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Aim: Assess the in vitro effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype H (HBV/H) with the small surface HBV protein (HBs) C107R mutation on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection, TGFB1, CAT and IFNB1A expression, and the response to IFN-β-1a treatment. Methods: HBV/H wild-type and HBs C107R variant replicons were constructed and transfected into hepatic stellate cells and/or Huh7 that were later treated with IFN-β-1a. HBsAg, HBV-DNA, pgRNA, TGFB1, CAT and IFNB1A expression was analyzed. 3D HBs structure from wild-type and C107R were foreseen by AlphaFold protein predictor, and IFN-β-1a antiviral effect was evaluated. Results:C107R mutation did not impact viral replication, but HBsAg serologic detection was affected. Wild-type and C107R similarly modified gene expression and responded to IFN-β-1a. Conclusion:C107R disrupts the Cys107/Cys138 disulfide bond and impairs HBsAg detection. Independently of the mutation, there were changes in TGFB1, CAT and IFNB1A expression, and a medium response to IFN-β-1a treatment compared with genotype A and C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report surgical outcomes in a series of cases with symptomatic vitreomacular traction that met MIVI-TRUST (Microplasmin for intravitreous injection-traction release without surgical treatment) criteria for ocriplasmin use who underwent primary 25-gauge vitrectomy. Materials and Methods: A single-center retrospective chart review study was performed in patients who underwent primary 25-gauge vitrectomy for symptomatic vitreomacular traction (VTM) from January 2013 through January 2016. Pre- and postoperative visual acuity (measured by the early treatment diabetic retinopathy acuity test), and posterior hyaloid focal attachment to the macula (demonstrated by high-definition optical coherence tomography) were analyzed. In addition, intra- and postoperative complications were obtained from medical records. Results: Fifteen consecutive cases of symptomatic VMT traction that underwent primary 25-gauge vitrectomy were included. All met the MIVI-TRUST criteria for ocriplasmin use. In all cases, VMT resolution, macular hole closure, and improvement in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were observed. Mean visual acuity improved from 56.53 ± 16.04 letters at baseline to 73.13 ± 7.46 letters at 24 weeks of follow-up. The mean BCVA improvement from baseline was 16.60 letters (range 6--44), which was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). Ten of fifteen patients (66.6%) showed significant improvement of their BCVA to 20/40 or better (70 or more in ETDRS visual acuity test). No significant intra- or postoperative complications were documented. Conclusions: Primary 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with symptomatic vitreomacular traction is able to efficiently resolve VMT and macular holes, improving vision in candidates for intravitreal injection of ocriplasmin. This well-tolerated surgical procedure may be a reliable and predictable alternative for resolving VMT pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) non-coding polymorphisms are associated to primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), normal tension glaucoma, and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma. This study was performed to determine whether non-coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theTLR4gene contribute to POAG in a Mexican population. Material and methods: A total of 187 unrelated Mexican patients with POAG and 109 control subjects were included. Allelic, genotypic, and haplotypic diversity was assessed for the non-coding polymorphisms rs11536889, rs1927911, rs12377632, and rs2149356 of theTLR4gene. Genotyping of target SNPs was performed by 5′ exonuclease allelic discrimination assays. Results: Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed among the SNPs (D’> 0.818), which were located in one haplotype block. The rs11536889 polymorphism was not associated to POAG in any case. The frequency of the minor allele of rs2149356 was significantly higher in the glaucoma group, conferring an increased risk of POAG (p= 0.0018, OR = 1.803, 95% CI 1.2556–2.5890) whereas minor allele of rs12377632 was significantly lower, attributing a protective effect (p= 0.0001, OR = 0.6662, 95% CI 0.4753–0.9339). Subjects with genotypes carrying the minor allele of rs1927911 and rs2149356 shown an increased risk for POAG (p= 0.03, OR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.10–2.87, andp< 0.0004, OR =2.62, 95%CI 1.61–4.27 respectively). Finally, we found significant risk haplotypes. The GTT haplotype (constituted by rs1927911, rs12377632, and rs2149356) reached the higher OR (p= 0.0026, OR = 4.70, 95% CI 1.73–12.77). Conclusions: We have identified intronicTLR4SNPs as genetic susceptibility alleles for POAG in a Mexican population. Our findings support the association of theTLR4gene with POAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the relationshipbetween APOE polymorphism and the severity of retinal hard exudates in Mexicanpatients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We studied 36 patients withdiabetic retinopathy and 22 unrelated and apparently healthy age-matched individuals.Blood samples for DNA genotyping and lipid profile were taken. Genotypingof polymorphic APOE alleles was done after polymerase chain reaction amplificationof genomic DNA, digestion with HhaI, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Stereoscopic35° color fundus photographs were taken of seven standard fields. Diabeticretinopathy, macular edema and hard exudates were graded according to a standardizedprocedure. Results: The results showed that the lipid profile washigher but not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in e4 allele carriers,with the exception of total lipids (p > 0.05). The frequency of severe retinalhard exudates was higher in those ε4 allele carriers (p < 0.05). Thehigher frequency of visual impairment (VA < 0.5 Log MAR) in ε4 carriersshowed a tendency towards statistical significance (p = 0.057). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the ε4 allele of the ApoE gene is a potentialrisk factor for the severity of retinal hard exudates and visual loss in type2 diabetic Mexican patients with diabetic retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]