elastography in primary open-angle glaucoma

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare sonoelastographic findings in the retina-choroid-sclera (RCS) complex and vitreous in glaucomatous and healthy eyes.Methods: For this cross-sectional comparative study, 20 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. Ultrasound elastography measurements were taken with a sonographic scanner of the RCS complex, anterior vitreous (AV), posterior vitreous (PV), retrobulbar fat tissue (RFT), optic disc (OD) and optic nerve (ON) in each eye.Results: The elasticity index of the RCS complex, RFT, OD, ON, AV and PV was similar in both groups (p > 0.05), although the AV/PV strain ratio in the group of patients with glaucoma was significantly higher (p = 0.04).Conclusion: Glaucoma increases the AV/PV strain ratio. In providing reproducible and consistent values, the real-time elastography (RTE) technique may be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms of glaucoma in some aspects.Advances in knowledge: This study can help to evaluate the elasticity of the RCS complex and vitreous in glaucomatous eyes with RTE

Biochemical, antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity of different onion varieties in the Mediterranean area

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a very important vegetable crop cultivated worldwide. The bulb is a major source of phytochemicals useful for human health and rich in sulphur compounds responsible for their typical odour and flavour. In this study, we investigated the volatile compounds and biochemical properties besides the antimicrobial activity of onion Montoro and Alife varieties, and of two ecotypes of Vatolla variety (spinning top and tapered shape), cropped in the southern Mediterranean area (Italy). For all investigated onions, the organosulphur compounds, mainly di- and trisulfides, are the most abundant compounds. Alife variety showed higher polyphenols amount (8.2 GAE mg/g dw) with respect to the lowest one (3.9 GAE mg/dw g) in spinning top Vatolla, as well as an higher antioxidant activity (42.37 µmol TE/g dw) about two-fold higher than those detected in the other varieties. All the onions showed low pungency level, confirming their popular classification as a sweet onion. The total content of soluble sugars ranged from 461 to 624 mg/g dw; malic acid was the major organic acid in Alife and Montoro varieties instead for both Vatolla ecotypes citric acid was the most abundant ones. The biochemical characterization highlighted the three onion varieties as a good source of bioactive compounds. The antimicrobial activity of the onion extracts pointed out an effective action against three Gram-positive species (B. cereus, L. innocua, S. aureus) and P. aeruginosa; consequently, they could represent a new source of natural antimicrobial agents