Phaco-efficiency test and re-aspiration analysis of repulsed particle in phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND: To measure the efficiency of phacoemulsification, we have developed a new experimental model for testing phaco-efficiency and analyzed re-aspiration of repulsed particles. METHODS: Using a Kitaro wetlab system, a piece of blood agar (BA) was placed in an artificial chamber and the phacoemulsifier was placed horizontally. The settings of the phacoemulsifier (Infiniti, Alcon Laboratories) were 26 cc/min for aspiration, 350 cc/min for vacuum, and 95 cm of bottle height. The time to remove BAs was measured using Ozil 100 %, Ozil 40 %, and longitudinal 40 % of phaco power. The angle between the re-aspirated BA particles and the axis of the phacoemulsifier (re-aspiration zone, degree) was analyzed. RESULTS: The average time (seconds) to remove BAs was lower in the Ozil 100 % and the Ozil 40 % mode than in the longitudinal mode (0.37 ± 0.39, 0.85 ± 0.57, and 2.22 ± 1.40 respectively, P value < 0.01). Repulsion exceeding 1 mm occurred more frequently in the longitudinal mode than in the Ozil 100 % mode (100 % vs 40 %, P value = 0.01, Fisher's exact test). The average of re-aspiration zone was 25.9 ± 14.5 in the longitudinal 40 % and 54.0 ± 23.0 in the Ozil 40 % (P value = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The Ozil mode was more efficient than the longitudinal mode. In addition, the Ozil mode provided less repulsion and wider aspiration zone.

Bevacizumab and rapamycin can decrease corneal opacity and apoptotic keratocyte number following photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effects of bevacizumab and rapamycin on central corneal opacity and apoptotic keratocyte number after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) followed by ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation. METHODS: A total of 60 right eyes of Sprague-Dawley rats in four groups (n = 15 each) underwent PRK ablation to 80 µm with a 3-mm zone. Sponges soaked with 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC), 2.5% bevacizumab, 0.01% rapamycin, and balanced saline solution were applied for 2 minutes to these eyes in the MMC, bevacizumab, rapamycin, and control groups, respectively. At 3 weeks after PRK, all right eyes were exposed to 100 mJ/cm(2) UV-B irradiation. Biomicroscopy was used to determine the amount of haze, and TUNEL staining for apoptosis and histology were performed at 3, 6, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: Contrary to the results at 3 weeks, central corneal haze, and apoptotic keratocyte and keratocyte number decreased significantly in the MMC, bevacizumab, and rapamycin groups compared to the control group, and the keratocyte number was lower in the MMC group than the bevacizumab and rapamycin groups at 6 weeks (all P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, the apoptotic keratocyte number was lower in the MMC, bevacizumab, and rapamycin groups than the control group, and the keratocyte number was significantly lower in the MMC than the rapamycin and control groups (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative bevacizumab and rapamycin administration decreases central corneal haze and apoptotic keratocyte number after PRK. Bevacizumab and rapamycin may be safe alternatives to MMC during refractive surgery to prevent postoperative corneal opacity less affecting the keratocyte number.

Water-soluble organo-building blocks of aminoclay as a soil-flushing agent for heavy metal contaminated soil.

We demonstrated that water-soluble aminopropyl magnesium functionalized phyllosilicate could be used as a soil-flushing agent for heavy metal contaminated soils. Soil flushing has been an attractive means to remediate heavy metal contamination because it is less disruptive to the soil environment after the treatment was performed. However, development of efficient and non-toxic soil-flushing agents is still required. We have synthesized aminoclays with three different central metal ions such as magnesium, aluminum, and ferric ions and investigated applicability of aminoclays as soil flushing agents. Among them, magnesium (Mg)-centered aminoclay showed the smallest size distribution and superior water solubility, up to 100mg/mL. Mg aminoclay exhibited cadmium and lead binding capacity of 26.50 and 91.31 mg/g of Mg clay, respectively, at near neutral pH, but it showed negligible binding affinity to metals in acidic conditions. For soil flushing with Mg clay at neutral pH showed cadmium and lead were efficiently extracted from soils by Mg clay, suggesting strong binding ability of Mg clay with cadmium and lead. As the organic matter and clay compositions increased in the soil, the removal efficiency by Mg clay decreased and the operation time increased.

Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization in serpiginous choroiditis.

The authors describe a patient who underwent successful photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization complicated by serpiginous choroiditis. A 41-year-old woman presented with decreased vision and metamorphopsia in her right eye, which was diagnosed as a recurrence of serpiginous choroiditis at the first visit. Within a month, visual acuity had diminished to 20/1000 despite immunosuppressive treatment. At that time, indocyanine green angiography and optical coherence tomography revealed choroidal neovascularization in the juxtafoveal area. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin was administered twice, after which juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization regressed and her visual acuity improved to 20/20.