Distinct gene subsets in pterygia formation and recurrence: dissecting complex biological phenomenon using genome wide expression data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pterygium is a common ocular surface disease characterized by fibrovascular invasion of the cornea and is sight-threatening due to astigmatism, tear film disturbance, or occlusion of the visual axis. However, the mechanisms for formation and post-surgical recurrence of pterygium are not understood, and a valid animal model does not exist. Here, we investigated the possible mechanisms of pterygium pathogenesis and recurrence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>First we performed a genome wide expression analysis (human Affymetrix Genechip, >22000 genes) with principal component analysis and clustering techniques, and validated expression of key molecules with PCR. The controls for this study were the un-involved conjunctival tissue of the same eye obtained during the surgical resection of the lesions. Interesting molecules were further investigated with immunohistochemistry, Western blots, and comparison with tear proteins from pterygium patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Principal component analysis in pterygium indicated a signature of matrix-related structural proteins, including fibronectin-1 (both splice-forms), collagen-1A2, keratin-12 and small proline rich protein-1. Immunofluorescence showed strong expression of keratin-6A in all layers, especially the superficial layers, of pterygium epithelium, but absent in the control, with up-regulation and nuclear accumulation of the cell adhesion molecule CD24 in the pterygium epithelium. Western blot shows increased protein expression of beta-microseminoprotein, a protein up-regulated in human cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Gene products of 22 up-regulated genes in pterygium have also been found by us in human tears using nano-electrospray-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry after pterygium surgery. Recurrent disease was associated with up-regulation of sialophorin, a negative regulator of cell adhesion, and <it>never in mitosis a</it>-5, known to be involved in cell motility.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Aberrant wound healing is therefore a key process in this disease, and strategies in wound remodeling may be appropriate in halting pterygium or its recurrence. For patients demonstrating a profile of 'recurrence', it may be necessary to manage as a poorer prognostic case and perhaps, more adjunctive treatment after resection of the primary lesion.</p

Shock-Wave Generation In Transparent Media From Ultra-Fast Lasers

Laser interactions with bulk transparent media have long been investigated for material processing applications involving ablation and shock wave generation in both the nanosecond and femtosecond pulse width regimes 1. Shock waves have been studied in fused silica and other optical glasses but previously have been characterized by the morphology of the concurrent ablation. We perform ablation at distances of 30 meters using the non-linear self-channeling effect. Using silicon wafers as targets because of their clearly defined ablation zones, we examine the effect that the filament has on the thin SiO 2 layer coating the wafer\u27s surface. It is observed that the surface layer experiences a shock wave resulting from the explosive forces produced by the plasma. The use of several laser pulses in burst mode operation leads to the observation of multiple shock fronts in the material, and the possibility of shock wave addition for higher damage. Optical interferometry will be used to characterize the shock wave dynamics, using both traditional means of focusing in the near field and at 30 meters using propagating self-channeled femtosecond pulses. The novelty of using self-channeling laser pulses for shock wave generation has many implications for military applications. These experiments are to be performed in our secure test range using intensities of 10 14 W/cm 2 and higher incident on various transparent media. Interferometry is performed using a harmonic of the pump laser frequency. Experiments also include burst-mode operation, where a train of ultra-fast pulses, closely spaced in time, and novel new beam distributions, strike the sample

The role of sideport incision in astigmatism change after cataract surgery

Sofia Theodoulidou,1 Ioannis Asproudis,1 Christos Kalogeropoulos,1 Aristidis Athanasiadis,2 Miltiadis Aspiotis1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece; 2Ophthalmology Clinic, General Hospital of Piraeus &ldquo;Tzaneio&rdquo;, Attiki, Greece Purpose: To study the changes in corneal astigmatism after cataract surgery when the sideport incision is performed at a predetermined location away from the tunnel incision. Setting: General Hospital of Piraeus &ldquo;Tzaneio&rdquo;, Attiki, Greece. Materials and methods: A total of 333 eyes with corneal astigmatism &le;1.5 diopters (D) underwent cataract surgery. A three-step superotemporal clear corneal incision for the right eye and a superonasal clear corneal incision for the left eye (3.0 mm) was made, while the sideport incision was located at &lt;90&deg;, 90&deg;&ndash;110&deg;, and &gt;110&deg;. Keratometric data were measured with corneal topography EyeSys Vista 2000 pre- and postoperatively at the 1st and 6th month. Surgically induced astigmatism was calculated by vector analysis. We noted all cases in which a change &gt;0.5 D in corneal astigmatic power occurred, as well as a change &gt;20&deg; in axis torque, despite axis direction. Results: After multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted, cases with &gt;110&deg; distance between the tunnel and sideport incision had 2.22 times (P=0.021) greater likelihood for having changed &gt;0.5 D in astigmatic power at the 1st month and 3.45 times (P=0.031) at the 6th month postoperatively, as compared with cases with a 90&deg;&ndash;110&deg; distance between the tunnel and sideport incision. As for the change in the astigmatic axis, cases with &lt;90&deg; distance had a 4.18 times greater likelihood for having a change &gt;20&deg; (P&lt;0.001) (preoperative to 1st month) as compared with cases having 90&deg;&ndash;110&deg; of distance. Conclusion: For surgeons that operate only from the superior position, we propose that in order to produce an incision that is as &ldquo;astigmatically neutral&rdquo; as possible, they should perform the sideport incision at a 90&deg;&ndash;110&deg; distance. Keywords: cataract surgery, astigmatism, sideport incision, tunnel incisio

Detection And Analysis Of Rf Emission Generated By Laser-Matter Interactions

Plasmas produced by laser-matter interactions are a known source of electromagnetic radiation. However, little has been done to systematically study the electromagnetic radiation emitted from laser produced plasmas. It is our intent to provide detailed time and frequency domain measurements of such emitted radiation. An ultra-fast femtosecond high intensity laser and a superheterodyne receiver are employed to study laser-matter interactions for various materials in the frequency range 1-40GHz

CORRELATION OF RECIPROCAL ST-SEGMENT DEPRESSION AFTER ACUTE MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION WITH CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

We studied 266 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction to assess the significance of electrocardiographic “mirror images”. Ninety-four (group A) had anterior wall and 132 (group B) had inferior wall infarction. Thirty-one group A patients had stenosis of the right coronary artery &gt; 85% in diameter (subgroup A1), and 63 either had a normal right coronary artery or &lt; 85% stenosis (subgroup A2). Of group B patients 62 had &gt; 85% stenosis of the left anterior descending (subgroup B1) and 70 had a left anterior descending or &lt; 85% stenosis (subgroup B2). ST-segment depression was significantly greater in depth and duration in subgroup A1 than A2 (p = 0.02) and in subgroup B1 than B2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.01, respectively). Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in subgroup A1 than A2 (p &lt; 0.001) and in B1 than B2 (p &lt; 0.001). There was a strongly positive correlation between depth and duration of ST-segment depression and the Gensini index (r = 0.78, 0.84) for anterior and inferior infarction, respectively. In conclusion, increased depth and duration of ST-segment depression opposite the infarct are indicative of ischemia, and are related to the extent of coronary artery disease, the degree of stenosis of the vessels supplying the opposite wall and of left ventricular dysfunction

Heart Transplantation With Donation After Circulatory Death

Heart transplantation remains the preferred option for improving quality of life and survival for patients suffering from end-stage heart failure. Unfortunately, insufficient supply of cardiac grafts has become an obstacle. Increasing organ availability with donation after circulatory death (DCD) may be a promising option to overcome the organ shortage. Unlike conventional donation after brain death, DCD organs undergo a period of warm, global ischemia between circulatory arrest and graft procurement, which raises concerns for graft quality. Nonetheless, the potential of DCD heart transplantation is being reconsidered, after reports of more than 70 cases in Australia and the United Kingdom over the past 3 years. Ensuring optimal patient outcomes and generalized adoption of DCD in heart transplantation, however, requires further development of clinical protocols, which in turn require a better understanding of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury and the various possibilities to limit its adverse effects. Thus, we aim to provide an overview of the knowledge obtained with preclinical studies in animal models of DCD heart transplantation, to facilitate and promote the most effective and efficient advancement in preclinical research. A literature search of the PubMed database was performed to identify all relevant preclinical studies in DCD heart transplantation. Specific aspects relevant for DCD heart transplantation were analyzed, including animal models, graft procurement and storage conditions, cardioprotective approaches, and graft evaluation strategies. Several potential therapeutic strategies for optimizing graft quality are identified, and recommendations for further preclinical research are provided