Safety Evaluation of Self-assembling Peptide Gel after Intracranial Administration to Rats Using the Open Field Test.

Self-assembling peptides have been developed as clinical materials, which could scaffold to regenerate nerve cells and hemostatic materials in vivo. However, there has not been enough information for their in vivo application. The safety of self-assembling peptides for the application on the brain was examined using behavioral tests for each rat in this study. Self-assembling peptide gel was administered to the surface of the brain at a volume of 20 µL at 1.5%. After 2 months, the open field test and the prepulse inhibition (PPI) test were performed. There were no significant differences between the peptide gel and the control groups in locomotor distances and in %PPIs in the PPI test. The mean values of the percentage of time the rats stayed in the central area of the open field during the first 5 min and instances of center rearing or face washing in the peptide gel group were significantly higher than those in the control. There were amorphous substance in the subarachnoid region, and infiltrations of mononuclear cells were also observed in the self-assembling peptide gel group. Although the meaning of the effects observed in this study was not fully elucidated, the self-assembling gel produced marginal but significant behavioral and histological effects.

Structure of the entire capsular bag containing an endocapsular equator ring and intraocular lens.

UNLABELLED: We report in vivo observation of a capsular bag containing an endocapsular equator ring and intraocular lens that was explanted 5 years after the initial surgery. The capsule equator remained completely circular. The inside of the capsular bag retained the open space, and the endocapsular equator ring blocked proliferative tissue under the anterior capsule at the equator and prevented posterior capsule opacification. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Evaluation of diminished microbial contamination in handling of a novel daily disposable flat pack contact lens.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a novel daily disposable (DD) flat package in regard to microbial contamination on the anterior and posterior surfaces of a contact lens (CL) during handling of the lens for insertion. METHODS: Four kinds of commercially available general blister-packed daily disposable contact lenses (DD CLs) as controls and a novel Magic 1-day Menicon Flat Pack as a test lens were used for this in vitro study. Lenses were removed from their packages using fingers coated with fluorescein 3 to 5 µm beads or an approximately 7×10(2) to 2×10(3) colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL Staphylococcus aureus suspension. The transfer of fluorescein beads to the surface of the lenses was then observed by fluorescence microscopy. Microbial contamination on the lenses was observed by light microscopy after a 2-day incubation period; and, the number of colonies isolated from the contaminated lenses was determined after 4 days of incubation. RESULTS: The number of fluorescein beads on the Magic lens was significantly less (p<0.05) than that of the general blister-packed control lenses. Adherence of microbial colonies was observed on both inner and outer surfaces of general blister-packed lenses, whereas no colony formation was found on the inner surface of the Magic lens, and the lowest bacterial adherence was observed for the Magic lens. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrated that placement of the Magic DD lens onto the eye is accompanied by diminished microbial contamination compared with general blister-packed DD CLs. Eye care professionals; however, should instruct patients to comply with intended use of DD CLs to prevent CL-associated microbial keratitis. In all cases, hand washing is mandated prelens insertion.

The correlation between various types of intraocular lens and laser wavelength.

PURPOSE: To analyze effects of the composition and the color of intraocular lenses (IOLs) on laser wavelength. DESIGN: A case control study. METHOD: Laser light rays at wavelengths ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 W were directed at a polymethymethacrylate ocular model fitted consecutively with three types of IOLs at various refractive powers. A laser detector was placed on the model beneath the lenses. The laser beam was passed through the IOLs and the output measured by a sensor. Attenuation rate was calculated. RESULTS: The colored IOL caused significantly more attenuation than did the noncolored IOLs (p <.01). A 30-diopter colored IOL showed an attenuation rate of up to 15% at a wavelength of 488 + 514 nm. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration of the wavelength and the output of a laser for a particular IOL is required when laser photocoagulation of the retina is performed in patients with pseudophakia.