Rapid,high‐fluence multi‐pass q‐switched laser treatment of tattoos with a transparent perfluorodecalin‐infused patch: A pilot study

Background and Objectives

Perfluorodecalin (PFD) has previously been shown to rapidly dissipate the opaque, white micro‐bubble layer formed after exposure of tattoos to Q‐switched lasers [1]. The current pilot study was conducted to qualitatively determine if the use of a transparent PFD‐infused silicone patch would result in more rapid clearance of tattoos than conventional through‐air techniques.

Materials and Methods

Black or dark blue tattoos were divided into two halves in a single‐site IRB‐approved study with 17 subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III. One half of each tattoo served as its own control and was treated with one pass of a standard Q‐switched Alexandrite laser (755 nm). The other half of the tattoo was treated directly through a transparent perfluorodecalin (PFD) infused patch (ON Light Sciences, Dublin, CA). The rapid whitening reduction effect of the Patch routinely allowed three to four laser passes in a total of approximately 5 minutes. Both sides were treated at highest tolerated fluence, but the optical clearing, index‐matching, and epidermal protection properties of the PFD Patch allowed significantly higher fluence compared to the control side. Standard photographs were taken at baseline, immediately prior to treatment with the PFD Patch in place, and finally before and after each treatment session. Treatments were administered at 4‐ to 6‐week intervals.

Results

In a majority of subjects (11 of 17), tattoos treated through a transparent PFD‐infused patch showed more rapid tattoo clearance with higher patient and clinician satisfaction than conventional treatment. In no case did the control side fade faster than the PFD Patch side. No unanticipated adverse events were observed.

Conclusions

Rapid multi‐pass treatment of tattoos with highest tolerated fluence facilitated by a transparent PFD‐infused patch clears tattoos more rapidly than conventional methods. Lasers Surg. Med. 47:613–618, 2015. © 2015 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Endophotocoagulation through perfluorodecalin in rabbit eyes

Retinal laser endophotocoagulation through perfluorodecalin was studied in six eyes of three Dutch-belted rabbits after vitrectomy. Both the energy density threshold (EDT/50) and the energy threshold necessary to obtain a therapeutic lesion were evaluated. Both argon and semiconductor diode laser endophotocoagulators were used. The amount of laser power energy and the histology of chorioretinal lesions were similar when photocoagulating through perfluorodecalin, compared to photocoagulation through balanced salt citrate-buffered solution. This experimental study indicates that no extra care is necessary when retinal endophotocoagulation is performed through perfluorodecalin, as long as circular spots are obtained and energy is delivered symmetrically to the target site.     

Impact of an autologous oxygenating matrix culture system on rat islet transplantation outcome

Disruption of the pancreatic islet environment combined with the decrease in oxygen supply that occurs during isolation leads to poor islet survival. The aim of this study was to validate the benefit of using a plasma-based scaffold supplemented with perfluorodecalin to improve islet transplantation outcome.Rat islets were cultured in three conditions: i) control group, ii) plasma based-matrix (P-matrix), and iii) P-matrix supplemented with emulsified perfluorodecalin. After 24 h culture, matrix/cell contacts (Integrinβ1, p-FAK/FAK, p-Akt/Akt), survival (caspase 3, TUNEL, FDA/PI), function, and HIF-1α translocation were assessed. Afterwards, P-matrices were dissolved and the islets were intraportally transplanted. Graft function was monitored for 31 days with glycaemia and C-peptide follow up. Inflammation was assessed by histology (macrophage and granulocyte staining) and thrombin/anti-thrombin complex measurement.Islet survival correlated with an increase in integrin, FAK, and Akt activation in P-matrices and function was maintained. Perfluorodecalin supplementation decreased translocation of HIF-1α in the nucleus and post-transplantation islet structure was better preserved in P-matrices, but a quicker activation of IBMIR resulted in early loss of graft function.“Oxygenating” P-matrices provided a real benefit to islet survival and resistance in vivo. However, intraportal transplantation is not suitable for this kind of culture due to IBMIR; thus, alternative sites must be explored.     

Pancreas storage in oxygenated perfluorodecalin does not restore post-transplant function of isolated pig islets pre-damaged by warm ischemia

BACKGROUND: Cold storage in oxygenated perfluorodecalin (PFD) restores transplant function of ischemically damaged dog pancreata and reduces the impact of cold ischemia on recovery of isolated human islets. Whether PFD storage can improve islet isolation from pancreata exposed to significant warm ischemia (WI) is unclear yet. The present study aimed to clarify this question in adult pigs. METHODS: After exsanguination, the intestine was removed immediately or left in the cavity for 30 min of WI. Resected pancreata were intraductally flushed with cold University of Wisconsin solution. Subsequently, pancreata were processed immediately by digestion-filtration (group I: 0 min WI, n=6; II: 30 min WI, n=6) or first stored for 3 h in oxygenated PFD (III: 0 min WI+PFD, n=5; IV: 30 min WI+PFD, n=6). RESULTS: Pancreata subjected to 30 min of WI yielded significantly less islets compared with the corresponding non-ischemic organs (I vs. II, P<0.01; III vs. IV, P<0.05). Oxygenation did not ameliorate the loss in islet yield (II vs. IV, NS). Ischemic islets were characterized by depleted ATP stores (388+/-73 (I) vs. 133+/-22 ng/1000 IEQ (II), P<0.01) and diminished insulin response to glucose calculated as stimulation index (SI; 2.47+/-0.36 (I) vs. 0.25+/-0.17 (II), P<0.05). PFD storage of ischemic organs partially restored ATP content (217+/-23 ng/1000 IEQ, II vs. IV, P<0.05) and glucose SI (1.60+/-0.09, II vs. IV, P<0.05) to a significant extent that reached the level of corresponding PFD-stored, non-ischemic pancreata (III vs. IV, NS). Sustained normoglycemia was exclusively observed in diabetic nude mice transplanted with islets isolated from non-ischemic organs. The significantly reduced graft function of ischemic islets (I vs. II, III vs. IV, P<0.001) was not increased by pancreatic oxygenation (II vs. IV, NS). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that pancreas short-term storage in oxygenated PFD improves in vitro but not the in vivo function of ischemically damaged pig islets.     

黄斑区内界膜剥除联合38G套管针应用治疗黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷残留的疗效

目的：观察黄斑区内界膜(ILM)剥除联合38G套管针应用治疗黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷残留的疗效。
　　方法：选取来自厦门眼科中心2008-01/2013-10期间的29例29眼视网膜复位良好、但黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷残留的患者,分为A组、B组。 A组14例14眼,取出硅油后,直接以38 G套管针吸除黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷液体,术闭填充过滤空气。 B组15例15眼,取出硅油后,染色并完整剥除黄斑区ILM,范围约4PD,以38G套管针吸除黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷液体,术闭填充过滤空气。所有病例如在术后1 wk复查OCT发现黄斑裂孔形成者,均再行气液交换,填充16% C3 F8气体。观察两组病例术后4,8,24 wk最佳矫正视力( BCVA )变化,复查OCT观察黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷液体有无残留、有无黄斑裂孔形成及黄斑区形态变化等。
　　结果：两组术后 4, 8, 24 wk 的 BCVA 均有提高, B 组的BCVA提高值优于A组( P<0.05)。 A 组术后24 wk 有7例(50%)黄斑裂孔形成,黄斑区无全氟萘烷残留。 B组术后24 wk 1例(7%)黄斑裂孔形成,黄斑区无全氟萘烷残留。
　　结论：黄斑区内界膜剥除联合38 G套管针应用治疗黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷残留的方法可以彻底吸除黄斑区视网膜下全氟萘烷,较少出现黄斑裂孔,该方法安全、有效、微创,有效保护了黄斑区视功能。     

Retained perfluorodecalin after retinal detachment surgery

Liquid perfluorocarbons such as perfluorodecalin are widely used as intraoperative vitreous substitutes in certain complicated vitreoretinal conditions. Retained perfluorodecalin postoperatively has been reported to be associated with retinal damage and other complications. We report on a case of retained intraocular perfluorodecalin for eleven postoperative days after retinal detachment surgery with good anatomical and visual outcome after one year follow-up.     

Transplantation of Cultured Islets from Two-Layer Preserved Pancreases in Type 1 Diabetes with Anti-CD3 Antibody

We sought to determine whether or not optimizing pancreas preservation, islet processing, and induction immunosuppression would facilitate sustained diabetes reversal after single-donor islet transplants. Islets were isolated from two-layer preserved pancreata, purified, cultured for 2 days; and transplanted into six C-peptide-negative, nonuremic, type 1 diabetic patients with hypoglycemia unawareness. Induction immunosuppression, which began 2 days pretransplant, included the Fc receptor nonbinding humanized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody hOKT3gamma1 (Ala-Ala) and sirolimus. Immunosuppression was maintained with sirolimus and reduced-dose tacrolimus. Of our six recipients, four achieved and maintained insulin independence with normal HbA1c levels and freedom from hypoglycemia; one had partial islet graft function; and one lost islet graft function 2 weeks post-transplant. The four insulin-independent patients showed prolonged CD4+ T-cell lymphocytopenia; inverted CD4:CD8 ratios; and increases in the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells. These cells suppressed the in-vitro proliferative response to donor cells and, to a lesser extent, to third-party cells. Severe adverse events were limited to a transient rash in one recipient and to temporary neutropenia in three. Our preliminary results thus suggest that a combination of maximized viable islet yield, pretransplant islet culture, and preemptive immunosuppression can result in successful single-donor islet transplants.     

Pathogenesis of retinal detachment associated with morning glory disc

Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on a six-year-old boy with complete retinal detachment associated with a morning glory disc of his left eye. Perfluorodecalin was injected to unfold the retina. During surgery, perfluorodecalin leaked repeatedly under the retina. This case demonstrates that a retinal hole in tissues lying within the optic disc anomaly provides a communication for fluid and perfluorodecalin between the subretinal space and vitreous cavity resulting in a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the morning glory syndrome.