DiaNet v2 deep learning based method for diabetes diagnosis using retinal images.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent chronic metabolic disorder linked to increased morbidity and mortality. With a significant portion of cases remaining undiagnosed, particularly in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region, more accurate and accessible diagnostic methods are essential. Current diagnostic tests like fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), random plasma glucose (RPG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) have limitations, leading to misclassifications and discomfort for patients. The aim of this study is to enhance diabetes diagnosis accuracy by developing an improved predictive model using retinal images from the Qatari population, addressing the limitations of current diagnostic methods. This study explores an alternative approach involving retinal images, building upon the DiaNet model, the first deep learning model for diabetes detection based solely on retinal images. The newly proposed DiaNet v2 model is developed using a large dataset from Qatar Biobank (QBB) and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) covering wide range of pathologies in the the retinal images. Utilizing the most extensive collection of retinal images from the 5545 participants (2540 diabetic patients and 3005 control), DiaNet v2 is developed for diabetes diagnosis. DiaNet v2 achieves an impressive accuracy of over 92%, 93% sensitivity, and 91% specificity in distinguishing diabetic patients from the control group. Given the high prevalence of diabetes and the limitations of existing diagnostic methods in clinical setup, this study proposes an innovative solution. By leveraging a comprehensive retinal image dataset and applying advanced deep learning techniques, DiaNet v2 demonstrates a remarkable accuracy in diabetes diagnosis. This approach has the potential to revolutionize diabetes detection, providing a more accessible, non-invasive and accurate method for early intervention and treatment planning, particularly in regions with high diabetes rates like MENA.

Dynamics of microbial community structure and nutrient removal from an innovative side-stream enhanced biological phosphorus removal process.

Biological phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) removal from municipal wastewater was studied using an innovative anoxic-aerobic-anaerobic side-stream treatment system. The impact of influent water quality including chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonium and orthophosphate concentrations on the reactor performance was evaluated. The results showed the system was very effective at removing both COD (>88%) and NH4+-N (>96%) despite varying influent concentrations of COD, NH4+-N, and total PO43--P. In contrast, it was found that the removal of P was sensitive to influent NH4+-N and PO43--P concentrations. The maximum PO43--P removal of 79% was achieved with the lowest influent NH4+-N and PO43--P concentration. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays showed a high abundance and diversity of phosphate accumulating organisms (PAO), nitrifiers and denitrifiers. The MiSeq microbial community structure analysis showed that the Proteobacteria (especially ß-Proteobacteria, and γ-Proteobacteria) were the dominant in all reactors. Further analysis of the bacteria indicated the presence of diverse PAO genera including Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis, Tetrasphaera, and Rhodocyclus, and the denitrifying PAO (DPAO) genus Dechloromonas. Interestingly, no glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) were detected in any of the reactors, suggesting the advantage of proposed process in term of PAO selection for enhanced P removal compared with conventional main-stream processes.

Cirugía del desprendimiento de retina en el Departamento de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation en Doha, Qatar / Retinal detachment surgery in the Ophthalmological Department of the Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar

Objetivo: describir las características relacionadas con el desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno de los pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation en Doha, Qatar. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de series de casos retrospectivas no comparativo de todos los pacientes (114) quienes experimentaron la reparación de desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno por 2 años (entre enero del año 2011 y diciembre 2012) en el Departamento de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation. La demografía de los pacientes, el resultado visual, las complicaciones y las tasas de fracaso fueron identificados y registrados. Resultados: la replicación de la retina sucedió en el 95,3 por ciento de los pacientes y la mejor agudeza visual posoperatoria corregida de 6/36 a 6/6 fue alcanzada en el 59,7 por ciento. Los probables factores de riesgo fueron el desprendimiento de retina en paciente miope en el 39,4 por ciento; el desprendimiento de retina posoperatorio en el 14,9 por ciento y el desprendimiento de retina traumático en el 22,8 por ciento. El desprendimiento por la degeneración retiniana periférica fue de 9,6 por ciento y la causa no visible se registró en el 13,2 por ciento. Conclusiones: el estudio ha revelado un resultado alentador para la reparación de desprendimiento de retina en el Departamento de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation en Doha Qatar(AU)

Objective: to describe the characteristics related to the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in patients seen at the ophthalmological service of Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar. Methods: a retrospective, descriptive, non-comparative case-series study was conducted in 114 patients who underwent the repair of the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during two years (January 2011 to December 2012) at the ophthalmological department of Hamad Medical Corporation. Patient's demographic information, visual outcomes, complications and rates of failure were identified and registered. Results: retinal replication occurred in 95.3 percent of patients and postoperative best corrected visual acuity from 6/36 to 6/6 was reached in 59.7 percent of cases. The probable risk factors were retinal detachment in myopic patient in 39.4 percent; postoperative retinal detachment in 14.9 percent and traumatic retinal detachment in 22.8 percent of cases. Detachment caused by peripheral retinal degeneration was 9.6 percent and the invisible cause was recorded in 13.2 percent of patients. Conclusions: the study has revealed encouraging results for the retinal detachment repair in the ophthalmological department of Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar(AU)

Cirugía del desprendimiento de retina en el Departamento de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation en Doha, Qatar / Retinal detachment surgery in the Ophthalmological Department of the Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar

Objetivo: describir las características relacionadas con el desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno de los pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation en Doha, Qatar. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de series de casos retrospectivas no comparativo de todos los pacientes (114) quienes experimentaron la reparación de desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno por 2 años (entre enero del año 2011 y diciembre 2012) en el Departamento de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation. La demografía de los pacientes, el resultado visual, las complicaciones y las tasas de fracaso fueron identificados y registrados. Resultados: la replicación de la retina sucedió en el 95,3 por ciento de los pacientes y la mejor agudeza visual posoperatoria corregida de 6/36 a 6/6 fue alcanzada en el 59,7 por ciento. Los probables factores de riesgo fueron el desprendimiento de retina en paciente miope en el 39,4 por ciento; el desprendimiento de retina posoperatorio en el 14,9 por ciento y el desprendimiento de retina traumático en el 22,8 por ciento. El desprendimiento por la degeneración retiniana periférica fue de 9,6 por ciento y la causa no visible se registró en el 13,2 por ciento. Conclusiones: el estudio ha revelado un resultado alentador para la reparación de desprendimiento de retina en el Departamento de Oftalmología de la Hamad Medical Corporation en Doha Qatar(AU)

Objective: to describe the characteristics related to the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in patients seen at the ophthalmological service of Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar. Methods: a retrospective, descriptive, non-comparative case-series study was conducted in 114 patients who underwent the repair of the rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during two years (January 2011 to December 2012) at the ophthalmological department of Hamad Medical Corporation. Patient's demographic information, visual outcomes, complications and rates of failure were identified and registered. Results: retinal replication occurred in 95.3 percent of patients and postoperative best corrected visual acuity from 6/36 to 6/6 was reached in 59.7 percent of cases. The probable risk factors were retinal detachment in myopic patient in 39.4 percent; postoperative retinal detachment in 14.9 percent and traumatic retinal detachment in 22.8 percent of cases. Detachment caused by peripheral retinal degeneration was 9.6 percent and the invisible cause was recorded in 13.2 percent of patients. Conclusions: the study has revealed encouraging results for the retinal detachment repair in the ophthalmological department of Hamad Medical Corporation in Doha, Qatar(AU)

Role of SLMAP genetic variants in susceptibility of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy in Qatari population.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of SLMAP gene has been associated with diabetes and endothelial dysfunction of macro- and micro-blood vessels. In this study our primary objective is to explore the role of SLMAP gene polymorphisms in the susceptibility of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with or without diabetic retinopathy (DR) in the Qatari population. METHODS: A total of 342 Qatari subjects (non-diabetic controls and T2DM patients with or without DR) were genotyped for SLMAP gene polymorphisms (rs17058639 C > T; rs1043045 C > T and rs1057719 A > G) using Taqman SNP genotyping assay. RESULTS: SLMAP rs17058639 C > T polymorphism was associated with the presence of DR among Qataris with T2DM. One-way ANOVA and multiple logistic regression analysis showed SLMAP SNP rs17058639 C > T as an independent risk factor for DR development. SLMAP rs17058639 C > T polymorphism also had a predictive role for the severity of DR. Haplotype Crs17058639Trs1043045Ars1057719 was associated with the increased risk for DR among Qataris with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggests the potential role of SLMAP SNPs as a risk factor for the susceptibility of DR among T2DM patients in the Qatari population.

Current concepts in intravitreal drug therapy for diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of preventable blindness in the developed countries. Despite the advances in understanding and management of DR, it remains a challenging condition to manage. The standard of care for patients with DR include strict metabolic control of hyperglycemia, blood pressure control, normalization of serum lipids, prompt retinal laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy. For patients who respond poorly and who progressively lose vision in spite of the standard of care, intravitreal administration of steroids or/and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs appear to be a promising second-line of therapy. This review discusses the current concepts and the role of these novel therapeutic approaches in the management of DR.