Amelioration of Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis in Rabbit by Topical Administration of Tacrolimus Proglycosome Nano-Vesicles

This work was aimed to improve the efficacy of tacrolimus in the treatment of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) using propylene glycol modified lipid vesicles termed as proglycosome nano-vesicles (PNVs). PNVs were prepared by modified film hydration method. Experimental uveitis in rabbit eye was induced by an intravitreal injection of 20 μL of the endotoxin solution containing 100 ng of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin. In vivo efficacy of PNVs was determined by studying clinical symptoms of uveitis using slit lamp examination and by quantitatively measuring levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, leukocytes and total proteins in aqueous humor, 24 h after intravitreal injection of endotoxin. Comparison was made with healthy, untreated and tacrolimus solution treated eyes. PNVs developed were nano-sized, deformable and showed sustained release of tacrolimus over period of 12 h. In vivo results indicated statistically significant difference between the effects of PNVs in the treatment of EIU compared to tacrolimus. PNV treatment not only subsides clinical symptoms of uveitis but also prevented breakdown of blood aqueous barrier. Tacrolimus loaded PNVs are potential new topical treatment for uveitis.     

Operative outcomes of single-port-access laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy compared with single-port-access total laparoscopic hysterectomy

ObjectiveThis study aims to compare between operative outcomes of single-port-access laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (SPA-LAVH) and single-port-access total laparoscopic hysterectomy (SPA-TLH), further subdivided by vaginal cuff closure via laparoscopic suture (VCC-L) or via the vaginal route (VCC-V).Materials and methodsA custom-made port was used for single-port laparoscopy in 111 patients who underwent SPA-LAVH (n = 33), SPA-TLH with VCC-L (n = 35), and SPA-TLH with VCC-V (n = 43) during October 2009–October 2010. Records were reviewed retrospectively.ResultsA significant difference in the operating time was observed among the groups (p = 0.009). SPA-TLH with VCC-L took a significantly longer time to be performed (118.6 ± 41.8 minutes) than SPA-TLH with VCC-V (98.6 ± 21.3 minutes) or SPA-LAVH (102.0 ± 20.3 minutes). The decrease in hemoglobin level on the 1^st day postsurgery was significantly smaller in case of SPA-LAVH (1.56 ± 0.97 g/dL, p = 0.005) compared with that in case of SPA-TLH with VCC-L (2.19 ± 0.95 g/dL) and SPA-TLH with VCC-V (2.24 ± 0.95 g/dL). No significant differences in other surgical outcomes were found.ConclusionSPA-TLH with laparoscopic vaginal suture required the longest operating time, and hemoglobin changes were smaller in the SPA-LAVH group than in the other groups. In patients undergoing SPA laparoscopy, we recommend the SPA-LAVH procedure.     

中药熏蒸联合人工泪液治疗干眼症的临床观察及对患者视觉相关生命质量的影响

目的:探究中药熏蒸联合人工泪液治疗干眼症的临床疗效,分析其对患者视觉相关生命质量的影响。方法:选取2014年11月至2016年12月北京市健宫医院收治的干眼症患者72例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组和观察组,每组36例(72只患眼),对照组给予人工泪液治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联合中药熏蒸治疗,2周为1个疗程,2组均连续治疗2个疗程。统计2组临床疗效;比较2组患者治疗前后主要中医症状积分、泪液分泌量、泪膜破裂时间;采用美国国家眼科研究所视觉相关生命质量量表(NEI-VFQ-25)评价并比较2组患者治疗前后视觉相关生命质量。结果:治疗后观察组总有效率为90. 28%,较对照组的63. 89%显著升高(P 0. 01);与治疗前比较,治疗后2组患者患眼疲劳感、干涩感、异物感及烧灼感等症状积分均显著降低,且观察组显著低于对照组(P 0. 01);与治疗前比较,治疗2周后至治疗4周后2组泪液分泌量呈逐渐升高趋势(P 0. 01),泪膜破裂时间呈逐渐延长趋势(P 0. 05),且治疗后2组间差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05或P 0. 01);与治疗前比较,治疗后2组患眼一般健康状况、活动障碍及视力障碍评分均显著升高(P 0. 01),且观察组显著高于对照组(P 0. 01)。结论:中药熏蒸联合人工泪液治疗干眼症可有效缓解患眼临床症状,促进患眼泪液分泌并增强泪膜稳定性,同时还可显著改善患眼视觉相关生命质量,疗效显著优于人工泪液单用。     

Posterior polar cataract: A review

Posterior polar cataract is a rare form of congenital cataract. It is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant disease, yet it can be sporadic. Five genes have been attributed to the formation of this disease. It is highly associated with complications during surgery, such as posterior capsule rupture and nucleus drop. The reason for this high complication rate is the strong adherence of the opacity to the weak posterior capsule. Different surgical strategies were described for the handling of this challenging entity, most of which emphasized the need for gentle maneuvering in dealing with these cases. It has a unique clinical appearance that should not be missed in order to anticipate, avoid, and minimize the impact of the complications associated with it.