Management of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) in dogs with diamond burr debridement and placement of a bandage contact lens

Objective To describe the outcome of canine spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCED) treated with diamond burr debridement (DBD) and bandage contact lens placement (BCL). Animal studied Forty eyes of 36 dogs presenting to a single private practice. Procedures A retrospective review of medical records was performed. Cases were eligible for inclusion if they were newly diagnosed with SCCED by a veterinary ophthalmologist and treated with DBD/BCL. All patients received a complete ocular examination followed by DBD using a battery‐powered, handheld motorized burr (Algerbrush^®, Alger Equipment Company, Lago Vista, TX, USA). A BCL was placed post‐debridement in all patients. Data were analyzed for sex, age, breed, duration of clinical signs prior to DBD; number of debridements required before healing was achieved; contact lens retention, complications attributed to DBD, and additional surgical interventions were required to achieve healing. Results The median time to first recheck examination was 7 days (IQR 7–9 days) with 28/40 (70%) of cases healed at this examination. The mean time to second recheck examination was 15.5 ± 5.5 days with 37/40 (92.5%) healed by this examination. The median time to final recheck examination was 19 days (IQR 18–35.5 days) with a range of 18–52 days. All cases resolved by the third and final recheck examination. A second DBD/BCL was performed in 5/40 (12.5%) of cases. The BCL retention rate was 95% over all examination time points. No case required a keratectomy or other surgical intervention to achieve healing. The only complication observed was one case of suspected bacterial keratitis post‐DBD/BCL. Conclusions Results suggest that DBD/BCL is safe and effective for treatment of canine SCCED.     

Congenital cataracts and persistent hyaloid vasculature in a llama (Lama glama)

A 9-month-old llama was evaluated for apparent blindness. Bilateral cataracts were diagnosed and cataract surgery was performed on the right eye. At the time of surgery persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous, persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis, and a persistent hyaloid artery were observed. Prior to surgery Power Doppler ultrasound revealed a patent tunica vasculosa lentis OS. Despite reports of a poor success rate for llama cataract surgery, through use of careful tissue handling, phacoemulsification, viscoelastic endothelial protectants, anti-inflammatories, and BSS-Plus irrigating solution, vision was successfully restored in both eyes of the llama.     

活化转录因子4基因敲除小鼠完全缺失晶状体致小眼症

旨在研究活化转录因子4(ATF4)基因敲除对小鼠眼睛发育的影响。将小鼠分为野生型(WT)组和ATF4敲除(KO)组,采用器官大体观察和组织病理学分析,明确ATF4基因敲除后对小鼠眼睛发育的影响。结果发现,WT小鼠眼球大小及组织结构正常。而ATF4^-/-小鼠眼球体积缩小;脉络膜和视网膜层层次结构基本存在,各个层次结构紊乱;神经节细胞层细胞数基本正常,约2层细胞,但细胞排列不整齐;内丛状层结构疏松,厚度增加;外核层细胞层次增加,超过10层,同时结构松散、形成裂隙和囊样结构;内核层细胞层次减少、约6层~8层细胞,细胞排列轻度紊乱。整个视网膜在局部形成乳头状突起;脉络膜基本正常,但没有乳头状的睫状突形成。眼球内玻璃体缺失,由水肿的纤维结缔组织构成,中央可见多个小血管。总之,ATF4^-/-小鼠展示了小眼表型,同时ATF4^-/-小鼠眼睛结构异常。     

在解剖镜下利用胶块观察植物花形态的方法

介绍一种使用胶块在解剖镜下观察植物花形态特征的方法与技巧。在解剖镜下利用口香糖胶块对花进行固定,不仅可以自由变换对花的观察与拍照的角度,还可以比较方便地对花进行解剖观察。该方法也可用于果实和种子的微形态观察,并有助于初学者学习掌握植物分类与鉴定技能。