The relationship between miR-21, DNA methylation, and bisphenol a in bovine COCs and granulosa cells

Introduction: miR-21 is a critical microRNA for the regulation of various processes in oocytes and granulosa cells. It is involved in the modulation of apoptosis and can influence other epigenetic mechanisms. Among these mechanisms, DNA methylation holds significant importance, particularly during female gametogenesis. Evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs, including miR-21, can regulate DNA methylation. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread chemical that disrupts oocyte maturation and granulosa cell function. Recent findings suggested that BPA can act through epigenetic pathways, including DNA methylation and microRNAs. Methods: This study uses anti-miR-21 LNAs to explore the involvement of miR-21 in the regulation of DNA methylation in bovine Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes (COCs) and granulosa cells, in the presence and absence of BPA. This study investigated 5 mC/5hmC levels as well as gene expression of various methylation enzymes using qPCR and western blotting. Results and discussion: Results reveal that BPA reduces 5mC levels in granulosa cells but not in COCs, which can be attributed to a decrease in the methylating enzymes DNMT1 and DNMT3A, and an increase in the demethylating enzyme TET2. We observed a significant increase in the protein levels of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and TET2 upon inhibition of miR-21 in both COCs and granulosa cells. These findings directly imply a strong correlation between miR-21 signaling and the regulation of DNA methylation in bovine COCs and granulosa cells under BPA exposure.

The epidemiology of serious eye injuries from the United States Eye Injury Registry

BACKGROUND

Trauma remains a major problem throughout the world. The prognosis of severe eye injuries is commonly bleak. This paper focuses on the epidemiology of eye trauma, the role of ocular epidemiology, and identification and reduction of risk factors.

METHODS

An analysis of the first 8,952 patients reported with severe eye injuries, defined as those eye injuries resulting in permanent and significant (measurable and observable on routine eye examination) structural and/or functional changes to the eye, from the United States Eye Injury Registry as of 31 July 1998.

RESULTS

The age of patients entered was from the 1st year of life to 103 years. Fifty-eight percent of those injured were less than 30 years of age. The male to female ratio was 4.6:1, reaching 7.4:1 in the fourth decade of life. Almost half of the injuries involved the retina, and 77% of the injured eyes required one or more surgical procedures, including a large proportion which have undergone vitreoretinal surgical procedures.

CONCLUSION

Injuries remain the most serious public health problem facing developed nations. Yet, a persistent inadequacy exists both in the standardized documentation of eye injuries and in their treatment. With appropriate surgical and medical intervention, a majority of the reported injured eyes recovered functional levels of visual acuity. It appears that glasses, including prescription glasses and even non-prescription sunglasses, can offer measurable protection which results in a lower incidence of severe eye injuries to those wearing glasses.

Employee reactions to ergonomic job design: the moderating effects of health locus of control and self-efficacy

A field survey of 180 municipal government office employees (82% women, 21-75 years old) investigated the potential moderating effects of internal health locus of control (HLOC) and self-efficacy on employees' reactions to ergonomic job design. Internal HLOC moderated the associations between ergonomic job design and somatic complaints and turnover intentions, and, to a lesser extent, job satisfaction. Self-efficacy moderated the associations between job design and job satisfaction, somatic complaints, and, to a lesser extent, persistent pain. Employees with low self-efficacy or low internal HLOC were influenced more by their physical job conditions than those with high self-efficacy or high internal HLOC. Implications for the ergonomic design of offices are discussed.

Surgical wound defects associated with endophthalmitis

Twenty-five consecutive cases of culture-proven postsurgical endophthalmitis were evaluated. Patients underwent wound revision and pars plana vitrectomy with intravitreal antibiotic and steroid infusion (gentamicin 8 micrograms/cc, clindamycin 9 micrograms/cc, dexamethasone 8 micrograms/cc) and injection (gentamicin 100 micrograms plus clindamycin 200 micrograms [and amphotericin 5 micrograms in one case] and dexamethasone 800 to 1000 micrograms). Twenty cases demonstrated wound defects (eg, wound gape/malapposition, abscess/tissue necrosis, suture dehiscence, leak, vitreous wick). Culture-proven isolates included both gram negative and positive bacteria and fungi. Visual acuity improved in 18 of the 20 (90%) gram positive cases. Ten of the 17 (59%) patients in the Staphylococcus epidermidis subgroup achieved a visual acuity of 20/50 or better. Surgical wound defects are frequently associated with culture-proven endophthalmitis. When vitrectomy is included as part of the treatment regimen, we recommend meticulous inspection and closure of any defective surgical wounds associated with endophalmitis.

Orbital apex syndrome after penetrating orbital trauma

Orbital trauma may be associated with various visual and ocular motility disturbances. We describe a case of orbital apex syndrome after penetrating orbital trauma.

Low-intensity grids improve sensitivity of amsler grid testing in diabetic patients without background retinopathy

We tested 22 eyes of 12 diabetic patients without retinopathy for visual loss using four types of Amsler grids. The Amsler grids, in order of decreasing intensity, were the standard white, bright red, fine red, and threshold (through cross-polarizing filters). The threshold grid detected the largest number of scotomas--16 versus 12, seven, and seven, respectively--and the largest total area of all scotomas--1594 degrees 2 of arc versus 1237, 994, and 927, respectively. In addition, metamorphopsia lessened as grid intensity decreased. These results demonstrate that the sensitivity of Amsler grid testing for visual loss in diabetics without retinopathy improves by decreasing the intensity of the grid used.

A 20-gauge intraocular electromagnetic tip for simplified intraocular foreign-body extraction

A modified tip for the Bronson intraocular electromagnet has been developed. The tip was machined to a 20-gauge cylinder that can be inserted readily into the eye either through an entrance wound or through a pars plana incision. Placement of the tip of the magnet inside the eye allows the foreign body to impact the tip of the magnet rather than the wall of the eye.

An improved approach to aqueous paracentesis

We describe a quick and effective technique for performing safe anterior chamber paracenteses. The technique consists simply of inserting a small gauge disposable hypodermic needle without an attached syringe into the anterior chamber. The intraocular pressure and capillary action of the needle readily cause the rapid drainage of aqueous humor. This technique eliminates the cumbersome manipulations and potential complications associated with using an attached syringe for aspiration.

Light-induced maculopathy and cystoid macular edema

We present two patients with paramacular burns induced by the operative light microscope. In one case there was associated cystoid macular edema. Of the 34 total reported cases of paramacular burns, there have been only two cases of cystoid macular edema. Thus, although the total number of reported cases of light-induced maculopathy is small, this disorder does not appear to predispose to cystoid macular edema. Loss of visual acuity is mainly caused by the proximity of the burn to the fovea.

Threshold Amsler grid testing in maculopathies

The Amsler grid is a suprathreshold target and thus may fail to detect relative scotomas. If the grid is viewed through two cross-polarizing filters creating low luminance conditions (threshold Amsler grid testing) the test is far more sensitive. Ten patients with disorders of the macula with normal standard white Amsler grid testing were studied with three other Amsler grid tests. Of the 15 involved eyes, 12 had visual field defects present with threshold Amsler grid testing. Tangent screen examination showed defects in 10 of these 12 eyes. The two red grids used were not as sensitive as the threshold grid. Three eyes had metamorphopsia with the white grid which became the site of a visual field defect with threshold testing. Threshold Amsler grid testing is a rapid and sensitive technique for the evaluation of the central 10 degrees of visual field in patients with maculopathies.

Retinal toxicity secondary to intraocular gentamicin injection

The authors present five cases of severe retinal ischemia associated with gentamicin injection. In three of the cases massive doses of gentamicin were erroneously injected into the eye; in two of the cases the authors presume that gentamicin toxicity occurred. The sequence of clinical findings was similar in all five cases. The prominent findings included early superficial and intraretinal hemorrhages, opaque and edematous retina, cotton-wool infarcts, arteriolar narrowing, and venous beading. Fluorescein angiography revealed severe retinal vascular nonperfusion. Chronic findings included rubeosis irides, neovascular glaucoma, retinal pigmentary degeneration, and optic atrophy. Of the documented cases of massive intraocular gentamicin injection, two patients had no light perception (NLP) vision and one had bare light perception. Of the two cases of presumed gentamicin toxicity, one had 20/400 vision and one had count fingers vision. Strict precautions are necessary to prevent the catastrophic events resulting from inadvertent gentamicin injection; such precautions should include precise labeling of all injectable solutions on the surgical field, waiting to draw up injectable antibiotics until the time they are needed, and drawing up injectable antibiotics under direct physician observation. All intravitreal injections should be performed slowly, in the anterior vitreous, with the needle bevel up.

A shorter scleral needle

A scleral needle for retinal detachment surgery, which has a shorter length than has previously been available, has been developed. This shorter length makes the passage of the needle easier in the limited space available posterior to the equator of the eye.

Effect of hypothermic perfusion on corneal endothelial morphology

The effect of moderate in-vivo hypothermic perfusion on corneal endothelial integrity was studied in the cat. Eleven cats underwent in-vivo anterior chamber perfusion for 30 minutes with either normothermic (23 degrees C) or hypothermic (5 degrees C) perfusate. Corneas were then evaluated clinically (biomicroscopy), functionally (vital staining), and morphologically (scanning electron microscopy) for changes attributable to hypothermic perfusion. All 3 modes of evaluation suggested no difference in corneal endothelial integrity under the 2 experimental perfusion conditions. At the clinical and scanning electron microscope levels hypothermic perfusion does not show any effects on the corneal endothelium. Regional hypothermia is of theoretical and potential utility in procedures involving prolonged intraocular perfusion.

Ocular hypothermia: anterior chamber perfusion

The anterior chambers of 27 rabbit eyes were perfused at constant pressure with room temperature (25 degrees C) or cooled (11 degrees C) balanced salt solution at constant flow rates of 4.8 ml/min or 8.5 ml/min. Intraocular temperature changes in the anterior chamber, anterior vitreous, mid vitreous, and posterior vitreous and on the retina surface were monitored with an intraocular thermocouple probe. Perfusion of the anterior chamber of the pigmented rabbit eye with cooled fluid significantly reduced the temperature of the anterior chamber and anterior vitreous and even that of the retina. Both an increase in the rate of perfusion and a lowering of the perfusion temperature enhanced the cooling effect. The observed decrease in temperatures returned to approximately normal 4 minutes following the cessation of perfusion.

Results of 110 vitrectomies with a portable vitrectomy system

We retrospectively evaluated the VITAC (vitreous-tissue aspiration cutter), a portable vitrectomy system with an end-cutting vitrectomy probe with a self-sharpening oscillating blade and a monoblock design, in 110 vitrectomy procedures, 34 performed at the University of California Davis Medical Center and 76 performed at the Eye and ENT Hospital in Shanghai, China. The indications for vitrectomy included penetrating injuries (22 eyes), intraocular foreign bodies (28 eyes), vitreous hemorrhages (18 eyes), cataracts (17 eyes), endophthalmitis (seven eyes), pupillary-block glaucoma (five eyes), bullous keratopathy (five eyes), aphakic penetrating keratoplasty (three eyes), pupillary membranes (two eyes), massive preretinal proliferation (one eye), and cystoid macular edema (one eye). Vitrectomy resulted in visual improvement in 19 of 34 eyes in the California series (56%) and in 60 of the 76 eyes in the Shanghai series (79%). This difference was attributable to the higher percentages of cases involving the posterior segment and vitreous hemorrhage in the California series. When results from both institutions were combined, surgery with the VITAC produced visual improvement in 79 of 110 cases (72%), comparable to the results obtained with other vitrectomy systems.

A 19-gauge illuminating infusion probe

A 19-gauge illuminating infusion probe has been developed and used during the past four years. This instrument is potentially useful in many deep vitrectomy procedures in which intraocular illumination is also required.

Use of the temporary keratoprosthesis in the subacute management of massive ocular trauma

The Landers-Foulks temporary operating keratoprosthesis was used in the treatment of a severe double perforating injury involving both the cornea and retina in a 12-year-old boy. The use of the keratoprosthesis permitted surgical intervention at the optimal time for successful treatment of the retina and vitreous, providing the patient with useful visual acuity. The temporary keratoprosthesis is an excellent device for the subacute management of massive ocular trauma involving both anterior and posterior segments.

Vacuum-attached infusion terminal

A vacuum-attached infusion terminal for use in vitrectomy procedures has the advantage of being rapidly positioned in the eye through a 20-gauge pars plana incision. The terminal can be used as a temporary infusion source or throughout an entire vitrectomy procedure.

Aspergillus endophthalmitis in an intravenous drug user

A 27-year-old male drug user administered methamphetamine hydrochloride solution intravenously (IV) from a storage vial. Within two weeks he was admitted with a fungal endophthalmitis of the right eye. A diagnostic and therapeutic vitrectomy was performed. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the drug storage vial and the vitreous biopsy specimen. The endophthalmitis was not controlled by IV and intravitreal amphotericin B. Pathological examination revealed fungal abscesses in the vitreous and subretinal space.

An exchange of ophthalmologists with the People's Republic of China

From 1978 through 1981, three teams of ophthalmologists from the United States have traveled to the People's Republic of China under the auspices of the World Eye Foundation. The purpose of these visits has been to open an avenue of exchange between American and Chinese ophthalmologists. The US ophthalmologists delivered lectures and participated in discussion groups with the Chinese ophthalmologists. They had the opportunity to participate in surgical teaching cases, including some using acupuncture anesthesia. They also had the opportunity to develop ongoing working and research relationships with many Chinese ophthalmologists. As a result of these working relationships, some of these Chinese ophthalmologists have had the opportunity to visit and study in the United States.

Active central retinal artery embolization

A 44-year-old white woman with metastatic breast carcinoma and ongoing showers of branch and central retinal artery emboli is presented. The patient had no ocular complaints and demonstrated no cumulative effect from the embolic material, the cause of which remained undetermined despite intensive systemic medical evaluation.

An anterior segment 30 degree bent infusion needle

The bend of an anterior segment 30 degree bent infusion needle allows for ease of positioning over the nose or brow during surgical procedures. This instrument is easily used in bimanual surgical techniques with standard vitrectomy probes. Infusion into the anterior chamber of the eye during anterior segment vitrectomy procedures has the advantage of maintaining the depth of the anterior chamber and preventing its collapse during surgery. This techniques is particularly useful in anterior membranectomy, capsulectomy, lensectomy, and other anterior segment procedures.

Central retinal artery occlusion following cosmetic blepharoplasty

A case is presented of a 70-year-old white male who underwent a bilateral cosmetic lower lid blepharoplasty with fat removal. He subsequently developed a right orbital haemorrhage which resulted in the occlusion of the central retinal artery. The patient had no light perception with his right eye for approximately 1 hour, but vision was eventually restored to 20/20 after emergency therapeutic measures. There are many possible causes of visual loss following blepharoplasty, with orbital haemorrhage being the most common. Visual loss secondary to blepharoplasty can be prevented in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of surgery. Blindness as a complication of cosmetic blepharoplasty can be reversible if recognised early and treated appropriately. These facts must be kept in mind by all surgeons who perform blepharoplasties.

Treatment of neovascular glaucoma with transscleral panretinal cryotherapy

Transscleral panretinal cryotherapy was used to treat six eyes with neovascular glaucoma. The media of each involved eye were sufficiently cloudy at the time of treatment to prevent adequate panretinal photocoagulation. A checkerboard pattern of eight 2.5-mm cryotherapy applications was placed in each quadrant. Five of the eyes were also treated with 180 degrees of cyclocryotherapy. Within 72 hours of treatment, the intraocular pressure in each eye returned to a controllable level. The iris neovascularization in each eye regressed or totally disappeared within six weeks.

Cardiopulmonary arrest after retrobular block

A 61-year-old woman experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest immediately after the retrobulbar injection of a mixture of 2 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine HCl, 2% mepivacaine HCl, and hyaluronidase. The patient was immediately resuscitated but remained unconscious for a total of 20 minutes. All neurologic deficits resolved completely over the two hours following the cardiopulmonary arrest and no adverse sequelae were noted. We assumed that this cardiopulmonary arrest was precipitated by the local anesthetic being transported via retrograde flow through the ophthalmic artery and then by antegrade flow through the internal carotid artery to the thalamus and other midbrain structures.

Xenon arc panretinal photocoagulation for central retinal vein occlusion: a randomised prospective study

Thirty-three patients with central vein occlusion were evaluated for the effects of scatter xenon arc panretinal photocoagulation. Thirty-four eyes (2 eyes of 1 patient) were randomly divided into a treatment (15 eyes) and a nontreatment group (19 eyes). The average follow-up per eye has been 29 months. The visual prognosis was not significantly better in either group. There was no difference in the development of fundus neovascularisation between groups. None of the patients in the treated group developed rubeosis or neovascular glaucoma. Two patients in the nontreatment group initially had rubeosis and 3 developed it after entry. All 5 involved eyes developed neovascular glaucoma. A significantly greater amount of central retinal capillary drop-out was present in the untreated eyes that developed rubeosis than those untreated eyes which did not. The eyes in the treated group had a similar range of capillary drop-out area, but none of these eyes developed rubeosis or neovascular glaucoma. Panretinal photocoagulation prevented the development of rubeosis and neovascular glaucoma in susceptible eyes.

Metastatic Peptostreptococcus intermedius endophthalmitis after a dental procedure

A 46-year-old man developed symptoms of a chronic progressive uveitis in his right eye approximately one week after a dental procedure. The patient's intraocular inflammation was not diminished by massive treatment with topical and systemic corticosteroid therapy or intravenously administered adrenocorticotropic hormone. The inflammatory process progressed to an overt endophthalmitis during a period of three weeks and the eye eventually required evisceration. A pure culture of Peptostreptococcus intermedius was isolated from the eye. The most likely source of this organism was hematologic transport following a dental procedure.

Endophthalmitis caused by Propionibacterium acnes

We treated a man who developed endopthalmitis six weeks after a seemingly minor injury. Cultures were positive for Propionibacterium acnes, an anerobic, Gram-positive rod that is a normal inhabitant of the conjunctiva but is rarely a cause of endophthalmitis. The patient underwent vitrectomy and lensectomy with intravitreal injection of antibiotics followed by systemic cephalothin and prednisone. Clinical and visual improvement was rapid.

Penetration of gentamicin into the aphakic eye

The penetration of gentamicin is compared in the aphakic and phakic rabbit eye. Phakic and aphakic rabbits were treated with gentamicin by topical, subconjunctival, and intramuscular routes separately and in combination. These routes of therapy also were evaluated in aphakic eyes with experimentally induced endophthalmitis. The levels of gentamicin were, for the most part, higher in the aphakic, as opposed to the phakic eyes. Combination therapy produced higher levels in the noninfected than in the infected eyes. Aqueous levels were generally bactericidal by topical and subconjunctival routes. Levels in the vitreous by the routes of therapy employed in this study were at best inhibitory for the more virulent organisms.

Intraocular gentamicin as intraoperative prophylaxis in South India eye camps

The incidence of bacterial endophthalmitis has been 3-6% after cataract extraction in the eye camps of South India from 1961-75. During this time 50 791 cases were operated using systemic and topical chloramphenicol prophylaxis. This study evaluated the prophylactic intracameral injection of 50 microng of gentamicin in eye camp cataract extractions. Only 6 of 1626 patients treated with intracameral gentamicin at operation developed bacterial endophthalmitis, an incidence of 0-37%.

A prospective study of xenon arc photocoagulation for central retinal vein occlusion

Twenty patients with central retinal vein occlusion were randomly divided into two groups in a prospective study to evaluate the effects of xenon are photocoagulation in central retinal vein occlusion. The patients in one group were treated with 360 degrees scatter xenon photocoagulation and the others received no treatment. The average follow-up was 18 months. There were no cases of rubeosis or neovascular glaucoma in the treated group. Two patients in the untreated group developed rubeosis with subsequent neovascular glaucoma. There was no significant difference in the visual prognosis or in fundus neovascularization between the groups.

Endophthalmitis after vitrectomy

A 29-year-old white man with growth-onset diabetes developed fulminant endophthalmitis after vitreous lavage. The only significant symptom was severe pain 36 hours after surgery. The endophthalmitis rapidly became more severe. Despite systemic antibiotics, therapeutic vitrectomy and lensectomy, followed by the intraocular injection of antibiotics 48 hours postoperatively, the eye was lost.

Penetration of amikacin into the aphakic eye

An experiment was designed to see if an aminoglycoside antibiotic, amikacin, would penetrate the vitreous of rabbits in greater concentrations in the postoperative aphakic eye than in the normal eye. Phakic and aphakic eyes were treated with amikacin by topical, subconjunctival, and intramuscular methods separately and combined. Bioassays of aqueous, anterior vitreous, and posterior vitreous revealed that concentrations of amikacin in ocular fluids after intramuscular administration were greater in the aphakic eye as compared to the normal eye; however, concentrations in the vitreous did not reach reliably bactericidal concentrations even when all three methods of administration were combined.

AN APPLICATION OF THE TAXONOME METHOD TO A PLASMODE

The concept of a plasmode, described as a numerical set of data (preferably from a physical example) arranged to fit a scientific model, is developed and its usefulness discussed. A plasmode consisting of physical measurements on several varieties of musical instruments is used to explore the utility of the Taxonome computer program for locating types. Known segregations preinserted were successfully reproduced by this objective computerized approach.