Confounding Factors in Ocular Surface Microbiome Research

Progress in microbiome research has accelerated in recent years. Through the use of 16S rRNA assays and other genomic sequencing techniques, researchers have provided new insights about the communities of microorganisms that inhabit human and animal hosts. There is mounting evidence about the importance of these ‘microbiotas’ in a wide variety of disease states, suggesting potential targets for preventative and therapeutic interventions. Until recently, however, the microbiome received relatively little attention in ophthalmology. This review explores emerging research on the roles that ocular and extraocular microbiotas may play in the pathogenesis and treatment of ophthalmic diseases. These include diseases of the ocular surface as well as autoimmune uveitis, age-related macular degeneration, and primary open angle glaucoma. Many questions remain about the potential impacts of microbiome research on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ophthalmic disease. In light of current findings, we suggest directions for future study as this exciting area of research continues to expand. Impact statement This review describes a growing body of research on relationships between the microbiome and eye disease. Several groups have investigated the microbiota of the ocular surface; dysregulation of this delicate ecosystem has been associated with a variety of pro-inflammatory states. Other research has explored the effects of the gastrointestinal microbiota on ophthalmic diseases. Characterizing the ways these microbiotas influence ophthalmic homeostasis and pathogenesis may lead to research on new techniques for managing ophthalmic disease.

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Combining integrated systems-biology approaches with intervention-based experimental design provides a higher-resolution path forward for microbiome research

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x18002911 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

J. Alfredo Blakeley-Ruiz ◽

Carlee S. McClintock ◽

Ralph Lydic ◽

Helen A. Baghdoyan ◽

James J. Choo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systems Biology ◽

High Resolution ◽

Experimental Design ◽

Integrated Systems ◽

Microbiome Research ◽

Constructive Criticism

Abstract The Hooks et al. review of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) literature provides a constructive criticism of the general approaches encompassing MGB research. This commentary extends their review by: (a) highlighting capabilities of advanced systems-biology “-omics” techniques for microbiome research and (b) recommending that combining these high-resolution techniques with intervention-based experimental design may be the path forward for future MGB research.

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Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

Behavioral and Brain Sciences ◽

10.1017/s0140525x1800287x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 ◽

Author(s):

Emily F. Wissel ◽

Leigh K. Smith

Keyword(s):

Individual Differences ◽

Individual Variation ◽

Human Microbiome ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Microbiota Composition ◽

Target Article ◽

Microbiome Research

Abstract The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

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Beneficial effects of black bean (Rhynchosia volubilis) on ocular surface damage induced by benzalkonium chloride in mouse model of dry eye

10.1055/s-0037-1608307 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

A Kim Kyung ◽

W Kang Suk ◽

H Lee Chung ◽

J Yang Sung ◽

K Kang Tae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Model ◽

Dry Eye ◽

Ocular Surface ◽

Benzalkonium Chloride ◽

Surface Damage ◽

Black Bean ◽

Beneficial Effects

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A Strategy for Analysing Multiple Risk Factors with Application to Cervical Pain Syndrome

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1635542 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 28 (01) ◽

pp. 14-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. F. Dartigues ◽

Ph. Peytour ◽

E. Puymirat ◽

P. Henry ◽

M. Gagnon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Low Power ◽

Head Trauma ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Psychological Status ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Cervical Pain ◽

Extreme Form ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Multiple Risk Factors

Abstract:When studying the possible effects of several factors in a given disease, two major problems arise: (1) confounding, and (2) multiplicity of tests. Frequently, in order to cope with the problem of confounding factors, models with multiple explanatory variables are used. However, the correlation structure of the variables may be such that the corresponding tests have low power: in its extreme form this situation is coined by the term “multicollinearity”. As the problem of multiplicity is still relevant in these models, the interpretation of results is, in most cases, very hazardous. We propose a strategy - based on a tree structure of the variables - which provides a guide to the interpretation and controls the risk of erroneously rejecting null hypotheses. The strategy was applied to a study of cervical pain syndrome involving 990 subjects and 17 variables. Age, sex, head trauma, posture at work and psychological status were all found to be important risk factors.

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Profilometry. Using Corneo-scleral topography for scleral lens fitting

The Eye ◽

10.33791/2222-4408-2019-4-19-22 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (128) ◽

pp. 19-22

Author(s):

Gregory DeNaeyer

Keyword(s):

Ocular Surface ◽

World Wide ◽

Contact Lenses ◽

The Past ◽

The World ◽

The Future ◽

The Way

The world-wide use of scleral contact lenses has dramatically increased over the past 10 year and has changed the way that we manage patients with corneal irregularity. Successfully fitting them can be challenging especially for eyes that have significant asymmetries of the cornea or sclera. The future of scleral lens fitting is utilizing corneo-scleral topography to accurately measure the anterior ocular surface and then using software to design lenses that identically match the scleral surface and evenly vault the cornea. This process allows the practitioner to efficiently fit a customized scleral lens that successfully provides the patient with comfortable wear and improved vision.

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Karakteristik penderita ocular surface squamous neoplasia di RSUP Sanglah Denpasar tahun 2013-2015

Medicina Journal ◽

10.15562/medicina.v48i3.144 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 48 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Yenita Khatania Ardjaja

Keyword(s):

Ocular Surface ◽

Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia

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Establishing Standard Protocols for Bacterial Culture in Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) Hardware

Gravitational and Space Research ◽

10.2478/gsr-2016-0013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 58-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Patricia Fajardo-Cavazos ◽

Wayne L. Nicholson

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Bacterial Culture ◽

Culture Conditions ◽

Media Culture ◽

Ground Control ◽

Biological Research ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Cross Experiment ◽

Spaceflight Experiments ◽

Control Samples

AbstractThe NASA GeneLab Data System (GLDS) was recently developed to facilitate cross-experiment comparisons in order to understand the response of microorganisms to the human spaceflight environment. However, prior spaceflight experiments have been conducted using a wide variety of different hardware, media, culture conditions, and procedures. Such confounding factors could potentially mask true differences in gene expression between spaceflight and ground control samples. In an attempt to mitigate such confounding factors, we describe here the development of a standardized set of hardware, media, and protocols for liquid cultivation of microbes in Biological Research in Canisters (BRIC) spaceflight hardware, using the model bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain 168 and Staphylococcus aureus strain UAMS-1 as examples.

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