Historical and practical aspects of macular buckle surgery in the treatment of myopic tractional maculopathy: case series and literature review.

Background: Uncorrected myopia is a leading cause of blindness globally, with a rising prevalence in recent decades. Pathological myopia, often seen in individuals with increased axial length (AXL), can result in severe structural changes in the posterior pole, including myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM). MTM arises from tractional forces at the vitreoretinal interface, leading to progressive macular retinoschisis, macular holes, and retinal detachment (RD).

Protective effects of Ruscus extract in combination with ascorbic acid and hesperidine methylchalcone on increased leukocyte-endothelial interaction and macromolecular permeability induced by ischemia reperfusion injury.

Background: Despite the well-recognized effectiveness of Ruscus aculetus extract combined or not with ascorbic acid (AA) and hesperidine methyl chalcone (HMC) on ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury protection, little is known about the contribution of each constituent for this effect.

Objective: To investigate the effects of AA and HMC combined or not with Ruscus extract on increased macromolecular permeability and leukocyte-endothelium interaction induced by I/R injury.

Methods: Hamsters were treated daily during two weeks with filtered water (placebo), AA (33, 100 and 300 mg/kg/day) and HMC (50, 150 and 450 mg/kg/day) combined or not with Ruscus extract (50, 150 and 450 mg/kg/day).

Serous maculopathy with absence of retinal pigment epithelium (SMARPE) associated with large drusen.

Purpose: To describe the association of serous maculopathy with absence of retinal pigment epithelium (SMARPE) and large drusen in patients with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: A retrospective study of ophthalmic examination and multimodal imaging data of individuals with SMARPE and large drusen observed over a period of 12-month was accomplished. SMARPE was defined as subretinal accumulation of fluid within the macular area due to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) aperture.

Intravitreal bevacizumab plus propranolol for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (the BEVALOL study): a phase I clinical trial.

Background: Given the persistently large public health impact of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nARMD) despite many years of anti-VEGF therapy as the first-line treatment and the demonstrated ability of b-blockers to reduce neovascularization, a synergistic effect between an anti-VEGF agent and an intravitreal beta-blocker is important to investigate in the quest for therapeutic alternatives that maximize efficacy and/or reduce costs. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the safety of a 0.1 ml intravitreal injection of a combination of bevacizumab (1.

RECURRENT OPTIC DISC PIT MACULOPATHY DUE TO VALSALVA'S MANEUVER.

Purpose: We report a patient with recurrent optic disc pit (ODP) maculopathy after Valsalva's maneuver and discuss its pathophysiology. We also hypothesize the role of Valsalva's maneuver in its genesis.

Method: Case report of one patient, male, 12 years old.

Applicability of portable retinal cameras and telemedicine as facilitating tools in screening diabetic retinopathy in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of impaired vision. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of use of portable retinograph and remote analysis of images along with a virtual questionnaire for screening for diabetic retinopathy in basic health units in the city of Ribeirão Preto/SP during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: Standard Covid-19 protocol was followed during the screening.

A case of permanent vision loss due to a carotidcavernous fistula: importance of early diagnosis.

A 97-year-old female presented with spontaneous acute-onset palpebral hyperemia and edema of the right eye that had progressively worsen over the previous three days. These signs did not suggest possible carotid-cavernous fistula until a second examination 72 h later, during which the patient exhibited significant progression. Despite embolization, the patient exhibited sustained corneal edema, clots, and turbidity in the aqueous humor, which resulted in permanent visual loss.

Time course of microvalve pathophysiology in high pressure low flow model of venous insufficiency and the role of micronized purified flavonoid fraction.

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize, in an experimental model, the mechanisms involved in the initiation of venous insufficiency at the level of microvenous valve and whether they can be influenced by early treatment with micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF).

Methods: The external right iliac vein of 78 male golden Syrian hamsters was ligated to induce chronic venous insufficiency. Internal venular diameter as well as leukocyte-endothelium-interaction (leukocytes sticking after staining with rhodamine 6G), were assessed using an intravital microscope.

Peripheral microvascular dysfunction is also present in patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA).

Background: In patients with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA), coronary microvascular dysfunction is associated with higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Objective: To demonstrate if microvascular dysfunction present in coronary microcirculation of patients with INOCA may be detected noninvasively in their peripheral circulation.

Methods: 25 patients with INOCA and 25 apparently healthy individuals (controls) were subjected to nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP) to evaluate peripheral microvascular function and blood collection for biomarkers analysis, including soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Effects of Ruscus extract on muscarinic receptors: Is there a role for endothelium derived relaxing factors on macromolecular permeability protection and microvascular diameter changes?

Background: Protective effects of Ruscus extract on macromolecular permeability depend on its capacity to stimulate muscarinic receptors on endothelial cells and induce the release of endothelium derived relaxing factors (EDRFs).

Objective: To investigate if these effects depend only on activation of muscarinic receptors or if EDRFs release are also necessary. We have also investigated the participation of Ruscus extract on muscarinic-induced release of EDRFs on microvascular diameters.

Use of an ultra-clean air flow for surgical field asepsis when performing intravitreous injections in an ambulatory surgical environment.

Background: Intravitreal injection of medications is one of the most common procedures performed in ophthalmology. Intravitreal anti-VEGF agents are currently the chosen treatment for ocular fundus diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. As an invasive procedure it involves risks.

Babassu ( Zona) Nut Oil Is More Effective than Olive Oil for Treating Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Western civilizations. The type of fatty acid which makes up the diet is related to the cardiovascular morbimortality and the formation of atheromas. Populations with high consumption of oils and fats have a higher number of deaths from CVD.

Effects of moderate and high intensity isocaloric aerobic training upon microvascular reactivity and myocardial oxidative stress in rats.

Systemic and central cardiovascular adaptations may vary in response to chronic exercise performed with different intensities and volumes. This study compared the effects of aerobic training with different intensities but equivalent volume upon microvascular reactivity in cremaster muscle and myocardial biomarkers of oxidative stress in Wistar rats. After peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) assessment, rats (n = 24) were assigned into three groups: moderate-intensity exercise training (MI); high-intensity exercise training (HI); sedentary control (SC).

Microcirculation and biomarkers in patients with resistant or mild-to-moderate hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

Microcirculation influences peripheral vascular resistance and therefore contributes to arterial blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum markers of inflammation and microcirculatory parameters observed by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) in patients with resistant (RH, 58 [50-63] years, n = 25) or mild-to-moderate hypertension (MMH, 56 [47-64] years, n = 25) compared to normotensive patients (control group (CG), 33 [27-52] years, n = 25). C-reactive protein (CRP), endothelin, adiponectin, I-CAM and V-CAM levels were obtained by laboratory analysis.

Protective Effects of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction (MPFF) on a Novel Experimental Model of Chronic Venous Hypertension.

Objectives: To assess protective effects of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) on microcirculation in an original chronic model of hind limb venous hypertension with low blood flow in small animals.

Methods: Vein ligatures were performed on male hamsters, as follows: A-right femoral vein; A + B-right femoral vein and its right branch; A + C-right femoral vein and its left branch; A + B + C-right femoral and its right and left branches; D-external right iliac vein. In sham operated groups, similar vascular dissections were performed without ligatures.

Microcirculation, Adiposity, and Traditional and Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Prepubertal Children.

Purpose: Previous studies have shown that microvascular dysfunction (MD) is associated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity. Few studies have assessed microvascular reactivity in children, and in most of these, results were confounded by the effects of puberty. Our aim was to establish whether MD is already present in obese prepubertal children.

Oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, or total distance: a comparison of methods to equalize exercise volume in Wistar rats.

This study compared strategies to equalize the volume of aerobic exercise performed with different intensities by Wistar rats, based on the distance covered during exercise bouts and energy expenditure (EE, isocaloric sessions) obtained from oxygen uptake (V̇O2) or respiratory exchange ratio (RER). Thirty-three male rats (270.5±12.

α-Tocopherol Improves Microcirculatory Dysfunction on Fructose Fed Hamsters.

Fructose, an everyday component of western diet associated to chronic hyperglycemia and enhanced free radical production, impairs endothelial function and supplementation with antioxidants might improve it. In this study we investigated if vitamin E could reverse the microvascular damage elicited by fructose. Male Syrian golden hamsters drank either 10% fructose solution (F) or filtered water (C), combined with three concentrations of vitamin E in their chows [zero, normal (VE) or 5X (5XVE)] during 60 days.

Beneficial effects of the micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF, Daflon® 500 mg) on microvascular damage elicited by sclerotherapy.

Objectives: To evaluate if the micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) treatment could reduce the side effects of sclerotherapy (a procedure frequently used to treat venous disease manifestations) by minimizing the inflammatory response within the surrounding tissues.

Method: Twenty-two male New Zealand rabbits were treated by gavage with micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF; 300 mg/kg/day) or vehicle (10% lactose solution) during 21 consecutive days, starting 7 days before sclerotherapy. The sclerotherapy consisted of an injection containing 5% ethanolamine oleate solution in the rabbit's dorsal ear vein.

Aerobic exercise improves microvascular dysfunction in fructose fed hamsters.

Fructose is a major diet component directly related to severe damages to the microcirculation and to diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension to which physical activity is pointed out as an important non-pharmacological treatment since its positive effects precede anthropometric improvements. In this study we have investigated the effects of a light/moderate aerobic exercise training (AET) on microcirculatory dysfunction elicited by carbohydrate overload during a period of 5 months. Male hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) whose drinking water was substituted (F) or not (C) by 10% fructose solution, during 20 weeks, associated or not to AET in the last 4 weeks (EC and EF subgroups) had their microcirculatory function evaluated on the cheek pouch preparation, glucose and insulin tolerance (GTT and ITT) tested.

Gender differences in microcirculation: observation using the hamster cheek pouch.

Objectives: Estrogen has been shown to play an important protective role in non-reproductive systems, such as the cardiovascular system. Our aim was to observe gender differences in vivo with regard to the increase in macromolecular permeability and leukocyte-endothelium interaction induced by ischemia/reperfusion as well as in microvascular reactivity to vasoactive substances using the hamster cheek pouch preparation.

Methods: Thirty-six male and 36 female hamsters, 21 weeks old, were selected for this study, and their cheek pouches were prepared for intravital microscopy.

Effects of babassu nut oil on ischemia/reperfusion-induced leukocyte adhesion and macromolecular leakage in the microcirculation: observation in the hamster cheek pouch.

Background: The babassu palm tree is native to Brazil and is most densely distributed in the Cocais region of the state of Maranhão, in northeastern Brazil. In addition to the industrial use of refined babassu oil, the milk, the unrefined oil and the nuts in natura are used by families from several communities of African descendants as one of the principal sources of food energy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of babassu oil on microvascular permeability and leukocyte-endothelial interactions induced by ischemia/reperfusion using the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation as experimental model.

A pro-inflammatory profile of endothelial cell in Lonomia obliqua envenomation.

Lonomia obliqua envenomation is characterized by intense local inflammatory reaction, which, dependent on the severity of the case, is followed by severe clinical manifestations related to hemorrhagic disorders that can lead to fatal outcome. These effects were imputed to several toxins present in L. obliqua venom, which are responsible for procoagulant, anticoagulant as well as antithrombotic activities, being also able to interfere with vascular cells functions.