bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CO2 laser vaporization as primary therapy for human papillomavirus lesions
Authors: Savoca Stefano , Nardo Luciano G. , Rosano Tiziana F. , D'Agosta Sebastiana , Nardo Filadelfo 
Published: March 2003

Background. Human papillomavirus manifestations occur with increased frequency and severity amongst sexually active people. Several therapeutic approaches have been suggested to treat this viral disease. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the effectiveness of CO2 laser vaporization for human papillomavirus warts.Materials and methods. Eighty healthy sexually active women with cytologically, colposcopically and histologically diagnosed human papillomavirus urogenital and perianal warts were enrolled and then treated by CO2 laser (16–18 W). Male partners were also investigated, and interferon‐β was eventually administered. All patients were then followed up for twelve months consecutively.Results. At twelve‐month follow‐up, warts clearance was observed in 70 (87.5%) women. Recurrence was reported in ten (12.5%) women with multiple partners and affected by flat or endophytic condiloma of the cervix. Moreover, there were no complaints of pain, scar tissue deformity or other side effects.Conclusions. CO2 laser vaporization is an effective, as well as safe and simple therapeutic approach for treatment of human papillomavirus warts. Its use should be encouraged for condyloma acuminata not associated with malignancy, as well as during pregnancy.
Relationship of upper body obesity to menstrual disorders
Authors: Douchi Tsutomu , Kuwahata Riki , Yamamoto Shinako , Oki Toshimichi , Yamasaki Hideki , Nagata Yukihiro 
Published: March 2003

Background. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relative contribution of upper and lower body obesity to obesity‐related menstrual disorders.Methods. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were excluded from the study. Eighty‐three obese women with a body mass index (BMI, Wt/Ht2) of more than 25 kg/m2 were classified into two groups according to their menstrual status: one with menstrual disorders (n = 39; mean age ± standard deviation, 31.6 ± 4.9 years) and the other group (controls) with regular menstruation (n = 44; 32.2 ± 4.4 years). Age, age at menarche, height, weight, and BMI were recorded. Trunk fat mass, leg fat mass, the ratio of trunk to leg fat mass amount (trunk‐leg fat ratio), body fat mass, and the percentage of body fat were measured by whole‐body scanning with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Baseline characteristics and anthropometric variables were compared between the two groups.Results. Trunk‐leg fat ratio in women with menstrual disorders was 1.48 ± 0.29, which was significantly higher than that in controls (1.25 ± 0.38, p < 0.01). Trunk fat mass was also significantly higher in women with menstrual disorders than in controls (14.9 ± 4.1 kg vs. 12.9 ± 3.8 kg, p < 0.05). However, BMI, percentage of body fat, body fat mass, and leg fat mass did not differ between the two groups. Age, age at menarche, height, and weight did not differ between the two groups.Conclusion. Upper body, but not lower body, obesity is associated with menstrual disorders.
A comparison of two dosage regimens of oral misoprostol for labor induction at term
Authors: Shetty Ashalatha , Martin Ruth , Danielian Peter , Templeton Allan 
Published: March 2003

Methods. 251 women with indications for labor induction at term were randomised to receive either 50 or 100 µgs of oral misoprostol, repeated every 4 h to a maximum of 5 doses. Parous women in the higher dose group received 50 µgs as their first dose, subsequent doses being 100 µgs. Women who failed to respond to the 5 doses of misoprostol had the option of having vaginal PGE2 gel. The primary outcome measure was the induction to delivery interval in those who delivered vaginally. Patient satisfaction was assessed by postnatal questionnaire.Results.  The induction to vaginal delivery interval, although shorter in the 100 µgs group was not statistically significant (26.8 versus 33.7 h, mean difference 6.9 h, 95% CI 0.4–13). There were, however, more failed inductions with misoprostol in the 50 µgs group (12.7% Vs 4.8%, RR 2.6, 95% CI 1.07–6.5). There were no differences in the modes of delivery, number of caesarean sections for fetal distress or in the neonatal outcomes in the two groups. Most patients, 83% and 92% in the 50 and 100 µgs, respectively, were satisfied with their inductions, and 64% of patients would prefer to have the inducing agent given orally if they were to have another induction.Conclusion.  Oral misoprostol is effective in inducing labor and seems acceptable to patients. Both the 50 and 100 µgs dose regimens have a reasonable safety profile, but in view of the higher incidence of failed inductions with the 50 µgs dosage, the 100 µgs dose regimen may be the preferred dose regimen.
Profile of trace element concentrations in the feto‐placental unit in relation to fetal growth
Authors: Osada Hisao , Watanabe Yoshito , Nishimura Yoshikazu , Yukawa Masae , Seki Katsuyoshi , Sekiya Souei 
Published: March 2003

Background.  During pregnancy, trace elements are indispensable for life maintenance not only for the mother but also for the fetus. The purpose of this study was to examine whether fetal growth is associated with altered levels of trace elements in maternal blood, fetal blood, and placenta tissue.Methods.  Twenty‐one pairs of healthy mothers and their newborns with intrauterine growth restriction delivered after 34 weeks of gestation were recruited for the study. In addition, 30 pairs of healthy mothers and their appropriate for gestational age newborns were included as controls. Maternal venous blood, umbilical cord venous and arterial blood, and placenta tissue were collected immediately after delivery. Six essential elements, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium, and four other elements, rubidium, strontium, cadmium, and cesium, in those samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.Results.  Compared with appropriate for gestational age cases, intrauterine growth restriction cases showed higher magnesium, copper, and selenium concentrations in umbilical cord arterial sera, and higher magnesium and selenium concentrations in placenta tissue, but no significant differences appeared for the elements measured in maternal and umbilical cord venous sera. The umbilical cord venous vs. maternal sera concentration ratio was elevated for copper, and the umbilical cord arterial vs. umbilical cord venous sera concentration ratios were elevated for copper and zinc, but there were no differences in placenta tissue vs. maternal sera concentration ratios in intrauterine growth restriction cases.Conclusions.  Among the trace elements evaluated, magnesium, copper, zinc, and selenium showed elevated concentrations in umbilical cord arterial blood, or elevated umbilical cord arterial vs. umbilical cord venous blood concentration ratios in intrauterine growth restriction cases. Reduced consumption efficiency of these four essential trace elements may be closely associated with retarded fetal development.
Identification of androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs in the eye
Authors: Wickham L. Alexandra , Gao Jianping , Toda Ikuko , Rocha Eduardo M. , Ono Masafumi , Sullivan David A. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Previous research has demonstrated that sex steroids exert a significant influence on the structure and function of numerous ocular tissues. To begin to explore the underlying basis of this hormone action, we examined whether various anterior and posterior tissues of the eye contain androgen, estrogen and progesterone receptor mRNAs.Methods: Tissue samples were obtained from adult male and female rats, rabbits and humans, processed for the isolation of total RNA and analyzed by RT‐PCR, agarose gel electrophoresis and Southern blot hybridization. All PCR amplifications included positive and negative controls.Results: Our findings showed that androgen, estrogen and/or progesterone receptor mRNAs are present in the lacrimal gland, lacrimal gland acinar epithelial cells, meibomian gland, lid, palpebral and bulbar conjunctivae, cornea, iris/ciliary body, lens, retina/uvea, retina/choroid and retinal pigment epithelial cells of rats, rabbits or humans.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that sex steroid receptor mRNAs exist in a variety of ocular tissues and suggest that these sites may represent target organs for androgens, estrogens and/or progestins.
Myopisation: The refractive tendency in teenagers. Prevalence of myopia among young teenagers in Sweden
Authors: Villarreal M. Gerardo , Ohlsson Josefin , Abrahamsson Maths , Sjöström Anders , Sjöstrand Johan 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: 1045 children between 12 and 13 years old were examined in a field study in the Göteborg area (Sweden). The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of refractive errors, with special attention to myopia, since there are no previous reports in Sweden about this age group.Methods: The examination included visual acuity testing and refraction under cycloplegia.Results: We found a prevalence of myopia (≥−0.5D) of 49.7% and a prevalence of bilateral myopia of 39%. In the whole population, 23.3% were considered to need glasses (≥−0.75D). We also found a prevalence of high myopia (≥−5D) in 2.5% of the children.Discussion: No statistically significant difference in myopia with respect to gender was found. The proportion of children needing glasses is considered the best indicator of the prevalence of myopia in this sample. The results confirm that this tendency towards myopisation in a teenage population in Göteborg is similar to the prevalence found in other parts of the world.
A clinical comparison of the Xpert non‐contact tonometer with the Goldmann applanation tonometer after penetrating keratoplasty
Authors: Lisle Chris , Ehlers Niels 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To assess the agreement between the Xpert non‐contact tonometer (NCT) and the Goldmann applanation tonometer in patients who have undergone penetrating keratoplasty.Methods: The study material consisted of 42 consecutive patients (43 eyes) who had undergone penetrating keratoplasty within the previous 13 months.Results: The slope of the linear relationship between the two measurement methods did not differ significantly from 1.0. The mean difference between the methods of 0.96 mmHg was not statistically significant. The range of intraindividual differences between the methods was from −9.8 to 22.8 mmHg. The standard deviation of differences was 6.62 mmHg. The 95% limits of agreement were −12.00 to 13.94 mmHg. There was no significant correlation between the central corneal thickness, astigmatism or transplant size and the difference between the methods.Conclusion: The Xpert NCT shows considerable variation from the Goldmann values. The degree of agreement with the true IOP value remains to be shown.
Cataract surgery and effectiveness. 1. Variation in costs between different providers of cataract surgery
Authors: Lundström Mats , Brege Klas Göran , Florén Ingrid , Roos Pontus , Stenevi Ulf , Thorburn William 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To describe and analyse the cost of cataract surgery in four community‐run eye clinics in Sweden and also to analyse differences in cost between these clinics.Methods: The average cost of a cataract surgery episode was calculated including one pre‐operative visit, the surgery itself and the post‐operative visits. Included in the analysis were the costs of disposables, personnel, rent, depreciation, general anaesthesia, bed days and education. Excluded were the costs of complications and overhead costs.Results: The average cost for one cataract surgery episode was 5052/6915 SEK (1 Euro =8.57 SEK) with a variation from 4436/6202 to 6130/8293 between the clinics. The lower sum represents a minimum cost of personnel, the higher sum a maximum cost.Conclusion: A large variation in costs of cataract surgery was found in four providers of cataract surgery. Nearly all clinics studied had one or more areas with much higher costs than average.
Ocular manifestations of incontinentia pigmenti
Authors: Holmström G. , Thorén K. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: The study aimed to evaluate the ocular manifestations in patients with incontinentia pigmenti (IP).Methods: Thirty patients from different parts of Sweden participated. Orthoptic and ocular examinations were performed as well as evaluation of refraction and visual acuity.Results: Ocular manifestations, probably associated with IP, were found in 77% (23/30) of the patients. Thirteen had serious or vision‐threatening eye manifestations in one eye, of whom 7 were totally blind in that eye from retinal detachments. Ten patients had minor retinal and/or corneal changes.Conclusion: Ocular lesions in patients with IP may be serious and lead to blindness because of retinal disease. Ophthalmological follow‐up is essential in the neonatal period and such a programme is recommended.
Colour contrast sensitivity in cataract and pseudophakia
Authors: Friström Björn , Lundh Björn L. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To study the influence of cataract on peripheral and central colour contrast sensitivity.Methods: Peripheral and central colour contrast sensitivity was measured with a computer graphics system along the protan, deutan and tritan axes. Included were 30 patients with cataract divided into three sub‐groups: cortical cataract, nuclear sclerosis and posterior subcapsular cataract. Colour contrast was measured before and after cataract operation.Results: There were significant differences in peripheral colour contrast thresholds comparing the preoperative and postoperative results. This difference existed even in patients (n=19) with a pre‐operative visual acuity ≥0.5 (mean 0.6). The tritan axis was the one most affected by cataract. There was no significant difference between cataract sub‐groups. Also, the central colour contrast sensitivity was affected by cataract. Again, the tritan axis was the most affected one. There was no significant difference between the cataract sub‐groups. We also found large and significant differences in central colour contrast thresholds between normal subjects and postoperative values from the cataract group in all colour axes. The colour contrast sensitivity was poorer in pseudophakes than in normals. There was a difference between the three groups of different IOL material used (PMMA, acrylic and silicone). The difference was significant in the protan axis, the acrylic group having the best colour contrast sensitivity.Conclusion: Peripheral colour contrast sensitivity was affected by cataract, even when only moderately developed. This finding is of importance and should be considered when the method is used to study other eye diseases e.g. glaucoma. Central colour contrast sensitivity was also affected by cataract. The pseudophakes were found to have poorer colour contrast sensitivity than normals. The material in the IOL seemed to be of importance for colour contrast.
Ophthalmological findings in children with congenital toxoplasmosis
Authors: Fahnehjelm Kristina Teär , Malm Gunilla , Ygge Jan , Engman Mona‐Lisa , Maly Eva , Evengård Birgitta 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Congenital toxoplasmosis may lead to severe visual impairment or neurological sequelae in the child.Purpose: To study the severity of the primary and late ophthalmological dysfunction during a prospective incidence study of congenital toxoplasmosis in the Stockholm and Skåne counties.Methods: Blood collected on phenylketonuria (PKU) cards from 40  978 consecutively born children were investigated for antitoxoplasma antibodies. Children with verified congenital toxoplasmosis were treated for 12 months with antiparasitic therapy and followed ophthalmologically, neurologically and serologically every third month.Results: Three children had congenital toxoplasmosis. Two of these were asymptomatic at birth and would have escaped early detection without screening. One child had unilateral severe visual impairment and CNS involvement. The incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis was less than 1:10  000.Conclusion: Neonatal screening is of importance to diagnose asymptomatic infected children with congenital toxoplasmosis as treatment has been shown to reduce long‐term sequelae. Ophthalmological investigations should start early and continue in co‐operation with paediatricians.
High prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing in patients with primary open‐angle glaucoma
Authors: Onen S. Hakki , Mouriaux Frédéric , Berramdane Lotfi , Dascotte Jean‐Claude , Kulik Jean‐François , Rouland Jean‐François 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT.Purpose: Elevated intraocular pressure and systemic hemodynamic changes are main risk factors in primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG). Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) characterized by snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia is accompanied by large swings in blood pressure and repetitive hypoxic periods during sleep. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is any relationship between SDB and POAG.Methods: Consecutively, 212 outpatients with POAG and 218 outpatients without POAG were recruited. Both eyes were examined. An interviewer‐administered semi‐structured questionnaire was used to collect SDB‐related symptoms.Results: After controlling for age, relative to control group, POAG patients showed a high prevalence of snoring (47.6%, p=0.04), snoring plus, excessive daytime sleepiness (27.3%, p=0.01) and snoring plus, excessive daytime sleepiness, plus insomnia (14.6%, p=0.01).Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of SDB in patients with POAG. Chronic hemodynamic changes and recurrent severe hypoxia resulting from SDB may contribute to anoxic optic nerve damage, implicated in glaucoma.
Solitary peripapillary hemangioblastoma
Authors: Joussen Antonia M. , Kirchhof Bernd 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: Hemangioblastomas are highly vascularized tumors of not well‐defined histological origin. They are the most frequent manifestation of the von‐Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) disease, but also occur as sporadic non‐hereditary tumors. Much has been learned in the recent past about the genetic background, however, the cellular origin of the tumor is still not resolved.Methods: We report a rare case of sporadic peripapillary hemangioblastoma in a 58‐year‐old patient.Results: Histological examination demonstrated a highly vascularized tumor with intercapillary stromal cells. The tumor did not invade the adjacent tissues. Surrounding retinal areas showed cystic and gliotic changes. Immunohistochemistry was unable to prove neuroglial origin of the stromal cells.Conclusion: Histological findings show similarities to the findings in cerebral hemangioblastomas. The tumor location in this case together with the known response of glial cells to VHL, might indicate their involvement in the pathogenesis of hemangioblastoma.
Histology of microcornea complicated by bullous keratopathy
Authors: Inoue Yumiko , Inoue Tomoyuki , Ishii Yasuo , Shimomura Yoshikazu , Tano Yasuo 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To report a child with a microcornea complicated by bullous keratopathy and to present the results of a developmental and histological investigation of a microcornea.Methods: Clinical and histopathological examination.Results: Histopathological examination of the microcornea showed that the microcornea of our case lacked the non‐banded zone of Descemet’s layer and formed collagenous layer and secondary Descemet’s membrane.Conclusion: This case demonstrates that histological finding of microcornea is not necessarily normal.
The value of electrophysiology results in patients with epilepsy and vigabatrin associated visual field loss
Authors: Hardus P. , Verduin W. M. , Berendschot T. T. J. M. , Kamermans M. , Postma G. , Stilma J. S. , Van Veelen C. W. M. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Purpose: To determine the value of electrophysiological findings in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and to relate these findings to the amount of concentric contraction of the visual field and the use of vigabatrin.Methods: Electro‐retinograms and electro‐oculograms were done on 30 patients, operated for temporal lobe epilepsy. The patients were divided into three groups: (A) concentric contraction of the visual field associated with a history of vigabatrin medication (15 patients), (B) normal visual field with vigabatrin use (11 patients) and (C) normal visual field without vigabatrin medication (4 patients).Results: Electrophysiological abnormalities were found in 50% of the patients in group A. The Arden ratio of the EOG was lowered in 57%. Abnormalities in the ERG were found: b‐wave implicit time photopic F was prolonged (50%), b‐wave amplitudes scotopic B (53%), C (73%) and G (50%) and photopic H (50%) were diminished. The amount of visual field loss and the total dose of vigabatrin used, showed only slight correlation with the ERG and EOG. The use of vigabatrin during the ERG and EOG recording in group A, gave a higher b‐wave amplitude scotopic G in 64% of cases. The a‐wave implicit times scotopic G (73%) and photopic G (59%) and H (73%) were shortened in group B.Conclusion: EOG was abnormal in 57% in group A. ERG abnormalities could only be found in 50% of group A, mainly in the inner retina. Since also the total dose of vigabatrin and the amount of visual field loss did not really show a correlation with the electrophysiological findings and results of literature are not unanimous, electrophysiology does not appear at present to be a good method to detect patients with, or at risk of, vigabatrin associated visual field loss. Regularly performed visual field examination remains the cornerstone in screening.
Corneal pathology and outcome of keratoplasty in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy‐candidiasis‐ectodermal dystrophy (APECED)
Authors: Tarkkanen Ahti , Merenmies Lauri 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT. Background: Disabling, chronic, persistent keratoconjunctivitis is an essential ocular manifestation in autoimmune polyendocrinopathy‐candidiasis‐ectodermal dystrophy (APECED).Purpose: Because of the paucity of previous studies our aim is to describe the main histopathological features of the keratopathy and to report the long‐term outcome of corneal grafting.Material: Four corneal buttons obtained at keratoplasties. Two patients with clinical follow‐up data of 30 years.Results: The corneal epithelium showed a severe atrophy with even areas of incipient epidermalization. The Bowman’s membrane was destroyed. The anterior corneal stroma was replaced by vascularized scar tissue with areas of chronic inflammatory cell infiltration consisting mainly of lymphocytes and plasma cells. The posterior corneal stroma, the Descemet’s membrane and the endothelium were normal. Rejection occurred after each keratoplasty. The last visual acuity of the first patient was finger counting of the right eye and 0.3 of the left eye and of the second patient 0.08 of both eyes.Conclusion: In chronic keratopathy of APECED the anterior corneal layers, the epithelium, the Bowman’s membrane and the anterior corneal stroma are affected while the posterior cornea appears normal. As after keratoplasty rejection may be expected, its prevention and management need intensive attention.