Femtosecond-assisted intrastromal corneal ring implantation for keratoconus treatment: a comparison with crosslinking combination / Implante de anel intraestromal com laser de femtosegundo no tratamento de ceratocone: comparação da combinação com o crosslinking

Purpose: To compare visual outcomes, corneal astigmatism, and keratometric readings in patients with keratoconus who underwent intrastromal corneal ring implantation (ICRSI) alone with those who underwent ICRSI combined with ultraviolet A riboflavin-mediated corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL). Methods: Pre- and post-operative best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), spherical error, cylindrical error, and mean keratometry were retrospectively compared over a period of 2 years in patients with keratoconus who underwent only ICRSI (group 1) versus those in patients who underwent combined ICRSI-CXL (group 2). Results: Thirty-two eyes of 31 patients were evaluated. CXL was performed in 10 cases (31%), and there were no complications or need for ring repositioning. BCDVA improved from 0.54 to 0.18 in the group 1 and from 0.56 to 0.17 in the group 2. Spherical and cylindrical errors and mean keratometry values significantly decreased in both groups. No patient postoperatively had visual acuity (VA) of less than 20/60 on refraction, and 78% exhibited VA better than or equal to 20/40 with spectacles (72% of group 1 and 90% of group 2). Improvement in the spherical equivalent (SE) value was observed in the group 1 (from -5.89 ± 3.37 preoperatively to -2.65 ± 2.65 postoperatively; p<0.05) and group 2 (from -6.91 ± 1.93 preoperatively to -2.11 ± 3.01 postoperatively; p<0.05). Conclusion: Both techniques can be considered safe and effective in improving VA and refractive SE values, in decreasing the curvature of the cone apex in the topographical analysis, and in decreasing corrected diopters postoperatively in patients with keratoconus. .

Objetivo: Comparar os resultados visuais, astigmatismo corneano e ceratometria em pacientes com ceratocone submetidos a implante de anel corneano intraestromal (ICRSI) e quando em combinação com radiação ultravioleta associado ao crosslinking do colágeno corneano mediada pela riboflavina (CXL). Métodos: Comparou-se retrospectivamente pacientes com ceratocone submetidos somente a implante de anel corneano intraestromal (grupo 1) versus o mesmo procedimento associado ao crosslinking em um período de 2 anos. Avaliou-se acuidade visual com correção, equivalente esférico, ápice do cone na topografia e adaptação com lentes de contato pré e pós operatórios. Resultados: O estudo avaliou 32 olhos de 31 pacientes. Em 10 casos (31%) foi realizado crosslinking corneano, não havendo complicações ou necessidade de reposicionamento do anel. Acuidade visual corrigida pré e pós-operatória, componentes esférico e cilíndrico da refração e valores de ceratometria media diminuíram significativamente em ambos os grupos. Após o implante, nenhum paciente apresentou acuidade visual pior que 20/60 e 78% apresentaram acuidade corrigida melhor ou igual a 20/40 (72% do grupo 1 e 90% do grupo 2). Observou-se diminuição no valor do equivalente esférico no grupo 1 (de -5,89 ± 3,37 pré-operatório para -2,65 ± 2,65 pós-operatório; p<0,05) e no grupo 2 (de -6,91 ± 1,93 pré-operatório para -2,11 ± 3,01 pós-operatório; p<0,05). Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas podem ser consideradas seguras e eficazes na melhora da acuidade visual e equivalente esférico, diminuição do ápice de curvatura do cone na análise topográfica e na redução de dioptrias a serem corrigidas no pós-operatório de pacientes com ceratocone. .

Effects of ketamine and alcohol on learning and memory impairment in mice / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effects of ketamine and alcohol on learning and memory in mice and its possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#Forty mice were divided into 4 groups: normal control group, ketamine group, alcohol group, and alcohol plus ketamine group. Ketamine and alcohol were given by intraperitoneal injection and intragastric administration, respectively, 1 time per day, for 14 days. The ability of learning and memory in mice was tested by the method of step-down and Morris water maze. Acetylcholine (ACh) and 5-hydroxy tryptamine(5-HT) in mice brain tissue were analyzed for the possible mechanism.@*RESULTS@#(1) Step-down: The treatment groups lessened the latency and added wrong times (P < 0.05). The number of errors in the combined treatment group significantly increased comparing with the single drug treatment group (P < 0.05). (2) Morris water-maze: The treatment groups prolonged the latency (P < 0.05), reduced the target quadrant activity time significantly (P < 0.05), and decreased the numbers of crossing the former platform significantly (P < 0.05). (3) Biochemical index determination: The concentrations of ACh and 5-HT in treatment groups decreased significantly (P < 0.05), showed a more decreasement comparing with the single drug treatment group.@*CONCLUSION@#Ketamine has a synergistic effect with alcohol on learning and memory impairment in mice, which may be related to the common inhibitive effect on the ACh and 5-HT.

Membrane damage of bacteria by silanols treatment

Antimicrobial action of silanols, a new class of antimicrobials, was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescent dye studies. Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were treated by silanols at concentration of less than 0.2 wt percent for one hour. Membrane damage of the bacteria by the silanol treatment was clearly observed by transmission electron microscopy. Separation of the cytoplasmic membrane from the outer membrane for E. coli and disorganized cytoplasmic membrane of the Gram-positive bacteria were observed when compared to the control. Fluorescent dyes, green-fluorescent nucleic acid stain (Syto 9) and the red-fluorescent nucleic acid stain (Propidium iodide), were used to monitor membrane damage of the bacteria by Confocal microscopy and Spectrophotometer. A reduction of the green fluorescent emission was detected for silanol treated bacteria indicating membrane damage of the bacteria and supporting the hypothesis that their viability loss may be due to their membrane damage analogus to alcohols.

Can homemade alcohol (Raksi) be useful for preserving dead bodies? An experiment on wistar albino rats.

INTRODUCTION: Embalming is the through disinfection and art of preserving bodies after death using chemical substances. It keeps a body life like in appearance during the time it lies in a state prior to funeral. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to investigate the effectiveness of Raksi in sacrificed rats in arresting postmortem changes and establishing scientific fact whether Raksi can be an alternative to standard embalming constituent if it is not available. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 50 albino rats were systematically randomized into control and experiment groups. Raksi and distilled water were injected for embalming purpose intraventricularly in experiment and control groups of rats respectively and kept for 48 to 96 hours for observation for postmortem changes. RESULT: Observations made at 48 and 72 hours of embalming revealed that Raksi can arrest postmortem changes in the rats up to 72 hours (3rd day) successfully in the experimental group whereas moderate to severe postmortem changes were seen in the control group. The experimental group showed mild degree of putrefactive changes, liberation of gases and liquefaction of tissues only at 96 hours (4th day) of embalming. DISCUSSION: The Raksi used in this experiment contained 34% of alcohol, which was determined by an alcohol hydrometer. Experiment clearly demonstrated from its result that raksi can be utilised temporarily for embalming since it contains alcohol and has preservative, bactericidal and disinfectant properties. CONCLUSION: It is concluded from the study that this knowledge if applied to dead human subjects, may preserve dead bodies temporarily allowing delayed funeral.

Desmodium gangeticum: a potent anti-ulcer agent.

The present study was designed to investigate anti-ulcerogenic property of ethanolic extract of Desmodium gangeticum (DG) against cold restraint (CRU, 2 hr cold restraint stress), aspirin (ASP, 150 mg/kg orally), alcohol (AL, absolute alcohol 1 ml/200gm) and pyloric ligation (PL, 4 hr pylorus ligation) induced gastric ulcer models in Sprague Dawley rats, and histamine (HST, 0.25 mg/kg) induced duodenal ulcer in guinea pigs. We found that DG at a dose of 200mg/kg, (orally), markedly decreased the incidence of ulcers in all the above models. DG showed significant protection against CRU (68.37%), AL (88.87%), ASP (38.2%), PL (40.63%) and HST (63.15%) induced ulcer models, whereas standard drug omeprazole (OMZ) showed protection index of 83.86, 56.35, 70.31 and 84.21%, respectively in CRU, ASP, PL and HST models. Sucralfate as standard drug showed 92.64% protection in AL model. DG significantly reduced acid secretion 41.61%, whereas OMZ produced 43.13% reduction. Treatment with DG showed increase in mucin secretion by 56.17%, whereas OMZ showed 12.45% increase. Anti-ulcer effect of DG may be due to its cytoprotective effect along with antisecretory activity and could act as a potent therapeutic agent against peptic ulcer disease.

Influence of coconut kernel protein on lipid metabolism in alcohol fed rats.

Male albino rats were given ethanol (3.76 g/kg body weight/day) to induce hyperlipidemia. The rats showed increased concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum and tissues. Inclusion of coconut protein and L-arginine into ethanol fed rats produced lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL+ VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic index in the serum. Concentration of tissue cholesterol and triglycerides was also lower in these groups. Administration of coconut protein and L-arginine in the ethanol fed rats caused decreased activity of HMG-CoA reductase in the liver and increased activity of lipoprotein lipase in the heart. The activities of malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were also lower in these groups. Feeding coconut protein and L-arginine in ethanol treated rats showed increased concentration of hepatic bile acids and fecal excretion of neutral sterols and bile acids. All these effects were comparable in rats fed coconut protein and those fed L-arginine. These observations indicate that the major factor responsible for the hypolipidemic effect of coconut protein is due to the high content of L-arginine.

Serum Ethanol Levels after Alcohol Sclerotherapy of Arteriovenous Malformations

We analyzed the effects of several factors on the serum ethanol levels after alcohol sclerotherapy in the arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) retrospectively. Blood ethanol level, amounts of given alcohol, location of lesions, methods of flow control, and Doppler resistive index (RI) were analyzed. The results of linear regression analysis showed that the amount of alcohol administered was the predictor of serum ethanol level (r2=0.75, p80 mg/dL). Location of the lesions was not related with the serum ethanol level (p=0.643), and other variables such as forms of flow control and RI were not related to the serum ethanol level after controlling for injected amounts of alcohol (analysis of covariance). It is recommended to keep an eye on the possibility of intoxication when using the amounts of alcohol exceeding 0.89 mL/kg in the sclerotherapy of AVMs.

Effect of pH, temperature and alcohols on the stability of glycosylated and deglycosylated stem bromelain.

The biological significance of the carbohydrate moiety of a glycoprotein has been a matter of much speculation. In the present work, we have chosen stem bromelain from Ananas comosus as a model to investigate the role of glycosylation of proteins. Stem bromelain is a thiol protease which contains a single hetero-oligosaccharide unit per molecule. Here, the deglycosylated form of the enzyme was obtained by periodate oxidation. The differences in the glycosylated and deglycosylated forms of the glycoprotein have been studied at various temperatures and pH values, using probes such as loss of enzyme activity and by the changes in fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra. Deglycosylated bromelain showed decreased enzyme activity and perturbed fluorescence and circular dichroism spectra. In addition to this, a comparative study of their activities in different organic solvents showed a marked decrease in case of deglycosylated form of the enzyme. It is thus concluded that glycosylation contributes towards the functional stability of glycoenzymes.

Biphasic effects of gap junctional uncoupling agents on the propagation of retinal spreading depression

The spreading depression wave of Leäo (SD) propagates in the nervous tissue at 3-10 mm/min and is a accompanied by an increase of intracellular Ca²+ concentration and a decrease in the extracellular milieu. Recently the spread of Ca²+ waves with propagating velocities of the same order of magnitude has been detected in cultures of nerve cells. It has been suggested that these waves, which can be blocked by gap junctional agents, are related to SD. The present experiments describe some effects of heptanol and octanol (10µM to 10mM), well-known uncoupling agents of gap junctions, on the slow voltage changes and the velocity of propagation of Leäo's phenomenon in isolated chick retina: 1) a 50 to 700 µM concentration of these alcohols in the superfusate solutions increased the velocity, whereas high concentration (1 to 10 mM) decreased and subsequently halted the spread; 2) the recovery period of the slow voltage changes of SD was shorter in the presence of alcohol and its amplitude was larger during faster SD waves. These effects were observed in the retina during successive individual waves as well as in the course of circling SD. All of these effects were reversible, without any sign of damage to the retina. In the concentration range of 50 µM, methanol, ethanol, butanol and cyclo-hexanol had no effect on retinal SD. These data suggest the involvement of gap junctions in Leäo's wave. This involvement is complex and its functional effects together with other factors that influence the velocity of propagation of SD sre being investigated

Effect of alcohols and their potentiating responses on acetylcholine induced contractures on frog rectus abdominis.

Ethanol, propanol and butanol cause contraction and potentiate the responses of acetylcholine (Ach) on frog's rectus muscle. These actions are minimum with ethanol and maximum with butanol. Various drugs acting at different levels of neuromuscular transmission inhibited the responses of alcohol itself and also its potentiating responses of Ach. The results show that these effects are partly due to enhanced release of Ach at neuromuscular junction and partly due to release of sarcoplasmic calcium suggesting that more than one mechanism may be responsible for these actions.

Effect of corn-steep liquor on growth and mosquito larvicidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis de Barjac 1978 and B. sphaericus Neide 1904.

Influence of corn steep liquor on the cell yield and toxicity of three strains of B. thuringiensis var israelensis and two strains of B. sphaericus was studied and compared with peptone-yeast extract using a laboratory fermentor. Large increase in the cell yield of all the three strains of B. thuringiensis var israelensis was observed when cornsteep liquor was used as the sole nitrogen source. Significant increase in toxicity was also observed in B. thuringiensis var israelensis strains B17 and B113. Among the two B. sphaericus strains tested, the strain 1593 showed no significant change in cell yield and toxicity, whereas the strain VCRC B42 showed increased cell yield and toxicity in this medium. The results indicate that cornsteep liquor can effectively replace both peptone and yeast extract in the media presently used for large scale multiplication of the two larvicidal bacilli.