Scleral hydraulic conductivity and macromolecular diffusion in patients with uveal effusion syndrome.

Purpose: To determine whether uveal effusion syndrome (UES) is caused by altered scleral permeability to water and large molecules.

Methods: Transscleral water movement was measured using surgically removed sclera clamped in a modified Ussing chamber and connected to a water column set at intraocular pressure. Sclera was also clamped between two hemichambers, and transscleral diffusion of FITC-dextrans (4.

Analysis of self-associating proteins by singular value decomposition of solution scattering data.

We describe a method by which a single experiment can reveal both association model (pathway and constants) and low-resolution structures of a self-associating system. Small-angle scattering data are collected from solutions at a range of concentrations. These scattering data curves are mass-weighted linear combinations of the scattering from each oligomer.

Influence of predator density on nonindependent effects of multiple predator species.

Interactions between multiple predator species are frequent in natural communities and can have important implications for shared prey survival. Predator density may be an important component of these interactions between predator species, as the frequency of interactions between species is largely determined by species density. Here we experimentally examine the importance of predator density for interactions between predator species and subsequent impacts on prey.

Intelligent biosynthetic nanobiomaterials for hyperthermic combination chemotherapy and thermal drug targeting of HSP90 inhibitor geldanamycin.

An intelligent biosynthetic nanobiomaterial (IBN) platform was explored for drug delivery applications for hyperthermic combination chemotherapy and thermal drug targeting. Geldanamycin (GA), a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor, was conjugated to novel thermosensitive poly(K)(8)-poly(VPGXG)(60) block copolymers [K(8)-ELP(1-60)] with guest residues as valine, alanine and glycine in a 5:2:3 ratio at the 'X' position. The conjugates were completely soluble in PBS and showed a characteristic thermosensitive inverse phase transition.

Deletion of the high-affinity cAMP phosphodiesterase encoded by PDE2 affects stress responses and virulence in Candida albicans.

Previously, we have shown that PDE2 is required for hyphal development and cell wall integrity in Candida albicans. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of its deletion by genome-wide transcriptome profiling. Changes in expression levels of genes involved in metabolism, transcription, protein and nucleic acids synthesis, as well as stress responses, cell wall and membrane biogenesis, adherence and virulence have been observed.

Role of environmental surveillance in determining the risk of hospital-acquired legionellosis: a national surveillance study with clinical correlations.

Objective: Hospital-acquired Legionella pneumonia has a fatality rate of 28%, and the source is the water distribution system. Two prevention strategies have been advocated. One approach to prevention is clinical surveillance for disease without routine environmental monitoring.

A "throttle" mechanism in the central retinal vein in the region of the lamina cribrosa.

Aims: To demonstrate a constriction in the central retinal vein in the region of the lamina cribrosa.

Methods: A prospective comparative interventional study of 13 controls and 19 patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) using colour Doppler imaging of the central retinal artery and vein in the region of the lamina cribrosa and optic nerve posterior to the globe.

Results: In controls peak velocities in the vein were higher in the region of the lamina cribrosa than the optic nerve, mean 175 mm/second (mm/s) and 49 mm/s respectively, p<0.

Porous GaN as a template to produce surface-enhanced Raman scattering-active surfaces.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates have been prepared by depositing Au or Ag on porous GaN (PGaN). The PGaN used as the template for the metal deposition in these studies was generated by a Pt-assisted electroless etching technique. PGaN was chosen as a potential SERS template due to its nanostructured surface and high surface area, two characteristics that are important for SERS substrates.

Interventions for ear discharge associated with grommets (ventilation tubes).

Background: The insertion of grommets (also known as ventilation or tympanostomy tubes) is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on children. Postoperative otorrhoea (discharge) is the most common complication with a reported incidence ranging from 10% to 50%. In the UK, many ENT surgeons treat with topical antibiotics/steroid combinations, but general practitioners, mainly through fears of ototoxicity, are unlikely to prescribe these and choose systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Combined removal of silicone oil plus internal search (ROSO-plus) following retinal detachment surgery.

Purpose: To report the rate of retinal redetachment and intervention with combined removal of silicone oil plus internal search (ROSO-plus) and to report the pathology identified.

Methods: Preoperative and peroperative findings were related to postoperative failure of the surgery defined as retinal redetachment postoperatively or silicone oil in situ at the final follow-up.

Results: Sixty-three patients were included in the study.

Horizontal and vertical micropsia following macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal-detachment surgical repair.

Background: Dysmetropsia or distorted image size perception (smaller: micropsia; larger: macropsia) is known to occur after successful surgical re-attachment for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. However, the vertical and horizontal components of size distortion have not been previously quantified separately. The purpose of this article is to describe horizontal and vertical dysmetropsia occurring in patients following pars plana vitrectomy and gas treatment (octafluoropropane, C(3)F(8) or sulfur hexafluoride, SF(6)) for macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.