Corneal Epithelial Thickness Mapping: A Major Review.

The corneal epithelium (CE) is the outermost layer of the cornea with constant turnover, relative stability, remarkable plasticity, and compensatory properties to mask alterations in the underlying stroma. The advent of quantitative imaging modalities capable of producing epithelial thickness mapping (ETM) has made it possible to characterize better the different patterns of epithelial remodeling. In this comprehensive synthesis, we reviewed all available data on ETM with different methods, including very high-frequency ultrasound (VHF-US) and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in normal individuals, corneal or systemic diseases, and corneal surgical scenarios.

In vivo application of decellularized rat colon and evaluation of the engineered scaffolds following 9 months of follow-up.

The aim of this study was to investigate the rat small intestine mesentery and colon as natural bio-reactors for rat colon-derived scaffolds. We decellularized eight whole rat colons by a perfusion-based protocol using 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate for 24 hr.

Pachydermoperiostosis: A clinicopathological description.

Purpose: To report a case of pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) and a review of the literature.

Methods: A 32-year-old man was referred to our clinic with bilateral eyelid swelling and blepharoptosis. On examination, marked blepharoptosis was noted, and his eyelids were found to be floppy.

Cystoid macular edema with prostaglandin analogue use after uneventful cataract surgery in glaucoma patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of postoperative latanoprost administration on central macular thickness (CMT) after uneventful cataract surgery in glaucoma patients.

Setting: Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Circulating mesenchymal stem cells, stromal derived factor (SDF)-1 and IP-10 levels increased in clinically active multiple sclerosis patients but not in clinically stable patients treated with beta interferon.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to migrate into the inflammatory regions in response to chemokines such as, IP-10 and SDF-1α and function as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cells.

Methods: In this study we investigated the MSCs frequency in peripheral blood of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients in clinically active and not on disease-modifying therapy (DMT) (n = 22) and clinically stable on DMT (Interferon-β (IFN-β) therapy) for at least 6 months (n = 22) in comparison to sex and age-matched healthy controls (n = 25) using flow cytometry. The serum and gene expression levels of IP-10 and SDF-1a were also measured in studied groups by ELISA and Real time- PCR.

Decellularised whole ovine testis as a potential bio-scaffold for tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to determine an efficient whole-organ decellularisation protocol of a human-sized testis by perfusion through the testicular arteries. In the first step of this study, we determined the most efficient detergent agent, whereas the second phase delineated the optimal time required for the decellularisation process. Initially sheep testes were decellularised by one of three different detergent agents: sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), Triton X-100 and trypsin-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) solutions, each perfused for 6h.

Fungal keratitis: An overview of clinical and laboratory aspects.

Mycotic keratitis or keratomycosis is a fungal infection with global distribution. The dominant aetiology of this disease varies based on geographical origin, socioeconomic status, and climatic condition. Generally, Aspergillus spp.

A pilot randomized study on use of oral acetazolamide in patients with refractory dysuria.

Purpose: Assessment of daily oral acetazolamide in treatment of refractory dysuria.

Methods: Forty-one patients were randomly allocated to either be treated with acetazolamide (250 mg twice daily) or to receive placebo. The irritative voiding symptoms and urinary pH were recorded before and after treatment.