Topically administered bevacizumab had longer standing anti-angiogenic effect than subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab in rat corneal neovacularization

<b>AIM:</b> To compare the effect of topically administered and subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab on experimental corneal neovascularization in rats for two weeks after treatment.<b>METHODS:</b> Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 7 animals. Each corneal center of right eye was cauterized with silver/potassium nitrate for 8s. After corneal burning, bevacizumab (12.5mg/mL) was topically administered three times per day (TB group) for two weeks or subconjunctivally injected on days 2 and 4 after cauterization (0.02mL; SB group). As negative controls, rats received 0.9% saline topically three times per day (TS group) or subconjunctivally on days 2 and 4 (0.02mL; SS group). Digital photographs of the cornea were taken 1 and 2 weeks after treatment and analyzed to determine the area of cornea covered by neovascularization as the percentage of corneal neovascularization.<b>RESULTS:</b> One week after treatment, the percentage of corneal neovascularization was significantly lower in the TB and SB groups than in the TS and SS groups (all <i>P</i><0.05). Two weeks after treatment, the percentage of corneal neovascularization was significantly lower in the TB group than in the TS group (<i>P</i><0.05). In all groups, the percentage of neovascularization was decreasing as time passed (all <i>P</i><0.05)<b>CONCLUSION:</b> Topically administered bevacizumab has longer standing anti-angiogenic effect than subconjunctivally injected bevacizumab in corneal neovascularization following chemical injury in rats

In vivo 3D measurement of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin distributions in the mouse cornea using multiphoton microscopy

Moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin are fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotics used in the clinic to prevent or treat ocular infections. Their pharmacokinetics in the cornea is usually measured from extracted ocular fluids or tissues, and in vivo direct measurement is difficult. In this study multiphoton microscopy (MPM), which is a 3D optical microscopic technique based on multiphoton fluorescence, was applied to the measurement of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin distribution in the cornea. Intrinsic multiphoton fluorescence properties of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin were characterized, and their distributions in mouse cornea in vivo were measured by 3D MPM imaging. Both moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin had similar multiphoton spectra, while moxifloxacin had stronger fluorescence than gatifloxacin. MPM imaging of mouse cornea in vivo showed (1) moxifloxacin had good penetration through the superficial corneal epithelium, while gatifloxacin had relatively poor penetration, (2) both ophthalmic solutions had high intracellular distribution. In vivo MPM results were consistent with previous studies. This study demonstrates the feasibility of MPM as a method for in vivo direct measurement of moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin in the cornea.1175Ysciescopu

Quantitative Analysis of Lens Nuclear Density Using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with a Liquid Optics Interface: Correlation between OCT Images and LOCS III Grading

Purpose. To quantify whole lens and nuclear lens densities using anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a liquid optics interface and evaluate their correlation with Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) lens grading and corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA). Methods. OCT images of the whole lens and lens nucleus of eyes with age-related nuclear cataract were analyzed using ImageJ software. The lens grade and nuclear density were represented in pixel intensity units (PIU) and correlations between PIU, BCVA, and LOCS III were assessed. Results. Forty-seven eyes were analyzed. The mean whole lens and lens nuclear densities were 26.99 ± 5.23 and 19.43 ± 6.15 PIU, respectively. A positive linear correlation was observed between lens opacities (R2 = 0.187, p<0.01) and nuclear density (R2 = 0.316, p<0.01) obtained from OCT images and LOCS III. Preoperative BCVA and LOCS III were also positively correlated (R2 = 0.454, p<0.01). Conclusions. Whole lens and lens nuclear densities obtained from OCT correlated with LOCS III. Nuclear density showed a higher positive correlation with LOCS III than whole lens density. OCT with a liquid optics interface is a potential quantitative method for lens grading and can aid in monitoring and managing age-related cataracts

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Effect of Nerve Growth Factor on the In Vitro Induction of Apoptosis of Human Conjunctival Epithelial Cells by Hyperosmolar Stress

Citation: Kang S-S, Ha S-J, Kim E-S, Shin J-A, Kim JY, Tchah H. Effect of nerve growth factor on the in vitro induction of apoptosis of human conjunctival epithelial cells by hyperosmolar stress. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2014;55:535-541

Early onset of colorectal cancer in a 13-year-old girl with Lynch syndrome

Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited colon cancer syndrome. Patients with Lynch syndrome develop a range of cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC) and carry a mutation on one of the mismatched repair (MMR) genes. Although CRC usually occurs after the fourth decade in patients with Lynch syndrome harboring a heterozygous MMR gene mutation, it can occur in children with Lynch syndrome who have a compound heterozygous or homozygous MMR gene mutation. We report a case of CRC in a 13-year-old patient with Lynch syndrome and congenital heart disease. This patient had a heterozygous mutation in MLH1 (an MMR gene), but no compound MMR gene defects, and a K-RAS somatic mutation in the cancer cells

A rare presentation of Rapunzel syndrome with multiple small bowel intussusceptions

Rapunzel syndrome is caused by gastric trichobezoar with extended tail and small bowel obstruction. Patients with gastric trichobezoar can be asymptomatic until the bezoar increases in size. We report a case of a girl who visited the emergency department with abdominal pain. She was finally diagnosed with Rapunzel syndrome that causes multiple small bowel intussusceptions associated with trichophagia. Surgery was needed to reduce the multiple intussusceptions, and to remove the large trichobezoar. This case highlights to consider the possibility of Rapunzel syndrome when diagnosing the main cause of intussusceptions

Risk factors of delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children: for early detection of acute appendicitis

PurposeThis study examined the risk factors of a delayed diagnosis of acute appendicitis in children undergoing an appendectomy.MethodsThis retrospective study involved children aged below 18 years, who underwent an appendectomy. After dividing them into a delayed diagnosis group and nondelayed diagnosis group according to the time interval between the initial hospital visit and final diagnosis, the risk factors of delayed diagnosis were identified using logistic regression analysis.ResultsAmong 712 patients, 105 patients (14.7%) were classified in the delayed diagnosis group; 92 patients (12.9%) were diagnosed using ultrasonography (US), and both US and computed tomography were performed in 38 patients (5.3%). More patients in the delayed diagnosis group underwent US (P=0.03). Spring season and prior local clinic visit were significantly associated with a delayed diagnosis. Fever and diarrhea were more common in the delayed diagnosis group (fever: odds ratio [OR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–1.81; diarrhea: OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.08–3.46; P<0.05). These patients showed symptoms for a longer duration (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.78–3.78; P<0.05), and the admission course (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.11–1.44; P<0.05) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.19–1.82; P<0.05) were associated with the delayed diagnosis.ConclusionTo decrease the rate of delayed diagnoses of acute appendicitis, symptoms such as fever and diarrhea, seasonal variations, admission course, and CRP levels should be considered and children with a longer duration of symptoms should be closely monitored