Tear film parameters and meibography in eyes of children with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Purpose: To study tear film parameters and Meibomian glands in pediatric patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: Forty-four eyes of 22 patients with VKC and 44 eyes of 22 age-matched controls were studied in a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Each subject underwent a complete ophthalmological examination including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, non-invasive break-up time (NIBUT), fluorescein break-up time (FBUT), corneal fluorescein staining, and Schirmer's test.

Discovery and characterization of a novel LysinB from F2 sub-cluster mycobacteriophage RitSun.

The escalating antibiotic resistance in mycobacterial species poses a significant threat globally, necessitating an urgent need to find alternative solutions. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins, which facilitate phage progeny release by attacking bacterial cell walls, present promising antibacterial candidates due to their rapid lytic action, high specificity and low risk of resistance development. In mycobacteria, owing to the complex, hydrophobic cell wall, mycobacteriophages usually synthesize two endolysins: LysinA, which hydrolyzes peptidoglycan; LysinB, which delinks mycolic acid-containing outer membrane and arabinogalactan, releasing free mycolic acid.

Combined corneal biomechanical and tomographical indices in subclinical and forme fruste keratoconus.

Purpose: Evaluation of combined corneal tomographic and biomechanical parameters in subclinical/forme fruste keratoconus (ScKC/FFKC).

Design: Cross-sectional observational case-control study.

Methods Inclusion Criteria: Thirty-one eyes with ScKC (fellow eye of KC with any one sign: keratometry >47 diopters, cylinder >1.

Insights into the genomic features and lifestyle of B1 subcluster mycobacteriophages.

Bacteriophages infecting Mycobacterium smegmatis mc155 are numerous and, hence, are classified into clusters based on nucleotide sequence similarity. Analyzing phages belonging to clusters/subclusters can help gain deeper insights into their biological features and potential therapeutic applications. In this study, for genomic characterization of B1 subcluster mycobacteriophages, a framework of online tools was developed, which enabled functional annotation of about 55% of the previously deemed hypothetical proteins in B1 phages.

Unlocking prophage potential: and experimental analysis of a novel LysinB containing a peptidoglycan-binding domain.

Endolysins are highly evolved bacteriophage-encoded lytic enzymes produced to damage the bacterial cell wall for phage progeny release. They offer promising potential as highly specific lytic proteins with a low chance of bacterial resistance. The diversity in lysin sequences and domain organization can be staggering.

Study of biomarkers p53, Ki-67, Bcl-2, and VEGF in pterygium.

Purpose: To study the biomarkers present in primary pterygium samples of patients of Indian ethnicity and compare it with the samples obtained from the unaffected conjunctiva of the same eye.

Methods: A prospective case-control study of 17 eyes in patients above 10 years of age with primary pterygium who underwent pterygium excision using limbal conjunctival autograft technique. The pterygium samples (cases) and conjunctival samples (controls) were sent for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for the following biomarkers: p53, Bcl-2, Ki-67, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) for failed primary DALK.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of repeat deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients of previous failed DALK.

Methods: : A retrospective analysis of records of seven patients who had undergone repeat DALK following the failure of the primary DALK was done. The indications for repeat surgery, time elapsed since the first surgery, and pre- & postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were noted for all the patients.

Self-inflicted bilateral ocular injury with scissors in a psychiatric patient.

A young male was brought to the ophthalmic emergency by his family with severe bleeding from both eyes after self-inflicted injury with scissors in a fit of mania. He had a history of schizophrenia and has been on irregular treatment for the past 10 years. Both eyes were severely damaged with avulsion of all extraocular muscles in one eye and a large corneoscleral laceration in the other.

An atypical presentation of sympathetic ophthalmia following chemical ocular burns.

Background: Sympathetic ophthalmia is a rare disease that can present as bilateral granulomatous uveitis after a penetrating trauma or surgery in one eye.

Findings: We report a case of a 47-year-old male with history of decreased vision in the right eye, six months after sustaining severe chemical injury in the left eye. He was diagnosed with sympathetic ophthalmia and was treated with corticosteroids and long-term immunosuppressive therapy, leading to complete resolution of intraocular inflammation.

COVID-Associated Sinonasal Mucormycosis: Radiological Pathological Correlation and Prognostic Value of MR Imaging.

 Our aim was to assess the sinonasal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) in coronavirus disease (COVID)-associated mucormycosis (CAM) and to correlate these with histopathology and patient outcome in terms of duration of hospital stay and survival at 10 weeks.  Twenty patients with histopathologically confirmed sinonasal CAM underwent MRI (including postcontrast T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging). Histopathological findings (presence of coagulative necrosis, granulomatous reaction, and fungal burden) were recorded and all patients were followed up at 6 and 10 weeks.

Orbital and ocular perfusion in thyroid eye disease.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is characterized by enlargement of extraocular muscles, an increase in retrobulbar fat, orbital fibrosis, and fluctuations in plasma thyroid hormone levels in most patients, often associated with raised autoantibody titers. The occurrence of orbital space conflict compromises the orbital perfusion, unchecked progression of which results in irreversible loss of visual acuity and visual fields. The quantitative assessment of orbital perfusion can be done by measurement of blood flow velocities in the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV), ophthalmic artery (OA), central retinal artery (CRA), and posterior ciliary artery by color Doppler imaging.

MST4: A Potential Oncogene and Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer.

The mammalian STE 20-like protein kinase 4 (MST4) gene is highly expressed in several cancer types, but little is known about the role of MST4 in breast cancer, and the function of MST4 during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has not been fully elucidated. Here we report that overexpression of MST4 in breast cancer results in enhanced cell growth, migration, and invasion, whereas inhibition of MST4 expression significantly attenuates these properties. Further study shows that MST4 promotes EMT by activating Akt and its downstream signaling molecules such as E-cadherin/N-cadherin, Snail, and Slug.

Corneal aberrations, densitometry on scheimpflug imaging, and visual acuity after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate visual acuity, corneal aberrations, and densitometry post deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

Methods: Twenty-five eyes of 25 patients who underwent DALK for corneal stromal diseases with normal endothelium were enrolled in a prospective interventional study. Evaluation for corneal aberrations and densitometry postoperatively was performed using Scheimpflug imaging at 6 months.

Ocular sequelae in severe COVID-19 recovered patients of second wave.

Purpose: To evaluate the retinal microvascular changes in patients, recovered from severe COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic in North India.

Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study, 70 eyes of 35 patients who recovered from severe COVID-19 during the second wave underwent detailed ophthalmic evaluation 4-6 weeks after discharge. Twelve controls were also enrolled, and the difference in the findings between the case and control groups on optical coherence tomography (OCTA) were studied.

Complications of corneal collagen cross-linking.

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) is an effective treatment for arresting progression in patients with keratoconus. CXL was approved by United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of progressive keratoconus in 2016. It is a relatively safe procedure with a low complication rate.

Bilateral sequential non-arteritic optic neuropathy post-COVID-19.

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been documented to have a spectrum of neuro-ophthalmic manifestations. However, bilateral non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) post-COVID-19 has not been reported in the literature. We studied the case of a 45-year-old male who presented to our outpatient department (OPD) with bilateral blurring of vision following an episode of COVID-19, 1 month back.

Clinico-Radiological-Pathological Correlation of Visual Loss in COVID-Associated Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis.

Purpose: To correlate the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features in Covid-associated Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis cases presenting with acute visual loss.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Covid-associated Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis cases with unilateral visual loss, planned for exenteration, underwent orbital and ophthalmological ocular examination.

Analysis of Corneal Scheimpflug Densitometry and Ocular Wavefront Aberrations Post Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To assess the role of corneal densitometry and wavefront aberrations post Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) and their correlation with visual acuity.

Methods: Twenty-seven eyes of 25 patients with nonresolving corneal edema for more than 3 months as a result of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, pseudophakic bullous keratopathy, or secondary endothelial dysfunction were enrolled in a prospective interventional study and underwent DSAEK. Postoperative evaluation for corneal aberrations, including Higher order aberrations (HOAs) and corneal densitometry (CD), was performed using anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (Avanti RTvue XR; Optovue) and Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam, Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) at 6 months.

COVID associated mucormycosis: A preliminary study from a dedicated COVID Hospital in Delhi.

Background: It is an incontrovertible fact that the Rhino Orbital Cerebral Mucormycosis (ROCM) upsurge is being seen in the context of COVID-19 in India. Briefly presented is evidence that in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, a dysfunctional immune system due to SARS-COV-2 and injudicious use of corticosteroids may be largely responsible for this malady.

Objective: To find the possible impact of COVID 19 infection and various co-morbidities on occurrence of ROCM and demonstrate the outcome based on medical and surgical interventions.

Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral-Mucormycosis During the COVID-19 Second Wave in 2021 - A Preliminary Report from a Single Hospital.

Purpose: To list the clinico-epidemiological profile and possible risk factors of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (CA-ROCM) patients presenting to a COVID dedicated hospital during the second wave of COVID-19 in India.

Patients And Methods: A cross-sectional, single-center study was done on 60 cases of probable CA-ROCM based on clinical features and supportive diagnostic nasal endoscopic findings and/or radiologic findings. Patients with recent or active COVID-19 were included.