Assessing the accuracy of intracameral phenylephrine preparation in cataract surgery

Purpose: Unpreserved phenylephrine is often used as an off-licence intracameral surgical adjunct during cataract surgery to assist with pupil dilation and/or stabilise the iris in floppy iris syndrome. It can be delivered as a neat 0.2 ml bolus of either 2.5 or 10% strength, or in a range of ad-hoc dilutions. We wished to assess the accuracy of intracameral phenylephrine preparation in clinical practice. Methods: Phenylephrine 0.2 ml was analysed both neat (2.5 and 10%) and in diluted form (ratio of 1:1 and 1:3). Samples were analysed using the validated spectrophotometric method. Results: A total of 36 samples were analysed. The standard curve showed linearity for phenylephrine (R2 = 0.99). Wide variability was observed across all dilution groups. There was evidence of significant differences in the percentage deviations from intended results between dilutions (p < 0.001). Mean percentage deviation for 1:3 dilution was significantly greater than neat (p = 0.003) and 1:1 dilution (p = 0.001). There was no evidence of a significant difference between 1:1 and neat (p = 0.827). Conclusions: Current ad-hoc dilution methods used to prepare intracameral phenylephrine are inaccurate and highly variable. Small volume 1 ml syringes should not be used for mixing or dilution of drug. Commercial intracameral phenylephrine products would address dosage concerns and could improve surgical outcomes in cases of poor pupil dilation and/or floppy iris syndrome

Study of pomological traits and physico-chemical quality of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) genotypes grown in Italy

Pomegranate is considered a functional food but several local accessions and cultivars are widespread in different countries. The characterization of local germoplasm allows to identify genotypes that possess the highest nutraceutical value compared to standard cultivars (cvs.) and that are well-adapted to local climatic conditions and could be used in the breeding programs. The aim of this study was the characterization of pomological and physico-chemical traits as well as antioxidant system in local pomegranate accessions (‘Mondrone Dolce’, ‘San Pietro’, ‘Granato’ and ‘Roce’), comparing to an Italian (‘Dente di Cavallo’) and international cvs. (‘Wonderful’). A high variability of the pomological traits resulted among the cultivars. ‘Wonderful’ showed the highest value of anthocyanins (554.99 ± 0.05 mg C3gE L−1), total phenols (1494.00 ± 116.20 mg GAE L−1) and antioxidant activity (EC50values 21.21 ± 0.05 µL mL−1), whereas ‘Granato’ had the highest values among local accessions. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzymes activities varied with genotypes. Principal component analysis revealed great differences in all investigated parameters among pomegranate genotypes. ‘Mondrone Dolce’, ‘San Pietro’ and ‘Dente di Cavallo’ showed similar pomological and nutraceutical traits compared to ‘Granato’ and ‘Roce’. Conversely, ‘Wonderful’, due to its peculiar traits, revealed significant differences with respect to other genotypes