Symptom burden of patients with dry eye disease: a four domain analysis.

Purpose: To determine which sensory (symptom persistence and intensity) and reactive (activity and affective interference) domains of symptom analysis are essential for assessing symptom burden in dry eye disease (DED) patients.

Methods: A symptom domain tool was developed to investigate all four symptom domains in DED. In a cross-sectional pilot study, we administered the symptom burden tool and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire to 48 DED patients.

Ocular surface extracellular DNA and nuclease activity imbalance: a new paradigm for inflammation in dry eye disease.

Purpose: We determined whether nucleases are deficient in the tear fluid of dry eye disease (DED) patients, and whether this causes extracellular DNA (eDNA) and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) accumulation in the precorneal tear film, thus causing ocular surface inflammation.

Methods: Exfoliated cells adhered to Schirmer test strips were collected on glass slides, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy was used to evaluate neutrophils, eDNA, NETs, and their molecular components. Similar experiments were performed with mucoid films collected from the inferior conjunctival fornix or bulbar conjunctiva.

Semaphorin 7a links nerve regeneration and inflammation in the cornea.

Purpose: We determined Semaphorin 7a (Sema7a) localization and abundance in naive corneas and in corneas after nerve-transecting lamellar flap surgery, and determined the effect of Sema7a supplementation on corneal nerve regeneration and inflammation.

Methods: Immunolocalization and Western blot analyses were performed to evaluate the abundance of Sema7a in naive corneas and corneas undergoing nerve regeneration after lamellar corneal surgery in thy1-YFP+ neurofluorescent mice. We used compartmental cultures of dissociated trigeminal ganglion cells to determine the effect of Sema7a exposure on neurite outgrowth in vitro.

Neurotrophins and nerve regeneration-associated genes are expressed in the cornea after lamellar flap surgery.

Purpose: To determine the in vivo expression of neurotrophins (NTs) and nerve regeneration-associated genes (RAGs) after surgically creating a hinged lamellar corneal flap in thy1-YFP mice.

Methods: Lamellar corneal flaps with multiple hinges were created in thy1-YFP mice. Mice were killed at weeks 2, 4, and 8.

Corneal neurotoxicity due to topical benzalkonium chloride.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine and characterize the effect of topical application of benzalkonium chloride (BAK) on corneal nerves in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: Thy1-YFP+ neurofluorescent mouse eyes were treated topically with vehicle or BAK (0.01% or 0.

Cyclosporine immunomodulation retards regeneration of surgically transected corneal nerves.

Purpose: To determine whether immunomodulation with cyclosporine (CsA) affects reinnervation after surgical transection of stromal nerves.

Methods: Thy1-YFP+ neurofluorescent mice underwent lamellar corneal surgery and 3 days later, received artificial tears or CsA eye drops for 6 weeks. Serial in vivo wide-field stereofluorescent microscopy was performed to determine changes in nerve fiber density (NFD).

Structural organization, mapping, characterization and evolutionary relationships of CDKN2 gene family members in Xiphophorus fishes.

Xiphophorus fishes and their hybrids are used as models for the study of melanoma and other diseases. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene family in humans is comprised of four members, including CDKN2A (P16), and dysregulation of this gene is implicated in numerous neoplasms including melanomas. We have investigated the status of the gene family in the southern platyfish X.

A microsatellite genetic linkage map for Xiphophorus.

Interspecies hybrids between distinct species of the genus Xiphophorus are often used in varied research investigations to identify genomic regions associated with the inheritance of complex traits. There are 24 described Xiphophorus species and a greater number of pedigreed strains; thus, the number of potential interspecies hybrid cross combinations is quite large. Previously, select Xiphophorus experimental crosses have been shown to exhibit differing characteristics between parental species and among the hybrid fishes derived from crossing them, such as widely differing susceptibilities to chemical or physical agents.

Dehydrational crisis from severe diarrhoea and risk of age-related cataract.

A group matched hospital based case-control study of 463 cases and equal number of controls was carried out at Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur to evaluate role of severe dehydrational crisis in age-related cataract development. The overall relative risk of age related cataract in relation to dehydrational crisis from severe diarrhoea was estimated to be 3.10 (2.

Risk factors for cataract: a case control study.

The present study was designed as a hospital-based, group-matched, case-control investigation into the risk factors associated with age-related cataract in central India. The study included 262 cases of age-related cataract and an equal number of controls. A total of 21 risk factors were evaluated: namely, low socioeconomic status (SES), illiteracy, marital status, history of diarrhoea, history of diabetes, glaucoma, use of cholinesterase inhibitors, steroids, spironolactone, nifedipine, analgesics, myopia early in life, renal failure, heavy smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, hypertension, low body mass index (BMI), use of cheaper cooking fuel, working in direct sunlight, family history of cataract, and occupational exposure.