Cumulus matrix selection leads to isolation of spermatozoa with better motility, morphology, and lower DNA fragmentation.

The objective of this study was to compare the motility, morphology, and levels of DNA fragmentation of spermatozoa subjected to conventional swim-up or cumulus matrix (CM) sperm selection. Semen samples were collected from 60 normozoospermic men at a private hospital between December 2021 and March 2022. After liquefaction, semen samples were separated into two portions - one part was subjected to conventional swim-up preparation and the remaining spermatozoa were subjected to CM selection.

Characteristics of Pre-Lens Tear Film Behavior in Eyes Wearing Delefilcon A Silicone Hydrogel Water Gradient Contact Lenses.

The pre-lens tear film (PLTF) over (i) delefilcon A silicone hydrogel water gradient (WG; 33-80% from core to surface) contact lenses (CLs) (SHWG-CLs) and (ii) subjects' own non-WG soft CLs (SCLs) (SO-SCLs) was studied in 30 eyes of 30 subjects to assess the hypothesized PLTF stabilization over SHWG-CLs. In both eyes, delefilcon A SHWG-CLs (DAILIES TOTAL1; Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA) or SO-SCLs were worn. After 15 min of wearing each lens, the tear meniscus radius (TMR, mm), lipid-layer interference grade (IG) and spread grade (SG), and non-invasive breakup time (NIBUT, seconds) were evaluated and compared between the SHWG-CLs and the SO-SCLs.

Dynamic Aspects of Pre-Soft Contact Lens Tear Film and Their Relation to Dry Eye: Basic Science and Clinical Relevance.

Soft contact lens (SCL) perturbs the intimate connection between the pre-lens tear film (PLTF) and the ocular surface in various ways, i.e., (i) decrease in tear meniscus radius and aqueous tear thickness, (ii) attenuation of tear film lipid layer spread, (iii) limited wettability of SCL surface, (iv) increased friction with eyelid wiper, etc.

Surface Chemistry Study of the Interactions of Sesame Oil with Meibomian Films.

A possible approach for the treatment of meibomian gland disease (MGD) can be the supplementation of meibomian gland secretion (MGS) with nonpolar lipids (NPL) rich plant oils. Sesame oil (SO), approximately equal in monounsaturated fat (oleic acid, 40% of total) and polyunsaturated fat (linoleic acid, 42% of total), has shown multiple health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Thus, the interactions between SO and MGS in surface layers deserve further study.

Correlations between bulk and surface properties of meibomian lipids with alteration of wax-to-sterol esters content.

In a recent study (Ewurum et al., 2021), wax (WE) and sterol esters (CE) from human meibum secretions (MGS) were separated and reconstituted with controlled WE/CE ratios (0%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 75% and 100% CE weight fractions). It was found that the alterations in the CE content of WE/CE mixtures modified the hydrocarbon chain conformation and packing of the mixture.

Interactions of Meibum and Tears with Mucomimetic Polymers: A Hint towards the Interplay between the Layers of the Tear Film.

Recent clinical findings suggest that mucomimetic polymers (MMP) can alter not only the texture of the aqueous tear but also the spreading and structure of the tear film (TF) lipid layer, thereby allowing for their synchronized performance in vivo. Thus, we aimed to evaluate in vitro (i) the capability of pharmaceutically applicable MMP to ensure the formation of post-evaporative ferning patterns (a characteristic feature of the "healthy" tear colloid) and (ii) the MMP interactions with human meibum films accessed in the course of blink-like deformations via Langmuir surface balance and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Four MMP were used- hyaluronic acid (HA), cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CHA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gellan gum (GG)- at the concentrations of 0.

Improving Stability of Tear Film Lipid Layer via Concerted Action of Two Drug Molecules: A Biophysical View.

The tear film at the ocular surface is covered by a thin layer of lipids. This oily phase stabilizes the film by decreasing its surface tension and improving its viscoelastic properties. Clinically, destabilization and rupture of the tear film are related to dry eye disease and are accompanied by changes in the quality and quantity of tear film lipids.

Relationships between the material properties of silicone hydrogels: Desiccation, wettability and lubricity.

Silicone hydrogels (SiHy), represent composite matrices composed of hydrophobic gas permeable silicone (Si) rich core and a surface enriched with hydrophilic polymer moieties. Their utilization in contact lens design requires number of SiHy properties (hydration, wettability, lubricity) to be optimized for the challenging conditions at the ocular surface. Typical limitations in literature are that (i) these properties are studied in isolation, monitoring only one parameter but not the rest of them, and (ii) measurements are performed with hydrated samples immediately after removal from storage solutions.

Contribution of Mucins towards the Physical Properties of the Tear Film: A Modern Update.

Instability of the tear film (TF) protecting the ocular surface results in dry eye syndrome (DES), the most prevalent public health ophthalmic disease affecting the quality of life of 10 to 30% of the human population worldwide. Although the impact of the tear film lipid layer (TFLL) and of the aqueous tears (AT) to the TF stability is extensively studied, in contrast the contribution of the secretory mucins (SM) and of the membrane-associated mucins (MAM), i.e.

Lipid Saturation and the Rheology of Human Tear Lipids.

Elevated levels of acyl chain saturation of meibomian lipids are associated with enhanced tear film (TF) stability in infants to shortened TF breakup time with meibomian gland dysfunction. Thus, the effect of saturation on the surface properties of human TF lipids (TFLs) using a Langmuir surface balance and Brewster angle microscopy was studied. Lipid phase transitions were measured using infrared spectroscopy.

Impact of Air Exposure Time on the Water Contact Angles of Daily Disposable Silicone Hydrogels.

The wettability of silicone hydrogel (SiHy) contact lens (CLs) is crucial for the pre-lens tear film stability throughout the day. Therefore, sessile drop and captive bubble setups were used to study the advancing and receding water contact angles (CA) of four SiHy materials: narafilcon A (TE), senofilcon A (AOD), stenfilcon A (MD), and delefilcon A (DT). TE and AOD have 48% and 38% water content, respectively, and no surface coating.

Effects of Lipid Saturation on the Surface Properties of Human Meibum Films.

Elevated levels of acyl chain saturation of meibomian lipids are associated with vastly different effects: from enhanced tear film (TF) stability in infants to shortened TF breakup time in meibomian gland disease patients. Thus it is important to study the effect of saturation on the surface properties of human meibum (MGS). Therefore, MGS films (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 25, 50, 67, and 100% saturation) were spread at the air/water interface of a Langmuir surface balance.

Structure-function relationship of tear film lipid layer: A contemporary perspective.

Tear film lipid layer (TFLL) stabilizes the air/tear surface of the human eye. Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) resulting in quantitative and qualitative modifications of TFLL major (>93%) component, the oily secretion of meibomian lipids (MGS), is the world leading cause of dry eye syndrome (DES) with up to 86% of all DES patients showing signs of MGD. Caused by intrinsic factors (aging, ocular and general diseases) and by extrinsic everyday influences like contact lens wear and extended periods in front of a computer screen, DES (resulting in TF instability, visual disturbances and chronic ocular discomfort) is the major ophthalmic public health disease of the present time affecting the quality of life of 10-30% of the human population worldwide.

Surface properties and exponential stress relaxations of mammalian meibum films.

The surface properties of meibomian secretion (MGS), the major constituent of the tear film (TF) lipid layer, are of key importance for TF stability. The interfacial properties of canine, cMGS, and feline, fMGS, meibum films were studied using a Langmuir surface balance. These species were selected because they have blinking frequency and TF stability similar to those of humans.

Effect of hydrophilic polymers on the wettability, static and dynamic, of solid substrate covered by confluent monolayer of air-damaged SIRC cells.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible implementation of hydrophilic polymers as recovery agents in air-damaged corneal cells. The sessile bubble technique was implemented to measure the wetting properties of four selected polymers: hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), sodium chondroitin sulphate (SCS), hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) and poloxamer F127 (PO12), at equilibrium conditions and in the case of advancing and receding contact angle. For testing the wetting properties of the polymers, glass slides covered with a confluent monolayer of Statens Seruminstitut rabbit cornea (SIRC) cells were used.