Visually significant persistent outer retinal fluid following closure of a macular hole

PURPOSE: We report two cases of persistent outer retinal fluid defects following macular hole surgery. METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent macular hole surgery performed by a single surgeon were examined pre- and postoperatively using slit-lamp biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT). RESULTS: Two patients from this series were identified by OCT as having persistent outer retinal fluid defects after macular hole surgery, despite closure of the holes on biomicroscopy. One patient had only a small defect present at 6 weeks, with very good visual improvement, which was later shown to have resolved. The second had a large persistent defect and no postoperative improvement in vision despite the eventual resolution of the fluid 17 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Large pockets of persistent outer retinal fluid defects as shown on OCT may reduce final visual acuity in patients following macular hole surgery.     

A possible mechanism of tumor regression in cisplatin-treated mice

Immunization of mice with cisplatin results in specific enhancement of host's cellular immune system by stimulating splenocytes and peritoneal exudate cells against the specific tumor antigens. Possible mechanism of tumor cell destruction by splenocytes/PEC was analyzed. Intimate contact between the two cells is the most essential step during the tumor effector cell reaction.     

Modification of ischemia-induced biochemical changes in the myocardium by Rooh-Afza extracts

In rats, myocardial ischemia was produced by isoprenaline (80 mg/kg i.p.) and in rabbits, by ligating the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. Two extracts of Rooh-Afza, a Unani polypharmaceutical preparation, were administered 1 hr or 15 min before inducing ischemia. Both the extracts protected the rat myocardium from isoprenaline-induced changes. In rabbits, protection against ischemia was observed only at a higher dose. The extract containing essential oils and flavoring agents was found to be more effective. It also inhibited platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) in vitro and ex vivo in monkeys.     

Trisodium citrate 4%--an alternative to heparin capping of haemodialysis catheters.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters (CVCs) continue to be used at a high rate for dialysis access and are frequently complicated by thrombus-related malfunction. Prophylactic locking with an anticoagulant, such as heparin, has become standard practice despite its associated risks. Trisodium citrate (citrate) 4% is an alternative catheter locking anticoagulant. METHODS: The objective was to prospectively study the clinical effectiveness, safety and cost of citrate 4% vs heparin locking by comparing rates of CVC exchanges, thrombolytic use (TPA) and access-associated hospitalizations during two study periods: heparin period (HP) (1 June 2003-15 February 2004) and Citrate Period (CP) 15 March-15 November 2004. Incident catheters evaluated did not overlap the two periods. RESULTS: There were 176 CVC in 121 patients (HP) and 177 CVC in 129 patients (CP). The event rates in incident CVC were: CVC exchange 2.98/1000 days (HP) vs 1.65/1000 days (CP) (P = 0.01); TPA use 5.49/1000 (HP) vs 3.3/1000 days (CP) (P = 0.002); hospitalizations 0.59/1000 days (HP) vs 0.28/1000 days (CP) (P = 0.49). There was a longer time from catheter insertion to requiring CVC exchange (P = 0.04) and TPA (P = 0.006) in the citrate compared with the heparin lock group. Citrate locking costs less than heparin locking but a formal economic analysis including indirect costs was not done. CONCLUSION: Citrate 4% has equivalent or better outcomes with regards to catheter exchange, TPA use and access-related hospitalizations compared with heparin locking. It is a safe and less expensive alternative. Randomized trials comparing these anticoagulants with a control group would definitively determine the optimal haemodialysis catheter locking solution.     

Neurological toll of COVID-19

Neurological Sciences - The first case of coronavirus illness was discovered in Wuhan, China, in January 2020 and quickly spread worldwide within the next couple of months. The condition was...