also associated with a higher risk of relapse (p=0.035 in all patients and p=0.011 in adult patients). RQ-PCR detected the reappearance of AML1-ETO fusion transcripts in both peripheral blood and bone marrow during apparent complete remission. Detection of the transcripts preceded hematologic relapse by one to three months. The transcript levels in peripheral blood correlated with those in bone marrow at the same time point. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that regular monitoring of AML1-ETO chimeric transcript levels by RQ-PCR on bone marrow or peripheral blood samples could be extremely useful for the selection of high-risk patients and be an early predictor of relapse.

Relationship of serum osteoprotegerin levels with coronary artery disease severity, left ventricular hypertrophy and C-reactive protein.

OPG (osteoprotegerin) is an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis and recent work suggests it has a role in atherosclerosis. Therefore we measured serum OPG levels in patients with coronary artery disease, compared the serum OPG levels among the different groups according to the number of stenotic vessels and determined whether there was any correlation with aortic calcification, LV (left ventricular) mass index and serum CRP (C-reactive protein) levels. Subjects (n=100; mean age, 57 years) who underwent coronary angiograms were enrolled. Blood pressure, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, lipid profiles and CRP levels were measured and the LV mass indices were calculated using ECGs. Serum OPG levels were measured by ELISA. The presence of calcification in the aortic notch was checked by a chest X-ray. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the number of stenotic vessels. The mean serum OPG levels increased significantly as the number of stenotic vessels increased, and the mean serum OPG levels were higher in the group with three-vessel disease compared with the groups with no- or one-vessel disease. The mean serum CRP level was significantly higher in the group with three-vessel disease compared with the groups with no-, one- and two-vessel disease. Age and LV mass index showed significant positive correlations with serum OPG levels, although significance was lost after an adjustment for age. Serum CRP levels were positively correlated with serum OPG levels even after an adjustment for age. There were no differences in serum OPG levels according to the presence of fasting hyperglycaemia or aortic calcification. In conclusion, serum OPG level was related to the severity of stenotic coronary arteries and serum CRP levels. LV mass indices showed no significant correlation with OPG levels. The precise mechanism for the role of OPG in atherosclerosis needs to be investigated further.