Dewetting-Assisted Interface Templating: Complex Emulsions to Multicavity Particles.

Interfacial tension-driven formation of intricate microparticle geometries from complex emulsions is presented in this work. Emulsion-templating is a reliable platform for the generation of a diverse set of microparticles. Here, water-in-styrene-in-water complex emulsions undergo reproducible metamorphosis, i.e., from liquid state emulsions to solid structured microparticles are employed. In contrast to the traditional usage of glass-based microfluidics, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) swelling behavior is employed to generate complex emulsions with multiple inner cores. In the presence of block copolymer surfactant, these emulsions undergo gravity-driven dewetting of styrene, to transform into membranous structures with compartments. Further polymerization of styrene skeletal remains resulted in microparticles with interesting geometries and intact membranes. Mechanical and confocal microscopic studies prove the absence of polystyrene within these membranes. Using osmotic pressure, membrane rupture and release of encapsulated gold nanoparticles from such polymerized emulsions leading up to applications in cargo delivery and membrane transport are promoted. Even after membrane rupture, the structured microparticles have shown interesting light-scattering behavior for applications in structural coloring and biosensing. Thereby, proving PDMS-based swelling as a potential methodology for reproducible production of complex emulsions with a potential to be transformed into membranous emulsions or solid microparticles with intricate structures and multiple applications.

Cavernous venous malformation of the lacrimal gland.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous venous malformation (CVM) is a common benign vascular lesion of the orbit. It was previously known as "orbital cavernous hemangioma". Localization within the lacrimal gland is extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 76-year-old man with an asymptomatic CVM of the left lacrimal gland incidentally discovered on a routine MRI. A curative and diagnostic en bloc surgical resection was performed, allowing for histological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: CVM of the lacrimal gland is extremely rare and usually asymptomatic. Proptosis is the main symptom. On MRI, the lesion appears hypointense with heterogeneous enhancement after Gadolinium injection on T1-weighted imaging and hyperintense on T2 STIR-weighted imaging. Histological examination is mandatory for the diagnosis. Surgical resection is usually performed.

Oral selenium improved the disease activity in patients with mild Graves' orbitopathy.

BACKGROUND: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is the most common extrathyroidal manifestation of Graves' disease (GD), an autoimmune disorder arising from the activity of T lymphocytes against antigens that infiltrate thyroid tissue, orbital tissue and extraocular muscles. An increase in oxidative stress has been discovered in autoimmune thyroid disease, encouraging investigation into new forms of treatment. Selenium has been described as a treatment option given its antioxidant properties. The present study evaluates the decrease of progression and inflammatory signs in patients with mild GO with oral selenium supplementation. METHODS: Controlled, randomized, single center trial at an ophthalmology referral center in Mexico City. Patients at least 18years of age with mild GO according to the CAS classification were included; exclusion criteria in addition to corticosteroid treatment included smokers or selenium allergy. Each patient was randomized into one of two groups. Group A took placebo tablets which consisted of 100µg of starch twice a day for 6months, and group B took a 100µg selenium tablet twice a day for 6months. The patients from both groups were examined and evaluated using a CAS score before and after the first, third and sixth month of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty eyes of 30 patients were studied. The pretreatment values showed no statistically significant differences between groups (P>0.05). Intergroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in palpebral fissure and CAS score between the pretreatment values and six months after treatment in the selenium group (P<0.05). No differences were found in any variables in the placebo group during the study period (P>0.05). No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in a Mexican population demonstrating that oral selenium decreases clinical activity and stops progression in patients with mild GO.

Fibrous dysplasia of the orbital region: Series of 12 cases and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign fibro-osseous developmental disorder of growing bone, sometimes involving the craniofacial skeleton (CFD). We wish to present a patient series with CFD of the orbital region and discuss treatment modalities. METHODS: Twelve patients were referred for orbital CFD in the Nantes University Hospital between 2000 and 2018 and studied according to the clinical parameters, radiological features, and modalities of treatment. RESULTS: The mean age was 25.6 years. Ten patients exhibited facial asymmetry with vertical globe dystopia (75%), proptosis (58%) and facial bump (50%). The disease was monostotic in 83% of patients, involving the frontal bone (25%), the sphenoidal bone (33%), the fronto-sphenoidal complex (25%), and the skull base (17%). Unilateral radiological proptosis was found in 7 patients, with a mean protrusion 3.9mm. The optic canal was involved in 75% of patients, with no functional impairment. Three patients were treated with bisphosphonate therapy to stop progression of the disease; 6 patients were given a bone remodelling procedure with good aesthetic outcomes. CONCLUSION: The orbit is a rare localization for FD causing aesthetic and functional disabilities. Medical and surgical treatment can be proposed as part of a multidisciplinary approach.

Pseudotumor orbitário em paciente com doença de Still do adulto: associação incomum / Orbital pseudo tumor in a patient with adult-onset Still's disease: uncommom association

A doença de Still do adulto é uma desordem inflamatória rara, caracterizada por picos febris diários, rash evanescente, artrite e envolvimento de múltiplos órgãos. Manifestações oculares têm sido descritas associadas às manifestações clínicas clássicas da doença. Será descrito um caso de pseudotumor orbitário, condição clínica incomum, em uma paciente com diagnóstico de doença de Still do adulto.

Adult-onset Still's Disease is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by quotidian spiking fevers, evanescent rash, arthritis, and multiorgan involvement. Ocular manifestations have been reported associated with the classical clinical findings of this disease. We describe a case of orbital pseudo tumor, an uncommon clinical condition, in a patient with diagnosis of adult-onset Still's Disease.