Confocal Tomography Research Articles

Image Classification with Hypertensive Angle Disease Detection with Geometric Local Derivative Pre-Processing

It is recognized as conjunctivitis stands as that of the second-greatest source of disability. Early detection and management of ophthalmology are essential for preventing disease owing to the benign character of loss of vision mostly in early stages of the illness and the permanent condition of vision in later stages. Straight retinal inspection, commercial digital images, laser scanners spectroscopy, scanning infrared additional factor and confocal tomography (OCT) images can all is used it to identify hypertension. These findings suggest using a Vertical Harmonic oscillator Dynamic Hinge Supporting Machine Classifier (Embedded systems) to predict glaucoma. There really are three stages to the Repository system. All those are ophthalmology identification, extraction and classification, and processing. The retina source images first were analyzed using a Geometric Local Derivative Pre - processor architecture to extract the major characteristics required for early diagnosis. The precompiled images then are submitted to Harmonic oscillator Discontinuous Single - input single Probability distribution Extraction Of features to identify significant characteristics with the sensitivity for disease prediction. Lastly, Inter Hinge Gradient Boosting Retinal Identification employs the derived features to detect glaucoma early and effectively. The Retina Mri image datasets was utilized in Simulation experiments to examine the effectiveness of the suggested method, embedded systems. Computational complexity, sensitivities, and correctness performance criteria must be looked at with respect to different Optical image quantities.

Microdosimetric analysis of monoenergetic electrons and beta-emitting radionuclides based on mesh-type cell models and RBE prediction

AimsMicrodosimetric indicators are commonly used to describe the energy deposition characteristics of ionizing radiation at the subcellular and DNA levels to predict radiation-induced biological effects. Monoenergetic electrons and beta-emitting radionuclides (β nuclides) have a certain range in low-density media, and their microdosimetric indicators in the cell nucleus are of great significance for understanding the characteristics of different types of β nuclides and the evaluation of relative biological effectiveness (RBE). MethodsMicrodosimetry in the nucleus is greatly affected by cell morphology, so in this paper, based on laser confocal tomography images of BEAS-2B and L-O2 cell lines, two types of mesh-type cell models were constructed to restore the morphological features of real cells. The Geant4-DNA toolkit was used to simulate the lineal energy and dose distribution of monoenergetic electrons (0.1 keV-1 MeV) and 5 types of beta nuclides (Cs-137, Cs-134, C-14, I-131, and H-3) in the cell nucleus with different initial energies. The effects of factors such as initial energy, sensitive site (radius = 2 nm, 10 nm, 30 nm, 300 nm), and cell type on microdosimetric quantities in the nucleus and their predictions of nuclide RBE were analysed. ResultsThe results show that for the same type of nuclide, there are different RBE values between BEAS-2B and L-O2 cells, with Cs-134 having a difference of 17.75% and H-3 having a difference of 10.58%. In addition, the mean lineal energy in the nucleus fluctuates with changes in the initial energy and sampling site radius of monoenergetic electrons, especially for low and medium energies where the sampling site radius has a significant effect. Moreover, the proximity functions of monoenergetic electrons with an initial energy below 1 keV are greatly affected by the cell shape, and those above 20 keV are greatly affected by the model volume. ConclusionsThe study confirms the necessity of using mesh cell models for microdosimetric analysis in the cell nucleus and predicting its biological effects by combining mesh models of real human cells to simulate microdosimetric indicators of monoenergetic electrons and beta-emitting nuclides. The estimation of the RBE of β nuclides achieved in this study has reference value for predicting radiobiological damage in different cell types.

Multiple Mesh-type Real Human Cell Models for Dosimetric Application Coupled with Monte Carlo Simulations.

The mesh-type models are superior to voxel models in cellular dose assessment coupled with Monte Carlo codes. The aim of this study was to expand the micron-scale mesh-type models based on the fluorescence tomography of real human cells, and to investigate the feasibility of these models in the application of various irradiation scenarios and Monte Carlo codes. Six different human cell lines, including pulmonary epithelial BEAS-2B, embryonic kidney 293T, hepatocyte L-02, B-lymphoblastoid HMy2.CIR, Gastric mucosal GES-1, and intestine epithelial FHs74Int, were adopted for single mesh-type models reconstruction and optimization based on laser confocal tomography images. Mesh-type models were transformed into the format of polygon mesh and tetrahedral mesh for the GATE and PHITS Monte Carlo codes, respectively. The effect of model reduction was analyzed by dose assessment and geometry consideration. The cytoplasm and nucleus doses were obtained by designating monoenergetic electrons and protons as external irradiation, and S values with different "target-source" combinations were calculated by assigning radioisotopes as internal exposure. Four kinds of Monte Carlo codes were employed, i.e., GATE with "Livermore," "Standard" and "Standard and Geant4-DNA mixed" models for electrons and protons, as well as PHITS with "EGS" mode for electrons and radioisotopes. Multiple mesh-type real human cellular models can be applied to Monte Carlo codes directly without voxelization when combined with certain necessary surface reduction. Relative deviations between different cell types were observed among various irradiation scenarios. The relative deviation of nucleus S value reaches up to 85.65% between L-02 and GES-1 cells by 3H for the "nucleus-nucleus" combination, while that of 293T and FHs74Int nucleus dose for external beams at a 5.12 cm depth of water is 106.99%. Nucleus with smaller volume is far more affected by physical codes. There is a considerable deviation for dose within BEAS-2B at the nanoscale. The multiple mesh-type real cell models were more versatile than voxel models and mathematical models. The present study provided several models which can easily be extended to other cell types and irradiation scenarios for RBE estimations and biological effect predictions, including radiation biological experiments, radiotherapy and radiation protection.

Flexible, anti-damage, and non-contact sensing electronic skin implanted with MWCNT to block public pathogens contact infection.

If a person comes into contact with pathogens on public facilities, there is a threat of contact (skin/wound) infections. More urgently, there are also reports about COVID-19 coronavirus contact infection, which once again reminds that contact infection is a very easily overlooked disease exposure route. Herein, we propose an innovative implantation strategy to fabricate a multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyvinyl alcohol (MWCNT/PVA, MCP) interpenetrating interface to achieve flexibility, anti-damage, and non-contact sensing electronic skin (E-skin). Interestingly, the MCP E-skin had a fascinating non-contact sensing function, which can respond to the finger approaching 0–20 mm through the spatial weak field. This non-contact sensing can be applied urgently to human-machine interactions in public facilities to block pathogen. The scratches of the fruit knife did not damage the MCP E-skin, and can resist chemical corrosion after hydrophobic treatment. In addition, the MCP E-skin was developed to real-time monitor the respiratory and cough for exercise detection and disease diagnosis. Notably, the MCP E-skin has great potential for emergency applications in times of infectious disease pandemics.Electronic Supplementary MaterialSupplementary material (fabrication of MCP E-skin, laser confocal tomography, parameter optimization, mechanical property characterization, finite element simulation, sensing mechanism, signal processing) is available in the online version of this article at 10.1007/s12274-021-3831-z.

Surface analysis of tissue paper using laser scanning confocal microscopy and micro-computed topography

Tissue paper softness relies on two major factors, the bulk softness, which can be indicated by the elasticity of the sheet, and surface softness. Measurement of surface softness is complicated and often requires a multi-step process. A key parameter defining surface softness is the topography of the surface, particularly the crepe structure and its periodicity. Herein, we present a novel approach to measure and quantify the tissue paper surface crepe structure and periodicity based on the detection of waviness along the sample using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSM) and X-ray tomography (XRT). In addition, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used to characterize the tissue paper surface. We demonstrate that surface topography is directly correlated to the erosion of the doctor blade, which is used to remove the dry tissue paper from the Yankee cylinder. Because of its accuracy and simplicity, the laser confocal microscopy method has the potential to be used directly on the production line to monitor the production process of the tissue paper. XRT revealed more structural details of the tissue paper structure in 3D, and it allowed for the reconstruction of the surface and the internal structure of the tissue paper.Graphic abstract

Quantifying the Brain Metastatic Tumor Micro-Environment using an Organ-On-A Chip 3D Model, Machine Learning, and Confocal Tomography.

Brain metastases are the most lethal cancer lesions; 10-30% of all cancers metastasize to the brain, with a median survival of only ~5-20 months, depending on the cancer type. To reduce the brain metastatic tumor burden, gaps in basic and translational knowledge need to be addressed. Major challenges include a paucity of reproducible preclinical models and associated tools. Three-dimensional models of brain metastasis can yield the relevant molecular and phenotypic data used to address these needs when combined with dedicated analysis tools. Moreover, compared to murine models, organ-on-a-chip models of patient tumor cells traversing the blood brain barrier into the brain microenvironment generate results rapidly and are more interpretable with quantitative methods, thus amenable to high throughput testing. Here we describe and demonstrate the use of a novel 3D microfluidic blood brain niche (µmBBN) platform where multiple elements of the niche can be cultured for an extended period (several days), fluorescently imaged by confocal microscopy, and the images reconstructed using an innovative confocal tomography technique; all aimed to understand the development of micro-metastasis and changes to the tumor micro-environment (TME) in a repeatable and quantitative manner. We demonstrate how to fabricate, seed, image, and analyze the cancer cells and TME cellular and humoral components, using this platform. Moreover, we show how artificial intelligence (AI) is used to identify the intrinsic phenotypic differences of cancer cells that are capable of transit through a model µmBBN and to assign them an objective index of brain metastatic potential. The data sets generated by this method can be used to answer basic and translational questions about metastasis, the efficacy of therapeutic strategies, and the role of the TME in both.

High-sensitivity laser confocal tomography based on frequency-shifted feedback technique

Laser confocal tomography faces severe challenges in weak signal detection such as biological tissue imaging and low-reflection interfaces measurement. An ultra-high sensitive optical confocal tomography based on laser frequency-shifted feedback imaging technology is presented, whose theoretical magnification can reach 106 notably without using high-gain detectors. In addition, this achievement possesses the same tomographic resolution as conventional laser confocal tomography without the need for spatial filtering devices. In this work, supported by theories and experiments, the lateral and vertical resolution, optical sensitivity, and system repeatability of LFCT and traditional LCT are investigated and analyzed quantificationally. Finally, comparison on the results of measuring the microfluidic device and biological tissue sections is conducted.

Abstract 3103: Analysis of breast cancer lines and PDXs using a blood brain niche (µm-BBN) microfluidic device and algorithms to aid diagnosis of brain metastatic potential

Abstract Metastasis from the primary tumor site to the brain is the most lethal complication of advanced breast cancer. There is no translational approach to detect if a primary tumor has brain metastatic potential. This is due to a lack of blood brain barrier (BBB) models that can classify a cells metastatic potential. Moreover, the mechanisms by which circulating cancer cells extravasate through the BBB are unknown. Currently used in vivo murine models are slow to manifest metastasis therefore, an alternative approach is an in vitro microfluidic model that re-capitulates the BBB niche micro-environment. Our goal is to develop and use this model to identify the metastatic potential of cancer cell populations. Therefore, we have developed a blood brain niche (µm-BBN) on-a-chip and studied the phenotypic differences between cancer cells in the µm-BBN. The device has two chambers separated by a 5µm porous membrane coated with Matrigel and a BB human endothelial cell (hCMEC/D3) mono-layer. The bottom chamber contains a brain stromal ECM and Normal Human Astrocytes (NHA), while the top chamber acts as the blood vessel. Cancer cells are introduced into the top chamber and allowed to extravasate into the brain like stroma. We measured the ability of the endothelial layer to prevent fluorescent small molecules from diffusing into the brain stromal space. The barrier measured 8.3X lower max fluorescent values than when no barrier was present and were confirmed by TEER. Using this model, we characterized the MDA-231 breast cancer cell line against a brain-seeking subclone (MDA-231-BR), normal-like cell lines (MCF10A) and brain met patient derived xenografts (PDXs) in terms of their ability to extravasate, migrate and survive in the niche for 24-48 hrs. Phenotypic and migratory behavior was recorded using confocal tomography to measure cancer cell properties (volume, shape, position) relative to the endothelial layer. Brain-seeking subclones cluster around the endothelial layer, the MCF10A cell line has no preferred location and the parent line (MDA-231) extravasates deeper into the brain stromal space than the other two cell lines. We also found significant variation in the shape of each cell line before and during extravasation suggesting differences in plasticity. The effects of chemoattractants within the µm-BBN on extravasation have been explored by omitting astrocytes in the collagen-infused brain niche and replacing with astrocyte conditioned media. These findings confirm that the system is capable of measuring both variations in cancer cell populations and individual cells. This approach may enable classification of subclone populations with higher metastatic potential, meeting a major need in Oncology. Future work will employ this emerging tool to study the mechanisms by which the cancer cells extravasate and survive in the niche. Citation Format: Christopher Ryan Oliver, Megan Altemus, Trisha Westerhof, Aki Morikawa, Xu Cheng, Jason Heth, Shuichi Takayama, Maria Castro, Sofia Merajver. Analysis of breast cancer lines and PDXs using a blood brain niche (µm-BBN) microfluidic device and algorithms to aid diagnosis of brain metastatic potential [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3103.

New approaches to the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca

to evaluate the effectiveness of the newly developed treatment for KCS based on the use of medical SCL saturated with 0.05% CyA. The patients (43 men, 60 eyes) with severe KCS were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 21 patients (30 eyes), who received artificial tears and wore 0.05% CyA-saturated silicone-hydrogel SCLs. Group 2 included 22 patients (30 eyes), who wore unsaturated original SCLs and received CyA instillations 2 times daily and, also, artificial tears. Apart from a standard ophthalmic examination, the assessment included Schirmer's test, Norn's test, vital eye stain tests, tear osmometry, laser confocal tomography of the cornea, optical coherence tomography of the anterior segment with meniscometry, impression cytology of the conjunctiva, tear pH measurement, plating of the content of the conjunctival cavity, measurement of the width of the palpebral fissure, and calculation of the ocular surface disease index. Treatment results were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The use of 0.05% CyA-saturated SCLs allows to halve treatment time for patients with severe KSC (down to 1 week - 1 month) as compared to unsaturated original SCLs in combination with 0.05% CyA instillations and to reduce it 5 times as compared to 0.05% CyA instillations only. The new method of KSC treatment that involves the use of medical SCL of original design (ensures even distribution of 0.05% CyA across the ocular surface) and preservative-free artificial tears has demonstrated high therapeutic effectiveness as compared to existing methods.

Trehalose efficacy in dry eye syndrome treatment after phacoemulsification

Purpose to estimate the efficacy of “artificial tear” preparation on the trehalose base in dry eye syndrome treatment in cataract patients after phacoemulsification.Materials and methods: in 40 patients with incipient cataract phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was performed. During 1 week, all patients received eye gel with dexpanthenol in addition to postoperative therapy. Then, all patients were divided into two groups (randomization using envelopes): in the main group, the gel was replaced by Thealoz®, in the control group, the gel was discontinued. Special investigation tests (OSDI score, TBUT test, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal confocal tomography) were performed before surgery, in one week and one month after it. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4 program.Results: all investigated parameters had significant differences with time and between groups (р 0.001). TBUT test result decreased in one week after surgery from 7.4 ± 2.1 to 4.6 ± 1.9 sec in the main group and from 7.5 ± 2.3 to 4.4 ± 2 sec in the control group. Return to baseline results in the control group was slowed down and made 6.4 ± 2.8 sec (compared with 7.9 ± 2.4 sec in the main one). In the trehalose group, OSDI score ameliorated from 35.1 ± 8.7 (in one week) to 14.2 ± 5.3 (in one month), in the control group, from 40.1 ± 11.5 to 24.8 ± 9. Conjunctival hyperemia was also less pronounced in the main group in one month after surgery: 0.45 ± 0.6 (1.6 ± 0.7 in one week), in the control group, these indices were equal to 1.7 ± 0.5 (in one week) and 1.3 ± 0.7 (in one month).Conclusions: Thealoz® use as a part of combined postoperative therapy helps to effectively fight against dry eye syndrome main signs and enhances treatment tolerance.

Three-Dimensional Optical Tomography and Correlated Elemental Analysis of Hybrid Perovskite Microstructures: An Insight into Defect-Related Lattice Distortion and Photoinduced Ion Migration.

Organic lead halide perovskites have recently been proposed for applications in light-emitting devices of different sorts. More specifically, regular crystalline microstructures constitute an efficient light source and fulfill the geometrical requirements to act as resonators, giving rise to waveguiding and optical amplification. Herein we show three-dimensional laser scanning confocal tomography studies of different types of methylammonium lead bromide microstructures which have allowed us to dissect their photoemission properties with a precision of 0.036 μm3. This analysis shows that their spectral emission presents strong spatial variations which can be attributed to defect-related lattice distortions. It is also largely enhanced under light exposure, which triggers the migration of halide ions away from illuminated regions, eventually leading to a strongly anisotropic degradation. Our work points to the need for performing an optical quality test of individual crystallites prior to their use in optoelectronics devices and provides a means to do so.

Taflotan, the first preservative-free prostaglandin F2α analogue: treatment advantages in primary open-angle glaucoma patients

Over the past 15 years, the negative role of toxic preservatives in the IOP-lowering eye drops solutions used in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients has been convincingly proven by many national and foreign experts. Therefore, there is a worldwide tendency to prescribe preferably preservative-free IOP-lowering eye drops nowadays. Taflotan is the world’s first preservative-free prostaglandin F2a analogue. In our study of POAG patients switched to Taflotan from the benzalkonium chloride-preserved latanoprost eye drops, we observed a marked decrease in corneal staining and severity of conjunctival hyperemia, as well as increase of the tear breakup time and corneal epithelium morphology improvement evaluated by confocal tomography. Thus, the drug not only effectively lowers IOP but also produces less negative effect on the tear film and eyeball surface, improving treatment tolerability.

Glaucoma diagnostic capacity of optic nerve head haemoglobin measures compared with spectral domain OCT and HRT III confocal tomography.

The computer program laguna onhe determines optic nerve head haemoglobin (ONH Hb) on retinal photographs based on detecting colour differences. This study compares the diagnostic capacity of Laguna ONhE with that of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal tomography (HRT III). In a prospective, observational, cross-sectional study, glaucomatous (n=66) and healthy (n=52) eyes were examined by Spectralis OCT, HRT III and Laguna ONhE. The following Laguna ONhE variables were determined: ONH Hb across the vertical disc diameter (8&20Hb), estimated cup-disc ratio (C/D) and the glaucoma discriminant function (GDF), which combines the slope of Hb amount with the mean in 8&20Hb. The three diagnostic methods were compared by calculating areas under ROC curves (AUCs). Correlations between variables were assessed through Spearman's rho coefficient. Areas under ROC curves (AUCs) were 0.785 (95% CI: 0.700-0.863) for GDF, 0.807 (95% CI: 0.730-0.883) for OCT retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (OCT-RNFL) and 0.714 (95% CI: 0.618-0.810) and 0.721 (95% CI: 0.628-0.815) for the HRT III variable GPS (glaucoma probability score) and vertical C/D ratio, respectively. Glaucoma discriminant function (GDF) was correlated with OCT-RNFL (0.587, p 0.001; 0.507, p 0.045; and -0.119, p 0.713 for mild, moderate and advanced glaucoma, respectively), mostly so with inferior OCT-RNFL (0.622; p<0.001). Glaucoma discriminant function (GDF)-HRT III correlations were lower (rim area 0.471, p<0.0001; rim/disc area 0.426, p<0.0001; vertical C/D -0.413, p<0.0001; GPS -0.408, p<0.0001; rim volume 0.341, p<0.0001). Similar diagnostic power was observed for Laguna ONhE, Spectralis OCT and HRT III.

Significance of laser confocal tomography in diagnosis and monitoring of keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Laser confocal tomography of the cornea enables studying ultrathin sections of corneal layers, which provides additional reliable information on tissue changes in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). To assess the significance of laser confocal tomography of the cornea in the diagnosis and monitoring of KCS. We investigated 38 eyes of 30 patients with severe KCS. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (15 patients, 19 eyes) was prescribed cyclosporine А 0.05% instillations 2 times daily, artificial tears, and soft contact lenses. Group 2 (15 patients, 19 eyes) received only instillations of cyclosporine А 0.05% 2 times daily and artificial tears. Besides standard ophthalmic examination, additional tests were performed, namely Schirmer's test, tear break-up time test, fluorescein eye stain test, tear osmolarity test (TearLab System, USA), and Heidelberg retinal tomography of the cornea (HRT, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Germany). HRT findings revealed a 3 times shorter epithelization period and faster recovery of corneal transparency in group 1 as compared to group 2 (1.5 and 4.5 months, respectively). There was also an evident reduction in the number of immune cells in the cornea, most pronounced in group 1 at 3 months, which is indicative of inflammation termination. The use of HRT of the cornea in KCS patients allows real-time cellular level observation of corneal changes, which together with clinical findings and diagnostic tests not only confirms the diagnosis but also determines treatment effectiveness. It has been also found that soft contact lenses accelerate epithelization of the cornea and relieve inflammation of the ocular surface in KCS patients under cyclosporine A 0.05% instillation therapy. Transparency of financial activity: the authors have no financial interest in the submitted materials and methods.

AMD Drusenoid deposits “P”, Protein‐Cellular Type: Characterization and Evolution. Multimodal imaging and OCT, OCT en Face, Evaluation and Interest

PurposeTo study AMD drusenoid deposits “P”, Protein‐Cellular Type with multimodal imaging,to characterize their morphologic type, evolution, to consider etiopathogeny, biomarker featuresMethods148 eyes of 74 AMD patients. AMD drusenoid deposits “P”,Protein‐Cellular Type:Cuticular drusen,Drusenoid PED “P”, Subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD),Pseudovitellifom AMD were evaluated by Autofluorescence,IR imaging,ETDRS visual acuity (VA),ophthalmic examination with Ocular Fundus,Ocular Confocal Tomography exam(spectral domain OCT, OCT en Face software). Size, characteristics, number, topography of the lesions, growth way were evaluated, also their environment above, below and evolution. Each element was studied, compared cut to cut,layer to layer,time to time.ResultsVA stabilized in 90%. Pseudovitelliform AMD are little, irregular upper limit drusenoid PED. Cuticular drusen appear, uniform, round, white, under retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). SDD deposits are white, homogeneous,quite similar in all cross‐section, FA and ICG too, nearby upper side RPE layer. Drusenoid PED “P” were dense,white, granular,different in all cross‐sections,heterogeneous PED, below RPE,with abnormal RPE above,heavily unstructured.Multimodal imaging,especially OCT en Face, let individualize “P” drusenoid deposits.Evolution was‐choriocapillaris change‐pigment epithelium involution:more dense, irregular, inhomogeneous, crumbled‐inflammation‐neovascular signs even net.Specific metabolic defect outcome, etiopathogenic pathways appear: “P” drusenoid deposit is mostly enrolled in protein‐cellular metabolic pathway dysfunction with rather evolution to neovascular complication. So it would build up its biomarker feature.ConclusionsAMD Drusenoid deposits “P”, Protein‐Cellular type study,knowledge,evolution,notably with multimodal imaging, OCT en Face contribute to and improve AMD understanding, prognosis, etiopathogic concept.

OCT/LCT monitoring of drug action on the structure of the human cornea in vivo

The effect of anti-glaucoma medicinal prepaprations Timolol-AKOS and Cosopt on the structure components of human eye cornea are studied. The eye drops Timolol-AKOS 0.5% and Cosopt were used as the object of study. 10 voluntary patients of the Eye Disease Clinic aged from 70 to 75 suffering from glaucoma took part in the studies. The study of cornea in vivo was carried out using the methods of laser scanning confocal tomography (LCT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) before the application of drugs and at different time moments after the application. The eye cornea thickness values measured using the OCT at the initial moment of time and at different times after the application of the medicinal preparations are presented. From the LCT data the density and the mean diameter of the cornea epithelial cells was calculated. As a result of the complex studies carried out, it was shown that the Timolol-AKOS medication causes the swelling of the cornea within the limits of 1-5%. Under the use of Cosopt medication the cornea dehydration was observed.

The assessment of the neuroprotective effect of herbal medicinal products in patients with early stages (I-II) of primary open-angle glaucoma and stabilized intraocular pressure, evidence from “Tanakan” use

Achievements in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) treatment unfortunately do not ensure an adequate neuroprotective effect in monotherapy of the disease that is why a search for effective and affordable neuroprotectors continues. The aim of the study was to assess the neuroprotective effect of herbal medicinal product “Tanakan” in treatment of POAG patients with normalized intraocular pressure. Methods. A complex clinical and morphological randomized crossover study. Thirty patients (57 eyes) with established stage I-II POAG were examined. Results. During the period from no treatment, up to 3 and 6 months from the treatment start, a reliable increase of the Jantch index (Jantch, 1958) was noted. A positive trend in values of electrophysiological indices was revealed: macular ERG (MERG) a-wave amplitude, and rhythmic ERG (RERG) a-wave amplitude increased. A positive dynamics was found when performing vacuum tests with dosated intraocular pressure (IOP) increase: p-100 complex amplitude increase without its latency changes, as a result of vacuum-compression test with visual evoked cortical potentials (VCT with VECP); with laser confocal tomography, a decrease of maximal optic disc excavation depth at maximal vacuum load was established. Conclusions. An increase of functional visual analyzer performance capabilities at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd neurons level without any changes in optic disc morphometric parameters could be qualified as a neuroprotective effect of the treatment. The increase in the Jantch index, as well as the decrease of maximal optic disc excavation depth as a result of artificial IOP increase may be qualified as an increase in optic nerve tolerance. Tanakan could be used complementary, as a neuroprotector, in combined therapy in stage I-II POAG patients at normalized IOP as long-term (up to 6 months) therapy courses.

AMD Drusenoid deposits “Lipid Type” characteristics and evolution. Multimodal imaging evaluation

AbstractPurpose To study AMD drusenoid deposits “Lipid Type” evolution with multimodal imaging. To individualize their evolution and complication and to consider various etiopathogenic AMD optionsMethods 98 eyes of 49 patients, 18 men, 31 women, with AMD. AMD drusenoid deposits, “Lipid type”: soft Drusen, Drusenoid PED (lipid type), were evaluated by Autofluorescence, IR imaging, ETDRS visual acuity (VA), ocular Fundus examination, Ocular Confocal Tomography exam (OCT), OCT en Face software (Spectralis HRA‐OCT). Size, characteristics, number, topography of the lesions, growth were evaluated, as well as their environment above and below. With OCT, each element was studied, compared cut to cut, layer to layer and time to time to itself and to each other data. Follow‐up was done every 4 months during 2 yearsResults Soft drusen were larger, roughly homogenous, dark‐grey, translucent, dome‐shaped mounds of deposit under the RPE; Drusenoid PED, lipid type, were homogeneous, as convergence of soft drusen, dark‐grey. Multimodal imaging, especially OCT, OCT en Face features let individualize “lipid type” drusenoid deposits: morphologic types appearing homogeneous, dark, optically empty, fatty. Evolution change, depend on those characteristics, rather to IS/OS impairment, photoreceptor disappearance, RPE involution, and so atrophy. They seem result from a specific metabolic defect outcome, peculiar etiopathogenic pathways: lipid metabolic pathway disorder with particular metabolic dysfunctions inrolled. Furthermore, lipid type drusenoid deposits’ prognostic, predictive value allow to designate them for biomarker featureConclusion AMD Drusenoid deposits “lipid type” knowledge, evolution allow better AMD metabolism dysfunction understanding and etiopathogenic concept

Variability and reproducibility of 3 methods for measuring the thickness of the nerve fiber layer

ObjectiveTo estimate the variability and reproducibility of confocal tomography (HRT), scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and optical coherence tomography (OCT-Cirrus) to determine the thickness of the layer of ganglion fibers. MethodA total of 75 normal eyes were examined twice. Inter-individual variability was analyzed after standardizing the results. The coefficient of variation was used to measure the variability between tests, and the Pearson coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between variables. ResultsThe inter-individual variability was similar in GDx (8.9%) and OCT (11.1%), but very high in HRT (30.0%). No instrument detected significant changes with age. The coefficient of variation of the total thickness between the examinations of the same subject was significantly lower (P<0.05) in GDx (1.4) than in OCT (2.0), but very high in HRT (6.4). The same was true when analyzing the upper fibers (GDx=1.8, OCT=2.9, HRT=6.6), but not with the lower ones, where the only significant differences were observed with HRT (GDx=2.2, OCT=2.7, HRT=7.0). Among the results of OCT and GDx, there was a significant correlation when comparing the first (r=0.46, P<0.0001) and second examinations (r=0.52, P<0.0001). However there was no significant relationship between the data provided by HRT for the two remaining instruments (P>0.05). ConclusionsThere is a wide variation in the inter-individual and inter-test measurement of the thickness of the of nerve fibers layers using HRT. GDx has, in this respect, slight advantages over OCT.

Variabilidad interindividual y reproducibilidad de tres métodos de medida del espesor de la capa de fibras nerviosas

ObjectiveTo estimate the variability and reproducibility of confocal tomography (HRT), scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and optical coherence tomography (OCT-Cirrus) to determine the thickness of the layer of ganglion fibers. MethodA total of 75 normal eyes were examined twice. Inter-individual variability was analyzed after standardizing the results. The coefficient of variation was used to measure the variability between tests, and the Pearson coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between variables. ResultsThe inter-individual variability was similar in GDx (8.9%) and OCT (11.1%), but very high in HRT (30.0%). No instrument detected significant changes with age. The coefficient of variation of the total thickness between the examinations of the same subject was significantly lower (P<.05) in GDx (1.4) than in OCT (2.0), but very high in HRT (6.4). The same was true when analyzing the upper fibers (GDx=1.8, OCT=2.9, HRT = 6.6), but not with the lower ones, where the only significant differences were observed with HRT (GDx = 2.2, OCT = 2.7, HRT = 7.0). Among the results of OCT and GDx, there was a significant correlation when comparing the first (r=0.46, P<.0001) and second examinations (r=0.52, P<.0001). However there was no significant relationship between the data provided by HRT for the two remaining instruments (P>.05). ConclusionsThere is a wide variation in the inter-individual and inter-test measurement of the thickness of the of nerve fibers layers using HRT. GDx has, in this respect, slight advantages over OCT.