Five-year outcomes of off and on-pump CABG: Insights from PROMOTE Patency Trial.

BACKGROUND: There are limited studies reporting follow-up outcome data comparing of off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) with on-pump (ONCAB) technique. The aim of the study was to report the 5-year clinical outcomes of OPCAB and ONCAB in a post hoc analysis of the PROMOTE patency trial. METHODS: From March 2016 through March 2017, a total of 321 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomised to either the off-pump or the on-pump technique. Data on all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), repeat revascularisation and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) were recorded. The composite and each of these individual outcomes are reported at 5-year interval. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 65.9 months (±3.39). A total of 275 (85.93%) patients followed up at the 5-year interval who underwent CABG by the off-pump (n = 158) and the on-pump (n = 162) technique. The all-cause mortality was 8.9% and 5.7% in ONCAB and OPCAB, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-1.57, p = 0.31). The composite of all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal CVA, RRT and need for repeat revascularisation was comparable in both groups (7.1% vs. 11.9%, HR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.25-1.31, p = 0.18 in OPCAB and ONCAB, respectively). The rates of 5-year non-fatal MI (p = 0.2), non-fatal CVA (p = 0.36) and need for repeat revascularisation (p = 1) were similar in both groups. A sub-group analysis did not show any significant interaction or effect modification with either of the techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year clinical outcomes of OPCAB are comparable to ONCAB in low-risk patients undergoing CABG. Off-pump coronary artery bypass had no additional benefit in any subgroup.

Female gender does not have any significant impact on the early postoperative outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting: a propensity-matched analysis.

Purpose: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common cardiac surgical procedure performed in India. There are fundamental differences between males and females in the incidence and responses of the body to various diseases. These differences are noticeable, more so in conditions relating to cardiovascular health, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD). This study aims to assess the gender differences in the early postoperative outcomes following CABG. Methods: Between April 1999 through February 2018, 13,415 patients underwent isolated CABG in our practice. Propensity score matching was performed to yield 1825 well-matched pairs in each gender. These groups were compared in terms of various early postoperative outcomes. Results: There were no significant differences between females and males in terms of early postoperative composite outcomes (4.2% vs. 5.2%) (odds ratio (OR) 0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-1.12, p = 0.213) of 30-day mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), non-fatal cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), 30-day mortality (0.7% vs. 0.7%) (OR 1.11; 95%CI 0.50-2.45, p = 0.796), MI (2.7% vs. 3.1%) (OR 0.93; 95%CI 0.63-1.37, p = 0.708), CVA (0.4% vs. 0.8%) (OR 0.46; 95%CI 0.19-1.14, p = 0.096), and need for RRT (0.7% vs. 0.7%) (OR 0.88; 95%CI 0.40-1.93, p = 0.753). Conclusion: Females have similar early postoperative outcomes compared to males in terms of composite outcomes of 30-day mortality, non-fatal MI, non-fatal CVA, and RRT among patients undergoing CABG. The outcomes are also similar when individually assessed. The off-pump technique has no additional benefit compared to the on-pump technique in females undergoing CABG.

Anomalous Marginal Insertion of Umbilical Cord in Placentas of COVID-19-Affected Pregnant Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim Study the effect of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), on the placenta and in turn study its effects on pregnancy and newborn outcomes. Methods In this cross-sectional study, which was conducted in the term pregnant women who underwent delivery, their placentas were collected after delivery along with the mothers' blood and cord blood. Results Among the 212 pregnant women recruited, the prevalence of marginal cord insertion (MCI) in the placentas after delivery, was found to be 23% (n=48). Among these 48 cases (n=48) with MCI, 58.33% (n=28) were COVID-19 positive. The placentas with MCI had significantly lower minimum placental circumference (probability value/p value=0.04) and significantly longer umbilical cord (p-value=0.05). COVID-19 antibodies transfer from the mother to the umbilical cord (C/M antibodies ratio) was observed to be lower, albeit insignificantly. Both the weight of newborns (p value=0.03) and their COVID-19 antibodies levels (p-value=0.05) were observed to be significantly lower in the MCI group. Univariate analysis shows that a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 23 of the mothers was significantly associated with abnormal MCI. Conclusion The prevalence of MCI was observed to be high in COVID-19-affected mothers in our study. MCI was associated with lower placental size, newborn weight, lesser transfer of COVID-19 antibodies from the mother to the fetus across the umbilical cord, and lower antibody levels in the cord blood when compared to maternal blood.

Mini Female Health Program for detection of non-communicable diseases in Women - In a urban teaching hospital in India.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing with women affected at an early age. The Mini Female Health Program (MFHP) is a simple screening package to detect NCDs in women. OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of selected NCDs in a hospital-based outpatient setting using MFHP. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in an urban teaching hospital in India. MFHP included medical history, physical examination and investigations. NCDS of interest included anaemia, thyroid disorders, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Analysis was performed on groups stratified by age groups (18-30, 31-40 and > 41 years). Between group comparison and association of hypertension with other variables was undertaken. RESULTS: Final analysis included 468 women, of whom 49.8%, 29.9%, and 20.3% were between 18-30, 31-40, and >41 years, respectively. Central obesity was most common NCD (waist to height ratio (WHR) > 0.5 (72.7%), waist circumference (WC) > 80 cm (62.7%)) followed by generalized obesity (body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 (52.4%)), anaemia (52.6%), thyroid disorders (27.4%), hypertension (14.1%) and diabetes (5.1%). Half of the women between 18 and 30 years were either overweight (BMI: 23-25 kg/m2) or obese. Increasing age was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders and obesity, but not anaemia. Only 9.8% of women were without an NCD with 17.3% having one NCD and 72.8% reporting multiple NCDs. Hypertension was strongly associated with age and WHR in multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The MFHP has highlighted the high prevalence of NCDs in women, particularly in young women demonstrating the value of simple screening programme in routine clinical care.

Significance of Adopting Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique for Blood Donor Screening in a Resource Limited Setting: A Study from a Single Centre in South India.

Nucleic acid Amplification testing (NAT) has helped improve blood safety and detect window period and Occult Hepatitis B infections (OBI) This study was aimed at determining the following in blood donors: 1. seroprevalence of HIV, HBV & HCV, malarial parasite and Syphlis 2. NAT and seroyield for HIV, HBV and HCV 3. viral load in NAT yield donations 4. Pattern of HBV serological markers in HBV NAT yield donations 80,809 blood donations were screened over an 8 year period (2012-2019) for antiHIV I and II, HBsAg, antiHCV antibodies, malarial parasite and VDRL. Seronegative samples were tested by NAT using a multiplex PCR in a pool of six. NAT yield samples were tested for viral load and HBV serological markers. Seropositive samples were tested for NAT and checked for seroyield. SPSS windows version 24.0 was used for statistical analysis. 1.07% of blood donors were found to be seropositive with 0.08%, 0.86%, 0.09%, 0.03% and 0 for anti HIV I and II, HBsAg, antiHCV, VDRL and Malarial parasite respectively. Out of 79,938 seronegative samples, 20 samples (0.025%) were NAT positive for Hepatitis B with a NAT yield OF 1:3997. Out of the 20 NAT positive samples, 17 were OBI and three were window period infections. 14 NAT yield samples subjected to a HBV viral load assay showed a range of < 6-146 IU/ml. Minipool NAT in pools of six is able to indentify both OBI and window period infections. NAT could significantly improve the blood safety in a resource limited setting like India.

Ocular hypertension and its predictor after a single Ozurdex implant: One-year follow-up in Asian Indian eyes.

BACKGROUND: To determine the incidence and risk factors for an increase in the intraocular pressure (IOP) after a single dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 41 consecutive eyes who had received a single 0.7 mg Ozurdex implant for the various vitreoretinal pathology, between March 2015 and April 2016 were reviewed retrospectively. Ocular hypertension (OHT) was defined as IOP of >22 mmHg or an increase in the IOP of >6 mmHg from the baseline. Univariate regression analysis was used to measure the predictor of OHT after the implant. RESULTS: Among the 41 eyes, who received a single Ozurdex intravitreal implant, 6/41 (14.6%) of the injected eyes had OHT, with the peak of IOP at 1 month after the injection when compared with the baseline IOP. Eight eyes (19.5%) had preexisting glaucoma or OHT, and 4/8 (50%) of them developed sustained elevation of IOP after the injection. Two eyes had transient OHT, a day after the implant, which did not require any treatment. All the eyes were managed with topical antiglaucoma medications and none required surgery to control the IOP. Preexisting OHT or glaucoma was found to be a significant risk factor for OHT after the Ozurdex injection (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Patients with preexisting OHT or glaucoma have an increased risk of OHT following the Ozurdex implant and hence needs to be informed of the possible risk. Follow-up at a regular interval is mandatory to monitor and recognize OHT early and treat it appropriately.

Diagnostic Values of Laboratory Biomarkers in Predicting a Severe Course of COVID-19 on Hospital Admission.

Objective: We intend to identify differences in the clinicodemographic and laboratory findings of COVID-19 patients to predict disease severity and outcome on admission. Methods: This single-centred retrospective study retrieved laboratory and clinical data from 350 COVID-19 patients on admission, represented as frequency tables. A multivariate regression model was used to assess the statistically significant association between the explanatory variables and COVID-19 infection outcomes, where adjusted odds ratio (AOR), p value, and 95% CI were used for testing significance. Results: Among the 350 COVID-19 patients studied, there was a significant increase in the WBC count, neutrophils, aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet ratio (NLPR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), D-dimer, interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prothrombin time (PT), glucose, urea, urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and a significant decrease in lymphocytes, eosinophils, total protein, albumin, prealbumin serum, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio in the severe group when compared with the mild and moderate groups. However, after adjusting their age, gender, and comorbidities, WBC count (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 6.888, 95% CI = 1.590-29.839, p = 0.010), neutrophils (AOR = 5.912, 95% CI = 2.131-16.402, p = 0.001), and urea (AOR = 4.843, 95% CI = 1.988-11.755, p = 0.001) were strongly associated with disease severity. Interpretation and Conclusion. On admission, WBC count, neutrophils, and urea, with their cut of values, can identify at-risk COVID-19 patients who could develop severe COVID-19.

Intraocular Pressure Changes after Intravitreal Bevacizumab or Ranibizumab Injection: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To determine intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after intravitreal bevacizumab or ranibizumab injection administered for various retinal disorders. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 796 eyes of 574 patients receiving intravitreal ranibizumab (0.5 mg) and/or bevacizumab (1.25 mg) injection for different retinal diseases from March 2009 to December 2016 was performed. Ocular hypertension (OHT) was defined as IOP >21 mmHg or an increase in IOP of >5 mmHg from the baseline. IOP at the baseline and at various time periods after the injection was evaluated in the injected eyes and fellow control eyes. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-one eyes received either a single dose of bevacizumab or ranibizumab intravitreal injection unilaterally, 222 patients received single injection in both the eyes (n = 444 eyes), and 221 eyes received multiple doses of the injection. OHT was noted in 11 eyes (1.38%), of which 3 eyes (0.38%) had transient OHT and 8 eyes (1%) had delayed and sustained OHT and among them, 3 eyes (0.4%) progressed to glaucoma. Preinjection IOP was significantly higher in the treated eyes when compared to the control untreated eyes (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of delayed and sustained OHT is low after a single or multiple intravitreal bevacizumab and ranibizumab injections. Clinicians should be aware of possibility of OHT or glaucoma after the procedure.

A Randomized Multiple Micronutrient Powder Point-of-Use Fortification Trial Implemented in Indian Preschools Increases Expressive Language and Reduces Anemia and Iron Deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Anemia is a global public health problem that undermines childhood development. India provides government-sponsored integrated nutrition/child development preschools. OBJECTIVES: This double-masked, cluster-randomized controlled trial examines whether point-of-use multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) compared with placebo fortification of preschool meals impacts child development and whether effects vary by preschool quality (primary outcome) and biomarkers of anemia and micronutrients (secondary outcomes). We also measured growth and morbidity. METHODS: We randomly assigned 22 preschools in rural India to receive MNP/placebo fortification. We administered baseline and endline blood sampling and measures of childhood development (Mullen Scales of Early Learning, inhibitory control, social-emotional), anthropometry, and morbidity to preschoolers (aged 29-49 mo). Preschools added MNP/placebo to meals 6 d/wk for 8 mo. We conducted linear mixed-effects regression models accounting for preschool clustering and repeated measures. We evaluated child development, examining effects in high- compared with low-quality preschools using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised and the Home Observation for the Measurement of the Environment Inventory, modified for preschools. RESULTS: At baseline, mean age ± SD was 36.6 ± 5.7 mo, with 47.8% anemic, 41.9% stunted, and 20.0% wasted. Baseline expressive/receptive language scores were higher in high-quality compared with low-quality preschools (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). At endline (91% retention, n = 293/321), we found MNP compared with placebo effects in expressive language (Cohen's standardized effect d = 0.4), inhibitory control (d = 0.2), and social-emotional (d = 0.3) in low-quality, not high-quality, preschools. MNP had significantly greater reduction of anemia and iron deficiency compared with placebo (37% compared with 13.5% and 41% compared with 1.2%, respectively). There were no effects on growth or morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Providing multiple micronutrient-fortified meals in government-sponsored preschools is feasible; reduced anemia and iron deficiency; and, in low-quality preschools, increased preschoolers' expressive language and inhibitory control and reduced developmental disparities. Improving overall preschool quality by incorporating multiple components of nurturing care (responsive care, learning, and nutrition) may be necessary to enhance preschoolers' development. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01660958.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Intraocular Pressure Rise after the Scleral Buckle Surgery for Retinal Detachment.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for intraocular pressure (IOP) rise after the scleral buckle (SB) procedure for retinal detachment (RD). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of the medical records of patients, who underwent RD repair by SB performed by a single surgeon and had a minimum follow-up of 6 months was carried out. The outcome measures were the incidence of IOP rise in the operated eyes and the associated risk factors. RESULTS: Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients with a median postsurgical follow-up of 18 months (interquartile range: 6, 36, range: 6-60 months) were included. Seven eyes had encircling buckle, 23 eyes had encircling buckle and 1 quadrant segmental buckle, and 22 eyes had encircling buckle and 2 quadrant segmental buckle. IOP rise was seen in 15/52 eyes (28.85%), within 1 month of the SB surgery. Nine out of 15 eyes (60%) of patients <40 years of age had a rise in IOP as compared to 6/37 eyes (16.2%) of patients >40 years of age (P = 0.002). Patients <40 years had a significant increased risk of developing IOP rise, compared to those above 40 years of age (adjusted odds ratio: 7.246 with 95% confidence interval of 1.641-31.986, P = 0.009). None of the fellow eyes had a rise in IOP during the follow-up period. None of the operated eyes with raised IOP progressed to glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated IOP is a common complication after the SB procedure, and age <40 years is associated with a greater risk of development of increase in the IOP. Hence, IOP monitoring after the SB surgery is of paramount importance to detect early rise during follow-up.

A complementary feeding and play intervention improves the home environment and mental development among toddlers in rural India.

A cluster randomized trial design was used to test the efficacy of a behaviour change communication intervention on the quality of the home environment and infant development at 15 months of age. Children (n = 600) in rural South India were followed from 3 through 15 months of age. The control group (C group) received the standard of care, the complementary feeding group (CF group) received recommendations on complementary foods and the responsive complementary feeding and play group (RCF&P group) received recommendations on complementary foods plus skills on responsive feeding and play. The intervention was delivered in biweekly home visits to caregivers using flip charts. At postintervention, infants (n = 521) were assessed for development (Bayley-II scales) and their home environment was assessed (Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment [HOME] scale). Cluster adjusted analysis of variance showed no significant differences at baseline. The HOME score at 15 months differed by group, F(2, 38) = 6.41, P = 0.004; the CF and RCF&P groups had higher scores than the C group. Scores on subscales 'Opportunities for Variety in Daily Stimulation' and 'Caregiver Promotion of Child Development' (CPCD) were higher for the RCF&P group than for the C and CF groups. Mental development index (MDI) scores differed by group, F(2, 37) = 3.31, P = 0.04, with the RCF&P group showing higher scores than the C group (P < 0.04); no differences were noted in psychomotor development index (PDI) scores (P = 0.48). The subscales of HOME associated with MDI at 15 months were 'CPCD' and 'Cleanliness of Child' (R2 = 0.076). 'CPCD' was also associated with PDI (R2 = 0.039). A responsive complementary feeding and play intervention delivered through home visits benefitted children's mental development and caregiving environment at 15 months.

Surgical Outcomes of Retropupillary-Fixated Iris-Claw Intraocular Lens.

PURPOSE: To assess the visual outcome and complications following retropupillary-fixated iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: For this retrospective, non-comparative study, chart review of patients who underwent retropupillary iris-claw IOL implantation for the correction of aphakia from July 2014 to October 2018 and had a minimum postoperative follow-up of 2 months was carried out. Postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and complications were noted. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two eyes of 122 patients (mean follow-up: 7.48 ± 5.2 months, range, 2 months-3.5 years) were enrolled in the study. The mean logMAR CDVA improved from 1.36 ± 0.52 preoperatively to 0.5 ± 0.42 postoperatively, at the last follow-up visit (P < 0.0001). The final CDVA improved in 110 eyes (90.2%), remained unchanged in 8 eyes (6.6%), and worsened in 4 eyes (3.3%). In cases of pre-existing cystoid macular edema (CME) or excessive intraoperative manipulations, 0.05 ml of 4 mg intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) was injected at the end of the surgery. Twenty eyes (16.4%) had transient ocular hypertension (OHT), 6 eyes (4.9%) had persistent OHT, and 2 eyes (1.6%) progressed to glaucoma. Choroidal detachment was noted in 2 eyes (1.6%), CME in 6 eyes (4.9%), 2 eyes (1.6%) had retinal detachment, 20 eyes (16.4%) had significant ovalization of pupil, 8 eyes (6.6%) had one haptic disenclavation, 1 eye (0.8%) had corneal decompensation, and 1 eye (0.8%) had endophthalmitis. CONCLUSIONS: Retropupillary iris-claw IOL provides good visual rehabilitation with a few complications. Its ease of insertion and short surgical time makes it a good option to correct aphakia in patients with an inadequate capsular support.

Identification and Quantitative Assessment of Schlemm's Canal in the Eyes with 360° Angle Recession Glaucoma.

SYNOPSIS: Angle recession, trabecular meshwork injury, increased trabecular pigmentation, and reduced Schlemm's canal dimensions can cause reduced aqueous outflow and unilateral glaucoma in an eye, following blunt trauma. Also, these patients are possibly at a risk to develop raised intraocular pressure (IOP) in the normal fellow eye due to reduced Schlemm's canal area. AIM: To identify and quantitatively evaluate Schlemm's canal (SC) parameters by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in the patients with unilateral 360° angle recession glaucoma (ARG) and compare with the fellow normal eyes and age-related normal control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients with a history of unilateral ocular blunt trauma and unilateral 360° ARG, normal fellow eyes and 34 age-matched normal controls underwent anterior chamber angle imaging with corneal line scan protocol using AS-OCT. Schlemm's canal cross-sectional area (SC-CSA) and meridional and coronal diameters were measured on temporal and nasal sections at 3 and 9 o'clock positions. RESULTS: In the AS-OCT cross-sectional images, SC was observed as a horizontally oval or ellipsoidal translucent space. The mean SC-CSA (1,710 ± 376.1 µm2 vs 6,100 ± 2,700 µm2, p < 0.0001), mean meridional diameter (243.6 ± 55.47 µm vs 474 ± 125.6 µm, p < 0.0001), and mean coronal diameter (32.68 ± 6.27 µm vs 57.42 ± 16.27 µm, p < 0.0001) of the SC were smaller in ARG eyes when compared with the normal eyes. The SC dimensions were reduced in the untraumatized fellow eyes of ARG patients when compared with the normal eyes (SC-SCA: 2350 ± 602.1 µm2, p = 0.001, meridional diameter: 341.8 ± 88.8 µm, p = 0.012 and coronal diameter: 31.67 ± 3.8 µm, p < 0.0001). There was no difference in the measured SC dimensions between the ARG eyes and the normal fellow eyes. CONCLUSION: The reduced SC parameters in the eyes with unilateral 360° ARG and the normal fellow eyes could mean that these patients probably have an underlying structural abnormality in the SC. Trabecular meshwork injury, angle recession, and increased trabecular pigmentation are probably the predisposing factors in the ARG eyes for the increase in IOP. Whether the normal fellow eyes develop IOP rise in the future needs to be seen during regular follow-up. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mansoori T, Reddy AA, Balakrishna N. Identification and Quantitative Assessment of Schlemm's Canal in the Eyes with 360° Angle Recession Glaucoma. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2020;14(1):25-29.

Comparison of the Surgical Outcomes of Single-Site, Mitomycin C-Augmented Trabeculectomy Combined with Phacoemulsification versus Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety, efficacy, and outcome measures of a single-site, mitomycin C (MMC)-augmented trabeculectomy combined with phacoemulsification (PT) versus manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) with the posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) implantation as a primary surgery in the patients with primary glaucoma coexistent with cataract. METHODS: From April 2015 to August 2017, medical records of all the patients who underwent combined cataract surgery with PCIOL and MMC augmented trabeculectomy were reviewed. One hundred and thirty-seven eyes met the inclusion criteria. Ninety-seven eyes which underwent PT with MMC were compared with forty eyes that underwent MSICS combined with trabeculectomy (MSICST) MMC. Outcome measures were best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and number of anti-glaucoma medications (AGM). Complications, if any, were noted in both the groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period after surgery was 18.6 ± 7.7 months (range, 12-40 months). At the last follow-up visit, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups, in terms of mean logMAR BCVA (PT: 0.22 ± 0.31, MSICST: 0.21 ± 0.33, P = 0.8), mean IOP reduction (PT: 13.9 ± 2.98 mmHg, MSICST: 14.1 ± 4.12 mmHg, P = 0.8), and mean number of AGM (PT: 0.03 ± 0.8, MSICST: 0.025 ± 0.7, P = 0.8). Complications were few and transient. One eye in the PT group was considered as a failure and had to undergo needling, repeat trabeculectomy, and later, cyclodestructive procedure. None of the eyes in the MSICST group required an additional procedure for IOP reduction. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the mean IOP reduction, BCVA, and mean number of AGM between the two procedures, and both appeared to be safe and effective techniques as a primary surgery in the patients with coexistent cataract and glaucoma.

Genetic variants of chromosome 9p21.3 region associated with coronary artery disease and premature coronary artery disease in an Asian Indian population.

INTRODUCTION: Asian Indians have a propensity for premature, severe, and diffuse coronary artery disease (CAD). Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 'core CAD' region of the chromosomal region 9p21.3 are known to be strongly associated with CAD. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study SNPs in the 9p21.3 region associated with CAD and premature CAD and identify their association with demographic and clinical characteristics in an Asian Indian population. METHODS: SNP genotyping was performed for 30 SNPs of the 9p21.3 region using MassARRAY® technology. Along with demographic and SNP data analysis, we also performed multivariate logistic regression analysis and multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis to study SNP-SNP and SNP-demographic/clinical variable interactions. RESULTS: Our results suggest that females are at a higher risk of premature CAD. We found that SNPs rs1333045 (CC), rs16905599 (AA), rs2383206 (GG), rs2383208 (AG), and rs4977574 (GG) were significantly associated with premature CAD. When adjusted for covariates/confounders, we found that rs2383206 showed the strongest risk association with CAD followed by rs16905599 and rs2383208. Further, SNPs rs1333049 (CC) and rs4977574 (GG) were found to be exclusively associated with premature CAD cases, suggesting their potential as genetic markers for premature CAD in the local population. Upon gender-based stratification, it was found that rs10757272 (TT and TC) is significantly associated with eightfold to ninefold CAD risk specifically among females. SNP rs7865618 (GG) is significantly associated with more than 2.5-fold CAD risk specifically among males. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that SNPs at the 9p21 risk locus may be used to generate a reliable genetic risk score along with markers at other loci.

Peripapillary Vessel Density and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with Unilateral Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma with Superior Hemifield Defect.

PURPOSE: To evaluate peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density (VD) in the eyes with unilateral primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) with the visual field (VF) defect confined to the superior hemifield and compare these parameters with the corresponding perimetrically intact regions of the fellow eye with primary angle-closure (PAC) and normal control eyes, using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, cross-sectional study included 28 eyes with unilateral PACG, with VF defects restricted to the superior hemifield, 28 fellow eyes with PAC, and 30 age-matched normal controls. Peripapillary RNFL thickness and RPC VD were measured in the eight peripapillary sectors, using OCTA, and these parameters were compared among the corresponding sectors of PACG, PAC, and healthy eyes using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni post hoc analysis. RESULTS: In PACG eyes, there was a significant difference in the RNFL thickness (p < 0.0001) and RPC VD (p = 0.001) between the superior and the inferior hemifield. In PAC and normal eyes, there was no significant difference in the RNFL thickness and RPC VD between the superior and the inferior hemifield. Within the perimetrically intact regions of the PACG eyes, the mean RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in the superonasal (SN) and upper nasal (UN) sectors (p = 0.02), but the VD did not show any significant difference, when compared to the fellow PAC eyes. In PACG eyes, the mean RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in the perimetrically normal SN and UN sectors (p < 0.0001) and the VD was reduced in the UN sector (p = 0.01), when compared to the normal eyes. When comparing the peripapillary sectors of the PAC and healthy eyes, RNFL thickness was reduced in UN (p = 0.02), lower nasal (LN) (p = 0.01), inferonasal (IN) (p = 0.02), and inferotemporal (IT) sectors (p = 0.03) and there was no significant difference in the VD in any of the sectors. Inside disc capillaries were preserved in all the three groups. CONCLUSION: Sector-wise RNFL thinning seems to precede the vascular changes and functional loss in the PAC and PACG eyes. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Mansoori T, Balakrishna N. Peripapillary Vessel Density and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with Unilateral Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma with Superior Hemifield Defect. J Curr Glaucoma Pract 2019;13(1):21-27.

Study on the Effect of Severity of Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia on Regulators of Angiogenesis in Placenta.

Aims: In this study, we hypothesized that maternal anemia leads to altered expression of angiogenic proteins vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PLGF), nitrotyrosine (NT) residues, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) in the placenta. Hence, we study the expression of the abovementioned proteins in the placentas of mothers with different grades of anemia. Materials and methods: Our study was conducted in 48 pregnant women (36-40 weeks of gestation), who were divided into four groups-normal, mild, moderate, and severe anemia. After delivery, the expression of the angiogenic proteins was studied in their placentas by immunohistochemistry. Results: In our study, 58.3% of the pregnant women were anemic, among which 20.83% had mild anemia, 18.75% had moderate anemia, and 18.75% had severe anemia. Immunohistochemical staining intensity for VEGF, PLGF, NT residues, and e-NOS proteins was observed to be higher in the placentas of anemic women when compared with the non-anemic women. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is an increased expression of angiogenic proteins in the placentas of anemic mothers, which probably is an adaptive response leading to changes in placental vessels.

Association between anthropometric-based and food-based nutritional failure among children in India, 2015.

Inadequate dietary intake is a critical underlying determinant of child undernutrition. This study examined the association between anthropometric-based and food-based nutritional failure among children in India. We used the 2015-2016 National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau data where anthropometric outcomes and food intake were both measured for each child. We followed the World Health Organization child growth reference standards to define anthropometric failures (i.e., height-for-age z score < -2 SD for stunting, weight-for-age z score < -2 SD for underweight, and weight-for-height z score < -2 SD for wasting), and the Indian Council of Medical Research recommended dietary allowance (RDA) to define adequacy in intake of calorie, protein, and fat. We used descriptive and regression-based assessments to test the association between the two indicators of nutritional failure and also computed the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 28.6%, 24.3%, and 12.8%, respectively, whereas 78.2%, 27.4%, and 50.8% of the children had below RDA norms consumption of calorie, protein, and fat, respectively. We found weak-to-null correlation between anthropometric failures and food failures (Pearson correlation ranging from -0.013 to 0.147) and poor discriminatory accuracy (AUC < 0.62), suggesting that in the Indian context, anthropometric failures are not directly associated with food intake. This finding highlights the need for improving adequate intake of macronutrients and draws attention toward adopting a multifactorial approach to improve child nutrition in India. Poor food intake itself merits exclusive policy focus as it is an important nutrition and health concern.