In vitro and in ovo experimental study of two anti-VEGF agents used in ophthalmology.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monoclonal antibodies can inhibit neovascularization and also to block the growth of several tumor cell lines. Treatment with anti-VEGF drugs like Bevacizumab (Avastin®) and Aflibercept has proven optimistic results in various malignant diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate Bevacizumab and Aflibercept in vitro effects on two human melanoma cell lines (A375 and SK-Mel-28), as well as on a healthy cell line (HaCaT human keratinocytes), followed by characterization of the in ovo effects on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM).

A survey to assess the incidence of Down syndrome risk in rural southwestern Romania.

Despite the significant evolution in recent years in the medical field, many fetal conditions that can be detected in the early stages, remain a social and economic burden due to a lack of diagnostic and treatment programs. The main objective of the present study was to realize a screening program related to the early detection of Down syndrome, by analyzing biochemical and imaging markers, in women from the rural areas of Southwest Romania. Accordingly, data from 269 pregnant women were taken into evaluation for maternal age, maternal weight, smoking and diabetic statuses, along with ultrasound measurements that were performed to establish fetal nuchal translucency (FNT) and biochemical analysis of free β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein (PAPP-A).

Corneal Biomechanical Changes in Third Trimester of Pregnancy.

There is a clear evidence that pregnancy is associated with high production of sex hormones. During the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, blood hormones levels increase gradually. Cells with affinity for sex hormones have been identified in different ocular tissues, such as: lid, lacrimal gland, meibomian gland, bulbar and palpebral conjunctivae, cornea, iris, ciliary body, lens, retina (retinal pigment epithelium) and choroid.

Oral lichen planus - case report.

This paper presents the case of a 58-year-old heavy smoker female who came to our clinic with acute pain, as well as mastication and feeding difficulties. The macroscopic examination revealed oral erosive lesions and ulcerations. The polymorphic aspect of the lesions required the differential diagnosis of oral erythroplakia or carcinoma, which were excluded by biopsy.

Foveal avascular zone area measurements using OCT angiography in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with essential hypertension.

This study followed the variability in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure. This prospective, non-randomized, cohort study evaluated 46 eyes in 26 patients with high blood pressure associated with diabetic non-proliferative retinopathy (mild, medium, and severe forms) and diabetic proliferative retinopathy. Our results showed early macular alterations (microaneurysms, leakage, neovascularizations, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities), a higher class of severity despite a relatively normal clinical aspect and higher values of FAZ associated with neovascularization undetected by SD-OCT (spectral domain-OCT).

Variability of diabetic macular edema in correlation with hypertension retinopathy in patients with diabetes mellitus and essential hypertension.

This study aimed to determine the possible relationship between variability of diabetic macular edema associated with hypertension retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and essential high blood pressure, in correlation with contrast sensitivity. In order to accomplish the objective, this retrospective study evaluated the progression of diabetic macular edema in patients with high blood pressure during day time through measurements of the total macular volume and central macular thickness using optical coherence tomography and contrast sensitivity variations measured through Pelli Robson test, four times a day, along with glycemia and blood pressure measurements. Our results showed a statistically significant correlation between the values of glycemia and central macular thickness, and between contrast sensitivity and macular thickness at every tested hour.

Macular pigment density changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.

To present a series of 2 cases of central serous chorioretinopathy and the changes in the macular pigment optical density during the evolution of the disease. A 32-year-old patient presented himself for blurred vision on his LE. The SD OCT imaging revealed serous macular detachment of the neurosensory retina on the LE.

Investigation of importance of the structural parameters of the eyeball and of the technical parameters of cataract surgery on corneal endothelial changes.

was to look into the importance of the structural parameters of the eyeball, in relationship with the technical parameters of cataract surgery regarding the corneal endothelial changes made by it. The paper refers at a prospective study in which we included eighty-eight consecutive eyes from eighty-six different patients having age-related cataract and a visual acuity of a values less than 0.8 considering best possible correction with it.

Retinal changes in diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure retinal vessel caliber and to examine early changes in macular thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT). We evaluated to what extend vascular caliber and macular thickness differed between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without diabetic retinopathy compared with healthy individuals.

Methods: 26 diabetic patients without diabetic retinopathy and 26 normal participants without any retinal and optic nerve diseases underwent ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, and OCT imaging.