Characterization of the geometric properties of the sclero-conjunctival structure: a review

To revise the peer-reviewed literature on geometric properties of the scleral-conjunctival structure in order to define their clinical relevance and the potential relationship between their changes and myopia development or progression. A bibliographic search focused on the study of the geometry of conjunctiva and/or sclera as well as those studies evaluating the relationship between geometric changes in the scleral-conjunctival structure and myopia was carried out. Several studies have been performed with different diagnostic technologies, including optical coherence tomography, profilometry and Scheimpflug imaging, to detect geometric changes of the scleral-conjunctival tissue in different physiological conditions of the eye, after use of contact lenses and in different ocular pathologies. Likewise, these technologies have been shown to be a valuable clinical tool to optimize scleral contact lens fitting. Future studies should investigate new potential clinical applications of such technologies, including the evaluation of anterior scleral changes related to myopia, as well as to define standardized clinical standard operating procedures for obtaining accurate and reproducible clinical measurement of the scleral-conjunctival morphology.Supported by the Project UAIND18-06B of the University of Alicante within the program “Ayudas destinadas a la formación predoctoral en colaboración con empresas 2018” supported by the Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia de Conocimiento. Piñero DP has been also supported by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness of Spain within the program Ramón y Cajal, RYC-2016-20471

Relationship between Axial Length and Corneo-Scleral Topography: A Preliminary Study

The main objective of the current study was to investigate further the relationship of the overall length of the eye with a great variety of anterior segment parameters, including scleral geometry. A total of 64 eyes of 32 participants with ages from 12 to 52 years were included in this prospective non-randomized single-center study. All participants underwent a complete eye examination, including an analysis of corneo-scleral shape with a Fourier-domain profilometer. A strong negative correlation was found between axial length and temporal-nasal ocular sagittal height difference for different chord lengths. For the right eye, a consistent and stable linear model was obtained to predict the axial length from the spherical equivalent, the corneal diameter, the high-order aberrations root mean square, and the minimum sagittal height for 13- and 14-mm chord. For the left eye, a model was obtained to predict the axial length from the spherical equivalent and the mean corneal curvature, including other parameters such as corneal diameter or high-order aberrations, depending on the chord length, considered for estimating the sagittal height values. More studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary outcomes.This article is funded by the Project UAIND18-06B of the University of Alicante within the program “Ayudas destinadas a la formación predoctoral en colaboración con empresas 2018” supported by the Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia de Conocimiento. The author David P Piñero was also supported by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness of Spain within the program Ramón y Cajal, RYC-2016-20471

Sensitive Skin: Lessons From Transcriptomic Studies

In 2016, a special interest group from the International Forum for the Study of Itch defined sensitive skin (SS) as a syndrome that manifests with the occurrence of unpleasant sensations (stinging, burning, pain, pruritus, and tingling sensations) after stimuli that should not cause a reaction, such as water, cold, heat, or other physical and/or chemical factors. The pathophysiology of sensitive skin is still poorly understood, but the symptoms described suggest inflammation and peripheral innervation. Only two publications have focused on sensitive skin transcriptomics. In the first study, the authors performed a microarray comparison of SS and non-sensitive skin (NSS) samples and showed differences in the expression of numerous genes in SS and NSS samples. Moreover, in the SS samples, two clusters of genes were identified, including upregulated and downregulated genes, compared to NSS samples. These results provide some interesting clues for the understanding of the pathophysiology of SS. The second study compared SS and NSS samples using RNA-seq assays. This method allowed the identification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and differentially expressed mRNAs and provided a comprehensive profile in subjects with SS. The results showed that a wide range of genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of SS and suggested pathways that could be associated with them. In this paper, we discuss these two studies in detail and show how transcriptomic studies can help understand the pathophysiology of sensitive skin. We call for new transcriptomic studies on larger populations to be conducted before putative pathogenic mechanisms can be detected and analyzed to achieve a better understanding of this complex condition

Geometric modelling of the human cornea: A new approach for the study of corneal ectatic disease. A pilot investigation

The aim of this study was to describe the application of a new bioengineering graphical technique based on geometric custom modelling capable to detect and to discriminate small variations in the morphology of the corneal surface. A virtual 3D solid custom model of the cornea was obtained employing Computer Aided Geometric Design tools, using raw data from a discrete and finite set of spatial points representative of both sides of the corneal surface provided by a corneal topographer. Geometric reconstruction was performed using B-Spline functions, defining and calculating the representative geometric variables of the corneal morphology of patients under clinical diagnosis of keratoconus

Multinuclear NMR as a tool for studying local order and dynamics in CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) hybrid perovskites

International audienceWe report on Pb, Br, N, H, C and H NMR experiments for studying the local order and dynamics in hybrid perovskite lattices. Pb NMR experiments conducted at room temperature on a series of MAPbX compounds (MA = CHNH; X = Cl, Br and I) showed that the isotropic Pb NMR shift is strongly dependent on the nature of the halogen ions. Therefore Pb NMR appears to be a very promising tool for the characterisation of local order in mixed halogen hybrid perovskites. Pb NMR on MAPbBrI served as a proof of concept. Proton, C and N NMR experiments confirmed the results previously reported in the literature. Low temperature deuterium NMR measurements, down to 25 K, were carried out to investigate the structural phase transitions of MAPbBr. Spectral lineshapes allow following the successive phase transitions of MAPbBr. Finally, quadrupolar NMR lineshapes recorded in the orthorhombic phase were compared with simulated spectra, using DFT calculated electric field gradients (EFG). Computed data do not take into account any temperature effect. Thus, the discrepancy between the calculated and experimental EFG evidences the fact that MA cations are still subject to significant dynamics, even at 25 K

Vancomycin-induced Henoch-Schönlein purpura: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Henoch-Schönlein purpura is a small-vessel systemic vasculitis. Although its exact pathophysiology remains unknown, Henoch-Schönlein purpura has been reported in association with various medical conditions including hypersensitivity. We report the case of a patient with vancomycin-induced Henoch-Schönlein purpura.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 42-year-old Caucasian man who had previously undergone a heart transplant was diagnosed as having an intra-abdominal abscess after he underwent a Hartmann procedure. At 15 days after initiation of antibiotic therapy including vancomycin, he developed a purpuric rash of the lower limbs, arthralgia, and macroscopic hematuria. At that time, our patient was already on hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. Henoch-Schönlein purpura was diagnosed. After a second 15-day course of vancomycin, a second flare of Henoch-Schönlein purpura occurred. Skin biopsies showed leucocytoclastic vasculitis with IgA deposits and eosinophils in the peri-capillary inflammatory infiltrate, suggesting an allergic mechanism. After vancomycin was stopped, we did not observe any further flares. Only five cases of isolated cutaneous vasculitis, one case of lupus-like syndrome and one case of Henoch-Schönlein purpura after vancomycin treatment have been described to date in the literature.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Clinicians should be aware that systemic vasculitis can be induced by some treatments. Vancomycin is a widely prescribed antibiotic. Occurrence of rare but serious Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with vancomycin requires its prompt discontinuation.</p

Biocompatibility and Biomechanical Effect of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Implanted in the Corneal Stroma: A Proof of Concept Investigation

Corneal ectatic disorders are characterized by a progressive weakening of the tissue due to biomechanical alterations of the corneal collagen fibers. Carbon nanostructures, mainly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, are nanomaterials that offer extraordinary mechanical properties and are used to increase the rigidity of different materials and biomolecules such as collagen fibers. We conducted an experimental investigation where New Zealand rabbits were treated with a composition of CNTs suspended in balanced saline solution which was applied in the corneal tissue. Biocompatibility of the composition was assessed by means of histopathology analysis and mechanical properties by stress-strain measurements. Histopathology samples stained with blue Alcian showed that there were no fibrous scaring and no alterations in the mucopolysaccharides of the stroma. It also showed that there were no signs of active inflammation. These were confirmed when Masson trichrome staining was performed. Biomechanical evaluation assessed by means of tensile test showed that there is a trend to obtain higher levels of rigidity in those corneas implanted with CNTs, although these changes are not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Implanting CNTs is biocompatible and safe procedure for the corneal stroma which can lead to an increase in the rigidity of the collagen fibers.The authors would like to acknowledge Professor K. Kaneko for the supply of the SWCNTs. They will also like to acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) and FEDER funds under the project MAT2012-38359-C03-01. This publication has been sponsored in part with the funding of the framework of the Red Tematica de Investigacion Cooperativa en Salud (RETICS), Reference no. RD12/0034/0007, financed by the Instituto Carlos III-General Subdirection of Networks and Cooperative Investigation Centers (R&D&I National Plan 2008-2011) and the European Regional Development Fund (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER).Vega-Estrada, A.; Silvestre-Albero, J.; Rodríguez, AE.; Rodríguez-Reinoso, F.; Gómez-Tejedor, JA.; Antolinos Turpín, CM.; Bataille, L.... (2016). Biocompatibility and Biomechanical Effect of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Implanted in the Corneal Stroma: A Proof of Concept Investigation. Journal of Ophthalmology. 2016:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/4041767S18201

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis complicating Legionnaires' disease: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Legionnaires' disease is recognized as a multi-systemic illness. Afflicted patients may have pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system complications. However, renal insufficiency is uncommon. The spectrum of renal involvement may range from a mild and transient elevation of serum creatinine levels to anuric renal failure requiring dialysis and may be linked to several causes. In our present case report, we would like to draw attention to the importance of the pathological documentation of acute renal failure by reporting a case of a patient with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis complicating Legionnaires' disease.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 55-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to our hospital for community-acquired pneumonia complicated by acute renal failure. <it>Legionella pneumophila </it>serogroup type 1 was diagnosed. Although the patient's respiratory illness responded to intravenous erythromycin and ofloxacin therapy, his renal failure worsened, he became anuric, and hemodialysis was started. A renal biopsy was performed, which revealed severe tubulointerstitial nephritis. After initiation of steroid therapy, his renal function improved dramatically.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This case highlights the importance of kidney biopsies in cases where acute renal failure is a complicating factor in Legionnaires' disease. If the presence of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis can be confirmed, it will likely respond favorably to steroidal treatment and thus irreversible renal damage and chronic renal failure will be avoided.</p

Procedimiento y sistema para detectar queratocono subclínico

Número de publicación: 2 564 397 Número de solicitud: 201431361Procedimiento y sistema para detectar queratocono subclínico, donde el sistema comprende: - un topógrafo corneal configurado para proporcionar un primer (1) y un segundo conjunto (2) de datos espaciales normalizados asociados a la superficie anterior y posterior de la córnea, y un valor de distancia (8) representativo de la separación entre ambas superficies y; - unos medios de procesamiento configurados para generar una primera (3) y una segunda superficie (4) a partir del primer (1) y segundo conjunto de datos (2), y generar un modelo (7) tridimensional que proporciona al menos un primer parámetro (p1) con información de una primera medida de desviación (16) correspondiente a la distancia existente entre el punto de mayor altura (14) de la segunda superficie (4) respecto de un eje axial (12), y donde los medios de procesamiento están además configurados para detectar un posible queratocono subclínico a partir de la medida proporcionada.Universidad Politécnica de CartagenaUniversidad de Murci

Therapeutic management of intestinal fibrosis induced by radiation therapy: from molecular profiling to new intervention strategies et vice et versa

Chronic toxicities of locoregional and systemic oncological treatments commonly develop in long-term cancer survivors. Amongst these toxicities, post-radiotherapeutic complications alter patient's quality of life. Reduction of exposure of normal tissues can be achieved by optimization of radiotherapy. Furthermore, understanding of the fibrogenic mechanisms has provided targets to prevent, mitigate, and reverse late radiation-induced damages. This mini-review shows how (i) global molecular studies using gene profiling can provide tools to develop new intervention strategies and (ii) how successful clinical trials, conducted in particular with combined pentoxifylline-vitamin E, can take benefice of biological and molecular evidences to improve our understanding of fibrogenic mechanisms, enhance the robustness of proposed treatments, and lead ultimately to better treatments for patient's benefice