White-eye Research Articles

The white gene as a transgenesis marker for the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus.

The cricket Gryllus bimaculatus is an emerging model insect of the order Orthoptera that is used in a wide variety of biological research themes. This hemimetabolous species appears highly complementary to Drosophila and other well-established holometabolous models. To improve transgenesis applications in G. bimaculatus, we have designed a transformation marker gene inspired from the widespread Drosophila mini-white+. Using CRISPR/Cas9, we first generated a loss-of-function mutant allele of the Gb-white gene (Gb-w), which exhibits a white eye coloration at all developmental stages. We then demonstrate that transgenic insertions of a piggyBac vector containing a 3xP3-Gb-w+ cassette rescue eye pigmentation. As an application, we used this vector to generate G. bimaculatus lines expressing a centromeric histone H3 variant (CenH3.1) fused to EGFP and validated EGFP-CenH3.1 detection at cricket centromeres. Finally, we demonstrate that Minos-based germline transformation and site-specific plasmid insertion with the ΦC31 integrase system function in G. bimaculatus.

Aberrant White Eye Coloration in Two Red-Bellied Woodpeckers (Picidae: Melanerpes carolinus) from Florida

Aberrant White Eye Coloration in Two Red-Bellied Woodpeckers (Picidae: Melanerpes carolinus) from Florida

Effects of Different Scleral Photo-Crosslinking Modalities on Scleral Stiffness and Hydration.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical and hydration differences in scleral tissue after two modalities of collagen cross-linking. Scleral tissue from 40 adult white rabbit eyes was crosslinked by application of 0.1% Rose Bengal solution followed by 80 J/cm2 green light irradiation (RGX) or by application of 0.1% riboflavin solution followed by 5.4 J/cm2 ultraviolet A irradiation (UVX). Posterior scleral strips were excised from treated and untreated sclera for tensile and hydration-tensile tests. For tensile tests, the strips were subjected to uniaxial extension after excision. For hydration-tensile tests, the strips were dehydrated, rehydrated, and then tested. Young's modulus at 8% strain and swelling rate were estimated. ANOVAs were used to test treated-induced differences in scleral biomechanical and hydration properties. Photo-crosslinked sclera tissue was stiffer (Young's modulus at 8% strain: 10.7 ± 4.5 MPa, on average across treatments) than untreated scleral tissue (7.1 ± 4.0 MPa). Scleral stiffness increased 132% after RGX and 90% after UVX compared to untreated sclera. Scleral swelling rate was reduced by 11% after RGX and by 13% after UVX. The stiffness of the treated sclera was also associated with the tissue hydration level. The lower the swelling, the higher the Young's modulus of RGX (-3.8% swelling/MPa) and UVX (-3.5% swelling/MPa) treated sclera. Cross-linking with RGX and UVX impacted the stiffness and hydration of rabbit posterior sclera. The Rose Bengal with green light irradiation may be an alternative method to determine the efficacy and suitability of inducing scleral tissue stiffening in the treatment of myopia.

RASA TAKUT DALAM FILM ANIMASI 2 DIMENSI "FEARS" KARYA NATA METLUKHLUKH)

“Fears” is a graduation film made by Nata Metlukh at Vancouver Film School in 2015. Nata’s first twodimensional animation film got numerous awards at various film festivals. Without dialogs, the film putsforward the strength of how visualization in the form of animation and music represents the feelings of fearin different forms and conditions as the message of the animator. Analysis of “Fears” aims at (1) describingthe plot of the story through the visualization of animation, and (2) exploring the forms and meanings of thefeelings of fear through the interpretation of the visualization of the plot of the story. Fifteen selectedanimation visualizations of black creatures with white eyes --signifying feelings of fear and alwaysshadowing the main animation character and others—were analyzed. The result of the analysis demonstratesthat feelings of fear may be understood by the owners as the entity disturbing, hindering, and limiting theirthoughts and actions; but on the other side, feelings of fear are also understood in a constructive sense whichfacilitates people to be always alert and cautious.

Racial Disparities in Glaucoma Vision Outcomes and Eye Care Utilization: An IRIS Registry Analysis

PurposeTo evaluate racial disparities in vision outcomes and eye care utilization among glaucoma patients. DesignRetrospective cohort study. SettingPopulation-based IRIS Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight) study. ParticipantsPatients with minimum one diagnosis code for glaucoma at least 6 months prior to Jan 1st, 2015 and at least one eye exam, visual field (VF), optical coherence tomography (OCT), or eye-related inpatient or emergency department (ED) code in 2015. Main Outcomes and MeasuresMultivariable logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to assess vision and utilization outcomes, respectively, across race and ethnicity from Jan 1st 2015 – Jan 1st 2020. Vision outcomes included cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) progression > 0.80, poor vision (visual acuity 20/200 or worse), low vision codes, and need for glaucoma filtering surgery. Utilization outcomes included outpatient eye exams, OCTs, VFs, inpatient/ED encounters, and lasers/surgeries. ResultsAmong 996,297 patients, 73% were non-Hispanic White, 15% non-Hispanic Black, 9% Hispanic, 3% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 0.3% Native American/Alaska Native. Compared to White eyes, Black and Hispanic eyes had higher adjusted odds of CDR progression (odds ratio (OR)=1.12, 95%CI=1.08-1.17; OR=1.28, 95%CI=1.22-1.34), poor vision (OR=1.26, 95%CI=1.22-1.29; OR=1.26, 95%CI=1.22-1.31), glaucoma filtering surgery (rate ratio (RR)=1.47, 95%CI=1.42-1.51; RR=1.13, 95%CI=1.09-1.18). Hispanic eyes also had increased odds of low vision diagnoses (Hispanic OR=1.18, 95%CI=1.07-1.30). Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to have eye exams (RR=0.94, 95%CI=0.94-0.95; RR=0.99, 95%CI=0.99-0.99) and OCTs (RR=0.86, 95%CI=0.85-0.86; RR=0.97, 95%CI=0.96-0.98), yet Black patients had higher odds of inpatient/ED encounters (RR=1.64, 95%CI=1.37-1.96) compared to White patients. Native American patients were more likely to have poor vision (OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.01-1.36) and less likely to have outpatient visits (RR=0.89, 95%CI=0.86-0.91), OCTs (RR=0.85, 95%CI=0.82-0.89), visual fields (RR=0.91, 95%CI=0.88-0.94) or lasers/surgeries (RR=0.87, 95%CI=0.79-0.96) compared to White patients. ConclusionsWe found that significant disparities in US eye care exist with Black, Hispanic, and Native American patients having worse vision outcomes and less disease monitoring. Glaucoma may be undertreated in these racial and ethnic minority groups, increasing risk for glaucoma-related vision loss.

Precise and Rapid Whole-Head Segmentation from Magnetic Resonance Images of Older Adults using Deep Learning.

Whole-head segmentation from Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) establishes the foundation for individualized computational models using finite element method (FEM). This foundation paves the path for computer-aided solutions in fields, particularly in non-invasive brain stimulation. Most current automatic head segmentation tools are developed using healthy young adults. Thus, they may neglect the older population that is more prone to age-related structural decline such as brain atrophy. In this work, we present a new deep learning method called GRACE, which stands for General, Rapid, And Comprehensive whole-hEad tissue segmentation. GRACE is trained and validated on a novel dataset that consists of 177 manually corrected MR-derived reference segmentations that have undergone meticulous manual review. Each T1-weighted MRI volume is segmented into 11 tissue types, including white matter, grey matter, eyes, cerebrospinal fluid, air, blood vessel, cancellous bone, cortical bone, skin, fat, and muscle. To the best of our knowledge, this work contains the largest manually corrected dataset to date in terms of number of MRIs and segmented tissues. GRACE outperforms five freely available software tools and a traditional 3D U-Net on a five-tissue segmentation task. On this task, GRACE achieves an average Hausdorff Distance of 0.21, which exceeds the runner-up at an average Hausdorff Distance of 0.36. GRACE can segment a whole-head MRI in about 3 seconds, while the fastest software tool takes about 3 minutes. In summary, GRACE segments a spectrum of tissue types from older adults T1-MRI scans at favorable accuracy and speed. The trained GRACE model is optimized on older adult heads to enable high-precision modeling in age-related brain disorders. To support open science, the GRACE code and trained weights are made available online and open to the research community at https://github.com/lab-smile/GRACE.

Evolving Fuchs' uveitis - A diagnostic challenge.

To study cases of Fuchs' uveitis (FU) diagnosed as uveitis other than FU at initial visits. A retrospective, observational chart review. Details of clinical presentation, initial diagnosis, treatment details, and follow-up before and after the diagnosis of FU was studied. Twenty eyes of 19 patients finally diagnosed with FU. Mean total follow-up was 39 months (range: 3-120 months, median: 30 months) and follow-up after diagnosis of FU was 18 months (range: 0-84 months, median: 11 months). Most of the cases were diagnosed with anterior plus intermediate uveitis at the presentation (n = 8, 42.1%) and received steroid treatment. Keratic precipitates (KPs) typical of FU developed after mean 5.4 months of presentation (range: 1-18 months, median: 2 months). Altered iris pattern was noted after 17 months of presentation (range: 2-70 months, median: 8.5). Vitritis of grades 1-2 was present in all eyes. Overlap of uveitis of other etiology (retinal vasculitis, presumed tubercular intermediate uveitis) was found in three patients. Systemic immune disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, pulmonary sarcoidosis) was present in two patients. No treatment for the ocular inflammation was given after the diagnosis of FU in any patient and no change in the pattern of FU was observed during further follow-up. Evolving FU may lead to misdiagnosis and mismanagement. We suggest a conservative approach, withholding steroid treatment, allowing FU to evolve, in otherwise asymptomatic patients with white eye, mild to moderate anterior chamber (AC) and vitreous inflammation, absent posterior synechiae and normal fundus examination or fundus examination suggestive of resolved uveitis.

The hAT family hopper transposon exists as highly similar yet discontinuous elements in the Bactrocera tephritid fly genus.

The hAT family transposable element, hopper, was originally discovered as a defective 3120-bp full-length element in a wild-type strain of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae), and subsequently a functional 3131-bp element, hopperBdwe, was isolated from a white eye mutant strain. The latter study showed that closely related elements exist in melonfly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a closely related subgenus, suggesting that hopper could have a widespread presence in the Bactrocera genus. To further understand the distribution of hopper within and beyond the B. dorsalis species complex, primer pairs from hopperBdwe and its adjacent genomic insertion site were used to survey the presence and relatedness of hopper in five species within the complex and four species beyond the complex. Based on sequence identity of a 1.94 kb internal nucleotide sequence, the closest relationships were with mutated elements from B. dorsalis s.s. and species synonymized with B. dorsalis including B. papayae, B. philippinensis and B. invadens, ranging in identity between 88.4% and 99.5%. Notably, Bactrocera carambolae (Drew & Hancock) (Diptera: Tephritidae), which is most closely related to B. dorsalis beyond the synonymized species, shared hopper identities of 97.3%-99.5%. Beyond the B. dorsalis complex, Z. cucurbitae,Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) shared identities of 83.1%-97.1%, while hopper was absent from the Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin) (Diptera: Tephritidae) strain tested. While the functional autonomous hopperBdwe element was not detected in these species, another closely related hopper element isolated from a B. dorsalis genetic sexing strain has an uninterrupted transposase open reading frame. The discontinuous presence of hopper in the Bactrocera genus has implications for its use for genomic manipulation and understanding the phylogenetic relationship of these species.

Genetic monitoring tools for radon pollution research

A critical target for ionizing radiation is DNA that damage to a cell. Thus, when dealing with the general irradiation of the body, we observe the diverse effects of radiation. As a result of irradiation, somatic cells retain the ability to reproduce, but can give rise to the growth of a clone of altered cells, leading to a malignant neoplasm. The manifestation of ionizing radiation on germ cells can lead to prolonged effects, morphological changes and hereditary diseases. It is quite difficult to study the genetic consequences of radiation on patients due to the difficulties of compiling or selecting comparable control groups or samples and maintaining their representativeness. On the solutions to this problem is to simulate the genetic effects of irradiation on model objects, in our case, this is Drosophila melanogaster. The genetic effects of alpha radiation are main manifested in the morphology form of the wing, thorax and antenna morphoses. However, alpha particles very often cause the development of colored tumors, which have been allied melanomas. Genotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of α-radiation were detected in the test systems of the gene white (white eyes), linked X chromosomes and Basc (Me-5).

Inter and intra individual genomic edits contributing to white eye phenotype in the mango fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) obtained through microinjection of ribo nucleo protein complex

Inter and intra individual genomic edits contributing to white eye phenotype in the mango fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel (Diptera: Tephritidae) obtained through microinjection of ribo nucleo protein complex

A classic screening marker does not affect antennal electrophysiology but strongly regulates reproductive behaviours in Bactrocera dorsalis.

The key phenotype white eye (white) has been used for decades to selectively remove females before release in sterile insect technique programs and as an effective screening marker in genetic engineering. Bactrocera dorsalis is a representative tephritid pest causing damage to more than 150 fruit crops. Yet, the function of white in important biological processes remains unclear in B. dorsalis. In this study, the impacts of the white gene on electrophysiology and reproductive behaviour in B. dorsalis were tested. The results indicated that knocking out Bdwhite disrupted eye pigmentation in adults, consistent with previous reports. Bdwhite did not affect the antennal electrophysiology response to 63 chemical components with various structures. However, reproductive behaviours in both males and females were significantly reduced in Bdwhite-/- . Both pre-copulatory and copulation behaviours were significantly reduced in Bdwhite-/- , and the effect was male-specific. Mutant females significantly delayed their oviposition towards γ-octalactone, and the peak of oviposition behaviour towards orange juice was lost. These results show that Bdwhite might not be an ideal screening marker in functional gene research aiming to identify molecular targets for behaviour-modifying chemicals. Instead, owing to its strong effect on B. dorsalis sexual behaviours, the downstream genes regulated by Bdwhite or the genes from white-linked areas could be alternate molecular targets that promote the development of better behavioural modifying chemical-based pest management techniques.

Embryonic microinjection of ribonucleoprotein complex (Cas9+sgRNA) of whitegene in melon fly, Zeugodacuscucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae) produced whiteeye phenotype.

Melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) is a major pest of cucurbitaceous crops, and causes substantial yield losses and economic costs. CRISPR/Cas9 is a rapid and effective site-specific genome editing tool for the generation of genetic changes that are stable and heritable. The CRISPR/Cas9 tool uses synthetically designed single guide RNA (sgRNA) that is complementary to the target gene and guides the Cas9 enzyme to perform nuclease activity by making double-strand breaks in the target DNA sequences. This tool can be effectively exploited to improve traits critical for the management of insect pests by targeting specific genes encoding these traits without the need of extensive genetic information. The white gene is an important gene responsible for the transport of body pigment precursor molecules. In this study, we produced effective mutagenesis of the white gene of Z. cucurbitae using the CRISPR/Cas9 tool with double sgRNAto target multiple sites of white to increase the efficiency in the generation of frame-shift mutations resulting in the white eye phenotype in adults. This was achieved through embryonic microinjection of the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in the pre-blastoderm embryo stage 1 h after embryo laying. Our success with the production of a white eye mutant fly by CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis is important for the research on gene function and protein-level modifications in melon fly and forms the basis for the development of new genetic control strategies such as precision guided sterile insect technique (pgSIT) for this pest of economic significance.

Assessing Negative Welfare Measures for Wild Invertebrates: The Case for Octopuses.

Welfare metrics have been established for octopuses in the laboratory, but not for octopuses living in the wild. Wild octopuses are constantly exposed to potentially harmful situations, and the ability to assess the welfare status of wild octopuses could provide pertinent information about individuals' health and species' resilience to stressors. Here, we used underwater photos and videos to identify injuries and stress-related behaviors in wild Octopus insularis in a variety of contexts, including interacting with fishermen, interacting with other octopuses and fish, proximity to predators, in den, foraging, and in senescence. We adapted established metrics of octopus welfare from the laboratory to these wild octopuses. In addition to observing all of the stress measures, we also identified two previously unknown measures associated with decreased welfare: (1) a half white eye flash and (2) a half-and-half blotch body pattern. More than half of the individuals analyzed had arm loss, and almost half of the individuals had skin injuries. We also observed that irregular chromatophore expression and abnormal motor coordination were associated with interactions with fishermen. This is the first study to apply measures of welfare from the laboratory to wild octopuses. Our results may also aid in the identification of welfare measures for other wild invertebrates.

Associations between Chronic Kidney Disease and Thinning of Neuroretinal Layers in Multiethnic Asian and White Populations

To evaluate the relationships between chronic kidney disease (CKD) with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness profiles of eyes in Asian and White populations. Cross-sectional analysis. A total of 5066 Asian participants (1367 Malays, 1772 Indians, and 1927 Chinese) from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study (SEED) were included, consisting of 9594 eyes for peripapillary RNFL analysis and 8661 eyes for GCIPL analysis. Additionally, 45 064 White participants (87 649 eyes) from the United Kingdom Biobank (UKBB) were included for both macular RNFL analysis and GCIPL analysis. Nonglaucoma participants aged ≥ 40 years with complete data for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were included from both SEED and UKBB. In SEED, peripapillary RNFL and GCIPL thickness were measured by Cirrus HD-OCT 4000. In UKBB, macular RNFL and GCIPL were measured by Topcon 3D-OCT 1000 Mark II. Chronic kidney disease was defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 in both data sets. To evaluate the associations between kidney function status with RNFL and GCIPL thickness profiles, multivariable linear regression with generalized estimating equation models were performed in SEED and UKBB data sets separately. Average peripapillary and macular RNFL thickness and macular GCIPL thickness. In SEED, after adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, body mass index, smoking status, and intraocular pressure, presence of CKD (β=-1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI],-2.37 to-0.26; P= 0.015) and reduced eGFR (per10ml/min/1.73 m2; β=-0.32; 95% CI,-0.50 to-0.13; P= 0.001) were associated with thinner average peripapillary RNFL. Presence of CKD (β=-1.63; 95% CI,-2.42 to-0.84) and reduced eGFR (per10 ml/min/1.73 m2; β=-0.30; 95% CI,-0.44 to-0.16) were consistently associated with thinner GCIPL in SEED (all P < 0.001). In UKBB, after adjusting for the above-mentioned covariates (except ethnicity), reduced eGFR (per 10 ml/min/1.73 m2; β=-0.06; 95% CI,-0.10 to-0.01; P= 0.008) was associated with thinner macular RNFL and CKD (β=-0.62; 95% CI,-1.16 to-0.08; P= 0.024) was associated with thinner average GCIPL. We consistently observed associations between CKD and thinning of RNFL and GCIPL across Asian and White populations' eyes. These findings further suggest that compromised kidney function is associated with RNFL and GCIPL thinning. The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Analysis of Avian Diversity at Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary: An Urban Forest Perspective

Chintamoni Kar Bird Sanctuary (CKBS) is an urban forest located on the southern fringes of Kolkata. The objective of our study was to document and analyze the diversity of the avian population in CKBS. The line transect method was used and avian diversity, species richness and evenness were analyzed using Shannon Diversity Index, Shannon Equitability Index, relative diversity and relative abundance. Our study recorded 37 bird species belonging to 9 orders and 23 families with most species being recorded from Order Passeriformes followed by Piciformes and Ciconiiformes. The species were well distributed across a number of avian families. Birds rare in metropolises like the Oriental white eye (Zosterops palpebrosus) were also recorded here. Analysis of relative abundances showed that many species comparatively rare in cities like the common tailor bird (Orthotomus sutorius) and white throated fantail (Rhipidura albicollis) showed an abundance similar to more commonly seen species. Values of 2.844 and 0.788 were obtained for Shannon Diversity Index and Shannon Equitability Index indicating high species diversity and evenness. However, high species diversity is not due to assemblage of migratory birds in winter. Species diversity and evenness are highest during the summer months (Shannon Diversity Index = 2.862; Shannon Equitability Index = 0.812) which could be due to dense forest cover, a large number of fruit bearing trees and many water bodies in the sanctuary which provide a favourable habitat for birds in hot weather. Our study indicates that a number of birds appear to be thriving as a stable avian community at CKBS and this urban forest acts as a haven for bird species otherwise rare in Kolkata, further emphasizing the need for taking necessary conservation measures for protection for this urban forest under the strained environmental conditions prevalent in urban metropolises.

Genetic confirmation of Octopus insularis (Leite and Haimovici, 2008) in South Florida, United States using physical features and de novo genome assembly.

The distribution of octopuses within the Octopus vulgaris species complex remains inadequately understood. Species determination can be complex and involves characterizing a specimen's physical features and comparing its genetic makeup to other populations. In this study, we present the first genetic confirmation of Octopus insularis (Leite and Haimovici, 2008) inhabiting the coastal waters of the Florida Keys, United States. We employed visual observations to identify species-specific body patterns of three wild-caught octopuses and used de novo genome assembly to confirm their species. All three specimens exhibited a red/white reticulated pattern on their ventral arm surface. Two specimens displayed body pattern components of deimatic display (white eye encircled by a light ring, with darkening around the eye). All visual observations were consistent with distinguishing features of O. insularis. We then compared mitochondrial subunits COI, COIII, and 16S in these specimens across all available annotated octopod sequences, including Sepia apama (Hotaling et al., 2021) as a control outgroup taxon. For species exhibiting intraspecific genomic variation, we included multiple sequences from geographically distinct populations. Laboratory specimens consistently clustered into a single taxonomic node with O. insularis. These findings confirm O. insularis presence in South Florida and suggest a more extensive northern distribution than previously assumed. Whole genome Illumina sequencing of multiple specimens enabled taxonomic identification with well-established DNA barcodes while also generating the first de novo full assembly of O. insularis. Furthermore, constructing and comparing phylogenetic trees for multiple conserved genes is essential for confirming the presence and delineation of cryptic species in the Caribbean.

Aesthetic corneal tattooing/keratopigmentation using tattoo pen machine: choosing suitable method and color.

This article aims to present the corneal tattooing method and how using a tattoo pen machine can improve aesthetic appearance in patients with corneal leukoma. In this study, 42 patients were evaluated who had no visual potential and who had undergone colored corneal tattooing using an automatic tattoo pen machine for aesthetic purposes. The procedure was conducted according to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The commercially available tattoo ink that has traditionally been used on human skin (brown, green, and black) for years was used for all the patients in this study, and 252 corneal photographs (with a Topcon slit lamp imaging device at 16 magnifications, i.e., 16 ×) taken within the last 2years were evaluated retrospectively. Red, green, and blue (RGB) and hue, saturation, and lightness (HSL) values of the tattooed areas, such as pupils and iris, in corneal photographs were determined online using the Color Code Finder program. The RGB and HSL values of the pupil and iris were compared before surgery on the first day and first week, first month, third month, and twelfth month after surgery. In the first postoperative month, the mean pupil lightness (L) and iris L values were found to have increased by 10.7% and 5.7%, respectively. Between the first month and the first year, the L value of the mean pupil and that of the iris increased by 1.7% and 5.2%, respectively. The increase in the RGB value of the mean pupil in the first month was statistically significant (p = 0.02). The highest increase in RGB values of the iris was observed in the first week and first month (p = 0.113). This result shows that the majority of fading occurred in the first month. After the first month, the increase in the L value in the black-colored pupil was less than that in the brown- or green-colored iris. These results show that light colors fade faster and more. Esthetically, corneal leukoma causes severe psychological problems. Many patients are unable to use prosthetic contact lenses. Evisceration surgery has many complications, and limbal stem cells are used in evisceration surgery. Corneal tattooing using a tattoo pen machine is an easy, practical, and repeatable method used for aesthetic purposes. Successful results require the use of appropriate methods, ink, and ophthalmologist's experience. All patients in this study had a more aesthetic appearance than the preoperative white eye. Further studies are needed to develop a colored aesthetic tattooing method with a tattoo pen machine.

Orbital abscess with white eye in patients treated with oral antibiotics for orbital cellulitis

ABSTRACT Purpose To report a case series of seven patients with late presentation of orbital/subperiosteal abscess following oral treatment of orbital cellulitis. Methods A retrospective case series of all patients presented with orbital abscess following oral treatment of orbital cellulitis from two tertiary-care eye centres in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was conducted. Demographic profiles, risk factors, initial clinical presentation, management regimens, and final outcome were analysed. Results Patients presented mainly with proptosis and limitation of extraocular motility without external ophthalmic inflammatory signs. Most patients needed surgical evacuation despite the appropriate initiation of intravenous antibiotics following presentation to our hospitals. Conclusion Treating orbital cellulitis with oral antibiotics may lead to delayed presentation of orbital abscess without external ophthalmic inflammatory signs.

Susto as a cultural conceptualization of distress: Existing research and aspects to consider for future investigations.

Among the cultural conceptualizations of distress, susto is defined in the DSM-5 as "a cultural explanation of distress and misfortune in Latin America that refers to an illness attributed to a terrifying event that causes the soul to leave the body and leads to unhappiness and illness, as well as difficulties in performing key social functions" (American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Washington, DC: APA, p. 836). Thus, susto represents a cultural explanation that encompasses the symptoms of various mental disorders and physical diseases. We analyzed the descriptions of susto from different scientific fields and related them to definitions of DSM-5 syndromes. Three syndromic subtypes of susto show a symptomatic overlap with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatic disorder. However, linguistic metaphors describing symptoms and perceived causes that are specific for Latin American culture support the concept of susto as a specific idiom of distress (e.g., loss of soul, shadow or ajayu; sunken, closed or white eyes; jumping and screaming in the night; being thrown to the ground). In addition, if diagnostic criteria are met for mental disorders, then susto describes a perceived cause of psychopathological states (e.g., depressive disorder, PTSD, somatic disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder). Future research with people who have experienced susto is needed to clarify whether susto precedes the onset of other mental disorders (perceived cause) or whether it is a way of designating distress (idiom of distress).

Uveitis In Children

Uveitis in children is rarer than in adults, has variable clinical aspects, depending on etiopathogenesis, many forms are asymptomatic, and there can be difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. Uveitis in children can cause significant eye morbidity, with vision loss in 25/30% of cases, through complications, such as: cataract, glaucoma, band keratopathy. Uveitis in children is more frequently bilateral, with persistent, recurrent chronic evolution, resistant to conventional treatment and can be anterior, intermediate, posterior, panuveitis, acute or chronic. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common cause of anterior uveitis in children 60% (girls, under 6 years old), in which uveitis is unilateral, non-granulomatous, with chronic evolution, associated with positive ANA. Uveitis in JIA has multiple complications and sequelae, with decreased vision. The prognosis of the disease is dependent on the establishment of an adequate early treatment in which the first line of therapy is topical, periocular, systemic, intravitreal corticotherapy, with possible side effects of steroid medication. Immunosuppressive treatment – the second line of therapy, is instituted if children do not respond to steroids, are cortico-dependent or have ocular and/or systemic complications – Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, Chlorambucil, antiTNF alfa which are administered to patients at high risk of decreased vision – Infliximab, Adalimumab. The objective remains the treatment of complications: phacoemulsification in cataract with/without IOL (per primam, per secundam), medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma. Intermediate uveitis in children (10-25%) is manifested by myodesopsia, with a white eye, the most common etiology being idiopathic intermediate uveitis. Posterior uveitis represents almost 30% of cases, with multiple etiology, infectious inflammatory diseases (bacterial, viral, parasitic) non-infectious diseases (sarcoidosis, Behcet, VKH). Panuveitis in children may be present in acute tubulointerstitial nephritis in adolescents. Pseudouveitis is uveitis in retinoblastoma, leukemia. Uveitis in children is a serious disease, in which the diagnosis must be established quickly, with an appropriate (even aggressive) treatment, because the complications and sequelae present in the prolonged evolution of uveitis are accompanied by decrease/loss of vision. Ocular and systemic monitoring and screening of the disease are necessary for a favourable prognosis of the disease.