One-Year Results of a Phase I/II Randomized, Double-Masked, Placebo-Controlled Study of Processed Amniotic Fluid Drops After PRK.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year outcomes of using processed amniotic fluid (pAF) postoperatively after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods: Sixty-one participants were randomized to receive either placebo or pAF drops. The drops were instilled 4 times daily for 1 week after PRK along with routine postoperative medications.

Phase I/II randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of processed amniotic fluid drops after PRK.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of processed amniotic fluid (pAF) used postoperatively after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting: University of Utah, Moran Eye Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Design: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled prospective study.

Peripapillary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Metastasis: A Novel Approach to Treatment.

Peripapillary and circumpapillary retinal intraocular metastases are rare and present a treatment challenge for ophthalmologists because of the high risk of iatrogenic injury to the optic nerve. There are no clear guidelines on the management of these lesions, and many clinicians will initially observe for improvement of the metastases with systemic chemotherapy before considering local therapy with external beam radiation. Radiation to the optic disc carries a significant risk of injuring the optic nerve, leading to worsening of vision.

BACE1 Inhibition Increases Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress by Promoting Mitochondrial Damage.

BACE1 is a key enzyme facilitating the generation of neurotoxic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide. However, given that BACE1 has multiple substrates we explored the importance of BACE1 in the maintenance of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell homeostasis under oxidative stress. Inhibition of BACE1 reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased mitochondrial fragmentation, and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression in cells under oxidative stress.

The metabolic bone disease associated with the mutation is independent of osteoblastic HIF1α expression.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) controls key responses to systemic phosphate increases through its phosphaturic actions on the kidney. In addition to stimulation by phosphate, FGF23 positively responds to iron deficiency anemia and hypoxia in rodent models and in humans. The disorder X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is characterized by elevated FGF23 in concert with an intrinsic bone mineralization defect.

LRP-6 is a coreceptor for multiple fibrogenic signaling pathways in pericytes and myofibroblasts that are inhibited by DKK-1.

Fibrosis of vital organs is a major public health problem with limited therapeutic options. Mesenchymal cells including microvascular mural cells (pericytes) are major progenitors of scar-forming myofibroblasts in kidney and other organs. Here we show pericytes in healthy kidneys have active WNT/β-catenin signaling responses that are markedly up-regulated following kidney injury.