Trans-sclerally fixated PC-IOLs: six year of investigations

PURPOSE: To present the results of PC IOLs transscleral fixation to the ciliary sulcus in six years follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 152 eyes in 3 groups: 15 eyes with primary fixations of PC IOLs, 92 eyes with secondary fixations of PC IOLs and 45 eyes with secondary fixations of PC IOLs combined with penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: Postoperative corrected visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 32.2% of cases, the most common complications in our material was CME (9.9%), lens tilt (4.6%) and increase of IOP (3.95%). CONCLUSION: Transscleral fixation of PC IOLs offers good visual outcome with relatively low rate of complications and is recommended in cases with inadequate posterior capsule support.     

Long-term results of the Spanish trial on treatment and survival of patients with predominantly mild heart failure

A randomized open-label clinical trial was conducted to determine whether mortality, readmission, or quality of life differed between heart failure patients managed with captopril plus diuretics and those with digoxin plus diuretics. A total of 345 heart failure patients in New York Heart Association functional classes 2 and 3 without atrial fibrillation, dyspnea of bronchopulmonary origin, or hypertension not controlled with diuretics was randomized for digoxin (n = 175) or captopril (n = 170) treatment and followed up for a median of 4.5 years. Socioeconomic, demographic, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, spirometric, and chest radiograph data were obtained at the initial examination. In a random sample of half the patients, ergometric, echocardiographic, and Holter records were obtained at entry and at 3 and 18 months. Patients were followed up for > or = 3 years. The end points were mortality, hospitalization for cardiac events, deterioration in quality of life, worsening of functional class, and need for digoxin or captopril in the captopril and digoxin groups, respectively. The trial had to be terminated prematurely owing to the difficulty in finding candidates free of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor treatment. Baseline patient characteristics were similar in both groups. From the clinical point of view, only the 48-month mortality was relevantly lower (20.9 vs. 31.9%, respectively) among patients treated with captopril than that in those receiving digoxin (log rank test, p = 0.07). No statistically or clinically relevant differences were found in other end points or adverse effects. The results suggest but do not confirm the hypothesis that captopril treatment in mild to moderate heart failure might provide better long-term survival than digoxin.     

An information theory model of hydrophobic interactions

A molecular model of poorly understood hydrophobic effects is heuristically developed using the methods of information theory. Because primitive hydrophobic effects can be tied to the probability of observing a molecular-sized cavity in the solvent, the probability distribution of the number of solvent centers in a cavity volume is modeled on the basis of the two moments available from the density and radial distribution of oxygen atoms in liquid water. The modeled distribution then yields the probability that no solvent centers are found in the cavity volume. This model is shown to account quantitatively for the central hydrophobic phenomena of cavity formation and association of inert gas solutes. The connection of information theory to statistical thermodynamics provides a basis for clarification of hydrophobic effects. The simplicity and flexibility of the approach suggest that it should permit applications to conformational equilibria of nonpolar solutes and hydrophobic residues in biopolymers.     

Diet and mortality from common cancers in Brazil: an ecological study

A prospective ecological evaluation of mortality from common malignancies with dietary risk factors and alcohol consumption was carried out among 10 state capitals of Brazil. Regression analysis was used to examine the association of dietary intake with mortality rates of the most common cancers among adults age 30 years and older. Age-adjusted cancer mortality rates varied 2.4 to 3.3 fold across the state capitals. A positive relationship was observed between energy intake and colon, lung, and esophageal cancer (p相似文献   

Effects of tianeptine on spontaneous alternation, simple and concurrent spatial discrimination learning and on alcohol-induced alternation deficits in mice

The effects of systemic administration of tianeptine, a new psychotropic agent with antidepressant properties, were investigated on spontaneous alternation behavior, and on simple and concurrent spatial discrimination, in normal mice of the BALB/c strain. Tianeptine increased rates of spontaneous T-maze alternation, facilitated retention of a T-maze left-right discrimination, and speeded up acquisition of concurrent discrimination in a radial maze. These effects were consistent across successive experiments with a dose of 10mg/kg; lower doses (2.5 and 5.0mg/kg) had less or no effect depending on the task. These results, together with theoretical considerations, led us to investigate the effect of tianeptine on the sequential-specific alternation deficit induced by long-term ethanol administration in the same strain of mice. Results showed that, at the dose of 10mg/kg, the drug completely alleviated the alcohol-induced deficit. Unlike tianeptine, fluoxetine impaired discrimination performance in the radial maze. These data are discussed in light of the effects of tianeptine on serotonergic transmission and of the role of serotonin and acetylcholine in learning and memory processes.     

Derivates of 1,1-dioxo-1,4,2-benzoditiazines. Part XII. Synthesis and pharmacology of some 6-chloro-3-carboxyalkylamino-7-methyl-1,1-dioxo-1,4,2-benzodithiazines

Preparation of some novel 6-chloro-3-carboxyalkylamino-7-methyl-1,1-dioxo-1,4,2-benzodithiazines (I-V) and its sodium salts (Ia, IVa) have been elaborated. Their chemical structures have been confirmed by elemental analysis, IR and 1H-NMR spectrometry. In preliminary pharmacological examination compounds I, Ia, IV and IVa exhibited low acute toxicity, moreover investigated compounds shown hypertensive and cholagogic activity (I, Ia) and also hypotensive (IV, IVa) or diuretic (Ia, IVa) activity, on the other hand above mentioned compounds didn't exhibit antiarrhythmic activity. Some relationships between the chemical structure and pharmacological activity of the investigated compounds have also been discussed.     

Aristolochic acids in Aristolochia chilensis

The major components of the acid fraction of the leaves and tender stems of Aristolochia chilensis Miers are aristolochic acids I and Ia. Aristolochic acid Ia has been isolated from plant material for the f?rst time, and its PMR spectrum is discussed.     

Income differences in persons seeking outpatient treatment for mental disorders: a comparison of the United States with Ontario and The Netherlands

BACKGROUND: Variations in the relationships among income, use of mental health services, and sector of care are examined by comparing data from 3 countries that differ in the organization and financing of mental health services. METHODS: Data come from the 1990-1992 National Comorbidity Survey (n = 5,384), the 1990-1991 Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey (n = 6,321), and the 1996 Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (n = 6031). Analysis of the association between income and use of mental health services was carried out for the population that was between ages 18 and 54 years. Differential use of mental health treatment was examined in 3 sectors: the general medical sector, the specialty sector, and the human services sector. RESULTS: No significant association between income and probability of any mental health treatment was observed for persons with psychiatric disorders in any of the 3 countries. However, there were significant differences among countries in the association between income and sector of mental health care treatment. In the United States, income is positively related to treatment being received in the specialty sector and negatively related to treatment being received in the human services sector. In the Netherlands, patients in the middle-income bracket are less likely to receive specialty care, while those in the high-income bracket are less likely to be seen in the human service sector. Income is unrelated to the sector of care for patients in Ontario. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should examine whether differential access to the specialty sector for low-income people in the United States is associated with worse mental health outcomes.