Effect of menthol on ocular drug delivery

Background  

To assess how safe and effective it is to use menthol as a permeability enhancer in ophthalmic drug delivery systems.     

Ophthalmopathology in rats with MBP-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Purpose  

Multiple studies indicate that T-cells play a major role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of multiple sclerosis, but recently an involvement of antibodies has also been discussed. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of myelin basic protein (MBP) immunization on survival of neurons, alteration of antibody reactivity, and microglia in the retinal ganglion cell layer.     

Detection of visual field progression in glaucoma with standard achromatic perimetry: A review and practical implications

Detection of visual field progression remains a challenging task despite the recent advances for better handling of longitudinal visual field data, some of which are incorporated in currently available perimeters. Standard achromatic perimetry remains the gold standard for detection of visual field progression. The authors present a practical and clinically relevant review of the main issues involved in detection of early glaucoma as well as detection of visual field progression in eyes with pre-existing glaucomatous damage. After discussing some basic concepts in perimetry, the authors present evidence-based recommendations for criteria to detect earliest evidence of glaucomatous damage with perimetry. The authors will review different event- and trend-based criteria and present data with regard to comparative performance of such criteria. Relevance of using absolute versus corrected threshold data with regard to different criteria is also addressed. At the end, the authors provide practical guidelines for detection of visual field progression in a clinical setting and review issues related to clinical trials.     

Primary transpupillary thermotherapy for small choroidal melanoma

Background  

The treatment of small choroidal melanoma is controversial. Thermal laser-induced treatment is utilized by some centers but there is still sparse literature about the subject, mainly with short-term follow-up time. The efficacy of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for the treatment of small choroidal melanomas was evaluated.     

Epidermal growth factor: the driving force in initiation of RPE cell proliferation

Background  

To analyze whether epidermal growth factor (EGF) exerts regulatory effects on proliferation and differentiation in ARPE19 cells after different incubation periods (24 vs. 48 h) for obtaining ideal conditions for feasible rejuvenation and autologous transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE cells).     

Percutaneous treatment of hepatic hydatid cyst in pregnancy

A 20 cm hepatic hydatid cyst with daughter cysts, was diagnosed in a primigravida in the fifteenth week of pregnancy and was managed percutaneously. No complications occurred and the patient subsequently gave birth to a healthy baby. Received: 25 February 1998 / Accepted: 28 August 1998