Targeted Hyaluronate-Hollow Gold Nanosphere Conjugate for Anti-Obesity Photothermal Lipolysis.

Obesity is associated with the risk of developing several severe diseases, such as metabolic disorder, diabetes, and heart diseases. Despite wide investigation and trials, a noninvasive obesity therapy is still an important medical unmet need, targeting the abnormal adipose tissue. Here, we developed hyaluronate-hollow gold nanosphere-adipocyte-targeting peptide (HA-HAuNS-ATP) conjugates for the photothermal ablation of adipose tissues. The HA-HAuNS-ATP conjugate could be noninvasively delivered into the skin and effectively target to adipocytes in the subcutaneous. With near-infrared laser illumination, HA-HAuNS-ATP conjugate enabled highly effective photothermal ablation of adipose tissues in C57BL/6 obesity mice. The photoacoustic imaging confirmed the successful transdermal delivery and the photothermal lipolysis of HA-HAuNS-ATP conjugate. Taken together, the transdermal HA-HAuNS-ATP conjugate might have a great potential for noninvasive photothermal lipolysis.

The role of high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of isolated orbital neurofibromas.

PURPOSE: To analyze the imaging findings in patients diagnosed with isolated orbital neurofibromas. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. METHODS: Computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were reviewed in five patients with orbital neurofibromas in the absence of systemic neurofibromatosis in this multicenter study. The main outcome measures were bony and soft tissue abnormalities involving the orbit and surrounding anatomic spaces. RESULTS: Patient age ranged from 36 to 43 years (mean, 41 years); three patients were men and two were women. Duration of symptoms ranged from three to 20 years. Radiologic findings included intraconal and extraconal soft tissue masses in all patients, bony orbital abnormalities in three patients, and intracranial extension in two patients. In addition, MRI studies in one patient revealed the previously unreported presence of neurofibromas involving extraocular muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated orbital neurofibromas may present with differing radiologic appearances. The combined use of high-resolution CT and MRI may be of benefit in the preoperative diagnosis of these uncommon orbital tumors.

Prevalence of floppy eyelid syndrome in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of floppy eyelid syndrome (FES) in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to develop a method to measure eyelid laxity. DESIGN: Masked cross-sectional (prevalence) study examining patients referred to the Mayo Sleep Disorders Center. PARTICIPANTS AND/OR CONTROLS: Fifty-nine subjects were examined before undergoing polysomnography. Forty-four subjects had OSAHS, and 15 did not have it. TESTING: Subjects underwent slit-lamp examination and eyelid laxity measurements, followed by polysomnography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of FES as defined by subjectively easy eyelid eversion, tarsal papillary conjunctivitis, and lash ptosis; force required to displace the upper lid 5 mm, as measured by a strain gauge device; number of apnea or hypopnea episodes per hour (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI]); presence of OSAHS, as defined by an AHI of > or =5; and abnormalities on electrocardiography. RESULTS: One patient with OSAHS was found to have FES, yielding a prevalence of 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1%-12.0%). One patient was referred to the Sleep Disorders Center due to a diagnosis of FES; if this patient were included, the prevalence would be 4.5% (95% CI: 0.5%-15.1%). Subjectively easy lid eversion was more common in OSAHS patients than in non-OSAHS patients. When adjusted for age and body mass index, there was a trend for association between subjectively easy lid eversion and OSAHS, but this did not reach statistical significance. Subjectively easy lid eversion was associated with AHI. Force required to displace the upper lid 5 mm was lower in lids with subjectively easy eversion, but was not associated with OSAHS or AHI. Intraclass correlation among 3 strain gauge measurements was good for both right (82%) and left (83%) lids. There were no statistically significant differences in frequency of electrocardiographic abnormalities among the various groups. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of FES among OSAHS patients is low. Patients with subjectively easy upper lid eversion are at risk for OSAHS. By recognizing the potential for OSAHS in these patients, the ophthalmologist may play an important role in initiating their evaluation and treatment.

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on fibrovascular ingrowth into porous polyethylene anophthalmic socket implants.

To investigate the effect of basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) on fibrovascular ingrowth into porous polyethylene orbital implants (Medpor) and to investigate any differences according to the method of administration. For the treated groups, after evisceration and Medpor implantation, bFGF was administered by soaking Medpor in the bFGF solution, and/or by injecting bFGF into the Medpor 1 week after the operation. Implants were removed 4 weeks after the operation and examined for the degrees of fibrovascular ingrowth by light microscopy. The percentages of the cross-sectional area of the implant occupied by fibrovascular ingrowth and the numbers of proliferated vessels were significantly higher in the bFGF-treated groups (Mann Whitney test, p<0.05). Administration routes had no effect on the degree of fibrovascular ingrowth (Kruskal-Wallis test, p>0.05). bFGF promoted fibrovascular ingrowth into porous polyethylene orbital implants regardless of the route of administration. Therefore, bFGF might be helpful to prevent complications such as implant exposure.

Effect of betaxolol on impaired choroidal blood flow after intravitreal injection of endothelin-1 in albino rabbits.

We investigated the effect of topical betaxolol on impaired choroidal blood flow (CBF) induced by endothelin-1 (ET-1) injection into the vitreous of albino rabbits. Betaxolol (n = 7) or balanced salt solution (BSS) (n = 6) was instilled in the right eyes before and 12 hrs after the intravitreal injection of ET-1 (10(-6) M, 10 microl), and BSS was instilled in the right eyes before and 12 hrs after the intravitreal injection of BSS (n = 6). Blood pressure, intraocular pressure and CBF were measured prior to the instillation of betaxolol or BSS, and just before and 2 hrs, 12 hrs and 24 hrs after ET-1 or BSS injection. CBF was measured by scanning laser Doppler flowmetry. Intravitreal injection of ET-1 decreased CBF. Compared with topical BSS, topical betaxolol significantly inhibited the decrease in CBF at 2 hrs (p = .022), 12 hrs (p = .046) and 24 hrs (p = .015) after the intravitreal injection of ET-1. There was no significant change of blood pressure or intraocular pressure after the topical administration of betaxolol or the intravitreal injection of ET-1. The decrease in CBF after the intravitreal injection of ET-1 was partially inhibited by topical betaxolol.