Soluble endoglin as a biomarker of successful rheopheresis treatment in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive chronic disease causing visual impairment or central vision loss in the elderly. We hypothesized that successful rheopheresis would be associated with positive changes in soluble endoglin (sENG), PSCK9, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), and hs-CRP levels. 31 elderly patients with the dry form of AMD, treated with rheopheresis with a follow-up period of at least 5 years and an average age of 68 ± 4 years, were evaluated.

Widened retinal arteriolar and venular diameters are not an endophenotype of schizophrenia: A one-time cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Studies of schizophrenia endophenotypes may help clinicians better understand the etiopathogenesis and treatment of this mental disorder. The aim of the study was to determine if retinal arteriolar or venular abnormalities are an endophenotype of schizophrenia.

Design: We performed a one-time cross-sectional study.

Retinal microvascular abnormalities in major depression.

Background: The aim of our study was to find a possible association between retinal microvascular abnormality and major depression in a non-geriatric population.

Method: The participants with major depression were hospitalised at the University Hospital in Hradec Kralove, Department of Psychiatry. Retinal images were obtained using a stationary Fundus camera FF450 by Zeiss and a hand-held camera by oDocs.

Incidence of adverse events after loading phase of the brolucizumab therapy of neovascular AMD: Real-life evidence in the Czech Republic.

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of ocular adverse events after loading phase of the brolucizumab therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in real-life clinical practice - in treatment-naive patients and in patients after switching from another anti-VEGF agent. Another aim was to evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with adverse events.

Methods: This is a multicentre, retrospective, observational study from 16 application centres in the Czech Republic.

Hemostasis System and Plasminogen Activity in Retrochorial Hematoma in the First Trimester of Pregnancy.

(1) Background: The components of the fibrinolytic system and its main component, plasminogen, play a key role in the first months of pregnancy. The effect of autoantibodies interacting with plasminogen in the formation of retrochorial hematoma is unknown. The aim of our study was to determine the role of plasminogen and IgA, IgM, and IgG, which bind to plasminogen, in retrochorial hematoma.

Choroidal neovascularization in a patient after resolution of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome: A case report.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a rare complication of the Multiple Evanescent White Dot Syndrome (MEWDS). It can develop after resolving of the disease when there is already no evident inflammatory activity. Therefore, a long-term follow-up of such patients is important.

Proteolyzed Variant of IgG with Free C-Terminal Lysine as a Biomarker of Prostate Cancer.

The differential diagnosis of prostate cancer is problematic due to the lack of markers with high diagnostic accuracy. We previously demonstrated the increased binding of IgG to human plasminogen (PLG) in plasma of patients with prostate cancer (PC) compared to healthy controls. Heavy and light chains of PLG (PLG-H and PLG-L) were immobilized on 96-well plates and the binding of IgG to PLG-H and PLG-L was analyzed in serum from 30 prostate cancer (PC) patients, 30 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 30 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in familial maculopathy with reference to North Carolina macular dystrophy.

Aims: We present a familial hereditary macular dystrophy, resembling North Carolina Macular Dystrophy. In members of a family, we describe the development of diagnostic-therapeutic approaches and their impact on the prognosis of those whose vision was affected.

Methods: The macular dystrophy of varying degrees of severity was diagnosed in 3 consecutive generations in different family members, both men and women.

Personalized Biomechanical Analysis of the Mandible Teeth Behavior in the Treatment of Masticatory Muscles Parafunction.

A 3D finite element model of the mandible dentition was developed, including 14 teeth, a periodontal ligament (PDL), and a splint made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The study considered three design options: 1-the case of splint absence; 2-the case of the splint presence installed after manufacture; and 3-the case of splint presence installed after correction (grinding) performed to ensure a uniform distribution of occlusal force between the teeth. For cases of absence and presence of splint, three measurements of the functional load were performed using the T-Scan III software and hardware complex (TekScan, Boston, MA, USA).

Monoclonal antibody therapy efficacy can be boosted by combinations with other treatments: Predictions using an integrated Alzheimer's Disease Platform.

For many years, clinical research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has focused on attempts to identify the most explicit biomarker, namely amyloid beta. Unfortunately, the numerous therapies that have been developed have failed in clinical practice. AD arises as a consequence of multiple factors, and as such it requires a more mechanistic analytical approach than statistical modeling.

Results of Ranibizumab Treatment of the Myopic Choroidal Neovascular Membrane according to the Axial Length of the Eye.

Aim: A retrospective evaluation of the results of treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) with intravitreal injections of ranibizumab in a (PRN) regimen in three groups of patients distributed according to axial length.

Methods: The paper presents a retrospective multicenter study carried out with the cooperation of several Departments of Ophthalmology in the Czech Republic. The study included 60 eyes of 60 patients suffering from mCNV, divided according to axial length into three groups.

Spin effects as a tool to study photoinduced processes in (S/R)-ketoprofen-(S)-N-methylpyrrolidine dyads.

(S/R)-Ketoprofen (KP) is considered to be the strongest photosensitizer among nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The photosensitizing reactions are caused by a substituted benzophenone chromophore. It produces various toxic effects through the formation of active paramagnetic intermediates and photoproducts able to attack biological substrates.

Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography in Vitreoretinal Surgery.

Introduction: The objective of this article is to provide an overview of the current situation with the use of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT), and to present our own experience with this technology.

Methodology: retrospective evaluation of case reports of typical pathologies of the retina which were resolved by means of standard pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with the use of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) integrated into the surgical microscope OPMI Lumera 700 / Rescan 700 (Zeiss). Auxiliary techniques: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was tested on ETDRS tables, biomicroscopy was performed with a 78D lens and optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a Zeiss Cirrus instrument.

Migration of emboli in the retinal artery: case report.

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) is a prevalent vascular occlusive disorder of the eye. In transient BRAO, an embolus temporarily blocks the vessel and then moves on resulting in recovery of blood circulation. In this case, we have documented migration of the embolus with recovery of perfusion of the retina and improvement of visual acuity in a patient with transient BRAO.

The natural evolution of idiophatic epimacular membrane.

Background And Aims: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) refers to a semi-translucent tissue layer found on the inner surface of the retina especially in older people. Surgical treatment remains controversial, optimal timing for such treatment is difficult to determine and data on the natural evolution of this disorder are limited. In this study we evaluated the natural course of idiopathic epimacular membrane in 49 patients (53 eyes).

Microincision 25G pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the inner limiting membrane and air tamponade in idiopathic macular hole.

Purpose: To evaluate the success of a mini-invasive technique for operation of idiopathic macular hole (IMH).

Methods: We retrospectively examined 29 patients (30 eyes) in whom 25-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), peeling of the inner limiting membrane (ILM), and application of air tamponade were performed. The group of the patients included 7 males and 22 females (76%), age range 57-79 years (median 70).

Transient branch retinal artery occlusion in a 15-year-old girl and review of the literature.

Background: Retinal artery occlusion is an extremely rare diagnosis in the pediatric population and the etiology with risk factors of retinal artery occlusion are poorly understood in younger individuals.

Methods And Results: This case report a rare case of transient branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) in a healthy young girl. A fifteen-year-old girl presented with painless decreased vision in her right eye.

Re-operation of idiopathic macular hole after failed initial surgery.

Background: Persistent idiopathic macular hole (IMH) after initial pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) appears in approx. 12% of cases. It is, therefore, one of the most common complications.