Ancient lineages of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide little plant benefit.

Almost all land plants form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Individual plants usually are colonized by a wide range of phylogenetically diverse AMF species. The impact that different AMF taxa have on plant growth is only partly understood.

An attempt to optimize the outcome of penetrating keratoplasty in congenital aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK).

Purpose: To propose an optimized microsurgical and medical approach to reduce the risk of complications after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in patients with aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK).

Methods: Retrospective observational case series of 25 PKP performed in 16 patients with AAK. Preoperative indications were endothelial decompensation and vascularized scars (68%) or graft failure (32%) due to limbal stem cell deficiency.

Correlation of the Corvis Biomechanical Factor with tomographic parameters in keratoconus.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between corneal biomechanics and keratoconus (KC) severity as described by tomographic parameters.

Setting: University-based German ophthalmology department.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) in Previously Vitrectomized Eyes: Complications and Clinical Outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the results and complications of Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) in previously vitrectomized eyes.

Design: Retrospective study of 35 eyes that had undergone DMEK, due to Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), at our department with a follow-up after 6 months postoperatively. We compared the intraoperative procedure, complications, and results of DMEK between 14 previously vitrectomized pseudophakic eyes (group 1) and a control group of 21 pseudophakic non-vitrectomized eyes (group 2).

Reduction in Hindquarter Vascular Resistance Supports 5-HT Receptor Mediated Hypotension.

The 5-HT receptor is the primary mediator of both the ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

[Myopia treatment and prophylaxis with defocus incorporated multiple segments spectacle lenses].

Excessive axial eye growth in children and adolescents leads to progressive myopia and can result in severe ocular diseases in adulthood. Various strategies have already been developed to inhibit progression of myopia. The novel single vision lens presented in this article features the defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) technology and adds an easy to use, noninvasive option to the portfolio of myopia treatment.

[Intraocular pressure elevation after vitrectomy-Goldmann applanation tonometry measures lower intraocular pressure than dynamic contour tonometry].

Background: The dynamic contour tonometer PASCAL (DCT) is a direct noninvasive digital tonometer matching the corneal contour. We compared the DCT with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT).

Methods: A total of 100 eyes were included in this prospective comparative clinical investigation and intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured with GAT and DCT before and after pars plana vitrectomy (ppV).

Electrochemotherapy with Bleomycin Enhances Radiosensitivity of Uveal Melanomas: First In Vitro Results in 3D Cultures of Primary Uveal Melanoma Cell Lines.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is emerging as a complementary treatment modality for local tumor control in various cancer entities. Irradiation is an established therapeutic option for oncologic patients, which is commonly combined with chemotherapy due to its insufficient targeting ability. The efficiency of radiotherapy for tumors can be enhanced with different radiosensitizers.

[Stage-appropriate treatment of keratoconus].

Keratoconus (KC) is a progressive cone-shaped corneal protrusion that causes paracentral thinning at the apex of the cone and typically occurs asymmetrically on both sides. After a careful anamnesis and classification of the degree of severity a targeted treatment appropriate to the stage of the disease is available. If the visual acuity is no longer sufficient, rigid gas-permeable contact lenses (CL) are fitted by a specialist.

OCT Application for Sterile Corneal Graft Screening in the Eye Bank.

Background And Objective: Sterile donor tomography enables the detection of corneal tissues with refractive anomalies. The aim of this study was to determine the curvature and thickness of donor corneas to support proper selection in the eye bank.

Methods: 704 donor corneas (Klaus Faber Center, LIONS Eye Bank Saar-Lor-Lux, Trier/Westpfalz, in Homburg/Saar) were measured using the anterior segment optical coherence tomograph (AS-OCT) CASIA 2 (Tomey Corp.

Semiquantitative Criteria in the Eye Bank That Correlate with Cornea Guttata in Donor Corneas.

Background: Cornea guttata may not be recognized in the eye bank and recent studies have displayed that guttae are transplanted in about 15% of cases in varying severities. The purpose of this study was to establish semiquantitative criteria for the detection of cornea guttata in donor corneas in the eye bank.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, preoperative endothelial pictures of donor corneas were collected and classified according to the post-penetrating keratoplasty cornea guttata grade into three distinct groups: group 1 consists of healthy corneas with no guttae (guttata grade 0); group 2 constitutes corneas with mild asymptomatic cornea guttata (guttata grade +); and group 3 comprises corneas with advanced widespread cornea guttata (guttata grade ++/+++/++++).

A retrospective analysis of the therapeutic effects of 0.01% atropine on axial length growth in children in a real-life clinical setting.

Background: Several randomized controlled studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of 0.01% atropine eye drops on myopia progression in children. However, treatment effects may be different in a routine clinical setting.

Herpes simplex virus PCR in 2230 explanted corneal buttons.

Purpose: To determine herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA prevalence and mean cycle threshold of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in corneal tissue of patients with penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), with (HSK+) and without (HSK-) previous clinical herpetic keratitis history.

Methods: Retrospective review of recipient corneal buttons which were explanted through PKP between March 2010 and September 2018 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg/Saar, Germany. Corneal tissue samples were analysed by real-time PCR for the presence of HSV DNA.

[Optometric eye screening in schools : First epidemiological data for children and adolescents in grades 5-7].

Background: Annually recurring optometric screening helps to identify children with increased axial growth and also to create awareness for wearing properly corrected glasses and for spending enough time outdoors, both of which are crucial for healthy eyes. The obtained biometric data help to expand the epidemiological information on myopia in schoolchildren, which is fundamental for the selection of the correct treatment.

Material And Methods: Contact-free biometry of the eye was used to assess central corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length.

Dysfunction of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche in aniridia-associated keratopathy.

Purpose: Abnormalities in the limbal niche microenvironment have been suggested to be causally involved in aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK), but histological analyses on the limbal structure and composition in AAK are lacking. Here, we investigated morphologic and molecular alterations of the limbal epithelial stem cell niche in human congenital aniridia.

Methods: The blind, buphthalmic and painful left eye of a 16-year old girl with congenital aniridia and juvenile glaucoma had to be enucleated because of uncontrolled intraocular pressure.

Eating behavior as a new frontier in memory research.

The study of memory is commonly associated with neuroscience, aging, education, and eyewitness testimony. Here we discuss how eating behavior is also heavily intertwined-and yet considerably understudied in its relation to memory processes. Both are influenced by similar neuroendocrine signals (e.

Impact of Pre- and Intraoperative Factors on Endothelial Cell Density in the Early and Late Stage after Penetrating Keratoplasty.

Aim: This retrospective investigated the impact of donor age, recipient age, donor endothelial cell density, vis-à-tergo, and additional intraoperative lens exchange (triple-procedure) on overall early and late phase postoperative endothelial cell density (ECD) following penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in various diagnosis groups.

Patients And Methods: In 590 cases with diagnosed keratoconus (KC), Fuchs dystrophy (FD) and herpes simplex virus infection (HSV) who underwent PKP or triple surgery, the ECD in cells/mm was analysed, both preoperatively, with all-sutures-in (early postoperative stage), and after last suture removal. The factors were tested by Mann-Whitney U-test, correlation analysis and linear regression analysis.

Measurement of the Charge-Averaged Elastic Lepton-Proton Scattering Cross Section by the OLYMPUS Experiment.

We report the first measurement of the average of the electron-proton and positron-proton elastic scattering cross sections. This lepton charge-averaged cross section is insensitive to the leading effects of hard two-photon exchange, giving more robust access to the proton's electromagnetic form factors. The cross section was extracted from data taken by the OLYMPUS experiment at DESY, in which alternating stored electron and positron beams were scattered from a windowless gaseous hydrogen target.

The impact of vitrectomy on outcomes achieved with 0.19 mg fluocinolone acetonide implant in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Background: There is a lack of consensus on the use of intravitreal corticosteroid therapies in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and prior vitrectomized eyes in clinical practice.

Methods: Retro-IDEAL was a 3-year retrospective, multicenter study in patients with chronic DME (i.e.

[Optometric eye screening in schools : First results of a pilot project on logistical feasibility].

Background: We present a pilot project to improve eye health in schoolchildren: annual optometric screening with a focus on early detection of school myopia. The logistical proof-of-concept is illustrated by way of a pilot project at a state high school in North Rhine-Westphalia. The collected biometric parameters also contribute to the collection of epidemiological data.