Revealing the Cu(2+) ions localization at low symmetry Bi sites in photorefractive Bi12GeO20 crystals doped with Cu and V by high frequency EPR.

The sites of incorporation of Cu(2+) impurity ions in Bi12GeO20 single crystals co-doped with copper and vanadium have been investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). While the X-band EPR spectra consist of a simple broad (ΔB ∼50 mT) line with anisotropic lineshape, the W-band EPR spectra exhibit well resolved, strongly anisotropic lines, due to transitions within the 3d(9)-(2)D ground manifold of the Cu(2+) ions. The most intense group of lines, attributed to the dominant Cu(2+)(I) center, displays a characteristic four components hyperfine structure for magnetic field orientations close to a 〈110〉 direction.

[Handiness and acceptability of the new Abak bottle in chronically treated patients. A cross-sectional, retrospective and multicentre study].

Background: Difficulty of use of eyedrops is a factor associated with poor patient compliance that reduces treatment efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the handiness and global acceptability of the new Abak timolol bottle (multidose preservative-free eyedrops) in comparison with that of other administration systems (classical multidose eyedrops or single-doses) in patients treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective and multicentre study involving 41 ophthalmologists in France.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy study of the Verisyse aphakic intraocular lens combined with penetrating keratoplasty in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate anterior segment modifications after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), previous anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) removal, and Verisyse IOL (AMO) implantation over the iris or under the iris for the treatment of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK) using ultrasound biomicroscopy.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Poitiers University Hospital, Poitiers, France.

Methods: A prospective randomized comparative case series included 27 patients (27 eyes) with PBK who had PKP and implantation of a Verisyse VRSA54 aphakic IOL.

Penetrating keratoplasty combined with posterior Artisan iris-fixated intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose: To present a new surgical technique combining penetrating keratoplasty and open-sky posterior iris fixation of the Artisan iris-claw intraocular lens (IOL) for treatment of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy in a case series of five patients.

Methods: A graft diameter of 8.25 mm was chosen.

Intrastromal corneal ring segments and corneal anterior stromal necrosis.

Poly(methyl methacrylate) refractive intracorneal ring segments (ICRS) can be removed for a refractive miscorrection or for early complications after implantation. We report the first case of a woman who experienced anterior stromal necrosis 5 years after an ICRS surgical procedure.

[Phototherapeutic keratectomy in the treatment of Groenouw's type I corneal dystrophy].

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) for the treatment of corneal granular dystrophy.

Patients And Methods: PTK was performed with the Excimed UV 200, (Summit Technology, Inc) on a series of 27 eyes of 22 patients with corneal granular dystrophy. Mean patients' age was 34.

[Reis-Buckler dystrophy: therapeutic photo-ablation with the excimer laser].

Purpose: Reis-Buckler's corneal dystrophy consist of superficial reticulated opacities with recurring attacks of corneal erosion. Lamellar and penetrating keratoplasties were the traditional surgical means of improving recurrent erosions and vision but the dystrophy recurs following surgery. Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is now the standard method of managing this anterior corneal disease when intervention is required.

[Biocompatibility of a porous alumina orbital implant. Preliminary results of an animal experiment].

Purpose: Evaluation of clinical tolerance and scanning electron microscopy study of the bio-colonisation of a porous ceramical alumina implant after evisceration of the rabbit. Preliminary results.

Methods: Sixteen white New Zealand rabbits were eviscerated.

Quantification and localization of hyaluronan in a PTFE polymer implanted in the corneal stroma.

The amount and distribution of hyaluronan in a PTFE polymer used to support an artificial cornea implanted in the rabbit cornea were determined. The findings were used to describe the polymer-corneal stroma interface and the reason for the translucence and wettability of this originally opaque and hydrophobic biomaterial. PTFE disks (6 mm in diameter, 0.

In vivo study of a fluorocarbon polymer-coated intraocular lens in a rabbit model.

Purpose: To evaluate the biocompatibility in rabbit eyes of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) that were surface modified using Teflon AF.

Setting: Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, Paris Cedex, France.

Methods: The IOLs were coated with Teflon AF, an amorphous, transparent, and highly hydrophobic fluorocarbon polymer, by immersing them in Teflon AF 5% and evaporating the solvent (C8F18).

Confocal microscopy of cystic disorders of the corneal epithelium.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the morphology of cystic disorders of the corneal epithelium by confocal microscopy.

Design: The study design was a prospective evaluation of confocal microscopic images of patients with cystic corneal disorders.

Participants: Thirteen patients (19 eyes) were included.

Influence of ePTFE polymer implant permeability on the rate and density of corneal extracellular matrix synthesis.

Microporous polymers have great potential for the production of corneal keratoprosthetic devices. Keratocytes invade the pores of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene implants (ePTFE) and collagen synthesis occurs. This ePTFE becomes translucent after its implantation in the stroma of rabbit cornea.

[Uncommon corneal hydrops. Apropos of a case].

We report a case of corneal hydrops in a young patient with unremarkable ophthalmologic history or intercurrent identified pathology. Different etiologies of corneal hydrops are discussed.

[Uncommon intra-orbital foreign body. Apropos of a case].

We report an unusual case of an acute iatrogenic unilateral exophthalmos in a woman affected by acinetobacter baumanii septicemia. The possible hypothesis of the exophthalmos is discussed.

[A new material for intraocular implant].

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate a new fluorocarbon (Teflon AF), used as a coating of poly-methylmethacrylate intraocular lenses. Teflon AF can be dissolved in special solvents (liquid fluorocarbons). It is the first amorphous and transparent form of teflon.

[Rigid endoscope with Gradient-index lenses. Preliminary studies].

Purpose: Endoscopes for use in ophthalmology can be manufactured in dimensions smaller than 0.89 mm.

Materials: Gradient-index lenses that give a higher resolution than fiber bundles can be miniaturized down to 0.

[Computerized video-keratoscopic analysis and cataract surgery by phacoemulsification. Predictive calculation of the power of the intraocular implant].

Purpose: The authors present the results of a prospective study of 125 consecutive cases of phacoemulsification, performed by a single surgeon, to assess the benefit of computerised videokeratoscopy for the improvement of the predictive calculation of the power of intraocular lenses (IOL).

Methods: Preoperative keratometry was determined by means of 3 concurrent techniques, including automated kerato-refractometry (AKR 2000, Nidek) and videokeratoscopy by TMS-1 (Tomey) and CAS-1 (EyeSys). The results of the IOL calculation by these 3 methods was compared postoperatively to the power of the actual IOL yielding emmetropia as calculated by the optical method based on the postop, refraction at the various time-points.

[2nd generation bio-integrated keratoprosthesis. Implantation in animals].

Purpose: Our goal was to evaluate a second generation biointegrable keratoprosthetic device (BioKpro II).

Methods: The device consists of a porous transparent PTFE (12 mm diameter) and a soft copolymer structure for the optical system (7 mm diameter). Intraocular pression was evaluated with a Goldmann tonometer on an artificial chamber.

[Corneal abscess: therapeutic attitude based on microbiological testing].

Purpose: Bacterial corneal ulcers can affect the integrity of the eye and need therefore to be treated following strict rules. The authors present a prospective study on 15 bacterial corneal ulcers for which the initial treatment with topical fortified antibiotics was guided according to the results of Gram stain.

Material And Methods: Gram positive cocci ulcers were treated with vancomycine (5 cases), Gram negative rod ulcers with gentamycine and ticarcilline (2 cases), and the association of these 3 antibiotics was used when no bacteria was found (8 cases).

[Temporomandibular ankylosis in children: apropos of 30 cases].

Temporomandibular joint ankylosis in children is responsible for facial growth disorder. A series of 30 cases is presented. Patients are aged from 3 months to 15 years (mean = 7.

The low temperature magnetic circular dichroism spectra of iron-sulphur proteins. II. Two-iron ferredoxins.

Variable temperature magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of a number of two-iron ferredoxins have been measured. The spectra of fully oxidised spinach and Spirulina maxima ferredoxin are independent of temperature between room temperature and 18 K, showing that no contribution to the room temperature MCD spectrum arises from the small population of low-lying excited states originating from the exchange coupling. However, the low temperature MCD spectra of the half-reduced proteins spinach and Spirulina maxima ferredoxin and adrenodoxin are all reasonably intense and temperature dependent.

The low temperature magnetic circular dichroism spectra of iron-sulphur proteins. I. Oxidised rubredoxin.

Variable temperature magnetic circular dichroism spectra have been measured on oxidised Clostridium pasteurianum rubredoxin. Evidence has been obtained for the presence of two one-electron charge-transfer transitions, sulphur to ferric ion, in the region 15 000 to 28 000 cm-1. The first moment of the lower energy band is consistent with it being the orbital transition t1 non-bonding sulphur orbital, to the 2 e ferric d-orbital.