Epigenetics pertains to heritable alterations in gene expression that do not involve modification of the underlying genomic DNA sequence. Historically, the study of epigenetic mechanisms has focused on DNA methylation and histone modifications, but the concept of epigenetics has been more recently extended to include microRNAs as well. Epigenetic patterning is modified by environmental exposure...

Actin filaments play a critical role in the normal physiology of lenticular and retinal cells in the eye. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton has been associated with retinal pathology and lens cataract formation. Ocular toxicity is an infrequent observation in drug safety studies, yet its impact to the drug development process is significant. Recognizing compounds through screening with a pot...

PURPOSE Tear film can be altered by chronic medications that may disrupt the equilibrium responsible for the functioning of the lacrimal gland and ocular surface. The purpose of this study was to determine if antiglaucomatous chronic treatment induced alterations in the tear film and ocular surface. METHODS After informed consent, 21 patients using antiglaucomatous eye drops for more than 8 m...

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the interest of an ophthalmic eyedrop preparation containing a myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor, ML-7, in the treatment of ocular surface. The local protective effect on the inflammation and the increase of corneal permeability induced by benzalkonium (BAK) was evaluated. METHODS An ocular instillation of 10 lL BAK at a concentration of ...

OBJECTIVE To measure the frequency dynamics of cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in healthy subjects and patients with Ménière's disease. STUDY DESIGN A prospective cohort study. SETTING A university teaching hospital. SUBJECTS Eight healthy volunteers (16 ears) and 12 adult patients with unilateral Ménière's disease (8 with definite disease and 4 with probable dis...

PURPOSE To describe conjunctival histopathologic alterations induced by excessive chronic astringent use. METHODS Report of a case with clinical picture, epicutane test results, histologic workup of conjunctival biopsy using conventional staining, and immunohistochemical markers. RESULTS A 45-year-old man using a phenylephrine preparation hourly for years presented with grotesque eye rednes...

Exposure to microgravity causes a bulk fluid shift toward the head, with concomitant changes in blood volume/pressure, and intraocular pressure (IOP). These and other factors, such as intracranial pressure (ICP) changes, are suspected to be involved in the degradation of visual function and ocular anatomical changes exhibited by some astronauts. This is a significant health concern. Here, we de...

PURPOSE To determine the effects of glucocorticoid treatment on the microfilament structure of cultured human trabecular meshwork cells. Topical or systemic administration of glucocorticoids can lead to the development of ocular hypertension and to the development of vision loss, which is clinically similar to primary open angle glaucoma. However, the mechanism(s) by which glucocorticoids cause...

The red reflex test is an important part of the newborn's ocular exam. This study investigated the relationship between red reflex in premature newborns (PN) and factors of the newborn history. It's a descriptive, exploratory, quantitative study conducted in a public maternity in Fortaleza, State of Ceará, with 114 PN between the months of April and May of 2004. For data registration was used a...

Essential monoclonal gammopathy is usually an asymptomatic condition, the characteristics of which have been defined over approximately 70 years of study. It has a known population-attributable risk of undergoing clonal evolution to a progressive, symptomatic B-cell neoplasm. In a very small fraction of patients, the monoclonal immunoglobulin has biophysical characteristics that can lead to tis...