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ObjectivesTo analyze the choriocapillaris vessel density (CVD) of eyes at different stages of Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).MethodsThis is a prospective observational cross-sectional study on 21 age-matched healthy eyes and 84 eyes with AMD (i.e., early AMD, late AMD, Geographic Atrophy [GA], and disciform scar AMD). OCTA was used to automatically measure the CVD (%), on both the whole macula and the foveal area, in a layer going from 9 µm above to 30 µm below the Bruch’s membrane. Furthermore, in the GA subgroup, the extension of the Ellipsoid Zone (EZ) interruption and the area of macular chorio-retinal atrophy was analyzed.ResultsMacular CVD was significantly lower in the GA, late AMD and disciform scar AMD-subgroups compared to controls (respectively, p=0.0052; pConclusionsOCTA could play a crucial role in the categorization of AMD, allowing for the evaluation of gradual flow impairment at different stages of the disease. Moreover, the detection of a decreased macular and foveal CVD may shed light on the pathogenesis of AMD.

When Italian women were granted the right to vote on 1 February 1945, clandestine prostitutes, the so-called segnorine, were excluded from this form of active citizenship. The article explores this...

The study of the relationship between the Anglo-American troops and Italian women allows us to focus on important aspects of the transition from Fascism to the Italian Republic, related to the slow dissolution of the state of war: the perpetuation of rapes committed by the occupation troops and the increase of prostitution for Gls. Both phenomena were perceived as a violation of national honour. This argument led to racist and stereotyping discourse and practices, with the goal of protecting the boundaries of the community. The case study of Livorno, the city symbol of the segnorine, is undoubtedly relevant for the analysis of these dynamics.

Recent studies show that alexithymia may influence compliance and quality of life in different clinical situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between alexithymia or emotional self-efficacy and compliance, quality of life (QoL) and renal function in renal transplant patients. Methods Forty-three patients were enrolled during a follow-up visit (> 3 months post-transplant) and were asked to complete three self-report questionnaires (TAS-20, SF-36, RESE) to answer the following items: “In the past four weeks, how many times did you fail to take your prescribed dose?” and “How would you rate your adherence levels from 0 to 100?” (visual analogue scale). Results Alexithymia was positively correlated with non-compliance (r = .314; p = .04), and negatively with QoL dimensions. Analysis of variance confirmed that patients with high levels of alexithymia reported a negative perception of their QoL (mental health: F(1,41) = 7,6; p = .008) and lower levels of compliance (F(1,41) = 12,5; p = .001) compared with patients with low levels of alexithymia. The self-efficacy in the management of negative emotions was significantly correlated (r = − .314; p = .04) with creatinine levels and positively with the QoL (mental health: r = .421; p = .005). Discussion The inability to recognize and express emotions, as well as the ability to manage negative emotions, may influence compliance and QoL of renal transplant patients. Focused psychological support could be useful in these patients in order to increase their compliance and QoL.

Purpose To evaluate the biocompatibility of the Flexivue Microlens intracorneal inlay based on healing of corneal wounds and analysis of corneal structural features using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Setting Ophthalmology Department, Misericordia e Dolce Hospital, Prato, Italy. Design Case series. Methods The intracorneal inlay was inserted in a stromal pocket created in the nondominant eye of emmetropic presbyopic patients using a femtosecond laser. In vivo confocal microscopy and AS-OCT examinations were performed preoperatively and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results The mean follow-up was 7.6 months. In the early postoperative period, IVCM showed intense cellular activity in the stroma around the inlay, edema, inflammation, and degenerative material deposition but normal regularity after 12 months. Anterior segment OCT showed a regular planar shape of the corneal pocket in all eyes. The mean of the side-cut angles was 30.7 degrees. The mean difference between the measured and planned pocket depth was 9.77 μm. At 1 month, hyperreflective areas beneath the inlay and microfolds were observed in 21 of the 52 eyes. After 12 months, the anterior segment profile was regular and interface pocket reflectivity decreased over time. Six patients had inlay removal postoperatively (3 before 6 months; 3 before 12 months); after removal, IVCM and AS-OCT showed clear corneas without signs of irregularity. Conclusion In vivo confocal microscopy and AS-OCT analysis showed that the inlay elicited a low-level wound-healing response in its immediate vicinity with no alteration in the corneal structures. Financial Disclosure Dr. M. Fantozzi is a member of the Presbia medical advisory board. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.