bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum insulin‐like growth factor‐I and insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 in premature rupture of membranes
Authors: Loukovaara Mikko , Koistinen Riitta , Kalme Tarja , Kurki Tapio , Leinonen Pekka , Seppälä Markku 
Published: March 2003

Background.  The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the circulating levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and its major circulating binding protein, IGFBP‐3, are affected in premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and preterm delivery.Methods.  The levels of IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 were measured in 32 pregnant women with PROM and in 27 healthy gestational age‐matched pregnant women. Statistical analyzes were performed by analysis of variance.Results.  All the patients with PROM had preterm delivery, at a gestational age of 31.9 ± 0.4 weeks (mean ± SEM). In the control subjects, pregnancy proceeded to term. In the PROM patients, the serum IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 levels (289 ± 21 ng/ml and 8248 ± 407 ng/ml, respectively) were not statistically different from those in the control subjects (275 ± 22 ng/ml and 7579 ± 488 ng/ml). Seventeen patients with PROM showed a rise in serum C‐reactive protein, indicating subclinical intrauterine infection. Also in this subgroup of patients the levels of serum IGF‐I (281 ± 27 ng/ml) and IGFBP‐3 (9010 ± 633 ng/ml) were not different from those in the control subjects. Before delivery, serial serum samples were available from 22 patients with PROM. No consistent changes in IGF‐I or IGFBP‐3 concentrations were seen during the mean follow‐up period of 9 days.Conclusions.  IGF‐I and IGFBP‐3 do not appear to play any significant role in the maintenance of pregnancy in PROM patients with preterm delivery, whether or not associated with emerging intrauterine infection.
Response to activated protein C decreases throughout pregnancy
Authors: Benedetto Chiara , Marozio Luca , Tavella Anna Maria , Maulà Vincenza , Carmignani Daniela , Curti Antonella 
Published: March 2003

Background.  The possibility that changes in activated protein C anticoagulant activity may contribute to the hemostatic changes associated with pregnancy has been previously investigated, but the results of the studies are still controversial.Methods.  Nine hundred and sixty‐one healthy nonpregnant and 711 normal pregnant women who were noncarriers of factor V Leiden at different weeks' gestation were included in a cross‐sectional trial. Moreover, the APC ratio was repeatedly measured in 45 women throughout pregnancy. The activated protein C ratio was tested using the modified activated partial thromboplastin time‐based assay.Results.  A significantly lower APC ratio was observed at 20–28 and 32–38 (p= 0.0001) weeks' gestation compared with nonpregnant values. The decrease in the APC ratio throughout pregnancy showed a significant trend (p= 0.014). In none of the subjects did the APC ratio reach the cut‐off values for APC resistance.Conclusions.  Our data confirm a reduction in the APC ratio throughout pregnancy. In our series, an APC ratio of less than 2.0 according to the cut‐off point of our laboratory).
Preoperative transcervical analgesia for laparoscopic sterilization with Filshie clips.A double blind randomized trial
Authors: Schytte Tine , Aage Soerensen Jens , Hauge Benedicte , Andersen Bent 
Published: March 2003

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2003; 82: 57–60. © Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2003Objective. To evaluate the use of preoperative transcervical analgesia for reducing postoperative pain from laparoscopic sterilization with Filshie clips.Design. A double blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial.Setting. Gynecologic day‐care clinic of Vejle Hospital, Vejle, Denmark.Sample.  Seventy‐eight healthy women were attending the public hospital requesting sterilization.Methods. Participants received bupivacaine 0.25% 20 mL or placebo normal saline 20 mL injected into the uterus, though the fallopian tubes and into the pelvis before tubal occlusion with Filshie clips.Main outcome measures. Post‐operative visual analog pain score and request for analgesia were recorded.Results. At 30 min after clip application there was a non‐significant reduction in pain‐score on VAS. However, at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h median pain score on VAS was similar in both groups. Patients request for postoperative analgesia was similar in the two groups.Conclusions. Preoperative transcervical perfusion of the uterus, fallopian tubes and into the pelvis did not reduce postoperative pain or request for analgesics after laparoscopic sterilization with Filshie clips.
Eye injuries from fireworks in Western Sweden
Authors: Sundelin Karin , Norrsell Kerstin 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate the extent and type of, as well as the circumstances connected with, ocular injuries caused by pyrotechnical products in the Western region of Sweden (1 750 000 inhabitants).Methods: A three‐year prospective observational study was carried out to register, interview and follow‐up all patients with ocular injuries caused by fireworks. The patients were reported by all ophthalmologists in the area.Results: 52 patients (72 injured eyes) were reported, 49 males and 3 females. 39 of 52 (75%) were younger than 18 years. 15 patients (including the three females) were bystanders. The injuries ranged from conjunctivitis to complete loss of the eye. The pyrotechnical device had been manipulated or misused in 19 (37%) of the 52 accidents. Seriousness of injury could not be correlated to type of device or to whether the injured person was active in launching the firework or not. 20 (38%) of the 52 patients had permanent damage to the eye.Conclusion: Ocular injuries from fireworks remain a problem. Preventive measures such as protective glasses and legislation are being discussed.
Comparison of ranked segment analysis (RSA) and cup to disc ratio in computer‐assisted optic disc evaluation
Authors: Gundersen Kjell Gunnar , Åsman Peter 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Ranked segment analysis is a new method for evaluation of optic nerve head topography with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph. This analysis ranks sector measurements around the optic disc and compares these measurements with rank specific significance limits. We evaluated the diagnostic precision of the ranked segment analysis in a large clinical sample and compared with vertical cup/disc ratio measurements. Vertical cup/disc ratio measurements were not corrected for disc size.Methods: We analysed optic disc images from 153 normal and 75 glaucomatous eyes using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (software version 2.01). Ranked segment analyses and vertical cup/disc ratio measurements were obtained from each optic disc image, and ROC curves were plotted.Results: At the 95% specificity level, sensitivity was significantly lower for ranked segment analysis (70%) compared to vertical cup/disc ratio measurements (85%). Almost 30% of the discs in the glaucoma group were classified as normal using the ranked segment analysis.Discussion: Ranked segment analysis yielded unacceptably poor discrimination, in fact, worse than cup/disc ratio with its known clinical limitations. Glaucomatous disc damage typically occurs at the vertical poles of the disc. High rank measurements (low sector values) in normal eyes, on the other hand, are more common in the temporal disc sectors. Important spatial information is lost during the ranking procedure. This may partly explain the low sensitivity of the ranked segment analysis observed in our study. The results raise serious concerns regarding the clinical usefulness of ranked segment analysis.
Colour slides or digital photography in diabetes screening – a comparison
Authors: Henricsson Marianne , Karlsson Cathrin , Ekholm Leif , Kaikkonen Pirjo , Sellman Anders , Steffert Eva , Tyrberg Maria 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare digital images with slides in detecting and grading diabetic retinopathy, and to assess the retinopathy screening performed by ophthalmic nurses.Method: 283 consecutive patients were examined using digital colour and redfree photography (Topcon Imagenet System 1.53) and 35 mm slides (Topcon TRC‐50 VT fundus camera, Kodachrome 64 colour film). The images were graded by the worst eye according to the Wisconsin classification by an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic nurse independently.Results: There was exact agreement between grades obtained from the colour slides and the digital colour images in 82% (weighted kappa 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.96), and in 85% when redfree images were used as an adjunct to the digital colour images. There was a tendency towards undergrading of the digital colour images and overgrading of the digital redfree images, compared with the colour slides. Inter‐ and intragrader agreement (weighted kappa) varied between 0.77 and 0.84 for digital photography and between 0.88 and 0.90 for colour slides.Conclusion: Good to excellent agreement was found between the grading of colour slides and digital colour images, the latter, however, associated with a slightly lower reliability. The adjunct of redfree images seemed to facilitate the detection of retinopathic lesions.
Survival of long‐term retinal cell transplants
Authors: Sharma Rajesh K. , Bergström Anders , Zucker Charles L. , Adolph Alan R. , Ehinger Berndt 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: If retinal cell transplants are to be used in the management of retinal degeneration, they will need to survive in the eye for long time. This study assesses the fate of neural retinal transplants in the eye after long survival times.Methods: Fragmented pieces of neural retinas from embryonic day 15 rabbits were transplanted to the subretinal space of adult animals of the same strain. The transplants were allowed to survive for up to 583 days prior to sacrifice and light microscopic examination.Results: In most grafts, both neural and glial cells survived, however, some of the grafts seemed to contain predominantly glial cells. Only when the photoreceptors in the graft were apposed to the host pigmented epithelium did they survive. Otherwise, the neuronal components of the grafts were largely cells typically found in the inner retina. The long‐term transplants were much thinner than short‐term ones. Even after long survival times, the transplants lacked vascularization. No inflammatory cells were seen in or around the grafts.Conclusion: The results suggest that the cells of the inner retina survive for long periods after transplantation, but the photoreceptor cells seem to need the support of the host pigmented epithelium for long‐term survival. It may therefore be important to have a transplantation technique where the graft photoreceptors can be placed in apposition with the host pigment epithelium.
Cone electroretinogram amplitude growth with light adaptation in patients with retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Yamamoto Shuichi , Hayashi Masanori , Takeuchi Shinobu 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: It has been hypothesized that the increase in the b‐wave during light adaptation is directly related to the level of cone malfunction in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Because this hypothesis has important bearing on the mechanism for the increase in the electroretinogram (ERG), we examined the increase in the amplitude of the cone ERG during light adaptation in patients with typical RP.Methods: Cone ERGs were recorded to Ganzfeld white flash stimuli in the presence of white background illumination in 51 RP patients and in 27 normal subjects.Results: In the normals, the increase in the b‐wave amplitude during light adaptation ranged from 14–92% of the dark‐adapted amplitude. All RP patients showed an amplitude increase that ranged from 5 to 100% of the baseline amplitude. This increase was not significantly different from that of the normals (p=0.71, unpaired t‐test). The baseline amplitudes and the increase in the relative amplitude were weakly correlated in the RP patients (r=0.31; p=0.029). No significant difference was observed in the amplitude increase between patients with near normal b‐wave implicit times and those with delayed times (p=0.17, unpaired t‐test). Changes of the b‐wave implicit time were not significantly different from those in the controls.Conclusion: These findings that the changes in the cone ERG with light adaptation in the RP patients were very similar to those in normal subjects do not support the proposed hypothesis that the increase in the b‐wave amplitude during light adaptation was directly related to the level of cone malfunction.
Short term visual prognosis after retinal laser photocoagulation for diabetic maculopathy
Authors: Bek Toke , Møller Flemming , Klausen Bodil 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Retinal photocoagulation can improve the visual prognosis of patients with diabetic maculopathy complicated with clinically significant macular oedema. However, this effect covers a wide variation of visual outcome with some patients improving and other patients worsening several visual acuity steps. Therefore, parameters are needed that can be used to ensure that treatment is modified or avoided in those patients who are at risk of experiencing visual loss.Methods: The change in visual acuity shortly after laser photocoagulation for diabetic maculopathy was assessed in 95 eyes of 79 patients as a part of a routine quality assessment programme, and was compared to the age at onset of diabetes, the pre‐treatment duration of diabetes, the number of retinopathy lesions and the number of laser applications given to treat the maculopathy.Results: On average visual acuity was unchanged at the post treatment control (mean=−0.04, SD=0.15), however, with a wide variation (range: −0.44 to 0.33). There was no correlation between the change in visual acuity and any of the studied background parameters.Conclusions: It is concluded that the treatment intervention rather than the general disease state is the main determining factor for the visual prognosis after laser photocoagulation for diabetic maculopathy. Other parameters should be identified to act as a basis for differentiating and improving laser photocoagulation of diabetic maculopathy. One such possible parameter might be the distance of retinopathy lesions and laser applications from the retinal fixation area.
Photocoagulation of diabetic macular oedema; complications and visual outcome
Authors: Lövestam‐Adrian Monica , Agardh Elisabet 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To describe complications and visual outcome of photocoagulation for clinically significant macular oedema.Subjects and Methods: Evaluation of macular oedema and complications of photocoagulation in 194 eyes, defined as subretinal fibrosis, atrophic creep of the pigment epithelium and subretinal neovascularization was based on stereo fundus photo grading. The study included 25 patients with type 1 and 93 patients with type 2 diabetes (age 32±10 and 65±9 years, respectively). The statistical evaluations were based on one eye per patient.Results: Follow‐up time was 5.5±2.4 years (mean±SD). Complications within 1/3 ODD from the centre of the macula were seen in 4% (1/23) of eyes of patients with type 1 diabetes, compared to 26% (20/76) of eyes among patients with type 2 diabetes (p=0.02). Hard exsudates before treatment were more common in type 2 than in type 1 diabetic eyes, 70/82 vs. 11/23 (p<0.001). In all eyes, hard exsudates were more often associated with subretinal fibrosis or atrophic creep (35/133 eyes) than diffuse oedema (5/44 eyes) (p=0.04).Conclusion: Photocoagulation for clinically significant macular oedema with hard exudates, particularly when subfoveally located, was more often associated with subretinal fibrosis or atrophic creep of the pigment epithelium than photocoagulation of oedema without hard exudates. Hard exudates as well as complications after photocoagulation were more common in type 2 than in type 1 diabetes, resulting in poorer visual outcome in this group of patients.
Contrast sensitivity and visual recovery time in diabetic patients treated with panretinal photocoagulation
Authors: Lövestam‐Adrian Monica , Svendenius Nils , Agardh Elisabeth 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To study patients treated with panretinal photocoagulation regarding contrast sensitivity and visual recovery time after exposure to glare.Methods: To compare contrast sensitivity and visual recovery‐time after exposure to glare in eyes (n=20) from 20 type 1 diabetic patients treated with panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative retinopathy with eyes (n=19) from 19 un‐treated type 1 diabetic patients. Contrast sensitivity was tested with a low contrast acuity chart, before and during exposure to either a uniform background illumination or a spotlight. Visual recovery time was defined as the time required to regain baseline visual acuity during light exposure.Results: Contrast thresholds values were higher in eyes treated with panretinal photocoagulation compared to un‐treated eyes before illumination 4.2±1.2% vs. 3.1±1.7% (p=0.006), during background illumination 5.8±5.1% vs. 3.9±4.8% (p=0.001), and during spotlight exposure 5.6±2.2% vs. 3.2±1.8% (p<0.001). Furthermore, recovery time was longer both during background illumination, 20; 5–50 sec vs. 2; 2–80 sec. (md;range), (p<0.001) and during spotlight illumination 27; 5–70 sec vs. 2;1–60 sec. (md;range) (p<0.001).Conclusion: Eyes treated with panretinal photocoagulation had higher contrast threshold levels at baseline and during glare, as well as a prolonged visual recovery time compared to un‐treated eyes with mild background retinopathy.
A retrospective study of patients with retained nuclear fragments after cataract extraction
Authors: Olsson Rønnaug Brandser , Ritland Jon Ståle , Bjørnsson Òlafur Màr , Syrdalen Per , Eide Nils , Øvergård Ralf 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: A registration and follow‐up of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy after dislocated nuclear fragments to the vitreous following cataract extraction.Material and methods: A retrospective study of 125 patients referred to The National Hospital during the years 1991 to 1998. Phacoemulsification and extracapsular technique were used in 115 eyes and 10 eyes, respectively. A pars plana vitrectomy was performed within an average of 13 days (1–99 days) after cataract extraction. Average follow‐up period was 9 months (0.5–35 months).Results: The visual acuity at follow‐up was ≥ 0.5 in 67 eyes (55.4%), <0.5‐>0.1 in 32 eyes (26.4%), and ≤0.1 in 22 eyes (18.2%). The total number of retinal detachments was 26 (21.5%).Conclusion: Retained nuclear fragments in the vitreous is a serious complication and most eyes achieve acceptable visual results.
Phaco‐vitrectomy for full‐thickness macular holes
Authors: Simcock Peter R. , Scalia Sergio 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate the role of combined phaco‐vitrectomy surgery in the management of full‐thickness macular holes.Methods: Thirteen eyes with full‐thickness macular holes had combined phacoemulsification cataract removal and vitrectomy surgery with instillation of 20% C2F6 gas.Results: The mean duration of macular holes prior to surgery was 6.5 months. Eleven holes closed, 2 remained opened. All patients except one had an improvement in visual acuity. Laser treatment was performed to treat retinal breaks noted intraoperatively in 4 patients.Conclusion: Combined cataract and vitrectomy surgery for full‐thickness macular holes enables good visibility during surgery. A large gas bubble can be obtained with excellent tamponade of the hole. Combined surgery prevents the patients having to return for cataract surgery.
Induced posterior vitreous detachment by intravitreal sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) injection in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Ochoa‐Contreras Daniel , Delsol‐Coronado Lizett , Buitrago Mauricio E. , Velasco‐Barona Cecilio , Quiroz‐Mercado Hugo 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To induce posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) in patients with non‐proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) by injecting an intravitreal gas bubble of SF6 and to compare the evolution of the diabetic retinopathy between eyes with gas induced PVD and non‐injected eyes without PVD.Methods: An intravitreal gas bubble of SF6 was injected via the pars plana in twelve eyes of twelve patients with NPDR and no previous PVD. Subsequent clinical, ultrasonographic and angiographic controls were performed to evaluate the development of PVD and progression of the disease.Results: All gas‐injected eyes developed PVD. All eyes with induced PVD (treatment group) remained stable without progression of the retinopathy after 2 years of follow up. In the control group (contralateral eyes without PVD), two eyes (16.6%) progressed to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (p=0.23); five (41.6%) showed progression to more severe stages of NPDR (p=0.01) and another 41.6% of such eyes remained stable.Conclusions: Intravitreal SF6 injection induced PVD in all eyes of our study without undesirable side effects. Further studies are necessary to make conclusions regarding the correlation between the presence of induced PVD and the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Direct silicone intubation using Nunchaku‐style tube (NST‐DSI) to treat lacrimal passage obstruction
Authors: Inatani Masaru , Yamauchi Tomofusa , Fukuchi Masaru , Denno Sachiko , Miki Masaki 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To confirm the usefulness of direct silicone intubation using a Nunchaku‐style tube (NST‐DSI) for the treatment of lacrimal passage obstruction.Methods: Included in this retrospective study were 54 cases (45 patients) of adult‐onset lacrimal passage obstruction on which NST‐DSI was performed. The cases were subdivided into two groups: 29 cases of common canalicular obstruction (the canalicular obstruction group) and 25 cases of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (the duct obstruction group).Results: At the final examination, irrigating fluid passed readily through the lacrimal passage in 39 (72.2%) of the 54 cases. Twenty‐two cases (75.9%) were successful in the canalicular obstruction group (29 cases) whereas 17 cases (68.0%) were successful in the duct obstruction group (25 cases).Conclusion: NST‐DSI is an effective alternative to treat both common canalicular obstruction and nasolacrimal duct obstruction. We regard NST‐DSI as the first choice for the treatment of lacrimal passage obstruction.
The cost of cataract patients awaiting surgery
Authors: Stenevi Ulf , Lundström Mats , Thorburn William 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To describe the cost for society services caused by the patients awaiting surgery for one year in Gothenburg, 1997.Methods: From a waiting list of 1458 patients awaiting cataract surgery 250 randomly selected patients were interviewed. The structured questions focused on community services, such as home help, subsidised travel by taxi, medical treatment at home, visual aids, hospital stay and medical consultation, caused by the cataract symptoms.Results: The total cost for the community for the 1 458 patients awaiting surgery was an estimated SEK 5 200 000. Hospital stay and home help were the largest parts of this community expense.Conclusion: The direct costs for society for one year caused by 1 458 patients awaiting cataract surgery with a mean waiting time of 9.8 months was approximately the same as operating 800 patients (eyes).