Trabeculectomy with ologen in secondary glaucomas following failed trabeculectomy with MMC: comparative study.

PurposeWe aimed to assess the IOP-lowering effect of trabeculectomy with ologen in refractory secondary glaucoma following failed trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC), and to compare its surgical outcome between open angle (SOAG) and angle closure (SACG) cases.MethodsThis is a prospective interventional comparative study conducted on 40 eyes (40 patients) with medically uncontrolled secondary glaucoma. Patients were divided into group A: 18 eyes (18 patients) with SOAG, and group B: 22 eyes (22 patients) with SACG. All patients underwent trabeculectomy with insertion of ologen implant. Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, SITA standard perimetry (Central 24-2), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and anterior segment OCT for bleb morphology, were all done pre- and postoperatively. Primary outcome measures were comparing preoperative to postoperative measurements and also comparing these measurements between SOAG and SACG. All patients were examined up to 1 year.ResultsWhen preoperative IOP was compared with postoperative IOP, in each group, there was a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). IOP percentage difference was statistically insignificantly different between both groups except at 1 month. According to Moorfields bleb grading system; postoperative bleb was better than the bleb of the previously failed trabeculectomy (P<0.001), and there was a significant difference between group A and B regarding bleb area. Total success rate was 100%; in group A, complete success was 100%, while in group B it was 72.7% (P=0.016).ConclusionOur results suggest that Ologen may be a useful alternative to MMC in repeat trabeculectomy.

Evaluation of anti-nociceptive effect of epidural tramadol, tramadol-lidocaine and lidocaine in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anti-nociceptive effect of tramadol, a combination of tramadol-lidocaine, and lidocaine alone when administered in the epidural space. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental randomized cross-over study. ANIMALS: Seven healthy male goats, aged 9-11 months, weight 17.5-25.5 kg. METHODS: Treatments were lidocaine, 2.86 mg kg(-1), tramadol-lidocaine (1 mg kg(-1) and 2.46 mg kg(-1), respectively) and tramadol (1 mg kg(-1)) given into the epidural space. The volume of all treatments was 0.143 mL kg(-1). Nociception was tested by pin prick and by pressure from a haemostat clamp. Times to the onset and duration of anti-nociception in the perineal region were recorded. Recumbency and ataxia were noted. Rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded before and at 15 minute intervals for 2 hours after the administration of each treatment. Statistical comparison used one-way anova with a post hoc Duncan's test as a post hoc. Significance was taken as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Times (mean ± SD) to onset of and duration of loss of sensation, respectively in minutes were; lidocaine, 3 ± 1 and 85 ± 11), tramadol-lidocaine 4 ± 1 and 140 ± 2; tramadol 12 ± 1 and 235 ± 18. Onset and duration times were significantly longer with tramadol than the other two treatments. Duration was significantly longer with tramadol-lidocaine than with lidocaine alone. With lidocaine treatment all goats were severely ataxic or recumbent, after tramadol-lidocaine mildly ataxic, and after tramadol not ataxic. Rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates did not differ significantly from baseline after any treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of tramadol-lidocaine given by epidural injection produced an anti-nociceptive effect in the perineal region, which was rapid in onset and had a longer duration of action than lidocaine alone. This combination might prove useful clinically to provide analgesia in goats for long-duration obstetrical and surgical procedures but surgical stimuli were not investigated in this study.

Rice straw as precursor of activated carbons: activation with ortho-phosphoric acid.

Highly mesoporous activated carbons (ACs) with a mesopore fraction ranging from 42 to 73% were obtained by activation of rice straw (RS) with ortho-phosphoric acid (PA). Due to such a high mesoporosity, these ACs can be successfully used for pollutant removal in aqueous phase. The ACs were prepared at activation temperatures (T) ranging from 350 to 500 degrees C, using PA to RS weight ratios (R) from 0 to 1.6 and activation times from 0 to 2 h. They were characterised by nitrogen adsorption at -196 degrees C, SEM-EDX, and methylene blue adsorption. RS is a very heterogeneous material with a variable content of mineral matter: using the product of activated carbon yield multiplied by surface area (CxS(BET)) as the performance criterion, the best AC was produced at T=450 degrees C and R>or=1. These conditions lead to S(BET) higher than 500 m(2) g(-1) and a CxS(BET) around 270 m(2) g(-1).

Performance of improved bacterial cellulose application in the production of functional paper.

AIM: The purpose of this work was to study the feasibility of producing economic flame retardant bacterial cellulose (BC) and evaluating its behaviour in paper production. METHODS AND RESULTS: This type of BC was prepared by Gluconacetobacter subsp. xylinus and substituting the glucose in the cultivation medium by glucose phosphate as a carbon source; as well as using corn steep liquor as a nitrogen source. The investigated processing technique did not dispose any toxic chemicals that pollute the surroundings or cause unacceptable effluents, making the process environmentally safe. The fire retardant behaviour of the investigated BC has been studied by non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA & DTGA). The activation energy of each degradation stage and the order of degradation were estimated using the Coats-Redfern equation and the least square method. Strength, optical properties, and thermogravimetric analysis of BC-phosphate added paper sheets were also tested. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed that the use of glucose phosphate along with glucose was significant in the high yield production of phosphate containing bacterial cellulose (PCBC1); more so than the use of glucose phosphate alone (PCBC2). Incorporating 5% of the PCBC with wood pulp during paper sheet formation was found to significantly improve kaolin retention, strength, and fire resistance properties as compared to paper sheets produced from incorporating bacterial cellulose (BC). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This modified BC is a valuable product for the preparation of specialized paper, in addition to its function as a fillers aid.

2-Steps KOH activation of rice straw: an efficient method for preparing high-performance activated carbons.

Effects of both pre-treatment and number of steps in KOH activation of raw rice straw (RS) on textural and adsorption properties of RS-derived activated carbons (ACs) were investigated. Three pre-treatment protocols were tested: mechanical, chemical by NaOH pulping, and a combination of both. Activation of RS-based materials was investigated, at a constant temperature of 800 degrees C, according to two ways: a 1-step simultaneous carbonisation-activation with KOH, and a 2-steps process: carbonisation followed by activation by KOH. 2-Steps KOH activation was more efficient in producing activated carbons with high surface areas and high methylene blue adsorption than 1-step KOH activation. Additionally, 2-steps KOH activation increased the yield of activated carbons having moderate ash content (8-14%). Surface areas as high as 1917 m(2)/g were obtained when the combined mechanical-chemical pre-treatment method and a 2-steps activation process were carried out.

Preprotachykinin gene expression in goldfish brain: sexual, seasonal, and postprandial variations.

Recently, we described the complete nucleotide sequence of gamma-preprotachykinin (gamma-PPT) mRNA and the deduced amino acid sequence of the precursor on the basis of molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA from goldfish brain. In the present study, gamma-PPT gene expression in the brain of goldfish was examined using quantitative Northern blot analysis. The results showed that the gamma-PPT gene is highly but differentially expressed in the olfactory bulbs, hypothalamus, and posterior brain regions. There are sexual dimorphism and seasonal variations in gamma-PPT gene expression. In addition, the postprandial changes in gamma-PPT gene expression in the olfactory bulbs and hypothalamus suggest that tachykinin peptides are involved in regulation of feeding behavior in goldfish.

Postprandial, seasonal and sexual variations in cholecystokinin gene expression in goldfish brain.

Recently, we described the complete nucleotide sequence of cholecystokinin (CCK) mRNA and the deduced amino acid sequence of the precursor on the basis of molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA from goldfish brain. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that CCK has a role in feeding behavior by examining CCK gene expression in the brain of goldfish using Northern blot. We showed that CCK gene is widely but differentially expressed in broad areas of the goldfish brain, including the olfactory bulbs, telencephalon and preoptic region, hypothalamus, optic tectum-thalamus and posterior brain regions, with highest levels in hypothalamus. We found that CCK mRNA levels in goldfish olfactory bulbs, telencephalon-preoptic region, optic tectum-thalamus, and posterior brain were influenced by sex at least sometime of the seasonal gonadal cycle, with female fish having higher levels than males during at least one of the four seasonal sampling times. We also observed a transient and acute increase in the CCK mRNA levels in the olfactory bulbs, telencephalon-preoptic region, hypothalamus, and posterior brain at 120 min after a meal. These widespread postprandial changes in CCK gene expression in goldfish brain indicate that CCK peptides have multiple roles in regulation of feeding behavior in goldfish. This supports the idea that CCK plays a role as a satiety factor in goldfish.

[Gastric duplications in children. Apropos of a case manifested in a newborn infant]. / Les duplications gastriques chez l'enfant. A propos d'un cas à expression néonatale.

We report a case of gastric duplication with neonatal manifestations. Diagnosis of this infrequent malformation is readily established in most cases upon roentgenologic and ultrasound examinations. Etiopathogenesis is unknown. Therapy is surgical. Complete exeresis involves mutilation because the supernumerary stomach shares the vascular supply to the normal stomach, and because a cleavage plane is lacking. Therefore, incomplete resection should be performed as the condition is benign and good results are consistently achieved with this procedure.

[Hydatid cysts in children. Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Apropos of 1195 cases]. / Les kystes hydatiques chez l'enfant. Aspects diagnostiques et thérapeutiques. A propos de 1,195 cas.

Hydatid cysts represent a true social problem in Tunisia where 2.1% of rural inhabitants are affected. Hydatid disease is responsible for 10% of the country's surgical activity and costs approximately 800 $ per patient. From April 1967 through January 1987, 1,195 cases of hydatid cyst in children aged 2 to 15 years were treated at the Children's Hospital in Tunis. The involved organ was the lung in 643 cases, the liver in 486 cases, the spleen in 27 cases, and the kidney in 18 cases. With the exception of seven patients with malignant forms, surgery was always performed, with a 1.4% mortality rate and a 2% morbidity rate. We analyze the diagnostic and therapeutic particularities of the various locations of hydatid cyst. Diagnosis rests mainly on ultrasound findings and treatment on conservative procedures as hydatid disease in children carries a good prognosis.