Biocompatibility of subretinal parylene-based Ti/Pt microelectrode array in rabbit for further artificial vision studies

To evaluate the biocompatibility of subretinal implanted parylene-based Ti/Pt microelectrode arrays (MEA). Eyes were enucleated 3 months after MEAs were implanted into the subretinal space of rabbits. Morphological changes of the retinas were investigated by H&E staining. Immunohistochemical staining for glial fibrillary acidic protein and opsin were performed to evaluate changes in Muller cells and photoreceptors in the retinas. Retina tissue around the array remained intact. Photoreceptor degeneration and glial cell activation were observed in the retina overlaying the MEA implant. However, the cells in the inner retinal layers were preserved. Photoreceptor degeneration and glial cell activation at the MEA–retina interface are expected to be a normal reaction to implantation. Material used in this experiment has good biocompatibility within the subretinal environment and is expected to be promising in the further retinal prosthesis studies

Bilateral macular hole formation secondary to sclopetaria caused by shockwaves transmitted by a posterior vector: case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sclopetaria is a rare ophthalmic finding in trauma</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>This is a report of a patient who developed macular holes from sclopetaria induced by indirect trauma. A 22-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound that passed behind his eyes, resulting in bilateral macular hole formation</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which trauma posterior to the globes caused bilateral macular hole formation</p

Association between intratumoral free and total VEGF, soluble VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and prognosis in breast cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors consist of three cell-membrane type receptors (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3), and soluble form of VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1), an intrinsic negative counterpart of the VEGF. In this study, we measured intratumoral protein levels of free and total VEGF, VEGFR-2 and sVEGFR-1 from 202 primary breast cancer tissues and examined their prognostic values. A significant inverse correlation was found between free or total VEGF and oestrogen receptor (ER) status (P=0.042 and 0.032, respectively). A univariate analysis showed that low sVEGFR-1 and high total VEGF were significantly associated with poor prognosis in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The ratio of sVEGFR-1 to total VEGF was a strong prognostic indicator (DFS: P=0.008; OS: P=0.0002). A multivariate analysis confirmed the independent prognostic values of total VEGF and the ratio of sVEGFR-1 to total VEGF. In subgroup analysis, total VEGF was a significant prognostic indicator for ER-positive tumours but not for ER-negative tumours, whereas sVEGFR-1 was significant for ER-negative tumours but not for ER-positive tumours. In conclusion, the intratumoral sVEGFR-1 level, VEGF level and the ratio of sVEGFR-1 to total VEGF are potent prognostic indicators of primary breast cancer, and might be relevant to ER status

Systemic 7-methylxanthine in retarding axial eye growth and myopia progression: a 36-month pilot study

The adenosine antagonist 7-methylxanthine (7-mx) works against myopia in animal models. In a clinical trial, 68 myopic children (mean age 11.3 years) received either placebo or 7-mx tablets for 12 months. All participants subsequently received 7-mx for another 12 months, after which treatment was stopped. Axial length was measured with Zeiss IOL-Master and cycloplegic refraction with Nikon Retinomax at −6, 0, 12, 24, and 36 months. Axial growth was reduced among children treated with 7-mx for 24 months compared with those only treated for the last 12 months. Myopia progression and axial eye growth slowed down in periods with 7-mx treatment, but when the treatment was stopped, both myopia progression and axial eye growth continued with invariable speed. The results indicate that 7-mx reduces eye elongation and myopia progression in childhood myopia. The treatment is safe and without side effects and may be continued until 18–20 years of age when myopia progression normally stops

Three-dimensional spectral domain optical coherence tomography and light microscopy of an intravitreal parasite

BACKGROUND: Various imaging modalities play a role in diagnosing parasitic infections of the eye. We describe the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings of an intravitreal parasite with subsequent evaluation by light microscopy. FINDINGS: This is a case report of a 37-year-old Ecuadorian man who presented with uveitic glaucoma and a new floater in his left eye for 1 week’s duration. Full ophthalmic examination revealed an intravitreal parasite. Color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), ocular ultrasonography (US), and SD-OCT were performed. The parasite was removed via 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and sent to pathology for evaluation. Color fundus photography and ocular ultrasonography demonstrated an elongated foreign body within the vitreous above the retina. FA demonstrated minimal vascular changes in the vicinity of the parasite. SD-OCT was utilized to visualize the parasite and to create a three-dimensional (3D) image. The parasite was determined to be most consistent with Gnathostoma spp. by morphologic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of SD-OCT of an intravitreal parasite with corresponding evaluation by pathology. SD-OCT allows non-invasive, high-resolution visualization and 3D reconstruction of parasitic anatomy which may help establish tomographic criteria for species identification. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12348-015-0064-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Intracellular topography of glycine-extended pro-gastrin-processing intermediates in human antral mucosa: an electron-microscopic immunocytochemical study.

To identify and characterize the subcellular topography of glycine-extended pro-gastrin-processing intermediates (G-Gly) in human antral mucosa, we performed an electron microscopic immunocytochemical study using region-specific antisera generated against the synthetic peptide, Tyr-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-Gly (GL7), and C-terminal-specific anti-gastrin antisera. As has been previously reported, G-cells contained both electron-dense and electron-lucent granules, with a range of intermediate forms. Gastrin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in almost all granules of each type, whereas anti-GL7 antisera immunostained chiefly electron-dense granules. The relative ratio of GL7/gastrin granules varied among different cells but was approximately 1:10 on average. Other cytoplasmic organelles were devoid of specific labeling for GL7 or gastrin. As we have assumed that G-Gly serves as the immediate precursor for each molecular form of gastrin, electron-dense granules with high labeling for GL7 are regarded as the principal site for conversion of G-Gly to gastrin. This speculation supports many previous reports that electron-dense granules are immature and that the granules become less electron-dense with maturation. </jats:p

Brain-associated small-cell lung cancer antigen (BASCA) is expressed in developing lung: an immunohistochemical and immunoelectron microscopic study.

Expression of brain-associated small-cell lung cancer antigen (BASCA) in developing lung and in lung tumors was investigated immunohistochemically and immunoelectron microscopically with monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of BASCA. In fetal lung, epithelial and mesenchymal cells had different spatial and temporal expression patterns, in contrast to the consistent pattern in neural cells. The cell membranes of epithelial cells of the proximal bronchial tubes were diffusely positive at the pseudoglandular stage. Ciliated cells lost immunoreactivity shortly after their emergence, but non-ciliated cells, including endocrine cells, lost it at the alveolar stage. The immunoreactivity in mesenchymal cells was reduced in the proximal airway, but positivity remained in the distal lung later during the postnatal period. All endocrine tumors of the lung, defined by diffuse synaptophysin immunoreactivity, expressed BASCA, but some non-endocrine carcinomas which also lacked densely cored granules ultrastructurally, showed BASCA positivity. The temporal and spatial pattern of BASCA expression in the developing lung suggests that BASCA plays an active role in lung morphogenesis. BASCA may be expressed as an oncofetal substance in some non-endocrine carcinomas of the lung. </jats:p