Mid-term surgical success after transscleral ab interno glaucoma gel stent implantation.

Purpose: To investigate the surgical success and efficacy of XEN45 implantation (XEN45 μm, AbbVie Inc., USA) with and without combined cataract surgery up to the first 5 years.

Methods: In a prospective observational monocentric trial, 192 eyes of 157 patients with open-angle glaucoma received either XEN45 implants only (solo surgery group) or combined surgery/cataract surgeries (combined surgery group).

Inhibition of CysLTR1 reduces the levels of aggregated proteins in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

The endosomal-lysosomal system (ELS), which carries out cellular processes such as cellular waste degradation via autophagy, is essential for cell homeostasis. ELS inefficiency leads to augmented levels of damaged organelles and intracellular deposits. Consequently, the modulation of autophagic flux has been recognized as target to remove damaging cell waste.

Distribution of the cysteinyl leukotriene system components in the human, rat and mouse eye.

The cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) have important functions in the regulation of inflammation and cellular stress. Blocking the CysLT receptors (CysLTRs) with specific antagonists is beneficial against progression of retinopathies (e.g.

Pericyte-derived cells participate in optic nerve scar formation.

Pericytes (PCs) are specialized cells located abluminal of endothelial cells on capillaries, fulfilling numerous important functions. Their potential involvement in wound healing and scar formation is achieving increasing attention since years. Thus, many studies investigated the participation of PCs following brain and spinal cord (SC) injury, however, lacking in-depth analysis of lesioned optic nerve (ON) tissue.

Radius-Maumenee syndrome: A case series with a long-term follow-up.

The aim of the case series is to highlight the surgical challenges experienced like failed intervention, choroidal effusion, a postoperative cystoid macular oedema, and describe treatment options for Radius-Maumenee syndrome. Authors reported on 3 bilateral cases of Radius-Maumenee syndrome which underwent medical treatment, trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C, implantation with XEN45, Ahmed glaucoma valve, Baerveldt glaucoma implant, and cyclophotocoagulation.

Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 is a potent regulator of the endosomal-lysosomal system in the ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cell line.

The endosomal-lysosomal system is central for cell homeostasis and comprises the functions and dynamics of particular organelles including endosomes, lysosomes and autophagosomes. In previous studies, we found that the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1) regulates autophagy in the retinal pigment epithelial cell line ARPE-19 under basal cellular conditions. However, the underlying mechanism by which CysLTR1 regulates autophagy is unknown.

Five-year follow-up of corneal endothelial cell density after transscleral ab interno glaucoma gel stent implantation.

Purpose: This study investigates the course of the endothelial cell density over a period of 5 years after XEN45 implantation (XEN45µm, Allergan Plc., USA) with or without combined cataract surgery.

Methods: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, monocentric, non-randomized clinical trial with the intention to treat a population of the University Eye Clinic Glaucoma Service Salzburg.

Leukotriene Signaling as a Target in α-Synucleinopathies.

Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are two common types of α-synucleinopathies and represent a high unmet medical need. Despite diverging clinical manifestations, both neurodegenerative diseases share several facets of their complex pathophysiology. Apart from α-synuclein aggregation, an impairment of mitochondrial functions, defective protein clearance systems and excessive inflammatory responses are consistently observed in the brains of PD as well as DLB patients.

Characterization of the Two Inducible Cre Recombinase-Based Mouse Models NG2-CreER™ and PDGFRb-P2A-CreER for Pericyte Labeling in the Retina.

Purpose: Pericytes (PCs), located abluminal of endothelial cells on capillaries, are essential for vascular development and stability. They display a heterogeneous morphology depending on organ localization, differentiation state, and function. Consequently, PCs show a diverse gene expression profile, impeding the usage of a unique PC marker and therefore the distinct identification of PCs.

Episcleral venous pressure response to brain stem stimulation: Effect of topical lidocaine.

Episcleral venous pressure (EVP) is important for steady state intraocular pressure (IOP), as it has to be overcome by aqueous humor in order to leave the eye. Recent evidence suggests a neuronal tone being present, as topical anesthesia lowered EVP. The superior salivatory nucleus in the brainstem could be identified to elicit increases in EVP during electrical stimulation.

Two-year efficacy after first transscleral controlled cyclophotocoagulation in patients with and without pseudoexfoliation.

Purpose: Transscleral controlled cyclophotocoagulation (COCO) is a transscleral 810-nm diode laser cyclophotocoagulation that automatically adjusts the applied laser energy utilizing an optical feedback loop. The present study investigates the influence of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) on the efficacy of COCO in a Caucasian study population.

Methods: Retrospective data from 130 consecutive eyes were analyzed during a 2-year follow-up.

The Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist Montelukast as a Potential COVID-19 Therapeutic.

The emergence and global impact of COVID-19 has focused the scientific and medical community on the pivotal influential role of respiratory viruses as causes of severe pneumonia, on the understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms, and on potential treatment for COVID-19. The latter concentrates on different strategies: (i) antiviral treatments to limit the entry of the virus into the cell and its propagation, (ii) anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce the impact of COVID-19 associated inflammation and cytokine storm, (iii) treatment using cardiovascular medication to reduce COVID-19 associated thrombosis and vascular damage, and (iv) treatment to reduce the COVID-19 associated lung injury. Ideally, effective COVID-19 treatment should target as many of these mechanisms as possible arguing for the search of common denominators as potential drug targets.

The HYLAN M Study: Efficacy of 0.15% High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan Fluid in the Treatment of Severe Dry Eye Disease in a Multicenter Randomized Trial.

The aim of the HYLAN M study was to investigate if symptoms and/or signs of patients suffering from severe dry eye disease (DED) can be improved by substituting individually optimized artificial tear therapy by high molecular weight hyaluronan (HMWHA) eye drops. In this international, multicenter study, patients with symptoms of at least ocular surface disease index (OSDI) 33 and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) of at least Oxford grade 3 were included. A total of 84 per-protocol patients were randomized in two study arms.

Change in visual acuity 12 and 24 months after transscleral ab interno glaucoma gel stent implantation with adjunctive Mitomycin C.

Purpose: To analyze changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after implantation of the transscleral ab interno glaucoma gel stent (XEN Gel Stent; Allergan, Dublin) in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Methods: In a single-center, prospective, non-randomized study of 137 eyes with open-angle glaucoma which underwent implantation with XEN, 69 eyes underwent XEN implantation alone (group 1) and 68 eyes underwent XEN implantation and cataract surgery (group 2). BCVA (Bailey-Lovie chart, logMAR scale) was evaluated at baseline, postoperative day 1, weeks 1 and 2, and months 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24.

Immunohistochemical Characterization of Neurotransmitters in the Episcleral Circulation in Rats.

Purpose: Episcleral venous pressure (EVP) greatly influences steady-state IOP and recent evidence suggests a neuronal influence on EVP. Yet little is known about the innervation of the episcleral circulation and, more specifically, the neurotransmitters involved. We identify possible neurotransmitter candidates in the episcleral circulation of rats.

Femtosecond laser in refractive corneal surgery.

The introduction of the femtosecond (fs) laser has revolutionized ophthalmic surgery. With the worldwide application of fs-lasers, clinical outcomes and safety in corneal procedures have improved significantly and they have become an ideal tool for ultra-precise corneal refractive surgery. Flap creation in laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most common use of this laser.

Effect of the outer stent position on efficacy after minimally invasive transscleral glaucoma gel stent implantation.

Purpose: The outer stent lumen can be located either deeper (in or under Tenon's layer) or more superficially in the conjunctival stroma after the transscleral XEN Glaucoma Gel Microstent (XEN-GGM; Allergan Plc., USA) implantation. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the postoperative conjunctival implant position on surgical success and intraocular pressure (IOP) after XEN-GGM.

Pericytes in the Retina.

Pericytes (PCs) are specialized cells located abluminal of endothelial cells (ECs) on capillaries, embedded within the same basement membrane. They are essential regulators of vascular development, remodeling, and blood-retina-barrier (BRB) tightness and are therefore important components to maintain tissue homeostasis. The perivascular localization and expression of contractile proteins suggest that PCs participate in capillary blood flow regulation and neurovascular coupling.

Four-year results of a minimally invasive transscleral glaucoma gel stent implantation in a prospective multi-centre study.

Importance: The transscleral XEN Glaucoma Gel Microstent (XEN-GGM, Allergan Plc., Parsippany, New Jersey) is implanted by a minimally invasive ab interno technique.

Background: The present study aims to assess the long-term clinical outcomes in patients after XEN-GGM implantation.

Longitudinal bleb morphology in anterior segment OCT after minimally invasive transscleral ab interno Glaucoma Gel Microstent implantation.

Purpose: Like the classic trabeculectomy, the minimally invasive, ab interno XEN Glaucoma Gel Microstent (XEN-GGM) creates a filtration bleb in the conjunctiva. The goal of this study was to investigate internal bleb morphology over time with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) after XEN-GGM implantation.

Methods: In a prospective, single-centre, single-armed cohort study, blebs were characterized using AS-OCT in 78 eyes of 60 patients at day 1, at weeks 1 and 2 and at months 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 after XEN-GGM implantation in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Retinal Pericytes: Characterization of Vascular Development-Dependent Induction Time Points in an Inducible NG2 Reporter Mouse Model.

Unlabelled: Purpose/aim of the study: In the retina, defects in pericytes (PCs) function/loss are associated with various complications; however, the exact pathological mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. Following the behavior of retina-resident PCs during health and disease will reveal new insights for both the understanding of pathological mechanisms and the development of new regenerative therapies for the treatment of retinopathies. The main goal of this study is to determine whether the NG2-reporter mouse (NG2CreER-eGFP) is a suitable model to study the fate of retina-resident PCs.

Intraocular Pressure Course During the Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery in Porcine Cadaver Eyes.

Purpose: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is an increasingly common procedure. Most laser systems require corneal applanation and thereby increase intraocular pressure (IOP). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the IOP changes that occur during the FLACS procedure performed using the Catalys femtosecond laser system.

Lack of Galanin Receptor 3 Alleviates Psoriasis by Altering Vascularization, Immune Cell Infiltration, and Cytokine Expression.

The neuropeptide galanin is distributed in the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal peripheral organs, including the skin. Galanin acts via three G protein-coupled receptors which, except galanin receptor 1, are expressed in various skin structures. The galanin system has been associated with inflammatory processes of the skin and of several other organs.

[Mid- and Longterm Experiences with the Boston-Keratoprosthesis. The Cologne and Salzburg Perspective].

Eyes with severe corneal opacifications and insufficient prognosis for high-risk corneal transplantation can be considered for the implantation of a Boston-keratoprosthesis. Since 2013, this technique of "artificial" corneal replacement is provided to high-risk eyes at the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne and for 9 years at the University of Salzburg. In the meantime, a type I Boston keratoprosthesis (BI-KPro) has been implanted in 24 eyes in Cologne and in 28 eyes in Salzburg.