Pigment Solution Research Articles

Influence of coffee and red wine on tooth color during and after bleaching

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of coffee and red wine staining on tooth color during and after bleaching. Materials and methods. Blocks obtained from human molars were divided into 11 groups (n = 5) in accordance with the bleaching treatment—peroxide carbamide 10%, 15% or 20%—and in accordance with the stain therapy—coffee, wine or without staining (control). Color change analysis was performed by photo-reflectance using a spectrophotometer, during (3-times/week) and after (7, 15 and 30 days) the bleaching treatment. During the experiment, the samples were stored in artificial saliva. The results were submitted to statistical analysis with the Dunnet and Tukey tests (p < 0.05). Results. The concentrations of carbamide peroxide (10%, 15% and 20%) did not differ significantly from the control group during bleaching (up to the 22nd day), with (Tukey, p > 0.05) or without storage in pigment solution. After the bleaching, there were statistically significant differences between the groups treated with coffee (30th day) and wine (7th and 30th days) relative to the control, which was treated with whitening agents. Conclusion. During bleaching, remineralization of the enamel with artificial saliva and the subsequent bleaching session were effective in preventing enamel staining. After the whitening procedures, both stain therapies—coffee and wine—caused enamel color changes; however, the wine led to greater staining than did coffee.

DFT/TDDFT and Experimental Studies of Natural Pigments Extracted from Black Tea Waste for DSSC Application

We report results of combined experimental and theoretical studies of black tea waste extract (BTE) as a potential sensitizer for TiO<sub >2</sub>-dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). UV-vis absorption data revealed that BTE contains theaflavin. DSSC sensitized with pigment complexes of BTE showed a photon-energy conversion efficiency of <svg style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:56.299999px;" id="M1" height="15.35" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 56.299999 15.35" width="56.299999" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.862)"><path id="x1D702" d="M471 401q0 -32 -14 -91l-83 -376q-30 -146 -21 -180l-7 -15q-22 0 -47.5 23.5t-25.5 40.5q0 49 53 271l53 224q4 18 6.5 31t3.5 22.5t1 15t-2 9t-4.5 4.5t-6.5 1q-31 0 -100.5 -63.5t-126.5 -145.5q-16 -53 -40 -163q-48 -11 -74 -21l-7 8l82 341q9 36 -4 36&#xA;q-8 0 -28.5 -14t-38.5 -32l-17 22q41 43 85 71t66 28q23 0 23 -39q0 -19 -10 -64l-24 -103h2q77 101 201 182q37 24 74 24q31 0 31 -47z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.169,10.862)"><path id="x3D" d="M535 323h-483v50h483v-50zM535 138h-483v50h483v-50z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,27.872,10.862)"><path id="x30" d="M241 635q53 0 94 -28.5t63.5 -76t33.5 -102.5t11 -116q0 -58 -11 -112.5t-34 -103.5t-63.5 -78.5t-94.5 -29.5t-95 28t-64.5 75t-34.5 102.5t-11 118.5q0 58 11.5 112.5t34.5 103t64.5 78t95.5 29.5zM238 602q-32 0 -55.5 -25t-35.5 -68t-17.5 -91t-5.5 -105&#xA;q0 -76 10 -138.5t37 -107.5t69 -45q32 0 55.5 25t35.5 68.5t17.5 91.5t5.5 105t-5.5 105.5t-18 92t-36 68t-56.5 24.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.032,10.862)"><path id="x2E" d="M113 -12q-24 0 -39.5 16t-15.5 42q0 24 16 40.5t40 16.5t40 -16.5t16 -40.5q0 -26 -16 -42t-41 -16z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,39.908,10.862)"><path id="x32" d="M412 140l28 -9q0 -2 -35 -131h-373v23q112 112 161 170q59 70 92 127t33 115q0 63 -31 98t-86 35q-75 0 -137 -93l-22 20l57 81q55 59 135 59q69 0 118.5 -46.5t49.5 -122.5q0 -62 -29.5 -114t-102.5 -130l-141 -149h186q42 0 58.5 10.5t38.5 56.5z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,48.067,10.862)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g> </svg>&#x25;, while a significant increase (<svg style="vertical-align:-3.56265pt;width:56.299999px;" id="M2" height="15.4625" version="1.1" viewBox="0 0 56.299999 15.4625" width="56.299999" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,.062,10.963)"><use xlink:href="#x1D702"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,13.169,10.963)"><use xlink:href="#x3D"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,27.872,10.963)"><use xlink:href="#x30"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,36.032,10.963)"><use xlink:href="#x2E"/></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,39.908,10.963)"><path id="x34" d="M456 178h-96v-72q0 -51 12.5 -62.5t72.5 -16.5v-27h-256v27q65 5 78 17t13 62v72h-260v28q182 271 300 426h40v-407h96v-47zM280 225v295h-2q-107 -148 -196 -295h198z" /></g><g transform="matrix(.017,-0,0,-.017,48.067,10.963)"><path id="x36" d="M137 343l67 33q37 17 63 17q79 0 129.5 -53t50.5 -131q0 -92 -58 -156.5t-147 -64.5t-147 68t-58 182q0 63 17 119t43 95.5t61.5 72t69 52t67.5 31.5q62 22 128 33l6 -32q-56 -11 -108 -35q-149 -71 -184 -231zM227 337q-47 0 -95 -27q-6 -23 -6 -70q0 -93 36 -155.5&#xA;t96 -62.5q53 0 78 45.5t25 105.5q0 68 -35 116t-99 48z" /></g> </svg>&#x25;) is observed when pH of the pigment solution was lowered. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels were calculated using experimental data of UV-vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry. These calculations revealed a reduction of the band gap by 0.17&#x2009;eV and more negativity of HOMO level of acidified pigment, compared to that of original pigment. Combined effect of these developments caused the enhanced efficiency of DSSC. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) computational calculations were carried out to study the four theaflavin analogues which are responsible for the dark colour of BTE. According to the calculations, two theaflavin analogues, theaflavin and theaflavin digallate, are the most probable sensitizers in this dye-sensitized solar cell system.

Ion-exchange pigments in primer paints for anticorrosive protection of steel in atmospheric service: Anion-exchange pigments

In the field of anticorrosive primer paints there is growing interest to find environmentally friendly anticorrosive pigments to replace Cr(VI) pigments which are highly toxic both to the environment and to human health, with known carcinogenic effects. This has become a major challenge of the last decades for all the sectors involved in metallic protection. One of the alternatives of great scientific interest is the use of ion exchange pigments, which are mostly naturally abundant, easily synthesised, relatively cheap, and above all environmentally friendly. Studies of these pigments have not been conclusive about their anticorrosive efficiency and controversy surrounds their functional mechanisms, exchange capacity and anticorrosive performance.This paper focuses on the anticorrosive protection afforded by one anion-exchange pigment: hydrotalcite/vanadate (HT/V). Alkyd primer coatings formulated with non-toxic HT/V pigment have been applied on carbon steel specimens, and the effect of the pigment on the protective properties of the coatings has been evaluated by means of natural and accelerated corrosion tests (humidity, salt spray and Kesternich, 0.2L SO2). A traditional zinc chromate (ZC) pigment has also been used for comparative purposes. The exchange and inhibitor capacity of the HT/V has also been evaluated.The inhibiting power of the HT/V pigment in solution is seen to be less than that of the traditional ZC pigment, showing also a low exchange capacity and solubility. On the other hand, the behaviour of the HT/V pigmented primers applied on carbon steel is suitable in moderate environments and deficient in aggressive environments, in both natural atmospheres and accelerated tests, and is much poorer than that of the zinc chromate.

Extraction of anthocyanins from red cabbage and purification using adsorption

There is an increasing interest in anthocyanins, as natural food colorants, in food products and also in pharmaceutical products due to their antioxidative potential. The present study deals with extraction and purification of anthocyanins from red cabbage. Conventional extraction methods of anthocyanin from plant material are non-selective and yield pigment solutions with large amounts of byproducts such as sugars, organic acids and proteins. Some of these impurities may accelerate anthocyanin degradation. Different extracting media were used and the mixture of 50% (v/v) ethanol and acidified water resulted in maximum anthocyanin content (390.6mg/L). In order to obtain anthocyanins in a purified form, adsorption was carried out with six different adsorbents. Among these, non-ionic acrylic ester adsorbent, namely Amberlite XAD-7HP, showed the highest adsorption capacity (0.84mg/mL of resin) and desorption ratio (92.85%). Adsorption results were found to be correlated best using the Langmuir isotherm equation especially at low temperature. The resulting anthocyanin solution after purification was free from sugars, which are the major cause for degradation of anthocyanin. No browning was observed and chroma increased by 27% compared to crude anthocyanin.

Dyeing Adsorption Kinetics of Thermally Unstable Pigments from &lt;i&gt;Phytolacca americana&lt;/i&gt; L.’s Fruits on Mercerized Wool Yarns

To extend the application of the thermally unstable pigments from Phytolacca americana L.’s fruits on textiles, the thermal degradation kinetics and thermodynamics of pigments in solution have been studied and taken into account in dyeing processes. The experimental datas of the thermal degradation kinetics, thermodynamics and dyeing kinetics have been analyzed using First Order Reaction Kinetics, Arrhenius Equation, and Vickerstaff Adsorption Hyperbolic Curve theories, respectively. The results indicate that, the Vickerstaff Adsorption Hyperbolic Curve theories can be used to describe the dyeing adsorption kinetics of the pigments dyed on mercerized wool yarns taking thermal degradation into consideration. The values of half-time, rate constant of thermal degradation, equilibrium dyeing percentage, adsorption constant, dyeing time, dyeing temperature and others parameters also have been analyzed in this article. The appropriate dyeing time and dyeing temperature for the pigments dyed on mercerized wool yarns have been found out.

PHOTOSTABILITY OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL &lt;i&gt;a&lt;/i&gt; AND ITS DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL SENSITIZERS FOR PHOTODYNAMIC CANCER THERAPY: THE STUDY ON ACETONE-WATER AND METHANOL-WATER SOLVENTS

The determination of photostability for Mg-BChl a, Zn-BPheo a and Cu-BPheo a irradiated with red light (≥ 630 nm, 870 lux) and equilibrated with air for 20 min in acetone-water and methanol-water solvents at various percentages of water has been done. The presence of light and oxygen in the pigment solution cause the pigment instable. The pigment stability toward photooxidation is extremely influenced by solvent properties, including oxidation potential value and solvent abilities to form coordination and aggregate. Degradation products of pigment during irradiation treatment can be detected by increment of absorption at the absorption spectrum or occurrence of new positive absorption bands at the different absorption spectra. Cu-BPheo a is a promising photosensitizer based on its stability toward photooxidation in acetone-water solvents.

Low-Temperature Vacuum Drying of Natural Gardenia Yellow Pigment

The effects of operational parameters, that is, drying temperature, feed solution layer thickness, and level of vacuum, on product qualities and drying kinetics for low-temperature vacuum drying of Gardenia yellow pigment were studied. Temperature had the most significant effect on product quality and drying time. The optimal operating conditions to yield the best product quality were obtained as heating temperature, 35°C; layer thickness, 7 mm; and vacuum level, 0.09 MPa. Simulation results showed that the well-known Page model gave the best prediction. The effective diffusion coefficients for Gardenia yellow pigment solutions (20% wb) were estimated from the drying curves in the range 8.45 × 10−9 m2/s at 35°C and 1.10 × 10−8 m2/s at 55°C.

Investigation of pH varied anthocyanin pigment profiles of Agapanthus praecox and its potential as natural colourant

Anthocyanin pigment profiles, colours and pH values of Agapanthus praecox were investigated. The anthocyanin pigments from the blue flower petals were solvent extracted with 70% acetone, and the pH of the extracts was varied (pH 1, 2·5, 4·5 and 7). The colour of the pigment solution changed with pH, where it became pinkish purple at pH 1, dark red at pH 2·5, light purple at pH 4·5, dark turquoise at pH 7, dark green at pH 9·5, light green at pH 11·5 and yellow at pH 14. The extracts were also subjected to ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometric analysis, where a distinct peak at 544 nm was observed for both pH 1 and 2·5, while multiple peaks at 535, 571·5 and 627 nm were observed for pH 4·5 and at 535, 574 and 620 nm for pH 7. The anthocyanin extract with the most stable pH (at pH 1) was mixed with 20% poly(methyl methacrylate) and coated onto glass slides, which was then subjected to weathering tests to determine its durability.

Identification of a Gene Essential for the First Committed Step in the Biosynthesis of Bacteriochlorophyll c

Bacteriochlorophylls (BChls) c, d, and e are the major chlorophylls in chlorosomes, which are the largest and one of the most efficient antennae produced by chlorophototrophic organisms. In the biosynthesis of these three BChls, a C-13(2)-methylcarboxyl group found in all other chlorophylls (Chls) must be removed. This reaction is postulated to be the first committed step in the synthesis of these BChls. Analyses of gene neighborhoods of (B)Chl biosynthesis genes and distribution patterns in organisms producing chlorosomes helped to identify a gene (bciC) that appeared to be a good candidate to produce the enzyme involved in this biochemical reaction. To confirm that this was the case, a deletion mutant of an open reading frame orthologous to bciC, CT1077, was constructed in Chlorobaculum tepidum, a genetically tractible green sulfur bacterium. The CT1077 deletion mutant was unable to synthesize BChl c but still synthesized BChl a and Chl a. The deletion mutant accumulated large amounts of various (bacterio)pheophorbides, all of which still had C-13(2)-methylcarboxyl groups. A C. tepidum strain in which CT1077 was replaced by an orthologous gene, Cabther_B0081 [corrected] from "Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum" was constructed. Although the product of Cabther_B0081 [corrected] was only 28% identical to the product of CT1077, this strain synthesized BChl c, BChl a, and Chl a in amounts similar to wild-type C. tepidum cells. To indicate their roles in the first committed step of BChl c, d, and e biosynthesis, open reading frames CT1077 and Cabther_B0081 [corrected] have been redesignated bciC. The potential mechanism by which BciC removes the C-13(2)-methylcarboxyl moiety of chlorophyllide a is discussed.

Comparing the Effects of Native and Standard Strains of Monascus Purpureus on Fat Metabolism in Rats

Background: Monascus purpureus (MP) is a microscopic fungus that belongs to the class of Ascomycets. It has a wide range of use as in pigmenting, flavoring and producing preservative agents for food stuffs as well as cholesterol-lowering agents in medications. This study was designed to compare the effects of a native MP isolated from the microbial collection at the University of Isfahan in Iran and DSM1603, the standard strain on alterations in concentration levels of cholesterol (Chol), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) in treated rats sera. Methods: Pigments from the two strains were produced through submerged fermentation. 25 Wistar rats with a mean body weight of 250 grams were distributed into 5 groups of 5 each. Group 1 and Group 2 received red native pigment with concentrations of either 25% or 100% respectively. Group 3 and Group 4 received red standard pigment with concentrations of either 25% or 100% respectively. Treated animals had only free access to pigment solutions as drinking while animals in the control group had only free access to regular drinking water. Results: The results indicate that using pigment in the diet of rats routinely could decrease the concentration levels of Chol, TG and LDL but increase HDL. In this study by using optimization of the culture medium, no adverse effect was observed in the treated animal comparing with the control group. Conclusion: Comparing the effects of the two strains, similar results were observed but the native strain was more effective in and the one were the same in increasing HDL concentration.

COORDINATION STATE AND AGGREGATION PROCESS OF BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL A AND ITS DERIVATIVES : STUDY ON ACETONE-WATER AND METHANOL-WATER SOLVENTS

Research on bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a and its derivatives had been conducted to determine the coordination state and the aggregation process in acetone-water and methanol-water. The results showed that there were mainly two absorption peaks in BChl a and its derivatives, namely: Qx and Qy that were very sensitive to coordination state and aggregation process. The coordination state of pigment could be determined based on Qx absorption peak that was influenced by solvents. In addition, the donor number (DN) and taft parameters (β and π*) from each sovents could also be used to determine the coordination state. One or two of axial coordination toward center metal of BChl a and its derivatives have to be filled by donor electron as a foreign nucleophile. Mg-BChl was exist as five-coordinate complexes in acetone but as six-coordinate complexes in methanol. Five-coordinate complexes of Zn-BChl was occurred either in acetone or methanol. Cu-BChl was exist as four-coordinate complexes in acetone but altered to five-coordinate complexes in methanol. The agregation process was influenced by the existence of water added in pigment solution. The order of Mg-BChl a and its derivatives abilities to form new aggregate in acetone-water and methanol-water, in regard of water-addition percentage was as follow: Cu-BChl &gt; Zn-BChl &gt; Mg-BChl. Methanol was the solvent that could form aggregate of Mg-BChl and its derivatives at lower water-addition percentage compared to acetone. Keywords: aggregation, bacteriochlorophyll &amp; its derivatives, coordination state.

Spectrum Characteristics and Stability of Anthocyanin Pigment from Hulless Barley (&lt;i&gt;Hordeum vulgare&lt;/i&gt; ssp. &lt;i&gt;vulgare&lt;/i&gt;)

Anthocyanins are natural colorants which have recently received worldwide attention due to their extensive range of colors, innocuous and beneficial health effects. In this study, anthocyanin pigment isolated from purple hulless barley were subjected to spectral (pH 1~12) and stability analyses (pH 1, 3 and 5). The pigment exhibited red, green or yellow-brown color depending on pHs, and the most reddish (517 nm) and bluish color (582 nm) was around pH 1 and pH 8~9, respectively. The light irradiation and heating (50 and 95 °C) tests indicated that the pigment was more stable at lower pH than at higher pH, and the light and heat could accelerate its color degradation. After 15-day storage under darkness, about 6.8, 7.6, 8.6, 10.4, 11.1 or 17.6% additional anthocyanin residual was respectively observed in the pigment solution (pH 3) in the absence of added 0.25 M KCl, NaCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, ZnCl2 or AlCl3. These results suggested small metal ions, especially highly charged ions had protective effects on storage stability of anthocyanin pigment.

On the mechanism of photosensitized luminescence of singlet oxygen dimols in air-saturated pigment solutions

Luminescence of singlet oxygen dimols (1O2)2 was studied in aerobic solutions of a nonfluorescent photosensitizer phenalenone in CCl4 and C6F6 using a setup with a mechanical phosphoroscope and relatively low rates of photosensitizer excitation. The luminescence spectrum was found to resemble those reported in our previous papers dealing with dimol luminescence in solutions of porphyrins and other organic dyes. The main maximum was located at 703–706 nm, and two much weaker bands at 640 and 770–780 nm. These data suggest that dimol luminescence arises owing to interaction of two 1O2 molecules and one ground-state pigment molecule. Light is emitted by the dimol-pigment contact complexes, which are formed as a result of 1O2 collisions with metastable, probably triplet, intermediates appearing in 1O2 reaction with pigment molecules. It is proposed that this mechanism of dimol luminescence might be of general importance for photochemical, chemical, and biological systems where singlet oxygen is generated. However, the luminescence of this type dominates at relatively low rates of 1O2 generation. According to the literature data, at high 1O2 generation rates the prevalent type of dimol luminescence has the main maximum at 635–637 nm and is caused by direct collisions of two 1O2 molecules.

33.3: Flexible Electrofluidic Displays Using Brilliantly Colored Pigments

AbstractWe have developed a novel electrofluidic technology for displays that employs brilliantly colored, well‐saturated pigments in solution, modulated by electrowetting physics. We discuss the operating principles of the display, and demonstrate progress in key areas needed for realizing products, including fabrication on flexible substrates and performance from −28 °C to 80 °C.

Photo-stability of Mixture of Violet Pigments Phycoerythrin and Phycocyanin Extracted without Separation from Discolored Nori Seaweed

Water-soluble pigment mixture was extracted from discolored nori seaweed without separating phycoerythrin (PE) and phycocyanin (PC). The stability of this mixture against light irradiation was studied for application as a violet food coloring additive. The PC component showed greater photo-stability than the PE component of the pigment solution (pH 7.0, 20°C) under irradiation at 5,300 and 7,800 Lx. The ratio of the second-order rate constant kPE/kPC which reflects photo-destruction was 9.3 (5,300 Lx) and 7.0 (7,800 Lx). The results were similar to those of a respective pigment separated by gel-chromatography. As for tonal changes, the a* value was decreased and both the b* and L* values were increased with progressing photo-destruction, namely, the violet color changed to pale dark-violet due to de-coloration of the red PE component. A reduction in photo-fading of 6.6% (PE) and 6.9% (PC) was achieved by 7,800 Lx irradiation for 5 h, compared with the control, by adding γ-cyclodextrin to the mixture.

Surface tension of solutions of low-molecular epoxy resins in monoglycidyl ether on the interface with air and production of filled epoxy compositions

The surface tension of solutions of epoxydiane resin (M n ∼400) in versatic acid monoglycidyl ether (Cardura) at the interface with air in the range of concentrations c = 5–60% in the presence of non-ionic surfactants was studied. The effect of concentration of epoxydiane resin in solution on the rate of dispersion of pigment particles (filler) was revealed. The structural parameters of aggregates of the epoxydiane resin molecules and pigment particles in the composition, as well as the optimal concentration of oligomeric resin, corresponding to the maximum rate of dispersion of pigments in solution were determined in the approximation of the model of fractal clusters.

Spectroscopic studies of chlorophyll a from Opuntia ficus-indica

Green pigment obtained from Opuntia ficus-indica intact plant was solvent extracted with absolute ethanol. The pigment solution was subjected to various photoexcitations at wavelengths of 222, 308, 337 and 448 nm. Fluorescence from the excited state exhibit peaked in the regions 450–485 nm and 650–680 nm. Upon comparison with the literature, the green solution is chlorophyll a. Fluorescence intensity ratio (blue to red) differs with excitation wavelengths. It is known that chlorophyll a fluoresces at 673 nm. From the absorption spectrum, the peaks at ∼404, ∼501, ∼605 and ∼663 nm correspond to the singlet 4 (S4), singlet 3 (S3), singlet 2 (S2), and singlet 1 (S1) peaks, respectively.

Enzymatic decolorization of bacterial pigments from culturally significant marble

Abstract Marble monuments and facades are susceptible to microbial colonization. Microbial growth on a marble surface can develop into unsightly red stains whose removal has proven problematic. The purpose of this study was to determine if the red-brown stains on Isamu Noguchi's marble sculpture Slide Mantra (1991) could be caused by pigment-producing microorganisms and to assess the potential of enzymatic stain remediation. Traditional cell culture methods were used to isolate a pigmented bacterium from a stained area of the sculpture. Sequencing and analysis of the 16S rRNA gene identified the organism as a strain of Serratia marcescens , and FT-IR spectroscopy demonstrated that the pigment produced by the bacteria was most likely a prodigiosin. Decolorization of the pigment in solution demonstrated that the enzyme laccase from the fungus Trametes versicolor has potential as a decolorizing agent. This study suggests that enzymatic decolorization may be applicable to stains on culturally significant marble caused by microbial colonization.

Novel Nanocomposite Coatings with Dispersed Organic Nanoparticles for Solar Absorbers

A natural pigment (Anthocyanin extracted from Sambucus nigra L. fruit) was incorporated by dipping sputtered titanium oxide films into a pigment solution. The pigment solution has red colour and an absorption peak located in the wavelength range of 520 to 540 nm. Titanium oxide thin films were prepared by reactive DC magnetron sputtering and reactive pulsing DC magnetron sputtering from a Titanium target in O2 + Ar atmosphere onto glass slides. Pigment incorporation in thin films was found dependent of both morphology and composition, which depends on deposition parameters, like pulsing frequency and oxygen flow rate. The incorporation of this pigment in TiOx thin films increases the final solar absorption and decreases the final average roughness of these films. The effect in solar absorption is higher in films prepared by DC and pulsed DC at pulsing frequency of 200 kHz.

Femtosecond-Assisted Anterior Lamellar Corneal Staining-Tattooing in a Blind Eye With Leukocoria

To describe the technique and a case report of femtosecond-assisted anterior lamellar corneal staining-tattooing in a blind eye with leukocoria. An anterior lamellar corneal free flap (thickness: 120 microm, diameter: 7.0 mm) was created using femtosecond laser (IntraLase-AMO, Irvine, CA). The free flap was removed and immersed in a commercially available black tattoo pigment. After 9 minutes of flap incubation with the tattoo pigment solution, the flap was continuously irrigated for 3 minutes with balanced salt solution (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) until all the excessive pigment was removed. The flap was repositioned on the residual corneal bed, and a bandage contact lens was placed. : There were no intraoperative or postoperative adverse events seen by the 6-month follow-up, although an excellent cosmetic result was achieved. : The technique of FALT is simple and efficient for treating cosmetically blind eyes with leukocoria and may overcome the limitations of previously reported techniques. The long-term safety of the commercially available corneal tattoo dyes should be studied further.