Early keratometric and refractive results after intra-corneal rings surgery in keratoconus patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early keratometric and refractive results after intra-corneal rings surgery in keratoconus patients. METHOD: 50 eyes of 25 patients with keratoconus within stage 2 and 3, underwent intra-stromal corneal rings surgery by using the femtosecond surgical laser, one month after surgery, corneal keratometries and patient refraction were compared vs pre-operative ones. RESULTS: Mean pre-operative low keratometry was 48.8 ± 3.65 D vs. 46.44 ± 3.65 D post-operative (p < 0.005). Mean pre-operative high keratometry was 53.92 ± 4.50 vs. 49.65 ± 4.15 post-operative (p < 0.005). Mean pre-operative spherical equivalent was -7.39 ± 2.42 D vs. -3.48 ± 2.47 D post-operative (p < 0.005). Mean pre-operative cylinder was -5.65 ± 2.02 D vs. -3.48 ± 2.47 D post-operative (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal keratometries, spherical equivalent and corneal cylinder, significant decrease at one month after intra-stromal corneal rings surgery in keratoconus patients.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados queratométricos y refractivos tempranos de pacientes con queratocono operados con anillos intracorneales. MÉTODO: Se evaluaron 50 ojos de 25 pacientes con queratocono de grado 2 o 3, posoperados con colocación de anillos intracorneales mediante el uso de láser de femtosegundos, al mes del posoperatorio, comparando las queratometrías y las refracciones antes y después de la operación. RESULTADOS: El promedio preoperatorio de las queratometrías planas fue de 48.8 ± 3.65 D y en el posoperatorio fue de 46.44 ± 3.65 D (p < 0.005). El promedio preoperatorio de las queratometrías curvas fue de 53.92 ± 4.50 y en el posoperatorio fue de 49.65 ± 4.15 (p < 0.005). El equivalente esférico preoperatorio fue de −7.39 ± 2.42 D y en el posoperatorio fue de −3.48 ± 2.47 D (p < 0.005). El promedio del cilindro preoperatorio fue de −5.65 ± 2.02 D y en el posoperatorio fue de −3.48 ± 2.47 D (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONES: La colocación de anillos intracorneales reduce de forma significativa tanto las queratometrías como los equivalentes esféricos y el astigmatismo en pacientes con queratocono en forma temprana.

Lateral differences of the forearm range of motion.

Malunion is a common complication of distal radius fracture and often causes a reduction in the range of motion. The measurement of the range of motion is a part of the process for evaluating the final motion after a malunion of a distal radius fracture is diagnosed. However, the amount of range of motion reduced due to the malunion often is calculated upon the assumption that the motion is equal in both forearms. Although this assumption has been questioned, not much work has been conducted which defines the difference in range of motion between the two forearms. In this work, a methodology has been proposed to measure the forearm range of motion using inertial measurement units. The motion was measured in both forearms of a control group. Afterwards, the motion was compared between both forearm sides; then, differences and relationships were drawn. Our results indicated that the forearm rotational motion is larger in the dominant forearm. Moreover, pronation and supination motions differ among the limbs, supination being always larger than pronation. In the dominant forearm, supination is much larger than pronation, while in the non-dominant their magnitudes are rather close. These results provide important data for a more accurate way to determine how the malunion of a fracture or another pathology affects the forearm motion.

Experimental heat stress nephropathy and liver injury are improved by allopurinol.

An epidemic of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been observed in Central America among workers in the sugarcane fields. One hypothesis is that the CKD may be caused by recurrent heat stress and dehydration, and potentially by hyperuricemia. Accordingly, we developed a murine model of kidney injury associated with recurrent heat stress. In the current experiment, we tested whether treatment with allopurinol (a xanthine oxidase inhibitor that reduces serum urate) provides renal protection against recurrent heat stress and dehydration. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to recurrent heat stress (39.5°C for 30 min, 7 times daily, for 5 wk) with or without allopurinol treatment and were compared with control animals with or without allopurinol treatment. Mice were allowed ad libitum access to normal laboratory chow (Harlan Teklad). Kidney histology, liver histology, and renal function were examined. Heat stress conferred both kidney and liver injury. Kidneys showed loss of proximal tubules, infiltration of monocyte/macrophages, and interstitial collagen deposition, while livers of heat-stressed mice displayed an increase in macrophages, collagen deposition, and myofibroblasts. Allopurinol provided significant protection and improved renal function in the heat-stressed mice. The renal protection was associated with reduction in intrarenal uric acid concentration and heat shock protein 70 expression. Heat stress-induced renal and liver injury can be protected with allopurinol treatment. We recommend a clinical trial of allopurinol for individuals developing renal injury in rural areas of Central America where the epidemic of chronic kidney disease is occurring.

Reduction and return of infectious trachoma in severely affected communities in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are a major tool in the WHO's trachoma control program. Even a single mass distribution reduces the prevalence of the ocular chlamydia that causes trachoma. Unfortunately, infection returns after a single treatment, at least in severely affected areas. Here, we test whether additional scheduled treatments further reduce infection, and whether infection returns after distributions are discontinued. METHODS: Sixteen communities in Ethiopia were randomly selected. Ocular chlamydial infection in 1- to 5-year-old children was monitored over four biannual azithromycin distributions and for 24 months after the last treatment. FINDINGS: The average prevalence of infection in 1- to 5-year-old children was reduced from 63.5% pre-treatment to 11.5% six months after the first distribution (P<0.0001). It further decreased to 2.6% six months after the fourth and final treatment (P = 0.0004). In the next 18 months, infection returned to 25.2%, a significant increase from six months after the last treatment (P = 0.008), but still far lower than baseline (P<0.0001). Although the prevalence of infection in any particular village fluctuated, the mean prevalence of the 16 villages steadily decreased with each treatment and steadily returned after treatments were discontinued. CONCLUSION: In some of the most severely affected communities ever studied, we demonstrate that repeated mass oral azithromycin distributions progressively reduce ocular chlamydial infection in a community, as long as these distributions are given frequently enough and at a high enough coverage. However, infection returns into the communities after the last treatment. Sustainable changes or complete local elimination of infection will be necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00221364.