Effect of Tropicamide on Laser Flare Meter Measurements in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the effect of 1% tropicamide on anterior chamber aqueous flare (ACAF) measurements acquired with laser flare meter in patients with pseudoexfoliation.     

New wound protection for rabbits

Rabbits are the experimental animals of choice in many studies including flaps, wounds, and topical trials for new pharmacological agents. Because the topical drugs and other materials used for dressing are irritating to the animal, they tend to remove dressings, bandages, drapes, insensate flaps, and also topical drugs by scratching, licking, and biting if they are within the reach of the animal. In this study, we report an easy to prepare, user-friendly, comfortable, and cheap dressing protector called a dressing shield to prevent these problems.     

Pattern electroretinography and visual evoked potentials in optic nerve diseases.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate transient pattern electroretinography (PERG) and pattern visual evoked potential (VEP) for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and follow-up of optic nerve diseases. METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients (14 female, 15 male) with the diagnosis of ischaemic optic neuropathy (n=14) and optic neuritis (n=15) were included in this study. Mean age of the patients with ischaemic optic neuropathy was 63.3+/-3.3 (60-78) years and the mean age of the patients with optic neuritis was 28.3+/-8.4 (19-43) years. In each patient ophthalmological examination and systemic evaluation were done and VEP and PERG were recorded. As a control group, VEP recordings of 35 healthy subjects were included. RESULTS: In the ischaemic optic neuropathy group (group 1), mean VEP amplitude (+/-SD) (1.96+/-0.95 microV) was found to be decreased significantly in the affected eyes in comparison to the control group and the unaffected eyes. The delay in latency (116.3+/-20.14 msec in the affected eyes compared with 101.31+/-6.19 msec in unaffected eyes) was statistically significant when compared with the healthy subjects. In the optic neuritis group (group 2), VEP amplitude was decreased (4.13+/-4.04 microV vs 6.97+/-3.35 microV and 6.97+/-4.43 microV) and latency was increased (122.59+/-20.09 msec vs 101.31+/-6.19 msec and 108.76+/-13.57 msec) in affected eyes significantly in comparison to the unaffected eyes and control group, respectively. Even though there were no significant differences for P50 latency and N95/P50 ratios between affected and unaffected eyes in both groups, N95 amplitude decreased significantly in the affected eyes of the ischaemic optic neuropathy patients and N95 latency was found to be decreased in optic neuritis patients. There was no correlation between VEP and PERG findings in both groups. CONCLUSION: VEP amplitude decreased significantly in ischaemic optic neuropathies while latency delay was more significant in patients with optic neuritis. PERG findings showed decreased N95 amplitude in ischemic optic neuropathy without associated latency changes.     

Cerebellar abscess and syringomyelia due to isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A 19-year-old immunocompetent man was admitted to hospital with diplopia, nausea, vomiting and change in mental status. The patient had a history of tuberculous meningitis that was diagnosed at another hospital 6 months before the present admission, and at that time anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated using a first-line drug combination. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain revealed non-communicating hydrocephalus. A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt was inserted surgically. Two months later, the patient was hospitalized again for fever, dysphagia and left hemiparesis. At that time, his cranial CT findings were within normal limits; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an irregular multilocular peripheral contrast-enhancing lesion in the posterior fossa. The abscess was surgically drained. The presence of acid-fast bacilli in the abscess material was demonstrated by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Mycobacterium tuberculosis grew on Lowenstein-Jensen culture medium, and the strain was found to be resistant to isoniazid. One month after the operation, the patient became quadriparetic. Cervical MRI revealed a cervico-thoracic syringomyelitic cavity, after which a syringoperitoneal shunt was placed. Treatment with four drugs was continued for 10 months, and then treatment with three drugs for a total period of 18 months. The patient recovered, with residual quadriparesis. Even though very rare, isoniazid-resistant M. tuberculosis may be the causative agent of progressive tuberculosis.     

The ultrasonographic diagnosis of bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst

Bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare but life-threatening entity. Early diagnosis is crucial in its management. There are reports suggesting that computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and angiography could be the diagnostic maneuvers. In this report, we present a case of arterial bleeding into a pancreatic pseudocyst, which was diagnosed by the turbulent echo-currents seen in real-time ultrasonography.     

Relationship between Pollen Counts and Weather Variables in East-Mediterranean Coast of Turkey

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergen sampling provides information regarding the onset, duration and severity of the pollen season that clinicians use to guide allergen selection for skin testing and treatment. OBJECTIVES: This atmospheric survey reports (1) airborne pollen contributions in Adana in one-year period (2) pollen onset, duration and peak level (3) the relationship between airborne pollen and selected meteorological variables and; (4) effects on symptoms in pollen allergic children. METHODS: Pollen sampling was performed with a volumetric Burkard Spore Trap. Meteorological data were measured daily from April 2001 to April 2002. Asthma symptom scores were investigated in 186 pollen allergic children that were on follow up in pediatric allergy outpatient clinics during same period. RESULTS: Average measurements included 82.5% tree pollen, 7.7% grass pollen and 9.8% herb pollen 54 taxa were identified during one year. The most prominent tree pollens were Cupressaceae, Eucalyptus and Pinus. The most common herb was Chenopodiaceae pollen family. When airborne pollen levels were examined in relation to single meteorological conditions; daily variations in total pollen counts were not significantly correlated with any variable studied (humidity, rainfall, temperature and wind) (p > 0.05). On the other hand, statistically significant relationship between pollen concentration and symptom scores were found (p > 0.05). Positive correlations were seen between both Gramineae and Herb pollen, and humidity and rainfall from March to July. However, positive correlations were detected between tree pollen counts and temperature and humidity in May and June. CONCLUSION: This survey is the first volumetric airborne pollen analysis conducted in the survey area in Adana. This study suggested that the effects of weather on pollen count and symptom scores in this population could not be clearly identified with the evaluation of one-year data. However, pollen counts had effect on allergic symptoms in pollen allergic children. Examination of the complex interaction of multiple whether parameters would perhaps more fully elucidate the relationship between meteorology and aerobiology and provide the clinician with information necessary to forecast pollen prevalence. An awareness of the ever chancing, local aeroallergen patterns requires regular monitoring. Such awareness serves as a useful guide in the effective testing and treatment of atopic patients.     

The genotoxic effects of hepatitis B virus to host DNA

Chronic viral hepatitis is the main cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma throughout the world. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has mutagenic effects on somatic cells. HBV may be showing these mutagenic effects through its viral proteins or through integrating into host DNA. The aim of this study was to determine whether HBV has a genotoxic effect on host DNA or not. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of 31 chronic HBV patients and 20 chronic HBV carriers were cultured in order to make cytogenetic evaluation by observing chromosome breakage and cytological evaluation by the micronucleus (MN) test. Their results were compared with 20 healthy controls. For each individual, 100 metaphase chromosome spreads were analysed. Around 190-1091 binucleated cells were observed and MN were scored for each individual. Our results showed significantly higher frequencies of chromosome breaks in chronic HBV patients and in HBV carriers than in the control group. There was no difference in MN scores among HBV patients, HBV carriers and healthy carriers. Based on our data, we conclude that chronic HBV patients and carriers have chromosomal instability and that HBV carriers are as affected as patients because of their same chromosome breakage levels.