Purpose: To evaluate the relative impact of best and worst eye on vision- related quality of life in patients suffering from age- related macular degeneration (AMD). Design: Quality of life and visual acuity data were...Purpose: To evaluate the relative impact of best and worst eye on vision- related quality of life in patients suffering from age- related macular degeneration (AMD). Design: Quality of life and visual acuity data were collected at baseline during a randomized clinical trial. Methods: setting: Multicenter (11 centers), international study. patients: One hundred fourteen patients with a diagnosis of exudative AMD and primary or recurrent subfoveal neovascular membrane (greatest linear dimension of lesion ≤ 5400 μ m; ≥ 50% of the total lesion was choroidal neovascularization (CNV); classic component of the total CNV ≥ 1.0 mm2). All patients were over age50 years, of any race, either sex. intervention or observation procedure: NEI- VFQ- 39 questionnaire administered to patients at home by trained telephone interviewers. main outcome measures: ETDRS visual acuity (VA) was measured in both eyes separately. Vision- related quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the NEI- VFQ- 39. An analysis of variance was performed on the NEI- VFQ scores, including best eye VA (VA > 20/40 vs VA ≤ 20/40), worst eye VA (VA > 20/200 vs VA ≤ 20/200), and the interaction between the two as independent variables. Results: Best eye VA was 0.34 on average, with VA > 20/40 in 43.0% of patients. Worst eye VA was 0.85 on average, with VA > 20/200 in 32.5% of patients. VA was not linked to general health and ocular pain scores. General Vision, Near Activities, Distance Vision, Driving, Mental Health, Role Difficulties, Dependency, Peripheral Vision, and the Global NEI- VFQ scores were affected by both best eye VA and worst eye VA. Conclusion: In the study sample, worst eye VA (≤ 20/200) and best eye VA (≤ 20/40) contributed independently to vision- related QoL. These results suggest that preserving a minimal visual acuity in the worst eye may contribute to vision- related quality of life.展开更多
Objective: To measure steady-state concentrations of betax-olol (BTX) in ocular tissues from patients requiring enucleation for glaucoma-related ocular pain and blindness. BTX has potential for enhancement of retinal ...Objective: To measure steady-state concentrations of betax-olol (BTX) in ocular tissues from patients requiring enucleation for glaucoma-related ocular pain and blindness. BTX has potential for enhancement of retinal blood flow and neuroprotection through BTX calcium channel blocking activity. Methods:展开更多
Purpose: To determine the IOP over a 44 hour following discontinuation of daily Travatan or Xalatan, thus simulating the duration of action of a missed dose. Methods: This was a double-masked, randomized parallel stud...Purpose: To determine the IOP over a 44 hour following discontinuation of daily Travatan or Xalatan, thus simulating the duration of action of a missed dose. Methods: This was a double-masked, randomized parallel study conducted at a single site. 35 patients with elevated IOP (24-36mmHg at 0800) were washed off prior medications and baseline pressures were measured every 4 hours for 24 hours. Patients then received展开更多
Objective: To create an in-vitro model for raised intraocular pressure by exposing lamina cribrosa cells to cyclical mechanical stretch and examine the effect of this stimulus on gene expression patterns of components...Objective: To create an in-vitro model for raised intraocular pressure by exposing lamina cribrosa cells to cyclical mechanical stretch and examine the effect of this stimulus on gene expression patterns of components and modulators of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lamina cribrosa. Methods: Confluent normal primary human lamina cribrosa were transferred onto展开更多
A human health hazard may constitute a variety of hazards that are encountered in an animal facility. Health hazards include physical, chemical, radioactive, or biological hazards such as cage and rack washers, chemic...A human health hazard may constitute a variety of hazards that are encountered in an animal facility. Health hazards include physical, chemical, radioactive, or biological hazards such as cage and rack washers, chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection,experimental drugs or biologics, radioactive isotopes, zoonotic diseases, allergens,experimental infectious agents, or biological toxins. This article will focus on experimental infectious agents and biological toxins(biohazards) that are hazardous to both animals and humans and require biological containment(biocontainment) to prevent their inadvertent release into the environment. Key areas for safely managing a biocontainment animal care and use program and vivarium are described.While scientific research involving health hazards has created some challenges, it has also provided some excellent advances in methods and technologies. The ideas and approaches in this article will be useful for those just entering this field of research and those who have committed their careers to the safe use of animals exposed to biohazards.展开更多
AIM To study activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2(ERK1/2) and pro-matrix metalloproteinases(pro-MMPs) secretion from isolated primary human ciliary muscle(h-CM) cells in response to bradykinin(BK) a...AIM To study activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2(ERK1/2) and pro-matrix metalloproteinases(pro-MMPs) secretion from isolated primary human ciliary muscle(h-CM) cells in response to bradykinin(BK) and other agonists. METHODS Serum-starved h-CM cells were challenged with vehicle, BK agonists or antagonists. Cell lysates were evaluated for phosphorylated ERK1/2 using homogeneous timeresolved fluorescence technology based on a sandwich immunoassay. Rabbit polyclonal anti-pro-MMP antibodies were used to measure pro-MMPs using immunoblot analysis.RESULTS A 10 min incubation time using 5 × 104 h-CM cells/well was optimum condition for studying stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. BK(100 nmol/L) caused a 1.86 ± 0.26 fold(n = 3) increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation above baseline. BK analogs, Met-Lys-BK and RMP-7(100 nmol/L), also stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation by 1.57 ± 0.04 and 1.55 ± 0.09 fold, respectively. However, DesArg9-Bradykinin, a B1 receptor-selective agonist(0.1-1 μmol/L), was essentially inactive. HOE-140 or WIN-64338(B2-antagonists) appreciably blocked phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by various BK agonists. Pre-treatmentof cells with a prostaglandin(PG) synthase inhibitor(bromfenac; 1 μmol/L) failed to alter kinin-induced ERK1/2 activation. BK and a non-peptide BK agonist(FR-190997)(10 nmol/L-1 μmol/L) also enhanced pro-MMPs secretion(pro-MMP-1 > pro-MMP-3 > pro-MMP-2; 1.45-1.75-fold over baseline) from h-CM cells. CONCLUSION These collective data suggest that B2 kinin receptors initiate signaling in h-CM cells by a relatively rapid mechanism(within minutes) involving ERK1/2 activation which in turn regulates MMPs production(within hours). The latter process does not involve PGs.展开更多
Background Travoprost has been widely used for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma （OAG） or ocular hypertension （OH）. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraocular pressure （lOP） lowering ...Background Travoprost has been widely used for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma （OAG） or ocular hypertension （OH）. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraocular pressure （lOP） lowering efficacy of travoprost 0.004% monotherapy in patients previously treated with other topical hypotensive medications, and in previously untreated patients. Methods This open-label, 12-week study in 1651 adult patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma who were untreated or required a change in therapy （due to either inadequate efficacy or safety issues） as judged by the investigator was conducted at 6 sites in China. Previously treated patients were instructed to discontinue their prior medications at the first visit. All the patients were dosed with travoprost 0.004% once-daily at 8 p.m. in both eyes for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 and 12. lOP measurements were performed at the same time of day at the follow-up visits. Results For patients transitioned to travoprost, mean lOP reductions from baseline in untreated and treated patients with different prior medications at week 12 were： latanoprost, （4.3±4.6） mmHg; β-blocker, （6.3±4.0） mmHg; α-agonist, （7.5±4.3） mmHg; topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, （8.0±4.9） mmHg. All mean lOP changes from baseline were statistically significant （P 〈0.001）. No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in this study. Conclusions In patients treated with other hypotensive medications or untreated, the lOP reduction with travoprost was significant. The results of this study demonstrated the potential benefit of using travoprost as a replacement therapy in order to ensure adequate lOP control. Travoprost administered once daily was safe and well tolerated in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.展开更多
文摘Purpose: To evaluate the relative impact of best and worst eye on vision- related quality of life in patients suffering from age- related macular degeneration (AMD). Design: Quality of life and visual acuity data were collected at baseline during a randomized clinical trial. Methods: setting: Multicenter (11 centers), international study. patients: One hundred fourteen patients with a diagnosis of exudative AMD and primary or recurrent subfoveal neovascular membrane (greatest linear dimension of lesion ≤ 5400 μ m; ≥ 50% of the total lesion was choroidal neovascularization (CNV); classic component of the total CNV ≥ 1.0 mm2). All patients were over age50 years, of any race, either sex. intervention or observation procedure: NEI- VFQ- 39 questionnaire administered to patients at home by trained telephone interviewers. main outcome measures: ETDRS visual acuity (VA) was measured in both eyes separately. Vision- related quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the NEI- VFQ- 39. An analysis of variance was performed on the NEI- VFQ scores, including best eye VA (VA > 20/40 vs VA ≤ 20/40), worst eye VA (VA > 20/200 vs VA ≤ 20/200), and the interaction between the two as independent variables. Results: Best eye VA was 0.34 on average, with VA > 20/40 in 43.0% of patients. Worst eye VA was 0.85 on average, with VA > 20/200 in 32.5% of patients. VA was not linked to general health and ocular pain scores. General Vision, Near Activities, Distance Vision, Driving, Mental Health, Role Difficulties, Dependency, Peripheral Vision, and the Global NEI- VFQ scores were affected by both best eye VA and worst eye VA. Conclusion: In the study sample, worst eye VA (≤ 20/200) and best eye VA (≤ 20/40) contributed independently to vision- related QoL. These results suggest that preserving a minimal visual acuity in the worst eye may contribute to vision- related quality of life.
文摘Objective: To measure steady-state concentrations of betax-olol (BTX) in ocular tissues from patients requiring enucleation for glaucoma-related ocular pain and blindness. BTX has potential for enhancement of retinal blood flow and neuroprotection through BTX calcium channel blocking activity. Methods:
文摘Purpose: To determine the IOP over a 44 hour following discontinuation of daily Travatan or Xalatan, thus simulating the duration of action of a missed dose. Methods: This was a double-masked, randomized parallel study conducted at a single site. 35 patients with elevated IOP (24-36mmHg at 0800) were washed off prior medications and baseline pressures were measured every 4 hours for 24 hours. Patients then received
文摘Objective: To create an in-vitro model for raised intraocular pressure by exposing lamina cribrosa cells to cyclical mechanical stretch and examine the effect of this stimulus on gene expression patterns of components and modulators of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lamina cribrosa. Methods: Confluent normal primary human lamina cribrosa were transferred onto
文摘A human health hazard may constitute a variety of hazards that are encountered in an animal facility. Health hazards include physical, chemical, radioactive, or biological hazards such as cage and rack washers, chemicals used for cleaning and disinfection,experimental drugs or biologics, radioactive isotopes, zoonotic diseases, allergens,experimental infectious agents, or biological toxins. This article will focus on experimental infectious agents and biological toxins(biohazards) that are hazardous to both animals and humans and require biological containment(biocontainment) to prevent their inadvertent release into the environment. Key areas for safely managing a biocontainment animal care and use program and vivarium are described.While scientific research involving health hazards has created some challenges, it has also provided some excellent advances in methods and technologies. The ideas and approaches in this article will be useful for those just entering this field of research and those who have committed their careers to the safe use of animals exposed to biohazards.
文摘AIM To study activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2(ERK1/2) and pro-matrix metalloproteinases(pro-MMPs) secretion from isolated primary human ciliary muscle(h-CM) cells in response to bradykinin(BK) and other agonists. METHODS Serum-starved h-CM cells were challenged with vehicle, BK agonists or antagonists. Cell lysates were evaluated for phosphorylated ERK1/2 using homogeneous timeresolved fluorescence technology based on a sandwich immunoassay. Rabbit polyclonal anti-pro-MMP antibodies were used to measure pro-MMPs using immunoblot analysis.RESULTS A 10 min incubation time using 5 × 104 h-CM cells/well was optimum condition for studying stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. BK(100 nmol/L) caused a 1.86 ± 0.26 fold(n = 3) increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation above baseline. BK analogs, Met-Lys-BK and RMP-7(100 nmol/L), also stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation by 1.57 ± 0.04 and 1.55 ± 0.09 fold, respectively. However, DesArg9-Bradykinin, a B1 receptor-selective agonist(0.1-1 μmol/L), was essentially inactive. HOE-140 or WIN-64338(B2-antagonists) appreciably blocked phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by various BK agonists. Pre-treatmentof cells with a prostaglandin(PG) synthase inhibitor(bromfenac; 1 μmol/L) failed to alter kinin-induced ERK1/2 activation. BK and a non-peptide BK agonist(FR-190997)(10 nmol/L-1 μmol/L) also enhanced pro-MMPs secretion(pro-MMP-1 > pro-MMP-3 > pro-MMP-2; 1.45-1.75-fold over baseline) from h-CM cells. CONCLUSION These collective data suggest that B2 kinin receptors initiate signaling in h-CM cells by a relatively rapid mechanism(within minutes) involving ERK1/2 activation which in turn regulates MMPs production(within hours). The latter process does not involve PGs.
文摘Background Travoprost has been widely used for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma （OAG） or ocular hypertension （OH）. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraocular pressure （lOP） lowering efficacy of travoprost 0.004% monotherapy in patients previously treated with other topical hypotensive medications, and in previously untreated patients. Methods This open-label, 12-week study in 1651 adult patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma who were untreated or required a change in therapy （due to either inadequate efficacy or safety issues） as judged by the investigator was conducted at 6 sites in China. Previously treated patients were instructed to discontinue their prior medications at the first visit. All the patients were dosed with travoprost 0.004% once-daily at 8 p.m. in both eyes for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 and 12. lOP measurements were performed at the same time of day at the follow-up visits. Results For patients transitioned to travoprost, mean lOP reductions from baseline in untreated and treated patients with different prior medications at week 12 were： latanoprost, （4.3±4.6） mmHg; β-blocker, （6.3±4.0） mmHg; α-agonist, （7.5±4.3） mmHg; topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, （8.0±4.9） mmHg. All mean lOP changes from baseline were statistically significant （P 〈0.001）. No treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in this study. Conclusions In patients treated with other hypotensive medications or untreated, the lOP reduction with travoprost was significant. The results of this study demonstrated the potential benefit of using travoprost as a replacement therapy in order to ensure adequate lOP control. Travoprost administered once daily was safe and well tolerated in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
