Notes

A high-stability biphasic layered cathode with regard to sodium-ion electric batteries.
This study describes a femtosecond laser (FS) approach to machine corneal epithelial microchannels for enhancing riboflavin (Rf) penetration into the cornea prior to corneal crosslinking (CXL).

Using a 1030-nm FS laser with 5- to 10-µJ pulse energy, the corneal epithelium of slaughterhouse rabbit eyes was machined to create 2-µm-diameter by 25-µm-long microchannels at a density of 100 or 400 channels/mm
. Rf penetration through the microchannels was then determined by applying 1% Rf in phosphate-buffered saline for 30 minutes followed by removal of the cornea and extraction from the central stromal button. Stromal Rf concentrations were then compared to those obtained using standard epithelial debridement or 0.01% benzalkonium chloride (BAK) to disrupt the epithelial barrier.

Microchannels formed using a 5-µJ/pulse at a density of 400 channels/mm
achieved a stromal Rf concentration that was 50% of that achieved by removal of the corneal epithelium and imbibing with 1% Rf. Stromal Rf levels were also equal to that of debrided corneas soaked with 0.5% Rf, threefold higher than those soaked with 0.1% Rf, and twofold higher than corneas soaked in BAK without epithelial debridement. Organ culture of treated corneas showed a normal corneal epithelium following FS machining while BAK-treated corneas showed extensive epithelial and stromal damage at 24 hours posttreatment.

FS corneal epithelial machining can be used to enhance penetration of Rf into the stroma for corneal CXL.

The creation of epithelial microchannels allows for stromal Rf concentrations high enough to perform true transepithelial crosslinking.
The creation of epithelial microchannels allows for stromal Rf concentrations high enough to perform true transepithelial crosslinking.
Correlate climate, weather parameters, and environmental exposures with the severity of symptoms and signs of dry eye disease (DED) in Dry Eye Assessment and Management (DREAM) study participants.

Participants from five distinct climates completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and were examined for corneal and conjunctival staining, tear breakup time (TBUT), and Schirmer's testing at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Climate, weather parameters, and pollutants including ozone (O
), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxides (NO
, NO
, NO
), sulfur dioxide (SO
), particulate matter, and optical depth were obtained from governmental databases. Multivariate analysis and partial correlation coefficients (ρ) were used to assess associations, adjusted for age, sex, and the presence of Sjögren disease.

Among 535 participants, 81% were female and mean age was 58 years. Participants from the Mediterranean climate demonstrated better corneal fluorescein staining, better TBUT, and higher Schirmer's test scores throughout the calendar year (each
< 0.0001). Greater corneal fluorescein staining was associated with lower humidity (
< 0.0038). Mizoribine concentration TBUT measurements positively correlated with temperature, humidity, and dewpoint and inversely correlated with NO
levels (
< 0.0038). Paradoxically, some airborne pollutants were associated with less severe signs of dry eye (
< 0.0038). Windspeed was not correlated with signs of DED, and OSDI scores did not correlate with individual environmental exposures.

Dry eye signs differed between climates and local humidity levels. With the exception of NO
, airborne pollutants were not associated with detrimental dry eye features.

These results support limiting dry air exposure for patients with DED.
These results support limiting dry air exposure for patients with DED.
The purpose of this study was to characterize foveal pit morphology in an African (Ghanaian) population, to compare it to that of a Caucasian group and to determine if it varied with age in the two populations.

The depth, diameter, slope, and volume of the foveal pit were interpolated from optical coherence tomography volume scans recorded in 84 Ghanaian and 37 Caucasian individuals. Their association with age, sex, and ethnicity was investigated using multilevel regression models.

The foveal pit differed significantly in width, slope, and volume between Ghanaian men and women (
< 0.001), but only in width and volume between Caucasian men and women (
< 0.01). In Ghanaians, age was associated with a narrowing of the foveal depression and a reduction of its volume. Overall, these changes were more pronounced in women as compared to men and were largely absent from the Caucasian group. When controlled for age, the foveal pit of Ghanaians was significantly wider and larger in volume as compared to the Caucasian group (
< 0.001).

The morphology of the foveal pit differs between African and Caucasian individuals. These anatomic differences should be considered when examining differences in prevalence and clinical features of vitreoretinal disorders involving the fovea between the two populations.

Differences in retinal anatomy may partly explain variations in the prevalence and clinical features of retinal diseases between Africans and Caucasians. Such differences should be adequately considered in diagnoses and monitoring of ocular diseases in patients with African ancestry.
Differences in retinal anatomy may partly explain variations in the prevalence and clinical features of retinal diseases between Africans and Caucasians. Such differences should be adequately considered in diagnoses and monitoring of ocular diseases in patients with African ancestry.
To compare the safety and efficacy of 810 versus 577 nm laser wavelengths for micropulse subthreshold (sublethal) laser treatment by mathematical analysis.

Two different representative laser parameter sets for micropulsed subthreshold diode laser treatment, one employing 810 nm and the other 577 nm, are compared with regard to efficacy by analysis of the kinetics of laser-induced heat-shock protein (HSP) activation; and for safety, by scaling law analysis.

Kinetics analysis of laser-induced HSP activation shows that the primary therapeutic effect of laser is thermal incitement of a long-term wavelength-independent increase in the rate of HSP-mediated protein repair specific to sick and dysfunctional cells, rather than from short-term increases in free intracellular HSP concentrations. Scaling law analysis of the same 810 and 577 nm laser parameters, however, finds treatment safety highly wavelength-sensitive, favoring 810 over 577 nm.

Mathematical analyses of the effects retinal laser-induced HSP activation provide important insights into the mechanism of action and the importance of wavelength selection in modern retinal laser therapy.
Website: https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Mizoribine.html