Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers and Therapeutics for Inflammatory Eye Diseases.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a group of cell-derived membrane vesicles of varying sizes that can be secreted by most cells. Depending on the type of cell they are derived from, EVs may contain a variety of cargo including proteins, lipids, miRNA, and DNA. Functionally, EVs play important roles in physiological and pathological processes through intercellular communication.

Characterization of a Novel Human Organotypic Retinal Culture Technique.

Previous human organotypic retinal culture (HORC) models have utilized detached retinas; however, without the structural support conferred by retinal pigment epithelium-choroid (RPE-choroid) and sclera, the integrity of the fragile retina can easily be compromised. The aim of this study was to develop a novel HORC model that contains the retina, RPE-choroid and sclera to maintain retinal integrity when culturing retinal explants. After cutting circumferentially along the limbus to remove iris and lens, four deep incisions were made to flatten the eyecup.

Connexin43 hemichannel block inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation in a human retinal explant model of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common ocular complication associated with diabetes, is a chronic vascular and inflammatory disease that leads to vision loss. The inflammasome pathway, a key part of the innate immune system, is required to activate chronic inflammation in DR. Unfortunately, current therapies for DR target pathological signs that are downstream of the inflammasome pathway, making them only partly effective in treating the disease.

Pathways of Pb and Mn observed in a 5-year longitudinal investigation in young children and environmental measures from an urban setting.

We monitored 108 children ≤5 years on a 6-month basis for up to 5 years in a major urban setting. Samples (n ∼ 7000) included blood, urine, handwipes (interior, and after exterior playing), 6-day duplicate diet, drinking water, interior house and day care dust-fall accumulation using petri dishes, exterior dust-fall accumulation, exterior dust sweepings, paint, soil and urban air. The geometric mean blood Pb (PbB) was 2.

Patent ductus arteriosus masquerading as aortic transection in a trauma victim.

A high-speed motorcycle crash is a risk factor for thoracic aortic injury due to the rapid deceleration mechanism. We present a previously healthy 44-year-old man who was involved in a motorcycle accident. Initial spiral computed tomography indicated an intimal flap, which was visualized with evidence of mediastinal hemorrhage.