Efficacy of 190 mcg fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal implant: microperimetry and OCT real-life data.

OBJECTIVE: Fluocinolone acetonide is a valid alternative treatment for patients with chronic diabetic macular edema (DME) with poor response to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy and safety of ILUVIEN® implant in pseudophakic eyes with persistent DME. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a single-centre pilot-study of 8 patients with persistent DME treated with the ILUVIEN implant, despite previous anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and/or steroid treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) central retinal thickness, intraocular pressure (IOP) and microperimetric data were evaluated at baseline and month 1, 3 and 6 post treatment. RESULTS: All data are presented as mean and standard deviation. At baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months, we had BCVA of 0.26±0.22, 0.38±0.27, 0.48±0.27 and 0.46±0.24; IOP of 15.00±2.67, 15.50±3.16, 14.88±2.42 and 15.63±2.67 mmHg; macular thickness of 652±231, 487±278, 475±287 and 413±211 µm; macular sensitivity of 6.83±4.20, 6.13±3.72, 7.68±3.40 and 7.71±3.33 dB; bivariate contour elliptic area (BCEA) 95.4% 3.8±3.42, 6.06±10.06, 3.05±2.46 and 2.59±2.19°2. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of our study, fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) is a valid therapy option despite some limitations. It has been evidenced that FAc is more effective in patients with mild central macular thickening, while in those with modest to severe central macular thickness (CMT), different therapy strategies should be considered.

Degradation of nitrocellulose-based paint by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541.

Nitrocellulose is one of the most commonly used compounds in ammunition and paint industries and its recalcitrance to degradation has a negative impact on human health and the environment. In this study the capability of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541 to degrade nitrocellulose as binder in paint was assayed for the first time. Nitrocellulose-based paint degradation was followed by monitoring the variation in nitrate, nitrite and ammonium content in the culture medium using Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy. At the same time cell counts and ATP assay were performed to estimate bacterial density and activity in all samples. Infrared spectroscopy and colorimetric measurements of paint samples were performed to assess chemical and colour changes due to the microbial action. Microscope observations of nitrocellulose-based paint samples demonstrated the capability of the bacterium to adhere to the paint surface and change the paint adhesive characteristics. Finally, preliminary studies of nitrocellulose degradation pathway were conducted by assaying nitrate- and nitrite reductases activity in D. desulfuricans grown in presence or in absence of paint. We found that D. desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is able to transform nitrocellulose as paint binder and we hypothesised ammonification as degradation pathway. The results suggest that D. desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is a good candidate as a nitrocellulose-degrading bacterium.