Orbital Decompression for the Treatment of Spontaneous Globe Luxations

Aims: To describe the results of orbital decompression in patients with spontaneous globe luxations and to evaluate predisposing factors for this condition.

Methods: The clinical records of patients who underwent orbital decompression for the treatment of spontaneous globe luxations between 2010 and 2013 were reviewed. Data collected were age, gender, predisposing factors, preoperative and postoperative exophthalmometry, duration of follow-up, presence of diplopia before and after surgery and intra- and postoperative complications.

Results: Seven patients underwent orbital decompression after spontaneous globe luxation during the study period. Six patients underwent bilateral decompression. Two patients underwent a three-wall decompression, four of them medial and lateral decompression and one patient medial decompression. The predisposing factors for globe luxation were Graves’ orbitopathy, malar hypoplasia, high myopia, floppy eyelid syndrome and orbital fat hypertrophy in the context of obesity. After orbital decompression, none of the patients reported new globe luxations. No intraoperative complications were observed. None of the patients developed de novo diplopia.

Discussion: Orbital decompression is an effective method for the prevention of new episodes in patients with spontaneous globe luxations. It has good aesthetic and functional results and addresses the exophthalmos present in most cases.     

Analysis of cytotoxic effects of silver nanoclusters on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells ‘in vitro’

The antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have made these particles one of the most used nanomaterials in consumer products. Therefore, an understanding of the interactions (unwanted toxicity) between nanoparticles and human cells is of significant interest. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro cytotoxicity effects of silver nanoclusters (AgNC, < 2 nm diameter) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Using flow cytometry and comet assay methods, we demonstrate that exposure of PBMC to AgNC induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis at 3, 6 and 12 h, with a dose‐dependent response (0.1, 1, 3, 5 and 30 µg ml^–1). Advanced electron microscopy imaging of complete and ultrathin‐sections of PBMC confirmed the cytotoxic effects and cell damage caused by AgNC. The present study showed that AgNC produced without coating agents induced significant cytotoxic effects on PBMC owing to their high aspect ratio and active surface area, even at much lower concentrations (<1 µg ml^–1) than those applied in previous studies, resembling what would occur under real exposure conditions to nanosilver‐functionalized consumer products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Recent US Case of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease—Global Implications

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) is a rare, fatal prion disease resulting from transmission to humans of the infectious agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. We describe the clinical presentation of a recent case of vCJD in the United States and provide an update on diagnostic testing. The location of this patient’s exposure is less clear than those in the 3 previously reported US cases, but strong evidence indicates that exposure to contaminated beef occurred outside the United States more than a decade before illness onset. This case exemplifies the persistent risk for vCJD acquired in unsuspected geographic locations and highlights the need for continued global surveillance and awareness to prevent further dissemination of vCJD.     

Swa: a Subdivision

For some time, anomalous serological reactions have been observed when the same anti-Swa sera are tested against red cells from different individuals reported as Sw(a+). A comparative collaborative study using the same collection of Sw(a+) cells and anti-Swa sera was undertaken by 4 reference laboratories, and it was found that Swa represents a heterogeneous group of antigens that can be subdivided into two categories. Both categories, Sw(a+) 700:41 and Sw(a+) 700:-41, were shown to be inherited.