Antisense peptide technology (APT) is based on a useful heuristic algorithm for rational peptide design. It was deduced from empirical observations that peptides consisting of complementary (sense ...and antisense) amino acids interact with higher probability and affinity than the randomly selected ones. This phenomenon is closely related to the structure of the standard genetic code table, and at the same time, is unrelated to the direction of its codon sequence translation. The concept of
is discussed, and its possible applications to diagnostic tests and bioengineering research are summarized. Problems and difficulties that may arise using APT are discussed, and possible solutions are proposed. The methodology was tested on the example of SARS-CoV-2. It is shown that the CABS-dock server accurately predicts the binding of antisense peptides to the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain without requiring predefinition of the binding site. It is concluded that the benefits of APT outweigh the costs of random peptide screening and could lead to considerable savings in time and resources, especially if combined with other computational and immunochemical methods.
The aim of this study was to quantify vibrations and their influence on visual acuity. The study consisted of two parts, laboratory and clinical. Time-averaged holographic interferometry (TAHI) ...method was used in laboratory for measuring the amplitude of tooth vibrations induced by dental handpiece. The amplitudes of tooth vibrations were measured for the three diameters and three speeds. The larger diameter coupled with increasing speed resulted in greater vibration amplitudes, whereby a maximum amplitude of less than one micrometer was detected. For quantifying the natural visual acuity for the corresponding tooth vibrations, we have used the clinical condition approach with miniaturized Snellen optotype as an assessing tool. Central visual acuity did not display variance in visual acuity at rest or under load. Results indicate that the vibrations induced during cavity preparation are not sufficient to negatively affect visual acuity of dentists.
Background: To assess intraocular pressure (IOP) changes and complications after XEN45 implants in medically controlled eyes (MCE) vs. medically uncontrolled eyes (MUE). Methods: A retrospective ...study, in a tertiary referral hospital, on mild-to-moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) cases under topical medication, including 32 eyes with IOP < 21 mmHg (MCE group) and 30 eyes with IOP ≥ 21 mmHg (MUE group). The success criteria using Kaplan–Meier analysis was IOP < 21 mmHg without medications (complete success) or fewer drugs than preoperatively (qualified success) at the last visit, without new surgery or unresolved hypotony. Results: No significant preoperative differences were found between the groups. The mean IOP was 15.6 ± 3.8 mmHg in MCE and 15.1 ± 4.1 mmHg in the MUE group (p > 0.05; Mann–Whitney test) at the end of the follow-up (mean of 26.1 ± 15.6 months and 28.3 ± 15.3 months, respectively) (p = 0.414, Mann–Whitney Test). The device caused a significant IOP reduction at 24 h in both groups. Thereafter, the MCE group significantly tended to increase IOP, recovering baseline values at 1 month and maintaining them until the end of the follow-up. In contrast, in the MUE group, the IOP values tended to be similar after the first reduction. No relevant complications and no significant differences between the groups in the survival analysis were found. Conclusions: XEN45 provided stable IOP control in both the MCE and MUE group without important complications in the medium term. The IOP increasing in the MCE group, after a prior decrease, led to restored baseline values 1 month after surgery. The homeostatic mechanism that causes the rise in the IOP to baseline values and its relationship with failure cases remains to be clarified.
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of topical bromfenac and dexamethasone on the intraocular concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and incidence of ...pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCME) after cataract surgery in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Materials and Methods: Ninety eyes of patients with mild-to-moderate NPDR that underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were divided into three groups. A detailed description of the clinical study protocol is described later in paper. In short, Group 1 received topical bromfenac (0.9 mg/mL), Group 2 dexamethasone (1 mg/mL), and Group 3 placebo, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Additionally, all patients received combined topical steroid and antibiotic drops (dexamethasone, neomycin and polymyxin B) 3 weeks postoperatively. On the day of the surgery, aqueous humour samples (0.1–0.2 mL) were obtained and IL-6 concentrations were analysed. Central foveal subfield thickness (CFT) measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was analysed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in IL-6 concentrations between groups. Postoperative CFT was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group. In addition, the correlation between IL-6 and CFT was statistically significant in the dexamethasone group. No patient developed PCME in any of the three groups. No adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusion: Topical bromfenac and dexamethasone have no significant effect on intraocular IL-6 concentration in patients with NPDR. Topical bromfenac is not more effective than topical dexamethasone in reducing postoperative CFT in patients with NPDR.
Visual acuity plays an important role in dentists’ vision in their daily clinical routine. This study aimed to determine dental students’ visual acuity without optical aids and when using ...magnification devices in simulated clinical conditions. The participants were forty-six students at the School of Dental Medicine with a visual acuity of 1.0 in decimal values or 100% in percentage. The central visual acuity was tested using a miniature Snellen eye chart placed in the molar cavity of a dental phantom, in simulated clinical conditions under five different settings (natural visual acuity, by applying head magnifying glasses x1,5 and binocular magnifying devices using Galileo’s x2,5/350 mm, Keplerx3,3/450 mm and Keplerx4,5/350 mm optical system). The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test shows that the distribution of measurements of the visual acuity undertaken by the application of magnifying devices (VNL, VGA2,5, VKP3,3, VKP4,5) contained higher values of visual acuity than those received by the use of natural vision (VSC) (p < 0.001 for the comparison to the VNL, VGA2,5, VKP3,3 and VKP4,5 groups). The highest and statistically most significant increase in visual acuity is achieved using the Keplerian telescope x4.5/350 mm. The application of magnifying devices provided dentistry professionals with better visual acuity, improving detail detection in an oral cavity during dental procedures by magnifying the oral structure. The use of magnification devices means much more precise work, decreases the operating time, improves posture and reduces muscle pain in the shoulder during dental treatment.
- The purpose of this study was to evaluate postoperative deturgescence of lamellar donor graft after conventional Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). It was a ...prospective study that included 55 eyes of patients (mean age 70.9±9.4 years; female 61.8%, male 38.2%). Preoperative thickness of lamella was compared with postoperative thickness six months after surgery. Central lamellar graft thickness decreased from 142±27 µm preoperatively to 124±20 µm 6 months postoperatively (p<0.01). After performing conventional DSAEK corneal transplantation, surgeons should expect deturgescence of corneal graft and reduction in thickness of lamellae by about 12% of initial thickness according to our results. We found this information important for better planning of surgical procedures and knowing what to expect after surgery, as well as for better cooperation with eye banks when ordering pre-cut corneal tissue.
Progression of diabetic retinopathy occurs at least temporarily during pregnancy. Although the cause of this progression is not entirely understood, the immune phenomenon and chronic inflammation may ...play a significant role. During pregnancy in order to avoid fetus rejection, certain components of the immune system that are knowingly implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy are activated including generalized leukocyte activation and an increase in certain cytokine plasma levels. Activated leukocytes with up regulated adhesion molecules have an increased potential to bind to the endothelium cells of blood vessels. Leukocyte-endothelial interaction and the consequent leukostasis with capillary occlusion, ischemia and vascular leakage have a substantial role in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, certain increased cytokines are known to cause blood-retinal-barrier breakdown whilst others promote angiogenic and fibrovascular proliferation and thereby can also be implicated in the pathogenesis of this diabetic complication.
We hypothesized that the activation of the immune system during gestation may have an influence on the course of retinopathy in pregnant diabetic women.
We suggest two prospective follow up studies conducted on women with type 1 diabetes mellitus. The first study would include a group of non-pregnant women and a group of diabetic women undergoing normal pregnancy matched for age and duration of diabetes. In the second study pregnant women would be divided into two groups: one with normal pregnancy and the other with preeclampsia. The procedure and data collection in both studies will be identical: a complete ophthalmological examination, glycaemic control, blood pressure measurement and venous blood samples for the determination of plasma levels of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8) and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1).
Considering the present assumption, the gestational immune activation could be suggested as a potential risk factor for the development and progression of retinopathy in diabetic women. A better understanding of immunomodulatory effects of pregnancy on diabetic retinopathy pave the way for further investigations of the mechanism of its pathogenesis and could be essential for novel approaches to the treatment of this serious sight threatening complication of diabetes mellitus.
Introduction
Lacrimal gland prolapse (LGP) is a term used to describe a benign, anterior displacement of the lacrimal gland. If this condition is not properly addressed during upper blepharoplasty, ...the aesthetic and functional results are less than optimal. This study aimed to report the surgical outcomes of upper blepharoplasty combined with dacryoadenopexy in patients with LGP.
Methods
We reported an unusual case of severe LGP in a young patient. In addition, we performed a systematic review of the English literature on surgical cases of LGP published between 1973 and 2023. Eligible articles were analyzed for individual patient data (IPD) and aggregate patient data (APD). The primary predictor variable was the surgical technique used for lacrimal gland repositioning/suspension. The primary outcome variable was relapse rate.
Results
The bibliographic search retrieved 488 surgical cases of LGP: 12 in IPD, and 476 in APD datasets. The relapse rates in the IPD and APD cohorts were 8.3% (1/12) and 1.2% (6/476), respectively. Within the APD dataset, no significant difference in the relapse rates between dacryoadenopexy via suture suspension and Whitnall’s ligament suspension (5/409 and 1/20, respectively;
P
> 0.05) was observed. Light cauterization of the lacrimal gland capsule and surrounding soft tissues was performed in mild LGP cases (< 4 mm prolapse), with a relapse rate of 0% (0/47).
Conclusion
Upper blepharoplasty combined with dacryoadenopexy proved to be a safe surgical procedure with very satisfactory aesthetic outcome and minimal relapse rate.
Level of Evidence III
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors
www.springer.com/00266
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The aim of this study was to quantify vibrations and their influence on visual acuity. The study consisted of two parts, laboratory and clinical. Time-averaged holographic interferometry (TAHI) ...method was used in laboratory for measuring the amplitude of tooth vibrations induced by dental handpiece. The amplitudes of tooth vibrations were measured for the three diameters and three speeds. The larger diameter coupled with increasing speed resulted in greater vibration amplitudes, whereby a maximum amplitude of less than one micrometer was detected. For quantifying the natural visual acuity for the corresponding tooth vibrations, we have used the clinical condition approach with miniaturized Snellen optotype as an assessing tool. Central visual acuity did not display variance in visual acuity at rest or under load. Results indicate that the vibrations induced during cavity preparation are not sufficient to negatively affect visual acuity of dentists.
Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of topical bromfenac and dexamethasone on the intraocular concentration of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and incidence of ...pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema (PCME) after cataract surgery in patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Materials and Methods: Ninety eyes of patients with mild-to-moderate NPDR that underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were divided into three groups. A detailed description of the clinical study protocol is described later in paper. In short, Group 1 received topical bromfenac (0.9 mg/mL), Group 2 dexamethasone (1 mg/mL), and Group 3 placebo, both preoperatively and postoperatively. Additionally, all patients received combined topical steroid and antibiotic drops (dexamethasone, neomycin and polymyxin B) 3 weeks postoperatively. On the day of the surgery, aqueous humour samples (0.1–0.2 mL) were obtained and IL-6 concentrations were analysed. Central foveal subfield thickness (CFT) measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was analysed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: There was no significant difference in IL-6 concentrations between groups. Postoperative CFT was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared to the placebo group. In addition, the correlation between IL-6 and CFT was statistically significant in the dexamethasone group. No patient developed PCME in any of the three groups. No adverse events were reported during the study. Conclusion: Topical bromfenac and dexamethasone have no significant effect on intraocular IL-6 concentration in patients with NPDR. Topical bromfenac is not more effective than topical dexamethasone in reducing postoperative CFT in patients with NPDR.
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