Efficacy and durability of Faricimab in naïve eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate functional and anatomical changes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) treated with a loading dose of faricimab intravitreal injections (IVI). METHODS: 18 eyes of 18 patients with active macular neovascularization (MNV) and nAMD were enrolled at the Ophthalmology Clinic of University G. D'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy. All patients were scheduled for faricimab IVI as per lable. Enrolled patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography. All measurements were evaluated at baseline (T0) , and then monthly up to week 20 (T4). Main outcome measures were changes in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) presence and maximum height (PED-MH), intra-retinal fluid (IRF) presence, subfoveal sub-retinal fluid (SSRF) presence and thickness (SSRFT). RESULTS: BCVA improved and CMT reduced significantly during follow-up (p<0.001). In addition, SFCT decreased significantly (p=0.031). Between T0 and T4, SSRF presence reduced from 55.6% to 16.7% (p=0.045); IRF presence changed from 50% to 22.2% respectively (p=0.074). PED-MH was reduced in 58.8% of patients at T4. At week 20 72.3% of patients were in the q12/q16 interval. CONCLUSION: Faricimab showed efficacy in the treatment of naïve nAMD patients with an improvement of anatomical and functional parameters and a treatment interval after the loading phase equal or greater than 12 weeks in the majority of patients.

Impact of vitreomacular interface on intravitreal Brolucizumab efficacy in age-related macular neovascularization.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the influence of vitreoretinal interface (VRI) on the outcome of Brolucizumab intravitreal injections (IVBr) in patients with age-related macular neovascularization (MNV). METHODS: 40 eyes of 40 patients with active-naive MNV candidates to IVBr were enrolled at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University "G. d'Annunzio," Chieti-Pescara, Italy. Based on the VRI condition, 20 patients were included in the G0 group (without evidence of VRI alterations), whereas 20 patients were enrolled in the G1 group (with VRI abnormalities). The primary outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT), pigment epithelial detachment presence and maximum height (PEDMH), intraretinal fluid (IRF) presence, subfoveal subretinal fluid (SSRF) presence and thickness (SSRFT), subretinal pigment epithelium fluid (SRPEF) presence and SRPEF thickness (SRPEFT). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in BCVA and SCT between the two groups, although both parameters significantly changed over time (BCVA p 0.005; SCT p < 0.001). No differences in CMT and PEDMH were found between the two groups. SSRF presence showed differences between the two groups at T4 (p 0.044), and IRF presence showed significant differences over time (p 0.008) in favor of MNV eyes without VRI alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant vitreomacular interface disease alterations in eyes treated with IVBr for MNV influenced fluid presence with greater persistence of SSRF and IRF compared to MNV eyes without VRI. Nevertheless, the overall macular thickness and visual function were not significantly different between the two groups.

Black carbon and particulate matter concentrations amid central Chile's extreme wildfires.

The increase in the frequency and severity of global wildfires has been largely influenced by climate change and land use changes. From February 2 to 6, 2024, central Chile experienced its most devastating wildland-urban interface wildfire in history, severely impacting the Valparaíso region. This catastrophic event, which led to extensive forest destruction, the loss of thousands of homes, and over a hundred human fatalities, directly impacted the area surrounding the campus of Federico Santa María Technical University. In that period, an air quality monitoring campaign was set up on the campus to measure black carbon (BC) and particulate matter (PM) during the wildfire season. The monitoring station was located directly within the smoke plume, allowing for the collection of unprecedented air quality data. Extremely high concentrations of BC at 880 nm were reported during the wildfires, with a daily mean (±σ) of 14.83 ± 19.52 µg m-3. Peak concentrations measured at 880 nm and 375 nm reached 812.89 µg m-3 and 1561.24 µg m-3, respectively. The maximum daily mean BC concentrations at these wavelengths were 55 and 99 times higher, respectively, compared to the pre-event period. The mean Ångström absorbing coefficient during the event was 1.66, indicating biomass burning as the primary BC source, while the maximum BC/PM2.5 ratio (at 375 nm) reached 57 %. From February 2 to 5, 2024, PM concentrations exceeded the Chilean air quality standard by 82 % and 198 % for coarse and fine particles, respectively. These levels are 4.7 and 6.0 times higher than the World Health Organization's recommendations. These elevated concentrations persisted for up to three days after the fire was extinguished. This study provides unique evidence of the rapid deterioration of regional air quality during a wildfire event using in situ measurements, serving as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of a warming climate.

Characterisation of delayed severity flares in patients with HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To explore and characterise the clinical phenotype of acute anterior uveitis flares with delayed severity in patients with human leucocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27)-associated anterior uveitis. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients with HLA-B27-associated anterior uveitis. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, as well as the clinical characteristics of acute anterior uveitis flares. A flare was considered to have delayed severity if any of the following criteria were met within 3-21 days of symptomatic onset: a two-step increase in anterior chamber inflammation on consecutive exams; a new development of hypopyon or fibrinoid aqueous reaction on consecutive examinations or a significant worsening of symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 371 patient charts were identified, of which 137 were included. 321 acute anterior uveitis flares were documented, with 36 (11.2%) meeting the criteria for a delayed severity flare. The average time from symptomatic onset was 10.2 days, and patients presented with an average anterior chamber cell grade of 3.5 in delayed severity flares compared with 1.6 in non-delayed severity flares. No significant difference in frequency of delayed severity presentation was noted based on the presence or absence of systemically associated rheumatological disease, papillitis on initial presentation and retinal vasculitis on initial presentation. The frequency of topical steroid therapy after symptomatic onset was not significantly different between the two flare phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study presents the novel characterisation of a delayed severity phenotype of HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis flares.

Microhabitat acclimatization alters sea anemone-algal symbiosis and thermal tolerance across the intertidal zone.

Contemporary symbioses in extreme environments can give an insight into mechanisms that stabilize species interactions during environmental change. The intertidal sea anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima, engages in a nutritional symbiosis with microalgae similar to tropical coral, but withstands more intense environmental fluctuations during tidal inundations. In this study, we compare baseline symbiotic traits and their sensitivity to thermal stress within and among anemone aggregations across the intertidal using a laboratory-based tank experiment to better understand how fixed genotypic and plastic environmental effects contribute to the successful maintenance of this symbiosis in extreme habitats. High intertidal anemones had lower baseline symbiont-to-host cell ratios under control conditions, but their symbionts had higher baseline photosynthetic efficiency compared to low intertidal anemone symbionts. Symbiont communities were identical across all samples, suggesting that shifts in symbiont density and photosynthetic performance could be an acclimatory mechanism to maintain symbiosis in different environments. Despite lower baseline symbiont-to-host cell ratios, high intertidal anemones maintained greater symbiont-to-host cell ratios under heat stress compared with low intertidal anemones, suggesting greater thermal tolerance of high intertidal holobionts. However, the thermal tolerance of clonal anemones acclimatized to different zones was not explained by tidal height alone, indicating additional environmental variables contribute to physiological differences. Host genotype significantly influenced anemone weight, but only explained a minor proportion of variation among symbiotic traits and their response to thermal stress, further implicating environmental history as the primary driver of holobiont tolerance. These results indicate that this symbiosis is highly plastic and may be able to acclimatize to climate change over ecological timescales, defying the convention that symbiotic organisms are more susceptible to environmental stress.

A case of accidental into-the-lens dexamethasone implant: watching or removing?

BACKGROUND: To report a case of cataract surgery in unintentional Ozurdex (Allergan, Inc., Irvine, California, USA) injection into the lens. CASE PRESENTATION: A 82-years old man reporting decreased visual acuity in his right eye came to our Ophthalmology service. Due to the clinical history, and on the basis of ophthalmoscopic and imaging examinations diabetic macular edema was diagnosed. Thus, intravitreal dexamethasone implant was scheduled and therefore performed. The following day Ozurdex appeared to be located into the lens. After careful evaluation and strict follow up examinations, due to the risks associated with the presence of the implant into the lens, phacoemulsification with Ozurdex removal and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was scheduled and performed. CONCLUSIONS: In this case report we reported the surgical management of accidental into-the lens dexamethasone implant carefully taking into account the dexamethasone pharmacokinetic.

Uveoscleral Outflow Routes after MicroPulse Laser Therapy for Refractory Glaucoma: An Optical Coherence Tomography Study of the Sclera.

To analyze in vivo scleral changes induced by MicroPulse transscleral laser therapy (MP-TLT) in refractory glaucoma using anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Forty-two candidate patients for MP-TLT were consecutively enrolled and underwent AS-OCT at baseline and after six months. MP-TLT success was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction by one-third. The main outcome measures were the mean superior (S-), inferior (I-), and total (T-) intra-scleral hypo-reflective space area (MISHA: mm2) and scleral reflectivity (S-SR, I-SR, T-SR; arbitrary scale) as in vivo biomarkers of uveoscleral aqueous humor (AH) outflow. The IOP was the secondary outcome. The relations between the baseline-to-six months differences (D) of DS-MISHA, DI-MISHA, and DT-MISHA and DS-SR, DI-SR, DT-SR, and DIOP, were investigated. At 6 months, the median IOP reduction was 21% in the failures and 38% in the successes. The baseline S-MISHA, I-MISHA, and T-MISHA did not differ between the groups, while S-SR and T-SR were higher in the successes (p < 0.05). At six months, successful and failed MP-TLTs showed a 50% increase in S-MISHA (p < 0.001; p = 0.037), whereas I-SR and T-SR reduced only in the successes (p = 0.002; p = 0.001). When comparing DS-MISHA, DI-MISHA, and DT-MISHA and DS-SR, DI-SR, and DT-SR, there were no significant differences between the groups. In the successful procedures, DIOP was positively correlated with DT-MISHA and DI-MISHA (ρ = 0.438 and ρ = 0.490; p < 0.05). MP-TLT produced potentially advantageous modifications of the sclera in refractory glaucoma. Given the partial correlation between these modifications and post-treatment IOP reduction, our study confirmed that the activation of the uveoscleral AH outflow route could significantly contribute to the IOP lowering after MP-TLT.

Synergistic response to climate stressors in coral is associated with genotypic variation in baseline expression.

As environments are rapidly reshaped due to climate change, phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in the ability of organisms to persist and is considered an especially important acclimatization mechanism for long-lived sessile organisms such as reef-building corals. Often, this ability of a single genotype to display multiple phenotypes depending on the environment is modulated by changes in gene expression, which can vary in response to environmental changes via two mechanisms: baseline expression and expression plasticity. We used transcriptome-wide expression profiling of eleven genotypes of common-gardened Acropora cervicornis to explore genotypic variation in the expression response to thermal and acidification stress, both individually and in combination. We show that the combination of these two stressors elicits a synergistic gene expression response, and that both baseline expression and expression plasticity in response to stress show genotypic variation. Additionally, we demonstrate that frontloading of a large module of coexpressed genes is associated with greater retention of algal symbionts under combined stress. These results illustrate that variation in the gene expression response of individuals to climate change stressors can persist even when individuals have shared environmental histories, affecting their performance under future climate change scenarios.

Baseline imaging characteristics and early structural changes in macula on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Animal models have demonstrated that structural changes affect the macula during peripheral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. This study aimed to assess photoreceptors, retinal and choriocapillaris perfusion in non-macula involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by analyzing en-face images from structural OCTA segmented at the ellipsoid zone (EZ) level, calculating (1) "normalized" reflectivity as a surrogate biomarker of photoreceptor damage (2) perfusion density (PD), vessel length density (VLD) and vessel diameter index (VDI) of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) (3) perfusion density of choriocapillaris (PDCC). Twenty-one eyes affected by macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) were enrolled at the University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti-Pescara. The fellow unaffected eye was used as control. The mean age at the onset of RRD was 60.09 ± 10.22 (range 34-83). Compared with fellow eyes, we found lower EZ "normalized" reflectivity in macula-on (0.42 ± 0.15 in fellow eyes and 0.31 ± 0.09 in macula on p = 0.004). The affected eye was also characterized by impaired perfusion in SCP (17.26 ± 3.34% in macula on and 20.56 ± 3.62% in the fellow eye p = 0.004) and CC (50.21 ± 6.20% in macula on the eye and 57.43 ± 6.20% in the fellow eye p = 0.004). Macula-on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment has subclinical changes in photoreceptors, SCP, and CC. Future longitudinal studies should evaluate if early changes could impact post-operative macular function.

Analysis of Macular Pigment Optical Density in Macular Holes with Different Border Phenotypes.

INTRODUCTION: We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in eyes with idiopathic macular holes with bumpy (bbMH) and smooth borders (sbMH) and to assess the relation between MPOD and optical coherence tomography findings. Thirty eyes from thirty patients affected by idiopathic macular hole were studied. METHODS: All patients underwent SD-OCT and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) analysis. Comparison between the two border phenotypes were estimated at baseline, as well as  the differences in MPOD, minimum and basal hole diameter, tractional hole index (THI), macular hole index (MHI), diameter hole index (DHI), and ELM integrity metrics between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean MPOD was 0.09 ± 0.08 in bbMHs and 0.16 ± 0.11 in sbMHs (p = 0.010). Correlation analysis between MPOD and minimum hole  diameter revealed a negative association (rho = - 0.707, p = 0.008) in bbMH and a positive association (rho = 0.702, p = 0.019) in sbMH. MPOD and basal diameter were negatively correlated in bbMH (rho = - 0.77, p = 0.001) and positively correlated in sbMH (rho = 0.675, p = 0.019). Indeed, MPOD is negatively correlated with THI and MHI in sbMH (rho = - 0.684 p = 0.019; rho = - 0.665 p = 0.019, respectively) and positively correlated in bbMH (rho = 0.593 p = 0.037; rho = 0.658 p = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MPOD is significantly reduced in bbMHs compared to sbMHs. The two border phenotypes also differ for tractional and tangential indexes, possibly reflecting a different pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to understand the prognostic role of MPOD.

Choroidal Vascularity Index Fluctuations in Epiretinal Membranes in Vitreoretinal Surgery: Comparison Between Idiopathic and Diabetic Ones.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze choroidal vascularity index (CVI) fluctuations in patients with epiretinal membrane after vitreoretinal surgery, comparing idiopathic and secondary diabetic ones. Methods: Thirty eyes suffering from idiopathic ERMs (I-ERMS; n = 15) and diabetic ERMs (D-ERMS; n = 15) were analyzed in this observational prospective study. Anatomical (central macular thickness) and functional (best-corrected visual acuity) parameters were analyzed preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months after vitrectomy. Perfusion findings regarding CVI and luminal area were also calculated. Results: At 1 month after surgery, the luminal area and CVI significantly decreased in the I-ERMS group, whereas they were increased in the D-ERMS group. At the 3-month follow-up, the CVI tended to return to baseline values in I-ERMS and to reduce in D-ERMS, but without any statistical differences. Conclusions: The significant change in the CVI after surgery seems to imply that the choroidal layer is affected by vitreomacular disease and can become a novel potential biomarker of predictiveness in vitreoretinal surgery. Translational Relevance: The aim of the study was to focus on the early choroidal changes to better understand initial predictive elements of long-term functional postoperative outcomes.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Brolucizumab in Macular Neovascularization.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate functional and anatomical changes in type 1 and type 2 naïve macular neovascularization (MNV) patients treated with brolucizumab injections up to 1 year of treatment (week 48). METHODS: Thirty-eight eyes of 38 patients with active MNV were enrolled at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University "G. d'Annunzio," Chieti-Pescara, Italy. All patients were scheduled for brolucizumab intravitreal injections as per label, according to the standard HAWK and HARRIER trials guidelines. Enrolled patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography. All measurements were evaluated at baseline and then monthly up to week 48. The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); central macular thickness (CMT); subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT); pigment epithelial detachment presence and maximum height (PEDMH); intraretinal fluid (IRF) presence, subfoveal subretinal fluid (SSRF) presence and maximum height, macular atrophy area, and neovascular membrane flow area in the slab extending from the outer retina to choriocapillaris (ORCC flow). RESULTS: CMT and BCVA significantly changed in both groups over time. ORCC flow and SCT significantly reduced in both groups over time. Atrophy areas increased from 0 to 0.17 mm2 and from 0 to 0.23 mm2 in type 1 MNV and type 2 MNV patients, respectively. PEDMH reduced in type 1 MNV from 138 µm at T0 to 96 µm at T5. Changes in fluids were noted, with SSRF thickness reduction and IRF changes in both groups. CONCLUSION: Our one-year results of treatment confirm brolucizumab to be efficient and safe in both type 1 and type 2 MNV patients, proposing novel OCT parameters as possible biomarkers of treatment.

Indications for Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Behcet Uveitis.

BACKGROUND: Behcet disease is a systemic vasculitis, which may involve the eyes and central nervous system. The true prevalence of neurological involvement is not precisely known but may be associated with ocular involvement. This study investigates the association between Behcet uveitis and neuro-Behcet disease. METHODS: A retrospective single-center analysis was conducted for consecutive patients with Behcet uveitis at the Massachusetts Eye Research and Surgery Institution. Uveitis characteristics, neurological symptoms, fluorescein fundus angiography, and MRI results were recorded. RESULTS: Our population included 108 patients with Behcet uveitis, and 26 (24.1%) were found to have neurological involvement associated with Behcet disease. Optic nerve leakage on fundus angiography and neurological symptoms were associated with an increased risk of neurological involvement. Three cases (11.5%) were nonparenchymal, while 23 (88.5%) were parenchymal with lesions in the cortex, subcortical white matter, thalamus, basal ganglia, and brainstem. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high comorbidity between ocular and neurological involvement in Behcet disease. Careful assessment of neurological symptoms and baseline fluorescein fundus angiography are recommended for patients with Behcet disease. MRI has a high diagnostic yield and should be pursued if there is concern for progressive or pre-existing neurological involvement.

Adipokines from adipose tissue and common variable immunodeficiency: Is there any association?

Adiponectin and leptin are adipokines, secreted by white adipose tissue (WAT), which play an important role in energy homeostasis. Some evidence has shown that adipokine-producing adipose cells present in the bone marrow (BM) appear to exert an influence on hematopoiesis and B cell development. Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is one of the most common inborn errors of immunity in humans. In CVID, numerical and/or functional defects of B cells and their precursors result in hypogammaglobulinemia, usually Immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG. Manifestations of CVID include immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, inflammation and lymphoproliferation, resulting in a wide range of phenotypes. How adipokines interact and influence the pathophysiology of CVID is still unclear. In this review, we seek to summarize the aspects known so far concerning the interface between adipokines, B cells and CVID. More research is needed to fully understand these interactions; this knowledge is a potential avenue for the discovery of useful biomarkers and may provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of patients with CVID and related diseases.

Choroidal and Retinal Vascular Findings in Patients with COVID-19 Complicated with Pneumonia: Widefield Imaging.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze choroidal and retinal vascular alterations of both the macula and midperiphery areas in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection complicated with pneumonia within 30 days from discharge. METHODS: A total of 46 eyes of 23 subjects with a history of symptomatic COVID-19 infection and recent hospitalization for pneumonia were enrolled in this observational study. Patients had not been previously vaccinated against COVID-19. A group of patients homogenous for age and sex was enrolled as controls. Microvascular retinal and choroidal features of the enrolled patients were studied with widefield optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A). Perfusion parameters in terms of the vessel density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) and the choroidal vascularity index (CVI) on enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode OCT scans were analyzed. RESULTS: Our cohort of patients showed a trend of reduction in VD, significantly in the SCP VD of the superior and inferior midperiphery sectors, whereas the CVI did not show significant differences between the cases and controls. Moreover, a positive correlation between CVI and vessel density in the deep capillary plexus in the macular area (VD-DCP-MAC) was found. CONCLUSION: The systemic disease due to COVID-19 can also involve the retina and choroid with multiple mechanisms: ischemic and inflammatory. Our study showed changes in perfusion occurring in the eyes of patients with a recent hospitalization for COVID-19 complicated with pneumonia and without any possible ocular effect due to the vaccines. There is still the need to better comprise how long COVID-19 actually affects vascular changes in the eye.

Choroidal and Retinal Imaging Biomarkers in Different Types of Macular Neovascularization.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) parameters in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and macular neovascularization (MNV) type 1, type 2, and type 3. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 105 treatment-naïve eyes of 105 patients (60 men and 45 women) with a definite diagnosis of active nAMD and MNV of different types and 105 frequency-matched age and gender healthy subjects were evaluated (61 men and 44 women). All subjects underwent a full ophthalmic examination and multimodal imaging assessment, including spectral domain (SD) OCT and OCTA. The main outcome measures were choroidal vascularity index (CVI), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), central macular thickness (CMT), and outer retina to choriocapillaris (ORCC) MNV flow area (ORCCFA). RESULTS: Significant differences were found in terms of CVI, CMT, and ORCCFA between MNV 1 and the two other groups. CVI was significantly different between MNV 1 and healthy control patients (p < 0.001) and between MNV 1 and MNV 2 (p < 0.001). ORCCFA and CMT were significantly different between MNV1 and MNV2 (p < 0.005). The difference in subfoveal CT between the three groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.458). A significant negative correlation was found between CVI and ORCCFA. Furthermore, CVI showed a positive correlation with subfoveal CT.

Two-surgeon, two-center evaluation of a new combined EDOF intraocular lens approach.

PURPOSE: To evaluate visual performance and quality of life after bilateral implantation of 2 extended depth-of-focus intraocular lenses (EDOF IOLs). SETTING: Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Ageing, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Italy, and Ophthalmic Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: 60 eyes of 30 patients with senile cataract were enrolled in this study. Patients underwent phacoemulsification and bilateral implantation of the Mini WELL IOL in the dominant eye and the Mini WELL PROXA IOL in the nondominant eye within a month. The main outcome measures over a 3-month follow-up period were uncorrected and corrected visual acuity at different distances (33 cm, 60 cm, and 4 m), defocus curve, contrast sensitivity, and patient satisfaction (evaluated by mean of the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality-of-Life instrument-42 questionnaire). RESULTS: Binocular uncorrected visual acuity at 90 days was 0.03 ± 0.11 logMAR for long distance, 0.05 ± 0.10 logMAR for intermediate distance, 0.03 ± 0.08 logMAR at 40 cm, and 0.06 ± 0.08 logMAR at 33 cm. Statistically significant differences between the 2 EDOF IOLs in favor of Mini WELL PROXA IOL were observed for uncorrected near visual acuity at 40 and 33 cm ( P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and for distance-corrected near visual acuity at 40 cm ( P < .001). Significant differences between the 2 IOLs in the defocus curves were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In this small pilot study, bilateral implantation of Mini WELL IOL and Mini WELL PROXA IOL achieved good quantity and quality of vision.

Choroidal modifications assessed by means of choroidal vascularity index after oral eplerenone treatment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To investigate choroidal vascularity index (CVI) changes after oral eplerenone treatment in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC) using the Spectral-domain (SD)-Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. METHODS: Thirty-six eyes of 18 patients suffering from cCSC with monolateral foveal subretinal fluid (FSRF) successfully treated with oral eplerenone treatment and 18 age-matched healthy subjects were enroled in this retrospective study. EDI-OCT images obtained using Heidelberg Spectralis OCT device in patients with cCSC and FSRF (group 1); fellow eye (group 2) or healthy patients (healthy) were exported and then imported into image analysis ImageJ software for subsequent quantitative analysis. The main outcome measures were luminal area (LA) and CVI. RESULTS: A higher value of CVI was detected in group 1 compared to healthy eyes (p = 0.006). LA and CVI significantly reduced during follow up in group 1 and group 2. LA at 120 days was significantly lower compared to all previous time points both in group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.001). Median and [1st -3rd quartile] CVI values were 0.8 [0.7; 1.1] at baseline, 0.8 [0.7; 0.9] at 30 days; 0.7 [0.6; 0.9] at 60 and 90 days and 0.6 [0.5; 0.8] at 120 days in group 1 (p = 0.007) and 0.7 [0.6; 0.9] at baseline, 0.7 [0.7; 0.8] at 30 days; 0.7 [0.6; 0.7] at 60 and 90 days and 0.6 [0.6; 0.7] at 120 days in group 2 (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Choroidal vascularity index reduced in cCSC patients after oral eplerenone treatment during follow up both in eyes with SRF and fellow eyes thus demonstrating the effectiveness of mineral corticoid receptor antagonists in recovering choroidal morphology.

Evidence for adaptive morphological plasticity in the Caribbean coral, Acropora cervicornis.

Genotype-by-environment interactions (GxE) indicate that variation in organismal traits cannot be explained by fixed effects of genetics or site-specific plastic responses alone. For tropical coral reefs experiencing dramatic environmental change, identifying the contributions of genotype, environment, and GxE on coral performance will be vital for both predicting persistence and developing restoration strategies. We quantified the impacts of G, E, and GxE on the morphology and survival of the endangered coral, Acropora cervicornis, through an in situ transplant experiment exposing common garden (nursery)-raised clones of ten genotypes to nine reef sites in the Florida Keys. By fate-tracking outplants over one year with colony-level 3D photogrammetry, we uncovered significant GxE on coral size, shape, and survivorship, indicating that no universal winner exists in terms of colony performance. Rather than differences in mean trait values, we found that individual-level morphological plasticity is adaptive in that the most plastic individuals also exhibited the fastest growth and highest survival. This indicates that adaptive morphological plasticity may continue to evolve, influencing the success of A. cervicornis and resulting reef communities in a changing climate. As focal reefs are active restoration sites, the knowledge that variation in phenotype is an important predictor of performance can be directly applied to restoration planning. Taken together, these results establish A. cervicornis as a system for studying the ecoevolutionary dynamics of phenotypic plasticity that also can inform genetic- and environment-based strategies for coral restoration.

Appraising Multinuclear Cu2+ Structure Formation in Cu-CHA SCR Catalysts via Low-T Dry CO Oxidation with Modulated NH3 Solvation.

Cu2+ ions (ZCu2+ (OH)- , Z2 Cu2+ ) are regarded as the NH3 -SCR (SCR=selective catalytic reduction) active site precursors of Cu-exchanged chabazite (CHA) which is among the best available catalysts for the abatement of NOx from Diesel engines. During SCR operation, copper sites undergo reduction (Reduction half-cycle, RHC: Cu2+ →Cu+ ) and oxidation (Oxidaton half-cycle, OHC: Cu+ →Cu2+ ) semi cycles, whose associated mechanisms are still debated. We recently proposed CO oxidation to CO2 as an effective method to probe the formation of multinuclear Cu2+ species as the initial low-T RHC step. NH3 pre-adsorption determined a net positive effect on the CO2 production: by solvating ZCu2+ (OH)- ions, ammonia enhances their mobility, favoring their coupling to form binuclear complexes which can catalyze the reaction. In this work, dry CO oxidation experiments, preceded by modulated NH3 feed phases, clearly showed that CO2 production enhancements are correlated with the extent of Cu2+ ion solvation by NH3 . Analogies with the SCR-RHC phase are evidenced: the NH3 -Cu2+ presence ensures the characteristic dynamics associated with a second order kinetic dependence on the oxidized Cu2+ fraction. These findings provide novel information on the NH3 role in the low-T SCR redox mechanism and on the nature of the related active catalyst sites.