Current eye research
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The effects of pirfenidone were investigated on cultured human pterygium fibroblasts (HPFs). ⋯ These findings demonstrate that pirfenidone inhibits the proliferation, migration and procollagen secretion of HPFs at nontoxic concentrations by decreasing TGF-β expression. Thus, pirfenidone may be considered as a safe adjuvant for pterygium surgery to prevent recurrence.
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Current eye research · Jun 2014
Comparative StudyComparison of application systems for autologous serum eye drops.
Autologous serum eye drops are used for therapy of severe ocular surface disorders by patients with visual and manual impairments. Until recently, they were prepared under sterile conditions from open blood sampling systems. Closed blood donation systems simplify production. This study compares handling and costs of a new day dosage vial ("Meise-vial") and a single-dose tube system ("Maco-tube") based on closed production systems with conventional dropper bottles. ⋯ Convenience of opening, applying eye drops, and number of drops retrieved was substantially better for dropper bottles and Meise-vials compared with Maco-tubes. Bottles and vials were equally well received. With regard to price, nonimpaired as well as impaired participants preferred dropper bottles. While closed systems simplify production, patients preferred dropper bottles for daily application of autologous serum eye drops for a number of reasons.
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Current eye research · Jun 2014
The neuroprotective effect of carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) on retinal ganglion cell following ischemia-reperfusion injury.
To investigate whether carnosine can increase retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in ischemic mouse retina. ⋯ Our findings showed that carnosine treatment significantly decreased RGC loss through decreased expression of HIF-1α, GFAP, Drp-1, and Bax, and increased expression of Bcl-2 in ischemic mouse retina. We suggest that carnosine can be an effective endogenous neuroprotective molecule in the prevention of RGC loss in ischemic retina.
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Current eye research · Jan 2014
The effects of mild ocular surface stimulation and concentration on spontaneous blink parameters.
This exploratory, pilot study compared the effects of concentrating on a visual task and a very mild ocular surface air stimulus on multiple blink parameters. ⋯ The lack of correlation between TBU and blinking suggests that many blinks are stimulated by internal controls, rather than direct stimulation of the ocular surface by TBU. This pilot study suggests that even very mild ocular surface stimulation produces opposite effects on the timing and duration of the blink, when compared to concentrating on a visual task. The HC task tends to decrease blink frequency and duration, presumably to minimize interruption by the eyelids, whereas mild ocular surface AS increased blink frequency and duration, most likely to increase protection of the ocular surface.
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Current eye research · Dec 2013
Impact of β-1,3-glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis on corneal epithelial cell migration and on wound healing in a rat alkali burn model.
To determine the impact of β-1,3-glucan isolated from Euglena gracilis on corneal epithelial cell migration and on wound healing in a rat alkali burn model. ⋯ β-1,3-Glucan, particularly when conjugated with HA, promoted epithelial wound healing in vitro and suppressed the acute inflammatory reaction in corneal alkali burns.