Correlation between optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy

Purpose To report a case of bilateral acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) evaluated by optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence (AF) and microperimetry, both in the acute phase and after resolution of symptoms.Methods Complete ophthalmological evaluation, including fluorescein angiography, OCT, AF, and microperimetry upon presentation and 1 month later, after lesions have subsided. An attempt to correlate the findings on presentation and changes after resolution is performed using the results of these new investigational techniques.Results APMPPE showed hyperreflectance in OCT at the level of the outer retinal layers, without increase in retinal thickness. AF revealed early decreased fluorescence due to a masking effect, and later reveals increased fluorescence after resolution of OCT findings. Function is disturbed at the lesion sites, as shown by microperimetry, and later returns to near normal values on microperimetry.Conclusion APMPPE shows outer retinal layers changes on OCT, which resolve totally after subsidence of the acute phase. AF shows areas of increased fluorescence after resolution, with near normal return of function on microperimetry.     

A new tool for measurement of process-based performance of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals

There is an increasing need of a model for the process-based performance measurement of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals for quality improvement. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is utilized in this study to evolve such a model. Each step in the model was derived by group-discussions and brainstorming sessions among experienced clinicians and managers. This tool was applied to two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Barbados and India. The model enabled identification of specific areas where neither hospital performed very well, and helped to suggest recommendations to improve those areas. AHP is recommended as a valuable tool to measure the process-based performance of multispecialty tertiary care hospitals.     

The investigation of K-complex and vertex sharp wave activity in response to mid-inspiratory occlusions and complete obstructions to breathing during NREM sleep

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the cortical response to mid-inspiratory occlusions can be used as a model of the cortical response to obstructive events during sleep; and to determine whether the vertex sharp wave (VSW) and K-complex are exclusive contributors to the N350 and N550 components respectively of the stage 2 sleep event-related potential. DESIGN: Two types of respiratory stimuli were used to elicit evoked potential responses during stage 2 NREM sleep. These were mid-inspiratory occlusions and complete breath obstructions. Trials were grouped according to the type of phasic response elicited; isolated K-complex (KC), VSW associated with a K-complex (VSW/KC), isolated VSW, and no evoked response (other). Evoked responses were averaged separately within these categories. SETTING: Data were collected in the University of Melbourne Sleep Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Six young healthy male adults. INTERVENTIONS: N/A MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Data were recorded from 29 scalp sites referenced to linked ears. Mask pressure (Pm) and airflow were also recorded. Intra-thoracic pressure, as indicated by Pm, reached a more negative level following complete obstructions than brief occlusions. However, both types of respiratory stimuli elicited the two late latency components. Although latency varied across the two respiratory conditions in a manner consistent with the intra-thoracic pressure rise time differences, the elicitation characteristics and topographic distribution of these components did not vary across the two types of stimuli. In addition, an N350 was only present in the average for those categories that included VSWs, while an N550 was only present in those categories that contained K-complexes. CONCLUSIONS: Mid-inspiratory occlusions can be used as a model of obstructive events. VSWs contribute exclusively to the N350 component, while K-complexes contribute exclusively to the N550 component.     

Exploration of associations between phospholipase A2 gene family polymorphisms and AIDS progression using the SNPlex method.

Members of the secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2) protein family can inhibit HIV-1 virus replication in vitro. To evaluate the impact of PLA2 gene polymorphisms on AIDS disease development, we studied 12 family members using SNPlextrade mark technology that permitted simultaneous typing of 70 tagging Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (tagSNPs). The study utilized HIV-1 seropositive donors with slow progressor (n=168) or rapid progressor (n=54) status, plus 355 control subjects. All donors were Caucasian (total 577 individuals). Genetic associations yielded mainly 0.01相似文献   

Self-medication in urban and rural Zimbabwean communities.

1. A questionnaire examining the use of, and knowledge about over-the-counter (OTC) drugs was administered verbally to representatives from 200 urban and 200 rural households. Self-medication was common in both groups but there were more drugs present in rural (336 items) than urban homes (231 items) with the differences largely due to the more frequent presence of traditional medicines in rural homes. 2. Analgesics were the commonest items in the homes of both groups. A positive urine screening test for aspirin, chloroquine, or antibiotics was found in 25% of urban and 27% of rural samples tested. Respondents who elected to use an OTC drug for a particular symptom usually chose an appropriate drug. 3. Rural respondents were more likely to use traditional medicines particularly for the treatment of cough, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. 4. Knowledge about dosages, the possibility of adverse reactions, and the seriousness of potential poisoning with OTC drugs was inadequate and needs to be corrected for more efficient self-medication.     

Clinical presentation of microbial keratitis with daily wear frequent-replacement hydrogel lenses: a case series.

Microbial keratitis (MK) is a serious complication associated with contact lens wear. In this case series we report three clinical presentations of MK associated with daily-wear monthly-replacement soft contact lenses. All of these patients were using vifilcon A (55% water content, ionic, U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] group IV) monthly-replacement soft contact lenses. A gram-stained smear of the corneal scrapings of two patients showed numerous gram-negative cocci bacilli, and tissue cultures showed significant growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the third patient, the corneal scrapings showed numerous gram-negative bacilli, along with gram-positive cocci, and tissue culture showed significant growth of Aeromonas species and alpha-hemolytic streptococci. All these cases were resolved by medical therapy. This case series highlights the importance of patient symptoms, clinical features, and microbiologic work-up in making a differentiation between MK and sterile contact lens-induced peripheral ulcer (CLPU). A high index of suspicion and close follow-up care will avoid misdiagnosis and reduce complications.     

Stability of dobutamine hydrochloride in peritoneal dialysis solutions

The stability of dobutamine hydrochloride in peritoneal dialysis solutions at 4, 26, and 37 degrees C was determined. Dobutamine (as the hydrochloride salt) was added to dialysis solutions containing 1.5% or 4.25% dextrose to concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/mL. Samples were stored at 4, 26, and 37 degrees C to mimic refrigerator, room, and body temperature, respectively. At 0, 4, 8, and 24 hours, the samples were analyzed in triplicate by stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the percentage of drug remaining. More than 90% of the drug was retained under all storage conditions in 1.5% dextrose dialysate containing an initial dobutamine hydrochloride concentration of 5.0 or 7.5 micrograms/mL. The mean concentration in the samples containing an initial dobutamine hydrochloride concentration of 2.5 micrograms/mL and stored at room temperature remained greater than 90% of the initial concentration for the first four hours and then decreased to less than 90%. Dobutamine was stable in 4.25% dextrose dialysate regardless of the initial concentration or the storage condition. Dobutamine hydrochloride 5.0 and 7.5 micrograms/mL in 4.25% dextrose dialysis solution was stable under all the test conditions. Dobutamine hydrochloride 2.5 micrograms/mL was stable in 1.5% dextrose dialysate for only four hours at room temperature.     

Indium-111-leukocyte imaging in acute cholecystitis

Eleven patients with suspected acute cholecystitis underwent sequential 99mTc-iminodiacetic derivative (IDA) and 111In-white blood cell (WBC) imaging to determine if 111In-WBCs accumulate within an acutely inflamed hemorrhagic gallbladder wall and, thus, could be employed as a reasonable alternative to 99mTc-IDA scintigraphy in detecting acute cholecystitis. Seven patients had surgically confirmed acute cholecystitis. Of these cases, five had a true-positive 99mTc-IDA and 111In-WBC, one an indeterminate 111In-WBC and true-positive 99mTc-IDA, and one a true-positive 111In-WBC and false-negative 99mTc-IDA scan. The remaining four patients did not have acute cholecystitis. All visualized their gallbladder within 1 hr after 99mTc-IDA administration and none had 111In-WBC gallbladder wall uptake. Both 111In-WBC and 99mTc-IDA scintigraphy accurately detected acute cholecystitis: hepatobiliary scintigraphy demonstrated a cystic duct obstruction and 111In-WBC imaging detected the inflammatory infiltrate within the gallbladder wall. The sensitivity and specificity of each was 86% and 100%, respectively.