Investigation of Effects of Two Chronic Stress Protocols on Depression-Like Behaviors and Brain Mineral Levels in Female Rats: an Evaluation of 7-Day Immobilization Stress

We aimed to investigate the effects of two different chronic immobilization stress protocols on depression-related behaviors and brain mineral levels. Adult female Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups as follows (n = 10/group): control, immobilization stress-1 (45 min daily for 7 days), and immobilization stress-2 (45 min twice a day for 7 day). Stress-related behavior was evaluated by means of the forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT). Minerals were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. In the FST, swimming and immobility were significantly lower in the immobilization stress-1 and immobilization stress-2 groups. The climbing duration of the immobilization stress-2 group was higher than the control group. In the OFT, percentage of time spent in the central area was significantly lower in the immobilization stress-1 and immobilization stress-2 groups. Values of latency to center area, rearing, and grooming did not significantly differ between groups. In the immobilization stress-1 group, zinc was lower, and iron, copper, and manganese were higher than the control group. In the immobilization stress-2 group, copper and manganese were higher, and phosphate was lower than the control group. Our results showed that depression-related behaviors were more dominant in the immobilization stress-1 group. A decrease in the brain zinc level was valid only for the immobilization stress-1 group. These results point to the role of low brain zinc levels in the pathophysiology of depression.

Comparison of the effect of ranibizumab and dexamethasone implant on serous retinal detachment in diabetic macular edema

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) and intravitreal dexamethasone implant (IDI) on neurosensory retinal detachment (SRD) associated with diabetic macular edema (DME) in the early treatment period.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, interventional, case-control study. After three monthly loading doses of IVR or an initial IDI injection, the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT) on OCT, and presence and height of SRD were evaluated.

RESULTS

The IVR and IDI groups consisted of 101 and 35 eyes, respectively. The mean changes in CMT in the IVR and IDI groups were 204.4±176.6 and 311.4±163, respectively (P<0.001). The mean changes in SRD height in the IVR and IDI groups were 133.6±92.1 and 168.6±103.9μm, respectively. The decrease in SRD height was significantly greater in the IDI group than in the IVR group (P=0.002). The SRD resolved completely in 72.2% and 71.4% of the patients in the IVR and IDI groups, respectively (P=0.9).

CONCLUSION

The mean reduction in CMT and SRD height was greater in the IDI group than in the IVR group. There was a negative correlation between baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and SRD height and also between BCVA and CMT.

The time of resolution and the rate of recurrence in acute central serous chorioretinopathy following spontaneous resolution and low-fluence photodynamic therapy: a case-control study

PurposeTo evaluate the resolution time and the recurrence rate of acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) after spontaneous resolution and low-fluence photodynamic therapy (PDT).MethodsCase-control study: The CSC patients who were admitted to our clinic for the first time were included. No treatment was given during the first 6 months. Patients were treated with PDT after 6 months from the initial signs of the disease, if they did not show any sign of resolution. The patients who showed a significant decrease in subretinal fluid after month 6 were not scheduled for PDT. The primary outcomes were the resolution time and the recurrence rate after the first episode. Secondary outcome measures were the change in BCVA and CRT during the follow up.ResultsA total of 77 consecutive eyes of 77 patients were included, 41 eyes (53.2%) with spontaneously resolved CSC and 36 eyes (46.8%) with PDT-treated CSC. The initial resolution time was 4.1±3.2 months in spontaneous resolution group, and 8.1±0.8 months in PDT group, respectively (P<0.001). The recurrence rate was 51.2% in spontaneous resolution group, and 25% in PDT group (P=0.01). The change in BCVA from baseline to the last follow-up visit was statistically significant in both groups (P=0.002, P=0.003, respectively). The change in CRT from baseline to the last follow up was also statistically significant in both groups (P=0.002, P=0.003, respectively).ConclusionsThe recurrence rate of acute CSC was lower in PDT-treated patients than the spontaneously resolved patients.

The role of indocyanine green angiography imaging in further differential diagnosis of patients with nAMD who are morphologically poor responders to ranibizumab in a real-life setting

PurposeTo evaluate the neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in patients who were morphologically poor responders to intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) treatment using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) for further investigation.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, retrospective study. The patients with an initial diagnosis of nAMD who made through the clinical examination, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography imaging, and were treated with at least three monthly IVR injections that resulted with a morphological poor response, were included. ICGA was obtained from the patients and evaluated in regard to differential diagnosis of other macular diseases, which might mimic nAMD.ResultsThe study included 132 eyes of 117 patients. The mean age was 67.4±9.4 years. After ICGA imaging, 13 eyes (9.8%) were diagnosed as true nAMD, 74 eyes (56.1%) as polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), 35 eyes (26.5%) as chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC), 3 eyes (2.3%) as retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP), 3 eyes (2.3%) as choroidal neovascularization secondary to CSC, 2 eyes (1.5%) as adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy, and 2 eyes (1.5%) as drusenoid pigment epithelial detachment with vitelliform material, respectively. The duration between the initial diagnosis and the revised diagnosis was 15.6±10.5 months in the non-AMD group, and the mean injection number of these patients was 6.6±4.4.ConclusionsMost of the nAMD patients who were thought to be morphologically poor responders to IVR were diagnosed as having non-AMD diseases via ICGA. A detailed differential diagnostic work-up is needed before considering these patients as poor responders.

Ocular imaging findings of bilateral optic disc pit in a child

BACKGROUND

To report a rare condition of bilateral optic disc pit in a child.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A ten-year-old female was admitted with a complaint of headache. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes (OU). Anterior segment examination was normal in OU. Fundus examination revealed optic disc pit (ODP) located temporally with a diameter of 1/5 disc diameter in OU. Intraocular pressure was within normal limits in both eyes. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed a loss of retinal tissue at the site corresponding to the ODP in both eyes. Retinal nerve fiber OCT revealed decreased RNFL thickness at the temporal side of the optic nerve, corresponding to the ODP in both eyes. The patient and patient's parents were informed about the disease and called for follow-up examinations every 6 months. In addition, the family was informed about optic pit maculopathy (OPM) and, they were told to return immediately if the patient ever complained of decreased vision in either of her eyes. After a follow-up period of 12 months, visual acuity remained stable, and no complications secondary to ODP were detected.

CONCLUSION

Optic disc pit is diagnosed incidentally unless it is complicated with OPM. The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is decreased at the side of the optic nerve corresponding to the ODP.

Traumatic scleral wound dehiscence with filtering bleb formation after surgical repair of penetrating globe injury

Backgropund: Filtering bleb formation after surgical repair of penetrating globe injury is a rare occurrence. Case: A 45-year-old male who had undergone surgical repair of a corneoscleral laceration 16 months earlier presented to emergency room after blunt trauma to the left eye. His best-corrected visual acuities were 20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left. An anterior segment examination found a conjunctival filtering bleb formation on scarred sclera at superotemporal location near the limbus. Anterior chamber was slightly shallow and the Seidel test was negative. Intraocular pressures were 17 mm Hg in the right eye, 7 mm Hg in the left. The fundus examination revealed no abnormal findings. The patient was treated with topical aplication of a steroid and a cycloplegic drop during three weeks. After 16 months follow-up, the visual acuity remained unchanged with the persistence of filtering bleb. IOP was 8 mm Hg in the left eye. Follow-up examinations showed no complications related to trauma. Conclusion: Blunt ocular trauma can cause dehiscence in old scleral scars and subsequent filtering bleb formation. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):136-137 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7843