Deficiency of estradiol during the menopausal period is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, including various optic neuropathies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of surgical menopause on the function and survival ratio of RGCs in the rat model of ONC (optic nerve crush). We used eight-week-old female Long Evans rats, divided into two main groups depending on the time between ovariectomy procedure (OVA) and euthanasia (two weeks vs. seven weeks), and subgroups—OVA, OVA + ONC, or ONC. Retinal function was assessed with electroretinography (ERG). RGC loss ratio was evaluated using immunolabelling and counting of RGCs. Seven weeks after OVA, the menopause morphologically affected interneurons but not RGC; however, when the ONC procedure was applied, RGCs appeared to be more susceptible to damage in case of deprivation of estrogens. In our analysis, PhNR (photopic negative responses) were severely diminished in the OVA + ONC group. A deprivation of estrogens in menopause results in accelerated retinal neurodegeneration that firstly involves retinal interneurons. The lack of estrogens increases the susceptibility of RGCs to insults.

Introduction: Prostaglandin analogs are the first line of treatment in patients with glaucoma. Recently, many preservative-free prostaglandin analogs have been marketed to increase their tolerance in chronic use. However, potentially safer formulations have been reported to induce inflammation within ocular surface and adnexa, associated with pronounced activation of tissue macrophages. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the effect of a Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) inhibitor, MF-438, on the differentiation of monocytes exposed to eye drop detergents, representing saturated fatty acid derivatives. Methods: A culture of human peripheral blood monocytes was exposed to eye drops containing fatty acid derivatives (eye drop detergents), pf-latanoprost (Monoprost^®, hydroxystearate macrogolglycerol – MGHS40) or pf-tafluprost (Taflotan^®, polysorbate 80 – PS80), as well as pf-latanoprost+MF-438, MGHS40, and PS80. For the negative control C(-), monocytes were cultured in basal medium, and for the positive controls, monocytes were stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Interferon γ (IFNγ) (M1 macrophages) or Interleukin-4 (IL-4) (M2 macrophages). The concentration of desaturase in the cell homogenates was determined by ELISA. The number of cells was counted under a microscope at 20x magnification. Results: The following concentrations of SCD1 (ng/mL) were measured: 7.8± 0.3 – pf-latanoprost group; 1.5± 0.4 – pf-tafluprost group; 6.8± 0.7 – MGHS40 group; 0.4± 0.002 – PS80 group; 0.9± 0.02 – pf-latanoprost+MF-438 group; 5.4± 1.6 – C(-) control; 0.5± 0.04 – M1 control; 2.2± 0.13 – M2 control. The percentages of macrophages in culture were 33.6%, 17.6%, 33%, 0%, 13.5%, 18.6%, 36.3%, and 39.3% for the pf-latanoprost, pf-tafluprost, MGHS40, PS80, pf-latanoprost+MF-438, C(-), M1, and M2 cultures, respectively. There was a strong correlation between SCD1 concentration and macrophage count in the culture (r=0.8, p< 0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of SCD1 in monocytes prevents their transformation into macrophages after exposure to saturated fatty acid derivatives contained in eye drops, which may contribute to the limitation of latent inflammation within ocular adnexa and could possibly translate into better tolerability of the topical treatment.

Right hemicolectomy (RH) is a common procedure for both benign and malignant colic disease. Different anastomotic types are performed during this procedure. To assess the association between anastomotic type and postoperative complications (PC) in patients undergoing RH. Retrospective analysis of medical records of 72 patients (39 female and 33 male), aged 24 to 93, undergoing open RH in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery. Data regarding anastomotic type [end-to-end anastomosis, side-to-side (SSA), end-to-side anastomosis, and side-to-end anastomosis (SEA)], and different clinical factors were collected. There were 21 (29%) end-to-end anastomosis, 25 (35%) SSA, 15 (21%) end-to-side anastomosis, and 11 (15%) SEA in the analyzed group. Adenocarcinoma G2 was the most frequent indication for RH - 30 (42%). Total duration of hospitalization (in days) was the longest (14, 26) after SEA and the shortest (12, 68) after SSA. PC were noted in 17(24%) patients. Wound infection was the most common complication noted in 15(21%) patients. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 7% (5/72). PC were the most frequent after SEA noted in 64% (7/11) including abdominal bleeding and bowel perforation. The overall reoperations rate was 6% (4/72). The overall mortality rate was 4% (3/72). SEA was associated with the highest incidence of postoperative complication however based on this and other studies there are no satisfying conclusions regarding the best choice of anastomosis.

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter involved in visual processing. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Escitalopram, enhance serotonergic transmission and exert neuroprotective effects. Although these actions are well established in the central nervous system, their influence on retinal neurons remains unclear. This study investigated whether Escitalopram provides neuroprotection to retinal neurons following ischemic injury. Rats received Escitalopram or vehicle for 12 weeks. Retinal ischemia was induced by unilateral episcleral vein cauterization. A subset of animals received a retrobulbar injection of meclofenamic acid (MFA). Retinal function was assessed using electroretinography, intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored, and retinas were collected for immunofluorescence and Western blot. Cauterization increased IOP in both groups, inducing retinal blood flow disturbances. Immunofluorescence showed a reduced number of retinal ganglion cells after cauterization, which was alleviated by SSRI treatment. Escitalopram also elevated expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Electroretinography revealed improved photopic negative response (PhNR) amplitudes in Escitalopram-treated rats, indicating improved retinal ganglion cell function. Following MFA, PhNR remained stable in SSRI-treated animals, whereas a significant impairment was observed in the vehicle-treated group. These findings demonstrate that Escitalopram provides neuroprotection by reducing both functional and structural damage in the retina and may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for retinal neurodegeneration.

Introduction: Cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators (CRT-D) are implanted mostly in patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and wide QRS. In such subjects, there is often a concomitant right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, which has been associated with higher long-term mortality. However, data on the association between RV dysfunction and arrhythmic outcomes in patients with CRT-D are scarce. Purpose: To define whether there is any association between right ventricular dysfunction and antiarrhythmic therapies or all-cause mortality in patients with HF and CRT-D. Methods: The clinical and demographic data of patients enrolled in this study were obtained from the single-centre COMMIT-HF registry. The parameters regarding right ventricular function, such as right ventricle dimension (RVD), tricuspid annular systolic plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were obtained from electronic patients’ records. The data on the long-term hard endpoints were obtained from the national healthcare provider, while the data on the risk of arrhythmic events, CRT-D shocks and antitachycardia pacing (ATP) were obtained from investigator-initiated and -adjudicated single-centre remote monitoring database updated annually. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of the study outcomes, being all-cause death, and the occurrence of appropriate and inappropriate CRT-D therapies. Results: During the period between July, 2009 and November, 2019, 335 patients were enrolled at the RM programme after implantation of CRT-D. Of them, during the median (Q1-Q3) follow-up period of 5.3 (2.8-6.6) years, (113 (33.7%) died, 111 (33.1%) received appropriate and 37 (11%) inappropriate therapies. In the multivariable analysis, the independent predictors of all-cause death were reduction in LVEF and increase in RVSP. Lower age and increased LVEDD were independent predictors of appropriate therapies, while lower age and increased RVSP were independent predictors of inappropriate therapies. No association between TAPSE and RVD and outcomes was found. Conclusions: Among right ventricular dysfunction parameters, RVSP is an independent predictor of inappropriate therapies and all-cause death, but not of appropriate therapies in patients with HF and CRT-D.