Production of set-type probiotic and prebiotic yogurt-like products using Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis strains in combination with pumpkin waste.

This study investigated the effect of pumpkin powder (2 %, 4 %, and 6 %) and Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis probiotics on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of yogurt samples during 28 days of storage at 4 °C. The prebiotic effect of pumpkin powder (Cucurbita pepo) and the probiotic effect of Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis were determined. Adding pumpkin powder to yogurt did not significantly alter the pH, acidity, fat, protein, and ash content (p > 0.05). Water holding was not changed during the storage time in the samples of probiotic yogurts, but as the pumpkin powder content increased, the water holding capacity also increased (p < 0.05). This situation did lead to a reduction in syneresis (p < 0.05). The lowest gumminess value at the end of storage was found in the D2 sample (p < 0.05), and the highest adhesiveness value was found in the D4 sample (p < 0.05). Furthermore, throughout the 28-day storage period, E. faecium and E. faecalis maintained a live cell count of ≥6 log CFU g-1 in the probiotic product. As a result of the statistical evaluation, there was a decrease in E. faecium in the D4, S2, and S4 samples, and then it increased again (p > 0.05) during the storage time. As a result of the statistical evaluation, it was determined that the smell, consistency in the spoon, consistency in the mouth, flavor, and acidity changes during the storage were not substantial (p > 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that pumpkin, a byproduct of the pumpkin seed industry, has the potential to act as a prebiotic and improve the properties of dairy products. Additionally, the study suggests that E. faecium and E. faecalis strains could be suitable for probiotic yogurts.

Alterations in Retinal Vascularity in Severe Psoriasis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in retinal vascularity in patients with severe psoriasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with severe psoriasis [psoriasis area-severity index (PASI) >10] who did not get any systemic treatment in the last year and do not have any ocular diseases were included. All patients underwent detailed ophthalmological examination, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). Vessel densities (VD) of Superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexus, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) diameter, central retinal thickness (CRT) were analyzed and compared with age-sex matched healthy adults. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (13 F, 40 M) and 56 controls (16 F, 40 M) were included in the study. VD of SCP (50.4%±3.9 vs. 51.4%±3.2) and DCP (52.6%±6.4 vs. 55.4%±5.7) were lower in psoriasis group compared to controls (p < .05). Presence of psoriatic arthritis was related with an increased CRT (p = .000), larger FAZ and decreased foveal VD in SCP (p = .01, p = .02, respectively). CONCLUSION: Severe psoriasis causes a decrease in retinal blood flow and presence of psoriatic arthritis is related with decreased foveal VD.

The Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Macular Capillary Perfusion.

Objectives: Thromboembolic complications related to the COVID-19 infection are frequently reported. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a prior non-severe COVID-19 infection on retinal microcirculation with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: A total of 83 eyes of 43 patients with a history of non-severe COVID-19 infection confirmed with a positive PCR test (Group 1) and 30 healthy controls (Group 2) underwent detailed eye examination, including optic coherence tomography angiography (OCTA, RTVue-XR Avanti) scanning. Vessel densities (VD) in the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and foveal avascular zone were evaluated. Results: The mean duration between the COVID-19 positive PCR test and ocular examination was 144.6±82.2 days. VD of SCP and DCP in the foveal and perifoveal regions were significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p<0.05). Conclusion: A non-severe COVID-19 infection may cause a decrease in the VD of retinal SCP and DCP.

Efficacy of Pegylated Interferon Alpha-2a in Uveitic Macular Edema Refractory to Biologic Agents.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of pegylated interferon alpha-2a (Roferon, Hoffmann-La Roche brands, Switzerland) in uveitic macular edema refractory to biologic agents. METHODS: Herein, we present two cases of non-infectious uveitis with cystoid macular edema (CME) who were unresponsive to immunosuppressant treatment, and whose uveitis and macular edema recurrences were prevented with subcutaneous injections of pegylated interferon α-2a. RESULTS: Two young males (27- and 30-year-old) diagnosed with non-infectious uveitis and CME were on immunosuppressive treatment. Although both received systemic steroids and biologic agents, macular edema persists. After initiation of pegylated interferon alpha-2a (Pegasys, Genentech, USA) CME regressed significantly and did not occur during their follow-ups of 14 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Pegylated interferon-alpha-2a can be used as an effective alternative to interferon alpha-2a in uveitic macular edema cases, resistant to other immunosuppressive agents.

Effect of Cycloplegia on Anterior Segment Structures and Scleral Thickness in Emmetropic Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of topical cyclopentolate hydrochloride-induced cycloplegia on anterior segment biomechanics in emmetropic eyes using anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Methods: Twenty-five emmetropic eyes of 25 volunteers were included. All underwent central corneal thickness (CCT) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) measurements. Anterior scleral thickness (AST) was measured at the level of the scleral spur (SS)(AST-0), 1,000 µm posterior of the SS (AST-1), and 2,000 µm posterior of the SS (AST-2) in the nasal and temporal quadrants using AS-OCT. All measurements were repeated after cycloplegia. Results: The mean age was 30.6 ± 12.4 (8-45) years. The mean CCT did not significantly change after cycloplegia (P = 0.7). The mean ACD was significantly increased [3.3 ± 0.2 (2.7-3.9) to 3.7 ± 0.3 (3-4.2) µm; P = 0.001]. In the nasal quadrant, the mean AST-1 and AST-2 were 512.3 ± 34.4 (433-570) and 529.6 ± 34.2 (449-599); decreased to 478 ± 26.8 (423-530) and 486.2 ± 28.3 (422-544) µm, respectively, after cycloplegia (P = 0.00; P = 0.00). In the temporal quadrant, the mean AST-1 and AST-2 were 522.5 ± 24.7 (473-578) and 527.2 ± 39.9 (450-604); decreased to 481.1 ± 33.7 (421-550) and 484.6 ± 26.6 (433-528) µm, respectively (P = 0.00; P = 0.00). There was no significant difference in AST-0 after cycloplegia in both quadrants [from 697.5 ± 46 (605-785) to 709.5 ± 64.7 (565-785) for nasal and from 718.4 ± 40.1 (632-796) to 722.9 ± 60.6 (596-838) for temporal; P = 0.2; P = 0.3, respectively]. Conclusion: After cycloplegia, there was a significant thinning of ASTs posterior to SS and a slight increase in AST in the SS level. ACD deepened after cycloplegia, and there was no significant change in CCT. Cycloplegic agents temporarily inhibit ciliary muscle contraction and may affect anterior segment parameters and sclera. Inhibition of forward-inward movement of the ciliary body by cycloplegia affects ASTs and ACD by causing a change in the mechanical force of the ciliary muscle on the sclera.

Determination of safety status and probiotic properties of Enterococcus strains isolated from traditional cheeses in Turkey.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic properties of Enterococcus strains isolated from Turkish traditional cheeses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-two Enterococcus spp. were taxonomically determined as follows: Enterococcus faecium (26), Enterococcus faecalis (18), Enterococcus durans (6), and Enterococcus italicus (2). The ability of isolates/strains to survive the harsh conditions (acidity and in-vitro gastric solution) of the gastrointestinal tract was established. They also showed auto-aggregation, hydrophobicity, and co-aggregation ability. Hydrophobicities of the strains were found between 0.8%-21%, 0.7%-56%, and 2%-63% for xylene, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, respectively. Autoaggregation values of the Enterococcus strains were 4%-20%, 7%-30%, and 36%-98% after 2, 4, and 24-h incubation, respectively. In this study, the Enterococcus strains tested showed co-aggregation ability with the Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. The results of PCR amplification revealed that only five strains possess virulence factor genes (gelE,asa1,cyl A,esp). We determined antibiotic resistance, biofilm forming abilities, and hemolytic activity for safety evaluation of strains. CONCLUSIONS: In this large and comprehensive study, we found that only few of Enterococcus strains have promising probiotic potential, among which E. faecalis ES1 and E. faecium EM1 showed the best probiotic properties (are the most promising probiotic candidates).

Adaptation by Type V-A and V-B CRISPR-Cas Systems Demonstrates Conserved Protospacer Selection Mechanisms Between Diverse CRISPR-Cas Types.

Adaptation of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) arrays is a crucial process responsible for the unique, adaptive nature of CRISPR-Cas immune systems. The acquisition of new CRISPR spacers from mobile genetic elements has previously been studied for several types of CRISPR-Cas systems. In this study, we used a high-throughput sequencing approach to characterize CRISPR adaptation of the type V-A system from Francisella novicida and the type V-B system from Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. In contrast to other class 2 CRISPR-Cas systems, we found that for the type V-A and V-B systems, the Cas12 nucleases are dispensable for spacer acquisition, with only Cas1 and Cas2 (type V-A) or Cas4/1 and Cas2 (type V-B) being necessary and sufficient. Whereas the catalytic activity of Cas4 is not essential for adaptation, Cas4 activity is required for correct protospacer adjacent motif selection in both systems and for prespacer trimming in type V-A. In addition, we provide evidence for acquisition of RecBCD-produced DNA fragments by both systems, but with spacers derived from foreign DNA being incorporated preferentially over those derived from the host chromosome. Our work shows that several spacer acquisition mechanisms are conserved between diverse CRISPR-Cas systems, but also highlights unexpected nuances between similar systems that generally contribute to a bias of gaining immunity against invading genetic elements.

Optic coherence tomography angiography findings in fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate macular capillary perfusion in patients with fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 19 eyes of 19 patients with unilateral FHI underwent detailed eye examination. OCTA (RTVue-XR Avanti) images were obtained from both eyes. OCTA parameters, including foveal avascular zone, superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus vessel densities, were compared between the involved and fellow control eyes. RESULTS: The median age of the patients (11 females, 8 males) was 42.0 ± 9.63 (range 24-57) years. DCP and SCP densities at the parafoveal and perifoveal area were significantly lower in the FHI eyes compared to the control eyes (44.80 ± 5.24% vs. 54.70 ± 3.76% and 43.30 ± 5.10% vs. 53.70 ± 2.73%, respectively; p < 0.05). The median FAZ was 0.29 ± 0.12 (0.11-0.42) mm2 in the FHI eyes and 0.26 ± 0.09 (0.10-0.40) mm2 in the control eyes. This difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.199). CONCLUSION: Macular capillary perfusion was significantly reduced in both SCP and DCP in the eyes with FHI. FHI, which is known to affect the choroid layer, could also compromise macular capillary perfusion of the retina.

Impact of COVID-19-Related Lockdown on Glaucoma Patients

Objectives: To analyze emergency and outpatient admissions by glaucoma patients during complete lockdown due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to assess the effect of pandemic-related complete lockdown on glaucoma patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective chart review included all glaucoma patients who were either examined and/or underwent emergency surgery between March 11, 2020 and May 31, 2020, a period of complete COVID-19-related lockdown in Turkey. The data were compared with data from patients seen during the same time period in 2019. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure data from patients examined after the lifting of the lockdown were also evaluated. Results: According to Turkish Ministry of Health guidelines, only emergency examinations and surgeries could be performed during the 82 days of the COVID-19 lockdown. During this period, a total of 11 eyes of 10 patients were operated and 123 patients were examined in the outpatient clinic. During the same period in 2019, 122 surgeries were performed, 39 of which were emergencies. In the first 4 weeks after the lockdown ended, 163 patients were examined at the outpatient clinic and marked visual loss was detected in 10 eyes of 9 (5.5%) patients who did not attend follow-up visits due to the pandemic. Conclusion: During the lockdown, emergency surgeries related to glaucoma decreased by 71.7% and marked visual loss was detected in 5.5% of the patients examined after the lockdown. These findings suggest that some patients were unable to present to clinics despite needing emergency care.

Engineering the Reductive Glycine Pathway: A Promising Synthetic Metabolism Approach for C1-Assimilation.

In recent years the reductive glycine pathway (rGlyP) has emerged as a promising pathway for the assimilation of formate and other sustainable C1-feedstocks for future biotechnology. It was originally proposed as an attractive "synthetic pathway" to support formatotrophic growth due to its high ATP efficiency, linear structure, and limited overlap with native pathways in most microbial hosts. Here, we present the current state of research on this pathway including breakthroughs on its engineering. Different variants of the rGlyP are discussed, including its core module for formate to glycine conversion, as well as varying modules for substrate conversion to formate, and glycine assimilation routes. Very recently, the rGlyP has been successfully implemented for synthetic formatotrophic growth, as well as for growth on methanol, in some bacterial hosts. We discuss the engineering strategies employed in these studies, including growth-coupled selection of functional pathway modules. We also compare the rGlyP to other natural and synthetic C1-assimilation pathways. Finally, we provide an outlook on open challenges and opportunities for the rGlyP, including its engineering into more biotechnological hosts, as well as the still-to-be realized production of value-added chemicals via this pathway. We expect that further research on the rGlyP will support the efficient use of sustainable C1-substrates in bioproduction.

Impact of prolonged face mask wearing on tear break-up time and dry eye symptoms in health care professionals.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of prolonged surgical face mask wearing on dry eye symptoms and tear film break-up time (T-BUT) in health care professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 health care professionals were included in the present cross sectional prospective study. In addition to a complete ophthalmological examination T-BUT measurements were performed twice for all participants in the morning (8 am) and in the afternoon (5 pm). The subjects also filled-in the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire twice, before and after wearing the face mask, on the same day. RESULTS: Sixty-six eyes of 33 participants (17 female and 16 male) were evaluated. The mean age was 33.6 ± 7.55 (24-48) years and mean total duration with mask on between the two evaluations was 514 ± 12.5 (495-526) minutes. The mean T-BUT was 9.3 ± 1.0 (3-16) seconds at 8 am and 8.3 ± 1.5 (3-14) seconds at 5 pm (p = 0.01). The mean OSDI score was 20.1 ± 8.3 (0-68.75) at 8 am and 27.4 ± 10.4 (0-81.25) at 5 pm (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Use of a surgical mask for the entire work-day was seen to worsen T-BUT and increase dry eye symptoms in healthy individuals. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the possibility of worsening of dry eye symptoms with the prolonged use of surgical face masks and consider modifications if necessary.

Iris Juvenile Xanthogranuloma Presenting with Hypopyon.

PURPOSE: To report a case an iris juvenile xanthogranuloma presenting with hypopyon. CASE REPORT: A 45-day-old infant was referred to our clinic for unilateral hypopyon. Slit-lamp examination revealed a 2 mm hypopyon in the left eye while visible areas of the iris were normal. Fundus examination was normal. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics were initiated. The hypopyon regressed to 0.5 mm after 2 weeks of treatment. The now visible peripheral iris revealed an inferotemporal yellow-brown iris mass. Clinical findings were consistent with juvenile xanthogranuloma of the iris. The patient was referred to the pediatrics department which revealed no systemic involvement. Two months after total regression of hypopyon, the baby presented with a 3 mm spontaneous hyphema causing 50 mmHg intraocular pressure. The patient was followed with topical corticosteroids and antiglaucomatous drops until the hyphema was resolved. CONCLUSION: ocular involvement, which is the most common extracutaneous 15 manifestation of juvenile xanthogranuloma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypopyon and/or hyphema in young children.

Radiation-Induced Ocular Surface Disorders and Retinopathy: Ocular Structures and Radiation Dose-Volume Effect.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the radiation-induced adverse effects on ocular structures in head and neck cancer patients and investigate the radiation dose-volume effects on the cornea, lacrimal gland, retina, optic nerve and chiasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 eyes of 19 patients were included in this prospective, cohort study. All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination in addition to contrast sensitivity, visual field and visual evoked potentials (VEP) tests. Ophthalmological examinations and psychophysical tests were performed in 6th, 12th, 18th, 24th months and in the last visit. The relationship between the ophthalmologic findings, and the radiation doses below and above the cut-off values was evaluated. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity decrease and visual field deterioration were observed in 42% of the patients in the last visit (median 26 months) whereas a prolonged latency and decreased amplitude of P100 wave in VEP was observed in 58% and 33% of the eyes, respectively at 24th month. Totally 16 patients (84.2%) developed dry eye disease and eight of them received radiotherapy below tolerance doses and had mild to moderate dry eye findings. Radiation-induced retinopathy was observed in three of the eyes in eight patients who received radiation above tolerance dose. CONCLUSION: Head and neck cancers treated with radiotherapy, resulted in various ophthalmic complications. All patients who are treating with radiotherapy should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist in terms of anterior and posterior segment damage, even if the radiation dose is below the tolerance limit.

Multimodal Imaging Characteristics of Circumscribed Choroidal Hemangioma Accompanying with Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Case Report.

A 42-year-old man presented with a temporal visual field defect in his right eye. His history revealed systemic steroid use before onset of his complaints. Multimodal imaging techniques including ultrasonography, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) suggested the presence of circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH) accompanying with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in the right eye, which might have worsened with systemic steroid treatment. CCH may rarely present with accompanying CSCR. Besides, OCTA is a non-invasive reliable method for the diagnosis of CCH in terms of visualizing vascular features of tumor.

Rheumatologic manifestations in a cohort of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

OBJECTIVES: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease (VKHD) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by granulomatous panuveitis. Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) are among the differential diagnosis of VKHD. However, current knowledge on the rheumatological aspects of VKHD is still limited. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of rheumatic conditions in VKHD patients. METHODS: VKHD patients were included in the study and they were reviewed in terms of the presence of any rheumatological manifestations. RESULTS: There were 18 patients with a female preponderance (83.3%, female). Inflammatory type of peripheral joint pain (11%) and sicca symptoms (33%) were the most common rheumatological findings. The frequency of spondyloarthritis-related features such as inflammatory back pain and HLA-B27 rate was not increased. None of the patients had radiographic sacroiliitis. Anti-nuclear antibody was positive in high titres nearly in 30% of the patients and three patients had antibodies against extractable nuclear antigens. Nailfold capillaroscopy was abnormal in about one-third of the patients. Pathergy test was negative in all cohorts. While angiotensin-converting enzyme was elevated in nearly 20% of the patients, there were no abnormalities on chest X-rays. CONCLUSION: VKHD shares some features with IRDs. The common features were mostly suggestive of connective tissue disease rather than SpA or rheumatoid arthritis.

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Correlates with Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Levels and is Associated with Current Disability in Multiple Sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of the present study is to confirm Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (pRNFL) thickness is a biomarker of axonal degeneration in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and to evaluate its relationship with Neurofilament heavy chain (NfH) and Nitrotyrosine (NT). METHOD: We quantified serum (s) and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfH and NT levels in 30 relapsing-remitting MS patients (RRMS), 16 secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients and in 29 control subjects matched for age and gender. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of pRNFL were performed in all subjects. Clinical outcomes were tested by Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). RESULTS: RRMS patients exhibited significantly higher NfH/NT levels (99 pg/mL, 107.52 nM respectively) than controls (74 pg/mL, 48.72 nM) in CSF (p<0.0001), but not in sera. SPMS patients had significantly higher s NfH/NT values (111.25 pg/mL, 1251.77 nM respectively) and lower mean pRNFL thickness (79 µm) than patients with RRMS (98.50 µm) and controls (108 µm) (p<0.0001). pRNFL thickness was significantly correlated with all clinical disability measurements (EDSS, Trail Making test, 9-Hole Peg Test, and PASAT) in both RRMS and SPMS (p<0.001, p=0.02, p=0.03, p=0.02 respectively). A positive correlation was also found between serum and/or CSF NfH levels and EDSS scores in RRMS and SPMS (p<0.001, p=0.02 respectively). The pRNFL thickness was also correlated significantly with serum and/or CSF NfH levels but not with s/CSF NT levels in both clinical forms of MS (p<0.01, p<0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated that both pRNFL and s/CSF NfH are reliable and quantitative biomarkers that correlate with current disease course and cross-sectional measure of disability in patients with MS.

The effects of tropicamide and cyclopentolate hydrochloride on laser flare meter measurements in uveitis patients: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride and 1% tropicamide eye drops on aqueous flare measurements by using the laser flare meter. METHODS: One hundred forty eight eyes of 83 patients with inactive uveitis were enrolled. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1% tropicamide (Group 1) or 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride (Group 2) as the mydriatic agent. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), aqueous flare reaction levels measured by laser flare meter device (FM 600, Kowa, Kowa Company Ltd, Nagoya, Japan) before and post dilatation agents were evaluated. RESULTS: Group 1 consisted of 75 eyes and Group 2 consisted of 77 eyes. The mean age of Group 1 patients was 34.85 ± 12.60 (range, 12-64) years; the mean age of Group 2 was 36.92 ± 13.30 (range, 12-70) years (p > 0.05). The mean BCVAs of two groups were 0.16 ± 0.43 (range, 0.00-3.10) logMAR and 0.17 ± 0.42 (range, 0.00-3.10) logMAR, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between Groups 1 and 2 regarding gender or clinical characteristics (p > 0.05). No significant differences were detected in pre- or post-dilatation values between two groups (p = 0.470, p = 0.998). CONCLUSIONS: As a result, anterior chamber flare values in uveitis patients do not differ significantly between 1% tropicamide and 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride, and both agents can be safely used for dilatation during examination of patients with uveitis.

Replacing the Calvin cycle with the reductive glycine pathway in Cupriavidus necator.

Formate can be directly produced from CO2 and renewable electricity, making it a promising microbial feedstock for sustainable bioproduction. Cupriavidus necator is one of the few biotechnologically-relevant hosts that can grow on formate, but it uses the Calvin cycle, the high ATP cost of which limits biomass and product yields. Here, we redesign C. necator metabolism for formate assimilation via the synthetic, highly ATP-efficient reductive glycine pathway. First, we demonstrate that the upper pathway segment supports glycine biosynthesis from formate. Next, we explore the endogenous route for glycine assimilation and discover a wasteful oxidation-dependent pathway. By integrating glycine biosynthesis and assimilation we are able to replace C. necator's Calvin cycle with the synthetic pathway and achieve formatotrophic growth. We then engineer more efficient glycine metabolism and use short-term evolution to optimize pathway activity. The final growth yield we achieve (2.6 gCDW/mole-formate) nearly matches that of the WT strain using the Calvin Cycle (2.9 gCDW/mole-formate). We expect that further rational and evolutionary optimization will result in a superior formatotrophic C. necator strain, paving the way towards realizing the formate bio-economy.

Assessment of macular capillary perfusion in patients with inactive Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: an optical coherence tomography angiography study.

PURPOSE: To assess macular capillary perfusion in patients with inactive Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: A total of 51 eyes of 51 patients with inactive VKH (group 1, n = 23) and healthy volunteers (group 2, n = 28) underwent detailed eye examination including OCTA (RTVue-XR Avanti) scanning. OCTA images (6 × 6 mm) were assessed for central retinal thickness (CRT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), vessel densities (VD) in superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), choriocapillaris (CC) flow area and vessel flow density (VFD), foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area and acircularity index (AI). RESULTS: The mean ages of group 1 (13 female, 10 male) and group 2 (15 female, 13 male) were 39.9 ± 11.8 (range, 24-58) and 38.9 ± 8.5 (range, 29-51) years, respectively (p = 0.773). CRT and SFCT were 218.2 ± 39.4 µm and 195.6 ± 28.6 µm in group 1, while 243.5 ± 9.7 µm and 316.7 ± 20.1 µm in group 2, respectively (p < 0.05). VD in SCP and DCP were significantly lower in group 1 (50.6 ± 4.7% vs. 54.3 ± 3.4% and 53.9 ± 3.6% vs. 61.1 ± 2.7% respectively; p < 0.05). FAZ areas were 0.32 ± 0.11 mm2 in group 1 and 0.25 ± 0.06 mm2 in group 2 (p = 0.046). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding AI, CC flow area, and VFD (p > 0.05). There was weak negative correlation between BCVA (logMAR) and parafoveal and perifoveal VD in SCP and DCP of group 1 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Macular capillary perfusion was significantly reduced both in SCP and DCP in patients with inactive VKH disease.