Corneal cross-linking.

First introduced over 20 years ago as a treatment for progressive keratoconus, the original "Dresden" corneal cross-linking (CXL) protocol involved riboflavin saturation of the stroma, followed by 30 min of 3 mW/cm-intensity ultraviolet-A (UV-A) irradiation. This procedure generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cross-link stromal molecules, thereby stiffening the cornea and counteracting the ectasia-induced weakening. Due to their large size, riboflavin molecules cannot readily pass through the corneal epithelial cell tight junctions; thus, epithelial debridement was performed.

Crosslinked All-Femtosecond Laser-Cut Corneal Allogenic Intracorneal Ring Segments (AFXL CAIRSs): Pilot Ex Vivo Study and Report of First Two Cases Performed in Italy.

This pilot ex vivo study and first clinical experience in Italy evaluate the impact of using pre-implantation crosslinking on all-femtosecond laser-cut corneal allogenic intracorneal ring segments (AFXL CAIRSs). Six human donor eye-bank corneas were used for this preclinical ex vivo human study. Three donor (D) corneas were used for AFXL CAIRSs.

Shiga toxin down-regulates ERG protein in endothelial cells and impairs angiogenesis.

Background: Shiga toxin (Stx) can activate inflammatory signaling, leading to vascular dysfunction and promotion of a pro-thrombotic tissue microenvironment. Stx can trigger the development of the enterohemorrhagic (childhood) hemolytic uremic syndrome (eHUS), a triad of thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and acute kidney injury, often requiring dialysis. Additional features may include damage to other organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, brain and cardiovascular system; death occurs in 2-5 %.

Differences Between Simulated Keratometry and Total Corneal Power in Eyes With Keratoconus and a Formula to Improve IOL Power Calculation Results.

Purpose: To compare simulated keratometry (SimK) and total corneal power (TCP) in keratoconic eyes, to determine whether the differences are systematic and predictable and to evaluate an adjusted TCP-based formula for intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation.

Methods: In a consecutive series of keratoconic eyes, measurements of SimK, TCP, posterior keratometry, and anterior and posterior corneal asphericities (Q-values) were retrospectively collected. The difference between SimK and TCP was linearly correlated to the biometric parameters.

Evaluating GlicoPro Tear Substitute Derived from Snail Mucus in Alleviating Severe Dry Eye Disease: A First-in-Human Study on Corneal Esthesiometry Recovery and Ocular Pain Relief.

To evaluate the effects of 10% GlicoPro tear substitute therapy in patients with severe dry eye disease (DED). In this prospective longitudinal study, 30 individuals receiving 10% GlicoPro four times daily for DED were evaluated. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire, average non-invasive break-up time (A-NIBUT), non-anesthetic and anesthetic corneal esthesiometry (CE), ocular pain, and the presence of conjunctivochalasis (CCH) were used as clinical endpoints.

Generation of iPSC lines derived from skin fibroblasts of two healthy controls using non-transmissible form of Sendai Virus.

We established two iPSC lines starting from skin fibroblasts of two healthy individuals using Sendai-virus-based technique. The obtained iPSCs were characterized showing same STR profile as starting fibroblasts, normal karyotype, loss of stemness vectors, expression of stemness markers, both through real-time PCR and immunofluorescence, (OCT4, SOX2, TRA-1-60, NANOG and SSEA4) and in vitro differentiation into three germ layers.

Dry Eye Para-Inflammation Treatment: Evaluation of a Novel Tear Substitute Containing Hyaluronic Acid and Low-Dose Hydrocortisone.

The purpose of this study was to check the efficacy and safety of a novel tear substitute containing hyaluronic acid and low-dose hydrocortisone in the treatment of moderate dry eye disease. In this prospective randomized study, 38 patients with moderate dry eye disease were divided into two treatment groups: Group 1 received one drop of 0.2% sodium hyaluronate and 0.

Generation of iPSC line from a Joubert syndrome patient with compound heterozygous mutations in CPLANE1 gene.

We generated iPSC line using skin fibroblasts obtained from a female patient affected by Joubert syndrome, caused by two compound heterozygous variants (c.143G > A; p.Gly48Glu and c.

Customized corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments (CAIRS) for keratoconus with decentered asymmetric cone.

Corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments (CAIRS) refer to the intracorneal placement of fresh, unprocessed, processed, preserved, or packaged allogenic rings/segments of any type/length. We described uniform-thickness CAIRS previously. We now describe a new technique of customized CAIRS to personalize the flattening effect as per individual topography.

Ocular Surface Microbiota in Naïve Keratoconus: A Multicenter Validation Study.

In the field of Ophthalmology, the mNGS 16S rRNA sequencing method of studying the microbiota and ocular microbiome is gaining more and more weight in the scientific community. This study aims to characterize the ocular microbiota of patients diagnosed with keratoconus who have not undergone any prior surgical treatment using the mNGS 16S rRNA sequencing method. Samples of naïve keratoconus patients were collected with an eNAT with 1 mL of Liquid Amies Medium (Copan Brescia, Italy), and DNA was extracted and analyzed with 16S NGS.

Refractive surgical correction and treatment of keratoconus.

Keratoconus is an ectatic corneal disorder that causes severe vision loss. Surgical options allow us to correct, partially or totally, the induced refractive error. Intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) implantation represents a minimally invasive surgical option that improves visual acuity, with a high success rate and a low overall complication rate.

Ray-Tracing Transepithelial Excimer Laser Central Corneal Remodeling Plus Pachymetry-Guided Accelerated Corneal Crosslinking for Keratoconus.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report the 12 to 96 months results of a tissue-preservation algorithm based on ray-tracing-guided transepithelial excimer laser central corneal ablation (RT t-PRK) combined with individualized pachymetry-guided accelerated crosslinking (M nomogram ACXL) in young adult patients with stable keratoconus (KC).

Methods: This was a prospective interventional study including 38 eyes of 38 young adult patients (stage II KC) with a mean age of 35 years (range 26-46 years) who underwent simultaneous RT with t-PRK plus pachymetry-based ACXL in the worst eye. The treatments were performed using the iViS Suite iRES Excimer Laser (Ligi, Taranto, Italy).

Progressive high-fluence epithelium-on accelerated corneal crosslinking: a novel corneal photodynamic therapy for early progressive keratoconus.

Purpose: To assess the preliminary clinical results of a new, progressively higher fluence-pulsed light Epi-On accelerated crosslinking nomogram (PFPL M Epi-On ACXL) in the treatment of progressive keratoconus (KC).

Setting: Siena Crosslinking Center, Siena, Italy.

Methods: A prospective pilot open, non-randomized interventional study, including 32 eyes of 32 young-adult patients over 26 years old with Stages I-III progressive KC undergoing PFPL M Epi-On ACXL, was conducted.

Rates of infectious keratitis and other ocular surface adverse events in corneal cross-linking for keratoconus and corneal ectasias performed in an office-based setting: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This study aimed to compare the complication rates of epithelium-off corneal cross-linking (epi-off CXL) performed in an office-based setting with those of epi-off CXL performed in an operating room.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study, comprising 501 consecutive epi-off CXL procedures, performed in a non-sterile procedure room without laminar flow ventilation at the ELZA Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, between November 2015 and October 2021, was conducted.

Results: No cases of postoperative infectious keratitis were observed, while sterile infiltrates occurred in 10 out of 501 (2.

Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking for Progressive Keratoconus in Pediatric Patients: Up to 14 Years of Follow-up.

Purpose: To assess the long-term outcomes of corneal collagen cross-linking according to the Dresden protocol (S-CXL) in progressive pediatric keratoconus (KC).

Design: Retrospective, single-center noncomparative interventional study.

Methods: Patients aged <18 years who underwent S-CXL from June 2007 to January 2011 in Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy, and completed at least 10 years of follow-up were included.

Recurrent, founder and hypomorphic variants contribute to the genetic landscape of Joubert syndrome.

Background: Joubert syndrome (JS) is a neurodevelopmental ciliopathy characterised by a distinctive mid-hindbrain malformation, the 'molar tooth sign'. Over 40 JS-associated genes are known, accounting for two-thirds of cases.

Methods: While most variants are novel or extremely rare, we report on 11 recurring variants in seven genes, including three known 'founder variants' in the Ashkenazi Jewish, Hutterite and Finnish populations.

Generation of an iPSC line from skin fibroblasts of a patient with Joubert syndrome carrying the homozygous loss of function variant c.787dupC in the AHI1 gene.

We produced an iPSC line from a patient with Joubert syndrome carrying the homozygous c.787dupC variant in the AHI1 gene. The iPSC line was obtained by reprogramming skin fibroblasts, mycoplasma-free, using Sendai-virus-based technique.

Transepithelial Enhanced Fluence Pulsed Light M Accelerated Crosslinking for Early Progressive Keratoconus with Chemically Enhanced Riboflavin Solutions and Air Room Oxygen.

Purpose: To assess the 3-year clinical results of the 18 mW 7 J/cm transepithelial enhanced fluence pulsed light M accelerated crosslinking in the treatment of progressive keratoconus (KC) with chemically enhanced hyper-concentrated riboflavin solutions without iontophoresis and with air-room oxygenation.

Setting: Siena Crosslinking Center, Siena, Italy.

Methods: Prospective pilot, open non-randomized interventional study including 40 eyes of 30 young adult patients over 21 years old (10 simultaneous bilateral) with early (Stage I and II) progressive KC undergoing TE-EFPL 18 mW/7 J/cm ACXL (EFPL M TECXL).

Transepithelial Iontophoresis-Assisted Cross Linking for Progressive Keratoconus: Up to 7 Years of Follow Up.

To report long-term clinical results of transepithelial cross-linking with iontophoresis (I-CXL) for progressive keratoconus (KC). Nineteen eyes of 19 patients treated with I-CXL for progressive keratoconus were included in this prospective clinical study. Preoperatively and in all available follow ups (6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 months), the following parameters were measured.

Systemic Obstacles to Addressing Research Misconduct in Higher Education: A Case Study.

Several widely publicized incidents of academic research misconduct, combined with the politicization of the role of science in public health and policy discourse (e.g., COVID, immunizations) threaten to undermine faith in the integrity of empirical research.