Association of environment and place of birth with asthma in Chinese immigrant children

Despite the advances in perinatal and neonatal care and use of newer potent antibiotics, the incidence of neonatal sepsis remains high and the outcome is still severe. For years, investigators have sought a test or panel of tests able to identify septic neonates accurately and rapidly in order to obtain an early diagnosis and develop a specific effective treatment for a successful outcome. In addition to the standard procedures (blood, CSF, and urine cultures, chest x-ray), such panels have included a combination of total and differential cell counts, total immature neutrophil counts, immature to total neutrophil ratio, platelet counts, and levels of acute-phase reactants and cytokines. Furthermore, the science of proteomics and genomics has been applied to the search for biomarkers, production of protein profiles and genetic polymorphisms that can rapidly help the prediction, early diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases, but, for now, data are as yet insufficient to confirm their validity

Assessment of geotechnical properties of lunar soil simulant’s for lunar missions

Prototype-based experimental studies at the simulated environmental conditions are essential for the planned Chandrayaan missions of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). A large quantity of lunar simulants was needed to prepare the lunar surface testbed, which cost more expensive to import. Therefore, the ISRO has intended to develop an indigenous new lunar simulant. All the available lunar soil simulants have been developed to mimic the actual lunar soil properties. Likewise, the new lunar soil simulant should mimic the properties of actual lunar soil. Hence, it is essential to examine the fidelity and properties of the existing lunar simulants with the actual lunar soil. This paper reviews the chemical composition, mineralogy, geotechnical and geomechanical properties of the past developed lunar simulants (mare and highland simulants) with actual lunar soils. Also, the review has provided an increased understanding of previous research on lunar soil development methods and materials used. Both mare and highland simulants discussed have variations with actual lunar soil; because the lunar simulants have been tested in the terrestrial environment, which can have significant effects on results. The variations between terrestrial simulants and lunar regolith and the related engineering implications are discussed.

Assessment of geotechnical properties of lunar soil simulant’s for lunar missions

317-329Prototype-based experimental studies at the simulated environmental conditions are essential for the planned Chandrayaan missions of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). A large quantity of lunar simulants was needed to prepare the lunar surface testbed, which cost more expensive to import. Therefore, the ISRO has intended to develop an indigenous new lunar simulant. All the available lunar soil simulants have been developed to mimic the actual lunar soil properties. Likewise, the new lunar soil simulant should mimic the properties of actual lunar soil. Hence, it is essential to examine the fidelity and properties of the existing lunar simulants with the actual lunar soil. This paper reviews the chemical composition, mineralogy, geotechnical and geomechanical properties of the past developed lunar simulants (mare and highland simulants) with actual lunar soils. Also, the review has provided an increased understanding of previous research on lunar soil development methods and materials used. Both mare and highland simulants discussed have variations with actual lunar soil; because the lunar simulants have been tested in the terrestrial environment, which can have significant effects on results. The variations between terrestrial simulants and lunar regolith and the related engineering implications are discussed

7-Ketocholesterol increases retinal microglial migration, activation, and angiogenicity: a potential pathogenic mechanism underlying age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been associated with both accumulation of lipid and lipid oxidative products, as well as increased neuroinflammatory changes and microglial activation in the outer retina. However, the relationships between these factors are incompletely understood. 7-Ketocholesterol (7KCh) is a cholesterol oxidation product localized to the outer retina with prominent pro-inflammatory effects. To explore the potential relationship between 7KCh and microglial activation, we localized 7KCh and microglia to the outer retina of aged mice and investigated 7KCh effects on retinal microglia in both in vitro and in vivo systems. We found that retinal microglia demonstrated a prominent chemotropism to 7KCh and readily internalized 7KCh. Sublethal concentrations of 7KCh resulted in microglial activation and polarization to a pro-inflammatory M1 state via NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Microglia exposed to 7KCh reduced expression of neurotrophic growth factors but increased expression of angiogenic factors, transitioning to a more neurotoxic and pro-angiogenic phenotype. Finally, subretinal transplantation of 7KCh-exposed microglia promoted choroidal neovascularization (CNV) relative to control microglia in a Matrigel-CNV model. The interaction of retinal microglia with 7KCh in the aged retina may thus underlie how outer retinal lipid accumulation in intermediate AMD results in neuroinflammation that ultimately drives progression towards advanced AMD

Gut Microbiota and Inflammation

Systemic and local inflammation in relation to the resident microbiota of the human gastro-intestinal (GI) tract and administration of probiotics are the main themes of the present review. The dominating taxa of the human GI tract and their potential for aggravating or suppressing inflammation are described. The review focuses on human trials with probiotics and does not include in vitro studies and animal experimental models. The applications of probiotics considered are systemic immune-modulation, the metabolic syndrome, liver injury, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and radiation-induced enteritis. When the major genomic differences between different types of probiotics are taken into account, it is to be expected that the human body can respond differently to the different species and strains of probiotics. This fact is often neglected in discussions of the outcome of clinical trials with probiotics

Unilateral progressive keratoconus associated with ipsilateral craniofacial fibrous dysplasia treated with corneal cross-linking

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe a case of unilateral keratoconus associated with ipsilateral craniofacial fibrous dysplasia and its subsequent management with corneal collagen cross-linking. Observations: This is an interventional case report of a 16-year-old male with a history of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the left frontal bone and orbital roof status post partial resection six years prior who presented to the pediatric ophthalmology clinic with progressively blurry vision in the left eye. Refraction in this eye revealed an increase in cylinder by > 3D from his last refraction two years prior. Pentacam corneal tomography confirmed the diagnosis of keratoconus in the left eye. The patient underwent corneal collagen cross-linking in the affected eye. Postoperatively, he experienced marked improvement in corrected visual acuity with scleral contact lenses and maintained stable astigmatism and keratometry values on Pentacam corneal tomography at his most recent visit 12 months postoperatively. Conclusions: While it is otherwise felt to be a bilateral disease, unilateral keratoconus may present in the context of ipsilateral orbital pathology. Corneal collagen cross-linking may be used to successfully prevent keratoconus progression in the setting of stable orbital pathology

Recurrent divergence-insufficiency esotropia in Machado-Joseph disease (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3)

Purpose: To describe a case of incomitant divergence insufficiency esotropia in the setting of Machado-Joseph disease (spinocerebellar ataxia type 3) that recurred completely within one week after augmented bilateral medial rectus recession. Observations: A 53-year-old female with a history of Machado-Joseph disease presented with horizontal diplopia primarily at distance consistent with divergence insufficiency esotropia. Augmented bilateral medial rectus recessions were performed which initially produced orthotropia, but recurrence of the esodeviation to the full preoperative amount occurred by post-operative week one. The patient subsequently underwent bilateral lateral rectus resections with excellent result. Conclusions and importance: Divergence insufficiency is common in the spinocerebellar ataxia variants and is thought to be secondary to atrophy of brainstem structures involved in the control of ocular vergence. Strabismus surgery in these patients may be complicated by limited response or even rapid regression despite augmented surgery as suggested for divergence insufficiency in the setting of neurologic disease. Patients should be counseled on these risks as well as the potential for multiple procedures in order to achieve surgical success

Keratoconus Diagnosis and Treatment: Recent Advances and Future Directions.

Keratoconus is a disorder characterized by progressive corneal thinning and steepening that may result in significant visual impairment secondary to high astigmatism, corneal scarring, or even corneal perforation. Early detection and screening of keratoconus are essential for effective management and treatment. Several screening methods, such as corneal topography and tomography, corneal biomechanics, and genetic testing, are being developed to detect keratoconus at an early stage. Once detected, prevention of progression is the mainstay of keratoconus management. Corneal collagen cross-linking is a minimally invasive treatment option that can slow or halt the progression of keratoconus. Additionally, recent studies have investigated the potential use of copper sulfate eye drops (IVMED-80) and extracellular vesicles to prevent the progression of keratoconus as non-invasive treatment options. For visual rehabilitation, currently available treatments include scleral lenses, intracorneal ring segments, corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. The safety and efficacy of these emerging treatment options for keratoconus are currently being investigated

Keratoconus Diagnosis and Treatment: Recent Advances and Future Directions

Anh D Bui,1 Angeline Truong,2 Neel D Pasricha,1,3 Maanasa Indaram1 1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; 2School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; 3Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USACorrespondence: Maanasa Indaram, Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision, UCSF Department of Ophthalmology, 490 Illinois Street, San Francisco, CA, 94158, Tel +1 415 476-2896, Email [email protected]: Keratoconus is a disorder characterized by progressive corneal thinning and steepening that may result in significant visual impairment secondary to high astigmatism, corneal scarring, or even corneal perforation. Early detection and screening of keratoconus are essential for effective management and treatment. Several screening methods, such as corneal topography and tomography, corneal biomechanics, and genetic testing, are being developed to detect keratoconus at an early stage. Once detected, prevention of progression is the mainstay of keratoconus management. Corneal collagen cross-linking is a minimally invasive treatment option that can slow or halt the progression of keratoconus. Additionally, recent studies have investigated the potential use of copper sulfate eye drops (IVMED-80) and extracellular vesicles to prevent the progression of keratoconus as non-invasive treatment options. For visual rehabilitation, currently available treatments include scleral lenses, intracorneal ring segments, corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty. The safety and efficacy of these emerging treatment options for keratoconus are currently being investigated.Keywords: keratoconus, corneal cross-linking, intracorneal ring segments, deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, IVMED-80, extracellular vesicle