Drivers and Annual Totals of Methane Emissions From Dutch Peatlands.

Rewetting peatlands is required to limit carbon dioxide (CO) emissions, however, raising the groundwater level (GWL) will strongly increase the chance of methane (CH) emissions which has a higher radiative forcing than CO. Data sets of CH from different rewetting strategies and natural systems are scarce, and quantification and an understanding of the main drivers of CH emissions are needed to make effective peatland rewetting decisions. We present a large data set of CH fluxes (FCH) measured across 16 sites with eddy covariance on Dutch peatlands.

Axial length association with corneoscleral sagittal height and scleral asymmetry.

Purpose: To determine how corneoscleral geometry changes with axial length and to assess the usefulness of including the sagittal configuration of the anterior segment when predicting the axial length.

Methods: An observational study was performed including 96 healthy subjects (96 eyes). Axial length was calculated from optical biometry (IOL Master 500).

Professional perspective of vision therapy worldwide among optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Clinical Relevance: Perception of optometrists and ophthalmologists of vision therapy (VT) as well as their methods for performing the sessions is of great importance for understanding the problems that professionals face and what should be improved in their clinical practice.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the perception of VT and protocols used by eye care professionals globally.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among eye care professionals internationally.

Professional perspective and practice patterns of vision therapy in Spain.

Clinical Relevance: An analysis of the professional perspective of vision therapy (VT) by eye care professionals allows understanding the current controversies about this therapeutic option of which aspects can be improved for its correct application in clinical practice.

Background: The aim of the current study was to analyse the perception of VT and the clinical protocols in this context followed among optometrists and ophthalmologists in Spain.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey among Spanish optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Relationship between Axial Length and Corneo-Scleral Topography: A Preliminary Study.

The main objective of the current study was to investigate further the relationship of the overall length of the eye with a great variety of anterior segment parameters, including scleral geometry. A total of 64 eyes of 32 participants with ages from 12 to 52 years were included in this prospective non-randomized single-center study. All participants underwent a complete eye examination, including an analysis of corneo-scleral shape with a Fourier-domain profilometer.

Comparative Analysis of Two Clinical Diagnostic Methods of the Corneoscleral Geometry.

Purpose: To compare the sagittal height (SH) measurements and best fit sphere (BFS) scleral curvature obtained with two different diagnostic technologies.

Methods: Prospective, nonrandomized, and comparative study analyzing 23 healthy eyes of 23 patients (age, 14-52 years) was conducted. A complete eye examination was performed including a corneoscleral topographic analysis with the Scheimpflug camera-based system Pentacam (Oculus GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) and afterward with the Fourier domain profilometer Eye Surface Profiler (ESP) (Eaglet-Eye, Houten, the Netherlands).

Intrasession repeatability of corneal, limbal and scleral measurements obtained with a fourier transform profilometer.

Purpose: To evaluate the intrasession repeatability of corneal, limbal and scleral measurements obtained by an experienced operator with a Fourier transform profilometer in healthy eyes.

Methods: Prospective, single-center study including 35 eyes of 35 participants with ages ranging from 13 to 52 years. All patients underwent three consecutive corneoscleral topographic evaluations with the Eye Surface Profiler (ESP) system (Eaglet Eye b.

Characterization of the geometric properties of the sclero-conjunctival structure: a review.

To revise the peer-reviewed literature on geometric properties of the scleral-conjunctival structure in order to define their clinical relevance and the potential relationship between their changes and myopia development or progression. A bibliographic search focused on the study of the geometry of conjunctiva and/or sclera as well as those studies evaluating the relationship between geometric changes in the scleral-conjunctival structure and myopia was carried out. Several studies have been performed with different diagnostic technologies, including optical coherence tomography, profilometry and Scheimpflug imaging, to detect geometric changes of the scleral-conjunctival tissue in different physiological conditions of the eye, after use of contact lenses and in different ocular pathologies.

Study and characterization of morphogeometric parameters to assist diagnosis of keratoconus.

Background: In case of significant imperfections on the cornea, data acquisition is difficult and a significant level of missing data could require the interpolation of important areas of the cornea, resulting in a very ambiguous model. The development of methods to define in vivo customised geometric properties of the cornea based only on real raw data is extremely useful to diagnose and assess the progression of diseases directly related to the corneal architecture. The present work tries to improve the prognostic of corneal ectasia creating a 3D customised model of the cornea and analysing different geometric variables from this model to determine which variables or combination of them could be defined as an indicator of susceptibility to develop keratoconus.

Development of a Reference Model for Keratoconus Progression Prediction Based on Characterization of the Course of Nonsurgically Treated Cases.

Purpose: To evaluate and characterize long-term clinical changes in keratoconus cases not requiring surgical treatment because of the absence of clinically significant visual degradation and to design a predictive model for the progression rate.

Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study enrolled 68 nonsurgically treated keratoconic eyes of 46 patients (age range, 18-66 years), with a follow-up period of 6 years ± 12 months. Visual, refractive, topographic, and aberrometric changes were evaluated, detecting the abnormal levels of longitudinal changes in each clinical variable analyzed (percentiles 10% or 90%).

Optimizing Genipin Concentration for Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking: An ex vivo Study.

Purpose: Studying genipin variable concentrations, treatment durations, and delivery methods as a substance to increase corneal stiffness by inducing corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL).

Materials And Methods: 100 bovine corneas treated with different genipin concentrations (0.1, 0.

Keratoconus Detection Based on a New Corneal Volumetric Analysis.

There are numerous tomographic indices for the detection of keratoconus risk. When the indexes based on corneal volume are analyzed, two problems are presented: on the one hand, they are not very sensitive to the detection of incipient cases of keratoconus because they are not locally defined in the primary developmental region of the structural abnormalities; and on the other hand, they do not register the geometric decompensation driven by the asymmetry present during the disease progression. This work performed a morphogeometric modeling of the cornea by the aid of CAD tools and using raw topographic data (Sirius system, CSO, Firenze).

A new approach to keratoconus detection based on corneal morphogeometric analysis.

Purpose: To characterize corneal structural changes in keratoconus using a new morphogeometric approach and to evaluate its potential diagnostic ability.

Methods: Comparative study including 464 eyes of 464 patients (age, 16 and 72 years) divided into two groups: control group (143 healthy eyes) and keratoconus group (321 keratoconus eyes). Topographic information (Sirius, CSO, Italy) was processed with SolidWorks v2012 and a solid model representing the geometry of each cornea was generated.

Biocompatibility and Biomechanical Effect of Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Implanted in the Corneal Stroma: A Proof of Concept Investigation.

Corneal ectatic disorders are characterized by a progressive weakening of the tissue due to biomechanical alterations of the corneal collagen fibers. Carbon nanostructures, mainly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, are nanomaterials that offer extraordinary mechanical properties and are used to increase the rigidity of different materials and biomolecules such as collagen fibers. We conducted an experimental investigation where New Zealand rabbits were treated with a composition of CNTs suspended in balanced saline solution which was applied in the corneal tissue.

Acellular human corneal matrix sheets seeded with human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells integrate functionally in an experimental animal model.

Purpose: To evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility of grafts composed of sheets of decellularized human corneal stroma with or without the recellularization of human adipose derived adult stem cells (h-ADASC) into the rabbit cornea.

Methods: Sheets of human corneal stroma of 90 μm thickness were decellularized, and their lack of cytotoxicity was assayed. The recellularization was achieved by the injection of 2 × 10(5) labeled h-ADASC in the graft followed by five days of cell culture.

Biointegration of corneal macroporous membranes based on poly(ethyl acrylate) copolymers in an experimental animal model.

Currently available keratoprosthesis models (nonbiological corneal substitutes) have a less than 75% graft survival rate at 2 years. We aimed at developing a model for keratoprosthesis based on the use of poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA)-based copolymers, extracellular matrix-protein coating and colonization with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-ADASC) colonization efficiency of seven PEA-based copolymers in combination with four extracellular matrix coatings were evaluated in vitro.

Cornea and ocular surface treatment.

In addition to being a protective shield, the cornea represents two thirds of the eye's refractive power. Corneal pathology can affect one or all of the corneal layers, producing corneal opacity. Although full corneal thickness keratoplasty has been the standard procedure, the ideal strategy would be to replace only the damaged layer.

Future design of a new keratoprosthesis. Physical and biological analysis of polymeric substrates for epithelial cell growth.

One of the main issues in the development of new biocolonizable materials is to understand the influence of the synthetic material on the biological response in terms of cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. In this study, we characterized different polymeric materials (with different hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity ratios and electrical charges) using dynamic-mechanical analysis, equilibrium water content, and surface energy. Cell adhesion, viability, morphology, and proliferation studies were conducted with these materials using a conjunctival epithelial cell line (IOBA-NHC).

The economic and quality of life impact of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in a Spanish setting.

Introduction: Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) is a highly prevalent condition that exacts a range of costs from its sufferers. The aim of this study was to examine quality of life (QoL) and economic consequences of SAC amongst private health care patients in Spain.

Methods: 201 sufferers of SAC and 200 controls were recruited from four private eye clinics and one public hospital in five Spanish cities: Alicante, Madrid, Albacete, Las Palmas de Gran Canarias and Valladolid.

Delayed and prolonged cholestatic hepatitis with ductopenia after long-term ciprofloxacin therapy for Crohn's disease.

Ciprofloxacin, a fluorinated quinolone, is a powerful antibiotic widely used for its broad spectrum of activity in ambulatory and long-term care setting. Until now, ciprofloxacin administration has been associated with a few cases of acute, sometimes cholestatic jaundice or fulminant hepatic failure believed mainly related to idiosyncratic hypersensitivity. We report a case of delayed and prolonged cholestatic hepatitis with ductopenia occurring after 6 months of treatment in a patient with Crohn's disease.