Genome-wide association meta-analysis of corneal curvature identifies novel loci and shared genetic influences across axial length and refractive error.

Corneal curvature, a highly heritable trait, is a key clinical endophenotype for myopia - a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the world. Here we present a trans-ethnic meta-analysis of corneal curvature GWAS in 44,042 individuals of Caucasian and Asian with replication in 88,218 UK Biobank data. We identified 47 loci (of which 26 are novel), with population-specific signals as well as shared signals across ethnicities. Some identified variants showed precise scaling in corneal curvature and eye elongation (i.e. axial length) to maintain eyes in emmetropia (i.e. HDAC11/FBLN2 rs2630445, RBP3 rs11204213); others exhibited association with myopia with little pleiotropic effects on eye elongation. Implicated genes are involved in extracellular matrix organization, developmental process for body and eye, connective tissue cartilage and glycosylation protein activities. Our study provides insights into population-specific novel genes for corneal curvature, and their pleiotropic effect in regulating eye size or conferring susceptibility to myopia

Early experience with 68Ga-DOTATATE preparation

10.1007/978-3-642-27994-2-10Recent Results in Cancer Research194177-188RRCR

A mathematical model to assess the influence of transients on a refractory-lined solar receiver

Available online 19 November 2020An approach to analyze and optimize the thermal performance of a refractory-lined particle receiver in response to solar resource variability has been demonstrated. A transient mathematical model has been developed, incorporating variable direct normal irradiance (DNI) and heat losses associated with a directly irradiated particle receiver. The model is employed to assess the time-dependent temperature fields of the receiver cavity walls, the particles and gas from the initial state to another equilibrium. The influence of the receiver's geometric parameters on the transient thermal response of the receiver has been assessed using real-time solar irradiance data based on the temperature changes for each phase. This can be used to support optimization of the refractory lining and insulation, to trade-off between the solar DNI input, thermal losses from the receiver, and allowable temperatures and heating rates of refractory and outer steel shell, via an energy balance. New insight is provided on the role of the material and thickness of the refractory lining on the system output when accounting for the allowable heating rate of refractory material to avoid failure due to thermal shock.Muhammad M. Rafique, Graham Nathan, Woei Sa

Benefits and risks of using gelatin solution as a plasma expander for perioperative and critically ill patients: A meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the benefits and risks of gelatin solutions compared to other intravenous fluids for patients in perioperative and critical care settings. Of the 66 studies identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, 30 randomised controlled trials involving 2709 patients met the inclusion criteria and were subject to meta-analysis. The risk of mortality (odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.32) and amount of blood loss (weighted-mean-difference 7.56 ml, 95% confidence interval 18.75 to 33.87) were not significantly different between patients who were treated with gelatin solutions and other types of intravenous fluids. When compared to starches, gelatin solutions were associated with a lower risk of acute renal failure (odds ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.92; P=0.03). When gelatin solutions were compared to isotonic albumin, patients who were treated with gelatin solutions required a small, but significantly greater amount of blood transfusion (weighted-mean-difference 180 ml, 95% confidence interval 8.1 to 353.6; P=0.04). These findings suggest that using gelatin solutions is associated with a lower risk of acute renal failure compared to older starches. Using gelatin as a plasma expander appears to have no significant advantages over crystalloids or isotonic albumin on mortality and may have a slightly higher risk of requiring allogeneic blood transfusion in perioperative and critically ill patients. An adequately powered randomised controlled trial with economic analysis is needed before gelatin solution can be recommended as a routine plasma expander for patients undergoing major surgery or who are critically ill

Tooth slice organ culture and established cell line culture models for cytotoxicity assessment of dental materials

10.1016/j.tiv.2004.08.006Toxicology in Vitro191145-154TIVI

Differential disruption of blood-brain barrier in severe traumatic brain injury

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability in young adults, but not much is known about the incidence and characteristics of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction in this group. In this proof of concept study, we sought to quantify the incidence of BBB dysfunction (defined as a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-plasma albumin quotient of ≥0.007) and examine the relationship between plasma and CSF levels of proteins and electrolytes, in patients with severe TBI. Methods: We recruited 30 patients, all of whom were receiving hypertonic 20 % saline infusion for intracranial hypertension and had external ventricular drains in situ. Simultaneous CSF and blood samples were obtained. Biochemical testing was performed for sodium, osmolality, potassium, glucose, albumin, immunoglobulin-G, and total protein. Results: Eleven patients (37 %) showed evidence of impairment of passive BBB function, with a CSF-plasma albumin quotient of ≥0.007. There were strong positive correlations seen among CSF-plasma albumin quotient and CSF-plasma immunoglobulin-G quotient and CSF-plasma total protein quotient (r = 0.967, P < 0.001 and r = 0.995, P < 0.001, respectively). We also found a higher maximum intracranial pressure (24 vs. 21 mmHg, P = 0.029) and a trend toward increased mortality (27 vs. 11 %, P = 0.33) in patients with BBB disruption. Conclusions: In summary, passive BBB dysfunction is common in patients with severe TBI, and may have important implications for effectiveness of osmotherapy and long-term outcomes. Also, our results suggest that the CSF-plasma total protein quotient, a measurement which is readily available, can be used instead of the CSF-plasma albumin quotient for evaluating BBB dysfunction

Complexes with the fac-{M(CO)3}+ (M = 99mTc, Re) moiety and long alkyl chain ligands as Lipiodol surrogates

10.1016/j.ica.2006.04.023Inorganica Chimica Acta359124087-4094ICHA

Near-work activity, night-lights, and myopia in the Singapore-China study

Archives of Ophthalmology1205620-627AROP