scholarly journals Beta-Catenin in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (18) ◽  
pp. 6199
Author(s):  
Joanna Stafiej ◽  
Marta Hałas-Wiśniewska ◽  
Magdalena Izdebska ◽  
Maciej Gagat ◽  
Alina Grzanka ◽  
...  

To find whether it is possible that beta-catenin, associated with the development of serious systemic diseases, as well as the neoplastic process, plays a role in the development of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). If so, identifying PEX, an age-related, vision-threatening disorder of elastic fibers, which is manifested in eyes by the accumulation of an abnormal fibrillar material on the tissues of the anterior segment, with its poorly understood pathogenesis, may be an early indicator of other systemic diseases. The specimens of anterior lens capsules were obtained during routine cataract surgeries from patients with PEX (study group) and those without it (control group). Patients with previously diagnosed renal, cardiac or neoplasm diseases were excluded. In order to determine the localization of β-catenin at the ultrastructural level, the post-embedding colloidal gold (AU) method was used. For the analysis of the presence of proteins involved in cell–cell junctions, including β-catenin, fluorescence staining was performed. An enhanced accumulation of AU in the area of cell junctions in the PEX group was observed in comparison to control patients. A statistically significant increase in the level of β-catenin expression in lens epithelial cells (LECs) for the PEX group (MFI = 808.98) in comparison to the control patients (MFI = 731.6) was also noted. Our study presented the increase in the β-catenin in LECs of PEX group in comparison to control patients. It might be possible for PEX, due to it being easily recognizable, to be the first indicator of serious kidney or cardiac diseases, as well as cancer metastases. Further studies are needed in order to confirm this hypothesis.

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Terracciano ◽  
Michela Cennamo ◽  
Eleonora Favuzza ◽  
Litasova Julia ◽  
Orsola Caporossi ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate, through the in vivo confocal microscopy, the pathological changes of each corneal layer in eyes affected by pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods: We studied 40 eyes of 40 patients with diagnosis of unilateral senile cataract associated with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and 40 eyes of 40 control subjects with senile cataract without pseudoexfoliation syndrome. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination including best corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, corneal sensitivity measurement using a Cochet-Bonnet nylon thread esthesiometer, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (Visante OCT, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Germany); in vivo confocal microscopy of corneal sections (endothelium, stroma, sub-basal nerve plexus, and superficial and basal epithelium) was performed with the ConfoScan 4.0 (Nidek, Japan). Results: In pseudoexfoliation syndrome group, the mean corneal sensitivity was 44.1 ± 1.3 mm and in the control group was 55.6 ± 4.7 mm. The corneas of the eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome were significantly less sensitive than those of control group eyes (p < 0.001). Pseudoexfoliation syndrome eyes had a lower nerve density and less nerve beadings and a higher degree of tortuosity in sub-basal plexus compared to the control group. The cell density of epithelial and endothelial layers was significantly lower in pseudoexfoliation syndrome eyes than controls. In 80% of pseudoexfoliation syndrome eyes, we found activated keratocytes and inflammatory cells in the anterior stroma. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the morpho-structural corneal alterations in eyes affected by pseudoexfoliation syndrome, using corneal in vivo confocal microscopy as a non-invasive and high-reproducible technique to evaluate pathophysiology of each corneal layer; the sub-basal nerve plexus alterations are correlated with the lower corneal sensitivity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13
Author(s):  
Evgenii L. Sorokin ◽  
Yaroslav V. Belonozhenko ◽  
Sofia V. Krivko ◽  
Oleg V. Danilov

AIM: The clinical evaluation of zonules condition in patients with age-related cataracts without weak zonular support signs against the background of connective tissue somatic involutional changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main group consisted of 70 patients (70 eyes) with connective tissue involutional somatic pathology without concomitant eye pathology, eye injuries, and decompensated systemic diseases; the control group included 60 people (60 eyes) with age-related cataracts without connective tissue involutional pathology. Using ocular echography (Aviso S, Quantel Medical, France) with high resolution (50 MHz) sensor, we estimated the ciliary processes to lens equator distance symmetry in 2 main meridians (of 6 and 12 hours). Its equal value in 2 opposite meridians or difference less than 0.3 mm between them was considered as the sign of symmetry; the difference of 0.3 mm and more was a sign of asymmetry. RESULTS: The presence of ciliary processes to lens equator distance asymmetry between the meridians was revealed in 28 eyes in the main group (40%); in 14 of the eyes with asymmetry ranging from 0.4 and more, a 1st degree lens subluxation was revealed intraoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ciliary processes to lens equator distance asymmetry indicates subclinical involutional changes in the lens ligament apparatus, which has a prognostic value for choosing a model of an intraocular lens to be implanted.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
V. V. Potemkin ◽  
E. V. Ageeva

Introduction. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a relatively widespread generalized age-related disease, in which abnormal fibrillar extracellular material is produced and accumulates in many tissues including vessels. Glaucoma occurs more commonly in eyes with PEX than in those without it. Episcleral venous pressure (EVP) is an important determinant of intraocular pressure (IOP). It seems reasonable to evaluate episcleral venous pressure in patients with PEX. Purpose. To evaluate episcleral venous pressure in patients with PEX. Methods. 540 eyes of 270 patients were enrolled in the prospective study. We evaluated episcleral venous pressure. Results. EVP in total vein compression in lower-nasal quadrant (mmHg) in main group(with PEX) was 14.0±3.29, in control group No. 1 (non PEX, adults) - 14.38±3.77, in control group No. 2 (non PEX, young) - 10.91±2.34. EVP in total vein compression in lower-temporal quadrant (mmHg) in main group was 15.1±3.31, in control group No. 1 - 15.76±3.45, in control group No. 2 - 11.00±2.16. Difference in episcleral venous pressure between main group and age-matched control group No. 1 was not significant, and between main group and control group No. 2 was significant. Conclusion. EVP level is not influenced by PEX, but is influenced by age.


2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 124-128
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Veselinovic ◽  
Marija Cvetanovic ◽  
Zoran Milosevic ◽  
Dragan Veselinovic

Introduction/Objective. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an age-related systemic disorder characterized by deposition of fibrillary white flaky material mainly on the lens capsule, corneal endothelium, zonules, ciliary body, iris, and pupillary margin. Zonular weakness progressively increases along with the hardness of the lens, patient?s age, and the presence of glaucoma. The objective of the study is to compare the intraoperative and postoperative complications of phacoemulsification in cataract eyes with PEX with cataract eyes without PEX. Methods. The study enrolled 300 eyes with consequently operated senile cataract and PEX and 300 consequently operated eyes with cataract without PEX who underwent phacoemulsification performed by one experienced surgeon (single-surgeon series). A complete ophthalmological examination of all patients was performed preoperatively, as well as on the first, seventh, and 180th day postoperatively. Results. Significant statistical differences between the observed groups were the following: patients with PXF were older (74.2 ? 8; range 56?82 years vs. 68.1 ? 9.6; range 56?79 years), had smaller pupil diameter, and higher intraocular pressure (IOP) preoperatively (16.1 ? 4.1 vs. 13.8 ? 3.7 mmHg). There were no differences between the groups regarding intraoperative complications. Early postoperative complications were a significant rise of IOP (33 vs. six patients; p < 0.001), more frequent postoperative corneal edema (36 vs. 21 patients; p < 0.036), and anterior chamber inflammation (17 vs. seven patients; p < 0.037) in the PEX group, comparing to the control group. The significant late postoperative complication was elevated IOP (24 vs. five patients; p < 0.0002) in patients with PEX. Conclusion. In the hands of an experienced and careful surgeon, phacoemulsification is a safe and beneficial surgery to treat cataract with associated pseudoexfoliation. The greatest problem a surgeon faces is a narrow pupil and zonule instability, and difficulty in recognizing eyes that are particularly at risks, such as those having glaucoma and phacodonesis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bojan Kovac ◽  
Miroslav Vukosavljevic ◽  
Mirjana Petrovic-Janicijevic ◽  
Mirko Resan ◽  
Janko Jankovic

Background/Aim. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is an age-related systemic degenerative disorder characterized by the production and progressive accumulation of extracellular fibrillar eosinophilic material in the anterior segment of the eye. The aim of the study was to evaluate several clinical aspects of PEX, such as frequency of PEX and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), intraocular pressure (IOP), the type of lens opacity, and the possible relationship of PEX and systemic diseases. Methods. All 674 cataract patients had a comprehensive eye examination, including slitlamp biomicroscopy before and after mydriasis, IOP measurement, and fundus examination. The patients were classified into two groups: the PEX and the non-PEX group. Results. The overall prevalence of PEX syndrome was found to be 17.5% (118 patients). The mean age of PEX patients (79.7 ? 6.1 years) was significantly higher when compared with those without PEX (73.5 ? 9.1 years) (p = 0.000). The prevalence of PEX syndrome was found to increase with age, from 7.3% in the 7th decade of life to 27% in patients older than 80 years (p < 0.001). The most common cataract type in the PEX patients was mature cataract observed in 40.7% of patients. The rest of the patients had mixed (30.5%), nuclear (25.4%), cortical (1.7%) and hypermature cataract (1.7%). Among the PEX patients 44 (37.2%) had glaucoma. Intraocular pressure was significantly higher in eyes with pseudoexfoliations than in eyes without it (17.8 ? 3.2 mmHg and 15.8 ? 2.8 mmHg, respectively; p = 0.001). Moreover, the prevalence of coronary heart disease was found to be higher in PEX patients. Conclusion. PEX syndrome is a common problem among Serbian patients scheduled for cataract surgery. It represents one of the major glaucoma risk factors and probably associated with ischemic heart disease, intraoperative and postoperative problems in cataract surgery.


Author(s):  
В.В. Потемкин ◽  
С.Ю. Астахов ◽  
Ван Сяоюань ◽  
А.Р. Потемкина ◽  
Л.К. Аникина ◽  
...  

Цель работы - оценка влияния пседовэксфолиативного синдрома (ПЭС) на толщину центральной зоны сетчатки по данным оптической когерентной томографии (ОКТ) и на стадию возрастной макулярной дегенерации (ВМД) в соответствии с критериями AREDS у лиц старшей возрастной группы, проживающих в Санкт-Петербурге. Были обследованы 25 пациентов (30 глаз) пожилого возраста с ПЭС и 25 пациентов (29 глаз) пожилого возраста контрольной группы, не имеющих признаков ПЭС. Сравнение между группами проводили по следующим признакам: толщина сетчатки в фовеа и средняя толщина сетчатки в парафовеа по данным ОКТ-исследования, а также стадия ВМД в соответствии критериям AREDS. Толщина сетчатки в фовеа и средняя толщина сетчатки в парафовеа не имела статистически значимой разницы для двух групп (p>0,05). Также между двумя группами не было обнаружено разницы в стадии ВМД, установленной в соответствии с критериями AREDS (p>0,05). Показано, что наличие ПЭС не влияет на толщину центральной зоны сетчатки и на стадию ВМД у лиц пожилого возраста, проживающих в Санкт-Петербурге. Это позволяет предположить отсутствие прямой связи между этими двумя ассоциированными с возрастом заболеваниями, а выявленные в ряде работ признаки истончения макулярной зоны сетчатки рассматривать как признак возрастных изменений. Purpose: to evaluate the effect of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXF) on the stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and central retinal thickness, measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in elderly patients living in Saint-Petersburg. 25 elderly patients (30 eyes) with PXF and 25 age-matched patients (29 eyes) without PXF (control group) were included in the study. Retinal thickness in fovea and parafovea as well as AMD stage were compared in the groups. Thickness of fovea and parafovea was measured with OCT, the stage of AMD was graded according AREDS criteria. The mean fovea and parafovea thickness in PXS group were not significantly different compared with control group (p>0,05). There was no significant difference between two groups in the stage of AMD, graded according AREDS criteria (p>0,05). The effect of PXS on central retinal thickness and the stage of AMD was not found in Saint-Petersburg elderly population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 864-872
Author(s):  
Fernanda Borowsky da Rosa ◽  
Adriane Schmidt Pasqualoto ◽  
Catriona M. Steele ◽  
Renata Mancopes

Introduction The oral cavity and pharynx have a rich sensory system composed of specialized receptors. The integrity of oropharyngeal sensation is thought to be fundamental for safe and efficient swallowing. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are at risk for oropharyngeal sensory impairment due to frequent use of inhaled medications and comorbidities including gastroesophageal reflux disease. Objective This study aimed to describe and compare oral and oropharyngeal sensory function measured using noninstrumental clinical methods in adults with COPD and healthy controls. Method Participants included 27 adults (18 men, nine women) with a diagnosis of COPD and a mean age of 66.56 years ( SD = 8.68). The control group comprised 11 healthy adults (five men, six women) with a mean age of 60.09 years ( SD = 11.57). Spirometry measures confirmed reduced functional expiratory volumes (% predicted) in the COPD patients compared to the control participants. All participants completed a case history interview and underwent clinical evaluation of oral and oropharyngeal sensation by a speech-language pathologist. The sensory evaluation explored the detection of tactile and temperature stimuli delivered by cotton swab to six locations in the oral cavity and two in the oropharynx as well as identification of the taste of stimuli administered in 5-ml boluses to the mouth. Analyses explored the frequencies of accurate responses regarding stimulus location, temperature and taste between groups, and between age groups (“≤ 65 years” and “> 65 years”) within the COPD cohort. Results We found significantly higher frequencies of reported use of inhaled medications ( p < .001) and xerostomia ( p = .003) in the COPD cohort. Oral cavity thermal sensation ( p = .009) was reduced in the COPD participants, and a significant age-related decline in gustatory sensation was found in the COPD group ( p = .018). Conclusion This study found that most of the measures of oral and oropharyngeal sensation remained intact in the COPD group. Oral thermal sensation was impaired in individuals with COPD, and reduced gustatory sensation was observed in the older COPD participants. Possible links between these results and the use of inhaled medication by individuals with COPD are discussed.


Author(s):  
T. V. Zvyagintseva ◽  
S. I. Myronchenko ◽  
N. I. Kytsyuk ◽  
O. V. Naumova

Considering the particular danger of remote skin reactions to ultraviolet irradiation (UVI), it is advisable to use ointments with antioxidant activity to reduce its negative effect on the skin. The rationale for the choice of ointments with antioxidant activity was the fact that they reduce the damaging effect of ultraviolet radiation in the erythemal and early post-erythemal period. The presence of a regular connection between the development of the early and late periods has given reason to assume the protective effect of ointments on the remote skin reactions. Objective: to study the effect of thiotriazoline ointment and thiotriazoline ointment with silver nanoparticles on the state of the morphological structures of the skin of guinea pigs after local UVI. Material and methods of research. The study involved 132 albino guinea pigs weighing 400-500 g, divided into 4 groups: 1 - intact, 2 - control (guinea pigs subjected to local UVI), 3 and 4 main ones. The third main group included guinea pigs that after UVI were administered thiotriazoline ointment in the treatment and prophylactic regime, the fourth main group included guinea pigs that after UVI were administered thiotriazoline ointment with silver nanoparticles in the same mode as Group 3. Ointments were applied 1 hour before irradiation and daily until erythema disappeared. Ultraviolet erythema was caused by irradiation in 1 minimum erythemal dose. After 2, 4 hours, on the 3rd, 8th, 15th, 21st, 28th day, the fragments of irradiated skin were investigated using histochemical and morphometric methods (fibroblast density and epidermis thickness). Results. Morphological changes in the skin after applying ointments with antioxidant activity were unidirectional. It was revealed that in the early periods after irradiation, thiotrazoline ointment and thiotrazoline ointment with silver nanoparticles do not affect changes in the thickness of the epidermis, but statistically significantly reduce the density of fibroblasts in the dermis on the 3rd day of the experiment compared to the control group. In the later periods, under the influence of thiotriazoline ointment, a gradual decrease in the thickness of the epidermis, which reached the norm by the end of the experiment, was observed. On the 8th day, the maximum density of fibroblasts was recorded, in the subsequent periods of the experiment, the index gradually decreased, which was accompanied by collagenization of the papillary layer in the loci of damage to collagen and elastic fibers detected in 50% of cases. In later times, under the influence of thiotriazoline ointment with silver nanoparticles, the processes of restoring the morphological structures of the skin occurred faster. In parallel with the decrease in the density of fibroblasts in the loci of the previous damage to the collagen and elastic fibers of the papillary layer, thickening of collagen fibers was observed, replacing them with segments of destruction of elastic fibers. In this group, at the end of the experiment, the collagenization locus was small, single, occurring in 16.7% of cases. Conclusions Ointments with antioxidant activity exert a positive effect on the state of morphological structures of the skin, damaged as a result of local UVI, in erythemal and post-erythemic periods. In the early periods after the local UVI, there was a general tendency for the effect of both ointments, as they reduced the density of fibroblasts on the 3rd day, but did not result in complete normalization. In the late period after local UVI , under the influence of thiotriazoline ointment and thiotriazoline ointment with silver nanoparticles, thickness of the epidermis (by 21st and 15th day, respectively) and density of fibroblasts (by the 28th day) decreased to normal while without treatment both indicators exceeded the norm by several times for 28 days of the experiment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana V. Sukhacheva ◽  
Natalia V. Nizyaeva ◽  
Maria V. Samsonova ◽  
Andrey L. Cherniaev ◽  
Artem A. Burov ◽  
...  

AbstractTelocytes are interstitial cells with long, thin processes by which they contact each other and form a network in the interstitium. Myocardial remodeling of adult patients with different forms of atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs with an increase in fibrosis, age-related isolated atrial amyloidosis (IAA), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myolysis. This study aimed to determine the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features of cardiac telocytes in patients with AF and AF + IAA. IAA associated with accumulation of atrial natriuretic factor was detected in 4.3–25% biopsies of left (LAA) and 21.7–41.7% of right (RAA) atrial appendage myocardium. Telocytes were identified at ultrastructural level more often in AF + IAA, than in AF group and correlated with AF duration and mitral valve regurgitation. Telocytes had ultrastructural signs of synthetic, proliferative, and phagocytic activity. Telocytes corresponded to CD117+, vimentin+, CD34+, CD44+, CD68+, CD16+, S100-, CD105- immunophenotype. No significant differences in telocytes morphology and immunophenotype were found in patients with various forms of AF. CD68-positive cells were detected more often in AF + IAA than AF group. We assume that in aged AF + IAA patients remodeling of atrial myocardium provoked transformation of telocytes into “transitional forms” combining the morphological and immunohistochemical features with signs of fibroblast-, histiocyte- and endotheliocyte-like cells.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Krytkowska ◽  
Aleksandra Grabowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Mozolewska-Piotrowska ◽  
Zofia Ulańczyk ◽  
Krzysztof Safranow ◽  
...  

AbstractDisturbances in choroidal microcirculation may lead to the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We aimed to assess changes in the choroidal volume and thickness in the macular region in AMD eyes and to investigate whether coexisting vascular risk factors alter choroidal status. We enrolled 354 AMD patients (175 dry, 179 wet AMD) and 121 healthy controls. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and assessment of choroidal thickness and volume. A multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status revealed that wet AMD was an independent factor associated with higher average thickness of the central ring area (ATC) and average volume of the central ring area (AVC) and lower choroidal vascularity index (CVI) compared to controls (β =  + 0.18, p = 0.0007, β =  + 0.18, p = 0.0008, respectively) and to dry AMD (β =  + 0.17, p = 0.00003 for both ATC and AVC and β =  − 0.30 p < 0.0001 for CVI). ATC, AVC and average volume (AV) were lower in AMD patients with hypertension and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The duration of hypertension was inversely correlated with ATC, AVC and AV (Rs =  − 0.13, p < 0.05; Rs =  − 0.12; p < 0.05, Rs =  − 0.12; p < 0.05, respectively) while IHD duration negatively correlated with AV (Rs =  − 0.15, p < 0.05). No such associations were observed in the control group. Our findings show that the choroidal vascular system in eyes with AMD is much more susceptible to damage in the presence than in the absence of systemic vascular disease.


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