Root Development in Medicago truncatula: Lessons from Genetics to Functional Genomics.

This decade introduced "omics" approaches, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics in association with reverse and forward genetic approaches, developed earlier, to try to identify molecular pathways involved in the development or in the response to environmental conditions as well as in animals and plants. This review summarizes studies that utilized "omics" strategies to unravel the root development in the model legume Medicago truncatula and how external factors such as soil mineral status or the presence of bacteria and fungi affect root system architecture in this species. We also compare these "omics" data to the knowledges concerning the Arabidopsis thaliana root development, nowadays considered as the model of allorhiz root systems.

Functional PTB phosphate transporters are present in streptophyte algae and early diverging land plants.

Two inorganic phosphate (Pi) uptake mechanisms operate in streptophytes and chlorophytes, the two lineages of green plants. PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER B (PTB) proteins are hypothesized to be the Na /Pi symporters catalysing Pi uptake in chlorophytes, whereas PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTER 1 (PHT1) proteins are the H /Pi symporters that carry out Pi uptake in angiosperms. PHT1 proteins are present in all streptophyte lineages.

The Mechanism Forming the Cell Surface of Tip-Growing Rooting Cells Is Conserved among Land Plants.

To discover mechanisms that controlled the growth of the rooting system in the earliest land plants, we identified genes that control the development of rhizoids in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha. 336,000 T-DNA transformed lines were screened for mutants with defects in rhizoid growth, and a de novo genome assembly was generated to identify the mutant genes. We report the identification of 33 genes required for rhizoid growth, of which 6 had not previously been functionally characterized in green plants.

Strigolactones inhibit caulonema elongation and cell division in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

In vascular plants, strigolactones (SLs) are known for their hormonal role and for their role as signal molecules in the rhizosphere. SLs are also produced by the moss Physcomitrella patens, in which they act as signaling factors for controlling filament extension and possibly interaction with neighboring individuals. To gain a better understanding of SL action at the cellular level, we investigated the effect of exogenously added molecules (SLs or analogs) in moss growth media.

[Alphacor keratoprosthesis: device, surgical technique and clinical outcomes].

Purpose: Clinical evaluation of Alphacor keratoprosthesis in patients at high risk of corneal allograft rejection.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Patients And Methods: Alphacor implantation was performed via a two-step procedure with intrastromal insertion followed by secondary exposure of the optic after 6 months.

Strigolactones regulate protonema branching and act as a quorum sensing-like signal in the moss Physcomitrella patens.

Strigolactones are a novel class of plant hormones controlling shoot branching in seed plants. They also signal host root proximity during symbiotic and parasitic interactions. To gain a better understanding of the origin of strigolactone functions, we characterised a moss mutant strongly affected in strigolactone biosynthesis following deletion of the CAROTENOID CLEAVAGE DIOXYGENASE 8 (CCD8) gene.

[New therapeutic approach of keratoconus with intracorneal ring segments aided by femtosecond laser (Tecnolas Perfect Vision): indications, operating technique and results].

Objective: To assess the results of intracorneal ring segment implantation assisted by the Tecnolas Perfect Vision(®) femtosecond laser (Heidelberg, Germany).

Settings: Retrospective observational study.

Methods: The patients were operated on with the Tecnolas Perfect Vision(®) femtosecond laser.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) on corneal impression cytology specimens (CICS): study of epithelial cell survival after keratoplasty.

Purpose: To assess corneal epithelial cell survival after keratoplasty.

Methods: Corneal impression cytology (CIC) was performed on sex-mismatched corneal transplants. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with sex chromosome-specific probes was performed to identify epithelial cell mosaicism and therefore allocate the donor or recipient origin of the cells.

Femtosecond laser-assisted decagonal penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To assess the use of a new polygonal trephination pattern for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) assisted by femtosecond laser.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.

Methods: Sixteen eyes underwent decagonal PK.

[Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in anterior segment imaging: the 3rd dimension].

Purpose: Anterior segment imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT) time domain technology has been used for many years. When it appeared, it was a promising technique in the analysis of the anterior segment, making it possible to reach a definition of the ocular structures comparable with histology. Now with new-generation OCT, it is possible to perform high-definition and three-dimensional imaging.

[Arcuate keratotomy for postkeratoplasty astigmatism by femtosecond laser].

Objective: Evaluation of the effectiveness of arcuate keratotomy performed with femtosecond laser for correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism.

Methods: This retrospective clinical study included 11 eyes. All cases underwent arcuate keratotomy using femtosecond laser.

Correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism by femtosecond laser compared with mechanized astigmatic keratotomy.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of arcuate keratotomy (AK) performed with a femtosecond laser (FSL) or Hanna keratome (Moria, Anthony, France) for correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Methods: This clinical study included 20 eyes.

[Anterior segment analysis using OCT3].

Purpose: Optical coherence tomography has been used for many years, in particular in the field of the retinal imaging, and is a promising technique in the analysis of the anterior segment, providing a similar resolution to histology for ocular tissue.

Material And Methods: We present a collection of images obtained with the OCT3 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA), with parameters set to obtain good-quality images of the iris and corneal structures.

Results: The OCT provides detailed analysis of the cornea, precise assessment of the dimensions and locations of corneal lesions - in the anterior-posterior plane as well as transversally or obliquely - with 10-microm precision, and the study of the iridocorneal angle and its dynamics.

Short-term results of penetrating keratoplasty performed with the Femtec femtosecond laser.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of the Femtec femtosecond (fs) laser for penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in the treatment of corneal diseases.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.

Methods: Nine eyes of nine patients underwent surgery for PK.

[Femtosecond-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty].

Introduction: Automated lamellar keratoplasty remains a challenging surgical technique because of surgical difficulties and is associated with a high rate of complications. The precision of the corneal cut at any corneal depth with the femtosecond laser is an important improvement in this technique. We report the first case of femtosecond-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

[Bilateral corneal endothelial decompensation after postsepticemia coma].

We report a case of unexplained bilateral corneal endothelial decompensation after a coma. A 71-year-old man with no medical history presented with bilateral endothelial decompensation that required penetrating keratoplasty of the left eye combined with cataract surgery. This coma was caused by septicemia originally due to staphylococcus infection following catheter placement in preparation for a CT scan.

[Teaching phacosection in a tropical setting].

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the training of a Malagasy ophthalmologist, already proficient in classic manual extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), in a small incision manual technique (phacosection).

Materials And Methods: Within the activity of the Sight First program to fight blindness in Madagascar, the ophthalmologist of Majunga recruited patients presenting total white cataracts. These patients were operated by phacosection using the local hospital's usual instrumentation along with two specific phacosection instruments and extra single-use material (a precalibrated 3.

Diffuse choroidal hemangioma: report of a clinicopathological study in a 4-year-old boy.

The authors examined the clinicopathologic features of a 4-year-old boy with a diffuse choroidal hemangioma, yet without any features of the Sturge-Weber syndrome. The tumor occurred as a grayish intraocular mass with an overlying retinal detachment and was highly reflective in the ultrasonic examination. After contrast, the CT scan revealed diffuse thickening of the ocular wall associated with an enhanced irregular orbital mass.