Nevin Manimala

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr;71(4):1566-1573. doi: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2821_22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To understand the bacterial microbiome changes associated with Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) and non-Sjogren’s syndrome (NSS) aqueous-deficient dry eyes compared to healthy eyes.

METHODS: Bacterial microbiome was generated from the deoxyribonucleic acid of tear film samples in healthy (n = 33), SS (n = 17), and NSS (n = 28) individuals. Sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was performed on the Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) pipeline was used to assign taxa to sequences. Statistical analysis was performed in R to assess the alpha diversity and beta diversity indices. Significant changes between the healthy, SS, and NSS cohorts were depicted by principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), differential abundance, and network analysis.

RESULTS: Tear microbiome was generated in healthy, SS, and NSS samples. Phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes showed significant changes in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus were predominantly present in all samples. PCoA and heat map analysis showed distinct clusters for SS and NSS from the healthy cohort. Genera Prevotella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-003, Enterococcus, Streptomyces, Rhodobacter, Ezakiella, and Microbacterium significantly increased in abundance in SS and NSS compared to a healthy cohort. Bacteria-bacteria interaction in SS, NSS, and healthy cohorts was predicted by CoNet network analysis. This analysis predicted a major hub of interaction for the pro-inflammatory bacterium Prevotella in the SS and NSS cohorts.

CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate significant changes in the phyla and genera in SS and NSS compared to healthy. Both discriminative analysis and network analysis indicated a possible association of predominant pro-inflammatory bacteria with SS and NSS.

PMID:37026303 | DOI:10.4103/IJO.IJO_2821_22

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr;71(4):1561-1565. doi: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2829_22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In cases of eyelid malignancies requiring full thickness excisional biopsy followed by reconstruction of the created defect, the Meibomian glands are lost. Post-operative varying degrees of dry eye disease (DED) are expected in such patients. The aim was to evaluate the objective and subjective statuses of DED in cases of full thickness eyelid reconstruction following excisional biopsy because of malignancies. Methods: This was a cross-sectional pilot study. Objective and subjective dry eye parameters are assessed in cases of full thickness eyelid reconstruction following excisional biopsy because of malignancies in 37 eyes at 6 months post-operative follow-up. Analysis of variance and Chi square test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: When compared with fellow eye, all the parameters were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.0). Subjective assessment of dry eye by ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scoring did not corroborate with the objective data (p 0.00). Lower eyelid reconstruction showed a minimum number of dry eye cases (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of post-operative dry eye is more with increasing percentage of full thickness upper eyelid reconstruction. Disparity was found between objective and subjective parameters of dry eye in patients requiring varying percentages of upper eyelid reconstruction because of malignancies.

PMID:37026302 | DOI:10.4103/IJO.IJO_2829_22

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr;71(4):1551-1555. doi: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_3029_22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Dry eye disease (DED) might be caused by multiple ocular surgical interventions. The aim of the study was to estimate the extent of DED in patients undergoing core vitrectomy for vitreoretinal interface disorders.

METHODS: In this prospective observational study, we included patients with 12 months of follow-up after vitrectomy. The following data were collected as controls: age, sex, best-corrected visual acuity before and after surgery, and phakic status. In OSA (ocular surface analysis), the following parameters were evaluated: NIBUT (non-invasive tear break-up time), sltDear (thickness of the lipid layer), Meibomian gland (MGD) loss, and the height of tear meniscus. Shapiro-Wilk test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: We evaluated 48 eyes of 24 patients (10 men, 14 women; 64.63 ± 14.10 years) 1 year after vitrectomy. From the analyzed ocular surface parameters, NIBUT was significantly lower in operated versus non-operated eyes (P = 0.048). The higher the level of difference in MGD loss between both eyes, the higher the level of difference in NIBUT between both eyes (r_s = 0.47, P = 0.032).

CONCLUSION: NIBUT levels were still decreased 12 months after vitrectomy. Patients with more pronounced MGD loss or decreased NIBUT levels in the fellow eye were more likely to experience such disorders. The tear meniscus height was lower in patients undergoing surgery for retinal detachment than in those with vitreoretinal disorders. This might allow the suggestion to include artificial tears in pre- and post-operative care in vitrectomized eyes.

PMID:37026300 | DOI:10.4103/IJO.IJO_3029_22

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr;71(4):1521-1525. doi: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2812_22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This present prospective, cross-sectional study aims to comprehensively evaluate the ocular surface in asymptomatic patients with diffuse blebs after trabeculectomy versus chronic anti-glaucoma medication use and compare it with the age-matched normal population.

METHODS: Objective clinical evaluation was done by tear film break-up time (TBUT) and Schirmer’s test (ST) in the three groups-trabeculectomy >6 months with a diffuse bleb (Wurzburg bleb classification score ≧10), chronic anti-glaucoma medication (AGM >6 months) group, and normal population. In all groups, tear film osmolarity was checked with the TearLab_® device (TearLab Corp., CA, USA), and subjective evaluation was performed by administering Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Patients already on chronic lubricants or any other drug for the treatment of dry eyes (viz. steroids, cyclosporin) or having symptoms suggestive of an abnormal ocular surface, who had undergone refractive or intraocular surgery, and contact lens users were excluded.

RESULTS: In total, 104 subjects/eyes were recruited over 6 weeks. Thirty-six eyes recruited in the trab group were compared with 33 eyes studied in the AGM group, and both these groups were compared to 35 normal eyes. When compared to normals, TBUT and ST were significantly lower (P = 0.003 and 0.014) and osmolarity and OSDI were statistically significantly higher (P = 0.007 and 0.003) in the AGM group, whereas only TBUT was statistically significantly different (P = 0.009) when the trab group was compared to normals. Also, when the trab group was compared to the AGM group, ST was found to be higher (P = 0.003) and osmolarity was lower (P = 0.034).

CONCLUSION: To conclude, ocular surface is affected even in asymptomatic patients on AGM but near normalcy is possible following trabeculectomy when blebs are diffuse.

PMID:37026294 | DOI:10.4103/IJO.IJO_2812_22

Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr;71(4):1499-1502. doi: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2709_22.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Lid wiper epithliopathy (LWE) was stuided in symptomatic and asymptomatic dry eye subjects. This is the first such study to be conducted in the Indian population. LWE is a clinical condition associated with vital staining in the lower and upper eyelids on increased friction of the lid margin over to the cornea. Our aim was to study LWE in symptomatic and asymptomatic (control) dry eye subjects.

METHODS: Out of 96 subjects screened, 60 subjects were enrolled in the study and were divided into two groups, symptomatic and asymptomatic dry eye subjects, based on the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores. The subjects were examined to rule out clinical dry eye findings and assessed for LWE with two different dyes (fluorescein and lissamine green). Descriptive analysis was done and Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 60 subjects were enrolled in a study with a mean age of 21.33 ± 1.88 years, out of which the majority of LWE patients (99.8%) was seen in the symptomatic group than the asymptomatic group (73.3%); the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00) and also clinically significant. LWE was found to be significantly higher in symptomatic dry eye subjects (99.8%) compared to asymptomatic dry eye subjects (73.3%). LWE severity was also found to be more (56.6% of grade 3) among symptomatic dry eye subjects compared to asymptomatic subjects (40% of grade 2).

CONCLUSION: It is important to assess the lid wiper region (LWR) and treat LWE in routine clinical practice.

PMID:37026290 | DOI:10.4103/IJO.IJO_2709_22

J Health Popul Nutr. 2023 Apr 6;42(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s41043-023-00373-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Video gaming and competitive gaming (esports) are gaining more and more recognition in society as well as in research. Increasingly, health-related topics are the focus of research on video game and esports players. Although video gaming is often associated with energy drinks and fast food, no studies have yet examined the players’ dietary behavior. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate the dietary behavior and additional health-related data of video game players and esports players in Germany.

METHODS: Between July and October 2020, 817 participants (87.1% male; 24.2 ± 6.9 years), divided into video game players and esports players, were surveyed via an online questionnaire about their dietary, health, and gaming behaviors. Descriptive statistics were performed on all questions. To investigate statistically significant differences between video game players and esports players, the Mann-Whitney-U-Test and Kruskall-Wallis-Test were used. Partial Spearman correlations were used to examine possible associations between dietary behavior, health status, well-being, and video game playing time.

RESULTS: Water was the primary source of fluid intake for the players (10.9 ± 7.0 l/week). The average weekly consumption of energy drinks was 0.4 ± 0.9 L. Energy drinks (rho = 0.14; p < 0.01) as well as soft drinks (rho = 0.14; p < 0.01) are positively correlated with the video game playing time. Participants ate 7.5 ± 10.4 servings of fast food per month, which has a positive association with video game playing time (rho = 0.13; p < 0.01). In contrast, vegetables (1.7 ± 1.6 servings/day) and fruits (0.9 ± 1.0 servings/day) are eaten almost daily.

CONCLUSION: In this survey, the dietary behavior of video game players and esports players is similar to that of the German general population. Nevertheless, there is a need for improvement. Especially energy drinks, which are already documented to have adverse health effects, should be limited. In addition, the consumption of fast food and meat should also be reduced, and healthier foods such as fruits and vegetables should be increased instead. Early education and support regarding the associated risks with unhealthy foods is important within the target group.

PMID:37024994 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-023-00373-7

Genome Biol. 2023 Apr 6;24(1):66. doi: 10.1186/s13059-023-02907-y.

ABSTRACT

Long-read single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) enables the quantification of RNA isoforms in individual cells. However, long-read scRNA-seq using the Oxford Nanopore platform has largely relied upon matched short-read data to identify cell barcodes. We introduce BLAZE, which accurately and efficiently identifies 10x cell barcodes using only nanopore long-read scRNA-seq data. BLAZE outperforms the existing tools and provides an accurate representation of the cells present in long-read scRNA-seq when compared to matched short reads. BLAZE simplifies long-read scRNA-seq while improving the results, is compatible with downstream tools accepting a cell barcode file, and is available at https://github.com/shimlab/BLAZE .

PMID:37024980 | DOI:10.1186/s13059-023-02907-y

BMC Psychol. 2023 Apr 6;11(1):100. doi: 10.1186/s40359-023-01142-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate probationers’ addiction levels and associated socioeconomic and psychological features in Izmir Probation Directorate.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Izmir Probation Directorate between August 27, 2018 and November 27, 2018. The study’s dependent variable was adult probationers’ addiction level which was evaluated by the Addiction Profile Index-Clinical Version (API-C). The independent variables were individual factors, social environmental factors, API-C scale subdimensions and perceived social support. For paired comparisons, Student’s t test and ANOVA were used. Linear regression analysis was used for multiple comparisons. p < 0.05 was accepted as the limit of statistical significance.

RESULTS: A total of 200 male probationers participated in the study (82.3%, n = 243). The participants’ average age was 29.9 ± 7.7. The participants’ average addiction score was 5.65 ± 2.33. According to the results of the regression analysis; education level (B = 1.438, 95% CI 0.936, 1.941, p < 0.001) working status at a job (B = 2.687, 95% CI 1.428, 3.945, p < 0.001) father’s education level (B=-1.117, 95% CI -1.473, -0.762, p < 0.001) and anger management problems (B = 0.750, 95%CI 0.517, 0.982, p < 0.001) were explanatory for addiction level. The model was 50.8% explanatory of addiction level (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Probationers who grew up with only their mother, whose father had a low education level, who had higher levels of anger management problems and who were unemployed had higher levels of addiction. These results emphasize the need for social work in the rehabilitation processes of individuals. Treating the risk factors indicated by the study results as screening and follow-up parameters in the probation population can be useful in improving the success of the probation program.

PMID:37024978 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-023-01142-1

J Orthop Surg Res. 2023 Apr 6;18(1):281. doi: 10.1186/s13018-023-03738-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To implement a goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) protocol using crystalloids in hip revision arthroplasty surgery within a quality management project at a tertiary hospital using a monocentric, prospective observational study.

METHODS: Adult patients scheduled for elective hip revision arthroplasty surgery were screened for inclusion in this prospective study. Intraoperatively stroke volume (SV) was optimized within a previously published protocol using uncalibrated pulse contour analysis and balanced crystalloids. Quality of perioperative GDFT was assessed by protocol adherence, SV increase as well as the rate of perioperative complications. Findings were then compared to two different historical groups of a former trial: one receiving GDFT with colloids (prospective colloid group) and one standard fluid therapy (retrospective control group) throughout surgery. Statistical analysis constitutes exploratory data analyses and results are expressed as median with 25th and 75th percentiles, absolute and relative frequencies, and complication rates are further given with 95% confidence intervals for proportions using the normal approximation without continuity correction.

RESULTS: Sixty-six patients underwent GDFT using balanced crystalloids and were compared to 130 patients with GDFT using balanced colloids and 130 controls without GDFT fluid resuscitation. There was a comparable increase in SV (crystalloids: 65 (54-74 ml; colloids: 67.5 (60-75.25 ml) and total volume infused (crystalloids: 2575 (2000-4210) ml; colloids: 2435 (1760-3480) ml; and controls: 2210 (1658-3000) ml). Overall perioperative complications rates were similar (42.4% (95%CI 30.3-55.2%) for crystalloids and 49.2% (95%CI 40.4-58.1%) for colloids and lower compared to controls: 66.9% (95%CI 58.1-74.9)). Interestingly, a reduced number of hemorrhagic complications was observed within crystalloids: 30% (95%CI 19.6-42.9); colloids: 43% (95%CI 34.4-52.0); and controls: 62% (95%CI 52.6-69.9). There were no differences in the rate of admission to the post-anesthesia care unit or intensive care unit as well as the length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative fluid management using a GDFT protocol with crystalloids in hip revision arthroplasty surgery was successfully implemented in daily clinical routine. Perioperative complications rates were reduced compared to a previous management without GDFT and comparable when using colloids.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01753050.

PMID:37024966 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-023-03738-0

Biopsychosoc Med. 2023 Apr 6;17(1):15. doi: 10.1186/s13030-023-00271-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Foreign nationals residing in Japan account for approximately 2% of the total population (i.e., approximately 2.6 million people). Of these, 12% are not proficient in speaking Japanese and 25% experience difficulty reading Japanese. Therefore, a simple, convenient, and accurate scale in the native language of foreign nationals is required to support their mental health. In this study, the Public Health Research Foundation Stress Checklist Short Form (PHRF-SCL (SF)) was translated into five languages and the reliability and validity of the translations were confirmed.

METHODS: The five translated versions of the PHRF-SCL (SF) have been reverse-translated into the original language, Japanese. The creator confirmed that there were no inconsistencies between the Japanese and reverse-translated versions. A total of 777 adults aged 18-64 years participated in the study. They were asked to complete the native language versions of the PHRF-SCL (SF) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS 21) online.

RESULTS: An exploratory factor analysis yielded the same four-factor structure as the original. Internal consistency was confirmed by the alpha coefficients of the subscales. Participants were classified into two groups on the basis of the severity classification obtained from each subscale of the DASS 21. Scores of PHRF-SCL (SF) are significantly higher in groups classified as symptomatic by DASS 21, thereby confirming construct validity. Concomitant validity was confirmed based on correlations with the DASS 21.

CONCLUSIONS: English, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, and Vietnamese versions of the PHRF-SCL(SF) have been prepared. Although these versions are subject to further statistical analysis, the results were sufficiently substantiated for practical use. This scale is expected to contribute to the promotion of mental health services for people from these countries.

PMID:37024959 | DOI:10.1186/s13030-023-00271-8