Orange juice intake during a fatty meal consumption reduces the postprandial low-grade inflammatory response in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Evidence associates polyphenol-rich foods to reduction of low-grade inflammation and mortality for cardiovascular disease, the mechanisms underlying such effects being still unclear. Consumption of a fatty meal by healthy volunteers induces rapid and reversible low-grade inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of orange juice on cellular modifications induced by a fatty meal. METHODS AND RESULTS: 18 apparently healthy subjects consumed a fatty meal, during which they drunk orange juice, either blond or red, or water, according to a randomized cross-over design. Two hours after the end of the fatty meal, both white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts significantly increased (12.5 and 5%, respectively), while mean platelet volume decreased and a 25% release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) from polymorphonuclear leukocyte occurred. Both juices significantly prevented WBC increase and MPO degranulation, in respect to control. Triglycerides significantly increased (42%) after the fatty meal, but at a lower extent when red orange juice was consumed with the meal (20%), in respect to blond orange juice or control. This effect was statistically significant in the subgroup of 8 subjects with hypertriglyceridemia. Vascular stiffness (augmentation index), measured by Endo-PAT2000, significantly decreased after the meal only in conjunction with red orange juice. CONCLUSION: In healthy subjects the concomitant intake of orange juice may prevent the low-grade inflammatory reaction induced by a fatty meal, at cellular and possibly at vascular function levels. The relative role of different polyphenols on the observed effects of orange juices remains to be established.

A new device for ocular surgical training on enucleated eyes.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable inexpensive device for teaching ocular surgical procedures and practicing experimental techniques on enucleated eyes. DESIGN: Teaching device trial. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty enucleated porcine eyes. METHODS: A Plexiglas ocular bulb holder was secured with its base support to a polyvinylchloride pillar on a modified polystyrene trial head. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The convenience and reproducibility of both laser and surgical ocular techniques performed with this new device were evaluated. RESULTS: This model allows curvilinear capsulorrhexis and phacoemulsification of porcine lenses through a corneal tunnel incision and insertion of a soft foldable acrylic intraocular lens into the capsular bag. Argon and neodymium:YAG laser iridotomy and retinal argon laser photocoagulation can also be performed with this model. CONCLUSIONS: This inexpensive device is useful for teaching both surgical and laser ocular procedures.

An ultrasonographic study of stage-5 retinopathy of prematurity.

BACKGROUND: In preterm infants with severe retinopathy of prematurity, there is often a discrepancy between ophthalmic ultrasound findings and the ophthalmoscopic and/or intraoperative aspect of the eye. METHODS: Six preterm infants (8 eyes) with stage-5 retinopathy of prematurity were examined with standardized ophthalmic echography (A and B scans) shortly before undergoing open-sky vitrectomies. Sonographic findings were evaluated according to four A-scan and four B-scan criteria used to diagnose retinal detachment in adults and compared to intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Although the retinal detachments and vitreal proliferation found in all 8 eyes at surgery were almost identical, the sonographic aspects varied widely: 3/8 satisfied most of the criteria used in adults, 3/8 presented two criteria only and the remaining 2 were negative for all criteria used. CONCLUSION: The variability in the ultrasonographic aspects of these preterm eyes may depend on the degree of maturity of the preterm retina at the time of examination, with more mature retinas presenting greater reflectivity and therefore greater visibility in the sonographic exam.

Conservative treatment of adnexal, epibulbar and intraocular neoplasms by means of electron microbeams: a preliminary study.

At present, episcleral plaque brachytherapy and charged particle or photon irradiation are the most commonly employed methods in ocular and adnexal conservative treatments. In the near future, a different therapeutic approach to these malignancies could be represented by a new device based on electron beam emission. The equipment used consists of an electron accelerator originally developed for intraoperative radiotherapy, modified to fit ocular pathologies. Adequate collimators and an enhanced mechanical accuracy are required for this special practice. An operative planning for epibulbar, adnexal and intraocular tumors is described, discussing its rationale for possible applications. Experimental tests using phantoms and Gafchromic(R) films are in progress. As all conservative treatments, the main gaol of this activity is the maintenance of a good visual function.

Optic nerve diameters and perimetric thresholds in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a central nervous disorder characterised by abnormally increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure leading to optic nerve compression. An indirect estimate of increased CSF pressure can be obtained by the ultrasonographic determination of optic nerve sheaths diameters. Computerised static perimetry is regarded as the method of choice for monitoring the course of the optic neuropathy in IIH. The aims were to compare the echographic optic nerve diameters (ONDs) and the perimetric thresholds of patients with IIH with those of age-matched controls, and to examine the correlation between these two variables in individual patients with papilloedema. METHODS: Standardised A-scan echography of the mid orbital optic nerve transverse diameters and automated threshold perimetry (Humphrey 30-2) were performed in 20 patients with IIH with variable degree of papilloedema (according to the Frisén scheme) and no concomitant ocular diseases. Echographic and perimetric results were compared with those obtained from 20 age-matched controls. RESULTS: When compared with controls, patients with IIH showed a significant increase in mean ONDs and significantly reduced mean perimetric sensitivities. In individual patients with papilloedema, the transverse ONDs correlated negatively with Humphrey mean deviation values and positively with pattern standard deviation values. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that OND changes in IIH are associated with perimetric threshold losses, and suggest that IIH functional deficits may be related to the degree of distension of optic nerve sheaths as a result of an increased CSF pressure.