Dark-Field Hyperspectral Microscopy for Carbon Nanotubes Bioimaging

Carbon nanotubes have emerged as a versatile and ubiquitous nanomaterial, finding applications in industry and biomedicine. As a result, biosafety concerns that stimulated the research focused on evaluation of carbon nanotube toxicity. In addition, biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes require their imaging and identification in biological specimens. Among other methods, dark-field microscopy has become a potent tool to visualise and identify carbon nanotubes in cells, tissues, and organisms. Based on the Tyndall effect, dark-field optical microscopy at higher magnification is capable of imaging nanoscale particles in live objects. If reinforced with spectral identification, this technology can be utilised for chemical identification and mapping of carbon nanotubes. In this article we overview the recent advances in dark-field/hyperspectral microscopy for the bioimaging of carbon nanotubes.

Effect of Cellulose Nanofibers (CNF) as Reinforcement in Polyvinyl Alcohol/CNF Biocomposite

This research was targeted to use the planetary ball milling method to extract cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from commercial microcrystalline cellulose and also to utilize the obtained extracted cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as reinforcement in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thin film. The effect of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) on the mechanical and physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) thin films was investigated. As a result of the study, we found that the thin film’s tensile strength is good, and the surface morphology of the CNFs suspension enhances the bonding between the PVA and the reinforcement. Tyndall effect was accurate with the visible light scattering through CNF suspension, and the CNF/PVA thin film exhibited transparent thin film. In contrast, the CNF/PVA composite’s mechanical and physical properties are good due to the excellent dispersion and absence of agglomeration of CNFs. The prepared PVA/CNF biocomposite would be a suitable candidate to be implemented as biodegradable food packaging material.

Influence of the quality of viscoelastic removal on phacoemulsification results. Part 1. Type of the postoperative period course depending on the quality of viscoelastic removal in phacoemulsification

BACKGROUND: The reasons for the development of postoperative reactive inflammation under optimal conditions for the operation are errors in the surgical technique and the presence of viscoelastic residues. The likelihood of developing ophthalmic hypertension exists with the use of viscoelastic of any type. Its incomplete evacuation can be explained by the difficult visualization due to its transparency. Analysis of the dependence of the postoperative period course on the quality of viscoelastic removal at phacoemulsification can be considered to be relevant and expedient. AIM: The aim was to study the type of the postoperative period course depending on the quality of viscoelastics removal at phacoemulsification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 104 eyes of randomly chosen patients who underwent femto-laser assisted phacoemulsification, divided into 2 groups according to ophthalmic viscoelastics characteristics (colored or transparent). Both groups were split into 2 subgroups each depending on method of viscoelastics removal. Tonometry and biomicroscopy were performed 3 hours after phacoemulsification and on the post-op Day 1. Patients with Tyndall effect were examined daily until its disappearance. RESULTS: At comparable preoperative IOP indices, its elevation 3 hours after surgery took place in subgroups 2a and 2b, the highest being in subgroup 2a. The greatest number of eyes with Tyndall effect, at all follow-up periods, was found in subgroup 2a, the lowest in subgroup 1b. The total number of eyes with keratopathy (as epitheliopathy) observed 3 hours after surgery was 7, four of them being from subgroup 2a. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted research showed that the type of early postoperative period course of phacoemulsification depends on visualization possibility of the viscoelastic and of the method of its removal. Minimal changes of hydrodynamics and maximal number of eyes with absence of inflammation took place when using colored viscoelastic and impulse irrigation method.

Hyaluronidase for Treating Complications Related to HA Fillers: A National Plastic Surgeon Survey

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers have become a popular modality to address changes in the ageing face. There are many described indications of hyaluronidases in aesthetic medicine which include their use in the management of HA-associated complications. To better understand the current practice patterns, we surveyed Canadian plastic surgeons on their use of hyaluronidases. Methods: With the approval of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, an electronic survey was emailed to members. A total of 350 surveys were distributed and 98 surveys were completed for a response rate of 28%. Results: Approximately half (48%) of the survey respondents used HA fillers in their practice. Skin testing for hypersensitivity reactions was performed by less than 10% of hyaluronidase users. Nearly all respondents used hyaluronidase for filler over-correction (95.5%) and asymmetry (86.4%). Over half of the respondents have used hyaluronidase for inflammatory or infectious nodules and the Tyndall effect. Other reported applications included restoration of vascular compromise, and one respondent reported using hyaluronidase for assisting with haematoma resolution. When compared with the most recent guidelines, there was a wide range of doses used for common side effects and complications. Twenty-four percent of the respondents reported that their hyaluronidase formulation was prepared by a compounding pharmacy, and 20% of respondents who inject HA fillers did not stock hyaluronidase. Conclusion: There are many indications for hyaluronidase in aesthetic plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons should stock hyaluronidase and develop a specific plan in anticipation of adverse events. Although hyaluronidase is commonly used by plastic surgeons for over-correction and asymmetry, the dosages used in aesthetic practice is rather diverse and heterogeneous. When possible, plastic surgeons should perform allergy testing before hyaluronidase use.

A novel strategy for sensitive and rapid detection of ascorbic acid via the Tyndall effect of cobalt hydroxide nanoflakes

A novel colorimetric nanosensor was initially developed for the equipment-free sensitive detection of ascorbic acid based on the Tyndall effect of cobalt hydroxide nanoflakes.

Ultrasensitive visual detection of Hg2+ ions via the Tyndall effect of gold nanoparticles

This work describes a new nanosensor for one-step ultrasensitive naked-eye detection of Hg2+ ions based on the target-triggered aggregation of gold nanoparticles showing a dramatically enhanced Tyndall effect.