ABSTRACT
This study aimed to determine the aerosolization behavior of a nanodispersion of budesonide, prepared using microfluidic reactors. The size and morphology of budesonide nanoparticles were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy [PCS] and transmission electron microscopy [TEM]. Processing/formulation parameters for formation of the nanoparticles were studied to determine their effects on the particle size. Results showed a narrow distribution for budesonide nanodispersion with spherical and smooth surfaced particles. To investigate the in-vitro aerosolization performance of the nanodispersion, the preparation was compared with a commercially available budesonide microsuspension using the Comite Europeen Normalization [CEN] methodology. Aerosolization results showed that the fine particle fraction [FPF] generated from the budesonide nanodispersion was significantly higher than that of the marketed budesonide [ie. mean [SD] 56.88 [3.37]% vs. 38.04 [7.82]%, respectively]. Additionally, mass median aerodynamic diameter [MMAD] of nano-budesonide dispersion was significantly smaller than the microsuspension [i.e. mean [SD] 3.91 [0.49] vs. 6.22 [1.09] microm, respectively], with nebulization time of nano-budesonide dispersion significantly shorter than the marketed budesonide microsuspension [i.e. 12.3 [0.37] vs. 14.85 [0.36] min, respectively]. The produced nanodispersion was found to be stable over a period of 10 days if stored at 4 °C
ABSTRACT
To assess the changes occurring at the vireoretinal interface with clinically significant macular edema using optical coherent tomography [OCT] and fundus fluorescein angiography [FFA]. Ninety nine eyes of 84 patients suffering from macular edema of different etiologies were included in this study. They were divided according to the cause of macular edema into 6 groups. Treatment modalities were done to be evaluated in the follow up. All cases were followed up at regular visits one week, one month, and six months with routine ocular examinations. FFA and OCT changes were determined and evaluated at one month and 6 months after treatment. In diabetic group [40 eyes], there were 22 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to 5 eyes only demonstrated by FFA, ERM seen by OCT of different stages in 14 eyes while in FFA 10 eyes only, In the RVO group [15 eyes], there were 6 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, In the IGS group [10 eyes], there were 3 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, In the CNV group [17 eyes], there were 4 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, ERM seen by OCT of different stages in 3 eyes while in FFA one eye only, In the RP group [10 eyes], there were 2 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA. In the TME group [7 eyes], there were 3 eyes with different stages of PVD seen by OCT in comparison to no eyes demonstrated by FFA, ERM seen by OCT and FFA of different stages in 4 eyes. OCT provided us with valuable information on the retinal morphologic changes associated with ME of different etiologies and analyzing vitreomacular relationship and detecting macular SRD undetectable on biomicroscopy and FFA
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Fluorescein Angiography , Retina/diagnostic imaging , Eye/pathologyABSTRACT
To evaluate the differences between surgical and seminological results observed in two groups of patients with primary varicocele who underwent, respectively, open surgery or antegrade sclerotherapy. From Jan. 2005 to Jan. 2006, we recruited 60 patients with left sided varicocele for this study. Before treatment all patients were evaluated by a physical examination, color Doppler ultrasonography of the spermatic cord, and abdominal and scrotal ultrasonography and semen analysis. These patients were randomized to two groups; group A: 30 patients [open surgery] and B: 30 patients [antegrade sclerotherapy]. At the current follow up, it is possible to evaluate all the patients for whom we have preoperative and postoperative Doppler imaging and semen analysis. A satisfactory significant improvement of the rate of fast progressive spermatozoa and reduction in immotile spermatozoa in those patients who underwent sclerotherapy compared to the patients who underwent open surgery. The outcomes of all other parameters [number and morphology] are fully comparable. Operating time is decidedly shorter for antegrade sclerotherapy, but there are no significant differences in terms of early or late postoperative complications. Our results demonstrate that sclerotherapy combines shorter surgical time and faster recovery of normal daily activities with significant improvement in sperm motility