Emergent cometlike swarming of optically driven thermally active colloids.

We propose a simple system of optically driven colloids that convert light into heat and move in response to self-generated and collectively generated thermal gradients. We show that the system exhibits self-organization into a moving cometlike swarm and characterize the structure and response of the swarm to a light-intensity-dependent external tuning parameter. We observe many interesting features in this nonequilibrium system including circulation and evaporation, intensity-dependent shape, density and temperature fluctuations, and ejection of hot colloids from the swarm tip.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for postoperative recurrent vitreous hemorrhage after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To describe the experience of authors using intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for eyes with recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (VH) after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: Chart review was performed on eligible eyes from the Illinois Retina Associates' patient database that had at least 6 months of follow-up after receiving IVB in the operative eye for recurrent VH after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: Twelve eyes of nine patients were included in the study and none required repeat vitrectomy for recurrent VH. Mean follow-up was 22 months (range, 8-42). A mean of 8.1 IVB (range, 1-18) were given. The mean number of recurrent VH was 4 (range, 2-8), and a mean of 3.5 of these VHs (range, 1-8) were clear at the appointment after an injection, typically in 4 to 6 weeks. Patients with history of multiple recurrent VH received prophylactic IVB, and repeated injections at regular intervals were associated with increased time period without recurrent VH. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab was a safe and effective adjunct in this series for the management of recurrent VH after vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy. No patients required repeat vitrectomy for recurrent VH, and prophylactic IVB was associated with longer periods of clear vitreous in the late postoperative period.

Ocular adnexal MALTomas: case series of patients treated with primary radiation.

BACKGROUND: Ocular adnexal mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (MALTomas) are rare, and there are no phase III trials to guide treatment. Primary radiation therapy has been the typical management. This retrospective series reports the experience of a single institution and adds to the current literature. METHODS: Our electronic medical record system and available paper charts were used to identify patients with MALTomas of the lacrimal gland or sac, conjunctiva, and orbital structures, including extraocular muscles. In order to determine pathology, staging, treatment information, local and distant control, salvage treatments, and late toxicity, records were reviewed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with ocular adnexal MALTomas had local radiation between 1992 and 2011 for primary or recurrent disease. Fifty percent of patients had lymphoma in the conjunctiva, 25% had lymphoma in the lacrimal sac/gland, and 25% of patients had lymphoma in the posterior orbit. Stage IAE disease occurred in 75% of patients, 6% had stage IIAE disease, and 19% of patients had a positive bone marrow biopsy. One patient received chemotherapy as part of initial therapy. The median radiation dose was 30 Gy (25.5-36 Gy) delivered with electrons (31%) or photons (69%). After a mean follow-up of 62.8 months, 2 patients had residual/progressive disease, 2 had contralateral recurrence, and 1 patient had a distant failure, for local control of 87.5% and overall disease control of 68.75%. Recurrence/progression occurred at a median of 35.45 months. Two patients with residual/progressive disease and 1 patient with a contralateral recurrence were followed, successfully salvaged, and have no evidence of disease. Fourteen patients are still alive, and there were no disease-related/toxicity deaths. Seven patients developed cataracts in the treated eye, 2 patients had radiation retinopathy, 2 had permanent dry eye syndrome, and 1 patient had severe keratopathy requiring enucleation. Six patients (3.75%) had worsening visual acuity of unclear etiology. CONCLUSIONS: Primary radiation therapy for ocular adnexal MALTomas with a median dose of 30 Gy led to excellent local control. Patients who did recur were successfully salvaged. Radiation was generally well tolerated, with expected cataractogenesis, given the dose required to achieve local control (with only 1 patient developing severe keratopathy after receiving the highest dose in this series).

Translocation through environments with time dependent mobility.

We consider single particle and polymer translocation where the frictional properties experienced from the environment are changing in time. This work is motivated by the interesting frequency responsive behaviour observed when a polymer is passing through a pore with an oscillating width. In order to explain this better we construct general diffusive and non-diffusive frequency response of the gain in translocation time for a single particle in changing environments and look at some specific variations. For two state confinement, where the particle either has constant drift velocity or is stationary, we find exact expressions for both the diffusive and non-diffusive gain. We then apply this approach to polymer translocation under constant forcing through a pore with a sinusoidally varying width. We find good agreement for small polymers at low frequency oscillation with deviations occurring at longer lengths and higher frequencies. Unlike periodic forcing of a single particle at constant mobility, constant forcing with time dependent mobility is amenable to exact solution through manipulation of the Fokker-Planck equation.

Active polymer translocation through flickering pores.

Single file translocation of a homopolymer through an active channel under the presence of a driving force is studied using Langevin dynamics simulation. It is shown that a channel with sticky walls and oscillating width could lead to significantly more efficient translocation as compared to a static channel that has a width equal to the mean width of the oscillating pore. The gain in translocation exhibits a strong dependence on the stickiness of the pore, which could allow the polymer translocation process to be highly selective.

Culture-positive endophthalmitis after implantation of intraocular Collamer lens.

We report a case of culture-positive bacterial endophthalmitis following implantation of a Staar intraocular Collamer lens (ICL). The patient presented 4 days after uneventful sutureless surgery with decreased visual acuity, redness, and photosensitivity. Inflammation increased over the next 24 hours, which prompted a tap for culture and intravitreal injection of antibiotic agents. Vitreous culture was positive for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus epidermidis. One year postoperatively, the uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20; persistent anterior vitreous opacities were the only observable sequelae. Bacterial endophthalmitis is a potential complication of ICL implantation. It can be successfully diagnosed and treated if a high degree of suspicion is maintained and if appropriate diagnostic and treatment modalities are used.