bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐surgical strategies for PCO prevention
Authors: WORMSTONE IM 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Surgical approaches and IOL design have gone some way to reduce the rate of PCO progression. Despite these efforts PCO remains a common and important problem which diminishes the visual quality of patients and is a major financial burden on healthcare providers. If we are to effectively respond to the problem of PCO then a biological solution has to be adopted to reduce/prevent formation of light scattering changes. Methods Methods have been employed to investigate PCO development, which include in vitro cell culture and capsular bag models; in vivo animal models and post‐mortem analysis. These have greatly aided our understanding of PCO. Results A number of basic approaches have been identified to prevent PCO. 1) To kill the entire lens epithelial population. This will require a pharmacological agent, therefore delivery of this drug needs to be localised to the target cells, but have limited access to non‐target cells; closed capsular bag systems such as perfect capsule provides opportunity to achieve this aim. 2) Maintenance of a cell monolayer on the posterior capsule. In particular the role of TGFβ has been investigated, which is known to cause matrix deformation. Disruption of TGFβ signalling pathways can suppress matrix deformation and thus reduce light scatter. 3) Recreation of a lens is the ultimate solution. While it has been shown that lens fibre differentiation can be promoted in animal systems, perfect formation of the lens is not achieved and the protein density is typically low relative to the native lens. Conclusion Strategies to prevent PCO are being actively developed, which will are greatly aided by improved drug delivery systems. The development of biological/pharmacological approaches in concert with improved surgical methods and IOL designs should yield benefit to patients.
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Regression of choroidal melanoma after primary chemotherapy
Authors: BECHRAKIS NE , WILLERDING G , SCHMITTEL A , KEILHOLZ U 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose To describe the local regression of an intraocular choroidal melanoma after primary chemotherapy with fotemustine. Methods A 30 y.o. young man presented with drop of visual acuity in his lest eye to 0,8. The right eye was unremarkable with VA 1,2. On the same time he developed upper abdominal pain. On ophthalmic examination a circumpapillary choroidal melanoma was detected with possible optic nerve infiltration on his left eye. Ultrasound and MRI scan of the upper abdomen revealed a diffuse metastatic liver disease. Results In consultation with the department of oncology it was decided to prescribe systemic chemotherapy with fotemustine. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, there was impressive local regression of the choroidal tumour and the liver metastases. Unfortunately after the initial response and the stable intraocular situation, there was tumour progression in other sites such as subcutaneous and lung metastases. After administration of some cycles of cisplatin as an alternative regime, the patient succumbed to the metastatic disease. Conclusion This case demonstrates that intravenous fotemustine can be effective for a limited time period as a primary treatment option in a case of choroidal melanoma, without other local treatment.
Inhibitory isoforms of VEGF in uveal melanoma
Authors: COUPLAND SE 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Uveal melanoma (UM) affects around 600 new patients in the UK each year with half of these being treated at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre. UM is an unusual tumour in that gross chromosomal abnormalities are strongly associated with metastatic spread, especially monosomy 3 & chromosome 8q gain. Mechanisms that underlie this remain unclear. Methods Angiogenesis is a requirement for tumour survival & metastasis. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is known to be the most potent stimulator of angiogenesis and increased expression of VEGF‐A is linked to enhanced metastatic potential in UM. Treatment with bevacizumab (anti‐VEGF therapy) suppresses hepatic micrometastasis of ocular melanoma cells in animal models. However, VEGF‐A data in UM are variable, with some studies demonstrating no correlation between VEGF‐A expression and metastasis or survival. Results VEGF‐A was accepted as a single pro‐angiogenic family of protein isoforms generated from alternatively spliced mRNA (VEGF189, VEGF165 etc). However, recently a family of sister isoforms named VEGFxxxb, where xxx is the amino acid number and b a different six C‐terminus amino acids (VEGF189b, VEGF165b) has been discovered. The VEGFxxxb variants are exactly the same size as pro‐angiogenic VEGFxxx, yet are antiangiogenic. VEGF165b is down‐regulated in primary cutaneous melanoma that later metastasises, and over‐expression of VEGFxxxb isoforms confers a protective anti‐tumour effect. Conclusion Immunohistochemical expression of pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic VEGF‐A in 19 UM was assessed using pan‐VEGF‐A and VEGF165b specific antibodies. A statistically significant reduction in expression of VEGF165b was observed in monosomy 3 UM (non‐parametric ANOVA; p<0.05). This suggests that VEGF165b expression may be a useful predictor of UM metastasis.
Efficacy of sunitinib in the treatment of metastatic uveal melanoma
Authors: JMOR F , COUPLAND SE , DAMATO BE , KALIRAI H 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Almost 50% of uveal melanoma (UM) patients develop metastatic disease, despite successful treatment of the primary tumour. There is currently little in the way of therapeutic options for metastases, which are invariably fatal. Thus, there is interest in adjuvant treatments for high‐risk UM patients to treat micro‐ rather than macro‐metastatic disease. Sunitinib is a small molecule inhibitor of multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) (VEGFR, PDGFR, C‐KIT, and RET), which play major roles in angiogenesis, tumour growth, and metastasis. Methods In this study we used 4 UM cell lines to (1) examine the expression of sunitinib target RTKs by RT‐PCR and immunofluorescence and (2) determine the effects of sunitinib alone or in combination with cisplatin, on proliferation and apoptosis. Results C‐KIT was expressed in the Mel270 and 92.1 (primary tumour) but not the Omm2.3 or Omm2.5 (metastatic lesion) cell lines. PDGFRα/β were expressed in differing cell numbers across all cell lines. VEGFR2 was expressed in Mel270’s only. VEGFR1 and RET were not expressed in any of the cell lines. A single bolus of Sunitinib (0‐1µM) reduced overall cell number in a dose dependent manner compared with untreated cells in all 4 cell lines. This was not due to a significant increase in apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, by day 7 following treatment with sunitinib ≤0.5µM, cell numbers had recovered almost to control values. This recovery was significantly reduced when an IC50 dose of sunitinib was used in combination with cisplatin (0‐1µg/ml) for each cell line. Conclusion In conclusion, these data demonstrate that a combined therapy of sunitinib and cisplatin can effectively reduce uveal melanoma cell number in vitro.
Metadifferentiation of iris nevi after iridectomy: a clinicopathological small case series.
Authors: SCHALENBOURG A , ROBERTI P , ZOGRAFOS L 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Iridectomy of suspicious pigmented tumors provides the presumed advantage of both a histopathological diagnosis and treatment of the lesion. We present 2 patients that developed an iris melanoma with extrascleral extension at the site of their iridectomy of a histopathologically proven nevus, 46 and 2.5 years later. Methods Retrospective, clinicopathological small case series of 2 patients. Results Two patients underwent iridectomy for a suspicious tumor, the first in 1963 and the second in 2006. Pathological diagnosis was a benign and a borderline nevus respectively. In 2009, both patients presented with a recurrent melanocytic iridociliary tumor with an extrascleral extension adjacent to the surgical scar. Pathological examination confirmed melanoma. Consequently, the two patients underwent proton beam therapy of the whole anterior segment, with limbus deposition and reposition. Conclusion Iridectomy of a histopathologically proven nevus doesn’t exclude the possibility of a metadifferentiation of remaining nevus cells into melanoma, even after 46 years. Additionally, treatment in case of a recurrence is more complicated than a primary radiotherapy of the unbiopsied iris tumor, with clinical proof of growth, would have been.
Cell adhesion molecule expression in human lens epithelial cells after glucocorticoid exposure
Authors: PETERSEN A , CARLSSON T , JOHANSSON BR , NANNMARK U , CELOJEVIC D , KARLSSON JO , ZETTERBERG M 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate changes in cell adhesion molecule expression in human lens epithelial cells subjected to glucocorticoids. Methods Human lens epithelial cells (HLEC) were exposed to dexamethasone for 24 hours. Cell morphology was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), cell adhesion molecule expression was studied by western blot and immuno‐histochemistry. Results TEM showed multilayering of cells, vacuole formation and appearance of electron‐dense multivesicular bodies in HLEC exposed to 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 µM dexamethasone. Western blot and densitometry analysis revealed that α‐catenin, β‐catenin and GR expression were significantly decreased in dexamethasone exposed HLEC compared to unexposed cells. No significant change in N‐cadherin, γ‐catenin or vimentin expression between dexamethasone exposed and unexposed cells were present. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no significant change in antigen expression for any of the antigens examined. Conclusion The multilayering of HLEC seen with TEM, indicate defects in regulation of cell migration, which is supported by a decrease in cell adhesion molecule expression.
Central serous chorioretinopathy shows reduced retinal circulation in retinal function imaging (RFI)
Authors: BEUTELSPACHER SC , SERBECIC N , BARASH HILA , BURGANSKI‐ELIASH ZVIA , GRINVALD A , JONAS JB 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) describes a chorioretinal microvascular disorder which in its active form is characterized by detachment of the neurosensory retina. Current opinion suggests that a combination of choroidal hyperpermeability and an impaired retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) function leads to pooling of serous fluid in the sub‐RPE space. Methods Twelve patients with acute onset of CSR as well as 12 age‐, and sex‐matched control subjects were included into this study. None of the patients has had a history of prior CSR. Prior to inclusion into the study, all patients received a fluorescein‐angiography (FLA), an optical coherence tomography and measurements on the retinal function imager (RFI). Results Flow velocity was 2.76 mm/s in retinal veins and 4.13 mm/s in retinal arteries in the case of the CSR patients. This was in contrast to the findings in the controls. Here the flow velocity was 3.34 mm/s in retinal veins and 4.24 mm/s in retinal arteries. The highest differences of flow velocity were found in the case of the wide retinal veins (2.87 vs. 3.47 mm/s). This difference was highly significant (p=0,003). In the medium sized veins the retinal fow velocity was als significantly different (2.69 vs. 3.42 mm/s). Again this difference was significantly different (p=0,02). The comparison of the retinal arterial vessels did not show any significant differences. Conclusion The findings suggest that the technique applied by the RFI can be helpful to diagnose CSR and to visualize abnormal areas of retinal blood flow in a non‐invasive manner.
Intravitreal bevacizumab for macular telangiectasia
Authors: LIBONDI T , VON BALTZ S , JONAS JB 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Idiopathic macular telangiectasia Type 2 (idiopathic perifoveolar telangiectasia, ITP) is an uncommon, slowly progressive, usually bilateral disease of the macula, characterized by dilated, tortuous capillaries in the perifoveolar region, preferably in the temporal part. It is the scope of our study to report about a 36 month follow‐up of patients affected by ITP and treated with multiple intravitreal injection of bevacizumab Methods Our retrospective, interventional study included 8 eyes of 8 patients, 4 of whom were male, affected by IPT and treated with multiple intravitreal injections of 1,25 mg. bevacizumab, whose maximum follow‐up extended to 36 months (range 3‐36 months). Age ranged from 37 to 83 yo.They underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing, slit lamp examination with indirect ophtalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography and time‐domain OCT (Status OCT Carl Zeiss Meditec, ver. 4.01). All the diagnosis were made by a single examiner based on the unique features of the disease Results The injection provided a time‐limited positive effect on both visual acuity and OCT central thickness (1 month). It was only slightly effective on both parameters if we consider the 6th month follow‐up, while at 24 month follow‐up the considered parameters did not show any significant difference from the baseline. Conclusion Our results show a limited benefit on visual acuity and retinal edema in the short follow‐up. While not demonstrating a positive therapeutical effect in the long term, they seem to point out to a time‐limited positive effect on retinal edema.
Optical coherence tomography speckle denoising
Authors: BERNARDES R , MADURO C , SERRANHO P , LOBO C , CUNHA‐VAZ J 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose To reduce the speckle noise for improved structure segmentation on high‐definition spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods Eyes of 30 healthy volunteers and eyes of patients with age‐related macular degeneration (20), diabetic retinopathy (23), cystoid macular edema (2) and choroidal neo‐vascularization (13) underwent high‐definition spectral domain Cirrus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) using both the 200x200x1024 and the 512x128x1024 Macular Cube protocols. Results In the work herewith presented we have modified the traditional diffusion coefficient function, of the nonlinear complex diffusion type, to achieve an improved OCT data despeckling. The new filter was tuned in order to preserve edges, as in the transition from the vitreous to the ILM, to preserve the information within the retinal tissue and to be more effective while filtering the vitreous. A total of 88 volumetric scans gathered with the Cirrus OCT were filtered using the new nonlinear complex diffusion filter (NCDF) as well as with implementation current available filters, showing that the new NCDF filter allows for a better despeckling while preserving edges between retinal layers for eyes of healthy volunteers and patients with different pathologies. Conclusion These findings suggest that the speckle noise present in the Cirrus OCT can be successfully reduced while preserving important features using the newly developed NCDF filter.
Evidence for retinal neuronal dysfunction prior to breakdown of the blood‐retinal barrier or onset of vasculopathy in type I diabetes
Authors: REIS AA , MATEUS CA , MELO P , CASTELO‐BRANCO M 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose To characterize visual function in type I diabetic patients prior to breakdown of the blood‐retinal barrier or onset of vasculopathy as compared with patients with early diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods Visual function was assessed by Multifocal Electroretinography (RetiScan ‐ Roland Consult), Colour Vision (CCT ‐ Cambridge Research Systems) and Frequency‐Doubling Perimetry (FDT ‐ Zeiss) in a population of 42 patients (age=26.6+5.3 years) divided into 2 groups: with no DR (n=26; VA=1.088+0.128) and with mild nonproliferative DR (n=16; VA=1.093+0.137). Fluorescein angiography was also performed in order to determine the absence or presence of initial vascular lesions. These data were compared with age‐matched controls. Non‐parametric statistical analysis was performed at a significance cut‐off level of p<0.05. Results MfERG yielded a significant decrease in amplitude in all eccentricity rings in both patients groups, when compared with control subjects (p<0.0001). Interestingly, implicit time showed a paradoxical pattern between patient groups with a significant decrease in rings 2‐4 (0.002<p<0.02) in the absence of clinical DR. Impaired contrast sensitivity along protan, deutan and tritan chromatic axes (0.0001<p< 0.02) was also observed, except for the Deutan axis in the group without DR. FDT quadrantic thresholds were also different between controls and both type of patients (0.0009<p<0.002), but the central location showed no difference between the controls and the patients with no DR. Conclusion This work suggests that retinal neuronal changes do occur in Type I Diabetes even before breakdown of the blood‐retinal barrier or onset of vasculopathy.
The P300 signal is monotonically modulated by target saliency level irrespective of the visual feature domain
Authors: TEIXEIRA M , CASTELO‐BRANCO M , NASCIMENTO SM , ALMEIDA VMN 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Event related responses to infrequent and task‐relevant stimuli often include an attentional peak, the P300 component. This component is typically regarded as independent from the sensory modality, with amplitude depending on target occurrence probability. In this study, we investigated whether the P300 signal could similarly be modulated by the degree of perceptual difference across visual target properties. Methods We used an oddball block design with texture and colour as perceptual category features and a frequency ratio of 1:16. EEG/ERP responses were recorded from 68 channels in 9 healthy participants, matched for age and educational level. For the colour condition, 3 targets with increasing steps of categorical deviation in perceived redness from the standard stimulus were used. Concerning the texture segmentation condition, 3 targets with increasing spatial phase difference were chosen. Colour target patches were presented against a reference background of a standard additive primary red patch, and texture patches against a standard grating one with no phase segregation contrast. Results Repeated measure analysis results suggest a significant modulation of P300 amplitude target levels in midline central and parietal channels for both conditions. Significant Spearman correlations (positive with amplitude and negative with latency) support this order effect between target perceptual level and the P300 response. Conclusion We conclude that the amplitude and latency of the P300 response is monotonically modulated by saliency levels of distinct target categories.
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT): a novel diagnostic instrument for conjunctivochalasis
Authors: GUMUS K , GIRE A , PFLUGFELDER S 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose To evaluate cross‐sectional conjunctivochalasis area (CChA) and tear meniscus area (TMA) using Fourier‐Domain‐RTVue‐100 optical coherence tomography (OCT) before and after conjunctival cauterization and to evaluate inter‐ and intraobserver reliability. Methods A total of twelve eyes of 7 patients with conjunctivochalasis aged 56 to 87 were evaluated. After topical anesthesia, conjunctival cauterization was performed on the inferior bulbar conjunctiva. All patients underwent anterior segment OCT (AS‐OCT) imaging prior to and 4 weeks after the procedure. Cross‐sectional TMA and CChA at 3 locations (nasal, center and temporal areas) were measured in all patients. Results Non‐significant increases (p= 0.177) in TMA as a whole (3 locations combined) were observed at following cauterization. CChA measurements significantly decreased in all 3 locations after cauterization (p< 0.001). Mean CChA decreased from 0.247 ± 0.24 mm2 to 0.054 ± 0.79 mm2. For two measurements of TMA by examiner 1, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranged from 0.998 to 0.999. Among two examiners, Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients were as high as 0.993 and 0.997 before and after conjunctival cauterization. Regarding the CChA measurements, ICC values were similar to those of TMA, but Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients were slightly less. Conclusion This study indicates the AS‐OCT is a useful and reproducible instrument to measure cross‐sectional area of conjunctiva prolapsing into the tear meniscus of patients with conjunctivochalasis. The method can monitor effectiveness of thermo reduction of conjunctivochalasis.
Determination of corneal endothelial cell density in French eye banks: second look
Authors: DELESALLE N , THURET G , DUBUS J , FLEURY L , MOUILLOT L , GAIN P 
Published: November 2010

Abstract Purpose Considering the importance of having a precise, robust and especially reproducible ECD counting method, Afssaps organized from April 2008 to June 2009 a second assessment of the reliability of the routine cell count within the 18 french Eye banks. Methods The study design was similar to the first assessment driven by the laboratory ‘Biology, engineering and imaging of Corneal Graft’ in 2003 (Transplantation 2004; 78: 1299‐1302).5 test corneas (1 mm2 of flat mounted, fixed and alizarin stained human corneal endothelium) were selected and sent to the 18 Eye banks. All the usual technicians of each bank had to count the test corneas using the routine method(s) employed to assess grafts. Results 430 counts were carried out by 70 eye banks technicians, by manual and/or image analysis system. 42% (180/430) deviated by more than 10% from the expected ECD. Among them, 128 were over‐estimated (max +88%) and 52 were under‐estimated (max ‐31%). 2 banks constantly over‐estimated (in the mean +31,7% and +42,7%, no calibration and/or material problem) but the 16 other banks were in average within ±13% from expected ECDs. For manual methods, a statistically significant difference between banks was observed for the 5 test corneas, whereas no difference was observed with image analyzers. ECD obtained with the analysers were closer to expected values than with the manual methods. Compared to the 2003 study, reliability of ECD determination globally improved. Conclusion Image analysis systems prove more reliable (precise and with a lower intra and inter observer variability) than manual counting methods. This ‘second look’ of Eye banks will allow editing recommendations to improve ECD determination.