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。     

骨髓间充质干细胞应用于角膜疾病的研究进展

随着干细胞科学的飞速发展,近年间充质干细胞(MSCs)的研究已成为热点。骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)是来源于骨髓中的MSCs,具有免疫原性低、有多向分化潜能、促进损伤修复、性能稳定等生物学优点。研究发现,BMSCs是医学领域中极具前景的一种特殊细胞,几乎在各系统疾病的治疗方面都有广泛应用。眼科学者的研究也发现,BMSCs已经成为角膜疾病中一种兼具科研价值和临床价值的种子细胞,为角膜盲患者的康复带来了一线希望。本文就BMSCs对角膜损伤与角膜移植排斥反应治疗方面的研究做一综述。     

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.     

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.     

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Daraesoon (Actinidia arguta shoot) in animal models of diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the treatment of diabetes mellitus is the attainment of glycemic control. Hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress which contributes to the progression of diabetic complications. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Daraesoon (Actinidia arguta shoot) in animal models of diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes received an oral administration of a starch solution (1 g/kg) either with or without a 70% ethanol extract of Daraesoon (400 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) after an overnight fast and their postprandial blood glucose levels were measured. Five-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed either a basal or high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet with or without Daraesoon extract (0.4%) or acarbose (0.04%) for 12 weeks after 1 week of adaptation to determine the effects of the chronic consumption of Daraesoon on fasting hyperglycemia and antioxidant status.

RESULTS

Compared to the control group, rats that received Daraesoon extract (400 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) exhibited a significant reduction in the area under the postprandial glucose response curve after the oral ingestion of starch. Additionally, the long-term consumption of Daraesoon extract or acarbose significantly decreased serum glucose and insulin levels as well as small intestinal maltase activity in HFHS-fed mice. Furthermore, the consumption of Daraesoon extract significantly reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increased glutathione levels in the livers of HFHS-fed mice compared to HFHS-fed mice that did not ingest Daraesoon.

CONCLUSIONS

Daraesoon effectively suppressed postprandial hyperglycemia via the inhibition of α-glucosidase in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Chronic consumption of Daraesoon alleviated fasting hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in mice fed a HFHS diet.     

Occurrence of Norovirus GII.4 Sydney Variant-related Outbreaks in Korea

Human noroviruses are major causative agents of food and waterborne outbreaks of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis. In this study, we report the epidemiological features of three outbreak cases of norovirus in Korea, and we describe the clinical symptoms and distribution of the causative genotypes. The incidence rates of the three outbreaks were 16.24% (326/2,007), 4.1% (27/656), and 16.8% (36/214), respectively. The patients in these three outbreaks were affected by acute gastroenteritis. These schools were provided unheated food from the same manufacturing company. Two genotypes (GII.3 and GII.4) of the norovirus were detected in these cases. Among them, major causative strains of GII.4 (Hu-jeju-47-2007KR-like) were identified in patients, food handlers, and groundwater from the manufacturing company of the unheated food. In the GII.4 (Hu-jeju-47-2007KR-like) strain of the norovirus, the nucleotide sequences were identical and identified as the GII.4 Sydney variant. Our data suggests that the combined epidemiological and laboratory results were closely related, and the causative pathogen was the GII.4 Sydney variant strain from contaminated groundwater.