PurposeTo report the clinical features, treatment outcomes and blindness associated with steroid-induced glaucoma in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).Materials and methodsRecords of patients with VKC, who visited our tertiary centre from 1992 and 2009, were reviewed and those with steroid-induced glaucoma were included in the study. Glaucoma was diagnosed based on intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥22 mm Hg on two consecutive visits (ocular hypertension) and/or glaucomatous optic disc damage. Blindness was defined as best corrected visual acuity of ≤20/400 or visual field <10°.ResultsOf the 4062 VKC subjects, 91 (157 eyes) had steroid-induced glaucoma (SIG), showing a prevalence of 2.24%. Of these 87% were men. The median (IQR) age at onset of VKC was 12 years (7–17). At presentation, the median duration of VKC was 48 months (24–72) and the median duration of steroid usage was 24 months (12–36). The median cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) was 0.9 (0.7–0.9) and median mean deviation was −21.9 dB (−30.0 to –10.2). IOP was medically controlled in 66% eyes (104/157) and 34% eyes (53/157) needed glaucoma surgery. High presenting IOP (OR: 1.04; p=0.05) and increased duration of steroid usage (OR: 1.07; p=0.02) were significantly associated with need for glaucoma surgery. At presentation, 29/91 subjects (31.8%) were bilaterally blind due to SIG. Higher CDR at presentation was significantly associated with blindness in this cohort (p=0.02).ConclusionIn this cohort of VKC with SIG, the disease predominantly affected adolescent males. Glaucoma was severe with one-third needing surgery and one-third blind due to SIG.

No abstract

Initial smear examination of KOH mount by an ophthalmologist helped in diagnosis of infectious keratitis caused by fungi and its management and 95.12% of KOH positive patients healed with scarring. Reading of KOH mount by an ophthalmologist helped in initiation of specific therapy with improved clinical outcome.

“Militias have proven to be a consistent and enduring challenge to achieving peace in war zones around the world. Whether armed by embattled governments in defence of their territory or fostered by external actors in the interests of greed or grievance, these groups occupy an uncertain and deeply controversial position in the changing landscape of conflict. Linked variously to atrocities against civilians or international criminal elements, part of what distinguishes them from more traditional combatants is their willingness to engage in violent tactics that defy international norms as well as a proclivity to embrace expediency in alliance-making. As such, their diversity of form, unorthodox nature and sheer numbers make achieving short-term stability and an enduring peace a consistently difficult proposition. Bringing together the lessons learned from four intensively researched case studies – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Timor-Leste, Afghanistan and Sudan – the book argues that the overly rigid ‘cookie-cutter’ approach to demilitaristation, developed and commonly implemented presently by the international community, is ineffective at meeting the myriad of challenges involving militias. In doing so, the authors propose a radical new framework for demilitarization that questions conventional models and takes into account on-the-ground realities.”

SUMMARYPhacoemulsification with in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is the standard procedure for cataract surgery. Pigment dispersion and uveitis can result when an IOL is placed in the sulcus. We report a case of a 64-year-old woman, with pigmentary glaucoma, who developed recurrent uveitis following uneventful cataract surgery and an in-the-bag hydrophobic acrylic IOL implant. Recurrent uveitis did not subside despite use of topical steroids over 3 months. Dilated examination revealed capsulophimosis with anterior dislocation of the IOL haptic. The mechanical trauma to the iris due to the displaced haptic was implicated as the cause of recurrent uveitis, which completely resolved after capsular excision and IOL repositioning. This case illustrates a rare cause of recurrent uveitis due to IOL haptic dislocation following severe capsulophimosis. BACKGROUND

Precise binding interaction between sperm surface-specific molecules and the ovum zona-pellucida is the key to a positive fertilization outcome. An in-silico approach was therefore adopted to understand the intricate molecular docking between a receptor molecule of the Zona-pellucida (ZP3) and effective sperm ligands selected viz., IZUMO1, ADAM2 and ERp57. The study aims at identifying the possible molecular biomarkers on the sperm plasma membrane which could efficiently initiate the acrosome reaction, recognize and bind to barrier membrane molecules and mediate fusion of sperm with ovum, thus culminating in successful fertilization. The in-silico identification of sperm-oocyte interaction biomarkers would serve a dual purpose in aiding to recognise potential targets for fertility regulation and infertility research.

Cigarette smoke is a major risk factor in the development of Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nicotine- derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) is an important carcinogen present in cigarette smoke that induces tumor metastasis by activation of a protein kinase cascade, including Focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The present investigation was aimed at employing molecular docking studies to establish binding interactions and comparison of phytocomponents from different herbs and selected Rosmarinic acid derivatives against the target protein FAK with the purpose of blocking the binding of Nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK). Molegro virtual docker (MMV) and Hex (version 8.0.0) software was used as docking tool for investigating the interaction of the protein active site residues with the phytocomponents. Molegro molecular viewer (MMV) and Biovia Discovery studio 2017 R2 visualizer were used to identify the amino acid interactions between phytocomponents and protein and also to calculate binding scores. The molecular interaction of NNK with the target protein was also done to obtain the binding energy of this carcinogen with the protein. Rosmarinic acid derivatives manifested the highest docking score with the target protein FAK. In comparison, NNK showed weaker binding score with FAK. In addition the derivatives showed common interacting amino acids. Hence, docking studies indicated that phytocomponents and certain derivatives could effectively bind to the same active site of FAK and block its interaction with NNK. Thus, in nicotine exposed NSCLC patients, Rosmarinic acid derivatives may work as effective competitive binders.

Precise binding interaction between sperm surface-specific molecules and the ovum zona-pellucida is the key to a positive fertilization outcome. An in-silico approach was therefore adopted to understand the intricate molecular docking between a receptor molecule of the Zona-pellucida (ZP3) and effective sperm ligands selected viz., IZUMO1, ADAM2 and ERp57. The study aims at identifying the possible molecular biomarkers on the sperm plasma membrane which could efficiently initiate the acrosome reaction, recognize and bind to barrier membrane molecules and mediate fusion of sperm with ovum, thus culminating in successful fertilization. The in-silico identification of sperm-oocyte interaction biomarkers would serve a dual purpose in aiding to recognise potential targets for fertility regulation and infertility research.