Foveal Configuration After Amniotic Membrane Transplantation in Complex Macular Holes.

Purpose: This study evaluated outcomes and foveal morphological changes following human amniotic membrane transplantation (hAMT) in complex macular holes.

Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 eyes that underwent vitrectomy with hAMT for indications including failed prior macular hole closure, macular hole-associated retinal detachment in high myopia (axial length >28mm), giant macular holes (>1000µm), and large macular holes (≥400µm) unsuitable for internal limiting membrane flaps (ILM). Postoperative assessments included closure rates, visual outcomes, and foveal structural changes on optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 1, 3, and 6 months.

Investigation of Structural, Optical, Electrical, and Biological Properties of a Porous Platinum Electrode for Neurostimulation Devices.

The structural and optical properties, as well as the electrical and biological characteristics of a porous platinum (Pt) structure for neurostimulation applications, are investigated. Critical factors such as biocompatibility, electrical performance, and structural and optical differences, which can adversely affect the functionality of implantable devices, are systematically analyzed and compared with general electrodes. By employing an integration of three-dimensional simulations and implantation experiments, we demonstrate that the remarkably extensive surface area, low reflectance, and outstanding peak current values inherent in porous Pt facilitate effective stimulation while simultaneously ensuring a high degree of biological safety.

Anatomical changes in idiopathic epiretinal membrane at 2-year follow-up assessed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomographic angiography.

Purpose: To evaluate anatomical changes in the low-stage partial attachment-type idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) over 2 years.

Methods: Data from patients with low-stage partial attachment-type iERM (stage 2) were analyzed. The main outcome measures were anatomical changes, including changes in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, vessel density (VD) in the vascular plexus, and thickness of retinal sublayers during the follow-up period.

Volume-rendering three-dimensional image analysis of macular neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.

Background: To visualize and investigate the three-dimensional (3D) images of macular neovascularization (MNV) in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) according to the treatment response to intravitreal aflibercept injection (IVI).

Methods: OCTA images at baseline and 12 weeks (after three loading IVIs) were retrospectively reconstructed as 3D images for patients with type 1 and 2 MNV treated with the "pro-re-nata" regimen. The fluid-free and persistent fluid groups were divided according to the presence of subretinal and intraretinal fluid at 12 weeks after treatment.

Clinical Factors, Treatment Selection, and Outcomes in Postcataract Fungal Endophthalmitis from Contaminated Viscoelastics.

Purpose: To investigate the factors associated with treatment outcomes of postcataract surgery fungal endophthalmitis outbreaks related to contaminated viscoelastics.

Design: Retrospective analysis of clinical data from multiple institutions.

Subjects: This study included 228 eyes of 210 patients who were diagnosed with postcataract surgery fungal endophthalmitis related to the use of viscoelastic material (Unial, Unimed Pharmaceutical Inc); they were followed up for 6 months after the diagnosis.

Noncovalent antibody catenation on a target surface greatly increases the antigen-binding avidity.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies are widely used for diagnosis and therapy. Given the unique dimeric structure of IgG, we hypothesized that, by genetically fusing a homodimeric protein (catenator) to the C-terminus of IgG, reversible catenation of antibody molecules could be induced on a surface where target antigen molecules are abundant, and that it could be an effective way to greatly enhance the antigen-binding avidity. A thermodynamic simulation showed that quite low homodimerization affinity of a catenator, .

Cut-Off Value of Voluntary Peak Cough Flow in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Its Association with Severe Dysphagia: A Retrospective Pilot Study.

Swallowing and coughing reflexes are both closely associated with airway protection. Peak cough flow (PCF) is associated with dysphagia in several neurogenic diseases. In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between PCF and aspiration in Parkinson's disease (PD) and determine the cut-off value of PCF.

Genotypic Profile and Clinical Characteristics of CRX-Associated Retinopathy in Koreans.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Korean patients with retinal dystrophy associated with pathogenic variants of cone rod homeobox-containing gene (CRX). We retrospectively enrolled Korean patients with CRX-associated retinal dystrophy (CRX-RD) who visited two tertiary referral hospitals. Pathogenic variants were identified using targeted panel sequencing or whole-exome sequencing.

Outer retinal degeneration in a non-human primate model using temporary intravitreal tamponade with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in cynomolgus monkeys.

The main objective of this study was to induce and evaluate drug-dose-dependent outer retinal degeneration in cynomolgus monkeys by application of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU).Intravitreal temporary tamponade induced outer retinal degeneration with MNU solutions (2-3 mg ml) after vitrectomy in five cynomolgus monkeys. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), full-field electroretinography (ffERG), and visual evoked potentials (VEP) were performed at baseline and weeks 2, 6, and 12 postoperatively.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION OF RETINAL NERVE FIBER LAYER SCHISIS AND MACULAR FLUORESCEIN LEAKAGE IN PRIMARY IDIOPATHIC EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE.

Purpose: We evaluated the relationship between macular fluorescein leakage and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) schisis and investigated the visual prognostic values after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal.

Methods: We analyzed the correlations between preoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters and macular leakage. The final best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness were compared according to the presence or absence of macular leakage and RNFL schisis.

Vision-Threatening Ocular Adverse Events after Vaccination against Coronavirus Disease 2019.

A single-center retrospective observational case series was conducted. This case series enrolled patients who showed ophthalmic manifestations within one week after COVID-19 vaccination at Korea University Guro Hospital in Seoul, Korea, from May 2021 to January 2022. The medical records of patients who complained of ocular symptoms and showed ophthalmic adverse events within one week after COVID-19 vaccination were reviewed.

Correlated Activity in the Degenerate Retina Inhibits Focal Response to Electrical Stimulation.

Retinal prostheses have shown some clinical success in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. However, even after the implantation of a retinal prosthesis, the patient's visual acuity is at best less than 20/420. Reduced visual acuity may be explained by a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio due to the spontaneous hyperactivity of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) found in degenerate retinas.

Retinal Vessel Density in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Patients with Geographic Atrophy.

We compared the retinal vessel density and inner retinal thickness in patients who had one eye with geographic atrophy (GA) and a fellow eye with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD). The vessel density from the superficial vascular complex (SVC) and deep vascular complex (DVC) through optical coherence tomography angiography and the thickness of the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer nuclear layer (ONL) on a structural optical coherence tomography thickness map were measured in 28 eyes of 14 GA patients with iAMD in the fellow eye. GA eyes had significantly lower vessel density in the SVC (26.

Diagnostic performance of liver fibrosis assessment by quantification of liver surface nodularity on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic performance of the liver surface nodularity (LSN) score for assessment of hepatic fibrosis.

Methods: Major databases were searched to identify studies reporting the diagnostic performance of the LSN score published from January 2011 to April 2021. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the LSN score in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis (F2-4), advanced fibrosis (F3-4), and liver cirrhosis (F4) were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model, and the summary areas under the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) for each were calculated.

Predictive role of optical coherence tomography angiography for exudation recurrence in patients with type 1 neovascular age-related macular degeneration treated with pro-re-nata protocol.

Objectives: We sought to identify the consecutive changes and predictive features for exudation recurrence in macular neovascularization (MNV) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in type 1 neovascular age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD).

Methods: A total of 291 OCTA images in consecutive visit of 45 patients newly diagnosed with type 1 NMV and treated with three loading intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections (IVIs) and a pro-re-nata (PRN) therapy regimen were analysed. Quantitative features of OCTA included the MNV area, MNV length, total number of endpoints (open-ended vessels) and junctions (internal branching) using AngioTool.

Maternal and Neonatal Risk Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Population-Based Nationwide Study.

To investigate the maternal and neonatal risk factors related to pregnancy and birth affecting the occurrence of neurodevelopmental disorders to their children using the medical claim data for the whole population. The study was conducted on all the babies born in Korea from 2005 to 2009 based on data from the National Health Information Database. All birth records were tracked from birth to December 31, 2015.

Analysis of Microvasculature in Nonhuman Primate Macula With Acute Elevated Intraocular Pressure Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

Purpose: To investigate responses of macular capillary vessel area density (VAD) of superficial and deep retinal vascular plexuses to elevations in intraocular pressure (IOP) in cynomolgus macaque monkeys using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Methods: In five general anesthetized male cynomolgus monkeys, the IOP was increased incrementally by 10 mmHg from baseline (10 mmHg) to 70 mmHg and then decreased back to 10 mmHg (recovery state). Structural OCT (30° × 30°) and OCTA (20° × 15°) centered on the macula were obtained at each IOP and 3, 15, and 30 minutes after recovery.