Replica-mold nanopatterned PHEMA hydrogel surfaces for ophthalmic applications.

Biomimicking native tissues and organs require the development of advanced hydrogels. The patterning of hydrogel surfaces may enhance the cellular functionality and therapeutic efficacy of implants. For example, nanopatterning of the intraocular lens (IOL) surface can suppress the upregulation of cytoskeleton proteins (actin and actinin) within the cells in contact with the IOL surface and, hence, prevent secondary cataracts causing blurry or opaque vision. Here we introduce a fast and efficient method for fabricating arrays consisting of millions of individual nanostructures on the hydrogel surface. In particular, we have prepared the randomly distributed nanopillars on poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel using replica molding and show that the number, shape, and arrangement of nanostructures are fully adjustable. Characterization by atomic force microscopy revealed that all nanopillars were of similar shape, narrow size distribution, and without significant defects. In imprint lithography, choosing the appropriate hydrogel composition is critical. As hydrogels with imprinted nanostructures mimic the natural cell environment, they can find applications in fundamental cell biology research, e.g., they can tune cell attachment and inhibit or promote cell clustering by a specific arrangement of protrusive nanostructures on the hydrogel surface.

Successful surgical excision of cerebral abscess caused by Fonsecaea monophora in an immunocompetent patient and review of literature.

Cerebral abscesses caused by dark-pigmented Fonsecaea fungi are rare, especially in otherwise healthy individuals. In this case report, we present a 61-year-old man from Moldova, living in the Czech Republic, who had worked as a locksmith on oil platforms in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Sudan, and Iraq since 1999, and was admitted to a neurology ward for a sudden motion disorder of the right leg, dysarthria, and hypomimia. Imaging revealed presence of expansive focus around the left lateral ventricle of the brain and a pronounced peripheral edema. The intracranial infectious focus was excised under intraoperative SonoWand guidance. Tissue samples were histologically positive for dark-pigmented hyphae, suggesting dematiaceous fungi. Therefore, liposomal amphotericin B therapy was initiated immediately. Fonsecaea monophora was provisionally identified using ITS rDNA region sequencing directly from brain tissue. The identification was subsequently confirmed by cultivation and DNA sequencing from culture. The strain exhibited in vitro sensitive to voriconazole (MIC = 0.016 µg/mL) and resistance to amphotericin B (MIC = 4 µg/mL); therefore, the amphotericin B was replaced with voriconazole. Postoperatively, a significant clinical improvement was observed and no additional surgery was required. Based on the literature review, this is the third documented case of cerebral infection due to this pathogen in patients without underlying conditions and the first such case in Europe.