bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atrial Function Assessed by Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Is a Good Predictor of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients
Authors: Verdejo Hugo E. , Becerra Elia , Zalaquet Ricardo , del Campo Andrea , Garcia Lorena , Troncoso Rodrigo , Chiong Mario , Marin Arnaldo , Castro Pablo F. , Lavandero Sergio , Gabrielli Luigi , Corbalán Ramón 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveAdvanced age is an independent predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. We evaluated whether left atrial (LA) dysfunction assessed by strain contributes to identifying elderly patients prone to POAF.MethodsCase–control study of 70 subjects undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were recorded at baseline and 72 hours after surgery. Echocardiography was performed during the preoperative period; LA dimensions and deformation by strain (systolic wave [LASs]) as well as strain rate (systolic wave [LASRs] and atrial contraction wave [LASRa]) were assessed.ResultsPostoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 38.5% of patients within the first 72 hours after surgery (28.5% of the younger vs. 48.6% of the older group). Baseline and postoperative inflammatory markers as well as total surgical and aortic clamp time were similar between groups. LA function was markedly impaired in subjects with POAF. Age correlated with LASs, LASRs, and LASRa. These associations remained consistent when subjects 75 years or older were considered separately. Both LASs and LASRa for patients with or without POAF, respectively, were significantly impaired in elderly subjects with POAF. Multivariate analysis provided further evidence that both LASs and age are independent predictors for POAF.ConclusionAge‐related changes in atrial function preceding atrial dilation are evident only upon LA strain analysis. LA strain impairment is an independent predictor of POAF irrespective of age and may serve as a surrogate marker for biological processes involved in establishing the substrate for POAF.
Bilateral ovarian leiomyoma treated by standing laparoscopic ovariectomy
Authors: Daniel A. , McCue P. , Ferris R. , Miller C. , Leise B. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAn 11‐year‐old Warmblood mare presented to a referral facility due to behavioural problems. A hormonal profile performed prior to referral included increased systemic concentrations of testosterone and progesterone but a low concentration of inhibin. Transrectal ultrasound revealed ovaries consistent with a normal cycling mare. At the request of the owner, standing bilateral laparoscopic ovariectomy was performed without complication. Both ovaries were submitted for histopathological examination which revealed bilateral ovarian leiomyoma.
Mode I fracture toughness of the thermally pretreated red Verona marble by means of the two‐parameter model
Authors: Carpinteri A. , Ferretti D. , Fortese G. , Ronchei C. , Scorza D. , Vantadori S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe paper aims to analyse the effects of pretreatment thermal cycles on both mechanical and fracture parameters of the red Verona marble, which is a natural stone of sedimentary formation. The effects of the thermal pretreatment, consisting of freeze/thaw cycles and simulating the atmospheric ageing on the material, are evaluated in terms of changes of the aforementioned parameters. Note that a wide variety of both specimen types and methods to determine mode I plain strain fracture toughness of rocks are available in the literature. The two‐parameter model originally proposed for plain concrete is herein adopted. Such a method, based on the experimental data obtained from three‐point bending tests on single edge‐notched specimens, is able to take into account the slow nonlinear crack growth occurring before the peak load, typical of quasibrittle materials, and presents the advantages of easy specimens preparation and simple test configuration.
Sulfasalazine augments a pro‐inflammatory response in interleukin‐1β‐stimulated amniocytes and myocytes
Authors: Sykes Lynne , Thomson Kacie R. , Boyce Emily J. , Lee Yun S. , Rasheed Zahirrah B. M. , MacIntyre David A. , Teoh Tiong Ghee , Bennett Phillip R. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryPreterm birth occurs in 10% of pregnancies and is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The majority of cases of early preterm labour are associated with infection/inflammation, which places the fetal central nervous system at risk. Targeting immune activation is therefore an appealing therapeutic strategy for the prevention of preterm labour and neonatal brain injury. The expression of many labour‐associated and inflammatory‐response genes is controlled by the transcription factors nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and activator protein‐1 (AP‐1), which makes them therapeutic targets of interest. Sulfasalazine (SASP) has been shown to inhibit NF‐κB and reduce lipopolysaccharide‐induced cytokine concentrations in fetal membrane explants and reduce the rate of Escherichia coli‐induced preterm labour in mice. Its effects upon AP‐1 in the context of pregnancy are unknown. In this study the effect of SASP on interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) ‐induced NF‐κB and AP‐1 activity, cytokine production and cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression was examined in amniocytes and myocytes. A supra‐therapeutic concentration (5 mm) was required to inhibit IL‐1β‐induced NF‐κB (P < 0·0001) in amniocytes and IL‐1β‐induced NF‐κB (P < 0·01), AP‐1 (P < 0·01) and COX‐2 (P < 0·05) in myocytes. Despite inhibiting IL‐1β‐induced cytokines, a basal increase in IL‐6 (P < 0·01), IL‐8 (P < 0·0001) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) (P < 0·001) was seen with 5 mm SASP in amniocytes, and significant cytotoxic effects were seen in myocytes. The therapeutic concentration of 0·015 mm had no inhibitory effects on pro‐inflammatory mediators, but led to an augmented response to IL‐1β‐induced IL‐6 (P < 0·01), IL‐8 (P < 0·05) and TNF‐α (P < 0·05) in amniocytes and IL‐8 (P < 0·05) in myocytes. SASP is therefore an unlikely therapeutic candidate for the prevention of inflammation‐induced preterm labour.
OCT angiography of the choriocapillaris and choroid
Authors: Coscas G. , Lupidi M. , Coscas F. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAge‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina, in which the macula is most affected. In dry AMD, loss of vision occurs gradually and progresses to Geographic Atrophy (GA), a degeneration of the RPE and death of photoreceptor cells, leading to irreversible vision loss. Although the introduction of OCT allowed an additional step forward in understanding the major diseases of the macular region, the origin of the GA is almost unclear.The OCT Angiography (OCT‐A) enables distinct, depth resolved, three‐dimensional visualization of the retinal and choroidal microvasculature. The concept underlying OCT‐A is that in a static eye, the only moving structure in the fundus is blood, flowing in the vessels. The utilization of motion contrast differentiates OCT‐A from fluorescence angiography, which requires administration of intravenous markers such as fluorescein or indocyanine‐green.All this, is taking a leading role in the identification of perfusion abnormalities, of ischemic areas and retinal or choroidal neovascular lesions. Moreover it might also provide useful information on morphological and functional aspects of choroidal perfusion in GA, that could be partially responsible of such a severe disease.
LHON and extraocular features
Authors: Yu‐Wai‐Man P. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryLHON is typically a monosymptomatic disease but additional features such as cardiac conduction defects, peripheral neuropathy, dystonia, and myopathy have been reported as occurring more frequently among LHON carriers. There is also a well‐reported association between the three primary mitochondrial DNA LHON mutations and a multiple sclerosis‐like illness, especially among female carriers (so‐called Harding's disease). This presentation will critically appraise the extraocular features that have been associated with LHON and how these atypical phenotypes are potentially informing us about important disease mechanisms.
Retinal detachment
Authors: Berrod J.P. , Conart J.B. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryHigh myopia, defined as a refractive error of greater than −6.00 D or an axial length of >26 mm [2], is a growing condition in developed countries. These eyes candevelop myopic foveoschisis andretinal detachment (RD) secondary to macular hole (MH), posterior paravascular breaks that need the use of an internal tamponade. Other complications, such as rhegmatogenous RD due to peripheral retinal or giant tear, can also appear. The use of endotamponade agents such as gas or silicon oil plays a major role in the management of retinal detachment in high myopia. Anatomical and functional results inversely correlate with axial length.
Evaluation of T‐cell related cytokines in the vitreous of proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Takeuchi M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryMacrophages are involved in low‐grade inflammation in diabetes, and play pathogenic roles in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) by producing proinflammatory cytokines. T cells as well as other cells are activated by proinflammatory cytokines, and the infiltration into the vitreous of patients with PDR has been shown. We have recently found that both positive rates and levels of IL4, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17A, IL‐21, IL‐22, and TNFα in the vitreous of PDR patients were significantly higher than those in the serum, and that vitreous levels of these cytokines and IL‐31 were significantly higher in PDR patients than in epiretinal membrane or macular hole patients. In addition, although vitreous of IFN‐g and sCD40L in the vitreous of endogenous uveitis (EU) patients were significantly higher than those of PDR patients, vitreous levels of IL‐4, IL‐17A, IL‐22, IL‐31, and TNFa were conversely higher in the vitreous of PDR patients than those of EU patients. Although it is unclear whether these cytokines synergistically play facilitative roles or inhibitory roles for the progression of PDR, our study suggested that Th2‐ and Th17‐related immune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of PDR.
Syndromic manifestations in aniridia patients with PAX6 point mutations
Authors: Calvas P. , Chassaing N. , Kaplan J. , Rozet J.M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe PAX6 gene is associated with various congenital ocular defects.Aniridia is typically associated with mutations introducing a premature STOP codon, whereas missense mutations, of which the majority are located in the paired domain, lead to variant phenotypes. The study provides a survey of PAX6 mutations in patients presenting with extraocular features. We performed sequencing of PAX6 exons and boundaries, search for intragenic rearrangements (QMPSF/qPCR) and CNV analysis (aCGH) in 127 index cases. Genotype‐phenotype correlations were searched.We identified mutations in 90% of patients. Yet, a high inter‐ and intra‐familial clinical variability, we noted that heterozygous missense mutations (Asn64, Gly65, Cys66) in Paired‐Domain medial 3rd helix were associated with severe phenotypes (e.g. anophthalmia, and CNS malformations). Cases bearing compound heterozygous mutations were affected with severe malformations. Consistent with previous studies, mutations introducing a premature stop codon and gene rearrangements made up the majority. Some genotype‐phenotype correlations could be drawn. It is necessary to better delineate the expression of PAX6 mutations to provide patients with a prognosis and to set up a tailor‐made follow‐up.
The epithelial‐stromal TGFBI corneal dystrophies
Authors: Lisch W. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryPurposeTo correct the IC3D classification system from 2008.MethodsTo examine the corneal specimens of 54 patients with lattice, granular 1 and 2, Reis‐Bücklers, and Thiel‐Behnke who underwent unilateral penetrating keratoplasty.ResultsAll specimens showed epithelial and stromal pathological deposits by staining with HE and Congo red, and distinct alterations of Bowman's layer.DiscussionThe 5 TGFBI dystrophies are to classify from the clinical, genetic, but also from the histopathological aspect as “Epithelial‐stromal TGFBI corneal dystrophies.”
Venous occlusions
Authors: Paques M. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe retinovitreal interface may be altered during retinal vein occlusions, either through vitreal traction participating to macular edema or the development of an epiretinal membrane. Surgical treatment of these may reduce macular thickness, although the severity of the underlying retinal damage may impair visual results. Epiretinal membrane peeling may also be useful to prevent multirecidivant macular edema. An emerging concern is surgical damage to the nerve fiber layer. Beside these well‐known entities, the role of a normal inner limiting membrane in the maintenance of macular edema is debated.
Mutual enhancement between high‐mobility group box‐1 and NADPH oxidase‐derived reactive oxygen species mediates diabetes‐induced upregulation of retinal apoptotic markers
Authors: Ghulam M. , Abu El Asrar A. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryWe hypothesized that a novel mechanism exists where HMGB1and NADPH oxidase (NOX)‐derived ROS are mutually enhanced in the diabetic retina, which may be a novel mechanism for promoting upregulation of retinal apoptotic markers induced by diabetes. To test this hypothesis we analyzed the vitreous samples from PDR and nondiabetic patients, retinas from rats and human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. We found that HMGB1 and the oxidative stress marker protein carbonyl content levels in the vitreous fluid from PDR patients were significantly higher than in controls. There was a significant positive correlation between vitreous fluid levels of HMGB1 and the levels of protein carbonyl content. HMGB1 enhanced interleukin‐1β, ROS, NOX2, and PARP‐1 and cleaved caspase‐3 expression by HRMEC. Diabetes and intravitreal injection of HMGB1 in normal rats induced significant upregulation of ROS, NOX2, PARP‐1 and cleaved caspase‐3 in the retina. Constant glycyrrhizin and apocynin intake from onset of diabetes did not affect the metabolic status of the diabetic rats, but restored these increased mediators to control values. Our results suggest that there is a mutual enhancement between HMGB1 and NOX‐derived ROS in the diabetic retina.
Inflammatory mediators of diabetic retinopathy: lessons from proteomic analysis
Authors: Simo R. , Simó‐Servat O. , Hernández C. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryVitreous fluid obtained from diabetic patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery is currently used to explore the events that are taking place in the retina for clinical research. However, several confounding factors such as vitreous haemorrhage and concentration of vitreous proteins should be considered in the analysis of the results. In addition, the volume of vitreous fluid obtained after vitrectomy is approximately 1 mL and, therefore, only few peptides can be analysed simultaneously. The recent development of proteome analysis has made it feasible to analyse protein profiles with only a small sample. We have used this approach for exploring pathogenic candidates in both proliferative DR (PDR) and DME. Regarding mediators of inflammation involved in PDR, it is worthy of mentioning that several factors of the complement system have been found increased in the vitreous fluid from PDR patients in comparison with control subjects. There is scarse information on this issue in DME. However, an overview will be given and our results showing that hemopexin is a candidate in the pathogenesis of DME will be presented.
Autophagy in neurodegeneration and inflammation and novel modulators of macroautophagy
Authors: Behl C. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDeregulated autophagy leads to protein accumulation and has been linked to aging, inflammation and neurodegenerative disease. While studying cell aging we found an expression switch between co‐chaperones BAG1 and BAG3 during aging and acute stress triggering BAG3‐mediated autophagic degradation of aggregated proteins (e.g. mtSOD1) in vitro and in vivo. BAG3‐mediated selective macroautophagy is an important adaptation of the PQC to pro‐oxidant and aggregation‐prone conditions. Recently, we performed a RNAi screen in C.elegans and identified rbg‐1 as modifier of protein aggregation and autophagy. The mammalian ortholog RAB3GAP1/2, components of the TBC domain‐free RAB3GAP complex, affect autophagy at basal and rapamycin‐induced conditions also in human fibroblasts. RAB GTPase activating proteins (RABGAPs) are important factors for vesicle transport. Correlating the activity of RAB3GAP1/2 with ATG3 and ATG16L1 and analyzing ATG5 punctate structures, we found that the RAB3GAPs actually modulate autophagosomal biogenesis: RAB3GAP1/2 colocalizes with lipid droplets, and their autophagy modulatory activity depends on GTPase activating activity of RAB3GAP1.
Bilateral acute iris transillumination
Authors: Tugal‐Tutkun I. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryAtrophy and/or depigmentation of the iris is seen in a number of inflammatory and noninflammatory conditions, including viral iridocyclitis, Fuchs uveitis syndrome, Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease, pigment dispersion syndrome, acute angle closure glaucoma, and trauma. An acute onset of severe photophobia associated with bilateral acute iris transillumination with variable sphincter paralysis and pigment dispersion has been recently reported as an adverse effect of oral moxifloxacin. In our experience, only 23% of patients presenting with these findings report moxifloxacin use while more than 60% report a preceding viral illness. Pigment dispersion may persist for several months, refractory glaucoma may develop, and diffuse iris transillumination and syphincter paralysis are irreversible in this entity.
Extraocular phenotyping of mitochondrial optic neuropathy
Authors: Martinuzzi A. , Vavla M. , Papayannis A. , Petacchi E. , Carraro E. , Paparella G. , Privato F. , Prosdocimo G. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe presence of clinical neurophtalmologic manifestations in neurodegenerative disease of early onset such as the hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP), spino cerebellar ataxias (SCA) or hereditary sensory motor neuropathies (HSMN) has been an inconstant element often reported in case descriptions. A more widespread and subclinical involvement of the retina and the optic nerve however is suspected in most of these conditions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently recognized in the pathophysiology underlining the above mentioned neurodegenerative genetically determined conditions. Retina and the optic nerve are privileged target tissues where mitochondrial pathology is expressed. We systematically explored in a cohort of patients with early onset molecularly defined HSP, SCA or HSMN the occurrence of subclinical involvement of the visual system, with the aim of establishing its real prevalence and its correlation with functional and neuroimaging data. The definition of a typical pattern of alteration may contribute to the inclusion of neuro‐ophtamological measures as sensible objective biomarkers of disease and indicators for disease severity and progression.
En face OCT
Authors: Scemama Timsit C. , Mauget‐Faÿsse M. , Wolff B. 
Published: September 2015

Summary“En face” OCT (Spectral Domain and Swept Source) realizes frontal section of the retina or C‐scans. “En face” OCT software informs immediately the layer of the cuts; it joins viewing images “en face” and B‐scan with the graphical representation of their different scans.Normal retinal layers have their specific reflectivity.Atrophy can occur at different stages of many retinal diseases, and at different retinal layers. On “en face” OCT, there are 2 main areas to consider in case of atrophy in retinal diseases:

‐ the inner nuclear layer which may presents pseudocystic lesions that reflect a damage inducing optic nerve atrophy,

‐ the outer retinal layers in degenerative retinal diseases such as age related macular degeneration (AMD), genetic diseases such as Stargardt's macular dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, MacTel type 2 and in inflammatory diseases such as Serpiginous and Birdshot retino choroidopathies.

The pseudocystic lesions might represent a mitochondrial dysfunction inducing degeneration of Muller cells.The outer retinal damage can be related to material resorption (drusen, pseudodrusen, PED), disappearance of choriocapillaris, ellipsoid disruptions .”En face” has increased the understanding of atrophy in retinal disease.
Optic disc tumors
Authors: Boschi A. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe optic disc can be involved by a variety of primary and secondary tumors. Primary tumors include capillary and cavernous hemangiomas, astrocytomas, and melanocytomas. Secondary optic disc tumors like leukemia, metastatic carcinoma, and from adjacent structures (choroidal melanoma, retinoblastoma, meningioma) may also invade the nerve head. Clinical features are varied, differential diagnosis and actualised management will be discussed.
Acquired forms of nystagmus not to be missed
Authors: Borruat F.X. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe purpose of this section will be to present and discuss some of the most recognizable forms of acquired nystagmus. The followings will be discussed: vestibular nystagmus, downbeat nystagmus, upbeat nystagmus, and dissociated nystagmus. At the end of the session, participants should be able to identify these specific forms of nystagmus and organize proper investigations accordingly.
The EURALOC Project
Authors: Struelens L. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryFor radiation protection purposes, it has generally been assumed that there is a threshold of dose below which no non‐cancer effects arise. Early dose threshold estimates for detectable lens opacities were defined at 0.5–2 Gy after acute or 5–6 Gy after protracted exposures. Due to the heterogeneity of ophthalmological data and too short observation periods, the thresholds were reconsidered in the ICRP report 118 (2012) and reduced to 0.5 Gy. An overview will be given of epidemiological studies that prompted the change in ICRP recommendations. These studies reported excess risks of lens opacities, but could not provide statistical significant evidence of a dose threshold. The results from all these studies are difficult to compare or combine. Moreover, another point of concern is the dosimetry which was often poor. These issues limit the possibility of a quantitative synthesis of evidence for a dose‐response analysis in the low dose region to confirm this new dose threshold and urged the need of a harmonised European initiative. The EURALOC project, initiated in December 2014, aims at quantifying this dose‐response relationship between ionising radiation and cataract among a cohort of European interventional cardiologists.
Corneal neovasculariation: a translational perspective
Authors: Ferrari G. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDevelopment of corneal neovascularization (CNV) is a common finding in a number of disorders affecting the ocular surface. The role of infiltrating inflammatory cells, and specifically macrophages, is well described and associated with the development of CNV. Although CNV is commonly regarded as an ominous clinical sign due to its common association with vision reduction, the growth of neovessels can also beneficial in some instances. For example, CNV helps recruiting cellular immunity and provides protection against ocular perforation in corneal infections. Hence, avascularity of the cornea, constantly exposed to the outer environment, is the result of an evolutionary compromise between a prompt and effective reaction to aggression from the outside and the avoidance of corneal opacification. Specifically, the absence of vessels in the normal cornea is generally considered the result of the predominance of anti‐angiogenic over pro‐angiogenic factors. In this paper, we suggest a novel mechanism regulating corneal avascularity and its switch to corneal neovascularization. Potential translational implications are also discussed.