A journal (through French from late Latin diurnalis, daily) has several related meanings:

• a daily record of events or business; a private journal is usually referred to as a diary.
• a newspaper or other periodical, in the literal sense of one published each day;
• however, some publications issued at stated intervals, such as a magazine or the record of the transactions of society such as a scientific journal or academic journals in general, are called a journal. Journal, then, is sometimes used as a synonym for "magazine".

The word "journalist" for one whose business is writing for the public press has been in use since the end of the 17th century.

"Journal" is also applied to the record, day by day, of the business and proceedings of a public body:

• The journals of the British Houses of Parliament contain an official record of the business transacted day by day in either house. The record does not take note of speeches, though some of the earlier volumes contain references to them. The journals are a lengthened account written from the "Votes and Proceedings" (in the House of Lords called "Minutes of Proceedings"), made day by day by the Clerks at the Table, and printed on the responsibility of the Clerk of the House. In the Commons the Votes and Proceedings, but not the Journal, bear the Speaker's signature in fulfilment of a former order that he should "peruse" them before publication. The journals of the British House of Commons begin in the first year of the reign of Edward VI in 1547, and are complete, except for a short interval under Elizabeth I. Those of the House of Lords date from the first year of Henry VIII in 1509. Before that date the proceedings in parliament were entered in the rolls of parliament, which extend from 1278 to 1503. The journals of the Lords are "records" in the judicial sense, those of the Commons are not (see Erskine May, Parliamentary Practice, 1906, pp. 201-202).
• Section 5 of Article I of the United States Constitution requires the Congress of the United States to keep a journal of its proceedings. This journal, the Congressional Record is published by the Government Printing Office.

Journals of this sort are also often referred to as minutes.

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Archives of Ophthalmology current issue

The Cost-effectiveness of Welcome to Medicare Visual Acuity Screening and a Possible Alternative Welcome to Medicare Eye Evaluation Among Persons Without Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus [Clinical Sciences]
Rein, D. B., Wittenborn, J. S., Zhang, X., Hoerger, T. J., Zhang, P., Klein, B. E. K., Lee, K. E., Klein, R., Saaddine, J. B. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:41:32 -0800
Objective  To estimate the cost-effectiveness of visual acuity screening performed in primary care settings and of dilated eye evaluations performed by an eye care professional among new Medicare enrollees with no diagnosed eye disorders. Medicare currently reimburses visual acuity screening for new enrollees during their initial preventive primary care health check, but dilated eye evaluations may be a more cost-effective policy. Design  Monte Carlo cost-effectiveness simulation model with a total of 50 000 simulated patients with demographic characteristics matched to persons 65 years of age in the US population. Results  Compared with no screening policy, dilated eye evaluations increased quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) by 0.008 (95% credible interval [CrI], 0.005-0.011) and increased costs by $94 (95% CrI, –$35 to $222). A visual acuity screening increased QALYs in less than 95% of the simulations (0.001 [95% CrI, –0.002 to 0.004) and increased total costs by $32 (95% CrI, –$97 to $159) per person. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of a visual acuity screening and an eye examination compared with no screening were $29 000 and $12 000 per QALY gained, respectively. At a willingness-to-pay value of $15 000 or more per QALY gained, a dilated eye evaluation was the policy option most likely to be cost-effective. Conclusions  The currently recommended visual acuity screening showed limited efficacy and cost-effectiveness compared with no screening. In contrast, a new policy of reimbursement for Welcome to Medicare dilated eye evaluations was highly cost-effective.
Lack of Thrombospondin 1 and Exacerbation of Choroidal Neovascularization [Laboratory Sciences]
Wang, S., Sorenson, C. M., Sheibani, N. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:41:19 -0800
Objectives  To assess the impact of thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) deficiency on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and to determine whether administration of a TSP1 antiangiogenic mimetic peptide attenuates CNV. Methods  The impact of TSP1 deficiency on laser-induced CNV was assessed using wild-type (TSP1+/+) and TSP1-deficient (TSP1–/–) mice. Three laser burns were placed in each eye of TSP1+/+ and TSP1–/– mice to induce CNV. Intravitreal injection of the TSP1 mimetic peptide was performed on days 1 and 7 postlaser in the mice. For quantitative measurements of neovascularization, intercellular adhesion molecule 2 staining was performed at 14 days postlaser of the choroidal-sclera flat mounts. The recruitment of macrophages to the sites of damage was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The CNV area was measured by intercellular adhesion molecule 2 staining and use of ImageJ software. Results  The TSP1–/– mice exhibited significantly larger areas of neovascularization on choroidal flat mounts compared with TSP1+/+ mice. This was consistent with enhanced recruitment of macrophages in TSP1–/– mice compared with TSP1+/+ mice 3 days postlaser. The development of CNV was significantly attenuated in mice receiving the TSP1 antiangiogenic mimetic peptide compared with those receiving vehicle alone. Conclusions  Deficiency of TSP1 contributes to enhanced choroidal neovascularization. This is consistent with the anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic activity of TSP1. The TSP1 antiangiogenic peptide was effective in attenuation of CNV. Clinical Relevance  Intravitreal injection of TSP1 antiangiogenic mimetic peptides may provide alternative treatment for CNV.
Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic Assessment of Severity of Cystoid Macular Edema in Retinopathy of Prematurity [Clinical Sciences]
Maldonado, R. S., O'Connell, R., Ascher, S. B., Sarin, N., Freedman, S. F., Wallace, D. K., Chiu, S. J., Farsiu, S., Cotten, M., Toth, C. A. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:41:08 -0800
Objective  To investigate whether the severity of cystoid macular edema (CME) in neonates who were 31 to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, as viewed by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) imaging, predicts the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or is related to systemic health. Design  Of 62 prematurely born neonates in a prospective institutional review board–approved study, 42 met the following inclusion criteria: at least 1 SD-OCT imaging session prior to 37 weeks' postmenstrual age and prior to ROP laser treatment, if a laser treatment was performed, and an ophthalmic ROP examination at or after 41 weeks' postmenstrual age, evidence of complete retinal vascularization in zone III, or documentation through telephone report of such information after transfer of care. Measures of CME severity, including central foveal thickness, retinal layer thicknesses, and foveal-to-parafoveal thickness ratio in 1 eye per subject, were compared with ROP outcomes: laser treatment, maximum plus disease, and maximum ROP stage. Systemic health factors were also correlated. Results  Cystoid macular edema was present in 50% of neonates. Multiple elongated cystoid structures within the inner nuclear layer were most common. The presence of CME was not associated with ROP outcomes. The central foveal thickness, the thickness of the inner retinal layers, and the foveal-to-parafoveal thickness ratio were higher in eyes that required laser treatment or that developed plus disease or ROP stage 3. Cystoid macular edema was not clearly associated with systemic factors. Conclusions  Cystoid macular edema is common in premature infants screened for ROP before 37 weeks' postmenstrual age, with the most common SD-OCT phenotype of a bulging fovea from multiple elongated cystoid spaces. Detection of CME is not associated with ROP severity; however, tomographic thickness measurements could potentially predict a higher risk of requiring laser treatment or developing plus disease or ROP stage 3. Systemic health factors are probably not related to the development of CME.
In Vivo Evaluation of Focal Lamina Cribrosa Defects in Glaucoma [Clinical Sciences]
Kiumehr, S., Park, S. C., Dorairaj, S., Teng, C. C., Tello, C., Liebmann, J. M., Ritch, R. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:40:54 -0800
Objectives  To assess focal lamina cribrosa (LC) defects in glaucoma using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography and to investigate their spatial relationships with neuroretinal rim and visual field loss. Methods  Serial horizontal and vertical enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomographic images of the optic nerve head were obtained from healthy subjects and those with glaucoma. Focal LC defects defined as anterior laminar surface irregularity (diameter, >100 µm; depth, >30 µm) that violates the normal smooth curvilinear contour were investigated regarding their configurations and locations. Spatial consistency was evaluated among focal LC defects, neuroretinal rim thinning/notching, and visual field defects. Results  Forty-six healthy subjects (92 eyes) and 31 subjects with glaucoma (45 eyes) were included. Ninety-eight focal LC defects representing various patterns and severity of laminar tissue loss were found in 34 eyes with glaucoma vs none in the healthy eyes. Seven of 11 eyes with glaucoma with no visible focal LC defect had a deeply excavated optic disc with poor LC visibility. Eleven focal LC defects presented clinically as an acquired pit of the optic nerve, and the others as neuroretinal rim thinning/notching. Focal LC defects preferably occurred in the inferior/inferotemporal far periphery of the LC including its insertion. Eyes with focal LC defects limited to the inferior half of the optic disc had greater sensitivity loss in the superior visual hemifield and vice versa. Conclusions  Mechanisms of LC deformation in glaucoma include focal loss of laminar beams, which may cause an acquired pit of the optic nerve in extreme cases. Focal LC defects occur in tandem with neuroretinal rim and visual field loss.
A Prospective Pilot Study of Treatment Outcomes for Amblyopia Associated With Myopic Anisometropia [Clinical Sciences]
Pang, Y., Allison, C., Frantz, K. A., Block, S., Goodfellow, G. W. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:40:41 -0800
Objectives  To determine the efficacy of refractive correction alone and patching treatment with near activities on amblyopia associated with myopic anisometropia in children aged 4 to less than 14 years. The associations of visual acuity (VA) improvement with age, degree of anisometropia, patching compliance, presence of strabismus, and presence of eccentric fixation were also investigated. Methods  Seventeen amblyopic children were recruited (range of VA in the amblyopic eye, 20/80 to 20/400). Visual acuity was assessed at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks while participants wore spectacles and/or contact lenses for full refractive correction. Patching treatment was initiated at the 16-week visit. The primary outcome was VA after 16 weeks of refractive correction alone and final VA after 16 weeks of patching. Results  The mean (SD) baseline VA in the amblyopic eye was 0.96 (0.27) logMAR, which improved to a mean (SD) of 0.84 (0.24) logMAR with refractive correction and to a mean (SD) of 0.71 (0.30) logMAR after the addition of patching (P < .001). Comparing the final VA with the baseline VA, we found that VA improvement averaged 2.59 lines. The final VA in the amblyopic eye was associated with the baseline VA in the amblyopic eye (P < .001), the magnitude of anisometropia (P < .001), and the level of patching compliance (P = .04). The improvement in VA with patching was inversely associated with participants' age (P = .03) and presence of eccentric fixation (P = .02). Conclusion  Both refractive correction and patching significantly improved the VA of the amblyopic eye associated with myopic anisometropia, with 88% of participants' eyes improving 2 lines or more. Further improvement in VA was observed when patching plus near activities was added to refractive correction and patients were followed for 16 more weeks. We recommend that clinicians treat myopic anisometropic amblyopia with refractive correction and patching plus near activities.
Comparison of Screening Procedures in Hydroxychloroquine Toxicity [Clinical Sciences]
Marmor, M. F. Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:35:28 -0800
Objectives  To compare different screening procedures for hydroxychloroquine sulfate (Plaquenil) toxicity at different stages of damage. Methods  Ten patients were studied using 10-2 automated fields, multifocal electroretinography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and fundus autofluorescence. Results  All 10 patients used hydroxychloroquine for more than 6 years, and those with severe toxicity had been overdosed. Fundus examination findings were normal except for the patients with severe toxicity. All the patients showed parafoveal field loss, but this was sometimes subtle. Multifocal electroretinography demonstrated parafoveal weakness in the milder cases. The SD-OCT subfield thickness plots showed a ring of parafoveal thinning in all the patients. The SD-OCT cross-sections showed parafoveal loss of the inner segment–outer segment and cone outer segment tip lines at early stages of toxicity, progressing to parafoveal thinning of the outer nuclear layer and eventually to retinal pigment epithelium damage. There was a ring of autofluorescence in most patients. Conclusions  Overdosage with hydroxychloroquine seemed a significant risk factor for toxicity. Different individuals were more or less sensitive to different tests. Fields can be sensitive but only if read with a low threshold for change. Hydroxychloroquine causes early parafoveal loss of the outer segment lines on SD-OCT, with the first changes often evident in the inferotemporal quadrant. Parafoveal thinning of the outer nuclear layer follows, before retinal pigment epithelium damage is visible. Careful screening with multiple tests can dete Subscribe to Journals RSS feed