bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Healing of a resistant corneal neurotrophic ulcer using a new matrix therapy agent (RGTA)
Authors: PISON A , HAY A , DETHOREY G , BREZIN A , BOURGES JL 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To report the case of a patient with a corneal neurotrophic ulcer, resistant to the usual therapies, who has been treated with a new matrix therapy agent (RGTA). CACICOL 20® is a new ophthalmic device, derived from RGTA based matrix therapy (large biopolymers engineered to replace heparan sulfates).Methods We report the case of a monophtalm and deaf‐mute 48 years old woman, who presented with a central neurotrophic corneal ulcer, not responding to the first line therapies, including high dose lubricant eye drops and amniotic membrane graft. To avoid the profound confinement induced by tarsoraphy, a compassional treatment with RGTA CACICOL 20® has been proposed. CACICOL 20® was instilled once every other day for 2 weeks. Biomicroscopic pictures were recorded to follow the cicatrization time course.Results Epithelialization was obtained within 2 weeks with a perfect tolerance. The regimen of instillation was incidently doubled, causing a recurrence, which healed within 2 weeks after the correct regimen was reintroduced.Conclusion This case report is consistent with a strong effect of CACICOL 20® in the treatment of resistant neurotrophic corneal ulcers. The optimal posology and the indications needs to be refined.
Diagnostic traps based on nomenclature of inflammatory changes in corneal confocal microscopy in vivo
Authors: SMEDOWSKI A , WYLEGALA E , WOJCIK L 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To present possible misdiagnosis of infectious keratitis in corneal confocal microscopy in vivo images based on typically used nomenclature.Methods Retrospective analysis of in vivo confocal microscopy images from 155 patients with different diagnosis. 63 cases were diagnosed in confocal microscopy as various infectious inflammations and confirmed microbiologically or based on treatment response. 25 of them were recognized as bacterial, 25 as viral, 11 as fungeal and 2 as Acanthoamebal keratitis. For each type of inflammation we selected “key words” typically used for describing characteristic corneal changes. In next step we analyzed other, non‐inflammatory cases and selected images which could be described with nomenclature using typically for inflammatory changes describing (for example “cyst”, “fibers”, “round cells infiltration”, “dendritic/Langerhans cells presence”, etc.).Results From 92 non‐inflammatory cases, 35 could be described with inflammatory “key words”. These cases represented 14 different pathologies: Cogan and Messmann dystrophy, stroma fibrosis, corneal transplant rejection, in‐growth epithelial syndrome, crystal and vortex kerathopathy, after LASIK and after PRK changes, neurotrophic ulcer, superficial nerves outgrowth, diffuse anterior lamellar inflammation after LASEK, ichtyosis and Thygesson inflammation.Conclusion Diagnostic process using confocal microscopy examination cannot be based just on algorithmic analysis of corneal images. For reliable diagnosis microscopy images should be compared with clinical state and anamnesis.
Clinical neuroprotection in relation to ophthalmology
Authors: ROSSETTI L 
Published: November 2013

AbstractNeuroprotection has been proposed as a possible therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of glaucoma. Unfortunately, despite the bulk of evidence coming from experimental animal research, very few data on effective neuroprotection in human glaucoma are available. A first problem is related to clinical trials on neuroprotection: the choice of study design, types of patients and study outcomes has often been debated. Then the question of the right compound is also a fundamental issue. As of today, to carry out a clinical trial potentially providing convincing evidence of neuroprotection in glaucoma is considered so expensive that no company would think to put money in it. On the other hand, there are some small studies showing surprisingly large effects on various outcomes relevant for glaucoma. Looking at the existing examples of clinical trial on neuroprotection in glaucoma (e.g. the memantine trial, the LoGTs, etc.), better designed studies should be proposed and research to validate new outcomes highly encouraged.
Pediatric uveitis
Authors: BODAGHI B 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe etiology and treatment of uveitis in children remains different from adults. Infectious and auto‐immune conditions must be identified. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis‐associated uveitis is the main etiology of chronic anterior uveitis. Pars planitis is another frequent etiology of bilateral auto‐immune uveitis. On the other hand, toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, ocular toxocariasis and cat scratch disease should be excluded in children with unilateral posterior uveitis. Case reports will be presented in order to illustrate the management of different pediatric uveitis entities.
Motion‐onset visual evoked potentials ‐ Important tool in vision and eye research
Authors: KUBOVA Z , KUBA M , KREMLACEK J , LANGROVA J , SZANYI J , VIT F , CHUTNA M 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Despite quite a long history of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), their use has been limited so far almost exclusively to flash or pattern related responses of the primary visual cortex (mediated mainly via activation of the parvocellular system of the visual pathway. It is surprising that efforts to extend it to more complex testing including an examination of the motion processing system (magnocellular system and dorsal stream) are quite rare (e.g. Kuba and Kubová, Doc Ophthalmol, 1992, 80, 83‐89; Kubová et al., 1995, Vision Res, 35, 197‐205.Methods Early or selective involvement of the motion processing system is suspected in many CNS disorders and we suggest that motion‐onset VEPs may recognize functional problems of this kind better than imagine techniques (Kuba et al., Vision Res, 2007, 47, 189‐202.Results Motion‐onset VEPs display latency shortening up to the age of about 18 years representing very slow individually different maturation of the motion processing system (Langrova et al., Vision Res., 2006, 46, 536‐544. In early adulthood they start accelerated latency prolongation when compared to pattern‐reversal, which might be a good indicator of individual biological ageing (Kuba et al., Vision Res, 2012, 62, 9‐16.Conclusion Since about 30% of pathological findings in our parallel pattern‐reversal and motion‐onset VEPs examinations in neuro‐ophthalmological patients display exclusively the motion‐onset VEPs pathology, we strongly recommend using them both in the theoretical vision research and ophthalmological diagnostics. Acknowledgement: Supported by the project PRVOUK ‐ P37/07.
Ophthalmic care – Reaching out to the ageing population. Experiences in Sweden
Authors: MARTIN L 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose To evaluate the suitability of a web‐based inter‐professional system for large‐scale screening for age‐related eye diseases in elderly peopleMethods Current diagnostic devices, i.e. automatic perimeters and non‐mydriatic fundus cameras were installed in ~90 optician’s shops, and connected to a server. Visual acuity, refraction and intra‐ocular pressure were measured and entered into the system, together with general health history and family history of eye diseases. These data sets from 30 511 screening procedures in 24 002 customers in optician´s shops were evaluated by experienced ophthalmologists (n = 9), who produced a statement to the customer or, when needed, a recommendation of follow‐up visit or a referral note to conventional eye care.Results ICD‐10 codes were recorded in 27 148 examinations. The most common code (56%) was Z01.0 Examination of eye and vision (n=15 079). Second most common diagnosis (21%) was Z71.1, i.e. suspected disease, but no diagnosis confirmed (n= 5 724). More than every fifth patient (n= 5 509 subjects) have undergone repeated screening(s). 1 760 subjects (6.5%) were referred to conventional eye care. The most common codes among these were H3, chorioidal and retinal diseases (n=643) and H4, glaucoma (n=208). A survey was performed of 123 randomly selected referral responses. In 121 cases the subjects had been recommended treatment or follow‐up at the clinic.Conclusion The screening system, with examinations performed in optician’s shops and findings evaluated by ophthalmologists, detected the expected proportion of age‐related diseases with high sensitivity. The system appears to be suitable for large‐scale screening of elderly people.
Characterization of human corneal grafts’ transparency by optical coherence tomography and scattering measurements
Authors: HOFFART L 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose In clinical and graft sorting applications, cornea’s transparency is only subjectively qualified. The aim of this study is to bring tools to achieve transparency quantification regarding the evolution of edema within the tissue.Methods The samples are human corneal grafts rejected from bank of tissue due to physiologic issues, which are submitted to swelling protocol to study their properties with edema. A multiscale analysis of the microstructure imaged by 1 µm resolved Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) combined with a detailed characterization of backscattering properties is performed. Electromagnetical modelization is used to numerically link scattering measurements with structural defects observed with OCT.Results Backscattered intensity measurements enable corneal grafts’ transparency evaluation (backscattering level increases with swelling). Moreover, microstructural tissue modifications occurring during swelling (microstructure disorganization and heterogeneities) are highlighted by OCT imagery. We show that the observed heterogeneities imply higher scattering levels and explain the experimental results.Conclusion Combining both techniques allows linking the scattering behavior with the evolution of microstructures within the tissue and permits to quantify corneal grafts transparency. This study has to be extended to tissues eligible for graft but this characterization in the backscattered space could directly be applied to future study of tissues before removal or to in vivo diagnosis.
Retinal detachment without PVR
Authors: CREUZOT C 
Published: November 2013

AbstractIn patients suffering from a retinal detachment, the identification of all the breaks is crucial. In cases without any PVR, scleral buckling remains the first line treatment especially for ora dialysis or long standing Retinal Detachment (RD) linked to atrophic hole. However, the number, location and type of tears, the lens status will influence the selection of the treatment. The success rate is higher than 80% after one operation treated either with scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy but remains worse in pneumatic retinopexy. The main causes of failure are non identified retinal breaks and PVR.
Corneal bacterial infections: A practical approach
Authors: GICQUEL JJ 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBecause of their potential to permanently impair vision or perforate the eye, bacterial corneal ulcers are an ophthalmologic emergency. They usually follow an insult (sometimes minor) in the corneal epithelium that provides an entry for bacteria. The increased use of soft contact lenses in recent years has led to an important rise in the occurrence of bacterial ulcers (especially aggressive Gram‐ bacteria). The goal of this course is to present a practical, systematic approach of the management of bacterial corneal ulcers, as well as an update on new concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of those conditions.
Rod microglia is absent from microglial changes in mice retina contralateral to experimental glaucoma
Authors: GALLEGO B , DE HOZ R , RAMíREZ AI , SALAZAR JJ , ROJAS B , TRIVIñO A , RAMíREZ JM 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose The aim of the present study was to analyze the presence of rod microglia in a model of unilateral laser‐induced ocular hypertension (OHT.Methods Adult albino Swiss mice were divided into two groups: naïve (age‐matched control; n=6) and lasered (n= 6). Retinal whole‐mounts were analyzed by immunostaining using antibodies against Iba1, MHC‐II, ED1 and NF‐200.Results The nerve‐fiber layer (NFL) of contralateral and OHT‐eyes had ramified microglia related to blood vessels, similar to those of aged‐matched control eyes. However, only OHT‐eyes had rod microglia. Rod microglia lay parallel to and close to the axons and were related to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) showing signs of degeneration (NF‐200+RGCs). In some instances, rod microglia processes surrounded the soma and proximal dendrites of NF‐200+RGCs and penetrated the underlying RGC layer and inner plexiform layer. Microglia had morphological signs of activation and MHC‐II expression up‐regulation in both, the contralateral and OHT‐eyes. However, only in OHT‐eyes did rod microglia show ED1 staining throughout the NFL. With respect both to morphological features and to ED1 immunostaining patterns, three stages of rod microglia were detected, with processes shortening, somas thickening, and ED1 immunostaining increasing progressively from stage 1 to 3.Conclusion After 15 days of unilateral laser‐induced OHT, rod microglia was restricted to eyes with OHT and degenerated NF‐200+RGCs but absent in contralateral eyes. The microglia activation observed in contralateral eyes could be related with neuroprotection.
Modified connexin43 mimetic peptide shows higher efficacy in reducing retinal ganglion cell loss and vessel leak after retinal ischemia
Authors: RUPENTHAL I , CHEN YS , TEAGUE R , PERRETT J , DANESH‐MEYER H , TOTH I , GREEN C 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Optic neuropathy is associated with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss leading to optic nerve damage and visual impairment. Transient block of connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannels by mimetic peptides (MP) after retinal ischemia has been shown to inhibit uncontrolled hemichannel opening and may provide improved RGC survival. However, high hydrophilicity and poor peptide stability can limit efficient delivery in a clinical setting. This study evaluated the efficacy of modified Cx43MP using a retinal ischemia reperfusion rat model.Methods Retinal ischemia was created in the left eye (120 mmHg for 60 min) with the right eye serving as a control and Cx43MP formulations were injected intravitreally. Evan’s blue dye was injected intraperitoneally 4 h after reperfusion to visualize vessel leak using confocal microscopy. Retinal whole mounts were also labeled with Cx43, GFAP and Brn3a antibodies to quantify Cx43 and RGC densities.Results Intravitreal injection of native and modified Cx43MP resulted in significantly reduced Cx43 levels compared to untreated eyes 8 h after ischemia, with Cx43MP containing two C12‐lipoamino acid groups reducing Cx43 counts almost down to baseline level. A similar trend was seen for RCG counts with the modified Cx43MP resulting in >93% RCG survival after 28 days compared to <70% for untreated eyes. Vessel leak was also noticeably reduced in Cx43MP treated eyes.Conclusion C12‐lipoamino acid conjugation to Cx43MP increased peptide stability and may have also resulted in better tissue permeability, improving the overall efficacy of Cx43MP. Modified Cx43MP may therefore offer a clinically relevant treatment option for optic neuropathies.
Optic nerve head autoregulation during changes in arterial blood pressure
Authors: BOLTZ A , TOLD R , PALKOVITS S , SCHMIDL D , NAPORA KJ , GARHOEFER G , SCHMETTERER L 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that an increase in blood pressure during isometric exercise leads to an increase in optic nerve head blood flow (ONHBF). An interesting phenomenon was found in some subjects when they were exhausted from isometric exercise and blood pressure decreased slightly. These periods were sometimes associated with a pronounced decrease in ONHBF even though ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) was still much higher than at baseline. The present study aimed to investigate this phenomenon in more detail and to gain insight in the regulatory mechanisms of ONHBF during short‐term fluctuations in OPP.Methods 40 healthy subjects aged between 18 and 35 years were included in this study. Three periods of baseline measurements at rest and 3 periods of measurements during isometric exercise with a handgrip were alternated while ONHBF was measured continuously using laser Doppler flowmetry. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured every minute and OPP was calculated as 2/3 MAP – intraocular pressure (IOP).Results OPP significantly increased during handgripping compared to the resting periods (p<0.001), whereas ONHBF was not significantly altered during these changes in OPP indicating for autoregulation. Three subjects showed a decrease of more than 10% in ONHBF during recovery at all 3 periods of isometric exercise. Unexpectedly, however, 3 other subjects consistently showed an ONHBF reduction of more than 10% during isometric exercise.Conclusion The present study indicates a complex regulation of ONHBF. Six subjects (15%) showed an abnormal ONHBF response during handgripping. This is most likely caused by an exaggerated vasoconstrictor response in order to counteract the increase in OPP.
What I should do before considering biologic agents
Authors: WILLERMAIN F 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBy definition, a biologic agent is a molecule produce by a living organism but chemically synthesized or modified product such as peptides or nucleotides are also sometimes include. Biological agents usually referred to molecules that precisely interact with crucial pathways involved in disease development. In the context of non infectious uveitis, and with the important exception of interferon's, biological agents are classically highly specific immunosuppressive agents. Some of them have been associated with tremendous clinical effects in severe non infectious uveitis patient. A common problem with their use is related to serious primary infection or reactivation of latent infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. The issue of worsening or inducing MS in intermediate uveitis in the case of anti‐TNF is also important as well as their high cost. They are thus usually proposed to patients resistant to conventionnal immunosuppressive treatment, after having eliminated infectious causes and latent systemic infection. However, their used as first line agent in certain uveitis conditions is often debated. In this SIS, we will review all those important general questions related to the use of biological agents in non infectious uveitis.
Effect of hypoxic stress on induction and plasticity of tumor‐induced immune cells in uveal melanoma
Authors: BRONKHORST IHG , JEHS TML , DIJKGRAAF EM , LUYTEN GPM , VAN DER VELDEN PA , VAN DER BURG SH , JAGER MJ 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Highly malignant uveal melanoma contain increased numbers of lymphocytes and macrophages. We wondered whether hypoxia plays a role in the development of this inflammation. We analysed whether hypoxia induces uveal melanoma cells to release pro‐inflammatory cytokines, and whether tumor supernatant (TSN) affects monocyte migration and differentiation.Methods The expression of pro‐inflammatory genes in freshly cultured uveal melanoma was studied in an in vitro 24 hour hypoxic culture system using qPCR. Cell lines were cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Chemotaxis was tested using a transwell system with purified monocytes and TSN. Differentiation was tested by adding TSN to a monocyte‐DC culture. CCL2, IL‐6 and PGE2 levels in TSN were determined by ELISA.Results Exposure of freshly‐cultured uveal melanoma cells to hypoxia led to an increased expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines PLGF, TGFß, END1, ICAM1 and a lower expression of AIMP1 (EMAP2), CCL2 (MCP‐1), and IL1b. TSN from melanoma cells lines, cultured in normoxic as well as hypoxic conditions, was able to attract monocytes. Migration was independent of tumor‐produced CCL2. Uveal melanoma supernatant inhibits monocyte differentiation.Conclusion Under hypoxic conditions, immune response genes are differentially expressed in cultured primary uveal melanoma cells. TSN from uveal melanoma cell lines is capable of affecting the chemotactic response of monocytes in vitro, irrespectively of the hypoxic or normoxic conditions. Our data suggest that the induction of immune cells is not dependent on intratumoral oxygen level, and the uveal melanoma TSN does not skew macrophage polarization phenotype.
Epigenetic regulation of the epithelial phenotype in uveal melanoma
Authors: VERSLUIS M , DE LANGE MJ , VAN PELT S , LUYTEN GPM , JAGER MJ , VAN DER VELDEN PA 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose The presence of epithelial cells is a bad prognostic factor in uveal melanoma (UM) and epithelial tumors are characterized by high expression of E‐cadherin. However, CDH1, the gene encoding for E‐cadherin, is located at chromosome 16q which is lost in UM with a bad prognosis. In order to solve this paradox we studied the underlying epigenetic mechanism of the spindle to epithelial transition and the accompanying E‐cadherin expression.Methods UM cell lines were in vitro treated with methylation and deacetylation inhibitors, or were cultured under hypoxic conditions to mimic in vivo UM conditions to induce epigenetic reprogramming. RNA and DNA was isolated for gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromosome structure analysis, while cell lysates were used for E‐cadherin analysis.Results Treatment with methylation and deacetylation inhibitors resulted in a phenotypic change from a spindle to more epithelial cell type. Furthermore, inhibition of methylation and hypoxia treatment both upregulated E‐cadherin expression in vitro and induced euchromatin formation at 16q22, where CDH1 is located.Conclusion By revealing epigenetic regulation of CDH1 in UM we resolve a step in the dynamic process of spindle to epitheloid celltype switch in UM. Since this switch could be induced by hypoxia we establish a link between environmental stress and progression. With these data we provide evidence for epigenetic regulation of UM progression as well as an option for future treatment.
How to organise the follow‐up of patients with macular edema?
Authors: POURNARAS CJ 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe results of clinical trials have demonstrated significant visual and anatomic benefits to intravitreal agents in the treatment of the macular edema (MO) related to retinal ischemic microangiopathies. Following the evaluation of non‐perfused capillary areas, on fluorescein angiography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) helps to quantify the amount of cystoid macular edema. The clinical examination include VA assessment, biomicroscopy and OCT. Important differences exist in the protocols evaluating treatment for Diabetic MO, from the mandatory monthly anti VEGF injections, to either protocol, requiring injections during the first 4 study visits and prompt or deferral laser or in trials, where patients, after 3 mandatory monthly injections, had both a variable dose and injection, based on VA and OCT evaluation. The MO related to RVO should be monitored monthly for the first 3 months, and then every 2 months for the first year. During this monitoring period, patients should be instructed to return promptly whenever they notice a decrease in vision, a possible indication of macular edema, or the conversion to ischemia. Follow‐up after the initial 6 months will be required
Definition and diagnosis of advanced glaucoma
Authors: ZEYEN T 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAccording to Hodapp’s criteria for visual field (VF) scoring, advanced glaucoma can be defined as having a VF mean deviation index (MD) < ‐12 dB. Advanced glaucoma can also be defined on the basis of the patient’s skills to perform daily activities. Functional tests are usually more useful than structural parameters to follow‐up patients with advanced glaucoma. An overview of the available investigative techniques in advanced glaucoma will be provided.