Analysis of fibronectin, plasminogen activators and plasminogen in tear fluid as markers of corneal damage and repair.

Corneal damage of various origins initiates a series of processes which lead to repair but also tend to perpetuate the damage; healing thus depends on the prevalence of repair over progression processes. The plasminogen/plasmin system has an important impact on this process, particularly by degrading the extracellular matrix components with resulting interference of the repair processes. This paper presents the immunoblotting analysis of fibronectin, tissue and urokinase-type plasminogen activators and plasminogen/plasmin in the tear fluid of control subjects and patients affected by various ocular pathologies (corneal ulcers, thermal or chemical burns, herpetic keratitis). A significant modification was noted in the protein profiles of fibronectin, tissue and urokinase-type plasminogen activators and plasminogen/plasmin in the cases of corneal ulcers and thermal or chemical burns relative to the pattern observed in the control subjects, while in cases of herpetic keratitis, only plasminogen/plasmin showed slight variations. The altered protein patterns gradually normalized during therapeutic treatment and, at remission, coincided with those of the control subjects.

[Goniotomy in congenital glaucoma: therapeutic results]. / La goniotomie dans le glaucome congénital: résultats thérapeutiques.

Sixty-eight eyes presenting with congenital glaucoma and operated on by goniotomy, have been followed up for 1 to 10 years. Intra-ocular pressure was normalized in 91.18 p. cent of cases by one or more goniotomies with or without medical treatment. We have also analyzed the functional results of these operations.

The iris vessels in the exfoliation syndrome: ultrastructural changes.

The ultrastructure of iris vessels in exfoliation syndrome has been investigated. Deposits of exfoliation material have been found in the vessel walls. There is evidence of different stages of pathological alterations of some vessels, culminating in the loss of endothelial cells and obliteration of the lumen associated with exfoliative deposits. These findings correlate with fluorescein angiographic alterations of the iris and stress the importance of vascular changes in this syndrome.

Short-term and long-term timolol maleate effects on corneal sensitivity.

The authors present data concerning the effect of timolol maleate on corneal sensitivity investigated with the Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer and with cotton wool wisps. Among 30 subjects with open-angle glaucoma, 15 subjects underwent a short-term trial with timolol maleate 0.50% in one eye, while 15 served in a long-term trial with timolol maleate 0.50% or 0.25% in both eyes. A light reduction in corneal sensitivity, which did not reach statistical significance, was found during timolol treatment. After discussing the possible explanations of this side effect, the authors advise monitoring this parameter during the therapy.

[Effects of timolol maleate on untreated contralateral eyes (author's transl)]. / Effets du maléate de timolol sur l'oeil controlatéral sans traitement.

The efficacity of installations of 0,5 p. cent timolol maleate unilaterally was statistically evaluated in 15 subjects: 5 with open-angle glaucoma, 5 with secondary glaucoma, and 5 normal subjects. A reduction in intraocular pressure was observed in all cases, not only in treated eyes, but also, though to a lesser degree, in untreated eyes. Effects were almost totally lacking on lacrimal secretion, corneal sensitivity, and pupil size in both eyes. The hypothesis is raised of possible unilateral treatment in selected patients with ocular hypertension and/or trabecular glaucoma.

[Particles in infusion fluids. Preventive effectiveness of terminal filters. Comparative study]. / Le paticelle nei liquidi da infusione. efficacia preventiva dei filtri terminali. Studio comparativo.

The main particles present in solutions for parenteral use are potentially harmful. Current industrial technologies are not yet capable of supplying products that are entirely free of corpusculated substances. In addition, the latter increase in direct proportion to the number of handlings that are carried out by hospital staff in the preparation of infusion treatments. Filters capable of cutting down the number of infused particles are suggested for application to defluxion devices. Three such filters currently available on the Italian market are examined. The filter with 0.45 mu diameter holes proved capable of minimising the amount for particles without provoking an appreciable interference with the defluxion times of the solutions used in the experiments.