Publications by authors named "Marco Zeppieri"

New frontiers about retinal cell transplantation for retinal degenerative diseases start from the idea that acting on stem cells can help regenerate retinal layers and establish new synapses among retinal cells. Deficiency or alterations of synaptic input and neurotrophic factors result in trans-neuronal degeneration of the inner retinal cells. Thus, the disruption of photoreceptors takes place.

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Corneal injuries, which make up 3% of emergency room visits, can vary from small scratches to exposure or trauma-related damage that might be fatal to vision. Mechanical trauma, diseases of the eyelids, neurotrophic abnormalities, and chemical burns are common causes. A thorough examination is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

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Background: If left untreated, glaucoma-the second most common cause of blindness worldwide-causes irreversible visual loss due to a gradual neurodegeneration of the retinal ganglion cells. Conventional techniques for identifying glaucoma, like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual field exams, are frequently laborious and dependent on subjective interpretation. Through the fast and accurate analysis of massive amounts of imaging data, artificial intelligence (AI), in particular machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), has emerged as a promising method to improve the early detection and management of glaucoma.

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Article Synopsis
  • Human umbilical cord blood serum (HUCBS) shows promise as an effective treatment for severe ocular surface disorders (OSDs) by speeding up healing and reducing inflammation, benefiting patients who haven't found relief through standard therapies.
  • A study of 49 patients with various severe OSDs was conducted at San Marco Hospital in Italy, categorizing patients based on causes like rheumatologic diseases and graft-versus-host disease.
  • Results indicated significant improvement in multiple assessments, including patient-reported outcomes and clinical evaluations, demonstrating the potential of HUCBS in treating resistant cases of OSDs.
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Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an extremely aggressive brain tumor that has few available treatment options and a dismal prognosis. Recent research has highlighted the potential of extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) produced from mesenchymal stem cells as a potential treatment approach for GBM. MSC-EVs, including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, perform a significant function in cellular communication and have shown promise in mediating anti-tumor effects.

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Chronic wounds and non-healing tissue defects pose significant clinical challenges, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive literature review of amniotic membrane transplantation for wound healing and tissue repair evaluates the efficacy and safety of amniotic membrane transplantation in enhancing wound healing and tissue repair. Amniotic membranes promote wound closure and reduce inflammation and scarring via abundant growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix components, which foster conducive environments for tissue regeneration.

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  • * Traditional treatments for GvHD-related eye issues often fail, prompting the exploration of umbilical cord blood platelet lysate eyedrops as a potential new therapy.
  • * A study involving 22 patients with severe ocular surface disorders tested the safety and effectiveness of these eyedrops, using various evaluation methods to compare results before and after treatment.
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Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, necessitating precise management strategies tailored to individual patient characteristics. Artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise in revolutionizing the approach to glaucoma care by providing personalized interventions.

Aim: This review explores the current landscape of AI applications in the personalized management of glaucoma patients, highlighting advancements, challenges, and future directions.

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Rhinosinusitis is a common childhood illness that may result in a number of ocular problems. The goal of this thorough analysis is to compile the available data regarding the kinds, prevalence, and treatment of ocular problems related to juvenile rhinosinusitis. A comprehensive analysis of electronic databases, such as PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, was carried out to pinpoint pertinent research articles written in English and published between the beginning and August of 2023.

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Background And Objective: Endoscopic endonasal approaches to treat cavernous sinus lesions require detailed knowledge of the origin, course, and anatomic variations of the branches of the cavernous internal carotid artery (cICA) because inadvertent avulsion can cause intraoperative ICA injury. We aim to study the origin and course of the branches of the cICA from an endoscopic endonasal perspective and relate these branches to surgically relevant anatomic references.

Methods: Sixty sides of 30 formalin-fixed specimens were dissected to identify the origin and course of cICA branches, including the inferolateral trunk (ILT), the meningohypophyseal trunk (MHT), anterior and inferior McConnell's capsular arteries (MCAs), and the superolateral trunk (SLT).

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Gliomas of the brainstem represent a small percentage of central nervous system gliomas in adults. Due to the proximity of the tumor to critical structures, radical surgery is highly challenging and limited to selected cases. In addition, postoperative treatments, which become exclusive to non-operable patients, do not guarantee satisfactory disease control, making the progression of the disease inevitable.

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Background: Retinoscopy is arguably the most important method in the eye clinic for diagnosing and managing refractive errors. Advantages of retinoscopy include its non-invasive nature, ability to assess patients of all ages, and usefulness in patients with limited cooperation or communication skills.

Aim: To discuss the history of retinoscopes and examine current literature on the subject.

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From its outbreak in early 2020, the new SARS-CoV-2 infection has deeply affected the entire eye care system for several reasons. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, ophthalmologists were among the "high-risk category" for contracting the SARS-CoV-2 infection based on the notion that the eye was suspected to be a site of inoculation, infection, and transmission. Clinical ophthalmologists have been required to learn and promptly recognize the ocular manifestations associated with the COVID-19 disease, with its treatments and vaccinations.

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(1) Background: Ocular emergencies account for 1.5-3% of emergency department (ED) visits and require urgent diagnosis to prevent serious complications. Ultrasonography is a crucial, non-invasive diagnostic tool for these conditions but traditionally lacks portability and integration with modern electronic smart devices.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of vision loss in older adults, and currently, there are no effective drugs to treat it.
  • - Research is exploring the use of stem cells to replace damaged retinal cells, specifically targeting retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) for potential therapy.
  • - This chapter reviews key clinical trials and protocols on using stem cell therapy for AMD, detailing how the progression of the disease and treatment responses have been monitored.
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  • * The authors conducted a literature search that yielded 21 relevant studies from PubMed, focusing on the characteristics of the ocular surface and the microbiome's role in glaucoma.
  • * Key topics discussed include the anatomy of the eye, the effects of microbial imbalance (dysbiosis), immune responses, and future treatment strategies that could benefit ocular health by targeting the microbiome.
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  • - Floppy Eyelid Syndrome (FES) is a common but often overlooked eye condition that causes loose upper eyelids, resulting in eye irritation and redness.
  • - The review explores the causes of FES, including genetic factors and links to other health issues like obesity and sleep apnea, as well as detailing diagnostic methods necessary for effective treatment.
  • - Treatment options for FES vary from basic medical care to surgical procedures, requiring a team-based approach to improve the quality of life for those affected by this condition.
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  • The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has impacted not only the respiratory system but also various eye-related conditions, demonstrating a range of ocular symptoms.
  • Important eye manifestations of COVID-19 include conjunctivitis, scleritis, uveitis, and retinopathy, making it crucial for eye care practitioners to monitor these signs as potential early indicators of the disease.
  • The review also discusses how the virus interacts with ocular tissues and examines vaccine-related ocular side effects, highlighting the necessity for continued research on vaccine safety and effective eye examinations for COVID-19 patients.
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Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) has traditionally been managed with vitreoretinal surgery. Although there have been several recent innovations in this surgery to make the retinal approach as uninvasive as possible, the outcomes remain unsatisfactory. Significant complications remain and the complexity of the surgical approach is challenging.

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