bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic effect of the retina in a murine model of AD
Authors: Bermudez Mariana Yolotzin Garcia , Vohra Rupali , Freude Kristine Karla , Thomsen Maj Schneider , Aldana Blanca Irene , Kolko Miriam 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate energy metabolism and retinal tissue survival in retinal explants in a murine model of AD (TgSwDI) during aging.Methods: The 7‐, 12‐ and 24‐month‐old TgSwDI mouse model was compared with age‐matched wild‐type (WT) mice. Characterization of the mouse model was assessed by Aβ plaques staining. Cell viability was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay of retinal explants at 4 and 24 h of incubation with culture media. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival was quantified by RBPMS staining in 7‐month‐old mice. Glucose metabolism was analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS) using uniformly labelled glucose by incubating whole retinas for 30 min with glucose in 7‐month‐old mice. And lactate, produced by glycolysis, was evaluated by the lactate assay in 7‐month‐old mice.Results: The presence of Aβ plaques and vascularization was detected in the retinas of TgSwDI mice, whereas they were not found in the retinas of control mice. At 7 months, the viability of retinal explants was reduced in the TgSwDI model compared to the age‐matched WT model using the LDH assay. Compared to controls, RGC survival in the TgSwDI model tended to decrease. We performed GC–MS to evaluate glucose metabolism and observed no difference between the TgSwDI and WT groups. Lactate production showed no significant differences between the groups.Conclusions: The presence of Aβ plaques was detected in the retinas of the TgSwDI model, indicating that it is a good model for studying the retina in AD. Retinal tissue viability was altered at different ages in the TgSwDI model, and RGC survival was also reduced in the AD model, substantiating that AD affect the retina. We did not detect any differences between WT and TgSwDI groups in energy metabolism, implying that alterations in retinal tissue and cell survival may be related to other pathways. Further studies are needed to explore this, ultimately providing novel insight to address visual function affected by AD.
Safety, biocompatibility, and potential functionality of a new accommodative intraocular lens: An experimental study in rabitts
Authors: Olcina Luis Ignacio , Bueno Ivan Fernandez , Iglesias Cristina Andres , Iglesias Kevin Puertas , Martinez Itziar Fernandez , Martin Ricardo Usategui , Lopez Miguel Jose Maldonado 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the safety, biocompatibility and functionality of a new accommodative intraocular lens (IOL) (LUZ, Lens Undergone Zonula Global S.L., Valencia, Spain) that, after implantation in rabbit eyes, is compared with a control lens (EyeCee®) and a capsular ring, both present on the market.Methods: LUZ is an accommodative IOL with two parts: one IOL of hydrophobic acrylic material and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and one ring of silicone and PMMA. LUZ (Study) and EyeCee® plus a capsular ring (Control) were implanted in rabbits (𝑛 = 8 each) after lens surgery by phacoemulsification technique to randomly. Intraoperative and long‐term clinical follow‐up, based on complete ophthalmic examination, and functional tests were performed periodically until 180 days post‐implantation. Finally, ocular samples were collected and histologically evaluated. All data was statistically analysed.Results: During macroscopic clinical follow‐up we did not observed significant changes between both groups. The lens studied (LUZ) remained centered and without severe clinical complications. The functional study showed no significant differences between both groups. LUZ showed better centering, few adhesions, and kept the capsular bag open compared to Control IOL. Biological effects of LUZ lens implantation were low and comparable to the control lens.Conclusions: LUZ IOL, has shown safety after being implanted in the rabbit eye, just like the control lens. It has not shown clinical or histological signs that refer to an adverse reaction to the material. Although LUZ functionality has not been observed in the rabbit eye, this possibility should be studied in other animal species with greater and better accommodation. The LUZ lens keeps the capsular bag open, preventing its fibrosis and lens adherence, thus theoretically favouring its potential accommodation.
Exposure to subthreshold dose of UVR‐B does not induce increase in caspase 3 mRNA expression in the rat lens in vivo within first 24 hours
Authors: Yu Zhaohua , Galichanin Konstantin 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the time evolution of caspase 3 mRNA expression within first 24 h in the rat lens after in vivo exposure to subthreshold dose of UVR‐B.Methods: Twelve six‐week‐old female albino Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to subthreshold dose (1 kJ/m2) of UVR‐B unilaterally and sacrificed at 1, 8, 16 and 24 h after exposure. Lenses were enucleated and caspase 3 mRNA expression was detected by qRT‐PCR. The time evolution of caspase 3 mRNA expression was then plotted as a function of mean ratios in caspase 3 mRNA expression between exposed and contralateral nonexposed lenses.Results: There is no difference in mean ratios in caspase 3 mRNA expression between exposed and nonexposed lenses in all four postexposure groups.Conclusions: Exposure to subthreshold dose of UVR‐B does not induce increase in caspase 3 mRNA expression in the rat lens in vivo within first 24 h.
Hyperreflective material boundary remodelling: A new morphological biomarker of good functional outcomes in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Yu Siqing , Bachmeier Isabel , Hernandez‐Sanchez Jules , Armendariz Beatriz , Ebneter Andreas , Pauleikhoff Daniel , Chakravarthy Usha , Fauser Sascha 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To characterize the hyperreflective material (HRM) change over 9‐month follow‐up in treatment‐naïve neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) eyes who underwent antiangiogenic treatment.Methods: Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography images of 207 study eyes enrolled in AVENUE trial were included to analyse HRM features including location, evolvement and boundaries. We looked for the development of a highly hyperreflective band with continuity to the adjacent unaffected retinal pigment epithelium on the inner aspect of persistent HRM, which we termed complete HRM‐BR, if more than 90% of HRM was covered by this feature. Other HRM evolution patterns included complete resolution of subretinal HRM (SHRM) and partial/no remodelling of persistent SHRM. We analysed associations of HRM morphological patterns with vision and intralesional hypertransmission into the choroid (HTC), a proxy for HRM‐associated macular atrophy, at Month 9. Predictive features for complete HRM‐BR were explored.Results: At Month 9, persistent SHRM was present in 57% of the 207 included eyes. Of these, complete HRM‐BR developed in 44.9%, which was associated with greater visual outcome (+4.2 letters vs. −6.1 letter) and less intralesional HTC (20.8% vs. 69.2%) compared to partial/no HRM‐BR at Month 9. These eyes with complete HRM‐BR had similar visual outcome and intralesional HTC development to eyes with resolved SHRM (+2.2 letters; 26.8%). Presence of intralesional HTC (baseline OR 0.06, month 1 OR 0.18, p ≤ 0.01) was associated with lower odds of complete HRM‐BR development by month 9.Conclusions: In nAMD eyes undergoing antiangiogenic therapy, complete HRM‐BR developed frequently when SHRM persisted. It was associated with better visual outcome and less MA compared to eyes with partial/no HRM‐BR, and with similar outcomes compared to those with resolved SHRM. This morphological pattern can be predicted at an early stage by RPE‐related HRM features.
Swedish version of the Massof activity inventory to measure vision‐related activity difficulties among patients with nAMD
Authors: Baskaran Karthikeyan , Nilsson Ida , Ringbäck Klara , Ternehäll Michaela , Svanfeldt Cecilia , Melin Jeanette , Mohlin Camilla , Macedo Antonio Filipe 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess vision‐related activity difficulties among patients with neovascular AMD using a Swedish version of the mass of activity inventory (MAI).Methods: Participants were patients diagnosed with neovascular AMD receiving treatment for the disease in a hospital in southeast Sweden. Participants completed the Swedish version of the MAI questionnaire. MAI can be used to measure the overall visual ability and visual ability in 4 functional domains: reading, mobility, visual motor function and visual information processing. Best corrected distance and near visual acuity (VA) were also measured.Results: Among the 196 participants (mean age = 78.5 years, SD = 7.67, 66% female) the median VA in the better seeing eye was 0.18 logMAR (IQR = 0.34), and in the worse eye was 0.54 logMAR (IQR = 0.98). The median visual ability for all participants was 1.92 logits (IQR = 2.69). There was a significant negative correlation between distance VA in the better eye and visual ability (rho = −0.4025, p < 0.01). Using ROC curves, we tested the capacity of the MAI to detect cases of any vision impairment (VA worse than 0.3 logMAR in the better seeing eye), the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.717 (95% CI = 0.643–0.791 p < 0.001). When we tested for detection of moderate vision impairment (VA worse than 0.5 logMAR in the better seeing eye) the AUC was 0.738 (95% CI = 0.648–0.829 p < 0.001).Conclusions: The results indicate that the Swedish version of the MAI produce measures of visual ability that are consistent with clinical measures among patients with nAMD. The Swedish version of the MAI can be used as outcome measure in interventions for people with nAMD.References1. Macedo, A.F. et al. Predictors of problems reported on the EQ‐5D‐3L dimensions among people with impaired vision in northern Portugal. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2022; 20: 132.
The biomechanical e‐staging—In vivo assessment of corneal biomechanics in keratoconus
Authors: Flockerzi Elias , Vinciguerra Riccardo , Belin Michael W. , Vinciguerra Paolo , Ambrósio Renato , Seitz Berthold 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Keratoconus (KC) is biomechanically characterized by a decreased resistance to deformation when compared to healthy corneas. The aim of this presentation is to give an overview about the development and clinical application of the recently introduced Homburg Biomechanical E‐Staging (BEST) for KC.Methods: The Corvis ST (Oculus, Germany) non‐contact pneumotonometer measures the corneal deformation after applying a standardized air puff. It calculates the quasi‐binary indices Corvis Biomechanical Index (CBI) and Tomographic Biomechanical Index (TBI) to separate healthy from ectatic corneas, without, however providing a biomechanical KC severity stage. The Homburg BEST based on the linearized CBI provides information about biomechanical KC severity in form of E‐stages 0 to 4, thus augmenting the existing tomographic ABCD KC classification by including corneal biomechanics. Several studies and results about the development and clinical application of the Homburg BEST are presented.Results: The Homburg BEST was developed based on two independent KC datasets (Homburg: n = 448, Milano/Rio: n = 860). Since 2022, it has been integrated into the Corvis ST software, thus providing a biomechanical KC severity and progression assessment. The software based on several individual biomechanical parameters indicates KC progression like tomographic progression parameters. However, it is influenced by corneal thickness measurements, increases within the first postoperative months after corneal crosslinking (CXL) and indicates postoperative KC stabilization more than 1 year after CXL. Intracorneal ring segment implantation permanently affects corneal thickness in the midperiphery and contributes to slightly higher postoperative BEST values.Conclusions: Although with limitations, the Homburg BEST enables a biomechanical staging and progression assessment in KC by considering several biomechanical parameters as an addition to the previously purely tomographic or even topographic analysis.
Analysis of corneal scrape outcomes in NHS Ayrshire and Arran
Authors: Blake Anna , Nairn Jonathan , Koshy Zachariah 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Corneal scrape is a key diagnostic procedure in the management of microbial keratitis. Safe technique for corneal scrape is a requirement of the Royal College of Ophthalmology (RCOphth) curriculum; national and international best practice guidelines exist (1, 2). The purpose of our project is to evaluate the local method of scraping in Ayrshire and Aran, Scotland. The primary aims of this project are to determine: the current method of corneal scraping, the yield of positive samples and impact on safe patient care.Methods: The corneal scrape samples submitted to microbiology from Ayr Casualty Clinic were analysed between 1st November 2021–19th December 2022. An audit was taken of the equipment available in clinical areas of the Ophthalmology department and the technique used by on‐call clinicians. Through liaising with microbiology, a local poster was created with guidelines for performing corneal scrape and placed in the eye casualty department with appropriate equipment set up.Results: There was large variation in the clinical technique used to perform the corneal scrapes. None of the on‐call clinicians were able to perform the technique to the published standard. There were no slides, agar plates or needles available for use. One third of clinicians described the correct technique but had no access to the correct equipment. Two‐thirds did not describe the correct technique. Twenty‐two samples were submitted between 01/11/2021–19/12/2022. All samples were cultured, however there were only two positive samples.Conclusions: Uncertainty and clinical variation exist in the clinical technique used to perform this key diagnostic procedure. There are no guidelines available in the casualty clinic or on‐call room and the necessary equipment is unavailable. The next steps include the creation of a local protocol with correct equipment available to improve the diagnostic yield.References1. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Practical Skills PS10. https://curriculum.rcophth.ac.uk/learningoutcomes/ps10/2. Fairbanks AM, Provencher LM, Greiner MA, Sindt C. The University of Iowa, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. A Guide to the Corneal Culture. http://EyeRounds.org/tutorials/cornea-culture/index.htm
A biosynthetic alternative to human amniotic membrane for cornea repair—A comparative in‐vitro study
Authors: Sahay Prity , Behbehani Mehri , Filippini Perla , Bruti Gianpaolo , Townsend Melissa , Dua Harminder 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: We hypothesize that the biosynthetic Symatix membrane (SM) can replace human amniotic membrane (HAM) in ocular surgical applications. Our aim was to test this hypothesis by comparing the performance of limbal epithelial cells (LECs) cultures on the membranes.Methods: SM was manufactured by the Electrospinning Company Ltd using its proprietary Symatix® Technology platform. SM consists of degradable medical grade poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) polymer fibres and sodium hyaluronan. The suturing and fibrin gluing of SM were tested ex‐vivo by simulation on human corneas. LECs from human limbal tissue were used for testing cellular properties namely cell proliferation (scratch wound and Ki‐67 assay), metabolic activity, limbal epithelial cell marker (cytokeratin‐19 (CK‐19)) tight junction formation (zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1)), cell‐ECM interaction (fibronectin (FN)), and basement membrane protein expression (laminin) on SM, plastic, HAM, and freeze‐dried amniotic membrane (FDAM).Results: The surgical handleability of SM was equivalent to HAM. Histological studies demonstrated that epithelial cells on SM had the typical tightly apposed, polygonal, corneal epithelial cell morphology. Rapid wound healing occurred on SM within 3 days; Ki‐67 revealed increased progressive proliferation; and improved metabolic activity was found on SM compared to HAM and FDAM. Immunofluorescence studies showed positive expression of CK‐19, collagen‐1 (Col‐1), laminin, ZO‐1, and FN in SM, plastic, and FDAM compared to negative expression of CK‐19 and ZO‐1 and positive expression of collagen‐1 (Col‐1), laminin and FN in HAM. This could indicate that SM is a better substrate for epithelial cell migration, proliferation, and tight junction formation.Conclusions: This data demonstrates that SM can provide a suitable alternative to HAM for surgical application in sight‐restoring operations.
Far‐red, high‐resolution, reflection‐free images of the anterior segment in retroillumination
Authors: Cortez Oliver Dorado , Ain Anthony , Poinard Sylvain , Trone Marie Caroline , He Zhiguo , Thomas Justin , Mascarelli Frederic , Gain Philippe , Thuret Gilles 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: Retroillumination observation of the anterior segment is a routine examination method as old as the slit lamp, but capturing good quality images is difficult because of patient glare, the presence of corneal and or lens reflections, and limited resolution. We have modified a slit lamp to overcome these limitations and present the first series of images obtained.Methods: On a Topcon SL‐D7 slit lamp, we replaced the light source with a far‐red LED (Thorlabs, M780L3, 200 mW, 800 mA at 780 nm) and added a monochrome camera with sufficient resolution (Baumer, VCXU‐123 M). Reflection suppression was achieved by modifying the optical path (patent pending). In a clinical trial validated by an ethics committee (IDRCB: 2021‐A01496‐35), we acquired images of 5 different diseases after pupillary dilation: cataract, posterior capsule opacification, hereditary stromal dystrophy, Fuchs' corneal endothelial dystrophy (FECD), Bowman's membrane dystrophy.Results: Our innovative prototype device made it possible to obtain images of 3000 × 4096 pixels for 13.3 × 9.7 mm (×40 magnification). In 100% of the cases, one or more clear images on the area of interest were obtained without glare, and without disturbing reflections in 90% of the cases. Some pseudophakic patients showed minimal to moderate light reflection. The images were sufficiently resolved to allow precise analysis of disease areas, such as each guttae of the FECD.Conclusions: Our retroilluminator prototype provides, for the first time to our knowledge, high‐resolution images of the different structures of the anterior segment, easy to acquire and likely to facilitate the diagnosis and follow‐up of patients. Improvements to the prototype are underway to remove some persistent reflections. One of the first applications will be the classification of the severity of endothelial damage in FECD.
Novel anti‐evaporative lipid‐based formulation for dry eye disease treatment
Authors: Jäntti Janika , Viitaja Tuomo , Sevón Julia , Lajunen Tatu , Puranen Jooseppi , Raitanen Jan‐Erik , Viljanen Mira , Paananen Riku , Moilanen Jukka , Ekholm Filip , Ruponen Marika 
Published: January 2024

Purpose: The majority of dry eye disease (DED) patients suffer from the tear film lipid layer (TFLL) instability issues associated with increased evaporation of water from the ocular surface. Therefore, we developed a liposomal formulation based on selected TFLL lipid classes that would restore the tear film stability and retard the evaporation of the aqueous tear fluid.Methods: The liposomal formulation was prepared by the thin film hydration method and subsequently characterized intermittently by standard techniques for at least 6 months. The mitochondrial metabolic activity (MTT) assay with human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells was utilized to assess the formulation toxicity in vitro. The evaporation resistance properties of the formulation were determined in vitro by the Langmuir trough methods, while a DED cellular model engendered by exposing the HCE cells to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) enabled additional assessment of the in vitro efficacy. In vivo safety was evaluated in rats and rabbits in one‐week studies. The conditions of the animal eyes were assessed by a non‐invasive biomicroscope, an optical coherence tomography, and histological staining of the dissected eyes.Results: The lipid‐based formulation with favourable pharmaceutical and functional properties (e.g., the evaporation resistance, and the promotion of HCE cell recovery after damage) was developed successfully, while also the physical stability of the formulation was found promising. No evidence of toxicity was observed during in vitro and in vivo experiments.Conclusions: The results suggest that the developed formulation is well‐tolerated and possesses properties and a safety profile compatible with ocular administration. Utilized in vitro efficacy models imply that the developed formulation is a promising candidate towards more efficient DED treatment. In vivo efficacy remains to be clarified in future studies.
A novel AI‐powered IR‐Visible dual camera system for measuring and tracking ocular surface temperature
Authors: Bidaki Ehsan Zare , Wong Alexander , Shahsavari Navid , Murphy Paul 
Published: January 2024

Aims/Purpose: To report the development of a novel artificial intelligence (AI) powered, dual camera (infrared (IR)/visible) system capable of measuring and tracking ocular surface temperature (OST) over any time period.Methods: The system consists of an IR camera (Teledyne FLIR IR A655sc) and a visible (V) camera (FLIR BFS 51S5C‐C), co‐mounted on a slit‐lamp for simultaneous and overlapping fields of view (FOV); designed control algorithms; computer hardware and connecting cables. Novel algorithms are leveraged to synchronize IR and V video streams of exposed ocular surface and adnexa for image and video registration. Localisation of the cornea in V video stream obtained by deep learning (DL) AI algorithms designed for semantic segmentation of the cornea. Coordinates of V video stream segmented cornea are then used to extract corresponding OST data from the IR video stream in each video stream frame. Data analysis algorithms are used to extract OST data from IR video stream. Further image segmentation algorithms isolated specific areas of interest (AOI) for OST analysis.Results: The DL algorithm was trained using V images captured using the V camera. Image registration and segmentation errors were calculated to determine accuracy of system. Mean square error for registration was 5.03 ± 1.82 (c.0.45 mm). Mean Intersection over Union (IoU) was 97.6%, representing accuracy in identifying corneal and scleral pixels in tracked eye segmentation. Analysis software extracted rate of OST change and relative OST change compared to baseline across cornea and selected AOI.Conclusions: A novel AI‐powered system for measuring and tracking OST over time was developed. The system synchronously records IR and V video streams of the eye surface and automatically extracts OST over time. The system can track eye movements and remove artefact eyelid blink frames from the data. A consistent AOI, i.e., pupil, whole cornea, inferior half, superior half, or selected corneal region, can be selected for OST extraction and analysis over time. Experimental results show that the system can track and analyse OST change over time.