Survey of airborne polyfluorinated telomers in Keihan area, Japan.

Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) are environmental contaminants posing special public health concerns because of their long-term persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment. Fluorotelomer alcohols are volatile and may undergo long-range transport. Air samples were collected at five sites in the Keihan area, Japan: Sakyo, Morinomiya and three sites in Higashiyodogawa. Except for Higashiyodogawa, the highest concentrations of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) were for 8:2 FTOH (median 447 pg m(-3)) followed by 10:2 FTOH (56 pg m(-3)) and 6:2 FTOH (22 pg m(-3)). In contrast, 8:2 FTOAcryl (median 865 pg m(-3)) and 8:2 FTOH (1,864 pg m(-3)) were both major components in Higashiyodogawa. Compared to data published for North America and Europe, 8:2 FTOH levels are significantly higher in Keihan, suggesting a possible point source.

Effects of tranilast on filtering blebs: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of topical instillation of 0.5% tranilast eye drops on intraocular pressure (IOP) and bleb formation after glaucoma filtering surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, double-masked, and controlled clinical trial. A total of 52 eyes of 52 patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.5% tranilast eye drops (24 eyes) or vehicle saline solution (28 eyes) 4 times daily for 3 months after trabeculectomy. Features of the bleb, such as vascularization and size, and intraocular pressure were studied. RESULTS: The incidence of vascularized bleb and "pseudopod" formation 6 months post treatment were more common in tranilast-treated eyes than control eyes (P = 0.019 and P = 0.043, respectively). The bleb was significantly larger at 6 and 12 months (P = 0.024 and P = 0.049, respectively), and reduction of the IOP was more significant for 2 years postoperatively (P = 0.002 to P = 0.032) in tranilast-treated eyes than control eyes. No vision-threatening side reactions were associated with tranilast. CONCLUSIONS: The use of topical tranilast after filtering surgery alleviates ischemia of the filtering bleb, reduces IOP, and increases the size of the bleb.