Effect of UV-A and UV-B irradiation on the metabolic profile of aqueous humor in rabbits analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate metabolic changes in aqueous humor from rabbit eyes exposed to either UV-A or -B radiation, by using (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and unsupervised pattern recognition METHODS: methods. Both eyes of adult albino rabbits were irradiated with UV-A (366 nm, 0.589 J/cm(2)) or UV-B (312 nm, 1.667 J/cm(2)) radiation for 8 minutes, once a day for 5 days. Three days after the last irradiation, samples of aqueous humor were aspirated, and the metabolic profiles analyzed with (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The metabolic concentrations in the exposed and control materials were statistically analyzed and compared, with multivariate methods and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: UV-B radiation caused statistically significant alterations of betaine, glucose, ascorbate, valine, isoleucine, and formate in the rabbit aqueous humor. By using principal component analysis, the UV-B-irradiated samples were clearly separated from the UV-A-irradiated samples and the control group. No significant metabolic changes were detected in UV-A-irradiated samples. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the potential of using unsupervised pattern recognition methods to extract valuable metabolic information from complex (1)H NMR spectra. UV-B irradiation of rabbit eyes led to significant metabolic changes in the aqueous humor detected 3 days after the last exposure.     

The management of strabismus in adults--II. Patient and provider perspectives on the severity of adult strabismus and on outcome contributors.

PURPOSE: As part of a larger study intended to evaluate the management of strabismus in adults, we documented and compared patient and provider perspectives on the various factors that may contribute to treatment outcome and value of strabismus care. METHODS: By completing a questionnaire, 170 patients with strabismus (ages 19 to 87 years) and 11 strabismus specialists who performed surgery on these patients each indicated the relative weight of several disease- and treatment-related contributors to the outcome and value of care. In addition, each respondent rated the severity of the strabismus before and after surgery. RESULTS: Overall severity ratings improved as a result of surgery. The improvement perceived by the physicians was 5.1 +/- 1.7 on a 10-point scale and was larger than the 2.6 +/- 3.6 points improvement perceived by the patients ( P < 0.001). Patients and physicians expressed different views on the relative contributions to outcome and value (overall P < 0.001). Both groups indicated "the condition," "the physician," and "the procedures" as the largest contributors, but "condition" was perceived as more important by the physicians than by the patients ( P < 0.001), and "physician" was more important to the patients than to the physicians ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although in approximate agreement on the main contributors to outcome and value, discrepancies exist between perspectives of patients and physicians on the relative weights of those contributors. Public information, education, and counseling may bring these perspectives better in line and ultimately improve both quality and patient satisfaction.     

High-resolution melting analysis of 15 genes in 60 patients with cytochrome-c oxidase deficiency

Cytochrome-c oxidase (COX) deficiency is one of the common childhood mitochondrial disorders. Mutations in genes for the assembly factors SURF1 and SCO2 are prevalent in children with COX deficiency in the Slavonic population. Molecular diagnosis is difficult because of the number of genes involved in COX biogenesis and assembly. The aim of this study was to screen for mutations in 15 nuclear genes that encode the 10 structural subunits, their isoforms and two assembly factors of COX in 60 unrelated Czech children with COX deficiency. Nine novel variants were identified in exons and adjacent intronic regions of COX4I2, COX6A1, COX6A2, COX7A1, COX7A2 and COX10 using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Online bioinformatics servers were used to predict the importance of the newly identified amino-acid substitutions. The newly characterized variants updated the contemporary spectrum of known genetic sequence variations that are present in the Czech population, which will be important for further targeted mutation screening in Czech COX-deficient children. HRM and predictive bioinformatics methodologies are advantageous because they are low-cost screening tools that complement large-scale genomic studies and reduce the required time and effort.     

Functional neuromuscular stimulation to improve severe hand dysfunction after stroke: does inhibitory rTMS enhance therapeutic efficiency?

Background

Novel strategies to improve hand function after stroke are needed. Electromyography-triggered functional neuromuscular stimulation (EMG-FNMS) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are promising techniques to facilitate recovery of sensory-motor hand dysfunction after stroke.

Objective

To investigate if 1 Hz rTMS over the contralesional primary motor cortex enhances the effectiveness of EMG-triggered FNMS of the hand and finger extensors to improve severe sensory-motor hand dysfunction after stroke.

Methods

24 subjects with a first stroke received 10 daily sessions of 20 min EMG-triggered FNMS of the hand and finger extensors of the affected forearm preceded by 15 min of either 1 Hz rTMS (rTMS group, n = 12) or sham rTMS (control group, n = 12) over the contralesional primary motor cortex. Prior to and after each intervention motor function and spasticity were rated at both hands, and cortical excitability of the contralesional primary motor cortex was assessed.

Results

Motor function and spasticity of the affected hand were significantly improved by either intervention, whereas behavioural measures of the unaffected hand did not change. There were no significant differences between both intervention groups. Improvement of motor function of the affected hand was positively correlated with cortical excitability of the contralesional primary motor cortex after EMG-triggered FNMS preceded by 1 Hz rTMS.

Conclusions

1 Hz rTMS does not enhance the general effectiveness of EMG-FNMS to the wrist and finger extensors of the affected forearm after stroke. Motor recovery of the severely affected hand after stroke appears to depend on excitability of the contralesional primary motor cortex.     

Plasma and tissue levels of neuropeptide y in experimental septic shock: relation to hemodynamics, inflammation, oxidative stress, and hemofiltration

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a potent vasoconstrictor released from the sympathetic nerves, has been suggested to counterbalance sepsis-induced vasodilation. Thus, the changes in plasma and tissue NPY concentrations in relation to hemodynamic variables and inflammatory markers in a porcine model of moderate septic shock were investigated. Susceptibility of NPY to be removed by continuous hemofiltration in two settings has been also studied. Thirty-four domestic pigs were divided into five groups: (i) control group; (ii) control group with conventional hemofiltration; (iii) septic group; (iv) septic group with conventional hemofiltration; and (v) septic group with high-volume hemofiltration. Sepsis induced by fecal peritonitis continued for 22 h. Hemofiltration was applied for the last 10 h. Hemodynamic and inflammatory parameters (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and NPY) were measured before and at 12 and 22 h of peritonitis. NPY tissue levels were determined in the left ventricle and mesenteric and coronary arteries. Sepsis induced long-lasting increases in the systemic NPY levels without affecting its tissue concentrations. Continuous hemofiltration at any dose did not reduce sepsis-induced elevations in NPY plasma concentrations, nor did it affect the peptide tissue levels. The increases in NPY systemic levels were significantly correlated with changes in the systemic vascular resistance. The results support the hypothesis of NPY implication in the regulation of the vascular resistance under septic conditions and indicate that NPY clearance rate during hemofiltration does not exceed the capacity of perivascular nerves to release it.     

Orofacial granulomatosis associated with hypersensitivity to dental amalgam

Orofacial granulomatosis is a clinicopathologic entity characterized by chronic swelling of the lip and possible soft tissues in the orofacial region owing to granulomatous inflammation of unknown cause. We present 3 cases of orofacial granulomatosis associated with allergic contact dermatitis to dental materials. Previous treatment with corticosteroids did not have any therapeutic effect. Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to several allergens, including dental amalgam and mercury in 2 cases. A lymphocyte transformation test modified for metals was used to evaluate lymphocyte reactivity. After the removal of the suspected allergens, all patients experienced recovery within 1 month, with the exception of the lip swelling, which gradually subsided over several months.