Anti-Leishmania amazonensis activity of the terpenoid fraction from Eugenia pruniformis leaves.

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania and includes cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral clinical forms. Drugs currently available for leishmaniasis treatment present high toxicity, and development of parasite resistance. Plants constitute an important source of compounds with leishmanicidal potential.

Proteomic analysis of the aqueous humour in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Background/aims: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is characterised by the production and accumulation of extracellular fibrillar material in the anterior segment of the eye. The pathogenesis of PEX is multifactorial with genetic factors and ageing as contributing factors. Previously, an increased concentration of beta-crystalline B2 (CRYBB2) was observed in the aqueous humour (AH) in eyes with PEX in a pooled material.

Variance components in confocal scanning laser tomography measurements of neuro-retinal rim area and the effect of repeated measurements on the power to detect loss over time.

Purpose: To estimate the variation in measurements of neuro-retinal rim area (NRA) determined by confocal scanning laser tomography and consequences for clinical follow-up.

Methods: Altogether, 24 healthy subjects were randomized on -320 μm, Moorfields and Standard NRA plane strategies. Additionally, NRA was measured in 32 glaucoma subjects.

Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and efficacy of ivermectin following oral administration in dogs against experimental infection of Ctenocephalides felis felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

With the increasing number of pets in home the human-animal relationship is increasingly close and care about control disease growing. Ivermectin (IVM) is frequently used because its proven safety. IVM is recommended for the treatment of demodectic scabies and prevention of heartworm in dogs, but informally is extremely used to control of Ctenocephalides felis felis and Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Latanoprost in the treatment of glaucoma.

Prostaglandins are approved by the European Glaucoma Society guidelines as first-line treatment for glaucoma. This review focuses on latanoprost, an ester prodrug of prostaglandin (PG) F2α, which was the first of the currently available topical PGF2α analogs to be launched for glaucoma or ocular hypertension and which still accounts for the majority of prescriptions. It is better absorbed than the parent compound through the cornea, and peak concentration of the active drug is in the aqueous humor 1-2 hours after topical dosing (15-30 ng/mL).

Proteins in aqueous humor from cataract patients with and without pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protein content in aqueous humor in eyes with and without pseudoexfoliations (PEX) and to evaluate the quantitative proteomics method, isobaric tagging for relative and absolute protein quantification (iTRAQ), in combination with two separation methods followed by matrix-assisted Laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). During cataract surgery, samples of aqueous humor were collected from 20 eyes with PEX and from 18 control eyes. The relative concentrations of proteins in the pooled samples of ten PEX eyes and eight controls were evaluated after trypsin digestion and Labeling of the peptides with (iTRAQ) reagent.

Glaucoma management in Sweden -- results from a nationwide survey.

Purpose: To report the results from a nationwide survey on glaucoma management in Sweden, performed as a part of an Open Angle Glaucoma project conducted by the Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment 2004-2008.

Methods: In 2005, a survey was distributed to all providers of glaucoma care in Sweden: public eye departments, public outpatient departments and private practices. The questionnaire included questions on number of examined patients, types of examinations during one defined week, internal organization and access to diagnostic equipment.

Is quantitative spectral-domain superior to time-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the variability of macular map measurements, for two generations of optical coherence tomography (OCT) instruments, in eyes with wet age related macular degeneration (AMD) and low visual acuity.

Methods: Patients were examined with Stratus OCT and Cirrus HD-OCT. The macular thickness was assessed with the 'macular thickness map scan' and 'fast protocol' in Stratus and with the 512 × 128 and 200 × 200 cube protocols in Cirrus OCT.

Macular edema and visual outcome following cataract surgery in patients with diabetic retinopathy and controls.

Background: Cystoid macular edema (CME) is a well-known complication after cataract surgery, and diabetic retinopathy is reported to be an important risk factor for impaired visual recovery. In this prospective study, we compared visual outcome 6 months after surgery in eyes with moderate retinopathy and no previous ME with a control group, and observed the incidence of ME seen on fluorescein angiography (FA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods: Thirty-four patients with type-2 diabetes and 35 controls were enrolled.

Five-year, multicenter safety study of fixed-combination latanoprost/timolol (Xalacom) for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety of fixed-combination latanoprost/timolol (Xalacom) in patients requiring additional intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction over 5 years.

Methods: This phase 3b, open-label, multicenter study included prostaglandin-naive participants with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension insufficiently responsive to β-blockers and requiring additional IOP reduction. Participants were evaluated at eleven 6-month visits.

The optic nerve head assessed with HRT in 5-16-year-old normal children: normal values, repeatability and interocular difference.

Purpose: To investigate the normal values, repeatability and interocular difference of the optic nerve head, using Heidelberg retina tomography (HRT), in 5-16-year-old full-term children with normal birth weights.

Methods: Fifty-six children with normal visual acuity and refraction were examined with HRT-II/III. Three examinations were performed on each eye.

Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in full-term children assessed with Heidelberg retinal tomography and optical coherence tomography: normal values and interocular asymmetry.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate normal values and interocular differences in retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT), in 5-16-year-old children born at full-term with normal birthweights.

Methods: Fifty-six children with normal visual acuity and refraction were examined with Stratus OCT and HRT. Three examinations were performed in each eye.

Protein content in aqueous humor from patients with pseudoexfoliation (PEX) investigated by capillary LC MALDI-TOF/TOF MS.

Analysis of proteins in human body fluids is challenging since the composition of the sample often is rather complex. Here we present a method for analysis of proteins in aqueous humor from two groups of cataract patients, with and without pseudoexfoliation (PEX). Aqueous humor is an extracellular fluid contained in the anterior chamber of the eye between the cornea and iris.

Uveoscleral outflow--a review.

The uveoscleral outflow route was described more than 40 years ago. Part of aqueous leaves the eye through the iris root. The ciliary muscle, and there are large species differences in the fraction of aqueous outflow that leaves the eye through this route.

Side effects associated with prostaglandin analog therapy.

Topical prostaglandin analogs, which have become first-line therapy in the medical management of glaucoma, have an excellent safety profile with regard to systemic side effects, but are associated with several ocular side effects. Some of these are common, with no apparent serious consequences other than cosmetic, whereas others are much less common but represent potentially sight-threatening side effects. The former group includes conjunctival hyperemia, elongation and darkening of eyelashes, induced iris darkening, and periocular skin pigmentation.

Repeatability in and interchangeability between the macular and the fast macular thickness map protocols: a study on normal eyes with Stratus optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: To collect a normal material and to compare the macular and the fast macular thickness map protocols regarding normal values and repeatability.

Methods:  Sixty-seven individuals underwent three repeated scans with the macular thickness protocol; 45 of them also had three scans with the fast thickness protocol in Stratus optical coherence tomography (OCT). The maps were divided into nine ETDRS fields, where thickness values were presented.

A population-based study of macular thickness in full-term children assessed with Stratus OCT: normative data and repeatability.

Purpose:  We aimed to determine normal macular thickness values, assessed with optical coherence tomography (OCT), in a population of full-term children of normal birthweight.

Methods:  A total of 56 children, aged 5-16 years, randomly chosen from the population register, were examined with Stratus OCT. Only children with visual acuity < 0.

Trabeculectomy with an active postoperative regimen: results and resource utilization.

Purpose: To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) and resource utilization after trabeculectomy, using an active postoperative regimen, in a Swedish population.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the patient charts of all patients who underwent trabeculectomy in a Swedish university hospital during 1 year (November 2000-December 2001). Trabeculectomy was performed in 34 eyes and trabeculectomy in combination with phacoemulsification in 10 eyes.

Pseudoexfoliation as a risk factor for prevalent open-angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To estimate the risk of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) associated with exposure to pseudoexfoliation (PEX) and increased intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods: In 1984-86, a cross-sectional, population-based survey was conducted in the municipality of Tierp, central Sweden. Its target population comprised 2429 residents aged 65-74 years.

Retinal mean transit time in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma.

Purpose: To compare the mean transit time (MTT) of retinal circulation in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and eyes with normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and examine the possible relationship between MTT and visual field damage, expressed as mean deviation (MD).

Methods: Video fluorescein angiography was performed in 40 patients with POAG or NTG. Dye curves for fluorescein passing through the retinal arteries and veins were used to calculate MTT in each patient with a computer-assisted technique based on an impulse-response analysis (MTT(IR)).

Cost-effectiveness analysis in glaucoma: what drives utility? Results from a pilot study in Sweden.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of different levels of visual field defect in glaucoma on utilities and to test if utilities could be assessed using a general questionnaire such as the EQ-5D.

Methods: A cross-sectional study in 199 patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma grouped into 5 severity stages according to visual field defects was performed in 4 specialized ophthalmic centres. Descriptive analysis was performed for the sample and by stage, and the effect of vision loss on utility was investigated with multiple step-wise regression analysis.

Effects of oxygen and carbon dioxide on human retinal circulation: an investigation using blue field simulation and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

Purpose: To investigate the quantitative response of retinal circulation in normal human eyes to oxygen and carbon dioxide provocation and to gain more information about retinal mean transit time (MTT).

Methods: Healthy subjects were studied while breathing: room air (O(2) baseline); pure O(2); room air (CO(2) baseline), and CO(2) in room air. The CO(2) level was brought to 30% above individual baseline level.