Use of Endoscopy in Keratoprostheses with Biological Haptics.

Introduction: In severe ocular surface disease where penetrating keratoplasty cannot be successfully performed, implantation of a keratoprosthesis can achieve visual rehabilitation. Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis offers good tissue integration due to its biological haptics, resulting in a better survival rate and lower extrusion rate. Due to corneal opacity, which is often complete, assessing the potential visual acuity is challenging.

Amiloride-sensitive fluid resorption in NCI-H441 lung epithelia depends on an apical Cl(-) conductance.

Proper apical airway surface hydration is essential to maintain lung function. This hydration depends on well-balanced water resorption and secretion. The mechanisms involved in resorption are still a matter of debate, especially as the measurement of transepithelial water transport remains challenging.

Deuterium oxide dilution: a novel method to study apical water layers and transepithelial water transport.

Lung epithelia regulate the water flux between gas filled airways and the interstitial compartment in order to maintain organ function. Current methodology to assess transepithelial water transport is limited. We present a D2O dilution method to quantify submicroliter volumes of aqueous solutions on epithelial cell layers.

Fusion-activated cation entry (FACE) via P2X₄ couples surfactant secretion and alveolar fluid transport.

Two fundamental mechanisms within alveoli are essential for lung function: regulated fluid transport and secretion of surfactant. Surfactant is secreted via exocytosis of lamellar bodies (LBs) in alveolar type II (ATII) cells. We recently reported that LB exocytosis results in fusion-activated cation entry (FACE) via P2X₄ receptors on LBs.