Homonymous Hemiatrophy of Macular Ganglion Cell Layer as a Marker of Retrograde Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis-A Narrative Review.

Retrograde axonal neurodegeneration along the visual pathway-either direct or trans-synaptic-has already been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in compressive, vascular, or posttraumatic lesions of the visual pathway. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can noninvasively track macular and optic nerve changes occurring as a result of this phenomenon. Our paper aimed to review the existing literature regarding hemimacular atrophic changes in the ganglion cell layer identified using OCT examination in MS patients without prior history of optic neuritis. Homonymous hemimacular atrophy has been described in post-chiasmal MS lesions, even in patients with normal visual field results. Temporal and nasal macular OCT evaluation should be performed separately in all MS patients, in addition to an optic nerve OCT evaluation and a visual field exam.

Semisynthetic Derivatives of Pentacyclic Triterpenes Bearing Heterocyclic Moieties with Therapeutic Potential.

Medicinal plants have been used by humans since ancient times for the treatment of various diseases and currently represent the main source of a variety of phytocompounds, such as triterpenes. Pentacyclic triterpenes have been subjected to numerous studies that have revealed various biological activities, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective effects, which can be employed in therapy. However, due to their high lipophilicity, which is considered to exert a significant influence on their bioavailability, their current use is limited. A frequent approach employed to overcome this obstacle is the chemical derivatization of the core structure with different types of moieties including heterocycles, which are considered key elements in medicinal chemistry. The present review aims to summarize the literature published in the last 10 years regarding the derivatives of pentacyclic triterpenes bearing heterocyclic moieties and focuses on the biologically active derivatives as well as their structure-activity relationships. Predominantly, the targeted positions for the derivatization of the triterpene skeleton are C-3 (hydroxyl/oxo group), C-28 (hydroxyl/carboxyl group), and C-30 (allylic group) or the extension of the main scaffold by fusing various heterocycles with the A-ring of the phytocompound. In addition, numerous derivatives also contain linker moieties that connect the triterpenic scaffold with heterocycles; one such linker, the triazole moiety, stands out as a key pharmacophore for its biological effect. All these studies support the hypothesis that triterpenoid conjugates with heterocyclic moieties may represent promising candidates for future clinical trials.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part I).

Triterpenic acids are phytocompounds with a widespread range of biological activities that have been the subject of numerous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, their underlying mechanisms of action in various pathologies are not completely elucidated. The current review aims to summarize the most recent literature, published in the last five years, regarding the mechanism of action of three triterpenic acids (asiatic acid, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid), corelated with different biological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial. All three discussed compounds share several mechanisms of action, such as the targeted modulation of the PI3K/AKT, Nrf2, NF-kB, EMT, and JAK/STAT3 signaling pathways, while other mechanisms that proved to only be specific for a part of the triterpenic acids discussed, such as the modulation of Notch, Hippo, and MALAT1/miR-206/PTGS1 signaling pathway, were highlighted as well. This paper stands as the first part in our literature study on the topic, which will be followed by a second part focusing on other triterpenic acids of therapeutic value.

Bilateral multifocal and recurrent chorioretinopathy - case report.

Objective: The aim of this report is to highlight a rare condition that raises serious diagnosis and treatment difficulties. Case presentation: A 34-year-old male patient presented at the Department of Ophthalmology accusing reduced visual acuity (VA), dyschromatopsia and slight photophobia in his left eye (OS). Posterior pole examination revealed serous retinal detachment superior to the optic nerve head in his right eye (OD) and a well-defined macular oedema in the OS. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed the presence of subretinal fluid accumulations, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) revealed punctate hyperfluorescent pinpoint foci in the macular region of both eyes in the early venous phase and dye pooling in the late phase. The first diagnosis was Probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome, but the evolution under corticosteroid therapy and shifting of the position of the serous retinal detachments in time, changed the diagnosis to multifocal, recurrent central serous choroidopathy. The patient received treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents and presented multiple episodes of partial remission and shift of the subretinal fluid. Conclusions: The persistent, recurrent, multifocal and bilateral exudative retinal detachments raised significant diagnosis difficulties. In the absence of a well-established treatment, the current prognosis is unfavorable. Abbreviations: MARC = multifocal and recurrent choroidopathy, CSCR = Central Serous Chorioretinopathy, RPE = retinal pigment epithelium, CFH = complement factor H, VA = visual acuity, OD = right eye, OS = left eye, OCT = ocular coherence tomography, VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor, FFA = Fundus fluorescein angiography, p-ANCA = Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, PR3 = IgG antibodies against proteinase 3, ANA = antinuclear antibodies, CIC = Circulating immune complexes, CMV = Cytomegalovirus, VKH = Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada.

Conjunctival Lymphangiectasia - case report.

Conjunctival lymphangiectasia is a rare pathology that represents the enlargement of the lymphatic vessels localized in the conjunctiva. Patients may be asymptomatic or experience symptoms such as foreign body sensation, congestion, irritation, dryness, and blurry vision. There are various methods of therapy for patients with severe and symptomatic conjunctival lymphangiectasia. Surgical excision has the lowest rates of recurrence. We present a case of a 24-year-old woman with conjunctival lymphangiectasia and a history of left lower limb enlargement and bilaterally enlarged submandibular and upper jugular lymph nodes without an identifiable cause, who presented to the ophthalmology clinic accusing ocular discomfort, foreign body sensation and transparent conjunctival cystic lesions in the left eye for the last five months. Abbreviations: OD = right eye, OS = left eye, OCT = optical coherence tomography, VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor.