Table of Contents - WOC 2012

WOC2012 Abstract Book
FP-EDU-MO 408 (10)
Use of IT in Teaching Ophthalmology to Medical Students
Shenoy Radha (1) , Bialasiewicz Alexander (2)
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Armed Forces Hospital
2. Department of Ophthalmology, Al Ahli Hospital
Objectives: Student and resident programs focus on problem-based learning,
cross-border standardization, and electives. We report on a change from
the classical lecture and seminar setting to interactive IT-based knowledge
transfer including regional eye problems, development of clinical acumen, and
the inculcation of reasoning power and clinical correlation.
Methods: In 2001-2007 a structured learning program was established at the
Sultan Qaboos University using log-books, rotations with scheduled
assessments and case write-ups, EBM treatment regimens, a virtual reality
surgical-medical device, patient reevaluations with web-based tools, Journal
clubs, videos, and interdisciplinary teaching (Tropical Medicine and Hygiene). A
process-oriented assessment quality management system was implemented.
Results: The 4-week 8 hour/d learning program enabled each student to
diagnose Vision2020 relevant regional conditions (trachoma, adult and
newborn conjunctivitis, pterygium, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and
glaucomas). Each student attended phacoemulsification, diabetic vitrectomy,
pterygium and entropion surgeries, argon and YAG laser procedures,
fluorescein angiography, and ophthalmoscopy. Assessments were individual
MC, VR, and team case write-ups counted for grades together with log books
and attendance. 2 week electives were offered.
Conclusions: Disadvantages of current programs are skills orientation, lack of
assessment comparability, and ‹market value’. A knowledge-based competency
model is feasible and essential for competitiveness at an international stage.
FP-EDU-MO 408 (11)
A Novel Approach to Foster Independent Learning Amongst
Undergraduate Ophthalmology Students
KapadiaGupta Priti (1) , Saxena Deepak (2)
1. Government Medical College
2. Indian Institute of Publlic Health
Objectives: To evaluate the teacher centered current method of learning with
an innovative independent learning method to see its ability to transfer intended
clinical knowledge and skills amongst undergraduate students.
Method: Thirty final MBBS phase 1 students were divided into two groups
randomly; Group 1 learning with current method and group 2 with new method.
Students in group 2 were further divided into 3 per group, and given real
clinical cases everyday to examine and evaluate independently with the help
of resources. Data collection was done by Prepost tests, OSCE, focus group
discussion with both groups and in depth interviews of mentors.
Results: There was significant improvement in clinical skills (OSCE score) in
group 2 as compared to group 1 (p = 0.011). The utility and effectiveness of the
novel method was highly praised by the students. Mentors observed increased
motivation amongst students, had a good learning experience and wished to
continue with the method in future.
Conclusion: On triangulating the data obtained by both quantitative and
qualitative methods, we observed that the new method was highly appreciated
by mentors and it brought a ‹wow feeling› in students as they learnt
independently.
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Free Paper: Immunology, Molecular Biology and Microbiology
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FP-IMM-MO 409 (1)
Neuroprotective Response After Photodynamic Therapy: Role of
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Ozawa Yoko (1,2) , Suzuki Misa (1,2,3) , Tsubota Kazuo (2) , Kadonosono Kazuaki (3) ,
Ishida Susumu (1,4)
1. Laboratory of Retinal Cell Biology, Keio University School of Medicine
2. Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine
3. Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center
4. Department of Ophthalmology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
Purpose: To investigate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
induced after photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the retina.
Methods: Six week-old C57/B6 male mice were prepared. Verteporfin was
injected from their tail veins and the intact retinas were exposed to the laser
for drug activation. The level of VEGF in the retina after PDT was measured
by ELISA. A VEGF inhibitor, VEGFRc1/fusion protein, or control vehicle was
injected intravitreally immediately after PDT or 7 days after PDT. Histological
changes were evaluated by hematoxylin eosin (HE) and TUNEL staining.
Results: The level of VEGF was increased in the retina peaking at 3 hours after
PDT, and returned to the normal level by 3 days. In the retina treated with
the VEGF inhibitor immediately after PDT, photoreceptor cell layer was
degenerated, in contrast to that treated with control vehicle after PDT. TUNEL
staining 3 days after the treatment showed increased apoptotic cells in the
retina of combined treatment with PDT and simultaneous VEGF inhibition. The
histological changes were not observed when the inhibitor was intravitreally
injected without PDT or 7 days after PDT.
Conclusion: VEGF, transiently induced after PDT in the mouse retina, played a
role on retinal neuroprotection.
FP-IMM-MO 409 (2)
Resveratrol Attenuates Diabetes-Induced Retinal Inflammation by
Regulating an AMP-Activated Protein Kinase/Nuclear Factor-?B Axis
Ishida Susumu (1,2) , Kubota Shunsuke (2,3) , Kurihara Toshihide (2,3) , Tsubota
Kazuo (3) , Ozawa Yoko (2,3)
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine
2. Laboratory of Retinal Cell Biology, Keio University School of Medicine
3. Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine
Purpose: Recently, the polyphenolic phytoalexin resveratrol has been shown to
exert various bioactivities in addition to its classical antioxidant property. The
aim of the present study was to investigate whether resveratrol attenuates
diabetes-induced retinal inflammation through the regulation of AMPK activity.
Methods: C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were treated
with resveratrol orally for 7 days or with the AMPK activator AICAR
intraperitoneally 24 hours before sacrifice. Leukocyte adhesion to the retinal
vasculature was examined with a concanavalin A lectin perfusion-labeling
technique. Retinal protein levels of ICAM-1, VEGF, and phosphorylated AMPK
and NF-kappaB p65 were evaluated by ELISA or western blotting. Retinal
activity of SIRT 1 was measured by deacetylase fluorometric assay.
Results: Administration of resveratrol to diabetic mice significantly reduced
diabetes-induced retinal leukocyte adhesion together with retinal expression
of ICAM-1 and VEGF. Importantly, either resveratrol or AICAR significantly
reversed AMPK dephosphorylation and NF-kappaB phosphorylation, both of
which were induced in the diabetic retina. In parallel, retinal SIRT1 activity,
reduced in diabetic animals, was significantly augmented by treatment with
resveratrol.
Conclusions: Resveratrol suppressed cellular and molecular inflammatory
responses by normalizing diabetes-induced downregulation of AMPK and
subsequent activation of the NF-kB signaling pathway in the Retina.