bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulators of corneal nerve regeneration
Authors: BAZAN H 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDamage to corneal nerves results in decreased sensitivity, dry eye, and neurotrophic keratitis. Rabbit corneas treated with pigment epithelial derived factor (PEDF) and the ω‐3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) after lamellar keratectomy increase nerve regeneration and stimulates the synthesis of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1). NPD1 also increases nerve density. The regenerated nerves contain similar proportion of calcitonin‐gene related peptide (CGRP) to non‐injured corneas. We compared the action of two smaller PEDF derivatives that maintain part of the bioactivity and can have better penetration. Animals after surgery were treated with a 44 mer‐PEDF, with neuroprotective activity, and with a 34 mer‐PEDF, with antiangiogenic properties, in association with DHA. The 44‐mer PEDF plus DHA‐treated group showed a two‐fold increase in subepithelial corneal nerve area compared to the 34‐mer PEDF+DHA‐ and vehicle‐treated groups. These results demonstrate that the use of NPD1 and 44‐mer PEDF plus DHA could represent novel therapeutic approaches for managing eye conditions that perturb corneal nerve integrity. (Supported by NIH‐NEI grant EY019465)
C‐Kit SCF receptor (CD117) expression and KIT gene mutation in conjunctival pigmented lesions
Authors: PARROZZANI R , BLANDAMURA S , ALESSANDRINI L , PERRINI P , FRIZZIERO L , MIDENA E 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose to investigate the presence of KIT gene mutations and immunoreactivity in 85 conjunctival melanocytic tumors and clarify the role of KIT as a potential therapeutic target in this group of patients.Methods 85 conjunctival pigmented tumors (27 melanomas, 12 PAMs and 46 nevi) were immunostained for KIT. Intensity and pattern of expression were evaluated. Molecular analysis to identify KIT mutations was performed in 15 selected cases (tumor‐rich areas >50%). KIT immunostaining score and pattern were statistically related to patients’ age, sex, diagnostic category, presence of relapse, disease‐free survival, presence of metastases, metastasis‐free survival, limbal versus non‐limbal tumor location and thickness of melanomas.Results KIT stains was documented in 48% of melanomas, 50% of PAMs and 24% of nevi. The mean score of KIT staining in the melanomas/PAMs group was significantly different from nevi (p=0.0076). No statistically significant differences were detected between either c‐kit immunostaining score or pattern and each of the other clinico‐pathologic parameters considered. No KIT gene mutations were detected in melanomas and nevi. A silent mutation/polymorphism in KIT exon 13 was found in one PAM.Conclusion Despite the high level of KIT immunostains in conjunctival PAM and melanoma, this parameter seems not to be a good predictor for the presence of molecular mutations. KIT‐activating mutations should be considered an uncommon event in these tumors.
Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM): Correlation with outcome in 87 patients (pts) from Institut Curie
Authors: PIPERNO‐NEUMANN S , MADIC J , MARIANI P , RAMPANOU A , SERVOIS V , BIDARD FC , MILDER M , CASSOUX N , DESJARDINS L , STERN MH , LANTZ O 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose CtDNA can be detected in the plasma of MUM pts using a real‐time PCR based on the pyrophosphorolysis‐activated polymerization (bi‐PAP) targeting the most frequent GNAQ and GNA11 mutations present in 85% of UM (Madic et al, 2012).Methods May 2011‐March 2013:87 MUM pts were included in 3 prospective studies to assess the bi‐PAP assay and analyse clinical and outcome correlations.Results Median (med) age 57, primary tumor med diameter 15 mm; enucleation 32, proton beam 52, iodine disk 3. Enucleated eyes showed mostly mixed histotype and genomic high risk by array‐CGH: 8q gain and/or 3p loss. With a med disease free interval of 39 months (mo), 83 pts developed liver metastases first, with radiological miliary disease in 55; 4 had extra hepatic lesions without liver involvement. 35 pts were enrolled at the time of metastasis diagnostic. With a med follow‐up of 8 mo, 28 patients had disease progression and 34 died of metastasis. The med survival was 13 mo. Tumor samples were available in 82 pts, genotyping is ongoing for 8. GNAQ 626A>T or A>C, GNA11 626A>T and rare mutations were found in 9, 19, 26 is and 6 cases respectively; 14 were wild‐type tumors. CtDNA was detected in 51/54 samples (med 30 copies/ml, range 1‐11421) and correlated with the metastatic tumor burden as assessed by liver MRI (med 64 cm3, range 0.2‐7384). Correlation with progression‐free and overall survival will be presented.Conclusion ctDNA is a promising tool to assess the tumor burden and the micrometastatic dissemination of uveal melanoma, and a potential biomarker to evaluate the efficacy of targeted therapies in pts carrying GNA Q/11 mutated tumors.
Uveal melanoma among Finnish octogenarians
Authors: ALJAMAL RANAA , KIVELä TERO 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To report clinical characteristics of uveal melanoma (UM) among Finnish octogenarians.Methods Population‐based study of 86 patients 80 years of age or older, treated in 1997‐2011 at the Helsinki University Central Hospital for UM. Patients had a minimum of 2 years follow‐up if still alive.Results Of the 86 patients, 36 (42%) were female and 50 (58%) were male. Median age was 82.9 years (range, 80‐93), 5 had a previous nevus, median tumor height was 4.8mm (range, 1.1‐ 17.9), median largest basal diameter was 12.7 (range, 4.3‐22). Following the 7th edition of TNM tumor classification, 33% were T1, 19% T2, 22% T3, and 26% T4, and 28% were stage I, 32% stage II, 33% stage III, and 6% were stage IV (i.e. metastases at diagnosis). 70 patients were treated with brachytherapy (iodine in 38 and ruthenium is 32), 12 underwent primary enucleation, 1 eye was exenterated and 2 small tumours were observed. Median visual acuity was 0.2 (interquartile range, 0.6 to counting fingers) and in the fellow eye 0.7. At last follow‐up, 20 patients had died of metastasis, 21 of other causes, 3 of a second cancer (prostate, renal, urinary bladder), death certificate was not yet reviewed in 16, and 26 were alive a median of 5.1 years after treatment (range, 1.4‐11.1). The 5‐year Kaplan‐Meier survival was 75% overall, and 93% for stage I, 79% for stage II, and 62% stage III; all patients of stage IV died within 1.3 years. The corresponding all‐cause mortalities were 66%, 55%, and 29%.Conclusion Taking competing causes of death into account, less than 25% of octogenarians die of uveal melanoma within 5 years.
Uveal metastases from carcinoid tumors: Clinical and therapeutic assessment
Authors: MIDENA E , PILOTTO E , FRIZIERO L , PARROZZANI R 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To define the specific clinical characteristics of uveal metastases from carcinoids and the minimal invasive therapeutic approach.Methods Four consecutive cases of symptomatic uveal metastases from carcinoid tumors were included in this prospective analysis. Each patient underwent full ophthalmological examination, including A‐B scan ultrasonography (US), fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (IGA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT) at baseline and during follow‐up. Follow‐up examination was performed at 1 month and every 3 months thereafter.Results Mean follow‐up was 17±6 months. Tree patients were affected by choroidal metastases (75%) whereas one patients by iris metastasis (25%). Choroidal metastases were ipo‐pigmented, mainly located at the posterior pole and characterized by medium internal reflectivity at US, prominent vascular net at ICG and perilesional serous retinal detachment at OCT. Each patient was treated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfine as sole focal treatment. Mean PDT sessions were 1.6 (1‐3 sessions). Two patients (50%) showed clinical regression of the treated lesions, whereas in the others two patients (50%) tumor size remained stable during follow‐up. Subretinal fluid resolved in all choroidal lesions. BCVA increased in three patients (75%) and remained unchanged in one patient (25%).Conclusion Uveal metastases from carcinoids are characteristically ipo‐pigmented and highly vascularized. Photodynamic therapy appears to be an effective, safe and well‐tolerated treatment option for the management these metastases.
Use of dexamethasone 0.7mg intravitreal implant in radiation macular edema
Authors: BAILLIF S , MASCHI C , GASTAUD P , CAUJOLLE JP 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety over one year of follow‐up of dexamethasone 0.7mg intravitreal implant in patients with radiation macular edema (ME) after proton beam therapy for choroidal melanomaMethods Five patients’ charts were retrospectively reviewed.Results All patients received a radiation dose of 60 cobalt Gray equivalent. Radiation ME occurred within a mean time of 26 months after irradiation. Mean preinjection VA was 41 ETDRS letters. Two months after injection, mean VA was 47 ETDRS letters. It improved for 3 patients (+4; +9 and +15 letters) and remained unchanged for 2. Mean CRT was 331 µm. Over one year of follow‐up, two patients underwent 2 injections of dexamethasone performed 5 months after the first injection. The gain of VA was +8 and +23 letters with a decrease in CRT of 158 and 262 µm respectively. Intraocular pressure increased for 1 patient. One patient was enucleated due to a local recurrence of his choroidal melanoma. Another patient presented with a radiation neuropathy with a great loss of visual acuity.Conclusion Intravitreal dexamethasone implant can improve VA in radiation ME. Its beneficial effect lasted up to 5 months. Other causes of vision loss may jeopardize this beneficial effect.
Comparison of the biometric measurements obtained using IOL Master and ALADDIN systems
Authors: MILKA M , WYLEGALA E , NOWINSKA A , JANISZEWSKA D , WEGLARZ B 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To compare anterior segment measurements of two optical systems of patients with clear lens and cataractMethods 34 cataractous eyes and 32 eyes with clear lens were examined using the Zeiss IOL‐Master and Topcon Aladdin system. In all eyes we measured Axial Length (AL), Keratometry (K1, K2) and Anterior chamber depth (ACD). The results were compared and analysed using Bland‐Altman plotsResults Comparison of the eye lengths, as well as of the keratometric and ACD measurements showed good correlation and agreement between the measurements obtained by both methods. Standard Deviation (SD) for Axial Length difference is about 0,034 for clear lens eyes and 0,028 for cataractous eyes. SD for K1 and K2 difference is for clear lens eyes 0,23/0,29 and 0,17/0,18 for cataractous eyes. ACD differences are respectively 0,11 and 0,15Conclusion The comparisons between IOL Master and the ALADDIN show a very good alignment for Axial Length for both groups of patients. There was also acceptable alignment for K1, K2 and ACD measurement. Both the analyzed instruments show a good correlation and precision
Intravitreal corticosteroids as first‐line adjunctive treatment in acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis
Authors: KOEHRER P , BRON AM , GARCHER C 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To assess the effect of intravitreal corticosteroids as first‐line adjunctive treatment in acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis.Methods We conducted a multicenter prospective, randomized, single‐masked study including patients with acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis. All patients received the initial intravitreal antibiotics (vancomycine 1mg, ceftazidime 2mg) with intravitreal betamethasone (400 μg) in the group 1 but not in the group 2. At day 2, all patients had the same invitreal antibiotics with betamethasone (400 μg). A prompt or deferred vitrectomy could be associated with this treatment if baseline visual acuity was limited to light perception. The primary endpoint was the BCVA (logMAR) and the secondary endpoint was the impact on intraocular pressureResults We report the preliminary results on the first 54 patients;. 24 patients were included in the group 1 and 30 in the group 2. The BCVA was better in the group 1 at 8 days (1.44 ± 0.90 vs 1.90 ± 1.0 logMAR), at one month (0.50 ± 0.69 vs 1.24 ± 1.11 logMAR) and at 3 months (0.52 ± 0.87 vs 0.99 ± 1.13 logMAR). The confidence intervals were overlapping, except at one month, suggesting a statistical significance at this point. There was no difference in both groups considering the intraocular pressure at day 8: 14.13 mmHg (IC 95%: 10.29‐17.97) in the group 1 and 12.52 mmHg (IC 95%: 10.49‐14.55) in the group 2.Conclusion Intravitreal corticosteroids as a first line adjunctive treatment in acute post cataract surgery endophthalmitis seem to accelerate the recovery of visual acuity but do not seem to have an impact on the final functional outcome. These results need to be confirmed by the statistical analysis of the cohort of 100 cases.
Mydriasert pupillary dilation for cataract surgery: A clinical and economic study
Authors: SHAH A , JOHAL S , LEE N 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Mydriasert® is an ophthalmic insert containing phenylephrine and tropicamide. A prospective clinical evaluation of Mydriasert for pupillary dilatation prior to cataract surgery was conducted. The impact on nurse time of using Mydriasert compared to eye drops was also evaluated.Methods The following data were collected prospectively: amount of time spent inserting Mydriasert, patient satisfaction score (on a scale of 1‐10), pupil size (on a pre‐defined categorical scale of 1 (small pupil) to 4 (very large pupil) and any adverse events related to the insert. An economic model of mydriasis was also developed.Results Mean nursing time spent inserting Mydriasert was 1.52 minutes(SD=0.6,n=85), mean patient satisfaction score was 8.97(SD=2.32,n=97) and mean pupil size was 3.32(SD=0.66,n=114) corresponding to a large to very large pupil size. The insert had extruded unnoticed in 3 cases. For a national population (England), the estimated nurse time saved was 1,159 hours per week when using the single application Mydriasert compared to repeated instillation of eye drops to achieve mydriasis.Conclusion Mydriasert is a safe and efficacious alternative to topical drops for pupillary dilatation. The rate of insert extrusion was low compared to that published in a smaller study reporting on a much smaller sample. This may reflect a learning curve for Mydriasert insertion. The economic analysis demonstrated that using Mydriasert could potentially free up nursing time to spend on other responsibilities.
Commercial interest
The use of laser flare photometry to assess therapeutical approaches for uveitis
Authors: TAPPEINER C , HEINZ C , HEILIGENHAUS A 
Published: November 2013

AbstractLaser flare (LF) photometry is a standardized and reproducible method for grading the breakdown of the blood‐aqueous‐barrier by in‐vivo measurements of the protein content in the anterior chamber. Whereas anterior chamber cell‐grade directly correlates with the activity of anterior uveitis, high LF values may not only be observed during active inflammation but also as a remnant of chronic uveitis with irreversible damage of the blood‐aqueous barrier. The talk provides an overview of published and own data, analyzing the impact of LF photometry as a decision‐making tool for timing ocular surgery and selection of surgery techniques (e.g., lensectomy vs. phacoemulsification with primary IOL implantation; filtrating vs. non‐filtrating vs. drainage‐implants vs. cyclodestructive surgery). Furthermore, the role of LF in the context of secondary complications (CME, aphakia, glaucoma etc.) and in the management of drug therapy (topical treatment, classical immunosuppressives and biologicals) is elucidated. In this context, interesting LF topics (Do we treat cells, LF or both? Do high LF values necessarily demand for intensification of uveitis treatment? Does LF help us to decide when to stop our treatment?) are discussed.
Retinal oxygen: the good, the bad and the unknown?
Authors: STEFANSSON E 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIschemia is suspected in the pathophysiology of several eye diseases including glaucoma. The most direct way to study ischemia is through blood flow and circulatory studies and these have shown abnormalities in glaucoma and other eye diseases. However, blood flow changes per se do not necessarily indicate an unhealthy situation; blood flow indeed varies substantially in healthy tissues. The main metabolic consequence of ischemia is hypoxia and any harmful consequence of ischemia must include hypoxia at some point in time. Therefore, oxygen measurements are a direct way to study pathogenesis in ischemic diseases. Tissue damage would involve hypoxia and lack of hypoxia is not fully consistent with ischemic pathophysiology. The fact that hypoxia has to date not been found in glaucoma patients, suggests that ischemia may not be involved in the pathophysiology of glaucoma. The abnormalities in blood flow and oxygenation seen in glaucoma may be secondary to tissue atrophy, rather than the cause of the disease. Further studies, especially in patients with progressive glaucoma and high intraocular pressure will clarify the issue.
Intravitreal drugs: What is happening to the ganglion cells?
Authors: PINTO L 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe number of patients undergoing intravitreal injections is growing exponentially. Long term treatments with anti‐VEGF agents and/or steroids are now common in a number of retinal diseases. However, the significance of such treatment strategies on the pathogenesis of glaucoma or even how they may affect glaucoma management is not entirely clear. The possible impact of angiogenic and inflammation modulators in neuron cell survival and activity will be made. From a clinical point of view, it will be discussed if, how and which of these agents are more likely to affect intraocular pressure management.
Results, complications, and future developments of the Boston type 1 KPro
Authors: DE LA CRUZ J , CORTINA S 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe use of the Boston type 1 Kpro has increased significantly during the past decade not only in the US but around the World. Important device modifications together with changes in postoperative managment have made this success possible. This presentation will review the current most relevant complications encountered in patients implanted with this device including endophthalmitis, retroprosthetic membranes, glaucoma and stromal melt,. Strategies for their prevention and management will be discussed.
Alternating intra‐arterial and intravitreal chemotherapy for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma: First successful results without systemic chemotherapy
Authors: HADJISTILIANOU T , DEFRANCESCO S , DE LUCA MC , BRACCO S , MENICACCI F , GALLUZZI P 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Background: To describe the efficacy of intra‐arterial chemotherapy combined with intravitreal chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced stage retinoblastomaMethods The Authors report the medical records of four patients who presented with unilateral retinoblastoma, (Reese‐Ellsworth stage Vb/ group D of ABC Classification in the affected eye). They underwent clinical and ophthalmoscopic evaluation and MRI to exclude local and CNS dissemination. All 4 patients received 2 cycles (six infusions) of intrarterial chemotherapy (4‐5 mg of melphalan/0.3‐0.4 mg of topotecan), and from 7 up to 9 melphalan injections into the vitreous (10‐30μg in 0.05 mL).Results Successful control of tumor masses and vitreous seeds was achieved in all cases at long‐term (> 6 months) follow‐up. Tumor control was 100% in all cases. Complications included: posterior lens opacities, acute ischemic papillitis, transient hypotonia, vitreous hemorrhage. There were no cases of orbital tumor recurrence or metastasis (follow‐up range, 6 – 12 months).Conclusion Sequential intra‐arterial chemotherapy and intravitreal melphalan for advanced retinoblastoma allowed to provide retinal and vitreous seed control
Molecular profiling of ocular surface squamous neoplasia identifies multiple DNA copy number alterations including recurring 8p11.22 amplicons
Authors: ALKATAN H , EBERHART C 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represent some of the most frequently encountered ocular surface neoplasms worldwide, and are particularly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Our aim in this study is to uncover novel diagnostic biomarkers, as well as molecular pathways which can be targeted using new therapies.Methods We analyzed DNA extracted from 14 snap frozen cSCC tumor specimens resected at KKESH using Agilent 180K high density oligonucleotide arrays, with 12 samples giving high quality hybridizations. We are now confirming increased gene dosage using the Nanostring platform and investigating mRNA expression at the8p11.22 loci with quantitative PCR.Results Of these 12, the number of clear regions of DNA loss ranged from 1 to 24 per tumor, while gains (including potential amplifications) ranged from 2 to 14 per tumor. Recurring aberrations were observed in chromosome 6, where the region 6p22.1‐p21.32 was lost in 4 out of 12 specimens (33%), in chromosome 14, where the locus 14q13.2 was lost in 5 of the 12 samples (42%), and in chromosome 22, where 5 samples showed DNA loss and one DNA gain at 22q11.22. However the most frequent alteration was observed in chromosome 8, where the locus 8p11.22 was amplified in 9 tumors (75%) and lost in the other 3 samples (25%).Conclusion We observed the most profound DNA alterations in the region of 8p11.22 which contains part or all of the ADAM1B, ADAM3A, and ADAM5p genes. It is also very near to the ADAM9 locus, which was recently found to be commonly amplified in oral squamous cell carcinoma (Plos One 2013,8:e54705).
Do we have any effective measure to minimize PCO?
Authors: TASSIGNON MJ , NI DHUBHGHAILL S 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn the past, posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was considered an inevitable, albeit relatively minor complication of cataract surgery. As technology has improved, the qualities of lens implants have changed. Multifocal intraocular lenses confer visual benefits but the optics are dependent upon a clear optical medium and accurate placement. The development of PCO can distort the centration and function of these advanced optical qualities, such as diffractive rings, rendering lenses suboptimal and in some cases intolerable. Therefore long‐term quality outcomes are dependent on predictability and stability. The Bag‐in‐the‐lens (BIL) implant is currently the most effective measure to prevent PCO. The technique depends on the construction of two comparable anterior and posterior capsulorhexes. The lens is suspended centrally, supported by the integrity of the capsule and seals away lens epithelial cells preventing postoperative opacification. This placement has also been proven to be highly resistant to decentration and rotation. As the uptake of multifocal lenses and patient expectations increase, we propose that the BIL approach is currently the most stable and dependable means of ensuring quality long‐term multifocal outcomes.