Environmental pollution and extreme weather conditions: insights into the effect on mental health

Environmental pollution exposures, including air, soil, water, light, and noise pollution, are critical issues that may implicate adverse mental health outcomes. Extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and droughts, may also cause long-term severe concerns. However, the knowledge about possible psychiatric disorders associated with these exposures is currently not well disseminated. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of environmental pollution and extreme weather conditions on mental health, focusing on anxiety spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and depression. In air pollution studies, increased concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were the most strongly associated with the exacerbation of anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression symptoms. We provide an overview of the suggested underlying pathomechanisms involved. We highlight that the pathogenesis of environmental pollution-related diseases is multifactorial, including increased oxidative stress, systematic inflammation, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and epigenetic dysregulation. Light pollution and noise pollution were correlated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, the impact of soil and water pollution is discussed. Such compounds as crude oil, heavy metals, natural gas, agro-chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers), polycyclic or polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), solvents, lead (Pb), and asbestos were associated with detrimental impact on mental health. Extreme weather conditions were linked to depression and anxiety spectrum disorders, namely PTSD. Several policy recommendations and awareness campaigns should be implemented, advocating for the advancement of high-quality urbanization, the mitigation of environmental pollution, and, consequently, the enhancement of residents’ mental health

Long-term variations in retinal parameters after uncomplicated cataract surgery

Background: Cataract phacoemulsification surgery provides excellent refractive results; however, it also elicits changes in the posterior segment of the eye. This study aimed to determine changes in retinal parameters measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) after an uncomplicated cataract surgery, including the impact of effective phacoemulsification time (EPT). Methods: The study included 44 patients without retinal abnormalities, followed up after unilateral uncomplicated cataract phacoemulsification in a single ophthalmological unit. Patients were evaluated for the following parameters at baseline and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months after the surgery: best corrected visual acuity, central retinal thickness (CRT), average central retinal thickness (CRTA), central retinal volume (cube volume (CV)), vessel density central (VDC), vessel density full (VDF), vessel perfusion central (VPC), and vessel perfusion full (VPF). The EPT recorded at each procedure was used as a covariant for the evaluation of changes in retinal parameters after the surgery. Analysis included 44 eyes for SD-OCT and 17 for OCTA evaluation, according to adopted scan quality thresholds. Results: A significant increase in CRT, CRTA, and CV was noted at each follow-up point compared with baseline. The rising tendency was observed in the first 3 months after the surgery, with a decline over the subsequent months. The VPF parameter showed a stable improvement after the surgery. The analysis of covariance did not confirm any significant effect of the EPT on variations in CRT, CV, CRTA, VDC, and VPF and there was a weak effect on the VDF parameter. Conclusions: Uncomplicated cataract surgery results in an increase in retinal thickness and volume in the first few months after the surgery, followed by a spontaneous decline in these parameters in the subsequent months. A long-standing improvement is noted in the VPF parameter

Why does the UL49.5 of herpes simplex 1 virus fail to inhibit the TAP-dependent antigen presentation?

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a well-studied herpesvirus that causes a number of human diseases. The HSV-1, like other herpesviruses, produces transmembrane glycoprotein N (gN / UL49.5 protein). Although this protein is conserved throughout the herpesvirus family, little is known about its function in HSV-1. The amino-acid sequence and length of UL49.5 proteins differ between herpesvirus species. It is, therefore, crucial to determine whether and to what extent the spatial structure of UL49.5 orthologs that are TAP inhibitors (i.e., of BoHV-1 virus) differs from that of non-TAP inhibitors (i.e., of HSV-1 virus). As a result, the primary goal of our study was to examine the 3D structure of HSV-1-encoded UL49.5 protein in an advanced model of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Circular dichroism (CD), 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and multiple-microsecond all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in the ER membrane mimetic environment were used to determine the final structure of the HSV-1 UL49.5 protein. According to our findings, the N-terminus of HSV-1 UL49.5 adopts a highly flexible, unordered structure in the extracellular part due to the presence of a large number of Pro and Gly residues. In contrast to the UL49.5 protein from BoHV-1, the transmembrane region of HSV-1-encoded UL49.5 is formed by a single long transmembrane -helix, rather than two helices oriented perpendicularly, while the cytoplasmic part of the protein (C-terminus) has a short unordered structure. Our findings provide experimental structural information on HSV-1-encoded UL49.5 protein and structure-based insight into its lack of biological activity in inhibiting the TAP-independent antigen presentation pathway

Ocular toxoplasmosis associated with unilateral pigmentary retinopathy that may mimic retinitis pigmentosa : diagnostic dilemmas

We report a unique case of coexisting pigmentary retinopathy and ocular toxoplasmosis in a young male patient. A 23-year-old man presented with sudden visual deterioration in the left eye (LE). The fundus findings revealed bone spicule-shaped pigment deposits, a slightly pale optic disc, arteriole constriction, cystoid macular edema with an epiretinal membrane, and two small inflammatory chorioretinal scars in the right eye, with a concentric narrowing of the visual field and a nonrecordable multifocal electroretinogram (ERG). An active inflammatory lesion at the border of a pre-existing chorioretinal scar in the macula was found in the LE, with a central scotoma in the visual field. Moreover, the patient tested positive for anti-Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulin G antibodies and showed positive results in polymerase chain reaction testing of aqueous humor. Fluorescein angiography revealed hyperfluorescence in the early phase with fluorescein leakage. A multifocal ERG of the LE showed selective loss of responses from the central 10 degrees. Genetic testing revealed heterozygosity in the RP1 and CELSR1 genes. Our case illustrates challenges in the diagnosis of unilateral pigmentary retinopathy. Based on the typical toxoplasmic lesions in the LE and two scars likely caused by inflammation, our patient was diagnosed with pigmentary retinopathy probably related to toxoplasmosis. Genetic consultation did not confirm the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, but more advanced tests might be needed to definitively exclude it

Patient reported outcomes after implementation of an enhanced depth of focus intraocular lens with low postoperative myopia

Background: Enhanced depth-of- focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOL) have filled the gap between monofocal and multifocal intraocular implants with optical qualities of monofocal lenses and usually minor dysphotopsias typical for multifocal lenses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate visual outcomes after bilateral implantation of a new EDOF IOL in patients with requirements for perfect near and intermediate vision. Methods: The study included 15 patients (29 eyes as one was amblyopic) with bilateral implantation of LUXSMART EDOF IOL (Bausch & Lomb) with a targeted myopia (between –0.25 and –0.50D) in both eyes. Monocular corrected and uncorrected visual acuity for far, intermediate and near as well as refractive outcomes were evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. Additionally, binocular visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and defocus curve were measured at the final follow-up visit. At 12 months’ visit patients completed a questionnaire evaluating patient satisfaction, spectacle independence and presence of dysphotopsias. Results: Binocular uncorrected visual acuities at 12 month’s visit were 0.13 ​± ​0.16, 0.06 ​± ​0.08, 0.07 ​± ​0.09 and 0.15 ​± ​0.09 logMAR for far distance, 80 ​cm, 66 ​cm and 40 ​cm respectively. Corrected binocular visual acuities at 12 months were 0.00 ​± ​0.00, 0.05 ​± ​0.07, 0.05 ​± ​0.06, 0.13 ​± ​0.16 respectively for distance, 80 ​cm, 66 ​cm and 40 ​cm. Automated refraction spherical equivalent at 12 months’ visit stood at –0.70 ​± ​0.48D, which was 0.46D less than calculated biometric target, however spherical equivalent of subjective refraction at 12 months equaled –0.49 ​± ​0.46D, which was closer to preoperative biometric target. Defocus curve had gentle shape without peaks typical for monofocal IOLs. Binocular contrast sensitivity results were superior to average results for that age group and equaled 1.78 ​± ​0.16 logMAR without correction and 1.81 ​± ​0.13 logMAR with correction. Spectacle independence for near and intermediate distances was achieved in all patients and for far distance in 73.3% of patients. Burdensome dysphotopsias were not reported in any case. Conclusions: EDOF IOLs targeted bilaterally at low myopia can provide excellent near and intermediate visual acuity and independence of any optical correction in majority of cases. This approach can be used in selected patients who are focused on stationary activities

Spectroscopic Methods Used in Implant Material Studies

It is recognized that interactions between most materials are governed by their surface properties and manifest themselves at the interface formed between them. To gain more insight into this thin layer, several methods have been deployed. Among them, spectroscopic methods have been thoroughly evaluated. Due to their exceptional sensitivity, data acquisition speed, and broad material tolerance they have been proven to be invaluable tools for surface analysis, used by scientists in many fields, for example, implant studies. Today, in modern medicine the use of implants is considered standard practice. The past two decades of constant development has established the importance of implants in dentistry, orthopedics, as well as extended their applications to other areas such as aesthetic medicine. Fundamental to the success of implants is the knowledge of the biological processes involved in interactions between an implant and its host tissue, which are directly connected to the type of implant material and its surface properties. This review aims to demonstrate the broad applications of spectroscopic methods in implant material studies, particularly discussing hard implants, surface composition studies, and surface–cell interactions

Diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in a patient with radiation retinopathy complicated by corticosteroid-induced central serous chorioretinopathy

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a common chorioretinal disorder. It has been postulated that impaired retinal pigment epithelium and hyperpermeability of the choriocapillaris may be involved in the development of CSC, but the exact pathomechanism has not been established. We report an unusual case of a middle-aged man who developed CSC after triamcinolone acetonide injection for macular edema. Edema developed as a late complication of radiation retinopathy after brachytherapy for childhood retinoblastoma. Steroid treatment is an important risk factor for CSC, but the underlying causative mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. It is important to increase the awareness of this link among clinicians who prescribe exogenous corticosteroids, irrespective of the route of administration

Assessment of the Toxicity of Biocompatible Materials Supporting Bone Regeneration: Impact of the Type of Assay and Used Controls

Assessing the toxicity of new biomaterials dedicated to bone regeneration can be difficult. Many reports focus only on a single toxicity parameter, which may be insufficient for a detailed evaluation of the new material. Moreover, published data frequently do not include control cells exposed to the environment without composite or its extract. Here we present the results of two assays used in the toxicological assessment of materials’ extracts (the integrity of the cellular membrane and the mitochondrial activity/proliferation), and the influence of different types of controls used on the obtained results. Results obtained in the cellular membrane integrity assay showed a lack of toxic effects of all tested extracts, and no statistical differences between them were present. Control cells, cells incubated with chitosan extract or chitosan-bioglass extract were used as a reference in proliferation calculations to highlight the impact of controls used on the result of the experiment. The use of different baseline controls caused variability between obtained proliferation results, and influenced the outcome of statistical analysis. Our findings confirm the thesis that the type of control used in an experiment can change the final results, and it may affect the toxicological assessment of biomaterial