Intraocular pressure measurement over soft contact lens by rebound tonometer:a comparative study

AIM: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by Icare rebound tonometer over a contact lens in comparison with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT).METHODS: Fifty patients using contact lens were included in this study. One of the eyes of the patients was selected randomly and their IOP were measured by rebound tonometer with and without contact lens (RTCL, RT respectively) and by GAT, as well as their central corneal thickness (CCT) by optical pachymeter. The results of both methods were compared by correlation analysis, general linear method repeated measure and Bland-Altman analysis.RESULTS: Mean IOP values measured by RTCL, RT and GAT were 15.68±3.7, 14.50±3.4 and 14.16±2.8 (P<0.001), respectively. Mean IOP by RTCL was significantly higher than the measurements implemented by RT and GAT (P<0.001), while there was no difference between the measurements by GAT and RT (P=0.629). There was a good level of positive correlation between GAT and RTCL as well as RT (r=0.786 P<0.001, r=0.833 P<0.001, respectively). We have observed that CCT increase did not show any correlation with the differences of the measurements between RTCL and RT (P=0.329), RTCL and GAT (P=0.07) as well as RT and GAT (P=0.189) in linear regression model.CONCLUSION: The average of the measurements over contact lens by rebound tonometer was found to be higher than what was measured by GAT. Although this difference is statistically significant, it may be clinically negligible in the normal population.     

Serum acetylcholinesterase and prognosis of acute organophosphate poisoning

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the prognostic value of serum acetylcholinesterase levels and their relationship with neurological syndromes (Type 1 syndrome, intermediate syndrome, and delayed polyneuropathy) in acute organophosphate poisoning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients with acute organophosphate poisoning admitted to the Ondokuz Mayis University Emergency Department from June 1999 to January 2001 were evaluated. Patients were assessed according to admission time, symptoms, and results of clinical exams and their serum acetylcholinesterase levels were determined on days 1, 2, 3, 7, and the last day. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the first-day serum acetylcholinesterase of the patients with severe poisoning (n = 22, 68.75%) and of the patients with mild poisoning (n = 10, 31.25%; NS). There was no discernible difference between the serum acetylcholinesterase obtained on days 1 and 3 after poisoning from the patients with intermediate syndrome (n = 5, 15.6%; means: 0.90 +/- 0.65 vs. 0.88 +/- 0.53, 19.35 vs. 18.92%; NS, sensitivity = 80%; specificity = 87.5%). There was a significant difference between the serum acetylcholinesterase obtained on days 1 and 3 from the patients with nonintermediate syndrome (n = 24, 75%; means: 1.05 +/- 0.24 vs. 1.68 +/- 0.29, 22.58 vs. 36.12%; p < 0.001). There was no discernible significant difference in serum acetylcholinesterase between the patients with organophosphorus-induced delayed polyneuropathy (n = 7, 21.8%) and nonorganophosphorus-induced delayed polyneuropathy. In the patients who died (n = 5, 15.6%), serum acetylcholinesterase showed no discernible increase day 1-the last day (means: 0.50 +/- 0.25 vs. 0.46 +/- 0.26, 10.75 vs. 9.89%; NS). There was a significant difference between the serum acetylcholinesterase levels obtained on days 1 and the last day from the patients who survived (n = 27, 84.3%; means: 1.14 +/- 0.25 vs. 2.32 +/- 0.26, 24.51 vs. 49.89%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the acute phase of organophosphate poisoning, low serum acetylcholinesterase (> 50% of minimum normal value) supports the diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning but it does not show a significant relationship to the severity of poisoning (NS). The serum acetylcholinesterase activity may be a useful parameter in following the acute prognosis of organophosphate poisoning.     

Effect of a dilacerated root on stress distribution to the tooth and supporting tissues

The configuration of the root of a prospective abutment tooth has a significant influence on its potential load-bearing capacity. Dilaceration is an angulation in the root or crown. This abnormality may also affect the stability and longevity of an abutment. Finite element stress analysis was used to investigate the effect of a root dilaceration on stress distribution to the tooth and its supporting structures. A normal and a dilacerated single-rooted tooth under three loads (axial, distooblique, and mesio-oblique) were analyzed and compared. The results indicated that a dilaceration concentrates the stresses in the supporting structures and may be taken into consideration as a risk factor in abutment selection.     

Morgagni’s Hernia: Analysis of 21 Patients with Our Clinical Experience in Diagnosis and Treatment

A Morgagni’s hernia is a congenital defect found in the anterior aspect of the diaphragm between the costal and the sternal portions of this muscle. This defect is also referred to as the space of Larrey. It has been reported that 70% of patients with Morgagni’s hernia are female, 90% of the hernias are right-sided, and 92% of the hernias have hernia sacs. This type of hernia is a rare clinical entity and accounts for 3% of all surgically treated diaphragmatic hernias. There are no large retrospective or prospective studies on this topic. This type of hernia is a rare type among adults without a well-described prevalence and without well-established definitive management strategies. There are also few clinical reports about this clinical entity and its surgical treatment. We treated 21 patients with Morgagni’s hernia in a 12-year period, and we report our experience while discussing the surgical treatment of this disease. We performed a retrospective review of the 21 patients who were operated between 2003 and 2015. These patients had undergone surgical repair of Morgagni’s hernia. For each subject, demographic data, symptoms of presentation, physical examination findings, preoperative imaging studies and diagnosis, and surgical procedures were documented. Location of the hernia sac and its contents, postoperative complications, and duration of hospital stay were recorded and evaluated. Twelve patients were females and nine were males. The mean age of patients was 63.85 years. Dyspnea was the most prominent symptom in our patients. Morgagni’s hernias were located on the right side in 19 patients and on the left side in 2 patients. Chest X-ray in 10 patients and abdominal computerized tomography in 17 patients were the major diagnostic tools. Four patients were operated as emergency while others underwent elective surgery (17 patients). Twelve patients were operated with laparoscopy and the remaining nine were operated with the conventional open abdominal technique. Hernia sacs were observed in all of the patients and removed except in four of them. The omentum and the transverse colon were the most commonly seen organs in hernia sacs. Hernia defects were repaired with primary sutures in four patients (all open cases) and primary closure supported with mesh in six patients (four laparoscopic, two open cases). In the remaining 11 patients, hernia defects were closed with synthetic meshes (eight laparoscopic, three open cases). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 9.8 days. No recurrence was observed in any patients. Only one of our patients died during follow-up. In Morgagni’s hernias, surgical intervention is necessary as the hernia may cause complications such as strangulation of the colon or intestines. A laparoscopic approach has increased its popularity in recent years because of the well-known advantages of laparoscopy.     

Bone Histomorphology May Be Unremarkable in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract Background and Purpose:  Histomorphological studies on bone in human diabetes mellitus are scarce. The aim of this study was to observe the histomorphological appearance of bone in amputation specimens from feet of patients with diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods:  Routine histopathology reports on 45 amputation specimens were evaluated, provided the osteotomy was located in unaffected bone tissue. The bone morphology of regions affected with gangrene and/or osteomyelitis was considered, as well as the morphology at the dissection margin at a distance from the affected parts. The specimens were obtained from 43 diabetic patients, most of whom exhibiting the so-called neuroischemic diabetic foot with infection. The patients' age ranged from 50 to 92 years, duration of diabetes from 0 to 52 years; polyneuropathy was present in 36, peripheral ischemic vessel disease (PIVD) in 30, and renal failure in 24 of them, respectively. Results:  There were 22 clinical cases of osteomyelitis, 20 cases of gangrene (including three cases of necrosis without surrounding inflammation), and three cases of pressure ulcer, which were treated by amputation of 24 toes, and resection of 21 metatarsal bones, respectively. Histomorphology showed osteomyelitis (n = 29), bone necrosis (n = 1), myelofibrosis (n = 8), and normal bone (n = 7) at the affected sites, compared to normal bone (n = 26), myelofibrosis (n = 12), and osteoporosis (n = 7) at the osteotomy sites. In cases of clinical gangrene, bones were also affected by osteomyelitis, but less so than in cases of clinical osteomyelitis (8/18 vs. 22/22; p < 0.001). Bone tissue at the osteotomy sites was normal – with some myelofibrosis – in both conditions. Conclusion:  This pilot study shows that histomorphology of unaffected foot bone is mostly not abnormal in diabetic patients with neuropathy and PIVD. Further study is necessary to corroborate this preliminary evidence of absence of a “diabetic osteopathy” in the diabetic foot.      

Chemopreventive effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the development of a new colorectal polyp or adenoma in a high-risk population: a meta-analysis

Background

Although many experimental, epidemiologic, and clinical studies have suggested that aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in reducing and preventing colorectal adenomas, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) are still being carried out to obtain statistically reliable results.

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to review long-term, prospective RCTs investigating the effect of NSAIDs on the relative risk (RR) for developing ≥1 new colorectal polyp or adenoma in a high-risk population.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and other electronic databases (including Inter-Science, Science Direct, Ebsco, Synergy, and Proquest) (key terms: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, colorectal, and polyps; years: 1974-2004) for English-language articles. Eligible studies were analyzed in terms of demographic data, adverse effects, and effect of NSAIDs on the RRs.

Results

Four long-term, prospective RCTs were used in the statistical analysis. A total of 2069 high-risk patients were enrolled; 1880 patients completed the studies, and 1127 were in active-treatment groups (aspirin 81-325 mg/d or sulindac 150-300 mg/d). Our meta-analysis of these studies revealed that the overall RR for developing ≥ 1 new colorectal polyp or adenoma was significantly reduced by using aspirin or other NSAIDs (RR = 0.809; 95% CI, 0.718-0.912).

Conclusions

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that regular use of aspirin 81 to 325 mg/d or sulindac 150 to 300 mg/d for ≥1 year was associated with a decrease in the RR for developing ≥ 1 new colorectal polyp or adenoma to 0.80 (95% CI, 0.718-0.912) in patients at high risk.     

Bilateral perirenal urinoma with mediastinal extension

We report a unique case of adult-type polycystic kidney disease (PKD) having bilateral chronic perirenal fluid collection with unusual extension. Fluid collections at both sides are connected across the midline anterior to the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava. In addition, supradiaphragmatic extension through aortic hiatus was well demonstrated by computed tomography (CT). Anatomical boundaries and relations between two perirenal spaces are evaluated.     

Increased serum sialic acid levels in primary osteoarthritis and inactive rheumatoid arthritis

Accumulation of oxidized proteins and impaired antioxidant system have been shown to be associated with arthritis. Serum sialic acid (SA) is known as a parameter of inflammation. In the present study, to explore the potential role of SA in arthritis, we measured serum SA levels, plasma protein oxidation, and antioxidant status in patients with primary osteoarthritis (POA) and inactive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inactive RA (iRA) was defined upon the American College of Rheumatology criteria for clinical remission of RA. A total of 40 patients (20 POA patients, including 4 male subjects, and 20 iRA female patients) and 20 healthy female subjects were included in this study. SA, antioxidants, and protein oxidation levels were determined spectrophotometrically in serum or plasma samples. Serum SA levels were significantly increased in POA (3.34 +/- 0.37 mM, p < 0.0001) and iRA (3.11 +/- 0.47 mM, p < 0.05), compared with healthy controls (2.41 +/- 0.16 mM). Plasma total antioxidant activity, plasma superoxide dismutase activity and serum reduced glutathione levels were significantly decreased in patients with POA and those with iRA, whereas plasma carbonyl content and serum total protein were increased in those patients. Moreover, plasma total thiol levels were significantly increased in iRA and decreased in POA. Thus, increased SA and protein oxidation levels are associated with the decreased antioxidant levels in POA and iRA patients. These results suggest that SA may be considered as a potent defense molecule against oxidative damage in arthritis. Antioxidant therapy may halt or ameliorate the progression of arthritis.