Morin loaded mesoporous molecular sieves as novel devices to the potential treatment of tumor pathologies.

Morin is an antioxidant and anticancer flavonoid, extracted from natural sources, that may exert beneficial effects for several pathologies. Despite this, the administration of morin represents a challenge due to its low aqueous solubility. Mesoporous silica materials have emerged as biocompatible tools for drug delivery, as their pore size can be modulated for maximum surface area to volume ratio. In this contribution, we evaluate the ability of iron-modified mesoporous materials, for morin loading and controlled delivery. The SBA-15 and MCM-41 sieves were synthesized and modified with iron (metal content 4.02 and 6.27 % wt, respectivily). Characterization by transmission electron microscopy, XRD and UV-Vis revealed adequate pore size and agglomerates of very small metallic nanospecies (nanoclusters), without larger iron oxide nanoparticles. FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of silanol groups in the solid hosts, which can interact with different groups present in morin molecules. SBA-15 materials were more efficient in terms of morin loading capacity (LC) due to their larger pore diameter. LC was more than 35% for SBA-15 materials when adsorptions studies were carried out with 9 mg of drug. Antioxidant activity were assayed by using DPPH test. Free iron materials presented a significate improvement as antioxidants after morin incorporation, reaching a scavenging activity of almost a 90%. On the other hand, in iron modified mesoporous materials, the presence of morin did not affect the scavenging activity. The results could be related with the formation of a complex between the flavonoid and the iron. Finally, biosafety studies using normal epithelial cells revealed that neither the loaded nor the unloaded materials exerted toxicity, even at doses of 1 mg/ml. These findings expand knowledge about mesoporous materials as suitable carriers of flavonoids with the aim of improving therapies for a wide range of pathologies.

Cost of screening and timely treatment versus the comprehensive management of the severe visual impairment due to retinopathy of premature. / Costo del tamizaje y tratamiento oportuno versus el manejo integral de la discapacidad visual severa por retinopatía del prematuro.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. In Guatemala, a large number of premature infants are born in hospitals outside the capital city and present for evaluation at advanced stages of the disease. OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost of screening and timely treatment versus the total cost of comprehensive management of patients with visual impairment secondary to ROP. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The cost of the disease was calculated in patients who consulted due to low vision or blindness secondary to ROP. Direct costs were calculated based on those directly related to the management of the disease: medical care, rehabilitation, education, technical support, transportation, personal assistance, adaptations, and home equipment, compared with the costs of screening and timely treatment. RESULTS: The total cost of managing a child with severe visual impairment due to ROP is USD 214,666.37 and the cost of screening and timely treatment is USD 1,223.12, meaning an additional cost of USD 213,443.24 in patients who were not screened and treated on time. CONCLUSION: The cost of screening and timely treatment represents only 0.57% of the total cost of lifelong management of a child with severe visual impairment.

[Characterization of congenital cataract and postoperative visual outcome in a Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit in a middle-income country]. / Caracterización de catarata congénita y resultado visual postoperatorio en una Unidad de Oftalmología Pediátrica en un país de ingresos medios.

The functional visual outcome after cataract surgery is influenced by several factors such as the age at diagnosis and surgical treatment, as well as visual rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: to characterize con genital cataract patients and assess the postoperative visual outcome in an ophthalmological care center in Guatemala. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional retrospective study. Clinical records of all congenital cataract patients who underwent congenital cataract surgery from 2014 and 2015 were reviewed. The following was recorded: postoperative visual acuity, age at diagnosis and surgery, sex, unilateral or bilateral involvement, etiology and morphology of the cataract, preoperative poor visual prognosis factors, and postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients underwent pediatric ca taract surgery in this period, ages ranging from 1 month to 13 years (median 48 months), and 23 were congenital (38.98%). Fourteen were male, 16 bilateral, and the mean age at diagnosis and surgery was 7 and 12 months, respectively. Only 13 patients completed 3 years of follow-up visits. Visual acuity was recorded at 3 years after surgery, observing in 11 patients and 8 patients visual impairment or worse, respectively. Delayed consultations occurred in 82.6% of the patients (older than 3 months of age). CONCLUSION: In this series, the diagnosis of congenital cataract and its surgical treatment were delayed, observing a high rate of patients unable to complete follow-up visits. The visual outcome at 3 years after congenital cataract surgery was mostly visual impairment or worse.

Latin American ophthalmology practitioner's perception on current COVID-19 pandemic / Percepção do profissional latino-americano de oftalmologia sobre a atual pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the perception of Latin American ophthalmology practitioners regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure risk, knowledge about personal protection measures, and prioritization of patients. Methods: Self-administered voluntary anonymous survey (Google Drive forms) was distributed via text message to ophthalmology practitioners from May 01 to May 05, 2020. Results: Three hundred seventy-one practitioners (45% response rate) comprising 118 (27.6%) residents, 111 (40.5%) ophthalmologists, and 142 (32.8%) sub-specialists completed the survey. Among them, 106 (32.6%) thought that they were at a high risk of acquiring COVID-19 during the course of work. Furthermore, 273 (69.1%) believed that the current guidelines were insufficient to identify COVID-19 patients. The survey also revealed that 265 (59.5%) were not trained to use personal protective equipment (PPE), and even with its correct use, 341 (91.5%) still felt that they were at risk of acquiring COVID-19. Moreover, 80% of the respondents were of the view that staff members were not knowledgeable about national protocols for attending COVID-19 patients. However, only 9 (2%) considered changing their profession to ameliorate COVID-19 contagion risk. Conclusion: This survey has revealed the issues faced by ophthalmology practitioners in Latin America during their routine practice. These concerns and anxiety about COVID- 19 pandemic seem to be the same worldwide. It is important to reinforce the confidence of ophthalmology practitioners on current guidelines for attending COVID-19 patients. It is also necessary to conduct training programs on PPE usage and ensure that PPE items are available at all times to enhance the quality of care and minimize the spread of the disease.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar a percepção do risco de exposição da Doença de Coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19), conhecimento sobre medidas de proteção pessoal entre os profissionais de oftalmologia latino-americanos e priorização de pacientes com Covid-19. Métodos: Pesquisa anônima voluntária autoadministrada (formulários do Google Drive) distribuída por mensagem de texto para profissionais de oftalmologia em 1º a 5 de maio de 2020. Resultados: Trezentos e setenta e um profissionais completaram a pesquisa (taxa de resposta de 45%), composta por 118 residentes (27,6%), 111 oftalmologistas (40,5%) e 142 subespecialistas (32,8%). 106 profissionais (32,6%) sentiram-se em alto risco de adquirir o COVID-19 no trabalho. 273 (69,1%) acreditavam que as diretrizes atuais não são suficientes para identificar os pacientes com COVID-19. 265 (59,5%) não tinham treinamento para usar os equipamentos de proteção individual (EPI) e, mesmo com seu uso correto, 341 (91,5%) ainda se sentiram em risco de adquirir COVID-19. 80% consideraram que a equipe de trabalho não tem conhecimento de protocolos nacionais para o atendimento aos pacientes com COVID-19. Apenas 9 dos profissionais (2%) consideraram mudar a profissão para minimizar o risco de contágio por COVID-19. Conclusão: Esta pesquisa mostra a escassez de pessoal e treinamento específico que os praticantes de oftalmologia na América Latina enfrentam em sua prática diária. Essas preocupações e ansiedade parecem ser as mesmas em todo o mundo com a pandemia de COVID- 19. É importante reforçar a confiança dos profissionais de oftalmologia nas diretrizes atuais de atendimento ao paciente com COVID-19 e também disponibilizar programas de treinamento sobre o uso de EPI e também itens de EPI disponíveis em todos os momentos para garantir a qualidade do atendimento e a disseminação mínima da doença.

Latin American ophthalmology practitioner's perception on current COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: To assess the perception of Latin American ophthalmology practitioners regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure risk, knowledge about personal protection measures, and prioritization of patients. METHODS: Self-administered voluntary anonymous survey (Google Drive forms) was distributed via text message to ophthalmology practitioners from May 01 to May 05, 2020. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-one practitioners (45% response rate) comprising 118 (27.6%) residents, 111 (40.5%) ophthalmologists, and 142 (32.8%) sub-specialists completed the survey. Among them, 106 (32.6%) thought that they were at a high risk of acquiring COVID-19 during the course of work. Furthermore, 273 (69.1%) believed that the current guidelines were insufficient to identify COVID-19 patients. The survey also revealed that 265 (59.5%) were not trained to use personal protective equipment (PPE), and even with its correct use, 341 (91.5%) still felt that they were at risk of acquiring COVID-19. Moreover, 80% of the respondents were of the view that staff members were not knowledgeable about national protocols for attending COVID-19 patients. However, only 9 (2%) considered changing their profession to ameliorate COVID-19 contagion risk. CONCLUSION: This survey has revealed the issues faced by ophthalmology practitioners in Latin America during their routine practice. These concerns and anxiety about COVID- 19 pandemic seem to be the same worldwide. It is important to reinforce the confidence of ophthalmology practitioners on current guidelines for attending COVID-19 patients. It is also necessary to conduct training programs on PPE usage and ensure that PPE items are available at all times to enhance the quality of care and minimize the spread of the disease.

Novel Route to Obtain Carbon Self-Doped TiO2 Mesoporous Nanoparticles as Efficient Photocatalysts for Environmental Remediation Processes under Visible Light.

Titanium dioxide materials were synthesized using two different methods. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DR), Raman spectroscopy, N2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Although both kind of materials were found to have mesoporous structure and anatase crystalline phase, one of them was obtained from a synthesis method that does not involve the use of surfactants, and therefore, does not require calcination at high temperatures. This implies that the synthesized solid was self-doped with carbon species, coming only from the same source used for titanium. Then, the relationship between the presence of these species, the final calcination temperature, and the photocatalytic activity of the solids was studied in terms of the degradation and mineralization of an Acid Orange 7 aqueous solution, under visible radiation. A photosensitizing effect caused by the non-metal presence, that allows the solid to extend its absorption range, was found. Hence, a novel route to prepare C-modified photoactive mesoporous TiO2, simpler and cheaper, where neither a template nor an external carbon source is used, could be performed.

Muscle transposition for the treatment of paralytic strabismus. Retrospective review of 23 cases / Transposição muscular para o tratamento do estrabismo paralítico. Revisão retrospectiva de 23 casos

Abstract Introduction: Muscular transposition procedures are used when there is no ocular rotation in a particular direction due to alterations of the extraocular muscles such as paralysis, agenesis or congenital anomalies. The objective of this study is to characterize the patients treated with this procedure and determine the percentage of correction of the deviation angle obtained after surgery in the Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-ophthalmology Unit. "Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys", Hospital de ojos y oídos "Dr. Rodolfo Robles V. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was conducted with review of records of patients operated on muscle transposition during the years 1999 to 2016. Results: Twenty-three rectus muscle transposition procedures were performed. Thirteen were male (56.5%). The mean age was 42 years. In our series, an average correction of 42 PD (82%) was obtained regardless of the type of paralysis or the surgical procedure performed. Conclusion: In selected cases of paralytic strabismus, the main approach may be only muscle transposition with augmentation (posterior intermuscular fixation suture), with good results, similar to those obtained with muscle transposition using adjuvants such as botulinum toxin treatment.

Resumo Introdução: Os procedimentos de transposição muscular são utilizados quando não há rotação ocular em nenhuma direção determinada devido a alterações dos músculos extraoculares, como paralisia, agenesia ou anomalias congênitas. O objetivo deste estudo é caracterizar os pacientes tratados com este procedimento e determinar a porcentagem de correção do ângulo de desvio obtida após a cirurgia na Unidade Pediátrica de Oftalmologia, Estrabismo e Neuro-Oftalmologia. "Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys", Hospital de ojos y oídos "Dr. Rodolfo Robles V. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, observacional, com revisão dos registros de pacientes operados para transposição muscular nos anos de 1999 a 2016. Resultados: Foram realizados vinte e três procedimentos de transposição do músculo reto. Treze pacientes eram homens (56,5%). A idade média foi de 42 anos. Em nossa série, foi obtida uma correção média de 42 PD (82%), independente do tipo de paralisia ou do procedimento cirúrgico realizado. Conclusão: Em casos selecionados de estrabismo paralítico, a principal abordagem pode ser apenas a transposição muscular com aumento (sutura de fixação intermuscular posterior), com bons resultados semelhantes aos obtidos com a transposição muscular com a utilização de adjuvantes como o tratamento com toxina botulínica.

Cirugía de catarata traumática en pacientes pediátricos: Experiencia de un centro / Traumatic cataract surgery in pediatric patients: Experience in a site

El trauma ocular es un problema significativo en todo el mundo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las características de los pacientes menores de 14 años operados de catarata traumática en la Unidad de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Estrabismo y Neurooftalmología "Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys", Hospital de Ojos y Oídos "Dr. Rodolfo Robles V.". Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional, en el que se revisaron expedientes de pacientes operados de catarata de 2010 a 2015. Se operaron 54 niños por catarata traumática, de los cuales 75% eran hombres. El 68% pertenecían al rango de edad de 6-11 años. El tipo de trauma fue cerrado en un 57,4%. Los pacientes que lograron una agudeza visual igual a 20/70 o mayor fueron el 68,2%.

Ocular trauma is a significant problem worldwide. The obj ective of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients younger than 14 years who underwent traumatic cataract surgery at the Unit of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-Ophthalmology "Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys" of Hospital de Ojos y Oídos "Dr. Rodolfo Robles V." A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was carried out to review the medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2010 and 2015. A total of 54 children underwent traumatic cataract surgery; 75% were boys; 68% were in the 6-11-year-old age range. Blunt force trauma was observed in 57.4%. A visual acuity of 20/70 or better was achieved by 68.2% of patients.

Traumatic cataract surgery in pediatric patients. Experience in a site. / Cirugía de catarata traumática en pacientes pediátricos. Experiencia de un centro.

Ocular trauma is a signifcant problem worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients younger than 14 years who underwent traumatic cataract surgery at the Unit of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Neuro-Ophthalmology "Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys" of Hospital de Ojos y Oídos "Dr. Rodolfo Robles V." A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was carried out to review the medical records of patients who underwent cataract surgery between 2010 and 2015. A total of 54 children underwent traumatic cataract surgery; 75% were boys; 68% were in the 6-11-year-old age range. Blunt force trauma was observed in 57.4%. A visual acuity of 20/70 or better was achieved by 68.2% of patients.

El trauma ocular es un problema significativo en todo el mundo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las características de los pacientes menores de 14 años operados de catarata traumática en la Unidad de Oftalmología Pediátrica, Estrabismo y Neurooftalmología "Dra. Ana María Illescas Putzeys", Hospital de Ojos y Oídos "Dr. Rodolfo Robles V.". Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional, en el que se revisaron expedientes de pacientes operados de catarata de 2010 a 2015. Se operaron 54 niños por catarata traumática, de los cuales 75% eran hombres. El 68% pertenecían al rango de edad de 6-11 años. El tipo de trauma fue cerrado en un 57,4%. Los pacientes que lograron una agudeza visual igual a 20/70 o mayor fueron el 68,2%.

Drug release profiles of modified MCM-41 with superparamagnetic behavior correlated with the employed synthesis method.

Mesoporous materials with superparamagnetic properties were successfully synthesized by two different methods: direct incorporation (DI) and wet impregnation (WI). The synthetized solids were evaluated as host of drugs for delivery systems and their physicochemical properties were characterized by XRD, ICP, N2 adsorption-desorption, spectroscopies of UV-Vis DR, FT-IR and their magnetic properties were measured. Indomethacin (IND) was incorporated into the materials and the kinetic of the release profiles was studied by applying the Pepas and Sahlin model. In this sense, materials modified by DI, particularly that with hydrothermal treatment, showed the higher adsorption capacity and slower release rate. This behavior could be associated to the synthesis method used that allowed a high percentage of silanol groups available in the solids surface, which can interact with the IND molecule. This feature coupled with the superparamagnetic behavior; make these materials very interesting for drug delivery systems.