bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Choroidal thickness in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Pinto Proença R. , Vicente A. , Oliveira Santos B. , Cunha J.P. , Alves M. , Papoila A.L. , Abegão Pinto L. , Tavares Ferreira J. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeCompare choroidal thickness (CT) between diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy (DR) and a non‐diabetic group. Explore how CT relates to disease duration, mean arterial pressure (MAP), glycaemia, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), intraocular pressure and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA).MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, CT was assessed using SD‐OCT (Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography) and enhanced depth mode at 13 different locations (subfoveal and 3 measurements 500 μm apart in all 4 directions – nasal, temporal, superior and inferior). Linear regression models were used to analyse the data.Results175 patients were recruited (125 diabetic patients without DR and 50 non‐diabetics patients). In diabetic patients, CT was significantly thicker than in non‐diabetic group in two locations: 1,500 μm nasal (p = 0.036) and 1,500 μm superior to the fovea (p = 0.021). CT was negatively associated with age (p < 0.001) in both groups, but only in the diabetic group was it positively associated to OPA (with a mean increase in thickness between 8.5 and 11.6 μm for each increase of one OPA's unit). CT values seem to stabilize after 150 months of diabetes, with patients presenting higher glycaemia levels (>160 mg/dl) while showing no fluctuation in neither HbA1c nor MAP.ConclusionsThere appears to be a thickening of the choroid in diabetic patients without DR. Moreover, this tissue may be functionally different in diabetic patients, as the pattern of associations seems to differ between groups.
Severe ocular manifestations of rosacea in adult
Authors: Hassairi A. , Limaiem R. , Kortli M. , Maamouri R. , El Matri L. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeOcular rosacea in adult is a rare condition that may be responsible for palpebral, cunjonctival and corneal complications with severe visual functional prognosis in some cases. The purpose of this study is to determine the nature and prognosis of corneal complications in this disease through our study and literature reviewMethodsWe report seven patients (14 eyes) with severe ocular rosacea requiring hospitalization.ResultsThe mean age of our patients was 59.6 years. Six patients (85.6%) were female. Visual acuity was <1/10 in 10 eyes. The complications were keratitis in 7 eyes, corneal ulcerations in 5 eyes, corneal perforation in 5 eyes, and catarrhal infiltrates in 6 eyes. Limbal neovascularization was noted in 11 eyes. Only one patient has ocular‐cutaneous form. All patients were treated with oral cycline, topical steroids in acute phase, artificial tears and eyelid hygiene. A bandage contact lens was applied to 4 eyes. Three eyes required penetrating keratoplasty. They were successfully treated with improvement of symptoms and cicatrisation of corneal lesions. One case of corneal graft failed secondary to infectious keratitis.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of ocular rosacea is difficult because it often occurs without skin involvement. Ocular rosacea is the only complication of cutaneous rosacea. Diagnosis should be as early as possible because ocular complications are possible, with blinding potential. The best treatment is prevention with regular eyelid hygiene.
Upregulated expression of proteolytic enzymes in the cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells of minipig transgenic for the human mutated huntingtin
Authors: Ardan T. , Kocurova G. , Hrnciarova E. , Motlik J. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeHuntington′s disease (HD) belongs to the hereditary neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in the protein of huntingtin (Htt). Since mutant Htt (mtHtt) and especially their small proteolytic fragments are very toxic to all HD cells (particularly those of neuroectodermal origin such as neurons or retinal pigment epithelial cells), it has been suggested that upregulated proteolysis of mtHtt plays a crucial role in the HD pathogenesis including damage of the retina. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible participation of the proteolytic enzymes from the group of caspases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), calpains in HD pathology of retinal pigment epithelial cells.MethodsIn this study we used wild type (WT) and transgenic minipigs for N‐terminal part of the human mtHtt (TgHD) (548aaHTT‐145Q, F2 generation age 36 and 48 months, respectively). Proteases were examined in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells immunocytochemically (ICC) or biochemically by western blotting (WB) using the following primary antibodies: anti‐caspase‐3, anti‐caspase‐8, anti‐calpain‐5, anti‐MMP‐9.ResultsUsing biochemical and immunocytochemical analysis, we detected increased expressions of caspase‐3, caspase‐8, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, calpain‐5, and probably its multiple proteolytic cleavage products (generated from mtHtt) in cultured RPE cells of TgHD minipigs in comparison to WT animals.ConclusionsIncreased expression of proteolytic enzymes in TgHD RPE cells can contribute to the retinal damage during development of HD.
Novel OCT prognostic indicators in diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Manns R. , Begum S. , Mourtzoukos S. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeDespite advances in optical coherence tomography (OCT), clinicians have few prognostic indicators. We chose anomalous features found in OCTs, and retrospectively analysed OCT images for subsequent progression in visual acuity (VA), OCT results and interventions required over 22–24 months.MethodsPutative risk factors were grouped into sets based on similar putative aetiology:

sub‐retinal fluid and large cysts,

hyperreflective dots,

partial/total disorganisation of retinal inner layers (DRIL) and photoreceptor disruption,

epiretinal membranes, vitreomacular traction, vitreomacular adhesion.

Eyes were stratified according to how many of these groups of features they displayed (0–4) and were all treated as per protocol and clinical need.ResultsIncreasing risk factors correlated with increasing initial OCT central retinal thickness (CRT) (387 vs. 555) and volume (9.99 vs. 11.28), and poorer initial visual acuity (0.41 vs. 0.60) on presentation.Whilst final CRT results showed no significant differences between the groups (325–248 nm), and no significant differences between numbers of injections performed (6.8 vs. 7.35), more features correlated with poorer VA, both absolute and relative to baseline, irrespective of whether there had been previous treatment.ConclusionsThese features are better prognostic indicators than OCT measurements alone.
The impact of efferent oculomotor signals on size and distance perception
Authors: Krastel H. , Streuer A. , Magerl W. , Kubarko A. , Jonas J.B. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo demonstrate the influence of efferent oculomotor signals on perceived size and distance of visual objects.MethodsBy fingertip, a pencil target has to be localized. The target is seen at 25 cm of distance on a 45° mirror mounted in front of the subject. With the finger behind the mirror, the subject is deprived from visual feedback. Observation is done either by naked eye or by looking through binocular prisms of 6 pdpt b.i. The fingertip estimate is recorded by an ElGuide® ultrasound position control system (Zebris Medical, Isny, Germany).ResultsIn first results, the prisms produced a mean 25% overestimation of target distance as recorded by fingertip position. The target appeared visibly larger. This prompted us to do trials with a minus −3 dpt lens instead of prisms, forcing the subject to overaccommodation. Hereby, the target appeared visibly smaller and more distant, but now, fingertip pointing ends up at reduced distance.ConclusionsWith reduced convergence the object appears larger and nearer. The distance of the object is over‐estimated by fingertip localization. Hyperaccommodation results in a smaller and more distant appearance of the object, but its fingertip distance is underestimated. Sense and purpose of these contradictory effects are not yet well understood. Visitors of the poster are encouraged to self experience.
The venous oxygen saturation predicts the visual prognosis after anti‐VEGF treatment of central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Jeppesen S.K. , Bek T. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeCentral retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is a frequent cause of visual impairment. The visual prognosis is known to be related to the degree of retinal ischaemia which is presently assessed indirectly by the accompanying visual loss. However, the advent of retinal oximetry has introduced a new method for more directly assessing the metabolic consequences of retinal ischaemia.Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the predictive value of the oxygen saturation in larger retinal vessels for the visual prognosis after treatment with intra‐vitreal anti‐VEGF medication.MethodsRetinal oximetry was performed in 73 consecutive patients with CRVO (age 71.5, 28–96 years) (mean, range) in one eye referred to the Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, and the saturation values were related to the visual acuity before and after three monthly injections with anti‐VEGF medication.ResultsAt baseline the oxygen saturation in larger retinal vessels was significantly higher in the affected (101.3 ± 13.0% for arterioles and 37.1 ± 23.1% for venules) than in the unaffected eye (96.5 ± 5.3% for arterioles and 58.0 ± 11.0% for venules), p < 0.001 for both comparisons. The visual acuity showed a significantly negative correlation with the oxygen saturation in retinal arterioles (p = 0.013) and a significantly positive correlation with the oxygen saturation in retinal venules (p = 0.014). In a linear regression model the oxygen saturation in venules at baseline was predictive for the visual acuity after treatment (p = 0.044).ConclusionsIn CRVO the oxygen saturation in retinal vessels correlates with visual acuity before treatment, and the saturation in venules at baseline can predict the visual outcome after treatment with anti‐VEGF medication.
Taking a roller coaster ride with autophagy markers p62 and LC3
Authors: Koskela A. , Reinisalo M. , Kaarniranta K. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeLysosomal autophagy is crucial for the removal of dysfunctional proteins, aggregated cellular material and organelles. Post‐mitotic cells, such as retinal pigment epithelial cells, are particularly susceptible to age‐related aggregation‐prone proteins. Excessive or defective activity of the autophagy leads to detrimental effects on RPE cell homeostasis. Therefore, autophagy must be controlled not only with positive but also with negative signals to retain homeostasis. In this work, autophagy markers LC3 (microtubule‐associated protein 1A/1B‐light chain 3) and p62 (SQSTM1) were monitored in ARPE‐19 cell line.MethodsARPE‐19 cells were treated with autophagy inducers, proteasome inhibitor MG‐132 and Resvega (contains resveratrol and omega‐3 fatty acids), in normal and serum‐starved growth conditions up to 48 h. Protein samples from different time points were collected and the protein levels of LC3‐II, LC3‐I and p62 were analyzed with Western blot.ResultsThe levels of LC3‐II, LC3‐I and p62 fluctuated during the monitored time period in both growth conditions. The magnitude of the fluctuation was highest in the serum‐starved samples at early time points and became weaker at the later time points. The expression levels of autophagy markers were constant throughout the experiment in normal growth conditions.ConclusionsThis data showed that autophagy regulation is a dynamic process that coincides with changed and time dependent expression levels of LC3 and p62 in response to MG‐132, Resvega and starvation. This should be noticed when autophagy data is analyzed.
A novel homozygous c.1154+3_1151+6delAAGT mutation in CERKL causes autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with a special phenotype in a consanguineous Tunisian Family
Authors: El Matri L. , Falfoul Y. , Habibi I. , Turki A. , Maamouri R. , El Matri K. , Chebil A. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeThe aim of our study was to assess the clinical phenotype and to determine the causative gene in a Tunisian family with an autosomic recessive retinitis pigmentose (arRP).MethodsAll accessible members of a consanguineous Tunisian family were included and underwent full ophthalmic examination with best corrected Snellen visual acuity, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) and full field electroretinography (ERG). Index patient was selected for whole exome sequencing (WES) followed by homozygosity mapping. All detected variations were confirmed by direct Sanger sequencing.ResultsThe clinical data of the patients showed typical hallmarks of RP symptoms for which affected individuals initially experienced night blindness with progressive visual loss and hemeralopia since the first decade of life. Visual acuity at baseline ranged from 1/10 to 5/10. Funduscopy revealed essentially mild optic disc and retinal atrophy and virtually no clumped pigmentation. Macula was normal in young patients and showed atrophic alteration in advanced stages. ERG was unrecordable in scotopic conditions and the cone responses were markedly hypovolted. Homozygosity mapping and whole exome sequencing identified a 4‐pb deletion, c.1154+3_1151+6delAAGT, located in the donor splice site of intron 8 of CERKL. The mutation impacts pre‐mRNA splicing of CERKL. This new deletion was present at a homozygous state in the two affected sons and was heterozygous in the parents. It was not present in the unaffected sister.ConclusionsMutations in CERKL gene have been reported in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, c.1154+3_1151+6delAAGT is a novel splicing variant associated with arRP. Extending the mutation spectrum of CERKL with additional families is important for genotype‐phenotype correlations.
Pupillary reaction according to a balance autonomic nervous organ of vision in healthy children
Authors: Bushuyeva N. , Dukhayer S. , Slobodianyk S. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeFor the diagnosis and prevention of asthenopic complaints need to study pupillary reactions normal in response to light stimulus and the presentation of the object in the vicinity of somatically healthy persons without ophthalmic pathology taking into account the balance of the autonomic innervation. The aim of the work was to study the direct pupillary reaction to light stimulus.MethodsPupillografiya was performed in 78 somatically healthy individuals (156 eyes) in the age of 5–9 years. 27 people prevailed balance the sympathetic autonomic nervous system, in 34 parasympathetic, 17 persons observed eutonic. The visual acuity, refraction static on autorefractometry Humphrey, Oftalmometres on Oftalmometres Zhavalya and ultrasound biometry of eyes have been studied. Provision of accommodation (RA) have been determined by the method Dashevskiy. The balance of the autonomic nervous system has been studied with the help of cardio‐vascular index Cerdo.ResultsAll the healthy children, whose emmetropic refraction had been observed, had visual acuity for distance 1.0 ± 0.02 in the both eyes. The pupil reaction with the sympathetic innervation before the light stimulus by direct reaction was OD 63.65 ± 2.61 mm2, OS 66.92 ± 2.27 mm2. The eutonic reaction was OD 34.99 ± 1.18 mm2, OS 31.77 ± 1.42 mm2. The reaction with the parasympathetic innervation was OD 28.93 ± 0.94 mm2, OS 25.72 ± 1.08 mm2. After the presentation of the light the reaction with the prevalence of sympathetic innervation was OD 15.77 ± 1.09 mm2, OS 15.87 ± 1.30 mm2. The eutonic pupillary area was OD 10.73 ± 1.13 mm2, OS 8.74 ± 0.60 mm2, while the pupillary area with a predominance of parasympathetic innervation was OD 8.63 ± 0.74 mm2, OS 7.19 ± 0.54 mm2.ConclusionsThe connection between types of autoinnervation interrelationship must be studied for the diagnostic and intreatment of asthenopia.
Loss of 5 hydroxymethylcytosine in conjunctival melanoma
Authors: Moulin A. , Caseiro P. , Schalenbourg A. , Zografos L. , Kaya G. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeRecent studies suggest that conjunctival and cutaneaous melanoma partially share similar molecular features. In cutaneous melanoma, loss of 5 hydroxymethylcytosine (5‐hmc) was identified in tumor progression and associated with a poorer survival. We decided to assess if similar epigenetic events occur in tumor progression of conjunctival melanoma and evaluated 5‐hmc expression in benign and malignant conjunctival melanocytic proliferations.Methods5‐hmc expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 32 conjunctival naevi and 36 conjunctival melanomas from respectively 32 and 31 patients. Statistical analysis was performed with JUMP 8.0 software. Immunohistochemistry was assessed by three observers. Discrepant cases were simultaneously reviewed to achieve complete agreement.Results5‐hmc was found in all the nevi. There was a significant downregulation of 5‐hmc in conjunctival melanoma compared to benign conjunctival nevi (p > 0.0001), 5‐hmc loss being identified in 52.3% of the melanoma. In the melanomas, 5‐hmc loss was significatively correlated with the depth of invasion (p = 0.0043) and local lymphatic invasion (p = 0.0149). There was no correlation with the proliferation index, local recurrences, metastasis and death.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate in vivo a significant downregulation of 5‐hmc in malignant conjunctival melanocytic proliferations suggesting that similar epigenetic modifications occur in conjunctival and cutaneous melanoma. Restauration of 5‐hmc loss in conjunctival melanoma might represent a potential therapeutical epigenetic option for this tumor.
Subgroup analysis of two phase III studies of 0.1% cyclosporine A cationic emulsion (CsA CE) in patients with dry eye disease
Authors: Leonardi A. , Garhöfer G. , Amrane M. , Garrigue J.S. , Ismail D. , Sainz de la Maza M. , Labetoulle M. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeDry eye disease (DED) increases the risk of ocular surface damage, severe keratitis, vision loss and impaired quality of life. In two randomized phase III studies (SANSIKA and SICCANOVE), the cationic emulsion formulation containing 0.1% (1 mg/ml) cyclosporine A (CsA CE) improved ocular damage and inflammation in patients with moderate to [AS1] severe DED. This analysis evaluated the efficacy of CsA CE in improving signs of DED in specific patient subgroups.MethodsAnalysis was performed based on efficacy data from the SANSIKA study (n = 215) and pooled efficacy data from the SANSIKA and SICCANOVE studies (n = 629); change from baseline in corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) at Month 6 was analyzed in subgroups of DED patients defined by age, sex, menopausal status, DED duration (ranging from <4 to ≥12 years) and the presence of Sjögren disease.ResultsOf the patients included in the pooled analysis, 65% were <65 years old, 83% were female (72% in menopause) and 38% had Sjögren disease. The overall change in CFS score from baseline to Month 6 favored CsA CE over vehicle (treatment difference −0.303; 95% confidence interval, −0.464 to −0.142). In the SANSIKA study and in the pooled analysis, the effect of CsA CE on CFS score was comparable in patients regardless of age, sex, menopausal status, DED duration and Sjögren disease status. In the subset of patients with severe keratitis, the effect of CsA CE on CFS was also comparable across all subgroups. CsA CE was well tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with ophthalmic CsA use.ConclusionsThese data suggest that CsA CE is well tolerated and comparably efficacious in improving signs of DED across multiple DED patient subpopulations.
The effect of culture medium and carrier on explant culture of human limbal epithelium: a comparison of ultrastructure, keratin profile and gene expression
Authors: Pathak M. , Olstad O.K. , Drolsum L. , Moe M.C. , Katerina J. , Nicolaissen B. , Noer A. 
Published: September 2016

PurposeTo examine the effect of medium and substrate on morphology, on expression of selected keratins and on global gene expression in ex vivo engineered corneo‐limbal grafts.MethodsLimbal biopsies retrieved from corneo‐scleral rings of cadaveric donors were placed on human amniotic membranes or on plastic inserts and cultured for 3 weeks in parallel in either a complex medium (COM) or in medium containing human serum (HM) as single growth promoting supplement at 37°C and 5% CO2. Culture medium was changed every 2–3 days. Grafts were examined using light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) (for 8 keratins), microarray and qRT‐PCR were performed.ResultsLM and TEM examination revealed similar multilayered stratified epithelium with cuboidal basal cells and flattened superficial cells with microplicae, attached to one another by desmosomes. In explants cultured on HAM, hemidesmosome‐like junctions were observed between the expanded cells and the underlying HAM. Using IHC, expression of keratins was found to be similar in grafts engineered in the different conditions. We observed that cells cultured in the same medium (HS or COM) have more similarities in gene expression than cells cultured on same scaffold (PL or HAM).ConclusionsAll explants have similar morphology and keratin expression. The presence of hemidesmosome‐like junctions between the expanded cells and underlying HAM on TEM may indicate better attachment of the expanded cells to the carrier surface as compared to the cells cultured on PL. Gene expression was more similar in cells cultured in the same medium (HS or COM) as compared to cells cultured on the same scaffold (PL or HAM), suggesting that choice of media is of greater significance for explant cell characteristics than choice of carrier.
Human anterior lens epithelium in presenile cataract‐ scanning and transmission electron microscopy study
Authors: Andjelic S. , Drašlar K. , Hvala A. , Hawlina M. 
Published: September 2016

PurposePresenile cataracts, including juvenile and congenital cataract, are rare. As a presenile cataract is considered a subcapsular senile cataract in a person under 45 years of age. Clinical examination before the cataract surgery showed the subcapsular changes in the opacity on the anterior lens. The purpose was to study the structure of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of presenile cataract in order to investigate possible structural reasons for its development.MethodsThe anterior lens capsule (aLC: basement membrane and associated lens epithelial cells) were obtained from cataract surgery and prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).ResultsWe present the results of the SEM and TEM study of the anterior lens epithelium. The most prominent abnormal features observed by SEM for all studied presenile cataract patients were the changes of the LECs structure with the dents on the apical side centrally toward the nucleus. The individual LECs or smaller regions of lens epithelium are damaged with the several lesions of this type that are present diffusely. TEM also showed the thinning of the lens epithelium with the segmentally concave cells and the compressed and elongated nucleuses.ConclusionsAbnormal, distinguishable structural features were observed in the anterior lens epithelium LECs in presenile cataract patients. Disturbed structure of LECs may play a role in water accumulation in the presenile cataract lens. We suggest that the presence of LECs with damaged nucleuses may be associated with the genetic/congenital origin of the presenile cataracts.