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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Study of change of size of the punctum before insertion and after extrusion of a punctal plug and selection of an appropriate plug for reinsertion].

PURPOSE: In cases when the reinsertion of punctal plugs is considered, enlargement of the punctum is often experienced and a larger punctal plug is sometimes required for reinsertion. We therefore investigated the change in the size of the punctum before insertion and after extrusion of a punctal plug and the selection of an appropriate punctal plug for reinsertion. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: There were 70 cases where punctal plugs were reinserted (37 eyes from 32 patients) because of extrusion of the plugs. A retrospective study was performed with regard to the change in the size of the punctum before insertion and after extrusion of the punctal plugs, and with regard to the type of plug reinserted. RESULTS: There were significant changes in the size of the punctum before insertion [0.70 +/- 0.09 (mean +/- standard deviation) mm] and after extrusion (0.78 +/- 0.07 mm) of the punctal plug (p < 0.001). In 22 cases of 23 cases which experienced extrusion of the 0.8 mm Eagle plug (EP; Eagle Vision), Punctal plugs (PP; FCI) of M size were selected for reinsertion, because there are no EPs larger than 0.8 mm available for reinsertion. DISCUSSION: After extrusion of the punctal plug, the punctum is likely to be enlarged, resulting in the need to select a larger punctal plug. Therefore, cases which experienced extrusion of an EP were likely to eventually have the EP replaced by a PP during follow-up treatment.

Aged↗

[Clinical investigation of extrusion of a new punctal plug(Flex Plug)].

PURPOSE: Punctal occlusion using punctal plugs is very effective for the treatment of tear-deficient dry eye. We compared the newly marketed Flex Plug (FP, Eagle Vision Co., Ltd.) and the Eagle Plug (EP, Eagle Vision Co., Ltd.). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were patients with severe tear-deficient dry eye who were treated in our dry eye clinic. FP plugs in 8 patients (9 eyes) and EP plugs in 29 patients (35 eyes) were compared during over 4 months of observation with regard to the time until extrusion and the possibility for re-insertion of the plugs. RESULTS: During the 4 months after insertion of the plugs, the EP plugs were extruded from 35 of 51 puncta (68.6%) and the FP plugs were extruded from 4 of 13 puncta (30.8%). In the 35 EP extrusions and in the 4 FP extrusions, re-insertion was possible. The time period until extrusion was longer for FP than for EP. In all cases, for both EP and FP, pyogenic granuloma was not observed. DISCUSSION: The extrusion rate for EP plugs was much greater than for FP plugs (68.6% to 30.8%). Pyogenic granuloma was not observed in any instance for both types of punctal plugs.

Aged↗

Morphology of the hemostatic plug in human skin wounds: transformation of the plug.

The transformation of hemostatic plugs in human skin wounds was studied in vivo after bleeding had stopped. Standardized bleeding time incisions were made on the dorsal side of the forearm of four normal male volunteers. The wounds were excised by punch biopsy 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or 2 hours after they had been made and studied by light and electron microscopy. The wounds were filled with red blood cells, and a network of fibrin strands was found in the wound, particularly near transected vessels. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were encountered within transected vessels and at 2 hours also in the wounds and in concentric rings around the vessels up to 0.5 mm. from the wound. On top of the wounds a superficial scab, consisting of red blood cells and presumably air-dried proteins, had formed. Hemostatic plugs were found at the ends of transected blood vessels. At 10 minutes the plugs consisted of largely degranulated platelets which showed strong interdigitation. Fibrin was still absent from the center of the plugs. At 30 minutes the platelets became less densely packed, and small fibrin fibers were deposited between the platelets in large peripheral areas of the plugs. At 2 hours some of the platelets had assumed rounded shapes with few interdigitations and larger spaces between them. Areas in the plug with platelets that had lost their integrity alternated with areas where platelets still had their cytoplasmic matrix and were interdigitated. Fibrin fibers were especially demonstrable between the degenerated platelet vesicles. This occurred everywhere in small hemostatic plugs and in the periphery of larger plugs. In one individual it was also observed in the center of large hemostatic plugs. In the other individuals fibrin was present centrally as amorphous dark staining material which was fibrillar in tangential sections.

Adult↗

The haemostatic plug in haemophilia A: a morphological study of haemostatic plug formation in bleeding time skin wounds of patients with severe haemophilia A.

Haemostatic plug formation in four patients with severe haemophilia A (VIII:C less than 1%) was studied in skin biopsies taken at 3, 10 and 30 min and 2 h after a template bleeding time wound had been made. The primary haemostatic plug showed relatively minor changes, consisting of a delay in platelet degranulation and interdigitation. Some platelet aggregates not attached to vessels were encountered in the wound. Subsequently the primary haemostatic plug changed into a firm stable degranulated mass of interdigitated platelets. The major abnormality occurred during the fibrinous transformation. At 2 h many haemostatic plugs consisted of a thin peripheral layer of fibrin and platelet remnants around a central area containing red and white blood cells with a varying amount of plasma and only relatively few fibrin fibres. These observations suggest that fibrin formation in the periphery of the plug is less dependent of factor VIII than in central areas. The lack of fibrin formation in the centre of the plug compensating for the platelet lysis at 2 h may have caused the central erosion of the plug.

Adult↗

Is there a need for a mesh plug in inguinal hernia repair? Randomized, prospective study of the use of Hertra 1 mesh compared to PerFix Plug.

Although the mesh plug procedure is an effective operation, sutureless implantation of a single onlay mesh, if successful, would avoid the risks of plug-related complications. One hundred patients with primary inguinal hernias were randomized to undergo PerFix Plug or Hertra 1 implantation. Mean duration of the operation was similar, 38 versus 35 min for plug and onlay mesh implantation, respectively (nonsignificant, NS). The level of postoperative pain and early complication rate was similarly low in both groups (NS). Recurrence rate was the same-2 patients in each group (4%)-all following large hernia repair. The level of long-term discomfort was low after each type of operation (NS). Implantation of the onlay mesh-Hertra 1 as compared to the use of PerFix Plug is simple, safe, and equally effective in small and medium inguinal hernia repair, suggesting that a plug device is not necessary for successful hernia surgery.

Adolescent↗

Dual functions of bacteriophage T4D gene 28 product: structural component of the viral tail baseplate central plug and cleavage enzyme for folyl polyglutamates. I. Identification of T4D gene 28 product in the tail plug.

The T4D bacteriophage gene 28 product is a component of the central plug of the tail baseplate, as shown by the following two independent lines of evidence. (i) A highly sensitive method for radioactive labeling of only tail baseplate plug components was developed. These labeled plug components were incorporated by a complementation procedure into new phage particles and were analyzed by radioautography after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three new structural proteins were found in addition to the three known tail plug proteins (i.e., gP29, gP27, and gP5). One of the three newly identified components had a molecular weight of 24,000 to 25,000 and appeared to be a product of T4D gene 28. (ii) Characterization of mutants of Escherichia coli bacteriophage T4D which produced altered gene 28 products also indicated that the gene 28 product was a viral tail component. T4D 28(ts) phage particles produced at the permissive temperature had altered heat labilities compared with parent T4D particles. We isolated a single-step temperature revertant of T4D 28(ts) and found that it produced phage particles which phenotypically resembled the original T4D particles. Since the properties of the phage baseplate components usually determine heat lability, these two changes in physical stability after two sequential single mutations in gene 28 supported the other evidence that the gene 28 product was a viral baseplate component. Also, compared with parent T4D particles, T4D 28(ts) and T4D 28am viral particles adsorbed at different rates to various types of host cells. In addition, T4D 28(ts) particles exhibited a different host range than parent T4D particles. This T4D mutant formed plaques with an extremely low efficiency on all E. coli K-12 strains tested. We found that although T4D 28(ts) particles adsorbed rapidly and irreversibly to the E. coli K-12 strains, as judged by gene rescue experiments, these particles were not able to inject their DNA into the E. coli K-12 strains. On the other hand, the T4D 28(ts) revertant had a plating efficiency on E. coli K-12 strains that was quite similar to the plating efficiency of the original parent, T4D. These properties of phage particles containing an altered gene 28 product supported the analytical finding that the gene 28 product is a structural component of the central plug of the T4D tail baseplate. They also indicated that this component plays a role in both host cell recognition and viral DNA injection.

Adsorption↗

Plug-plug kinetic capillary electrophoresis: method for direct determination of rate constants of complex formation and dissociation.

We present a method for direct determination of rate constants of complex formation, k(on), and dissociation, k(off). The method is termed plug-plug kinetic capillary electrophoresis (ppKCE). To explain the concept of the method, we consider the formation of a noncovalent complex C between molecules A and B; A is assumed to migrate slower in electrophoresis than B. In ppKCE, a short plug of A is injected into a capillary, followed by a short plug of B. When a high voltage is applied, the electrophoretic zone of B moves through that of A, allowing for the formation of C. When the zones of A and B are separated, C starts dissociating. The features of the resulting electropherogram are defined by both binding and dissociation. We developed a unique mathematical approach that allows finding k(on) and k(off) from a single electropherogram without nonlinear regression analysis. The approach uses algebraic functions with the only input parameters from electropherograms being areas and migration times of electrophoretic peaks. In this work, we explain theoretical bases of ppKCE and prove the principle of the method by finding k(on) and k(off) for a protein-ligand complex. The unique capability of the method to directly determine both k(on) and k(off) along with its simplicity make ppKCE highly attractive to a broad community of molecular scientists.

Computer Simulation↗

Efficacy of silicone punctal plugs as adjuncts to topical pharmacotherapy of glaucoma--a pilot study. Punctal Plugs in Glaucoma Study Group.

BACKGROUND: The concept of enhancing the ocular hypotensive effects of topical antiglaucoma medications by impeding lacrimal drainage of medication has been insufficiently studied. This investigation sought to evaluate the effect of bilateral inferior punctal occlusion using silicone punctal plugs on the ocular hypotensive effect of topically applied timolol. METHODS: A randomized, double-masked, cross-over clinical trial was conducted, comparing the ocular hypotensive effect of timolol maleate 0.25 percent, both with and without occlusion of the inferior punctum with the Freeman silicone punctal plug. Following a 2-week washout of topical medication, 17 subjects with early primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension received one drop of timolol 0.25 percent in each eye with or without punctal plugs in place. Blood pressure, resting pulse rate, and intraocular pressure were measured both before timolol instillation and at intervals of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 hours following drop instillation. Following a 2-week washout period, the subjects were evaluated with the alternative treatment. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.648) in IOP levels between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot suggests that need for a longer-term study with larger numbers of subjects to evaluate the potential role of silicone punctal plugs to enhance the ocular bioavailability of topically applied antiglaucoma medications.

Administration, Topical↗

[Experiments of contamination with bacteria while transfusion between the newly developed porous polymer plug and by air needle plug].

We newly developed a transfusion plug that has an air passage of polymer porous material (I Cap). This porous polymer material theoretical does not pass the infectious microorganisms. We experimented contaminations during the transfusions by I Cap and that using air needles. Trypticated soy broth was used for the experiments. Experiments of transfusion in a dusty environment revealed that the transfusions by air needles got 100% contamination and that by I Cap was 0%. The experiments in a clinic room transfusions also revealed that air needle resulted in 30.3% contamination but on the contrary 0% with the I Cap. Dusty air was flown under high pressure (1.5 atmospheric pressure) through the same filter of I Cap for 30 minutes into the trypticated soy broth. These experiments revealed that the filter did not permeate bacteria and that transfusions with air needle was contaminated with dust.

Air↗

Plug vs. plug.

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Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Plug the lung until it grows (PLUG): a new method to treat congenital diaphragmatic hernia in utero.

Fetal lungs normally produce fluid that flows through the upper airway into the amniotic fluid. In fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), obstructing the flow of lung fluid may expand the lungs and propel the viscera from the chest, alleviating the pulmonary hypoplasia associated with CDH. To test this hypothesis, left-sided diaphragmatic hernias were created in sixteen 75-day-gestation fetal lambs (full-term, 145 days). At 120 days, the trachea was ligated in eight lambs; it was left unligated in the other eight. At 135 to 140 days, the fetuses were delivered, and a tracheostomy performed. Newborns were ventilated for 1 hour and then killed. Blood gas analysis was performed at 0,5,20,40, and 60 minutes. Lung dry weight, DNA, protein, and lipid analyses, as well as plasma cortisol measurements were performed. At autopsy, in the ligated lambs, the abdominal viscera was reduced from the thorax; however, the unligated lambs had viscera completely occupying the left chest. The lungs of the ligated lambs had a higher dry weight (4.22 +/- 1.37 g/kg v 1.95 +/- 0.59 g/kg; P =.001), DNA (193.8 +/- 90.5 mg/kg v 91.5 +/- 66.4 mg/kg; P = .02), and protein (1798 +/- 691.6 mg/kg v 766.6 +/- 201 mg/kg; P = .004). Lung saturated phosphatidyl choline (SPC) levels, DNA:protein ratio, and plasma cortisol were not different between the groups. Neonatal Po2 at 60 minutes was higher in the ligated group (179.4 +/- 127.0 mm Hg v 60.9 +/- 62.4 mm Hg; P < .05), and Pco2 was lower (44.1 +/- 21.4 v 83.9 +/- 23.5; P < .05) in the ligated group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

To plug or not to plug?

Coronary artery disease remains a common problem in industrialized countries. Percutaneous coronary interventions are usually performed utilizing the femoral approach. Arterial puncture-closing devices have been developed in hope to avoid manual compression and shortening the period of rest. In a recent meta-analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association these devices have shown only marginal benefits over manual compression. Further, well designed studies are necessary to document the comparative effects of these devices versus manual compression.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗