Pharmacological blocking of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 reduces retinal neoangiogenesis and vascular leakage.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are leading causes of vision-loss evoked by retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage. The glycoprotein microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is an integrin αβ ligand present in the extracellular matrix. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal MFAP4 expression in cell-types in close proximity to vascular endothelial cells including choroidal vascular mural cells and retinal astrocytes and Müller cells.

A multicenter study of neurofibromatosis type 1 utilizing deep learning for whole body tumor identification.

Deep-learning models have shown promise in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions. Previous studies have primarily focused on specific anatomical regions, overlooking tumors occurring throughout the body with highly heterogeneous whole-body backgrounds. Using neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) as an example, this study developed highly accurate MRI-based deep-learning models for the early automated screening of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) against complex whole-body background.

Evaluation of transcriptomic changes after photobiomodulation in spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant cause of lifelong disability, with no available disease-modifying treatments to promote neuroprotection and axon regeneration after injury. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a promising therapy which has proven effective at restoring lost function after SCI in pre-clinical models. However, the precise mechanism of action is yet to be determined.

Stopping of adalimumab in juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (ADJUST): a multicentre, double-masked, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Adalimumab is an effective treatment for juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. Data are scarce on the effects of discontinuing adalimumab after control of the disease had been reached. We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of discontinuing treatment in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis.

Classification of Fibro-osseous Tumors in the Craniofacial Bones using DNA Methylation and Copy Number Alterations.

Fibro-osseous tumors of the craniofacial bones are a heterogeneous group of lesions comprising cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD), cemento-ossifying fibroma (COF), juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma (JTOF), psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (PsOF), fibrous dysplasia (FD), and low-grade osteosarcoma (LGOS) with overlapping clinicopathological features. However, their clinical behavior and treatment differ significantly, underlining the need for accurate diagnosis. Molecular diagnostic markers exist for subsets of these tumors, including GNAS mutations in FD, SATB2 fusions in PsOF, mutations involving the RAS-MAPK signaling pathway in COD, and MDM2 amplification in LGOS.

Arctiin suppress Th17 cells response and ameliorates experimental autoimmune uveitis through JAK/STAT signaling.

Conventional treatments for autoimmune uveitis, such as corticosteroids and systemic immunosuppressants, often result in adverse side effects, prompting the need for therapies targeting specific molecular pathways. This study investigates the effects of Arctiin, known for its diverse biological properties, on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) through its action on Th17 cells and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Our findings reveal that Arctiin significantly alleviates EAU by reducing clinical scores, inflammatory cell infiltration, and levels of inflammatory cytokines like IL-17 and TNF-α in the eye.

Severity grading of hypertensive retinopathy using hybrid deep learning architecture.

Background And Objectives: Hypertensive Retinopathy (HR) is a retinal manifestation resulting from persistently elevated blood pressure. Severity grading of HR is essential for patient risk stratification, effective management, progression monitoring, timely intervention, and minimizing the risk of vision impairment. Computer-aided diagnosis and artificial intelligence (AI) systems play vital roles in the diagnosis and grading of HR.

Bilateral Choroidal Metastases from Primary Cutaneous Melanoma Following Nivolumab Discontinuation: A Case Report.

Purpose: To present the case of a young patient with BRAF V600E-mutant cutaneous melanoma who developed bilateral choroidal metastases complicated by neovascular glaucoma (NVG) in both eyes following the interruption of nivolumab therapy.

Methods: A 28-year-old female with primary cutaneous melanoma of the left hand underwent surgical resection and adjuvant nivolumab. Immunotherapy was discontinued due to immune-related acute interstitial nephritis.

Pediatric, adult, and late onset multiple sclerosis: Cognitive phenotypes and gray matter atrophy.

Objectives: We aim to investigate cognitive phenotype distribution and MRI correlates across pediatric-, elderly-, and adult-onset MS patients as a function of disease duration.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 1262 MS patients and 238 healthy controls, with neurological and cognitive assessments. A subset of 222 MS patients and 92 controls underwent 3T-MRI scan for brain atrophy and lesion analysis.

Impact of COVID-19 on Ocular Surface Health: Infection Mechanisms, Immune Modulation, and Inflammatory Responses.

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has presented formidable challenges to global health since its emergence in late 2019. While primarily known for respiratory symptoms, it can also affect the ocular surface. This review summarizes the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on ocular surface immunity and inflammation, focusing on infection mechanisms, immune responses, and clinical manifestations.

Therapeutic Potential of Combined 5% Lifitegrast and Tocopherol Eye Drops in Managing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Murine Dry Eye.

: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combined 5% lifitegrast (LF) and tocopherol (TCP) eye drops in a murine experimental dry eye (EDE) model. Female C57BL/6 were divided into seven groups: untreated controls, EDE control, EDE + 0.05% cyclosporin A (CsA), EDE + tocopherol (TCP), EDE + 5% LF, EDE + 5% LF + TCP (once daily), and EDE + 5% LF + TCP (twice daily).

Advancing Insights into Pediatric Macular Diseases: A Comprehensive Review.

Pediatric macular disorders are a diverse group of inherited retinal diseases characterized by central vision loss due to dysfunction and degeneration of the macula, the region of the retina responsible for high-acuity vision. Common disorders in this category include Stargardt disease, Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, and X-linked retinoschisis. These conditions often manifest during childhood or adolescence, with symptoms such as progressive central vision loss, photophobia, and difficulty with fine visual tasks.

DNA Methyltransferase Expression (DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b) as a Potential Biomarker in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a global cause of vision loss, with limited therapeutic options highlighting the need for effective biomarkers. This study aimed to characterize plasma DNA methyltransferase expression (, , and ) in AMD patients and explore divergent expression patterns across different stages of AMD. : Thirty-eight AMD patients were prospectively enrolled and stratified by disease severity: eAMD, iAMD, nAMD, and aAMD.

Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience: Transformative Synergies in Brain Research and Clinical Applications.

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and neuroscience is redefining our understanding of the brain, unlocking new possibilities in research, diagnosis, and therapy. This review explores how AI's cutting-edge algorithms-ranging from deep learning to neuromorphic computing-are revolutionizing neuroscience by enabling the analysis of complex neural datasets, from neuroimaging and electrophysiology to genomic profiling. These advancements are transforming the early detection of neurological disorders, enhancing brain-computer interfaces, and driving personalized medicine, paving the way for more precise and adaptive treatments.

Mydriasis Stability During Cataract Surgery in Patients with Systemic Comorbidities Using a Standardised Combination of Intracameral Mydriatics and Anaesthetic.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate mydriasis stability during cataract surgery in patients with systemic comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) after a standardised combination of intracameral mydriatics and anaesthetic (SCIMA). Stable mydriasis is crucial for safe and effective phacoemulsification.

Methods: Patients were included if they achieved pupil dilation ≥6.

Prediction of Seven Artificial Intelligence-Based Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Formulas in Medium-Long Caucasian Eyes.

To compare the accuracy of seven artificial intelligence (AI)-based intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas in medium-long Caucasian eyes regarding the root-mean-square absolute error (RMSAE), the median absolute error (MedAE) and the percentage of eyes with a prediction error (PE) within ±0.5 D. Data on Caucasian patients who underwent uneventful phacoemulsification between May 2018 and September 2023 in MW-Med Eye Center, Krakow, Poland and Kyiv Clinical Ophthalmology Hospital Eye Microsurgery Center, Kyiv, Ukraine were reviewed.

Comparative Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Aflibercept and Brolucizumab in Human Aqueous Humor Using Nano-Surface and Molecular-Orientation Limited Proteolysis.

Aflibercept and brolucizumab, two anti-VEGF agents used as intravitreal injections in ophthalmology, differ significantly in molecular weight (aflibercept-115 kDa and brolucizumab-26 kDa). Using aqueous humor samples collected after drug administration, we measured and performed a comparative analysis of pharmacokinetics and half-lives of these drugs in the human eye. Since the quantification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) using antigen-antibody reactions, such as ELISA, is influenced by endogenous ligands or anti-drug antibodies, we employed nano-surface and molecular-orientation limited proteolysis (nSMOL), combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), for accurate measurements.

Sonic Hedgehog Determines Early Retinal Development and Adjusts Eyeball Architecture.

The eye primordium of vertebrates initially forms exactly at the side of the head. Later, the eyeball architecture is tuned to see ahead with better visual acuity, but its molecular basis is unknown. The position of both eyes in the face alters in patients with holoprosencephaly due to () mutations that disturb the development of the ventral midline of the neural tube.

Relationship Between the Use of Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches for Monitoring Physical Activity and the Sociodemographic Characteristics of Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Lockdown.

: The use of wearable fitness technology is a trend nowadays and has significant potential in promoting an active lifestyle among long-term care (LTC) residents. The objectives of this observational study were to examine the use of fitness trackers and smartwatches for monitoring physical activity and to analyze the relationship between the use of these technological solutions and the sociodemographic characteristics of LTC residents during the COVID-19 lockdown. : Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 198 LTC residents stationed in eleven organizational units that provide long-term accommodation services for older adults in the city of Zagreb in Croatia.

Compound Heterozygous p.(R124C) (Classic Lattice Corneal Dystrophy) and p.(R124H) (Granular Corneal Dystrophy Type 2) in : Phenotype, Genotype, and Treatment.

(1) Background: The phenotypes of classic lattice corneal dystrophy (LCD) and granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2) that result from abnormalities in gene () have previously been described. The phenotype of compound heterozygous classic LCD and GCD2, however, has not yet been reported. (2) Case report: A 39-year-old male (proband) presented to our clinic complaining of decreased vision bilaterally.

Clinical Characteristics, Pathogen Distribution, and Factors Affecting Visual Outcomes of Pediatric Post-Traumatic Endophthalmitis.

This study aimed to investigate the etiology, pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility, treatments, and factors influencing the visual prognosis of pediatric post-traumatic endophthalmitis (PTE) to provide valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. A total of 301 children were included, with 142 (47.2%) cultures yielding positive results.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis and Pregnancy-Do We Have All the Answers for a Woman Who Desires to Conceive?-Literature Review.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare, progressive, and poor-prognosis systemic disorder that primarily affects women of reproductive age, with a higher prevalence among individuals of Caucasian origin. However, there are limited reliable data on the prevalence of LAM during pregnancy. The fulminant respiratory clinical presentation that often includes progressive dyspnea on exertion, cough, or hemoptysis, frequently complicated by pneumothorax, and the increased risk of spontaneous abortion due to increased estrogen and progesterone production during gestation, are arguments that most often make the diagnosed woman avoid pregnancy.

A Systematic Review of Micropulse Laser Trabeculoplasty (MLT) in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) Management: Efficacy, Safety, and Future Perspectives.

Background/objectives: Micropulse laser trabeculoplasty (MLT) is gaining attention as a non-invasive treatment option for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), offering an alternative to traditional surgeries and medications. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness, safety, and potential of MLT in glaucoma management.

Methods: This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Development and Evaluation of Polymethacrylate-Based Ophthalmic Nanofiber Inserts Containing Dual Drug-Loaded Dorzolamide and Timolol: In Vivo Study in Rabbit's Eye.

The aim of the study was to create a nanofiber insert incorporating Timolol (TIM) and Dorzolamide (DOR), targeting the management of glaucoma. This condition encompasses a variety of chronic, advancing ocular disorders typically associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The insert was made of Eudragite RL100 (EUD) polymer, a biocompatible material with high bioavailability, using the electrospinning method.

Fetal Hemoglobin as a Predictive Biomarker for Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study in Portugal.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of vision impairment in preterm infants, with its pathogenesis linked to oxygen exposure. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, commonly performed in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), reduce fetal hemoglobin (HbF) fraction, altering oxygen dynamics and potentially contributing to ROP. We aimed to investigate the relationship between RBC transfusions, HbF percentage, and ROP, evaluating HbF as a potential predictive biomarker.