Eye Damage Research Articles

To remove or not to remove: Intraconal metallic foreign body following perforating ocular injury

Background: Foreign bodies (FB) are implicated in 17-30% of penetrating ocular injuries. We encountered 2 cases of perforating ocular trauma with metallic intra-orbital FB in 2 teenage males. Case report: A 17-year-old male presented with a nail-hammer injury 6 hours after trauma. Snellen’s acuity was 3/60 with a corneal laceration of 5mm with lens matter in the anterior chamber and vitreous hemorrhage. After primary repair by the anterior segment surgeon, posterior segment surgery was done following the diagnosis of retinal detachment (RD) and intra-ocular Foreign Body(FB) by ultrasound. No FB was noted intraoperatively. On Computerized Tomography (CT), metallic FB 5.2x3.5 mm was noted at the insertion of the inferior oblique muscle. Removal of IOFB was deferred by the oculoplasty department. Delayed oil removal was done with final Snellen’s acuity 6/12p. Another 16-year-old male attended the retina clinic 20 days after injury with a metal-on-metal hammering incident. Primary topical management was done elsewhere. Snellen’s acuity was 6/18p in the affected eye. The site of FB entry was scleral,1.4 mm from limbus at 9 o’clock with no associated lens trauma. CT scan of the brain and orbit showed intra-orbital FB medial to the medial rectus near the orbital apex. FB (4.4x4.3 mm) left a tract in subretinal space to enter intraconal space 1 disc diameter nasal to optic disc. Vitrectomy was done for tractional RD and postoperative Snellen’s vision was 6/12. Conclusion: A high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary to detect and localize IOFB. Non-toxic intra-orbital FB may be left in the context of good vision in the affected eye and possible iatrogenic optic nerve damage.

Use of a Novel Virtual Reality-Based Pupillography Device for Glaucoma Management: Cross-Sectional Cohort Pilot Study.

Current standard methods in monitoring glaucoma progression, like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and standard automated perimetry (SAP), have limitations in certain cases. Automated relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) and pupillary light reflex (PLR) testing may offer more objective alternatives. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether RAPD could sufficiently distinguish between the two eyes in asymmetrical glaucoma, and thus could lay the foundation for using the PLR of a single eye to monitor progression longitudinally. Twenty-one patients underwent quantitative PLR measurements using a virtual reality headset. RAPD was calculated by subtracting the amplitude of PLRs between eyes. Both RAPD and relative SAP (measured using the mean defect or MD) results were correlated to the thickness of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), as measured by OCT. Data from 18 patients was analyzed after exclusions. RAPD significantly correlated with differences between the two eyes as measured by RNFL thickness (Pearson r = 0.79, p = 0.05). MD differences correlated slightly better with RNFL differences (Pearson r = 0.87, p < 0.05). RAPD and MD combined yielded an improved prediction of RNFL differences by 5% compared to using MD only. RAPD measurements reliably detected asymmetries in optic nerve damage in glaucoma patients. SAP measurements correlated better with OCT results than RAPD results. However, SAP and RAPD combined led to an improved prediction of RNFL thickness. This could possibly allow us to use PLR only over longer periods of time to monitor glaucomatous optic nerve damage in a single eye in the future.

6PPD, Not 6PPD-Quinone, Induced Serious Zebrafish Eye Damage by Disrupting the Thyroid Signaling Pathway.

N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (6PPD) and its oxidation product 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) showed different acute toxicities and bioaccumulation potencies in fish. In this study, we compared the thyroid disrupting effects of 6PPD and 6PPDQ through in vitro, in silico, and in vivo assays. Interestingly, although 6PPD and 6PPDQ showed similar docking affinities with thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoforms and GH3 cell inhibition effects, the thyroid signaling pathway, eye development, phototactic behaviors, and cell density in the retinal layer in the larval zebrafish were significantly affected only following 6PPD exposure. Further investigation demonstrates that 6PPD can act as a TR antagonist to reduce the opsin protein abundance and inhibit the cone photoreceptor cell proliferation, which finally alters the retinal layer structure and causes microphthalmus in zebrafish. Especially, under environmental relevant concentration exposure, 6PPD induced alterations of trβ, opn1lw1, opn1mw1, rpe65a, nr2e3 gene expressions although no significant eye histopathological change was observed. This study illustrates for the first time the more serious visual system impairment of 6PPD compared to 6PPDQ, with thyroid signaling disruption being a contributing factor, while other important toxic targets still require further research.

Analisis Praktik Klinik Keperawatan pada Pasien St Elevasi Miokard Infark (STEMI) Anterior dengan Inovasi Intervensi Isometric Handgrip Exercise untuk Menurunkan Tekanan Darah

If hypertension is not treated for a long time, it will cause dangerous complications such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, chronic kidney failure and eye damage (hypertensive retinopathy). One of the non-pharmacological treatments for hypertensive patients is by providing isometric handgrip exercise therapy. The aim of the research was to conduct an analysis of nursing clinical practice in anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients using the innovative intervention of isometric handgrip exercise to reduce blood pressure in the ICCU room at Aji Muhammad Parikesit Tenggarong District Hospital. This research method is a One-Shot Case Study, namely a research design where the researcher only carries out one treatment which is thought to have had an effect and then carries out a post-test. The patient in this study was 1 person with the characteristics of a patient diagnosed with a medical diagnosis of ACS Stemi who had high blood pressure. The results of the implementation of isometric handgrip exercise therapy to reduce blood pressure showed significant results during the 3 interventions in which blood pressure was reduced. The conclusion from the results of the analysis carried out showed that there was a change in blood pressure after being given the isometric handgrip exercise intervention

Ocular outcomes of toxoplasmosis in the Amazon-Cerrado transition zone, Brazil: a population-based study.

Eye damage represents one of the gravest outcomes of toxoplasmosis, potentially leading to varying degrees of vision impairment, up to and including blindness. Monitoring ophthalmological indicators in individuals affected by toxoplasmosis, alongside understanding its impact on visual acuity, can motivate the scientific community to advocate for strategies to prevent vision loss associated with toxoplasmosis. This is a retrospective study analysing medical records and clinical documentation from patients at an ophthalmological clinic in a city located at the intersection of the Cerrado and Amazon Forest biomes. It was noted that >20% of patients exhibited visual acuity ≤20/200, a condition medically recognized as blindness for the affected eye. Our study highlights a significant portion of individuals experiencing lasting visual impairments due to toxoplasmosis. These findings remain obscured by the existing national guidelines, which only mandate reporting for congenital and gestational toxoplasmosis cases, thereby overlooking sporadic manifestations and their consequential effects. The effort to identify ophthalmologic consequences is crucial both for personalized clinical care and for shaping national guidelines for managing toxoplasmosis.

A case of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a child with Prader–Willi syndrome

A possible manifestation of intrauterine infection with herpes viruses can be severe eye damage. Various visual disturbances with negative consequences have been described in Prader–Willi syndrome. The article describes bilateral chorioretinitis in a child with Prader–Willi syndrome, which developed against the background of congenital herpetic infection of CMV etiology.

Innovative Photoprotection Strategy: Development of 2-(Benzoxazol-2-Yl)[(2-Hydroxynaphthyl)Diazenyl] Phenol Derivatives for Comprehensive Absorption of UVB, UVA, and Blue Light.

Overexposure to blue light due to the excessive use of electronic devices has been implicated in premature skin aging and eye damage, among other injuries to health. This study aimed to synthesize two azo derivatives of the 2-(amino-2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzoxazole and explore their potential as UV and blue light filters, proposing a new spectral profile. The synthesis of the heterocyclic compounds involved condensation reactions and diazotation. The derivatives 2-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-5-[(2-hydroxynaphthyl)diazenyl]phenol and 2-(benzoxazol-2-yl)-4-[(2-hydroxynaphthyl)diazenyl]phenol were synthesized with a yield greater than 70%. Solubility was evaluated in seven different solvents. The maximum absorption wavelengths (λmax) were determined using UV-Vis scanning spectrophotometry in the range of 200-600 nm. Photostability was assessed using a solar simulator and the Sun protection factor (SPF) was determined using invitro methodology. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay in V79 cells. These compounds were able to absorb UVA, UVB, and blue light, with λmax ranging from 300 to 500 nm and demonstrated photostability after 3 h of exposure to solar simulator with an SPF higher than 45. The compounds exhibited solubility in all lipophilic solvents tested. Regarding cytotoxicity, IC50 values were comparable to other filters. These findings indicate that both compounds hold promise as potential organic filters.

Predictive immunoinformatics reveal promising safety and anti-onchocerciasis protective immune response profiles to vaccine candidates (Ov-RAL-2 and Ov-103) in anticipation of phase I clinical trials.

Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is a debilitating tropical disease that causes significant eye and skin damage, afflicting millions worldwide. As global efforts shift from disease management to elimination, vaccines have become crucial supplementary tools. The Onchocerciasis Vaccine for Africa (TOVA) Initiative was established in 2015, to advance at least one vaccine candidate initially targeting onchocerciasis in infants and children below 5 years of age, through Phase I human trials by 2025. Notably, Ov-RAL-2 and Ov-103 antigens have shown great promise during pre-clinical development, however, the overall success rate of vaccine candidates during clinical development remains relatively low due to certain adverse effects and immunogenic limitations. This study, thus, aimed at predicting the safety and immunogenicity of Ov-RAL-2 and Ov-103 potential onchocerciasis vaccine candidates prior to clinical trials. Advanced molecular simulation models and analytical immunoinformatics algorithms were applied to predict potential adverse side effects and efficacy of these antigens in humans. The analyses revealed that both Ov-RAL-2 and Ov-103 demonstrate favourable safety profiles as toxicogenic and allergenic epitopes were found to be absent within each antigen. Also, both antigens were predicted to harbour substantial numbers of a wide range of distinct epitopes (antibodies, cytokines, and T- Cell epitopes) associated with protective immunity against onchocerciasis. In agreement, virtual vaccination simulation forecasted heightened, but sustained levels of primary and secondary protective immune responses to both vaccine candidates over time. Ov-103 was predicted to be non-camouflageable, as it lacked epitopes identical to protein sequences in the human proteome. Indeed, both antigens were able to bind with high affinity and activate the innate immune TLR4 receptor, implying efficient immune recognition. These findings suggest that Ov-RAL-2 and Ov-103 can induce sufficient protective responses through diverse humoral and cellular mechanisms. Overall, our study provides additional layer of evidence for advancing the clinical development of both vaccine candidates against onchocerciasis.

Corticosteroids and glaucoma: How do treatments trigger ocular nerve damage? - A systematic literature review

Corticosteroids are steroid hormone derivatives produced by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids in the health sector have been widely utilized as anti-inflammatory agents because of their strong and rapid effects. This study aimed to identify the impact of long-term corticosteroid use on eye damage. This study uses a systematic literature review, which is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to the article screening process. The data of this study, in the form of demographic variables, route of administration, steroid type, comorbidities, and patient risk factors, were descriptively analyzed. As a result, 15 of the 22 articles were selected for analysis. Chronic corticosteroid administration may precipitate optic neuropathy, manifesting as glaucoma, which is characterized by progressive structural degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and concomitant visual function deterioration. The locus of primary pathological insult in glaucomatous conditions is the optic nerve head, specifically at the optic disc. This anatomical site is notable for the abrupt 90-degree angular deviation of RGC axons as they transition from the retinal nerve fiber layer to their trajectory within the optic nerve proper. The use of corticosteroids can damage ocular nerve tissue through an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) beyond 21 mmHg. This increase in IOP is due to changes in the microstructure of the trabeculum webbing, resulting in increased obstruction to the outflow of aqueous humor.

Mechanisms and Future Perspectives of Curcumin in Diabetes Management

Background: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that leads to significant damage to vital organs due to prolonged high blood glucose levels. These complications include cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage), myopathy, and foot infections. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common form of diabetes, primarily affecting adults when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when insulin production by the pancreas is insufficient. Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice widely used around the world, has been traditionally recognized for its numerous health benefits, including antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. Among its active compounds, curcumin, a polyphenolic curcuminoid, has garnered significant attention for its potential role in managing diabetes and its complications. Methods: Data for this review were obtained from databases including PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Search terms utilized included "diabetes," "type 2 diabetes," "diabetic complications," "turmeric," "curcumin," "oxidative stress and curcumin," "curcumin and nephropathy," "curcumin and retinopathy," "curcumin and neuropathy," "curcumin and cardiovascular diseases," "curcumin and cardiomyopathy," “curcumin and pyroptosis,” "curcumin and diabetic foot ulcer," and "curcumin and erectile dysfunction." Results: This review highlights the promising role of curcumin in transforming diabetes treatment and management. The findings demonstrate that curcumin offers protective effects against diabetic complications by modulating key signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, AMPK, MAPK, and AP-1. Its anti-inflammatory properties, inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and reduction of oxidative stress through antioxidant activity present a strong case for its therapeutic potential in diabetes care. Conclusion: This review provides an in-depth explanation of curcumin's mechanisms of action, detailing its medicinal effects on diabetes-related complications and key outcomes from preclinical and clinical studies supporting its potential benefits. It also outlines future directions for research into curcumin's role in diabetes treatment.

Association between hydroxychloroquine intake and damage to the outer nuclear layer in eyes without manifest retinal toxicity

BackgroundHydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is widely used to treat various autoimmune diseases but carries a risk of retinal toxicity, particularly with prolonged use. Despite advancements, uncertainty persists regarding optimal screening methods. Recent advances in OCT have enabled early detection of retinal damage, with studies suggesting that thinning of specific retinal layers may be an early indicator of toxicity. However, there is a gap in research on outer nuclear layer (ONL) thinning in HCQ users without apparent retinal toxicity. This information is crucial for improving screening and identifying the ONL as a reliable biomarker for screening. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between HCQ intake and ONL damage in eyes without manifest retinal toxicity.MethodsA case‒control study was conducted at the ophthalmology department of Eye and Ear Hospital International from July 2022 to June 2023. The study included 20 individuals on HCQ and 20 age-matched controls. The data were obtained through chart reviews, and participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic assessments.ResultsA total of 80 eyes were analyzed. Patients on HCQ exhibited significantly thinner perifoveal, parafoveal, and overall ONL compared to controls (P < .001, P < .012, and P < .004, respectively). Similarly, this association was found in the nasal, inferior, and temporal quadrants of both the inner (region 3: P < .01, region 4: P < .001, and region 5: P < .03) and outer zones (region 7: P < .04, region 8: P < .001, region 9: P < .02), most pronounced in the inferior regions. The cumulative dose was weakly associated with decreased ONL thickness only in the nasal quadrant of the inner zone (region 3: P < .047). Correlation analysis of the initial and most recent OCT scans in the same individuals revealed a weak association with ONL thinning in the central zone (region 1: P < .0048).ConclusionThe thickness of the ONL can significantly decrease in patients taking HCQ, even in the absence of of manifest retinal toxicity. This study is the first to evaluate this association in eyes with negative screening and diagnostic tests for HCQ retinopathy. The findings suggest that ONL thickness could serve as an early diagnostic indicator for HCQ retinal toxicity.

Effects of retinopathy on visual function in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To study the influence of the severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on the visual function of patients with type 2 diabetes, to provide scientific basis for the early prevention and control of DR. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study, recruiting already-diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients in four community health service centers in Guizhou Province between February and September 2022. Employing the Chinese version of the Visual Function Index-14 (VF-14), assess the participants' near vision, visual adaptation, subjective visual perception, and stereo vision, with higher scores indicating poorer visual function. Categorize the severity of each eye's damage into no diabetic retinopathy (DR), mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and use a 5-level DR grading system to evaluate the overall severity of diabetic retinopathy in both eyes. Employing linear regression analysis to investigate the linear relationship between DR and visual function index. Local weighted regression evaluates the nonlinear relationship between the DR composite score and the scores of visual function, with a steeper slope indicating poorer visual function for that level. Results: A total of 542 patients with type 2 diabetes were investigated, including 244 (45.02%) males, 298 (54.98%) females, and 162 (29.89%) patients with DR. After adjusting for confounders, compared with those without DR, patients with binocular DR Had overall scores (β=0.136, P=0.003), near vision (β=0.163, P<0.001), visual adaptation (β=0.092, P=0.042), subjective vision (β=0.120, P=0.009) and stereo vision (β=0.094, P=0.044) were higher than those without DR. There were no differences in visual functions between DR And monocular DR. The local weighted regression curve showed that near vision (slope: 23.78) and overall score (slope: 58.37) increased sharply from mild to moderate NPDR in both eyes. Visual adaptation (slope: 5.37, 7.72), subjective vision (slope: 6.53, 7.93), stereovision (slope: 0.74, 0.91) increased slowly in mild to moderate NPDR in both eyes and in moderate to severe NPDR/PDR in both eyes. Conclusion: Binocular DR is associated with impaired visual function, but there is no difference between monocular DR And non-DR visual function. The early damage of DR To visual function is mainly manifested in near vision. In the prevention and control of DR, more attention should be paid to visual function, especially the change of near vision, and retinal damage should not be assessed solely by visual status.

Preoperative OCT-Derived Nasal Perifoveal Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Predictively Correlates Long-Term Visual Acuity Post Oil Removal Surgery.

With the widespread application of silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery, the purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors of long-term vision loss 12months post oil removal in retina-detached eyes treated with vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade. Of the 592 patients approached, eligible eyes completed the investigation up to 12months post-oil-removal. Eligible eyes underwent pars-plana vitrectomy following oil tamponade. Oil removal was performed after 3 to 28months in different individuals, under the condition that the retina has reattached as well as the hemorrhage and inflammation has dissolved. Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), age, sex, and interval between tamponade and removal were recorded, and retinal thickness was determined using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fifty eyes of 50 participants aged 31 to 83years were enrolled. BCVA (LogMAR) 12months post-oil-removal improved in 25 of 40 (62.5%) patients, varying from 0.05 (20/22) to 1.0 (20/200) (mean ± SD = 0.55 ± 0.32). Pre-oil-removal nasal perifoveal retinal nerve fiber layer thickness varied from 16 to 83µm (38.40 ± 18.50), and was significantly linked with post-oil-removal BCVA (0.5%, 95% confidence interval 0.0%-1.0%; P = 0.046). This study demonstrates the risk factors and prognosis of visual function after long-term regeneration post vitrectomy, oil tamponade, and oil removal, thereby underscoring the need for a complete, dynamic examination of retinal structure via OCT measurement. Related studies should be conducted on a larger scale to facilitate the stratification of late-period vision damage in retina-detached eyes. This study developed OCT-based clinical markers for the postoperative visual prognosis of eyes affected by retinal detachment.

Seeking materials from nature for interrupting eye damage: Ultraviolet to blue light blocking clear cellulose films enabled by curcumin

The harms caused by ultraviolet (UV) and blue light to eyes are attracting momentous concern due to growing exposure to artificial illumination and modern IT devices. Herein, a simple and eco-friendly adsorption approach was employed to integrate curcumin, a natural bioactive compound, into the cellulose substrate for the development of flexible and biodegradable filters capable of blocking harmful light. The curcumin/cellulose films demonstrate excellent UV-screening competence and photostability, with UV-A and UV-B screening ratios ranging from 92.8 % to 100 % and 89.2 % to 100 %, respectively. The films could block >96 % of blue light in the wavelength range of 400–500 nm. Meanwhile, the films maintain high transmittance (85.2–89.4 %) and low haze (2.0–2.7 %). The films can efficiently block blue light emanated from sunlight, light-emitting diodes, lighting systems, computer and mobile phone screens. Encouragingly, the incorporation of curcumin led to a substantial increase in the water contact angle, elevating it from 41.6 to 81.3°. Furthermore, the films exhibit excellent antimicrobial properties, biodegradability, and tensile strength in excess of 72 MPa. Therefore, these films fabricated entirely from natural resources have the potential to achieve practical applications such as food packaging and spectacle lens, especially suitable for electronic screen protectors.

P19-20 Eye damage: the use of reconstructed human cornea to classify biopesticide

P19-20 Eye damage: the use of reconstructed human cornea to classify biopesticide

Study of the Pharmacodynamic Material Basis and Mechanisms of the Action of Fubai Chrysanthemum in Relieving Visual Fatigue.

Fubai chrysanthemum is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, which can be used as a common food, and is commonly used to improve and relieve visual fatigue. However, its pharmacodynamic material basis and action mechanisms in relieving visual fatigue have not been systematically studied. In this article, 11 absorbed ingredients from Fubai chrysanthemum were detected in rat plasma. Then, the target network pharmacology and KEGG pathway analysis were performed. It was found that Fubai chrysanthemum could inhibit various apoptotic cells and reduce oxidative damage of eyes by regulating the apoptosis pathway, thus alleviating visual fatigue. Further in vitro experiments showed that Fubai chrysanthemum could effectively protect against oxidation damage of adult retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19), retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5), and lens. The results of cell experiments showed that Fubai chrysanthemum could increase the cell activity, GSH content, and SOD content of ARPE-19 and RGC-5 after oxidative injury, while decreasing the IL-18 content. Similarly, in the study of lens transparency, we found that Fubai chrysanthemum could effectively alleviate the oxidative damage degree of the lens, and significantly increase the content of CAT, GSH, and SOD. The above results suggested that Fubai chrysanthemum could play an important role in alleviating visual fatigue through regulating cell apoptosis and antioxidative damage.

Diabetic Retinopathy Using Deep Learning

Untreated diabetic retinopathy, a complication of uncontrolled diabetes, may lead to total blindness if not addressed promptly. Consequently, in order to avoid the serious complications of diabetic retinopathy, it is crucial to diagnose the condition early and treat it medically. Patients go through a lot of pain and suffering as ophthalmologists manually identify diabetic retinopathy. With the use of an automated method, diabetic retinopathy may be detected more rapidly, allowing for easier follow-up therapy to prevent more eye damage. This paper presents a machine learning strategy for feature extraction including exudates, hemorrhages, and micro aneurysms. The strategy involves a hybrid classifier that integrates support vector machine, k closest neighbour, random forest, logistic regression, and multilayer perceptron networks. To further assist in DR stage image recognition, for instance to detect blood vessels, future research may center on applying object identification techniques based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs).

Interventional human ocular safety experiments for 222-nm far-ultraviolet-C lamp irradiation.

The study aimed to directly assess the ocular safety of 222-nm far-ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation in humans, given the limited clinical trials in this area. This wavelength offers the potential for safe and effective microbial inactivation in occupied spaces, but its safety profile for human eyes requires thorough investigation. This prospective, interventional study involved five subjects aged 29-47 years, who were exposed to 222-nm UVC at doses of 22, 50, and 75 mJ/cm2. The subjects were monitored using custom-made glasses with a UV-cut filter on one eye to serve as a control. UVC irradiation was conducted using a KrCl excimer lamp, and ocular examinations were performed prior to exposure, 24 h post-exposure, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Parameters assessed included visual acuity, refractive error, corneal endothelial density, corneal erosion scores, and conjunctival hyperemia scores. The study found no clinically significant photokeratitis or long-term eye damage across the five subjects, even at the highest dose of 75 mJ/cm2. Temporary ocular discomfort, including sensations of dryness and epiphora, was reported, but these symptoms subsided within hours after irradiation. The findings indicate that 222-nm far-UVC irradiation up to 75 mJ/cm2 does not cause "clinically significant photokeratitis" or long-term ocular damage, though it may induce temporary discomfort. This supports the safe use of 222-nm UVC for germicidal applications in occupied environments, providing a basis for revised safety guidelines.

Evaluation of the Inner Macula Layers, Circumpapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer, and Minimum Rim Width Thickness in Patients With Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Without Glaucoma Compared With Controls.

Minimum rim width (MRW) is thinner in patients with non-glaucomatous pseudoexfoliation syndrome (XFS) and may be the first parameter affected in these patients due to the vascular nature of this disease. To evaluate the macular inner layers, circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (cp-RNFL), and MRW in non-glaucomatous XFS compared with healthy patients. In this prospective study, using Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography with Glaucoma Module Premium Edition, 8×8 grids of macular inner layers were exported, and the global, superior, and inferior thicknesses were used. Also, on the deviation map, the elliptical annulus around the fovea, which was 4.8×4mm in size, was analyzed. Moreover, both groups calculated cp-RNFL and MRW values in 3 superior and 3 inferior sectors. Thirty-two eyes of 32 patients with clinically detected non-glaucomatous XFS and 30 right eyes of age-sex-matched healthy controls were included. No significant difference was found between the case and control groups concerning the intraocular pressure (14.94 ± 2.09 vs 15.27 ± 2.27 mm Hg, respectively, P = 0.556). The MRW of the superotemporal segment (MRW-temporal superior) was significantly thinner in the XFS group compared with the control ones (303.69 ± 60.49 vs 341.43 ± 56.19µm, P = 0.014). No significant differences were found in the other sectors of MRW, macular inner layers, and cp-RNFL thickness between the groups. These findings indicate that the MRW, especially in the superotemporal sector, may show early eye damage in patients with non-glaucomatous XFS, and it may be used to detect the early stage of glaucoma in XFS.

Inhibition of mitophagy via the EIF2S1-ATF4-PRKN pathway contributes to viral encephalitis

IntroductionMitophagy, a selective form of autophagy responsible for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, regulates the antiviral immune response and acts as viral replication platforms to facilitate infection with various viruses. However, its precise role in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection and herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) remains largely unknown. ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the regulation of mitophagy by HSV-1 neurotropic infection and its role in viral encephalitis, and to identify small compounds that regulate mitophagy to affect HSV-1 infection. MethodsThe antiviral effects of compounds were investigated by Western blot, RT-PCR and plaque assay. The changes of Parkin (PRKN)-mediated mitophagy and Nuclear Factor kappa B (NFKB)-mediated neuroinflammation were examined by TEM, RT-qPCR, Western blot and ELISA. The therapeutic effect of taurine or PRKN-overexpression was confirmed in the HSE mouse model by evaluating survival rate, eye damage, neurodegenerative symptoms, immunohistochemistry analysis and histopathology. ResultsHSV-1 infection caused the accumulation of damaged mitochondria in neuronal cells and in the brain tissue of HSE mice. Early HSV-1 infection led to mitophagy activation, followed by inhibition in the later viral infection. The HSV-1 proteins ICP34.5 or US11 deregulated the EIF2S1-ATF4 axis to suppress PRKN/Parkin mRNA expression, thereby impeding PRKN-dependent mitophagy. Consequently, inhibition of mitophagy by specific inhibitor midiv-1 promoted HSV-1 infection, whereas mitophagy activation by PRKN overexpression or agonists (CCCP and rotenone) attenuated HSV-1 infection and reduced the NF-κB-mediated neuroinflammation. Moreover, PRKN-overexpressing mice showed enhanced resistance to HSV-1 infection and ameliorated HSE pathogenesis. Furthermore, taurine, a differentially regulated gut microbial metabolite upon HSV-1 infection, acted as a mitophagy activator that transcriptionally promotes PRKN expression to stimulate mitophagy and to limit HSV-1 infection both in vitro and in vivo. ConclusionThese results reveal the protective function of mitophagy in HSE pathogenesis and highlight mitophagy activation as a potential antiviral therapeutic strategy for HSV-1-related diseases.