Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a key therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), improving survival and functional outcomes. However, the variability in results highlights the need for predictive markers to refine patient selection. Biomarkers reflecting inflammation and metabolic stress are gaining recognition for their role in AIS and MT outcomes. To systematically review and synthesize the evidence on biomarkers associated with clinical outcomes in AIS patients undergoing MT. Specific aims include evaluating their relationship with functional recovery (mRS), mortality, infarct volume, hemorrhagic transformation, and complications such as malignant brain edema (MBE) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to identify studies evaluating biomarkers in MT. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched using the following terms: (Marker OR biomarker*) AND (Mechanical Thrombectomy OR endovascular) AND Stroke. Of 2,834 articles identified, 86 met inclusion criteria. Several biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), adenosine deaminase (ADA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), were consistently associated with worse functional outcomes, increased mortality, and higher risk of complications including hemorrhagic transformation and MBE. Multiple biomarkers demonstrate prognostic value in AIS patients undergoing MT. These findings may support risk stratification and individualized care, though further prospective studies are needed to integrate these biomarkers into the clinical practice.

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a mitochondrial cofactor with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may counteract mechanisms implicated in depression, such as oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. We evaluated the efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation on depressive symptoms and fatigue in patients with depression, whether as a primary disorder or in the context of underlying medical illness. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials comparing CoQ10 with placebo or standard treatment in patients diagnosed with depression were eligible, independent of concomitant medical conditions. Outcomes included changes in depressive symptoms and fatigue. Data were pooled using random-effects models, with standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I 2 statistic, and sensitivity analyses were performed using a leave-one-out approach. Results: Five RCTs with 474 participants were included. Three trials enrolled patients with depression associated with significant medical conditions—multiple sclerosis, breast cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome—while 2 included patients with primary depressive disorders (major depression and bipolar disorder). CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared with control (SMD: −0.68; 95% CI: −1.02 to −0.33; P <0.01; I ² =58%), with consistent results across rating scales. Sensitivity analysis indicated that heterogeneity was largely driven by a single study. No significant benefit was observed for fatigue (SMD: −0.33; 95% CI: −1.38 to 0.72; P =0.54; I ² =89%), based on only 2 trials. Conclusions: CoQ10 supplementation may confer moderate improvement in depressive symptoms across diverse populations. However, the evidence for fatigue remains inconclusive.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition associated with intermittent hypoxia, systemic inflammation, and vascular dysfunction; mechanisms implicated in retinal disease pathogenesis. This real-world retrospective cohort study used data from the TriNetX Research Network to assess whether continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy reduces retinal disease incidence among adults with OSA and BMI between 25.0 and 30.0 kg/m². After 1:1 propensity score matching, 101,754 patients were included in the analysis. Retinal outcomes included diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). CPAP use was associated with a modest but statistically significant reduction in DR (3.2% vs. 3.4%, RR: 0.922, p = 0.016) and AMD (2.1% vs. 2.3%, RR: 0.906, p = 0.018), while no significant differences were found for RVO or CSC. These findings support prior evidence linking CPAP to improved retinal microvascular health and suggest a protective effect against specific retinal complications. Limitations include a lack of data on CPAP adherence, OSA severity, and imaging confirmation. Still, this study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary care between sleep and eye health, and the need for further prospective studies to validate CPAP’s role in preventing retinal disease progression in OSA patients.

Introduction: Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide, with age-related cataracts being the most common type. With advancements in digital workflows, new alternative surgical processes aim to enhance efficiency and patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital versus manual workflows for cataract surgery through a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on preoperative assessment time, surgery planning time, intraoperative duration, and transcription frequency. Methods: The study was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines

Functional Optical Balance (FOB) is a novel personalized strategy for intraocular lens (IOL) selection in cataract surgery, designed to reconcile the trade-off between optical quality and spectacle independence. FOB is a core concept aiming to maximize visual performance by treating the two eyes as a synergistic pair. One eye (often the dominant eye) is optimized for pristine optical quality (typically distance vision with a high-contrast monofocal or low-add IOL). In contrast, the fellow eye is optimized for extended depth of focus and pseudoaccommodation (using an extended depth-of-focus or multifocal/trifocal IOL) to reduce dependence on glasses. This review introduces the rationale and theoretical basis for FOB, including the interplay of depth of focus and optical aberrations, binocular summation, ocular dominance, and neuroadaptation. We discuss the clinical implementation of FOB: how the first-eye results guide the second-eye IOL choice in a tailored “mix-and-match” approach, as well as practical workflow considerations such as patient selection, ocular measurements, and decision algorithms. We also review current evidence from the literature on asymmetric IOL combinations (e.g., monofocal plus multifocal, or EDOF plus trifocal), highlighting visual outcomes, patient satisfaction, and remaining evidence gaps. Overall, FOB represents a paradigm shift toward binocular, patient-customized refractive planning. Early clinical reports suggest it can deliver a continuous range of vision without significantly compromising visual quality, though careful patient counseling and case selection are essential. Future directions include the integration of advanced diagnostics, artificial intelligence-driven IOL planning tools, and adaptive optics simulations to refine this personalized approach further. The promise of FOB is to improve cataract surgery outcomes by achieving an optimal balance: one that provides each patient with excellent visual quality and functional vision across distances, tailored to their lifestyle and expectations.