Survey on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in Italy

This study aims to investigate the incidence and the relative risk factors of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and posterior-ROP (P-ROP): ROP in Zone I and posterior Zone II, as well as to analyze the occurrence of surgical treatment of ROP and to evaluate the short term outcome of the disease in Italy

Identification of the Biotransformation Products of 2-Ethylhexyl 4-(N,N-Dimethylamino)benzoate

Nowadays, 2-ethylhexyl 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzoate (EDP) is one of the most widely used UV filters in sunscreen cosmetics and other cosmetic products. However, undesirable processes such as percutaneous absorption and biological activity have been attributed to this compound. The in vitro metabolism of EDP was elucidated in the present work. First of all, the phase I biotransformation was studied in rat liver microsomes and two metabolites, N,N-dimethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (DMP) and N-monomethyl-p-aminobenzoic acid (MMP), were identified by GC-MS analysis. Secondly, the phase II metabolism was investigated by means of LC-MS. The investigated reactions were acetylation and glucuronidation working with rat liver cytosol and with both human and rat liver microsomes, respectively. Analogue studies with p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) were carried out in order to compare the well established metabolic pathway of PABA with the unknown biotransformation of EDP. In addition, a method for the determination of EDP and its two phase I metabolites in human urine was developed. The methodology requires a solid-phase extraction prior to LC-MS analysis. The method is based on standard addition quantification and has been fully validated. The repeatability of the method, expressed as relative standard deviation, was in the range 3.4–7.4% and the limit of detection for all quantified analytes was in the low ng mL−1 range

Implications of using systematic decomposition structures to organize building LCA information: A comparative analysis of national standards and guidelines - IEA EBC ANNEX 72

Introduction: The application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique to a building requires the collection and organization of a large amount of data over its life cycle. The systematic decomposition method can be used to classify building components, elements and materials, overcome specific difficulties that are encountered when attempting to complete the life cycle inventory and increase the reliability and transparency of results. In this paper, which was developed in the context of the research project IEA EBC Annex 72, we demonstrate the implications of taking such approach and describe the results of a comparison among different national standards/guidelines that are used to conduct LCA for building decomposition.Methods: We initially identified the main characteristics of the standards/guidelines used by Annex participant countries. The “be2226” reference office building was used as a reference to apply the different national standards/guidelines related to building decomposition. It served as a basis of comparison, allowing us to identify the implications of using different systems/standards in the LCA practice, in terms of how these differences affect the LCI structures, LCA databases and the methods used to communicate results. We also analyzed the implications of integrating these standards/guidelines into Building Information Modelling (BIM) to support LCA. Results: Twelve national classification systems/standards/guidelines for the building decomposition were compared. Differences were identified among the levels of decomposition and grouping principles, as well as the consequences of these differences that were related to the LCI organization. In addition, differences were observed among the LCA databases and the structures of the results. Conclusions: The findings of this study summarize and provide an overview of the most relevant aspects of using a standardized building decomposition structure to conduct LCA. Recommendations are formulated on the basis of these findings

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings In Acute And Chronic Retinal Artery Occlusion.

Purpose:To report spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings in acute and chronic retinal artery occlusions (RAO), and to compare these findings with other causes of inner retinal atrophy. Methods:Two cases of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with perfused cilio-retinal artery and one case of cilio-retinal artery occlusion were observed in the acute phase and then followed for four months with SD-OCT. Other 4 cases of chronic central and branch RAO were also evaluated. SD-OCT images of different causes of inner retinal atrophy (advanced glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy) are reported and compared. Results:In the acute phase of RAO, SD-OCT discloses thickening and increased reflectivity of the inner retinal layers with shadowing effect on outer structures, and sharp demarcation between perfused and non-perfused retina. In the chronic phase, SD-OCT reveals severe and complete inner retinal atrophy and homogeneous intra-retinal structure, while outer nuclear layer and IS-OS/RPE hyper-reflective lines remain intact. On the contrary, in advanced glaucoma and optic neuropathy the inner retinal structure although reduced remains clearly detectable. Conclusions:SD-OCT in acute-CRAO demonstrates swelling of the inner retinal layers and sharp demarcation of the affected. In the chronic phases the homogeneous inner atrophy with absence of identifiable retinal layers represents a distinctive marker of RAO compared with other causes of inner retinal atrophy

Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant for Diabetic Macular Edema

Purpose:It is well known that the presence of chronic and persistent diabetic macular edema (DME) can vanish the visual benefits of phacoemulsification (PE) in these patients. Nevertheless cataract extraction can be necessary both to maintain residual visual function and for a correct follow up of retinopathy. The use of dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Dex-I) at the time of surgery has an elevate rationale in these patients due to its combined high anti-inflammatory and anti-VEGF properties together with its long lasting effect and absence of systemic side effects. We here report the functional and anatomic results of a combined surgical procedure of Dex-I and PE in 7 patients with cataract and chronic DME followed for six months after surgery. Methods:Seven consecutive type-2 diabetic patients with cystoid chronic DME and advanced nuclear cataract (N3-5 at LOCS-III chart) underwent PE. Dex-I was injected as the first surgical maneuver and than PE and IOL implantation proceeded as usual. Postop topical therapy for the first month included combined steroid/antibiotic and combined acetazolamide/\u3b2-blocker eye drops. Follow up visits were scheduled at one week and than monthly for 6 months. We measured variations in foveal thickness (FT) at SD-OCT, changes in ETDRS-visual acuity (VA) and in intraocular pressure (IOP). Results:Mean preop FT was 344\u3bc (range 278-489), preop visual acuity was 18 letters (range 5-26) and mean IOP 17mmHg (range 14-19). Mean preop glicated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 7.2% (range 6.2-9.8). no complications were registered during or after the surgical procedure. During follow up, mean FT decreased by 122\u3bc (range 81-213) at 1W, 137\u3bc (76-198) at M1, remained unchanged at M2/M3 and than at M4 the gain reduced to 56\u3bc (12-109) to progressively return to preop values at M5 and M6 (final mean FT 356\u3bc). Mean VA change was +5 letters at 1W (range -1/+13), +8 (range +2/+12) at 1M, +11/13 (range +1/+16) at M2-3-4-5, and +9 (range +3/+8) at M6. IOP remained <23mmHg in all patients (hypotensive eye drops maintained until M6 in 3 patients). Conclusions:In this small case series, Dex-I avoided worsening of chronic DME after cataract extraction and also improved foveal thickness for up to 4-5 months. Dex-I appears to be a good surgical adjuvant in these cases, but larger studies are necessary to confirm these data