Expression Analysis of the Small GTP-Binding Protein Rac in Pterygium

Objectives: To determine the roles of small GTP-binding proteins Rac1, Rac2, and Rac3 expression in pterygial tissue and to compare these expressions with normal conjunctival tissue. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight patients with primary pterygium were enrolled. Healthy conjunctival graft specimens obtained during pterygium surgery were used as control tissue. The real-time polymerase chain reaction method on the BioMark HD dynamic array system was utilized in genomic mRNA for the gene expression analysis. Protein expressions were analyzed using western blot and immunohistochemical methods. Results: RAC1, RAC2, and RAC3 gene expressions in pterygial tissues were not markedly elevated when compared to the control specimens (p>0.05). As a very low level of RAC1 gene expression was observed, further protein expression analysis was performed for the Rac2 and Rac3 proteins. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of Rac2 and Rac3 protein expression revealed no significant differences between pterygial and healthy tissues (p>0.05). Conclusion: This is the first study to identify the contribution of Rac proteins in pterygium. Our results indicate that the small GTP-binding protein Rac may not be involved in pterygium pathogenesis.

Intraocular pressure predicts premature coronary atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and premature atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (PACAD) by comparing central corneal thicknesses (CCTs) measurements. METHODS: One hundred-eighty-six subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, 100 in the PACAD group and 86 in the control group. All participants underwent a physical examination and routine biochemical tests. Ophthalmological examinations, including IOP and CCTs measurements, were performed for each subject. Additionally, pulse wave velocity measurements were obtained and recorded. RESULTS: Participants with PACAD showed significantly higher IOP values than those without atherosclerosis (p = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of CCT (p = 0.343). Also, pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were statistically significantly higher in the PACAD group (p = 0.001). High IOP was not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A relationship was found between PACAD and IOP, but CCTs were not associated with PACAD. The IOP measurement is affected by CCT; therefore, CCT is used to correct IOP values. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a positive relationship between PACAD and IOP based on CCTs measurements.

Intraocular pressure predicts premature coronary atherosclerosis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and premature atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (PACAD) by comparing central corneal thicknesses (CCTs) measurements. METHODS: One hundred-eighty-six subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, 100 in the PACAD group and 86 in the control group. All participants underwent a physical examination and routine biochemical tests. Ophthalmological examinations, including IOP and CCTs measurements, were performed for each subject. Additionally, pulse wave velocity measurements were obtained and recorded. RESULTS: Participants with PACAD showed significantly higher IOP values than those without atherosclerosis (p = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of CCT (p = 0.343). Also, pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were statistically significantly higher in the PACAD group (p = 0.001). High IOP was not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A relationship was found between PACAD and IOP, but CCTs were not associated with PACAD. The IOP measurement is affected by CCT; therefore, CCT is used to correct IOP values. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a positive relationship between PACAD and IOP based on CCTs measurements.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a associação entre a pressão intra-ocular (PIO) e a doença aterosclerótica arterial coronariana prematura (DAACP) compar ando as medidas das espessuras corneanas centrais (ECCs). MÉTODOS: Cento e oitenta e seis indivíduos foram incluídos no presente estudo transversal, 100 no grupo DAACP e 86 no grupo de controle. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a um exame físico e exames bioquímicos de rotina. Exames oftalmológicos, incluindo PIO e medições das ECCs, foram realizados em cada participante. Além disso, medições de velocidade da onda de pulso foram obtidas e registradas. RESULTADOS: Os participantes com DAACP apresentaram valores de PIO significativamente maiores do que os daqueles sem aterosclerose (p = 0,001) e não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos em relação ECC (p = 0,343). Além disso, os valores das velocidades da onda de pulso (VOP) foram estatisticamente significativamente maiores no grupo DAACP (p = 0,001). Um valor elevado de PIO não estava significativamente associado com os parâmetros de síndrome metabólica (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Encontramos uma relação entre DAACP e PIO, mas as ECCs não estavam associadas com DAACP. A medição da PIO é afetada pela ECC; portanto, a ECC é utilizada para corrigir os valores da PIO. Até onde sabemos, este é o primeiro estudo a relatar uma relação positiva entre DAACP e a PIO com base em medições da ECC.

Increased Expressions of ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 in Pterygium.

Purpose: Pterygium, one of the most common ocular surface diseases, is characterized by inflammatory infiltrates, proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrosis, and extracellular matrix breakdown. The objective of this study was to elucidate the levels of the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-2, and ICAM-3 gene and protein expressions in pterygium. Methods: A total of 59 patients with pterygium were included in this study. mRNA from pterygial and conjunctival autograft tissues were extracted, and real-time polymerase chain reaction on the BioMark HD dynamic array system was performed for the ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 gene expressions. ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 protein expressions using western blot and immunohistochemistry methods were also investigated in pterygial and conjunctival autograft tissues. Results: ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 gene expressions were markedly augmented in pterygial tissues (P = 0.0018 and P = 0.0023, respectively). Significant increases in protein expressions in pterygial tissues were also detected for ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 (P = 0.0116 and P = 0.0252, respectively). In the immunohistochemical studies, there was a marked increase in ICAM-3 (P = 0.0152), but not in ICAM-2 (P = 0.1041), protein expressions in pterygial tissues. Significant positive correlations between pterygia grading with ICAM-2 protein expression (P = 0.0398) and ICAM-3 immunohistochemical scores (P = 0.0138) were observed. Conclusion: These results demonstrate, for the first time, the expressions of ICAM-2 and ICAM-3 in the pterygium. These findings may help to understand the signal transduction mechanisms in the pterygium formation and provide a new therapy strategy for pterygium treatment.

Refractive error may influence mesopic pupil size.

PURPOSE: To identify factors which affect mesopic pupil diameter in refractive surgery patients. SETTING: This retrospective study was performed at the 1st Ophthalmology Clinic in Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: Medical records of 412 refractive surgery candidates who applied between 2006 and 2008 were reviewed. Detailed ophthalmological examination data were obtained from medical records. Pupil size measurements were performed with a COAS Ocular Wavefront analyzer in mesopic conditions. Relationship between mesopic pupil diameter and age, sex, spherical refractive error (D), magnitude of astigmatism (D), type of astigmatism, spherical equivalent, and average keratometry were analyzed by means of univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean mesopic pupil diameter was 6.19 +/- 0.88 mm. Mean pupil diameter (mean +/- standard deviation) was 5.70 +/- 1.01 in hypermetropia, 6.04 +/- 0.79 mm in mixed astigmatism, and 6.33 +/- 0.82 mm in myopia. The difference in mean mesopic pupil diameters between myopes and hypermetropes was statistically significant (p = 0.001). However, differences with regard to mean pupil diameters between myopes and mixed astigmatism (p = 0.660) and between hypermetropes and mixed astigmatism (p = 0.109) were not significant. Mean pupil diameter was 6.00 +/- 0.99 mm in against the rule astigmatism, 5.96 +/- 0.84 mm in oblique astigmatism, and 6.27 +/- 0.84 mm in with the rule astigmatism. Mean mesopic pupil diameter in with the rule astigmatism group was higher than oblique astigmatism group. Spherical refractive error (r = -0.213, p = 0.001), cylindrical refractive error (0.197, p = 0.001), and age (r = -0.341, p = 0.001) showed correlation with pupil diameter. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that age and magnitude of both spherical and cylindrical refractive error are the most determinative factors on mesopic pupil size.