Modulation of the metabolite content of the unicellular rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum using a 2-stage cultivation approach and chemical stressors.

There have been growing interests in microalgal biotechnology for the biorefining of bioactive compounds such as carotenoid pigments, ω-3 fatty acids, antioxidants or antimicrobials for sectoral applications in the pharmacology, nutraceutical and cosmetic fields. This study focused on the unicellular marine rhodophyte Porphyridium purpureum CCAP 1380/1 A, which was cultivated via a two-stage batch growth mode for 10 days using hydrogen peroxide (HO), the phytohormone methyl jasmonate (MJ) and three plant extracts (Passiflora incarnata, Panax ginseng and Valeriana officinalis). The microalgal biomass was then analysed for its protein, phycoerythtin, carbohydrate and pigment composition together with its pigment content and antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant Activity and Carotenoid Content Responses of Three Haematococcus sp. (Chlorophyta) Strains Exposed to Multiple Stressors.

There has been increasing demands worldwide for bioactive compounds of natural origins, especially for the nutraceutical and food-supplement sectors. In this context, microalgae are viewed as sustainable sources of molecules with an array of health benefits. For instance, astaxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment with powerful antioxidant capacity produced by microalgae such as the chlorophyte Haematococcus sp.

Comparative Response of Marine Microalgae to HO-Induced Oxidative Stress.

There have been growing interests in the biorefining of bioactive compounds from marine microalgae, including pigments, omega-3 fatty acids or antioxidants for use in the nutraceutical and cosmetic sectors. This study focused on the comparative responses of five marine microalgal species from different lineages, including the dinoflagellate Amphidinium carterae, chlorophyte Brachiomonas submarina, diatom Stauroneis sp., haptophyte Diacronema sp.

Combined immunosuppression and radiotherapy in thyroid eye disease (CIRTED): a multicentre, 2 × 2 factorial, double-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Standard treatment for thyroid eye disease is with systemic corticosteroids. We aimed to establish whether orbital radiotherapy or antiproliferative immunosuppression would confer any additional benefit.

Methods: CIRTED was a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design done at six centres in the UK.

Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid: management and prognosis.

Importance: The literature on Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the eyelid remains scarce, and there has yet to be a study using the most up-to-date TNM staging system for this rare but aggressive tumor.

Objective: To analyze the TNM stage, management, and outcomes of patients with MCC of the eyelid.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Retrospective case series of 21 patients from 5 tertiary referral centers in the United Kingdom and Australia with primary MCC of the eyelid presenting at a median age of 77 years, with median follow-up of 54 months.

IgG4 orbital inflammation in a 5-year-old child presenting as an orbital mass.

IgG4 is a newly known systemic disorder. It can present as orbital inflammation or as an orbital mass. We describe the case of a 5-year-old child with proptosis and globe dystopia who went on to have an orbital biopsy.

Transpositional Autokeratoplasty in a Patient with Unilateral Choroidal Melanoma and Contralateral Exposure Keratopathy.

Penetrating keratoplasty was required to improve corneal clarity in the left eye, which had suffered chronic exposure keratopathy following a cerebellopontine angle tumor with facial nerve involvement. The right eye had a large choroidal melanoma, which had failed brachytherapy, but the cornea was transparent and healthy. The right eye corneal button was sutured to the left eye host and a donor corneal button was sutured to the right eye rim.

Seeing clearly: the dominant and recessive nature of FOXE3 in eye developmental anomalies.

FOXE3 is a lens-specific transcription factor with a highly conserved forkhead domain previously implicated in congenital primary aphakia and anterior segment dysgenesis. Here, we identify new recessive FOXE3 mutations causative for microphthalmia, sclerocornea, primary aphakia, and glaucoma in two extended consanguineous families by SNP array genotyping followed by a candidate gene approach. Following an additional screen of 236 subjects with developmental eye anomalies, we report two further novel heterozygous mutations segregating in a dominant fashion in two different families.

Air reflux after external dacryocystorhinostomy.

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of air reflux after external dacryocystorhinostomy, its natural history, and its relation to symptomatic cure.

Methods: More than a year after lacrimal surgery, patients were contacted via a structured telephone interview and were questioned about air reflux and lacrimal symptoms.

Results: Interviews were completed by 77 patients (98 operations).

Should general practitioners resume 24 hour responsibility for their patients? No.

Complaints about the care provided by out of hours services in the UK are growing. thinks that general practitioners should take back the role, but believes their efforts would be better focused on improving current systems

Risk factors for elevated intraocular pressure in uveitis.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of raised intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with uveitis and to identify risk factors for raised IOP in patients with uveitis.

Patients And Methods: Consecutive case notes of 257 patients (402 eyes) attending a specialist uveitis clinic during a three-month period were reviewed. Patients with raised IOP were identified and further evaluated.