Relation between corneal thickness and intraocular pressure measurement by noncontact and applanation tonometry.

PURPOSE: To assess whether there is a significant difference in intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements between noncontact and applanation methods and if so, whether the difference is correlated with corneal thickness. SETTING: I?ik Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. METHODS: This prospective study comprised 120 eyes of 60 randomly selected patients. Noncontact tonometry, applanation tonometry, and pachymetry were performed in each eye. The results were compared and an analysis was performed to determine whether there was a correlation between the differences in IOP measurements and corneal thickness in the entire group and in subgroups composed of the halves and quarters of the group. RESULTS: The mean IOP in the entire group was 20.38 mm Hg +/- 4.97 (SD) with the noncontact tonometer and 18.84 +/- 4.47 mm Hg with the Goldmann applanation tonometer. The difference between the measurements with the noncontact method and those with the applanation method was statistically significant (P <.01) except in cases having a corneal thickness between 513 microm and 539 microm (P >.01). There was a positive correlation between corneal thickness and the difference in measurements by noncontact and applanation tonometry, and the magnitude of correlation was greater in cases with thicker corneas. CONCLUSION: The reliability of tonometers decreased with increasing corneal thickness, in which case higher readings were found, especially with the noncontact tonometer.     

Effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on bacterial translocation due to burn wound sepsis

The presence of certain defects in both cellular and humoral immunity after thermal injury has been established. Likewise, the translocation of enteric bacteria to the mesenteric lymph nodes and to distant organs has also been observed following serious thermal injury. The effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on bacterial translocation, the small bowel mucosa, and cecal bacterial content were investigated in a rat model of burn wound sepsis in which albino Wistar rats were scalded over 30% of their bodies, after which the lesions were infected by 1×10⁸ colony-forming units (cfu)Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The control group was treated with 5% dextrose solution subcutaneously starting 2 days preburn, while the treatment group received 100μg/kg human G-CSF subcutaneously. On the 4th day post burn all animals were killed to examine the bowel and culture of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), livers, and spleens. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the cecal bacterial content and small bowel; however, a difference was seen in the ratio of translocation in the MLN liver and spleen and quantitative MLN cultures. Based on these findings, G-CSF was thus found to be significantly effective in reducing bacterial translocation due to burn wound sepsis.     

Radiological imaging findings of Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome

Radiological findings of Dyke–Davidoff–Masson syndrome (DDMS) in patients with different etiologies are presented in our study. The study included 12 patients (seven females, five males) for whom radiological examinations were requested due to reasons such as epilepsy, mental retardation, and/or hemiplegia. CT was performed in 12, MRI in 6, MRA in 1, and DSA in 1 patient. Following imaging findings were evaluated: cerebral and cerebellar involvement (laterality, encephalomalacia), affected territories, ventricular enlargement, sulcal enlargement, calvarial thickening, and paranasal sinus enlargement hyperaeration. Age range of the patients was 5–62 (mean 34.1 ± 21.7). Left hemicrania was affected in eight patients, right hemicrania in four. Ipsilateral calvarial thickening and lateral ventricular dilatation were observed in all patients. 11 patients had ipsilateral frontal sinus hyperaeration, sulcal enlargement and encephalomalacia. Wallerian degeneration of the mesencephalon and middle fossa hypoplasia was seen in ten patients, mastoid hyperaeration, third ventricular enlargement and thalamic involvement in nine, and corpus callosum, basal ganglion injury, and sphenoid sinus hyperaeration in eight. MCA, ACA, and PCA territories were involved in six patients. Only MCA territory involvement was seen in four patients. Cerebellar atrophy was contralateral in two patients. Symmetric bilateral atrophy was observed in one patient. DDMS can be encountered with different radiological findings based on cerebral damage formation process and the extent of damage. Patients may have different levels of cerebral hemiatrophy, ipsilateral carvarial thickening, and lateral ventricular dilatation.     

Serum Lipoprotein‐Associated Phospholipase A2 and C‐Reactive Protein Levels in Association With Periodontal Disease and Hyperlipidemia

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of serum lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp‐PLA₂) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) in association with periodontal disease and hyperlipidemia. Methods: A total of 123 subjects with hyperlipidemia and 68 systemically healthy controls were included in the study. Subjects with hyperlipidemia were divided into two groups: the suggested‐diet (HD) and prescribed‐statin (HS) groups and then into three subgroups: the healthy (HDh and HSh), gingivitis (HDg and HSg), and periodontitis (HDp and HSp) groups. Periodontal parameters were recorded and included the plaque index, gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and percentage of sites with bleeding on probing (BOP). Fasting venous blood samples were obtained, and serum lipid, Lp‐PLA₂, and hsCRP levels were evaluated. Results: Median values for the GI, PD, BOP(%), and CAL in the HSg group were statistically significantly higher than those in the HDg and systemically healthy with gingivitis (Cg) groups. The HSp group had higher percentages of BOP compared to those of the chronic periodontitis and HDp groups. The HDg group had higher serum Lp‐PLA₂ and hsCRP levels compared to those of the Cg and HSg groups. The ratio of total cholesterol to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL) was significantly associated with the GI, PD, and BOP(%) in both groups with hyperlipidemia. Serum Lp‐PLA₂ and hsCRP levels were significantly correlated with TC/HDL, the GI, PD, and BOP(%) in the HD group. Conclusions: Serum Lp‐PLA₂ and hsCRP levels may play an important role in the association between periodontal disease and hyperlipidemia, and the control of these mediators may affect the inflammatory control of patients with hyperlipidemia and periodontal disease.     

Ankylosing spondylitis with mycetoma case treated with oral itraconazole

Pleuropulmonary involvement is an uncommon event in the course of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Apical fibrosis, interstitial infiltrates, and pleural thickening were considered to be the main patterns. However, the presence of cavity is very rare in AS. Here, we report an AS case with aspergilloma, which has been successfully treated with itraconazole.     

Patients with Behcet's disease carry a higher risk for microvascular involvement in active disease period

BACKGROUND: Behcet's disease (BD) is characterized with remissions and exacerbations. However, to date, there is no study to investigate a possible association of disease activity (active versus inactive disease period) with cardiovascular complications. METHODS: Forty patients with BD were evaluated in both active and in inactive disease period. For the control group 45 healthy volunteers, age and sex matched, were registered. Subjects with at least a 15-day lesion-free period were regarded in inactive disease period, and subjects with any oral, skin, and/or genital lesion was regarded as in active disease period. In each subject coronary diastolic peak flow velocities (DPFV) were measured at baseline and after dipyridamole infusion (0.84 mg/kg over 6 minutes) using an Acuson Sequoia C256 echocardiography system. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) was defined as the ratio of hyperemic to baseline DPFV. RESULTS: CFR values were significantly lower in BD patients compared to the controls (2.57+/-0.50 versus 2.87+/-0.53, P = 0.006). In active disease period, basal DPFV (24.6+/-7.5 versus 27.3+/-6.6, P = 0.019) was significantly higher than in the inactive disease period. In the active disease period hyperemic DPFV (61.7+/-14.9 versus 56.8+/-16.7, P = 0.015) values decreased significantly. Therefore, in the active disease period CFR significantly decreased from 2.57+/-0.50 to 2.09+/-0.46, P<0.001. The only independent predictor of CFR within the active disease period was the disease duration (beta = -0.384, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Within the active disease period, coronary microvascular function is more prominently impaired in BD patients. Therefore, BD patients are possibly more vulnerable to cardiovascular manifestations when they are in an active disease period.     

A vertebral hydatid cyst infection mimicking tuberculous spondylodiscitis

Hydatid disease involving the vertebral body and paravertebral soft tissues is rare even in rural areas where echinococcosis is endemic. The case of a 34-year-old woman with vertebral hydatid disease mimicking tuberculous spondylodiscitis (Pott's disease) is presented in this report. Spinal hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spondylodiscitis in endemic countries, and tested for with imaging and serology.     

Lamotrigine reduces intestinal I/R injury in the rat

I/R injury of the intestine is a life-threatening emergency with mortality rates still more than 60%. We have investigated the protective effect of lamotrigine (LTG), an antiepileptic drug, which has an established neuroprotective effect, on intestinal I/R injury in rats. Forty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: a sham-operated group (no I/R injury; n = 16), an ischemic control group (I/R, n = 16), and an LTG-treated group (pretreatment 5 mg kg-1 LTG + IR; n = 16). A marker for lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde, free radical scavengers, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase levels, an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity, and mucosal damage were investigated. Malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity, and the severity of mucosal damage were decreased in the LTG group. Moreover, in the LTG group, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were higher compared with the I/R group. The pretreatment of rats with LTG before intestinal ischemia ameliorates the mucosal damage in intestinal I/R injury probably by altering lipid peroxidation, neutrophil accumulation, and antioxidant activity.     

Neuroprotective effects of tamoxifen on experimental spinal cord injury in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tamoxifen on tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) levels and ultrastructural changes in rats with spinal cord injury. Rats were divided into four groups: control group (laminectomy only), trauma group (laminectomy + spinal trauma), tamoxifen group (laminectomy + spinal trauma + tamoxifen), and vehicle group (laminectomy + spinal trauma + vehicle). Spinal cords were extirpated at the T₇–T₁₂ level and tissue samples from the spinal cords were gathered for TNF-α and IL-1β measurements at 1 and 6 hours. Spinal cords harvested at 6 hours were evaluated for ultrastructural changes. TNF-α and IL-1β levels at 6 hours were significantly lower in the tamoxifen group than in the trauma group. Electron microscopic examination of tissue from the trauma group revealed gross cell deformities with widespread edema of all structures as well as severe edema in the neuropil. At 6 hours after trauma, these ultrastructural changes were less marked in the tamoxifen group. Our findings support a neuroprotective and restorative role for tamoxifen in the context of secondary pathological biochemical events after SCI.