East African cichlid fishes.

Cichlid fishes are a very diverse and species-rich family of teleost fishes that inhabit lakes and rivers of India, Africa, and South and Central America. Research has largely focused on East African cichlids of the Rift Lakes Tanganyika, Malawi, and Victoria that constitute the biodiversity hotspots of cichlid fishes. Here, we give an overview of the study system, research questions, and methodologies. Research on cichlid fishes spans many disciplines including ecology, evolution, physiology, genetics, development, and behavioral biology. In this review, we focus on a range of organismal traits, including coloration phenotypes, trophic adaptations, appendages like fins and scales, sensory systems, sex, brains, and behaviors. Moreover, we discuss studies on cichlid phylogenies, plasticity, and general evolutionary patterns, ranging from convergence to speciation rates and the proximate and ultimate mechanisms underlying these processes. From a methodological viewpoint, the last decade has brought great advances in cichlid fish research, particularly through the advent of affordable deep sequencing and advances in genetic manipulations. The ability to integrate across traits and research disciplines, ranging from developmental biology to ecology and evolution, makes cichlid fishes a fascinating research system.

Development and validation of an HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of fluorescent whitening agents migrating from plastic beverage cups.

An HPLC method with fluorescence detection has been developed and validated for the quantification of six fluorescent whitening agents (FWA) in plastic beverage cups after extraction and in food simulants after migration at 70°C for 2 h. The sensitivity of the method was high with LODs ranging from 0.053 to 0.251 µg kg-1 and LOQs from 0.107 to 0.504 µg kg-1. Accuracy and precision were highly acceptable, with recoveries greater than 82% and RSDs (%) below 16%. The expanded combined uncertainty was found to be less than 23% for the measurements of all studied FWAs. In extracting the analytes from food contact materials (FCM), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and Soxhlet extraction were applied using ethanol as the extraction solvent. The results obtained for FWA in 10 different food plastic cups, made from different polymers, were compared. The ASE technique proved to be faster, more effective and efficient than Soxhlet extraction. Migration tests with official food simulants from Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 showed that the substances studied could potentially migrate using the selected migration conditions. The most pronounced effect was observed in case of simulant D1 (50% w/v ethanol in water). The analytical method proved to be a simple, fast, sensitive and reliable tool for the simultaneous quantification of six of the most used FWAs in both FCM extracts and food simulants after migration experiments.

Effect of benzalkonium chloride-free travoprost on intraocular pressure and ocular surface symptoms in patients with glaucoma previously on latanoprost: an open-label study.

BACKGROUND: Prostaglandin analogs reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension; however, these medications may affect the ocular surface and elicit ocular discomfort when preserved with benzalkonium chloride (BAK). METHODS: This was an open-label, single-arm study conducted in Latin America from February 2012 to May 2013. Patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were intolerant of latanoprost 0.005 % were transitioned to receive once-daily BAK-free travoprost 0.004 % containing polyquaternium-1 (Travatan® preserved with POLYQUAD® [PQ], Alcon Laboratories, Inc; Fort Worth, TX) for 12 weeks. Mean change in IOP from baseline (primary efficacy endpoint) and the percentage of patients who achieved a target IOP of ≤18 mmHg were evaluated at all on-therapy visits. Ocular hyperemia, patient preference, and self-projected adherence were assessed at week 12. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: All enrolled patients were included in the analysis (n = 191); the majority of patients (90.6 %, n = 173/191) completed the study. Mean (SD) patient age was 67.5 (11.3) years, and mean baseline IOP was 14.8 mmHg. Mean IOP was reduced by 0.94 mmHg at week 6 and by 1.09 mmHg at week 12 (P < 0.001 for both). A greater percentage of patients achieved a target IOP of ≤18 mmHg at week 6 (93.1 %; n = 163/175) and week 12 (93.3 %; n = 166/178) compared with baseline (89.5 %; n = 171/191). There was a 10.5 % increase in the percentage of patients with "none/trace" amounts of hyperemia. Most patients preferred the study medication (81.5 %; n = 141/173) and were confident that they would adhere to their preferred medication (90.8 %; n = 157/173). No serious AEs were reported, and eye irritation (3.7 %; n = 7/191) was the most common treatment-related AE. CONCLUSIONS: Transitioning from BAK-containing latanoprost 0.005 % to BAK-free travoprost 0.004 % preserved with PQ reduced IOP in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension who were intolerant of latanoprost. BAK-free travoprost 0.004 % is a viable alternative for patients who require switching their IOP-lowering medications because of tolerability issues. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01510145.

Volatile organic compounds in paper--an approach for identification of markers in aged books.

Volatile organic compounds emitted from historical books made from cotton/linen rag and wood pulp paper have been studied. Different profiles were obtained using different solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibres to access the compounds involved in the decomposition reactions occurring in cotton/linen rag and wood pulp paper upon natural ageing and precocious/accelerated degradation. Contact headspace solid-phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) was improved as a non-destructive methodology for the analysis of historical books. Potential markers of cellulose degradation-linear hydrocarbons, linear aldehydes, and 2-furfural-together with potential markers of cotton/linen rag paper (isopropylic esters) were identified. Chiral analysis (SPME-c-GC-TOF-MS) showed that only the enantiomer (S)-2-ethyl-1-hexanol is present as an emanation compound in both types of paper. Validation studies for a larger number of books are being done.

Effects of postoperative cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% (Restasis) following glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine if postoperative topical cyclosporine 0.05% has any beneficial effect following trabeculectomy. METHODS: This was an interventional, randomized, prospective, double-masked clinical trial of 44 consecutive patients with uncontrolled glaucoma requiring filtration surgery. Ocular surface disease index questionnaire and comprehensive ocular exam, including Schirmer's tear test 1, were performed. Patients underwent routine trabeculectomy, with or without phacoemulsification. The study group (n = 22) received cyclosporine 0.05%, and the control group (n = 22) received artificial tears. Patients were evaluated at 1 and 6 months post surgery. Outcome measures were intraocular pressure, success rate, bleb appearance, ocular surface disease index, Schirmer's tear test 1 and conjunctival inflammation. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients completed the study (19 in the study group, 20 in the control group). The mean baseline intraocular pressure was 23.8 +/- 12.6 mmHg in the study group and 25.9 +/- 10.6 mmHg in the control group (P = 0.513). Mean intraocular pressure at postoperative month 6 was 14.88 +/- 6.2 and 14.62 +/- 5.46 mmHg in the study group and control group, respectively (P = 0.837). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean values of Schirmer's tear test 1 and the level of conjunctival hyperaemia between the two groups at baseline, months 1 and 6 post surgery. The treatment group had a statistically significant decrease in ocular surface disease index score at 6 months (P = 0.003), indicating less severity of dry eye symptoms and significant reduction in ocular pain. CONCLUSIONS: Topical cyclosporine 0.05% had no effect on postoperative bleb function and intraocular pressure following trabeculectomy, but improved subjective ocular surface symptoms in these patients.

Simple gas chromatographic method for furfural analysis.

A new, simple, gas chromatographic method was developed for the direct analysis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), 2-furfural (2-F) and 5-methylfurfural (5-MF) in liquid and water soluble foods, using direct immersion SPME coupled to GC-FID and/or GC-TOF-MS. The fiber (DVB/CAR/PDMS) conditions were optimized: pH effect, temperature, adsorption and desorption times. The method is simple and accurate (RSD<8%), showed good recoveries (77-107%) and good limits of detection (GC-FID: 1.37 microgL(-1) for 2-F, 8.96 microgL(-1) for 5-MF, 6.52 microgL(-1) for 5-HMF; GC-TOF-MS: 0.3, 1.2 and 0.9 ngmL(-1) for 2-F, 5-MF and 5-HMF, respectively). It was applied to different commercial food matrices: honey, white, demerara, brown and yellow table sugars, and white and red balsamic vinegars. This one-step, sensitive and direct method for the analysis of furfurals will contribute to characterise and quantify their presence in the human diet.

HPLC quantification of dye flavonoids in Reseda luteola L. from Portugal.

A HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous identification of Reseda luteola L. (weld) flavonoids and quantification of the main compounds responsible for the yellow color. This method was applied to a large number of wild Portuguese weld to evaluate its potential application as dyestuff for textile factories, as a substitute for the synthetic dyes currently used. Portuguese weld dyestuff content ranged between 1.04 and 5.87%, corresponding to a wide variation of the flavonoids amount (1.39-9.04%). Luteolin 4'-O-glucoside was found for the first time in R. luteola, but kaempferol, isorhamnetin, and their glycosides were not detected in the Portuguese specimens.

Simultaneous chromatographic separation of enantiomers, anomers and structural isomers of some biologically relevant monosaccharides.

A one-step chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed to separate anomers and enantiomers of some carbohydrates--glucose, fructose, arabinose, ribose, fucose, mannose, lyxose and xylose, using a Chiralpak AD-H column. The method allows the carbohydrate identification and determination of the absolute configuration (D or L) and simultaneously also determine the configuration of the anomeric center (alpha or beta) of the monosaccharide. The method was applied to matrices involved in food chain and human health, as part of a general strategy for the structure determination of their constituents, due to the extreme importance of sugars since they are involved in food authenticity and nutritional characteristics and the biological role depends on the enantiomer and the anomeric form of a given monosaccharide.

Subconjunctival sodium hyaluronate 2.3% in trabeculectomy: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of subconjunctival sodium hyaluronate 2.3% in increasing the success rate of glaucoma filtering surgery and promoting filtering blebs with characteristics presumed to predict better success. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-five patients scheduled for glaucoma surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients underwent routine trabeculectomy, with or without phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. In the study group (n = 28), sodium hyaluronate 2.3% was injected between the scleral and conjunctival flaps at the conclusion of the surgery. In the control group (n = 27), balanced salt solution (BSS) was injected in the same fashion, in an unmasked design. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Surgical success was defined as (1) a complete success if the intraocular pressure (IOP) was 21 mmHg or less without any antiglaucoma medication, and (2) a qualified success if the IOP was 21 mmHg or less, with or without antiglaucoma medication. Patients requiring additional surgery, including needling, or with IOP more than 21 mmHg, even when receiving antiglaucoma medications, were considered to have failed treatment. Success rates in both groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The morphologic characteristics of the filtering blebs were evaluated using the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale. Other outcome measures were IOP, visual acuity, need for antiglaucoma medication, and any complications. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients completed the study (27 in the study group and 25 in the control group), with a mean follow-up of 12.3 months. Complete success rates were 77.8% for the study group and 84.0% for the control group 12 months after surgery (P>0.5); qualified success rates were 88.9% for the study group and 92.0% for the control group (P>0.6). Mean IOP decreased from 26.0+/-10.0 mmHg to 11.6+/-4.1 mmHg in the study eyes (P<0.001) and from 24.9+/-9.7 mmHg to 13.0+/-4.1 mmHg in the control eyes (P<0.001). Intraocular pressure measurements in both groups were similar at all visits (P>0.05). The study eyes had more diffuse blebs than the control eyes (62.5% > or =4 clock-hours vs. 22.7%; P = 0.012). Postoperative complications were similar in the study eyes (14.8%) and the control eyes (20.0%; P>0.6). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in success rates in patients who received subconjunctival sodium hyaluronate 2.3% compared to BSS injections. Subconjunctival sodium hyaluronate 2.3% was associated with more diffuse blebs after filtering surgery.