Characterization of the composition of the aqueous humor and the vitreous body of the eye of the frog Rana temporaria L

Photonics of Trimethine Cyanine Dyes as Probes for Biomolecules

Cyanine dyes are widely used as fluorescent probes in biophysics and medical biochemistry due to their unique photophysical and photochemical properties (their photonics). This review is focused on a subclass of the most widespread and studied cyanine dyes—trimethine cyanines, which can serve as potential probes for biomolecules. The works devoted to the study of the noncovalent interaction of trimethine cyanine dyes with biomolecules and changing the properties of these dyes upon the interaction are reviewed. In addition to the spectral-fluorescent properties, elementary photochemical properties of trimethine cyanines are considered, including: photoisomerization and back isomerization of the photoisomer, generation and decay of the triplet state, and its quenching by oxygen and other quenchers. The influence of DNA and other nucleic acids, proteins, and other biomolecules on these properties is covered. The interaction of a monomer dye molecule with a biomolecule usually leads to a fluorescence growth, damping of photoisomerization (if any), and an increase in intersystem crossing to the triplet state. Sometimes aggregation of dye molecules on biomolecules is observed. Quenching of the dye triplet state in a complex with biomolecules by molecular oxygen usually occurs with a rate constant much lower than the diffusion limit with allowance for the spin-statistical factor 1/9. The practical application of trimethine cyanines in biophysics and (medical) biochemistry is also considered. In conclusion, the prospects for further studies on the cyanine dye–biomolecule system and the development of new effective dye probes (including probes of a new type) for biomolecules are discussed.

Serum Uric Acid, Alanine Aminotransferase, Hemoglobin and Red Blood Cell Count Levels in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

Purpose. The pathogenesis of pseudoexfoliation (PEX), the most common cause of secondary glaucoma, has not been clearly identified, but there is increasing evidence that points out the role of oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to evaluate some of the most commonly used blood parameters, hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and uric acid (UA) levels, in subjects with PEX. Materials and Methods. This study is performed in a state hospital between November 2011 and December 2012. Retrospective chart review of subjects who underwent cataract surgery was performed. Thirty-one healthy subjects with PEX and 34 healthy subjects without PEX were evaluated. Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA levels were recorded. Student's t-test was used to compare the two groups. Results. The mean age was 73.6 ± 14.1 years in PEX group and 70.1 ± 12.7 in control group (p = 0.293). Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA levels did not show a statistically significant difference among PEX and control groups (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion. Serum levels of Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA levels were similar in subjects with and without PEX. Further studies are needed to clarify the precise role of Hb, RBC, ALT, and UA in the pathogenesis of PEX.