bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and attitudes about the Pap‐smear screening program: a population‐based study of women aged 20–59 years
Authors: Ideström Monica , Milsom Ian , Andersson‐Ellström Agneta 
Published: March 2003

Background.  The aim of the Papanicolau (Pap)‐smear screening program is to reduce morbidity and mortality resulting from cervix cancer. Compliance to screening has previously been suggested to be associated with women's knowledge. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge about and attitudes to gynecologic Pap‐smear screening among women in a Swedish region where a screening program has been in existence since 1970.Material and methods.  Questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 400 women born 1940–79. Replies were received from 275 of the 392 (70%) available for evaluation.Results.  Ninety‐five percent of the responders had a registered Pap smear in the pathology database. Women's knowledge and concerns were age‐dependent. Ninety‐five percent stated that they knew the purpose of screening but only 62% could indicate which type of cancer the screening actually examined. The majority (82%) did not experience anxiety while awaiting the test result. Almost all women knew that dysplasia may not give symptoms but 10% did not consider seeking a doctor when experiencing postcoital bleeding. Fifty percent thought that their life‐style may be of importance for developing dysplasia but only 13% were aware of the protective effect of a condom.Conclusion.  Although the vast majority of the women had experience of participating in the screening program, one in three of the women were unaware of which type of cancer she was being screened for and only half of the women were aware of the connection between dysplasia/cervix cancer and life‐style factors. It is particularly important to provide better information about life‐style factors in order to give women the opportunity of acting accordingly.
A new induction‐based impact method for measuring intraocular pressure
Authors: Kontiola Antti Ilmari 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: An improved induction‐based impact method for measuring intraocular pressure is presented.Methods: A light probe containing a permanent magnet is launched towards the eye using a solenoid. The probe hits the eye and bounces back. The same solenoid, inside which the probe moves, is used to detect the movement and impact of the probe, because the moving magnet induces voltage in the solenoid. In the clinical study, the Goldmann applanation tonometer was used as a standard. Handheld and fixed tonometers were also compared by means of measurements in pressurized pig eyes.Results: At a low intraocular pressure (IOP), there is a longer impact time than at a high IOP. A handheld tonometer causes more variation in impact times, especially at low intraocular pressure (IOP), than a fixed tonometer.Conclusions: The new induction‐based impact method can be used to measure IOP. When a fixed tonometer is used, there is less variation in impact times.
Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor‐β1 and tenascin in human secondary cataract
Authors: Latvala Terho , Uusitalo Marita , Puolakkainen Pauli , Kivelä Tero , Tervo Timo 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: This study was carried out to investigate the distribution of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoprotein tenascin in secondary cataract and anterior subcapsular cataract.Methods: Twenty‐four pseudophakic human eyes with secondary cataract, obtained at autopsy 1 d to 10 yr (mean 2.4 yr) after cataract surgery, were studied. Additionally, a specimen from an anterior subcapsular cataract was included. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize TGF‐β1 and tenascin in secondary cataract and in anterior subcapsular cataract.Results: Polyclonal antibody to TGF‐β1 immunolabelled spindle‐shaped cells in the plaques of secondary cataract in all eyes. Instead, the cells present in Soemmering's ring cataract were not labelled. The ECM in the plaques of secondary cataract was immunoreactive for tenascin in all eyes. In anterior subcapsular cataract spindle‐shaped cells and ECM showed similar immunoreactivity.Conclusion: Spindle‐shaped cells that are immunolabelled with TGF‐β1 and ECM showing tenascin‐like‐immunoreactivity are present in secondary cataract and in anterior subcapsular cataract, thus implicating a possible role in secondary cataract.
Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the orbit
Authors: Uceda‐Montañés A. , Blanco G. , Saornil M. A. , Gonzalez C. , Sarasa J. L. , Cuevas J. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To report a case of extramedullary plasmacytoma of the orbit.Methods: A 71‐year‐old patient presented with diplopia eyelid fullness and limitation of ocular motility in the left eye. Visual acuity was counting fingers, intraocular pressure 34 mmHg and fundus eye examination showed choroidal folds in the involved eye.Results: CT scan showed a mass filling the superior and external left orbit without bone destruction. A biopsy was performed revealing that the tumour was composed of plasmacytoid cells positive with immunohistochemical stains for Kappa light chains and epithelial membrane antigen. Systemic work up was negative. The diagnosis of extramedullary orbital plasmacytoma was made. The patient was treated with external beam radiotherapy (40 Gy) and has remained disease free for four years (49 months).Conclusion: Extramedullary plasmacytomas of the orbit are extremely rare tumours. Accurate and early diagnosis is essential for the therapeutic approach. Extensive medical work up to rule out multiple myeloma or other malignant lymphoproliferative conditions involving the orbit is needed when the diagnosis of orbital extramedullary plasmacytoma is suspected because treatment and prognosis are very different.
Regional differences in optic disc and retinal circulation
Authors: Schwartz Bernard , Harris Alon , Takamoto Takenori , Kagemann Larry , Evans David , Chung Hak S. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To determine regional differences in the circulation of the optic disc, the peripapillary choroid and the retinal vessels using the techniques of computerized image analysis and fluorescein angiography.Methods: Ten young normal subjects were studied. Fluorescein angiography was performed with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The rate of filling of fluorescein or slope was measured in the four quadrants of the optic disc, the peripapillary choroid and the major retinal arteries and veins. A total of 125 points was measured from each image of the fluorescein angiograms for a total of 20 to 30 images. Retinal vessel width was measured using computerized image analysis.Results: Comparison of the rates of filling of fluorescein or slopes showed significant differences from zero among the four quadrants of the optic disc (p=0.01 to <0.02), of the peripapillary choroid (p=0.01 to <0.05) and among the major retinal arteries (p=0.01 to <0.02) and retinal veins (p=0.02 to <0.05). No significant differences were noted between the quadrants for retinal arterial width with the retinal veins only showing a significant difference between the inferior nasal and inferior temporal vein (p=0.02 to <0.05).Conclusion: Evaluation of the circulation of the optic disc, retina, and peripapillary choroid should take into account regional differences among these structures.
Bacteriology and antibiotic therapy in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction
Authors: Kuchar Andreas , Lukas Julius , Steinkogler Franz Josef 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Aims: To determine the current bacteriology of mucopurulent discharge in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNDO), the in vitro response to different antibiotics and clinical effectiveness of the antibiotics used to relieve babies from mucopurulent discharge.Methods: A clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of local antibiotic agents clinically and in vitro. 50 samples were obtained from the lacrimal sac in 47 young children with CNDO. The patients' mean age was 21.45±17.09 months. The cultures were incubated and the infectious agents isolated. Sensitivity testing was performed in each case, testing 10 different local antibiotics. A control group of 10 babies expected for cataract surgery was constituted.Results: Cultures were positive for bacteria from 72.64% of the samples. 73 isolates were recovered from the 50 samples. The bacterial species most frequently cultured was Streptococcus pneumoniae, representing 35.4% of the isolates, followed by Haemophilus influencae (19.6%). The sensitivity testing revealed ofloxacin and tetracycline to be the most effective drugs as monotherapy. Clinically the combination of bacitracin and neomycin, primarily used in half of the patients as initial therapy, was successful in curing the dacryocystitis in 82.5% of all patients.Conclusion: Chronic dacryocystitis due to CNDO is associated with an equal proportion of Gram positive and negative bacteria, which can be treated with a high effectiveness by a combination drug of bacitracin and neomycin.
Comparative Study of Clinical Efficacy and Tolerance in Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis Management with 0.1% Olopatadine Hydrochloride versus 0.05% Ketotifen Fumarate
Authors: Aguilar Alejandro J. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and tolerance of 0.1% olopatadine hydrochloride (OHC) versus 0.05% ketotifen fumarate (KF) in the management of allergic conjunctivitis.Materials and Methods: Eighty adult patients with a history of allergy (allergic conjunctivitis, hay fever, asthmatic bronchitis and dermatitis) that were showing allergic conjunctivitis signs and symptoms (itching, hyperemia, mucous discharge and tearing) at the time of inclusion in this study were evaluated. Patients were divided in two groups, A and B. Group A patients were treated with OHC and group B patients were treated with KF. Both groups received one drop in the affected eye every 12 hrs. The start time of this study was the first patient visit, in which the medication was instilled for the first time. Both groups of patients were evaluated 30 min, 48 hr., 7 days and 14 days later. Local tolerance of each medication was evaluated.Results: Clinical improvement of the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis occurred in 42.5% to 62.5% of the patients in Group A when assessed 30 min following the first topical ocular dose of olopatadine. However, mucous discharge was not affected. Forty‐eight (48) hrs. after the first instillation, improvements in 57.5% to 75% of the patients were shown in every evaluated parameter. After 7 days of treatment, positive clinical results were observed in 80% to 87.5% of the treated patients. Except for the patients that were dismissed from the study before the seventh day of treatment due to the absence of therapeutic response (4/40), all patients satisfactorily completed the therapeutic plan by the seventh day. No intolerance reactions were observed in patients of this group.In Group B patients (KF), clinical improvement of the signs and symptoms measured in the study was shown in 20.0% to 47.5% 30 min after instillation. As observed with olopatadine, no improvement in the number of patients showing mucous discharge was noted at the 30‐min time point. At 48 hr. after the first instillation, 27.5% to 48% of patients showed improvement in every evaluated parameter. After 7 days of treatment, improvement was observed in 60% to 75% of patients. On Day 14, positive responses were observed in 67.5% to 75% of patients. Seventeen and one‐half percent of the patients were dismissed from the study before the seventh day of treatment due to the absence of a therapeutic response. Approximately 23% of the patients had mild reactions of intolerance (stinging) which was not a cause to discontinue the treatment.Conclusion: Olopatadine hydrochloride controlled allergic conjunctivitis symptoms and signs more rapidly and to a greater extent than ketotifen fumarate. Fewer cases of treatment failure were noted with OHC, and no local intolerance reactions were observed, while KF triggered mild reactions (stinging) in 23% of patients.
Reversible bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia following head injury
Authors: Hsu Huan‐Chen , Chen Han‐Jung , Lu Kang , Liang Cheng‐Loong 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: Internuclear ophthalmoplegia is a syndrome produced by a lesion in the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Head trauma is a rare cause. We describe an unusual case of bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia as an isolated sequela following a minor head injury that resolved completely 3 months later.Methods: Case report. Magnetic resonance images.Results: A 34‐year‐old male developed typical bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia after closed head injury. Attempted convergence was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly delineated the focal hemorrhage in the medial longitudinal fasciculus region by showing a small bright lesion in the pontomesencephalic junction in the midline on both T2‐weighted and T1‐weighted images. The diplopia resolved 4 weeks later. Three months after the accident, his versions were completely normal.Conclusion: Isolated internuclear ophthalmoplegia should be considered in the differential diagnosis when one encounters an adduction deficit in a recently traumatized patient. Magnetic resonance images enhance the ability to correlate the clinical findings with the anatomic lesion.
Effect of localized defocus on detection thresholds for different sized targets in the fovea and periphery
Authors: Anderson Roger S. , McDowell D. Rodney , Ennis Fergal A. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: Previous studies of optical blur in perimetry have measured the effect of foveal refractive error on peripheral perimetric detection thresholds. Since peripheral refractive error can be significantly different from that of the fovea we wished to remove the ambiguity of previous results by correcting the actual peripheral refractive error first before adding blur.Methods: We measured detection thresholds in the fovea and at 30 degrees in the horizontal temporal field in two trained observers. Peripheral refractive error was determined at each location and thresholds measured at the same locations for stimuli ranging in size from 0.2 to 6.4 degrees and refractive errors between ±4.00 diopters.Results: Foveal thresholds increased immediately with increasing refractive error, particularly for smaller stimulus sizes. At 30 degrees, thresholds for smaller stimuli were less affected by defocus initially and then increased more sharply. Larger stimuli were relatively unaffected by defocus such that when stimulus size reached 1.6 degrees there was little or no increase in threshold for refractive error between ±4.00 diopters.Conclusions: Peripheral refractive error, largely forgotten by perimetrists, has a significant effect on performance, particularly for smaller stimuli. Differences in foveal vs peripheral viewing can be explained by differences in ganglion cell receptive field sizes.
The impact of glaucoma on the quality of life of patients in Norway
Authors: Odberg Tor , Jakobsen Jan Erik , Hultgren Staale J. , Halseide Reidar 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose:To elucidate the relationship between the visual difficulties reported by patients treated for glaucoma and their objective functional damage, and to evaluate the reliability of the patient responses.Methods:Questionnaires concerning quality of life filled in at home by 589 patients treated for chronic open angle glaucoma were correlated to corresponding questionnaires returned from their ophthalmologists.Results:Few of our patients had a visual field damage judged to be of functional significance. There was a weak to moderate association between both visual field defects and decreased visual acuity and self‐reported visual difficulties.A high proportion of the patients had normal binocular visual field and a stable disease, raising the suspicion that some of them were treated for ocular hypertension. The agreement between the responses from the patients and the ophthalmologists concerning the topical treatment was good, regarding treatment duration and other diseases of the patients the agreement was moderate.Conclusion:The association between subjective visual disability and presence of visual field defects was weak to moderate in our patients treated for glaucoma, and this association was further weakened by adjusting for visual acuity. Some patients might be treated unnecessarily, and a favourable prognosis might be given to most of them. The reliability of the patients in general was good.
An evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness by scanning laser polarimetry in individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer type
Authors: Kergoat Hélène , Kergoat Marie‐Jeanne , Justino Lisette , Chertkow Howard , Robillard Alain , Bergman Howard 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To determine, using scanning laser polarimetry, whether or not the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is altered in dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT).Methods: Thirty individuals with mild to moderate DAT and 30 healthy age‐matched controls participated in the study. Fundus images were acquired with a Nerve Fiber Analyzer. RNFL thickness measurements were obtained under an ellipse located 1.75 disc diameter from the optic nerve head (ONH) center.Results: No differences in RNFL thickness were observed between DAT and healthy subjects. The regional distribution of RNFL thickness was similar between the two test groups, with the RNFL being thickest in the superior and inferior retinal segments relative to the nasal and temporal regions.Conclusions: Our data indicate that the RNFL is not altered in DAT, at least in the earlier stages of the disease.
Rieger syndrome is associated with PAX6 deletion
Authors: Riise Ruth , Storhaug Kari , Brøndum‐Nielsen Karen 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: Rieger syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition defined by anterior segment dysgenesis in combination with facial, dental, skeletal and umbilical abnormalities. To date Rieger syndrome has been associated with mutations in the PITX2 gene at chromosome 4q25 and a second locus has been found at chromosome 13q14.Methods: We describe a Rieger syndrome case with all the typical dysmorphic features and the molecular genetic finding by use of FISH analysis of the PAX6 gene.Results: An eight‐year‐old girl had iris stroma hypoplasia, corectopia and iridogoniodysgenesis. She had an underdeveloped premaxilla and a congenital absence of nine teeth in the maxilla. The front teeth in the mandible were peg‐shaped and all teeth were small. There was failure of involution of the periumbilical skin. FISH analysis using probes for the PAX6 gene showed a small deletion for the PAX6 gene on one homologue of chromosome 11.Conclusion: Rieger syndrome can – in addition to PITX2 gene mutations and abnormalities at chromosome 13q14 – be associated with PAX6 gene abnormalities.
The visual field following acute primary angle closure
Authors: Aung Tin , Looi Audrey L. G. , Chew Paul T. K. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To determine the frequency and type of visual field loss six months after an episode of acute primary angle closure (APAC), and to identify risk factors for the development of such field loss.Methods: This was a cross sectional observational study. All patients who suffered from an episode of APAC at two Singapore hospitals over a one‐year period underwent static automated threshold perimetry six months after presentation.Results: 38% of (29) patients with APAC have significant visual field defects six months after the acute episode. The majority of those with abnormal fields had hemifield defects, consistent with nerve fiber bundle pattern loss. Those with pre‐existing chronic glaucoma or who develop a rise in intraocular pressure during follow‐up are at risk of visual field loss. The risk of visual field loss is also significant if the duration of symptoms exceeds 7 days.Conclusions: The frequency of visual field loss at 6 months after APAC was low at only 38%. As the majority of eyes have no evidence of detectable functional damage developing as a consequence of the acute episode, APAC may not be blinding if treated promptly and adequately.
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome in eyes with ischemic central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Cursiefen Claus , Hammer Thomas , Küchle Michael , Naumann Gottfried O. H. , Schlötzer‐Schrehardt Ursula 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To determine histopathologically the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) material in eyes enucleated secondary to ischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and to evaluate eyes with PEX material in the anterior segment and CRVO ultrastructurally for PEX deposits in the vicinity of central retinal vessels. These deposits could explain an association of CRVO and PEX.Methods: All surgically enucleated eyes with secondary angle closure glaucoma due to rubeotic iris secondary to ischemic CRVO (1981–1998) available were re‐analyzed light microscopically for the presence of PEX in the anterior segment (n=120; 76.9±8.5 years [range: 51–91]). Eyes with PEX in the anterior segment and available optic nerve cross sections were examined by electron microscopy for PEX material in the retrolaminar (n=7) and intralaminar central retinal vessels (n=3). All eyes surgically enucleated because of malignant melanoma of the choroid aged 70 years and older (1981–1998) with sections available served as age‐matched controls (n=107; 76.4±5 years [range: 70–91]).Results: PEX material was present light microscopically in the anterior segment in 12 of 120 eyes with CRVO (10%) compared to 2 of 107 age‐matched eyes with choroidal malignant melanoma (1.9%; p<0.05). Electron microscopically, neither structural alterations of the vessel wall nor PEX deposits were found in association with central retinal vessels both in the intra‐ and retrolaminar areas in any of the 7 eyes with PEX in the anterior segment and CRVO analyzed.Conclusions: Histopathologically, PEX is significantly more common in eyes enucleated secondary to CRVO compared to eyes enucleated because of an intraocular tumor. This most likely is due to the secondary open angle glaucoma in eyes with PEX as a known risk factor for CRVO. According to the small number of optic nerves analyzed here, there seems to be no morphologically evident PEX vasculopathy in the central retinal vessels both within and immediately behind the lamina cribrosa in eyes with PEX in the anterior segment and CRVO potentially causing retinal venous thrombosis.
Increased aqueous humor basic fibroblast growth factor and hyaluronan levels in relation to the exfoliation syndrome and exfoliative glaucoma
Authors: Gartaganis S. P. , Georgakopoulos C. D. , Exarchou A. M. , Mela E. K. , Lamari F. , Karamanos N. K. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To quantify the concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and hyaluronan (HA) in the aqueous humor of patients with the exfoliation syndrome (XFS) or exfoliative glaucoma (XFG).Methods: Aqueous humor bFGF and HA levels were measured in 13 patients with XFS and in 7 patients with XFG. The results were compared with those obtained from 17 healthy controls.Results: Mean bFGF levels were significantly higher in the XFG patients than those in the XFS patients, which in turn were higher than the bFGF levels in the healthy individuals. Aqueous humor HA levels in both patients with the XFS and the XFG were significantly higher compared to the controls.Conclusion: We suggest that bFGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of XFS and XFG, as well as in the synthesis of secreted HA, which may result in connective tissue degradation that affects the ocular anterior segment.