Functional outcomes after implantation of Tecnis ZM900 and Array SA40 multifocal intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional outcome after implantation of the Tecnis ZM900 multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) (AMO) and the Array SA40 multifocal IOL (AMO). SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Bundesknappschaft s Hospital, Sulzbach, and the Department of Ophthalmology, Marienhospital, Aachen, Germany. METHODS: In a prospective comparative 2-center trial, Tecnis ZM900 and the Array SA40 multifocal IOLs were bilaterally implanted in 50 patients (50 eyes Tecnis, 50 eyes Array) by 1 surgeon at each center. The following parameters were assessed 30 to 60 days and 120 to 180 days after surgery in both eyes: refraction, pupil size, uncorrected and best corrected visual acuities for distance and near at different contrast levels, and photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity at different spatial frequencies. Patient satisfaction (spectacle independence, photic phenomena, overall satisfaction) was assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: The main differences between the 2 multifocal IOLs were the better uncorrected near visual acuity (P<.001), distance-corrected near visual acuity (P<.001), the mesopic contrast sensitivity at high spatial frequencies (P<.05) as well as greater independence from spectacles in patients with the Tecnis multifocal IOL, resulting in higher levels of patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The aspherical diffractive Tecnis multifocal IOL gave better outcomes than the Array multifocal IOL.     

Effects of skin extract on sebaceous gland function in the rat

Summary The subcutaneous injection of a rat skin extract inhibits sebum excretion. The mitotic rate in the sebaceous glands is reduced. Therefore, a chalone of the sebaceous gland seems to exist. The regulation of sebum excretion is discussed.     

NAD(P)H:quinone reductase activity in human epidermal keratinocytes and reconstructed epidermal models

Reconstructed epidermal models may provide a suitable and relevant model for screening compounds such as quinones, which affect the activities of phase I and II enzymes involved in epidermal detoxification. Reconstructed epidermis may also allow the study of the metabolism of topically applied compounds by the phase I and II enzymes. We demonstrate that NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (NQR) activity is present in three different types of reconstructed epidermal models and that levels vary depending on the type of model. We also determined the inter- and intrabatch variability and demonstrate that NQR activity can be significantly inhibited by dicumarol treatment. The NQR activity in reconstructed epidermis is similar to that in human epidermis and lower than in cultured keratinocytes. Therefore reconstructed epidermis is a more suitable model for testing the effects of topically applied compounds on NQR activity or the metabolism of the compound by NQR.     

Mice move smoothly: irrelevant object variation affects perception, but not computer mouse actions

Human–Computer Interactions pose special demands on the motor system, especially regarding the virtual tool transformations underlying typical mouse movements. We investigated whether such virtual tool-transformed movements are similarly resistant to irrelevant variation of a target object as skilled natural movements are. Results show that such irrelevant information deteriorates performance in perceptual tasks, whereas movement parameters remain unaffected, suggesting that the control of virtual tools draws on the same mechanisms as natural actions do. The results are discussed in terms of their practical utility and recent findings investigating unskilled and transformed movements in the framework of the action/perception model and the integration of tools into the body schema.     

Longitudinal Analysis of Inflammatory Response to SARS-CoV-2 in the Upper Respiratory Tract Reveals an Association with Viral Load,Independent of Symptoms

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to high viral loads in the upper respiratory tract that may be determinant in virus dissemination. The extent of intranasal antiviral response in relation to symptoms is unknown. Understanding how local innate responses control virus is key in the development of therapeutic approaches.

Methods

SARS-CoV-2-infected patients were enrolled in an observational study conducted at the Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland, investigating virological and immunological characteristics. Nasal wash and serum specimens from a subset of patients were collected to measure viral load, IgA specific for the S1 domain of the spike protein, and a cytokine panel at different time points after infection; cytokine levels were analyzed in relation to symptoms.

Results

Samples from 13 SARS-CoV-2-infected patients and six controls were analyzed. We found an increase in CXCL10 and IL-6, whose levels remained elevated for up to 3 weeks after symptom onset. SARS-CoV-2 infection also induced CCL2 and GM-CSF, suggesting local recruitment and activation of myeloid cells. Local cytokine levels correlated with viral load but not with serum cytokine levels, nor with specific symptoms, including anosmia. Some patients had S1-specific IgA in the nasal cavity while almost none had IgG.

Conclusion

The nasal epithelium is an active site of cytokine response against SARS-CoV-2 that can last more than 2 weeks; in this mild COVID-19 cohort, anosmia was not associated with increases in any locally produced cytokines.