Taurine and Its Derivatives: Analysis of the Inhibitory Effect on Platelet Function and Their Antithrombotic Potential.

Taurine is a semi-essential, the most abundant free amino acid in the human body, with a six times higher concentration in platelets than any other amino acid. It is highly beneficial for the organism, has many therapeutic actions, and is currently approved for heart failure treatment in Japan. Taurine has been repeatedly reported to elicit an inhibitory action on platelet activation and aggregation, sustained by in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro animal and human studies. Taurine showed effectiveness in several pathologies involving thrombotic diathesis, such as diabetes, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, and others. As human prospective studies on thrombosis outcome are very difficult to carry out, there is an obvious need to validate existing findings, and bring new compelling data about the mechanisms underlying taurine and derivatives antiplatelet action and their antithrombotic potential. Chloramine derivatives of taurine proved a higher stability and pronounced selectivity for platelet receptors, raising the assumption that they could represent future potential antithrombotic agents. Considering that taurine and its analogues display permissible side effects, along with the need of finding new, alternative antithrombotic drugs with minimal side effects and long-term action, the potential clinical relevance of this fascinating nutrient and its derivatives requires further consideration.

Matrix regenerative therapy.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is responsible for many of the cell behavior processes, including cell proliferation and growth, survival, change in cell shape, migration, and differentiation. The most important component of the ECM is heparan sulfate (HS), because it insures the storage of many cell communication proteins, necessary for the continuous and identical renewal of cells and thus for tissue regeneration. Regenerating agents (RGTA®) are bioengineered structural analogues of heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans that replace the degraded endogenous HS of the ECM. In the ophthalmological field, RGTA® represents an innovative approach for the improvement of the ocular surface wound healing and matrix remodeling and plays a role in controlling and regulating the wound healing process in various ocular diseases.

Management of diplopia.

Diplopia (seeing double) is an ophthalmologic complaint found mainly in elder patients. It can have both ocular and neurological causes. A careful history and clinical examination must detail the type of diplopia (monocular/ binocular), onset, and progression, associated and relieving factors. In case of monocular diplopia, refraction and biomicroscopic examination of the ocular media are mandatory. The cause of ocular misalignment for binocular diplopia must be determined and life-threatening conditions (such as posterior communicating artery aneurysm) must imply an immediate treatment. Management and treatment is always according to the specific cause of diplopia.

Chromovitrectomy.

The term "chromovitrectomy" has been coined to define the use of vital dyes in vitreoretinal surgery. The basic concept for the application of vital dyes during vitreoretinal surgery is to assist in highlighting preretinal membranes and tissues which are very thin and semitransparent and thus difficult to detect. Various dyes are currently being used in routine clinical procedures, however, the ideal staining agent has not yet been found. The vital dyes indocyanine green, infracyanine green, and brilliant blue stain the internal limiting membrane, trypan blue and triamcinolone acetonide help to visualize the epiretinal and vitreous membranes. New dyes with a better safety profile than the synthetic ones are important for optimizing the outcome of modern ophthalmic surgery and natural dyes, such as lutein, offer a potentially safer and more efficient method of identifying intraocular structures such as vitreous and ILM. Any dye, which is intravitreally injected has the potential to become toxic.

Glaucoma after chemical burns and radiation.

Glaucoma after chemical burns represents a posttraumatic glaucoma, usually open-angle glaucoma. It is a frequent complication of chemical burns, especially with alkali and it can appear in the acute stage or as a late complication. Because of the complications and scars, the treatment is very difficult. Topical treatment is based on AC inhibitors, ß-blockers, α2-agonists. Trabeculectomy, shunts, cyclophotocoagulation, and cryotherapy are the solutions in the late stages. Glaucoma after irradiation is a closing-angle secondary glaucoma. The risk factors such as the radiation dose and the volume of the radiated structure are important in the appearance and evolution of this type of glaucoma. Topical treatment is usually ineffective, the preferable options being laser and surgical treatments. Although it is not a frequently seen pathology, it is important to know how to diagnose and treat this type of glaucoma. There are various options available for treatment, but choosing one is difficult because of the possible complications.

PLATEAU IRIS--DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to review the current knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment options of plateau iris configuration and syndrome. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW METHODOLOGY: Relevant publications on plateau iris that were published until 2014. CONCLUSIONS: Plateau iris syndrome is a form of primary angle closure glaucoma caused by a large or anteriorly positioned ciliary body that leads to mechanical obstruction of trabecular meshwork. This condition is most often found in younger patients. Plateau iris has been considered an abnormal anatomic variant of the iris that can be diagnosed on ultrasound biomicroscopy or optical coherence tomography of anterior segment. Patients with plateau iris syndrome can be recognized by the lack of response in angle opening after iridotomy. The treatment of choice in these cases is argon laser peripheral iridoplasty.

COGAN'S SYNDROME.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to review the current knowledge on Cogan's syndrome, including etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Systematic review methodology: Relevant publications on Cogan's syndrome from 1945 to 2014 were studied. CONCLUSIONS: Cogan's syndrome is a rare autoimmune vasculitis, with unknown pathogenesis. Infection was thought to have played a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, but now the autoimmunity hypothesis is considered more likely to be true. Cogan's syndrome is characterized by ocular and audiovestibular symptoms similar to those of Meniere's syndrome. Approximately 70% of the patients have systemic disease, of which vasculitis is considered the pathological mechanism. Corticosteroids are the first line of treatment; multiple immunosuppressive drugs were also used with varying degrees of success. The novelty in the treatment of the disease is tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-blockers, but more studies are necessary to establish their efficacy.

CURRENT OPTIONS FOR SURGICAL TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA.

The purpose of this study is to review current surgical treatment and new and better alternatives for patients with glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to a group of related eye disorders that have in common an optic neuropathy associated with visual function loss. It is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Optic nerve damage and glaucoma-related vision loss can be prevented or limited by early diagnosis and treatment. Surgery offers a better control of the intraocular pressure then medical therapy. Nowadays, research continues for improving current surgical alternatives for treatment.