bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic activity of a TSPO ligand in slowing retina neurodegeneration in a model of retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Corsi Francesca , Baglini Emma , Barresi Elisabetta , Galante Alessia , Passetti Federico Da Settimo , Taliani Sabrina , Gargini Claudia , Piano Ilaria 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: An evolutionary well‐conserved protein called translocator protein (TSPO, 18 kDa) is found on the outer mitochondrial membrane. Under typical physiological conditions, TSPO expression in the central nervous system is rather low. Changes in TSPO expression, however, can result from several clinical conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, and neuroinflammation. In a previous study (1) we test the efficacy of a new class of TSPO ligands (PIGAs) (1), in an in vitro model (661W, photoreceptor‐like cell line) of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced neuroinflammation. We demonstrate the TSPO expression in retinal photoreceptor and the activity of this ligands in an in vitro neurodegeneration. Here, we examined the anti‐inflammatory effects of the highest active TSPO ligand (PIGA‐1138) on heterozygous (±) Tvrm4 mice (RhoTvrm4/Rho+) an animal model of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP) highly sensitive to light‐induced photoreceptor degeneration. The inflammatory component plays a predominant role in RP progression towards cone death and complete blindness.Methods: Mice have been treated with 3 or 10 mg/kg/die for seven days, starting from the day of onset of retinal degeneration induced by exposure for 1 min to a white light of 12000lux intensity. At the end of the protocol retinal functionality was tested by recording Electroretinogram (ERG) flash response in both scotopic and photopic conditions. Retinal tissue was collected from recorded mice and the tissue was used for further analyses including biochemical and molecular biology assays.Results: PIGA‐treated animal group shows improved response to flash ERG, reduced damaged area measured by cone‐arrestin staining, and modulation of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory markers.Conclusions: As conclusion, we were able to establish that the TSPO ligand can slow down photoreceptor degeneration and confirm the results of the in vitro study.References1. Corsi, F.; Baglini, E.; Barresi, E.; Salerno, S.; Cerri, C.; Martini, C.; Da Settimo Passetti, F.; Taliani, S.; Gargini, C.; Piano, I. Targeting TSPO Reduces Inflammation and Apoptosis in an In Vitro Photoreceptor‐Like Model of Retinal Degeneration. ACS Chem. Neurosci. 2022, 13 (22), 3188–3197. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00582.
Retinal microcirculation alterations in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healty volunteers and their correlation to the disease activity and duration of disease
Authors: Assaf Abdelrahman , Günthner Roman , Braunisch Matthias , Bachmann Quirin , Kotliar Konstantin , Schmaderer Christoph , Moog Philipp 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases due to endothelial dysfunction, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular events. The retinal Vessel Analyzer (RVA, IMEDOS Systems) can capture retinal vessels non‐invasively in real‐time and analyse their dynamic responses to stimuli.Methods: In order to assess the structural and functional changes in the retinal microvasculature, a non‐invasive Retinal Vessels Analyzer (RVA) was used to study 44 patients with RA (mean age 57.4 ± 13.2 years) and compare them to a control group of 44 age‐matched healthy individuals. The RVA was used to measure various parameters, including the Central Retinal Artery Equivalent (CRAE), Central Retinal Vein Equivalent (CRVE), and Arterio‐Venous Ratio (AVR), as well as the response of the retinal vessels to flickering light. After a 50 s baseline, rectangular shape, monochromatic flickering light (530–600 nm) of 12.5 Hz for 20 s was applied three times. The dilation of retinal vessels after flicker light stimulation was analysed.Results: The results of the study showed that patients with RA had significantly higher CRVE and lower AVR compared to the control group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively), indicating structural changes in the retinal microvasculature. The patients with RA also had a significantly stronger arterial dilation response to flickering light compared to the control group (n = 43), indicating functional changes in the retinal microvasculature. In patients with moderate to high disease activity according to the Disease Activity Score (DAS‐28 > 3.2) (n = 9), there was a negative significant correlation between the maximum arterial diameter (aMAX) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6).Conclusions: These findings suggest that RVA can be a useful tool for detecting structural and functional changes in the retinal microvasculature of patients with RA and that the disease activity and inflammation in RA may be related to these changes. However, the study notes that a larger cohort with a wider range of disease activity is needed to fully understand the effect of chronic inflammatory diseases on endothelial function.
Difference in lesion reactivation between pure type 2 and mixed type 1 and 2 macular neovascularization and its influence on long‐term treatment outcomes
Authors: Kim Chulgu 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To compare lesion reactivation and treatment outcomes between pure type 2 and mixed type 1 and 2 macular neovascularization (MNV) treated with anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).Methods: This retrospective study included 155 patients diagnosed with Type 2 MNV. After the initial loading injections, as‐needed retreatment was provided. The difference in first lesion reactivation after the initial treatment was evaluated between pure Type 2 MNV (pure type 2 group, n = 37) and mixed Type 1 and 2 MNV (mixed group, n = 118). The degree of change in the best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was also compared between the two groups.Results: The mean follow‐up period was 32.7 ± 13.7 months. Lesion reactivation differed significantly between the Type 2 (60.0%) and mixed (84.5%) (p = 0.004) groups. The degree of visual change during the follow‐up period also differed significantly between the pure Type 2 (mean 2.8 lines of improvement) and mixed (mean 0.2 lines of deterioration) (p = 0.008) groups. In multivariate analysis, lesion type (p = 0.012) and baseline visual acuity (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with ≥2 lines of visual improvement.Conclusions: Lesion reactivation and treatment outcomes differed between pure Type 2 and mixed Type 1 and 2 MNV. These results suggested the need for different treatment strategies for these two MNV subtypes.
Biometric risk factors for central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Gawęcki Maciej , Grzybowski Andrzej 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The goal of the present study was to find the biometric parameters associated with the incidence of CSCR.Methods: The study included 66 eyes of 60 consecutive patients that were diagnosed with acute or chronic CSCR between 01.01.2021 and 30.06.2021. Six patients had a binocular disease. All patients had axial length and retinal parameters measured with the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) as well as refraction error tested after cycloplegia. Results of the affected eyes were compared with the healthy fellow eyes (39 eyes) and control group (75 eyes) and correlated to the duration of the disease.Results: No significant differences were revealed between axial length of the affected eyes, healthy fellow eyes and controls (23.31 ± 1.06 vs. 23.59 ± 1.20 vs. 23.33 ± 1.19). Distribution of refraction errors was similar in the three analysed groups. Hypermetropic shift was noted in the affected eyes versus controls (p = 0.030); however, no difference was noted in the refraction error between the healthy fellow CSCR eyes and controls (p = 0.418). Both acute and chronic CSCR cases, as well as their fellow eyes, demonstrated significantly greater choroidal thickness compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). Longer disease duration was correlated with significant deficit in macular volume and average central retinal thickness (p < 0.05).Conclusions: CSCR is a clinical entity that can occur in patients with every type of refraction error. Shorter axial length of the eyeball is not associated with higher prevalence of CSCR, however increased choroidal thickness is typical of that entity. Longer disease duration is correlated to the loss of retinal thickness and volume.
Visual and anatomical outcomes following intravitreal treatment of macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Tasos Emmanuel , Sharma Pavel , Karia Janvi , Menem Dheyaedeen , Katzakis Michail , Minos Evangelos 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: We sought to measure the visual and anatomical outcomes of patients treated for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO) with anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) medications or intravitreal steroids.Methods: We retrospectively identified eyes with RVO in our Trust treated with anti‐VEGF injections or intravitreal steroids. Patient data such as age, gender and visual acuity (VA) were obtained from electronic patient records. Central retinal thickness (CRT) was measured via optical coherence tomography (OCT). Macular perfusion and ischaemia were assessed by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) on initiation of treatment. VA and CRT data were obtained for 24 months from starting treatment with anti‐VEGF injections or intravitreal steroids.Results: 56 eyes (26 with branch RVO (BRVO), 22 with central RVO (CRVO) and 8 with hemi‐RVO (HRVO)) were identified and followed up for 24 months after starting anti‐VEGF treatment or intravitreal steroids. Mean change in VA at 24 months was +7.0 ± 16.3 letters among CRVO eyes and + 3.9 ± 21.3 letters among BRVO eyes, whereas for HRVO mean VA change was +20.3 ± 16.8 letters. Mean CRT decreased by 334.2 ± 163.5 μm in eyes with CRVO, 147.1 ± 193.1 μm in eyes with BRVO and 300.3 ± 118.6 μm in eyes with HRVO. Furthermore, we achieved VA stabilization or improvement in 91% of eyes treated under ‘optimal’ conditions, in line with the meta‐analysis of studies on RVO outcomes by Hunter & Williams (2022).Conclusions: Current Trust protocols for intravitreal steroids and anti‐VEGF injections show good outcomes in RVO patients. Patients on treatment should be followed up regularly to minimize delays, while early treatment agent switches should be pursued if VA is dropping or macular oedema persists.ReferencesHunter A, Williams M. Long‐term outcomes for patients treated for macular oedema secondary to retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2022;7(1):e001010. doi:10.1136/bmjophth‐2022‐001010
Certification process in capturing retinographies in Castilla y Leon diabetic retinopathy screening program
Authors: Novo‐Diez Andrea , Arlanzón‐Lope Pablo , García‐Espinilla Óscar , Yepes‐Recio Inmaculada , De Iglesia‐Rodríguez Purificación , López‐Galvez María Isabel , Pastor José Carlos 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Certification processes are critical for tele‐ophthalmology and Reading Centers. In the diabetic retinopathy Castilla y Leon screening program capture is performed by nurses accredited in the three‐field protocol of the Joslin Vision Network (JVN). The purpose of this work was to evaluate the certification process including the times, difficulties and satisfaction degree.Methods: Type II diabetics attend their primary care centre. Retinographies of both eyes under pharmacological mydriasis are acquired by nurses after inform consent. Images are sent, interpreted and categorized to the IOBA's Reading Center (University of Valladolid). Training consisted of an on‐site lecture, on‐line theory course (University patented) and on‐site practices. Trainees uploaded retinographies from 10 real patients to an online platform for evaluation. Certification required at least 5 correctly performed. The time and intents required to obtain the certification were analysed.Results: 23 trainees from to 5 health areas were included. None of them had ever used a retinograph before. All of them successfully completed the program. The 21.74% of the trainees obtained their certification with the first 5 practices and completed the evaluation process in 1 day. 13.04% repeated 1 practice, 34.78% repeated 2, another 13.04% repeated 3 and 7.39% repeated 5. The certification process was completed after 17, 11, 20 and 8 days, respectively. Satisfaction of trainees with the theoretical lessons with a score of 8.67/10 and the practical training with a score of 9/10 was evaluated through an ad‐hoc survey.Conclusions: Retinography capture certification was achieved between 1 and 20 days and the majority (69.52%) by repeating none to two practices. The trainees were highly satisfied with the theoretical and practical content of the course.
Porcine ex vivo retina model to study retinal neurodegenerative diseases: Potential role of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Pelusi Letizia , Ghelardoni Maddalena , Agnifili Luca , Cappellacci Ilaria , Allegretti Marcello , Hurst Jose , Schnichels Sven , Mastropasqua Leonardo , Bollini Sveva , Nubile Mario , Pandolfi Assunta , Mandatori Domitilla 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Retinal neurodegenerative diseases (RND) are associated with a progressive degeneration and death of retinal cells. Recently, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) showed a protective role against retinal cells degeneration and apoptosis. However, due to the complexity of such diseases, there is the need to develop in vitro or ex vivo models which allow the study of RND pathogenesis and better understand the regenerative role of MSCs. Therefore, the aim of our study was to use porcine retinas to establish a possible ex vivo model of spontaneous neuroretinal degeneration and employ this model to evaluate the efficacy of human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) on retinal cells undergoing damage.Methods: To this end, neuroretinal explants were obtained from pig eyes and placed over the porous membrane of a transwell plate. To induce a time‐dependent spontaneous retinal degeneration, explants were cultured for 24, 48, 72, 96 h, 5 and 8 days. The damage grade was assessed with qRT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses for GFAP and TUNEL‐assay. Then, the explants were co‐cultured with hAFSCs up to 8 days to evaluate their effect on retinal cells death via propidium iodide (PI) staining.Results: Results demonstrated that the cultivation of retinal explants up to 8 days induced an increase in the gene expression of inflammatory (NF‐kB and TNF‐alpha), pro‐apoptotic (p21 and p53) and oxidative stress markers (NRF2). We also observed an increased expression of GFAP and CD11b, suggesting an activation of the microglia and up‐regulation of Müller cells. In addition, the cultivation time induced an increase in the number of apoptotic cells (TUNEL). However, interestingly, the cells death decreased after co‐cultivation with hAFSCs (PI staining).Conclusions: In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the prolonged cultivation of porcine ex vivo retina can induce a time‐dependent spontaneous degeneration able to simulate a model of RND. Of note, the co‐culture preliminary data suggest a protective effects of hAFSCs on retinal cells death.
Retinal microglia and ganglion cells in a cuprizone (CPZ) induced mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS)
Authors: Choi Soyoung , Nicholas Richard , Papadopoulos Dimitri , Cordeiro Maria Francesca 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Up to 90% of MS patients have ocular manifestations. Activated microglia (mg) are associated with age and diseases like MS. Mg change their activation states (ramified, hyper‐ramified, activated, amoeboid and rod) in response to stimuli, to exert either neuro‐protective or ‐toxic effects, leading to the rescue or loss of neurons. Here, we characterize retinal ganglion cell (RGC) densities and retinal mg morphotype proportions in eyes of a CPZ induced MS model and age‐matched controls.Methods: Male C57 mice were fed CPZ (0.2%w/w) mixed chow for 4 months (m) until sacrificed at 6 m (6mCPZ) or 28 m (28mCPZ) old. Age‐matched controls (6mCtrl; 28mCtrl) were fed normal chow. Enucleated eyes were fixed in 4% PFA. Whole retinas were dissected, stained (RBPMS+RGCs; iba‐1+mg), mounted and imaged. A published retinal mg morphotyping algorithm and an automated RBPMS counting script were used. Two‐way ANOVA with paired analysis (PA) was used (mg n: 6mCtrl = 15; 6mCPZ = 7; 28mCtrl = 7; 28mCPZ = 10; and RGC n: 6mCtrl = 4; 6mCPZ = 3; 28mCtrl = 3; 28mCPZ = 4).Results: There was a main effect of age for activated (p = 0.0282) and rod (p < 0.0001), and disease state for rod (p = 0.04) mg. PA showed higher activated mg in 28mCtrl versus 6mCtrl (p = 0.0485), and lower rod mg in 28mCtrl versus 6mCtrl (p = 0.0374) and in 28mCPZ versus 6mCPZ (p = 0.0007). There was a main effect of age (p = 0.0001) and disease state (p = 0.04) on RBPMS density. PA showed lower RGC density in 28mCtrl versus 6mCtrl (p = 0.0025) and in 28mCPZ versus 6mCPZ (p = 0.025).Conclusions: Our results show that there is age‐related loss of rod mg and RGCs in healthy and CPZ groups, supporting reports that rod mg are involved in protecting less damaged neurons. Age‐related increased activated mg may cause RGC loss as transcription factors like TNFα, bind to RGC receptors, inducing apoptosis. Further transcriptomic analysis may clarify functional interpretations.
Diabetic retinopathy screening using a handheld non‐mydriatic camera
Authors: Iudakov Andrei , Kern Christoph , Lanzl Ines 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Our objective was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening using a non‐mydriatic handheld digital camera as well as a stationary digital fundus non‐mydriatic camera to the standard fundus examination in medical mydriasis by an experienced observer.Methods: The evaluation of images using a digital handheld non‐mydriatic camera in a clinical setting, coupled with pupil dilation for ungradable images, provides a valid method for identifying an advanced stage of DR requiring therapeutic measures. The hand held non mydriatic fundus camera could represent an alternative to the conventional screening in medical mydriasis in order to improve the access to DR screening in areas and populations with less access to the existinmedical infrastructure.Results: The mean age of the 100 examined diabetic participants was 61.2 years (SD ± 9.08). The proportion of upgradable images in both types of non‐mydriatic imaging was 3% (1 eye – 2%, both eyes – 1%). When compared to the detection of any stage of DR, an advanced stage of DR showed higher diagnostic accuracy. The sensitivity for the advanced stage of DR was 13% for Reviewer 1 (positive predictive value [PPV] 5%) and 14% for Reviewer 2 (PPV 6%). The specificity was 94% for Reviewer 1 (negative predictive value [NPV] 96%) and 95% for Reviewer 2 (NPV 97%).Conclusions: The evaluation of images using a digital handheld non‐mydriatic camera in a clinical setting, coupled with pupil dilation for ungradable images, provides a valid method for identifying an advanced stage of DR requiring therapeutic measures. The handheld non mydriatic fundus camera could represent an alternative to the conventional screening in medical mydriasis in order to improve the access to DR screening in areas and populations with less access to the existing medical infrastructure.References1. Cho NH, Shaw JE, Karuranga S, Huang Y, da Rocha Fernandes JD, Ohlrogge AW, Malanda B (2018) IDF diabetes atlas: global estimates of diabetes prevalence for 2017.
Popper and maculopathy
Authors: Sancho Ainhoa Mimendia , Maeso Alicia Traveset , Costales‐Mier Felipe , Bertomeu Pau Cid 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To describe a case of a patient with poppers maculopathy.Methods: The ocular findings were evaluated with spectral optical coherence tomography and fundus imaging.Results: A 23‐year‐old female presented with a history of central phosphenes and decreased vision after inhaling popper. Best‐corrected visual acuity (VA) was 0.9/1, the exploration of anterior segment was normal. Fundus examination revealed yellow lesion appearance at macula. Associated with a disruption of the presumed inner segment/outer segment junction (IS/0S) in the optical coherence tomography (OCT). After 1 month VA increased and OCT improved.Conclusions: Popper's maculopathy is an emerging disease that cause structural and functional affection of the outer retinal architecture. If we have a patient with bilateral vision loss with irregularity of the ellipsoid zone at the fovea, he should be asked specifically about poppers abuse.
Associations of neurovascular dysfunction with inner retinal layer thickness in non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Pemp Berthold , Palkovits Stefan , Sacu Stefan , Schmidl Doreen , Garhöfer Gerhard , Schmetterer Leopold , Schmidt‐Erfurth Ursula 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Neurovascular dysfunction and inner retinal layer thinning are among the earliest detectable retinal changes in diabetes, and both worsen during development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, direct interactions between these features have not been investigated so far. Therefore, we aimed to analyse associations between the retinal functional hyperaemic response and thickness of the individual neuroretinal layers in eyes with non‐proliferative DR.Methods: Thirty patients with Type 1 diabetes featuring mild (n = 15) or moderate (n = 15) non‐proliferative DR and 14 healthy subjects were included in this cross‐sectional study. Retinal vessel diameters were measured before and during illumination with flickering light using a dynamic vessel analyser. Individual retinal layer thickness in the macula was analysed from spectral domain optical coherence tomography.Results: Flicker light‐induced vessel dilation was significantly reduced in diabetes patients compared to healthy controls (veins: 3.0% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001; arteries: 1.3% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.005). Univariately, the response in retinal veins of diabetes patients correlated significantly with ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness (r = 0.46, p = 0.010) and inner plexiform layer thickness (r = 0.40, p = 0.027), and negatively with haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels (r = −0.41, p = 0.023) and age (r = −0.38, p = 0.037), but not with baseline diameters, glucose levels, or diabetes duration. In a multiple regression model only HbA1c (p = 0.027, β = −0.40) and GCL thickness (p = 0.030, β = 0.39) remained significantly associated with the vascular flicker light response.Conclusions: The results indicate that thinner GCL and worse glycaemic control both contribute to reduced neurovascular coupling in patients with clinical signs of DR. Progression of neurovascular dysfunction in DR might be related to structural degeneration of the neurovascular complex in the inner retina.