Bilateral Circumscribed Posterior Keratoconus: Visualization by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy and Slit-Scanning Topography Analysis

This paper documents a rare nonprogressive developmental disorder—bilateral circumscribed posterior keratoconus—in a 60-year-old man referred for a cataract surgery. For the first time ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to visualise the local anterior bulging of the posterior corneal surface with concomitant thinning of the stroma. The amount of localized posterior depression, corneal thickness and the refractive power of both the posterior and anterior corneal curvature were measured using slit-scanning topography analysis (Orbscan)

Reactivity of corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or irradiation with visible light in vitro

INTRODUCTION. Visible light and inflammation caused by bacterial endotoxins strongly influence direct cell interactions and modulate the expression of selected factors, such as nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The aim of the study is to establish whether exposition of corneal or conjunctival epithelial cells to visible light and/ or LPS may change their viability, direct cellular interactions and expression of NO and COX-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In vitro cultured human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were used in the study. The following assays were performed: Neutral Red (NR) uptake, nitric oxide (NO) quantification by the Griess method, cytoskeletal F-actin organization by fluorescent staining, and COX-2 expression by immunofluorescence. RESULTS. LPS reduced the viability of the cells, especially conjunctival epithelial cells. All cell stimulation variants tested (visible light and/or LPS treatment) led to decreased nitric oxide (NO) production both by corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. No changes in cytoskeletal F-actin filaments were observed after the cells had been treated with light or the endotoxin. LPS slightly increased COX-2 expression, but light had no, or a slightly reducing, effect on the level of this enzyme. CONCLUSIONS. Visible light and/or bacterial endotoxin (LPS) may, depending on the local microenvironmental conditions, cooperate or interfere with each other’s activity in inducing ocular surface inflammation

The impact of oleanolic and ursolic acid on corneal epithelial cells in vitro

INTRODUCTION. Oleanolic (OA) and ursolic (UA) acids belong to the triterpene group widely present in plants. These compounds are recognised to have anti-inflammatory properties and thus are considered to be used in therapies as well as in cosmetic, natural health, or diet products. AIM. The scientific hypothesis of our study was to show that OA and UA influence corneal epithelial cells cultured in vitro. METHODS. Toxicity tests, based on MTT and Neutral Red (NR) uptake, measurement of nitric oxide (NOx) level, as well as analysis of metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) amount and activity were performed. RESULTS . UA expressed significantly higher toxicity on cells than OA. At the lowest concentration applied (5 μM), UA limited cellular metabolism and viability on average by 22% as compared to untreated control, while 25 μM resulted in values lower than 10%. On the other hand, OA at the highest (100 μM) concentration limited cellular metabolism and viability by about 20%. NOx level significantly increased when OA and UA were applied at concentrations of 25 and 100 μM, respectively. OA and UA had a stronger impact on the level of MMP-2 than MMP-9. OA and UA reduced MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the whole range of concentrations. Tested triterpenoids had no significant impact on MMP activity. CONCLUSIONS. OA and UA have a different impact on human corneal epithelial cells. UA is toxic for corneal epithelial cells, while OA exhibits milder activity, which may be useful for further analysis in ocular pharmacology

Clinical outcomes of primary vitrectomy in pseudophakic retinal detachment

PURPOSE. To evaluate the efficacy of primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhematogenous retinal detachment (RD) in pseudophakic eyes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The medical records of 63 patients who had undergone PPV after phacoemulsification were reviewed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 10 months. Statistical analysis evaluated functional and anatomical results as well as general (diabetes, hypertension) and ocular (myopia, glaucoma, floppy iris syndrome, intraoperative complications during cataract surgery, YAG capsulotomy) conditions. RESULTS. The median period from cataract surgery to RD onset was 15 months. Retinal attachment was achieved in 92% of eyes. The final visual acuities were improved significantly from 1.7 logMAR to 0.7 logMAR. Silicon oil was used as a tamponade in 38 eyes and SF6 gas in 25 eyes. Better functional results were achieved with SF6 gas tamponade. No intraoperative complications were reported. Most of the patients were males (71%). Statistical analysis revealed that general and ocular conditions did not influence functional results. CONCLUSIONS. Primary PPV, especially with gas as a tamponade, is an effective procedure in the surgical treatment of pseudophakic RD. The advantages include good anatomical and functional outcomes and low complication rate. Neither clinical nor surgical factors have been identified as responsible for the visual outcomes

The role of collagen in co-cultures of human normal corneal and conjunctival cells

Background: Intermediate interactions between corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells play an important rolein the process of correct vision. The goal of this paper was to establish whether the presence or absence of collagentype I changes paracrine interactions between corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells. Material and methods: Cultures of human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells were used in the study. TheELISA quantitative analysis of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), urokinase-type plasminogen activator(uPA), and uPA receptor (uPAR), assessment of the type of interactions between cells, as well as correlations betweentested parameters were performed. Results: The presence of collagen type I changed the quantitative production of IL-1β and IL-6 by the examinedcells in the co-culture system. It did not affect the level of released uPA and uPAR. The presence or absence ofcollagen also changed the relationship between the cells, which were evaluated in relation to changes in the level ofreleased cytokines. Conclusions: Different levels of collagen type I constituting a component of extracellular matrix proteins significantlyaffect and regulate the indirect interactions between human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells

Reconnaissance observations by CIGIDEN after the 2015 Illapel, Chile earthquake and tsunami

This paper describes the reconnaissance work conducted by researchers from the National Research Center for Integrated Natural Disaster Management (CIGIDEN) between September 23rd and October 2nd in the area affected by the Mw 8.3 Illapel megathrust earthquake, which struck offshore the coast of the Coquimbo Region in central Chile on September 16th , 2015. A first team focused on the seismic performance and effects of the tsunami on public hospitals and on reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. A second team focused on the road network infrastructure. Field work included: (i) a survey on the physical and functional damages of the public hospitals in the Region; (ii) a visual inspection and preliminary damage assessment of 20 RC buildings in the largest cities of the region and an aftershock instrumentation of the Coquimbo hospital; and (iii) the inspection of bridges, pedestrian bridges, and rockfall along overstepped cut slopes of the road network. The overall limited impact of this megathrust earthquake may be explained in part by the long-term efforts made by the country to prepare for such events. Learnings from the 2010 Maule earthquake were evidenced in the successful evacuation along the coast of the country, and the overall good performance of engineered masonry structures, and of RC buildings designed after 2010