Use of chitosan for chromium removal from exhausted tanning baths.

A novel approach, based on chitosan heavy-metal sequestrating ability, is proposed for chromium(III) removal from spent tanning liquor. Experimental results, obtained at lab-scale using real wastewater, are presented and discussed. Resulting efficiencies are extremely high, and strongly dependent on chitosan dose and pH value. Comparative analyses with other polysaccharides is also carried out showing that amine groups are more efficient than carboxyl and sulphate ones. Chromium recovery from sorption complexes and chitosan regeneration is finally proposed to optimize the whole process

Association between a genetic variant of type-1 cannabinoid receptor and inflammatory neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis

Genetic ablation of type-1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs) exacerbates the neurodegenerative damage of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the rodent model of multiple sclerosis (MS). To address the role on CB1Rs in the pathophysiology of human MS, we first investigated the impact of AAT trinucleotide short tandem repeat polymorphism of CNR1 gene on CB1R cell expression, and secondly on the inflammatory neurodegeneration process responsible for irreversible disability in MS patients. We found that MS patients with long AAT repeats within the CNR1 gene (≥12 in both alleles) had more pronounced neuronal degeneration in response to inflammatory white matter damage both in the optic nerve and in the cortex. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), in fact, showed more severe alterations of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and of the macular volume (MV) after an episode of optic neuritis in MS patients carrying the long AAT genotype of CNR1. MS patients with long AAT repeats also had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of increased gray matter damage in response to inflammatory lesions of the white matter, especially in areas with a major role in cognition. In parallel, visual abilities evaluated at the low contrast acuity test, and cognitive performances were negatively influenced by the long AAT CNR1 genotype in our sample of MS patients. Our results demonstrate the biological relevance of the (AAT)n CNR1 repeats in the inflammatory neurodegenerative damage of MS

Lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity in vitreous, aqueous humor, and blood samples from patients with diabetic retinopathy

PurposeTo evaluate levels of malondialdehyde and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the blood, aqueous humor, and vitreous bodies of diabetic and nondiabetic patients. We also measured the blood energy charge potential (ECP).MethodsWe examined 19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy. Ten were scheduled for cataract surgery and pars plana vitrectomy because of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). The other nine, with mild nonproliferative PDR (NPDR), and fourteen nondiabetic, age-matched subjects enrolled as a control group were scheduled for cataract surgery and vitrectomy because of epiretinal membranes. Blood, aqueous humor and vitreous body samples were collected at the time of surgery. Malondialdehyde concentrations and blood ECP were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. The TAC of the samples was estimated with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity method.ResultsThe level of blood and vitreous malondialdehyde in the PDR group was significantly higher compared to controls and to NPDR patients. PDR patients also had lower levels of TAC at the vitreous body and aqueous humor level, but not at the blood level, compared to controls and with NPDR patients. In all diabetic patients, the blood ECP values were significantly lower, compared to control subjects.ConclusionsOur data support the hypothesis that oxidative stress and the decrease of antioxidant defenses are associated with the progression of diabetic retinopathy to its proliferative form. Antioxidant supply may have the effect of correcting oxidative stress and inhibiting disease progression

Relationship between retinal microvascular impairment and subclinical atherosclerosis in SLE

objectives: patients with SLE have higher cardiovascular (CV) risk compared with healthy controls (HC) and are characterised by accelerated atherosclerosis; intima media thickness (IMT), marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, is higher in patients with SLE than in HCs. Retinal microvascular impairment detected through optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was investigated as a marker of systemic vascular involvement in SLE.the aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between retinal vascular impairment and IMT in SLE. methods: cross-sectional study recruiting patients with SLE and HCs. Data of the study population were collected. CV risk was evaluated through the american college of cardiology/american heart association (ACC/AHA) guidelines, framingham and QRESEARCH risk estimator V.3 (QRISK3) scores. Both groups underwent OCTA and carotid ultrasound with IMT assessment.Statistical analysis was accomplished using Pearson/Spearman, t-test/Mann-Whitney or χ2 test. Variables statistically significant at univariate regression analysis were tested in an age-corrected and sex-corrected multivariate regression model. results: 43 patients with SLE and 34 HCs were recruited.patients with SLE showed higher triglycerides (p=0.019), triglycerides-glucose (TyG) Index (p=0.035), ACC/AHA guidelines (p=0.001), Framingham Risk Scores (p=0.008) and a reduced superficial (p<0.001) and deep (p=0.005) whole retinal vessel density (VD) compared with HCs.In SLE univariate analysis, deep whole VD showed a negative correlation with IMT (p=0.027), age (p=0.001), systolic blood pressure (p=0.011), QRISK3 Score (p<0.001), systemic lupus international collaborating clinics damage index (p=0.006) and apolipoprotein B (p=0.021), while a positive correlation was found with female sex (p=0.029). Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted multivariate analysis confirmed QRISK3 score (p=0.049) and IMT (p=0.039) to be independent risk factors for reduced retinal VD. conclusions: patients with SLE showed lower retinal VD and higher CV risk indicators compared with HCs. Among patients with SLE, QRISK3 Score and IMT were found to be independent risk factors for retinal vascular impairment, suggesting a role of OCTA in evaluating preclinical CV involvement in SLE. moreover, TyG index could represent a biomarker of CV risk in patients with SLE compared with HCs

Macular ganglion cells alteration in a patient with left homonymous hemianopia subsequent to surgical excision of an arteriovenous malformation

Purpose: To report the case of a 57 years old woman who showed a macular ganglion cell complex (GCC), that is a combination of ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer, and peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (pRNFL) thickness reduction in association with left homonymous hemianopia subsequent to surgical excision of an arteriovenous malformation in the cerebral right occipital lobe 37 years before. Observations: One patient with left homonymous hemianopia due to surgical excision of an arteriovenous malformation in the right cerebral occipital lobe came to our attention for transient blurred vision.Measurement of the GCC and pRNFL thickness was performed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT; Cirrus HD-OCT model 400). Visual field (VF) defects were assessed using Humphrey field analyzer using the central 30-2 Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm (SITA) program with appropriate trial lenses (Humphrey Field Analyzer II, Carl Zeiss Meditech, Inc, Dublin, California).The average pRNFL thickness was bilaterally reduced, showing a symmetry value of 39%. The patients showed a significant GCC thinning in the projecting sector of the retina mapping to the brain lesion. Corresponding VF defects were found. Conclusions and importance: These findings show SDOCT potentials in the field of neuro-ophthalmology, supporting the usefulness of GCC thickness as a possible imaging marker before and after brain surgery, and, possibly, in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative conditions. Keywords: GCC, pRNFL, Hemianopia, OCT, Neuro-ophthalmology, Arteriovenous malformation, Retrograde transneural degeneration, Neurodegenerative disease

Ophthalmic segment of internal carotid artery aneurysm mimicking normal tension glaucoma.

Abstract A 41-year-old caucasian male was referred to the Glaucoma clinic at our tertiary referral centre with a diagnosis of normal tension glaucoma after the finding of increased bilateral asymmetrical cup/disc ratios, with normal intraocular pressures. On examination, the authors confirmed the presence of bilateral reduced optic disc rims alongside a left pale residual rim, and a further discovered a positive dyschromatopsia with a bilateral visual field alteration. The left visual field showed a relative scotoma confined to the vertical midline. After initiating investigation for suspected glaucoma, the authors ordered a magnetic resonance imaging that evidenced an internal carotid aneurysm along the ophthalmic segment, stretching across the optic chiasm with a major involvement of the left optic nerve and partial involvement of the right optic nerve. Aneurysm embolisation was performed with complete resolution of signs and symptoms achieved 5 months post-operatively. Despite glaucoma being the most frequent condition causing optic disc atrophy and visual field loss, it is not the only cause. Any atypical visual field defect not in keeping with a glaucomatous field loss should be further investigated. The ophthalmologist should thoroughly assess all signs that could lead to different diagnosis

Antihypertensive and metabolic effects of telmisartan in hypertensive HIV-positive patients

Background: Hypertension is more prevalent among HIV- infected individuals than in the general population and contributes to increased cardiovascular risk. The angiotensin II receptor blocker telmisartan is also a partial peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-&γαμμα; agonist with documented effects on glucose and lipid homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive and metabolic effects of telmisartan in hypertensive HIVpositive patients. Methods: A total of 18 HIV-positive men treated with antiretroviral therapy and recently diagnosed with hypertension were administered 80 mg telmisartan daily. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), viroimmunological and metabolic parameters, insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, microalbuminuria, cystatin C and plasma levels of interleukin-18 and endothelin-1 were measured at baseline (T0), 1 month (T1), 3 months (T3) and 6 months (T6). Results: Treatment with telmisartan not only decreased SBP and DBP levels, but also improved insulin resistance and microalbuminuria by T1. Levels of triglycerides significantly decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased at T1, whereas total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were statistically reduced at T3 and T6. Cystatin C and endothelin-1 showed a significant reduction at T1, whereas interleukin-18 decreased at both T3 and T6. Conclusions: Telmisartan was effective in reducing blood pressure and improving lipid metabolism and renal function. Reduction of endothelin-1 might be related to an endothelial protective effect. On the basis of these findings, and because of properties unrelated to blood pressure lowering, telmisartan might be the first choice antihypertensive drug for the treatment of HIV-positive patients

Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of Macular and Optic Nerve Alterations in Patients with Glaucoma and Correlation with Visual Field Index

Introduction. To evaluate the sectorial thickness of single retinal layers and optic nerve using spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and highlight the parameters with the best diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between normal and glaucoma subjects at different stages of the disease. Material and Methods. For this cross-sectional study, 25 glaucomatous (49 eyes) and 18 age-matched healthy subjects (35 eyes) underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including visual field testing. Sectorial thickness values of each retinal layer and of the optic nerve were measured using SD-OCT Glaucoma Module Premium Edition (GMPE) software. Each parameter was compared between the groups, and the layers and sectors with the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were identified. Correlation of visual field index with the most relevant structural parameters was also evaluated. Results and Discussion. All subjects were grouped according to stage as follows: Controls (CTRL); Early Stage Group (EG) (Stage 1 + Stage 2); Advanced Stage Group (AG) (Stage 3 + Stage 4 + Stage 5). mGCL TI, mGCL TO, mIPL TO, mean mGCL, cpRNFLt NS, and cpRNFLt TI showed the best results in terms of AUC according classification proposed by Swets (0.9 < AUC < 1.0). These parameters also showed significantly different values among group when CTRL vs EG, CTRL vs AG, and EG vs AG were compared. SD-OCT examination showed significant sectorial thickness differences in most of the macular layers when glaucomatous patients at different stages of the disease were compared each other and to the controls