Application of Optical Coherence Tomography and Contrast Sensitivity Test for Observing Fundus Changes of Patients With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension Syndrome

Current approaches in CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing for biomedical and therapeutic applications

A single gene mutation can cause a number of human diseases that affect quality of life. Until the development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) systems, it was challenging to correct a gene mutation to avoid disease by reverting phenotypes. The advent of CRISPR technology has changed the field of gene editing, given its simplicity and intrinsic programmability, surpassing the limitations of both zinc-finger nuclease and transcription activator-like effector nuclease and becoming the method of choice for therapeutic gene editing by overcoming the bottlenecks of conventional gene-editing techniques. Currently, there is no commercially available medicinal cure to correct a gene mutation that corrects and reverses the abnormality of a gene's function. Devising reprogramming strategies for faithful recapitulation of normal phenotypes is a crucial aspect for directing the reprogrammed cells toward clinical trials. The CRISPR-Cas9 system has been promising as a tool for correcting gene mutations in maladies including blood disorders and muscular degeneration as well as neurological, cardiovascular, renal, genetic, stem cell, and optical diseases. In this review, we highlight recent developments and utilization of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in correcting or generating gene mutations to create model organisms to develop deeper insights into diseases, rescue normal gene functionality, and curb the progression of a disease.

Schizophrenia and the retina: Towards a 2020 perspective

BACKGROUND

Differences between people with schizophrenia and psychiatrically healthy controls have been consistently demonstrated on measures of retinal function such as electroretinography (ERG), and measures of retinal structure such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). Since our 2015 review of this literature, multiple new studies have been published using these techniques. At the same time, the accumulation of data has highlighted the "fault lines" in these fields, suggesting methodological considerations that need greater attention in future studies.

METHODS

We reviewed studies of ERG and OCT in schizophrenia, as well as data from studies whose findings are relevant to interpreting these papers, such as those on effects of the following on ERG and OCT data: comorbid medical conditions that are over-represented in schizophrenia, smoking, antipsychotic medication, substance abuse, sex and gender, obesity, attention, motivation, and influences of brain activity on retinal function.

RESULTS

Recent ERG and OCT studies continue to support the hypothesis of retinal structural and functional abnormalities in schizophrenia, and suggest that these are relevant to understanding broader aspects of pathophysiology, neurodevelopment, and neurodegeneration in this disorder. However, there are differences in findings which suggest that the effects of multiple variables on ERG and OCT data need further clarification.

CONCLUSIONS

The retina, as the only component of the CNS that can be imaged directly in live humans, has potential to clarify important aspects of schizophrenia. With greater attention to specific methodological issues, the true potential of ERG and OCT as biomarkers for important clinical phenomena in schizophrenia should become apparent.

Schizophrenia and the retina: Towards a 2020 perspective

BACKGROUND

Differences between people with schizophrenia and psychiatrically healthy controls have been consistently demonstrated on measures of retinal function such as electroretinography (ERG), and measures of retinal structure such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). Since our 2015 review of this literature, multiple new studies have been published using these techniques. At the same time, the accumulation of data has highlighted the "fault lines" in these fields, suggesting methodological considerations that need greater attention in future studies.

METHODS

We reviewed studies of ERG and OCT in schizophrenia, as well as data from studies whose findings are relevant to interpreting these papers, such as those on effects of the following on ERG and OCT data: comorbid medical conditions that are over-represented in schizophrenia, smoking, antipsychotic medication, substance abuse, sex and gender, obesity, attention, motivation, and influences of brain activity on retinal function.

RESULTS

Recent ERG and OCT studies continue to support the hypothesis of retinal structural and functional abnormalities in schizophrenia, and suggest that these are relevant to understanding broader aspects of pathophysiology, neurodevelopment, and neurodegeneration in this disorder. However, there are differences in findings which suggest that the effects of multiple variables on ERG and OCT data need further clarification.

CONCLUSIONS

The retina, as the only component of the CNS that can be imaged directly in live humans, has potential to clarify important aspects of schizophrenia. With greater attention to specific methodological issues, the true potential of ERG and OCT as biomarkers for important clinical phenomena in schizophrenia should become apparent.

Specialized Diagnostic Investigations to Assess Ocular Status in Hypertensive Diseases of Pregnancy

This review describes specialized diagnostic investigations to assess ocular status in hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. Ocular assessment can aid in early detection for prompt multidisciplinary treatment, obstetric intervention and follow-up. The investigations accurately predict the possible causes of blindness in hypertensive diseases of pregnancy. The investigations include fluorescein angiography, ophthalmodynamometry, fluorophotometry, imaging modalities, OCT, ultrasonography, doppler velocimetry and blood chemistry analysis. The review includes a summary of imaging techniques and related recent developments to assess the neuro-ophthalmic aspects of the disease. The imaging modalities have been instrumental in understanding the complex neuropathophysiological mechanisms of eclamptic seizures. The importance of blood chemistry analysis in hypertensive diseases of pregnancy has been emphasized. The investigations have made a significant contribution in improving the standards of antenatal care and reducing maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.