Vacuoles in the Acrysof intraocular lens as factor of the presence of serum in aqueous humor.

OBJECTIVE: Acrysoftrade mark (Alcon) foldable lenses (IOLs) have been shown to be highly biocompatible and exhibit a low incidence of posterior capsular opacification. However, minute vacuoles or 'glistenings' have been observed in some Acrysof IOLs. The clinical relevance of vacuole formation is presently unclear. To help clarify the influence of factors present under in vivo conditions on vacuole formation, the present experimental study examines the influence of aqueous humor components on the occurrence of vacuoles in Acrysof IOLs. METHODS: A total of 12 sterile Acrysof IOLs (Alcon, MA60BM) were incubated at body temperature (37 degrees C) for 3 or 6 months in anterior-chamber aqueous humor with or without human serum. The center portion was cut from two unconditioned, unhydrated, sterile control IOLs and the 12 conditioned IOLs and examined using light microscopy for vacuole formation. A third unconditioned, hydrated control IOL was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. MEASURES: The incidence of vacuoles was quantified by two independent investigators using light microscopy. After hydration with balanced salt solution, the surface quality of a control IOL was examined using scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The control IOLs exhibited no or very few vacuoles. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the control IOLs had normal surface texture without any surface vacuoles. IOLs that had been conditioned in aqueous humor without serum exhibited no great increase in the number of vacuoles, whereas IOLs conditioned in aqueous humor with serum exhibited a greater number of vacuoles that increased over time. CONCLUSIONS: The number of vacuoles increases with incubation time in aqueous humor containing serum. The addition of serum increased the proportion of lipids and proteins in the solution, which also occurs with a breakdown in the blood-aqueous barrier. The results of the present study point to a physiological factor that may lead to vacuole formation in IOLs and may aid clinicians in identifying risk factors involved in the formation of vacuoles.

Scanning electron microscopic characteristics of phakic intraocular lenses.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surface quality of new generation phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs). DESIGN: Experimental materials study. MATERIALS: Three different new generation phakic IOLs: angle-fixated anterior chamber lens Chiron Vision NuVita MA20 (polymethylmethacrylate [PMMAD, iris-fixated anterior chamber lens Ophtec Artisan Iris-Claw (PMMA), posterior chamber lens Staar ICM (polymer from porcine collagen and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate [HEMA]). METHODS: Representative samples of three different phakic IOLs underwent surface and edge-finish examination with light microscopy (LM). The phakic IOLs were then examined by use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and particular attention was given to optic surface quality, edge finish, haptic, and optic/haptic junction. RESULTS: In all IOLs the LM examination showed a smooth and homogeneous surface. No irregularities, particularly at the optic front and back surface, optic edge, haptic, and the optic/haptic junctions, were detected by SEM. One exception was a minor surface roughness at the claws of an Artisan iris-fixated anterior chamber IOL. CONCLUSIONS: Phakic IOLs are implanted either in the anterior or posterior chamber of healthy eyes, and high standards for their surface quality are required. The evaluation of surface properties with LM and SEM did not reveal any defects that contraindicate the implantation of phakic IOLs.

[Long-term stability of heparin-coated PMMA intraocular lenses. Results of an in vitro study]. / Langzeitstabilität der Heparinbeschichtung von PMMA-Intraokularlinsen. Ergebnisse einer In-vitro-Studie.

UNLABELLED: The surface modification of PMMA-intraocular lenses (IOLs) demonstrated a blood-aqueous-barrier protective effect and reduced the incidence of IOL depositions and postoperative fibrin exudation, especially in risk patients (e.g. pediatric cataract, diabetes mellitus, recurrent uveitis). The long-term stability of the surface modification via phenylimines, which permit a covalent surface linkage of heparin to synthetic polymeric materials by reductive amination, is still unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four heparin surface-modified (HSM) monofocal and two unmodified monofocal sterile PMMA-IOLs were stored in an aqueous-serum mixture at 37 degrees C over a period of 4 years and 1 months with daily rotation. After 4 years the concentration of surface-bound heparin on two HSM-IOLs of this mixture and two brand-new HSM-IOLs were determined using an orcin-assay after initial heparinase treatment. Four years after incubation, the modified toluidine blue staining method was used to examine the surface-bound heparin on synthetic polymers. This staining technique with toluidine blue, a non-protein basic substance, enables examination and analysis of the homogeneity of the mono-molecular heparin layer even under critical conditions because of its homogeneous staining. Light and scanning electron microscopic examination of the IOL surfaces were subsequently performed. RESULTS: The concentration of heparin (microgram/cm2) on the IOL surface after 4 years of incubation and treatment with heparinase was valued at 0.51 +/- 0.05 and 0.53 +/- 0.04 in the two brand-new HSM-IOLs. A slightly coarsegrained complex agglutination on the IOL surface was detected by the toluidine blue staining method. Light and spectral microscopy of the surface of the stained IOLs as well as scanning electron microscopy of all HSM-IOLs showed a homogeneous heparin structure and coating after 4 years of in vitro storage. No signs of desorption or reduced reactivity of the heparin were observed in comparison with new HSM-IOLs. The unmodified PMMA-IOLs did not stain, as expected. CONCLUSION: The heparin-modified surface of the examined PMMA-IOLs was intact even after 4 years of storage in an aqueous serum solution. A long-term benefit, in addition to the advantages of the hydrophilisation in the immediate postoperative period, especially for risk patients, is therefore suggested.

Selective binding of Ca2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ and K+ by the physodes of the green alga Mougeotia scalaris.

Cells of the zygnematophycean green alga Mougeotia contain numerous globules with polyphenolic matrix, which resemble physodes. In order to analyse the capability of this compartment to sequester various ions, trichomes of Mougeotia scalaris were either fixed for X-ray microanalysis simultaneously in 2% glutardialdehyde/1% OsO4 in phosphate buffers of different K+/Na(+)-ratios, or embedded directly (fresh material) in Nanoplast resin. In addition, fixed material was treated with potassium antimonate and Ca2+ localization was examined by electron microscopic cytochemistry. A Ca(2+)-depletion upon fixation at different K+/Na(+)-ratios resulted in selective uptake of potassium, but not sodium. Consistent with earlier findings, calcium-binding by the polyphenolic physode matrix does not depend merely on electric charge but also on the presence of protonated/deprotonated phenolic groups, together with ester-linked carbonyl oxygen, which seem to be good candidates for a co-ordinate type of calcium-binding. Nanoplast embedding turned out to be the most adequate and fastest preparation for X-ray microanalysis and, apart from retaining calcium, allowed the detection of zinc and copper inside the physodes.

Scanning electron microscopic analysis of foldable acrylic and hydrogel intraocular lenses.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the surface quality of foldable acrylic and hydrogel intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, and Institute of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, University of Giessen, Germany. METHODS: We studied eight foldable IOL models with optics made of six different acrylate/methacrylate polymers: Acrylens ACR360 (loptex), AcrySof MA60BM (Alcon), MemoryLens U940A (Mentor), 92S and 92C (Morcher), Hydroview H60M (Storz), HydroSof SH30BC (Alcon), and ISH66 (Corneal). Four IOLs of each design were examined. Light and scanning electron microscopy were performed before and after IOL folding with forceps. RESULTS: All IOL models had excellent optic and haptic surfaces. The haptic-optic junctions revealed minimal empty spaces or irregularities in three of the five three-piece IOLs and smooth surfaces in all one-piece IOLs. Minimal surface alterations and superficial defects caused by folding were detectable in the two acrylate (acrylic) IOLs (loptex ACR360, Alcon MA60BM) with low water content. CONCLUSION: Intraocular lenses of acrylate/methacrylate polymers had excellent surface quality. The acrylic IOLs were vulnerable to mild folding or forceps defects; however, these were less marked than those previously noted with poly(methyl methacrylate) IOLs.

[Surface quality of flexible silicone intraocular lenses. A scanning electron microscopy study]. / Oberflächenqualität faltbarer Intraokularlinsen aus Silikon. Eine rasterelektronenmikroskopische Studie.

BACKGROUND: Soft intraocular lenses (IOLs) have been developed to be folded during insertion to allow implantation through a small incision. The surface of the IOL is of great importance in postoperative inflammation and long-term acceptance of the implant. Rough and sharp edges can damage delicate intraocular tissues. The purpose of this study was to analyze new, foldable silicone IOLs for surface quality prior to and following folding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven silicone IOLs of different types were included in this study (four one-piece plate-haptic silicone IOLs and seven three-piece silicone IOLs with polypropylene, PMMA or polyimid haptics). We performed scanning electron microscopy on brand-new IOLs prior to and following folding either with forceps or inserter. Special attention was given to the silicone optic surface, optic edges, haptic-optic junctions and the haptic itself. Photographs were taken at 5-350 times magnification. RESULTS: All IOLS demonstrated a smooth and homogeneous optic surface at low magnification. At high-power magnification (X 350), distinctive surface patterns were evident in some IOLs, which turned out to be artefacts. The edge finish showed surplus silicone material and molding flash in six of 11 IOLs. Positioning holes of the 4 plate-haptic IOLs were, except in one IOL, rounded and not rough. Photographs of the haptic-optic junctions revealed surplus material or clefts between the haptic and optic in six of the 7 three-piece IOLs; the loop ends of two IOLs showed a roughened or irregular surface. We did not detect any IOL changes produced by folding. CONCLUSIONS: The silicone IOLs tested demonstrated generally acceptable surface properties, but most IOLs had regional surface irregularities of varying magnitude. The clinical impact of these remains to be established, but surplus material or surface defects might result in deposition of inflammatory cells, protein or microorganisms and synechia formation. Folding of the IOLs did not produce superficial defects.

Electron microscopic characterization of calcium-binding physodes in the green alga Mougeotia scalaris.

Effect of the covalently cross-linking agents glutardialdehyde and osmium tetroxide, and of adsorption of the vital dye, neutral red, to the matrix of the calcium-binding "vesicles" from the green alga Mougeotia scalaris has been analysed in situ, both in terms of structural preservation and of the calcium-binding capacity of the vesicles. Upon cell fixation in glutardialdehyde without OsO4, the vesicles appear to dissolve, but upon simultaneous fixation in glutardialdehyde with OsO4 (1% w/v), the vesicles retain a globular form, are evenly stained by osmium and appear to be surrounded by a membrane-like structure. This structure was also observed around the vesicles in cells preincubated for 10 min in 0.1 mM neutral red and then fixed in glutardialdehyde/OsO4 for 1 h. More detailed information of the matrix structure is obtained when simultaneous fixation of the Mougeotia cells was shortened to 15 min: a membrane-like structure was no longer observed around the vesicles. After cell treatment in the presence of neutral red, no calcium at all was found inside the vesicles. A small amount of calcium remained, when cells were fixed simultaneously and extensively in the absence of neutral red. However, calcium was found, to a considerable extent, inside the vesicles after short simultaneous fixation of the cells in the absence of neutral red. Based on the ultrastructural and elemental features presented here, the calcium-binding vesicles in Mougeotia appear to represent a member of the large family of (calcium-binding) physodes in lower plants (CaBP).

Computerized three-dimensional reconstructions of serial sections in electron microscopy.

To improve reconstructive 3D electron microscopy novel methods are discussed to represent and process serial section images in a cuberille environment. This includes the analysis of the transfer characteristics of the image detection system, the use of laser-induced fiducials for deformation correction and alignment, the control of section thickness by EELS and the use of ESI to image thick sections.

Lipovitellin-phosvitin crystals with orthorhombic features: thin-section electron microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and microanalysis in teleost and amphibian yolk platelets and a comparison with other vertebrates.

Yolk-platelet crystals in the teleosts Pelvicachromis pulcher and Noemacheilus barbatulus and the amphibians Xenopus laevis, Rana temporaria, R. esculenta, and Triturus sp. have been studied by electron diffraction and imaging using a standardized processing (glutaraldehyde-osmium tetroxide fixation, glutaraldehyde-urea embedding, thin-section staining), by X-ray microanalysis, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of their constituents. The crystal lattice is orthorhombic having--following standardized processing--in three amphibians a = 9.0 nm, b = 17.6 nm, c = 19.2 nm, and in the two teleosts a = 8.9 nm, b = 17.6 nm, c = 20.0 nm (averages). These values are very close to X-ray data from wet crystals (Xenopus laevis). Crystal images in the three axial projections point to the presence of space group P212121 (or an approximation of it since the lipovitellin dimers cannot be fully equivalent in some cases), to differences between the phosvitins of the two teleosts, and to a highly unusual stain exclusion from large crystal constituents interpreted as representing lipovitellin dimers. Microanalysis in ultrathin cryosections and other preparations revealed K and Cl to be the prominent ions in the crystals (and in the superficial layer of the platelet). Gel electrophoresis (including data of cyclostomes) showed considerable molecular variations despite a closely similar crystal architecture, emphasizing a physiological significance of the architecture, which may have remained conserved for nearly 400 million years according to paleontologic views.