Investigative ophthalmology & visual science
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Aug 2006
Sympathetic-parasympathetic activity and reactivity in central serous chorioretinopathy: a case-control study.
This case-control study was conducted to evaluate autonomic function activity and reactivity in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), because stress and type A personality, known risk factors, are also related to autonomic nervous system activity. ⋯ Autonomic function, both activity and reactivity components of sympathetic and parasympathetic system, is impaired in patients with CSCR. Because autonomic supply modulates the choroidal blood flow, there may be a correlation between measures of autonomic function and the presence of CSCR.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Aug 2006
Characterization of rhodopsin P23H-induced retinal degeneration in a Xenopus laevis model of retinitis pigmentosa.
To investigate the pathogenic mechanisms that underlie retinal degeneration induced by the rhodopsin mutation P23H in a Xenopus laevis model of RP. ⋯ These results support a role for rhoP23H misfolding and inner segment accumulation in rod death, possibly by ER overload or other cellular stress pathways rather than by altered rhodopsin signal transduction or aggresome formation.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2006
Perceived barriers to care and attitudes about vision and eye care: focus groups with older African Americans and eye care providers.
To identify by using focus group methods the perceived barriers to eye care and attitudes about vision and eye care among older African Americans as well as among ophthalmologists and optometrists serving their communities. ⋯ These results provide some guidance for the design of interventions to increase the use of routine eye care in this population. At a societal level, there is a need for affordable and accessible transportation services for older African Americans seeking eye care. For ophthalmologists, optometrists, and their staffs, there is a need for continuing education that imparts culturally sensitive and age-appropriate communication and trust-building skills for interactions with this population. In addition to reinforcing the generally positive attitudes of older African Americans toward the importance of eye care, community-based educational programs should be focused on strategies for overcoming the common barriers to care.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Jul 2006
Morphological classification of parvalbumin-containing retinal ganglion cells in mouse: single-cell injection after immunocytochemistry.
Matching the neuron's morphology with its expression of a particular protein cannot be easily achieved by immunocytochemistry alone, as many proteins are expressed too weakly. In this study, a newly developed method was adopted to match mouse retinal ganglion cell (RGC) morphology with its expression of parvalbumin. ⋯ Single-cell injection, after immunocytochemistry, provided the first means to identify the detailed functional anatomy of parvalbumin-containing RGCs in the mouse retina. The combined approach of cell morphology and the selective expression of parvalbumin will not only provide useful data for further correlation of physiological properties of the RGCs, but it will also provide a useful strategy for matching a neuron's morphology with its expression of a particular protein.
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Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. · Apr 2006
Blockade of the interaction of leukotriene b4 with its receptor prevents development of autoimmune uveitis.
To investigate the role of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and its receptor BLT1 in the pathogenesis of mouse uveitis. ⋯ The results demonstrate a critical role for LTB4 in ocular inflammation and in the development and progression of EAU and suggest a new potential target for therapeutic intervention in this disease.