Biofiltration of hydrophobic volatile pollutants is intrinsically limited by poor transfer of the pollutants from the gaseous to the liquid biotic phase, where biodegradation occurs. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of silicone oil for enhancing the transport and subsequent biodegradation of hexane by the fungus Fusarium solani in various bioreactor configurations. Silicone oi...

Silicone polymers are a class of hybrid organic/inorganic polymers, that show desirable surface properties such as low surface energy and high flexibility, which enables even a very high molecular weight chain to achieve optimal orientation at the interface. They have excellent physical properties such as water repellency, heat stability, and high resistance to chemical and UV attack. Silicone ...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Most surgeons performing macular hole surgery using long acting gas recommend strict postoperative face down posturing for 10-15 days. Patients with chronic systemic illness such as arthritis may be unable to carry out this postoperative regime. Thus there is a need for alternative techniques that would eliminate such a regime. The authors review a series of patients who underwe...

When silicone oil is used as a vitreous substitute, reproliferation of vitreoretinal membranes beneath the oil occurs frequently. Nevertheless, the effects of various properties of silicone oils such as purity, viscosity, fluorination, or emulsification on cellular proliferation have not been established. Human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells were grown to confluence on filters, and then...

In our study of the aging phenomena in silica suspensions we immersed precipitated silica particles in methyl-terminated PDMS (silicone oil), mineral oil, and glycerol/water and measured their viscoelastic properties as a function of time. We found that the samples based on silicone oil, initially of a pasty consistence, became fluid-like after a period of about three weeks. Aqueous samples age...

Three cases are described of acute glaucoma following vitrectomy and silicone oil injection in proliferative vitreous retinopathy. The first case developed silicone-induced pupillary block in a phakic eye. Cases 2 and 3 developed elevated pressure in aphakic eyes with deep anterior chambers. Cases 1 and 3 were treated by laser iridectomy. Case 2 was treated by removal of silicone. The pathogene...