The importance of computer observation of postoperative complications in ophthalmology presented on the model of postoperative complications following cataract surgery

Medical documentation is getting more extensive, it is not standardised and can hardly be used to provide the exact and proper feedback. The crisis of data storage, processing and uninterrupted flow of information is becoming concial in the medical institutions as well. An example of informatic model of observation of postoperative complications following cataract surgery is presented in this work. The model has a very flexible pattern, and can, therefore, with minor changes, be used in observation of all postoperative complications in ophthalmology. It is based on the use of personal computer with professional software support (data base III programme was used for creation of data base, while statistical graphic analysis was carried out by following programmes: MICROSTAT, ABSTAT, STATGRAPHIC and FRAMEWORK). It has to be pointed out that any doctor, after only a short (optional) education, could prepare such models for his own purposes, and could thus assist in overcoming the information in medicine. In conclusion, the authors state computer is simple to work with, fast, economical and precise. Computerisation of health service shall include it in one of the aspects of practical realisation of the third technological revolution.     

A leg ulcer as manifestation of metastatic squamous cell vaginal carcinoma

Cutaneous metastasis of vaginal carcinoma is extremely rare. So far, the total number of reported skin metastasis of vaginal carcinoma is only one. We present another case with an unusual manifestation of vagina carcinoma metastasis: skin metastasis presenting as a leg ulcer on the lower leg.     

Whole-body optical imaging in animal models to assess cancer development and progression.

Different optical-based imaging models were used to investigate tumor progression and metastasis with particular emphasis on metastasis to bone and bone marrow. We describe how optical imaging can be used to follow important processes in tumor development and treatment response, including angiogenesis, apoptosis, and proteolysis. Finally, we discuss the translation of one optical imaging modality, near-IR fluorescence, from animal validation studies to applications in the clinic related to cancer management.     

Influence of neonatal sympathectomy on proximal renal resistance artery function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Renal transplantation experiments have shown that the kidney contributes to chronic sympathectomy-induced arterial pressure reduction in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The underlying mechanisms are currently unclear but may include alterations in the function of small renal arteries. Neonatal SHR were sympathectomized by intraperitoneal guanethidine injections and removal of adrenal medullary tissue. Controls were sham- or hydralazine-treated. At 12 weeks of age, distal interlobar artery segments were investigated using small-vessel wire myography. Vessels from sympathectomized animals showed increased sensitivity to noradrenaline (NE). Vasopressin- and endothelin-1-induced vasoconstriction was similar in all groups (as reflected by the pD₂, i.e. –logEC₅₀, where EC₅₀ is the molar concentration of agonist eliciting a half-maximal response). Maximum vasopressin-induced tension was similar in all groups while endothelin-1-induced maximum tension was significantly higher in sympathectomized than in sham-treated SHR. The sensitivity of NE-induced vasoconstriction to extracellular Ca²⁺ did not differ between groups while sensitivity to L-type Ca²⁺ channel activation was significantly higher in both sympathectomized and hydralazine-treated animals than in sham-treated animals. Endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation were similar in all groups. Sequential blockade of NO-synthase and cyclooxygenase had similar effects in all groups. In conclusion, neonatal sympathectomy does not induce any changes in the function of isolated proximal renal resistance arteries from SHR that could explain the blood pressure lowering effect of a kidney graft from sympathectomized SHR.