The last European varanid: demise and extinction of monitor lizards (Squamata, Varanidae) from Europe

Remains of a varanid lizard from the middle Pleistocene of the Tourkobounia 5 locality near Athens, Greece are described. The new material comprises cranial elements only (one maxilla, one dentary, and one tooth) and is attributed to Varanus, the genus to which all European Neogene varanid occurrences have been assigned. Previously, the youngest undisputed varanid from Europe had been recovered from upper Pliocene sediments. The new Greek fossils therefore constitute the youngest records of this clade from the continent. Despite being fragmentary, this new material enhances our understanding of the cranial anatomy of the last European monitor lizards and is clearly not referable to the extant Varanus griseus or Varanus niloticus, the only species that could be taken into consideration on a present-day geographic basis. However, these fossils could represent a survivor of the monitor lizards of Asian origin that inhabited Europe during the Neogene

Video monitoring of neovessel occlusion induced by photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (Visudyne®), in the CAM model

The aim of the present study was to monitor photodynamic angioocclusion with verteporfin in capillaries. Details of this process were recorded under a microscope in real-time using a high-sensitivity video camera. A procedure was developed based on intravenous (i.v.) injection of a light-activated drug, Visudyne®, into the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of a 12-day-old chicken embryo. The effect of light activation was probed after 24 h by i.v. injection of a fluorescent dye (FITC dextran), and analysis of its fluorescence distribution. The angioocclusive effect was graded based on the size of the occluded vessels, and these results were compared with clinical observations. The time-resolved thrombus formation taking place in a fraction of the field of view was video recorded using a Peltier-cooled CCD camera. This vessel occlusion in the CAM model was reproducible and, in many ways, similar to that observed in the clinical use of verteporfin. The real-time video recording permitted the monitoring of platelet aggregation and revealed size-selective vascular closure as well as some degree of vasoconstriction. Platelets accumulated at intravascular junctions within seconds after verteporfin light activation, and capillaries were found to be closed 15 min later at the applied conditions. Larger-diameter vessels remained patent. Repetition of these data with a much more sensitive camera revealed occlusion of the treated area after 5 min with doses of verteporfin and light similar to those used clinically. Consequently, newly developed light-activated drugs can now be studied under clinically relevant conditions

Reconciling the stratigraphy and depositional history of the Lycian orogen-top basins, SW Anatolia

Terrestrial fossil records from the SWAnatolian basins are crucial both for regional correlations and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. By reassessing biostratigraphic constraints and incorporating new fossil data, we calibrated and reconstructed the late Neogene andQuaternary palaeoenvironments within a regional palaeogeographical framework. The culmination of the Taurides inSWAnatolia was followed by a regional crustal extension from the late Tortonian onwards that created a broad array of NE-trending orogen-top basins with synchronic associations of alluvial fan, fluvial and lacustrine deposits. The terrestrial basins are superimposed on the upper Burdigalian marine units with a c. 7 myr of hiatus that corresponds to a shift from regional shortening to extension. The initial infill of these basins is documented by a transition from marginal alluvial fans and axial fluvial systems into central shallow-perennial lakes coinciding with a climatic shift from warm/humid to arid conditions. The basal alluvial fan deposits abound in fossil macro-mammals of an early Turolian (MN11–12; late Tortonian) age. The Pliocene epoch in the region was punctuated by subhumid/humid conditions resulting in a rise of local base levels and expansion of lakes as evidenced by marsh-swamp deposits containing diverse fossilmammal assemblages indicating late Ruscinian (lateMN15; late Zanclean) ageWe are grateful for the support of the international bilateral project between The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and The Russian Scientific Foundation (RFBR) with grant a number of 111Y192. M.C.A. is grateful to the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TUBA) for a GEBIP (Young Scientist Award) grant. T.K. and S.M. are grateful to the Ege University Scientific Research Center for the TTM/002/2016 and TTM/001/2016 projects. M.C.A., H.A., S.M. and M.B. have obtained Martin and Temmick Fellowships at Naturalis Biodiversity Center (Leiden). F.A.D. is supported by a Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Scientific Research Grant. T.A.N. is supported by an Alexander-von-Humboldt Scholarship. L.H.O. received support from TUBITAK under the 2221 program for visiting scientists

Change in capsulorhexis size with four foldable loop-haptic lenses over 6 months.

PURPOSE: To compare the change in continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) size after implantation of four types of three-piece foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) and determine whether initial CCC size and IOL characteristics play a role in the change. METHODS: This study comprised 133 eyes that had phacoemulsification and in-the-bag implantation of one of four types of foldable IOLs: Alcon AcrySof MA30BA (n = 36); lovision 127 (n = 29); Mentor ORC MemoryLens (n = 39); Allergan PhacoFlex II (n = 29). Photographs of the CCCs were taken with a digital retinograph 1 day and 6 months after surgery. Using image-analysis software, the CCC surface was measured and changes between 1 week and 6 months were evaluated. Characteristics of the IOLs including overall diameter, optic thickness, and haptic centrifugal force were measured with micrometric tools. RESULTS: The median change in CCC surface size at 6 months was +5.5% in the lovision group, indicating a slight enlargement. This finding was significantly different from that in the other three IOL groups (P < .0001), which had a tendency toward CCC contraction. Median change in CCC size was -2.3% in the MemoryLens group, -2.8% in the AcrySof group, and -6% in the PhacoFlex group. The MemoryLens was the most predictive IOL, with the smallest standard deviation; it was the only group in which no patient developed CCC contraction of more than 10%. Although the lovision and PhacoFlex IOLs have common physical characteristics except for optic thickness (lovision 30% thicker), the CCCs in the lovision group were significantly more stable (P < .0001). Results indicate that the high centrifugal haptic force associated with acrylate/methacrylate polymer optics of the AcrySof and MemoryLens IOLs may prevent CCC contraction of greater than 10% in 97.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: Although there were statistically significant differences, patients in all four three-piece foldable IOL groups had good CCC stability. However, the more stable and predictable CCCs were in the IOL groups that had the strongest centrifugal haptic force and an acrylate/methacrylate polymer optic (AcrySof and MemoryLens)

Hamartome astrocytaire parafovéolaire exsudatif associé à une sclérose tubéreuse de Bourneville: évolution spontannée [Exudative parafoveal astrocytic hamartoma associated with Bourneville tuberous sclerosis: spontaneous evolution]

The authors present an unusual case of exsudative parafoveolar astrocytic hamartome associated with tuberous sclerosis. The spontaneous regression of the serous retinal detachment and of the hard exsudates is described

Change in capsulorhexis size after implantation of three types of intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To compare the change in size of continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) used for implantation of three types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to determine the role of postoperative inflammation, initial CCC dimension, haptic design, and optic material. SETTING: Hôpital Ophtalmique Universitaire Jules Gonin, Lausanne, Switzerland. METHOD: Twenty-nine three-piece, silicone/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOLs (lovision 127), 26 one-piece PMMA IOLs (Pharmacia 812A), and 27 plate-haptic silicone IOLs (Staar AA4203) were implanted in the capsular bag after phacoemulsification. Photographs of the CCCs taken 1 day and 6 months after surgery were scanned and digitized on a computer. Using different software, the surface of the CCC was measured and the 6 month change evaluated. Flare, measured the day before surgery and postoperatively at days 1, 7, 30, and 180, was integrated to obtain a global estimate of inflammation during the 180 day follow-up. RESULTS: The CCCs used with three-piece, silicone/PMMA IOLs showed little changes in surface, with a mean enlargement of +0.57 mm2 +/- 1.15 (SD) (+3.5%). The CCCs used with the one-piece PMMA IOLs had a slight tendency to constrict, with a mean surface decrease of -0.59 +/- 2.16 mm2 (-4.3%). The CCCs used with plate-haptic silicone IOLs showed a marked and statistically significant constriction, with a mean decrease of -2.55 +/- 3.51 mm2 (-14.4%). The change in CCC size was not associated with the integrated flare, and no correlation was found between the initial CCC size and the magnitude of change. There was no statistically significant difference in CCC change between the PMMA optic IOL (Pharmacia) and silicone optic IOL (lovision and Staar) groups. The CCC in the plate-haptic IOL (Staar) group showed a significant (P < .0002) constriction when compared with that in the loop-haptic IOL (Pharmacia and lovision) group. CONCLUSION: The IOLs' haptic design seemed to play a major role in the evolution of the CCC. The CCC constriction seen with the Staar IOLs was related to their plate haptics

Interet d'un nouveau moyen d'occlusion de trajets fistuleux. [The role of a new method for occlusion of fistula tracts]

Digestive fistulae have a quite variable clinical presentation, depending on their origin and topography. Even when very small, they can cause considerable mechanical or metabolic derangement. Surgical correction often implies an operation with important consequences. The injection of an occlusive emulsion can, in a certain number of cases, close off the fistulous tract with minimal inconvenience. We have injected several invalidating fistulae between the digestive or respiratory tract and the skin with Ethibloc. Total occlusion of the fistulae was accomplished after one or more injections. The emulsion is resorbed after around 10 days, leaving a scar. The inclusion of radio-opaque material allows intraoperative control of injection. This technique widens the therapeutic modalities applicable to a difficult medical condition. When confronted with advanced inflammatory or neoplastic disease, for example, Ethnibloc injection can be considered if the tissue quality is sufficient. Gross infection or tissue necrosis are, in our experience, relative contraindications; the occlusive emulsion cannot adhere and is rapidly evacuated by the fistula

A fibreoptic light distributor for the preventative photodynamic therapy of secondary cataract

A device for the preventative photodynamic therapy of secondary cataract has been developed. Disturbance of the epithelial cells of the crystalline lens during the primary cataract surgery and/or their migration thereafter can frequently generate secondary cataract. This can generally be prevented by destroying these epithelial cells. One approach is to expose them to a phototoxic dye which is then activated by selective exposure to light. For this purpose we designed a light distributor furnishing a torus-shaped light intensity profile, allowing for selective destruction of these epithelial cells, while preventing any potentially damaging exposure to other parts of the eye. The size and geometry of the device are adapted to the eye's anatomy, providing a relatively homogeneous irradiation of the treated zone of up to about 2.7 J/cm(2) in I min. The device is easy to handle and is sterilisable with ethylene oxide gas