Spontaneous acinar and ductal regrowth after meibomian gland atrophy induced by deletion of FGFR2 in a mouse model.

Purpose: We have demonstrated that deletion of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene (Fgfr2) leads to Meibomian gland (MG) atrophy in an inducible conditional knockout mouse model, referred as Fgfr2. Herein, we investigated whether MG spontaneously recovers after atrophy in this model.

Methods: Two months old Fgfr2 mice were injected peritoneally once or twice of doxycycline (Dox) at 80 μg/gm of body weight to induce MG atrophy of various severities via Fgfr2 deletion.

Impact of Intraoperative Ocular Lubricants on Corneal Debridement Rate During Vitreoretinal Surgery.

Purpose: To compare surgical parameters among patients receiving Viscoat (sodium chondroitin sulfate 4%-sodium hyaluronate 3%) or Goniosol (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 2.5%) as topical lubricants for retinal surgery.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing retinal surgery between March 2013 and March 2018 using Goniosol or Viscoat as adjuvants.

Cognitive Decline Secondary to Therapeutic Brain Radiation-Similarities and Differences to Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from forceful impacts on the torso and head has been of major interest because of the prevalence of such injuries in military personnel, contact sports and the elderly. Cognitive and behavioral changes associated with TBI are also seen following whole brain radiation treatment for cancer and chemotherapy for disseminated tumors. The biological mechanisms involved in the initiation of TBI from impact, radiation, and chemotherapy to loss of cognitive function have several shared characteristics including increases in blood brain barrier permeability, blood vessel density, increases in inflammatory and autoimmune responses, alterations in NMDA and glutamate receptor levels and release of proteins normally sequestered in the brain into the blood and spinal fluid.

Leptomeningeal failure in patients with breast cancer receiving stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases.

Purpose: Prior studies suggest a high incidence of leptomeningeal failure (LMF) in breast cancer metastatic to brain. This study examines breast cancer-specific variables affecting development of LMF and survival after Gamma-Knife Radiosurgery (GKS).

Methods: Between 2000-2010, 149 (breast) and 658 other-histology patients were treated with GKS.

Herpes simplex keratitis: challenges in diagnosis and clinical management.

Herpes simplex virus is responsible for numerous ocular diseases, the most common of which is herpetic stromal keratitis. This is a recurrent infection of the cornea that typically begins with a subclinical infection of the cornea that establishes a latent infection of sensory ganglia, most often the trigeminal ganglia. Recurring infections occur when the virus is reactivated from latency and travels back to the cornea, where it restimulates an inflammatory response.

Infections after refractive surgery.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of the review is to provide a summary of the recent literature concerning infections after refractive surgery pertinent to each procedure category.

Recent Findings: New data from a large retrospective study suggest that the incidence of post-laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis infectious keratitis is declining. Additionally, recent case studies have reported viral, fungal, and Acanthamoeba pathogens.

Predictors of trigeminal nerve dysfunction following stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia.

Background/aims: To evaluate clinical and dosimetric predictors of trigeminal nerve dysfunction (TND) following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our cohort of 446 patients with TN who underwent SRS between 1999-2008. Median follow-up was 25.

Brief Report: Patients With Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Who Are Positive for Autoantibodies to Tripartite Motif-Containing Protein 38 Show Greater Disease Severity.

Objective: Autoantibodies reactive with Ro52 (tripartite motif-containing protein 21 [TRIM21]) are detected in 70% of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). TRIM21 belongs to a 34-member C-IV family of TRIM proteins. Although autoantibodies against other TRIM proteins within the C-IV family have been detected in the sera of patients with primary SS, their clinical relevance remains unclear.

Impact of Corneal Endothelial Dysfunctions on Intraocular Oxygen Levels in Human Eyes.

Purpose: We studied the implications of corneal endothelial dysfunctions on oxidative stress in the anterior segment via in vivo measurements of oxygen partial pressure (pO2) in the anterior chamber (AC) of human eyes.

Methods: We recruited 51 patients undergoing cataract surgery and/or endothelial keratoplasty (EK). Endothelial cell density (ECD; n = 33) and central corneal thickness (CCT; n = 41) were measured on patients with relatively clear corneas.

A masquerader? Paecilomyces must be distinguished from Penicillium in fungal keratitis: a report of two contrasting cases.

We describe the clinical outcomes of two contrasting cases of fungal keratitis due to Paecilomyces spp. The first case involving a 58-year-old woman was complicated by an initial laboratory misidentification as Penicillium and consequently a delay in treatment with an optimised antifungal regimen. The patient had a protracted clinical course that required a total of four penetrating keratoplasties.

Use of Topical Besifloxacin in the Treatment of Mycobacterium chelonae Ocular Surface Infections.

Purpose: To present the clinical outcome of 3 cases of ocular surface infections by Mycobacterium chelonae treated with besifloxacin (0.6%, Besivance; Bausch & Lomb, Tampa, FL).

Methods: In this retrospective review of a small case series, we reviewed the medical records of 3 clinical patients with M.

Outcomes in HIV/HBV-Coinfected Patients in the Tenofovir Era Are Greatly Affected by Immune Suppression.

Objectives: HIV-infected patients have higher mortality when coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). With potent highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the use of tenofovir (TDF), outcomes may improve. Our objective was to determine the clinical and virological outcomes of a HIV/HBV-Coinfected cohort at our center since TDF became available.

Anaplastic ganglioglioma: a report of three cases and review of the literature.

Gangliogliomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system that are thought to arise from a glioneuronal precursor and consist of both neuronal and glial elements. Grade III, or anaplastic ganglioglioma (AGG), most commonly affects children and young adults, generally arises in a supratentorial location, is highly epileptogenic, and often results in diffuse local and distant failure within the craniospinal axis. Pathologically, these tumors are graded by the degree of malignancy in their glial portion and radiologic diagnosis is difficult due to the wide variation in its degree of solid and cystic components, contrast uptake, and calcification patterns.

Intraoperative management of posterior capsular rupture.

Purpose Of Review: Posterior capsular rupture (PCR) and vitreous loss are inevitable complications encountered in cataract surgery across all levels of surgical experience and in spite of technological advances to improve safety. Thus, cataract surgeons must always be prepared to practice safe and effective intraoperative management strategies for capsular rupture.

Recent Findings: Novel approaches for lens fragment removal, vitrectomy, and lens implantation have expanded the available options for cataract surgery in the setting of an open posterior capsule.

Risk factors for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in patients with brain metastases who have previously undergone stereotactic radiosurgery.

Our objective was to explore the hypothesis that the risk of leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) in patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain metastases is influenced by the site of the primary cancer, the addition of whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT), surgical resection, and control over their systemic disease. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 805 patients who were treated with SRS for brain metastases between 1999 and 2012 at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and excluded all patients with evidence of LMD before SRS. The primary outcome was LMD.

Variants at multiple loci implicated in both innate and adaptive immune responses are associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's syndrome is a common autoimmune disease (affecting ∼0.7% of European Americans) that typically presents as keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia. Here we report results of a large-scale association study of Sjögren's syndrome.

A unique TGFBI protein in granular corneal dystrophy types 1 and 2.

Purpose: Types 1 and 2 granular corneal dystrophies (GCD) are primarily associated with accumulation of the R555W and R124H mutant transforming growth factor β-inducible proteins (TGFBIp) in corneal stroma, respectively. However, specific components of TGFBIp responsible for granular deposits have not been delineated. This study was undertaken to identify the mutant TGFBIp components potentially responsible for GCD.

Unique TGFBI protein in lattice corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: Specific components of transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) responsible for amyloid deposits in lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) have not been delineated. LCD has been associated with various TGFBIp mutations such as R124C, L518P, and L527R. Using recombinant TGFBIp, this study was undertaken to identify TGFBIp components potentially contributing to the protein deposits in LCD.

Novel CHST6 gene mutations in 2 unrelated cases of macular corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: To investigate the possible mutations in the carbohydrate sulfotransferase 6 (CHST6) gene of 2 unrelated cases of macular corneal dystrophy (MCD) and to report atypical stromal deposits in one of them.

Methods: Corneal tissues were stained with antisulfated keratan sulfate (KS), antitransforming growth factor beta 1-induced protein (TGFBIp), thioflavin-T, alcian blue, and Masson trichrome. Sequencing was performed to identify potential mutations in the CHST6 gene and the fourth and twelfth exons of the TGFBI gene.

Granular and lattice deposits in corneal dystrophy caused by R124C mutation of TGFBIp.

Purpose: Both granular and lattice deposits are present in Avellino corneal dystrophy (ACD), primarily associated with the R124H mutation of transforming growth factor-β-induced (TGFBIp). We investigated the presence of these deposits in other TGFBI mutations and the use of Thioflavin-T (ThT), a fluorescent amyloid stain for characterizing corneal amyloid deposits.

Methods: Surgical corneal specimens of 3 unrelated patients clinically diagnosed with ACD were studied.

Genotype of lattice corneal dystrophy (R124C mutation in TGFBI) in a patient presenting with features of avellino corneal dystrophy.

Purpose: To present a patient with a genotype usually associated with lattice corneal dystrophy but with clinical and histopathologic features of advanced Avellino corneal dystrophy.

Methods: Penetrating keratoplasty was performed with subsequent histopathologic analysis. For genetic testing, a 5-mL blood sample was taken after informed consent.

Denaturation and solvent effect on the conformation and fibril formation of TGFBIp.

Purpose: Transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBIp) aggregates into the phenotypic amyloid fibrils and/or non-amyloid deposits in corneal dystrophies and other disorders. While significant progress has been made in molecular genetics to successfully establish the link between the missense mutations of TGFBI and TGFBIp-related corneal dystrophies, the underlying mechanism for the abnormal aggregation remains elusive due to the lack of insights into the conformational perturbations induced by mutations. In the present study, we examined the effects of denaturants and a co-solvent on recombinant TGFBIp, with a focus on protein conformational changes and amyloid fibril formation.

Pathogenesis and outcome of Paecilomyces keratitis.

Purpose: To examine the clinical pathology and management of Paecilomyces lilacinus keratitis.

Design: Observational case series, literature review, and laboratory study.

Methods: Characteristics and outcome of 17 patients with laboratory-confirmed Paecilomyces keratitis treated at 2 referral centers were combined with 25 previously reported cases.

Suppression of keratoepithelin and myocilin by small interfering RNA (an American Ophthalmological Society thesis).

Purpose: Mutations of keratoepithelin (KE) and myocilin (MYOC) have been linked to certain types of inherited corneal stromal dystrophy and open-angle glaucoma, respectively. In this study, the feasibility of using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to suppress the expression of keratoepithelin and myocilin and their capabilities to reduce the related cytotoxic effects caused by mutant myocilins were investigated.

Methods: cDNAs of human KE gene and myocilin gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and subcloned into pEGFP-N1 to construct respective plasmids, KEpEGFP and MYOCpEGFP, to produce fluorescence-generating fusion proteins.