In pancreas recipients with advanced diabetic eye disease, conflicting ophthalmologic results over different follow-up periods have been reported. In the present prospective study we performed ophthalmologic evaluation groups of type I diabetic patients: 1) normoglycemic recipients of pancreas and kidney grafts (group SPK, n = 43, follow-up 44.9 +/- 35.1 months), 2) pancreas and kidney graft recipients with nonfunctioning pancreatic graft, and recipients of isolated kidney graft (group K, n = 45, follow-up 60.3 +/- 34.2 months). The examinations were performed before transplantation, at the end of follow-up (at least 1 year), and in 63 recipients also at 3 years posttransplant. Visual acuity results at baseline and at the end of follow-up were 0.48 +/- 0.39 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.39 in the SPK group, and 0.46 +/- 0.38 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.39 in the K group. While intragroup changes were not significant, the changes were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05). Fundoscopic findings at the end of follow-up were improved, stabilized, or deteriorated in the SPK group in 21.3%, 61.7%, and 17.0%, respectively. The respective figures for the K group were 6.1%, 48.8%, and 45.1% (p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained when evaluating findings at 3 years posttransplant. Before transplantation, 78% of the SPK group and 81% of the K group had been treated by laser. The need for additional posttransplant laser therapy was significantly lower in the SPK (31%) than in the K group (58%; p < 0.001). In conclusion, pancreas transplant exerts a beneficial effect on the course of diabetic retinopathy even in its late stage.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common long-term neurovascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) with a major impact on quality of life, is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide. 1-3 Although the vascular component of its pathogenesis is undisputable, the importance of neurodegenerative and inflammatory processes in the retina has emerged only recently. 4 The functionality of the neurovascular unit and the integrity of the blood-retina barrier depend on the function and communication of neural, glial, and vascular cells. Alterations of the neurovascular unit seem to precede the subclinical functional and morphological abnormalities. 5-7 Although much remains to be explored about the primary pathogenesis of DR, hyperglycemia is undoubtedly the initial in the
The article is focused on pilot verification of creative tasks in 3D modeling. It presents those creative tasks that can be included in the teaching (for example, technical education) of 3D modeling in primary school, and which support the creativity of students. The described experience is based on a pilot verification using the Torrance figural test, which was used in teaching in the experimental and control groups, both pretest and posttest. The pilot verification took place over a period of less than four months at a specific primary school as part of teaching 3D modeling and 3D printing. Finally, individual tasks are offered that can help teachers to develop students' creativity in the implementation of 3D modeling in teaching or hobby activities.
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