Face-specific identification impairments following sight-providing treatment may be alleviated by an initial period of low visual acuity.

Identifying faces requires configural processing of visual information. We previously proposed that the poor visual acuity experienced by newborns in their first year of life lays the groundwork for such configural processing by forcing integration over larger spatial fields. This hypothesis predicts that children treated for congenital cataracts late in life will exhibit persistent impairments in face- but not object-identification, because they begin their visual journey with higher than newborn acuity. This would not be the case for patients whose pretreatment condition has allowed for initial low acuity vision, like that of a newborn. Here, we test this prediction by assessing the development of facial identification skill in three groups: patients treated for congenital cataracts whose pretreatment visual acuity was worse than that of a newborn, patients whose pretreatment acuity was better than that of a newborn, and age-matched controls. We find that while both patient groups show significant gains in object-identification, the emergence of face identification is determined by pretreatment acuity: patients with pre-operative acuity worse than a newborn did not show any improvements on face-identification tasks despite years of visual experience, whereas those with pretreatment acuity comparable to a newborn improved on both the object- and face-identification tasks. These findings not only answer our research question but also provide new insights into the role of early visual acuity in facial identification development. We discuss these results in the context of both typical and atypical visual development.

Assessing the impact of a program for late surgical intervention in early-blind children.

OBJECTIVE: Many blind children in the developing world are unable to obtain timely treatment due to lack of financial and medical resources. Can public health programs that identify and treat such children several years after the onset of blindness enhance their quality of life? The notion that visual development is subject to an early 'critical period' argues against this possibility. However, there are inadequate empirical data from humans on this issue. To address this need, we examined the quality of life of children living in India and who were treated for early-onset blindness (before one year of age), due to cataracts or corneal opacities. STUDY DESIGN: Survey study. METHODS: As part of an ongoing scientific effort named Project Prakash, we screened over 40,000 children in rural northern India to identify those suffering from early-onset blindness. They were provided eye surgeries in a tertiary care ophthalmic center in New Delhi. We subsequently surveyed 64 Prakash children, ranging in age from 5 to 22 years and obtained their responses on a multi-dimensional quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: Nearly all of the subjects indicated that their quality of life had improved after treatment. Children reported marked enhancement in their mobility, independence, and safety, and also in social integration. Surprisingly, we found no significant correlations between quality of life metrics and factors such as age at treatment, gender, time since treatment, and pre-surgery and post-surgery acuity. CONCLUSIONS: A key question for public health policy makers is whether a program of surgical intervention for older blind children is likely to be beneficial, or if the resources are better spent on rehabilitation via vocational training and assistive devices. The marked improvements in quality of life we find in our data strongly argue for the provision of surgical care regardless of a child's age.

Post LASIK progressive astigmatism in a child with partially accommodative esotropia.

INTRODUCTION: Refractive surgery is considered a safe and effective method for correction of refractive errors in adults. OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of a young child with partially accommodative esotropia presenting with deterioration of vision and worsening of esotropia following refractive surgery. CASE REPORT: Unanticipated and progressive irregular corneal astigmatism along with deterioration of visual acuity and loss of stereopsis developed post- LASIK in a seven-year-old Indian child with partially accommodative esotropia. CONCLUSION: Keratorefractive surgery in young children has to be undertaken with caution, especially in such cases where there is no medical indication for refractive surgery and waiting beyond teenage years is a viable option.

Giant primary pulmonary fibrosarcoma.

A rare case of primary fibrosarcoma in a 48-year-old male is described who presented with a huge pulmonary mass on the left side. The diagnosis was established on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy, supported by immuno-histochemistry.

A case of carcinoma rete testis: histomorphological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings and review of literature.

A 72-year-old man presenting with a secondary hydrocoel underwent orchidectomy. Gross examination revealed a tumor arising in the region of the rete testis, which on histopathology proved to be a papillary adenocarcinoma. The patient did not have evidence of any other neoplasia elsewhere in the body. The lesion fulfilled the anatomic criteria elucidated by Nochomovitz et al to be labelled as adenocarcinoma of Rete testis. Electron microscopy revealed characteristic nuclear infoldings and microtubules with two different arrangements. The tubules were either seen to form concentric circles or were in irregular groups with filaments interspersed. The lesion on immunohistochemistry was negative for germ cell markers AFP and HCG, and was positive for cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen. A review of literature is also presented.

A multicentric evaluation of recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine of Cuban origin.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B infection is an important public health problem all over the world. As no specific treatment is available, greatest emphasis is placed on prevention through immunization. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunogenicity (sero-protection rate) and reactogenicity of a novel recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine of Cuban origin (Enivac HB). POPULATION AND METHODS: The study was conducted at two independent centres (New Delhi and Jaipur) and 111 healthy volunteers without any symptomatic or serological evidence of HBV infection were administered the vaccine intramuscularly in a dose of 20 ug at day 0, day 30 and day 180. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of sero-protection on days 30, 60, 90 and 210 at both centres and, in addition, at day 120 at New Delhi. All subjects were evaluated for any adverse event for 120 hours subsequent to each dose of the vaccine. RESULTS: The mean age of the volunteers was 24 years and the male:female ratio was 61:50. An overall sero-protection rate of 24.3% was obtained at day 30, 68.5% at day 60, 94.5% at day 90 and 99.1% by day 120. Following the third dose of the vaccine (at day 180), we lost one subject to follow up and further evaluation could be done in a total of 110 volunteers. The sero-protection rate by day 210 was found to be 100% (110/110). The vaccine was well tolerated with no serious adverse reactions. Minor side effects such as injection site tenderness, erythema and/or low grade fever were observed in 4.5% of the subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine of Cuban origin is safe, well tolerated and highly immunogenic.

TWO UNCOMMON CASES OF COLLOID CYST OF THE THIRD VENTRICLE.

Colloid cysts of the third ventricle of brain comprise 1-2% of all intracranial tumonrs [1]. They are increasingly being discovered incidentally, often in patients complaining of headache [2]. We came across two such cases in a large tertiary care service hospital in the past 20 years. Second case also had associated visual disturbances and seizures. Both met with fatal outcome. Autopsy revealed presence of colloid cyst in the third ventricle in both cases. It is proposed that to avoid fatal outcome in a patient reporting with frequent attacks of headache, the presence of colloid cyst in the third ventricle should be considered in differential diagnosis. In such cases, CT scan or MRI study of brain becomes an essential diagnostic tool.

Unusual intermediate-term outcome in three cases of limbal autograft transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual intermediate-term outcome after limbal autograft transplantation for unilateral, severe chemical burns. DESIGN: Case reports of three consecutive cases. PARTICIPANTS: Three patients with a history of chemical burns. The fellow eye was clinically uninvolved in all patients. Surgery was indicated for conjunctivalization (cases 1 and 3) and persistent epithelial defect (case 2). INTERVENTION: Three (cases 2 and 3) or four (case 1) 1.25-clock-hour-wide limbal grafts were harvested from the fellow eye and transplanted to the limbus in the affected eye. Surface re-epithelialization, improvement in visual acuity, and maintenance of surface stability were monitored. RESULTS: Limbal grafts were effective in re-epithelialization of the corneal surface within 4 weeks in all cases. Symptomatic relief and improvement in visual acuity were noted during early follow-up. However, a progressive conjunctival ingrowth that tended to override the grafts and encroach the visual axis was noted over the course of a year in all three recipient eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Limbal autograft transplantation is an effective method for surface re-epithelialization in strictly unilateral chemical burns. Caution should be exercised in case selection. The authors' experience suggests a variable degree of attenuation in viability of transplanted limbus. Close follow-up of operated eyes is necessary to determine the long-term efficacy of limbal transplants as a source of corneal phenotypic cells.

Lower genital tract infections among HIV-infected and high-risk uninfected women: findings of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Few comparisons of factors associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV are available for representative samples of American women. GOAL OF THE STUDY: To compare factors associated with STDs in a large sample of women infected with HIV and women not infected with HIV. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of STDs in 2,058 women seropositive (HIV+) for HIV and 567 women seronegative (HIV-) for HIV. RESULTS: HIV + women were more likely than HIV- women to report previous STDs, with the exceptions of chlamydia and bacterial vaginosis. Both HIV status and CD4 lymphocyte count were associated with evidence of genital ulcerations, warts, and vaginal candidiasis (p <0.001 for all). HIV- women were more apt to report recent vaginal intercourse (p <0.001), a factor that was independently associated with the occurrence of bacterial and protozoan infections. CD4 lymphocyte depletion was the factor most closely associated with the expression of chronic viral infections. CONCLUSIONS: In this North American cohort, HIV+ women were more likely than HIV- women to report previous genital tract infections and symptoms. However, the HIV+ women reported less recent sexual activity and few gonococcal or chlamydial infections.

Treatment outcome of Moraxella keratitis: our experience with 18 cases--a retrospective review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical presentation, predisposing risk factors, in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility, and especially the outcome of therapy of Moraxella keratitis. METHODS: Retrospective review of 18 culture-proven cases of Morarella keratitis. RESULTS: Morarella keratitis was associated with Hansen's disease, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and chickenpox of the recent past and severe protein energy malnutrition. Other associated ocular conditions included lagophthalmos, blepharitis, steroid therapy, corneal degeneration, and scleritis. In four patients, no systemic or ocular predisposing factors could be identified. Three patients presented with an indolent peripheral, anterior stromal infiltrate while the remaining patients showed a central or paracentral ulceration with or without hypopyon. Moraxella species was the only pathogen isolated in 11 cases, whereas mixed infection was seen in seven cases. All isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Eight of 18 strains of Moraxella were resistant to cefazolin. All 14 eyes for which the follow-up data were available responded to medical treatment alone. CONCLUSIONS: Although considered to be associated with poor outcome, our experience suggests that a favorable outcome can be expected in Moraxella keratitis. Cefazolin resistance (as seen in our series) may pose a problem and, hence, monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibility would be beneficial. In view of cefazolin resistance, ciprofloxacin monotherapy appears to be an effective method in the medical management of these cases.

Capsular bag distension after optic capture of a sulcus-fixated intraocular lens.

Capsular bag distension from occlusion of the circular anterior capsule opening by the intraocular lens (IOL) optic is a rare complication of capsulorhexis. The nature and source of fluid remain unclear. We report a case of capsular bag distension in an eye with an optic-captured, all-poly(methyl methacrylate), sulcus-fixated IOL. The fluid behind the IOL optic was visible on the first postoperative day and resolved spontaneously by the sixth postoperative week. We believe that retained viscoelastic material in the capsular bag was a major contributor to the fluid.

Bacteriology of spirometer tubing and evaluation of methodology to prevent transmission of infection.

Transmission of respiratory infection by a spirometer is a definite risk in countries like India where a majority of respiratory diseases are infective in nature. To assess this problem, scrapings and washing from a spirometer tube in regular use were taken for microbiological studies. Significant bacterial growth on culture included Aspergillus and acid fast bacilli. In order to check contamination, a segregation chamber was attached to the spirometer. Twenty-three patients used the spirometer with or without segregation chamber and a good correlation was shown between the two methods in forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.94), forced vital capacity (r = 0.92) and mid maximum expiratory flow rate (r = 0.90). It can be concluded that a spirometer may have significant growth of pathogenic bacteria and a segregation chamber may be used routinely with the spirometer in order to prevent its contamination.

Vasculitis--a complication of hypothyroidism.

A case of hypothyroidism presenting with cutaneous vasculitis is described. Apart from typical findings of hypothyroidism, the patient had hypertension (HT). With thyroxine replacement therapy patient showed an improvement in hypothyroidism, HT and cutaneous vasculitis.

Comparative study of capillary and arterial, blood gas values in plastic and glass syringes at various intervals in normal and asthmatic subjects.

Fifty-six normal healthy subjects and forty-four patients with bronchial asthma were subjected to capillary and arterial blood gas analysis. Arterial blood values were measured immediately and at two and four hours interval after storing the samples between 0-4 degrees C using glass and plastic syringes. It was observed that PO2 of arterial blood was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than capillary PO2 values, while material of syringe and time interval of analysis did not make any significant alteration. PCO2 and pH values in arterial samples at various intervals and in different syringes were comparable in normal as well as in asthmatic subjects.

Development of AIDS, HIV seroconversion, and potential co-factors for T4 cell loss in a cohort of intravenous drug users.

A cohort of 334 intravenous (IV) drug users from New York City drug treatment programs were followed over a mean 9-month period. Among the 165 who were seropositive at enlistment, four developed clinical AIDS, for an annual rate of 3%. Elevated IgA was a significant predictor of developing AIDS. Among 72 subjects who were initially seronegative and who were re-interviewed, four were seropositive at follow-up, for a seroconversion rate of 7% per year among seronegatives. Among seropositive subjects who did not develop AIDS or fatal AIDS related complex (ARC), continued drug injection was associated with rate of T4 cell loss, and there was a non-significant trend for males to lose T4 cells more rapidly than females. While it was not possible to distinguish the mechanism underlying the relationship between continued drug injection and T4 cell loss, seropositive IV drug users should be warned that continued injection may lead to increased HIV-related immunosuppression as well as, if injection equipment is shared, risking viral transmission to others.

Risk factors for infection with human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug abusers in New York City.

We report here the results of a survey of 308 intravenous drug abusers recruited from hospital-based methadone maintenance or drug detoxification programmes located in Manhattan, New York City. Complete interviews and serological analyses for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent and Western blot assays were obtained from 290 (94%) of the subjects. HIV antibodies were found by both assays in 147 (50.7%) of the tested subjects; conflicting results were found in three (1%) of the subjects; and negative results on both tests were found in 140 (48.3%) of the subjects. Logistic regression analysis identified significant relative risks for HIV infection associated with the frequency of drug injection and the proportion of injections in 'shooting galleries'. Additional risk among men was associated with a history of homosexual relations. Traditional efforts taken by subjects to clean syringes between uses, such as washing with water or alcohol, showed no evidence of being protective. Programmes aimed at prevention of HIV infection should focus on reducing use of shooting galleries and sharing of needles and syringes as well as reducing intravenous drug abuse generally.