Cellular toxicity profile of a new ophthalmic sponge.

Ophthalmic sponges are used for cleaning the eye surface and absorbing fluids during ophthalmic procedures. This study compared the biological safety and stability of a new ophthalmic sponge, Occucell® (OccuTech Inc, Seongnam, Korea), on the human conjunctival epithelial cells with those of preexisting products to evaluate its clinical application. The cytotoxicity of four products, Occucell, a new product, Ultracell, Eyetec-1, and Eyetec-2, on conjunctival epithelial cells, was evaluated using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) analysis.

Nanophotosensitizers Composed of Phenyl Boronic Acid Pinacol Ester-Conjugated Chitosan Oligosaccharide via Thioketal Linker for Reactive Oxygen Species-Sensitive Delivery of Chlorin e6 against Oral Cancer Cells.

Chlorin E6 (Ce6)-incorporated nanophotosensitizers were fabricated for application in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of oral cancer cells. For this purpose, chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) was conjugated with hydrophobic and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive moieties, such as phenyl boronic acid pinacol ester (PBAP) via a thioketal linker (COSthPBAP). ThdCOOH was conjugated with PBAP to produce ThdCOOH-PBAP conjugates and then attached to amine groups of COS to produce a COSthPBAP copolymer.

Reactive Oxygen Species and Folate Receptor-Targeted Nanophotosensitizers Composed of Folic Acid-Conjugated and Poly(ethylene glycol)-Chlorin e6 Tetramer Having Diselenide Linkages for Targeted Photodynamic Treatment of Cancer Cells.

Folic acid-conjugated nanophotosensitizers composed of folic acid (FA), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) tetramer were synthesized using diselenide linkages for reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and folate receptor-specific delivery of photosensitizers. Ce6 was conjugated with 3-[3-(2-carboxyethoxy)-2,2-bis(2-carboxyethoxymethyl)propoxy]propanoic acid (tetra acid, or TA) to make Ce6 tetramer via selenocystamine linkages (TA-sese-Ce6 conjugates). In the carboxylic acid end group of the TA-sese-Ce6 conjugates, FA-PEG was attached again using selenocystamine linkages to make FA-PEG/TA-sese-Ce6 conjugates (abbreviated as FAPEGtaCe6 conjugates).

Salt Heat Treatment and Passivation to Improve the Corrosion Resistance of Nitinol (Ni-Ti).

Corrosion of nitinol (NiTi) is a major factor in the failure of implantable materials. Recently, as the importance of corrosion of metals has increased, testing according to international guidelines is essential. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the corrosion resistance of NiTi wire through heat treatment and passivation process.

Dormant tie reactivation as an affiliative coping response to stressors during the COVID-19 crisis.

This study takes an affiliative coping theory perspective to examine whether working adults reactivated dormant ties with individuals they had not contacted for at least 3 years to cope with stressors experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Stressors originating in the workplace (job insecurity and remote work) and in the family (stressful familial social ties) were examined in a sample of 232 working adults in the southeastern United States. Individuals were more likely to reactivate their dormant ties when their job was insecure, and the magnitude of the reactivations was greater among individuals experiencing stressful social ties with family members than those not experiencing those stressors.

Oxygen Plasma Treatment on 3D-Printed Chitosan/Gelatin/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

The 3D hydroxyapatite/gelatin/chitosan composite scaffolds were fabricated by 3D printing technique. The scaffolds were treated by oxygen plasma to improve the bioactivity and its surface characterization and in vitro cell culture were investigated. The scaffolds exhibited the good porosity and interconnectivity of pores.

Addition of MgO nanoparticles and plasma surface treatment of three-dimensional printed polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite scaffolds for improving bone regeneration.

Magnesium (Mg) plays an important role in the body in mediating cell-extracellular matrix interactions and controlling bone apatite structure and density. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been used for osteoconductive bone replacement because of its good compressive strength and biocompatibility. The object of this study is to investigate the effects of adding Magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles to polycaprolactone (PCL)/HAp composites and treating PCL/HAp/MgO scaffolds with oxygen and nitrogen plasma.

Using the Endoscopic Transconjunctival and Transcaruncular Approach to Repair Combined Orbital Floor and Medial Wall Blowout Fractures.

Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the endoscopic transcaruncular and transconjunctival approach in the repair of combined medial and inferior orbital wall fractures.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 160 patients with combined medial and inferior orbital wall fractures. All patients underwent surgery via an endoscopic transcaruncular and transconjunctival approach without lateral canthotomy, performed by a single surgeon.

Preparation of O2 Plasma Treated Polycaprolactone/Nano TiO2 Composites and In Vitro Bioactivity.

Polycaprolactone (PCL)/TiO2 composite films (PTCFs) were prepared by a solvent casting method at various concentrations of TiO2 (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) and then treated using oxygen plasma. The hydrophilicity of the oxygen plasma treated PTCFs increased as the treatment time was increased, due to the oxygen induced production of polar species at the surface of the PTCFs. In vitro bioactivities of the composite films were examined by immersion in simulated body fluid for up to 7 days.

Osteoblastic cell response and bone formation of phosphate ion coated on plasma polymerized Ti surface.

This study examined the bone formation ability and cell response on a phosphate (PO3(4-)) ion exchanged amine plasma polymerized titanium (Ti) surface. The enhanced bone-like apatite (hydroxyapatite, HAp)-forming ability was attributed to the PO3(4-) ion exchanged amine plasma polymerized Ti (P/NH2/Ti) surface, which was formed by the reduction of PO3(4-) ions. PO3(4-) ions promote HAp nucleation and growth on Ti in SBF, and PO3(4-) ions improve the crystallinity of the HAp deposited layer.

Clinical outcomes of epi-LASIK: 1-year results of on- and off-flap procedures with and without mitomycin-C.

AIM To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of epi-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) performed either on-flap or off-flap with or without 0.02% mitomycin-C (MMC) in terms of corneal haziness, pain scores and satisfaction scores. METHODS In this non-randomised comparative retrospective study, the charts of 198 patients (394 eyes) who had undergone an epi-LASIK procedure for myopia (-1.

Protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate after UV irradiation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effects of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) against UV irradiation in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

Methods: UV irradiation was produced by a UV lamp for 30 seconds with an irradiance of 3.3 mW/cm2.