Treatment of Dural Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas via the Medial Ophthalmic Vein

Aim: To present a novel approach to treatment of dural carotid-cavernous fistulas via the medial ophthalmic vein.

Design: Retrospective case series.

Material and Methods: In this retrospective case series, we present 2 patients (3 eyes) with Type C dural CCFs, who had failed cannulation via the conventional transfemoral route and the transorbital superior ophthalmic vein approach. They subsequently underwent CCF occlusion via an anterior orbital approach through the medial ophthalmic veins, at the Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital Singapore. CCF occlusion was confirmed intraoperatively using angiography. Both patients were evaluated postoperatively for best-corrected visual acuity and resolution of clinical signs and symptoms.

Results: Successful occlusion of CCFs via the medial ophthalmic veins were achieved in all three orbits, with excellent visual and cosmetic outcomes postoperatively.

Conclusion: Dural CCFs may potentially lead to severe visual dysfunction and should be diagnosed and treated promptly. When all venous routes have been exhausted, the transorbital approach via the medial ophthalmic vein remains an excellent and viable alternative to access the fistula. Close cooperation between the orbital, anesthetic and radiological teams is essential in ensuring success of the operation.     

小切口非超声乳化白内障摘除术与超声乳化白内障吸除术的对比

目的：对比分析小切口非超声乳化白内障摘除术与超声乳化白内障吸除术的临床应用效果。

方法：选取2010-03/2013-02收治的老年性白内障患者93例124眼随机分为两组,42例59眼行小切口非超声乳化白内障摘除术(SICS组),51例65眼行超声乳化白内障吸除术(Phaco组),比较两组患者术后视力、角膜散光、手术源性散光及术中、术后并发症。

结果：术后1d; 1wk两组患者视力≥0.5分别为SICS组38眼(64.4%),41眼(69.5%),Phaco组29眼(44.6%),32眼(49.2%),SICS组的视力优于Phaco组(χ²=4.877,5.243,P<0.05)。术后1,3mo两组视力≥0.5眼数比较差异无统计学意义(χ²=0.005,0.085,P>0.05)。平均角膜散光采用重复测量设计方差分析：组内比较不同时间有统计学意义(F=25.624,P<0.05),且有随时间降低的趋势; 组间比较无统计学意义(F=0.986,P>0.05),两组患眼术后1wk平均角膜散光较术前增大,差异有统计学意义(t=2.906,2.427,P<0.05)。术后1wk; 1mo Phaco组手术源性散光SIA均低于SICS组(t=-4.628,2.770,P<0.05),术后3mo两组SIA对比差异无统计学意义(t=0.754,P>0.05), 组内比较和组间比较不同时间的SIA均有统计学意义(F=26.37,P<0.05,F=14.29,P<0.05)。两组患者术中后囊膜破裂、术后角膜水肿、前房色素膜反应对比差异无统计学意义。

结论：小切口非超声乳化白内障摘除术与超声乳化白内障吸除术对比,两种手术术后效果相近,对于白内障的治疗方案选择,白内障超声乳化手术并非唯一最佳手术方案,在缺少超乳设备的边远地区,选择小切口非超声乳化手术同样可以达到与超乳手术接近的术后视觉效果。     

散光矫正型多焦点与单焦点人工晶状体植入术的效果对比

目的：比较并分析散光矫正型多焦点IOL与单焦点IOL植入术后早中期的临床效果差异。
　　方法：老年性白内障患者行超声乳化IOL植入术34例40眼,其中A组植入散光矫正型多焦点IOL者18例20眼;B组植入散光矫正型单焦点IOL者16例20眼,观察两组患者术后1 mo和6 mo的裸眼远视力、最佳矫正远视力、裸眼近视力、最佳矫正近视力、总眼球散光及术后6 mo时暗光下对比敏感度。
　　结果：两组患者的裸眼远视力、最佳矫正远视力及最佳矫正近视力差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。裸眼近视力差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后总眼球散光1mo时A组为0.65±0.25D,B组为0.52±0.27D,两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);6mo时A组为0.54±0.23D,B组为0.45±0.20D,两组比较差异亦无统计学意义( P>0.05)。6mo时暗光下对比敏感度及眩光对比敏感度两组比较在高频率差异具有统计学意义(P>0.05)。
　　结论：散光矫正型多焦点人工晶状体使具有较大角膜散光的白内障患者术后早期获得良好的、稳定的裸眼远、近视力,并且获得良好的视觉质量。     

Nut-like MOF/hydroxylated graphene hybrid materials for adsorptive desulfurization of thiophene

Nowadays, sulfur compounds in fuel oils are the main source of environmental pollution and ultra-deep desulfurization of fuel oils has become a top priority. Many porous materials such as activated carbon and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted attention in the field of adsorption desulfurization in recent years. A series of novel MOF/hydroxylated graphene hybrid materials were successfully designed and synthesized with different ratios for application in the field of ADS. The hydroxylated graphene (HG) was found dispersed not just on the surface but also inserted in the MOF crystals in what we call a nut-like structure. It was found that the introduction of a small amount (<8%) of HG does not hinder the formation of the Cu-BTC structure. Meanwhile, the adsorption performances of these composites for thiophene from oils were evaluated using batch adsorption tests at room temperature. The synergistic effect between Cu-BTC and HG in the hybrid materials can improve the adsorption capacity for thiophene molecules. The experimental equilibrium curve fitted well with the theoretical Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum sulfur adsorption capacity of 35.6 mg S g⁻¹ for the hybrid materials was calculated using the Langmuir adsorption equation, which increased by 48% compared to parent Cu-BTC. Thus, these hybrid materials have great potential for application in the adsorptive desulfurization process, especially for thiophenic compounds.

A series of novel metal–organic framework/hydroxylated graphene hybrid materials were successfully designed and synthesized with different ratios of Cu-BTC and hydroxylated graphene and their adsorption performances for thiophene from oils were evaluated.     

Formamidinium-based planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells with alkali carbonate-doped zinc oxide layer

We herein demonstrate n-i-p-type planar heterojunction perovskite solar cells employing spin-coated ZnO nanoparticles modified with various alkali metal carbonates including Li₂CO₃, Na₂CO₃, K₂CO₃ and Cs₂CO₃, which can tune the energy band structure of ZnO ETLs. Since these metal carbonates doped on ZnO ETLs lead to deeper conduction bands in the ZnO ETLs, electrons are easily transported from the perovskite active layer to the cathode electrode. The power conversion efficiency of about 27% is improved due to the incorporation of alkali carbonates in ETLs. As alternatives to TiO₂ and n-type metal oxides, electron transport materials consisting of doped ZnO nanoparticles are viable ETLs for efficient n-i-p planar heterojunction solar cells, and they can be used on flexible substrates via roll-to-roll processing.

Planar formamidinium perovskite solar cells have been fabricated with an alkali carbonate-doped zinc oxide layer.     

Stable polymer brushes with effectively varied grafting density synthesized from highly crosslinked random copolymer thin films

We demonstrate the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene-b-methyl methacrylate) (P(S-b-MMA)) brushes on crosslinked random copolymer thin films, compositionally varied poly(styrene-r-glycidyl methacrylate) (P(S-r-GMA)), which can be further functionalized with a molecule featuring an initiator group upon crosslinking to form highly stable thin films. With careful optimizations, PMMA brushes were successfully grown from the surfaces of initiator functionalized P(S-r-GMA) via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The grafting densities of the PMMA and P(S-b-MMA) brushes were effectively controlled to be in different density regimes by controlling the composition of P(S-r-GMA) and post-crosslinking functionalization methods. Synthesized BCP brushes were stable upon repetitive washing and thermal annealing processes even at high grafting density, highlighting that the outstanding stability of crosslinked P(S-r-GMA) thin films enables close examination of the morphology of thermally annealed P(S-b-MMA) brushes in different grafting density regimes.

Crosslinkable epoxy copolymers enable achieving highly stable P(S-b-MMA) brushes with controlled grafting density for close examination of phase separation behaviors.     

Antiobesity effects of the water-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract of Smilax china L. leaf in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESSeveral medicinal properties of Smilax china L. have been studied including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, the antiobesity activity and mechanism by which the water-soluble fraction of this plant mediates its effects are not clear. In the present study, we investigated the lipolytic actions of the water-soluble fraction of Smilax china L. leaf ethanol extract (wsSCLE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.MATERIALS/METHODSThe wsSCLE was identified by measuring the total polyphenol and flavonoid content. The wsSCLE was evaluated for its effects on cell viability, lipid accumulation, glycerol, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contents. In addition, western blot analysis was used to evaluate the effects on protein kinase A (PKA), PKA substrates (PKAs), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). For the lipid accumulation assay, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of wsSCLE for 9 days starting 2 days post-confluence. In other cell experiments, mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated for 24 h with wsSCLE.RESULTSResults showed that treatment with wsSCLE at 0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/mL had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, wsSCLE treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocyte controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. The wsSCLE significantly induced glycerol release and cAMP production in mature 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, protein levels of phosphorylated PKA, PKAs, and HSL significantly increased following wsSCLE treatment.CONCLUSIONThese results demonstrate that the potential antiobesity activity of wsSCLE is at least in part due to the stimulation of cAMP-PKA-HSL signaling. In addition, the wsSCLE-stimulated lipolysis induced by the signaling is mediated via activation of the β-adrenergic receptor.