bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Visual intelligence in action: A question of balance? Neuroplasticity: recent findings on the visual system for the practitioner
Authors: VANDERMEULEN J 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose In this presentation I will focus on new insights in the balance of neuroplasticity for brain injury and the effects on vision from a neuropsychological point of view. I will also emphasize on the organisation of the visual pathways ( e.g. ventral and dorsal processing stream and the subcortical processing).Methods From a literature and integrative research point of view of the last ten years we have found that the vision has changed. I will explain that visual processing is not only taken place by the old reponsibility pathways of eyes and the occipital lobes as key regions. Insight on brain injury in recent has changed this meaning. A case will be presented to support this viewResults There is a new insight in processing information of the brain and od pathways will be abandoned. It may very well that it takes place by other sensoric areas such as the thalamo‐cortical route. The brain is highly sensitive to adverse environments, such as the visual impairment after brain injury, but it shows also resilience to neurological deficits. The visual tracts are no longer seen as the only pathways for sensory information (this is an essential element for ophthamologists and practitionars), because they contains pathways from other areas.Conclusion It is important for ophthalmologists and practitionars that the old paradigma of the visual system should be abandoned. We have to realize that clinical management on the visual disorders is more complex and that the impact from the newly acquired knowledge affects the diagnosis and intervention: an unbeatable approach for visual processing and daily work. Werner, J.S. & Chalupa . L. M. ( 2014). The new visual neurosciences. London: MIT Press.
Cholesterol and glaucoma
Authors: BRETILLON L 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe association between cholesterol and glaucoma is still under debate. No real consensus can be drawn based on the effects of statins in the progression of glaucoma. Nevertheless cholesterol must not be restricted to its circulating levels. Indeed, cholesterol is a prominent component of the the retina. One would thus think on how cholesterol is regulated in the retina. Special emphasis would be given on retinal ganglion cells and glial cells, accounting their key roles in the metabolism of cholesterol in the retina and in the course of glaucoma.
Topical antiangiogenic therapy with Aganirsen eye drops reduces need for transplantation in herpetic keratitis
Authors: CURSIEFEN C 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis first Phase III study on a topical inhibitor of corneal angiogenesis showed aganirsen eye drops to significantly inhibit corneal neovascularization in patients with keratitis. The need for transplantation was significantly reduced in patients with viral keratitis and central neovascularization. Topical application of aganirsen was safe and well‐tolerated.
Genetics of keratoconus
Authors: WILLOUGHBY C 
Published: August 2014

AbstractKeratoconus (MIM 148300), a common bilateral, progressive corneal thinning disorder, is the leading indication for corneal transplantation in the developed world. Despite the visual and social impact of keratoconus, the underlying biochemical processes and pathobiology remain poorly understood. There is strong evidence for a heritable component in the development of keratoconus, but few if any genes had been identified. Recently, the identification of two new keratoconus genes has given insight into the biological processes disrupted in the development of keratoconus. Our group identified mutations in a microRNA (miR184) responsible for keratoconus. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non‐coding RNAs which are important regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Subsequently, we have identified a significant enrichment of potentially pathologic heterozygous alleles in ZNF469 associated with the development of keratoconus in 12.5% of keratoconus patients, and highlights ZNF469 as the most significant genetic factor responsible for keratoconus identified to date.
Viral vectors
Authors: BARNARD A 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThere are a number of ongoing clinical trials that utilise viral vectors to deliver potentially therapeutic genetic material to retinal cells. This talk will look at the major consideration of turning a wildtype virus into a clinical trial vector. These include the packaging capacity, tropism (preference for targeting specific cells/tissue) and immunogenicity of the viral vector. The talk will also discuss strategies for increasing transduction efficiency (e.g. by optimisation of the transgene expression construct) to potentially reduce the amount of viral particles that need to be used. The talk will look at ongoing laboratory research that may lead to improvements in the viral vectors that are available for gene therapy trials and potential ways in which the limitation imposed by the starting virus may be overcome. For example, a dual vector, split transgene strategy may be used to effectively double the packaging capacity of adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vectors. As the majority of retinal gene therapy trials so far have used AAV vectors, there will be a bias toward the discussion of this type of virus.
Gene therapy for choroideremia
Authors: BARNARD A 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose This talk will cover the development and instigation of a clinical gene therapy trial for choroideremia. It will also outline some early results of the trial, which is currently still ongoing. Methods Development of the gene therapy vector involved a range of in vitro and in vivo studies, from cell‐based protein assays to ERGs in laboratory mice. The trial is an open label dose escalation study, involving two groups treated with different doses of adeno‐associated viral vector (AAV2) encoding Rab‐escort Protein 1 (REP1). A range of clinical tests are used to assess the safety and efficacy of treatment. Results Preclinical results show AAV can successfully produce functional REP1 protein in patient fibroblasts. The vector shows targeting of retinal cells and has good safety and efficacy in animal models. So far in the clinical trial, 6 patients have been treated with the low dose AAV.REP1 vector. Early results show good safety and some encouraging functional effects. Conclusions A gene therapy trial for choroideremia is ongoing, with some promising early results. This is the first time gene therapy has been tested in people with normal visual acuity and may have implications for other inherited retinal diseases.
Nicolas Claude Fabri de Peiresc (1580‐1637) and the lost humanism
Authors: GODARD G 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPeiresc [1580‐1637], councillor in the parliament of Aix‐en‐Provence (France), exchanged voluminous correspondence with many scholars in Europe, including Galileo and the Lincei. He carried out, with his friend Gassendi, researches on astronomy, geology and anatomy. Peiresc’s writings on eye and vision are preserved in an unpublished manuscript of 980 pages, kept in the library of Carpentras (France). They include letters to Luilier, Bourdelot, Gassendi and Schikard, and contain several minutes of dissection of eyes from various animals (eagle, whale, cat, owl, seal and chameleons) carried out in 1634, as well as Peiresc’s observations on his own view. Peiresc also undertook experiments that consisted in removing the eye lens or replacing it with glass lenses, so as to establish the course of light rays in the eye under observation. As the images formed on the retina are upside down compared to the original object, Peiresc imagined that the retina was not the sensitive organ of vision but acted as a mirror, the image being captured on the back side of the lens. These studies precede Descartes’ Dioptrique (1637) and postdate Plempius’ Ophthalmographia (1632); they were not published, so they remain until today almost ignored.
Surgical management and treatment outcomes of myopic foveoschisis
Authors: POURNARAS JA 
Published: August 2014

AbstractMyopic foveoschisis is relatively uncommon complication of pathological myopia and has been nicely described using OCT examination. Pathophysiology of myopic foveoschisis still remains controversial.It is thought that tractions due to posterior vitreous cortex and epiretinal membrane may lead to foveoschisis formation.In some cases, macular hole or retinal detachment may occur. Surgical indications and timing are still controversial and will be discussed.Pars plana vitrectomy is reported to give good anatomical and functional outcomes.
How protein aggregations and lens fiber disorder result in nuclear and cortical cataracts
Authors: MICHAEL R , BARRAQUER R 
Published: August 2014

AbstractCommonly, lens opacities and cataract are considered protein aggregation disorders. Increased light scattering is attributed to larger high‐molecular‐weight fractions of proteins. The impact on transparency of fiber membranes and their age‐ and disease‐related changes is addressed to a lesser extent in the literature. In the lens cortex of transparent human lenses, the lens fiber membranes have high refractive indexes compared with the cytoplasm, whereas there is almost no difference in the refractive indexes of membranes and cytoplasm in the lens nucleus. Therefore, in the lens cortex, transparency is obtained by a high spatial order of the lens fiber lattice to compensate for light scattering caused by differences of the refractive indexes. Any disturbance of the ordered lens fiber architecture in the cortex results in light scattering. In typical nuclear cataract, there is no major fiber disruption or extracellular debris to explain the opacity. The strong implication is that local fluctuations in crystallin density, due to the formation of insoluble aggregates, are the major cause of nuclear opacification. These fluctuations in density and refractive index, are considered to produce significant light scattering.
Vision‐related function in the COPERNICUS and GALILEO trials
Authors: PEARCE I , LORENZ K , WITTRUP‐JENSEN K 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To examine the impact of intravitreal aflibercept (IVT‐AFL) injection on the 25‐item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ) in the COPERNICUS and GALILEO trials.Methods Patients (pts) with macular oedema secondary to central retinal vein occlusion received IVT‐AFL 2 mg (IVT‐AFL 2q4) or sham monthly for 24 weeks. After Week 24 (W24) in COPERNICUS all pts were eligible to receive IVT‐AFL based on visual and anatomical outcomes (IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN, sham+IVT‐AFL PRN). In GALILEO, sham‐treated pts received sham tx until W52. The NEI VFQ was administered at baseline (BL), W24 and W52. Total and subscale scores were compared between groups. W24 data were integrated and W52 data were analysed by study.Results Mean change from BL to W24 in total score was greater in the IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN than the sham group (7.3 vs 2.2, p<0.0001). Mean changes from BL to W24 were greater in the IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN group vs sham for near activities, distance activities, and dependency. In both studies, the mean change from BL to W52 in total score was greater in the IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN than in the sham+IVT‐AFL PRN or sham groups (COPERNICUS: 7.9 vs 4.5, p=0.0049, GALILEO: 7.5 vs 5.1, p=0.2164). In both studies, mean changes from BL to W52 were greater in the IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN than the sham and sham+IVT‐AFL PRN groups for near activities, distance activities, and dependency. The most common ocular SAEs in IVT‐AFL2q4+PRN pts were cataract (COPERNICUS) and macular oedema (GALILEO).Conclusion Pts in the IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN group experienced clinically meaningful improvements (typically defined as an increase of ≥4 points) from BL to W24 and BL to W52 in total and subscale NEI VFQ scores. Changes with IVT‐AFL 2q4+PRN were greater than those in the sham and sham+IVT‐AFL PRN groups.
Commercial interest
A post‐market surveillance study on the processing and follow‐up of patients with BRVO and CRVO prescribed Ozurdex
Authors: LARSEN L , MERKOUDIS N , LEABACK R 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose Examine the use in clinical practice of a dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Inc., CA) in treating macular oedema (ME).Methods Prospective observational study (20 centres in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland). Patients were enrolled if prescribed Ozurdex® 700 μg for ME after branch or central retinal vein occlusion (BRVO/CRVO). Baseline examinations included visual acuity (VA), central retinal thickness (CRT) and intraocular pressure (IOP). Efficacy measures were time to retreatment, VA (ETDRS) and CRT (OCT) at weeks 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48. Adverse events (AEs) and discontinuations were recorded.Results 99 patients (51% CRVO, 49% BRVO) were enrolled, mean age 72.9 years. Median follow‐up was 403 days (36–609 days), with 45.5%, 24.2% and 24.2% of participants receiving 1, 2, and 3 injections, respectively (<10% received ≥4). Among retreated patients, 25.3% received the first retreatment at week 24. Mean time to first retreatment was 185 days. Median VA and CRT were similar between BRVO and CRVO groups throughout the study. At baseline, median VA was 54.9 letters, median CRT 499 μm and median IOP 15 mmHg. At week 12, VA increased to 67.5 letters and CRT decreased to 297 μm. At week 36, these were 60.2 letters for VA and 318 μm for CRT. Increased IOP (26.3%) and cataracts (4.1%) were the only AEs recorded in >1% of patients; endophthalmitis, eye complication, eye pain and vitreous haemorrhage were each reported once.Conclusion In this non‐interventional, open‐label study of routine clinical practice, the major short‐term outcomes of improved mean VA and reduced mean CRT were comparable to those in clinical trials. Implementation of Ozurdex® was not associated with new or unexpected events.
Commercial interest
Topical treatment with a new matrix therapy agent (RGTA, CACICOL‐20) improves epithelial wound healing after penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: JULIENNE R , HAOUAS M , TRONE MC , HE Z , CROUZET E , THURET G , GAIN P 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose Complete epithelial wound healing is a milestone in the early post‐operative care after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). It reduces the infectious risk, allows safe instillation of steroids, and conditions discharge from hospitalization. We assessed a new matrix therapy agent, mimicking heparan sulfates, for the management of post PKP epithelial defectsMethods Prospective, open‐label, uncontrolled, single‐centre study on 33 consecutive patients (33 eyes) who benefited from a 8.25 mm PKP for all‐comers indications. Patients were treated with RGTA eye drops (THEA): one drop in the operating theater immediately after graft, then on alternate days. Follow‐up was performed by slit‐lamp examination and photography with fluorescein‐dye testing repeated every day at a fixed time. Dye area was measured using the freeware ImageJ. Main outcome: time of corneal surface healingResults All corneas displayed complete healing after a mean 2.7±1.1 days (median 3, range; 1 to 6). Complete wound healing was obtained at D1 for 15%, D2 for 33%, D3 for 88%, D4 for 94%, and D6 for 100%. Area of epithelial defect decreased by a mean 75±22% between D1 and D2 (n=28) corresponding to a wound healing speed of 11.5±6.5 mm2/D. There were no systemic or local side effects. For comparison, in the series of all‐comers indications of 1003 PKP without RGTA of Borderie, mean wound healing was 4.6+/‐13.2 days (median 2.5, range 1‐210).Conclusion RGTA seems a potentially useful, noninvasive therapeutic approach in PKP management. A controlled double blind clinical trial vs placebo will be soon conducted to answer this question conclusively.
The use of amniotic membrane homogenate is improved by a retinoid pre‐treatment in healing corneal alkali burns, in a mouse model
Authors: DANIEL E , BONNIN N , BELVILLE C , COMPTOUR A , BLANCHON L , SAPIN V , CHIAMBARETTA F 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose The purpose of this study is to establish the effect of a human amniotic membrane (HAM) homogenate previously cultivated with all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on corneal alkali burns,in a mouse model.Methods 50 CD1 mice with alkali burn were divided in 5 groups: no treatment, saline, amniotic membrane homogenate, DMSO cultivated HAM homogenate or ATRA cultivated HAM homogenate (10‐6mol/L for 24 hours). Before instillation of homogenate, the HAM retinoid induction was assessed by PCR quantification of a well‐known retinoid induced gene: RARβ. Wound healing was first evaluated through slit lamp photographs at days 1,2 and 7 (for corneal re‐epithelialization), then histological analysis of ulcer depth was conducted. Finally, immuno‐histochemical analysis of MMP9 and VEGF expression were done.Results We demonstrated that there was no difference at day 2 for our main criterion (corneal re‐epithelialization). At day 7, we found an overall difference (ulcer surface) in the corneal healing between the groups (p<0,001). Significant differences were also found by histological analysis between the untreated group and the HAM+ATRA group, between saline group and the HAM+ATRA group and between the HAM group and HAM+ATRA group. Finally, expressions of MMP9 and VEGF were visually weaker for the groups treated with HAM homogenate.Conclusion Our results support the hypothesis that the effect of HAM seems to be more biological than mechanical. The use of HAM homogenate potentiated by ATRA already appears as a promising therapeutic alternative without the constraints of the more classical HAM graft.
Novel method for the isolation and measurement of microRNA and microRNA related targeted genes in conjunctival epithelial cells in primary Sjogren’s syndrome patients
Authors: PILSON Q , Ní GABHANN J , MURPHY C 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation that affects exocrine glands notably the salivary and lacrimal glands leading to sicca complex. Dry eye disease in primary SS (pSS) is a combination of reduced lacrimal flow from gland destruction and tear hyperosmolarity leading to inflammatory damage on the ocular surface. Several studies have shown differential expression of certain miRs in PBMCs and salivary glands from SS patients compared to healthy controls, however no functional role has been shown. This study aims to isolate miRs and mRNA from conjunctival epithelial cells by impression cytology to determine if dysregulated miR expression contributes disease pathogenesis in pSS.Methods Impression cytology (IC) was optimized using different membranes. miRs and mRNAs were isolated from conjunctival epithelial cells (CEC) obtained from pSS patients and healthy controls by IC and sent for screening to Ocean Ridge Biosciences. qPCR was performed to evaluate expression of miRs from CEC.Results Milicell biopore was the best membrane with significant yield of miRs (47.5ng ± 0.6) and mRNA (158.0 ng ± 21.6) as well as patient comfort. Appreciable levels of miRs and targeted genes were detected from the CEC from healthy controls, confirming that it is possible to isolate miRs and miRs targeted genes from CEC. Screening studies in CECs demonstrated differential expression of miRs and mRNA between pSS patients and healthy controls.Conclusion Future work will identify and confirm specific roles of these miRs for future diagnostics, prognostics and therapeutics of pSS patients as well as other ocular surface conditions.
Changes of inflammatory cytokines and tear osmolarity in systemic sclerosis after treatment with liposomes sprayed
Authors: GAGLIANO C , AMATO R , FALLICO M , TORO M , AVITABILE T , FOTI R 
Published: August 2014

AbstractPurpose To investigate the effect of treatment with a liposomal spray solution in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and severe dry eye by measuring the levels of inflammatory cytokines and tear osmolarity.Methods Twenty‐two subjects (12M, 10F) aged 45.1+/‐7.1 years participated in this prospective, randomised, double‐masked investigation. DES was identified in patients with SSc according to the classification of Dry Eye Disease of International Dry Eye Workshop (2007) and tear osmolarity values (TearLab system) according to recommendations of the manufacturer with a cutoff value of 308 mOsm/L (3). Liposomal spray (nebulized, two sprays each, on the eyelids, 3 times per day for 3 weeks) with vitamin A and E was applied to one eye, and an equal volume of saline spray (control) applied to the contralateral eye. Non‐invasive tear film stability (NIBUT), osmolarity and inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL6, TNF‐α,IFN‐γ) were evaluated at baseline, and at 5, 10, 15 days after spray solution application.Results A highly significant reduction (p<0.01‐0.001) was detected in the inflammatory cytokine levels and osmolarity in tears of eye treated with the spray liposomes solution in comparison with fellow eye treated with sprayed saline solution. There were significant differences among the 2 eyes concerning tear osmolarity (p < 0.001) and TBUT (p < 0.05) scores.Conclusion This study showed the ability of liposomal spray application to modify the pro‐inflammatory cytokine profile and to increase stability characteristics of the pre‐ocular tear film in severe dry eye of SSc patients.This effect could be due to the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of the vitamins and also to the barrier effect of liposomes.
Eye movement examination
Authors: BORRUAT F 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe eyes move in order either to keep track of an object of interest or to change visual attention from an object to another. An adequate comprehension of the anatomy and physiology of the different types of eye movements is necessary when examining a patient with oculomotility disorder, be it peripheral, central or supranuclear. This presentation will summarize the infranuclear, nuclear and supranuclear pathways of oculomotility with an emphasis on fixation, saccades, pursuit, convergence and basic examination of the vestibulo‐ocular reflex. Guidelines for an examination of eye movements in clinical practice will be provided with video presentations of both normal and abnormal situations. At the end of the session, participants should be able to examine eye movements adequately and recognize abnormal fixation, defective pursuit, and inappropriate saccades.
Third, fourth and sixth cranial nerves palsy
Authors: KAESER PF 
Published: August 2014

AbstractAcquired binocular diplopia commonly results from dysfunction of the third, fourth or sixth cranial nerve. Some cases need an urgent work‐up and it is mandatory to identify them early. This presentation will summarize the clinical findings and common causes of III, IV and VI cranial nerve palsy, and highlight the necessary investigations. At the end of the session, participants should be able to recognize, provide a differential diagnosis and propose appropriate investigations for III, IV, and VI cranial nerve palsy.