87,036 research outputs found
Screening for diabetic retinopathy: 1 and 3 nonmydriatic 45-degree digital fundus photographs vs 7 standard early treatment diabetic retinopathy study fields.
No full textAm J Ophthalmol. 2009 Jul;148(1):111-8. Epub 2009 May 5.
Screening for diabetic retinopathy: 1 and 3 nonmydriatic 45-degree digital fundus photographs vs 7 standard early treatment diabetic retinopathy study fields.
Vujosevic S, Benetti E, Massignan F, Pilotto E, Varano M, Cavarzeran F, Avogaro A, Midena E.
Source
Fondazione G.B. Bietti per l'Oftalmologia, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientificio), Roma, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE:
To evaluate if simple- or multiple-field digital color nonmydriatic (NM) retinal images can replace 7 standard stereoscopic fundus photographs in the screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR).
DESIGN:
Prospective, masked, comparative case series.
METHODS:
One hundred and eight eyes of 55 diabetics were studied to determine single lesions and to grade clinical levels of DR and diabetic macular edema (DME) using both 1 and 3 NM digital color retinal images compared with the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) 7 standard 35-mm stereoscopic color fundus photographs (7F-ETDRS). All eyes underwent NM 45-degree field images of 1 central field (1F-NM), NM 45-degree field images of 3 fields (3F-NM), and, after pupil dilatation, 30-degree 7F-ETDRS photography. Images were analyzed by 2 independent, masked retinal specialists (S.V. and E.B.), lesion-by-lesion according to the ETDRS protocol and for clinical severity level of DR and DME according to the international classification of DR.
RESULTS:
Using 7F-ETDRS as the gold standard, agreement was substantial for grading clinical levels of DR and DME (kappa = 0.69 and kappa = 0.75) vs 3F-NM; moderate for DR level (kappa = 0.56) and substantial for DME (kappa = 0.66) vs 1F-NM; almost perfect for detecting presence or absence of DR (kappa = 0.88) vs both 1F-NM and 3F-NM; and almost perfect for presence or absence of DME (kappa = 0.97) vs 3F-NM and substantial (kappa = 0.75) vs 1F-NM. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting referable levels of DR were 82% and 92%, respectively, for 3F-NM and 71% and 96%, respectively, for 1F-NM.
CONCLUSIONS:
Three color 45-degree NM fundus fields may be an effective tool in a screening setting to determine critical levels of DR and DME for prompt specialist referral. One central 45-degree image is sufficient to determine absence or presence of DR and DME, but not for grading it
Giannandrea Lazzarini e Alfonso Varano: una congiuntura marchigiano-ferrarese
No full textLo studio riguarda un paragrafo della complessa vicenda artistica del pittore Giannandrea Lazzarini (1710-1801). Pittore colto, sostenuto da una profonda dottrina sacra e profana, ottenne commissioni da diversi luoghi dell'Italia centrale. Particolare il rapporto che lo legò al ferrarese Alfonso Varano per il quale realizzò diversi dipinti
About the funicularity of Velaroidal Shells
No full textWe present some preliminary results of a funicularity analysis of the so called Velaroidal surfaces, a class of analytical forms widely used between the'50s and the'70s to define de shape of thin reinforced concrete shells. After recalling the membrane theory of shells, we illustrate how mentioned analytical forms can be obtained as an approximate solution of the membrane equation. Additionally, the same equation is used to form find a shell by the finite difference scheme. The velaroidal surface and the finite difference solution are then compared by evaluating the generalized eccenticity in order to estimate the R-funicularity of the two solutions
Long-term functional and morphologic retinal changes after ranibizumab and photodynamic therapy in myopic choroidal neovascularization
No full textPurpose: To assess and compare the long-term functional and anatomical outcomes in
eyes with myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) treated with intravitreal injections of
ranibizumab or with photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Methods: Eighty-five eyes of 85 consecutive patients with myopic CNV and treated with
either PDT (43/85) or ranibizumab 0.5 mg (42/85) and at least 24 months of follow-up were
collected. Data from the best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography, and
fluorescein angiography were compared between the groups. Differences in the regression
pattern of myopic CNV and the rate of chorioretinal atrophy development were also
compared between the groups.
Results: The effect of treatment over time on best-corrected visual acuity and the central
retinal thickness was significantly greater in the ranibizumab group (P = 0.0012 and P ,
0.0002, respectively), with eyes treated with ranibizumab showing a significant central
retinal thickness decrease since the first visit and maintained until 24 months. The proportion
of patients showing a complete closure of CNV was similar between the groups
(93% [39 of 42 eyes in the ranibizumab group] vs. 88% [38 of 43 eyes in the PDT group], P =
0.48). Both treatments were associated with an increase of chorioretinal atrophy size, which
was greater in the PDT-treated eyes (P = 0.016).
Conclusion: Ranibizumab therapy showed a greater long-term efficacy compared with
PDT in myopic CNV eyes, with a fewer proportion of eyes developing an increase of lesion
and chorioretinal atrophy size
Environmental heterogeneity patterns and assessment of trophic levels in two Mediterranean lagoons: Orbetello and Varano, Italy
No full textThe management of coastal lagoons is of particular interest due to their high economical importance. In spite of their great productivity, coastal lagoons are often impacted by human pressure which produces water eutrophication. The aim of this paper is to assess the trophic state of the two Mediterranean lagoons taking into account chemical-physical parameters, nutrient concentrations and biological parameters. Two Italian lagoons, Orbetello and Varano (respectively located in Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coast, Italy) were studied between May 2003 and April 2005. Both these systems receive treated urban outflows, agricultural effluents and rivers freshwater inputs. Field collected data showed that studied lagoons were characterized by different human and natural pressures. Orbetello showed the highest water eutrophication, highlighted by the trophic index values, while Varano showed lower eutrophication levels except for the summertime. The values of physical, chemical and biological parameters measured in Orbetello and Varano lagoons indicate that a wide spatial and seasonal gradient of the water characteristics was established during the study period, but in particular in winter. This gradient, typical of estuarine systems, was essentially due to the mixing of freshwater, seawater and anthropogenic inputs. Orbetello lagoon seemed much more affected by the urban impact and the fish-farming activities than Varano lagoon, but the latter showed a greater agriculture activities impact as showed by the remote sensing images. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Occurrence of Vibrio vulnificus in mussel farms from the Varano lagoon environment
No full textAims: Monitoring the occurrence of the human pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in a
mussel farm located in the lagoon of Varano (Italy).
Methods and Results: A total of 72 samples of mussel, water and sediment,
collected from two locations of Varano lagoon in the Gargano peninsula, during
a 7- month survey, were analysed. Isolation and PCR characterization of
six V. vulnificus environmental genotype strains revealed that this pathogen was
isolated when with T was above 22C and salinity ranged between 22Æ7 and
26Æ4&. No significant correlation of the occurrence of V. vulnificus with water
pH or salinity was observed. Moreover, 8% of mussel samples were found to
be contaminated by V. vulnificus. All of that positive mussel samples originated
from the same sampling station.
Conclusion: It is suggested that warmer season are risky to eat raw or undercooked
bivalve molluscs in the local area.
Significance and Impact of the Study: To increase knowledge about environmental
conditions that may affect the occurrence of waterborne pathogen
Vibrio vulnificus in seafood
Evidence for a possible role of oxygen free radicals in the abnormal functional arterial vasomotion in insulin dependent diabetes
No full textEffects of administration of glucagon on the plasma and hepatic contents of the thyroid hormones in the lizard Podarcis sicula
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