In vitro studies on the antimicrobial peptide human beta-defensin 9 (HBD9): signalling pathways and pathogen-related response (an American Ophthalmological Society thesis).

Purpose: Human β-defensins (HBDs) are an important part of the innate immune host defense at the ocular surface. Unlike other defensins, expression of HBD9 at the ocular surface is reduced during microbial infection, but activation of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in corneal epithelial cells has been shown to up-regulate HBD9. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that TLR2 has a key role in the signalling pathway(s) involved in the overexpression or underexpression of HBD9, and accordingly, different pathogens would induce a different expression pattern of HBD9.

Management of postkeratoplasty astigmatism by paired arcuate incisions with compression sutures.

Purpose: To analyse the efficacy of paired arcuate incisions and compression sutures technique in the management of post penetrating keratoplasty (PK) astigmatism.

Methods: A paired arcuate incision with compression sutures procedure was used to treat 26 eyes with post-PK astigmatism ranging from 6.00 to 16.

The effect of gravitational force on limbal stem cell growth.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of gravity on corneal epithelial cell migration in vitro.

Methods: Fourteen donor peripheral corneoscleral rims were used. Twenty explants were chosen of which 10 were placed vertically and 10 were placed horizontally during culture.

In vivo confocal microscopic features of normal limbus.

Aim: To describe in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) features of the limbus in normal eyes as related to the palisades of Vogt's.

Methods: 46 eyes of 29 consecutive volunteers were recruited in this observational study. A detailed examination by IVCM was performed in addition to a routine slit-lamp biomicroscopy.

Variable expression of human Beta defensins 3 and 9 at the human ocular surface in infectious keratitis.

Purpose: The authors have previously reported the presence of the antimicrobial peptides human beta defensin (hBD) 3 and hBD9 on the ocular surface (OS). These play an important role in infection and inflammation. In the present study, the authors studied the gene expression levels of hBD3 and hBD9 in healthy subjects and during and after healing of infectious keratitis.

Corneal densitometry as an indicator of corneal health.

Purpose: To establish prospectively the normal values of corneal density of healthy subjects using the Pentacam Scheimpflug system (Oculus, Inc., Wetzlar, Germany) and to investigate alteration in corneal density during active and healed stages of bacterial keratitis.

Design: Prospective, comparative case series.

The effect of standard and transepithelial ultraviolet collagen cross-linking on human corneal nerves: an ex vivo study.

Purpose: To evaluate the early effect of standard and transepithelial collagen cross-linking on human corneal nerves in donor eyes by ex vivo confocal microscopy and acetylcholinesterase staining.

Design: Experimental laboratory investigation.

Methods: Eight human eye bank corneal buttons (mean age, 73.

Organization of the regenerated nerves in human corneal grafts.

Purpose: To examine by histopathology the degree of nerve regeneration in human corneal grafts and to determine the anatomic organization and morphology of the regenerated nerves.

Design: Experimental laboratory investigation.

Methods: Twelve corneal grafts from 12 patients (7 men and 5 women) aged 34-93 (mean, 66.

Correlation of central and peripheral corneal thickness in healthy corneas.

Purpose: To study the thickness profile of the normal cornea in order to establish any correlation between central and peripheral points.

Methods: Sixty-seven eyes of 40 patients were subjected to central corneal thickness measurement (CCT) with an ultrasound pachymeter (UP) and corneal thickness mapping with the Oculus Pentacam. The corneal apex thickness (CAT), pupil centre thickness (recorded as CCT and corresponded to CCT of UP) and thickness at the thinnest location (CTL) were obtained and compared with each other.

The morphologic characteristics of corneal nerves in advanced keratoconus as evaluated by acetylcholinesterase technique.

Purpose: To study the morphologic characteristics of corneal nerves in patients with advanced keratoconus using the acetylcholinesterase technique in corneal whole mounts.

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Methods: Fourteen corneal buttons from 14 keratoconic patients (9 males and 5 females; mean age, 34.

Ex vivo confocal microscopy of human corneal nerves.

Aims: To evaluate the distribution, morphometry and the postmortem changes of the central and peripheral human corneal nerves by exvivo laser-scanning confocal microscopy (EVCM).

Methods: 24 eyes from 14 cadavers were retrieved at different time intervals after death and examined by EVCM. Five regions were examined in each eye: central, superior, inferior, temporal and nasal.

Correlation between the pattern of myopic fundal changes and the axis of astigmatism of the eye.

Aims: Myopic fundal changes have been studied in great detail, clinically and pathologically. To our knowledge correlation between these changes and the axis of astigmatism has not been studied before. This study was conducted to assess the correlation, if any, between the pattern of myopic fundal changes and the axis of astigmatism.