Biodegradable Solid Polymer Electrolytes from the Discarded Cataractous Eye Protein Isolate.

The protein extracted from the discarded eye lenses postcataract surgery, referred to as the cataractous eye protein isolate (CEPI), is employed as a polymer matrix for the construction of solid polymer electrolyte species (SPEs). SPEs are expected to be inexpensive, conductive, and mechanically stable in order to be economically and commercially viable. Environmentally, these materials should be biodegradable and nontoxic. Taking these factors into account, we investigated the possibility of using a discarded protein as a polymer matrix for SPEs. Natural compounds sorbitol and sinapic acid (SA) are used as the plasticizer and cross-linker, respectively, to tune the mechanical as well as electrochemical properties. The specific material formed is demonstrated to have high ionic conductivity ranging from ∼2 × 10-2 to ∼8 × 10-2 S cm-1. Without the addition of any salt, the ionic conductivity of sorbitol-plasticized non-cross-linked CEPI is ∼7.5 × 10-2 S cm-1. Upon the addition of NaCl, the conductivity is enhanced to ∼8 × 10-1 S cm-1. This study shows the possibility of utilizing a discarded protein CEPI as an alternative polymer matrix with further potential for the construction of tunable, flexible, recyclable, biocompatible, and biodegradable SPEs for flexible green electronics and biological devices.

Surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane by the cataractous eye protein isolate.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), even though widely used in microfluidic applications, its hydrophobic nature restricts its utility in some cases. To address this, PDMS may be used in conjunction with a hydrophilic material. Herein, the PDMS surface is modified by plasma treatment followed by cross-linking with the cataractous eye protein isolate (CEPI). CEPI-PDMS composites are prepared at three pH and the effects of CEPI on the chemical, physical, and electrical properties of PDMS are extensively investigated. The cross-linking between PDMS and the protein are confirmed by FTIR, and the contact angle measurements indicate the improved hydrophilic nature of the composite films as compared to PDMS. Atomic Force Microscopy results demonstrate that the surface roughness is enhanced by the incorporation of the protein and is a function of the pH. The effective elastic modulus of the composites is improved by the incorporation of protein into the PDMS matrix. Measurements of the dielectric properties of these composites indicate that they behave as capacitors at lower frequency range while demonstrating resistive characteristics at higher frequency. These composites provide preliminary ideas in developing flexible devices for potential applications in diverse areas such as energy storage materials, and thermo-elective wireless switching devices.

Subluxated cataractous lens and high myopia: An uncommon association in an achondroplasia child.

Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant congenital disorder of endochondral ossification, induced by abnormal activity of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. Affected individuals have short stature and often present with neurological and skeletal complications. Most have normal intelligence. Ocular association with achondroplasia include simple microphthalmos, congenital-onset glaucoma with presumed Axenfeld-Rieger anomaly, telecanthus, exotropia, inferior oblique overaction, angle anomalies, Duane retraction syndrome, cone-rod dystrophy, fundus albipunctatus, chorioretinal coloboma, macular coloboma, keratoconus, and developmental cataract. A 6-year-old achondroplasia boy with developmental delay had a high axial length (high myopia) in both eyes. This child had a left eye subluxated cataractous lens, while the other eye showed mild lens changes. All achondroplasia patients should be routinely screened in detail for lens and other ophthalmological anomalies so that they can undergo timely intervention and management.

End-to-end residual attention mechanism for cataractous retinal image dehazing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cataract is one of the most common causes of vision loss. Light scattering due to clouding of the lens in cataract patients makes it extremely difficult to image the retina of cataract patients with fundus cameras, resulting in a serious decrease in the quality of the retinal images taken. Furthermore, the age of cataract patients is generally too old, in addition to cataracts, the patients often have other retinal diseases, which brings great challenges to experts in the clinical diagnosis of cataract patients using retinal imaging. METHODS: In this paper, we present the End-to-End Residual Attention Mechanism (ERAN) for Cataractous Retinal Image Dehazing, which it includes four modules: encoding module, multi-scale feature extraction module, feature fusion module, and decoding module. The encoding module encodes the input cataract haze image into an image, facilitating subsequent feature extraction and reducing memory usage. The multi-scale feature extraction module includes a hole convolution module, a residual block, and an adaptive skip connection, which can expand the receptive field and extract features of different scales through weighted screening for fusion. The feature fusion module uses adaptive skip connections to enhance the network's ability to extract haze density images to make haze removal more thorough. Furthermore, the decoding module performs non-linear mapping on the fused features to obtain the haze density image, and then restores the haze-free image. RESULTS: The experimental results show that the proposed method has achieved better objective and subjective evaluation results, and has a better dehazing effect. CONCLUSION: We proposed ERAN method not only provides visually better images, but also helps experts better diagnose other retinal diseases in cataract patients, leading to better care and treatment.

Concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and interleukin-1 in the aqueous humor of dogs with normal and cataractous eyes

ABSTRACT: We aimed to determine the concentration of MMP-2 and IL-1 in the aqueous humor of dogs with healthy eyes (n=8) and in those with mature (n=8) and hyper mature cataracts (n=8). Correlations between cytokines, cytokines, and intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as cytokines with ages of patients of each group, were also assessed. In patients with cataract, aqueous humor was collected at the end of the electroretinographic procedure. In healthy dogs, aqueous humor was collected before elective surgeries. Cytokine levels were determined using ELISA. IOP was assessed by applanation tonometry. IOP of patients with mature and hyper mature cataracts were lower than the ones measured in normal eyes (P=0.158). MMP-2 aqueous humor concentration was higher in patients with hyper mature cataracts, in comparisons with healthy patients (P=0.04). Average IL-1 aqueous concentration was higher in patients with cataracts (P 0.0001). Significant higher values of IL-1 were observed in patients with hyper mature, than in the ones with mature cataracts (P=0.0085). Correlations between MMP-2 and IL-1 (r=-0.38, P=0.06), MMP-2 and IOP (r=-0.149, P=0.484), and IL-1 and the ages of patients were not observed (P>0.05). IL-1 and IOP correlated negatively (r=-0.42, P=0.04). MMP-2 and the ages of patients correlated only in dogs with mature cataracts (r=0.772, P=0.02). It can be concluded that the increment in the aqueous humor concentration of IL-1 found in dogs with mature and hyper mature cataracts, in addition to the negative relationship of this cytokine with IOP, suggests that IL-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of LIU. Despite dogs with hypermature cataracts presented significant higher concentrations of MMP-2 in the aqueous humor, such cytokine did not correlate with IL-1 and IOP. In our study, a relationship between aqueous humor cytokines and the ages of patients was only confirmed between MMP-2 and the ages of dogs with mature cataracts.

RESUMO: Objetivou-se determinar as concentrações da metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) e de interleucina-1 (IL-1 ) em cães com olhos saudáveis (n=8) e naqueles com catarata madura (n=8) e hipermatura (n=8). Correlações entre ambas as citocinas, entre as citocinas e a pressão intraocular (PIO), assim como entre as citocinas e a idade dos pacientes dentro de cada grupo foram averiguadas. Nos pacientes com catarata, o humor aquoso foi colhido ao final da eletrorretinografia. Nos cães saudáveis, o humor aquoso foi colhido antes do início de cirurgias eletivas. Os níveis das citocinas foram determinados por ELISA e a PIO por tonometria de aplanação. A PIO dos pacientes com catarata madura e hipermadura foram mais baixas que aquelas dos pacientes controle (P=0.158). A concentração de MMP-2 no humor aquoso foi maior nos pacientes com catarata hipermtura, comparativamente aos pacientes saudáveis (P=0.04). A concentração de IL-1 no humor aquoso foi mais elevada nos cães com catarata (P 0.0001). Nos pacientes com catarata hipermatura, os valores de IL-1 foram significativamente mais altos que aqueles dosados nos pacientes com catarata madura (P=0.0085). Correlações entre MMP-2 e IL-1 (r=-0.38, P=0.06), MMP-2 e PIO (r=-0.149, P=0.484) e IL-1 e as idades dos pacientes não foram observadas (P>0.05). A IL-1 se correlacionou negativamente com a PIO (r=-0.42, P=0.04). Correlação entre MMP-2 e a idades dos pacientes foi observada apenas nos cães com catarata madura (r=0.772, P=0.02). Conclui-se que o aumento na concentração de IL-1 no humor aquoso de cães com catarata madura e hipermatura, associado à correlação negativa entre essa citocina e a PIO, sugerem que a mesma está envolvida na patogênese da uveíte induzida pela lente. Apesar dos cães com catarata hipermadura apresentarem concentrações significativamente maiores de MMP-2 no humor aquoso, essa citocina não se correlacionou com a IL-1 e a PIO. Em nosso estudo, correlação entre as citocinas dosadas no humor aquoso e a idade dos pacientes foi confirmada apenas entre MMP-2 e a idade dos cães com catarata madura.

Concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and interleukin-1 beta in the aqueous humor of dogs with normal and cataractous eyes / Concentração de metaloprotease-2 e de interleucina-1 beta no humor aquoso de cães com olhos normais e cataratosos

We aimed to determine the concentration of MMP-2 and IL-1ß in the aqueous humor of dogs with healthy eyes (n=8) and in those with mature (n=8) and hyper mature cataracts (n=8). Correlations between cytokines, cytokines, and intraocular pressure (IOP), as well as cytokines with ages of patients of each group, were also assessed. In patients with cataract, aqueous humor was collected at the end of the electroretinographic procedure. In healthy dogs, aqueous humor was collected before elective surgeries. Cytokine levels were determined using ELISA. IOP was assessed by applanation tonometry. IOP of patients with mature and hyper mature cataracts were lower than the ones measured in normal eyes (P=0.158). MMP-2 aqueous humor concentration was higher in patients with hyper mature cataracts, in comparisons with healthy patients (P=0.04). Average IL-1 ß aqueous concentration was higher in patients with cataracts (P<0.0001). Significant higher values of IL-1 ß were observed in patients with hyper mature, than in the ones with mature cataracts (P=0.0085). Correlations between MMP-2 and IL-1 ß (r=-0.38, P=0.06), MMP-2 and IOP (r=-0.149, P=0.484), and IL-1 ß and the ages of patients were not observed (P>0.05). IL-1 ß and IOP correlated negatively (r=-0.42, P=0.04). MMP-2 and the ages of patients correlated only in dogs with mature cataracts (r=0.772, P=0.02). It can be concluded that the increment in the aqueous humor concentration of IL-1 ß found in dogs with mature and hyper mature cataracts, in addition to the negative relationship of this cytokine with IOP, suggests that IL-1 ß is involved in the pathogenesis of LIU. Despite dogs with hypermature cataracts presented significant higher concentrations of MMP-2 in the aqueous humor, such cytokine did not correlate with IL-1 ß and IOP. In our study, a relationship between aqueous humor cytokines and the ages of patients was only confirmed between MMP-2 and the ages of dogs with mature cataracts.(AU)

Objetivou-se determinar as concentrações da metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2) e de interleucina-1 ß (IL-1 ß) em cães com olhos saudáveis (n=8) e naqueles com catarata madura (n=8) e hipermatura (n=8). Correlações entre ambas as citocinas, entre as citocinas e a pressão intraocular (PIO), assim como entre as citocinas e a idade dos pacientes dentro de cada grupo foram averiguadas. Nos pacientes com catarata, o humor aquoso foi colhido ao final da eletrorretinografia. Nos cães saudáveis, o humor aquoso foi colhido antes do início de cirurgias eletivas. Os níveis das citocinas foram determinados por ELISA e a PIO por tonometria de aplanação. A PIO dos pacientes com catarata madura e hipermadura foram mais baixas que aquelas dos pacientes controle (P=0.158). A concentração de MMP-2 no humor aquoso foi maior nos pacientes com catarata hipermtura, comparativamente aos pacientes saudáveis (P=0.04). A concentração de IL-1 ß no humor aquoso foi mais elevada nos cães com catarata (P<0.0001). Nos pacientes com catarata hipermatura, os valores de IL-1 ß foram significativamente mais altos que aqueles dosados nos pacientes com catarata madura (P=0.0085). Correlações entre MMP-2 e IL-1 ß (r=-0.38, P=0.06), MMP-2 e PIO (r=-0.149, P=0.484) e IL-1 ß e as idades dos pacientes não foram observadas (P>0.05). A IL-1 ß se correlacionou negativamente com a PIO (r=-0.42, P=0.04). Correlação entre MMP-2 e a idades dos pacientes foi observada apenas nos cães com catarata madura (r=0.772, P=0.02). Conclui-se que o aumento na concentração de IL-1 ß no humor aquoso de cães com catarata madura e hipermatura, associado à correlação negativa entre essa citocina e a PIO, sugerem que a mesma está envolvida na patogênese da uveíte induzida pela lente. Apesar dos cães com catarata hipermadura apresentarem concentrações significativamente maiores de MMP-2 no humor aquoso, essa citocina não se correlacionou com a IL-1 ß e a PIO. Em nosso estudo, correlação entre as citocinas dosadas no humor aquoso e a idade dos pacientes foi confirmada apenas entre MMP-2 e a idade dos cães com catarata madura.(AU)

Biodegradable protein films from gallic acid and the cataractous eye protein isolate.

Films have been prepared from the natural antioxidant gallic acid and a proteinaceous source, the discarded emulsion obtained after cataract surgery referred to as the cataractous eye protein isolate (CEPI). Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and SDS PAGE studies confirmed the crosslinking of gallic acid with CEPI. The cross-section and surface of films were further characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The decrease in crystallinity of the films was confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The thermal property of the films is enhanced by the addition of gallic acid as evidenced from the Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies. Films having 2% (w/w) gallic acid exhibited the maximum tensile strength of 2.88 ±â€¯0.32 MPa comparable to other cross-linked films such as soy, casein, canola based protein films. The light barrier property of the films improved with incorporation of gallic acid. The cross-linked films were degraded by the application of the enzyme trypsin. The films also showed good antioxidant properties as determined from the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The gallic acid incorporated nontoxic CEPI films are biodegradable and possess appreciable mechanical properties and could find use in diverse applications including pharmaceuticals.

Tuning the mechanical and physicochemical properties of cross-linked protein films.

Films derived from natural sources such as proteins provide an advantage over synthetic films due to their noncytotoxicity, biodegradability, and vast functionality. A new protein source gained from the cataractous eye protein isolate (CEPI) obtained after surgery has been investigated for this purpose. Glycerol has been employed as the plasticizer and glutaraldehyde (GD) as a cross-linker. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to characterize the films. Nanoindentation and thermogravimetric analyses reveal improved mechanical and thermal properties of the cross-linked films. The films with 20% (w/w) GD exhibited properties such as the highest modulus and low water solubility. It is possible to tune the properties based on the extent of cross-linking. All the films were completely degraded by the enzyme trypsin. The similarity of these films was checked by using the prepared films as a delivery vehicle for a model compound, ampicillin sodium. The encapsulation efficiency was found to be 74%, and in vitro release studies showed significant amounts of drug release at physiological pH. This study will help us understand how the properties of protein films can be tuned to obtain the desired physicochemical properties. These biodegradable protein films could find use in pharmaceutical industries as delivery carriers.

A comparative clinical study on the generation of nitrosative stress in cataractous lenses of smokers and non-smoker tobacco patients.

AIM:: To quantify the levels of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and 3-nitrotyrosine in cataractous lenses of smokers and smokers who chewed tobacco in comparison with non-smokers and non-smokers who chewed tobacco. STUDY DESIGN:: A total of 80 cataractous lenses from smokers, non-smokers, smokers with tobacco chewing habit, and non-smokers with tobacco chewing habit were collected from the patients who had enrolled in the Department of Ophthalmology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College & Research Institute, Puducherry. METHODS:: Levels of nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and 3-nitrotyrosine were quantified using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS:: The mean concentrations of lens nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and 3-nitrotyrosine are as follows: (a) smokers-112.01, 59.57, and 88.91 µmol/L; (b) smokers who chewed tobacco-175.15, 93.95, and 128.72 µmol/L; (c) non-smokers-76.15, 40.65, and 70.20 µmol/L; and (d) non-smokers who chewed tobacco-96.56, 52.87, and 83.88 µmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION:: Nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and 3-nitrotyrosine at high levels are the major causative agents for cataractogenesis. The results of this study suggest that smoking and tobacco chewing habit generate nitrosative stress that could enhance the pathogenesis for early cataractogenesis.

Transmission Electron Microscopic Findings of the Normal and Mature Cataractous Lenses

PURPOSE: Phacoemulsification is now a well-established technique for the surgical treatment of soft cataractous lens, hard lenses being considered less suitable. We have been examined noraml and mature cataractous lenses by transmission electron microscopy. METHODS: A soft cataractous lens and a normal lens were extracted from cadavers. In addition, four hard cataractous and a soft cataractous lenses were extracted from five patients who underwent extracapsular cataract extraction. RESULTS: In transmission electron microscopic investigation of normal lens and soft and hard cataractous lenses, the normal lenses showed classical ball-and-socket inter- digitations and relatively regular arrangement of fiber cell. In soft mature cataracts, disruptions of fiber cell morphology including numerous ball-and-socket interdigitations, abrupt continuities in fiber cell membranes and high amplitude of undulating membranes were present. In the hard cataractous lenses, the fiber cell morphology was severely damaged. The interfibrous spaces were more compact and irregular than soft mature cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: The large amount of irregular undulating membranes and flattening of fiber cells increases the condenssness of hard cataracts, and makes phacoemulsification less suitable.

The Effect of Diffusion Blur on Central and Peripheral Vision in Normal Adults

Diffusion blur, caused by liquid crystal windows, reduces contrast sensitivity and luminance, so visual acuity is decreased. Moreover, the windows' optical characteristics are similar to those of the cataractous lens. We measured the effect of liquid crystal window on central and peripheral visual acuity using Snellen and grating visual acuity charts. The subjects were 10 normal adults, therefore 20 eyes. We measured the voltage of the liquid crystal window at which the subjects could read the visual acuity chart through the liquid crystal window. In central vision, visual acuity was overestimated according to the Snellen chart, when compared to the results measured by those grating chart. But in peripheral vision, there were no differences between the two visual acuity charts. These results suggested that grating acuity has some limitations when used as a visual acuity test for cataractous patient. The ability of liquid crystal windows to cause diffusion blur suggests they could be used for foUowup observation in treatment of amblyopia or macular diseases.

Detection of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor mRNA by in Situ Hybridization in Cataractous Lens Epithelium

In this study, we investigated the correlation between the expression of EGFR-mRNA in situ hybridization method and the clinical feature of the cataract. The results were as followed. Nineteen out of fourty six cases(41.3%) were showed the expression of EGFRmRNA in lens epithelium. No correlation between the age of the lenses and the expression of EGFR-mRNA could be demonstrated. The expression of EGFR-mRNA in lens epithelium correlated significantly (P<0.01) with the clinical stage of the cataract. No correlation between the diabetes mellitus and the expression of EGFRmRNA could be demonstated. These results suggest that the EGFR-mRNA status in lens epithelium could be important for the development of the cataract.