ABSTRACT
AIM: To observe the epithelial remodeling of femtosecond laser-assisted stromal lenticule addition keratoplasty combined with corneal collagen cross-linking(SLAK-CXL)in patients with progressive keratoconus, investigate the remodeling rules of corneal epithelial and influencing factors, and provide clinical data for further refractive correction.METHODS: Retrospective and observational study. A total of 28 keratoconus patients(29 eyes)who received SLAK-CXL from September 2020 to October 2021 were included. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure(IOP), diopter, keratometry and corneal epithelial thickness(CET)were recorded. The trend of CET change was observed. The factors affecting CET were analyzed according to the thickness and depth of the lenticule.RESULTS: Flattest meridian keratometry(Kf)and steepest meridian keratometry(Ks)at 1mo postoperatively were significantly larger than those preoperatively(P<0.05). The thinnest corneal thickness(TCT)at 1, 2, 6mo and 1a postoperatively were significantly larger than preoperative(P<0.05). The CET changed with time, with the central CET showing a larger variation tendency. The CET of superior, superior nasal, nasal, superior temporal in paracentral area were thinned, the CET of superior, temporal, superior temporal in midperipheral area were thinned, while the CET of superior nasal was thickened in peripheral area at 1, 2, 6mo and 1a postoperatively. The variation of CET was not correlated with the thickness or depth of lenticule at 1a postoperatively(P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: It is firstly found that the corneal morphology has changed after SLAK-CXL. CET decreases and then increases and then decreases again. At 1a postoperatively, the CET of the central and paracentral areas is thinner, while the CET of the midperipheral and peripheral areas is thicker. The degree of epithelial remodeling is not correlated with lenticule thickness or depth.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the characteristics of changes in corneal epithelial thickness at the early postoperative stage of femtosecond assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)and its related influencing factors.METHOD: Retrospective study. A total of 120 patients(240 eyes)of myopia undergoing FS-LASIK from May 2021 to June 2022 were selected. The corneal epithelium thickness in the central area, inner ring area, and outer ring area of patients before and at 1d, 1wk, 1 and 3mo after operation was recorded. The relationship between the variation of corneal epithelium thickness and spherical equivalent, optical zone diameter, depth of cut and cutting ratio was analyzed by Pearson correlation.RESULTS: There was no statistical significance in corneal epithelial thickness in the central area, inner ring area and outer ring area at 1d after FS-LASIK compared with that before operation(P>0.05). At 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery, the corneal epithelial thickness in the central area, inner ring area and outer ring area increased compared with that before surgery, and the corneal epithelial thickness in the central area and inner ring area at 1 and 3mo after surgery was greater than that in the outer ring area(all P<0.05). The corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas of high myopia patients was thicker than that of low and moderate myopia patients before operation. The corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas of high myopia patients was thinner than that of low and moderate myopia patients at 1wk after operation(P<0.05). At 1 and 3mo after operation, the corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas of patients with high myopia was greater than that of patients with low and moderate myopia, and the changes of corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas were greater than those of patients with low and moderate myopia(P<0.05). The results of Pearson correlation showed that the changes in corneal epithelial thickness in the central and inner ring area were positively correlated with the corneal curvature, depth of cut and cutting ratio at 3mo after surgery, and they were in negative correlation with the age, spherical equivalent and optical zone diameter(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The corneal epithelial thickness of patients thickened after the FS-LASIK operation, and it was correlated with age, corneal curvature, preoperative depth of cut, cutting ratio, spherical equivalent and the optic zone diameter.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine the pattern of corneal thickness and epithelial thickness distribution in healthy North Indian eyes by using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD?OCT). Methods: The observational study measured total corneal and epithelial thickness in the central 2 mm zone and eight sectors each in paracentral 2�mm (ring 1) and midperipheral 5�mm (ring 2) zones on SD?OCT. Results: The study included 67 eyes of 67 subjects with a male:female ratio of 32:35 and mean age of 25.04 � 4.54 years. The mean central corneal and epithelial thicknesses were 505.97 � 30.12 ?m and 60.48 � 8.37 ?m, respectively. The epithelium of inferior and infero?nasal sectors in ring 1 and inferior sector in ring 2 was significantly thicker than the radially opposite sectors of the respective rings (P = 0.001; P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). Sector?wise analysis did not reveal any significant correlation between the total corneal thickness and epithelial thickness (all P > 0.05) except in the outer superior sector where there was a weak positive correlation (r = 0.28, P = 0.02). Central epithelial thickness in males (60.59 � 9.28 ?m) and females (60.37 � 7.58 ?m) was comparable (P = 0.91). Pachymetry was thinnest in the inferior, inferonasal, and inferotemporal sectors in 44.79% of eyes (n = 30), while thinnest epithelium was seen in the superior, superonasal, and superotemporal quadrants in 50.75% of eyes (n = 34). Conclusion: The epithelial thickness distribution in this sample of topographically normal healthy North Indian eyes was nonuniform and independent of the underlying corneal thickness. Epithelium was thinner in the superior cornea, whereas total corneal thickness was minimum in the inferior part
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To compare the corneal epithelial thickness among various age groups of normal Indians with 9?mm?wide optical coherence tomography scans. Methods: This cross sectional, observational study recruited patients in the age groups of 5–20 years (group 1), 21–35 years (group 2), 36–50 years (group 3), and more than 51 years (group 4). They underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination and were excluded if found to have any ocular surface or intraocular disease (except cataract and refractive error), undergone any ophthalmic surgery, corneal topography changes suggestive of corneal ectasias, or been continuously using any topical medication in either eye for a period of 3 months or more with the last instillation being within 1 month of inclusion in the study. Corneal epithelial thickness (CET) was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS?OCT). The CET data from 25 sectors in each eye were analyzed for each age group. Results: There were 71 subjects in group 1, 76 subjects in group 2, 59 subjects in group 3, and 57 subjects in group 4. The mean (± standard deviation) ages in the groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 14.04 ± 5.10, 26.63 ± 4.71, 42.66 ± 3.92, and 61.65 ± 7.47 years, respectively. The central corneal thickness in all age groups was comparable. Maximum variance in CET parameters was seen in superior cornea. Conclusion: Central corneal thickness remains fairly stable over various age groups. The maximum variance in CET over age is seen in superior cornea. The findings from the Indian population correlate well with racially and geographically distinct subjects.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT@#Salmon skin extract contains high proline and hydroxyproline, and has been suggested as a potential topical agent for traumatic oral ulcer healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of salmon skin extract as traumatic oral ulcer healing. A total of 32 Wistar rats (200 g to 250 g) were distributed into four groups. Group 1 served as the control group (no treatment), Group 2 was topically treated with salmon skin extract agent 4%, Group 3 was topically treated with salmon skin extract agent 5%, and Group 4 was topically treated with salmon skin extract agent 6%. Traumatic ulcers at lip mucosa were performed in all rats and 0.1 ml salmon skin extract was applied on the ulcer twice daily for seven days. The animals were euthanised on the last day of treatment. Biopsy specimens were taken from the lip mucosa in all rats for epithelial thickness evaluation and the study for number of fibroblasts by histological analysis. Significant increase in epithelial thickness and the number of fibroblasts (p > 0.05) was observed in salmon skin extract treatment groups as compared to the control group. Salmon skin extract 6% treatment group had the highest epithelial thickness and the number of fibroblasts amongst the study groups. Salmon skin extract promises an innovative topical application treatment for traumatic oral ulcer healing. Salmon skin extract 6% was the most effective concentration for traumatic oral ulcer healing.
Subject(s)
Epithelial Cells , FibroblastsABSTRACT
Objective@# To investigate the effects of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) on the repair of oral mucosal defects and to provide the basis for soft tissue growth in oral implant operations.@*Methods@#Thirty-six healthy male Japanese big ear rabbits were randomly divided into the PRF group, ADM group, Autograft group (autologous connective tissue transplantation group) and Control group (blank control group); each group contained nine rabbits. Between the midline and the hard palate maxillary incisors, in an 8-mm location preparation and a 10-mm standard mucosa defect, the ADM group, PRF and Autograft group were implanted with ADM, autologous PRF and autologous cornification mucosa, respectively, whereas the control group had wound gauze compression processing at 7, 14, and 21 days to determine the wound healing rate in the area selected by HE staining. The inflammatory grade and average epithelial thickness were observed, and the results were statistically analyzed.@*Results @#Compared with the control group, the PRF, ADM and Autograft groups had significantly advanced wound healing (P < 0.05). The wound healing degree in the PRF group was similar to that of the ADM group at all time points (P > 0.05). The wound healing degree in the PRF and ADM groups was lower than that of the Autograft group at each time point (P < 0.05). HE staining results showed that compared with the control group, the levels of inflammation in the PRF group, ADM group and Autograft group were reduced, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference between the PRF, ADM and Autograft groups (P > 0.05). The epithelial thickness in the ADM group was similar to that in the Autograft group (P > 0.05). The epithelial thickness in the ADM group was higher than that in the PRF group at 7 d and 14 d (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference at 21 d (P > 0.05).@*Conclusion @#PRF and ADM have similar healing effects in repairing oral mucosa defects, and they can be used as soft tissue augmentation materials instead of connective tissue transplantation.
ABSTRACT
@#AIM: To evaluate the changes in corneal epithelial thickness in corneal grafts following penetrating keratoplasty(PK)using anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT), and to determine the role of epithelial thickness mapping in the early detection of graft rejection.<p>METHODS: This prospective comparative observational study included 20 patients(20 eyes)who underwent PK as study group and 16 patients(16 eyes)as control group. Corneal epithelial thickness mapping using AS-OCT was performed at 2wk, 1 and 3mo postoperatively. The parameters of epithelial thickness and distribution at the 3mo were compared to 16 patients(16 eyes)with allograft rejection following PK.<p>RESULTS: There was significant decline in the superior, inferior, maximum, and minimum epithelial thickness values of the study group at 1mo compared to 2wk(<i>P</i>=0.0004, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.04 respectively)with no significant differences at 3mo compared to 1mo(<i>P</i>=0.4, 0.1, 0.8)respectively. Percentage of reduction in epithelial thickness was significantly higher than that of stromal thickness at 1mo compared to 2wk(<i>P</i>=0.04). The epithelial thickness maps showed a similar pattern of epithelial thickness distribution in the study group and in the rejection group showing considerable corneal edema. However, the allograft rejection group showed irregular pattern of epithelial thickness distribution in patients showing relatively higher central corneal thickness(CCT)as measured by pachymetry map.<p>CONCLUSION: Quantitative assessment of graft epithelial remodeling following PK shows early changes that contribute to significant corneal graft thickness changes. Changes in corneal epithelial thickness and pattern of distribution could be used as an indicator for corneal graft rejection.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The presence of the thymus gland during early life is essential for the normal development ofimmune system and as well as proper maturation of the hypothalamic – pituitary- gonadal axis. This study wasto investigate the influence of thymus gland on male reproductive function.Aim: The aim of this study to investigate the effect of thymectomy on Morphometric changes of gonads inneonatal, prepubertal and pubertal thymectamized male guinea pigs.Material and Methods: In this study, a total of thirty male guinea pigs, thymectamized (n-6) and sham-operated(n-4) were studied in each group. The comparison of diameter of seminiferous tubules, luminal diameter andepithelial thickness in the thymectamized and sham operated male guinea pigs.Results: No Significant changes in the morphometry of seminiferous tubules of testis in thymectamized maleguinea pigs compared to the sham-operated guinea pigs in all age groups. These results suggest that thymectomyhad no detrimental effects on reproductive system in males at any intervals.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the application of the lower tear meniscus parameters measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in dry eye diagnosis.Methods A prospective randomized clinical controlled study was conducted.One hundred and thirteen dry eye patients (226 eyes) and 206 healthy volunteers (410 eyes) were enrolled from May 2015 to October 2016 in Shanxi Eye Hospital.The lower tear meniscus height (LTMH),lower tear meniscus area (LTMA),lower tear meniscus depth (LTMD),the corneal epithelial thickness (CET) at central 6 mm and the corneal thickness at central 6 mm were measured by RTVue-XR.The measurement results of the two groups were compared and the ROC curve was drawn.The dry eye group and the control group were divided into four age groups:＞20-30 years old,＞30-40 years old,＞40-50 years old and ＞50-60 years old.The changes of the parameters of the tear crescent in different age groups were compared.The changes of the lower tear meniscus with age were analyzed by linear regression equation.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanxi Eye Hospital.All operations were performed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration,and written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to any medical examination.Results The values of LTMH,LTMD and LTMA in dry eye group were (216.08±67.26) μm,(116.50±29.13) μm,(0.012 9±0.006 7) mm2,respectively,which were lower than (333.71±50.38) μm,(139.56±28.76) μm,(0.026 6±0.007 4)mm2 in control group,with statistical significance between the two groups (all at P＜0.05).The CET values of each quadrant in the central area of 2 mm,2-5 mm and 5-6 mm in the dry eye group were significantly lower than those in the control group,with statistically significant differences between the two groups (all at P＜0.05).The corneal thickness of central 5-6 mm region,1/8 above the superior nasal quadrant in the central range of 2-5 mm and 1/8 above the superior quadrant was not statistically significant between the two group (all at P＞0.05);the corneal thickness values of the other quadrant in dry eye groups were lower than those in control group,the differences were statistically significant (all at P＜0.05).The cut-off values of LTMH,LTMD,LTMA,CET at central 2 mm and corneal thickness at central 2 mm were 269.83 μm,122.02 μm,0.023 2 mm2,54.16 μm,531.50 μm,respectively,the sensitivity were 85.4％,88.9％ 96.5％,77.0％,66.8％,respectively;the specificity were 91.7％,70.5％,75.1％,56.8％,59.8％,respectively.The values of LTMA,LTMH and LTMD in each age group of dry eye group were significantly lower than those of the control group (all at P＜0.05).Linear regression analysis showed that LTMH was decreased by 3.966 μm and LTMD was decreased by 2.381 μm along with the increase of 1 year age in the control group,while LTMH was decreased by 1.293 μm along with the increase of 1 year age in the dry eye group.Compared with the control group,the area of the lower tear crescent image in the dry eye group was reduced,the boundary line was blurred and the coherence was poor in varying degrees,and the turbidity of the tear was increased.Conclusions AS-0CT can objectively reflect the shape of the lower tear meniscus parameters,central CET and central corneal thickness changes.The LTMH and LTMD of normal people are decreased with the increase of age.LTMA and LTMH have high diagnostic efficacy for dry eye and are expected to become one of the important methods for dry eye screening.
ABSTRACT
@#AIM: To investigate the changes of corneal epithelial thickness following small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE), and its relationship with the ablation depth, spherical equivalent and optical zone. <p>METHODS: Sixty-one myopic patients with or without astigmatism who underwent SMILE in our hospital from August 2017 to November 2017 were selected. RTvue-OCT was performed before surgery, 1wk, 1mo and 6mo after surgery, respectively, and the corneal epithelial thickness of patients were measured. The changes of corneal epithelial thickness following small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE), and its relationship with the ablation depth, spherical equivalent and optical zone were studied.<p>RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the thickness of corneal epithelium among the three regions(central corneal region, para-central corneal region and peripheral region)before surgery(<i>P</i>>0.05). Compared with the baseline values before surgery, the thickness of corneal epithelium in the three areas was significantly thickened 1wk, 1mo and 6mo after surgery(<i>P</i><0.05). The changes of corneal epithelium thickness in the three areas showed a significant decreasing trend from the central corneal area to the peripheral area, that is, the corneal epithelium thickened in the shape of a convex lens. The values of corneal epithelium thickness in the central and para-central areas were positively correlated with the equivalent sphericity and ablation depth, but there was no significant correlation with the optical zone.<p>CONCLUSION: The corneal epithelial thickness increases after SMILE in different regions, and the thickening value was positively correlated with the spherical equivalent, ablation depth.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To assess the lower tear meniscus height (LTMH), central tear film thickness (CTFT), and central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) after deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).@*METHODS@#This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 20 patients who had DALK in one eye over a three-month period. LTMH, CTFT, and CCET of the operated eyes and the unoperated fellow eyes were measured using high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT). Correlations between three OCT assessments and age, time following surgery, graft size, bed size, and the number of residual sutures were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Compared to patients with keratoconus, patients with other corneal conditions had significantly higher CCET in the fellow eye (P=0.024). For all patients, CCET in the operated eye was significantly negatively correlated with the number of residual sutures (R=-0.579, P=0.008), and was significantly positively correlated with time following surgery (R=0.636, P=0.003). In the fellow eye, a significant positive correlation was found between age and CCET (R=0.551, P=0.012), and a significant negative correlation between age and CTFT (R=-0.491, P=0.028). LTMH was found to be significantly correlated between operated and fellow eyes (R=0.554, P=0.011). There was no significant correlation between LTMH and age, bed/graft size, time following surgery, or residual sutures (all possible correlations, P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Patients with keratoconus tend to have a thinner central corneal epithelium. Corneal epithelium keeps regenerating over time after DALK. DALK did not induce a significant change in tear volume compared with the fellow eye. Postoperative tear function might depend on an individual's general condition, rather than on age, gender, bed/graft size, time following surgery, or residual sutures.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Corneal Transplantation , Cross-Sectional Studies , Epithelium, Corneal/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Tears , Tomography, Optical CoherenceABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the thickness of cornea and corneal epithelium in healthy subjects by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Methods Totally 100 healthy subjects aged between 20 and 30 years were analyzed by OCTA technique.Using AngioVue OCTA system of retinal imaging mode,and using SSADA algorithm for imaging,the cornea and the corneal epithelium in the central corneal diameter range of 9 mm were measured.The differences of corneal and corneal epithelial thickness in different gender regions were compared.Results In the male and female group,the corneal central total thickness were (559.92 ±33.26) μm and(540.06 ±31.63)μm,and the corneal epithelial thickness were(57.78 ±4.88) μm and(56.88 ±4.57) μm,The total central corneal thickness and central corneal epithelial thickness of the male were greater than those of the female,the difference was statistically significant (t =3.06,2.10;all P ＜ 0.05).The cornea of male was the thickest at S5,S7 and SN9,there were significant differences at S5 and S7 compared with female (t =2.93,2.83;all P ＜ 0.05);The female cornea was the thickest at S5,SN7 and SN9,and the difference was significant at S5 compared with male.The cornea of male subjects was the thinnest at IT,which was statistically significant only at IT5 compared with female subjects in the same area (t =2.02,P ＜ 0.05);The cornea of female subjects was the thinnest at T5,IT7 and T9,which was statistically significant only at T5 and T9 compared with male subjects in the same region (t =2.63,2.20;all P ＜ 0.05);There was significant difference in corneal thickness between male and female at ST (t =3.1 1,2.79,2.33;all P ＜ 0.05).The corneal epithelium was the thickest at IT5,I7,and I9,and the lowest at S5,S7 and S9,and there was no significant difference compared with female in the same region (all P ＞ 0.05).The corneal epithelium of female at the IT5,T7,N9 were the thickest,SN5,S7,S9 were the thinnest;Except for M2 and SN5,there was no significant differences in corneal epithelium between male and female groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Corneal central epithelium accounted for the largest percentage of total corneal thickness,and gradually decreased from inside to outside.Conclusion OCTA can be used to measure the thickness of corneal and corneal epithelial regions.
ABSTRACT
Background Corneal epithelial remodeling will happen after laser refractive surgery,But there have been few studies to evaluate the changes of the corneal epithelial thickness after integrated transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TranspRK).Objective This study was to evaluate the changes in epithelial thickness profile within the optical zone and its related factors following TransPRK for myopia.Methods In this retrospective non-randomized controlled study,forty-three patients (43 eyes) who underwent TransPRK with the spherical equivalent refraction-1.25 to-6.25 D from August 2014 to May 2015 in Jinan Mingshui Eye Hospital were included under the informed consent.Epithelial thickness was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in different corneal zones (central,2 mm;paracentral,2-5 mm,and mid-peripheral,5-6 mm) preoperatively at 1 week and 1,3,and 6 months postoperatively.Correlations between epithelial thickness changes and the amount of correction,optical zone,and Q-value changes (△Q) were analyzed 6 months postoperatively.Results The mean epithelial thickness in the central zone were (53.97±4.33),(51.03 ±4.11),(55.14±5.46) and (56.68 ± 5.09) μm at 1 week,1 month,3 months and 6 months after surgery,respectively.The epithelium were thicker at 3 months and 6 months after surgery compared to preoperative measurements ([52.37±3.42] μm),with significant differences between them (both at P＜0.05).Compared to preoperative values,the epithelial thickness at 6 months after surgery was (3.69 ±4.23),(5.19 ±3.88) and (6.23 ±3.91) μm thicker in the center,paracenter,and midperiphery zone,respectively,with significant differences between them (all at P ＜ 0.01).Epithelial thickness was positively correlated with programmed spherial equivalent correction and △Q (all at P＜0.05).A significant positive relationship was observed between epithelial thickening and ablation depth paracentrally and mid-peripherally (r=0.380,0.383;both at P＜0.05).Significantly negative relationships were observed between epithelial thickening and optical zone at the center,paracenter,and mid-periphery,respectively (r =0.405,0.485,0.384;all at P＜0.05).No correlation betwcen epithelial thickness change and ablation depth at the central zone was detected (P＞0.05).Conclusions The epithelial thickness shows a lenticular change with more thickening mid-Peripherally after TransPRK,which results in increased oblateness postoperatively.Epithelial remodeling may modify the profile after surface ablation.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Grape is one of the most important fruit crops across the world and can be consumed in different ways. There has been a growing interest in the role of antioxidants such as resveratrol, which can be found in grape skin, in oral and dental tissues. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the effect of different presentations of resveratrol on cell proliferation and epithelial thickness of the oral mucosa of Wistar rats. Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: water/control, red wine, grape juice, 12% alcoholic solution/ethanol and aqueous solution of resveratrol. Samples of palatal and tongue mucosa were collected for a histomorphometric analysis using hematoxylin-eosin staining and the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) technique for quantification of cell proliferation. Results: As to epithelial thickness, both the tongue and the palate showed a statistically significant difference between the control group and the other groups, with greater decrease in the resveratrol and the wine groups. In the suprabasal layer of both the tongue and the palate epithelium, red wine reduced the rate of cell proliferation, while ethanol increased it. In the basal layer of the tongue epithelium, there was a statistically significant difference between the control, the grape juice and the resveratrol groups and the ethanol group, with increased cell proliferation in the ethanol group. Conclusions: Wine does not interfere in the physiological renewal of the basal layer of the buccal epithelium and exerts a protective action by reducing the cell proliferation rate of the suprabasal layer (AU)
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Epithelium/anatomy & histology , Mouth Mucosa/cytology , Stilbenes/pharmacology , Epithelial Cells/cytology , Ethanol/chemistry , Fruit and Vegetable Juices/analysis , Rats, Wistar/anatomy & histology , Vitis/chemistry , Wine/analysisABSTRACT
Purpose: To study fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics in patients with typical retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and correlate them to visual acuity. Design: Retrospective observational case series. Methods: 110 eyes of 56 RP patients were included. FAF and SD-OCT imaging were done for all eyes. Extent of the autofluorescence ring, central foveal thickness, photoreceptor outer-segment length (PROS), foveal outer segment pigment epithelial thickness (FOSPET), and inner segment-outer segment (IS-OS) extent were defined and measured and correlated to logMAR best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using linear regression. Results: Study included 110 eyes of 56 patients (34 male and 22 female). Mean BCVA was 0.33 logMAR with no difference between genders. The mean age of patients was 15.4 ± 15.1 years. Mean autofluorescence extent was 3590 ± 1994 μm horizontally, and 2880 ± 1836 μm vertically. These values were significantly correlated with preserved IS/OS junction extent (mean values horizontally = 2865 μm and vertically = 2464 μm). Mean central retinal thickness (218.74 μm) and PROS (44.85 μm) were significantly correlated to BCVA with correlation coefficient r = –0.189, P = 0.015; and r = –0.874, P = 0.0001, respectively. FOSPET (mean = 71.15 μm) did not show a significant correlation with BCVA, independent of PROS. Conclusions: Retinal microstructural changes as studied on SD-OCT, especially PROS length can be used as a surrogate marker to monitor degenerative diseases such as RP. Further, studies are required to clearly delineate the microstructuralfunctional relationship in the human retina.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of an amniotic membrane patch on corneal epithelial thickness and formation of hemidesmosomes during corneal stromal wound healing. METHODS: A stromal wound 9 mm in diameter and 130 microm in depth was created on rabbit cornea using a microkeratome. The changes in corneal epithelial thickness and hemidesmosome formations were compared between the amniotic membrane, contact lens, and control groups. Changes in the corneal epithelium were examined using H&E staining and hemidesmosome formation was examined using an electron microscope at 2 and 4 weeks after flap removal. RESULTS: Two weeks after treatment, the corneal epithelial thickness was 95.3 +/- 6.3 microm in the amniotic membrane group being significantly thicker than 76.4 +/- 5.1 microm in the contact lens group and 68.3 +/- 6.1 microm in the control group. Furthermore, more hemidesmosome formations were observed in the amniotic membrane group compared to the other 2 groups. However, there were no significant differences in corneal epithelial thickness or hemidesmosome formation among the 3 groups at week 4. CONCLUSIONS: The amniotic membrane group showed a thicker corneal epithelium and more hemidesmosome formation than the other 2 groups 2 weeks after flap removal. Thus, the use of an amniotic membrane patch appears to be effective in the early stages of corneal stromal wound healing.
Subject(s)
Amnion , Cornea , Electrons , Epithelium, Corneal , Hemidesmosomes , Wound HealingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy to the head and neck area, is a common acute complication and is considered as the most severe symptom for cancer patients in the early stages of treatment. This study was proposed to establish the oral mucositis mouse model induced by a single dose of radiation for the facility of testing therapeutic candidates which can be used for the oral mucositis treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: control, 16 Gy, 18 Gy, and 20 Gy. Oral mucositis was induced by a single dose of radiation to the head and neck using 6 MV x-Ray from linear accelerator. After irradiation, body weight and physical abnormalities were checked daily. Tongue tissues from all groups were taken on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 14, respectively and H&E staining was conducted to examine morphological changes. RESULTS: Body weight dramatically decreased after day 5 in all irradiated mice. In the 16 Gy treatment group, body weight was recovered on day 14. The histology data showed that the thickness of the epithelial cell layer was decreased by the accumulated time after radiation treatment, up to day 9. Severe ulceration was revealed on day 9. CONCLUSION: A single dose of 16 Gy is sufficient dose to induce oral mucositis in Balb/C mice. Significant changes were observed in the Balb/C mice on days 7 and 9 after radiation. It is suggested that this mouse model might be a useful standard tool for studying oral mucositis induced by radiation.
Subject(s)
Mice , AnimalsABSTRACT
Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) in high myopia frequently cause corneal opacity and myopic regression. In cases of corneal opacity, corneal histopathologic changes were developed and cellular damages were occured. To find the relationship between histologic changes and expression of c-fos, the author studied on the histologic findings for corneal epithelial thickness, stromal PMN cells, and keratocytes and immnunohistochemical stain for c-fos after myopic excimer laser PRK. Thirty Newzealand white rabbits(60 eyes) were divided into four groups : -6D, -9D, -15D, and control group. Myopic excimer laser PRK was carried out on the cornea to correct the amounts of -6D, -9D, and -15D myopia with Excimer laser (VisX 20/20, Sunnyvale, USA). The corneal status was examined using a slit lamp. The eyes were enucleated at 6, 24, 48 hours, 1 week and 8 weeks after operation. The corneas were obtained and sectioned for H-E and immunohistochemical stains. Corneal opacity was found with the mean density of 0.83(-6D group), 1 (-9D group), and 1.67(-15D group) 8 weeks after the operation. Corneal epithelial thickness and stromal keratocytes were increased in -15D group more than in the remaining two groups(p<0.05). c-fos was detected in corneal epithelium at 6 hours after operation in -6D, -9D, and -15D group. But maximal expression was found at 24 hours after operation in -15D group. Consquently, the author believes that expression of c-fos and stromal keratocyte changes might be a important role of corneal haziness following PRK.