Endoscopically controlled erbium:YAG goniopuncture versus trabeculectomy: effect on intraocular pressure in combination with cataract surgery

PURPOSE:. To compare the efficacy of endoscopic erbium:YAG laser goniopuncture in glaucoma treatment to trabeculectomy, both methods as adjuncts to cataract surgery. METHODS:. Fifty-nine eyes of 59 glaucoma patients with coexistent cataract were treated by phacoemulsification and endoscopic Er:YAG goniopuncture in a combined fashion. The primary study endpoints were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucomatous drugs, postoperative complications, hospitalisation time and visual acuity at 1 year after surgery. To date, 24 eyes have finished the 1-year follow-up. This prospective treatment arm was compared to a retrospective inclusion-matched control group treated by trabeculectomy and cataract surgery in a single procedure. RESULTS:. In the laser-treated group, the mean IOP dropped by 30% from 23.4+/-3.7 mmHg to 16.3+/-6 mmHg ( P<0.0001) after 12 months. Without reoperation, treatment was successful in 71% of these eyes. In the control group, the IOP decreased by 33.5% from 22.7+/-3.3 mmHg to 15.1+/-3.8 mmHg ( P<0.0001). The success rate without reoperation was 46%. The number of antiglaucomatous drugs needed decreased from 1.48+/-0.95 to 0.48+/-0.7 ( P<0.0001) in the laser-treated group and from 2.0+/-0.9 to 0.39+/-0.6 ( P<0.0001) in the control group. Postoperative complications were found more frequently in the control group ( P<0.0001). Hospitalisation was shorter in the laser group ( P<0.0001). Postoperative visual acuity was lower in the control group ( P=0.004). CONCLUSION:. Combined Er:YAG goniopuncture and cataract surgery lowers the IOP to an extent comparable to combined trabeculectomy and cataract surgery. Due to fewer postoperative complications, Er:YAG goniopuncture seems to be superior to standard fistulation surgery as the primary approach within the first year.     

Decrease of glucose in the human visual cortex during photic stimulation.

Localized proton NMR spectroscopy was used to study cerebral metabolism in the visual cortex of healthy adults during rest and photic stimulation. Basal lactate levels showed considerable interindividual differences ranging from below detectability (less than 0.3 mM) to about 1 mM without consistent alteration during photic stimulation. Local brain glucose levels were significantly reduced (approximately 50%) during the entire period of photic stimulation and recovered to resting levels (approximately 0.8 mM) within 10 min after the end of stimulation. This decrease reflects the establishment of a new equilibrium due to enhanced delivery (blood flow) and enhanced consumption. The absence of lactate accumulation supports the hypothesis of a rapid efflux of lactate from brain tissue under activated conditions.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function following exposure in workers exposed to soft paper tissue dust

Summary The objective of this study was to investigate if the dust in a mill producing soft paper tissue caused respiratory symptoms or impaired respiratory function. Using a questionnaire and spirometry, 355 persons were examined. They were divided into three groups according to present exposure to dust; low (< 1 mg/m³), moderate (1–5 mg/m³) and heavy (> 5 mg/m³). There was a dose-dependent increase of symptoms from the upper respiratory tract. However, coughing and coughing with phlegm were not found to be more common among persons with heavy exposure compared to those with low exposure to the dust. There was no difference in FEV, or FVC during a work shift. Persons with long-term (> 10 years) and heavy exposure to dust seemed to have impaired respiratory function compared to those with low and/or short-term exposure to the dust.     

False-Positive Computed Tomographic Findings in a Series of 525 Patients with Acoustic Neuromas

In our series of 525 patients operated on for acoustic neuroma, there were three false-positive computed tomography findings resulting in unnecessary surgery. The histories and results of laboratory investigations and surgery are presented. Discussion of the outcome had gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging been performed is presented.     

Humanized monoclonal antibody treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.

A 41-year-old woman with active, seropositive erosive rheumatoid arthritis was treated with the humanized monoclonal antibody Campath 1H. She had not responded or developed side effects to myocrisin, sulfasalazine and penicillamine, and had not responded to inpatient bedrest and physiotherapy. There was a rapid clinical improvement within 24 hours of infusion, which was maintained for about 12-14 weeks after the infusion. The lymphocyte count was suppressed for 7 months after treatment. There were no significant side effects during or after treatment. No anti-Campath 1H response was detected. This preliminary study suggests humanized monoclonal antibody therapy may be of value in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Chronic Administration of Glucocorticoids Directly Upregulates Prepro-Neuropeptide Y and Y1-Receptor mRNA Levels in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Rat

The complete sequence of the cDNA encoding the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y₁-receptor has recently been deduced from a rat brain library, and the presence of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding Y₁-receptor protein has been demonstrated within the brain. Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, the content and distribution of Y₁receptor and preproNPY mRNAs have been investigated in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of adrenalectomized rats receiving glucocorticoid replacement therapy for 12 days by means of either high doses of dexamethasone in their drinking water or by subcutaneous corticosterone pellets. Basal metabolic parameters such as weight gain or loss, blood glucose and plasma insulin were monitored: Dexamethasone treatment induced weight loss and a state of hyperinsulinemia with normoglycemia, while corticosterone treated animals displayed metabolic parameters identical to sham ADX animals. Within the arcuate nucleus of glucocorticoid treated animals, levels of Y₁receptor and preproNPY mRNAs were increased. In contrast, adrenalectomy itself had no effect upon Y₁-receptor mRNA levels or preproNPY mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus. These studies demonstrate that glucocorticoids exert a stimulatory action on levels of Y₁-receptor mRNA and preproNPY mRNA levels in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. This is the first evidence to suggest that the expression of a neuropeptide-receptor gene in the central nervous system may be directly sensitive to peripheral hormonal signals.     

Myocardial sestamibi single-photon emission tomography: Variations in reference values with gender, age and rest versus stress?

Reference data files support the evaluation of myocardial perfusion single-photon emission tomography (SPET). The aim of this study was to create a large reference data base for technetium-99m sestamibi SPET, age and gender matched to the general patient population. One hundred and twenty-eight healthy volunteers (76 males and 52 females) with a likelihood of coronary artery disease of less than 5% underwent rest and maximal exercise^99mTc-sestamibi SPET with a 2-day protocol and 180° elliptical rotation. The normalized activity values of^99mTc-sestamibi in the inferior wall differed significantly between men and women. Age variations were found for men in the anterior wall. Normalized activity values in all four walls were strikingly similar during rest and stress. Our results suggest that the use of reference files in^99mTc-sestamibi SPET requires a gender- and, for males, possibly an age-matched reference population. Different reference files at rest and during stress might not be necessary.     

Transplantation of central nervous tissue

Studies of post-lesional reorganization of central nervous connections have shown that central nerve fibers respond to nearby denervation by sprouting and formation of new terminals. The connections in the central nervous system (CNS) are accordingly much more plastic than was thought for a long time. This has revived the interest in transplantation of central nervous tissue. In this study we present some historical data on CNS transplantation supplemented by recent results obtained in our laboratory. Pieces of hippocampal tissue from embryonic or early postnatal rats were transplanted to different parts of the brain of littermates or adult rats. About two-thirds of the transplants were recovered after survival times ranging from 4 d to 2 years, and their cytological organization and intrinsic connections were monitored by cell and fiber stains and histochemical methods (AChE staining and Timm sulphide silver method). Comparison with both a normal and a lesioned control material revealed that in most transplants the tissue had developed as it does when left in situ in the donor brain, but deprived of its major afferent connections. In several instances we found evidence of a major exchange of connections between the transplants and host brains. The conditions needed for this to occur appeared to involve growth stimulation of host brain fibers by transection (host to transplant) and denervation of host neuropil (transplant to host). In cases where these conditions are met, the use of transplants may have future implications in attempts to repair lesions in the central nervous systems.     

A longitudinal study of semen quality in pesticide spraying danish farmers

It was hypothesized that occupational exposure to pesticides during a spraying season causes changes in semen quality that might be detected in a longitudinal study. We analyzed the within-person changes in semen quality and reproductive hormones across a spraying season in groups of farmers using and not using pesticides. A total of 248 men collected two semen samples (participation rate: 32%). The median sperm concentration declined significantly from the first to the second sample in both groups, but there was no statistical difference in the decline between the two groups, unadjusted or adjusted. Only minor changes were found in sperm morphology, vitality, motility, sperm chromatin denaturation (SCSA), and reproductive hormones, and the differences in changes between the two groups were nonsignificant, or, in the opposite direction to the expected. There was no relation between the changes in sperm parameters in relation to pesticide exposure variables. In conclusion, use of pesticides by Danish farmers is not a likely cause of short-term effects on semen quality and reproductive hormones.     

Long-term benefit to pallidal deep brain stimulation in a case of dystonia secondary to pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with onset in childhood and rapid progression. There is no causative and insufficient symptomatic drug therapy. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal pallidum (GPi) has been reported to improve motor function. Most case reports, however, are limited to short observational periods. The impact of DBS on the progression and life expectancy in PKAN is unknown. We present a 5-year outcome and video documentation of bilateral GPi-DBS of an adolescent patient suffering from genetically defined PKAN.