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Morphologic changes in the MGs shown by LSCM were interpreted as signs of MG dropout, duct obstruction, and glandular inflammation. A comprehensive LSCM evaluation of the ocular surface in CLWs could better clarify the role of MG dropout and eyelid margin inflammation on the pathogenesis of CL-induced dry eye.

LSCM is capable of effectively revealing morphologic and inflammatory changes in MGs and showed discernible patterns of MG abnormalities in SS and MGD not easily distinguishable by the usual clinical exams.

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LSCM is a promising tool that should profoundly change the study of the ocular surface, but it requires accurate standardization before it is used in clinical practice.

Cytokine production, immune activation, T lymphocytes maturation, and serum IL-7 concentration were examined in 24 youngsters with Down syndrome and no acquired diseases (healthy Down syndrome [12 prepubertal, 13 pubertal]) and 42 age- and gender-matched controls (20 prepubertal, 22 pubertal). Results showed that a complex immune and impairment is present in healthy individuals with Down syndrome in whom interferon gamma, interleukin (IL) IL-10 production, as well as serum IL-7 concentrations and activation markers-bearing T lymphocytes were significantly augmented. Additionally, a complex skewing of post-thymic lymphocyte maturation pathways was observed in patients: significant reduction of CD4+ and CD8+ naive (RA+CCR7+) lymphocytes, significant increase of CD4+ and CD8+ central memory (RA-CCR7+), and terminally differentiated (TD) (RA+CCR7-) lymphocytes.

We assessed the presence of lung dysfunction in children with type 1 diabetes, evaluated as reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and its components: membrane diffusing capacity (DM) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc). A total of 42 children, aged 15.6 ± 3.8 years, with type 1 diabetes for 8.3 ± 5.5 years, and 30 healthy age and sex-matched peers were recruited for the study. Lung volumes and spirometric dynamic parameters were assessed by plethysmography. Single-breath DLCO was measured according to international recommendation. DM and Vc volume were calculated. Lung volumes were significantly reduced in young patients with type 1 diabetes when compared to controls. Moreover, DLCO was reduced in patients compared to controls (78% ± 16% vs. 120% ± 1%, P = 0.0001). However, when differentiating DM and Vc compartments, we observed a significant impairment only about Vc (34 ± 20 ml vs. 88 ± 18 ml; P = 0.0001), while no difference was observed about DM compartment (23 ± 4 vs. 26 ± 3 ml/min/mmHg, P = 0.798). Whether this might be seen as the "first" sign of microangiopathic involvement in patients with type 1 diabetes has to be confirmed on larger groups but is still fascinating. Meanwhile, we suggest to screen DLCO in all patients with type 1 diabetes.