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International Ophthalmology Jun 2024To investigate the clinical significance of the correlation between optical densitometry and both biomechanical and morphological parameters in keratoconus (KC) and to...
PURPOSE
To investigate the clinical significance of the correlation between optical densitometry and both biomechanical and morphological parameters in keratoconus (KC) and to verify the diagnostic value of optical densitometry in KC.
METHOD
This cross-sectional study included 436 eyes of 295 patients with KC. Corneal optical densitometry, morphological parameters and biomechanical parameters were measured. Spearman's correlation analysis was employed to investigate the association between optical densitometry and both biomechanical and morphological parameters.
RESULT
Optical densitometry of the anterior (0-2 mm and 2-6 mm), central (0-2 mm), posterior (2-6 mm) and total (2-6 mm) layers correlated positively with SPA1, while the posterior layer (0-2 mm) correlated negatively. Optical densitometry of the anterior layers 2-6 mm, 6-10 mm, and the central layer 6-10 mm negatively affected AL1, while the posterior layer 0-2 mm positively affected it. Optical densitometry of the anterior, central, and posterior layers 0-2 mm and 2-6 mm positively influenced the morphological parameters K, K, K and the absolute values of K, K, K. Optical densitometry of the center (0-2 mm) and posterior (2-6 mm) layers negatively influenced TCT. Optical densitometry of the anterior (0-2 mm and 2-6 mm), center (0-2 mm), posterior (2-6 mm) and total (2-6 mm) layers correlated positively with ACE and PCE, whereas the posterior layer (0-2 mm) correlated negatively.
CONCLUSION
Optical densitometry was correlated with biomechanical and morphological parameters in keratoconus, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic indicator for assessing keratoconus progression and treatment efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Keratoconus; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Densitometry; Male; Cornea; Adult; Corneal Topography; Young Adult; Adolescent; Middle Aged; Biomechanical Phenomena
PubMed: 38943020
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03212-8 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024To evaluate the protective effect of gallic acid on the optic nerve by studying the inhibitory effect of gallic acid on oxidative stress in retinal ganglion cells. 100...
To evaluate the protective effect of gallic acid on the optic nerve by studying the inhibitory effect of gallic acid on oxidative stress in retinal ganglion cells. 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control group, simple high IOP group, 0.5% gallic acid experimental group, and 1% gallic acid experimental group. HE staining, immunofluorescence, DHE staining, Western blot, and q-PCR were used to observe the antioxidant effect of gallic acid on the retina of acute ocular hypertension rats. HE staining of the retina of SD rats confirmed that the nucleus of RGCs was clear, the thickness of the RNFL was regular in the normal control group, and the nucleus of RGCs was ruptured and lysed in the simple high intraocular pressure (IOP) group and the gallic acid group, and the thickness of the RNFL was significantly thickened, but the thickness of the RNFL in the gallic acid group was significantly reduced compared with that in the simple high IOP group (p < 0.05). DHE staining showed that ROS content in the simple high IOP group was significantly increased compared with the normal control group, and ROS content was significantly decreased after the application of gallic acid (p < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining with Brn-3a antibody confirmed that the number of RGCs was significantly reduced in the simple high IOP group compared with the normal control group, whereas after application of gallic acid, the number of RGCs was significantly more in the gallic acid group than in the simple high IOP group (p < 0.05). Western Blot and q-PCR confirmed that hypoxia-inducing factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein content and transcription level were significantly increased in the retinal tissue of the simple high IOP group, and gallic acid could inhibit HIF-1α protein content (p < 0.05) and reduce transcription factor level (p < 0.05). Gallic acid exerts a protective effect on RGC by inhibiting oxidative stress in rats with acute IOP elevation.
Topics: Gallic Acid; Animals; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Antioxidants; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Disease Models, Animal; Glaucoma; Oxidative Stress; Reactive Oxygen Species; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Intraocular Pressure; Ocular Hypertension
PubMed: 38942959
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65965-7 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024This study aimed to investigate the effect of orbital wall decompression surgery and reduction of proptosis on the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal...
This study aimed to investigate the effect of orbital wall decompression surgery and reduction of proptosis on the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED). Fifty-one eyes from 38 patients with controlled TED and proptosis were enrolled in this study. The majority of the patients (50.9%) had a clinical activity score (CAS) of zero, and none had a CAS greater than 2. The patients underwent a complete baseline ophthalmologic examination, and their choroidal profile alterations were monitored using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) before and during the three months after surgery. Changes in SFCT, luminance area (LA), total choroidal area (TCA), and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were measured as the ratio of LA to TCA in EDI-OCT images. The participants had an average age of 46.47 years, and 22 were female (57.9%). The SFCT of the patients exhibited a significant reduction over the follow-up period, decreasing from 388 ± 103 to 355 ± 95 µm in the first month (p < 0.001) and further decreasing to 342 ± 109 µm by the third month compared to baseline (p < 0.001). The CVI exhibited a drop from 0.685 ± 0.037 at baseline to 0.682 ± 0.035 and 0.675 ± 0.030 at 1 and 3 months post-surgery, respectively. However, these changes were not statistically significant, indicating comparable decreases in both LA and TCA. There was a significant correlation between improved proptosis and reduction in SFCT (p < 0.001) but not with CVI (p = 0.171). In conclusion, during the three months of follow-up following orbital wall decompression, CVI did not change, while SFCT reduced significantly. Additionally, SFCT was significantly correlated with proptosis reduction, whereas CVI was not.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Decompression, Surgical; Graves Ophthalmopathy; Choroid; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Adult; Orbit; Exophthalmos; Aged; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38942805
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65884-7 -
Klinische Monatsblatter Fur... Jun 2024Corneal nerves and dendritic cells are increasingly being visualised to serve as clinical parameters in the diagnosis of ocular surface diseases using intravital... (Review)
Review
Corneal nerves and dendritic cells are increasingly being visualised to serve as clinical parameters in the diagnosis of ocular surface diseases using intravital confocal microscopy. In this review, different methods of image analysis are presented. The use of deep learning algorithms, which enable automated pattern recognition, is explained in detail using our own developments and compared with other established methods.
Topics: Cornea; Dendritic Cells; Humans; Microscopy, Confocal; Ophthalmic Nerve; Deep Learning; Corneal Diseases; Pattern Recognition, Automated; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Intravital Microscopy; Algorithms
PubMed: 38941998
DOI: 10.1055/a-2307-0313 -
Klinische Monatsblatter Fur... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Biomarkers; Corneal Diseases; Cornea
PubMed: 38941997
DOI: 10.1055/a-2296-6702 -
British Dental Journal Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Nose
PubMed: 38942879
DOI: 10.1038/s41415-024-7601-7 -
Boletin Medico Del Hospital Infantil de... 2024The cochlear implant (CI) is effective for rehabilitating patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, its placement and use have been...
BACKGROUND
The cochlear implant (CI) is effective for rehabilitating patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, its placement and use have been associated with various complications, such as those affecting the vestibular system. The objective of this study was to compare vestibular function using the video head impulse test (vHIT) in pediatric patients before and after CI placement.
METHODS
A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted. The outcomes of 11 pediatric patients of both sexes with a history of profound hearing loss were evaluated. The results of vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, saccades, asymmetry, Pérez Rey (PR) index, and VOR/saccade ratio for both ears obtained by the vHIT test before and after CI placement were compared.
RESULTS
Of the 11 patients evaluated, the VOR gain showed that 81.8% had normal function, 18.2% had hypofunction, and no patients had hyperfunction before implantation. No statistically significant differences were found when compared with post-implant off and post-implant on conditions (p > 0.05). The extracted variables, asymmetry, PR index, and the VOR/saccades ratio also showed no statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-implant conditions, whether off or on.
CONCLUSIONS
The vestibular function of pediatric patients did not show significant changes before and after CI placement. The vHIT test is a valuable tool for assessing vestibular function and could be considered a criterion for surgical and rehabilitation decisions in patients undergoing CI placement.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Head Impulse Test; Retrospective Studies; Child; Cochlear Implants; Child, Preschool; Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Cochlear Implantation; Video Recording; Saccades; Adolescent; Vestibule, Labyrinth
PubMed: 38941647
DOI: 10.24875/BMHIM.24000022 -
Annual Review of Immunology Jun 2024The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the recently emerged β-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 has had a catastrophic impact, resulting in nearly 7 million fatalities... (Review)
Review
The COVID-19 pandemic was caused by the recently emerged β-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 has had a catastrophic impact, resulting in nearly 7 million fatalities worldwide to date. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against infections, including the detection and response to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we discuss the innate immune mechanisms that sense coronaviruses, with a focus on SARS-CoV-2 infection and how these protective responses can become detrimental in severe cases of COVID-19, contributing to cytokine storm, inflammation, long-COVID, and other complications. We also highlight the complex cross talk among cytokines and the cellular components of the innate immune system, which can aid in viral clearance but also contribute to inflammatory cell death, cytokine storm, and organ damage in severe COVID-19 pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how SARS-CoV-2 evades key protective innate immune mechanisms to enhance its virulence and pathogenicity, as well as how innate immunity can be therapeutically targeted as part of the vaccination and treatment strategy. Overall, we highlight how a comprehensive understanding of innate immune mechanisms has been crucial in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 infections and the development of novel host-directed immunotherapeutic strategies for various diseases.
Topics: Humans; Immunity, Innate; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Cytokines; Animals; Coronavirus Infections; Immune Evasion
PubMed: 38941608
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-083122-043545 -
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology &... Sep 2024To systematically describe the clinical picture of double-antibody seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (DN-NMOSD) with specific emphasis on retinal...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To systematically describe the clinical picture of double-antibody seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (DN-NMOSD) with specific emphasis on retinal involvement.
METHODS
Cross-sectional data of 25 people with DN-NMOSD (48 eyes) with and without a history of optic neuritis (ON) were included in this study along with data from 25 people with aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD, 46 eyes) and from 25 healthy controls (HCs, 49 eyes) for comparison. All groups were matched for age and sex and included from the collaborative retrospective study of retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) in neuromyelitis optica (CROCTINO). Participants underwent OCT with central postprocessing and local neurologic examination and antibody testing. Retinal neurodegeneration was quantified as peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFL) and combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer thickness (GCIPL).
RESULTS
This DN-NMOSD cohort had a history of [median (inter-quartile range)] 6 (5; 9) attacks within their 5 ± 4 years since onset. Myelitis and ON were the most common attack types. In DN-NMOSD eyes after ON, pRNFL ( < 0.001) and GCIPL ( = 0.023) were thinner compared with eyes of HCs. Even after only one ON episode, DN-NMOSD eyes already had considerable neuroaxonal loss compared with HCs. In DN-NMOSD eyes without a history of ON, pRNFL ( = 0.027) and GCIPL ( = 0.022) were also reduced compared with eyes of HCs. However, there was no difference in pRNFL and GCIPL between DN-NMOSD and AQP4-NMOSD for the whole group and for subsets with a history of ON and without a history of ON-as well as between variances of retinal layer thicknesses.
DISCUSSION
DN-NMOSD is characterized by severe retinal damage after ON and attack-independent retinal neurodegeneration. Most of the damage occurs during the first ON episode, which highlights the need for better diagnostic markers in DN-NMOSD to facilitate an earlier diagnosis as well as for effective and early treatments. In this study, people with DN-NMOSD presented with homogeneous clinical and imaging findings potentially suggesting a common retinal pathology in these patients.
Topics: Humans; Neuromyelitis Optica; Female; Male; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Aquaporin 4; Retrospective Studies; Autoantibodies; Retina
PubMed: 38941573
DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200273 -
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology &... Sep 2024Retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides promising prognostic imaging biomarkers for future disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, raw...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides promising prognostic imaging biomarkers for future disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, raw OCT-derived measures have multiple dependencies, supporting the need for establishing reference values adjusted for possible confounders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the capacity for age-adjusted scores of OCT-derived measures to prognosticate future disease activity and disability worsening in people with MS (PwMS).
METHODS
We established age-adjusted OCT reference data using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape for peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIP) thicknesses, involving 910 and 423 healthy eyes, respectively. Next, we transformed the retinal layer thickness of PwMS from 3 published studies into age-adjusted scores (pRNFL-z and GCIP-z) based on the reference data. Finally, we investigated the association of pRNFL-z or GCIP-z as predictors with future confirmed disability worsening (Expanded Disability Status Scale score increase) or disease activity (failing of the no evidence of disease activity [NEDA-3] criteria) as outcomes. Cox proportional hazards models or logistic regression analyses were applied according to the original studies. Optimal cutoffs were identified using the Akaike information criterion as well as location with the log-rank and likelihood-ratio tests.
RESULTS
In the first cohort (n = 863), 172 PwMS (24%) had disability worsening over a median observational period of 2.0 (interquartile range [IQR]:1.0-3.0) years. Low pRNFL-z (≤-2.04) were associated with an increased risk of disability worsening (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) [95% CI] = 2.08 [1.47-2.95], 3.82e). In the second cohort (n = 170), logistic regression analyses revealed that lower pRNFL-z showed a higher likelihood for disability accumulation at the two-year follow-up (reciprocal odds ratio [95% CI] = 1.51[1.06-2.15], = 0.03). In the third cohort (n = 78), 46 PwMS (59%) did not maintain the NEDA-3 status over a median follow-up of 2.0 (IQR: 1.9-2.1) years. PwMS with low GCIP-z (≤-1.03) had a higher risk of showing disease activity (aHR [95% CI] = 2.14 [1.03-4.43], = 0.04). Compared with raw values with arbitrary cutoffs, applying the score approach with optimal cutoffs showed better performance in discrimination and calibration (higher Harrell's concordance index and lower integrated Brier score).
DISCUSSION
In conclusion, our work demonstrated reference cohort-based scores that account for age, a major driver for disease progression in MS, to be a promising approach for creating OCT-derived measures useable across devices and toward individualized prognostication.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Adult; Middle Aged; Disease Progression; Prognosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Retina; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 38941572
DOI: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000200269