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Aim: To evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation into the vitreous cavity and the visual and anatomical outcomes of PPV in these patients. Material and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the files of patients who underwent PPV for IOL dislocation into the vitreous in our clinic between January 2014 and December 2018. Patient age, gender, preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), comorbid ocular pathologies, causes of IOL dislocation, time from IOL dislocation to PPV surgery, surgical methods, and preoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: This study included 15 eyes of 15 patients with IOLs dislocated into the vitreous, of which 5 (33.3%) were female and 10 (66.7%) were male. Mean patient age was 60.8±22.67 (12-94) years. Seven (46.7%) of 15 eyes underwent a secondary IOL implantation in the same session as IOL extraction, whereas eight eyes were planned to undergo a secondary IOL implantation in a second session. Meanwhile, 2 (13.3%) eyes did not undergo IOL implantation. Median preoperative BCVA was 1.7 (0.4-1.92) logMAR and median postoperative BCVA was 0.5 (0-2) logMAR across all patients (p=0.002). After surgery, BCVA was higher in 12 patients (80%), unchanged in 2 patients (13.3%) and lower in one patient (6.7%). In our series, 3 eyes were detected to have preoperative RD and 2 eyes high IOP, whereas one patient showed recurrent RD and 4 eyes showed high IOP postoperatively. Median postoperative BCVA was significantly higher in patients who underwent secondary IOL implantation in a second session than those who underwent IOL implantation in the same session (p=0.035). Conclusion: PPV is a safe method for achieving successful visual and anatomical outcomes in patients with IOL dislocated into the vitreous cavity. In these patients, performing the secondary IOL implantation in a second session can result in a higher final visual acuity. Also, monitoring these complex cases closely is important in order to achieve better visual and anatomical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the complications encountered in the postoperative period as well as anatomic results following the removal of silicone oil tamponade in patients undergoing 23 gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and silicone oil endotamponade for diabetic tractional retinal detachment. Materials and methods: Fifty-nine eyes of 54 patients who underwent surgery for diabetic tractional RD between January 2015 and April 2016 in our clinic were included in the study. The files of the cases were examined retrospectively. Age, gender, duration of silicone oil endotamponade, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), redetachment rate and other postoperative complications were evaluated. Results: 35 of the patients were female (64.8%) and 19 were male (35.2%). The mean age was 59.1 ± 10.2 (29-80) years. The preoperative mean BCVA was 0.06 ± 6.6 (0.03-0.4), while the postoperative mean BCVA was 0.10 ± 13.3 (0.03-0.7). The preoperative and postoperative mean IOP were 16.3 ± 6.04 and 14.3 ± 4.1 mmHg, respectively. The mean duration of silicone oil endotamponade was 6.8 ± 4.01 (2-24) months. Cataract surgery was performed in 31 (52.5%) patients as removing silicone oil endotamponade. Postoperative complications were transient severe hypotony in one eye (1.7%), transient hypertony in three eyes (5.08%), vitreous hemorrhage requiring surgery, hyphema and hypopyon in one eye (1.7%) and redetachment in four eyes (6.8%). Conclusion: In patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil endotamponade due to diabetic tractional retinal detachment, ocular hypotonia or hypertonia and vitreous hemorrhage may rarely develop, besides retinal redetachment, following removal of silicone oil endotamponade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viteoretinal interface has been identified as the site of many different forms of retinal pathology. The posterior vitreous cortex consists of densely packed collagen fibrils that insert superficially into the internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the retina and attach to the ILM by glue-like macromolecules, such as laminin, fibronectin, chondroitin, and heparan sulphate proteoglycans. The strongest vitreoretinal adhesions have been described at the optic disc, over the retinal blood vessels and at the macular area. Before the development of optical coherence tomography (OCT), clinicians relied on astute clinical observation and fundoscopy, fluorescein angiography (FA), and postmortem histology to make assumptions about the role the vitreoretinal interface plays in macular pathology. OCT has given us the ability to view the macula in cross sections and thus has improved our understandings of the following known clinical entities; posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndromes, macular holes (MH), and epiretinal membranes (ERMs). This article discusses the diagnosis and management of abnormal vitreoretinal interface disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report, it is shown that Cr doped into the bulk and Cr deposited on the surface of Bi 2 Se 3 films produced by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) have strikingly different effects on both the electronic structure and chemical environment. Angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) shows that Cr doped into the bulk opens a surface state energy gap which can be seen at room temperature; much higher than the measured ferromagnetic transition temperature of ≈10 K. On the other hand, similar ARPES measurements show that the surface states remain gapless down to 15 K for films with Cr surface deposition. In addition, core-level photoemission spectroscopy of the Bi 5d, Se 3d, and Cr 3p core levels show distinct differences in the chemical environment for the two methods of Cr introduction. Surface deposition of Cr results in the formation of shoulders on the lower binding energy side for the Bi 5d peaks and two distinct Cr 3p peaks indicative of two Cr sites. These striking differences suggests an interesting possibility that better control of doping at only near surface region may offer a path to quantum anomalous Hall states at higher temperatures than reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, USA) is currently commonly used for the treatment of macular edema due to causes such as retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and also diabetes and uveitis. We present two cases where a dexamethasone implant planned to be placed intravitreally for macular edema due to retinal vein occlusion was instead placed into the lens body by mistake as a rare complication of intravitreal dexamethasone implant injection. Possible causes of the inadvertent injection into the lens body include physician carelessness, patient incompliance, type of local anesthesia, the distance of the injection area to the limbus, hypotonia, weakness of the sclera, damage in the zonules holding the lens due to repeated injections, and a change in lens position. A good knowledge of injection technique, especially during procedures involving implants, is required to avoid this rare complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, lasers are used in many areas such as medicine, industry, laboratory research, entertainment and the military. Military lasers are generally used for such tasks as sensitive distance measurements and marking the targets. The retina is very sensitive to the laser beams and temporary or permanent vision loss can occur depending on the power, wavelength of the laser beams and duration of exposure. Lasers that showing photochemical, mechanical or thermal effects can lead to complications such as chorioretinal scarring, macular hole, choroidal neovascularization and preretinal membrane formation. There is not effective and proven treatment of retinopathy resulting from the laser beams, therefore it is important to avoid exposure to the laser beam. It was reported two security personel with macular injury exposed to the laser beams used in firearms and in this context it was aimed to give information about the laser and to discuss the its effects on the retina in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, lasers are used in many areas such as medicine, industry, laboratory research, entertainment and the military. Military lasers are generally used for such tasks as sensitive distance measurements and marking the targets. The retina is very sensitive to the laser beams and temporary or permanent vision loss can occur depending on the power, wavelength of the laser beams and duration of exposure. Lasers that showing photochemical, mechanical or thermal effects can lead to complications such as chorioretinal scarring, macular hole, choroidal neovascularization and preretinal membrane formation. There is not effective and proven treatment of retinopathy resulting from the laser beams, therefore it is important to avoid exposure to the laser beam. It was reported two security personel with macular injury exposed to the laser beams used in firearms and in this context it was aimed to give information about the laser and to discuss the its effects on the retina in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper addresses by means of high-resolution numerical simulations and experimental quantitative imaging the three-dimensional unsteady separation process induced by large-amplitude heaving oscillations of a low-aspect-ratio wing under low-Reynolds-number conditions. Computed results are found to be in good agreement with experimental flow visualizations and PIV measurements on selected cross-flow planes. The complex unsteady three-dimensional flow structure generated during dynamic stall of the low-aspect-ratio wing is elucidated. The process is characterized by the generation of a leading-edge vortex system which is pinned at the front corners of the plate and which exhibits intense transverse flow toward the wing centerline during its initial stages of development. This vortex detaches from the corners and evolves into an newly found arch-type structure. The legs of the arch vortex move along the surface toward the wing centerline and reconnect forming a ring-like structure which is shed as the next plunging cycle begins. Vortex breakdown, total collapse and reformation of the wing tip vortices are also observed at various stages of the heaving motion. At the relatively high value of reduced frequency considered, these basic flow elements of the complex three-dimensional dynamic stall process are found to persist over a range of Reynolds numbers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the second most common retinal vascular disorder after diabetic retinopathy and is a significant cause of visual lost. Decreased visual acuity can be secondary to macular capillary nonperfusion, macular edema, retinal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or neovascular glaucoma. Until recently primary concern after RVO was prevention of neovascular glaucoma by early detection of the development of iris neovascularization and its prompt treatment with retinal laser photocoagulation. New therapeutic approaches predominately aim at visual recovery by reduction of macular edema but currently there is no proven gold standard therapy for treatment of RVO. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a stimulus for persistent capillary leakage and neovascularization in retinal vascular diseases. Increased VEGF concentrations have been found in intraocular fluid samples from patients with central retinal vein occlusion and branch retinal vein occlusion. The pharmacologic inhibition of VEGF appears to be a promising treatment in RVO. Currently intravitreal anti VEGF agents, bevacizumab, ranibizumab, pegaptanib sodium were used in the treatment of RVO. The main drawback of this new treatment modality is the short durability of the therapeutic effect with the need for frequent retreatments. Most of the studies with anti VEGF agents in RVO are noncontrolled and have short-moderate follow-up, which limit generalizability of their results. Further randomized, controlled investigations are needed to assess long-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal anti VEGF agents in the treatment of RVO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Turbulent natural convection in a vertical parallel plate channel has been investigated both experimentally and numerically. The experimental channel is formed of a uniform temperature heater wall and an opposing glass wall. A fibre flow laser doppler anemometer (LDA) is used to measure velocity profiles along the channel. Simultaneous velocity and temperature profile measurements are made at the channel outlet. A commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code is used to simulate heat transfer and fluid flow in the channel numerically. The code is customised building in some low Reynolds number (LRN) k–ε turbulence models. The numerical method used in this study is found to predict heat transfer and flow rate fairly accurately. It is also capable of capturing velocity and temperature profiles with some accuracy. Experimental and numerical data are presented comparatively in the form of velocity, temperature, and turbulent kinetic energy profiles along the channel for a case. Correlating equations are obtained from the numerical results for heat transfer and induced flow rate and, are presented graphically comparing with other studies available in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phenol is a neurolytic agent that is widely used by percutaneous retrogasserian injection in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. We report a 78-year-old man who had acute unilateral total visual loss after retrogasserian phenol injection for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. The patient's visual acuity, eye movements and the pupillary defect did not improve in the affected eye even after mechanical decompression within 30 minutes and medical treatment, neither in the early period nor during the following two months. The visual loss in this patient seems to result from phenol neurotoxicity rather than mechanical compression of the intraorbital optic nerve. This case demonstrates that although percutaneous retrogasserian phenol injection is a relatively safe and noninvasive method of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, severe complications may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cortical visual impairment (CVI) most commonly occurs in children after hypoxic insults but may also occur as a sequel of meningitis, encephalitis, head trauma, and hydrocephalus. CVI secondary to hypoglycemia is rarely encountered. A 4-year-old girl was admitted to hospital with a history of bilateral visual impairment. She had several severe hypoglycemic attacks lasting a week in the neonatal period. Bilateral occipital gliotic lesions were defined on magnetic resonance imaging (MR). [ 99m Tc]-hexamethyl propylene amine oxime (HMPAO) brain single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) was performed to determine the cerebral blood flow (CBF). SPECT images showed an extended hypoperfusion area in the right parieto-temporal region with marked non-perfusion areas in bilateral occipital cortices. It should be noted that hypoglycemia has devastating effects on cerebral tissues including optical areas and thus resulting in CVI. We would like to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which aimed to present the visual outcome of patients with solar retinopathy and evaluate the effects of treatment on the visual prognosis. Materials and methods used in the study; Results and discussion.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important public health problem worldwide. Ocular involvement in patients with systemic TB has traditionally been considered uncommon. Diagnosing ocular TB is challenging and often delayed, especially in the absence of pulmonary signs or symptoms typical of TB. Here we describe a case of paradoxical reaction after antituberculosis therapy in an immunocompetent patient with ocular TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by idiopathic serous detachment of the sensory retina. Although several theories have been proposed to explain the mechanism the pathogenesis of CSC, it remains obscure. In all of these theories increased choroidal vascular permeability supposed to be the reason for serous detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The fundus flourescein angiography (FFA) findings are very important in diagnosis of CSC. Various patterns of dye leakage are seen. The most common ones are ink blot, smoke-stack. The unusual forms are inverse smoke stack, diffuse RPE leakage (ooze), RPE atrophic tracts. In our two cases FFA revealed an unusual finding, the diffuse RPE leakage (ooze). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of systemic administration of trastuzumab in the prevention of experimentally induced corneal neovascularization in a rat model. Design: An experimental animal study. Methods: Sixteen male Wistar-Albino rats weighing 250 g to 300 g were used in the study. Silver nitrate sticks (75% silver nitrate, 25% potassium nitrate) were used to induce chemical cauterization on the corneas of 16 eyes. The rats were randomized to 1 of 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 8) received intraperitoneally 1 ml (4 mg/kg) trastuzumab and Group 2 (n = 8) received 1 ml saline. The corneal surface covered with neovascular vessels was measured on the photographs as the percentage of the total area of the cornea by using computer imaging analysis on the eighth day. The corneas obtained from rats were evaluated for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunostaining semicantitatively. The number of the corneal neovascularizations were also determined on slides. The results were evaluated with the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The burn stimulus was similar between groups. The average neovascularization area in treatment group was statistically smaller than control (P = .008). The mean VEGF staining intensity of epithelial and endothelial layers of cornea in treatment group was less than control (P = .038 and P = .041, respectively). The stroma of the treatment group showed less staining, but the difference was not significant (P = .056). The number of corneal neovascularizations on slides in trastuzumab treated eyes were less than the control group (P = .02). Conclusion: Systemic administration of trastuzumab is effective in prevention of the corneal neovascularization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper we report a case of atypical acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy patient with foveal involvement who was treated with systemic steroid. A 28 year old female patient applied to our clinic with complaint of sudden painless vision lost in her left eye for three days. Fundus examination of her left eye revealed multifocal, flat, grey-white placoid lesions primarily located in posterior pole with serous macular detachment. Her right eye was normal. Fluorescein angiography denoted bilateral involvement. Since foveal involvement was determined 1 mg/kg/day oral metilprednisolone treatment was administered. Although steroid treatment rapidly resolved serous macular detachment, it does not seem to affect markedly the natural course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mumps is a disease caused by a virus that can infect many parts of the body, especially the parotid salivary glands. A case of epidemic parotitis in an adult female affected by bilateral conjunctivitis is presented. Mumps virus was detected in tear samples by reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-n-PCR). The conjunctivitis resolved completely within 11 d. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the anatomical and functional results in cases underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) due to idiopathic stage 4 macular hole. Material and Methods: 17 eyes of 17 patients who underwent PPV due to idiopathic stage 4 macular hole between March 2013 and March 2016 at İnönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center Department of Ophthalmology were included in the study. The medical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed. Macular hole staging was performed according to biomicroscopic examination and optical coherence tomography findings. Anatomical success was evaluated according to the condition of the macular hole after the surgery and functional success was evaluated according to the visual acuity. Results: 9 (53%) of the cases were females and 8 (47%) were males, the mean age was 66.6 ± 6.6 (55-81). PPV, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and gas tamponade were applied to all cases. The mean follow-up period was 13.9±9.7 (4-30) months. ILM peeling was performed using trypan blue in three (17.6%) of the cases, brillant blue in 4 (23.5%) of the cases and membrane blue in 10 (58.8%) of the cases. Three cases (17.6%) were treated with C3F8 and 14 cases (82.3%) with SF6 gas tamponade. The mean preoperatively best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.08±0.06 (0.03-0.2) and the mean postoperatively BCVA was 0.16±0.15 (0.03-0.5). Visual acuity did not change in two eyes (11.7%) and decreased in two eyes (11.7%). Macular hole had not closed in four patients (23.5%). Conclusion: 23 gauge PPV, ILM peeling and C3F8 or SF6 gas tamponade provides anatomical and functional success in the treatment of idiopathic stage 4 macular hole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the results of phacoemulsification (PE) surgery in completely monocular cases and to emphasize the important points in the pre-, intra- and post-operative periods. Material and Methods: A total of 42 patients who had no light perception in one eye and had underwent PE surgery in the other eye at our clinic between January 2014 and March 2016 were included in the study. The charts of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. The age and gender of the cases, whether there was an additional pathology in the eye undergoing surgery, the reason of visual loss in the other eye, the type of anesthesia used, pre- and post-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with the Snellen chart, intraocular pressure and intra- and post-operative complications were investigated. Results: There were17 (40.5%) female and 25 (59.5%) male patients with a mean age of 74.2±10.5 (45-93) years. The most common causes of the monocular state were glaucoma, cataract and trauma, the most common accompanying pathologies in the eyes undergoing cataract surgery were glaucoma, zonular weakness and age-related macular degeneration. Mean BCVA was 0.07±0.1 (0.01-0.4) pre-operatively and 0.5±0.3 (0.01-1) post-operatively (p=0.001). The mean follow-up duration was 3.9±5.6 months (1 week to 24 months). The most common post-operative complication was corneal edema. Conclusion: The stress created by cataract surgery on the physician and patient is quite high in monocular cases. However, satisfactory results with PE are obtained in these cases by carefully using pre-, intra- and post-operative methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, thermoelectric generator (TEG) adaptation in a condensing combi boiler was investigated. The first part of the study comprises experimental analysis, performance tests of a commercially available TEG, and efficiency tests of a condensing combi boiler without TEG adaptation. In the second part of the study, a numerical analysis was carried out to determine the locations of TEGs inside the heat cell. According to the results of the performance tests, approximately 16 V open circuit voltage was generated under 201°C temperature difference. The electrical efficiency of the tested TEG is calculated to be 4.5%. Natural gas was used as fuel in the efficiency tests of the condensing combi boiler and the thermal efficiency was calculated to be 92.3% for 40–60°C water supply and return temperatures. Numerical study showed that the highest temperature difference could be obtained at the upper side of the heat cell with a value of 270°C. The hot side of the TEG module was heated from the inner surface of the heat cell via conduction through the wall, and the water channel was used as the heat sink. Therefore, TEGs were located inside the water channel of the heat cell, with a modification process on the heat cell itself. The performance tests and numerical results show that it is possible to integrate TEGs into the heat cell and decrease the electricity consumption or use combi boilers without an electricity network connection with a properly designed TEG integrated heat cell. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In this work, high-order computations of the flowfield around a 1303 unmanned combat air vehicle configuration are performed and compared with recently collected experimental data obtained at Lehigh University. The computational approach used a high-order overset-grid flow solver developed in the Air Vehicles Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory that employs up-to-sixth-order compact finite differences and high-order, low-pass numerical filters to accurately resolve detailed flow features in a robust manner. The experimental data was collected via a particle image velocimetry technique in a free-surface water channel. Both quantitative and qualitative comparisons between computational and experimental results are done at a plane located at eight-tenths of the half-span for various Reynolds numbers and angles of attack, with the results comparing quite favorably for most flow conditions. Computational images of the flowfield are used to elucidate angle of attack and Reynolds number effects on this configuration, as well as to investigate the formation and evolution of the leading-edge and centerbody vortical structures and the impact that angle of attack has on their formation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first case of extracranial tuberculous lymphadenitis which paradoxically developed during treatment of intracranial tuberculoma. Our patient, a 15-year-old girl who initially presented with meningitis and intracranial tuberculomas, developed extracranial tuberculomas during treatment for central nervous system tuberculosis. She was followed clinically with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at three monthly intervals. Within 18 months of specific antituberculous treatment, the patient had fully recovered. The course and response to therapy are discussed in light of the current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Leptin is produced primarily by adipose tissue. More recent studies have shown extra sites of leptin production in physiologic and ill human tissues. However, whether leptin originates from human corneas in infectious keratitis and keratoconus is not known. The aim of this study was to demonstrate and quantitate leptin expression in corneas with infectious keratitis and keratoconus and make comparisons to control corneas.Methods: We examined the immunohistochemical staining of leptin in nine corneas surgically excised from patients with infectious keratitis (3 patients), keratoconus (3 patients), and donor corneas (3 patients).Results: The results were analyzed using a semiquantitative scoring system of mild, moderate, and strong. Cells of the infectious keratitis group had the strongest leptin staining intensity, the control group had moderate, and the keratoconus group had mild staining intensity. The more vascular corneas in the infectious keratitis group were also associated with the greatest leptin staining.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that leptin expression was present in all three sources of corneas (infectious keratitis, keratoconus, and normal control). Quantitative scoring would imply it may play a role in infectious keratitis, although further experiments are necessary to establish any causal relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs about additional distinct findings in three cases with wolfram syndrome (WS). WS is a rare dysmorphogenetic recessive disorder characterized by early-onset, nonautoimmune diabetes mellitus, progressive optic atrophy and further neurological and endocrinological abnormalities. WS has been attributed to mutations in the WFS1 gene, which codes for a protein predicted to possess 9- 10 transmembrane segments. Wolframin thus appears to be important in the regulation of intracellular Calcium ion homeostasis.

A considerable amount of clinical and experimental evidence exists suggesting the involvement of reactive oxygen substances (ROS) in the aetiology of uveitis. The activated phagocytic system of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in uveitis is involved in the generation of ROS. In addition to their direct free radical scavenging action, aprotinin, melatonin and vitamin C are known to protect against oedema formation and can preserve plasma membrane fluidity and free radical production. Histological changes in the retina that occur during uveitis are not well explained. The purpose of this study was to determine whether vitamin C, aprotinin and melatonin can protect the retina from damage accompanying experimental uveitis (EU). Thirty adult male guinea pigs were divided into five groups of six animals each. The first group was used as control. The right eyes of groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 received an intravitreal injection of bovine serum albumin for induction of experimental uveitis. At the same time and also on the consecutive third day, groups 3, 4 and 5 received intraperitoneal injections of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, 100 mg kg−1 body wt), aprotinin (20 000 kIU kg−1 body wt) and melatonin (10 mg kg−1 body wt), respectively. The animals were killed on the sixth day. The average thickness of the retina and inner plexiform layer for each eye was measured in sagittal section near the optic nerve and expressed in microns. The thickness of the retina and inner plexiform layer in the control group was significantly ( p < 0.01) lower than in the group EU as compared with the group EU plus vitamin C, group EU plus aprotinin, group EU plus melatonin ( p < 0.05). The thicknesses of the retina and inner plexiform layer in group EU plus vitamin C, group EU plus aprotinin and group EU plus melatonin were significantly ( p < 0.01) lower than that in the group EU. The difference in thickness of the retina and inner plexiform layer among the groups 3, 4 and 5 was not significant ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that oedematous effects of EU on the retina were reduced by the administration of intraperitoneal vitamin C, aprotinin and melatonin, i.e. these antioxidants had significant protective effects on the retina of guinea pigs against oedematous damage in EU. However, the reductive effect of vitamin C on EU was greater than that of aprotinin and melatonin. The intraperitoneal vitamin C, aprotinin and melatonin supplementations may strengthen the antioxidant defence system because of decreased ROS, and these agents may play a role in treating uveitis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present a classification system for the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on blood flow hemodynamics of the ophthalmic arteries by using neurofuzzy system. Blood flow hemodynamics were obtained from 80 ophthalmic arteries of 20 healthy persons and 20 patients with DM by using 7.5 MHz transducer and Doppler-M unit. Peak systole, peak diastole, resistive index (RI), pulsatile index (PI), and systole/diastole rate (SDR) were measured with the use of Doppler sonography. These values were applied to neurofuzzy system using NEFCLASS model. The performance of this classification system was examined with the application of the data obtained from Doppler analyses of the right and left ophthalmic arteries to the neurofuzzy system. After learning and testing processes, 85% success rates were reached from the data of right ophthalmic arteries, and 87.5% success rates were reached from the data of left ophthalmic arteries. Our findings suggest that neurofuzzy system may provide a successful classification system for the effects of DM on either right or left ophthalmic arteries with the application of Doppler signal parameters from carotid arteries to neurofuzzy system may produce a new and reliable classification system for diagnosing diameter stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samarium hexaboride is a candidate for the topological Kondo insulator state, in which Kondo coherence is predicted to give rise to an insulating gap spanned by topological surface states. Here we investigate the surface and bulk electronic properties of magnetically alloyed Sm1-xMxB6 (M=Ce, Eu), using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and complementary characterization techniques. Remarkably, topologically nontrivial bulk and surface band structures are found to persist in highly modified samples with up to 30% Sm substitution and with an antiferromagnetic ground state in the case of Eu doping. The results are interpreted in terms of a hierarchy of energy scales, in which surface state emergence is linked to the formation of a direct Kondo gap, while low-temperature transport trends depend on the indirect gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The retinal capillary hemangioma is a rare, benign vascular tumor that arises from the blood vessels of the retina or optic disc. We present the case of a 17-year-old male with pheochromocytoma and capillary hemangioma of the optic nerve head in the left eye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]