Evaluating the One-Year Efficacy of Combined Anti-VEGF and Dexamethasone Implant Treatment for Macular Edema in Retinal Vein Occlusions.

BACKGROUND Retinal vein occlusion-induced macular edema (RVO-ME) is a significant global cause of vision loss, with the effectiveness of combined anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs and dexamethasone implantation (DEX I) being a relevant, yet not thoroughly explored, area of interest.The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year clinical efficacy of combination therapy using anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs and dexamethasone implantation (DEX I) in the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO-ME). MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study analyzed data from 34 RVO-ME patients treated at the Inner Mongolia Chaoju Eye Hospital between January 2020 and December 2021. All patients underwent initial DEX I treatment, followed by the introduction of anti-VEGF drugs, and were observed for one year. Retinal structural and vascular changes were measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA). The study also evaluated shifts in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) throughout the observation period. RESULTS Following the combined therapy, patients showed significant improvements in BCVA, intraocular pressure (IOP), central retinal thickness (CRT), and retinal vessel density (VD) (all P<0.05). Upon stratifying the results by RVO type, patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO)-ME displayed more significant BCVA improvement and CRT reduction at various post-treatment intervals compared to those with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)-ME (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combined use of anti-VEGF drugs and DEX I showed promising one-year efficacy in treating RVO-ME, with greater improvements noted in patients with BRVO-ME compared to those with CRVO-ME. Despite the positive results, close monitoring of IOP elevation, a notable side effect, remains crucial.

In situ self-exsolved ultrasmall Fe2P quantum dots from attapulgite nanofibers as superior cocatalysts for solar hydrogen evolution.

Developing highly active, stable, and cost-efficient cocatalysts for photocatalytic H2 evolution is pivotal in the area of renewable energy conversion. Herein, we present a straightforward, low-temperature phosphidation strategy for in situ exsolving doped Fe ions from natural attapulgite (ATP) nanofibers into a supported Fe2P cocatalyst for the photocatalytic H2 evolution reaction (HER). The resulting Fe2P QDs/ATP features highly dispersed Fe2P QDs with an average size of <2 nm and a strong interfacial interaction between self-exsolved Fe2P QDs and the ATP substrate, thus providing ample and stable active sites for the photocatalytic HER. When employed as a cocatalyst, Fe2P QDs/ATP exhibits superior catalytic activity and notable stability in a molecular system with low-cost xanthene dyes as the photosensitizer under visible light irradiation. More importantly, Fe2P QDs/ATP can also efficiently and stably catalyze the photocatalytic HER when simply combined with various semiconductor photocatalysts (g-C3N4, TiO2, and CdS). This strategy of exsolving transition metal ions from substrates is an effective yet simple approach for the development of highly active supported HER cocatalysts for renewable and clean energy conversion.

Two different initial treatment regimens of Conbercept in diabetic macular edema: 12-month results from a multicenter randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment regimen for diabetic macular edema (DME) and predictors for its treatment`s outcome need emerging evidence but currently poorly studied. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, open label randomized controlled study among adult patients with DME was conducted. Eyes were randomized to three or six doses initial Conbercept treatments. Additional injections were suggested pro re nata (PRN) over 12 months. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was adopted to quantify the macular vessel density. Visual acuity gain and anatomical improvement and their associated factors were evaluated by multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: 41 patients with 59 eyes participated in current study. Patients in both 3 + PRN (n = 32 eyes) or 6 + PRN (n = 27 eyes) treatments experienced similar best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) gain and anatomical improvement, including the central macular thickness, foveal avascular aone (FAZ) and the retinal vessel density. Over 12 months, eyes in the 6 + PRN group received better changes of the deep capillary plexus (2.53 ± 5.45%). In multivariate linear regression, the age significantly affected visual outcome in 3 + PRN group (ß = -0.014, P = 0.028), while the initial CMT (ß = -0.001, P = 0.022) and FAZ area (ß = -0.946, P = 0.007) associated with visual outcome in 6 + PRN group. Furthermore, the duration of diabetes exhibited significant results on CMT among 3 + PRN group (ß= -7.516, P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Both 3 + and 6 + initial treatment regimens of Conbercept loading dose achieved parallel anatomical and functional visual improvement, while 6 + group had a trend of better treatment outcome. Older age, higher initial CMT and longer duration of diabetes might influence the clinical outcomes over 12 months from baseline.

A study on the viscosity reduction mechanism of high-filled silicone potting adhesive by the formation of Al2O3 clusters.

Heat dissipation has become a key problem for highly integrated and miniaturized electronic components. High thermal conductivity, good flowability and low coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) are indispensable performance parameters in the field of electronic potting composite materials. In this study, spherical alumina (Al2O3) was surface modified by γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyltrimethoxy silane (KH560) and γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH550) and labelled as Al2O3-epoxy and Al2O3-NH2, respectively. Al2O3-epoxy and Al2O3-NH2 powders were equally filled in vinyl silicone oil to prepare a high Al2O3 loading (89 wt%) precursor of silicone potting adhesive. The viscosity of the precursor rapidly decreased with increasing reaction time of Al2O3-epoxy and Al2O3-NH2 at 140 °C. The viscosity reduction mechanism may be due to the formation of some Al2O3 clusters by the reaction of Al2O3-epoxy with Al2O3-NH2, which results in some vinyl silicone oil segments being held in the channel of particles through capillary phenomenon, leading to the friction among Al2O3 clusters decreasing considerably. Laser particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results confirmed the existence of Al2O3 clusters. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and dynamic viscoelasticity experiments revealed that some segments of vinyl silicone oils were held by Al2O3 clusters. When Al2O3-epoxy and Al2O3-NH2 reacted for 4 h, the thermal conductivity, CLTE and volume electrical resistivity of the silicone potting adhesive reached 2.73 W m-1 k-1, 75.8 ppm/°C and 4.6 × 1013 Ω cm, respectively. A new strategy for preparing electronic potting materials with high thermal conductivity, good flowability and low CLTE is presented.

Cerium oxide nanoparticle-loaded polyvinyl alcohol nanogels delivery for wound healing care systems on surgery.

This study was designed to establish the composition of wound bandages based on Cerium nanoparticle (CeNP)-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanogels. The CeNP nanogel (Ce-nGel) was fabricated by the fructose-mediated reduction of Cerium oxide solutions within the PVA matrix. The influences of different experimental limitations on PVA nanogel formations were examined. The nanogel particle sizes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and determined to range from ∼10 to 50 nm. Additionally, glycerol was added to the Ce-nGels, and the resulting compositions (Ce-nGel-Glu) were coated on cotton fabrics to generate the wound bandaging composite. The cumulative drug release profile of the Cerium from the bandage was found to be ∼38% of the total loading after two days. Additionally, antibacterial efficacy was developed for Gam positive and negative microorganisms. Moreover, we examined in vivo healing of skin wounds formed in mouse models over 24 days. In contrast to the untreated wounds, rapid healing was perceived in the Ce-nGel-Glu-treated wound with less damage. These findings indicate that Ce-nGel-Glu-based bandaging materials could be a potential candidate for wound healing applications in the future.

Blindness, low vision and cataract surgery outcome among adults in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia: a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the prevalence and causes of visual impairment (VI), and to describe the characteristics of cataract surgery coverage and related barriers among adults aged ≥50 years residing in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed. Presenting visual acuity (PVA) was measured using the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) methodology. All VI cases were defined using the WHO definition, based on the PVA of the better-seeing eye. Details on history of cataract surgery and barriers to cataract surgery were also obtained using a standardised questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 4500 eligible individuals, 3985 (88.6% response rate) were examined. The age-standardised prevalence of moderate VI (PVA <6/18 to ≥6/60) was 5.4% (95% CI 4.6% to 6.3%), and severe VI (PVA <6/60 to ≥3/60) was 0.9% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.3%). The age-standardised prevalence of blindness (PVA <3/60) was 1.2% (95% CI 0.8% to 1.6%). Uncorrected refractive error (40.1%) and cataract (37.9%) were the leading causes of overall VI. Cataract (34.9%) was the leading cause of blindness. Among individuals with blindness, cataract surgical coverage was 80.7%. Among individuals with blindness due to cataract, the main barriers to cataract surgery were lack of awareness (38.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The age-standardised prevalence rate of blindness in Hohhot was lower compared with other RAAB studies in China. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness. These findings provide useful information for the planning of public healthcare services in Inner Mongolia.

Prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in Baotou: A cross-sectional study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in Baotou, Inner Mongolia.A cross-sectional study was carried out. Multistage sampling was used to select samples. The visual acuity was estimated using LogMAR and corrected by pinhole as best-corrected visual acuity.There were 7000 samples selected and 5770 subjects included in this investigation. The overall bilateral prevalence rates of low vision and blindness were 3.66% (95% CI: 3.17-4.14) and 0.99% (95% CI: 0.73-1.24), respectively. The prevalence of bilateral low vision, blindness, and visual impairment increased with age and decreased with education level. The main leading cause of low vision and blindness was cataract. Diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration were found to be the second leading causes of blindness in Baotou.The low vision and blindness were more prevalent in elderly people and subjects with low education level in Baotou. Cataract was the main cause for visual impairment and more attention should be paid to fundus diseases. In order to prevent blindness, much more eye care programs should be established.