[Principals and clinical applications of optical coherence tomography in glaucoma].

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) supplies morphological information from different retinal layers. In glaucoma, analysis of the nerve fiber layer is gaining more and more significance: Losses in this layer often precede by years functional losses in the visual field and end up in optical nerve head changes. OCT offers a means for imaging and for measurement of the nerve fiber layer besides morphological analysis of ONH as one of the earliest sensitive parameters in modern glaucoma diagnostics.

Telelearning in ophthalmology.

The virtual ophthalmic clinic has been developed to provide an interactive learning platform within the correspondence courses of the Virtual University of Bavaria. It presents clinical case examples from ophthalmology. Basic concepts are a case-based learning dialogue (didactics), peer reviewing (quality), role-based access (organization) and thin web clients (availability).

Does the transplantation process modify the immunogenicity of fetal adrenal grafts in rat?

The concept that fetal tissue transplants enjoy an immunologic privilege grounds on the primary immaturity of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) expression. However, experiences in human organ transplantation reveal that the immunogenicity of any graft could be modified by external factors such as ischemia. Consequently, the question arises, whether the process of transplantation modifies the immunogenicity of fetal grafts.

Organ-specific maturation of the major histocompatibility antigens in rats.

The essential role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II in the process of rejection has been documented, and some studies suggest that fetal transplants could enjoy an organ-specific immunologic privilege. However, little is known as to when these antigens develop in fetal organs and which tissues mainly present them. This study investigated the dynamics of immunogenicity in the developing transplant organs of rats.

[Internet-based teaching and learning in ophthalmology].

The transmission of clinical knowledge occurs traditionally through lectures, theoretical and practical courses, bed-side teaching as well as case-oriented teaching in small groups. The realisation is, however often very laborious and problematical because of low resources. For these reasons the development of computer-based, and in particular internet-based tutorials have increased dramatically in recent years.