Morphometric Study of Wound Healing in a Model of Filtering Surgery with Mitomycin-C

Background Failure of filtering surgery may be related to excessive wound healing in the surgical area. This effect diminishes with the use of antimetabolic agents. Mitomycin-C (MMC) has proved to be the most effective drug to reduce myofibroblastic proliferation in experimental in vivo and in vitro models. To our knowledge, the objective changes induced by mitomycin-C in the size of wound healing areas have not been investigated. Methods: Filtering surgery was performed on both eyes of 40 pigmented rabbits. Preoperatively one of the eyes received MMC (0.5 mg/ml), and the fellow eye received balance salt solution as placebo. Animals were killed on days 6, 15, 30 and 58. Microscopic healing areas were measured by digital procedures. The areas of target and fellow control eyes were compared by the Wilcoxon test. Results This study showed significant differences (p<0.05) between treated and untreated groups, the healing are a gradually becoming smaller. Conclusions Objective methods to quantify the microscopic effects of MMC can be useful to improve our knowledge about the action on this antimetabolite and to enable us to adjust more accurately the timing and dosage when applying the drug in glaucoma filtering surgery.

Salt I: An Evaluation

The SALT I Agreements, concluded in 1972, are assessed with the benefit of several years’ perspective. This study examines the negotiations and agreements from the standpoint of achievements and shortcomings. It finds a number of each, but on balance a substantial positive achievement. SALT I marked a beginning to collaborative efforts at strategic arms control by the two superpowers, and in a number of respects—especially the ABM Treaty—it had a clear and favorable effect in mitigating the arms competition. The main shortcoming was the failure to reach significant restraints on strategic offensive arms, especially a ban on MIRV's at a time when that was still possible. Also, the pursuit of “bargaining chips” for arms negotiations can impede arms control and contribute to arms competition. An “oversell” étente and SALT in 1972 prompted a swing to undervaluing both in the late 1970's. netheless, on balance SALT I was a significant step forward.