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Nutrients Apr 2024Nitrate (NO) obtained from the diet is converted to nitrite (NO) and subsequently to nitric oxide (NO) within the body. Previously, we showed that porcine eye components...
Nitrate (NO) obtained from the diet is converted to nitrite (NO) and subsequently to nitric oxide (NO) within the body. Previously, we showed that porcine eye components contain substantial amounts of nitrate and nitrite that are similar to those in blood. Notably, cornea and sclera exhibited the capability to reduce nitrate to nitrite. To gain deeper insights into nitrate metabolism in porcine eyes, our current study involved feeding pigs either NaCl or NaNO and assessing the levels of total and N-labeled NO/NO in various ocular tissues. Three hours after NaNO ingestion, a marked increase in NO and NO was observed in all parts of the eye; in particular, the aqueous and vitreous humor showed a high NO enrichment (77.5 and 74.5%, respectively), similar to that of plasma (77.1%) and showed an even higher NO enrichment (39.9 and 35.3%, respectively) than that of plasma (19.8%). The total amounts of NO and NO exhibited patterns consistent with those observed in N analysis. Next, to investigate whether nitrate or nitrite accumulate proportionally after multiple nitrate treatments, we measured nitrate and nitrite contents after supplementing pigs with NaNO for five consecutive days. In both N-labeled and total nitrate and nitrite analysis, we did not observe further accumulation of these ions after multiple treatments, compared to a single treatment. These findings suggest that dietary nitrate supplementation exerts a significant influence on nitrate and nitrite levels and potentially NO levels in the eye and opens up the possibility for the therapeutic use of dietary nitrate/nitrite to enhance or restore NO levels in ocular tissues.
Topics: Animals; Nitrates; Swine; Dietary Supplements; Nitrites; Eye; Nitrogen Isotopes; Cornea; Diet; Aqueous Humor; Vitreous Body; Nitric Oxide; Animal Feed
PubMed: 38674845
DOI: 10.3390/nu16081154 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Apr 2024: Endotamponade of the vitreous body with silicone oil is a common procedure, being the basis of many vitreoretinal surgeries. However, emulsification may happen, which... (Review)
Review
: Endotamponade of the vitreous body with silicone oil is a common procedure, being the basis of many vitreoretinal surgeries. However, emulsification may happen, which is a clinically relevant adverse event of silicone oil use. : This review provides a thorough analysis of the emulsification process. It focuses on describing factors affecting this event as well as its possible subsequent complications. : The viscosity of silicone oil, the duration of emulsification, the status of the lens and many other factors have an influence on the onset and intensity of emulsification. This phenomenon carries several risks for operated eyes such as increased intraocular pressure, keratopathy or structural changes to the retina. : The use of modern imaging techniques, especially optical coherence tomography, enables faster detection of the emulsification process. This allows for an adequate clinical response and more accurate follow-up of the patient.
PubMed: 38673681
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13082407 -
Biomolecules Apr 2024Inorganic-organic hybrid biomaterials have been proposed for bone tissue repair, with improved mechanical flexibility compared with scaffolds fabricated from...
Inorganic-organic hybrid biomaterials have been proposed for bone tissue repair, with improved mechanical flexibility compared with scaffolds fabricated from bioceramics. However, obtaining hybrids with osteoinductive properties equivalent to those of bioceramics is still a challenge. In this work, we present for the first time the synthesis of a class II hybrid modified with bioactive glass nanoparticles (nBGs) with osteoinductive properties. The nanocomposite hybrids were produced by incorporating nBGs in situ into a polytetrahydrofuran (PTHF) and silica (SiO) hybrid synthesis mixture using a combined sol-gel and cationic polymerization method. nBGs ~80 nm in size were synthesized using the sol-gel technique. The structure, composition, morphology, and mechanical properties of the resulting materials were characterized using ATR-FTIR, Si MAS NMR, SEM-EDX, AFM, TGA, DSC, mechanical, and DMA testing. The in vitro bioactivity and degradability of the hybrids were assessed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and PBS, respectively. Cytocompatibility with mesenchymal stem cells was assessed using MTS and cell adhesion assays. Osteogenic differentiation was determined using the alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), as well as the gene expression of Runx2 and Osterix markers. Hybrids loaded with 5, 10, and 15% of nBGs retained the mechanical flexibility of the PTHF-SiO matrix and improved its ability to promote the formation of bone-like apatite in SBF. The nBGs did not impair cell viability, increased the ALP activity, and upregulated the expression of Runx2 and Osterix. These results demonstrate that nBGs are an effective osteoinductive nanoadditive for the production of class II hybrid materials with enhanced properties for bone tissue regeneration.
Topics: Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Glass; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Osteogenesis; Biocompatible Materials; Humans; Silicon Dioxide; Cell Differentiation; Tissue Engineering
PubMed: 38672498
DOI: 10.3390/biom14040482 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a rare subtype of DLBCL and can progress into primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). To investigate the role of...
Primary vitreoretinal lymphoma (PVRL) is a rare subtype of DLBCL and can progress into primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). To investigate the role of chronic antigenic stimulation in PVRL, we cloned and expressed B-cell receptors (BCR) from PVRL patients and tested for binding against human auto-antigens. SEL1L3, a protein with multiple glycosylation sites, was identified as the BCR target in 3/20 PVRL cases. SEL1L3 induces proliferation and BCR pathway activation in aggressive lymphoma cell lines. Moreover, SEL1L3 conjugated to a toxin killed exclusively lymphoma cells with respective BCR-reactivity. Western Blot analysis indicates the occurrence of hyper-N-glycosylation of SEL1L3 at aa 527 in PVRL patients with SEL1L3-reactive BCRs. The BCR of a PVRL patient with serum antibodies against SEL1L3 was cloned from a vitreous body biopsy at diagnosis and of a systemic manifestation at relapse. VH4-04*07 was used in both lymphoma manifestations with highly conserved CDR3 regions. Both BCRs showed binding to SEL1L3, suggesting continued dependence of lymphoma cells on antigen stimulation. These results indicate an important role of antigenic stimulation by post-translationally modified auto-antigens in the genesis of PVRL. They also provide the basis for a new treatment approach targeting unique lymphoma BCRs with ultimate specificity.
Topics: Humans; Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; Glycosylation; Cell Line, Tumor; Retinal Neoplasms; Autoantigens; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Female; Male; Vitreous Body; Middle Aged; Aged
PubMed: 38671086
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60169-5 -
BMC Ophthalmology Apr 2024We aimed to investigate the anatomical features of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and vitreous cytokine levels as predictors of outcomes of combined phacovitrectomy... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
We aimed to investigate the anatomical features of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and vitreous cytokine levels as predictors of outcomes of combined phacovitrectomy with intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implants for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) treatment.
METHODS
A prospective, single-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial included 48 eyes. They were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to undergo the DEX group (combined phacovitrectomy with ERM peeling and Ozurdex implantation) and control group (phacovitrectomy only). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were assessed at 1 d, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. The structural features of OCT before surgery were analysed for stratified analysis. Baseline soluble CD14 (sCD14) and sCD163 levels in the vitreous fluid were measured using ELISA.
RESULTS
BCVA and CMT were not significantly different in the DEX and control groups. Eyes with hyperreflective foci (HRF) at baseline achieved better BCVA (P=0.746; P=0.043, Wald χ²=7.869) and lower CMT (Ptime*group = 0.079; Pgroup = 0.001, Wald χ²=6.774) responses to DEX during follow-up. In all patients, the mean vitreous level of sCD163 in eyes with HRF was significantly higher than that in eyes without HRF (P = 0.036, Z=-2.093) at baseline. In the DEX group, higher sCD163 predicted greater reduction in CMT from baseline to 1 month (r = 0.470, P = 0.049).
CONCLUSIONS
We found that intraoperative DEX implantation did not have beneficial effects on BCVA and CMT over a 3-month period in all patients with iERM, implying that the use of DEX for all iERM is not recommended. In contrast, for those with HRF on OCT responded better to DEX implants at the 3-month follow-up and thier vitreous fluid expressed higher levels of sCD163 at baseline. These data support the hypothesis that DEX implants may be particularly effective in treating cases where ERM is secondary to inflammation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The trail has been registered at Chinese Clinical Trail Registry( https://www.chictr.org.cn ) on 2021/03/12 (ChiCTR2100044228). And all patients in the article were enrolled after registration.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Biomarkers; Dexamethasone; Drug Implants; Epiretinal Membrane; Glucocorticoids; Intravitreal Injections; Phacoemulsification; Prospective Studies; Single-Blind Method; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 38664679
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03429-2 -
BMC Ophthalmology Apr 2024Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) still represents a diagnostic challenge for retinal specialists. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for a better prognosis. Several...
BACKGROUND
Vitreoretinal lymphoma (VRL) still represents a diagnostic challenge for retinal specialists. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for a better prognosis. Several diagnostic tools have proven helpful in the identification of VRL abnormalities. However, swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCT-A) findings and their long-term follow-up are yet to be explored.
CASE PRESENTATION
a 42-year-old man presented with blurred vision in his left eye for 2 weeks. He denied any systemic symptoms. A multimodal imaging examination was performed, raising the clinical suspicion of VRL and guiding the ensuing diagnostic procedures. The patient underwent treatment and at the last FU visit three years later, no disease signs were present on fundus examination, nor on oncologic evaluation. Some novel SS-OCT-A features were identified, and uncommonly reported findings were examined over a long-term follow-up. At baseline multiple hyperreflective alterations were detected on the enface outer retina slabs and choriocapillary analysis revealed low reflectance areas in the foveal and parafoveal areas. One month after the first presentation, multiple hyperreflective retinal lesions in a vertical shape were detected on OCT which appeared on midretinal slabs of enface SS-OCT-A as hyperreflective spots mainly located near second-order retinal vessels. These alterations remarkably reduced after treatment.
CONCLUSION
SS-OCT-A may be a useful imaging technique in the detection of VRL, providing ophthalmologists additional findings that assist the diagnosis and follow-up of this disease. This may prove useful for a more timely and precise diagnosis, prompt therapy, and treatment response monitoring. The original aspects found in this case may provide grounds for future studies, ultimately fostering a better understanding of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Male; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Adult; Retinal Neoplasms; Fluorescein Angiography; Follow-Up Studies; Vitreous Body; Visual Acuity; Fundus Oculi; Intraocular Lymphoma
PubMed: 38664667
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03438-1 -
International Journal of Retina and... Apr 2024Applications for artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology are continually evolving. Fundoscopy is one of the oldest ocular imaging techniques but remains a mainstay... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Applications for artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology are continually evolving. Fundoscopy is one of the oldest ocular imaging techniques but remains a mainstay in posterior segment imaging due to its prevalence, ease of use, and ongoing technological advancement. AI has been leveraged for fundoscopy to accomplish core tasks including segmentation, classification, and prediction.
MAIN BODY
In this article we provide a review of AI in fundoscopy applied to representative chorioretinal pathologies, including diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, among others. We conclude with a discussion of future directions and current limitations.
SHORT CONCLUSION
As AI evolves, it will become increasingly essential for the modern ophthalmologist to understand its applications and limitations to improve patient outcomes and continue to innovate.
PubMed: 38654344
DOI: 10.1186/s40942-024-00554-4 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Apr 2024The purpose of this study was to determine if levels of the HtrA1 protein in serum or vitreous humor are influenced by genetic risk for age-related macular degeneration...
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine if levels of the HtrA1 protein in serum or vitreous humor are influenced by genetic risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) at the 10q26 locus, age, sex, AMD status, and/or AMD disease severity, and, therefore, to determine the contribution of systemic and ocular HtrA1 to the AMD disease process.
METHODS
A custom-made sandwich ELISA assay (SCTM ELISA) for detection of the HtrA1 protein was designed and compared with three commercial assays (R&D Systems, MyBiosource 1 and MyBiosource 2) using 65 serum samples. Concentrations of HtrA1 were thereafter determined in serum and vitreous samples collected from 248 individuals and 145 human donor eyes, respectively.
RESULTS
The SCTM ELISA demonstrated high specificity, good recovery, and parallelism within its linear detection range and performed comparably to the R&D Systems assay. In contrast, we were unable to demonstrate the specificity of the two assays from MyBioSource using either recombinant or native HtrA1. Analyses of concentrations obtained using the validated SCTM assay revealed that genetic risk at the 10q26 locus, age, sex, or AMD status are not significantly associated with altered levels of the HtrA1 protein in serum or in vitreous humor (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
HtrA1 levels in serum and vitreous do not reflect the risk for AMD associated with the 10q26 locus or disease status. Localized alteration in HTRA1 expression in the retinal pigment epithelium, rather than systemic changes in HtrA1, is the most likely driver of elevated risk for developing AMD among individuals with risk variants at the 10q26 locus.
Topics: Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 10; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1; Macular Degeneration; Risk Factors; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serine Endopeptidases; Vitreous Body
PubMed: 38648039
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.34 -
International Journal of Ophthalmology 2024To investigate the types of bacteria in patients with eye infections in Suzhou and their drug resistance to commonly used antibacterial drugs.
AIM
To investigate the types of bacteria in patients with eye infections in Suzhou and their drug resistance to commonly used antibacterial drugs.
METHODS
The clinical data of 155 patients were retrospectively collected in this study, and the pathogenic bacteria species and drug resistance of each pathogenic bacteria were analyzed.
RESULTS
Among the 155 patients (age from 12 to 87 years old, with an average age of 57, 99 males and 56 females) with eye infections (160 eyes: 74 in the left eye, 76 in the right eye and 5 in both eyes, all of which were exogenous), 71 (45.81%) strains were gram-positive bacteria, 23 (14.84%) strains were gram-negative bacteria and 61 (39.35%) strains were fungi. Gram-positive bacteria were highly resistant to penicillin and erythromycin (78.87% and 46.48% respectively), but least resistant to vancomycin at 0. Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant to cefoxitin and compound sulfamethoxazole (100% and 95.65% respectively), but least resistant to meropenem at 0. Comparison of the resistance of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria to some drugs revealed statistically significant differences (<0.05) in the resistance of both to cefoxitin, cotrimoxazole, levofloxacin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and ceftazidime, and both had higher rates of resistance to gram-negative bacteria than to gram-positive bacteria. The distribution of bacterial infection strains showed that was the most common strain in the conjunctiva, cornea, aqueous humor or vitreous body and other eye parts. Besides, and were also among the most common strains of conjunctival and corneal infections.
CONCLUSION
Gram-positive bacteria are the dominant bacteria in eye infections, followed by gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Considering the resistance of gram-negative bacteria to multiple drugs, monitoring of bacteria should be strengthened in eye bacterial infections for effective prevention and control to reduce complications caused by eye infections.
PubMed: 38638249
DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2024.04.14 -
BMC Ophthalmology Apr 2024To explore the safety of Neodymium:Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser vitreolysis based on the histological examination of the retina and the alteration of vitreous...
BACKGROUND
To explore the safety of Neodymium:Yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser vitreolysis based on the histological examination of the retina and the alteration of vitreous cytokines in the rabbits.
METHODS
Nine male New Zealand rabbits underwent Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis of 10 mJ x 500 pulses in the left eyes, while the right eyes were used as controls. Intraocular pressure, color fundus photography, and ultrasound B scan were measured before, as well as 1 day, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis. Three rabbits were euthanized 1 day, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after treatment, respectively. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining were used to look for pathological changes in the retina. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and some inflammatory cytokines, including interferon inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and interlenkin 6 (IL-6) in the vitreous humor. The ascorbic acid (AsA) and total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP) in the vitreous humor were also measured.
RESULTS
Following Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis, the levels of VEGF, IP-10, MCP-1, IL6, AsA, and TRAP in the vitreous humor did not change substantially (P > 0.05). There were no detectable pathological changes in the retinal tissues, and no apoptotic signal was found.
CONCLUSIONS
Rabbits tolerate Nd:YAG laser vitreolysis without observable impact on retinal tissue or the microenvironment of the vitreous.
Topics: Male; Rabbits; Animals; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Lasers, Solid-State; Chemokine CXCL10; Vitreous Body; Eye Diseases; Retina; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Laser Therapy
PubMed: 38627705
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03406-9