Simple renal cysts in children with AIDS

Simple renal cysts are very uncommon among children. Of 50 children with AIDS that underwent computed tomography at our hospital, 4 had radiographically simple cysts. The incidence of simple renal cysts in this group of children is thus approximately 45 times that seen in normal children. To our knowledge, simple renal cysts have never been reported as a manifestation of AIDS in children. It is unknown whether or not these cysts are a manifestation of HIV nephropathy (HIVN), in which microcysts are seen pathologically. We suggest that simple renal cysts may be a finding compatible with the diagnosis of HIVN. Received: 11 April 1997 Accepted: 22 May 1997     

Human versus bovine endothelial cell culture on glass and tissue-culture plastic

Summary This work demonstrates that human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs; Passages 1 and 5) attach to and grow on glass poorly in comparison to bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs; Passage 5). Seventeen hours after seeding passage 5 cells, there are 6.0±0.1 × 10³ HUVECs/cm² (mean±SE,n=12) on gelatin-coated glass, vs. 29.3±1.5 × 10³ BAECs/cm². This poor attachment and growth is due to a dependence of HUVECs on surface charge and preadsorbed fibronectin not shared by BAECs, because both cell types proliferate on tissue culture plastic and HUVECs can be made to grow comparably well on gelatin-coated glass by the further addition of poly-l-lysine and fibronectin. These data indicate the existence of a human-bovine species difference with respect to endothelial cell adhesion to and growth on glass. This work was supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (HL 33095), Bethesda, MD.     

Evaluation of rheological behaviour of flowable dental composites reinforced with low aspect ratio micro-sized glass fibres

ObjectiveExperimental investigation is carried out to determine the flowability and stickiness of the developed composite material for dental restoration containing low aspect ratio (AR ≤ 100) surface treated micro-sized glass fibres.MethodsSpecimens are manufactured by mixing low AR (50/70/100) micro-sized glass fibres with two different weight fractions (5%/10%) into UDMA/TEGDMA based resin. Particulate filler composite (PFC) containing 55% glass fillers is used as the control group. Dynamic oscillatory strain sweep tests are conducted to analyse the linear viscoelastic behaviour. Solid-to fluidic transition behaviour of dental composites is also calculated in terms of flow and yield stresses. Furthermore, the oscillatory frequency sweep tests are conducted at three different strains (0.5%, 5% and 50%) resembling the positioning of unset paste onto restorations for different real-life clinical situations. Additionally, stickiness of dental composites with handling instrument (steel) and dentine covered with bonding agent is also evaluated.ResultsThe results suggested the all the FRC groups exhibited non-Newtonian, shear-thinning behaviour. It is further established that inclusion of 5% of 50/70AR fibres into dental composites does not affect the flowability. Simultaneously, stickiness with dentine covered with bonding agent is more for these two compositions as compared to that of handling instrument (steel).SignificanceThis study suggest that visco-elastic properties of dental composites are greatly affected by the type of filler (spherical shaped particulate fillers or rod-shaped fibres) as well as fibre weight fraction/fibre AR. This phenomenon can be attributed to the varying interactions between micro-sized fibres of different AR/weight fraction, particulate fillers and monomers.     

Orbital and adnexal amyloidosis: Thirty years experience at a tertiary eye care center

Purpose:The aim of this work was to study the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of orbital and adnexal amyloidosis.Methods:This retrospective analysis included all the patients diagnosed with orbital and adnexal amyloidosis between January 1990 and December 2019. Positive staining with Congo Red and apple-green birefringence on polarized light microscopy established the diagnosis. Data analyzed included demographic profile, varied presentations, management, and outcome.Results:Thirty-three eyes of 26 patients were included. The male:female ratio was 1:1. The mean age of the study population was 42.6 ± 16 years. The median duration of symptoms was two years. Unilateral involvement was seen in 19 eyes (right = 11, left = 8). The most common presenting feature was acquired ptosis. Eyelid was the most commonly affected site followed by orbit and conjunctiva. Two patients had systemic involvement in the form of multiple myeloma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Complete excision was done in seven (26.9%) cases while 19 (73.1%) cases underwent debulking. Three patients underwent ptosis surgery. The median duration of follow-up was 1.5 years. Three cases had recurrence and underwent repeat surgery.Conclusion:Orbit and adnexa is a rare site for amyloidosis. It is usually localized; however it can occur as a part of systemic amyloidosis. Eyelid is the most common site of involvement and patients usually present as eyelid mass or ptosis. Complete excision is difficult and most of the patients usually undergo debulking surgery. All patients should undergo screening for systemic amyloidosis     

Modified small-incision cataract surgery for combined extraction – A comparative study of two techniques

Purpose:To explore straight incision technique in terms of efficacy for intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering by small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) trab versus modified “frown” incision with triangular scleral flap technique.Methods:This study was done at a tertiary health center. It included 44 eyes diagnosed with cataract and coexisting primary glaucoma that underwent SICS with trabeculectomy using modified “frown” incision with triangular scleral flap technique and straight incision in group A (n = 22) and B (n = 22), respectively. Postoperative evaluation was done at first postoperative day, then at the end of first week, third week, and 6 weeks; at the end of third month and finally at the end of sixth months. Data were entered and analyzed via Microsoft Excel sheet and SPSS software using Mann–Whitney U test for averages and Chi-square test for categorical values.Results:Mean preoperative IOP in groups A and B were 38.6 and 29.1 mm Hg respectively, by applanation tonometry. After 6-month follow-up, mean of difference in IOP (preoperative – postoperative) for group A was 20.8 ± 8.3 mm Hg and that for group B was 17.2 ± 13.5 mm Hg.Conclusion:Capacity of IOP reduction of both techniques was found to be comparable and did not show much difference up to the end of 6 months. Mastering technique of group A (modified “frown” incision with triangular scleral flap technique) requires more expertise; the simpler straight incision technique provided in group B may be effectively used by the novice and current era Ophthalmologists to combat glaucoma coexistant with cataract.