Effect of ultraviolet B radiation on the absorption characteristics of various intraocular lenses

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure on UV filters of various intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods: Eight samples each of the hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic and silicone IOLs were used. Four IOLs of each type was selected randomly as the control group while the remaining four IOLs of each type were exposed to a UVB dose of 1.4 J/cm(2) (2.40 mW/cm(2)) for 9.45 min, two times with a 4-week interval. IOLs were evaluated for any sign of opacification under microscope weekly. After a follow-up period of 16 weeks, spectrometry for UV filter absorption rates, scanning electron microscopy for deposit formation and energy dispersive X-ray analysis for elemental composition were performed for all IOLs, and findings of the control group IOLs were compared with those of the UVB-exposed IOLs. All these procedures were done at the Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University. Results: All the IOLs were free of any opacification during the follow-up period. Spectrometric analysis of their UV filters revealed a change in absorption rates in the hydrophilic acrylic and silicone IOLs compared to the control IOLs of the same type. Only the hydrophobic acrylic IOLs preserved the same UV absorption curve after UVB exposure. Conclusion: The pathogenesis of IOL opacification is still undetermined. Some reports claimed that the UV light was the responsible factor. Our experimental study revealed that high doses of UVB did not cause any opacification though they impaired the function of UV filters of the hydrophilic acrylic and silicone IOLs. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Base

Crepis foetida L. subsp rhoeadifolia (Bleb.) Celak. as a source of multifunctional agents: Cytotoxic and phytochemical evaluation

The cytotoxic, anticholinesterase, antityrosinase and antioxidant effects of methanol extract from the flower of C. foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia (CFRME) were evaluated. The cytotoxic effect was investigated using HepG2, Caco-2, MCF-7 and MCF-10A cell lines. Enzyme inhibitory activities were tested by spectrophotometric methods. Different chemical assays were used to determine the antioxidant effects. In addition, phenolic constituents were quantified. High-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis revealed that chlorogenic acid was the major phenolic component in the extract. The extract showed a strong antiproliferative, antioxidant, and anticholinesterase and antityrosinase effects. These findings suggest that C. foetida subsp. rhoeadifolia may be considered as a source of ingredients that can be used as food supplements. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Pulmonary recurrence in patients with endometrial cancer

Background: In this article, we aimed to define the clinical, pathological, and surgical factors predicting pulmonary recurrence (PR) and determining survival after PR in patients with endometrial cancer. Methods: Thirty-six (2.7%) patients were analyzed who suffered pulmonary failure in the first recurrence out of 1345 patients who had at least extrafascial hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for endometrial cancer between January 1993 and May 2013. The recurrence was designated as an isolated PR in cases of the presence of recurrence only in the lung, while it was called a synchronized PR if the patient had extrapulmonary recurrence in addition to PR. Results: In the multivariate analysis in the entire cohort, only International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was an independent prognostic factor for PR. Two-year overall survival (OS) was 52% in patients with PR. In the univariate analysis, early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, absence of lymphatic metastasis, negative lymphovascular space invasion, absence of cervical invasion, negative adnexal spread, negative peritoneal cytology, negative omental metastasis, adjuvant radiotherapy after initial surgery, isolated PR, and chemotherapy upon recurrence were associated with improved OS after PR. The OS was 54 months for patients with isolated PR, while it was 10 months for patients who had synchronized PR. Furthermore, OS was 43 months and 13 months for the patients who took chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively. Conclusion: Advanced stage is associated with PR. If recurrence is only in the lung, survival is better. Systemic treatment after PR is associated with improved survival. However, multi-center studies are required to standardize the treatment for PR

Effects of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade on Chlorhexidine Gluconate-Induced Sclerosing Encapsulated Peritonitis in Rats

Sclerosing encapsulated peritonitis (SEP) is a rare complication of long term peritoneal dialysis. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) may play a role in the development of peritoneal fibrosis in CAPD patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of aliskiren, valsartan, and aliskiren + valsartan therapy on SEP. The study included 30 Wistar albino rats which were divided into five groups: I (Control) SF solution i.p.; II (CG group) chlorhexidine gluconate i.p.; III aliskiren oral plus CG i.p.; IV valsartan oral plus CG i.p.; and V aliskiren oral, valsartan oral and CG i.p. On the twenty-first day, all of the rats were sacrificed. All of the groups were analyzed in terms of peritoneal thickness, degree of inflammation, vasculopathy, neovascularization and fibrosis. Also, the parietal peritoneal tissue samples were evaluated for matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) using the ELISA method. Peritoneal thickness and fibrosis scores were lower in the valsartan group compared to the CG group (P 0.05). Tissue MMP-2 levels were significantly higher in the CG group compared other groups (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the aliskiren, valsartan and aliskiren + valsartan groups according to the tissue MMP-2 levels. Due to the antifibrotic properties of valsartan, it is thought to be a possible choice to prevent SEP development. We found no positive impact of aliskiren or aliskiren + valsartan combination compared to valsartan alone

Comparison of functional metacarpal splint and ulnar gutter splint in the treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fractures: a prospective comparative study

Abstract Background Fifth metacarpal fractures are the most common fractures of the hand. These fractures are generally treated with conservative methods. The aim of this study was to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of two conservative treatment methods, functional metacarpal splint(FMS) and ulnar gutter splint(UGS), for the treatment of fifth metacarpal neck fractures. Methods A prospective comparative study was designed to assess the conservative treatment of isolated and closed stable fractures of the fifth metacarpal neck. In total, 58 patients were included in the study and were treated with FMS or UGS after fracture reduction in a consecutive order. Angulation, shortening and functional outcome (QuickDASH scores and grip strengths) were evaluated at the 2nd and 6th months. Results Forty patients returned for follow-up. Twenty-two patients were treated with FMS, and 18 patients were treated with UGS. The average age was 28 years (SD ± 12, range;18–43) in the FMS group and 30 years (SD ± 14, range;18–58) in the UGS group. After reduction, significant correction was achieved in both groups, but the average angulation was lower in the FMS group(16 ± 7) compared with the UGS group (21 ± 8)(p = 0.043). However, this better initial reduction in FMS group(16 ± 7) could not be maintained in the 1st month follow-up (21 ± 5) (p = 0.009). In the FMS group, the improvement in QuickDASH scores between the 2nd and 6th month follow-up was significant (p = 0.003) but not in the UGS group(p = 0.075). When the expected grip strengths were calculated, the FMS group reached the expected strength values at the 2nd month follow-up, whereas the UGS group still exhibited significantly lower grip strength at the 2nd month follow-up(p = 0.008). However, at the end of the 6th month follow-up, both groups exhibited similar reduction, QuickDASH and grip strength values. Conclusions In stable 5th metacarpal neck fractures, FMS is adequate to prevent loss of reduction and yields faster improvement in clinical scores with earlier gain of normal grip strength compared with UGS. However, in the long term, both FMS and UGS methods yield similar radiological and clinical outcomes. Patient comfort and compliance may be better with FMS due to less joint restriction, and these findings should be considered when deciding the treatment method. Trial registration ISRCTN79534571 The date of registration: 01/04/2019 Type of study/level of evidence: Therapeutic, II

Dissociation Energy and Electronic and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Co⁺(H₂O) and Its Isotopomers

The electronic spectra of Co⁺(H₂O), Co⁺(HOD), and Co⁺(D₂O) have been measured from 13 500 to 18 400 cm^–1 using photodissociation spectroscopy. Transitions to four excited electronic states with vibrational and partially resolved rotational structure are observed. Each electronic transition has an extended progression in the metal–ligand stretch, v₃, and the absolute vibrational quantum numbering is assigned by comparing isotopic shifts between Co⁺(H₂¹⁶O) and Co⁺(H₂¹⁸O). For the low-lying excited electronic states, the first observed transition is to v₃′ = 1. This allows the Co⁺–(H₂O) binding energy to be determined as <i>D</i>₀(0 K)­(Co⁺–H₂O) = 13730 ± 90 cm^–1 (164.2 ± 1.1 kJ/mol). The photodissociation spectrum shows a well-resolved <i>K</i>_<i>a</i> band structure due to rotation about the Co–O axis. This permits determination of the spin rotation constants ϵ_<i>aa</i>^″ = −6 cm^–1 and ϵ_<i>aa</i>^′ = 4 cm^–1. However, the <i>K</i>_<i>a</i> rotational structure depends on v₃′. These perturbations in the spectrum make the rotational constants unreliable. From the nuclear spin statistics of the rotational structure, the ground state is assigned as ³B₁. The electronic transitions observed are from the Co⁺(H₂O) ground state, which correlates to the cobalt ion’s ³F, 3d⁸ ground state, to excited states which correlate to the ³F, 3d⁷4s and ³P, 3d⁸ excited states of Co⁺. These excited states of Co⁺ interact less strongly with water than the ground state. As a result, the excited states are less tightly bound and have longer metal–ligand bonds. Calculations at the CCSD­(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ level also predict that binding to Co⁺ increases the H–O–H angle in water from 104.1° to 106.8°, as the metal removes electron density from the oxygen lone pairs. The O–H stretching frequencies of the ground electronic state of Co⁺(H₂O) and Co⁺(HOD) have been measured by combining IR excitation with visible photodissociation in a double resonance experiment. In Co⁺(H₂O) the O–H symmetric stretch is ν₁″ = 3609.7 ± 1 cm^–1. The antisymmetric stretch is ν₅″ = 3679.5 ± 2 cm^–1. These values are 47 and 76 cm^–1, respectively, lower than those in bare H₂O. In Co⁺(HOD) the O–H stretch is observed at 3650 cm^–1, a red shift of 57 cm^–1 relative to bare HOD