A rare case of subretinal cysticercosis

This is a case of a 25 year old lady whose eye had been infected by cysticercosis. This case highlighted that the inflammation was due to host immune response. She was treated with oral corticosteroid and the lesions regressed.     

Effects of heparin and a semi-synthetic heparin analogue on platelet aggregation, lipoprotein lipase and other laboratory tests in surgical patients

Platelet aggregation, lipoprotein lipase activity, coagulation parameters and routine blood chemistry were measured in a randomised study of 21 surgical patients before, immediately after and 3 months after operation. Sodium heparin 5000 IU was given subcutaneously to 11 patients every 12 hours for 7 days, the first injection 2 hours preoperatively; 10 patients received a semi-synthetic heparin analogue (SSHA 75 mg) in the same manner. The groups were sex and age matched. No conclusive changes were found in platelet aggregation. The increase in lipoprotein lipase activity in SSHA patients 2 hours after injection was significantly greater than in heparin patients. Neither of the two drugs induced significant changes in coagulation parameters or routine blood chemistry. The results indicate a difference in the effect on lipoprotein lipase release between heparin and SSHA at the used dosage schedules.     

Absolute quantification of human liver metabolite concentrations by localized in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy in diffuse liver disease

Phosphorus-31 NMR spectroscopy using slice selection (DRESS) was used to investigate the absolute concentrations of metabolites in the human liver. Absolute concentrations provide more specific biochemical information compared to spectrum integral ratios. Nine patients with histopathologically proven diffuse liver disease and 12 healthy individuals were examined in a 1.5-T MR scanner (GE Signa LX Echospeed plus). The metabolite concentration quantification procedures included: (1) determination of optimal depth for the in vivo measurements, (2) mapping the detection coil characteristics, (3) calculation of selected slice and liver volume ratios using simple segmentation procedures and (4) spectral analysis in the time domain. The patients had significantly lower concentrations of phosphodiesters (PDE), 6.3±3.9 mM, and ATP-, 3.6±1.1 mM, (P<0.05) compared with the control group (10.0±4.2 mM and 4.2±0.3 mM, respectively). The concentrations of phosphomonoesters (PME) were higher in the patient group, although this was not significant. Constructing an anabolic charge (AC) based on absolute concentrations, [PME]/([PME] + [PDE]), the patients had a significantly larger AC than the control subjects, 0.29 vs. 0.16 (P<0.005). Absolute concentration measurements of phosphorus metabolites in the liver are feasible using a slice selective sequence, and the technique demonstrates significant differences between patients and healthy subjects.     

The value of life and accident costing

Motorcyclists constitute a large proportion of total road casualties in Asian countries Unfortunately, studies conducted for the purpose of evaluating the cost of traffic crashes, and cost-benefit analyses of safety interventions, are almost nonexistent in these countries. The loss-of-output approach to valuing life has been used for many years, yet this method has also long been criticised as it results in significant resource misallocation. This study attempts to overcome this problem by estimating the value of a statistical life among motorcyclists using the willingness-to-pay method that is commonly used in developed countries. The study recommends adopting a value of MYR1.1 million (almost five times the previous estimate) per statistical life for public policy analysis involving motorcycle safety.     

Systematic hysteroscopy prior to in vitro fertilization

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefits of a diagnostic hysteroscopy prior to in vitro fertilization. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 145 patients who underwent ICSI during a period of 6 months. Office hysteroscopy was systematically performed before the first stimulation cycle. If pathological findings were revealed, appropriate medical or surgical treatment was given. RESULTS: Pathological patterns were observed in 45% of hysteroscopies. Endometritis, polyps and myomas and mucosal diseases were the most frequently observed. The patients aged over 38 years didn't show higher rate of pathology (29% vs 27% for the younger patients). The treatment of pathologies gave the same pregnancy rate than the normal cavities. Patients with endometritis were treated with antibiotics and 40% of them became pregnant in the following cycle. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Systematic hysteroscopy prior to IVF-ICSI showed to be an effective investigation that could improve the pregnancy rate.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Swedish human liver and adipose tissue

Paired samples of human liver and adipose tissue were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) containing 3–6 bromine atoms. The samples were obtained at autopsy from one woman and four men at the age of 47 and 66–83 years, respectively. PBDEs were found in all samples. The sum of nine PBDE congeners ranged 5–18 ng/g lipids and 4–8 ng/g lipids in liver and adipose tissue, respectively. In three paired samples the concentrations were similar in liver and adipose tissue, while in two of the pairs the concentrations were higher in liver than in adipose tissue. The PBDE congeners 2,2′,4,4′-tetraBDE (BDE-47), 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentaBDE (BDE-99), and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexaBDE (BDE-153) occurred at highest levels and constituted together 87–96% and 84–94% of the total sum of PBDEs in liver and adipose tissue, respectively. The levels of PBDEs were compared to those of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethene (p,p′-DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Received: 13 June 2000/Accepted: 1 October 2000     

Bilateral narrow duplicated internal auditory canal

Internal auditory canal (IAC) anomalies are rare malformations that may include alterations of shape, size or orientation of the IAC. Bilateral duplication of IAC is a very rare malformation and only one case has been described in literature. We report a case of bilateral duplicated IAC together with other inner ear anomalies.