Retinal layers and symptoms and inflammation in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects brain structure and function. The retina, as well as the brain, consists of neuronal and glial cells packed in layers. Cortical volume and brain thickness are associated with inflammatory biomarkers, however, no study has been performed associating inflammatory biomarkers and retina in schizophrenia. our study aims to compare the retinal macular thickness and volume and peripapillary thickness in patients with schizophrenia and controls, and associate it to symptoms of schizophrenia, to interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C Reactive Protein (CRP) levels. Optical coherence tomography was performed to assess retinal layer thickness and volume, and CRP and IL-6 levels were measured in patients with schizophrenia and controls. Positive, negative, and general symptoms of schizophrenia were measured with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). A linear regression controlling for confounding factors was performed. 70 subjects were included, 35 patients, and 35 controls matched for sex and age. Patients with schizophrenia presented a significantly lower macular volume (p < 0.05) and thickness (< 0.05) than controls. PANSS positive, general and total scores were associated with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness (p < 0.05). There was no association between inflammatory markers (CRP and IL-6) levels and the retinal layer. A reduction in macular volume and thickness was found in patients with schizophrenia. The severity of schizophrenia symptoms was associated with RNFL thickness. CRP and IL-6 are not associated with retinal thickness/volume in schizophrenia or controls.

Novel OPN1LW/OPN1MW Exon 3 Haplotype-Associated Splicing Defect in Patients with X-Linked Cone Dysfunction

Certain combinations of common variants in exon 3 of OPN1LW and OPN1MW, the genes encoding the apo-protein of the long- and middle-wavelength sensitive cone photoreceptor visual pigments in humans, induce splicing defects and have been associated with dyschromatopsia and cone dysfunction syndromes. Here we report the identification of a novel exon 3 haplotype, G-C-G-A-T-T-G-G (referring to nucleotide variants at cDNA positions c.453, c.457, c.465, c.511, c.513, c.521, c.532, and c.538) deduced to encode a pigment with the amino acid residues L-I-V-V-A at positions p.153, p.171, p.174, p.178, and p.180, in OPN1LW or OPN1MW or both in a series of seven patients from four families with cone dysfunction. Applying minigene assays for all observed exon 3 haplotypes in the patients, we demonstrated that the novel exon 3 haplotype L-I-V-V-A induces a strong but incomplete splicing defect with 3-5% of residual correctly spliced transcripts. Minigene splicing outcomes were similar in HEK293 cells and the human retinoblastoma cell line WERI-Rb1, the latter retaining a cone photoreceptor expression profile including endogenous OPN1LW and OPN1MW gene expression. Patients carrying the novel L-I-V-V-A haplotype presented with a mild form of Blue Cone Monochromacy or Bornholm Eye Disease-like phenotype with reduced visual acuity, reduced cone electroretinography responses, red-green color vision defects, and frequently with severe myopia.

New Insights on the Regulatory Gene Network Disturbed in Central Areolar Choroidal Dystrophy-Beyond Classical Gene Candidates

Central areolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD) is a rare hereditary disease that mainly affects the macula, resulting in progressive and usually profound visual loss. Being part of congenital retinal dystrophies, it may have an autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance and, until now, has no effective treatment. Given the shortage of genotypic information about the disease, this work systematically reviews the literature for CACD-causing genes. Three independent researchers selected 33 articles after carefully searching and filtering the Scielo, Pubmed, Lilacs, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases. Mutations of six genes (PRPH2, GUCA1A, GUCY2D, CDHR1, ABCA4, and TTLL5) are implicated in the monogenic dominant inheritance of CACD. They are functionally related to photoreceptors (either in the phototransduction process, as in the case of GUCY2D, or the recovery of retinal photodegradation in photoreceptors for GUCA1A, or the formation and maintenance of specific structures within photoreceptors for PRPH2). The identified genetic variants do not explain all observed clinical features, calling for further whole-genome and functional studies for this disease. A network analysis with the CACD-related genes identified in the systematic review resulted in the identification of another 20 genes that may influence CACD onset and symptoms. Furthermore, an enrichment analysis allowed the identification of 13 transcription factors and 4 long noncoding RNAs interacting with the products of the previously mentioned genes. If mutated or dysregulated, they may be directly involved in CACD development and related disorders. More than half of the genes identified by bioinformatic tools do not appear in commercial gene panels, calling for more studies about their role in the maintenance of the retina and phototransduction process, as well as for a timely update of these gene panels.

Potential of Human Neural Precursor Cells in Diabetic Retinopathy Therapeutics - Preclinical Model

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a cell therapy strategy with human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Wistar rats induced to diabetes by injecting streptozotocin.

Material and methods: Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were isolated, expanded, and seeded onto a biopolymer substrate to develop neurospheres and obtain the hNPCs. The animals were divided into three groups; non-diabetic (ND) n = four; diabetic without treatment (DM) n = nine; and diabetic with cell therapy (DM + hNPCs) n = nine. After eight weeks of diabetes induction and DR characteristics installed, intravitreal injection of hNPCs (1 x 10⁶ cel/µL) was performed in the DM + hNPCs group. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Electroretinography (ERG) evaluations were before and during diabetes and after cell therapy. Four weeks post-treatment, histopathological and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed.

Results: The repair of the retinal structures in the treated group (DM + hNPCs) was observed by increased thickness of neuroretinal layers, especially in the ganglion cell and photoreceptor layers, higher ERG oscillatory potentials (OPs) amplitudes, and transplanted hNPCs integration into the Retinal Pigment Epithelium.

Conclusions: The results indicate that hNPCs reduced DR progression by a neuroprotective effect and promoted retinal repair, making them potential candidates for regenerating the neuroretinal tissue.

Therapeutic potential of human neural precursor cells in diabetic retinopathy—preclinical model

Background

Considering the expressive number of individuals being diagnosed with diabetes worldwide, it is relevant to find medicines and treatments, in order to achieve diabetes complications, as diabetic retinopathy (DR) long-awaited regression and/or cure. The study aimed to evaluate cell therapy with human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) on induced diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Wistar rats.

Methods

Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were isolated, expanded, and seeded onto a biopolymer substrate without growth factors to develop neurospheres, then hNPCs were obtained and characterized by immunocytochemistry. The animals were divided into three groups; non-diabetic (ND) n = 4; diabetic without treatment (DM) n = 9; diabetic with cell therapy (DM + hNPCs) n = 9. Cells were transplanted by intravitreal injection (1 x 106 cel/µL) into each of Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes rats. Evaluations by Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Electroretinography (ERG) were done before and after diabetes induction and post cell therapy. Four weeks after treatment, eye enucleation allowed histopathological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis.

Results

hNPCs increased the number of retina ganglion cells, ameliorated the photoreceptor layer, and decreased the microvessel points, evidenced by ERG, OCT, histopathological, and IHC findings. The most relevant differences in morphological analysis (treated vs untreated), exhibit the retinal improvement in many layers, notably in the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors.

Conclusions

hNPCs reduced DR progression, as demonstrated by a neuroprotective effect and promotion of retinal regeneration.

Different Cerebellar Ataxia Phenotypes Associated with Mutations of the PNPLA6 Gene in Brazilian Patients with Recessive Ataxias

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias (ARCAs) represent a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders. The association of early-onset cerebellar ataxia with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is related to two syndromes, known as Gordon Holmes syndrome (GHS-ataxia and pyramidal signs with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism) and Boucher-Neuhäuser syndrome (BNS-ataxia with chorioretinal dystrophy). Mutations in the PNPLA6 gene have been identified as the cause of hereditary spastic paraplegia and complex forms of ataxia associated with retinal and endocrine manifestations. We reported two Brazilian patients with sporadic, progressive cerebellar ataxia, associated with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, in whom the GHS and BNS were confirmed by the demonstration of compound heterozygote mutations in the PNPLA6 gene. Genetic analysis of the patient 1 revealed compound heterozygous mutations, one allele in exon 34 and the other allele in exon 29. Genetic exam of the patient 2 also demonstrated compound heterozygous mutations. Three were novel mutations. The missense mutation c.3373G> A, found in the BNS patient, was previously related to Oliver-McFarlane syndrome. These different mutations in this gene suggest a complex phenotype associated disease spectrum.

Neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis clinical and cerebrospinal fluid characteristics: a case series

BACKGROUND

During the first decade of this century, a significant increase in the incidence of syphilis was documented.

OBJECTIVE

To study clinical and laboratory characteristics of central nervous system and ocular syphilis.

METHODS

A retrospective case series of 13 patients with a clinical and laboratory diagnosis of neurosyphilis and/or ocular syphilis who had been admitted to the Neurology and Neuro-ophthalmology Service of the Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná.

RESULTS

Nine patients had a diagnosis of neurosyphilis and two of them also had ocular syphilis. Four patients had a diagnosis of ocular syphilis alone. Among the patients with a diagnosis of neurosyphilis, six had symptomatic syphilitic meningitis, of whom one manifested as cranial nerve palsy alone, one as cranial nerve palsy plus ocular syphilis, two as transverse myelitis (syphilitic meningomyelitis), one as meningitis worsening the patient's myasthenia gravis symptoms and one as meningitis plus ocular syphilis. Additionally, we diagnosed three patients with meningovascular neurosyphilis. In the univariate analysis, patients without ocular syphilis showed greater levels of total protein and white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid than patients with ocular syphilis.

CONCLUSION

This Brazilian case series of patients with neurosyphilis and ocular syphilis highlights the wide variability of this disease. A high degree of diagnostic suspicion is necessary when facing neurological and ocular symptoms for rapid diagnosis and appropriate management of patients.

A Comparative Optical Coherence Tomography Study of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Types 3 and 10

SCA3 presents with a CAG expansion at 14q24.3-q32 while SCA10 shows an ATTCT expansion at 22q13-qter. SCA10 seems to be less aggressive than SCA3. For an in vivo, noninvasive approach of the correlation between central nervous system and clinical evolution, we can use optic coherence tomography (OCT) to measure retinal nerve fiber (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness. To describe OCT findings in SCA10, correlate it with expansion size and disease severity and compare with those of SCA3. We analyzed ten individuals with SCA3 and nine with SCA10 recruited from the neurology service of Hospital de Clínicas of Paraná-Brazil. They were submitted to OCT and clinical evaluation using SARA score. Expansion size, demographic data, time from disease onset, and age of onset were collected. We found no correlation between size of expansion, SARA, and RNFL or GCL thickness in SCA10. RNFL seemed to be thicker in SCA10 (p > 0.05). GCL thickness, SARA, median age, and time from disease onset did not differ between groups. SCA10 individuals had an earlier disease onset. In SCA3, there was a negative correlation between SARA and RNFL thickness in nasal area. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper assessing retinal changes by OCT in individuals with SCA10. The lack of correlation between disease progression, age, and time since onset supports the anatomopathological findings which suggest SCA10 is less aggressive than other SCAs. The findings in SCA3 are in accordance with the literature.

[Kearns-Sayre syndrome: two case reports]

Two cases in which patients had progressive loss of visual acuity in four years and eight months respectively are described. Clinical examination revealed fundoscopic alterations of the retina, pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris showing marked atrophy. The clinical picture resembles Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Etiological investigation is fundamental, because most of time this condition is associated with more serious systemic complications which need specific care.

Skin holes of titanium casting

The present study describes refractories which contribute to formation of skin holes of Ti casting. Plates consisting of quartz (Qu) and cristobalite (Cr) powders and Qu- and Cr-MgO mixtures were fired at high temperatures and used as phosphate-free molds. The cross-section of the castings was investigated using an optical microscope and an electron probe microanalyzer. Whereas the castings into the Qu molds were almost complete, those into the Cr molds were incomplete. The surface reaction zone of the Qu molds formed a typical layered structure with fewer skin holes. That of the latter extended deeply into the interior with a net-shaped Ti-Si phase, cracks, and holes. Addition of MgO to Cr effectively improved the castability and changed the reaction zone to the typical layered structure. However, slender holes occurred along the mold wall. The overall area around the holes was contaminated by Si and Mg. Probably, this resulted from a reaction of forsterite with Ti. The reactivity difference between Qu and Cr was not related to the fired strength of mold.

Molten titanium flow in a mesh cavity by the flow visualization technique

The tracer element molten (TEM) method, which provides titanium flow visualization in a mold cavity, was applied to investigate the flow in a mesh pattern. When a pressure casting machine was used, most of the mesh rods were composed of many solidification layers, which implied that the flow was laminar and almost steady. When a centrifugal casting machine was used, the flow was almost irregular and a stack of solidification layers was observed in only a few segments. These results indicate that the flow was turbulent. In a complicated cavity, such as a mesh pattern, pressure rather than centrifugal force acts as an effective casting force. Therefore, in such a cavity, favorable castability can be achieved with high pressure and laminar flow.

[Determination of titanium flow by the tracer element molten method in the dental precision casting. 1. The principle of flow visualization and application to simple castings]

The tracer element molten (TEM) method has been developed for flow visualization of molten Titanium in dental precision casting. The principle of this technique is as follows. When Titanium is cast, the tracer element wire inserted previously into the selective point of the sprue is molten little by little and distributed according to the molten Titanium flow in the mold cavity. After solidification, to observe the flow pattern, the tracer element needs to be analyzed on a section of the casting by EPMA equipped with the stage scan mapping system. This technique using Ag, Au, Pd or Pt as a tracer has been applied to some simple castings in shape and has been confirmed to be a very powerful technique for Titanium flow visualization in dental castings.

[Reactions at the nonprecious metal-ceramic interface during porcelain firing. (3) A commercial alloy forming much Cr oxide during firing]

To examine the interface reaction between porcelain and a commercial Ni-Cr dental alloy (containing higher Cr and Mo) during porcelain firing, electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction have been used to characterize the interface which has emerged by means of selective dissolution of the alloy caused by a bromine-methanol solution. Much Cr oxide was formed at the early stage of firing, and remained in the reaction layer even if the holding time at 960 degrees C was up to 8 minutes. As a result, many Cr atoms diffused into the porcelain layer, most of which was found to form oxides through X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the porcelain layer nearest to the oxide layer was deduced to be modified seriously.

[Grinding of titanium. 2. Commercial vitrified wheels made of alumina abrasives]

Cast titanium was ground with commercial vitrified wheels made of alumina abrasives, and their grinding performance was investigated. For cutting, the appropriate circumferential speed of the alumina wheels was about 700 m/min. A speed lower or higher than this yielded unfavorable grinding results, which were attributed to wheel loading or chemical attrition of the abrasive, respectively. The hard wheel made of the A abrasive was suitable for grinding of titanium, and moreover, the wheel of the WA abrasive was more suitable than that made of the A abrasive. Generally, the cutting rate of the alumina wheels was inferior to that of the silicon carbide ones investigated previously. Depression of the wheel against the work yielded unfavorable grinding results; the manner in which the wheel was moved over the work during grinding was very important, compared with the silicon carbide wheels. Although the wheel was moved over the work, the high circumferential speed of the wheel resulted in chemical attrition of the abrasive and discoloration of the work surface, or grinding burn. The grinding burn layer mainly consisted of a few microns-thick titanium oxide.

[Grinding of titanium. 1. Commercial and experimental wheels made of silicon carbide abrasives]

Cast titanium was ground with commercial and experimental wheels made of silicon carbide abrasives, and their grinding performance was investigated. With the vitrified wheels made of the GC abrasive, at a higher the wheel circumferential speed and heavier the grinding pressure, the cutting rate was greater, accompanied by violent wear of the wheel. Being independent of the wheel speed, the grinding ratio reached about 1 under pressure heavier than 100 gf. The MgO-MgCl2-bonded wheels of the C abrasive exhibited a similar tendency. The manner in which the wheel was moved over the work during grinding proved to be very important, compared with the Ni-Cr alloy as reported previously. Only depression of the wheel against the work resulted in chemical attrition of the abrasive and discoloration of the work surface, or grinding burn, due to oxidation of titanium. Even when the wheel was moved over the work, chip-formation process of the cutting edge was far from ideal, and the work surface was contaminated due to reaction of titanium with the abrasive. At a higher wheel circumferential speed, more chips were loaded or built-up in the wheel and strongly rubbed the work surface, resulting in violent wear of the wheel; loading and dislodging of such chips were repeated.

Layered structure of cast titanium surface

The present study concerns the surface layered structure of the cast Ti. A commercial Ti was cast into a mold which was made of a phosphate-bonded Al2O3/SiO2 investment. Elemental analyses of the interfacial zone of the casting were made under an electron probe micro-analyzer. The interfacial zone was composed of four layers: the outermost reaction or casting burn layer, the second layer of an O-and Al-stabilized alpha case, the third layer in which Si, P, O, and C were inhomogeneously concentrated, and the fourth layer which consisted of acicular or plate-like crystals. It was observed that the larger the cast volume and the higher the mold temperature, the thicker became each layer and the coarser became the acicular grains. Probably, the layered structure was formed through decomposition of reducible species in the burnout investment and diffusion of the resulting elements into the casting.

[Study on grinding of base metal alloys. 4. Constant pressure grinding of a Ni-Cr alloy with vitrified wheels]

The grinding techniques and the constituent element of vitrified wheels suitable for a 13% Cr-Ni dental casting alloy were determined. The lever-type grinding test machine used in the previous study was modified so that a work might be ground under a constant pressure as it moved reciprocally within a short stroke along the tangential direction of a rotating wheel. The grinding performance of two marketed wheels and eleven experimental wheels with different constituent elements was tested. Abrasive grains on the working surface of alumina wheel wore extremely due to abrasive attrition. Carborundum wheels proved to be more suitable for grinding of the comparatively soft Ni-Cr alloy. Not only depressing a wheel against a work but also moving the wheel over it with heavier pressure should be desired for the maximal grinding efficiency. The experimental carborundum wheels exhibited much the same performance as the marketed carborundum wheel under a less grinding pressure that 100 gf. Only the wheel of grain size #150 bonded with 19% binder wore obviously under the pressure of 150 or 200 gf and provided about two times the performance of the marketed wheel.

[Reactions at the nonprecious metal-ceramic interface during porcelain firing (2). A commercial alloy containing higher Cr and Si]

To clarify the interface reaction between porcelain and a commercial Ni-Cr dental alloy (containing higher Cr and Si) during porcelain firing, electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis have been used to characterize the interface which has emerged by means of selective dissolution of the alloy caused by a bromine-methanol solution. At the early stage of firing, tin oxides (SnO2), contained in the porcelain powder, were reduced to Sn metal and the resultant reduction layer was about 10 microns in thickness from the interface. Although in the beginning of firing some Cr oxides were formed at the interface, with increasing retention time (within a few minutes) at 960 degrees C, extremely low oxygen partial pressure caused reduction of even such products.

[Study on grinding of base metal alloys. 5. Constant pressure grinding of a Ni-Cr alloy with electro-deposited wheels]

The grinding techniques and electro-deposited wheels suitable for a 13% Cr-Ni dental casting alloy were determined. The lever-type grinding test machine modified in the previous study was used to investigate the grinding performance of experimental wheels of CBN- and diamond-particles. Depression of the diamond wheel against the work yielded unfavorable grinding results. Not only depression of the wheel against it but also moving the wheel over it with a heavier pressure is desired for higher grinding efficiency and its durability. Probably, the undurability of this wheel is associated with abrasive attrition due to oxidation or some chemical reaction with the work. The CBN wheel had not been suitable for the Co-Cr alloy tested in the third paper, but it exhibited very excellent performance for grinding of the Ni-Cr alloy, even without being moved over the work. Although being high in cost, the CBN wheel may pay for the very high performance and its durability.

A new method for finite element simulation of orthodontic appliance-teeth-periodontium-alveolus system

This paper describes a new simulation method to analyze the initial behavior of the total system comprising orthodontic appliance, teeth, and their supporting structures. It is based on a finite element method which additionally takes account of a rotational degree of freedom. Beam and rod elements are used for finite element idealization of orthodontic appliance. Through spring elements it is connected with the teeth supported by the alveolar structures. The technique of 'initial strain' is introduced so as to analyze the effects of a gable bend and activation on the force system which is delivered by the orthodontic appliance. As compared with the photoelastic technique hitherto used, this method serves to investigate systematically and quantitatively the initial aspect of orthodontic tooth movement.

Structure of high-temperature oxidation zones of gold alloys for metal-porcelain bonding containing small amounts of In and Sn

Changes in the morphology of the oxidation zone and the quantities of oxide for gold alloys containing two base metals (In and Sn) were investigated by exposing alloys at 1000 degrees C for one h in air. The contents of In and Sn were varied in the range of from 0-1.5 wt%. In the range of from 1.5-0.35 wt% In (from 0-1.15 wt% Sn), In 2O3 was formed predominantly at the alloy surface. The electron probe x-ray micro-analyzer detected no uniform external oxidation zone. A mixture composed of In2O3 and SnO2 precipitated internally in the alloy matrix. An external oxidation zone composed of SnO2 was formed on the alloys containing over 1.2 wt% Sn, and no internal oxidation zone was observed.

The structure of oxide formed by high-temperature oxidation of commercial gold alloys for porcelain-metal bonding

For gold alloys containing only In as a base metal, an external In2O3 layer forms uniformly on the alloy surface. However, when the alloy contains Sn and In, no external oxide layer can be detected by electron probe micro-analysis, and oxide particles composed of In2O3 and SnO2 precipitate in the alloy. For alloys containing Ni, in addition to In and Sn, the external oxide is composed of NiO; there is little development of internal oxide. For alloys containing Fe and Sn, an oxide layer of only Fe2O3 forms on the alloy surface, and the internal oxidation zone shows a band-like structure containing SnO2 and a small amount of Fe2O3.

Effects of phase transformations of silicas and calcium sulfates on the compressive strength of gypsum-bonded investments at high temperatures

The effects of transformations of silicas and calcium sulfates on high temperature compressive strength were investigated in commercial and experimental investment materials containing fused quartz as silica. The strength is only slightly affected by the alpha leads to beta transformation of cristobalite and not by the quartz alpha leads to beta transformation. The state of the calcium sulfates is the main factor influencing variations in the strength at a particular temperature.