Effect of nanoparticles on spontaneous Ouzo emulsification

International audienceParticles stabilize fluid interfaces. In particular, oil/water Pickering emulsions undergo limited coalescence, yielding droplets of smaller size as the amount of particles is increased. Herein, we studied the effect of hydrophobic nanoparticles (<10 nm, alkyl-coated) on submicronic droplets (ca 100 nm) formed in an Ouzo system. We investigated thoroughly the water/tetrahydrofuran (THF)/butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) reference diagram, in the absence and in the presence of nanoparticles, using the Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) technique. This allowed us to characterize the size distributions in a much finer way than what is usually obtained using conventional Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). Both a Surfactant-Free Microemulsion (SFME, thermodynamically stable) and an Ouzo (metastable spontaneous emulsion) domains were identified and the transition from one to the other could be characterized by specific features of the droplet size distributions. We found that the presence of the nanoparticles limits coalescence in the metastable domain. We also show that the alkyl-coated nanoparticles are irreversibly attached to the liquid-liquid interface

Impact of Intragastric Balloon Before Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass on Patients with Super Obesity: a Randomized Multicenter Study

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Photodynamic therapy as a treatment option for peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome: a pilot study

Background: To investigate the anatomical and functional results in eyes with peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome (PPS) undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT). Methods: A total of 25 eyes from 23 patients with PPS treated with PDT were retrospectively evaluated in this multicentric study. Main outcome measure was the proportion of eyes that achieved treatment success, defined as a decrease in both subretinal fluid (SRF) height and central subfield thickness (CST), at 3 months after PDT compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes were the change in CST, SRF, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 3 months after treatment and predictive factors for treatment success. When available, data between 3 and 12 months were also reviewed. Results: Treatment success was achieved in 16 eyes (64%). In the total cohort, CST decreased significantly from 356 ± 118 µm at baseline to 282 ± 90 µm and 270 ± 91 µm at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Maximal SRF height decreased significantly from 102 ± 83 µm at baseline to 38 ± 46 µm and 32 ± 42 µm at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.001), and remained stable at month 6 (29 ± 44 µm) and month 12 (23 ± 35 µm). BCVA improved significantly from baseline to month 3 (p = 0.021). Conclusions: PDT can be considered an efficacious treatment option in patients with PPS. Prospective data with longer follow-up in a bigger cohort are needed in order to determine the optimal treatment algorithm in this relatively novel disease

Photodynamic therapy as a treatment option for peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome: a pilot study

Background To investigate the anatomical and functional results in eyes with peripapillary pachychoroid syndrome (PPS) undergoing photodynamic therapy (PDT). Methods A total of 25 eyes from 23 patients with PPS treated with PDT were retrospectively evaluated in this multicentric study. Main outcome measure was the proportion of eyes that achieved treatment success, defined as a decrease in both subretinal fluid (SRF) height and central subfield thickness (CST), at 3 months after PDT compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes were the change in CST, SRF, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) 3 months after treatment and predictive factors for treatment success. When available, data between 3 and 12 months were also reviewed. Results Treatment success was achieved in 16 eyes (64%). In the total cohort, CST decreased significantly from 356 +/- 118 mu m at baseline to 282 +/- 90 mu m and 270 +/- 91 mu m at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Maximal SRF height decreased significantly from 102 +/- 83 mu m at baseline to 38 +/- 46 mu m and 32 +/- 42 mu m at 1 and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.001), and remained stable at month 6 (29 +/- 44 mu m) and month 12 (23 +/- 35 mu m). BCVA improved significantly from baseline to month 3 (p = 0.021). Conclusions PDT can be considered an efficacious treatment option in patients with PPS. Prospective data with longer follow-up in a bigger cohort are needed in order to determine the optimal treatment algorithm in this relatively novel disease.Ophthalmic researc

Current role of intravitreal injections in Irvine Gass syndrome-CRIIG study

Objective: To analyze the role of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) or steroid injection for the management of Irvine Gass syndrome. Methods: It is an interventional, retrospective, multicenter study. One hundred and thirty-two injections were given in 79 eyes of 72 patients with Irvine Gass syndrome. Patients were treated with at least one intravitreal injection of either anti-VEGF or steroid. Outcomes were measured at 12 months (\ub1 1 week). [Ranibizumab (Lucentis; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) (Razumab; Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd, Ahmedabad, India) Bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) or Aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY)] or steroids [Dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex, Allergan Inc, Irvine, CA) or intravitreal triamcinolone)]. Results: Intravitreal injections were initiated in (67.6%) of eyes within 14 weeks of diagnosis. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant was used as the initial intravitreal therapy in (73.4%) of eyes. More than fifty percent (54.5%) of the patients were switched from anti-VEGF to Intravitreal dexamethasone implant. Reduction in the mean CMT was 336.7 \ub1 191.7 and 160.1 \ub1 153.1 microns in eyes treated within four weeks and more than 14 weeks from diagnosis (p = 0.005). Mean ETDRS letter gain was 16.7 \ub1 12.9 and 5.2 \ub1 9.2 in eyes treated within 4 weeks and more than 14 weeks from diagnosis (p = 0.004). Three eyes injected with intravitreal dexamethasone implant reported an intraocular pressure spike of > 25 mmHg which was controlled with topical medications. No other ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. Conclusion: Study results suggest that physicians tend to introduce intravitreal therapy within 14 weeks of diagnosis. The most common therapy at initiation and for the switch is intravitreal dexamethasone implant. Patients treated early (within 4 weeks) respond better in terms of structure and function