METHODS: A total of 479 patients with primary pterygium who were admitted to our hospital from March 2019 to March 2023 were randomly divided into three groups: the normal group (Group A: 89 patients), the control group (Group B: 195 patients), and the modified group (Group C: 195 patients). Each group received different intervention measures. Group A did not undergo surgical treatment and were required to follow up as outpatients. Group B received LSC transplantation combined with interrupted suturing plus BCL, whereas Group C received modified LSC transplantation combined with BCL. The degree of corneal irritation symptoms, wound healing and graft status under slit lamp, incidence and recurrence rate of complications, tear film rupture time, tear secretion test, intraocular pressure, ocular surface inflammation response(IL-1β, PGE2, TNF-α, VEGF), and visual quality were compared and analyzed at various time points after surgery.
RESULTS: Compared with those in the Group B, patients in the Group C experienced faster normalization of corneal epithelium recovery, fewer corneal irritation symptoms, and better wound healing. The break-up time (BUT) of the tear film at 1 week to 1 year postoperatively was significantly greater in the Group C than Group B, with values approaching those of Group A by 3 months (P 0.05). The ELISA results indicated that the expression levels of the ocular surface inflammatory factors IL-1β, TNF-α, PEG2, and VEGF in the Group C were lower than those in Group B from 1 week to 1 year post surgery. Under both natural light and low-light conditions (spatial frequency/6 cd), Group C had better best-corrected visual acuity and contrast sensitivity than Group B at 1 week to 1 year postoperatively. Additionally, Group C had lower corneal higher-order aberrations (including astigmatism, spherical aberrations, and total higher-order aberrations) and superior vision-related quality of life scores at 1 year postoperatively than Group B, with statistically significant differences (P
METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a one year longitudinal study of P. knowlesi vectors in three sites within an endemic area of Sabah, Malaysia. All mosquitoes were captured using human landing catch. Anopheles mosquitoes were dissected to determine, oocyst, sporozoites and parous rate. Anopheles balabacensis is confirmed as the primary vector of. P. knowlesi (using nested PCR) in Sabah for the first time. Vector densities were significantly higher and more seasonally variable in the village than forest or small scale farming site. However An. balabacensis survival and P. knowlesi infection rates were highest in forest and small scale farm sites. Anopheles balabacensis mostly bites humans outdoors in the early evening between 1800 to 2000 hrs.
CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study indicates transmission is unlikely to be prevented by bednets. This combined with its high vectorial capacity poses a threat to malaria elimination programmes within the region.
METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted before and after explanation of fertility issues and FP treatments for patients 6-17 years old who visited or were hospitalized for the purpose of ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) or oocyte cryopreservation (OC), or sperm cryopreservation between October 2018 and April 2022. This study was approved by the institutional review board at St. Marianna University School of Medicine (No. 4123, UMIN000046125).
RESULT: Participants in the study comprised 36 children (34 girls, 2 boys). Overall mean age was 13.3 ± 3.0 years. The underlying diseases were diverse, with leukemia in 14 patients (38.9%), brain tumor in 4 patients (11.1%). The questionnaire survey before the explanation showed that 19 patients (52.8%) wanted to have children in the future, but 15 (41.7%) were unsure of future wishes to raise children. And most children expressed some degree of understanding of the treatment being planned for the underlying disease (34, 94.4%). Similarly, most children understood that the treatment would affect their fertility (33, 91.7%). When asked if they would like to hear a story about how to become a mother or father after FP which including information of FP, half answered "Don't mind" (18, 50.0%). After being provided with information about FP treatment, all participants answered that they understood the adverse effects on fertility of treatments for the underlying disease. Regarding FP treatment, 32 children (88.9%) expressed understanding for FP and 26 (72.2%) wished to receive FP. "Fear" and "Pain" and "Costs" were frequently cited as concerns about FP. Following explanations, 33 children (91.7%) answered "Happy I heard the story" and no children answered, "Wish I hadn't heard the story". Finally, 28 of the 34 girls (82.4%) underwent OTC and one girl underwent OC.
DISCUSSION: The fact that all patients responded positively to the explanations of FP treatment is very informative. This is considered largely attributable to the patients themselves being involved in the decision-making process for FP.
CONCLUSIONS: Explanations of FP for children appear valid if age-appropriate explanations are provided.