Efficacy of continuous wear PureVision contact lenses for therapeutic use.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the Bausch and Lomb PureVision contact lens as continuous wear contact lens for therapeutic and medical indications in a prospective open-ended non-randomized trial. METHODS: Patients who required therapeutic contact lens wear for various indications such as pain relief, corneal protection, persistent epithelial defects, corneal perforation and chemical burns were fitted with PureVision continuous wear contact lenses (balafilcon A, 36% water content). Success or failure of specific treatment indication was assessed in each case with evaluation of ocular and lens related complications. RESULTS: 30 eyes of 28 patients were fitted with PureVision continuous wear contact lenses. A successful fit was seen in 27 of 30 eyes with therapeutic success in 26 of 30 eyes. However, all patients reported symptomatic relief. Duration of lens use ranged from 3 days to 3 months. Dry eye was the most frequent cause of contact lens associated therapeutic failure. Complications included lens loss (two eyes), tight lens (one eye) and infective keratitis (two eyes). CONCLUSIONS: PureVision contact lenses were found to be safe and efficacious for continuous wear therapeutic use to a maximum of 90 days. The contact lens was also easier to handle by virtue of its resilient nature. There were no significant corneal complications of hypoxia, i.e. corneal oedema. Lens losses and deposits were minimal. The lens performance and fitting characteristics compares favorably with previous therapeutic lenses used by the investigators. This new lens may be considered as a safe and effective alternative for use as bandage contact lens.     

Enhancement of corrosion protection efficiency of iron by poly(aniline-co-amino-naphthol-sulphonic acid) nanowires coating in highly acidic medium

Nanowires of copolymers film based on aniline and 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulphonic acid were electrochemically synthesized on the iron electrode by cyclic voltammetry using oxalic acid as a supporting electrolyte. Protective properties of copolymer film on the iron surface in 1.0 M HCl solution was investigated by chronoamperometry, potentiodynamic polarization technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the copolymer film showed the significant shifting in the corrosion potential and greater charge transfer resistance. Moreover, the copolymer showed the larger degree of surface coverage onto the iron surface, reflecting the higher protection for corrosion of the iron in acidic medium. In addition, the film constitutes a physical as well as a chemical barrier layer due to the presence of -OH and -NH groups in ANSA unit, which provides passivity protection in polymer coatings. The mechanism of corrosion protection of iron by these copolymers was investigated by surface morphology and EIS techniques. In addition, by using scanning electron microscopy, the effect of morphology of copolymer on corrosion protection of metal was investigated.     

The Significance of the Aesthetic in Postmodern Architectural Theory

Recent postmodern suspicion of truth, objectivity, and rationality has radically transformed our understanding of architecture and its relationship to politics. In this paper, I draw upon Hilary Putnam (1981), Nelson Goodman (1968), and Satya Mohanty (1997), who propose a sophisticated account of objectivity by reexamining the "hard" sciences, and by interpreting them as complex social practices. Building upon these writers, I argue that our subjective experiences of architecture are rational. As an alternative to both modern essentialism and postmodern skepticism, this paper defends a theory of objectivity that explains the relationship of architecture to political power without abandoning rational thought.     

Significantly high electromagnetic shielding effectiveness in polypyrrole synthesized by eco-friendly and cost-effective technique

A facile and eco-friendly synthesis of polypyrrole from monomer pyrrole using nominal amount of ferric chloride hexahydrate (FeCl₃.6H₂O) oxidant in aqueous solution by chemically oxidative polymerization method has been reported. The use of aqueous solvent and ferric chloride hexahydrate salt in polypyrrole synthesis have an eco-friendly route favorable for the production of polypyrrole in large quantities. The synthesized polypyrrole samples exhibit good electrical conductivity (2 S/cm) and yield of 80% for reaction time of 8 hr at 5°C. Quality and properties of polypyrrole samples have been thoroughly investigated with varying reaction time and temperature while other synthesis parameters like molar ratio of oxidant to monomer, oxidant concentration, and solvent were kept constant. X-ray diffraction analysis of polypyrrole with a shorter reaction time shows the presence of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) peaks. The complete reaction may not occur at shorter reaction times due to which residual ferric ions converted into Fe₂O₃. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement of polypyrrole also confirms the formation of Fe₂O₃. Appropriate selection of reaction time and temperature produced pure phase polypyrrole with high yield and good conductivity. Synthesized polypyrrole by our eco-friendly and cost-effective technique exhibits prominent electromagnetic shielding effectiveness value of 30 dB in the X-band (8–12 GHz).     

Micellar Properties of Surface Active Ionic Liquid Lauryl Isoquinolinium Bromide and Anionic Polyelectrolyte Poly(Acrylic Acid Sodium Salt) in Aqueous Solution

The complex formation between anionic polyelectrolyte poly(acrylic acid sodium salt) [NaPAA] and surface active ionic liquid (SAIL) lauryl isoquinolinium bromide [C₁₂iQuin][Br] in aqueous media has been investigated by surface tension, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and conductance. The self‐assembled structures have been characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and turbidity measurements. A range of surface parameters have been calculated from tensiometric measurements including critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface excess concentration (Γ_cmc), surface pressure at the interface (Π_cmc), minimum area occupied at air–solvent interface (A_min), adsorption efficiency (pC₂₀), and surface tension at the CMC (γ_cmc). The thermodynamic parameters, i.e., standard enthalpy of micellization , standard free energy of micellization (), and standard entropy of micellization () have also been evaluated. Four different stages of transitions, corresponding to the progressive formation of NaPAA–[C₁₂iQuin][Br] complex (C₁)_, critical aggregation concentration (CAC), critical saturation concentration (C₃) and CMC have been observed owing to strong electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The results obtained from DLS and turbidity measurements show that size of the aggregates first decreases and then increases in the presence of polyelectrolyte. The binding isotherms obtained using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) show the concentration dependence as well as the highly cooperative nature of interactions corresponding to formation of polyelectrolyte–SAIL complexes.     

Chemopreventive Effect of Different Ratios of Fish Oil and Corn Oil in Experimental Colon Carcinogenesis

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have a chemopreventive effect while n-6 PUFA promote carcinogenesis. The effect of these essential fatty acids may be related to oxidative stress. Therefore, the study was designed to evaluate the effect of different ratios of fish oil (FO) and corn oil (CO) in the prevention of colon cancer. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) treated, FO + CO (1:1) and FO + CO (2.5:1). All the groups, except the control received a weekly injection of DMH for 4 weeks. The animals were sacrificed either 48 h later (initiation phase) or kept for 16 weeks (post initiation phase). DMH treatment in the initiation phase animals showed mild to moderate inflammation, decreased ROS and TrxR activity, increased antioxidants, apoptosis and ACF multiplicity. The post initiation study showed severe inflammation with hyperplasia, increased ACF multiplicity and ROS levels, a decrease in antioxidants and apoptosis. The FO + CO (1:1) treated animals showed severe inflammation, a decrease in ROS, an increase in antioxidants and apoptosis in the initiation phase. FO + CO (1:1) in the post initiation phase and FO + CO (2.5:1) in the initiation showed mild inflammation, increased ROS, apoptosis and decreased antioxidants. There was a decrease in ACF multiplicity and ROS levels, increased antioxidants and apoptosis in the post initiation phase study. The present study suggests that FO has a dose- and time-dependent chemopreventive effect in colon cancer mediated through oxidative stress and apoptosis.     

Biohybrid Design Gets Personal: New Materials for Patient-Specific Therapy

Precision medicine requires materials and devices that can sense and adapt to dynamic physiological and pathological conditions. This motivates the design and manufacture of biohybrid materials that mimic the responsive behaviors demonstrated by natural biological systems. Two parallel approaches to biohybrid design are presented—biomimetics and biointegration. Biohybrid hydrogels that mimic the form and function of natural materials, or that integrate living cells or bioactive moieties, can respond to a range of environmental stimuli in parallel, including heat, light, pH, hydration, enzymes, and electric, mechanical, and magnetic forces. A range of examples that illustrate the tremendous potential of this nascent discipline are presented, and ongoing technical challenges related to manufacturing, storage, transport, and external noninvasive control of these materials that will need to be overcome in the coming years are outlined. The ethical, educational, and regulatory challenges that will govern translation of biohybrid design into medical applications are also discussed. Personalized medical therapies that target the precise needs of patients are a critically needed and expanding market. Biohybrid design offers the unique ability to manufacture materials and devices that match the dynamic and patient-specific in vivo environment, promising to generate more effective and safe therapies that enable personalized care.