The vectors went in two-by-two: Transduction efficiency and tolerability of dual and triple rAAV vector delivery following intravitreal injection for genome-editing applications.

Genome or prime editing has become a promising tool for the treatment of hereditary disorders affecting the inner retina, such as dominant optic neuropathies. In vivo delivery of gene editors, such as Cas9, is typically achieved using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors, which have a broad range of cellular tropisms and are well tolerated following intravitreal administration. Owing to the large size of gene editing constructs and the limited carrying capacity of rAAV (<5.

SpatialSort: a Bayesian model for clustering and cell population annotation of spatial proteomics data.

Motivation: Recent advances in spatial proteomics technologies have enabled the profiling of dozens of proteins in thousands of single cells in situ. This has created the opportunity to move beyond quantifying the composition of cell types in tissue, and instead probe the spatial relationships between cells. However, most current methods for clustering data from these assays only consider the expression values of cells and ignore the spatial context.

Tolerability and tropism of recombinant adeno-associated virus vectors in the African green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) anterior chamber.

While many studies have investigated the use of recombinant adeno-associated vectors (rAAV) in the posterior chamber for treatment of inherited retinal diseases, fewer studies have looked at rAAV's ability to transduce cells within the anterior chamber. This study focuses on evaluating the tropism and tolerability of three rAAV serotypes-rAAV2/6, rAAV2/9, and rAAV2/2[MAX]-expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter following intracameral injection in the non-human primate (NHP) African green monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus) model. Injection of high dose (1 × 10 vg/eye) rAAV vector resulted in transient inflammation characterized by aqueous flare and cellular infiltrate that resolved without intervention in all serotypes.

Prostaglandin-based rAAV-mediated glaucoma gene therapy in Brown Norway rats.

Prostaglandin analogs are first-line treatments for open angle glaucoma and while effective at lowering intraocular pressure, they are undermined by patient non-compliance, causing atrophy of the optic nerve and severe visual impairment. Herein, we evaluate the safety and efficacy of a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector-mediated gene therapy aimed at permanently lowering intraocular pressure through de novo biosynthesis of prostaglandin F2α within the anterior chamber. This study demonstrated a dose dependent reduction in intraocular pressure in normotensive Brown Norway rats maintained over 12-months.

Cataracts associated with systemic disorders and syndromes.

This review article examines the ophthalmic literature published on cataracts and systemic disease during the past year. Epidemiologically, the association between alcohol consumption and lens opacification is reviewed. Cataracts continue to be strongly associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus.

Biotypes and serotypes of Haemophilus influenzae ocular isolates.

Aim: To determine which subtypes of Haemophilus influenzae are most commonly associated with ocular disease, and whether the site of ocular H influenzae infection is correlated with specific subtypes of the organism.

Methods: The biotypes and serotypes of ocular H influenzae isolates collected at the Francis I Proctor Foundation between March 1989 and January 2000 were examined. A total of 62 ocular isolates were retrieved from frozen storage and plated on chocolate agar.

Alterations in the conjunctival bacterial flora following a single dose of azithromycin in a trachoma endemic area.

Background/aims: The World Health Organisation has recommended repeated mass treatment of children in trachoma endemic areas with oral azithromycin. While chlamydia, the causative agent of trachoma, remains universally sensitive to azithromycin, there is concern that large scale programmes may alter the bacterial flora and induce resistance in streptococcal species. In this study the effect of a single dose of azithromcyin on the prevalence, species distribution, and resistance of conjunctival bacterial flora was determined.

Varicella zoster virus ocular disease.

Our understanding of the spectrum of diseases caused by VZV continues to evolve with new and atypical presentations. Newer diagnostic studies are implicating VZV as the cause of a host of inflammatory conditions, some of which present sine herpete. Finally, the continued development of antiviral drugs and vaccines will allow safer and more effective treatment of VZV and its complications.

Glycoprotein B subtyping of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the vitreous of patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis.

A 550-bp region of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein B (gB) gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from 141 vitreous specimens of 120 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis from three different metropolitan centers. The distribution of gB subtypes I, II, III, and IV were 19%, 43%, 12%, and 21%, respectively, based on restriction enzyme digestion patterns of PCR-amplified DNA. Two patients had simultaneous infection with two different gB subtypes.

Chronic varicella-zoster virus epithelial keratitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Objective: To characterize further a chronic epithelial keratitis caused by varicella-zoster virus infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Methods: Patients with AIDS and chronic epithelial keratitis associated with varicella-zoster virus from 3 institutions were identified. Patient records were reviewed retrospectively for the following data: medical and demographic characteristics, techniques of diagnosis, physical findings, course, response to treatment, and outcome.

Traction versus distension for distraction of the joint during hip arthroscopy.

Distraction is the most popular technique used in hip arthroscopy. It has been postulated that, if adequate distraction cannot initially be achieved with traction, it will be overcome by distension. The purpose of this study is to quantitate the additive effects of traction and distension in achieving distraction of the hip joint for arthroscopy.

Small-diameter, round, eccentric penetrating keratoplasties and corneal topographic correlation.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to report the outcome and postoperative topographic analysis of seven patients who underwent small-diameter, round, eccentric penetrating keratoplasty.

Methods: Seven patients underwent small-diameter, round, eccentric penetrating keratoplasty for a variety of corneal disorders (cataract wound necrosis and dehiscence or fistula, three patients; penetrating keratoplasty wound infection, two patients; corneal rheumatoid melt and perforation, one patient; localized fungal keratitis, one patient). Full-thickness corneal transplants ranged in size from 3.

The efficacy of topical metronidazole in the treatment of ocular rosacea.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the efficacy of metronidazole topical gel in the treatment of ocular rosacea.

Methods: Ten patients with ocular rosacea were treated prospectively with lid hygiene and topical metronidazole applied to the lid margin in one eye and lid hygiene alone in the fellow eye. The treatment period was 12 weeks.

Bacterial contamination of anaerobic vitreous cultures: using techniques employed for endophthalmitis.

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence of contaminated cultures of vitreous specimens from non-infected eyes obtained using anaerobic techniques employed for endophthalmitis.

Methods: Vitreous specimens were obtained using meticulous sterile techniques employed for endophthalmitis from seventeen patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy for non-infective indications: vitreous hemorrhage (12 eyes), retinal detachment (3), Coat's disease (1), and congenital dislocated lens(1). Vitreous specimens were inoculated in the operating room onto an anaerobic blood agar plate and into thioglycolate broth.

American Uveitis Society Meeting October 30, 1995 Marriott Marquis Hotel, Atlanta, GA, USA.

1 Retinal vascular occlusion and scleroderma. Tessler H, Flores-Guevara J, Goldstein D, Chicago, IL, USA. 2 MHC Class II antigen expression in ciliary body in spontaneous and experimental uveitis.

Corneal anesthetic abuse and Candida keratitis.

Purpose: Topical corneal anesthetic abuse is a self-inflicted injury, causing profound corneal morbidity. Superimposed infection is an important complicating factor. The authors report four patients with confirmed topical anesthetic abuse of the cornea, in whom Candida keratitis developed.

Disappearance of crystals in Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy after epithelial erosion.

Purpose: A 40-year-old woman with Schnyder's crystalline corneal dystrophy had two episodes of epithelial erosion.

Methods: We reviewed the patient's medical record and photographic file.

Results: In the areas underlying the epithelial erosion, the crystalline opacities disappeared.

Relationship between corneal edema and topography.

We found that corneal edema can occur without significant concomitant changes in central and peripheral corneal topography. We examined the relationship between corneal edema and corneal topography in 10 subjects with normal ocular examinations. Baseline pachymetry and topographic measurements for both eyes of each patient were obtained.

Anisotropic viscoelastic shear properties of bovine meniscus.

The objectives of this study were to determine the viscoelastic shear properties of bovine menisci and to examine those variations with respect to the structural organization of the tissue. Disc shaped meniscal specimens were subjected to: (1) oscillatory shear deformation over a physiological range of frequencies (1-100 rads per second), and (2) shear deformation in the range of infinitesimal strains (0.005-0.