eye

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serological and lacrimal signaling in patients affected by vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC)

Background. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare inflammatory disease involving the ocular surface, with seasonally exacerbated symptoms. Both type-1 and type-4 hypersensitivity reactions play a role in the development of VKC. Purpose. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence and evaluate the concentration of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tear and blood samples from patients with VKC, during the acute phase, based on the histopathological vasculostromal structure of the tarsal papillae. Methods.

Current ophthalmology practice patterns for syphilitic uveitis

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Syphilitic uveitis is re-emerging alongside the systemic infection. In July 2017, an international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists formed the International Ocular Syphilis Study Group to define current practice patterns.
METHODS:
103 Study Group members based in 35 countries completed a 25-item questionnaire focused on case load, clinical presentations, use and interpretation of investigations, treatment and clinical indicators of poor prognosis.
RESULTS:

Distribution of synuclein immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis

Alpha, ? and ? synucleins (syns) have been identified in the nervous system of mammals and biochemical evidence suggest a crucial role for ?-syn in the pathogenesis of several human neurodegenerative diseases. Our research is focused on the molecular expression and morphological localization of syns in the nervous system of representative species with the aim of understanding the evolutionary history of these proteins in vertebrates [1, 2]. Current model for our comparative analysis is the adult stage of the South African clawed frog Xenopus laevis.

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