Effect of Tropicamide on Laser Flare Meter Measurements in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the effect of 1% tropicamide on anterior chamber aqueous flare (ACAF) measurements acquired with laser flare meter in patients with pseudoexfoliation.     

The lifetime prevalence of psychosexual dysfunction among 55 to 57-year-olds in Iceland

Summary In this study, the largest Nordic study of its kind, investigated psychosexual dysfunction among subjects aged 55–57 years. The cohort included 862 subjects of both sexes and all were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). Results showed that 122 subjects had a lifetime diagnosis of psychosexual dysfunction. The lifetime prevalence of psychosexual dysfunction was 14.4%; of inhibited sexual desire, 9.8%; of inhibited sexual excitement, 3.5%; of inhibited orgasm, 2.1%; and of functional dyspareunia, 1.3%. Of the subjects with psychosexual dysfunction, 73% were women. The frequency was highest in those who had never married. Separated subjects had rates intermediate between the married and the never-married. The majority (76%) of affected subjects had only one dysfunction. However, 57% of them had received another psychiatric diagnosis at some time. Subjects with psychosexual dysfunction wereless frequently diagnosed as suffering from alcohol abuse and dependence and social phobia than subjects with no psychosexual dysfunction.     

Behavior of central venous blood temperature in short duration and repeated stress--possibilities for temperature controlled frequency-adapted pacemaker stimulation

Although an exercise-induced increase in blood temperature has been well-known for some time, there was still some doubt whether the change in central venous blood temperature with short-lasting and repetitive physical exercise can be measured and utilized by a temperature controlled pacing system. We studied the central venous blood temperature with short-lasting and repetitive exercise in ten healthy young volunteers and in ten pacemaker patients. The blood temperature was measured intracardially while they walked upstairs. A height of 20 m was covered within 100 +/- 5 s. An oxygen uptake of 27 ml/min/kg was calculated for this level of exercise. After walking upstairs once, the volunteers had an increase in central venous blood temperature of 0.3 degrees C and the pacemaker patients of 0.37 degrees C. After walking upstairs three times, the volunteers had an overall rise in blood temperature of 0.67 degrees C and the pacemaker patients of 0.86 degrees C. Thus, the central venous blood temperature shows a pronounced, measurable increase with short-lasting exercise as well. However, the rises in blood temperature accumulate with repetitive exercise, as the duration of exercise (100 s) when walking upstairs once is not sufficient for a new level of temperature to be reached according to the level of exercise. Thus, a temperature controlled pacing system should take these complex changes into consideration.     

Surgical treatment of acne scarring by using skin grating knife

Summary A method of dermaplaning for acne scarring using a skin graft knife is described. This surgical technique cannot be considered as a form of dermabrasion. Its advantages are reported.     

Various types of suprameatal spines and depressions in the human temporal bone

Since it covers the lateral wall of the mastoid air system, the suprameatal triangle is of importance to otologic surgeons during mastoidectomy. Because of this clinical importance, topographic anatomy of the suprameatal spine and depression was studied on Anatolian skulls. In all, 363 male and 231 female skulls were studied. The most prevalent type of suprameatal spine resembled a crest and was found in both sexes on the right (77.6%) and left (80%) sides. The absence of a suprameatal depression was significantly higher in females (right 9.1%; left 8.7%) than in males (right 1.7%; left 2.5%). Suprameatal depressions were mostly shallow in female subjects, but were mostly observed in males to be at a medium depth or deep. Received: 5 January 1998 / Accepted: 19 March 1998     

Molecular genetic characterization of XRCC4 function

XRCC4 is a generally expressed protein of 334 amino acids that is involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks and in V(D)J recombination, but its function is unknown. In this study, we have used a mutational approach and the yeast two-hybrid method to perform an initial characterization of this protein. We show that the XRCC4 protein is located in the nucleus. We also demonstrate that several potential phosphorylation sites are not required for XRCC4 function in a transient V(D)J recombination assay. In addition, we show that XRCC4 forms a homodimer in vivo with the homodimerization domain being located within amino acids 115-204. Finally, we define a core domain of XRCC4 that functions in V(D)J recombination and comprises amino acids 18-204. Potential functions of XRCC4 are discussed.      

ACE Genotype May Have an Effect on Single versus Multiple Set Preferences in Strength Training

A polymorphic variant of the human angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene was identified. The 'D' (rather than 'I') variant was associated with improvements in strength related to physical training. We set out to determine whether the response to different patterns of strength training might also differ. Ninty-nine Caucasian male non-elite athletes were randomly allocated into one of three groups: 31 non-training/control (CG: 31), single-set (SSG: 35) and multiple-set (MSG: 33). SSG and MSG trained three times a week for 6 weeks. Both training groups were underwent a strength-training program with two mesocycles (12-15 repetition maximum (RM) and 8-12 RM mesocycles). One RM loads in half squat and bench press were assessed before training and after the first and second mesocycles. ACE polymorphisms analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Subjects with ACE II genotype in the MST group had improved strength development in 12-15 RM, while SST and MST groups had similar gains in 8-12 RM. Subjects with ACE DD genotype in both the SSG and the MSG had similar benefits from both 12-15 RM and 8-12 RM. Strength gains for subjects with ACE ID genotype in the SSG were similar to MSG gains in response to 8-12 RM loads but not with 12-15 RM loads. Additionally, subjects with DD genotype had superior strength gains in both strength training groups. Tailoring strength training programmes (single-set vs. multiple set) according to the athlete's ACE genotype may be advantageous.