A CMOS Neural Interface for a Multichannel Vestibular Prosthesis.

We present a high-voltage CMOS neural-interface chip for a multichannel vestibular prosthesis (MVP) that measures head motion and modulates vestibular nerve activity to restore vision- and posture-stabilizing reflexes. This application specific integrated circuit neural interface (ASIC-NI) chip was designed to work with a commercially available microcontroller, which controls the ASIC-NI via a fast parallel interface to deliver biphasic stimulation pulses with 9-bit programmable current amplitude via 16 stimulation channels. The chip was fabricated in the ONSemi C5 0.

Randomized, phase III study comparing osmoprotective carboxymethylcellulose with sodium hyaluronate in dry eye disease.

Purpose: To compare a treatment containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and the osmoprotective (OsPr) compatible osmolytes erythritol, L-carnitine, and glycerin (OsPr-CMC) with a standard sodium hyaluronate (Na-HY) formulation in patients with dry eye disease.

Methods: This was a 3-month, phase III, noninferiority study. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive OsPr-CMC (OPTIVE®) or Na-HY (VISMED®).

Fast X-ray microdiffraction techniques for studying irreversible transformations in materials.

A pair of techniques have been developed for performing time-resolved X-ray microdiffraction on irreversible phase transformations. In one technique capillary optics are used to focus a high-flux broad-spectrum X-ray beam to a 60 µm spot size and a fast pixel array detector is used to achieve temporal resolution of 55 µs. In the second technique the X-rays are focused with Kirkpatrick-Baez mirrors to achieve a spatial resolution better than 10 µm and a fast shutter is used to provide temporal resolution better than 20 µs while recording the diffraction pattern on a (relatively slow) X-ray CCD camera.

Efficacy and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops for purulent bacterial conjunctivitis in pediatric patients.

Background: Purulent bacterial conjunctivitis affects all ages with high frequency in newborns and children. In a subset of 150 children included in a large study having enrolled 1043 patients, our aim was to analyze in children, the efficacy and safety of azithromycin 1.5% eye-drops in the treatment of this disease.

Microbiological efficacy of 3-day treatment with azithromycin 1.5% eye-drops for purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

Purpose: Antibacterial efficacy of topically applied azithromycin 1.5% was compared with tobramycin 0.3% in a multicenter, randomized, investigator-masked study for the treatment of purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

Prevalence of vernal keratoconjunctivitis: a rare disease?

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vernal keratoconjuntivitis (VKC) in Europe.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was mailed to 3003 ophthalmologists from six countries (Finland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden) representing 151.9 million inhabitants.

Tear concentrations of azithromycin following topical administration of a single dose of azithromycin 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% eyedrops (T1225) in healthy volunteers.

Purpose: To evaluate azithromycin tear concentrations after one drop of T1225 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.

Clinical and biological efficacy of preservative-free NAAGA eye-drops versus levocabastine eye-drops in vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients.

Aims: This comparative and randomised pilot study assessed the clinical and biological efficacy of Naaxia Sine(R) eye-drops versus levocabastine eye-drops in the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

Methods: Twenty-three VKC patients were randomised and treated bilaterally for 28 days with N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAGA) or levocabastine (LEVO) eye-drops. The primary efficacy variable, overall evolution of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) tear concentrations, was assessed in a masked fashion on D0, D7 and D28.

Ocular symptoms and signs with preserved and preservative-free glaucoma medications.

Purpose: To compare the prevalence of side effects between eyedrops with or without preservatives, in terms of subjective symptoms and objective signs in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Methods: In a multicenter cross-sectional epidemiologic survey in four European countries, ophthalmologists in private practice enrolled 9658 nonconsecutive patients using preservative (P) or preservative-free (PF) beta-blocking eyedrops between June 1997 and December 2003. Subjective symptoms, conjunctival and palpebral signs, and superficial punctate keratitis were explored before and after a change in therapy.

Acoustic micro-Doppler radar for human gait imaging.

A portable acoustic micro-Doppler radar system for the acquisition of human gait signatures in indoor and outdoor environments is reported. Signals from an accelerometer attached to the leg support the identification of the components in the measured micro-Doppler signature. The acoustic micro-Doppler system described in this paper is simpler and offers advantages over the widely used electromagnetic wave micro-Doppler radars.

Safety and immunogenicity of subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of a monovalent inactivated vaccine against Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae in healthy volunteers.

The safety and immunogenicity of a monovalent inactivated vaccine against Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was evaluated in 84 volunteers according to the route of administration, i.e., subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM), in a double-blind randomised trial.

[Improvement of dry eye symptoms with polyunsaturated fatty acids].

Introduction: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are involved in inflammatory pathways via prostaglandins. Conjunctival inflammation is a hallmark of all dry eye syndromes. We investigated the role of dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in patients suffering from ocular dryness.

3-day treatment with azithromycin 1.5% eye drops versus 7-day treatment with tobramycin 0.3% for purulent bacterial conjunctivitis: multicentre, randomised and controlled trial in adults and children.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of Azyter, azithromycin 1.5% eye drops, for 3 days with tobramycin 0.3% for 7 days to treat purulent bacterial conjunctivitis.

Efficacy and safety of short duration azithromycin eye drops versus azithromycin single oral dose for the treatment of trachoma in children: a randomised, controlled, double-masked clinical trial.

Aims: Efficacy and safety of a short-duration treatment of azithromycin 1.5% eye drops versus oral azithromycin to treat active trachoma.

Methods: Randomised, controlled, double-masked, double-dummy, non-inferiority explanatory study including 670 children from Guinea Conakry and Pakistan if: 1-10 years old; active trachoma (TF+TI0 or TF+TI+ on simplified World Health Organisation (WHO) scale).

Comparison of a non-preserved 0.1% T-Gel eye gel (single dose unit) with a preserved 0.1% T-Gel eye gel (multidose) in ocular hypertension and glaucomatous patients.

Aim: This comparative, open design, phase III study was to assess the non-inferiority of the non-preserved T-Gel 0.1% single dose unit (SDU) versus its preserved multidose (MD) reference.

Methods: 175 patients with bilateral POAG or OHT were randomised: 87 patients were to receive one drop daily of T-Gel 0.

[Comparison of once-daily nonpreserved timolol and timolol maleate gel-forming solution associated with latanoprost].

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of a single daily instillation of nonpreserved timolol to a timolol maleate gel-forming solution in patients with chronic glaucoma or ocular hypertension already treated with latanoprost.

Patients And Methods: A randomized, prospective, multicenter, open, parallel-group clinical trial was undertaken with 73 patients with chronic glaucoma treated with latanoprost and a timolol maleate gel-forming solution. In 36 patients, the previous regimen was substituted by nonpreserved timolol given instead of timolol maleate gel for 3 months.

[Ocular tolerance of a new formulation of nonpreserved diclofenac].

Aim: To compare the ocular tolerance of nonpreserved diclofenac versus thiomersal-preserved diclofenac in healthy volunteers.

Materials And Methods: Forty healthy volunteers instilled Dicloabak in the randomised eye and thiomersal-preserved diclofenac in the other eye, according to a strictly identical dosing regimen, for 28 days. Each volunteer thus served as his or her own control.

[Efficacy and safety of a fluid carbomer gel versus a conventional carbomer gel in dry eye treatment].

Aim: To compare the risk/benefit for C974P (a 0.25% fluid carbomer gel in a vial allowing dropwise instillation) versus a conventional carbomer gel.

Material And Methods: During this multicenter, randomized, investigator-masked trial, patients with dry eye syndrome were treated with C974P or C940.

Effect of povidone 2% preservative-free eyedrops on contact lens wearers with computer visual syndrome: pilot study.

Purpose: To show that the use of povidone 2% preservative-free lubricating eyedrops reduces computer visual syndrome in contact lens wearers and to identify the best eyedrop instillation protocols.

Methods: The test product was FILMABAK a CE-marked nonpreserved lubricant, povidone 2% delivered by the ABAK system. Three dispensing modalities were evaluated during contact lens wear and computer use: hourly instillation, symptom-related instillation, and patient's own instillation.

[Efficacy and safety of substituting a twice-daily regimen of timolol with a single daily instillation of nonpreserved beta-blocker in patients with chronic glaucoma or ocular hypertension].

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a single daily instillation of nonpreserved timolol in patients with chronic glaucoma or ocular hypertension previously treated with a twice-daily regimen of timolol 0.25% or 0.50%.

Preservative-free ocular hydrating agents in symptomatic contact lens wearers: saline versus PVP solution.

Purpose: To compare two preservative-free hydrating agents, in multidose (ABAK) bottles, in contact lens wearers experiencing symptoms of ocular dryness.

Methods: The endpoint of this 4-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study comparing a 2% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution with a 0.9% NaCl solution was to assess ocular discomfort using a visual analog scale.

Prevalence of ocular symptoms and signs with preserved and preservative free glaucoma medication.

Aim: To determine the incidence of ocular toxicity of preservatives with glaucoma medications.

Methods: A prospective epidemiological survey was carried out in 1999 by 249 ophthalmologists on 4107 patients. Ocular symptoms, conjunctiva, cornea, and eyelids were assessed.

[Allergy and preservatives. Apropos of 3 cases of allergy to benzalkonium chloride].

Background: Ophthalmologists are not always aware of the hypersensitising potential of benzalkonium chloride (preservative widely used in ophthalmology).

Observations: Hypersensitivity to benzalkonium chloride was asserted by allergologic exploration in the three cases reported. Contact allergy, a frequent phenomenon, was diagnosed in two cases.

[Exfoliative syndrome and cataract surgery].

In the present prospective study, we compared the results of cataract surgery in two groups with or without exfoliation syndrome; 210 eyes were studied. The preoperative pupillary dilatation was smaller in the group with exfoliation syndrome (SE). We noticed a higher incidence of complications during planned extracapsular cataract extraction in patients with SE.