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Infrared (IR) emitters have drawn considerable attention for applications in deep‐tissue imaging, optical communication, and thermal sensing. While III‐V and II‐VI semiconductors are traditionally used in these emitters, their reliance on complex epitaxial growth to overcome lattice mismatch and thermal expansion challenges leads to intricate device structures and limits their integrability. In contrast, 2D materials provide a more flexible solution, offering diverse optical bandgaps and the ability to be vertically restacked in arbitrary crystal orientations to form complex van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures, which can be further integrated onto diverse device platforms. This review highlights recent advancements in 2D‐based IR emitters, focusing on the NIR, SWIR, and MWIR regions. It discusses the photoluminescence properties of 2D materials and innovative vdW engineering techniques used to develop IR light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). The review also explores how external stimuli, such as electric fields and strain, can enable tunable emission wavelengths and examines the integration of 2D‐based emitters with photonic structures, like cavities and waveguides, to create hybrid photonic devices. Finally, the review addresses the challenges and prospects of 2D‐based IR technologies, highlighting their potential to transform IR light sources across various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle plasmon resonance (PPR), or localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), utilizes intrinsic resonance in metal nanoparticles for sensor fabrication. While diffraction grating waveguides monitor bioaffinity adsorption with out-of-plane illumination, integrating them with PPR for biomolecular detection schemes remains underexplored. This study introduces a label-free biosensing platform integrating PPR with a diffraction grating waveguide. Gold nanoparticles are immobilized on a glass slide in contact with a sample, while a UV-assisted embossed diffraction grating is positioned opposite. The setup utilizes diffraction in reflection to detect changes in the environment's refractive index, indicating biomolecular binding at the gold nanoparticle surface. The positional shift of the diffracted beam, measured with varying refractive indices of sucrose solutions, shows a sensitivity of 0.97 mm/RIU at 8 cm from a position-sensitive detector, highlighting enhanced sensitivity due to PPR–diffraction coupling near the gold nanoparticle surface. Furthermore, the sensor achieved a resolution of 3.1 × 10−4 refractive index unit and a detection limit of 4.4 pM for detection of anti-DNP. The sensitivity of the diffracted spot was confirmed using finite element method (FEM) simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics. This study presents a significant advancement in biosensing technology, offering practical solutions for sensitive, rapid, and label-free biomolecule detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In 1947, a new Japanese Constitution ("Kenpo") was horn and its pacifist ideal was embodied in Article 9. Meanwhile, judicial review was transplanted, mainly from the United States ("U.S."), [...]

Abstract: This article investigates the continuity and transformation of the personal identity and identification legal systems in Taiwan. From 1895 to 2015, Japan and subsequently the Republic of China (ROC) [...]

Black Phosphorus (BP), a van der Waals (vdW) semiconducting material, is studied intensively due to its unique structural and anisotropic optical properties. BP exhibits optical anisotropy with thickness tunable direct bandgap from 0.3–2.0 eV. Many BP‐based photodetectors operating in the mid‐infrared (MIR) band are proposed, but their performance is still limited due to the small optical absorption cross section at room temperature. In this work, a plasmonic metasurface that has localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at 3.7 µm is designed, matching well with the band edge of a BP flake and field confinement around the edge of Au‐disk as confirmed by finite difference time domain simulation and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy measurement results. In addition, a BP flake is integrated on the plasmonic metasurface and a significant quenching (twelve‐fold) is observed in the photoluminescence owing to the Förster resonance energy transfer effect induced by dipole–dipole coupling. Following that, a BP‐based MIR photodetector is fabricated on the plasmonic metasurface. Here, the demonstrated BP/plasmonic metasurface‐based photodetector achieves the peak responsivity of 495.85 mAW−1 and ultrahigh operation speed (>10 MHz) at the power of 8.55 µW under 3.7 µm incident wavelength. This demonstrated photodetector opens a new opportunity for optoelectronic applications in the MIR region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, AlGaN/GaN light-emitting HEMTs (LE-HEMT) with a single quantum well inserted in different locations in the epitaxy layers are fabricated and analyzed. For both structures, light-emitting originated from electrons in the 2DEG and holes from the p-GaN for radiative recombination is located in the quantum well. To investigate the importance of the location of single quantum well, optical characteristics are compared by simulation and experimental results. The experimental results show that the main light-emitting wavelength is shifted from 365 nm in the UV range to 525 nm in the visible range when the radiative recombination is confined in the quantum well and dominates among other mechanisms. Epi B, which has a quantum well above the AlGaN barrier layer in contrast to Epi A which has a quantum well underneath the barrier, shows better intensity and uniformity in light-emitting. According to the simulation results showing the radiative distribution and electron concentrations for both structures, the lower quantum efficiency is due to the diverse current paths in Epi A. On the other hand, Epi B shows better quantum confinement and therefore better luminescence in the same bias condition, which is consistent with experimental observations. These findings are critical for advancing the performance of LE-HEMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compressed sensing is well known for its superior compression performance, in existing schemes, in lossy compression. Conventional research aims to reach a larger compression ratio at the encoder, with acceptable quality reconstructed images at the decoder. This implies looking for compression performance with error-free transmission between the encoder and the decoder. Besides looking at compression performance, we applied block compressed sensing to digital images for robust transmission. For transmission over lossy channels, error propagation or data loss can be expected, and protection mechanisms for compressed sensing signals are required for guaranteed quality of the reconstructed images. We propose transmitting compressed sensing signals over multiple independent channels for robust transmission. By introducing correlations with multiple-description coding, which is an effective means for error resilient coding, errors induced in the lossy channels can effectively be alleviated. Simulation results presented the applicability and superiority of performance, depicting the effectiveness of protection of compressed sensing signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 27-year-old male presented with progressively blurred vision in his right eye for 2 weeks without epistaxis, nasal obstruction, facial pain, rhinorrhea, or headache. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large enhancing mass lesion (47 × 55 × 62 mm) involving the cribriform plate, the ethmoid sinuses bilaterally, and the left upper nasal cavity with intracranial extension to the frontal lobe and compression of the right proximal optic nerve at the orbital apex. The pathologic findings obtained by incision biopsy were consistent with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma. Therefore, a diagnosis of compressive optic neuropathy caused by sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma was considered and a treatment of concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy was initiated. The visual acuity of the subject improved from light perception to 6/20 after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the clinical efficacy of a new patient-operated intraocular pressure tool, the Proview® eye pressure monitor (PEPM; Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Rochester, NY), for monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Patients and Methods: One hundred and forty eyes of 70 Taiwanese patients from the Tri- Service General Hospital (Taiwan, Republic of China) who had been diagnosed with ocular hypertension or glaucoma were studied. After being fully trained during an initial clinic visit, patients measured their own IOP with the PEPM at home. The IOPs were measured again using a Haag-StreitBern Goldmann tonometer (GT; Haag-Streit, Köniz, Switzerland) during subsequent outpatient visits. The training time, assessment of the patients' ease of PEPM use, and accuracy of measured PEPM IOPs in relation to GT IOPs were recorded and analyzed. Results: Relative to GT readings, PEPM readings tended to be overestimated at lower pressure (<10 mmHg) and underestimated at higher pressure (>20 mmHg). Between 10 to 20 mmHg, PEPM measurements did not significantly differ from GT measurements. Up to 80% of the PEPM measurements fell within ± 3 mmHg of the corresponding GT readings. When consideration was limited to GT readings of &ges;21 mmHg, PEPM measured IOPs of &ges;21 mmHg with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 90%. The mean satisfaction rating of PEPM use was 88.3 ± 2.0 (maximum, 100). The mean training time for appropriate use of PEPM was 17.9 ± 4.0 minutes. The older the patients, the longer the training time that was required. Conclusion: Our data suggest that after appropriate training: (1) PEPM and GT measurements correspond well between 10 mmHg and 20 mmHg and (2) PEPM could offer patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension an easy-to-use, substantially reliable means of self-monitoring IOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 57-year-old healthy male bus driver presented himself with a complaint of acute diplopia that lasted a few hours. Ophthalmologic examination disclosed a visual acuity of 6/7.5 in the right eye and 6/6 in the left eye. Isolated right abducens palsy was the only abnormal finding. However, brain MRI showed multiple brain metastatic lesions and bronchial biopsy revealed small cell lung cancer as the primary malignancy. The patient then received a series of chemotherapy treatments and brain radiotherapy. Six months later, this patient died of multiple organ failure despite aggressive treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strawberry is a popular fruit with valuable nutrition and an attractive fragrance, but its production and propagation are limited by various diseases, including anthracnose and gray mold. For disease management, biological control measures are environmentally friendly and good alternatives to fungicides to avoid crop losses, reduce carbon emissions, and improve food safety. In this study, Paenibacillus polymyxa TP3, which originated from the strawberry phyllosphere, was shown to antagonize the anthracnose fungal pathogen Colletotrichum siamense and reduce leaf symptoms on strawberry plants. Several mass spectra corresponding to fusaricidin were detected in the confrontation assay of P. polymyxa TP3 and C. siamense by image mass spectrometry . The transcription of fusA and fusG in the fusaricidin biosynthesis gene cluster increased while P. polymyxa TP3 was cultured in the medium containing the culture filtrate of C. siamense , as detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, indicating the involvement of fusaricidins in P. polymyxa TP3 antagonism against the anthracnose pathogen. Further disease control assays demonstrated the time frame and spatial mode of P. polymyxa TP3-induced systemic resistance of strawberry against C. siamense . The transcript level of the marker gene FaPDF1.2 of the jasmonic acid pathway increased in strawberry leaves after drenching treatment with P. polymyxa TP3, and the callose deposition was enhanced by further flg22 treatment. In addition, P. polymyxa TP3 treatments of the strawberry mother plants reduced C. siamense infection in the daughter plants, which would be a potent feature for the application of P. polymyxa TP3 in strawberry nurseries and fields to reduce the impact of diseases, especially anthracnose., Competing Interests: The author(s) declare no conflict of interest.

Modern infrared (IR) microscopy, communication, and sensing systems demand control of the spectral characteristics and polarization states of light. Typically, these systems require the cascading of multiple filters, polarization optics, and rotating components to manipulate light, inevitably increasing their sizes and complexities. Here, we report two-terminal mid-infrared (mid-IR) emitters, in which tuning the polarity of the applied bias can switch their emission peak wavelengths and linear polarization states along two orthogonal orientations. Our devices are composed of two back-to-back p-n junctions formed by stacking anisotropic light-emitting materials, black phosphorus and black arsenic-phosphorus with MoS 2 . By controlling the crystallographic orientations and engineering the band profile of heterostructures, the emissions of two junctions exhibit distinct spectral ranges and polarization directions; more importantly, these two electroluminescence (EL) units can be independently activated, depending on the polarity of the applied bias. Furthermore, we show that when operating our emitter under the polarity-switched pulse mode, the time-averaged EL exhibits the characteristics of broad spectral coverage, encompassing the entire first mid-IR atmospheric window (λ: 3-5 μm), and electrically tunable spectral shapes.

Purpose: Pediatric strabismus surgery has low success rates and high reoperation rates because of difficult alignment measurements and the nature of different strabismus types. Furthermore, adjustable sutures are not easily employed in children on an OPD basis., Methods: This was a retrospective comparative case study of children less than 12 years old who underwent strabismus surgery and were followed up at least 6 months postoperatively. We proposed a novel method that combines adjustable sutures and corneal light reflexes in regular strabismus surgery to improve surgical results. Efficacy and safety were evaluated and compared with those in a regular fixed-suture group., Results: In total, 128 children (88: exotropia and 41: esotropia) in the novel method group (Group 1) and 109 (71: exotropia and 38: esotropia) in the regular fixed-suture group (Group 2) were enrolled. The primary outcome was the immediate target angle (for esotropia within 4 PD of orthotropia and exotropia within 8 PD of esotropia within the first week postoperatively); the secondary outcome was success at the 6-month visit (angle of deviation < 10 PD). Consequently, there was a significantly higher proportion of achieving the immediate target range and success rate in both exotropic and esotropic patients in Group 1 than in Group 2. A significantly lower reoperation rate was also demonstrated in Group 1. No complications were noted in either group. Conclusions: The novel method enabled a higher proportion of subjects to achieve an immediate target range and success rate and a lower chance of reoperation among both esotropic and exotropic patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Fu, Hsieh, Lee, Chen, Wen, Chen and Chien.)

Background: Since December 2019, a number of cases and deaths due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic have been reported worldwide. In spite of clinical manifestations similar to the SARS-CoV epidemic in 2003, affected organs and severity are yet to be defined. Moreover, viral load alterations and viral shielding among different specimens remained scarce. Therefore, clarifying clinical presentations and correlations among viral loads, disease severity, and viral shielding of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial in the disease prevention., Methods: The clinical courses of SARS-CoV-2 cases were presented through Gantt charts. Laboratory examinations and reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reactions (RT-qPCR) among different specimens were tested periodically. Cycle thresholds (CT) were recorded and presented as viral loads., Results: From March 2020 to April 2020, 4 SARS-CoV-2 cases were presented, of which, cases 1 and 2 manifested the symptoms severer than cases 3 and 4, along with higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels and graded for lymphocytopenia. Case 4 initially exhibited anosmia but recovered within a short period. Curves of the CT of all the cases, except case 2, concaved upward after prescribing hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin. Except for case 4, the CT in most stool specimens remained undetectable; however, none of the cases presented gastrointestinal symptoms. Surprisingly, the CT values of the saliva specimens were inconsistent with those of the nasopharyngeal swabs and sputum., Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 manifests various symptoms. Sudden onset of central nervous system symptoms should be considered. The timing of HCQ and azithromycin administration might be a key factor in the viral load reduction. Positive prediction values of RT-qPCR of different specimens should be tested carefully to prevent false-negative results., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest related to the subject matter or materials discussed in this article., (Copyright © 2020, the Chinese Medical Association.)

Background: Our primary objective was to detect malignant hyperthermia (MH)-susceptible persons and thereby prevent MH episodes. We identified variants in the ryanodine receptor isoform 1 using molecular pedigree analysis., Methods: Nineteen exons covering major hotspots were chosen for the primary screening by polymerase chain reaction, denaturing high performance liquid chromatography, and confirmed by direct sequencing., Results: Three novel variants involving amino acid changes were identified in two unrelated families as Met2698Arg, Glu2724Lys in exon 51 and Leu2785Val in exon 53., Conclusions: Three novel ryanodine receptor isoform 1 variants located either near or within the central domain might predispose carriers to MH.

Purpose: Glucosamine sulfate (GS) is a naturally occurring sugar that exerts immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in vivo. The authors investigated whether GS modulates the inflammatory reaction in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) of rats and the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects., Methods: Two-hundred micrograms of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected subcutaneously into Lewis rats to induce EIU. Doses of GS (10, 100, or 1000 mg/kg) were divided into three aliquots and administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before LPS injection, concurrently with LPS injection, and 30 minutes after LPS injection. Twenty-four hours after LPS injection, aqueous humor was collected for cell counting and measurement of protein concentration. Immunohistochemical staining of the iris-ciliary body was performed to evaluate the effects of GS on intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and to demonstrate macrophage infiltration. The effects of various doses of GS pretreatment were also examined using a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 cells) and LPS stimulation. Levels of prostaglandin (PG)-E2 and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. Expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were measured using Western blot analysis. The effect of GS on LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation in RAW cells was also examined., Results: Cell counting and analysis of protein concentration in aqueous humor revealed that GS suppressed EIU in rats treated with a high dose of GS (1000 mg/kg). Immunohistochemistry showed that treatment with GS reduced ICAM-1 expression and suppressed activation of NF-kappaB in the iris-ciliary body. The main inflammatory cells in the iris-ciliary body during EIU were macrophages. In LPS-stimulated macrophage RAW cell culture, GS inhibited the production of NO and PG-E2, the expression of iNOS and COX-2, and the activation of NF-kappaB., Conclusions: GS suppresses EIU in rats by blockading the NF-kappaB-dependent signaling pathway and the subsequent production of ICAM-1 and proinflammatory mediators. This study has extended the authors' previous observation that GS is a potentially important compound for reducing ICAM-1-mediated inflammatory effects in the eye.

Background: Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are widely used during the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Postoperative residual curarization (PORC) following the use of NMBAs still occurs even though intermediate-acting NMBAs were used. Train-of-four (TOF) stimulation is used to quantify the degree of neuromuscular blockade. The TOF ratio of 0.7 in the adductor pollicis muscle was associated with normal respiratory function. Pharyngeal function returned to normal while the TOF ratio reached 0.9. The aim of this study was to survey the PORC in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)., Methods: In this observational study, 308 patients who received general anesthesia with NMBAs were enrolled. Residual curarization was evaluated using the TOF-Watch acceleromyograph upon arrival in the PACU. Three consecutive TOF stimulations were applied and recorded at 15-second intervals. Two thresholds of TOF ratios (0.9 and 0.7) were used to assess the presence of residual curarization., Results: TOF ratios less than 0.7 and 0.9 were observed in 15 (5%), and 97 (31%) patients, respectively. The differences of the TOF ratios between the male and female patients were significant (p = 0.014). In terms of weight, the differences between the patients with ratios > 0.9 and < or = 0.9 were significant (p = 0.013). There were 67, 49, 15, and three patients who received reversal medication in the > 0.9 group, < or = 0.9 and > 0.7 group, and < or = 0.7 group, respectively. The differences of the TOF ratios between the patients who received and those who did not receive reversal medication were not significant (p = 0.91)., Conclusion: PORC is still a clinical problem in the modern PACU. Objective neuromuscular monitoring needs to be performed to ensure patient safety.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare condition consisting of increased temperature and rigidity with mild to fulminant manifestation during anesthesia. Sevoflurane was thought to be a less potent triggering agent of MH; however, in literature review, the onset of MH after exposure to sevoflurane may be associated with calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We present here a case of rarely-seen delayed MH induced by an inhalation agent of low-inducing probability, sevoflurane, after the second exposure to which within a short period of time. The patient was a five years old boy who received sevoflurane anesthesia for repeat orthopedic surgery within two days. Gradual elevation in heart rate, abrupt hypercarbia and hyperthermia were observed 90 min after induction. Dantrolene was administrated immediately with effective therapeutic response. Eventually, the patient recovered without any complication as an aftermath. Gradually elevated heart rate during the second exposure to sevoflurane was the atypical sign in the episode of MH in this case. One plausible explanation for the development of delayed onset of MH is the latent effect of the volatile anesthetic on the skeletal muscles. Therefore, it is worth noting for the anesthesiologists to recognize the possibility of an atypical MH and be alert for the possible occurrence of MH during routine anesthetic practice.

Purpose: We investigated whether glucosamine sulfate modulates the production of ICAM-1 induced by proinflammatory cytokines and whether glucosamine sulfate inhibits leukocyte adhesion to a monolayer of human conjunctival epithelial cells stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines., Methods: We used flow cytometry and either primary cultured human conjunctival cells or the Chang conjunctival cell model to determine the effects of glucosamine sulfate on the production of ICAM-1 in response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha plus IFN-gamma, or TNF-alpha plus IL-1beta. The effects of glucosamine sulfate on the expression of the ICAM-1 gene, upregulated by various cytokines, were determined by semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The activation and nuclear translocation of the nuclear factors NF-kappaB and STAT1 were evaluated by the transient transfection of reporter gene systems and immunocytochemistry. The influence of glucosamine-sulfate-modulated ICAM-1 on neutrophil adhesion was demonstrated in a model that measures the adherence of conjunctival cells and neutrophils., Results: TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and IL-1beta significantly increased the production of ICAM-1 by both primary cultured human conjunctival cells and Chang conjunctival cells. Glucosamine sulfate effectively downregulated the production of ICAM-1 induced by TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha plus IFN-gamma, or TNF-alpha plus IL-1beta. This downregulation occurred through the interferon-stimulated response element, IFN-gamma activation sequence, and binding sequence of NF-kappaB at the mRNA and protein levels. Glucosamine sulfate further inhibited the nuclear translocation of p65 protein in TNF-alpha- and IL-1beta-stimulated Chang conjunctival cells and phosphorylated STAT1 in IFN-gamma-stimulated Chang conjunctival cells. Glucosamine sulfate also significantly reduced the number of neutrophils adhering to a conjunctival monolayer in response to TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, or IL-1beta., Conclusions: Our results suggest that glucosamine sulfate inhibits ICAM-1 production in conjunctival epithelial cells in vitro. Therefore, glucosamine sulfate might be valuable in the treatment of inflammatory ocular-surface conditions.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of 0.5% apraclonidine with that of 4% cocaine and to evaluate its safety in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome in pediatric patients., Methods: This was a randomized, crossover study, wherein 10 patients with a probable diagnosis of Horner syndrome were assigned to undergo pharmacological testing with 4% cocaine and 0.5% apaconidine. The difference in the pupil diameters of each eye was recorded under dim light before and 1 h after 0.5% apraclonidine or 4% cocaine was instilled. Any adverse effects were noted during examination or reported by the patients' parents were recorded., Results: The mean differences in pupil diameter before and after 4% cocaine testing were -2.08 and -2.97 mm, respectively (P = 0.0047). All patients had an anisocoria greater than 1 mm after 4% cocaine testing. The mean difference in pupil diameter before and after 0.5% apraclonidine was instilled were -2.04 and +1.08 mm, respectively (P = 0.005). All patients showed a reversal of anisocoria after 0.5% apraclonidine testing. Conjunctival hyperemia was noted in 2 patients, but systemic adverse effects were not noted during examination nor reported by the patients' parents., Conclusions: The application of 0.5% apraclonidine in pediatric patients is safe and effective in the diagnosis of Horner syndrome.

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mitomycin C in reducing postoperative adhesions following strabismus surgery., Methods: This study was a prospective, single-center, interventional case series. We randomized 14 patients with restrictive strabismus to the mitomycin C group (7 patients) or to the control group (7 patients). We used mitomycin C intraoperatively for 5 min at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL in the mitomycin group after adhesion release. We compared postoperative results using the forced duction test., Results: Compared to the control group, the mitomycin C group exhibited a better range of passive duction at all postoperative follow-up times; however, mitomycin C did not completely eliminate the problem of postoperative adhesions. Patients receiving mitomycin C did not report any complications during this study., Conclusions: The intraoperative application of mitomycin C is a safe and effective adjunct to surgery in the treatment of restrictive strabismus.

Background: To report the clinical experience and success rate with Ritleng intubation system in patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction., Methods: Twenty-four patients (32 eyes) with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated with the Ritleng intubation system were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 20.1+/-9.6 months. The technique involved introduction of a Prolene monofilament guide thread, securely fastened to silicone tubing, into a tubular metal probe that opened into the inferior meatus. Success was defined as complete resolution of previous symptoms and a normal result of dye disappearance test in cooperative patients. To establish relationship of success rate with patients' ages, these data were compared and analyzed., Results: All eyes were successfully intubated with the Ritleng system. The Prolene monofilament spontaneously emerged from the nose in 19 (60%) of 32 eyes, making retrieval simple and uncomplicated. The overall success rate (of all aged groups) was 90%. In the group over 24 months of age, there was no significant decrease in the success rate (p > 0.1), but obvious difficulty in intubation and lengthy operation time were noted., Conclusions: Silicone intubation with the Ritleng system is an effective treatment for patients with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, especially at young age. Comparing with conventional metal probe system, there was minimal nasal bleeding and trauma to the nasal mucosa with Ritleng intubation system. With the advantage of easy retrieval, operation time can be shortened, thereby improving patient care and decreasing potential morbidity.