Red Thread Research Articles

Development and Long-Term Evaluation of Ocular Surface Conditions Using Ovariectomized Cynomolgus Monkey.

We aim to use the ovariectomized cynomolgus monkey to observe the effect of long-term changes of sex hormone levels on ocular surface. Six healthy adolescent cynomolgus monkeys were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups (n=3/group). Bilateral ovariectomy was performed in experimental group, and sham operation was performed on control animals with their ovaries reserved. The concentrations of serum estradiol and testosterone in cynomolgus monkeys' lower-limb venous were detected by radioimmunoassay before surgery, and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the surgery. Phenol red cotton thread test, tear osmolarity, corneal fluorescein staining, and conjunctival impression cytology were performed to evaluate the ocular surface conditions before surgery, and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after the surgery. The histological examinations of the bulbar conjunctiva and labial glands tissues were performed at 12 and 24 months after the surgery. There were no significant differences in the serum level of estradiol and testosterone between the experimental and control groups before surgery, at 6, and 12 months after surgery (P>0.05). Serum level of estradiol and testosterone were significantly less in experimental versus control group at 18 and 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant differences in phenol red cotton between the experimental and control groups before surgery, at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery (P>0.05). Tear osmolarity had no significant differences between experimental and control group before surgery (P>0.05), and it was significantly higher in experimental versus control group at all four time-points after surgery (P<0.05). The number of conjunctival goblet cells had no significant differences between experimental and control group before surgery, at 6 months after surgery (P>0.05), and it was significantly lower in experimental versus control group at 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the corneal fluorescein staining score between the experimental and control groups before surgery, at 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery (P>0.05), and it was higher in experimental than control group at 24 months after surgery (P<0.05). In addition, inflammatory cell infiltration in bulbar conjunctiva and labial glands tissues was observed in experimental group and was unobserved in control group at 24 months after surgery. Ovariectomy led to decreased sex hormone levels in cynomolgus monkey. In turn, tear osmolarity was increased, the number of conjunctival goblet cells were decreased, the corneal fluorescence staining was increased, and the pathological examination of the bulbar conjunctiva and labial glands tissues were abnormal, phenol red cotton thread test did not change significantly.

Um ato de tecer e destecer a memória. Os quipus de Cecilia Vicuña dentro da arte atual

The following article aims to delve into the role of memory within the history of art through the work Red Thread (2017)1 by Cecilia Vicuña. The work puts into play a principle of symbolic persistence in the use of Andean elements that enact a decolonizing position and a form of protest against westernizing art and against processes of historical rupture such as the hispanic conquest and Latin American dictatorships. The article analyzes the art of knitting as a mnemonic and ancestral activity that tries to rescue feminine voices and wisdoms by interpreting two recent works by Vicuña, the performance Quipu Mapocho (2016) and the installation Quipu Womb (2017). Our interpretation seeks to contextualize the effects of memory within history and the meaning of the “red thread” for this artist.

Kangal Irkı Köpeklerde Fenol Kırmızısı Pamuk İpliği Testi (FKPT) Kullanılarak Fizyolojik Aköz Gözyaşı Üretim Miktarının Belirlenmesi

Prekorneal gözyaşı filmi (PGF), lakrimal fonksiyonel ünitenin önemli parçalarından biridir. Evcil hayvanlarda aköz gözyaşı üretim miktarının ölçümünde Schirmer gözyaşı testi (SGT) ile fenol kırmızısı pamuk ipliği testi (FKPT) kullanılmaktadır. SGT’ye alternatif olarak geliştirilen FKPT’nin minimal invaziv olması, uygulama süresinin kısalığı ve daha az refleks gözyaşı stimülasyonuna neden olması gibi avantajları bulunmasına rağmen SGT’ye oranla daha az tercih edildiği bilinmektedir. Sunulan çalışmada bölgemizde yaygın bir şekilde yetiştirilen Kangal ırkı köpeklerde FKPT ile daha önce rapor edilmeyen fizyolojik aköz gözyaşı üretim miktarının belirlenmesi amaçlandı. Çalışmanın materyalini, 14’ü 1 yaş altı (7 Erkek, 7 Dişi, n=14, 28 göz), 14’ü ise 1 yaş üstü (7 Erkek, 7 Dişi, n=14, 28 göz) olmak üzere eşit sayıda 2 gruba (I. grup, II. grup) ayrılan toplam 28 adet Kangal ırkı sağlıklı köpek oluşturdu. Deneklerin her iki gözünün aköz gözyaşı üretim miktarları, lateral kantuslarına 15 saniye süreyle yerleştirilen fenol kırmızısı pamuk iplikleriyle ölçüldü. Ölçümler sonunda her iki grubun sağ ve sol gözlerinden alınan aköz gözyaşı üretim miktarı ortalamaları arasındaki fark istatistiki açıdan önemsiz bulundu (P&amp;gt;0.05). Ölçüm ortalaması 27.55±0.25 mm/15 sn. olarak kaydedilen I. grup ile ölçüm ortalaması 27.07±0.31 mm/15 sn. olarak saptanan II. grup arasındaki fark da önemsiz bulundu (P&amp;gt;0.05). Yaş ve göz yönü gibi değişkenler dikkate alınmaksızın tüm köpeklerin (n=28, 56 göz) fizyolojik aköz gözyaşı üretim miktarı ortalaması ise 27.31±0.20 mm/15 sn. olarak kaydedildi. Bu çıktılar, FKPT’nin Kangal ırkı köpeklerde aköz gözyaşı üretim miktarının ölçümünde güvenli ve hızlı sonuçlar verdiğini göstermektedir. Elde edilen verilerin bu alanda çalışan araştırmacılar ile klinisyenler tarafından referans olarak alınabileceği düşünülmektedir.

Assessment of tear film in subjects with a high body mass index.

PurposeThe aim of the study was to assess the tear film in subjects with a high body mass index (BMI).MethodsTwenty male subjects aged 23–42 years (mean ± standard deviation =31.3±5.7 years) with a high BMI [median (interquartile range) =31.8 (5.2) kg/m2] were recruited. An age-matched control group of twenty male subjects aged 22–38 years with a normal BMI [20.5 (2.8) kg/m2] also participated in the study.ResultsThere were significant (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; P<0.05) differences in the BMI, non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), and tear ferning (TF) scores between the study and control groups. There were some differences in the ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear meniscus height (TMH), and phenol red thread (PRT) scores between the study and control groups, but these differences were not significant (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test; P>0.05). For the study group, the NITBUT and TF tests mean scores showed a dry eye condition (8.5±2.8 s and 2.0±1.1, respectively). However, these two tests showed a normal eye condition within the control group (14.7±2.8 s and 0.7±0.6, respectively). The TMH score had strong correlations with the NITBUT (r=0.711; P=0.001) and PRT scores (r=0.566; P=0.009) and strong negative correlations with age (r=–0.503; P=0.024) and the OSDI scores (r=–0.520; P=0.018). The TF score had a strong correlation with age (r=0.579; P=0.007) and strong negtive correlations with the scores from the NITBUT (r=–0.525; P=0.018), TMH (r=–0.575; P=0.008), and PRT (r=–0.773; P=0.001) tests.ConclusionThe acquired data suggest a high BMI has an effect on the quality of tears. The quality of tears seems to be lower in subjects with a high BMI compared with normal subjects. On the other hand, the tear volume in subjects with a high BMI was just as high and adequate as for normal eye subjects.

A Literary and Cultural Stare of the Red Thread Eka Kurniawan

This study is a literary and cultural stare of the red thread Eka Kurniawan. As a young writer, Eka Kurniawan successfully spawned three novels that brought her name increasingly known in international literature. His works are also considered capable of inheriting a 'moving' literary tradition, in which the literary notions of socialist realism are echoed. As a results The language of Eka in Beauty, an elegant wound, and the wealth of his imagination provided excitement, like joy when he saw the snow falling for the first time. Ben Anderson even mentioned Eka as Pramoedya's replacement. He also mentioned Eka as the novel writer and the most original short story in Indonesia. Eka claimed to imitate Pram's discipline in making story details. Eka's comment? "I'm still far from Pram," Eka said in response to her comparison with Pramoedya. But it was precisely there that was the challenge for Eka to continue working as Ben Anderson and Pramudya had hoped for him.

The March 1st Movement and the Red Thread of International Peace History

This paper offers a narrative that transcends the received view of the March 1, 1919 Movement as a nationalist, anti-Japanese Movement for Korean Independence. Moving beyond the description of the Movement as one for independence and self-determination, I discuss the March 1st Movement within the deeper context of international peace history. When we transcend the traditional narrative and position the March 1st Movement and its participants within broader geographic, social and historical contexts, the cosmopolitan and humanitarian dimensions of the Movement are illuminated. Understood as a complex landscape of stories that illustrate an awakened conscience, cosmopolitan affection and the politics of hope, the March 1st Movement shines as an important moment in the red thread of international peace history.

The Effects of Aging on Corneal and Ocular Surface Homeostasis in Mice.

Aging is a risk factor for dry eye disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if aging is associated with a range of signs of dry eye disease, including tear hyperosmolarity, reduced nerve density, and increased dendritic cell number, in mice. Healthy C57BL/6 female mice, aged 2 months (young, n = 10) and 22 months (aged, n = 11) were used. Clinical assessments included corneal sensitivity (Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry), tear secretion (Phenol red thread test), tear film osmolarity (TearLab osmometer), and corneal thickness (optical coherence tomography). The sum length of the corneal superficial terminals and sub-basal nerves, density of vertical nerve projections, and density and tree area of resident epithelial dendritic cells, were assessed using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Aged mice had significantly higher tear secretion, lower corneal sensitivity, and a thicker corneal stroma but thinner epithelium. There was no significant intergroup difference for tear osmolarity. Aged mice showed a significantly lower sum length of nerves in the superficial terminals and sub-basal plexus, relative to young mice. Dendritic cell density and morphology were similar in both groups. In mice, aging is associated with higher tear secretion and corneal epithelial thinning, together with lower corneal nerve density and sensitivity. However, aging was not significantly associated with changes to tear osmolarity or dendritic cell density or size, despite a significant reduction in total nerve length. These findings demonstrate that aged mice exhibit some changes to ocular surface parameters that parallel the anomalies evident in dry eye disease.

The effect of Blephadex™ Eyelid Wipes on Demodex mites, ocular microbiota, bacterial lipase and comfort: a pilot study

PurposeTo investigate the effect of Blephadex™ Eyelid Wipes on Demodex mites, ocular microbiota, bacterial lipase, tear film characteristics and ocular comfort after one month of daily use. MethodsTwenty subjects were randomly assigned to use the Blephadex™ Eyelid Wipes on either eye once daily for 30 days whilst the contralateral eye was left untreated in this observer-masked, within-subject study. Demodex count, eyelid bacterial colony count, Tearscope Plus non-invasive tear break up time (NITBUT), Lipiview® tear film lipid layer thickness and phenol red thread test tear volume were measured at baseline and 30 days. Bacterial lipase was quantified from single bacterial colonies using a glycerol monolaurate assay. Ocular comfort was assessed at both visits using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and visual analogue scales (VAS) to capture monocular symptoms of itching, dryness and overall discomfort. ResultsSix males and 14 females, median age 63.5 (range 48–76) completed the study. A statistically significant reduction in Demodex count was observed in treated eyes only (median ± IQR: treated eyes 2 ± 3 vs. 0 ± 2, ANOVA p = 0.04). Bacterial colony count, lipase production, NITBUT, lipid layer thickness and tear volume remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Overall comfort improved over time in treated eyes only (15 ± 32 vs. 10 ± 16, p = 0.05). Dryness symptoms significantly reduced in both treated and untreated eyes (23 ± 42 vs. 12 ± 21 and 23 ± 41 vs. 10 ± 15, p = 0.02). The OSDI and ocular itch scores remained unchanged (p > 0.05). ConclusionIn this pilot study, no changes were observed in ocular microbiota, tear film characteristics or bacterial lipase in eyes treated with Blephadex™ Eyelid Wipes after one month of daily use in this normal healthy population. Although a statistically significant reduction in Demodex count was observed in treated eyes, overall numbers of Demodex were low. A parallel group, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial in a population with active blepharitis is warranted to further elucidate these preliminary findings.

An assessment of the ocular tear film in patients with thyroid disorders.

Objective: To investigate the ocular tear film in patients with thyroid disorders using various tests.Methods: The study involved the assessment of the ocular tear film in 20 patients with thyroid disorders (6 men and 14 women) aged 18–43 years (mean±standard deviation=34.3±3.2 years). An age-matched control group consisting of 20 subjects (8 males and 12 females) ranging in age from 18 to 43 years (31.3±2.9 years) was also examined under similar conditions. All patients completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, followed by the tear ferning test within the right eye. A phenol red thread test was carried out 10 mins later followed by the fluorescein tear break-up test with a 10-min gap between the tests being implemented.Results: The median score for the Ocular Surface Disease Index (P<0.05) showed the condition of mild dry eyes [median (IQR)=15.5 (21.9)] in patients with thyroid disorders compared to the control group [5.6 (3.6)]. The mean score for the phenol red thread test within both the right and left eyes showed acceptable tear volumes of 11.7±8.1 and 10.5±7.4 mm, respectively, but this was much lower (P<0.05) compared to those recorded within the control group (22.2±6.5 and 20.7±5.2 mm, respectively). In addition, the mean for the tear break-up time (P<0.05) scores in both eyes within the patients with thyroid disorders revealed a certain degree of eye dryness (4.9±1.6 and 4.2±1.9 s), while the control group showed normal eye scores (13.2±2.6 and 12.3±2.2 s). The median score for tear ferning grades showed eye dryness [2.0 (2.2)] within the study group and normal eyes [1.2 (0.9)] within the control group.Conclusions: Patients with thyroid disorders have a significant level of eye dryness compared to normal eye subjects.

Amelioration of dry eye syndrome in db/db mice with diabetes mellitus by treatment with Tibetan Medicine Formula Jikan Mingmu Drops

Ethnopharmacological relevanceJikan Mingmu Drops (JMD), a traditional Tibetan medicine containing six herbs, has been used to treat dry eye syndrome (DES) in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Aim of studyHowever, the activity of JMD ameliorates DES with diabetes mellitus has not been previously examined. The aim of the study is to investigate the molecular mechanism of JMD on db/db mice. Materials and methodsThe main chemical constituents of JMD were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. DES was then induced in db/db mice by applying 0.2% benzalkonium chloride to the ocular surface for 7 days. Eye drops containing JMD (0.25, 0.5, or 1 g/mL) or vehicle subsequently were administered three times daily for another 7 days, and the therapeutic effects were evaluated by phenol red thread tear and sodium fluorescein tests. Conjunctival specimens were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining and periodic acid–Schiff staining to examine pathological changes and number of goblet cells. ELISA was performed to assess the levels of various inflammatory cytokines. ResultsJMD contains hydroxysafflor yellow A, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine hydrochloride, palmatine hydrochloride, berberine hydrochloride, gallic acid, ellagic acid, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, camphor, isoborneol, borneol, trans-cinnamic acid, and muscone. JMD treatment significantly increased the tear volume, decreased the corneal fluorescein staining score, restored the morphology and structure of conjunctival epithelial cells, and markedly downregulated the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17α, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor in the conjunctiva. Further data showed that these protective effects were accompanied by inhibition of inflammation in a dose-dependent manner. ConclusionsAmelioration of DES in db/db mice with diabetes mellitus by treatment with Tibetan medicine formula JMD maybe related to its anti-inflammatory effects.

The productive fuzziness of land documents: The state and processes of accumulation in urban villages of Delhi

This article revolves around the fuzzy nature of land titles within and around the ‘ Lal Dora’ (literally, ‘red thread’) ringing the urban villages of Delhi to understand how property ownership gets mediated through documents. Through a close look at three kinds of documents—land records, a particular notification over construction in the Lal Dora region and the General Power of Attorney, it pries open how these documents govern property relations today. As much as records and laws become the means through which the state attempts to intervene, disaggregate and make sense of property regimes, these attempts are frustrated through practices pertaining to property and localised bureaucratic effects. The evidence presented as documents, stamp papers or certificates is only superimposed on the larger field of property relationships in the urban villages of Delhi. The article shows that the informality produced by inconsistencies in these documents plugs into the logic of accumulation and comes through as a dynamic albeit inegalitarian force that challenges state power.

The acute effect of a single dose of green tea on the quality and quantity of tears in normal eye subjects.

ObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate the acute effect of a single dose of green tea on the quality and quantity of tears in normal eye subjects.MethodsForty normal eye subjects (22 men and 18 women) aged 19–39 years were enrolled in the study. Also, an age matching control group (20 males and 20 females) was enrolled for comparison. McMonnies dry eye symptoms questionnaire and slit lamp were used for the exclusion criteria determination. Phenol red thread (PRT) test was performed on both eyes of each subject. A tear sample was collected from the lower tear meniscus of the right eye of each subject for the tear ferning (TF) test, which was performed before (30 minutes) and after (60 minutes) drinking green tea.ResultsThe median PRT measurement after green tea consumption was lower (median [IQR]=23.50 [8.00] mm) compared to that before consumption (median [IQR]=27.00 [8.75] mm). In contrast, the median TF grade was significantly higher following green tea consumption than that before consumption (median [IQR]=2.65 [1.23] vs 1.50 [0.88] mm, respectively). The results show that TF grades increased in 97.5%, and the red phenol thread scores decreased in 80% of the subjects after green tea consumption compared to those before consumption. The PRT readings and TF grades were significantly different (P<0.05) before and after green tea consumption.ConclusionDrinking green tea could have a significant effect on the eye tear film quality. Tear quality appeared to decrease after green tea consumption.

Effects of short-term oral vitamin A supplementation on the ocular tear film in patients with dry eye.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of short-term oral vitamin A supplementation on the ocular tear film in patients with dry eye.MethodsIn total, 30 male patients with dry eye (age range, 18–38 years; mean age, 25.2±2.8 years) who did not wear contact lenses or exhibit any ocular (other than dry eye) or systemic diseases were included, along with 30 age-matched men (control group; mean age, 24.5±2.3 years) with healthy eyes. Subject exclusion was based on the findings of the McMonnies questionnaire (cutoff score for dry eye: 14.5) and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. All subjects received an oral vitamin A supplement at a daily dose of 1,500 mg for 3 consecutive days. The phenol red thread (PRT) test was performed along with assessments of tear ferning (TF), tear osmolarity, and the tear break-up time (TBUT) before and 24 hours after the third dose of the vitamin A supplement. A 10-minute interval was observed between different tests.ResultsIn the dry eye group, the TF grade (Wilcoxon test, P=0.01) exhibited a significant decrease, while the tear osmolarity value (t-test, P=0.01) exhibited a significant increase after vitamin A supplementation. The PRT test findings (P=0.17) and TBUT (P=0.49) showed no significant differences before and after vitamin A supplementation. In the control group, vitamin A supplementation showed no significant effects on TF (P=0.74), tear osmolarity (P=0.55), the TBUT (P=0.19), and the PRT test scores (P=0.48).ConclusionOur findings suggest that short-term oral vitamin A supplementation improves the quality, but not quantity, of tears in patients with dry eye. Future studies should involve larger patient samples and longer periods of vitamin A supplementation.

Response profiles to a controlled adverse desiccating environment based on clinical and tear molecule changes

PurposeTo investigate response profiles in the lacrimal functional unit of dry eye disease (DED) and healthy volunteers after exposure to a controlled adverse desiccating environment (CADE) by identifying groups of individuals with similar clinical and molecular changes. MethodsClinical parameters and tear molecule levels of 20 mild-moderate DED patients and 20 healthy volunteers were evaluated pre- (baseline) and post-CADE exposure. Clustering based on relative change from baseline values was used to identify response profiles. One-vs-all logistic regression was used to identify baseline predictors for response clusters. ResultsFour response profiles were identified. Cluster 1: tear break-up time (TBUT) decrease and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) increase. Cluster 2: marked increase in corneal staining, up-regulation of both MMP-9 and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, and down-regulation of epithelial growth factor (EGF). Cluster 3: increase in fractalkine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), MMP-9, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted) tear levels; and increased corneal staining and decreased TBUT and phenol red thread scores. Cluster 4: decreased single-item score dry eye questionnaire (SIDEQ) scores and increased corneal staining. Predictive models using baseline variables found that cluster membership depended on: corneal and conjunctival staining, SIDEQ score, interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10, VEGF, and IL-1Ra concentrations. ConclusionsThe response of both mild-moderate DED and healthy asymptomatic individuals to environmental stress (CADE) can be predicted based on baseline (pre-exposure) clinical and tear molecular parameters. Thus, identifying individuals with a predictable response could improve patient enrollment in DED clinical trials.

Rapamycin Rescues Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Dry Eye Syndrome in Mice.

To investigate whether rapamycin protects tear production and the ocular surface during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced dry eye syndrome in mice. Tunicamycin was injected intraperitoneally in BALB/c mice without or with rapamycin (TM or RM5 group). Peritoneal injection of PBS performed in vehicle group. Group without injection served as control. Blinking rate, fluorescein staining score (FSS), and phenol red thread tear production test were measured at 4 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks after treatment. Levels of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines were measured by ELISA. Blinking rate and FSS were elevated, and tear production was decreased in TM group compared with controls (P < 0.05 for all), which was ameliorated by rapamycin at 1 and 2 weeks. Levels of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines in the cornea and lacrimal glands were higher in the TM group than controls, and lower in the RM5 group than the TM group at 1 and 2 weeks (P < 0.05 for all). Rapamycin protected tear production and the ocular surface against this dry eye syndrome by ameliorating ER stress-induced vascular damage and inflammation of lacrimal glands and the ocular surface.

A novel strip meniscometry method for measuring aqueous tear volume in dogs: Clinical correlations with the Schirmer tear and phenol red thread tests.

The strip meniscometry test (SMT) is a novel method for quantitative measurement of tear volume with only five seconds. We aimed to evaluate clinical correlations of SMT with the gold standard Schirmer tear test (STT) and phenol red thread test (PRT) in dogs, including normal and tear-deficient eyes. Left eyes from 621 outpatient dogs with and without ocular disorders were evaluated. Each subject underwent SMT, PRT, and STT without topical anesthesia in the described order with five-minute intervals. The total population was divided into four groups by classifying tear deficiency severity based on STT results: "severe" (0-5mm/min), "moderate" (6-10mm/min), "subclinical" (11-14mm/min), and "normal" (15 or more mm/min). The strongest correlation coefficient was found between SMT-STT (0.676), followed by PRT-STT (0.637) and SMT-PRT (0.600) pairs. Mean(SD) scores of SMT, PRT, and STT in total population were 9.47 (4.08) mm/5s, 33.30 (8.52) mm/15s, and 16.47 (7.01) mm/min. Significant differences were found among STT-classified groups, both using SMT and PRT results. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves revealed that SMT better agreed with STT than PRT; agreement increased with increasing STT severity. A cutoff for SMT was identified at 10mm/5s to discriminate normal eyes from tear-deficient eyes, yielding high sensitivities and acceptable specificities. SMT could be superior to PRT for discriminating tear-deficient eyes. The high sensitivity of SMT could be useful as an initial diagnostic tool to rule out normal eyes with the short testing time.

Jerome Seymour Bruner: an Anticipator Scientist for an Anticipation Theory.

In this paper the Author intends to present the work of Jerome Bruner from the particular angle of the concept of anticipation. After having duly traced the biographical and scientific profile of the scientist, the Author shows how anticipation is a red thread that joints early youthful works up to those written in the last period of his life. The concept of anticipation then introduces that of expectation of a norm and that violation of the norm and how the person should consider them appropriately to produce new knowledge. Therefore Jerome Bruner was an anticipatory in his theories but also the anticipation was the pivotal concept in these theories, as they propose an idea of ​​ person capable of surprise in front of the incongruities of reality.

The Red Thread of Israel's “Demographic Problem”

The Red Thread of Israel's “Demographic Problem”

Assessment of the Absorption Characteristics of Tear Production Tests Under Different Environmental Conditions

AbstractBackground: Aqueous deficiency dry eye is considered one of the main categories of dry eye syndrome. Many tech-niques have been developed to assess tear production and monitor tear film turnover. Methods such as Schirmer test, phenol red thread (PRT) test, and tear function index (TFI), have been widely used to diagnose aqueous deficient dry eye. All these tests are based on the principle of absorption of the tear from the lacrimal sac and then measuring the wetting length of the paper strip or cotton thread. The wetting length can be affected by environmental factors, particularly relative humidity, that could exert a strong effect on the absorption mechanism of the strips or threads used to measure tear production.Aim of the Work: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of changing room relative humidity on the absorption properties of phenol red thread (PRT) and Schirmer strips, and their accuracy of measuring tear film production.Methods: Twenty healthy subjects (40 eyes) were recruited for this study. Tear film production was assessed using PRTs and Schirmer strips in two different environmental conditions. Two visits were required to conduct this study. One visit was used to measure tear production in a room without installing a humidifier. The other visit was used to measure tear film production after the room was humidified using portable air humidifiers.Result: Mean tear production measurements in non-humidified room were 16.04-}4.09 and 16. 12±9. 10mm using PRTs and Schirmer strips respectively. At high humidity visit, mean measurements was 20-}8.03mm and 19.35-}8.35mm.Conclusion: The physical properties of the examination strips and threads used for measuring tear quantity could be affected by environmental conditions. Eye care practitioners should be aware of the variation in tear production measure-ments that may result from external factors.

Finding Her Niche: An Interview with Emmanuelle Charpentier.

Finding Her Niche: An Interview with Emmanuelle Charpentier.