Advancements and Prospects in Nanorobotic Applications for Ophthalmic Therapy.

This study provides a bibliometric and bibliographic review of emerging applications of micro- and nanotechnology in treating ocular diseases, with a primary focus on glaucoma. We aim to identify key research trends and analyze advancements in devices and drug delivery systems for ocular treatments. The methodology involved analyzing 385 documents indexed on the Web of Science using tools such as VOSviewer and Bibliometrix.

Custom ocular prostheses incorporating braille for a patient with bilateral anophthalmia: A clinical report.

Bilateral anophthalmia, a clinical condition characterized by the absence of globe and ocular tissues from both the orbits, presents considerable challenges to a patient's daily routine and use of prostheses. The patient's inability to orientate custom ocular prostheses (COPs) 3-dimensionally is understandable, and they typically rely on caregivers to manage the prostheses and prevent inadvertent injury to the socket. This clinical report describes the successful integration of braille script into COPs as a solution to these challenges by improving prosthesis management, decreasing caregiver dependence, and encouraging independence.

Triterpenoid saponin-mediated recovery of visual deficits in age-related macular degeneration (AMD): Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial.

Purpose: Recovery rate of rod photoreceptor sensitivity (S2 gradient) following a bleach is reduced in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) due to diminished delivery of retinol across a grossly altered Bruch's membrane. Since triterpenoid saponins are known to improve transport across Bruch's, we have assessed their possible use for reversing the visual deficits in AMD.

Design: Double-blind, placebo controlled randomised clinical trial.

Impact of leachate from boiled-water-treated plastic products on male reproductive health: Insights from transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling.

Given the extensive use of plastic materials in modern society, there is an escalating concern about the potential risks associated with exposure to plastic products. This study investigated the impact of plastic leachates from boiled-water-treated cups, including polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), on male reproductive health. Experimental mice were administered daily doses of the plastic leachates for 180 consecutive days.

T-Shaped Wedge Resection of the Upper Eyelid: An Alternative to the Pentagonal Wedge.

Purpose: To report the experience with an alternative to the upper eyelid pentagonal wedge resection technique which results in improved cosmesis due to a greater alignment of incisions with relaxed skin tension lines.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent the T-shaped wedge resection by the authors from 2009 to 2017. A horizontal eyelid crease incision is made across the upper eyelid skin.

Toward Safety Protocols for Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS): A Computational and Experimental Approach.

As the clinical applicability of peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) expands, the need for PNS-specific safety criteria becomes pressing. This study addresses this need, utilizing a novel machine learning and computational bio-electromagnetics modeling platform to establish a safety criterion that captures the effects of fields and currents induced on axons. Our approach is comprised of three steps: experimentation, model creation, and predictive simulation.

Prospective study on the role of preoperative mannitol in capsulorhexis and reducing intraoperative complications in primary angle-closure disease surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of preoperative intravenous mannitol on the capsulorhexis process and intraoperative complications in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).

Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 65 PACG eyes were randomized into the mannitol and control groups. The capsulorhexis duration, number of forceps grasps, need for viscoelastic re-injection, and intraoperative complications were recorded.

Adrenomedullin 2/Intermedin Exerts Cardioprotective Effects by Regulating Cardiomyocyte Mitochondrial Function.

Background: Adrenomedullin 2 (AM2) plays critical roles in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. However, the specific involvement of AM2 in cardiac hypertrophy has not been comprehensively elucidated, warranting further investigation into its molecular mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

Methods: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in adult mice lacking AM2 (AM2-/-) using transverse aortic constriction surgery.

Macrophage-mimicking nanotherapy for attenuation of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a highly fatal pancreatic inflammation. In recent years, synthetic nanoparticles have been extensively developed as drug carriers to address the challenges of systemic adverse reactions and lack of specificity in drug delivery. However, systemically administered nanoparticle therapy is rapidly cleared from circulation by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), leading to suboptimal drug concentrations in inflamed tissues and suboptimal pharmacokinetics.

Prevalence of Idiopathic Macular Hole in a Specialized Ophthalmological Referral Center: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study (2018-2022).

Background: An idiopathic macular hole (IMH) is a foveal opening in the neurosensory retina caused by perifoveal vitreomacular traction and detachment. IMH prevalence varies considerably across populations, highlighting a need for further investigation, especially in underrepresented groups such as Hispanics.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study analyzed IMH prevalence in a Hispanic population over four years.

Differences in Ocular Axial Length Between Genders and Refractive Error Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Yaoundé Central Hospital, Cameroon.

Background: Refractive errors are a common global health issue. Previous studies in Cameroon have predominantly identified hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism as the primary refractive errors. This study aimed to determine ocular axial length (OAL) values in Cameroonian adults and to evaluate differences between genders and refractive error groups.

Construction of a disulfidptosis-associated lncRNA signature to predict prognosis in bladder cancer.

Background: Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most common neoplasm of the urinary system, and its high rates of progression and recurrence contribute to a generally poor prognosis, especially in advanced cases. It is reported that disulfidptosis is closely related with tumor proliferation. We aimed to construct a disulfidptosis-associated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature that can predict prognosis and immune microenvironment in BCa.

Quality of Life After Laser Vision Correction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To analyze patients' quality of life (QOL) after laser vision correction (LVC) from a worldwide literature review. Studies of prospective or cross-sectional design which evaluated QOL in patients after LVC and compared that to preoperative values or a matched group of emmetropes were included. The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest were searched for relevant articles published until February 2024.

Macular, choroidal and disc associations across women's reproductive life stages: a scoping review from menarche to post-menopause.

Oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate cyclically in women throughout their adult lives. Although these hormones cross the blood-retinal barrier and bind to intraocular receptors, their effects remain unclear. We present the first review to date on associations between posterior pole structures-specifically the macula, choroid, and optic disc-and both the menstrual cycle and post-menopausal period, utilising multimodal imaging techniques in healthy adult non-pregnant women.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that are refractory to disease-modifying therapy (DMT). AHSCT after failure of high-efficacy DMT in aggressive forms of relapsing-remitting MS is a generally accepted indication, yet the optimal placement of this approach in the treatment sequence is not universally agreed upon. Uncertainties also remain with respect to other indications, such as in rapidly evolving, severe, treatment-naive MS, progressive MS, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Photoreceptor metabolic window unveils eye-body interactions.

Photoreceptors are specialized neurons at the core of the retina's functionality, with optical accessibility and exceptional sensitivity to systemic metabolic stresses. Here we show the ability of risk-free, in vivo photoreceptor assessment as a window into systemic health and identify shared metabolic underpinnings of photoreceptor degeneration and multisystem health outcomes. A thinner photoreceptor layer thickness is significantly associated with an increased risk of future mortality and 13 multisystem diseases, while systematic analyses of circulating metabolomics enable the identification of 109 photoreceptor-related metabolites, which in turn elevate or reduce the risk of these health outcomes.

Can large language models fully automate or partially assist paper selection in systematic reviews?

Background/aims: Large language models (LLMs) have substantial potential to enhance the efficiency of academic research. The accuracy and performance of LLMs in a systematic review, a core part of evidence building, has yet to be studied in detail.

Methods: We introduced two LLM-based approaches of systematic review: an LLM-enabled fully automated approach (LLM-FA) utilising three different GPT-4 plugins (Consensus GPT, Scholar GPT and GPT web browsing modes) and an LLM-facilitated semi-automated approach (LLM-SA) using GPT4's Application Programming Interface (API).

Nociplastic pain among individuals with chronic ocular surface pain: One cause for "pain without stain"?

Chronic ocular surface pain (COSP) refers to interrelated symptoms such as burning, aching, and irritation and can occur as an isolated condition or comorbid with numerous ocular disorders, including dry eye syndrome Treatments for COSP are largely aimed at the ocular surface and modulating pain arising from damaged corneal nerves; however, the average impact of these treatments on COSP are low to absent. A potential explanation for this is that, in a subset of patients with COSP, individuals have amplified and/or dysregulated neural signaling and sensory processing within the central nervous system (CNS). As in other chronic pain conditions, this might be the pathogenic mechanism primarily responsible for maintaining pain - a phenomenon now referred to as nociplastic pain.

Using a deep learning model to predict postoperative visual outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: This study assessed the performance of various deep learning models in predicting the postoperative outcomes of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery based on preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) images.

Design: Validation of algorithms to predict the outcomes of ERM surgery based on OCT data.

Methods: Internal training and validation were performed using 1,392 OCT images from 696 eyes.

Validation of a Visual Field Prediction Tool for Glaucoma: A Multicenter Study Involving Patients with Glaucoma In the United Kingdom.

Purpose: A previously developed machine-learning approach with Kalman-filtering technology accurately predicted disease trajectory for patients with various glaucoma types and severities using clinical trials data. This study assesses performance of the KF approach with real-world data.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

CRISPRi-based screens in iAssembloids to elucidate neuron-glia interactions.

The complexity of the human brain makes it challenging to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying brain function. Genome-wide association studies have uncovered variants associated with neurological phenotypes. Single-cell transcriptomics have provided descriptions of changes brain cells undergo during disease.

Aqueous Angiography Guided Bent Ab Interno Needle Goniectomy in High versus Low Aqueous Humor Outflow Regions in POAG: A Pilot RCT.

Prcis: Trabecular cutting minimally invasive glaucoma surgery like bent ab interno needle goniectomy (BANG) when performed in baseline aqueous angiography identified low aqueous humor outflow regions, results in greater success of intraocular pressure reduction.

Purpose: To study the efficacy of Bent Ab Interno Needle Goniectomy (BANG) in high versus low aqueous humor outflow (AHO) regions as determined by Aqueous Angiography(AA) in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).

Methods: A prospective, single-centre, pilot, randomized control trial recruited 30 eyes of 30 patients of POAG and visually significant cataract (45-80 y) and were randomised into two groups ("A": BANG performed in the high-flow regions and "B": BANG performed in the low-flow regions) of 15 each.

Comparison of Outcomes of Deep Sclerectomy, Canaloplasty, and Viscocanaloplasty: A Multi-Centred Study.

Prcis: Deep sclerectomy (DS) and canaloplasty provide better intraocular pressure (IOP) control than viscocanalostomy. DS required less glaucoma medications but more interventions to reach target IOP.

Purpose: To compare real-world outcomes of three non-penetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS) techniques.