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Biomedical subjects

A Y Chow

Publications and source records attributed to A Y Chow.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Scar remodeling after strabismus surgery.

PURPOSE: We sought to investigate abnormal scar lengthening after strabismus surgery. METHODS: Patients with overcorrection after strabismus surgery or undercorrection after extraocular muscle resection underwent exploration of previously operated muscles. Abnormal findings were documented by inspection and photography, and repair was undertaken at first with absorbable sutures and later with nonabsorbable sutures. RESULTS: Lengthened scars, consisting of amorphous connective tissue, were repaired on 198 muscles in 134 procedures by excision of the scar and reattachment of the muscle to sclera; absorbable sutures were used in 64 procedures, and nonabsorbable sutures were used in 70 procedures. Thirty-one procedures were followed by partial recurrence of the original overcorrection; 7 of these had documented restretching. The use of nonabsorbable sutures decreased the recurrence of strabismus from 42% to 6%. Factors that distinguished patients with stretched scars from patients with classic slipped muscles included minimal or no limitation of versions, less separation of the tendons from sclera, and thicker appearance of the scar segments. CONCLUSIONS: A lengthened or stretched remodeled scar between an operated muscle tendon and sclera may contribute to variability of outcome after strabismus repair, even years later. Definitive repair requires firm reattachment of tendon to sclera with nonabsorbable suture support.

Adolescent↗

Subretinal implantation of semiconductor-based photodiodes: progress and challenges.

Retinal diseases that result in photoreceptor degeneration may spare the inner retinal layers. This review concerns a prosthetic approach to restoring visual function through the use of a semiconductor-based microphotodiode array implant, designed to be placed under the neural retina in the subretinal space. The fundamental idea is that current generated by the device in response to light stimulation will alter the membrane potential of overlying neurons and thereby activate the visual system. Initial acute studies indicated that the implant will function in the subretinal space in the absence of an external power supply. More recent and ongoing studies involve chronic subretinal implantations in normal animals. Post-operative studies have demonstrated that implant function will persist for many months. These chronic studies have also assessed the biocompatibility of the implant. Photoreceptors are lost directly overlying the implant, due to the blockade of choroidal circulation to the outer retina by the solid disk device. In comparison, the inner retina maintains its characteristic lamellar structure. Away from the implant site, the retina retains normal anatomy and function. Future studies are needed to determine whether the implant can establish a functional connection to the inner retina and to determine the quality of this connection.

Animals↗

Subretinal semiconductor microphotodiode array.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To examine the function of a semiconductor microphotodiode array (SMA) surgically implanted in the subretinal space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Positive-intrinsic layer-negative (PiN) or negative-intrinsic layer-positive (NiP) SMAs were surgically placed into the subretinal space of rabbits through a pars plana incision and a posterior retinotomy. The implants required no external connections for power and were sensitive to light over the visible and infrared (IR) spectrum; IR stimuli were used to isolate implant-mediated responses from the activity of native photoreceptors. A stimulator ophthalmoscope was used to superimpose IR stimuli on the implant and adjacent retinal areas, and responses were recorded during the postoperative recovery period. SMA responses were also evaluated in vitro. The animals were given lethal anesthetic overdoses, and the retinas were examined histologically. RESULTS: The in vitro implant response consisted of an electrical spike, followed by a small-amplitude DC offset that followed the time course of the IR stimulation, and an overshoot at the stimulus offset. The SMAs placed in the subretinal space retained a stable position and continued to function throughout the postoperative period. The SMA responses recorded in vivo included additional slow-wave components that were absent from the in vitro recordings. These responses reverted to the in vitro configuration following the death of the animal. There was a significant loss of retinal cells in areas overlying the implant, and the retina appeared normal away from the implant and surgical site. CONCLUSION: SMAs can be successfully implanted into the subretinal space and will generate current in response to light stimulation during an extended period of time.

Animals↗

Subretinal electrical stimulation of the rabbit retina.

A number of disorders results in photoreceptor degeneration, yet spare the inner retinal layers. We are investigating the possibility that retinal function may be restored in such a situation by electric current applied from the subretinal space. In the present study, bipolar strip electrodes receiving electric current from external photodiodes were implanted into the subretinal space of adult rabbits. Recordings were made from the scalp overlying the visual cortex in response to photic flash stimulation of one eye before surgery. This was compared to the visual cortex response caused by subretinal electrical stimulation of the same eye from an implanted strip electrode. Electric current to the strip electrode was provided by an externally connected photodiode that was stimulated at a remote location with a photoflash. The electrical stimulus was recordable as a brief electrical implant spike during stimulation. In addition, after the implant spike, cortical responses were obtained in response to subretinal electrical stimulation that resembled closely the normal light induced visual evoked potential produced by the pre-implanted eye. These results indicate that the visual system can be activated by electrical stimulation from the subretinal space and indicate that this approach may provide a means to restore vision to eyes blinded by outer retinal disease.

Animals↗

Evulsion of the optic nerve in association with basketball injuries.

A case of optic nerve evulsion resulted from a finger poke injury to the globe during a basketball game. Significantly, almost no external damage to the eye was evident. The damage may be caused by sudden forceful anterior-posterior displacement and rotation of the globe, inducing a tear of the optic nerve at the papilla. The seriousness and permanence of this injury stress the importance of protective eye wear in contact sports.

Adolescent↗

Percutaneous absorption of hexachlorophene in rats, guinea pigs and pigs.

A comparative study of the percutaneous absorption of hexachlorophene (HCP) was undertaken in rats, guinea pigs and pigs. [14C]Hexachlorophene ([14C]HCP) was applied evenly over the shaved back of the animals at a dose of 40 microgram/cm2 skin surface. Urine and feces were collected at 24-h intervals for 5 days from animals kept in metabolism cages. Different methods were used for quantitating the percutaneous absorption of HCP. This study showed that skin permeability to HCP decreased in the following order: rat, guinea pig and pig. The permeability characteristics of the pig skin to topically applied HCP were comparable to the published human data. We suggest that pig may be a suitable animal model for studying the percutaneous absorption of antimicrobial drugs.

Animals↗

Glutathione alterations in rat liver after acute and subacute oral administration of paracetamol.

1. The effect on hepatic glutathione was studied in rats pretreated orally with various dosages of paracetamol (acetaminophen) for varying time intervals. 2. Paracetamol caused a dose-dependent depletion of hepatic glutathione, the maximum depletion occurring 3 h after acute dosing, the levels returning to normal by 12 h after low doses (0-1 or 0-25 g/kg, p.o.) and by 72 h after the highest doses (1 g/kg, p.o.). 3. Before returning to normal, the liver glutathione levels became significantly greater than the control values (35-40%) at 24 and 48 h in 0-5 and 1 g/kg paracetamol-treated rats, respectively, suggesting thereby a 'glutathione rebound action' of paracetamol-pretreatment. 4. In contrast with the acutely treated rats, the liver glutathione content remained unchanged when 0-5 g/kg paracetamol was administered twice daily for 7 consecutive days. 5. Fasting caused a significant reduction in hepatic glutathione, the glutathione stores were replenished within 6 h after feeding. 6. The results suggest that the hepatic glutathione levels are reversibly depleted by single large doses of paracetamol, while the glutathione depletory effect appears to decrease after the repeated administration of this hepatotoxic agent.

Acetaminophen↗