Annual Report 2023/2024
The scientific activity in the Academic Year 2023-2024 focused on topics related to innovative biotechnologies in diseases of the sensory organs, with particular attention to the Scientific-Disciplinary Sectors MED/30 and MED/31 - Many of the results obtained by the doctoral students have been presented at national and international scientific conferences and published in international scientific journals.
The research lines in Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology, developed during the third year of the XXXVII cycle, the second year of the XXXVIII cycle, and the first year of the XXXIX cycle, have focused on:
-Biomarkers in retinopathy of prematurity: identification of a plasma microRNA signature to predict disease outcomes
-Phacoemulsification techniques: prospective and randomized study on the outcomes of using Balanced Tip versus Hybrid Tip.
-Lewy body dementia: analysis of neuroretinal and retinal microvascular characteristics using optical coherence tomography angiography.
-Digital models in vitreoretinal proliferation: development of a "digital twin" for retinal detachment using Nintedanib.
-Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in glaucoma: development of innovative methods to evaluate the intraocular biodistribution of NGF in the treatment of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
-Olfactory and cognitive function in glaucoma: initiation of the SNIFFEYE study to evaluate these functions in glaucomatous patients.
-Evaluations using OCT: analysis of the number of cells in the anterior chamber pre and post dilation and the degree of vitreous inflammation in uveitis.
-NGF in corneal transplants: research on the use of NGF in animal models, from preclinical phase to clinical application.
-MIREYE Project: characterization of microRNAs and the lacrimal and conjunctival bacterial flora in inflammatory and degenerative ocular surface diseases, including ocular pemphigoid.
-Graves' orbitopathy: study of new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets through the characterization of microRNAs in the ocular surface.
-Wet age-related macular degeneration: identification of predictive biomarkers for new intravitreal drugs.
-Diabetic macular edema: evaluation of OCT parameters as indicators of edema recurrence in patients treated with anti-VEGF.
-Digital technologies in ophthalmology: development of "Digital Twin" models and application of three-dimensional (3D) visualization in ophthalmic surgery.
-Vascular biomarkers: use of OCT-A to identify subretinal drusenoid deposits as indicators of high-risk vascular diseases.
-Language analysis in glaucoma (LASS Project): study of linguistic alterations in glaucomatous patients through speech analysis.
-Rhinogenic headache: centripetal endoscopic sinus surgery as a therapeutic approach.
-Oncological diagnostics: cases of malignant trichilemmal carcinoma initially misdiagnosed.
-Respiratory functionality post-laryngectomy: use of forced oscillation techniques for functional analysis.
-Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP): selection of patients for monoclonal antibody therapies and monitoring of clinical outcomes.
-Sleep breathing disorders: study on the effect of laryngopharyngeal reflux on sleep quality in patients not affected by OSAS.
-Oncological database: creation of an archive for patients with aero-digestive tract carcinomas, including clinical, pathological, and molecular data.
-Dry eye and GvHD: evaluation of the safety and efficacy of eye drops obtained with the Hy-tissue PRP system.
-Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC): ISAAK study to evaluate the efficacy of different doses of Isocyclosporin A in ophthalmic solution.
-Innovative therapies: participation in clinical trials on new drugs for focal seizures, active Graves' disease, and degenerative ocular pathologies.
Third Mission Projects:
-"Visual Campus": visual screenings and donation of eyeglasses to low-income students at Sapienza University of Rome.
-Digital ocular health: awareness program aimed at preadolescents on the importance of ocular health in the digital era, in collaboration with local institutions and organizations.
Publications and Scientific Communications:
The doctoral students have contributed to the publication of numerous articles in international scientific journals and have presented their results at various conferences, promoting the advancement of knowledge in the fields of ophthalmology and otorhinolaryngology.