Refinements of and commentary on the silver staining techniques of Fernández-Galiano

The original ammoniacal silver carbonate staining technique and subsequent modification developed by Fernández-Galiano are useful for investigating ciliate protozoan systematics and/or ciliate cortical structure and morphogenesis. The technique is complicated, however, by both uncertainties arising from the need to count drops of reagents and subjective control of the staining intensity. I have resolved these complications by defining volumes of reagents rather than using drops and by defining a range of staining times. I also comment on various steps of the techniques. My techniques are simplified and refined to produce consistent, high quality staining results.     

翼状胬肉切除联合自体角膜缘干细胞移植术对翼状胬肉患者视觉质量和泪膜功能的影响

目的:探讨翼状胬肉切除联合自体角膜缘干细胞移植术治疗翼状胬肉的疗效及对视觉质量和泪膜功能的影响。方法:选取2017年2月～2018年12月期间我院收治的翼状胬肉患者201例,根据乱数表法将患者随机分为对照组(n=100)和研究组(n=101),对照组给予翼状胬肉切除术治疗,研究组在此基础上联合自体角膜缘干细胞移植术治疗。比较两组临床疗效、视觉质量、泪膜功能、并发症以及角膜上皮修复时间。结果:研究组术后6个月的临床总有效率为90.10%(91/101),显著高于对照组的73.00%(73/100)(P0.05)。研究组角膜上皮修复时间均短于对照组(P0.05)。两组术后6个月角膜散光度降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05);角膜水平曲度、角膜垂直曲度、视力、泪膜破裂时间(BUT)、基础泪液分泌试验(SIT)均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。研究组随访期间并发症发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:翼状胬肉患者在翼状胬肉切除术的基础上联合自体角膜缘干细胞移植术治疗,疗效确切,可有效改善患者的视觉质量和泪膜功能,并可减少术后并发症的发生率,临床应用价值较高。     

Keggin polyoxometalate-templated chair-like heptanuclear silver complex

Two isostructural Keggin-templated compounds containing a chair-like heptanuclear silver complex, [{Ag₇(Hbtz)₂(btz)₄}{PM₁₂O₄₀}]·H₂O (M = W, 1; Mo, 2) (Hbtz = benzotriazolate), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by routine methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the compounds 1 and 2, the Hbtz ligands present two types of coordination modes. A pentameric silver chain with two kinds of Ag?Ag weak interactions exists in the heptanuclear silver complex. The heptanuclear silver cations connect the polyoxoanions PM₁₂O₄₀³⁻ to a two-dimensional layer, and the adjacent layers are fused together by the pseudo wave-like chains, H-bonds and Ag^I–π interactions, constructing a three-dimensional net. Furthermore, electrochemical properties have been studied for compounds 1 and 2 and the two compounds display excellent electrocatalytic activities to the reduction of nitrite.     

杞菊地黄汤联合玻璃酸钠滴眼液对肝肾阴虚型干眼症患者眼表功能和泪液MMP-2、MMP-9水平的影响

摘要 目的：观察杞菊地黄汤联合玻璃酸钠滴眼液治疗肝肾阴虚型干眼症的疗效及对眼表功能和泪液基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）的影响。方法：病例来源于2018年6月~2021年3月期间就诊于湖南省直中医医院眼科门诊的干眼症患者,共98例。采用随机数字表法分为对照组和实验组,两组均49例。对照组给予玻璃酸钠滴眼液治疗,实验组在对照组基础上接受杞菊地黄汤治疗,两组均治疗4周。对比两组疗效、中医证候积分、眼表功能和泪液MMP-2、MMP-9水平变化,观察两组治疗期间不良反应发生率。结果：实验组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后眼部干涩不爽、畏光、双目频眨、口干少津、白眼泛红、舌红、苔薄、脉细证候积分均低于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后角膜荧光素染色（FL）评分低于对照组,泪膜破裂时间（BUT）、泪液分泌试验（SIT）水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。实验组治疗4周后泪液MMP-2、MMP-9水平低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组间不良反应发生率无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论：杞菊地黄汤联合玻璃酸钠滴眼液治疗肝肾阴虚型干眼症,可促进患者症状缓解,改善眼表功能,降低泪液MMP-2、MMP-9水平,安全可靠。     

Molecular design, crystal structure, antimicrobial activity and reactivity of light-stable and water-soluble Ag-O bonding silver(I) complexes, dinuclear silver(I) N-acetylglycinate

The reaction in water of silver oxide with N-acetylglycine (H₂acgly) possessing the partial structure, i.e. the OC-N-C-COOH moiety, afforded light-stable and water-soluble dinuclear silver(I) complex _∞{[Ag(Hacgly)]₂} (complex 1). X-ray crystallography revealed that complex 1 in the solid state formed a ladder polymeric structure based on bis(carboxylato-O,O′)-bridged centrosymmetric Ag₂O₄ core, which was different from the two previously reported structures of silver(I) glycinate. Complex 1 which only comprises labile Ag-O bonding showed a wide range of antimicrobial activities against selected bacteria, yeasts and molds. Complex 1 can also work as an useful silver(I) precursor for novel silver(I) cluster synthesis.     

Determination of total silver and silver species in coastal seawater by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry after batch sorption experiments with Chelex-100 resin

Abstract

Sorption experiments in batch mode with Chelex-100 resin have been carried out for the determination of total Ag, labile and inert fractions in seawater from Ria de Vigo (NE Atlantic ocean) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The method allows an accurate determination of the total Ag thus avoiding the effect of the saline matrix when direct determination by ICP-MS is performed. Similarly, the distribution patterns of Ag among species with different lability can be established in seawater as a function of pH. Species distribution and total Ag contents have been obtained in CRM CASS-4 (near shore seawater) and four coastal seawater samples. While the free silver ion concentration accounts for a significant fraction at low pH, the labile inorganic fraction is most important at natural pH (≈8) in non-polluted seawater. The inert and labile organic fractions were the most relevant in polluted coastal seawater. Complexation mechanisms of silver were also investigated from the sorption curves of silver on Chelex-100 according to the Gibbs-Donnan model. Two complexes were formed, AgL and AgL₂ with the following intrinsic complexation constants log β_(1np) = ?2.11 and ?10.02, respectively. The formation of the complex AgL predominates up to pH 4 but is negligible due to chloride ions effect, while the complex AgL₂ predominates from pH 4.     

普拉洛芬滴眼液治疗2型糖尿病合并干眼症的临床疗效

目的:探讨普拉洛芬滴眼液治疗2型糖尿病合并干眼症的临床疗效。方法:选取我院收治的2型糖尿病合并干眼症患者70例,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组35例。对照组患者采用人工泪液滴眼治疗,实验组患者在对照组基础上采用普拉洛芬滴眼液治疗。观察并比较治疗前后两组患者泪膜破裂时间、基础泪液分泌量、角膜荧光染色阳性率及临床疗效。结果:实验组总有效率高于对照组(P0.05);与治疗前相比,两组患者泪膜破裂时间延长、基础泪液分泌量及泪液中的溶菌酶、EGF及LF水平明显升高(P0.05),角膜荧光染色阳性反应发生率降低(P0.05);治疗后与对照组相比,实验组患者泪膜破裂时间较长、基础泪液分泌量较高,溶菌酶、EGF及LF水平较高(P0.05),角膜荧光染色阳性反应发生率较低(P0.05)。结论:普拉洛芬滴眼液对2型糖尿病并发干眼症患者的治疗临床疗效良好,推测其机制与泪膜破裂时间的延长、基础泪液分泌量增加及溶菌酶、EGF及LF水平的升高有关。     

Apoptosis-inducing ability of silver(I) cyanide-phosphines useful for anti-cancer studies

Metal-based drugs have shown early promise as anticancer agents suggesting the potential application of silver(I) complexes as apoptosis-inducing agents. The ability of a silver(I) cyanide containing phosphine complex to induce cell death was evaluated in both a malignant (SNO esophageal cancer) and non-malignant (HDF-a skin and HEK293 kidney) cell lines. A dose-dependent decrease in cell viability was observed in the SNO cells. Light microscopy revealed morphological features indicative of apoptotic cell death. The mode of cell death was confirmed as apoptosis by phosphatidylserine externalization, DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation. Furthermore, both the non-malignant cell lines showed morphological features indicative of apoptosis when exposed to complex 1. We propose the use of this silver(I) cyanide phosphine complex as an highly effective positive apoptosis control for use in anticancer studies of phosphine complexes.     

重组人表皮生长因子联合光子嫩肤M22对痤疮凹陷性瘢痕患者皮肤屏障功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨与分析重组人表皮生长因子联合光子嫩肤M22对痤疮凹陷性瘢痕患者皮肤屏障功能的影响。方法：2020年9月到2022年2月选择在本院诊治的痤疮凹陷性瘢痕患者120例作为研究对象,根据1:1简单分配原则把患者分为联合组与对照组各60例。对照组给予重组人表皮生长因子治疗,联合组在对照组治疗的基础上给予光子嫩肤M22治疗,两组都治疗观察4周。结果：治疗后联合组的总有效率为88.3 %,高于对照组的66.7 %（P<0.05）。联合组的红斑消退时间等临床症状较对照组少（P<0.05）。两组治疗后皮肤油脂比例低于治疗前,皮肤含量水高于治疗前,治疗后联合组的皮肤油脂比例、含水量与对照组对比有差异（P<0.05）。两组治疗后的瘢痕基底深度较治疗前低,联合组较对照组低（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组主观、客观美学评分较治疗前高,联合组较对照组高（P<0.05）。结论：重组人表皮生长因子联合光子嫩肤M22在痤疮凹陷性瘢痕患者的能改善皮肤屏障功能,能降低瘢痕基底深度与皮肤油脂比例,提高皮肤含水量,能促进改善临床症状,提高皮肤的美学评分,从而提高总体治疗效果。     

Brief cognitive behavioral therapy compared to general practitioners care for depression in primary care: a randomized trial

Background

Previous studies of acupuncture show favourable results for both subjective and objective outcomes of dry eye. However, firm conclusions could not be drawn from these studies because the quality of the trials was too low to establish concrete evidence. Therefore, this study was designed both to avoid the flaws of the existing trials and to assess the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and qualitative characteristics of acupuncture treatment for dry eye.

Methods/design

One hundred fifty participants with dry eye will be recruited into three independent hospitals from different areas: Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, DongGuk University Ilsan Oriental Hospital and Dongshin University Gwangju Oriental Hospital. The number of participants required was calculated from the data of a previous, relevant study. These patients will be randomly allocated into acupuncture treatment or artificial tear groups. Either 17 acupuncture points (bilateral BL2, GB14, TE 23, Ex1, ST1, GB20, LI4, LI11 and single GV23) will be used 3 times a week or disposable artificial tear drops (Refresh Plus^®, ALLERGAN) will be provided for use at least once a day for 4 weeks. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer I test, visual analogue scale (VAS) for self-assessment of ocular discomfort, general assessment (by both acupuncture practitioners and participants) and quality of life (QOL) through the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile-2 (MYMOP-2) will be assessed for approximately 3-months for each study participant. In addition, qualitative study and cost-effectiveness of acupuncture treatment will be conducted.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT01105221).     

The Effect of Tear Supplementation on Ocular Surface Sensations during the Interblink Interval in Patients with Dry Eye

Purpose

To investigate the characteristics of ocular surface sensations and corneal sensitivity during the interblink interval before and after tear supplementation in dry eye patients.

Methods

Twenty subjects (41.88±14.37 years) with dry eye symptoms were included in the dry eye group. Fourteen subjects (39.13±11.27 years) without any clinical signs and/or symptoms of dry eye were included in the control group. Tear film dynamics was assessed by non-invasive tear film breakup time (NI-BUT) in parallel with continuous recordings of ocular sensations during forced blinking. Corneal sensitivity to selective stimulation of corneal mechano-, cold and chemical receptors was assessed using a gas esthesiometer. All the measurements were made before and 5 min after saline and hydroxypropyl-guar (HP-guar) drops.

Results

In dry eye patients the intensity of irritation increased rapidly after the last blink during forced blinking, while in controls there was no alteration in the intensity during the first 10 sec followed by an exponential increase. Irritation scores were significantly higher in dry eye patients throughout the entire interblink interval compared to controls (p<0.004). NI-BUT significantly increased after HP-guar (p = 0.003) but not after saline drops (p = 0.14). In both groups, either after saline or HP-guar the shape of symptom intensity curves remained the same with significantly lower irritation scores (p<0.004), however after HP-guar the decrease was significantly more pronounced (p<0.004). Corneal sensitivity to selective mechanical, cold and chemical stimulation decreased significantly in both groups after HP-guar (p<0.05), but not after saline drops (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Ocular surface irritation responses due to tear film drying are considerably increased in dry eye patients compared to normal subjects. Although tear supplementation improves the protective tear film layer, and thus reduce unpleasant sensory responses, the rapid rise in discomfort is still maintained and might be responsible for the remaining complaints of dry eye patients despite the treatment.     

角膜接触镜辅助翼状胬肉切除术对患者泪膜功能及创面上皮愈合的影响

目的:研究角膜接触镜辅助翼状胬肉切除术对患者泪膜功能及创面上皮的影响。方法:选取2013年7月至2015年6月本院收治74例翼状胬肉切除术患者,根据入院顺序分为观察组和对照组,37例每组。观察组术后加用角膜接触镜,对照组术后使用常规纱布包盖。比较两组患者在术后1 d、5 d、10 d创面上皮愈合情况,术前和术后10 d泪膜功能情况。结果:术后10 d,观察组的Schimer Ⅰ试验、泪膜破裂时间显著长于对照组(P0.05)。术后1 d,观察组角膜上皮愈合率显著高于对照组(P0.05),术后5 d、10 d,观察组和对照组的角膜上皮愈合率比较无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:角膜接触镜辅助翼状胬肉切除术能改善患者泪膜功能,促进患者创面上皮能在较短时间内恢复。     

A pyridine bridged dicarbene ligand and its silver(I) and palladium(II) complexes: synthesis, structures, and catalytic applications

The potentially tridentate ligand 2,6-bis[(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)methyl]pyridine dibromide reacts readily with silver(I) oxide in dichloromethane or dimethylsulfoxide to give a dinuclear silver(I)-carbene complex that was isolated as the tetrafluoroborate salt. Single crystal X-ray crystallography shows that each silver(I) ion is bridged by two ligands bonding through the carbene donors. Treatment of the silver(I) complex with suitable palladium(II) precursors gave the complexes PdCl[(CNC)]BF₄ and [PdMe(CNC)]BF₄ (CNC=2,6-bis[(3-methylimidazolin-2-yliden-1-yl)methyl]pyridine), in which the pyridyl and both carbene moieties are coordinated to a single palladium(II). The palladium(II) complexes have been fully characterised, including X-ray crystallography, and exhibit good activities in the Heck coupling reaction of 4-bromoacetophenone and n-butyl acrylate.     

Associations between Subjective Happiness and Dry Eye Disease: A New Perspective from the Osaka Study

Importance

Dry eye disease has become an important health problem. A lack of concordance between self-reported symptoms and the outcome of dry eye examinations has raised questions about dry eye disease.

Objective

To explore the association between subjective happiness and objective and subjective symptoms of dry eye disease.

Design

The study adopted a cross-sectional design.

Setting

All the employees of a company in Osaka, Japan.

Participants

672 Japanese office workers using Visual Display Terminals (age range: 26–64 years).

Methods

The dry eye measurement tools included the Schirmer test, conjunctivocorneal staining, the tear film break-up time, as well as the administration of a dry eye symptoms questionnaire. Happiness was measured by the Subjective Happiness Scale.

Main Outcome Measures

Dry eye examination parameters, dry eye symptoms questionnaires, and the Subjective Happiness Scale score.

Results

Of the 672 workers, 561 (83.5%) completed the questionnaires and examinations. The mean Subjective Happiness Scale score was 4.91 (SD = 1.01). This score was inversely correlated with the dry eye symptom score (r = -0.188, p < 0.001), but was not associated with objective findings which include conjunctivocorneal staining, low Schirmer test score, or low tear film break-up time. The level of subjective happiness was the lowest in the group without objective results, but reported subjective symptoms of dry eyes (p < 0.05).

Conclusions and Relevance

There is evidence of the relationship between subjective happiness and self-reported symptoms of dry eyes. Findings of this study revealed a new perspective on dry eye disease, including the potential for innovative treatments of a specific population with dry eye disease.     

Gold and silver complexes with the ferrocenyl-pyrazolate ligand FcCH2pz

We have synthesized a series of gold(I), gold(III) or silver(I) derivatives with ferrocenylmethylpyrazole (pzCH₂Fc) as ligand. X-ray structure determination for [Au(C₆F₅)(pzCH₂Fc)] reveals a linear geometry for the gold centre and association of the molecules in pairs through intermolecular gold(I)-gold(I) interactions of 3.1204(6) Å. These molecules are further assembled into chains and the chains into a 3D structure through several hydrogen bonds. [Ag(OTf)(pzCH₂Fc)] (OTf = triflate) is a dimer with a distorted tetrahedral geometry at the silver(I) centre and the triflate acting as bridging ligand.     

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of new silver complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Synthesis, structure, and antimicrobial studies of silver complexes of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) are reported. All the silver-NHC complexes (1a-f) were prepared from the benzimidazolium salts by the reactions with Ag₂O in dichloromethane as a solvent at room temperature. The new compounds characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³ C NMR, IR and elemental analysis techniques which support the proposed structures. Chloro[1-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl)-3-(methoxyethyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver(I) complex was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A series of new Ag-NHC complexes were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as for their antifungal activity against a Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activities of novel silver(I) complexes with coumarin substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Eight new coumarin substituted silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were synthesized by the interaction of the corresponding imidazolium or benzimidazolium chlorides and Ag₂O in dichloromethane at room temperature. Structures of these complexes were established on the basis of elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and mass spectroscopic techniques. The antimicrobial activities of carbene precursors and silver NHC complexes were tested against standard strains: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Results showed that all the compounds inhibited the growth of the all bacteria and fungi strains and some complexes performed good activities against different microorganisms. Among all the compounds, the most lipophilic complex bis[1-(4-methylene-6,8-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one)-3-(naphthalene-2-ylmethyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver(I) dichloro argentate (5e) was found out as the most active one.     

玻璃酸钠联合重组牛碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对糖尿病性白内障超声乳化术后泪膜稳定性的影响

目的:探讨玻璃酸钠联合重组牛碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(b FGF)对糖尿病性白内障超声乳化术后泪膜稳定性的影响。方法:选取2015年1月到2017年1月期间在我院接受治疗的150例糖尿病性白内障患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组和研究组,各75例。两组均进行常规治疗,在常规治疗的基础上对照组采用玻璃酸钠滴眼液进行治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上加用bFGF眼用凝胶进行治疗,两组均治疗1个月。比较两组术前、术后1周、术后1个月的泪膜破裂时间(BUT)、基础泪液分泌试验(SIt)值、角膜荧光素染色(FL)评分、干眼症状评分和眼表疾病指数(OSDI)评分,并比较两组术前、术后1个月的最佳矫正视力。结果:术后1周,两组患者的BUT明显低于术前和术后1个月,且研究组的BUT高于对照组(P0.05);随时间推移两组患者的OSDI评分持续降低(P0.05),术后1周,两组患者干眼症状评分、SIt值、FL评分明显高于术前和术后1个月,且研究组的OSDI评分、干眼症状评分、SIt值、FL评分均低于对照组(P0.05)。术后1个月两组患者的最佳矫正视力均明显上升,且研究组明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:玻璃酸钠联合bFGF能有效提升糖尿病性白内障患者在超声乳化术后泪膜稳定性,利于患者术后视力的恢复,值得临床推广应用。     

Influence of hydrocolloidal silver nanoparticles on gastrointestinal microflora and morphology of enterocytes of quails

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of hydrocolloidal silver nanoparticles (Ag-nano) on microbial profile of caecum and morphology of enterocytes in duodenum of Japanese quail, as a model animal for poultry. Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) (10 d old) were randomly divided into four groups (15 quails each) and located into four cages for 12 days. Quails were fed with granulated diets given ad libitum and had free access to drinking water. Ag-nano were added to drinking water at concentrations of 0, 5, 15 and 25 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, the animals were killed and samples of duodenum and caeca microflora were collected. This initial investigation demonstrated that silver nanoparticles did not influence emphatically microflora of quail caecum; however, water containing 25 mg/kg of Ag-nano significantly increased the population of lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, Ag-nano did not show any damaging properties on enterocytes of duodenal villi.     

马来酸噻吗洛尔眼液联合拉坦前列素眼液对原发性开角型青光眼患者眼压的影响

目的:探讨马来酸噻吗洛尔眼液联合拉坦前列素眼液对原发性开角型青光眼患者眼压的影响。方法:选取2015年1月-2016年5月在我院接受治疗的原发性开角型青光眼患者84例,其中给予马来酸噻吗洛尔眼液治疗的42例记为对照组,给予拉坦前列素眼液联合马来酸噻吗洛尔眼液治疗的42例记为观察组,两组均治疗6个月。对比两组患者治疗过程中的眼压变化情况,并对比两组患者的临床总有效率、药物依从性和并发症情况。结果:观察组治疗2、4、6个月后的眼压均显著低于对照组(P0.05),观察组患者治疗6个月后与治疗前的眼压差值大于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗2、4、6个月后的眼压呈下降趋势,两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组的临床总有效率95.24%显著高于对照组的80.95%(P0.05)。两组患者在治疗过程中结膜充血、眼内异物感、眼睛疼痛、视力模糊、味觉异常以及总并发症发生率对比差异不显著(P0.05)。观察组患者的药物依从性比例显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:马来酸噻吗洛尔眼液联合拉坦前列素眼液治疗原发性开角型青光眼患者具有较好的临床疗效,可显著降低患者眼压,同时具有较好的安全性,但药物依从性较差。