Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis: a case presentation and literature review / Epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda: apresentação de caso e revisão da literatura

ABSTRACT Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis (ARPE) is an idiopathic, self-limiting inflammatory retinal disorder that particularly affects healthy young individuals. The characteristic fundoscopic appearance of the acute retinal pigment epitheliitis includes a fine pigment stippling surrounded by a yellow-white hypopigmented halos in the macula. Although the exact pathogenesis of the disease remains unknown, some reports have suggested a relationship between a viral infection and acute retinal pigment epitheliitis. Acute retinal pigment epitheliitis is a rare disorder, and only single case reports or case series are found in the literature. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with this disease are not fully understood because of its rarity. In this study, we searched the literature to collect clinical and demographic features of the reported cases. We detail the characteristics of acute retinal pigment epitheliitis were pointed and discuss the pathogenesis of the disease.(AU)

RESUMO A epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda (EPRA) é uma doença inflamatória idiopática e autolimitada da retina, que afeta especialmente indivíduos jovens e saudáveis. À fundoscopia, a aparência característica dessa entidade é de um pontilhado fino do pigmento, cercado de halos hiperpigmentados branco-amarelados na mácula. A patogênese exata da doença ainda é desconhecida, mas alguns relatos apontam uma relação entre epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda e infecções virais. A epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda é uma condição rara e na literatura há apenas relatos de casos individuais ou séries de casos. As características clínicas e demográficas da doença não são totalmente compreendidas, devido à sua raridade. Para este relato, foi feita uma busca na literatura para coletar os dados clínicos e demográficos dos casos relatados. Finalmente, são apontadas as características da epitelite pigmentar retiniana aguda e discute-se a patogênese da doença.(AU)

The annatto carotenoids and the norbixin absorption coefficient / Carotenoides de urucum e o coeficiente de absorção da norbixina

Annatto seeds present cis-bixin as the major carotenoids, but the norbixin salt is the mainpigment present in dyes obtained from the alkaline extraction process. For analyzing the norbixin,the absorptions are obtained in the two spectral peaks with higher intensity, but discrepanciesin the published extinction values have led to serious doubts. Taking into account the use ofabsorption coefficient for evaluating the norbixin concentration in annatto seeds and extracts, thepresent study evaluated the absorption coefficient in various solvents and the total uncertaintyassociated with this value was determined. The norbixin standard was prepared from annattoseeds, purified by column chromatography and the purity of norbixin was evaluated by HPLC-DAD.The absorption coefficients were determined for norbixin in different solvents and the uncertaintywas evaluated. The 0.5% potassium hydroxide, the main solvent used for marketing the annattoseeds and extracts, showed the absorption coefficients of 2887 at 454nm and of 2546 at 483nm,and the estimation of expanded uncertainty (K=2) was ±86 and 85 g 100 mL-1, respectively.

O principal carotenoide em sementes de urucum é a cis-bixina, mas o sal de norbixina torna-seo principal pigmento presente em corantes obtidos pelo processo de extração alcalino.Para a análise de norbixina as absorbâncias são obtidas nos dois picos espectrais de maiorintensidade, mas discrepâncias no valor de absortividade levam a sérias dúvidas. Levando-se emconta o uso do coeficiente de absorção na avaliação da concentração de norbixina em sementesde urucum e extratos, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o coeficiente de absorção emvários solventes e determinar a incerteza expandida associada a esse valor. Para a execução doestudo, um padrão de norbixina foi preparado a partir de sementes de urucum, purificado emcoluna aberta e a pureza da norbixina foi avaliada por HPLC-DAD. O coeficiente de absorçãoda norbixina foi determinado pela construção de curvas analíticas em diferentes solventes e aincerteza expandida foi avaliada. O hidróxido de potássio a 0,5%, principal solvente utilizadona comercialização de sementes de urucum e extratos, apresentou o coeficiente de absorçãodeterminado em 2887 a 454nm e 2546 a 483nm e a estimação da incerteza expandida (K=2) foi86 e 85 g 100 mL-1, respectivamente.

Opsin genes: research perspectives with Neotropical cichlids (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and their relevance in floodplain studies / Genes opsins: perspectivas para pesquisas com ciclídeos Neotropicais (Perciformes: Cichlidae) e sua relevância para estudos em planícies de inundação

Vision not only plays an important role in the behavior and exploration capacity of new ecology niches but also influences the evolution of species exposed to the heterogeneity of light. Floodplain environments have high habitat heterogeneity and, thus, different light gradients. Cichlids are a group of vertebrates that has stirred interest in evolutionary studies due to their morphological and behavioral diversity and their widely used vision. The molecular basis of vertebrates' vision occurs through the interaction of opsin proteins and retinal chromophores. Proteins are expressed by opsin genes where each is responsible for absorbing certain light wavelengths. Current review analyzes the main characteristics of opsin genes family and the possibility of using them in floodplain and Neotropical cichlids studies. Opsins may have different levels of expression and molecular polymorphisms according to the dispersion of the species. They are also related to such behavior as sexual selection, nourishment and exploration of new habitats. Floodplains are natural experiments and dynamic environments that provide a wide range of habitats. In fact, the integration of studies in floodplains and the opsin genes in Neotropical cichlids seems to be a promising and still unexplored area in Neotropical regions.

A visão desempenha um importante papel no comportamento e capacidade de explorar novos nichos, e também influencia o processo evolutivo de espécies que estão sujeitas à heterogeneidade de luz. Ambientes de planície de inundação têm alta heterogeneidade de habitats, exibindo diferentes gradientes de luminosidade. Um grupo de vertebrados que desperta interesse para estudos evolutivos são os ciclídeos, pela sua diversidade morfológica e comportamental, além de usarem amplamente a visão. A base molecular da visão dos vertebrados ocorre pela interação de proteínas opsinas e cromóforos retinais. Essas proteínas são expressas pelos genes opsins, cada uma responsável por absorver determinado comprimento de onda de luz. Esta revisão aborda as principais características destes genes e a possibilidade de sua utilização em estudos de planície de inundação e ciclídeos neotropicais. Os opsins podem apresentar diferentes níveis de expressão e polimorfismos de acordo com a dispersão das espécies estudadas. São relacionados com comportamentos de seleção sexual, forrageamento, e capacidade de explorar novos habitats. As planícies de inundação representam experimentos naturais, sendo ambientes dinâmicos e que apresentam vários tipos de habitats. Assim, a integração de estudos de planície de inundação e genes opsins em ciclídeos parece ser uma área promissora e ainda inexplorada em regiões neotropicais.

Mature bone in the eye: A case of choroidal osteoma

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To describe a case of choroidal osteoma.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> This is a case report.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A 49-year old female had unilateral, gradual, progressive, painless, blurring of vision. She was previously started on anti-TB treatment because of positive PPD skin test. T-spot test was negative and vision of hand movement persisted in the left eye. Both eyes had yellow, slightly elevated, peripapillary subretinal patches with scalloped margins. Fluorescein angiography revealed bilateral subretinal patchy hyperfluorescence and perifoveal petalloid hyperfluorescence in the left. Macular OCT showed hyporeflective ill-defined sub-retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) lesion in the right eye and a hyporelective well-defined sub-RPE thickening with large cystoid macular edema in the left. B-scan ultrasonography revealed bilateral densely hyperechoic subretinal concave band with posterior shadowing that persisted on decreased gain. These were consistent with bilateral choroidal osteoma with secondary cystoid macular edema in the left eye.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Choroidal osteoma is a rare benign choroidal tumor of healthy young women wherein the choroid is replaced with mature bone. It is a clinical diagnosis with characteristic ultrasonographic findings.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p>

Evaluation of blotchy pigments in the anterior chamber angle as a sign of angle closure.

Background: Blotchy pigments in the anterior chamber (AC) angle are considered diagnostic of primary angle closure (PAC). But there are no reports either on the prevalence of blotchy pigments in AC angles or the validity of this sign. Aims: To determine the prevalence of blotchy pigments in AC angles and to evaluate their relationship with glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) in eyes with occludable angles. Setting and Design: Cross-sectional, comparative study. Materials and Methods: Gonioscopy was performed in 1001 eyes of 526 subjects (245 eyes of 148 consecutive, occludable angle subjects and 756 eyes of 378 non-consecutive, open angle subjects), above 35 years of age. Quadrant-wise location of blotchy pigments was documented. Statistical Analysis: Odds of blotchy pigments in occludable angles against that in open angles were evaluated. Relationship of GON with blotchy pigments in occludable angle eyes was evaluated using a multivariate model. Results: Prevalence of blotchy pigments in occludable angles was 28.6% (95% CI, 22.9-34.3) and in open angles was 4.7% (95% CI, 3.2-6.3). Blotchy pigments were more frequently seen in inferior (16%) and superior quadrants (15%) of occludable angles, and inferior quadrant of open angles (4%). Odds of superior quadrant blotchy pigments in occludable angles were 33 times that in open angles. GON was seen in 107 occludable angle eyes. Blotchy pigments were not significantly associated with GON (odds ratio = 0.5; P = 0.1). Conclusions: Blotchy pigments were seen in 28.6% of occludable angle eyes and 4.7% of open angles eyes. Presence of blotchy pigments in the superior quadrant is more common in occludable angles. Presence of GON in occludable angle eyes was not associated with blotchy pigments.

Central posterior capsule pigmentation in a patient with pigment dispersion and previous ocular trauma: A case report.

We report a 55-year-old man with unusually dense, unilateral central posterior capsule pigmentation associated with the characteristic clinical features of pigment dispersion syndrome, including a Krukenberg's spindle and dense trabecular pigmentation in both eyes. A history of an old blunt ocular trauma probably caused separation of the anterior hyaloid from the back of the lens, thereby creating an avenue by which pigment could reach the potential space of Berger's from the posterior chamber.

Eye pigments of the blood-sucking insect, Triatoma infestans klug (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

A pigmentação de olhos pretos (forma selvagem) e vermelhos (forma mutante) de Triatoma infestans foi estudada por espectrofotometria e comparada à de olhos vermelhos (selvagem) e brancos (mutante) de Drosophila melanogaster. Os perfis do espectro de absorção dos pigmentos de olho preto e vermelho de T. infestans foram semelhantes entre si e ao dos olhos de tipo selvagem de D. melanogaster. A similaridade com a forma selvagem de D. melanogaster indicou que ambos os tipos de olho de T. infestans continham omocromos do tipo xantomatina, o que foi confirmado por cromatografia ascendente em papel. Não foram detectadas pteridinas, melaninas e ominas como pigmentos de olho em T. infestans. A diferença na cor de olho em T. infestans foi considerada uma função da concentração de xantomatina, sendo menor o conteúdo de omocromo nos olhos vermelhos, embora isso provavelmente não afete a acuidade visual do inseto. Esses resultados estão de acordo com dados de outros autores quanto a semelhanças envolvendo outras características entre espécimes de olho preto e vermelho de T. infestans.

Introducing a new model for studying retinal detachement/replacement: a light microscopy and electrophysiological study

The toad's [Bufo maranus] retinal pigment epithelium [RPE] has been used in many studies as a model for understanding its role and interaction with the neural retina. In the current study, the toad's retina has been used to establish a new in vitro model of experimental retinal detachment [RD] and replacement. The toad was chosen according to a previous study of our research group showed that the toad RPE is similar to the mammalian RPE. In this report, light microscopy was used to characterize the morphologic changes that occur in the RPE and neural retina following RD/replacement and to correlate these findings with recovery of electrophysiological function. The neural retina was completely detached from the RPE in vitro and then replaced. At various times after replacement, neural retina-RPE tissues were processed for light microscopy. At 30 min. after replacement, the subretinal space was greatly expanded, and the apical processes that normally ensheath the outer segments of neural retina were short and no longer contacted the outer segments of neural retina. The RPE was swollen, contained many vacuoles and the apical surface was rounded. By 2 hours after replacement, the subretinal space was significantly resorbed and contained many shredded neural retina outer segments; RPE cells were still, although less, swollen. During the next 5-10 hours, shredded neural retina outer segment in the subretinal space appeared decreased. RPE cells regained their normal size and interdigitation of apical processes and neural retina outer segment were observed. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the re-establishment of morphological interactions between the RPE and neural retina within hours following RD/replacement. Morphological recovery coincides with recovery of electrophysiological parameters. This is a good model to investigate the retinal pigment epithelium [RPE] and neural retina mechanisms involved in retinal adhesion and recovery from retinal detachment and is easier to be applied than previously described models

Effects of biologic tissue adhesives on retinal pigment epithelial chemotaxis: a comparative in vitro study

Using a modified Boyden chamber technique, the chemotactic activities of three biologic tissue adhesives [Fibronectin [FN], cell tak [CT] and matrigel [MAT]] were studied. It was found that, FN as a biologic adhesive at a concentration of 50 mug/ml, stimulated the migration of human retinal pigment epithelial [HRPE] cells, but not a great extent. Cell tak [CT] stimulated chemotaxis of HRPE cells much more effectively than FN. However, CT was combined with growth factor [as FN at a concentration of 1.5 mug/ml] or transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-B at a concentration of 10 pg/ml] it did not enhance or diminish the migration of HRPE cells. Matrigel [MAT] by itself had very little chemotactic activity. However, the migration of HRPE cells was greatly enhanced when FN and/or TGPB were added as growth factors. The study concluded that, biologic tissue adhesives exhibit variable chemotactic activities, these were maximum with cell tak, moderate with fibronectin and minimal with matrigel. However, the presence of serum components might modify this activity. The results of this preliminary study demonstrated another important feature of a biologically active tissue adhesive when used as a chorioretinal glue, its potential RPE chemotactic activity. This entails a definite clinical significance during the management of complicated cases of retinal detachment [RD], especially those associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy [PVR] or the presence of serum components within the vitreous cavity after trauma or breakdown of the blood retinal barrier [BRB]

Photobleaching and cyclic GMP dependences of rhodopsin phosphorylation in rod outer segment.

The experimental data on the cGMP decrease under continuous illumination of rod outer segment have been theoretically analysed to study the bleaching and hence the cGMP dependence of the rhodopsin phosphorylation. From the agreement of the theoretical results with the experimental observations it has been found that the rate of phosphorylation depends on the rate of cGMP hydrolysis. If the rate of cGMP hydrolysis increases the rate of phosphorylation also increases. The results of the theoretical treatment predict that (i) the presence of cGMP in rod outer segment inhibits the rhodopsin phosphorylation and (ii) rhodopsin phosphorylation process is much faster than what has been reported in the literature.

O estudo do potencial receptor precoce / Early receptor potential

Os autores estudaram o E. R. P., no atobá (Sula leucogaster), no coelho (Oryctolagus cucniculus) e no homem. Discutem sua origem, obtençäo e interesse clínico

Sindrome de pontos brancos evanescentes

A síndrome de pontos brancos evanescentes (SPBE) é uma entidade clínica reconhecida apenas nos últimos anos, que presumivelmente acomete o epitélio pigmentar da retina. Os autores apresentam uma revisäo da literatura publicada sobre tal doença e relatam um de seus casos, ilustrando com retinografías. Comentam também a etiologia, clínica, propedêutica e diagnóstico diferencial

Potencial receptor precoce no eletrorretinograma da Sula leucogaster / Early receptor potential in electroretinography of Sula leucogaster

Estuda-se o ERP no ERG do atobá (Sula leucogaster). Pela primeira estuda-se este potencial e ao mesmo tempo descrevem a microscopia eletrônica da retina (camada de fotorreceptor) desta ave

Aspectos oftalmocóspicos en el neonato / Ophthalmoscopic aspects of the newborn infant

Se realizó un estudio oftalmológico indirecto en treinta y dos neonatos. El 72 por ciento eran prematuros. La mayor cantidad de exámenes (75 por ciento) se llevaron a cabo dentro de la primera semana de vida de los niños. Se intentó hallar algún tipo de correlación entre distintos aspectos oftalmológicos y variables neonatológicas de cierta relevancia. La tasa de despigmentación coroidea fue de 82,6 por ciento para los prematuros y de 77,8 por ciento para los recién nacidos. A pesar de ello no puede concluirse que la diferencia entre los grupos sea estadísticamente significativa (test exacto de Fisher)