solanacearum. This study highlights a new role for cytokinin in root immunity, paving the way for future research that will help in understanding the mechanisms underpinning root defenses.

Bilateral anterior capsulotomy (BAC) is an effective surgical option for patients with treatment-resistant major depression (TRMD) and treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (TROCD). The size of the lesion and its precise dorsal-ventral location within the anterior limb of the internal capsule (ALIC) remain undefined.

To present a method to identify the trajectories of the associative and limbic white matter pathways within the ALIC for targeting in BAC surgery.

Using high-definition tractography, we prospectively tested the feasibility of this method in 2 patients with TRMD and TROCD to tailor the capsulotomy lesion to their limbic pathway.

The trajectories of the associative and limbic pathways were identified in the ALIC of both patients and we targeted the limbic pathways by defining the dorsal limit of the lesion in a way to minimize the damage to the associative pathways. The final lesions were smaller than those that have been previously published. This individualized procedure was associated with long-term benefit in both patients.

Tractography-guided capsulotomy is feasible and was associated with long-term benefit in patients with TRMD and TROCD.

Tractography-guided capsulotomy is feasible and was associated with long-term benefit in patients with TRMD and TROCD.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible blindness in older adults, appears to have no effective preventive measures. The common antidiabetic drug metformin has been shown to have protective outcomes in multiple age-associated diseases and may have the potential to protect against the development of AMD.

To determine whether metformin use is associated with reduced odds of developing AMD.

This case-control study of patients from a nationwide health insurance claims database included a population-based sample of patients. Those aged 55 years and older with newly diagnosed AMD from January 2008 to December 2017 were defined as cases and matched with control participants. Data analyses were completed from June 2019 to February 2020.

Dosage of metformin and exposure to other prescribed medications, as identified from outpatient drug claims.

Risk of developing AMD.

A total of 312 404 affected individuals were included (181 817 women [58.2%]). After matching, 312 376 concoexisting diabetic retinopathy. This study suggests that metformin may be useful as a preventive therapy for AMD and provides the basis for potential prospective clinical trials.

Molecular testing is increasingly used to identify malignancy in thyroid nodules (especially indeterminate category). Measurement of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels from plasma has been useful in diagnosis of cancers of other organs/tissues; herein we analyze cfDNA levels in patients with thyroid nodules to explore the possibility of establishing a cutoff for identification of malignancy.

Patients underwent ultrasonography (USG) and USG-guided fine needle aspiration as well as surgery, where indicated. Cell-free DNA was extracted from plasma and quantified. In initial analysis (determination of cutoff), cfDNA levels were compared between Bethesda 2 and Bethesda 5 &6 to establish a cutoff value that could differentiate malignant from benign nodules. In the subsequent analysis, the aforementioned cutoff was applied (validation of cutoff) to those with indeterminate nodules to check ability to predict malignancy.

Fine needle aspiration (n = 119) yielded patients with Bethesda 2 (n = 69) Bethesda 5 & 6 (n = 13) who underwent histopathological confirmation. Cell-free DNA levels in these 2 groups were 22.85 ± 1.27 and 96.20 ± 8.31 (ng/mL) respectively. A cfDNA cutoff of 67.9 ng/mL, with area under the curve of 0.992 (95% CI, 0.97-1.0) with 100% sensitivity and 93% specificity was established to identify malignant lesions. Indeterminate group (Bethesda 3 & 4) underwent surgery (malignant n = 24), (benign n = 13), and using the previously identified cutoff for cfDNA, we were able to identify malignant lesions with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 92.3%. There was a very strong agreement between cfDNA-based classification with histopathology-based classification of benign and malignant nodules (Cohen’s kappa 0.94; P < 0.001).

Plasma cfDNA estimation could help differentiate malignant from benign thyroid nodules.

Plasma cfDNA estimation could help differentiate malignant from benign thyroid nodules.

Current recommendations are to avoid tissue for corneal transplant from donors with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or those who were recently exposed to COVID-19 owing to the lack of knowledge about the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in corneal tissues. Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 in corneal tissue would seem to have clinical relevance for corneal transplant.

To investigate the presence of viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA in corneal discs of deceased patients with confirmed COVID-19 and assess viral genomic and subgenomic RNA load, possible infectivity, and histologic abnormalities.

A case series was conducted of 11 deceased patients with COVID-19 who underwent autopsy between March 20 and May 14, 2020. Eleven corneal discs (1 corneal disc per patient) were harvested for molecular detection of viral genomic and subgenomic RNA, virus isolation, and immunohistochemistry. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads were compared with RNA loads in the conjunctival and throat swab samples and aquech is necessary to assess the rate of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via corneal transplant.

Viral genomic and subgenomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the cornea of patients with COVID-19 viremia. The risk of COVID-19 infection via corneal transplant is low even in donors with SARS-CoV-2 viremia, but further research is necessary to assess the rate of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via corneal transplant.

To assess quantitatively the choriocapillaris (CC) perfusion area in the macular area of healthy eyes, eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma, and eyes with ocular hypertension using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

A consecutive series of healthy individuals and patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension were recruited prospectively in this single-center, cross-sectional study based in Milan, Italy. OCTA was performed in the morning and evening, along with a complete ophthalmologic examination. this website Macular superficial capillary plexus vessel density (SCP-VD) and the thicknesses of the retina and ganglion cell complex (GCC), as well as their fluctuations, were investigated.

Thirty-nine eyes from 24 individuals with glaucoma (mean age = 58.79 ± 6 years), 43 eyes from 27 individuals with ocular hypertension (59.19 ± 6 years), and 54 eyes from 35 controls (58.27 ± 6 years) were enrolled. The mean CC perfusion area values were not significantly different among the three groups in the morning or evening (P ≥ 0.