Spacing of cytochrome oxidase blobs in visual cortex of normal and strabismic monkeys

Some models of visual cortical development are based on the assumption that the tangential organization of V1 is not determined prior to visual experience. In these models, correlated binocular activity is a key element in the formation of visual cortical columns, and when the degree of interocular correlation is reduced the models predict an increase in column spacing. To examine this prediction we measured the spacing of columns, as defined by cytochrome oxidase (CO) blobs, in the visual cortex of monkeys whose binocular vision was either normal or disrupted by a strabismus. The spatial distribution of blobs was examined in seven normal and five strabismic macaques. Tangential sections through the upper layers of the visual cortex were stained to reveal the two-dimensional (2D) pattern of CO blobs. Each blob was localized and their center-to-center spacing, packing arrangement and density were calculated using 2D nearest-neighbor spatial analyses. The mean center-to-center spacing of blobs (590 microm for normally reared and 598 microm for strabismic macaques) and the mean density of blobs (3.67 blobs/mm2 for normally reared and 3.45 blobs/mm2 for strabismic macaques) were not significantly different. In addition, the 2D packing arrangement of the blobs was not affected by strabismus. While it is clear that neural activity plays a key role in the elaboration and refinement of ocular dominance cortical modules, we conclude that it does not determine the spatial period of the pattern of CO blobs. This suggests that aspects of the neural circuitry underlying the columnar architecture of the visual cortex are established prenatally and its fundamental periodicity is not modifiable by experience.      

Intrasellar mass with hypopituitarism as a manifestation of sarcoidosis. Case report

A 45-year-old woman was admitted suffering from headache, weight loss, asthenia, pedal edema, and amenorrhea. Morphological and functional studies revealed an intrasellar mass causing hypopituitarism without diabetes insipidus. Histological examination of the tissue obtained at transsphenoidal surgery was compatible with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The clinical and histological features, together with the presence of cutaneous anergy and ocular lesions, led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The presentation of sarcoidosis in this patient was very unusual because it was not accompanied by characteristic intrathoracic findings or by diabetes insipidus.     

The coronal incision in rhytidectomy--the brow lift

Rhytidectomy is not a routine procedure applicalbe to all patients. Variations of technique must be chosen for each individual case. Integral correction of the face is important and brow-lifting must often be done. Our criteria for selecting the coronal incision for the brow-lift are discussed and the surgical techniques are described in detail. Results are analyzed and a simple method for evaluation is presented.     

Esthetic restoration with orthodontic traction and single-tooth implant: case report

This case report describes the use of orthodontic traction to recover soft tissue lost around a maxillary right central incisor with major external root resorption associated with severe gingival recession. Traction of the residual root for 1 month produced a gingival appearance in harmony with the adjacent teeth. After the placement of an implant, a correct emergence profile was obtained, giving an optimal esthetic outcome. After a 3-year follow-up, complete regeneration of soft tissue persisted around the implant-supported crown.     

Reproducibility of optic nerve head measurements obtained by optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate reproducibility of optic nerve head (ONH) morphometry measurements obtained by optical coherence tomography (the fast optical disk protocol of the -Zeiss model 3000 OCT system) in normal and glaucomatous eyes. METHODS: Prospective instrument-evaluation study. ONH measurements for 20 eyes were obtained in eight scan sessions taken during two visits to an ophthalmology clinic (10 normal patients, 10 glaucoma patients, one eye per subject). At every one of the eight sessions for each eye, estimates of eight ONH morphometry variables (see Main outcome measures) were obtained. The first two sessions were performed by two operators, followed by a 30-minute break. The same operators then completed a third and fourth session. This sequence was duplicated on a second visit. Intrasession, intersession, intervisit, and interoperator reproducibility of the eight variables were calculated by the use of a components variance model. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess reliability. RESULTS: Vertical integrated rim area, horizontal integrated rim area, disk area, cup area, rim area, cup/disk area ratio, cup/disk horizontal ratio, cup/disk vertical ratio. With the exception of the horizontal integrated rim area and rim area in normal subjects, the factor subject was the most important source of variance for all variables. Reliability values as measured by ICC for normal eyes were above 81%, with the exception of measurements of the horizontal integrated rim area (23.1%), rim area (33.3%), and disk area (64.7%). For glaucomatous eyes all values were above 85%, with the exception of the disk area (68.1%). CONCLUSIONS: ONH measurements obtained using the fast optical disk protocol of the Zeiss 3000 OCT system show good reproducibility, for both normal and glaucomatous eyes.     

Biliopancreatic Diversion in a Renal Transplant Patient

Surgery is usually the only solution to modify the evolution of morbid obesity and resolve the associated co-morbidities. There is very little written regarding malabsorptive surgery and transplantation. A 48-yearold male with hypertension, hyperuricemia and obesity underwent renal transplantation in 1994 for renal amyloidosis. He was maintained on oral immunosuppressive cyclosporine. The patient developed uncontrollable hypertension, hyperlipemia, hyperglycemia and increasing weight to a BMI of 44. Thus, in December 2004, he underwent biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). After 18 months follow-up, he has lost 85% of his excess weight, and his hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia are markedly improved. Renal function was not modified, nor were the levels of cyclosporine. He has had no complications derived from the BPD, and has a better quality of life.