Sex differences in exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia and pulmonary edema following high-intensity exercise in highly trained endurance athletes.

This study investigated sex differences in the development of pulmonary edema and exercise-induced arterial hypoxemia (EIAH) in well-trained endurance athletes during near-maximal exercise in a real-world setting. Twenty participants (10M vs. 10F; V̇Opeak: 69.

Exercise training-induced speeding of kinetics is not intensity domain-specific or correlated with indices of exercise performance.

Purpose: This study examined the effect of 3 and 6 weeks of intensity domain-based exercise training on kinetics changes and their relationship with indices of performance.

Methods: Eighty-four young healthy participants (42 M, 42 F) were randomly assigned to six groups (14 participants each, age and sex-matched) consisting of: continuous cycling in the (1) moderate (MOD)-, (2) lower heavy (HVY1)-, and (3) upper heavy-intensity (HVY2)- domain; interval cycling in the (4) severe-intensity domain (i.e.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FEATURES ASSOCIATED WITH VITREOMACULAR TRACTION RELEASE AND MACULAR HOLE SIZE PROGRESSION FOLLOWING TREATMENT WITH OCRIPLASMIN.

Purpose: To evaluate OCT features for vitreomacular traction (VMT) release and change in macular hole (MH) size after treatment with ocriplasmin.

Methods: Patients who had undergone treatment with ocriplasmin for VMT with or without MH ≤400 µm were included. The main outcomes were VMT release and changes in minimum linear diameter MH size at 4 weeks in MHs that persisted.

Choroidal biomarkers in age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of central visual impairment in the elderly. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms for AMD remain uncertain. Several studies suggest that choroidal abnormalities and alterations are critical in AMD progression.

Control of hyperpnoea and pulmonary gas exchange during prolonged exercise: The role of group III/IV muscle afferent feedback.

It remains unclear whether feedback from group III/IV muscle afferents is of continuous significance for regulating the pulmonary response during prolonged (>5 min), steady-state exercise. To elucidate the influence of these sensory neurons on hyperpnoea, gas exchange efficiency, arterial oxygenation and acid-base balance during prolonged locomotor exercise, 13 healthy participants (4 females; 21 (3) years, : 46 (8) ml/kg/min) performed consecutive constant-load cycling bouts at ∼50% (20 min), ∼75% (20 min) and ∼100% (5 min) of with intact (CTRL) and pharmacologically attenuated (lumbar intrathecal fentanyl; FENT) group III/IV muscle afferent feedback from the legs. Pulmonary responses were continuously recorded and arterial blood (radial catheter) periodically collected throughout the exercise.

Assessment of optical coherence tomography biomarkers in patients with non-neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) converting to exudative AMD according to the status of the fellow eye.

Objectives: To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers in eyes converting from non-neovascular (nnAMD) to exudative age-related macular degeneration (eAMD) based on the status of fellow eye.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of one year of pre-conversion data of fellow eyes of patients with nnAMD and eAMD which converted to eAMD, defined as converting eyes (CE) with fellow nnAMD and CE with fellow eAMD respectively. Demographics, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and OCT biomarkers including drusen type, iRORA/cRORA, subfoveal ellipsoid zone (SFEZ) disruption, central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), Haller vascular thickness (HVT) were evaluated.

Retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection for severe subluxated cataracts: a prospective study.

Background: To assess anatomical and functional outcomes of retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection ("Viscolift technique") in patients with severely subluxated cataracts.

Methods: In the present prospective study, we included patients older than 18 years with severely subluxated cataracts and phacodonesis. Full medical history was obtained at the baseline ophthalmological assessment.

Choroidal imaging biomarkers as predictors of conversion to exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: Predicting the progression of intermediate AMD (iAMD) to neovascular AMD (nAMD) will help to identify high-risk patients and improve treatment outcomes. The present study assessed whether choroidal OCT biomarkers could predict conversion to nAMD.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with clinically stable iAMD who either converted to nAMD (C group) or did not convert (NC group) during one year of follow-up.

The Respiratory Compensation Point: Mechanisms and Relation to the Maximal Metabolic Steady State.

At a point during the latter third of an incremental exercise protocol, ventilation begins to exceed the rate of clearance of carbon dioxide (CO) at the lungs ( CO). The onset of this hyperventilation, which is confirmed by a fall from a period of stability in end-tidal and arterial CO tensions (PCO), is referred to as the respiratory compensation point (RCP). The mechanisms that contribute to the RCP remain debated as does its surrogacy for the maximal metabolic steady state of constant-power exercise (i.

Pneumatic retinopexy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: from a clinical trial to the real-life experience.

Background: To report real-world outcomes of patients with primary Reghmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD) treated with Pneumatic Retinopexy (PnR) according to the indications of the Pneumatic Retinopexy versus Vitrectomy for management of Primary Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Outcomes Randomized Trial (PIVOT) trial.

Methods: Multicenter, retrospective study. Patients treated with PnR for RRD between 2021 and 2023 and a follow-up of at least 6 months were included.

Heavy-intensity priming exercise extends the V̇o plateau and increases peak-power output during ramp-incremental exercise.

This study investigated whether a heavy-intensity priming exercise precisely prescribed within the heavy-intensity domain would lead to a greater peak-power output (PO) and a longer maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o) plateau. Twelve recreationally active adults participated in this study. Two visits were required: ) a step-ramp-step test [ramp-incremental (RI) control], and ) an RI test preceded by a priming exercise within the heavy-intensity domain (RI primed).

Efficacy of the Combined Intrastromal Injection of Voriconazole and Amphotericin B in Recalcitrant Fungal Keratitis.

This study aims to report the efficacy of a combined intrastromal injection in optimizing the outcome of severe mycotic keratitis. Herein, we report a case series of 20 consecutive patients with positive fungal cultures not responding to topical antifungal treatment. Patients received cycles of intrastromal injections of voriconazole (50 µg/0.

Viscoelastics Enable Dissection of Anterior Closed Funnels in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy: A Retrospective Case Series.

Introduction: The present study aimed to describe a case series of patients in which a cohesive ophthalmic viscous device (OVD) was used to viscodissect and posteriorly displace the retina in cases of total retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy, operated with minimally invasive pars plana vitrectomy.

Case Presentations: Three patients with a mean age of 67 years were included in the present study. One eye was aphakic, while the others were pseudophakic.

Performance and perceived fatigability across the intensity spectrum: role of muscle mass during cycling.

The role of muscle mass in modulating performance and perceived fatigability across the entire intensity spectrum during cycling remains unexplored. We hypothesized that at task failure (T), muscle contractile function would decline more following single- (SL) versus double-leg (DL) cycling within severe and extreme intensities, but not moderate and heavy intensities. After DL and SL ramp-incremental tests, on separate days, 11 recreationally active males (V̇o: 49.

Methodological considerations on near-infrared spectroscopy derived muscle oxidative capacity.

Purpose: Different strategies for near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived muscle oxidative capacity assessment have been reported. This study compared and evaluated (I) approaches for averaging trials; (II) NIRS signals and blood volume correction equations; (III) the assessment of vastus lateralis (VL) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in two fitness levels groups.

Methods: Thirty-six participants [18 chronically trained (CT: 14 males, 4 females) and 18 untrained (UT: 10 males, 8 females)] participated in this study.

Heavy-, Severe-, and Extreme-, but Not Moderate-Intensity Exercise Increase V̇o 2max and Thresholds after 6 wk of Training.

Introduction: This study assessed the effect of individualized, domain-based exercise intensity prescription on changes in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ) and submaximal thresholds.

Methods: Eighty-four young healthy participants (42 females, 42 males) were randomly assigned to six age, sex, and V̇O 2max -matched groups (14 participants each). Groups performed continuous cycling in the 1) moderate (MOD), 2) lower heavy (HVY1), and 3) upper heavy-intensity (HVY2) domain; interval cycling in the form of 4) high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in the severe-intensity domain, or 5) sprint-interval training (SIT) in the extreme-intensity domain; or no exercise for 6) control (CON).

A Ramp versus Step Transition to Constant Work Rate Exercise Decreases Steady-State Oxygen Uptake.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether a ramp-to-constant WR (rCWR) transition compared with a square-wave-to-constant WR (CWR) transition within the heavy-intensity domain can reduce metabolic instability and decrease the oxygen cost of exercise.

Methods: Fourteen individuals performed (i) a ramp-incremental test to task failure, (ii) a 21-min CWR within the heavy-intensity domain, and (iii) an rCWR to the same WR. Oxygen uptake (V̇O 2 ), lactate concentration ([La - ]), and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO 2 ) were measured.

Evaluation of the "Step-Ramp-Step" Protocol: Accurate Aerobic Exercise Prescription with Different Steps and Ramp Slopes.

Purpose: To assess whether: i) a lower amplitude constant-load MOD is appropriate to determine the mean response time (MRT); ii) the method accurately corrects the dissociation in the V̇O 2 -PO relationship during ramp compared with constant-load exercise when using different ramp slopes.

Methods: Eighteen participants (7 females) performed three SRS tests including: i) step-transitions into MOD from 20 to 50 W (MOD 50 ) and 80 W (MOD 80 ); and ii) slopes of 15, 30, and 45 W·min -1 . The V̇O 2 and PO at the gas exchange threshold (GET) and the corrected respiratory compensation point (RCP CORR ) were determined.

Evaluation of ocular surface following PreserFlo Microshunt implantation: Functional outcomes and quality of life.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PreserFlo Microshunt on the ocular surface, focusing on both objective and subjective parameters.

Methods: Prospective-observational study on 48 eyes undergoing PreserFlo Microshunt implantation, standalone or combined with phacoemulsification. At baseline, 1-month, 6-months and 12-months post-operative follow-ups, we performed Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, Schirmer's test (ST), Tear-film break-up time (TBUT), fluoresceine staining (FS), tear osmolarity and minimum corneal epithelial thickness (Epi-Thk ) measurements.

Epiretinal implant of human amniotic membrane to treat highly myopic macular hole retinal detachments: A novel surgical technique.

Purpose: To describe a new surgical technique involving the use of a human amniotic membrane (hAM) epiretinal patch to treat a primary macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) in a highly myopic patient.

Methods: A 60 years old highly myopic man was referred to our clinic with a diagnosis of MHRD in his right eye. The patient was pseudophakic, with a visual acuity of counting fingers at the baseline evaluation.

FIL SSF intraocular lens opacification after pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade for traumatic lens luxation and retinal detachment: a case report and literature review.

Background: To report a case of sutureless scleral-fixated hydrophilic intraocular lens (FIL SSF IOL, Soleko, Italy) opacification following pars plana vitrectomy surgery using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) for traumatic lens luxation associated with retinal detachment.

Case Presentation: A 77-year-old woman was referred to our emergency department after blunt trauma in her right eye. At the ophthalmic evaluation, visual acuity was hand movement, biomicroscopy showed pseudoexfoliation syndrome and a traumatic lens luxation in the vitreous chamber.

Retrolental cohesive ophthalmic viscoelastic injection in severely subluxated cataracts: The "Viscolift technique".

Introduction: To describe a novel surgical approach in the management of subluxated cataracts.

Methods: A 70-year-old Caucasian male with a subluxated cataract in the left eye was referred to our clinic at the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna- Ophthalmology Unit. The ophthalmic examination revealed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 in the left eye with monocular diplopia and a severely subluxated NO6/NC6 cataract and the fundus examination did not reveal any vitreoretinal abnormalities.