Transient Ischemic Attack and Hypoventilation 12 Hours After Intra-vitreal Aflibercept Injection.

Given the role the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays in controlling and preserving the integrity of the vascular endothelium intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF agents may affect the risk of thromboembolic events. This is particularly noticeable in patients who are at risk for atherosclerosis. Here, we present one of the first case reports of transient ischemic attack (TIA) together with hypoventilation secondary to aflibercept injection.

Choroidal Changes in Diabetic Patients With Different Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the long-term microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) and is considered a leading cause of vision loss worldwide. Chronic hyperglycemia can cause microvascular abnormalities to the retina and the choroid as well. The vascular tissue of the choroid supplies blood to the outer retina, photoreceptors, and retinal pigment epithelium.

Sensitized heat shock protein 27 induces retinal ganglion cells apoptosis in rat glaucoma model.

Aim: To investigate the relationships between the changes of heat shock protein 27 antibody (anti-HSP27) in serum/cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal ganglion cell (RGC) apoptosis in a rat glaucoma model and disclose the underlying pathogenesis of glaucoma.

Methods: A total of 115 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was the ocular hypertension group by condensing 3 episcleral & limbal veins or episcleral area of right eye (HP group, =25) and sham operation group with conjunctiva incision without coagulation (=25).

MicroRNA-126: a promising novel biomarker in peripheral blood for diabetic retinopathy.

Aim: To investigate the content of serum microRNA-126 (miR-126) and its role in screening retinal endothelial injury and early diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: The study included 184 serum samples, 59 samples from healthy individuals, 44 samples from diabetes mellitus (DM) patients without diabetic retinopathy (NDR), 42 from non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) patients and 39 samples from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients. The expression of miR-126 was evaluated using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Detection and comparison of matrix metalloproteinase in primary and recurrent pterygium fibroblasts.

Aim: To detect and compare the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secreted by primary and recurrent human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs).

Methods: Primary and recurrent HPFs as well as human conjunctival fibroblasts (HCF) were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium at the same conditions. The protein levels of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 were determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

[Oxidative damage and photoreceptor cell apoptosis in contusion injury of the rabbit retina].

Objective: To study the mechanism of retina injury and photoreceptor apoptosis after contusion as well as their triggering factor.

Methods: The rabbit retina was injured by a 3 J energy contusion caused by a free falling iron bar hitting the cornea. The morphologic changes of the retina were observed by light and electron microscopes.