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We present 60 years of Δ14CO2 measurements from Wellington, New Zealand (41° S, 175° E). The record has been extended and fully revised. New measurements have been used to evaluate the existing record and to replace original measurements where warranted. This is the earliest direct atmospheric Δ14CO2 record and records the rise of the 14C bomb spike and the subsequent decline in Δ14CO2 as bomb 14C moved throughout the carbon cycle and increasing fossil fuel CO2 emissions further decreased atmospheric Δ14CO2. The initially large seasonal cycle in the 1960s reduces in amplitude and eventually reverses in phase, resulting in a small seasonal cycle of about 2 ‰ in the 2000s. The seasonal cycle at Wellington is dominated by the seasonality of cross-tropopause transport and differs slightly from that at Cape Grim, Australia, which is influenced by anthropogenic sources in winter. Δ14CO2 at Cape Grim and Wellington show very similar trends, with significant differences only during periods of known measurement uncertainty. In contrast, similar clean-air sites in the Northern Hemisphere show a higher and earlier bomb 14C peak, consistent with a 1.4-year interhemispheric exchange time. From the 1970s until the early 2000s, the Northern and Southern Hemisphere Δ14CO2 were quite similar, apparently due to the balance of 14C-free fossil fuel CO2 emissions in the north and 14C-depleted ocean upwelling in the south. The Southern Hemisphere sites have shown a consistent and marked elevation above the Northern Hemisphere sites since the early 2000s, which is most likely due to reduced upwelling of 14C-depleted and carbon-rich deep waters in the Southern Ocean, although an underestimate of fossil fuel CO2 emissions or changes in biospheric exchange are also possible explanations. This developing Δ14CO2 interhemispheric gradient is consistent with recent studies that indicate a reinvigorated Southern Ocean carbon sink since the mid-2000s and suggests that the upwelling of deep waters plays an important role in this change.

Early embryonic loss may be related to untimely secretion of prostaglandin F2α. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on prostaglandin F2α secretion and luteal function in lactating dairy cows by characterizing plasma prostaglandin metabolites (PGFM) and progesterone (P4) during the luteal phase. Estrous cycles were synchronized in 23 lactating Holstein cows using a 5-d CIDR-Ovsynch protocol. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed to confirm ovulation and formation of a corpus luteum. On d 14, after after the second injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, cows were assigned randomly to receive aspirin (n = 11, 46.65 g/dose) orally on d 14 (2×) and d 15 (1×), 12 h apart, or no aspirin (n = 12, control). On d 15, hourly blood samples were collected for PGFM, and daily blood samples were collected (d 14 to 22) for P4 concentrations. Mean P4 concentrations before treatment (d 14) did not differ between groups. There was an effect of treatment and treatment × time on PGFM (P < 0.05). Mean PGFM concentrations decreased (P < 0.05) after treatment and remained low for 11 h after last aspirin dose, whereas in the control PGFM remained unchanged. For cows that underwent luteolysis (n = 16), P4 concentrations were greater (P = 0.05), and the days to luteolysis tended (P = 0.09) to be longer for the aspirin compared with the control. This study indicated that oral administration of aspirin may suppress prostaglandin F2α secretion during d 14 to 15 after estrus and may prevent early luteal tissue regression.

Es wurden Sicherheit, Wirksamkeit, Vorhersagbarkeit, Stabilitat sowie Komplikationen der LASIK zur Korrektur von Hyperopie und hyperopem Astigmatismus mit einem Scanning-Spot-Ecximer-Laser untersucht. Eingeschlossen wurden 64 konsekutive LASIK-Operationen. Schnittgerat fur die Keratomileusis war das Hansatome™-Mikrokeratom mit superiorem Hinge, die Laserablation wurde mit einem Scanning-Spot-Excimerlaser und einer optischen Zone von 6 mm durchgefuhrt. Untersuchungen fanden praoperativ, nach 1 und 7 Tagen sowie nach 1, 4 und 12 Monaten statt. Nach 1 Jahr lagen 91% der Augen im Bereich von ±1 Zeile an bestkorrigiertem Sehvermogen; 50 Augen erreichten einen unkorrigierten Visus von ≥0,5, 32 ≥0,8 und 16 ≥1,0; 24 Augen lagen bei ±0,5 dpt, 44 bei ±1,0 dpt und 55 bei ±2,0 dpt. Das mittlere spharische Aquivalent betrug nach 1 Jahr +0,17±0,85 dpt. Die LASIK-Operation ist zur refraktiven Behandlung von Hyperopie und hyperopem Astigmatismus geeignet. Die Ergebnisse bei niedriger Hyperopie waren besser als bei mittlerer Weitsichtigkeit. Die refraktiven Ergebnisse zeigten wahrend des 12-monatigen Untersuchungszeitraums eine gute Stabilitat, in einigen Fallen kam es jedoch zu einer deutlichen Regression.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of microvascular imaging using contrast-enhanced color and power Doppler sonography. Ten patients with a focal lesion of the kidney were examined. Three patients were investigated with the polymeric butylcyanacrylate-based contrast agent SHU 563A, and the remaining patients were investigated with the galactose-based agent Levovist. It was possible to observe the microvascularization with Levovist during the blood pool phase of the agent over a period of 1 to 3 s at 1 min and 2 min after injection. With SHU 563A, microvascular imaging was possible 0.50 s after injection and lasted for 10.35 min. No intratumoral signals were seen in cysts (n = 6) and the investigated abscess. Weak intratumoral polychromatic effects were observed in both renal cell carcinomas in this series. Metastasis could be differentiated from healthy parenchyma due to lack of the polychromatic effect. SHU 563A is appropriate for performing microvascular imaging. The Levovist-induced polychromatic effects are smaller, of shorter duration, and observable only during the blood pool phase; thus, the expected diagnostic benefit is limited.

Hintergrund. Die Biokompatibilitat von Intraokularlinsen aus unterschiedlichen faltbaren Materialien (hochrefraktives Silikon- und hydrophobes Acrylatmaterial) sollte im intraindividuellen Vergleich untersucht werden. Material und Methoden. In einer prospektiven, randomisierten Studie wurden 35 Patienten beidseits mittels selbstdichtender Tunnelinzision und Phakoemulsifikation operiert. Nach Randomisierung wurde in ein Auge eine faltbare Intraokularlinse mit 6-mm-Optik aus hochrefraktivem Silikon (Allergan SI40NB) und in das andere eine faltbare Intraokularlinse mit 6-mm-Optik aus hydrophobem Acrylatmaterial (Alcon Acrysof MA60BM) implantiert. Postoperative Kontrolluntersuchungen fanden nach 7 Tagen, 1–3 und 6 Monaten sowie 1 Jahr statt. Ergebnisse. Die Patienten erreichten nach 1–3 Monaten ein bestkorrigiertes Sehvermogen von 0,9±0,12/0,89±0,13 (SI40NB/MA60BM), dieses lag nach 1 Jahr bei 0,9±0,12/0,87±0,14 (SI40NB/MA60BM). Es zeigte sich kein signifikanter Unterschied beim errmittelten Endothelzellverlust. Die Laserflare-Werte (photon counts/ms) stiegen nur im fruhpostoperativen Bereich (7 Tage) geringfugig an (SI40NB/MA60BM: 14,2±8,68/15,49±7,2; statistisch nicht signifikant). Nach 3 Monaten lagen diese Werte wieder im Normbereich. Die mittlere Dezentrierung (in mm) lag 1 Jahr postoperativ bei 0,29±0,14/0,3±0,15 (SI40NB/MA60BM). Vierzig Prozent der MA60BM-IOLs zeigten in der Scheimpflug-Spaltaufnahme “Glistenings”. Nach 1 Jahr wurde kein signifikanter Unterschied in der Nachstarbildung (Scheimpflug-Analyse) gefunden. Schlussfolgerung. Ein Jahr nach der Implantation faltbarer hochrefraktiver Silikon- und hydrophober Acrylatintraokularlinsen uber eine Tunnelinzision nach Phakoemulsifikation ergaben sich hinsichtlich funktioneller und morphologischer Aspekte im intraindividuellen Vergleich zufrieden stellende Resultate ohne signifikante klinische Unterschiede zwischen den beiden faltbaren IOL.

Background Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is an accepted procedure to correct myopia in Germany. The purpose of this study was to evaluate photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy (PARK) for myopic astigmatism. Material and methods PARK using the VISX 20/20 excimer laser was performed in 50 eyes of 36 patients (25 female, 16 male) aged 22 to 68 years (mean 38 +/- 10 years) in the period of 1995 to 1996. Retrospective evaluation was done after dividing the patients into three astigmatic groups between -0.5 diopters (D) and -1.5 D (group I, n = 28), between -1.75 D and -3.0 D (group II, n = 16) und between -3.25 D and -5.5 D (group III, n = 6). The correction of myopic astigmatism was assessed concerning the criteria safety, efficacy, predictability and stability. Mean follow-up was 12 months (8-15 months). Results Seventy-eight % of all eyes achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of > 0.5. Sixty-eight % of the eyes were within +/- 1.0 D of the desired correction. Loss of 2 or more lines of best corrected visual acuity occurred in 6 eyes (12.0%). We observed in group I an astigmatic reduction of 36.0%, in group II of 66.5% and in group III of 68.0%. The surgically induced astigmatism was calculated with 1.29 +/- 1.0 D. Mean axis rotation of the refractive cylinder was 22.12 +/- 23.05 degrees. Conclusions PARK using the VISX 20/20 excimer laser is an acceptable procedure to correct myopic astigmatism. However, the study revealed that astigmatic reduction with a broad beam laser is not yet perfect in terms of efficacy, predictability and safety.

AIMS—This study investigated the effect of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in patients with severe intracameral fibrin after extracapsular cataract extraction or phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. METHODS—A randomised prospective multicentre study was carried out in 86 patients with intraocular fibrin formation 2-8 days after cataract surgery. While the first group (n=41) received only anti-inflammatory drugs, a single anterior chamber injection of tPA (10 µg) as an additional treatment to the standard was given in the second group (n=44). On days 1, 2, 14, and 90 after randomisation, the visual acuities, slit lamp findings, and intraocular pressures were documented in standardised protocols. Efficacy of treatment was judged by the rate of fibrinolysis (primary objective), the frequency of synechiae, and central capsular fibrosis (secondary objectives). RESULTS—The incidence and quantity of intraocular fibrin were significantly lower in the patients treated with tPA than in the control group (p

The advent of the excimer laser has brought about the potential for improved vision in many individuals with myopia and astigmatism. However, photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy (PARK) remains a matter of controversy. The purpose of our study was to determine the predictability of VISX 20/20 excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy in the treatment of myopic astigmatism. Patients and methods: Our study comprised 31 eyes of 22 patients with myopic astigmatism. All patients underwent treatment with a VISX 20/20 excimer laser and were followed up for 6 months. Complete 12-month follow-up data were available from 18 eyes. Park was performed in eyes with myopia between −1.5 and −10.0 D and with astigmatism between −0.5 and −5.5 D. Thus, the corresponding spherical equivalent ranged from −1.75 to −10.5 D. Results: Six months postoperatively, 21/31 (62 %) eyes were within ± 1.0 D of the target refraction and 13/31 (42 %) within ± 0.5 D of the target refraction. In 13 of 15 eyes (87 %) with myopia less than −6.0 D, an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 0.8 was noted. In eyes with myopia greater than −6.0 D, 9/16 (56 %) showed an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 0.5. Six months after PARK, an increase of one line on the Snellen Visual Acuity Chart was observed in 8/31 (26 %) and an increase of two lines was noted in eyes 3/31 (10 %). One of 31 eyes (3 %) showed an increase of three lines. A decrease in visual acuity of 1 line on the Snellen Visual Acuity Chart was found in 4/31 (13 %), and in 3/31 eyes (10 %) a decrease of 2–4 lines was noted. Overall, we observed a statistically significant reduction of astigmatism from 1.93 ± 1.43 D to 0.93 ± 0.63 D. Reduction of corneal astigmatism less than −1.25 D was not statistically significant. In eyes with astigmatism ranging from −1.25 to −2.5 D or greater than −2.75 D, a significant reduction of the mean astigmatism was noted. The postoperative regression of astigmatic correction was low. However, an axis shift of more than 15 ° was found in 42 %/35 % of eyes by subjective refraction (miosis/cycloplegia) and in 33 % in corneal topography. No central islands were noted. Conclusion: Photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy (PARK) constitutes a potential means of correcting myopic astigmatism. In eyes with astigmatism greater than −1.0 D a significant reduction of 60 % of the mean astigmatism was noted. However, the considerable proportion of eyes with a postoperative axis shift greater than 15 ° and a decrease in visual acuity of two or more lines indicates that further research is needed on excimer laser surgery to improve the reliability and safety.

Fibrinolytic therapy aimed at early restoration of blood flow appears to be a promising therapeutic approach in haemorrhagic retinopathy. The risk of bleeding complications, a major problem with fibrinolysis, can be reduced by the use of low-dose thrombolytic regimens. In our study, 14 patients with ischaemic central (CRVO) or branch (BRVO) retinal vein occlusion who presented with severe visual loss and recent onset of symptoms were treated with a low dose (50 mg) of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and intravenous heparin. In 10 of 14 patients (7 CRVO, 3 BRVO), an increase in visual acuity of one line or more on the logarithmic visual acuity chart was noted and in 8 patients (6 CRVO, 2 BRVO) a reduction of areas of capillary non-perfusion was observed, suggesting that a restoration of retinal capillary blood flow can be achieved if fibrinolysis is initiated in the early phase of haemorrhagic retinopathy. In view of the poor prognosis in the natural course of haemorrhagic retinopathy and the potential haemorrhagic risk in fibrinolysis, the use of low-dose rt-PA appears to constitute an encouraging approach in the management of this disease.

Nachdem das Fibrinolytikum rt-PA in der systemischen Therapie von arteriellen und venosen Gefasverschlussen erfolgreich eingesetzt wird, steht uns nun dieses Medikament als Injektionslosung zur lokalen Applikation im Auge zur Verfugung. rt-PA wandelt Plasminogen in Plasmin um, Plasmin lysiert Fibrin und Fibrinclots. Zur Fibrinbildung im Auge kann es durch intraokulare Eingriffe, Traumata oder entzundliche Prozesse kommen. In allen Fallen stellt Fibrin eine Komplikation dar, die in der Regel mit hochdosierten Steroiden nur langsam und oft unzureichend behandelt werden kann. Patienten: Bei 8 Patienten im Alter zwischen 59 und 75 Jahren wurde bei Fibrinbildung nach kombinierter Goniotrepanation und Phakoemulsifikation mit HKL-Implantation 10 µg rt-PA intraokular injiziert. Am 1., 2. und 8. Tag nach der lokalen Fibrinolyse wurde der Verlauf des intraokularen Reizzustands mittels biomikroskopischem Befund, Fotodokumentation und Laser-Flare-Tyndallometrie beobachtet. Ergebnisse: Bei samtlichen behandelten Fallen kam es zur vollstandigen Auflosung des Fibrinclots. Eine Rezidivbildung trat nicht ein, unerwunschte Nebenwirkungen zeigten sich nicht. Schlusfolgerung: Die intraokulare Anwendung von rt-PA fuhrt zu einer sicheren Fibrinolyse und verhindert somit mogliche Spatkomplikationen aufgrund von Fibrinbildung nach kombinierter Glaukom- und Kataraktoperation.

The ischemic type of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is associated with a poor visual and ocular prognosis. Although several reports have indicated that hemodilution or thrombolytic therapy may be of benefit, there is still no consensus among ophthalmologists about the management of this disorder. In our study, we retrospectively evaluated the visual outcome after medical treatment in 58 patients with ischemic CRVO and severe visual loss (≤20/50). We separately investigated three different groups, depending on the following criteria: onset of symptoms within 11 days prior to admission and thrombolytic treatment with 50 mg of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and intravenous heparinization (n = 23) or hemodilution therapy (n = 22) or onset of symptoms >11 days before the initial visit and hemodilution (n = 13). An advancement of 2 or more lines on the logarithmic visual acuity chart was noted in 10 cases (44%) in the rtPA group and in 3 subjects (14%) in the early-phase hemodilution group, whereas only 1 patient in the late-phase hemodilution group showed a comparable improvement. Our findings suggest that treatment with low-dose rtPA or hemodilution aimed at early restoration of blood flow has the potential to improve the visual prognosis in ischemic CRVO. The finding that thrombolysis had a favorable outcome supports the hypothesis that specific subgroups of patients may benefit from this therapeutic approach. Further investigation will be required to definitively prove the effectiveness of fibrinolytic agents.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intracameral recombinant tissueplasminogen activator (rt-PA) application for fibrinolysis of fibrin formation after cataract surgery in children. Setting: Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Department of Ophthalmology; Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Methods: This study comprised 11 eyes of 10 patients aged 3 to 13 years (mean7.2 ± 3.68 [SD]) who developed severe fibrin formation after cataract surgery and IOL implantation despite intensive topical steroid therapy. Under general anesthesia, fibrinolysis was performed with 10 μg of rt-PA 7.18 ± 2.04 days after intraocular surgery. Follow-up included slitlamp examination, tonometry, visual acuity testing, and ophthalmoscopy. Anterior chamber flare measurements could be performed in 6 eyes. Results: Complete resolution of fibrin formations occurred in 90% of the patients. Inthese cases, no recurrent fibrinous reaction or adverse effects were noted. In 2 eyes of the same patient with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and chronic uveitis, fibrin clot dissolution was incomplete. A recurrent fibrinous formation could be observed after 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. A beginning band kenatopathy excluding the central and limbal cornea, was noted after 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Conclusion: Intraocular application of rt-PA 'appears to be a safe and efficacious therapeutic approach in the management of severe fibrinous reactions after pediatric cataract surgery.

Cataract patients and healthy subjects have been examined with the Miller-Nadler Glare-Tester to prove if the results of the glare test show any correlation between the glare disability score and the outdoor visual acuity facing sun. The outdoor vision of cataract patients with a high glare disability score was clearly impaired compared with their indoor vision. Healthy eyes with a normal glare disability score did not show any impairment of visual acuity facing sun. The results of the glare disability examination can therefore be used as a reference for the decision of a cataract operation.