Correlation between corneal demarcation line depth in epithelium-off and trans-epithelium accelerated corneal cross linking and keratoconus progression

AIM:To compare corneal demarcation line(DL)depth in both accelerated epithelium-off and trans-epithelium cross linking(CXL)using anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)and its relation to maximum keratometry(Kmax)progression in both techniques.METHODS:A prospective comparative interventional study where patients with mild to moderate keratoconus(KC)were classified into two groups:accelerated epitheliumoff and trans-epithelium CXL based on corneal pachymetry.Assessment of corneal DL depth was carried out after 3mo by AS-OCT.Kmax readings were evaluated after one year follow up using the Scheimpflug imaging system.RESULTS:Study included 74 eyes of 44 patients.Group A underwent epithelium-off CXL(41 eyes),while Group B underwent trans-epithelium CXL(33 eyes).At 3mo follow up,mean corneal DL depth in Group A was 219.9±58.4μm while in Group B was 127.2±7.8μm(P<0.05).The mean Kmaxchangedfrom51.9±3.9to51.3±4.2dioptersin Group A and from 53.1±4.1 to 53.6±5 diopters in Group B with insignificant difference in Kmax changes in either group(P>0.05).In addition,no significant change in corneal pachymetry was found in both groups(meanchange at 1y:6.4±4.7 and-10.1±2.3μm in Groups A and B respectively).CONCLUSION:Despite a significantly deeper corneal DL depth created by accelerated epithelium-off CXL technique compared to accelerated trans-epithelium CXL,there is no significant impact on keratoconus progression.

Corneal collagen cross-linking in patients with keratoconus from the Dresden protocol to customized solutions:theoretical basis

Keratoconus is an ectatic condition characterized by gradual corneal thinning,corneal protrusion,progressive irregular astigmatism,corneal fibrosis,and visual impairment.The therapeutic options regarding improvement of visual function include glasses or soft contact lenses correction for initial stages,gas-permeable rigid contact lenses,scleral lenses,implantation of intrastromal corneal ring or corneal transplants for most advanced stages.In keratoconus cases showing disease progression corneal collagen crosslinking(CXL)has been proven to be an effective,minimally invasive and safe procedure.CXL consists of a photochemical reaction of corneal collagen by riboflavin stimulation with ultraviolet A radiation,resulting in stromal crosslinks formation.The aim of this review is to carry out an examination of CXL methods based on theoretical basis and mathematical models,from the original Dresden protocol to the most recent developments in the technique,reporting the changes proposed in the last 15y and examining the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment protocols.Finally,the limits of non-standardized methods and the perspectives offered by a customization of the treatment are highlighted.

Preparation of Nano-porous Materials(Ⅱ) by Cross-linking of Amphiphilic Self-assemblies

Amphiphilic block copolymers can exhibit rich and complex morphologies in aqueous solutions, but these structures are usually delicate, easily disturbed by composition change or temperature change. In this work, the use of different methods to cross link block copolymer self assemblies in the presence of a selective solvent and to stabilize the structures is reviewed. In addition, the cross linking reaction kinetics of block copolymer amphiphilic self assemblies is briefly discussed.

Self-Cross-Linked Tannin-Aminated Tannin Surface Coatings for Particleboard

Aminated tannins were prepared by reacting mimosa condensed tannin extract with ammonia yielding the substitution of many,if not all of the tannin hydroxyl groups with–NH_(2)groups.A tannin-aminated tannin(ATT)particleboard coating was then prepared by reacting raw tannin extract with aminated tannin extract and thus cross-linking the two by substituting tannin’s hydroxyl groups with the–NH_(2)groups on the aminated tannin to form–NH-bridges between the two.The resulting particleboard coating gave encouraging results when pressed at 180℃for 3 min.Conversely,the system in which tannin was reacted/cross-liked with urea(ATU)by a similar amination reaction did not perform as well as the ATT system,and this even when a higher curing temperature and longer hot press time were used.In particular its water repellence was worse probably due to the presence of urea and such a system with lower reactivity.Nonetheless,substituting the tannin–OHs with the urea–NH_(2)groups appeared to also take place.ATT gave better results than ATU as regards water repellence and mechanical resistance as shown by the cross cut test.The ATT system was shown to be between 95%and 98%biosourced.The difference appeared to be due,by TMA analysis,to the much faster formation of the ATT hardened network leading to a better cross-linked polymer coating.The chemical species formed for both the ATT and ATU system were studied by MALDI ToF and CP MAS^(13)C NMR.

Computations of Cross-Link Forces and Vibrations for the Test Bed of the Full Channel Gas

In order to control the cross? link forces and the vibration frequencies of the test bed of the full channel gas within the allowable ranges, the analyses of forces and deformation of the test bed was done, for the variously restrained elastic movable frame and the rigid one, the vibration frequencies were computed respectively by means of the methods of mechanics of materials, elasticity and vibration mechanics, the cross link forces and the vibration frequencies of the test bed were tested. The results of theoretical computation comparatively approach the experimental results. The computational methods could be used to availably estimate the design parameters relevant to the test bed of the full channel gas.

Cystamine ameliorates liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride via inhibition of tissue transglutaminase

AIM： To investigate the anti-fibrosis effect of the tissue transglutarninase （tTG） specific inhibitor cystarnine on liver fibrosis. METHODS： Sixty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups： normal control, liver fibrosis control and cystamine-treated group. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride （CCl4）, and Cystarnine was administrated by intraperitoneal injection starting 2 d before the first administration of CCl4. Animals in each group were further divided into 2 subgroups according to two time points of 4 wk and 8 wk after treatment. Hepatic function, pathological evaluation （semi-quantitative scoring system, SSS） and liver hydroxyproline （Hyp） content were examined. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of tTG, smooth muscle alpha actin （α-SMA）, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 （TIMP-1） and collagen-1 mRNA. The expressions of tTG and α-SMA protein were detected by Western Blotting. RESULTS： Eight weeks after treatment, the SSS score of liver was significantly less in the cystamine group than that in the fibrosis control group （P 〈 0.01）. The levels of alanine arninotransferase （ALT） and total bile acid （TBA） at the 4 wk and 8 wk time points were decreased in the cystamine group compared with those in fibrosis controls （P 〈 0.01）. Liver hydroxyproline content at the 4 wk and 8 wk time points showed a substantial reduction in the cystamine group compared to fibrosis controls （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of tTG, α-SMA, collagen-1, TIMP-1 mRNA and tTG, as well as α-SMA protein was downregulated in the cystamine group compared to fibrosis controls. CONCLUSION： Cystamine can ameliorate CCl4 induced liver fibrosis and protect hepatic function. The possible mechanism is related to the reduced synthesis of the extracellular matrix （ECM） caused by the inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation and decreased expression of TIMP-1.

RESISTANT MECHANISMS OF CISPLATIN IN HUMAN LUNG ADENOCARCINOMA CELL LINE A_(549)DDP

To study the resistant mechanisms of cisplatin in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A 549 DDP. A 549 DDP cells was established by stepwise increasing concentration of cisplatin (CDDP) in medium. Interstrand cross linked DNA (ICL) was measured by ethidium bromide fluorescence assay. The intracellular and intranuclear accumulation of cisplatin was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The removal of GS X was determined by FCM and fluorescence microscopy. Results: The A 549 DDP cell line was 8.9 fold resistance relative to the parental A 549 cell line. The formation of ICL in A 549 was 6.28 times higher than that in A 549 DDP cells. The intracellular and intranuclear accumulation of cisplatin in A 549 cells was 5.9 times and 4.1 times higher than that in A 549 DDP cells, respectively. The ability of GS X pump pumped GS X complex (GS Pt) in A 549 DDP cells was higher than that in A 549 . The repair rate in A 549 DDP cells was 2 times higher than that in A 549 . Conclusions: Decreased accumulation and increased export of cisplatin might be the main mechanism of cisplatin resistant A 549 DDP cells while the enhanced repair capacity of DNA may play a role in CDDP resistance.

Reinforcing Effect of Organo-Modified Fillers in Rubber Composites as Evidenced from DMA Studies

The use of organically enhanced kaolin clay as reinforcing filler for NR(natural rubber)and blends of NR with NBR(nitrile-butadiene rubber)and poly BR(butadiene rubber)system were investigated on the basis of DMA(dynamic mechanical analysis).Kaolin clay was modified using a chemical complex of HH(hydrazine hydrate)and SRSO(sodium salt of rubber seed oil).Intercalation of SRSO into kaolin under optimized condition showed an inter-lamellar layer expansion to 4.668 nm,compared to the characteristic d001 XRD(X-ray diffraction)peak of pristine kaolin at 0.714 nm.The morphology,visco-elastic behavior,modulus property,polymer miscibility and Tg(glass transition temperature)of nano-kaolin filled NR and its blend with synthetic rubbers have been studied in detail.DMA showed a diminution in tanδpeak height and a modulus shift in correspondence with increased CLD(crosslink density).Pure NR shows only~1%increase in storage modulus(E′)while adding nanoclay rather than micron sized pristine clay under experimental conditions,because of the feeble interaction between filler and matrix,as compared to blend.An increment of~76%and~117%in E′was recognized by the addition of 4 wt%nanoclay in blends such as BR mK and NBR mK.With loss modulus(E″)pure NR shows only~7%decrease while adding nanoclay,compared to blend.A decrement of~54%and~55%in E″by the addition of 4 wt%nanoclay in BR mK and NBR mK blends were observed.As a whole,DMA was performed to figure out the effect of surface modification enabling to materialize composite.

Inhibitive efficacy of Nymphoides indica rhizome extract onα-glucosidase, and cross-link formation of advanced glycation end products

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitive efficacy of Nymphoides Indica(L.) Kuntze rhizome extract onα-glucosidase and on cross-link formation of advanced glycation end products(AGEs).METHODS: The plant extracts were prepared by cold maceration and fractionated in solvents of diverse polarity. The in vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assay, fluorescence spectrometry and SDS-PAGE analysis was performed for antiglycation assays.RESULTS: During α-glucosidase inhibition assay significant inhibition by chloroform(0.43 mg/mL)and methanol fractions(0.66 mg/mL) was noticed.During the AGEs inhibition assay, both oxidative(BSA-MGO) and non-oxidative(BSA-glucose)modes were employed. The inhibition of AGEs by total extract was considered moderate(IC_(50)0.10 mg/mL) as a result of non-oxidative mode, whereas in case of oxidative mode(BASA-MGO) no activity was recorded. Among fractions the methanolic fraction presented significant results both in oxidative(IC_(50)0.01 mg/mL) and non-oxidative modes(IC_(50) 0.3 mg/mL). Likewise the ethyl acetate fraction was more active in non-oxidative mode(IC_(50)0.04 mg/mL) compared to oxidative mode(IC_(50)0.32 mg/mL).During assay for inhibition of cross-link formation,the chloroform fraction significantly inhibited cross-link formation in a dose dependent mode.CONCLUSION: It was finally concluded that N. Indica rhizome extract possesses significant properties that inhibit α-glucosidase, and AGEs cross-link formation.

Review of in-vivo characterisation of corneal biomechanics

The study of corneal biomechanics in vivo has been evolving fast in recent years.While an organised corneal structure is necessary for its transparency,resistance to occasional external insults and bearing the intraocular pressure(IOP),which several clinically relevant events can disturb.This review focuses on three techniques that are available for clinical use,namely the Ocular Response Analyzer(Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments,Buffalo,NY,USA),the Corvis ST(Oculus Optikgerate GmbH,Wetzlar,Germany)and the Brillouin Optical Scattering System(Intelon Optics Inc.,Lexington,MA,USA).The principles and the main parameters of each device are discussed along with their strategies to improve accuracy in the IOP measurement,corneal ectasia diagnosis,evaluation of corneal cross-linking procedures,and planning of corneal refractive surgeries.

PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND ADHESIVE PROPERTIES OF DI-AND TRI-HYDROXY BENZOYL CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES

Modified chitosans with 3,4-di-hydroxy benzoyl groups （CS-DHBA） and 3,4,5-tri-hydroxy benzoyl groups （CS- THBA） were synthesized and their nanoparticles were prepared via ionic crosslinking by tripolyphosphate （TPP）. The chemical structure and degree of substitution （DS） of di- and tri-hydroxy benzoyl chitosans are determined by FTIR and IH- NMR spectroscopy. The morphology of particles, size distribution and zeta potential of nanoparticles were studied using transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and dynamic light scattering （DLS）, respectively. The mean diameters of particles of CS-DHBA and CS-THBA nanoparticles were 144 nm and 112 nm, respectively. It was found that the particles size decreased slightly with decreasing the degree of substitution and increasing degree of deacetylation （DD）, due to increasing of ionic crosslinking of ammonium ions and polyanions of tripolyphosphate. The TEM photographs of CS-DHBA show that these particles are spherical in shape, but the particles of CS-THBA show some aggregation. In addition, the solubility and the mechanical properties of the prepared modified chitosans and their nanoparticles were evaluated for bio-adhesive and biomedical application. The results of solubility tests indicated that, the CS-DHBA and CS-THBA have higher solubility at pH 〉 7 comparing to CS. Also the CS-DHBA, CS-THBA and their nanoparticles showed a significant adhesive capacity and enhanced tensile strength and tensile modulus.

Modeling and Analysis of PV Configurations to Extract Maximum Power Under Partial Shading Conditions

Photovoltaics(PV)are widely used as renewable energy sources for standalone and grid connected PV systems.But these PV systems face major reduction in output power and efficiency due to Partial Shading Conditions(PSCs).This research paper focuses on the different choices of optimum PV Configuration under a given shading pattern to extract maximum power by mitigating mismatching loss.Various PV configurations,such as Series(S),Series Parallel(SP),Total Cross Tied(TCT),Bridge Linked(BL),Honey Comb(HC)and Alternate Total Cross Tied–Bridge Linked(A-TCT-BL)are modeled and analyzed under PSCs.Nine shading patterns,such as center,diagonal,corner,L-shaped,short and narrow,short and wide,long and narrow,long and wide and random,are considered to study the behavior of a 6×6 array form of a PV Configuration.Their performances are compared based on open circuit voltage,short circuit current,global maximum power point(GMPP),maximum voltage,maximum current,shading loss,fill factor,mismatching loss and efficiency.A novel Hybrid Configuration called A-TCT-BL PV Configuration is proposed to generate maximum power under PSCs and to minimize the number of cross ties and wiring complexities.This Configuration is an integration of TCT and BL PV Configuration and the simulation results prove the capability of this proposed PV Configuration to generate maximum power,fill factor,efficiency and minimum mismatching loss compared to S,SP,BL and HC PV Configurations under a majority of the PSCs investigated.A Canadian Solar CS5P-200M PV module is considered for simulation and is simulated using Matlab/Simulink software.