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To the Editor: We describe cowpox with corneal involvement in a 31-year-old atopic woman who lived in southern Finland and was unvaccinated for smallpox. In August 2009, she noticed irritation [...]

An investigation whether phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) are present in human tear fluid is conducted, in order to gain insight into the formation of tear film. The results suggest that PLTP may play role in the formation of the tear film by supporting phospholipid transfer.

The distribution, orientation, and dynamics of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) fluorescence probes in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) bilayer were studied using 50 ns molecular dynamics. The results indicated that DPH did not prefer to be embedded in the membrane center where free volume was largest.

A novel approach is described, which studies enzymatic reactions and allows manipulating giant vesicles as well as cultured cells in a spatially controlled manner. The study shows that the enzymatic catalysis can be restrained topically to the site of contact between the vesicle and the derivatized microsphere.

The physicochemical properties of sphingolipids in a 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) matrix were investigated. To this end, the behaviors of two chemically well-defined sphingolipids, N-palmitoyl-sphingomyelin and the corresponding ceramide, were compared. Experimental results showed that the enzymatic generation of ceramide from sphingomyelin stimulates microdomain formation in LUVs, although the reorganization of ceramide into microdomains within the bilayer took a significantly longer time.

A synthetic peptide, corresponding to 1 to 42 amino acid residue of amyloid beta-peptide (A-Beta(sub 1-42)), enhances the hydrolysis of the pyrene-labeled acidic phospholipid analog 1-palmitoyl-2-((pyren-1-yl))hexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol by porcine pancreatic phospholipase A(sub 2). Ca2+, at higher concentrations, abolishes the enhancing effect of A-Beta(sub 1-42), which is found in senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain samples of AD patients show decreased levels of phosphatidylcholine. Activation of lipolytic enzyme by amyloid beta peptide indicates a direct involvement of the peptide in neuronal cell death in AD afflicted brain tissue.

Biochemical studies are conducted to identify proteins in retinal cell extracts that interact with RP2 in order to define the role of RP2 in the retina and X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP). The studies have shown that RP2, in addition to serving as a regulator of ADP ribosylation factor-like 3 (Arl3), has interacted with N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) and the complex has played a vital role in membrane protein trafficking in photoreceptors and other cells of the retina.

The interfacial properties of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) are studied using Langmuir phospholipid monolayers and asymmetrical flow field--flow fractionation (AsFIFFF) to follow the transfer of [super 14]C-labeled phospholipids and {[super 35]S}PLTP between lipid vesicles and high-density lipoprotein particles. It is observed that high activity-PLTP (HA-PLTP) can transfer lipids by a shuttle mechanism and phospholipid transfer can take place in the absence of formation of ternary complex between PLTP, acceptor and donor particles.

The influence of pyrene-labeled phospholipids on the structural properties of a fluid dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine lipid membrane is elucidated. The pyrene labeling is found to perturb the membrane structure significantly in the vicinity of the probe, the correlation length in the bilayer plane being about 1.0-1.5 nm.

The structural dynamics of the main phase transition of large unilamellar dipalmitoylphosphocholine (DPPC) vesicles were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. It indicates the possibility that there is an intermediate phase of strongly fluctuating lattice of fluidlike and gel-like lipids.

Purpose: To describe epidemiology, causes, treatments and outcomes of all ocular injuries in southern Finland among people aged 61 and older. Methods: All new ocular trauma patients, admitted to the Helsinki University Eye Hospital, during 1 year in 2011–2012. The data were from hospital records and prospectively from patient questionnaires. The follow‐up time was 3 months. Results: The incidence for ocular injuries among the elderly was 38/100 000/year. From 118 patients 69% were men. The mean age was 70.9 years old (median 67). The hospitalization rate was 14%. Injury types were minor traumas (48%), contusions (22%), chemical injuries (10%), eyelid wounds (8%), open globe injuries (OGI; 7%) and orbital fractures (5%). The injuries occurred at home (58%), institutions (12%) and in other public places (12%). The main causes of ocular injury were falls (22%), sticks (19%), superficial foreign bodies (18%) and chemicals (12%). All OGI and 88% of contusions needed a lifelong follow‐up. A permanent visual or functional impairment occurred in 15 (13%) patients. Of these 53% were OGI, 40% contusions and 7% chemical injuries. The causes of permanent injuries were falls (seven cases, 47%), work tools, sports equipment, sticks, chemicals and eyeglasses. The incidence for legal blindness was 2.3/100 000. Conclusion: Minor trauma was the most frequent type, and home was the location of the most occurred eye injuries. Falls were the most frequent and serious cause, but behavioural causes were not significant. Preventive measures should be directed towards the main identified causes and risk factors of the eye injuries in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Components of the ocular surface synergistically contribute to maintaining and protecting a smooth refractive layer to facilitate the optimal transmission of light. At the air-water interface, the tear film lipid layer (TFLL), a mixture of lipids and proteins, plays a key role in tear surface tension and is important for the physiological hydration of the ocular surface and for ocular homeostasis. Alterations in tear fluid rheology, differences in lipid composition, or downregulation of specific tear proteins are found in most types of ocular surface disease, including dry eye disease (DED). Artificial tears have long been a first line of treatment in DED and aim to replace or supplement tears. More recently, lipid-containing eye drops have been developed to more closely mimic the combination of aqueous and lipid layers of the TFLL. Over the last 2 decades, our understanding of the nature and importance of lipids in the tear film in health and disease has increased substantially. The aim of this article is to provide a brief overview of our current understanding of tear film properties and review the effectiveness of lipid-based products in the treatment of DED. Liposome lid sprays, emulsion eye drops, and other lipid-containing formulations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]