Submentovertex cephalometric analysis of Class II subdivision malocclusions

Submentovertex cephalometric analysis was used to assess the mandibular symmetry of 20 patients with Class II subdivision malocclusion and 20 controls with Class I occlusions. Using the intercondylar line and the intercondylar axis, the relative differences were measured between mandibular landmarks in both anteroposterior and transverse dimensions. Anteroposterior and transverse differences between left and right mandibular positions and the transverse position of the dental midline showed a statistically significant difference between the groups. The position of the coronoid process also differed between the two groups. We conclude that the entire mandibular dentition is rotated in Class II subdivision malocclusions.     

Menstrual cycle-dependent differences between right and left visual hemifields in perimetry

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the menstrual cycle and gender on right and left visual hemifields in healthy subjects. METHODS: One randomly selected eye from each of 42 healthy normally menstruating women and of 37 men with no systemic and ocular problems, other than refractive error, were included in the study. Subjects underwent complete ocular examination and standard acromatic perimetric (SAP) and short-wavelength automated perimetric (SWAP) analysis in both follicular (7th to 10th day of the cycle) and luteal phases (days 3 to 7 before the menstrual bleeding) of the menstrual cycle. Visual field analysis was performed using Model 750 Humphrey Field Analyzer II (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA, USA) with full-threshold, central 30-2 program. RESULTS: The mean age of female (n = 42) and the male subjects (n = 37) were 35.2 +/- 3.1 years and 34.8 +/- 2.9 years, respectively (p = 0.58). Neither females nor males showed any statistically significant differences in the right and left hemifield tests with SAP (both p values > 0.05). However, using SWAP, in luteal phase of female subjects, left hemifield sensitivity was significantly less than (with a mean of 0.47 dB) right hemifield. In follicular phase, there was no significant interhemifield difference (p > 0.05). Male subjects did not show any significant differences between the sensitivity of the two hemifields with SWAP tests. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a significant difference between the mean SWAP sensitivity of right and left visual hemifields in luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In case of a suspected hemifield difference, SAP rather than SWAP may be used to confirm suspected neurological defects as SAP is not affected by the menstrual cycle.     

Menstrual cycle dependent changes in blue-on-yellow visual field analysis of young diabetic women with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate menstrual cycle dependent changes on blue-on-yellow visual fields of diabetic women, and to compare the results with those of healthy women. METHODS: Left eyes of 93 normally menstruating women were included in the study, comprising 45 with type-1 diabetes mellitus and severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy and 48 healthy controls. All subjects underwent baseline complete ocular examination and achromatic visual field analysis. Blue-on-yellow visual field tests (short-wavelength automated perimetry) were performed in both follicular (days 7-10 of the cycle) and luteal phases (days 3-6 before the bleeding) of two consecutive menstrual cycles. Visual field analyses were performed using Humphrey Field Analyser II with full threshold, central 30-2 program. Visual fields were divided into four regions: superior temporal, inferior temporal, superior nasal and inferior nasal. Visual field mean sensitivity (MS) was calculated for all regions separately. RESULTS: The mean ages of diabetic and control subjects were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Mean MS values of the diabetic group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Control subjects did not demonstrate any menstrual cycle dependent changes in MS values (P > 0.05). However, diabetic women demonstrated a significant decrease in MS values in the luteal phase (P < 0.05). The decrease in MS was most marked in the nasal visual field (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Young diabetic women demonstrated a significant depression in visual field threshold sensitivity in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Nasal visual fields are more prone to have menstrual cycle dependent threshold sensitivity depression. This should be taken into consideration in the clinical assessment of women with advanced diabetes who are at risk of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.     

缺血性心肌病患者血清尿酸、肌酐、纤维蛋白原及C-反应蛋白变化及相关性分析

目的通过测定缺血性心肌病(ischemic cardiomyopathy,ICM)血清尿酸、肌酐、纤维蛋白原(fibrinogen,FIB)、C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)及血脂水平,并与不稳定性心绞痛(unstable angina pectoris,UAP)、稳定性心绞痛(stable anginapectoris,SAP)患者及健康查体者比较,探讨其在缺血性心肌病发病机制中的临床意义及相关性。方法选择87例ICM,46例UAP和40例SAP患者以及81例正常对照组,采用尿酸酶法测定其血清尿酸,并且同步测定血清肌酐、CRP、血浆FIB和血脂水平。结果ICM组血清尿酸和肌酐均值明显高于UAP、SAP组及正常对照组,与其他3组比较均有统计学差异(尿酸:P<0.001,P<0.001,P<0.005;肌酐:P=0.005,P=0.001,P<0.005)。UAP组CRP水平明显高于ICM组、SAP组及正常对照组,与SAP组和正常对照组比较有统计学差异(P<0.010,P<0.005),而与ICM组比较无统计学差异。血清FIB水平UAP组最高,ICM组其次,SAP组最低,ICM组、UAP组及SAP组分别与正常对照组比较均有显著性差异(P<0.001,P<0.003,P<0.002)。而胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL)在四组间无统计学差异。ICM组尿酸与肌酐呈正相关(r=0.85,P<0.02),CRP同FIB呈正相关(r=0.76,P<0.01)。结论ICM患者血清尿酸及肌酐增高可能为心血管系统严重受损的标志。高FIB和CRP水平共同促进急性冠脉事件的发生,是ICM患者病情发展、预后的指标。     

Luteal phase support in assisted reproductive technology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to discuss luteal support in assisted reproduction and to provide an evidence-based overview of the current options available. RECENT FINDINGS: The luteal phase has been found to be defective in virtually all of the stimulation protocols used for in-vitro fertilization. Common mechanisms such as supraphysiological levels of estradiol, decreased output of luteinizing hormone, inhibition of the corpus luteum and asynchronization of estradiol and progesterone may be involved in insufficient function of the corpus luteum in assisted reproductive technology. SUMMARY: Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist undoubtedly provides benefits in stimulated cycles, however it also has adverse effects, inhibition of the corpus luteum together with supraphysiological hormonal profiles finally leading to luteal phase defects. Luteal phase support with human chorionic gonadotropin or progesterone after assisted reproduction results in increased pregnancy rates. The role of luteal phase support in these cycles has also been recently elucidated. Use of human chorionic gonadotropin for luteal phase support is associated with a marked increase in the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, therefore progesterone is the preferred choice. Data on the benefits of estrogen supplementation are conflicting. Among the routes of progesterone administration, reductions in pregnancy rates are noted on oral administration. In spite of a lack of statistical significance, the intramuscular route seems to be more beneficial than the vaginal route when considering rates of ongoing pregnancy and live birth. Further clarification is needed on the ideal dose, the optimal route and the duration of progesterone administration in assisted reproduction.     

Reproductive outcome of septate uterus after hysteroscopic metroplasty

We evaluated the reproductive outcome after hysteroscopic metroplasty in the patients with septate uterus. The reproductive performance of 361 patients with septate uterus during the follow-up period of 18 months after the surgery was analyzed retrospectively for a period of 10 years. A total of 180 (49.8%) pregnancies were achieved after metroplasty during the follow-up period of 18 months. Of the 180 pregnancies 117 (57.2%) reached to term and 34 (18.8%) ended in preterm delivery and the remaining 29 (16%) resulted in abortion. Of the preterm babies 18 (52.9%) were able to live. We obtained 135 (75%) live babies totally. Hysteroscopic metroplasty improves the reproductive performance of septate uterus significantly especially in the cases with recurrent pregnancy loss and should be considered highly as a corrective approach for such patients.     

In vitro effects of opioids on pregnant uterine muscle

Opioids are often used for obstetric analgesia. Ideal obstetric analgesia is attained with optimal pain relief and minimal risk for the parturient. Therefore, investigators in the present study explored the effects of different opioids on the myometrium of pregnant rats. Myometrial strips were exposed to increased concentrations of fentanyl (10^-8 M to 10^-6 M), alfentanil (10^-8 M to 10^-4 M), remifentanil (10^-8 M to 10^-4 M), and meperidine (10^-8 M to 10^-4M). Decreased contractile activity was observed in myometrial strips isolated from pregnant rats at cumulative concentrations of fentanyl, alfentanil, remifentanil, and meperidine. The amplitude of contractions was reduced with increasing concentrations of opioids; this effect was statistically significant at a concentration of 10^-4 M. When administered at higher concentrations, opioids may decrease contractions in pregnant rat myometrium.