Radial keratotomy: A comprehensive evaluation

A prospective clinical investigation of radial keratotomy employing the Fyodorov method and instrumentation was initiated in March, 1980. The results of the first 147 eyes undergoing this surgical procedure for the reduction or elimination of myopia were analyzed one year following surgery. The mean preoperative, uncorrected visual acuity was finger counting vision and the mean preoperative myopic spherical equivalent was 5.33 diopters. The preoperative myopic refractive error ranged from 1.75 to 11.75 diopters.Radial keratotomy resulted in a mean uncorrected visual acuity of 20/35 with a mean reduction on myopia of 4.66 diopters. Eighty percent of the 147 eyes experienced 20/40 or better uncorrected vision. Sixty-eight percent of high myopia eyes (6.00 to 11.75 D) attained this level of uncorrected vision with a mean reduction of myopia of 6.23 diopters.Glare and variation of vision were the most frequently reported complications. A non-progressive endothelial cell loss of 5.2 percent was observed. The degree of preexisting myopia, patient age, fellow eye experience and surgeon learning curve significantly influenced the surgical result and facilitated the predictability of the procedure. Incision-depth was directly related to surgical result. The low myopia group achieved stabilization of effect by six months while stabilization occurred later in patients with high degrees of initial myopia. Patient satisfaction was high and 78 per cent of the patients elected to undergo radial keratotomy in their fellow eye.     

Diagnostic radiographic imaging of the adult calcaneus

This article provides a broad overview of plain-film radiographic imaging of the adult calcaneus, with emphasis placed on the standard lateral pedal study. A general approach is offered, and the more common pathologies are reviewed. A brief review of normal CT Scan anatomy is provided.     

Homocysteine-reducing strategies improve symptoms in chronic schizophrenic patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

BACKGROUND: An elevated homocysteine level is reported to be a risk factor for several diseases, including Alzheimer's and cerebrovascular disease. Recently, several studies have reported that homocysteine levels are elevated in many schizophrenic patients. Homocysteine levels can be lowered by oral folic acid, B-12, and pyridoxine. METHODS: Forty-two schizophrenic patients with plasma homocysteine levels >15 micromol/L were treated with these vitamins for 3 months and placebo for 3 months in a study with a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design. RESULTS: Homocysteine levels declined with vitamin therapy compared with placebo in all patients except for one noncompliant subject. Clinical symptoms of schizophrenia as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale declined significantly with active treatment compared with placebo. Neuropsychological test results overall, and Wisconsin Card Sort (Categories Completed) test results in particular, were significantly better after vitamin treatment than after placebo. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of schizophrenic patients with hyperhomocysteinemia might benefit from the simple addition of B vitamins.     

瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体5、6与骨代谢的关系

目的:探讨瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体5、6与骨代谢的关系。资料来源:应用计算机检索PubMed数据库1999-01/2006-07相关瞬时性受体电位通道方面的文献,检索词“TRPV”,限定文献语言种类为English。资料选择:对资料进行初审,选取包括瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体5、6的文献,开始查找全文。纳入标准:对两者及瞬时性受体电位通道家族进行研究的文章。排除标准:研究内容局限于瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体1～4的文章。资料提炼:共检索到106篇关于瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体的文献,最终纳入30篇符合标准的文献。资料综合:瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体5、6是瞬时性受体电位通道超家族中的成员,是专门的上皮样钙离子通道。目前研究已经证明它们在肠道和肾脏等组织中有表达,并对跨细胞钙离子转运起着关键性调控作用。但在骨组织中表达情况相关报道较少,在骨代谢机制上的研究更少,本文针对目前两者与骨代谢的关系进行综述。结论:深入研究瞬时性受体电位通道香草酸受体5、6钙离子通道在骨代谢中的作用,对于那些与骨代谢相关疾病的治疗将能从分子水平上找到解决的方法。     

卟啉类衍生物的合成

卟啉类衍生物的合成已有七十余年的历史,其合成方法有以吡咯为原料的全合成,也有以易得的天然产物,如血红素等为原料进行半合成。自报道血卟啉衍生物(hematoporphyrin derivatives简称HpD)与激光结合用于诊治癌症以后,有关卟啉类的化学和临床研究,也迅速开展起来。1982年报道了单乙酰血卟啉、双乙酰血卟啉和乙酰氧乙基乙烯次卟啉在动物体内有对肿瘤的光敏活性,而纯血卟啉、原卟啉和羟乙基乙烯次卟啉却无效。为