Effect of bimatoprost sustained-release intracameral implant on intraocular pressure and medication burden in patients with prior glaucoma surgery

The present retrospective study evaluated intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication burden after bimatoprost sustained-release (bimatoprost SR, Durysta, Allergan) implantation in patients with glaucoma. A secondary objective was to examine an effect of bimatoprost SR in a subset of patients with prior minimally invasive and incisional glaucoma surgery. A retrospective chart review of 122 eyes that received bimatoprost SR by 6 glaucoma specialists at Wills Eye Hospital between March 2020 and September 2021 was performed. One hundred and eighteen eyes from 84 patients had a reduction in IOP (18.5±5.7mmHg vs. 16.0±5.4mmHg, P<0.01) and required fewer glaucoma medications (2.1±1.4 vs. 1.2±1.2, P<0.01) after bimatoprost SR implantation. In 41 eyes from 31 patients who previously underwent glaucoma surgery (including iStent, goniotomy, trabeculectomy, Xen Gel Stent, or tube shunt surgery), medication burden was decreased after bimatoprost SR implantation (1.9±1.3 vs. 1.0±1.0, P<0.001). These data suggest that bimatoprost SR is an efficacious treatment modality for glaucoma, even in post-surgical patients.

Non-steroidal drug-induced glaucoma

Numerous systemically used drugs are involved in drug-induced glaucoma. Most reported cases of non-steroidal drug-induced glaucoma are closed-angle glaucoma (CAG). Indeed, many routinely used drugs that have sympathomimetic or parasympatholytic properties can cause pupillary block CAG in individuals with narrow iridocorneal angle. The resulting acute glaucoma occurs much more commonly unilaterally and only rarely bilaterally. CAG secondary to sulfa drugs is a bilateral non-pupillary block type and is due to forward movement of iris-lens diaphragm, which occurs in individuals with narrow or open iridocorneal angle. A few agents, including antineoplastics, may induce open-angle glaucoma. In conclusion, the majority of cases with glaucoma secondary to non-steroidal medications are of the pupillary block closed-angle type and preventable if the at-risk patients are recognized and treated prophylactically.

The seasonal and geographical distribution of Culicoides imicola, C. pulicaris group and C. obsoletus group biting midges in central and southern Spain

Pirbright-type light traps were used to collect Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) at fifteen sites in twelve provinces of central Spain and Andalusia. A total of 293,625 Culicoides were collected in 1,387 samples over a two year period. These comprised approximately 9.2% Culicoides imicola, 11.4% C. pulicaris group, 1.6% C. obsoletus group and 12.2% C. circumscriptus. Culicoides imicola was present at ten of the fifteen sites; the five sites from which it was absent were the most eastern of the fifteen. The greatest abundance of this species was at Navalmoral in Caceres Province. Culicoides pulicaris group were present at all sites; C. obsoletus group were present at twelve sites. The annual peaks in abundance were: C. imicola, August-October; C. pulicaris group, May-June; and C. obsoletus group, March-June. The geographical and seasonal distributions of C. imicola are consistent with those of the outbreaks of African horse sickness (AHS) and bluetongue (BT) during epizootics in Spain, and support the contention that C. imicola was the major vector of AHS and BT viruses.

The relationship between climate and the distribution of Culicoides imicola in Iberia

The biting midge Culicoides imicola was captured at 17 of 27 farms in Spain and Portugal during a survey of its distribution following outbreaks of African horse sickness in Iberia that occurred between 1987 and 1990. Farms were sampled approximately twice weekly from October 1992 to February 1995. Farms were widely spaced apart (maximum 850 km) and had considerable variation in climate. Across sites, summer temperatures ranged from 18.3 degrees C-27.2 degrees C; in winter the range was 4.4 degrees C-11.6 degrees C. Relative humidities in summer ranged from 37.2% to 90.1%. Proximity to southern Spain (Seville) was the most significant predictor of the presence/absence of C. imicola, but high summer temperatures and possibly dry summer conditions, were also important. Vila Nova de Milfontes in Portugal, where C. imicola was abundant and the climate is relatively cool, was an exception to the climatic trends at the other 26 sites. This exception points to a lack of knowledge of climatic requirements for immature development of C. imicola. The absence of C. imicola from the three most easterly sites, which have apparently favourable climates, suggests a relatively recent invasion by this species into Iberia.

Spatial and seasonal distribution of Culicoides imicola in Iberia in relation to the transmission of African horse sickness virus

Collections of biting midges were made over 24 months from sixty sites spread across Iberia. Information on the distribution of the vector of African horse sickness virus, Culicoides imicola, from these 3119 samples showed that this species was annually present across south-western Spain as far as 3 degrees 53'W and throughout most of Portugal, up to 41 degrees 5'N. C. imicola was found in all areas where African horse sickness epizootics had occurred in 1987-90 and also in areas outside the epizootic zones. Seasonal patterns of capture success of C. imicola, from seventeen frequently sampled sites where the vector was present, usually showed a late summer-early autumn peak. At the sites furthest south there was a discrete peak, mostly in September or October, before and after which the numbers captured increased or decreased steadily. At higher latitudes peak abundances occurred as early as May or as late as November, population build up was less uniform and numbers often declined rapidly after the peak was reached. Both the distribution and seasonal abundance patterns closely matched transmission patterns of African horse sickness virus, which rose during late summer and caused most cases during the autumn months.

Transformation of sterigmatocystin and O-methylsterigmatocystin by aflatoxigenic and nonaflatoxigenic field isolates of the Aspergillus flavus group

Transformation of sterigmatocystin and O-methylsterigmatocystin (two metabolic aflatoxin precursors) to aflatoxins by aflatoxigenic and nonaflatoxigenic field isolates of Aspergillus flavus was studied. The 24 nonaflatoxigenic isolates investigated failed to transform both precursors. Among the 8 aflatoxin-producing isolated used, 7 transformed both precursors whereas the remaining failed to transform both. According to these results, the usefulness of the measurement of enzymatic activities related to aflatoxin production in understanding the true status of conflictive field isolates is discussed.

Considerations on the distribution of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in feeds

The distribution of aflatoxin producing isolates of the Aspergillus flavus group in feeds was studied. Aflatoxin production was investigated by a sequential method previously reported (fluorescence in Coconut Agar Medium, rapid extraction from a wheat medium, and total extraction from the same wheat medium). Twenty-seven of 32 samples contained A. flavus, and 21 of them had at least one aflatoxicogenic isolate of A. flavus. Of the 115 isolates analysed, 65 produced aflatoxins, mainly B aflatoxins.

Use of Neutron Activation Analysis for the Characterization of Paper

A controlled study was carried out on 600 samples of various types of white and colored paper obtained from 10 different paper manufacturers with known production histories and dates. Neutron activation analysis was employed to measure the characterizing trace elemental compositions. Results indicated that (1) the papers examined were uniform with respect to their trace elemental compositions, (2) papers produced by different manufacturers are readily distinguishable qualitatively and/or quantitatively, (3) different batches of paper produced by the same manufacturer are generally qualitatively similar if produced within a short span of time (however, these specimens can be distinguished by quantitative analysis of the trace elements), and (4) different batches of paper produced by the same manufacturer at least 1 year apart are readily distinguishable qualitatively and/or quantitatively.

Characterization of Heroin: A Preliminary Study

Heroin samples from 100 actual cases were examined by multiple analytical techniques. After preliminary examination by microscopy and chemical analysis indicated similarity of questioned and known specimens, as many as 22 chemical elements were measured by neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption. Since illicit heroin is crudely produced, the qualitative elemental analysis is significant; however, more important for characterization purposes is the quantitative determination of the elements found because the concentration ranges for each element are extremely large.

Neutron Activation and Atomic Absorption Analyses of Chemical Elements in Soil

Procedures are described for the determination of about 20 chemical elements in soil by NAA and AAA. It is shown that the combination of these techniques is particularly suitable for soil analysis, because a large number of both major and minor elements can be determined with good precision and accuracy.

Identification of Bullet Holes by Residue Transfer

Antimony and copper residues deposited on the bullet surface after explosion of a pistol cartridge were measured by neutron activation analysis. The amount of residue wiped from the bullet surface upon passage through various target materials was determined. Correlations were found between the residue deposited on the target material and the bullet jacketing, caliber, and configuration

Comparison of Adhesive Tapes by Neutron Activation Analysis

Adhesive tapes were compared by nondestructive gamma-ray spectrometry. Results show that neutron activation analysis can he used to characterize tapes through their elemental composition. Differences between manufacturers as well as hatch-tobatch and in-batch variations can be measured by neutron activation analysis.

Activation Analysis of Drugs

Activation analysis has been employed to compare and determine the source of manufacture of drugs. The irradiations were carried out with the DASA-TRIGA1 and Naval Research Laboratory nuclear reactors,2 and the induced radionuclides were identified by nondestructive gamma-ray spectrometry. The results show that the technique can be a useful tool for the identification of trace elements which serve to characterize drugs.

Ethanol Combustion System

An alcohol combustion system incorporating an all-metal burner and automatic ignition system has been devised. With this apparatus it is possible to convert about 2 L of alcohol per day into pure water.