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An Alternative Method Of Oral To Nasal Endotracheal Intubation In Patients Undergoing Maxillofacial Surgery, Hasan Kutluk Pampal, Meti̇n Alkan, Cengi̇z Beki̇r Demi̇rel, Gökçen Emmez, Nurdan Bedi̇rli̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery frequently require nasal intubation. Although awake fiberoptic intubation is the procedure of choice, a fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) may not be available in all clinics. Furthermore, the procedure itself requires skill and experience, and cannot be used when the view is obstructed by bleeding or secretions. Herein we describe 3 patients in whom oral to nasal endotracheal tube exchange was accomplished with the aid of a nasogastric tube after placement of an LMA CTrachTM, as no FOB was available.

Is There Any Effect Of Demographic Features On Development Of Hyperemesis Gravidarum In The Turkish Population?, Zeynep Kamalak, Nermi̇n Köşüş, Aydin Köşüş, Deni̇z Hizli, Ayli̇n Ayrim, Gonca Kurt

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To assess the effect of maternal demographic variables on development of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) in pregnant Turkish women. Materials and methods: Two hundred consecutive women with HG were defined as the study group, and 200 consecutive pregnant women without any signs or symptoms of HG matched for age, parity, and gestational age were defined as the control group. Personal information, including lifestyle, educational level, occupation, and economic status were obtained via questionnaire. Results: The number of abortions was higher but parity was lower in the HG group. The time interval between 2 pregnancies was significantly shorter in the HG group …

Mechanistic Basis For Atrial And Ventricular Arrhythmias Caused By Kcnq1 Mutations, Daniel C. Bartos

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

Cardiac arrhythmias are caused by a disruption of the normal initiation or propagation of electrical impulses in the heart. Hundreds of mutations in genes encoding ion channels or ion channel regulatory proteins are linked to congenital arrhythmia syndromes that increase the risk for sudden cardiac death. This dissertation focuses on how mutations in a gene (KCNQ1) that encodes a voltage-gated K⁺ ion channel (Kv7.1) can disrupt proper channel function and lead to abnormal repolarization of atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes.

In the heart, Kv7.1 coassembles with a regulatory protein to conduct the slowly activating delayed rectifier K^{+ …}

Defining The Role Of Reactive Oxygen Species, Nitric Oxide, And Sphingolipid Signaling In Tumor Necrosis Factor - Induced Skeletal Muscle Weakness, Shawn Stasko

Theses and Dissertations--Physiology

In many chronic inflammatory diseases, patients suffer from skeletal muscle weakness, exacerbating their symptoms. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and sphingomyelinase are increased, suggesting their possible role in the progression of this weakness. This dissertation focuses on the role that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) play in mediating TNF-induced skeletal muscle weakness and to what extent sphingolipid signaling mediates cellular response to TNF.

The first aim of this work was to identify which endogenous oxidant species stimulated by TNF contributes to skeletal muscle weakness. In C57BL/6 mice (n=38), intraperitoneal injection of TNF elicited a 25% …

Amalgamation Of Nucleosides And Amino Acids In Antibiotic Biosynthesis, Sandra H. Barnard

Theses and Dissertations--Pharmacy

The rapid increase in antibiotic resistance demands the identification of novel antibiotics with novel targets. One potential antibacterial target is the biosynthesis of peptidoglycan cell wall, which is both ubiquitous and necessary for bacterial survival. Both the caprazamycin-related compounds A-90289 and muraminomicin, as well as the capuramycin-related compounds A-503083 and A-102395 are potent inhibitors of the translocase I enzyme, one of the key enzymes required for cell wall biosynthesis. The caprazamycin-related compounds contain a core nonproteinogen b-hydroxy-a-amino acid referred to as 5’-C-glycyluridine (GlyU). Residing within the biosynthetic gene clusters of the aforementioned compounds is a shared open reading …

Reaction Between Polyol-Esters And Phosphate Esters In The Presence Of Metal Carbides, David W. Johnson, Carolyn Iacullo, John E. Hils

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The reaction of metal carbides with polyol esters found in aerospace lubricants and phosphate esters commonly used as additives was investigated. Carbides were of particular interest since modern materials under consideration at high temperature bearings have surfaces that are primarily metal carbides. Vanadium and chromium carbide were found to react with the ester and phosphate ester by a transesterification reaction, producing an alkyl phosphate which is less stable than the aromatic phosphate esters. In the process, the metal carbide is converted to the metal phosphate and metal polyphosphate, evidenced by the infrared and Raman spectra of the solid residue and …

Regulation Of Alpha Synuclein Following Chronic Methamphetamine Administration In Guinea Pigs: Correlation With Memory And Synaptic Plasticity, Adnouse Blanc

PCOM Biomedical Studies Student Scholarship

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive drug of abuse that has a severe impact on neuronal changes in the brain including modulations of plasticity, cognitive dysfunction, as well as memory impairment. These changes can be seen as modifications in the expression of biochemical markers associated with synaptic plasticity. One such marker associated with memory impairment is alpha synuclein (α-syn). Alteration of α-syn expression has been linked to memory impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here we assess the effect of chronic METH treatment in correlation to cognitive functions.

Twenty-nine guinea pigs (male, 150-250 g) were …

Leptin Regulation Of Pubertal Maturation In Intact And Pinealectomized Female Rats, Emi̇ne Kaçar, Si̇ğnem Eyuboğlu Di̇nç, Bayram Yilmaz, Haluk Keleşti̇mur

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To explore the roles of leptin and melatonin in early pubertal maturation. Materials and methods: Wistar female rats were used as experimental animals. Leptin was subcutaneously infused for 28 days through osmotic minipumps starting from postnatal day 15 (preweaning). Pinealectomy was performed on postnatal day 21 (weaning), and the animals were decapitated when estrus was detected by vaginal smearing. Results: Chronic preweaning, by peripheral infusion of leptin through subcutaneous routes, advanced the onset of puberty in leptin-treated sham and pinealectomized groups as determined by vaginal opening, while causing no significant change in serum estradiol levels and uterus weight. Mean body …

A Potential Association Between The Number Of Ca Repeats In The Promoter Region Of The Adamts9 Gene With Lymphatic Metastasis Of Breast Cancer, Mi̇kdat Bozer, Fatma Aşik, Muradi̇ye Acar, Hacer Haltaş, Si̇bel Yeni̇dünya, Meti̇n Canbal, Vehap Topçu, Muhammet Ramazan Yi̇ği̇toğlu, Mehmet Gündüz, Esra Gündüz, Satoshi Hirohata, Kadi̇r Demi̇rcan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

We investigated the effect of the number of cytosine-adenine (CA) repeats in the ADAMTS9 promoter region on breast cancer lymphatic metastasis. Materials and methods: Thirty-one postoperative breast cancer patients were selected and examined retrospectively. The patients were classified into 2 groups: metastatic or nonmetastatic. Thirty healthy women were selected as the control group, and their peripheral blood was obtained. Following DNA isolation from the cancer tissue specimens and peripheral blood, the promoter region of the ADAMTS9 gene was directly sequenced and the number of CA repeats was determined. Results: The number of CA repeats ranged between 19 and 21 in …

Effect Of Blood Collection Practices On Emergency Department Blood Specimen Rejection Rates, Barbara K. Vernoski

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The practice of obtaining blood as part of the placement of a new peripheral venous access device (p-VAD) is a frequent practice in the emergency department (ED). Of the concerns related to this practice is the possibility of laboratory specimen rejection due to p-VAD catheter size, use of the wrong collection device, and the absence of a standardized collection process. The objective of this study, therefore, was to examine the effect of the use of evidence-based venipuncture and p-VAD blood collection protocols on the rejection rate of blood specimens drawn by staff in the adult areas of an urban academic …

Insulin Resistance Impairs Response To Doxazosin Therapy In Men With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Cevdet Serkan Gökkaya, Çeti̇n Volkan Özteki̇n, Cüneyt Özden, Emi̇n Öztürk, Bi̇nhan Kağan Aktaş, Ali̇ Memi̇ş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate the effects of insulin resistance (IR) on outcomes of doxazosin treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and methods: This prospective study included 64 patients with LUTS due to BPH. LUTS were evaluated using the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and maximum flow rate (Qmax) in uroflowmetry. Diagnosis of IR was achieved using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score and patients were grouped with respect to absence (group 1, n = 44) or presence (group 2, n = 20) of IR. Patients were evaluated before and after 3 months of daily doxazosin …

Right Ventricular Function And Its Relation With Timi Frame Count In The Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon, Mustafa Yilmaz, Fatma Özlem Arican Özlük, Tezcan Peker, Adem Bekler, Kemal Karaağaç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate right ventricular function using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography in patients with coronary slow flow. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients with slow coronary flow and 22 healthy subjects were included in the study. Right ventricular function was evaluated by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Additionally, right ventricular global function was assessed by myocardial performance index. Results: The tricuspid annulus peak early diastolic velocity (11.4 ± 2.2 cm/s, 13.9 ± 3 cm/s) and ratio of early to late diastolic velocity (0.70 ± 0.17 cm/s, 1.2 ± 0.38 cm/s) were lower in the patient group than in the controls (P …

Does Apnea-Hypopnea Index Alone Reflect Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity?, Ömer Araz, Di̇dem Pulur, Eli̇f Yilmazel Uçar, Mehmet Meral, Ali̇ Meti̇n Görgüner, Meti̇n Akgün

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

We aimed to assess whether there was a correlation between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), desaturation time under 90% (DTU-90), and mean saturation (MS) levels and the parameters associated with tissue hypoxia. Materials and methods: A total of 144 subjects were included in the study. Blood C-reactive protein levels, blood uric acid levels, and urine microalbumin levels were measured and the urine uric acid/creatinine ratio and urine microalbumin/creatinine ratio were calculated. Results: Our study results suggest that MS and DTU-90, as well as the AHI, are correlated with the parameters reflecting hypoxemia and the other events secondary to hypoxia. Conclusion: MS …

Mmp-2, Timp-2, And Mmp-2/Timp-2 Complex Levels In Epidermoid Lung Cancer, Müfi̇de Öncel, Mehmet Aköz, Murat Öncel, Aysel Kiyici, Burhan Api̇li̇oğullari

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex in epidermoid lung cancer and determine whether one of these markers or any combination of them can be used as a prognostic factor and in the management of this disease. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients with non-small cell lung cancer and 21 healthy, age-matched individuals participated in this study. MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex levels were measured in the sera of the patients and controls with the ELISA technique. Results: MMP-2, TIMP-2, and MMP-2/TIMP-2 complex levels were significantly elevated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer compared to the controls …

Neurocognitive Functioning In Young High-Risk Offspring Having A Parent With Bipolar I Disorder, Erdem Deveci̇, Erol Ozan, İsmet Kirpinar, Meltem Oral, Ali̇ Gökhan Daloğlu, Nazan Aydin, Ahmet Öztürk

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate attention, memory, verbal-linguistic ability, and executive functions in symptom-free young offspring having a parent with bipolar I disorder (BD1O) in comparison with healthy controls (CO). Materials and methods: Thirty symptom-free BD1O and 37 CO were recruited. The groups (both all participants and those >=11 years of age) were well-matched for age, sex, IQ, and years of education. The neurocognitive battery included the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning and Memory Test, Controlled Word Association Test, Digit Span Test, Trail Making Test, Auditory Consonant Trigram Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, and Test of Variables of Attention. Results: The BD1O …

Can Plasma-Free Dna Concentration Be A Diagnostic Tool In Critically Ill Septic Patients?, Başak Ceyda Meço, Fatma Handan Cuhruk, Melek Tulunay, Mehmet Oral, Mustafa Necmetti̇n Ünal

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the diagnostic value of plasma-free DNA concentration (PF-DNA) in septic patients compared to nonseptic patients and to correlate it with clinical outcome. Materials and methods: Forty-two mechanically ventilated consecutive patients (11 septic, 31 nonseptic) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were recruited. On admission, besides PF-DNA concentration, APACHE II and SOFA scores and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and serum lipid concentrations, together with clinical outcome, were assessed. Plasma samples from 11 volunteers were also collected. Appropriate statistics were used for analysis. Results: Median PF-DNA concentrations on admission were significantly higher in septic patients compared to …

The Effects Of An Adaptive Directional Beam Microphone On The Mismatch Negativity Responses Of Cochlear Implant Users In Noise, Asuman Erdoğan, Ferda Akdaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effects of noise on mismatch negativity (MMN) responses and the possible benefits of an adaptive directional BEAM microphone in noise during MMN recordings, and to compare the cochlear implant-evoked potential results with normal hearing subjects. Materials and methods: /da/ and /di/ speech stimuli were used to elicit MMN responses in 11 Freedom cochlear implant users and in 11 normal hearing subjects. Speech noise was delivered at 80 dB sound pressure level (-10 dB signal-to-noise ratio). All subjects were tested in quiet and noisy conditions. To compare the microphone effects, MMN responses for the cochlear implant group were …

The Dose-Dependent Effect Of Grayanotoxin On The Cardiovascular System, Süha Türkmen, Ülkü Karagöz, Abdülkadi̇r Gündüz, Süleyman Türedi̇, Metehan Akça, Mehmet Yildirim

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Mad honey (grayanotoxin, GTX) poisoning is caused by a toxin binding to the sodium channels of a cell membrane. This study investigates the dose-dependent effect of GTX on the cardiovascular system. Materials and methods: Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 equal groups. Group 1 was the control group and was administered only saline. GTX-III was administered in doses of 200, 400, and 800 µg/kg for Groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. After GTX-III injection, blood pressure and heart rate were recorded using an electrophysiological data acquisition system. Results: After 200 µg/kg GTX-III injection, at 31-60 min, the …

Ankaferd Blood Stopper: Does It Have A Role In Fracture Healing?, Murat Günay, Ramazan Amanvermez, Gökhan Keleş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To examine the effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) on bone healing using a rat femur fracture model. Materials and methods: Eight rats were used as a control group (group 1), which was not subjected to fractures. The remaining 48 rats were divided into 6 groups of 8 each. The femoral shaft fractures were produced by cutting with bone scissors. One milliliter of ABS was applied to the fracture region of groups 3 (day 7), 5 (day 21), and 7 (day 45), or rats treated with saline instead of ABS on the fracture region in groups 2 (day 7), 4 …

Determination Of Mitochondrial Fragmentation And Autophagosome Formation In C2c12 Skeletal Muscle Cells, Saadet Türkseven, Antonio Zorzano

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To investigate the effect of carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) on mitochondrial elimination in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. Materials and methods: C2C12 muscle cells stably expressing Mito-DsRed were treated with DMSO or CCCP at the doses of 10, 20, and 30 µM for 3, 6, and 24 h. After specific treatments, cells were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and immunocytochemistry assays were performed using appropriate antibodies to evaluate mitochondrial morphology and autophagosome formation. Total cell lysates were used for western blot assays. Results: CCCP induces mitochondrial fragmentation in C2C12 cells. In response to a mitochondrial uncoupler, endogenous autophagosome formation is significantly increased …

Prognostic Factors In Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme (Clinical Research), Mehmet Ali̇ Eki̇ci̇, Turgay Bulut, Bülent Tucer, Seyi̇t Kağan Başarslan, Ali̇ Kurtsoy

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To define the independent variables that affect the life spans of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Materials and methods: This study was conducted in the neurosurgery clinic of Erciyes University's Faculty of Medicine, lasting from February 2000 to September 2006. A total of 98 patients were diagnosed with GBM after tumor resections. Patients' demographic, neurological, radiological, surgical, and clinical features and adjunct therapies were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Of the 98 patients, 36 (36.7%) were female and 62 (65.4%) were male. There were 15 patients (15.3%) still alive. The median survival time (MST) of the gross total resection and subtotal resection …

Evaluation Of Early Corneal Topographic Changes In Children With Down Syndrome, Murat Aslankurt, Lokman Aslan, Adnan Aksoy, Muhammed Mustafa Kurt, Murat Özdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To evaluate early corneal changes using a Scheimpflug imaging (SI) system (Pentacam) in a pediatric population with Down syndrome. Materials and methods: This study was carried out in a prospective and nonrandomized fashion. Twenty-seven children with Down syndrome and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. Corneal measurements were done using a Scheimpflug topography system. Central corneal thickness (CCT), minimum corneal thickness (CTmin), central corneal power (CP), difference of central corneal power (DCP) between 2 eyes, inferior superior steepening (I-S), and keratoconus indices were tested with a SI device. Results: Mean CCT and CTmin values were significantly lower in …

Glutaredoxin-2 Is Required To Control Proton Leak Through Uncoupling Protein-3, Ryan J. Mailloux, Jian Ying Xuan, Brittany Beauchamp, Marjorie F. Lou, Mary-Ellen Harper

School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences: Faculty Publications

Glutathionylation has emerged as a key modification required for controlling protein function in response to changes in cell redox status. Recently, we showed that the glutathionylation state of uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3) modulates the leak of protons back into the mitochondrial matrix, thus controlling reactive oxygen species production. However, whether or not UCP3 glutathionylation is mediated enzymatically has remained unknown because previous work relied on the use of pharmacological agents, such as diamide, to alter the UCP3 glutathionylation state. Here, we demonstrate that glutaredoxin-2 (Grx2), a matrix oxidoreductase, is required to glutathionylate and inhibit UCP3. Analysis of bioenergetics in skeletal muscle …

Ethanol Diverts Early Neuronal Differentiation Trajectory Of Embryonic Stem Cells By Disrupting The Balance Of Lineage Specifiers., Rosa Sánchez-Alvarez, Saurabh Gayen, Rajanikanth Vadigepalli, Helen Anni

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Ethanol is a toxin responsible for the neurodevelopmental deficits of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Recent evidence suggests that ethanol modulates the protein expression of lineage specifier transcription factors Oct4 (Pou5f1) and Sox2 in early stages of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation. We hypothesized that ethanol induced an imbalance in the expression of Oct4 and Sox2 in early differentiation, that dysregulated the expression of associated and target genes and signaling molecules and diverted cells from neuroectodermal (NE) formation.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We showed modulation by ethanol of 33 genes during ES cell differentiation, using high throughput microfluidic dynamic array …

The Effects Of Temporal Preparation On Reaction Time, Glen Robert Forester

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

When responding to external stimuli, preparation reduces Reaction Time (RT). One form of preparation known as temporal preparation results from advance knowledge about when a stimulus will appear. We used Event Related Potentials to investigate how increasing temporal preparation decreases RT during a speeded, choice RT task by manipulating temporal preparation within subjects. In order to determine which cognitive processes are speeded, the latencies of the Lateralized Readiness Potential (LRP) and P300 were examined across two levels of temporal preparation. In line with previous research the stimulus locked LRP, but not the response locked LRP, was speeded when temporal preparation …

Lipid Targets In Clinical Practice: Successes, Failures And Lessons To Be Learned, M Dunne, Oscar Mac Ananey, V Maher

Articles

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Optimal risk factor control is integral to managing patients with proven coronary heart disease (CHD+) and for those at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD-). The primary aim of the study was to assess the success rate of reaching lipid risk factor targets in a multiple risk factor clinic.

METHODS:

A retrospective audit was conducted in 488 patients (CHD+, n = 112; CHD-, n = 376) who attended the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Clinic at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin in 2009 and 2010.

RESULTS:

Risk factor targets achieved in CHD+ and CHD- patients were LDLc (54/62 %), HDLc (67/67 %), …

Scfslimb Ubiquitin Ligase Suppresses Condensin Ii–Mediated Nuclear Reorganization By Degrading Cap-H2, Daniel W. Buster, Scott G. Daniel, Huy Q. Nguyen, Sarah L. Windler, Lara C. Skwarek, Maureen Peterson

Dartmouth Scholarship

Condensin complexes play vital roles in chromosome condensation during mitosis and meiosis. Condensin II uniquely localizes to chromatin throughout the cell cycle and, in addition to its mitotic duties, modulates chromosome organization and gene expression during interphase. Mitotic condensin activity is regulated by phosphorylation, but mechanisms that regulate condensin II during interphase are unclear. Here, we report that condensin II is inactivated when its subunit Cap-H2 is targeted for degradation by the SCF(Slimb) ubiquitin ligase complex and that disruption of this process dramatically changed interphase chromatin organization. Inhibition of SCF(Slimb) function reorganized interphase chromosomes into dense, compact domains and disrupted …

Electroporation-Mediated Gene Transfer Directly To The Swine Heart, Barbara Hargrave, Harre Downey, Cathryn Lundberg, Annelise Israel, Yeong-Jer Chen, Richard Heller

Bioelectrics Publications

In vivo gene transfer to the ischemic heart via electroporation holds promise as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of heart disease. In the current study, we investigated the use of in vivo electroporation for gene transfer using three different penetrating electrodes and one non-penetrating electrode. The hearts of adult male swine were exposed through a sternotomy. Eight electric pulses synchronized to the rising phase of the R wave of the electrocardiogram were administered at varying pulse widths and field strengths following an injection of either a plasmid encoding luciferase or one encoding green fluorescent protein. Four sites on …

Is Administration Of Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Injections Every Three Months Effective In Decreasing Pain Associated With Endometriosis In Premenopausal Women?, Maria Kern

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic EBM review is to determine whether or not the administration of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injections every three months are effective in decreasing pain associated with endometriosis in premenopausal women.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of two randomized controlled trials and one randomized comparative trial comparing pain improvement from depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injections at different time intervals and/or in comparison to other hormonal birth control methods in premenopausal patients suffering from endometriosis.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials and a randomized comparative trial were found using PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE databases.

OUTCOME MEASURED: Outcomes were …

Does Ranibizumab Improve Best Corrected Visual Acuity In Adults With Diabetic Macular Edema Compared To Those Without Ranibizumab?, James E. Huang

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective evidence based medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not ranibizumab improves best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in adults with diabetic macular edema compared to patients who do not receive ranibizumab.

STUDY DESIGN: The selective review examined best corrected visual acuity values reported from published, primary literature sources that examined the efficacy of ranibizumab in diabetic macular edema.

DATA SOURCES: Two double blind randomized controlled trials and one case control study were selected and reviewed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) as measured from Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study visual …