A switch from horizontal compression to vertical extension in the Vrancea slab explained by the volume reduction of serpentine dehydration.

The Vrancea slab, Romania, is a subducted remnant of the Tethyan lithosphere characterized by a significant intermediate-depth seismicity (60-170 km). A recent study showed a correlation between this seismicity and major dehydration reactions, involving serpentine minerals up to 130 km depth, and high-pressure hydrated talc deeper. Here we investigate the potential link between the triggering mechanisms and the retrieved focal mechanisms of 940 earthquakes, which allows interpreting the depth distribution of the stress field. We observe a switch from horizontal compression to vertical extension between 100 and 130 km depth, where the Clapeyron slope of serpentine dehydration is negative. The negative volume change within dehydrating serpentinized faults, expected mostly sub-horizontal in the verticalized slab, could well explain the vertical extension recorded by the intermediate-depth seismicity. This apparent slab pull is accompanied with a rotation of the main compressive stress, which could favour slab detachments in active subduction zones.

[About entropy in ophthalmology]. / Consideratii asupra entropiei în oftalmologie.

Entropy is one of the most controversial ideas ever described. Clausius, who discovered this natural propriety in 1865, used this notion in order to define the conversion of energy. Out of a thermodynamic point of view, health is seen as a minimum of entropy and illness as a maximum.

[Glaucoma--threatening in darkness]. / Glaucomul--amenintarea din umbra; efect final = cecitate.

Glaucoma is not just an unique affliction but a group of afflictions that have in common optic nerve damage and loss of visual field. The 2 main types of glaucoma are POAG and PACG. AS early stages of glaucoma are largely asymptomatic, patients tend to seek help rather late, especially in low-income countries. Once vision is lost, no matter what type of glaucoma is involved, it cannot be done anything to restore it!!!

[The risk of blindness in diabetic retinopathy]. / Riscul cecitatii în retinopatia diabetica.

A good control of blood sugar <110 mg/dl, HbA1c <7%, diastolic BP <80 mmHg and systolic BP <140 mmHg, cholesterol <200 mg/dl, triglycerides <150 mg/dl are the best way to set a limit to the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Progression of DR leads finally to blindness! Blindness is visual acuity less than 3/60 with the best possible correction. Low-vision is a visual acuity less than 6/18, but equal to or better than 3/60, best possible correction in the better eye.

[Proliferative retinopathy, friend or foe?]. / Vitreoretinopatia proliferanta--prieten sau dusman?

Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy (PVR) refers to the migration and proliferation of cells into the subretinal space, vitreous cavity, and onto the retinal surface and undersurface. Subsequent collagen production and cell-mediated contraction of the collagenous scar leads to retinal detachment and loss of vision. Although refinements in surgical techniques and equipment have improved the success rate of surgery to repair retinal detachment in recent years, recurrence due to reproliferation is not uncommon and remains the leading cause of failure o retinal reattachment surgery.

[Corneal tatoo--art or science?]. / Tatuajul corneean--arta sau stiinta?

The permanent colouring of disfigured corneal scars is known for almost 200 years. Because of improvement in surgical reconstructive techniques, corneal tattoing is used today only with a restricted group on carefully chosen patients, and merely for esthetique reasons.

[Conjunctival tumor...more than meet the eye]. / Doar tumora conjunctivala....

The authors present the case of a patient diagnosed with a conjunctival tumor. Questions are being asked about the nature of the tumor--is there just a melanocitic conjunctival tumor or a scleral extension of a intraocular tumor (that also infiltrates the cornea). A minimally invasive surgical approach is decided, with excellent intra- and post-op results. There have been no complications during 1 year of combined ophthalmologist - oncologist surveillance.

[Tardive juvenile glaucoma]. / Glaucom juvenil tardiv.

The authors present the case of a young woman with the diagnosis of late juvenile glaucoma. The treatment began in the very moment of the diagnosis but the lack of compliance, as well as the associated risk factors, led to a evolution difficult to control only through medical therapy, which is why we also used laser and surgical treatment. At present, the anatomical and functional status is stable but the long-term prognosis is reserved.

[20-23-25 gauge?! Posterior vitrectomy]. / 20 - 23- 25- gauge?!

The author describes (from a purely theoretical view) the characteristics of the 20, 23, 25 Gauge systems used in the posterior pole surgery, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

[Complications of ocular local anesthesia]. / Complicatiile anesteziei locale oculare.

Even as current trends move away from retrobulbar block and topical anesthesia gains greater widespread acceptance, ocular anesthesia is most commonly administered with a needle. Although rare, complications have been described, ranging from innocuous hemorrhage to life-threatening systemic situations.

[Sinchis scintillans]. / Sinchizis scintillans-- o stralucire "Bolnava".

Rare opacities of the vitreous body that usually occur unilaterally, following recurrent intraocular inflammation or bleeding. These opacities are free-floating cholesterol crystals that respond to gravity. The clinical course requires surgery only in those rare cases in which the opacities impair visual acuity.

[Intraocular foreign body]. / Corp strain vegetal intraocular.

The authors present the case of a patient who suffered a penetrating ocular trauma due to wood IOFB. An emergency surgery is initiated for the traumatic cataract, afterwards the IOFB is extracted through posterior vitrectomy. The patient seeks medical help after another 3 weeks, being diagnosed with retinal detachment, which is solved surgically.

[Ocular fluorophores]. / Fluoroforii oculari.

The majority of ocular media and tissues are lifelong exposed to electromagnetic radiations. O series of photochemical and photobiological events take place in these tissues and especially in the lens and the retina, thus resulting a permanent changing of their optical and functional qualities; the result of most of these events is the appearance of fluorescent molecular aggregates due to the alterations of initially non-fluorescent molecules or to accumulation processes (these are the endogenous fluorophores; their quantity and intraocular distribution is age- and light-exposure-linked and can be altered by pathology). Willingly or not, fluorescent substances can be introduced in the eye through its hematic barriers (these are the exogenous fluorophores).

[Choroid metastasis in a patient with pulmonary adenocarcinoma]. / Metastaze coroidiene într-un caz de adenocarcinom bronhopulmonar --caz clinic.

The authors present the case of a patient with multifocal bilateral choroid metastatic carcinoma in the general medium of a bronchi-pulmonary adenocarcinoma T4N2M1. The ophthalmologic diagnosis of intraocular metastases led to the discovery of the systemic affliction, yet unfortunately in a late stage. The purpose of this paper is to draw the attention of the specialist in order to diagnose in an evolutionary stage that allows at least a prolonged survival rate, if not the maintenance of functionality.

[Acute endophthalmitis--surgical treatment or conservative therapy]. / Endoftalmita acuta--tratament chirurgical sau atitudine conservatoare?

Acute endophthalmitis is an ophthalmological emergency. Immediate therapy is recommended in order to maintain a normal anatomic and functional ocular globe, according to the most recent guidelines. Surgical therapy and intravitreal drug injection represent standard treatments.

[The role of total vitrectomy in severe acute postoperative endophthalmitis]. / Rolul vitrectomiei totale în endoftalmita acuta postoperatorie severa.

We present a severe acute postoperative endophthalmitis, after a phacoemulsification procedure with a clear cornea incision, and we emphasize the importance of an early total vitrectomy.

[Vitreal fluorometry]. / Fluorofotometria vitrosului.

Vitreous fluorophotometry is an investigation that facilitates the quantitative study of the blood-retinal barrier (thus allowing a better understanding of its physiopathology and opening new therapeutical research fields). It can be performed for the vast majority of the ocular diseases: diabetic retinopathy, arterial hypertension, uveitis, post-cryotherapy/laser photocoagulation, retinal vascular diseases, choroidal melanoma, optic nerve diseases etc.