Exudative Phenomena Research Articles

Complete resolution of subretinal fluid of the fellow eye following aflibercept injection in wet AMD

Abstract Purpose: To present a case of a patient with bilateral wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) who was unilaterally treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAIs) and the disease status in the fellow eye ameliorated after an IAI. Methods: Retrospective case report. Results: A 72-year-old woman was diagnosed with wet and dry AMD in her right (OD) and left (OS) eye, respectively. In OD, treatment strategy comprised 3 monthly IAIs, followed by re-injections according-to-need, while optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were performed before IAIs. One month after the second IAI, subretinal fluid developed in OS. One week later, an IAI was applied in OD; two days later the disease status in OS was assessed by fluorescein angiography and OCT. Surprisingly, in OS subretinal fluid completely resolved and fluorescein angiography did not detect leakage, highlighting the absence of an active choroidal neovascularization. The short interval between IAI and the resolution of exudative phenomena in the other eye is suggestive of a beneficial effect in the contralateral eye. Conclusion: Herein we showed that an IAI had an effect to the fellow untreated eye. Our observation is consistent with active aflibercept in the systemic circulation. To the best of our knowledge, no other report in literature has demonstrated this effect of aflibercept in wet AMD.

Effect of phosphogypsum and water-retaining in the stabilization and durability of stabilized mortars

Abstract This work corresponds to a study on using a cellulose-based water-retaining agent, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), in phosphogypsum (PG)-stabilized mortars. The results in cementitious pastes showed that when PG replaced cement, there was a reduction in the fluidity of the mixture (by 64.32%) and a drastic increase in the flow stress (from 1.8 to 614.0 Pa) due to its greater need for water, proving to be porous. However, when PG was combined with the hydration stabilizing admixture (HSA) and HPMC, greater fluidity, lower yield stress, and lower viscosity were obtained. In addition, PG contributed to the delay in setting times. In the stabilized mortars, the use of HPMC ceased the phenomenon of water exudation, and the additions of 0.15 and 0.20% provided the highest compressive strengths to the 48 h mortars (±5.28 and 5.28 MPa, respectively). On the other hand, the increase in HSA content to 1.2% at 72 h stabilization caused losses in mechanical performance and modulus of elasticity. Still, when comparing the compressive strength of the 48 h mortar with PG vs mortar with cement, there is a 71.13% increase in strength.

The Angioid Streaks

Angioid streaks are a relatively rare complication and one of the etiologies of choroidal neovascularization. Asymptomatic at onset except at the complication stage where it is responsible for severe visual acuity decline with the macular syndrome. Diagnosis is clinically confirmed by angiography and OCT. Interest to propose a therapeutic adapted according to the localization and exudative phenomena of the neovessels. The prognosis is gloomy but seems improved by the arrival of anti-VEGF.

Complicated Arterial Retinal Macroaneurysm

Retinal macroaneurysm.is a rare complication of uncontrolled IHT. It is responsible for exudative phenomena with DSR which can threaten visual function especially if it is macular localization. The prognosis depends on 'the importance of exudation and alteration of photoreceptors. Treatment remains essentially physical.

A case of bilateral cystoid macular edema after rituximab infusion

A 65-year-old man experienced sudden bilateral vision loss after rituximab infusion. Best corrected visual acuity was 1/10, and cystoid macular edema was identified. A bilateral rituximab-induced cystoid macular edema was diagnosed, and an intravitreal dexamethasone implant was applied. The exudative phenomena resolved, and the visual acuity rose to 8/10. Another rituximab infusion was followed by vision loss and recurrence of macular edema. A dexamethasone implant was reapplied, which showed great results. This is a rare case of rituximab-induced bilateral macular edema, which recurred after a second infusion. We also present an alternative treatment consisting of intravitreal dexamethasone implant.

MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF CORNEAL NEOVESSELS: OCT ANGIOGRAPHY IN COMPARISON TO FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY ON 10 EYES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Introduction:The use of OCT angiography for the analysis of neovessels of the ocular surface is currently at the experimental stage. Through this work we evaluate the benefits of OCTA in the detection of corneal neovessels, their depth and surface, the signs suggestive of activity / quiescence in comparison to fluorescein angiography. Materials And Methods:10 patients (10 eyes) with corneal neovessels (CNV) were prospectively recruited to Ophthalmology B at the Rabat Specialty Hospital between June and September 2019. All patients received OCT A fluorescein angiography (AF) at two-week intervals. Results:The results of the OCT A matched the AF data by showing immature neovessel (NV) characteristics for the early-diffusing NVs, allowing the study of the structure : trunk, numbers of segments, and fractal divisions, the existence of apical loop. As well as the detection of the flow level, exudative phenomena and associated lesions in high resolution OCT B. Discussion:Few studies have evaluated the OCTA in the evaluation of NVC, the published articles analyze the feasibility and reproducibility of this technique. Our initial analyzes suggest that scans provide better penetration and resolution of NVCs, but this requires direct comparative studies between OCTA systems used to scan the same eyes. The learning curve seemed fast for this technique. Conclusion :The evaluation of antiangiogenic treatments and the risk of graft rejection, it should be noted when interpreting OCTA scans of the anterior segment that artifacts may appear in dense scars areas in addition to motion artifacts.Future software enhancements and optimization for anterior segment acquisition may reduce these artifacts even more and improve the resolution of the image.

INFLUENCE OF 627 NM WAVELENGTH LIGHT EMITTING DIODE PHOTOTHERAPY ON SECONDARY INTENTION WOUND HEALING

Background: The use of photobiomodulation can be effective in the healing of tissues, highlighting the use of LED in tissue repair. Was evaluated the effect of 627 nm wavelength LED irradiation on VEGF-α and TGF-β1 expressions in a model of secondary intention wound healing. Methods: The evaluations were performed using a dorsal puncture model and the sample consisted of 120 Wistar rats, randomly divided into LED groups submitted to 3, 7, 14 and 21 irradiation treatment for 100 s, 7 J / cm2, and control groups. Histological analysis, immunohistochemistry and contraction of the lesion were performed. Results: LED irradiation led to effective wound regeneration results. Similar effects were obtained with vascular, exudative, and proliferative phenomena. VEGF and TGF-β1 levels were increased in LED-treated groups with initial treatments. Collagen analysis revealed that LED-treated groups levels were increased on days 14- and 21 of the treatments. An acceleration in tissue regeneration was observed in LED treated groups. Macroscopically visible results showing a complete healing process was evident after 14 days of treatment. Conclusion: 627 nm LED irradiation effectively accelerated wound healing leading complete closure of the skin in a shorter time compared to control group.

One year outcomes of treat and extend and pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimens with aflibercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy.

To compare the 1-year outcomes of treat-and-extend and pro re nata (PRN) treatment regimens with aflibercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), by the means of visual acuity (VA), frequency of recurrence of polypoidal lesions and developed fibrosis, and the number of intravitreal injections, and thus to determine which one is preferable in the maintenance phase in PCV. In our prospective study, only naive and previously untreated PCV patients were included. Initially one session of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and three monthly intravitreal injections of 2.0 mg aflibercept (IAIs) were applied in 38 eyes. After this loading phase, they were re-examined and 30 PCV eyes with no exudative phenomena were included in the study. They were divided in two groups; in the first one (16 patients) the PRN treatment modality of IAIs was applied, while in the second one (14 patients) the treat-and-extend regimen was applied. Over a 12-month period, VA significantly improved in treat-and-extend group (logMAR BCVA 0.41 ± 0.15 vs 0.57 ± 0.24 at baseline, p = 0.044), while in the PRN group VA remained stable (logMAR BCVA 0.70 ± 0.36 vs 0.65 ± 0.18 at baseline, p = 0.61). During the maintenance phase, the patients of treat-and-extend group did not encounter development/progression of fibrosis or any recurrent episodes, whereas the patients of PRN group had significantly more recurrent episodes (0 vs 1.37 ± 0.5, p < 0.001) and the frequency of development/progression of fibrosis was significantly higher (0% vs 44%, p = 0.02). However, the treat-and-extend treatment regimen was accompanied by significantly more administered IAIs (6 ± 0 vs 5.13 ± 1.08, p = 0.006). We highlighted the superiority of treat-and-extend regime with IAIs, which seems to yield better functional outcomes by preventing recurrence and subfoveal fibrosis, although a greater number of injections is required.

A Quest for Mechanisms of Plant Root Exudation Brings New Results and Models, 300 Years after Hales.

The review summarizes some of our current knowledge on the phenomenon of exudation from the cut surface of detached roots with emphasis on results that were mostly established over the last fifty years. The phenomenon is quantitatively documented in the 18th century (by Hales in 1727). By the 19th century, theories mainly ascribed exudation to the secretion of living root cells. The 20th century favored the osmometer model of root exudation. Nevertheless, growing insights into the mechanisms of water transport and new or rediscovered observations stimulated the quest for a more adequate exudation model. The historical overview shows how understanding of exudation changed with time following experimental opportunities and novel ideas from different areas of knowledge. Later theories included cytoskeleton-dependent micro-pulsations of turgor in root cells to explain the observed water exudation. Recent progress in experimental biomedicine led to detailed study of channels and transporters for ion transport via cellular membranes and to the discovery of aquaporins. These universal molecular entities have been incorporated to the more complex models of water transport via plant roots. A new set of ideas and explanations was based on cellular osmoregulation by mechanosensitive ion channels. Thermodynamic calculations predicted the possibility of water transport against osmotic forces based on co-transport of water with ions via cation-chloride cotransporters. Recent observations of rhizodermis exudation, exudation of roots without an external aqueous medium, segments cut from roots, pulses of exudation, a phase shifting of water uptake and exudation, and of effects of physiologically active compounds (like ion channel blockers, metabolic agents, and cytoskeletal agents) will likely refine our understanding of the phenomenon. So far, it seems that more than one mechanism is responsible for root pressure and root exudation, processes which are important for refilling of embolized xylem vessels. However, recent advances in ion and water transport research at the molecular level suggest potential future directions to understanding of root exudation and new models awaiting experimental testing.

A REVIEW ON WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF DIETARY FLAVONOID NARINGENIN

Wound is known as disruption in the integrity of a tissue. The mechanisms of regeneration and tissue repair consist of a series of molecular and cellular events that occur after the onset of a tissue lesion to rebuild the damaged tissue. The remodelling phases of the exudative, proliferative, and extracellular matrix are concurrent events that occur through the interaction of complex processes involving soluble mediators, blood cells and parenchymal cells. Exudative phenomena that occur after injury, lead to tissue edema growth. The proliferative stage aims to minimize the area of tissue damage by myofibroblasts and fibroplasia contracting. Angiogenesis and reepithelialisation processes can still be observed at this point. Endothelial cells are capable of differentiating into mesenchymal components and this distinction seems to be finely coordinated by a series of signalling proteins. Many of the medicines available today is derived from natural sources. Flavonoids are essential components of the human diet apart from their physiological functions in plants, even though they are not considered as nutrients. In this review, naturally occurring flavonoid is discussed which occur in citrus fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine, and also in medical herbs. They exhibit different pharmacological actions, like antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-cancer activity. One of the flavanones is Naringenin which is the ordinary dietary poly-phenolic constituent of the citrus fruits (grapefruit and oranges) and vegetables. It is beneficial in various neurological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, rheumatological, metabolic, malignant disorders, and functionally, this ameliorative effect of naringenin is primarily attributed to its anti-inflammatory (via inhibiting staffing of cytokines and inflammatory transcription factors) and anti-oxidant (via scavenging of free radicals, bolstering of endogenous antioxidant defence system and metal ion chelation) effects

The course of delayed intrauterine infection in children with residual manifestations of retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a severe vascular proliferative disease. The appearance of signs of intrauterine infection in the setting of ROP may aggravate the severity of the disease course and lead to development of complications. Two children with residual ROP effects were observe to have delayed manifestations of intrauterine infection. The first child had signs of toxoplasmosis in the period of regression of stage II ROP at 48 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA). The second child had signs of cytomegalovirus infection in the period of induced regression of III «+» stage ROP at 47-48 weeks of PMA. At the time of manifestation of intrauterine infection, both children were noted to have exudative phenomena, and formed fibrous bridles that caused retinal detachment, which was visually very similar to the late stages of severe forms of ROP. However, the appearance of these symptoms in 47-48 weeks of the PMA in the setting of ROP regress excludes the activation of the disease. The course of uveitis with residual manifestations of ROP went according to the most severe scenario - with retinal detachment in the short term - within 7-10 days.

The early diagnosis of congenital neuroinfections during ophthalmologic examination in children of the first months of life

To characterize the possibilities of early diagnosis of congenital neuroinfections during an ophthalmological examination in children in the first months of life. Five children with congenital neuroinfection, including 2 children with congenital toxoplasmosis and 3 children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection (CMVI), were studied. All babies were born prematurely (25 to 31 weeks of gestation (27.2±0.94)), with birth weight from 680 to 1610 g (1120±110.1). During the examination, binocular ophthalmoscopy and examination on a wide-field retinal pediatric camera were used. A blood testing for immunoglobulins and a polymerase chain reaction of blood were performed. To assess the state of the brain, neurosonography and magnetic resonance imaging were used. Ophthalmic signs of intrauterine infection appeared at the age of 4-5 months (at 47-51 weeks of postmenstrual age). In all children (in 4 in one eye, in 1 in both eyes), apparent exudative-proliferative changes in the retina and vitreous body appeared on the periphery with the formation of epiretinal membranes that exert a traction effect on the retina. In two children with CMVI, multiple preretinal hemorrhages in different parts of the retina in both eyes were revealed. Central chorioretinal foci in the fundus were detected in children with toxoplasmosis. A positive dynamics, such as a decrease of exudative phenomena, a partial fit of the retina, complete resorption of hemorrhages, was noted in children during treatment. It has been concluded that signs of intrauterine neuroinfection can appear delayed, only by the development of chorioretinitis, 4-5 months after birth and manifest with severe exudative-proliferative changes in the retina and vitreous body.

Seropositive juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with Sjo gren's syndrome: features of diagnosis and treatment choice (a case report)

The paper describes a clinical case of rheumatoid factor-seropositive polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) concurrent with new-onset Sjo gren's syndrome (SS) in a teenage girl. It discusses the clinical features of SS and the problems of its diagnosis in pediatric practice. Erosive arthritis with rapidly progressive joint destruction concurrent with SS that was highly active according to biopsy findings, as well as the nature of the immunological parameters served as the basis for using rituximab (RTM), a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. Although RTM is not registered for use for this disease in childhood, an alternative biological agent was unavailable in this clinical situation. The therapy was observed to be highly effective. Just after the first cycle of RTM therapy, the values of acute-phase markers became normal, arthralgias and exudative joint phenomena diminished, and morning stiffness ceased. Twelve months after therapy initiation, the patient achieved remission of JRA with positive changes confirmed by control sialography and sialometry. The given clinical example convincingly demonstrates the feasibility of using RTM in patients with JRA concurrent with SS with resistance to therapy with classical immunosuppressive drugs and with the undesirability of using tumor necrosis factor- а inhibitors due to the increased risk of lymphoproliferation in SS.

A study of the physico-chemical properties of dried maritime pine resin to better understand the exudation process

Abstract The aim of this study was to have a better understanding of the phenomenon of resin exudation on pinewood boards due to the liquefaction of the resin caused by the heat of solar radiation. Resin exudation is a crucial problem for the maritime pine industry, as it may strongly decrease the wood’s aesthetics submitted to outdoor exposure. The softening temperature of dried pine resin was analyzed and the results were examined relative to its physico-chemical properties. To achieve this, resin samples were dried under different conditions (60°C, 120°C during 16 h and at 150°C during 24 h). After 3 months of post-drying at ambient temperature, their softening temperatures were measured by thermomechanical analysis. These same samples were subsequently studied to determine their chemical, structural and morphological properties. Samples with a low drying temperature (60°C) had high opacity attributed to crystallinity and porosity. These elements partially explained a higher softening temperature than for the other samples. Different chemical modifications of resin were also observed due to temperature, with a significant amount of oxidized derivatives for samples dried at low temperature and dehydrogenated compounds for samples dried at high temperature.

Study of rosin softening point through thermal treatment for a better understanding of maritime pine exudation

The temperature of pine rosin softening point was studied to better understand the phenomenon of resin exudation on the surface of pine boards. This problem may decrease strongly the aesthetical performance of wood used outside and is an important concern for the industry. To perform a reliable measurement of rosin properties with a small amount of sample, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo mechanical analysis (TMA) techniques were investigated and the results compared. DSC curves on industrial rosin and acetone rosin extractives from maritime pine show a behavior similar to a glass transition in polymers. TMA measurements carried out on the same industrial rosin showed that the softening point is in the midpoint of the transition phase observed by DSC. The softening point temperature is about 45 °C for industrial rosin and about 50 °C for rosin extractives from maritime pine boards. These values are significantly lower than those usually found on other rosins measured by the ASTM E28-14 standard using the ring-and-ball method. When using heat treatment, it was observed for the first time that the thermal history of the sample can change its softening point temperature. With these results, it could be possible to develop a new strategy to reduce rosin exudation for exterior wood siding.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).

To verify the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for diagnosing retinal angiomatous proliferations (RAP) in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Multiple cross-sections were taken with OCT from 41 eyes of 39 consecutive patients with AMD and RAP. The presence and the location of the angiomatous complexes had already been documented by fluorescein angiography (FA) and high-speed confocal indocyanine green videoangiography (ICGA). RAP was detectable by OCT scans in all 41 eyes, appearing as a focal hyper-reflecting area in the neuroretinal layers; it was frequently located close to the inner surface of the retinal pigment epithelium (29 eyes [70.7%]). All eyes had either no or only a low-reflecting OCT signal surrounding the RAP, caused by serous intraretinal edema. Only 13 eyes (31.7%), however, had large serous retinal detachment (SRD). OCT detected pigment epithelium detachment in 31 eyes (75.6%), but none had underlying choroidal neovascularization. OCT findings confirm the intraretinal localization of the RAP which are always associated with impressive exudative phenomena. OCT is therefore a useful diagnostic tool, adding information to FA and high-speed ICGA. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2002; 12: 467-72).

A two-scale Stefan problem arising in a model for tree sap exudation

The study of tree sap exudation, in which a (leafless) tree generates elevated stem pressure in response to repeated daily freeze-thaw cycles, gives rise to an interesting multi-scale problem involving heat and multiphase liquid/gas transport. The pressure generation mechanism is a cellular-level process that is governed by differential equations for sap transport through porous cell membranes, phase change, heat transport, and generation of osmotic pressure. By assuming a periodic cellular structure based on an appropriate reference cell, we derive an homogenized heat equation governing the global temperature on the scale of the tree stem, with all the remaining physics relegated to equations defined on the reference cell. We derive a corresponding strong formulation of the limit problem and use it to design an efficient numerical solution algorithm. Numerical simulations are then performed to validate the results and draw conclusions regarding the phenomenon of sap exudation, which is of great importance in trees such as sugar maple and a few other related species. The particular form of our homogenized temperature equation is obtained using periodic homogenization techniques with two-scale convergence, which we investigate theoretically in the context of a simpler two-phase Stefan-type problem corresponding to a periodic array of melting cylindrical ice bars with a constant thermal diffusion coefficient. For this reduced model, we prove results on existence, uniqueness and convergence of the two-scale limit solution in the weak form, clearly identifying the missing pieces required to extend the proofs to the fully nonlinear sap exudation model. Numerical simulations of the reduced equations are then compared with results from the complete sap exudation model.

CORROSION OF INDUSTRIAL FRIT FURNACE REFRACTORIES: A POSTMORTEM STUDY

Microstructural and phase analyses of corroded frit furnace refractories forming the side walls and the bottom of an industrial frit furnace is reported in this study. Reflected light optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction tools were used for the analyses. The microstructural analysis in combination with the saturation solubilities information in the phase diagrams was used to predict the corrosion behavior of the refractories. The frit and the refractory types were compared qualitatively for the dissolution potential and corrosion mechanisms. The dissolution of the refractory material was direct (congruent) for both the side wall refractories and bottom pavers. The first push exudation phenomenon was determined to be effective for the increase of porosity and pore dimensions which in turn caused accelerated wear rates when combined with corrosion. The corrosive potential of the transparent frit for corundum, mullite, and glassy phase in the refractories was determined to be excessive. The dissolution of these species in the molten transparent frit was predicted to start at temperatures between 1000-1340 o C while the operating temperature was 1470 o C. The decrease in the extent of corrosion by zirconia inclusion either in the refractories or in the molten glass compositions was qualitatively discussed.

Control of diffusion and exudation of vegetable oils in EPDM copolymers

As a response to environmental problems caused by plasticisers, the feasibility of replacing a significant proportion of the plasticisers in a synthetic ethylene-propylene-diene monomer copolymer (EPDM) matrix with bio-based materials was studied. In that context, different bio-based commercials plasticisers such as Radia® supplied by Oleon, methyl ester of soybean oil, epoxidized methyl ester of soybean oil, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate and untreated vegetable oils (rapeseed, soybean, linseed and tung) were tested. Diffusion analysis using the bi-layers rheology method and exudation analysis highlighted an important exudation phenomenon at 80°C for all oils tested. To overcome this problem, a second part of this work was focused on the use of a specific highly reactive vegetable tung oil. The in situ polymerisation of this oil by thermal activation without the use of catalysts allowed to totally prevent the exudation phenomenon by increasing the viscosity of the oil. Compared with the use of pure tung oil, the degree of exudation was greatly decreased, from more than 8% to less than 1%.

An investigation into the separation and migration of oil in paintings by Erik Oldenhof

The observation of disfiguring yellow oil-like material on the surface of paintings by the contemporary Dutch artist Erik Oldenhof led to an investigation of the material and environmental factors causing the migration and surface deposition of the exudate. A combination of material analysis, the examination of artificially aged reconstructions and information provided by the artist and paint manufacturer, Royal Talens, provided evidence that the phenomenon is related to the drying properties of the safflower oil used, the artist's use of thick paint layers and the availability of light while the paint is drying. Reconstructions demonstrated that the exudation phenomenon can be reproduced and is not restricted to one particular range of oil paint or manufacturer.Visual characteristics of the exudate, including its appearance in UV light and SEM back-scattered images, were documented, and the organic and inorganic components of the paint were characterised by SEM-EDX, XRF, THM-PyGC-MS and FTIR. Results confirmed that the exudate is composed of safflower oil derived from the paint binding medium, and that a difference in P/S ratio between the exudate and paint bulk is due to the presence of metal stearates in the paint that have not migrated to the surface.