Dual roles of different redox forms of complement factor H in protecting against age related macular degeneration.

Complement Factor H (CFH) is an important inhibitor of the alternate complement pathway in Bruch's membrane (BM), located between the choriocapillaris and the retinal pigment epithelium. Furthermore dysfunction of its activity as occurs with certain polymorphisms is associated with an increased risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD). The retina is a site of high generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and dysfunction of redox homeostasis in this milieu also contributes to AMD pathogenesis.

Oral Memantine for the Treatment of Glaucoma: Design and Results of 2 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Studies.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral memantine as a potential neuroprotective agent in open-angle glaucoma (OAG) at risk for progression.

Design: Two randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter, 48-month studies identically designed, initiated 1 year apart, and completed in 2006. Protocol amendments included a 1-year extension (first study) and change in primary endpoint and analysis (second study).

Nitration of tyrosines in complement factor H domains alters its immunological activity and mediates a pathogenic role in age related macular degeneration.

Nitrosative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of age related macular degeneration (AMD). Tyrosine nitration is a unique type of post translational modification that occurs in the setting of inflammation and nitrosative stress. To date, the significance and functional implications of tyrosine nitration of complement factor H (CFH), a key complement regulator in the eye has not been explored, and is examined in this study in the context of AMD pathogenesis.

Evaluation of Nonperfused Retinal Vessels in Ischemic Retinopathy.

Purpose: Retinal ischemia has been traditionally assessed by fluorescein angiography, visualizing perfused vessels. However, this method does not provide any information about nonperfused vessels, and although it is often assumed that vessels in ischemic areas regress, we know little about how nonperfused retinal vessels change over time. Here, we aim to learn more about the long-term fate of nonperfused vessels in the retinal vasculature.

The Fifth Domain of Beta 2 Glycoprotein I Protects from Natural IgM Mediated Cardiac Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury.

Reperfusion after a period of ischemia results in reperfusion injury (IRI) which involves activation of the inflammatory cascade. In cardiac IRI, IgM natural antibodies (NAb) play a prominent role through binding to altered neoepitopes expressed on damaged cells. Beta 2 Glycoprotein I (β2GPI) is a plasma protein that binds to neoepitopes on damaged cells including anionic phospholipids through its highly conserved Domain V.

Do Beta 2-Glycoprotein I Disulfide Bonds Protect the Human Retina in the Setting of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects the region of the retina that is responsible for high-resolution vision. It is a major cause of blindness in the aging population. This is the first study that examines the association of redox-modified, cysteine-based, post-translational forms of beta 2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) in the plasma of individuals with early and late stages of patients with AMD compared with controls.

Validating a hospital medicines formulary survey in the Western Pacific Region--a global hospital pharmacy initiative based on the Basel Statements.

Background: In 2008, the Basel Statements were developed to reflect the future of hospital pharmacy worldwide. Included were a key set of statements regarding the expanding role of hospital pharmacists' influence on prescribing from the management of medicines formularies to being an active member of the therapeutic decision-making process.

Objectives: This study aimed to validate a survey to measure Basel Statement 26 regarding the role of medicines formularies and the factors that affect its use in the Western Pacific Region (WPR).

Subconjunctival triamcinolone treatment for non-necrotising anterior scleritis.

Aims: To determine the outcome of treatment with subconjunctival triamcinolone acetate for non-necrotising anterior scleritis and to review the literature on this treatment.

Methods: A retrospective, interventional case series of 12 patients who had failed systemic therapy, treated with 25 subconjunctival triamcinolone for non-necrotising anterior scleritis.

Results: Complete resolution of symptoms and signs of scleral inflammation occurred after 23 out of the 25 injections administered.

In vitro comparison of lagged and nonlagged screw fixation of metacarpal fractures in cadavers.

Purpose: Lag screw fixation is reported to provide the most biomechanically stable construct for fixation of oblique or spiral metacarpal fractures. Lag screws are inserted after overdrilling the proximal cortex, resulting in compression at the fracture site. Minor drilling errors can result in poor screw purchase, instability, and ultimately impaired fracture healing.

Improvements in sexual health testing among gay men in Sydney, Australia, 2003-2007.

In order to be effective, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing should be comprehensive based on the clients' sexuality and risk practices. Using data from the Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey, we explored trends in and factors associated with STI testing among gay men during 2003-2007. Among men who were not HIV-positive, 68% were tested for HIV in 2007.

Six-year review of Acanthamoeba keratitis in New South Wales, Australia: 1997-2002.

Aim: To assess the incidence and risk factors for Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), the diagnostic interval, and the efficacy and outcome of current treatment among the population of New South Wales, Australia.

Methods: A retrospective review was carried out of all cases of AK treated at the Sydney Eye Hospital between January 1997 and December 2002.

Results: Twenty patients were identified with a mean follow up of 24.