\n\nMethods. Sixty subjects, all successful contact lens wearers, were seen on two visits. Meibum was collected from the lower lid of the right eye with a glass microcapillary tube, and with a Dacron swab, cytology microbrush, or spatula from the left eye. Extraction with 2: 1 chloroform: methanol was done either immediately or after data collection was complete. Individual samples were divided into four equal aliquots for analysis of total lipids, cholesterol, and inorganic phosphates by assay-based techniques. Effects of collection method, extraction, and dry eye status were examined using repeated measures analysis of variance and logistic Vorinostat regression.\n\nResults. Total lipids showed

significance for collection device (p < 0.0001) but not for extraction technique (p = 0.13) or dry eye status (p = 0.97). Dacron swab collection SB203580 cost was associated with more total lipid on average than each other collection device (p < 0.0001). The cholesterol assay showed significance of collection device (p < 0.0001) and extraction technique (p = 0.0002) but not dry eye status (p = 0.55). Spatula collection was associated with more cholesterol on average than each other collection device (p < 0.0001). For inorganic phosphates, immediate extraction (p < 0.0001), cytology microbrush collection (p < 0.0001), and non-dry eye status (p = 0.03) were associated

with the greater likelihood of detection.\n\nConclusions. Dacron swab collection was associated with the highest average amount of total lipid detected, whereas spatula collection and immediate extraction was associated P505-15 purchase with the highest average amount of cholesterol detected. Cytology microbrush collection with immediate

extraction on non-dry eye subjects was associated with the highest probability of detection of inorganic phosphates. (Optom Vis Sci 2011; 88: 525-533)”
“There are a limited number of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for the treatment of autism. Meanwhile, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are supposed to play a causative role in autism. N-acetylcysteine may provide cystine, a precursor for glutathione (GSH), which is an important antioxidant factor in the brain. We here report a child with autism, whose symptoms were markedly decreased after taking oral N-acetylcysteine 800 mg/day, in three divided doses. His social interaction was significantly increased. The score of social impairment on a visual analog scale decreased from 10 to 6 in the two-month trial. The aggressive behaviors decreased from 10 to 3. This case suggests that N-acetylcysteine may decrease some symptoms of autism.”
“We analyzed the within-site spatial heterogeneity of microbial community diversity, polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) catabolic genotypes, and physiochemical soil properties at a creosote contaminated site.