[Ocular biometry of infants and young children with congenital cataract].

Objective: To understand the developmental characteristics of early ocular biological parameters in patients with congenital cataract. Methods: Retrospective case series study. The ocular biometry data such as the axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth and central corneal thickness of 169 patients under 3 years old who were diagnosed with congenital cataract in Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Hangzhou Branch) from June 2016 to June 2020 were reviewed, and they were analyzed by 3 age groups. There were 87, 41, and 41 patients in three age groups, 1 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, and 13 to 36 months, respectively; 108 patients with bilateral affected eyes and 61 patients with unilateral affected eyes were included; 84 patients with partial opacity lens and 85 patients with total opacity lens were included. The right eyes of the patients with bilateral congenital cataract were selected for analysis. Statistical analysis of ocular biological parameters between groups was performed using the independent samples t-test and paired samples t-test. Statistical analysis of the relationship between age in months and biological parameters was performed using the Pearson's correlation test. Results: The axial length at the age of 1 to 6 months in the affected eyes of patients with bilateral cataract was (17.59±1.19) mm, it was shorter than the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract [(18.18±1.34) mm], and the axial length in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract were shorter than the healthy eyes [(19.01±0.93) mm]. At the age of 7 to 12 months, the axial length in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract [(19.89±0.74) mm] was shorter than the healthy eyes [(20.48±0.43) mm]. The differences were statistically significant (t=-2.06, -5.62, -3.47, all P<0.05). The axial length in the affected eyes with partial opacity at the age of 1 to 6 months was shorter than those with total opacity [(17.43±1.14) mm vs. (18.06±1.29) mm; t=-2.38, P=0.020]. The difference in axial length (affected eyes vs. healthy eyes) was significantly correlated with the age in months in partial cataract (r=0.53, P=0.001). The corneal curvature in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract was flatter than the healthy eyes at the age of 7 to 12 months [(42.41±1.82) D vs. (43.19±1.96) D; t=-2.29, P=0.038], but was steeper at the age of 13 to 36 months [(43.36±2.32) D vs. (42.55±1.88) D; t=2.17, P=0.043]. The anterior chamber depth in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract was less than the healthy eyes at the age of 1 to 6 months [(2.44±0.37) mm vs. (2.58±0.33) mm; t=-2.08, P=0.048].The central corneal thickness in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral cataract was thicker than the healthy eyes both at the age of 1 to 6 months and 7 to 12 months [(555.26±46.95) µm vs. (541.85±40.78) µm, (542.93±27.63) µm vs. (530.93±30.36) µm; t=3.82, 2.26; P=0.001, 0.040]. Conclusions: Congenital cataracts maybe affect the early development of axial length, corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth and central corneal thickness. The degree of lens opacity maybe affecte the early axial length development. The axial length in eyes with partial opacity can be shorter than those with total opacity before the age of 6 months, and thereafter gradually outnumbered the latter.

[Comparison of the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas based on the new swept-source optical coherence tomography biometry].

Objective: To compare the accuracy of 6 intraocular lens power calculation formulas based on the new swept-source optical coherence tomography biometry and to analyze the prediction error. Methods: Retrospective case series study. Clinical data were collected from 599 patients (599 eyes) who had underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification and the IOLMaster 700 examination at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between November 2018 and November 2019. Among the patients, there were 208 males and 391 females with an age of (69±10) years. According to the axial length (AL), eyes were divided into the short AL group (≤22.5 mm, n=100), the normal AL group (>22.5 mm and<25.5 mm, n=375); and the long AL group (≥25.5 mm, n=124). Eyes were also grouped based on the mean keratometry (Km) as flat (≤42.00 D, n=47), normal (>42.00 D to<46.00 D, n=461), and steep (≥46.00 D, n=91), and by anterior chamber depth (ACD) as shallow (≤2.5 mm, n=71), normal (>2.5 mm to<3.5 mm, n=436), and deep (≥3.5 mm, n=92). The median absolute errors (MedAEs) of the Barrett Universal Ⅱ, Haigis, Hoffer Q, Holladay Ⅰ, Holladay Ⅱ, and SRK/T formulas in different AL, Km, and ACD groups were compared using the Friedman test. Results: The differences in MedAE among the 6 formulas of 599 patients (599 eyes) were statistically significant (χ²=120.549, P<0.001). The MedAE of the Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula was smallest (0.35 D), followed by the SRK/T formula (0.36 D). There was no significant difference between the MedAEs of the Barrett universal Ⅱ and Haigis, SRK/T formula (all P=1.000), but there were statistically significant differences among the other formulas (all P<0.01). In different AL groups, the MedAE of each formula was statistically different (χ²=38.307, 38.779, 112.997; all P<0.01).The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula resulted in the lowest MedAE in the short AL group (0.40 D) and the long AL group (0.31 D). The MedAE of the SRK/T in the normal AL group was lowest (0.35 D). The 6 formulas showed significant differences in MedAE values in different Km groups (χ²=12.284, 90.924, 39.387; all P<0.05).The Haigis formula achieved the lowest MedAE in the flat Km group (0.26 D) and the steep Km group (0.34 D). The Barrett UniversalⅡ formula achieved the lowest MedAE in the normal Km group (0.33 D). The differences in MedAE values of the 6 formulas in different ACD groups were statistically significant (χ²=37.389, 57.643, 52.845; all P<0.01), and the MedAE values of the Barrett Universal Ⅱ in different ACD groups were smallest (0.46, 0.33, 0.31 D). Conclusions: The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula perform the best over the entire AL range, followed by the Haigis and SRK/T formulas. The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula result in the lowest prediction error in the short AL group, the long AL group, and all ACD groups. The Haigis formula may be more accurate when the Km was ≤42.00 D or ≥46.00 D. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 502-511).

[Dynamic changes of axial length, corneal refractive power, and refractive state after cataract surgery in infants].

Objective: To investigate the changes of axial length, corneal refractive power, and refractive state in infants with congenital cataract surgery. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. Medical records of 103 patients who underwent congenital cataract surgery in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University Hangzhou Branch from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 were reviewed. There were 61 boys and 42 girls in the study. The mean age at the surgery of 103 congenital cataract patients was (3.95±1.94) months. In patients receiving bilateral cataract surgery, only the left eye was selected for analysis. The patients were followed up for at least 1 year. The patients were divided into the groups of <4 months old and 4-12 months old according to the age at cataract surgery. The change in the axial length, corneal refractive power, and refractive state of each patient at 1 year after surgery was analyzed. Independent sample t-test, one way variance analysis and simple linear regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were 71 cases of bilateral cataract, including 33 in the group of <4 months old and 38 in the group of 4-12 months old, and 32 cases of unilateral cataract, including 17 in the group of <4 months old and 15 in the group of 4-12 months old. The change in the axial length of bilateral cataract children in the <4-month-old group was (2.46±1.33) mm at 1 year after surgery, which was greater than (1.52± 1.00) mm in the group of 4-12 months old (t=3.21; P<0.01). In the same surgery age group, there was no significant difference in the change of axial length among bilateral cataract eyes, unilateral cataract eyes and the contralateral eyes at 1 year after surgery (both P>0.05). One year after surgery, the axial length of the eyes in patients with bilateral cataract, the affected eyes and the fellow eyes in patients with unilateral cataract all was highly correlated with the logarithm of the actual age (r=0.68, 0.52, 0.73; all P<0.01). The corneal refractive power showed a decreased trend with the increase of age. The change in the corneal refractive power of the bilateral cataract children in the <4-month-old group at 1 year after surgery was (1.43±2.87) D, and in the group of 4-12 months old was (0.68±2.10) D, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The chang in spherical equivalent of bilateral cataract children was (2.02±2.60) D in the <4-month-old group, greater than that in the group of 4-12 months old [(0.69±1.89) D; t=2.15; P<0.05]. The change of spherical equivalent one year after surgery in 4-12 months group, unilateral cataract eyes was significantly greater than that of bilateral cataract eyes [(2.05±0.95) D vs. (0.69±1.89) D; t=2.49; P<0.05]. The spherical equivalent of both bilateral and unilateral cataract children was highly correlated with the actual age (r=-0.51, -0.54; both P<0.01). Conclusions: The axial length is increased, the corneal refractive power is decreased, and the spherical equivalent is decreased at 1 year after surgery for congenital cataract in infants. The younger the age at cataract surgery, the greater the change in the axial length, myopia drift, and corneal refractive power. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 34-40).

Towards the Elimination of Schistosomiasis japonica through Control of the Disease in Domestic Animals in The People's Republic of China: A Tale of over 60Years.

Schistosomiasis japonica, an endemic, zoonotic tropical parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum, remains an important public health concern in The People's Republic of China. Unlike other species of Schistosoma, over 40 species of wild and domestic animals can act as reservoir hosts of S. japonicum, which increases the difficulty for the control of this tropical disease. It is widely recognized that domestic animals, particularly water buffaloes and cattle, play an important role in the transmission of S. japonicum. Hence, since the 1950s when The People's Republic of China commenced fight against the disease, the control of animal schistosomiasis has been carried out almost synchronously with that of human schistosomiasis, such that great strides have been made over the past six decades. In this chapter, we review the history and current status of schistosomiasis control in domestic animals in The People's Republic of China. We thoroughly analyse the prevalence of domestic animal schistosomiasis at different stages of schistosomiasis control and the role of different species of domestic animals in transmission of the disease, summarize the control strategies and assess their effectiveness. Furthermore, the challenges ahead are discussed and recommendations for future direction are provided.

Investigation of the association between psoriasis and human leucocyte antigens A by means of meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between psoriasis and human leucocyte antigen A (HLA-A) does not reach a consensus. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the association between psoriasis and HLA-A. METHODS: Predefined selection criteria were applied to all relevant case-control studies (from 1972 to 2013) in two English databases. RESULTS: Twenty-three eligible articles covering 12 227 participants were included, in which 28 alleles were reported associated with psoriasis. Our meta-analysis results showed that nine alleles were susceptible, 12 were protective and seven were unassociated. Subgroup analyses were conducted in terms of race, clinical type and onset age. For unspecific psoriasis, only one strongly susceptible allele was found in Caucasian and three were in Asian; three strongly protective alleles were reported in Caucasian and only one was found in Asian. There was no common allele to both races. For psoriasis vulgaris, there was no strongly susceptible allele in Caucasian but two in Asian; two strongly protective alleles were found in Caucasian and another two were in Asian. For psoriatic arthritis, two strongly susceptible alleles and one strongly protective allele were reported in Caucasian cases. For psoriasis guttate, only one strongly protective allele was found in Caucasian. In terms of onset age, A*01, A*02, A*03, A*26 and A*30 alleles were more susceptible to type I psoriasis than to type II, and it showed a stronger association in those with family history. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis is associated with a number of HLA-A alleles, some are susceptible, some are protective. The association of some alleles is different in terms of different races, clinical types and onset age.

Meta-analysis of the association between psoriasis and human leucocyte antigen-B.

BACKGROUND: Currently there is no consensus about the association between psoriasis and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B. OBJECTIVES: To clarify the association between psoriasis and HLA-B. METHODS: Articles were selected, following predefined criteria, from case-control studies on the association between psoriasis and HLA-B published between 1 January 1972 and 11 November 2012, and included in the PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. RESULTS: Thirty-seven eligible articles covering 16 206 participants (14 644 white and 1562 Asian) were included. Sixty HLA-B alleles were reported, among which 26 were associated with susceptibility to disease, 24 were protective and 10 were unassociated. For unspecific psoriasis, there were three strongly susceptible alleles (OR ≥ 3·0) in white and four in Asian subjects, with HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*13 common to both races; there were four strongly protective (OR ≤ 0·3) alleles in white and seven in Asian subjects, with HLA-B*07 common to both. For psoriasis vulgaris, nine alleles were strongly associated with susceptibility in white subjects and five in Asians, with HLA-Bw*37 and HLA-B*57 in both; three alleles were strongly protective in white subjects and one in Asians, with none in common. Cases of psoriatic arthritis and guttate psoriasis were reported only in white subjects, with eight and seven strongly susceptible alleles, and two and three strongly protective alleles, respectively. Analyses of onset age showed that praecox patients with family history were significantly more susceptible to HLA-B*13 and HLA-B*57 than tardive ones. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was identified between psoriasis and 50 HLA-B alleles. The association varied in terms of race, and clinical type and onset age of psoriasis.

Acute and subacute dual energy CT findings of pulmonary embolism in rabbits: correlation with histopathology.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe quantitative dual energy CT (DECT) findings and their accuracy in the detection of acute and subacute pulmonary embolism (PE) in rabbits. METHODS: Pulmonary emboli were created in 24 rabbits by gelatin sponge femoral vein injection. Conventional CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and DECT were obtained at either 2 h, 1 day, 3 days or 7 days after embolisation (n=6 rabbits for each time point). The location and number of PEs in the different stages were recorded at CTPA and iodine maps from DECT on a per-lobe basis. With histopathology as the reference standard, sensitivity and specificity of CTPA and DECT were calculated. CT and iodine map overlay values of the embolic and non-embolic areas were measured for each scan. RESULTS: With histopathology as the reference standard, the overall sensitivity and specificity of CTPA were 98% and 100% and those of iodine maps were 100% and 95%, respectively. Conventional CT and iodine map values of the embolised and non-embolised areas were significantly different between 2 h and 1 day (p<0.001), but not between 3 days and 7 days (p>0.05). A statistical difference was found for overlay values measured in the embolic and non-embolic regions for four groups. CONCLUSION: Iodine maps derived from DECT show alterations in lung perfusion for acute and subacute PE in an experimental rabbit model and show comparable sensitivity for PE detection and conventional CTPA.