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A single intraoperative sub-Tenon's capsule triamcinolone acetonide injection for the treatment of post-cataract surgery inflammation.

PURPOSE: To compare a single intraoperative sub-Tenon's capsule triamcinolone acetonide injection with steroid drops in the treatment of ocular inflammation after cataract surgery. DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 100 patients were randomized prospectively into 2 groups: 50 patients treated with 1% prednisolone eyedrops (control group A) and 50 patients treated with sub-Tenon's capsule triamcinolone (treatment group B). METHODS: All patients underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular posterior lens implantation. After surgery, patients were randomized to receive either (group B) an intraoperative 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide sub-Tenon's capsule injection or (group A) 1% prednisolone acetate eyedrops, according to the following schedule: 1 drop 4 times daily (week 1), 3 times daily (week 2), 2 times daily (week 3), once daily (week 4). To mask the study, group B received vehicle drops administered on a similar schedule, and group A received an intraoperative sub-Tenon's capsule injection of a 1 ml balanced salt solution. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures included inflammation (cell, flare, ciliary flush), intraocular pressure, and lack of response. RESULTS: Triamcinolone was shown to have anti-inflammatory efficacy clinically equivalent to conventional 1% prednisolone eyedrops in reducing intraocular inflammation, as measured by clinical methods. Triamcinolone was found to be as safe as the prednisolone in terms of adverse effects, changes in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and biomicroscopic and ophthalmoscopic variables. On the third, seventh, fourteenth, and twenty-eighth postoperative days, a significantly lower intraocular pressure (P<0.01) was noted in the triamcinolone group than in the prednisolone group. CONCLUSIONS: A single intraoperative 40-mg triamcinolone acetonide sub-Tenon's capsule injection demonstrated a clinically equivalent therapeutic response and ocular tolerance compared with 1% prednisolone drops in controlling postoperative inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery and merits further investigation.

Aged↗

Neurophysiological and biomechanical characterization of goat cervical facet joint capsules.

Cervical facet joints have been implicated as a major source of pain after whiplash injury. We sought to identify facet joint capsule receptors in the cervical spine and quantify their responses to capsular deformation. The response of mechanosensitive afferents in C5-C6 facet joint capsules to craniocaudal stretch (0.5 mm/s) was examined in anaesthetized adult goats. Capsular afferents were characterized into Group III and IV based on their conduction velocity. Two-dimensional strains across the capsules during stretch were obtained by a stereoimaging technique and finite element modeling. 17 (53%) Group III and 14 (56%) Group IV afferents were identified with low strain thresholds of 0.107+/-0.033 and 0.100+/-0.046. A subpopulation of low-strain-threshold afferents had discharge rate saturation at the strains of 0.388+/-0.121 (n=9, Group III) and 0.341+/-0.159 (n=9, Group IV). Two (8%) Group IV units responded only to high strains (0.460+/-0.170). 15 (47%) Group III and 9 (36%) Group IV units could not be excited even by noxious capsular stretch. Simple linear regressions were conducted with capsular load and principal strain as independent variables and neural response of low-strain-threshold afferents as the dependent variable. Correlation coefficients (R2) were 0.73+/-0.11 with load, and 0.82+/-0.12 with principal strain. The stiffness of the C5-C6 capsules was 16.8+/-11.4 N/mm. Our results indicate that sensory receptors in cervical facet joint capsules are not only capable of signaling a graded physiological mechanical stimulus, but may also elicit pain sensation under excessive deformation.

Animals↗

Improvement in spermatogenic function after subcutaneous implantation of a capsule containing an aromatase inhibitor in four oligozoospermic dogs and one azoospermic dog with high plasma estradiol-17beta concentrations.

A capsule containing an aromatase inhibitor (4-androsten-4-ol-3,17-dione) was subcutaneously implanted in four oligozoospermic beagle dogs and one azoospermic beagle dog with high plasma estradiol-17beta (E2) concentrations (15-19 pg/ml) and low plasma testosterone (T) concentrations (0.6-0.8 ng/ml) for 8 weeks and the effect of the aromatase inhibitor on spermatogenic dysfunction was assessed. Plasma E2 and T concentrations and semen quality were examined at 1 week intervals from 3 weeks before to 12 weeks after the start of treatment. Testicular biopsies were done twice (capsule implantation and removal). Plasma E2 concentrations of all dogs decreased (9-14 pg/ml) and plasma T concentrations increased (2.0-2.6 ng/ml) from 3 weeks after capsule implantation to capsule removal. The mean number of spermatozoa ejaculated by all four oligozoospermic dogs between 4 and 9 weeks after implantation was higher (127 x 10(6) to 205 x 10(6)) than before implantation (20 x 10(6) to 38 x 10(6)) (P < 0.05 and 0.01). Very low numbers (2 x 10(4) to 4 x 10(4)) of immotile spermatozoa were observed between 7 and 8 weeks after implantation in the semen collected from the dog with azoospermia. Before implantation, a few spermatozoa were seen in only one-fifth of the seminiferous tubules in this dog; 8 weeks after implantation, the mean diameter and mean number of round spermatids in the seminiferous tubules in all five dogs were higher than before implantation (P < 0.05). Implantation of the capsule containing the aromatase inhibitor in infertile dogs with abnormally high plasma E2 concentrations improved their spermatogenic function, concurrent with decreased plasma E2 and increased plasma T.

Androstenedione↗

snRNPs are present in the karyosome capsule in the weevil germinal vesicle.

Within the oocyte nucleus of the apple blossom weevil, Anthonomus pomorum (Insecta, Coleoptera) highly condensed and transcriptionaly inactive chromosomes form the karyosome. During its formation, within the nucleoplasm numerous, variably sized spherical inclusions termed nuclear bodies occur. As oogenesis progresses, the karyosome is gradually surrounded by a prominent sheath, the karyosome capsule. The function and molecular composition of both the nuclear bodies and the karyosome capsule are largely unknown. Using cytochemical methods we demonstrate that DNA is confined to the karyosome and there is no extrachromosomal DNA accumulations within the nucleoplasm. In addition, none of the oocyte nucleus subdomains contain argyrophilic proteins. Our immunoEM study revealed that in contrast to similar structures in germinal vesicles in other insect species, the nuclear bodies of A. pomorum do not cross-react with antibodies recognising small nuclear ribonucleoproteins, coilin or the splicing factor SC-35. Unexpectedly, we found that as the karyosome capsule develops, mature small nuclear RNAs and proteins containing the Sm epitope associate with the capsule material. We suggest that the karyosome capsule is a storage site for small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles, which may be used during early embryonic development.

Animals↗

[Intestinal perforation secondary to impaction of a retained endoscopic capsule].

We present the first documented case of intestinal perforation due to impaction of an endoscopic capsule. The capsule was used to investigate anemia in an 80-year-old woman and was retained in the intestinal lumen for 2 months without producing symptoms. The patient presented to the emergency service with sudden, intense, diffuse abdominal pain. Hollow viscus perforation was suspected and surgery was performed. The diagnosis was distal ileum perforation secondary to an impacted endoscopic capsule in an area of severe postsurgical adhesions under a subcostal cholecystectomy incision performed 10 years previously. After reviewing the literature, we believe it important to report this exceptional complication of capsule endoscopy and suggest the possible management of capsules retained in the digestive tract.

Aged, 80 and over↗

Improved capsule endoscopy after bowel preparation.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy depends on the quality of visualization of the small-bowel wall and complete passage through the small bowel. This study examined the effect of bowel preparation on the volume of intestinal content and on small-bowel transit. METHODS: Sixty-one consecutive patients (34 men, 27 women; mean age 56 years, range 17-88 years) were enrolled in the study. Although not randomized, 33 patients received a bowel preparation, and 28 had no preparation. Gastric emptying, small-bowel transit time, overall preparation assessment, and bowel-wall visualization were evaluated by 3 investigators who were unaware of whether the patient had undergone bowel preparation. RESULTS: Small-bowel transit time was significantly shorter in patients with bowel preparation (median 213 minutes: 95% CI[190, 267]) than in those without preparation (median 253 minutes: 95% CI[228, 307]) (p <0.01). The capsule reached the cecum in 97% of patients in the bowel-preparation group, compared with 76% in the nonpreparation group (p=0.02). Bowel preparation improved the quality of visualization significantly; this effect was more pronounced in the distal small bowel. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that bowel preparation accelerates small-bowel capsule transit and leads to a higher rate of complete capsule endoscopy. Visualization of the small bowel was improved by bowel preparation. Bowel preparation before capsule endoscopy is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Complete small-bowel transit in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy: determining factors and improvement with metoclopramide.

BACKGROUND: Passage of the capsule endoscope to the colon occurs in only approximately three quarters of patients. This study assessed factors that might influence the completeness of small-bowel transit, including orally administered metoclopramide. METHODS: Clinical and procedural parameters were recorded prospectively for 150 patients undergoing capsule endoscopy. Metoclopramide was not administered to the first 83 patients (Group 1) but was given orally (10 mg) to the subsequent 67 (Group 2). RESULTS: Small-bowel transit was complete in 63 patients in Group 1 (76%). Gastric transit time was significantly longer when the capsule did not reach the colon than when it did (114.9 +/- 32.6 minutes vs. 26.6 +/- 2.9 minutes; p=0.007). Small-bowel transit time also was longer. The likelihood of complete small-bowel passage was not predicted by any clinical or procedural factor. In Group 2 (metoclopramide), the capsule reached the colon in 65 (97%) patients (OR 10.3: 95% CI[2.32, 93.55], p <0.001). This improvement was associated with a significant reduction in gastric transit time (47.9 +/- 9.0 minutes vs. 30.8 +/- 7.5 minutes; p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Metoclopramide increases the likelihood of a complete small-bowel examination in patients undergoing capsule endoscopy.

Aged↗

Differentiation and ultrastructure of the paruterine organs and paruterine capsules, in the nematotaeniid cestode Nematotaenia dispar (Goeze, 1782) Lühe, 1910, a parasite of amphibians.

Three types of egg-protecting envelopes of parenchymatic, uterine and embryonic origin have been distinguished in the cyclophyllidean cestode Nematotaenia dispar (Goeze, 1782) Lühe, 1910, a type species for the genus Nematotaenia and the family Nematotaeniidae. The present paper deals with the parenchymatic envelopes, which originate from the modified medullary parenchyma and are represented in this species by the paruterine organs and paruterine capsules. In pregravid proglottids they are composed of clongated myocytons, myofibrils and membranous anucleate cellular processes, containing a large amount of lipid droplets and some calcareous corpuscle cells. These cellular elements (CE) are separated from each other by abundant extracellular matrix (ECM), which consists primarily of an electron lucent ground substance with fine filaments embedded in it. The paruterine capsules of gravid proglottids are surrounded from the outside by a typical medullary parenchyma and are lined by a layer of the connective tissue. The paruterine organs and paruterine capsules show similar ultrastructure. During their histogenesis, all cellular elements undergo extensive flattening, followed by cellular deterioration, with simultaneous reduction in CE/ECM ratio. In the late gravid segments, paruterine capsule walls are very thick and consist of membranous sheets with large amounts of lipid droplets, which cause the cytoplasmic sheets to bulge. Ultrastructure of various types of parenchymatic envelopes in representatives of different cyclophyllidean families, such as paruterine organs in Nematotaeniidae and Mesocestoididae, uterine and parenchymatic egg capsules in Anoplocephalidae (Linstowiinae and Inermicapsiferinae, respectively), is compared.

Animals↗

Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder in two first-degree relatives.

INTRODUCTION: Primary hypoparathyroidism and adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder in the same patient does not seem to have been reported previously. We report two cases in first-degree relatives. PATIENTS: Case 1: In 1999, a 41-year-old woman experienced seizures simulating epilepsy. She had been treated 5 years earlier for idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of both shoulders. Computed tomography of the brain showed calcifications in the basal ganglia meeting criteria for Fahr's disease, and incipient bilateral cataract was found. A diagnosis of idiopathic primary hypoparathyroidism was given. After 1 month of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, improvements were noted in the clinical symptoms, laboratory test, and electroencephalogram. Case 2: The 70-year-old father of case 1, who had an unremarkable medical history, had been receiving treatment for about 2 years for adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder. Routine laboratory tests disclosed idiopathic primary hypoparathyroidism. The outcome was favorable with calcium and vitamin D supplementation. CONCLUSION: Our cases suggest that there may be a common immunological or genetic basis for primary hypoparathyroidism and adhesive capsulitis. Alternatively, adhesive capsulitis may be a manifestation of hypoparathyroidism. Although genetic factors involved in primary hypoparathyroidism have been elucidated, the pathophysiology of the disease remains unclear. Finally, a chance association remains possible.

Adult↗

Cultivation of yeast and plant cells entrapped in the low-viscous liquid-core of an alginate membrane capsule prepared using polyethylene glycol.

A liquid-core alginate-membrane capsule was prepared by a novel method using polyethylene glycol as a thickener and the cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were encapsulated in its core and cultured. After 24 h of cultivation, the cell concentration in the capsule core-liquid reached 222 microg/mm3 on a dry weight basis, which was 1.4 times as large as that in the core of double-layered alginate beads, i.e., alginate-coated alginate-gel beads. The diameter increase of the capsule prepared by the proposed method using immobilized cell growth was suppressed compared to those using the double-layer method and simple alginate-gel bead entrapment, most likely because of the mobility of the entrapped cells in the capsule. We also confirmed that this encapsulation method is applicable for the cultivation of cultured cells of the plant Fragaria ananassa. Additionally, the time-course of the changes in thickener concentration in the liquid-core of the capsule was measured after encapsulation, and revealed the residual thickener, i.e., polyethylene glycol, was able to leak through the alginate shell membrane. This results in low-viscosity of the core liquid enabling good mass-transfer performance, whereas xanthan gum as a thickener could not leak through.

Journal Article↗

Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder (frozen shoulder) produces bone loss in the affected humerus, but long-term bony recovery is good.

The objective of the study was to assess the short- and long-term effects of adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) on the bone mineral density (BMD) of the affected extremity. BMD and clinical status of 22 patients (group A) with active-phase unilateral adhesive capsulitis and 31 patients (group B) with a previous adhesive capsulitis (average 9 years before the examination) were determined. BMD was measured from the proximal humerus, humeral shaft, radial shaft, ulnar shaft, and distal forearm of both upper extremities using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In group A, the mean BMD of the affected extremity, as compared with that of the unaffected side, was significantly lower in the proximal humerus (-5.6%; p = 0.001) and humeral shaft (-3.0%; p = 0.008). The radial shaft, ulnar shaft, and distal forearm showed no significant side-to-side differences. In contrast, in group B, the affected-to-unaffected side BMD differences were small and statistically insignificant. Compared with the 31 patients in group B, the relative side-to-side BMD difference of the 22 patients with active-phase disease (group A) was significantly lower in the proximal humerus (-5.6% vs. -1.5%, p = 0.009). In the other sites, groups A and B showed no significant differences. In conclusion, this study indicates that adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder results in significant bone loss in the humerus of the affected extremity, but in the long term, capsulitis-induced bone loss shows good recovery.

Aged↗

In vitro development of hydatid cysts from posterior bladders and ruptured brood capsules of equine Echinococcus granulosus.

A variety of morphological forms developed during monophasic culture of ruptured brood capsules of equine Echinococcus granulosus. Attached to some protoscoleces were small posterior bladders, with a surface ultrastructure of truncated microtriches, and these never developed a laminated layer. In contrast, small free vesicles of similar size and ultrastructure, but devoid of an attached protoscolex, produced a layer by 20-30 days. The surface ultrastructure of both these forms is similar to that of the protoscolex attachment stalk and the brood capsule lining, and posterior bladders and small free vesicles are considered to be derived from portions of the stalk +/- part of the brood capsule lining retained at protoscolex release. Also present were large vesicles interpreted from their size and surface anatomy as ruptured, everted brood capsules. When devoid of attached protosoleces these formed cysts each with a laminated layer, whereas similar vesicles with several attached protoscoleces did not develop a layer, or only very occasionally after 70 or more days. In contrast, a few large vesicles with a single attached protoscolex produced a laminated layer. The possibility that protoscolex attachment to stalk remnants or brood capsules inhibits the cystic development of these structures is discussed.

Animals↗

Engineering of layer-by-layer coated capsules with the prospect of materials for efficient and directed electron transfer.

Intermolecular electron transfer is investigated in a dye-doped polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayer film. Hollow PE capsules, with a mean diameter of 2 microm, were prepared by stepwise adsorption of a pyrene (PY)-labeled polyanion and various polycations onto charged colloids and subsequent dissolution of the colloidal core. The high concentration of dye molecules within the capsule wall and the control of the medium polarity on a nanometer length scale are proposed to facilitate light-induced charge separation over distances of a few nanometers. In particular, a PY-labeled poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS-PY) has been synthesized and used as polyanion for the polyelectrolyte capsule preparation. A polarity gradient across the wall of the PE shells is assumed to be achieved by adsorbing diverse polycations at different film positions. The high effective film area followed by high optical density of the PE capsule solution enables time-resolved optical spectroscopy. Using pulsed excited state absorption (ESA) the transient absorption peaks of the radical anion and cation state of pyrene were measured, respectively. In the presence of additional electron donor (or acceptor) molecules in the capsule solution the pyrene anion (cation) is observed in the ESA spectra, while both transient states are seen if no additional molecules are present. These results are interpreted as an electron transfer from pyrene to the donor (acceptor) molecule or between two pyrene molecules. An asymmetry of the electron donor and electron acceptor efficiency was observed when multilayer shells were used that are supposed to carry an internal polarity gradient.

Journal Article↗

Triple-ion interactions for the construction of supramolecular capsules.

A novel type of [2+4] capsules based on triple-ion interactions was obtained. Four monovalent anions (bromide, nitrate, acetate, and tosylate) bring together two tetrakis(pyridiniummethyl)tetramethyl cavitands by pyridinium-anion-pyridinium interactions. ESI-MS experiments have confirmed the capsule structure due to different fragmentation pathways of triple ions, cations, and ion-pairs. Each capsule encapsulates one or two anions, depending on its size. The capsules exist in equilibrium with hemicapsules containing three walls. The latter form complexes with phenols and anilines to give new unsymmetrical capsules containing both pyridinium-anion-pyridinium and pyridinium-guest-pyridinium walls.

Journal Article↗

Salt softening of polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules.

The changes in the morphology and the mechanical properties of hollow polyelectrolyte multilayer capsules made from poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) in response to added salt were investigated. We found that capsules shrink in response to salt exposure. The effect depends strongly on the nature of the salt added and follows trends of the Hoffmeister series, with weakly hydrated cations inducing the strongest shrinking. For NaCl, we have investigated additional effects on capsule mechanical properties that are occurring above a 3 M salt concentration and we found that the morphological changes are accompanied by a pronounced softening of the capsule wall material, which we can quantify by analyzing the force response of capsules in the prebuckling regime. This shows that salts can act as plasticizers in the multilayers and induce annealing effects.

Journal Article↗

pH-responsive capsules derived from nanocrystal templating.

In the current work we demonstrate a facile and versatile way to create hydrophilic polymeric capsules by integration of Au nanocrystal templating, surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization, and selective chemical cross-linking of polymer shells. Capsules of the homopolymer of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and its copolymers with 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate were constructed. They swell at low pH and shrink at high pH. On the basis of the pH sensitivity of the resulting capsules, encapsulation and release of a drug model, rhodamine 6G, were realized. Furthermore, by cleaving Au-S bonds between Au cores and polymer shells, capsules containing free Au cores were generated, paving a simple pathway to introduce more functionality to the polymeric capsules.

Journal Article↗

Hexameric capsules of lipophilic pyrogallolarene and resorcinarene in solutions as probed by diffusion NMR: one hydroxyl makes the difference.

[reaction: see text] NMR diffusion measurements were used to characterize the self-assembled molecular capsule of pyrogallolarene 2c in CDCl(3) solutions. The results were compared with the characteristics of the hexameric capsule of 1b. Although both 2c and 1b self-assemble into hexameric capsules, the role of water in these capsules is rather different. It was also found that the capsule of 2c is more stable in polar media than that of 1b.

Journal Article↗

Systemic long-term delivery of antibodies in immunocompetent animals using cellulose sulphate capsules containing antibody-producing cells.

Implantation of capsules containing antibody-producing cells into patients would potentially permit systemic long-term delivery of antibodies and might, thus, be useful in the development of surveillance treatments for cancers and severe viral diseases. We show that cellulose sulphate (CS) capsules containing hybridoma cells, when implanted subcutaneously or in the intraperitoneal cavity, can be used for delivering monoclonal antibodies into the blood-stream of immunocompetent mice for at least several months. In contrast to capsules implanted into the intraperitoneal cavity, which remain mobile and nonvascularized, capsules implanted under the skin form neo-organs which become vascularized within days. This may explain the higher blood concentration of the antibody we have observed in the latter case. Importantly, neither an isolating fibrosis nor an obvious inflammatory response was detected at the capsule implantation sites during observation periods as long as 10 months. Finally, no anti-idiotypic immune response against the ectopically delivered antibody was shown to occur. This rules out any potent adjuvant effect of the cellulose sulphate matrix that might have stimulated a neutralizing humoral response. Taken together, our data indicate that encapsulation of antibody-producing cells into CS might be used in antibody-based gene/cell therapy approaches.

Animals↗