Nd:YAG laser removal of pupillary membranes developed after ECCE with PC-IOL implantation

PURPOSE: To define the frequency of development of pupillary membranes after ECCE with PC-IOL implantation, and to remove the pupillary membranes using the Nd:YAG laser. METHODS: From 400 patients who had undergone ECCE and were free from local or systemic illness affecting the blood-ocular barrier, 20 eyes developed pupillary membranes Nd:YAG laser was used to remove these pupillary membranes. RESULTS: The frequency of pupillary membranes was found to be 5% (9.8% in pex eyes and 3.3% to the non-pex eyes). Visual acuity improved in 17 eyes by 2 to 5 Snellen lines. No serious complications were observed, endothelium inclusive. CONCLUSION: Pseudoexfoliation might play a significant role in the development of postoperative pupillary membranes which could be successfully treated with the use of Nd:YAG laser. The safety of the procedure has to be evaluated in relation to the corneal endothelium damage in long-term.     

Index of suspicion. Case 2

Super-sidecut skis are wider at the tip and tail than a traditional ski, and the waist varies depending on the function of the ski. The sidecut influences the performance characteristics of the ski, making it easier to initiate a turn, carve tighter turns, and carve at slower speeds--which translates into more fun. Super-sidecut skis are more sensitive to controlling movements, so you can ski in a more balanced, centered position. There are some compromises in terms of stability and injury risk. With so much variety in super-sidecut skis, controlled population studies will be necessary to track injury trends.     

Screening of hepatoprotective plant components using a HepG2 cell cytotoxicity assay

The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the influence of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) inhalation therapy on respiratory bacterial infection in patient with an asthmatic attack. We studied 267 asthmatic attack episodes of 241 patients with/without BDP inhalation therapy. There was no difference between two groups in %peak flow, body temperature, CRP, WBC count, bacterial culture of sputum on admission. BDP inhalation therapy has little influence on respiratory bacterial infection at an asthmatic attack.     

Mechanisms of acute respiratory insufficiency in patients with hyperglycemic coma

Basic parameters of pulmonary gas exchange, central and pulmonary hemodynamics, and colloid osmotic pressure were investigated in 31 patients in diabetic hyperglycemic coma over the course of intensive care. Pulmonary gas exchange disorders were observed in all patients in the presence of increased shunting of the blood in the lungs and disorders of transcapillary liquid exchange. On the other hand, we failed to obtain data indicative of an increase in the volume of extravascular water in the lungs. However, it does not rule out the possibility of iatrogenic disorders of gas exchange during noncontrolled rehydration.     

The role of antibiotics in the treatment of periodontitis (Part 2--Controlled drug delivery)

Since last reviewing the field, controlled release products have made the jump from research to clinical practice. The potential to extend the efficacy of periodontal therapy with such products is exciting, but also needs careful evaluation. This review will look at recent developments and also will examine the eventual place for these products in periodontics.     

Adhesion at Polymer-Solid Interfaces: Influence of Sticker Groups on Structure, Chain Connectivity and Strength

The influence of sticker groups (COOH) on the adhesion energy (G_1C) of a model carboxylated polybutadiene-amine terminated silane modified aluminum (cPBD-AIS) interface was examined using a T-peel test. An optimal COOH concentration of around 0.5 mol% was observed. At this concentration the interface possessed a maximum peel energy of 600 J/m², which is approximately equal to the cohesive peel energy of PBD. The adhesion strength of the interface increased as the interaction parameter (°CH_P-S) between COOH and the solid substrate increased. Additionally, G_IC was strongly dependent on the annealing time, resulting from slow surface reorganization processes. The interface structure was explored using the self-consistent field lattice model (SCFLM) developed by Theodorou. An interphase region adjacent to the solid substrate was found as a consequence of a gradient in chain connectivity and a strong sticker group segregation near the solid surface. The modeling study provided information about how the interphase structure changed with φ and °CH_P-S, explaining the experimental results well.