Blinding Corneal Disease Research Articles

In Vitro Creation of Amyloid Fibrils from Native and Arg124Cys Mutated βIGH3(110–131) Peptides, and Its Relevance for Lattice Corneal Amyloid Dystrophy Type I

βIGH3 protein has been recently involved in the pathogenesis of blinding corneal diseases, some of which have characteristic amyloid corneal deposits. The 124 codon of the βig-h3 gene seems to be crucial for the amyloidogenicity of the protein product. We presently report an in vitro system that reproducibly forms amyloid fibrils from βIGH3(110–131) derived peptides. We also assessed the differences in fibril formation of two 22-amino acid peptides centered on the 124 residue: the native form and the Arg124Cys peptide (mutation linked to lattice corneal amyloid dystrophy type 1). After dialysis of Arg124Cys peptide against PBS 1/15 M pH 7.4 for 72 hours, Congo red staining and electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of abundant material fulfilling the criteria of amyloid. Quantitative analysis with thioflavine T fluorescence studies confirmed the high capacity of Arg124Cys peptide to form amyloid fibrils when compared to the native form.

Delivery of Oral Doses of Vitamin A to Prevent Vitamin-A Deficiency and Nutritional Blindness

Abstract Approximately 8 to 10 million new cases of xerophthalmia due to vitamin A deficiency occur each year, with as many as ½ to 1 million children developing potentially blinding corneal disease. While vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness among children in developing countries, even milder states of deficiency carry an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, making its prevention a major public health priority. Three basic preventive strategies exist: (1) dietary modification through a variety of horticultural and nutrition education techniques to increase the routine availability and consumption of food sources of vitamin A, (2) fortification of a centrally processed, locally available and consumed food “vehicle” with vitamin A, and (3) periodic administration of a large dose of vitamin A to specific target groups in the community. This paper provides a critical review of the effectiveness of and challenges to management in implementing periodic, large‐dose vitamin A delivery. Cu...

Delivery of oral doses of vitamin a to prevent vitamin a deficiency and nutritional blindness

Abstract Approximately 8 to 10 million new cases of xerophthalmia due to vitamin A deficiency occur each year, with as many as ½ to 1 million children developing potentially blinding corneal disease. While vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of blindness among children in developing countries, even milder states of deficiency carry an increased risk of morbidity and mortality, making its prevention a major public health priority. Three basic preventive strategies exist: (1) dietary modification through a variety of horticultural and nutrition education techniques to increase the routine availability and consumption of food sources of vitamin A, (2) fortification of a centrally processed, locally available and consumed food “vehicle” with vitamin A, and (3) periodic administration of a large dose of vitamin A to specific target groups in the community. This paper provides a critical review of the effectiveness of and challenges to management in implementing periodic, large‐dose vitamin A delivery. Cu...