Alkalinity of Lanzarote soils is a factor shaping rhizobial populations with Sinorhizobium meliloti being the predominant microsymbiont of Lotus lancerottensis.

Lotus lancerottensis is an endemic species that grows widely throughout Lanzarote Island (Canary Is.). Characterization of 48 strains isolated from root nodules of plants growing in soils from eleven locations on the island showed that 38 isolates (79.1%) belonged to the species Sinorhizobium meliloti, whereas only six belonged to Mesorhizobium sp., the more common microsymbionts for the Lotus. Other genotypes containing only one isolate were classified as Pararhizobium sp., Sinorhizobium sp., Phyllobacterium sp. and Bradyrhizobium-like. Strains of S. meliloti were distributed along the island and, in most of the localities they were exclusive or major microsymbionts of L. lancerottensis. Phylogeny of the nodulation nodC gene placed the S. meliloti strains within symbiovar lancerottense and the mesorhizobial strains with the symbiovar loti. Although strains from both symbiovars produced effective N2-fixing nodules, S. meliloti symbiovar lancerottense was clearly the predominant microsymbiont of L. lancerottensis. This fact correlated with the better adaptation of strains of this species to the alkaline soils of Lanzarote, as in vitro characterization showed that while the mesorhizobial strains were inhibited by alkaline pH, S. meliloti strains grew well at pH 9.

Metals in Mullus surmuletus and Pseudupeneus prayensis from the Canary Islands (Atlantic Ocean).

A total of 20 metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Sr, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, V, Zn, Al, Cd, and Pb) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry in muscle and liver tissue from a total of 28 examples of the fishes Mullus surmuletus and Pseudupeneus prayensis marketed in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). Significant differences (P < 0.05) in B, K, Mg, Mn, and Na concentrations were found between muscle and liver. The mean concentrations of K (1,388.04 mg/kg wet weight [wet wt]) and Mg (153.33 mg/kg wet wt) were higher in muscle than in liver (697.49 and 114.21 mg/kg wet wt, respectively). The mean concentrations of B in liver (0.18 mg/kg wet wt), Mn (0.70 mg/kg wet wt), and Na (892.09 mg/kg wet wt) were higher than those in muscle (0.15, 0.11, and 375.55 mg/kg wet wt, respectively). The mean concentrations of Al, Cd, and Pb in muscle tissue were 2.72 mg/kg wet wt and 4.28 and 10.29 µg/kg wet wt, and those in liver tissue were 31.31 mg/kg wet wt and 612.91 and 232.08 µg/kg wet wt, respectively. When comparing the two fish species, the muscle tissue of M. surmuletus has significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.05) of Al, B, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn than did P. prayensis muscle, whereas the concentrations of Cd and V were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in P. prayensis muscle. Toxicological assessment of Cd and Pb concentrations was performed using the maximum limits set by the European Commission Regulations 1881/2006 and 629/2008 for muscle tissue (50 and 300 µg/kg wet wt, respectively). The concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle detected in the present study for all the analyzed examples of M. surmuletus and P. prayensis were lower than the maximums established for muscle tissue by European legislation. Therefore, consumption of the muscle of these fish is considered safe in terms of Al, Cd, and Pb concentrations. However, the consumption of liver tissue should be avoided because of its high levels of metals. Constant monitoring of the concentrations of metals of toxicological concern in fish products available in the market is an essential part of food safety.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the macula in preterm infants treated with bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To examine the macula in preterm infants treated with bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty eyes (of 11 patients) treated with Avastin only or in addition to photocoagulation and vitreous surgery were included. Imaging was performed with a portable spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) device. Macular measurements, including the foveal and parafoveal index were calculated. RetCam (Clarity Medical Systems, Pleasanton, CA) photographs were obtained for all patients. RESULTS: Mean age of patients at OCT examination was 28.9 months (range: 4 to 50 months). Thirteen eyes (65%) developed foveal contour (FC), and seven eyes (35%) did not. Earlier gestational age and zone I disease were associated with absence of FC development. In patients without FC, two of the five eyes had vision better than 20/400, compared with 10 of 11 eyes with FC. CONCLUSION: Vision tends to be better in Avastin-treated eyes when an FC is present. Morphological characteristics of retinal anatomy may predict visual function.

Vitrectomy after intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) for retinal detachment in retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing vitrectomies after using bevacizumab (Avastin, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) for the management of retinal detachments in retinopathy of prematurity. METHODS: Eleven eyes of 8 children with retinopathy of prematurity retinal detachment that developed despite peripheral ablation with indirect diode laser were injected with 0.625 mg bevacizumab. Injections were given through the pars plicata, and the status of the central retinal artery was checked with indirect ophthalmoscopy. A vitreoretinal surgery was scheduled for 1 week after the bevacizumab injection. All eyes underwent surgery using 25- or 23-gauge instrumentation. Demographic data, neovascular activity, and the anatomic status of the retina were evaluated. Systemic and local perioperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The average gestational birth weight was 950 g, and the average gestational age at birth was 25.7 weeks. Although 9 eyes had stage 4A, 2 had stage 4B retinal detachments. Six eyes had zone II and five eyes had zone I disease. Bevacizumab was injected at an average postgestational age of 38 weeks. A notable reduction in the vascular activity could be observed 1 week later when vitrectomy was performed. With a mean follow-up of 8.5 months (range, 2-13 months), a favorable outcome could be observed in all eyes. Only one eye with persistent vitreous hemorrhage required reoperation. No complications attributable to the bevacizumab injections were noted. CONCLUSION: These data show that vitrectomy after intravitreal bevacizumab can be effective in selected cases. The regression of the vascular activity induced by this drug might contribute to better results in some of these cases. There were no apparent short-term safety concerns for intravitreal bevacizumab injections in these babies. However, additional studies are needed to define the role of bevacizumab as a possible adjuvant in the management of retinopathy of prematurity retinal detachments.

Treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report a noncomparative consecutive case series of eyes with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity treated only with intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin). METHODS: Twelve consecutive eyes of 7 premature infants, with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity as stated in the Results of the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Randomized Trial, were treated with only one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (0.625 mg). RetCam pictures were used to document the cases. RESULTS: Nine eyes had zone I and 3 eyes had zone II retinopathy of prematurity. The infants weighed between 600 and 1,100 grams (mean, 846.57 g). The gestational age ranged from 23 weeks to 28 weeks (mean, 25.57 weeks). All eyes showed regression of the disease with no additional treatment needed. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab is a useful therapy for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity. However, additional studies are needed to define the role of Avastin as the first-line therapy, in combination, or after the failure of laser photocoagulation.

25-gauge lens-sparing vitrectomy for stage 4A retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of performing lens-sparing vitrectomies using 25-gauge instruments for the management of stage 4A retinal detachments in Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). METHODS: 13 eyes of 10 patients with stage 4A retinal detachments underwent a lens-sparing pars plicata vitrectomy. All patients were operated using a three port transconjunctival 25-gauge sutureless technique. The sclerotomies were made 0.5 to 1.0 mm posterior to the limbus through the pars plicata. Core vitrectomy and membrane peeling were performed. A partial fluid-air exchange was used at the end of the procedure in the majority of the cases. The anatomic status of the retina was determined by ophthalmoscopy during routine follow up visits or under general anesthesia. Per-operative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Eight of the infants were female and two were male. The average postmenstrual age at birth was 26.4 weeks and the average postgestational age at time of surgery was 39.3 weeks (range, 33-44). Three out of the 13 eyes (23%) had zone I ROP. With a mean follow-up of 17 months (range, 4-36) 12 out of the 13 eyes (92%) achieved successful retinal reattachment. One eye developed post operative hypotony with a small choroidal detachment that resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention with a three port 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy is an effective technique to attach the retina in patients with stage 4A retinal detachment in ROP.

Zone I retinopathy of prematurity: clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes.

PURPOSE: To study the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes after laser and surgical treatment in a series of infants with zone I retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Preterm infants less than 1,500 g at birth diagnosed with zone I ROP were studied. Fifty-seven consecutive eyes in 29 infants with zone I ROP were treated with indirect diode laser. Within zone I, two anatomic subgroups (anterior and posterior) were defined. Additionally, 27 eyes (15 patients) with retinal detachment secondary to zone I ROP were surgically treated. Structural outcomes were evaluated 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Atypical morphologic characteristics were observed. Thirty-one out of 48 eyes (64.6%) with anterior zone I ROP and none of the 9 eyes with posterior zone I ROP had a favorable outcome (P < 0.001) after photocoagulation. In the surgery group, 14 out of 19 (74%) eyes with stage 4 and 1 out of 8 (13%) eyes with stage 5 had favorable outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical clinical features can be observed in zone I ROP. A posterior localization of the disease carries a worse prognosis after laser photocoagulation. Surgical intervention can effectively reattach the retina in a significant number of zone I ROP-related retinal detachments.