Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on salt-coated surfaces: an in vitro study.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), face masks have become a very important safety measure against the main route of transmission of the virus: droplets and aerosols. Concerns that masks contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 infectious particles could be a risk for self-contamination have emerged early in the pandemic as well as solutions to mitigate this risk. The coating of masks with sodium chloride, an antiviral and non-hazardous to health chemical, could be an option for reusable masks.

In vitro testing of salt coating of fabrics as a potential antiviral agent in reusable face masks.

During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, wearing face masks in public spaces became mandatory in most countries. The risk of self-contamination when handling face masks, which was one of the earliest concerns, can be mitigated by adding antiviral coatings to the masks. In the present study, we evaluated the antiviral effectiveness of sodium chloride deposited on a fabric suitable for the manufacturing of reusable cloth masks using techniques adapted to the home environment.

Inter-observer and intra-observer reliability of the myopic traction maculopathy staging system.

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the inter-observer and intra-observer agreement of the myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) staging system (MSS).

Methods: The agreement test for MSS was based on the evaluation of 104 optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans from 104 myopic eyes. According to the MSS, six observers were asked to identify, in each image, one among four retinal patterns and one among three foveal patterns of MTM, the presence of an outer lamellar macular hole (OLMH) and an epiretinal membrane (ERM).

The Role of the Outer Lamellar Macular Hole in the Surgical Management of Myopic Traction Maculopathy.

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomical and functional surgical outcomes of eyes affected by myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) with and without an outer lamellar macular hole (O-LMH).

Methods: Forty-eight eyes affected by MTM were included: a study group of 24 eyes with an O-LMH and a control group of 24 eyes without an O-LMH. All patients underwent spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and were staged according to the MTM staging system.

Myopic Traction Maculopathy: A New Perspective on Classification and Management.

Myopic traction maculopathy (MTM) is a complex disease affecting approximately 30% of eyes with pathologic myopia. A review of the history of treatment of MTM with success rates and limitations of different surgical techniques are reported.The pathogenesis, the definition and the management were clarified in a recent study(cit).

Proposal for the management of myopic traction maculopathy based on the new MTM staging system.

Purpose: To propose the Myopic Traction Maculopathy (MTM) management Table, based on the MTM Staging System (MSS).

Methods: A retrospective review of 157 eyes affected by MTM, operated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), or macular buckle (MB) or combined surgery (MB + PPV). Each case was classified according to the MSS.

Myopic Traction Maculopathy: Diagnostic and Management Strategies.

Pathologic myopia (PM) is an ocular disorder characterized by a spherical equivalent (SE) of more than - 6.0 diopters (D) or by an axial length (AL) of more than 26.5 millimeters (mm).

The new Myopic Traction Maculopathy Staging System.

Purpose: To describe a comprehensive OCT-based classification of myopic traction maculopathy (MTM).

Methods: Two hundred eighty-one eyes with MTM (visited from 2006 to 2018), were retrospectively reviewed for age, best-corrected-visual-acuity (BCVA), axial length (AL), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and wide-field color fundus-photographs. The study was divided in two Phases.

Widefield topographical analysis of the retinal perfusion and neuroretinal thickness in healthy eyes: a pilot study.

Purpose: In this pilot study we reported variation of superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses flow in macular and near/mid periphery regions in healthy subjects using widefield swept source-optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).

Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, enroled subjects were imaged with an SS-OCTA system (PLEX Elite 9000, Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Dublin, CA, USA).

PHOTORECEPTOR DAMAGE IN DIABETIC CHOROIDOPATHY.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between choriocapillaris (CC) hypoperfusion and photoreceptor alterations in eyes with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: In this prospective, observational, case-control study, 30 eyes (30 patients) with NPDR and 30 healthy eyes from 30 controls were enrolled at the University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.

Impact of Choriocapillaris Flow on Multifocal Electroretinography in Intermediate Age-Related Macular Degeneration Eyes.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between perfusion of the choriocapillaris (CC) and macular function in eyes with intermediate age-related macular degeneration.

Methods: In this prospective, observational, cross-sectional study, macular optical coherence tomography angiography images and multifocal electroretinograms were obtained in 20 eyes with intermediate age-related macular degeneration from 20 patients. The main outcome measures were (1) the percent nonperfused choriocapillaris area (PNPCA), which represents a measure of the total area of CC vascular dropout, and (2) the average size of the CC signal voids, which represent contiguous regions of CC dropout.

Intraoperative optical coherence tomography in the full-thickness macular hole surgery with internal limiting membrane inverted flap placement.

Purpose: To describe the helpfulness of using intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) during surgery for full-thickness macular hole (FTMH).

Observations: This observational case series identifies three patients with FTMH who were treated with vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane (ILM) peel with inverted ILM flap, which was tucked into the MH, and air with 18% Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF) gas tamponade. Intraoperative OCT was used to confirm positioning of the ILM flap, even after complete air-fluid exchange.

Radial Peripapillary Capillary Network in Patients with Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Study.

Purpose: To investigate radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) network in patients affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Eleven patients (22 eyes) with previous diagnosis of RP and 16 age-matched healthy subjects (16 eyes) were enrolled. The diagnosis of RP was made based on both clinical features and electrophysiological examination.

A novel protein from the serum of Python sebae, structurally homologous with type-γ phospholipase A(2) inhibitor, displays antitumour activity.

Cytotoxic and antitumour factors have been documented in the venom of snakes, although little information is available on the identification of cytotoxic products in snake serum. In the present study, we purified and characterized a new cytotoxic factor from serum of the non-venomous African rock python (Python sebae), endowed with antitumour activity. PSS (P.

Polymerase chain reaction of 2-kb cyanobacterial gene and human anti-alpha1-chymotrypsin gene from genomic DNA on the In-Check single-use microfabricated silicon chip.

The microfabricated chip is a promising format for automating and miniaturizing the multiple steps of genotyping. We tested an innovative silicon biochip (In-Check Lab-on-Chip; STMicroelectronics, Agrate Brianza, Italy) designed for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of complex biological samples. The chip is mounted on a 1x3-in(2).