bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting neuroinflammation in early diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Fragiotta Serena 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNeurodegeneration has been proven to represent a critical element of diabetic retinopathy (DR) pathogenesis. The neuronal involvement is subclinical, engaging in the early phases of diabetic retinopathy, and contributes to the further microvascular impairment and blood‐retinal barrier breakdown. The importance of neurodegeneration resides in the possibility of targeting neuronal apoptosis as an early intervention to slow and prevent the development of microvascular alterations visible on clinical examination. This presentation summarizes the multimodal imaging features and functional tests helpful in identifying neuronal damage in a subclinical stage before recognizing DR signs. Clinical features of neurodegeneration are crucial in identifying high‐risk patients to develop a vascular impairment and thus serve as outcome measures to understand the efficacy of supplementation. The potential approach for targeting neurodegeneration that includes topical compounds acting on different elements of the pathogenic cascade will be discussed. Further, the current evidence and clinical trials performed on humans will be examined, including the three main topical agents tested, brimonidine, somatostatin, and citicoline, with promising results.
When not to do a trabeculectomy (Trab vs tube)
Authors: Porteous Alastair 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDespite the advent of modern minimally invasive glaucoma surgery techniques, trabeculectomy still remains the gold standard surgical technique for controlling the intraocular pressure in patients with uncontrolled glaucoma – achieving adequate pressure control, often in the low teens. There are, however, particular indications and subtypes of glaucoma where a trabeculectomy may not be the most appropriate first‐line surgical technique. In this presentation we will aim to discuss, using both personal experience and the latest published evidence, the factors that lead to both a higher and lower chance of surgical success. In particular we will discuss the rationale for choosing to perform tube surgery over a trabeculectomy.
Clinical outcomes in a large multi‐Centre prospective corneal transplant study
Authors: Jesper Hjortdal 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe output from Work package 2 (WP2) of the VISICORT project included four deliverables:
Establishment of secure multi‐site clinical database of human corneal transplant recipients.
Report of 1‐year outcomes from multi‐site prospective biological sampling and clinical follow‐up of full thickness (FT)‐ and posterior lamellar (PL)‐CT recipients
Report of 3‐year prospective outcomes of FT‐ and PL‐CT recipients
Report of clinical factors associated with adverse immunological outcomes from FT‐ and PL‐CT within the overall transplant practice of a network of 5 leading EU centres.

In more general terms, the main mission of WP2 was to develop a cloud‐based system to collect relevant, well‐defined clinical information and track biological samples, to recruit patients from the five clinical centers, to collect biological samples and clinical data and to follow these patients clinically over several years.The current speech focus on the clinical outcomes 928 prospectively enrolled patients followed up to 3 years.Beyond confirming known factors associated with an adverse immunological outcome after FT‐ and PL‐CT such as the influence of primary diagnosis and type of surgery as risk factors, the clinical factors study revealed factors which needs to be explored further on. Identification of a re‐bubbling procedure (repeated injection of air to keep a PL graft in place) as an important risk factor for development of a later acute rejection episode is important as re‐bubbling is necessary in a fair large number of CT‐PL procedures (15–25%). The finding that presence of loose sutures after CT‐FT is a significant risk factor for AGR is not surprising, but further confirms that patients undergoing CT‐FT needs to be followed closely.Concerning graft failure, it is worth to note that presence of diabetes 2 was identified as a significant risk factor for graft failure after CT‐FT. This may be due to a partially neurotrophic disease state in many patients with diabetes 2 and this has to be taken into account when deciding to perform CT‐FT and in the clinical follow‐up, which need to be meticulous.The current clinical variables study is unique, and it would seem compelling to continue the clinical follow‐up of the recruited patients beyond the funding period for VISICORT. This would of course require new grant applications and obtaining new ethical approvals from the ethics committees at the five clinical centres.
Cerebral achromatopsia
Authors: Rauscher Franziska G. , Barbur John L. , Plant Gordon T. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractChromatic sensitivity was assessed in patients with pregeniculate and postgeniculate lesions. We examine changes in central vision along at foveal fixation and in each of the four paracentral quadrants of the visual field using the Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test, a dynamic luminance contrast masking technique that isolates the use of Red / Green (RG) and Yellow / Blue (YB) colour signals. Because the extraction of colour signals in early visual processing involves opponent mechanisms, subjects with congenital RG loss of sensitivity exhibit symmetric increase in thresholds towards the long wavelength (“red”) and middle wavelength (“green”) regions of the spectrum locus. This is also frequently the case with acquired loss of chromatic sensitivity as a result of retinal or optic nerve disease. The findings from this study represent an exception to this rule. The patients investigated showed a marked asymmetry in colour thresholds. The study reveals how discrete, localized damage to visual pathways can cause selective loss of visual function and how the latter varies with retinal topography.The 36 pregeniculate patients investigated exhibited impairment in both RG and YB. Loss of colour vision was symmetrical for both RG and YB discrimination. Some pregeniculate patients exhibited substantial loss of colour vision in areas where perimetric loss was largely absent. All quadrants revealed similar symmetric loss of colour sensitivity.In 23 patients with postgeniculate lesions, patients with pre‐striate damage exhibited symmetric loss of chromatic sensitivity which affected either one or both chromatic mechanisms. Striate or extra‐striate lesions tended to exhibit general loss of colour vision within the area identified by visual field testing. More specific chromatic loss was associated with less impaired areas that were often normal on perimetric testing. Some patients with striate or extra‐striate lesions presented with asymmetric chromatic loss for one or more colour categories. When striate or extra‐striate lesions were also accompanied by underlying pre‐striate damage, chromatic sensitivity loss was always symmetric.The findings from this study show that the loss of chromatic sensitivity in cerebral achromatopsia depends strongly on the exact location and extent of the lesion with significant variation over the visual field. The same subject can exhibit loss of chromatic sensitivity that is either RG or YB specific, but also, spatially localized, non‐opponent loss of sensitivity for primary colours.
Microbiome and autoimmunity
Authors: Kverka Miloslav 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn humans, most epithelial surfaces are colonized by complex ecosystem of microorganisms called microbiota. While each of these surfaces has unique microbial colony, host–microbe interactions are necessary for our adaptation to the environment, development of many physiological processes and their constant regulation. The largest microbial community resides in the gut, where it consists mainly of diverse community of bacteria, but fungi, protozoa, archaea and viruses (mostly bacteriophages) are present as well. Disruption of gut microbiota, i.e. dysbiosis, is associated with numerous inflammatory, metabolic, cardiovascular and neoplastic diseases. This extraordinarily broad scope of effects is caused either directly, by producing bioactive metabolites, or indirectly, by shaping the cellular and humoral response in the host's cells – mainly in the gut epithelial and immune cells, which can even reach distant organs and tissues. Dysbiosis is often associated with impaired barrier function (“leaky gut”) which leads increased interactions of the microbial antigens with the immune system and to local and systemic inflammation. Thus all actions influencing gut microbiota, such as shifts in diet, administration of antibiotics or probiotics or faecal microbiota transfer, have recently emerged as attractive therapeutic or preventive interventions in medicine. Here, I will shortly describe mechanisms of their action and outline concepts that bridge the gap between microbiota and immune mechanisms.Acknowledgement: Research is supported by Czech Academy of Sciences (Lumina Quaeruntur Program LQ200202105).
Corneal surface analysis – Topography
Authors: Langenbucher Achim 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPlacido topographers are widely used in ophthalmology and optometry for a measurement of corneal surface topography. With an extremely high resolution this technology could measure mean curvature and astigmatism, mapping a manual keratometer with SimK values, as well as asphericity. In addition, corneal irregularities and scars as well as (early) forms of ectatic diseases (e.g. keratoconus, keratoglobus or PMD) could be identified as long as the precorneal tear film is intact. In this talk we give an overview on the capabilities as well as the drawbacks of this imaging technique and dedicated analysis and screening indices which assist the examiner in identifying corneal surface pathologies or diseases.
Corneal curvature and thickness – Scheimpflug
Authors: Kovacs Illes 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAlthough the Scheimpflug principle was first described over a century ago, the clinical use of Scheimpflug camera in anterior segment imaging started only a decade ago. Scheimpflug imaging has since advanced significantly and modern instruments provide comprehensive imaging and topographic data of the anterior segment using a noncontact method. It provides anterior and posterior surface topography of the cornea that is derived from true elevation measurements. Approximately 25 000 data points are used to calculate topographic corneal thickness, corneal curvature, anterior chamber angle, volume, and height. Pachymetry and topography of the entire anterior and posterior surface of the cornea from limbus to limbus are calculated and displayed. Keratoconus detection maps may be generated to assist in the classification and diagnosis of keratoconus prior to contact lens fitting or refractive surgery. Zernike wavefront representation of the anterior and posterior surface of the cornea may be calculated based on the measured height data. In this presentation the clinical applications and limitations of Scheimpflug imaging will also be discussed.
Corneal endothelium – Specular microscopy
Authors: Modis László 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCorneal endothelium is a single layer of hexagonal cells covering the inner surface of the cornea and maintains the corneal deturgescence by continuous pumping of water and ions from the stroma to the aqueous humour. This mechanism is necessary to preserve the transparency of the cornea. The corneal endothelium is derived from the neural crest. Endothelial cells are arranged in a mosaic pattern of mostly hexagonal shaped cells. The cells can be characterized by different size (polymegathism) and different shape (pleomorphism). These parameters may reflect a compromised endothelial functional status.The corneal endothelial cell layer does not capable for regeneration, a constant and age‐dependent loss of corneal cells present during lifetime. Extensive injury of corneal endothelium leads to permanent corneal swelling and bullous alterations on the corneal surface. If left untreated and in chronic cases inflammation, later on permanent scarring may occur leads to loss of corneal transparency and finally decreased vision.Generally, a healthy cornea has about 1500–3500 endothelial cells/mm2 in the central area (age 40–75). The gold standard for the evaluation of endothelial cell density is endothelial microscopy, based on specular reflection, when light is reflected from the interfaces of materials with different indices of refraction. In addition, in vivo confocal microscope can also be used to visualize the endothelium, along with other tissue components of the cornea.Different forms of corneal damage by inflammatory processes or by mechanical trauma following intraocular surgery can lead to additional endothelial cell loss. Evaluation and proper examination of corneal endothelium and endothelial cell density is important and has clinical relevance in aging, corneal preservation, phacoemulsification, and post‐keratoplasty corneas.
DARC
Authors: Cordeiro Francesca 
Published: December 2022

AbstractClinical trials of new treatments in glaucoma have traditionally relied on IOP as the endpoint. However, the emergence of neuroprotection in glaucoma has lead to a need for new measures of treatment efficacy. Several potential outcomes have been suggested including immunological, genetic, structural and functional biomarkers. The identification of in vivo apoptosis could serve as a potential biomarker of disease activity. The technology that has been developed to detect apoptosing retinal cells (DARC) has recently moved from experimental preclinical stages to clinical trials, with Phase 2a trials including patients with glaucoma, AMD, optic neuritis, Down's dementia and glaucoma. The Phase 1 results showed that DARC has potential in glaucoma, with significantly greater levels of apoptosis in patients with increasing progression compared to stable, and Phase II results also discussed.
Advantages and pitfalls of confocal microscopy for detection of AK
Authors: Lagali Neil 
Published: December 2022

AbstractCorneal infection by the diverse genotypes of the acanthamoeba parasite is becoming an increasingly common aetiology of serious cases of microbial keratitis in Europe, due in part to the growing use of contact lenses. The detection and diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), however, remains challenging in a clinical setting. Several diagnostic methods are typically used, including culture, clinical signs and symptoms, RTPCR, and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Only IVCM, however, is able to give a rapid and objective result that is not dependent on the location of a limited biopsy sample. Nevertheless, IVCM has both advantages and limitations for AK assessment when applied in a real‐world setting. An overview is given of the current knowledge on distinguishing features of AK when assessed by IVCM, and several challenging cases of suspected AK will be presented, along with considerations regarding how to assess characteristic features seen in IVCM images, that can either be indicative of AK infection, or conversely be features masquerading as AK‐specific findings. Finally, recommendations for the use of IVCM in the clinic for AK assessment, diagnosis and follow‐up will be given.
Acanthamoeba keratitis – Clinical signs and potential specific conservative treatment
Authors: Szentmary Nora 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAcanthamoeba keratitis is a “chameleon”. It presents classically with greyish epithelial changes, perineuritis, superficial multifocal stromal infiltrates and ring infiltrate. In the presence of clinical signs, polymerase chain reaction, in vitro culture or histopathological examination have to be used to confirm the diagnosis. In vivo confocal microscopy is applied as an early non‐invasive ad‐hoc diagnostic method. Our finding emphasizes that pre‐testing the in vitro susceptibility of the AK isolate with the non‐nutrient E. coli agar plate assay against the anti‐amoebic drug intended for treatment will give valuable information on whether the drug is likely to be active on the Acanthamoeba isolate in vivo.
Genetic dissection of eye development – Lessons from Pax6
Authors: Kozmik Zbynek 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA paired domain and homeodomain‐containing transcription factor Pax6 is an evolutionarily conserved regulator implicated in the eye development of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Mutations of the Pax6 gene disrupt eye development in both mammals and insects while Pax6 misexpression can lead to the formation of ectopic eyes. Genetic and expression studies have indicated that the development of vertebrate eyes is guided by a conserved gene regulatory network with Pax6 being one of the key transcription factors. To define the regulatory inputs into Pax6 gene we performed a genetic dissection of its regulatory landscape. To uncover the direct target genes of Pax6 we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP‐seq) using mouse embryonic retina as a sample. We will present our preliminary genetic data on functional validation of Pax6‐regulated enhancers.
Retinal pigmented epithelium development from the perspective of transcription factors and cis‐regulatory elements
Authors: Gulkar‐Cohen Mazal , Messika Naama , David Ahuvit , Idelson Maria , Cohen‐Tayar Yamit , Reubinoff Benjamin , Elkon Ran , Ashery‐Padan Ruth 
Published: December 2022

AbstractNormal vision depends on the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), a metabolic cell layer that is vital to the development and function of the adjacent retinal photoreceptors. The LIM‐homeodomain transcription factor Lhx2 is important key factor for generation of the progenitors of both RPE and retina during early stages of eye development and is also essential for the generation of different stem cells giving rise to multiple types of organs.The purpose of this project is to understand the gene regulatory network (GRN) and the cis‐regulatory sequences bound by Lhx2/LHX2 in mouse and human in the developing and mature retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of mammals.The methods include functional studies in vivo using Cre/loxP and knockdown approaches in RPE derived from human embryonic stem cells (hES‐RPE). The functional studies are combined with analyses of the global molecular changes, by identifying and characterizing cis‐regulatory regions bound by the complex and the impact of the mutation on gene expression and tissue differentiation.The results reveal essential role for Lhx2 in maintaining RPE fate in the embryonic optic cup and in differentiated hES‐RPE. Lhx2 seems to function as direct regulator of tissue specific transcription factors as well as cytoskeletal and cell adhesion genes.Conclusions: the GRN and the cis regulatory sequences identified provide novel insight on the activity of an important developmental regulator in controlling RPE differentiation, morphology and function in mice and humans.
The eye and lymphoma: New concepts of an old acquaintance
Authors: Touhami Sara 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntraocular lymphoma (IOL) is a life‐threatening condition that results from the proliferation of malignant lymphocytic cells arising from either the central nervous system (CNS) (primary CNS lymphoma) or outside the CNS with secondary dissemination and metastasis to the eye (secondary IOL). Primary intraocular lymphoma (PIOL), also known as primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL), is a subset of PCNSL where the findings are ocular.PVRL is particularly feared because it can manifest as non‐specific uveitis, leading to a potentially fatal diagnostic delay. Although clinical and ancillary parameters can provide valuable diagnostic clues, the only valid confirmation comes from cytological analysis and molecular studies of clonality based on vitreous and/or (sub)retinal biopsies performed during vitrectomy. Standard three‐port twenty‐five‐gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy is the usual sampling technique; however, it is important to remember that the diagnostic yield of vitreous cells depends on the way samples are harvested, transported and analysed. Even when surgical recommendations are strictly followed and analyses performed by trained pathologists, the diagnostic yield of vitrectomy is not 100%.The objective of this course is to describe the clinical features of PVRL and its characteristics on ancillary exams in both typical and more challenging situations, and present the diagnostic procedures that are or will be available in the near future. Therapeutic management will be discussed later during this course.
Upcoming implications of the DECODE VRL study for the diagnostics of PVRL
Authors: Kakkassery Vinodh 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAim of this talk is to give insight into the impact of registry in primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PRVL) care in Germany. Further, the talk will give information on the recently started nationwide multi‐center prospective DECODE VRL study in Germany. The DECODE VRL has the approach to implement and clinically validate a standardized, innovative molecular diagnostics for PRVL by using previously new recognized biomarkers like MYD88 (Bonzheim et al., Blood 2015) and miRNA 92, 19b and 21 (Kakkassery et al., Blood 2017). Both projects will contribute to a better care of PVRL in the future.
15 years of PVRL‐experience of Prague uveitis Centre
Authors: Heissigerova Jarmila , Klimova Aneta , Brichova Michaela , Rihova Eva , Svozilkova Petra 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIntravitreal lymphoma is a malignant masquerade syndrome which is crucial to identify among uveitis patients because of its life‐threatening nature.A total of 35 immunocompetent patients, 15 men and 20 women, were observed with vitreoretinal lymphoma in the Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Uveitis in Prague between the years 2003 to 2019. Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) was diagnosed in 15 patients, 6 patients from this group did not show any CNS involvement nor had an intraocular relapse during the observation period. The clinical manifestation of lymphoma in our patients was usually the vitreous haze, sometimes accompanied by retinal lesions and anterior chamber cells with or without keratic precipitates. In our observation, the diagnosis was determined by cytology or/and flow cytometry from vitreous analysis in all patients with exception of 4 patients with clinically highly suspicious finding of vitreous. Beside the vitritis, retinal infiltration was present in 3 of these 4 patients. From this group of 4 patients, the diagnosis was confirmed from brain biopsy in 3 patients and lung biopsy in 1 patient. The vitreous analysis was negative for lymphoma in 2 patients and in 2 patients' vitreous analysis was not performed. Over the years, the sensitivity of VRL detection from vitreous sample became very high, in our observation 94%.All patients diagnosed with VRL by vitreous analysis were sent to haemato‐oncologist work‐up. Treatment was decided by the consensus of a haemato‐oncologist and an ophthalmologist according to the clinical manifestation. Combination of intravitreal and systemic chemotherapy is recommended in many reports. There has been a decline in ocular and brain radiotherapy in recent years because of the unpredictable and irreversible nature of its side effects. Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) following systemic chemotherapy was indicated in 3 patients. The relapse of lymphoma was observed in 13 patients, first relapse was after 11–120 months (median 32 months).Supported by research project AZV MZ CR NU20‐03‐00253.