Effect of subconjunctivally injected, liposome-bound, low-molecular-weight heparin on the absorption rate of subconjunctival hemorrhage in rabbits

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of subconjunctival injection of liposome-bound, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on the absorption rate of subconjunctival hemorrhages. METHODS: Subconjunctival hemorrhages were induced in both eyes of 30 rabbits by the subconjunctival injection of 0.1 mL of autologous blood from auricular marginal veins. After 8 hours, randomized subconjunctival injections of one of three materials were made: 5 IU/mL liposome-bound LMWH (0.1 mL) in 18 eyes (group A), only liposomes (0.1 mL) in 14 eyes (group B), the free form of LMWH (5 IU/mL, 0.1 mL) in 14 eyes (group C), or no injection in 14 eyes (group D). Subconjunctival hemorrhages were photographed with a digital camera at 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after induction of subconjunctival hemorrhages, sized with an image analyzer, and compared between groups. RESULTS: Subconjunctival hemorrhages were absorbed faster in group A (liposome-bound LMWH injected) than in with group B (liposome injected). Comparison of groups A and C (free LMWH injected) showed statistical differences in the absorption rates at 96 and 120 hours except at 24, 48, and 72 hours. The mean elapsed time for the complete resorption of subconjunctival hemorrhages was shortest in group A among four groups, whereas group B and the control showed no significant differences. The ocular and systemic absorption of LMWH were significantly lower after injection of the liposome-bound than the free form. CONCLUSIONS: The subconjunctival injection of liposome-bound LMWH appears to enhance subconjunctival hemorrhage absorption in rabbits

Does Immediate Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy affect the Initiation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy?

Purpose: The frequency of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is increasing, and the types of reconstruction used are diverse. Adjuvant chemotherapy is a life-saving intervention in selected high-risk breast cancer patients. The aim of our study was to determine how IBR and type of reconstruction affect the timing of the initiation of chemotherapy. Methods: We obtained data from female breast cancer patients treated by mastectomy with IBR (IBR group) and without IBR (mastectomy only group) who received adjuvant chemotherapy between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010. We retrospectively collected data including patient characteristics, disease characteristics, treatment details, and treatment outcomes from our institutional electronic patient database and medical treatment records. The reconstruction types were categorized as deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap, latissimus dorsi (LD) flap and tissue expander/implant (TEI). Results

Triphenylphosphonium Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle for Enhanced Algicidal Efficacy of Cyclohexyl-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl) Amine

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) have been widely used for the delivery of different hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs owing to their large surface area and ease of chemical alteration. On the other hand, triphenylphosphonium cation (TPP+) with high lipophilicity has a great mitochondrial homing property that stimulates the internalization of drugs into cells. Therefore, we designed a TPP-modified MSNP to enhance the algicidal activity of our new algicidal agent cyclohexyl-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl) amine (DP92). In this study, algicidal activity was evaluated by assessing the growth rate inhibition of two harmful algal blooms (HABs), Heterosigma akashiwo and Heterocapsa circularisquama, after treatment with DP92-loaded MSNP or TPP-MSNP and DP92 in DMSO (as control). For H. akashiwo, the IC50 values of TPP-MSNP and MSNP are 0.03 ± 0.01 and 0.16 ± 0.03 µM, respectively, whereas the value of the control is 0.27 ± 0.02 µM. For H. circularisquama, the IC50 values of TPP-MSNP and MSNP are 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.29 ± 0.02 µM, respectively, whereas the value of the control is 1.90 ± 0.09 µM. Results have indicated that TPP-MSNP efficiently enhanced the algicidal activity of DP92, signifying the prospect of using DP92-loaded TPP-MSNP as an algicidal agent for the superior management of HABs

Functionalized ZnO Nanoparticles with Gallic Acid for Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity against Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus

In this study, we report a new multifunctional nanoparticle with antioxidative and antibacterial activities in vitro. ZnO@GA nanoparticles were fabricated by coordinated covalent bonding of the antioxidant gallic acid (GA) on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. This addition imparts both antioxidant activity and high affinity for the bacterial cell membrane. Antioxidative activities at various concentrations were evaluated using a 2,2′-azino-bis(ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging method. Antibacterial activities were evaluated against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus: S. aureus), including several strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The functionalized ZnO@GA nanoparticles showed good antioxidative activity (69.71%), and the bactericidal activity of these nanoparticles was also increased compared to that of non-functionalized ZnO nanoparticles, with particularly effective inhibition and high selectivity for MRSA strains. The results indicate that multifunctional ZnO nanoparticles conjugated to GA molecules via a simple surface modification process displaying both antioxidant and antibacterial activity, suggesting a possibility to use it as an antibacterial agent for removing MRSA

Cellulose Acetate Phthalate-Based pH-Responsive Cyclosporine A-Loaded Contact Lens for the Treatment of Dry Eye

Cyclosporine A (CsA) as an eye drop is an effective treatment for dry eye. However, it has potential side effects and a short ocular residence time. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a cellulose acetate phthalate-based pH-responsive contact lens (CL) loaded with CsA (CsA-CL). The CsA was continuously released from the CsA-CL at physiological conditions (37 °C, pH 7.4) without an initial burst. CsA was well-contained in the selected storage condition (4 °C, pH 5.4) for as long as 90 days. In safety assays, cytotoxicity, ocular irritation, visible light transmittance, and oxygen permeability were in a normal range. CsA concentrations in the conjunctiva, cornea, and lens increased over time until 12 h. When comparing the therapeutic efficacy between the normal control, experimental dry eye (EDE), and treatment groups (CsA eye drop, naïve CL, and CsA-CL groups), the tear volume, TBUT, corneal fluorescein staining at 7 and 14 days, conjunctival goblet cell density, and corneal apoptotic cell counts at 14 days improved in all treatment groups compared to EDE, with a significantly better result in the CsA-CL group compared with other groups (all p < 0.05). The CsA-CL could be an effective, stable, and safe option for inflammatory dry eye

Development of Poly(2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine)-Functionalized Hydrogels for Reducing Protein and Bacterial Adsorption

A series of hydrogels with intrinsic antifouling properties was prepared via surface-functionalization of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [p(HEMA)]-based hydrogels with the biomembrane-mimicking zwitterionic polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) [p(MPC)]. The p(MPC)-modified hydrogels have enhanced surface wettability, high water content retention (61.0%&ndash;68.3%), and good transmittance (&gt;90%). Notably, the presence of zwitterionic MPC moieties at the hydrogel surfaces lowered the adsorption of proteins such as lysozyme and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by 73%&ndash;74% and 59%&ndash;66%, respectively, and reduced bacterial adsorption by approximately 10%&ndash;73% relative to the unmodified control. The anti-biofouling properties of the p(MPC)-functionalized hydrogels are largely attributed to the dense hydration layer formed at the hydrogel surfaces by the zwitterionic moieties. Overall, the results demonstrate that biocompatible and antifouling hydrogels based on p(HEMA)-p(MPC) structures have promising potential for application in biomedical materials