The effects of hormone replacement therapy on ocular surface and tear function tests in postmenopausal women

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the impact of various hormone replacement therapies (HRT) on ocular surface and tear function tests. METHODS: A total of 70 women in the postmenopausal period were enrolled in the study. The groups consisted of 16 women who were not on HRT (group 1), 29 women who were on HRT with tibolone (group 2) and 25 women who received estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment (group 3). All patients underwent tear film break-up time (TFBUT), Schirmer's test and conjunctiva cytology at the time of enrollment and at 6 months' follow-up. RESULTS: Patients in group 2 showed improved Schirmer's test and TFBUT results (p < 0.001); however, no significant changes occurred in group 1 and group 3 patients (p > 0.05). Conjunctival cytology scores did not differ at the time of enrollment and at 6 months' follow-up in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first comparative clinical study on the effects of tibolone and estradiol plus medroxyprogesterone acetate on ocular surface and tear function tests. HRT with tibolone seems to improve tear function tests in postmenopausal women.     

Effects on bone mineral density of gonadotropin releasing hormone analogs used in the treatment of central precocious puberty

The aim of this study was to compare vertebral bone mass values of patients with central precocious puberty (CPP) with healthy age and puberty matched controls and to determine the effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs on bone mass in patients who had been treated at least for 1 year. Girls with idiopathic CPP, 11 pretreatment, 14 post-treatment, and 19 pubertal girls as controls were enrolled in the study. The mean ages of the controls and the patients with CPP pre- and post-treatment were 10.25 +/- 1.06, 8.23 +/- 1.11, and 10.36 +/- 1.82 years, respectively. Leuprolide acetate (Lucrin) 3.75 mg was administered s.c. monthly. Bone measurements were performed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) (Norland) at the anterior-posterior vertebrae (L2-L4). The post-treatment group's mean BMD value was 0.66 +/- 0.12; Z scores according to CA and BA were 0.32 +/- 10 and 0.30 +/- 1.1, respectively. In the study group, BMD values compared to the control group were normal. No significant change in BMD values was observed after treatment. Neither osteopenia nor osteoporosis was observed in patients taking GnRH analog.     

Two siblings with tyrosinaemia type 2

We report on two siblings with tyrosinaemia type 2, a 6-year-old girl and her 3.5-year-old brother with a main complaint of painful palmo-plantar hyperkeratosis. The boy presented also conjunctival injection, photophobia, lacrimation and conjunctivitis. Blood tyrosine levels were increased in both patients, 150.6 and 202.3 micro mol/dl, respectively (reference value: 5.8+/-2.2 micro mol/dl). After 1 month of dietary treatment with low protein, low phenylalanine and tyrosine, tyrosine levels decreased to 37.7 and 65.6 micro mol/dl, respectively; the cutaneous lesions improved in both of them, and conjunctivitis disappeared. CONCLUSION: the association of bilateral ulcero-conjunctivitis with photophobia and palmo-plantar hyperkeratosis since early infancy is the clue to the diagnosis of tyrosinaemia type 2.     

5-Fluorouracil as chemoadjuvant for primary pterygium surgery: preliminary report

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraoperative application of 5-fluorouracil as an adjuvant in primary pterygium surgery and to evaluate the effect of postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections on the recurrent pterygium. METHODS: Of 25 consecutive white patients, 28 eyes with primary pterygium underwent pterygium excision with intraoperative application of 5-fluorouracil (25 mg/mL for 3 minutes). The superior and inferior conjunctiva was approximated to cover the scleral bed within 1 mm of the limbus. Recurrence of pterygium was defined as postoperative fibrovascular growth more than 1 mm onto the cornea. Eyes with recurrence less than 2 mm were treated with subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 14.1 +/- 3.9 months (mean +/- standard deviation), 7 recurrences (25%) were observed. All recurrences were detected within 12 months. In 4 of 7 recurrences, the fibrovascular growths were less than 2 mm. We, therefore, performed subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections. In 3 (75%) of 4 recurrences, the fibrovascular growths became atrophic. No serious complications were observed during and after the surgery. However, superficial punctate keratitis, pain, and hyperemia were detected in all patients in the early postoperative period. As a result, of 28 eyes, 4 (14%) had unacceptable cosmetic results and growing recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that intraoperative applications of 5-fluorouracil is both efficient and safe in the treatment of primary pterygium. Additionally, postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections may prevent the progression of fibrovascular tissue.     

IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL COAT APPLIED OVER FLUORIDE VARNISHES

Objective:

The time of contact between the product and enamel surface is important in ensuring the efficacy of fluoride varnishes. Thus, some alternatives could avoid fluoride loss to saliva and improve the anticariogenic action of the product. This study evaluated the effect of an experimental coat on the anticariogenic action of fluoride varnishes.

Material and Methods:

Enamel bovine blocks were selected by evaluating surface microhardness and randomized into five groups (n=24): placebo, Duraphat™, Duraphat™ with coat, Duofluorid™ and Duofluorid™ with coat. Twelve blocks from each group were used to analyze calcium fluoride (CaF₂) formed on enamel after treatment. The other 12 blocks were subjected to pH cycling for 7 days. The varnishes were kept on enamel for 6 h. Next, the percentage change of surface microhardness (%SMHC) and mineral loss (ΔZ) were calculated. CaF₂ retained and fluoride present in the pH-cycled solutions were also measured.

Results:

The use of the coat did not decrease %SMHC and ΔZ, but all fluoride varnishes had better results when compared to the placebo (ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis, respectively). The values from CaF₂ formed were higher compared to the values of CaF₂ retained (non-paired t test, p<0.05). There was a trend to decrease the amount of F in the solutions at the end of pH cycling (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Although the experimental coat increased the formation of CaF₂ on the enamel surface, it did not significantly improve the anticariogenic action of fluoride varnishes.     

A mature cystic teratoma in pineal region mimicking parietal encephalocele in a newborn

Objective Teratoma is the most frequently encountered intracranial tumor at birth and constitutes 18–20% of all germ cell tumors. They are usually located in pineal and suprasellar regions. The authors aim to report an extremely unusual presentation, location, and appearance of a teratoma in a newborn. Case report A soft tissue swelling in the vertex was detected in a 1-month-old girl. Neurological examination was normal. A big, cystic–solid lesion beginning from pineal region and extending to the scalp was detected in magnetic resonance imaging. It is interesting to note that cerebral venous angiography showed that the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) was divided into three branches at the level of the lesion and they joined together distally. The tumor was excised totally. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of a mature cystic teratoma. Conclusion A mature cystic teratoma mimicking parietal encephalocele is extremely rare. Germ cell tumors should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of all midline lesions with unusual radiographic appearance. Cerebral venous angiography or MR angiography must be performed for the diagnosis and the surgical planning in lesions located near SSS.     

Vesiculopustular Eruption in Neonatal Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder

Transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) typically presents with pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and immature circulating white blood cells, and affects approximately 10 % of neonates with Down syndrome. The authors report a neonate with Down syndrome who developed acute widespread pustular eruptions as a sign of TMD. The white blood cell counts on the first day of life were markedly elevated, with blasts seen on examination of the peripheral blood smear. And the patient was noted to have a few erythematous papules and pustules especially on the face. On the following days pathergy positive crusted papules and pustules were increased and spread to trunk and extremities. Skin biopsy specimens showed pustular dermatitis, with subcorneal vesiculopustules and perivascular inflammation in superficial dermis. These lesions improved parallel with the hematologic improvement within two weeks. The authors aim to alert clinicians about this uncommon cause of vesiculopustular eruption with the present illustrative case and review the literature.     

Early mechanical stimulation only permits timely bone healing in sheep

Bone fracture healing is sensitive to the fixation stability. However, it is unclear which phases of healing are mechano‐sensitive and if mechanical stimulation is required throughout repair. In this study, a novel bone defect model, which isolates an experimental fracture from functional loading, was applied in sheep to investigate if stimulation limited to the early proliferative phase is sufficient for bone healing. An active fixator controlled motion in the fracture. Animals of the control group were unstimulated. In the physiological‐like group, 1 mm axial compressive movements were applied between day 5 and 21, thereafter the movements were decreased in weekly increments and stopped after 6 weeks. In the early stimulatory group, the movements were stopped after 3 weeks. The experimental fractures were evaluated with mechanical and micro‐computed tomography methods after 9 weeks healing. The callus strength of the stimulated fractures (physiological‐like and early stimulatory) was greater than the unstimulated control group. The control group was characterized by minimal external callus formation and a lack of bone bridging at 9 weeks. In contrast, the stimulated groups exhibited advanced healing with solid bone formation across the defect. This was confirmed quantitatively by a lower bone volume in the control group compared to the stimulated groups.The novel experimental model permits the application of a well‐defined load history to an experimental bone fracture. The poor healing observed in the control group is consistent with under‐stimulation. This study has shown early mechanical stimulation only is sufficient for a timely healing outcome. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1790–1796, 2018.

     

Effects of a Multi-site Expansion of Group Prenatal Care on Birth Outcomes

Objectives Perinatal Quality Collaboratives across the United States are initiating projects to improve health and healthcare for women and infants. We compared an evidence-based group prenatal care model to usual individual prenatal care on birth outcomes in a multi-site expansion of group prenatal care supported by a state-wide multidisciplinary Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Methods We analyzed 15,330 pregnant women aged 14–48 across 13 healthcare practices in South Carolina (2013–2017) using a preferential-within cluster matching propensity score method and logistic regression. Outcomes were extracted from birth certificate data. We compared outcomes for (a) women at the intent-to-treat level and (b) for women participating in at least five group prenatal care visits to women with less than five group visits with at least five prenatal visits total. Results In the intent-to-treat analyses, women who received group prenatal care were significantly less likely to have preterm births (absolute risk difference ? 3.2%, 95% CI ? 5.3 to ? 1.0%), low birth weight births (absolute risk difference ? 3.7%, 95% CI ? 5.5 to ? 1.8%) and NICU admissions (absolute risk difference ? 4.0%, 95% CI ? 5.6 to ? 2.3%). In the as-treated analyses, women had greater improvements compared to intent-to-treat analyses in preterm birth and low birth weight outcomes. Conclusions for Practice CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care is effective across a range of real-world clinical practices for decreasing the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. This is a feasible approach for other Perinatal Quality Collaboratives to attempt in their ongoing efforts at improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

     

Long-term management of corrosive esophageal stricture with balloon dilation in children

Background and purpose  

There are only a few studies focused on efficacy and safety of balloon dilation in corrosive esophageal stricture in children. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term clinical results of balloon dilation in the treatment of corrosive esophageal stricture in children.