Fellow-Eye Retinal Detachment Risk as Stratified by Hyaloid Status on OCT.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the risk of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the fellow eye using posterior hyaloid status as determined by OCT at the time of initial RRD. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with a diagnosis of RRD. METHODS: Posterior hyaloid status-presence or absence of a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)-in both eyes at the time of initial RRD was determined by OCT imaging. Baseline characteristics, including lattice degeneration, refractive error, prior ocular laser procedures, lens status, and family history of RRD, were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the development of fellow-eye RRD and the time to fellow-eye RRD. In addition, OCT imaging was used in those fellow eyes with a visible posterior hyaloid to document whether a PVD developed during follow-up and time to such an event. RESULTS: A total of 1049 patients with an RRD were followed up for an average of 5.7 ± 0.3 years. Overall, 153 patients (14.6%) received a diagnosis of bilateral sequential RRD during this follow-up period. OCT images were available for 582 fellow eyes; PVD was noted in 229 fellow eyes (39.3%), and an attached hyaloid was noted in 353 fellow eyes (60.7%). An RRD occurred in 7 fellow eyes (3.1%) with a PVD at presentation. Within the cohort of fellow eyes with an attached hyaloid, 28 eyes (7.9%) demonstrated an RRD during follow-up; however, when evaluating only those in which a PVD developed during follow-up, 23.7% of such eyes were found to have an RRD as well. At the time of PVD development in the fellow eye, an additional 21 eyes (17.8%) were noted to have a retinal tear that was treated without progression to RRD. CONCLUSIONS: OCT imaging of the fellow eye at the time of presentation with an RRD offers a significant amount of information regarding risk stratification for RRD in this eye. Patients noted to have a completely detached posterior hyaloid are at a significantly lower risk of RRD than those with a visible posterior hyaloid, who need to be monitored closely at the time of PVD development. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

A case of bilateral acute depigmentation of the Iris in one of two identical twins.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral Acute Depigmentation of the Iris (BADI) is a condition which was first described in a case series from Turkey by Tugal-Tutkin and Urgancioglu in (Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 244:742-6, 2006). The condition is characterized by bilateral acute depigmentation and discoloration of the iris stroma, pigment dispersion, and deposition of pigment in the angle. In our case we report a patient who developed BADI after receiving pitcher plant extract injections for chronic migraine, while her identical twin sister has normal iris architecture and pigmentation and never received any pitcher plant injections. CASE PRESENTATION: Patient is a 41-year-old female with history of pitcher plant extract injections to her face for chronic migraine, who later developed bilateral depigmentation of the iris. She did not have any signs of anterior segment uveitis or iridocyclitis. She has an identical twin sister who maintained normal iris pigmentation during the entire course. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral Acute depigmentation of the is a recently discovered condition described in the literature in Turkish patients (Tugal-Tutkun and Urgancioglu, Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 244:742-6, 2006; Tugal-Tutkun et al., Ophthalmology 116(8):1552-7, 2009). This condition affects mainly young females and is characterized by acute bilateral stromal depigmentation, without other pathologic ocular findings. These patients usually maintain normal vision and do not develop significant glaucoma from pigment collecting in the anterior chamber angle. This condition can be mistaken for Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis, pigment dispersion syndrome, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and viral iridocyclitis. This is the first reported case in North America and is important for differentiation from the above pathologies. Our patient had a history of pitcher plant extract injections to the face but it is unclear if this is associated with our patient's development of BADI. As awareness of this condition progresses, a possible etiology may be elucidated.

Expedient and modular access to 2-azabicyclic architectures by iron-catalyzed dehydrative coupling of alcohol-bearing allylic lactams.

A high-yielding, cost-effective, modular and environmentally benign approach to [5,5]- or [6,5]-2-azabicyclic architectures bearing vicinal stereocenters, by Fe-catalyzed intramolecular dehydrative coupling of readily affordable alcohol-bearing allylic lactams is presented.

Regiocontrolled synthesis of (hetero)aryl and alkenyl dehydropyrrolidines, dehydropiperidines and azepenes by Ru-catalyzed, heteroatom-directed α-C-H activation/cross-coupling of cyclic enamides with boronic acids.

The synthesis of α-aryl and alkenyl pyrrolidine-, piperidine-, and azepane derivatives, through the intermediacy of cyclic enamides is described. The desired outcome is achieved through ruthenium-catalyzed, site-selective sp(2) C-H activation/cross-coupling with aryl and alkenyl boronic acids. The regioselectivity (α-sp(2)vs. α-sp(3)vs. ß-sp(2) C-H functionalization) is governed by the rate differences between sp(2) and sp(3) C-H activation and the necessity for chelation between the ruthenium metal and the carbonyl directing group.

Modular access to vicinally functionalized allylic (thio)morpholinonates and piperidinonates by substrate-controlled annulation of 1,3-azadienes with hexacyclic anhydrides.

A modular substrate-controlled hexannulation of inherently promiscuous 1,3-azadienes with hexacyclic anhydrides, which affords versatile vicinally functionalized allylic lactams, in high yields, regio- and stereoselectivities is described.

Enabling wide temperature battery operation with hybrid lithium electrolytes.

We demonstrate that an ionic liquid 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide combined with propylene carbonate and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide yields a hybrid electrolyte that enables a wide operational temperature window (-20 °C to 60 °C). When integrated into a lithium titanate‖lithium cobalt oxide full-cell configuration, high-rate capability is achieved at -20 °C with >40% retention at a C/2 cycling rate, and negligible capacity fade is observed during rate capability tests and long-term cycling at 60 °C.

Iron Sequestration by Galloyl-Silane Nano Coatings Inhibits Biofilm Formation of Sulfitobacter sp.

Microbially-induced corrosion is the acceleration of corrosion induced by bacterial biofilms. The bacteria in the biofilms oxidize metals on the surface, especially evident with iron, to drive metabolic activity and reduce inorganic species such as nitrates and sulfates. Coatings that prevent the formation of these corrosion-inducing biofilms significantly increase the service life of submerged materials and significantly decrease maintenance costs. One species in particular, a member of the Roseobacter clade, Sulfitobacter sp., has demonstrated iron-dependent biofilm formation in marine environments. We have found that compounds that contain the galloyl moiety can prevent Sulfitobacter sp. biofilm formation by sequestering iron, thus making a surface unappealing for bacteria. Herein, we have fabricated surfaces with exposed galloyl groups to test the effectiveness of nutrient reduction in iron-rich media as a non-toxic method to reduce biofilm formation.

Reversible Atmospheric Water Harvesting Using Metal-Organic Frameworks.

The passive capture of clean water from humid air without reliance on bulky equipment and high energy has been a substantial challenge and has attracted significant interest as a potential environmentally friendly alternative to traditional water harvesting methods. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a high potential for this application due to their structural versatility which permits scalable, facile modulations of structural and functional elements. Although MOFs are promising materials for water harvesting, little research has been done to address the microstructure-adsorbing characteristics relationship with respect to the dynamic adsorption-desorption process. In this article, we present a parametric study of nine hydrolytically stable MOFs with diverse structures for unraveling fundamental material properties that govern the kinetics of water sequestration in this class of materials as well as investigating overall uptake capacity gravimetrically. The effects of temperature, relative humidity, and powder bed thickness on the adsorption-desorption process are explored for achieving optimal operational parameters. We found that Zr-MOF-808 can produce up to 8.66 LH2O kg-1MOF day-1, an extraordinary finding that outperforms any previously reported values for MOF-based systems. The presented findings help to deepen our understanding and guide the discovery of next-generation water harvesting materials.

Primary Episcleral Melanoma Consistent with Uveal Melanoma Mutations Treated by Excision and Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery.

Ocular melanocytosis has traditionally been associated with increased risk of developing uveal melanoma; however, rarely primary episcleral melanoma has been reported in the literature. Herein, we present the third case of primary episcleral melanoma treated by complete excision and cryotherapy. In contrast to previous cases, we obtained molecular genetic testing which revealed a GNA-11 mutation, and gene expression profiling resulted in a Class 2 PRAME positive tumor diagnosis. These two tests which have never been performed on previous cases, support lineage similar to uveal melanoma. In addition, we are the first case to report treatment of the surgical bed and surrounding orbital tissue with Gamma Knife stereotactic radiotherapy to both treat residual tissue and decrease risk of recurrence.

SEROUS RETINOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH CISPLATIN TREATMENT.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To describe a case of serous retinopathy and associated photoreceptor atrophy after intravenous cisplatin therapy. METHODS: Evaluation was performed using electroretinogram, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, and funduscopic examinations to assess the extent of retinal disease, toxicity, and eventual atrophy. RESULTS: A 56 year-old man with metastatic small cell carcinoma with vision changes after initiation of cisplatin therapy. The patient developed loss of vision to 20/400. A serous retinopathy was found on spectral domain optical coherence tomography with associated outer retinal atrophy and subretinal fibrosis. He developed outer ellipsoid layer atrophy after discontinuation of cisplatin therapy. He had patchy hypoautofluorescent areas in his macula on fundus autofluorescence and decreased cone response and slowed b-wave on electroretinogram. The serous retinopathy resolved with discontinuation of cisplatin and the malignancy was further managed with etoposide without recurrence of subretinal serous fluid or further vision loss. CONCLUSION: Commonly used to treat various solid tumors, cisplatin is not without significant neurologic, ocular, and retinal toxicities. Multimodal imaging may further the authors' understanding of toxicity and this case highlights the benefits of optical coherence tomography, especially with color vision deviation or visual acuity change.

UV-cured gel polymer electrolytes with improved stability for advanced aqueous Li-ion batteries.

We report the development of a new class of "water-in-salt" electrolytes based on UV photopolymerized acrylic polymers. Incorporation of "water-in-bisalt" in a polymer matrix reduces water activity, expands the electrochemical stability window to 4.1 V, and dramatically improves cycle life in full cells with lithium titanate anodes compared to liquid water-based electrolytes.

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Presenting as Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune systemic disease with multiple organ involvement with high morbidity and mortality rate. Among the severe potential fatal complications are those of the central and peripheral nervous system which usually develop during the course of the disease and very rarely from the outset of the disease. We are reporting a rare case of Miller-Fisher (MFS) variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as the first manifestation of SLE in a 41-year-old female who progressed to flaccid paralysis with no neurological improvement with initial immunosuppressive therapy, plasmapheresis, and first cycle of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) but with remarkable and complete recovery after the second 5-day course of IVIG.