Augmented superior rectus transposition procedure in Duane retraction syndrome compared with sixth nerve palsy

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - Superior rectus transposition (SRT) with medial rectus recession has been used for the treatment of sixth nerve palsy and...     

Pro-inflammatory cytokine profile of critically ill septic patients following therapeutic plasma exchange

Severe sepsis involves a generalized inflammatory response, mediated by a number of various cytokines and factors. Plasma exchange (PE) has been proposed as a therapeutic approach to improve survival of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. The theory is that removing harmful excessive endogenous inflammatory mediators is beneficial. Upon establishment of a diagnosis of severe sepsis, twelve patients received PE plus conventional sepsis treatment. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were assayed before and after each session of PE.ResultsThere were no significant changes in cytokine plasma levels after each PE session compared to pre-procedure levels. Among measured pro-inflammatory cytokines, only the plasma levels of IL-6 before the 2nd and 3rd PE sessions were lower than baseline levels (p = 0.011 and p = 0.012, respectively). All patients tolerated PE therapy well without any adverse effects or homodynamic instability. The results of this study showed that PE does not have a direct and rapid effect on plasma level of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6.     

Risk Factors for Incident Fracture in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: The Framingham Heart Study

OBJECTIVETo identify risk factors for fracture in type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThis prospective study included members of the Framingham Original and Offspring Cohorts. Type 2 diabetes was defined as fasting plasma glucose >125 mg/dL or use of type 2 diabetes therapy. We used repeated-measures Cox proportional hazards regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for associations between potential predictors and incidence of fragility fracture.RESULTSParticipants included 793 individuals with type 2 diabetes. Mean ± SD age was 70 ± 10 years; 45% were women. A total of 106 incident fractures occurred over 1,437 observation follow-up intervals. Fracture incidence increased with age (adjusted HRs 1.00, 1.44 [95% CI 0.65, 3.16], and 2.40 [1.14, 5.04] for <60, 60–70, and >70 years, respectively; P_trend = 0.02), female sex (2.23 [1.26, 3.95]), HbA_1c (1.00, 2.10 [1.17, 3.75], and 1.29 [0.69, 2.41] for 4.45–6.46% [25–47 mmol/mol], 6.50–7.49% [48–58 mmol/mol], and 7.50–13.86% [58–128 mmol/mol]; P_trend =0.03), falls in past year (1.00, 1.87 [0.82, 4.28], and 3.29 [1.34, 8.09] for no falls, one fall, and two or more falls; P_trend =0.03), fracture history (2.05 [1.34, 3.12]), and lower grip strength (0.82 [0.69, 0.99] per 5-kg increase). Femoral neck bone mineral density, BMI, smoking, physical function, chronic diseases, medications, and physical function were not associated with fracture incidence.CONCLUSIONSPrior falls, fractures, low grip strength, and elevated HbA_1c are risk factors for fractures in older adults with type 2 diabetes. Evaluation of these factors may improve opportunities for early intervention and reduce fractures in this high-risk group.     

Disseminated BCG as a unique feature of an infant with severe combined immunodeficiency

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease, which renders patients prone to recurrent severe infections in early childhood. Herein, we present a five-month-old boy with SCID who was referred to our center with recurrent diarrhea, respiratory infection and lymphadenopathy. Immunological studies showed hypogammaglobulinemia and low number of T-cells, which was compatible with the diagnosis of T- B+ SCID. An advanced cytomegalovirus pneumonitis was detected based on the results of lung necropsy. Cultures and polymerase chain reaction studies of bone marrow aspirates and spleen specimen were indicative of Mycobacterium bovis. This report emphasizes the importance of lymphadenopathy as a sentinel sign of immunological disorders. Underlying immunodeficiency diseases such as SCID should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an infant with infections and lymphadenopathy, particularly in the regions with routine national Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination.