Human Anti-Human MPL monoclonal Antibody, clone SFB360 [Biotin]

PurposeTo assess the impact of micropulsed laser (MPL) on modifying the number of aflibercept injections when used as an adjuvant therapy in diabetic macular edema (DME).MethodsA prospective randomized interventional clinical study included patients with DME attending Al Hadi Clinic, Kuwait, during the period from May 2017 to December 2018. Patients were allocated in two groups; group A received aflibercept injections alone and group B received combined aflibercept injections followed by MPL within a week. The primary outcome was the number of Aflibercept injections in each group guided by the change in central macular thickness (CMT). All the patients were followed for 18months. Secondary outcome measures included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), and any recorded complications.ResultsFifty-four eyes of 51 patients were included (27 in each group). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in baseline characteristics except for the age that was statistically higher in group B (p=0.001). The number of injections were significantly lower in group B (4.11.1) than group A (7.3 +/- 1.1) (p<0.005). At 18th month, there was significant reduction in CMT in both groups (p<0.005) with no statistical difference between the two groups (p=0.989). Final BCVA in both groups showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.005) without statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.082). In both groups, the CS showed significant improvement from baseline (p<0.005). No ocular or systemic adverse effects were observed in either group.Conclusion Supplemental MPL in eyes with DME may decrease the burden of the aflibercept injection frequency while resulting in comparable anatomical and visual outcomes.

Gas diffusion media is one of the main components affecting the water management in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which is key for a high and stable performance. Building up on our previously designed gas diffusion layers (GDLs) with patterned wettability, we included in this study customized microporous layers (MPLs) with the target to enhance the effect of hydrophilic water pathways and reduce mass transport losses. The MPLs were modified by introducing "weak points" using electron induced radiation grafting or local mechanical perforation, in order to canalize the water injection to the hydrophilic pattern of the GDL. We describe the techniques used for gas diffusion media modification, their limitations and their influence on water distribution. We also study in detail the impact of different water injection methods on water distribution, in particular comparing capillary pressure water injection to electrochemical water production. The important differences observed between these two methods, were attributed to the absence of hydraulic connection between the water injection points in the latter case. Although the ex situ characterization shows that the local MPL modifications were successful, the targeted canalization of water injection was not observed, calling for future MPL modifications with an improved lateral transport. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published on behalf of The Electrochemical Society by IOP Publishing Limited.