Purpose. To determine if the use of combined HLA matched limbal stem cells allograft with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) is a safe and effective prophylactic surgical procedure to prevent corneal graft after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Methods. We report the case of a 17 years old patient with a history of congenital glaucoma, trabeculectomy and multiple corneal graft rejections, presenting total limbal cell deficiency. To reduce the possibility of graft rejection in the left eye after a new PK, a two step procedure was performed. At first the patient underwent a combined HLA matched limbal stem cells allograft (LAT) and AMT and then, 10 months later, a new PK. Results. During 12 months of follow-up, the corneal graft remained stable and smooth, with no sign of graft rejection. Conclusions. In our patient, the prophylactic use of LAT from HLA-matched donors and AMT before PK, may result in a better prognosis of corneal graft survival.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the adsorption conditions of zinc and cadmium ions from aqueous solutions using a comercially available peat from Balneário Arroio do Silva, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. Adsorption studies were carried out in column experiments using radiotracers of the studied metals (65Zn and 115Cd). The pH influence and the interference of other ions, such as Na+, Ca2+, Fe3+ and Al3+on the adsorption process were investigated. The results showed that peat columns are able to retain more than 99% of metal ions in solution in a range of pH from 3,7 to 6,5. Ca2+ and Al3+ ions were the main interferent on adsorption of Zn and Cd ions in solution.