Topical CsA could be an effective treatment for DES, especially for DES associated with conjunctival injury. Further RCTs with larger sample sizes for different clinical types of DES are warranted to determine the efficacy and limitation for different clinical types of DES.

The use of intraoperative topical MMC 0.02% for 15 seconds after LASEK did not affect the corneal endothelium.

The aim of this study was to explore whether IL-7 participates in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). This was a prospective study. 20 GO patients (40 eyes) and 20 healthy volunteers (40 eyes) were recruited. The tear concentration of IL-7 was measured using ELISA assay. IL-7 expression in orbital tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Patients with inactive GO had the highest IL-7 concentrations in the tears, followed by healthy controls and patients with active GO per ELISA. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that IL-7 expression in orbital tissues of the inactive GO samples was higher than that of the volunteers. Changes of IL-7 expression in different phases of GO suggested that IL-7 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GO.

CD34(+) fibrocytes are bone marrow-derived monocyte progenitor cells that traffic to sites of tissue injury and repair. They putatively infiltrate the orbit in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy where they appear to transition into CD34(+) orbital fibroblasts (OFs) that interact with residential CD34(-) fibroblasts. A unique phenotypic attribute of fibrocytes and CD34(+) OFs is their expression of the functional thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) and other "thyroid-specific" proteins. When activated through TSHR, fibrocytes express a number of cytokines and other inflammatory genes. Here we sought to determine whether pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), an acute-phase protein involved in inflammation and autoimmunity, might be induced by TSH in fibrocytes and OFs. These cells were collected from patients with Graves disease and healthy individuals. PTX-3 mRNA levels were determined by real-time PCR, protein was determined by ELISA and Western blot, and PTX-3 gene promoter activity was assessed with reporter assays. PTX-3 expression was induced by TSH in both cell types, regardless of the health status of the donor and was a consequence of increased steady-state PTX-3 mRNA levels. M22, a TSHR-activating monoclonal antibody, also induced PTX-3. The induction could be attenuated by dexamethasone and by IGF-I receptor-blocking antibodies, teprotumumab and 1H7. TSH effects were mediated through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin/p70(s6k), Janus tyrosine kinase 2 pathways, and enhanced PTX-3 mRNA stability. These findings indicate that PTX-3 is a TSH target gene, the expression of which can be induced in fibrocytes and OFs. They suggest that PTX-3 might represent a previously unidentified nexus between the thyroid axis and the mechanisms involved in tissue remodeling.

BackgroundLeukoaraiosis is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The results from many studies investigating the association between leukoaraiosis and intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolysis remain conflicting.MethodsA meta-analysis was performed to compare the risk of post-thrombolytic intracranial hemorrhage in patients with and without leukoaraiosis. Relevant reports were identified by searching PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science through December 2015 using a combination of subjective and random terms. Eligible studies that were original articles with a clear definition of leukoaraiosis and intracranial hemorrhage were selected and analyzed. Funnel plots, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test were conducted to assess the publication bias. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to evaluate the influence of each individual study.ResultsEleven trials that enrolled 6912 participants were included. There was a significantly increased risk for acute ischemic stroke patients with leukoaraiosis (odds ratio: 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.51–2.37, P<0.001). Low heterogeneity and less publication bias was detected among these studies. The results of both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging performed on the subgroups of leukoaraiosis were significant. Furthermore, an association between leukoaraiosis and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was also confirmed. The odds ratios remained stable with no obvious variations on the sensitivity analysis. The limitations consisted of types of including trials and not matching some baseline variables.ConclusionsThe results of this meta-analysis show that leukoaraiosis approximately doubles the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy. However, it does not critically affect decision making regarding thrombolysis for patients with acute ischemic stroke. Additional investigations are required.

Leiomyosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer most commonly found in the uterus, stomach, small intestine, retroperitoneum, and vascular tissue. Metastasis is common and surgery with a wide margin of resection is generally considered the most effective management. Leiomyosarcomas, metastatic or primary, of the orbit have rarely been reported. Herein, we report the case of a 51-year-old female with metastatic orbital leiomyosarcoma. The diagnosis was based on her history of leipmyosarcoma, orbital ultrasonography, and computed tomography and confirmed by postoperative histochemistry. She was treated with surgical excision and has remained without recurrence 1 year after surgery.

ABSTRACT. We investigated the expression of Bcl10 gene mutations in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue-type ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL), atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (ALH), and reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH) in the Chinese population and its role in clinical diagnosis and pathogenesis. Forty-three samples were collected during patient surgeries. Pathological diagnosis confirmed OAL in 23 cases, ALH in 10 cases, and RLH in 10 cases. Normal peripheral lymph tissues from 12 cases were used as negative controls. Bcl10 gene expression was examined using molecular biological methods, and DNA sequences and mutations were compared with published data. The protein expression of Bcl10 and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) were detected with immunohistological and immunofluorescence colocalization. Bcl10 gene expression was detected in 15 OAL cases. Novel mutations were found in 11 cases. Notably, 1 mutation, which matched a published mutation, was detected in 1 ALH case; 1 novel mutation was found in 1 RLH case; and no Bcl10 gene mutation was found in controls. Most novel mutations were This report is the first of newly discovered mutations in the Bcl10 gene in the Chinese population. The distribution of the mutations is consistent with and more sensitive than that of the pathological diagnosis. These mutations can be used to identify the stage and clinical characteristics even when morphological changes are absent.

While imaging appearances of pseudomembranous colitis are commonly recognised, radiological manifestations of -associated enteritis are poorly understood which, combined with the rarity of this infection involving small bowel, makes establishing the correct diagnosis challenging. Therefore, in order to encourage awareness of readers, we present a case of enteritis that manifested as abdominal sepsis complicating the postoperative period in a middle-aged woman with fistulating Crohn's disease and defunctioning ileostomy. Radiological appearances are described based on three consecutive CT studies performed 5 days prior to onset of symptoms, during the peak of enteritis, corresponding with the patient's clinical deterioration, and also 35 days later following treatment and resolution.