Conducting polymer ion sensor electrodes-III. Potentiometric sulfide ion selective electrode.

A new potentiometric sensor electrode for sulfide based on conducting polymer films is introduced. The electrode is formed by electrochemically depositing a film of poly(3-methylthiophene) and poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) onto an alloy substrate. Different methods were used for the electrode preparations.

Validation of the Virga GFR equation in a renal transplant population.

Background: Virga and colleagues derived a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equation which demonstrated a superior performance over Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) and modified diet in renal disease-isotope dilution mass spectrometry (MDRD-IDMS) formulas in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Aim: To validate the performance of the Virga equation on 103 renal transplant patients.

Methods: We compared the performances of the MDRD-IDMS, C-G and Virga equations using inulin clearance as a reference test.

Natural product-based phenolic and nonphenolic antimicrobial food preservatives and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybenzene as a highly effective representative: a review of patent literature 2000-2005.

Conventional chemical preservatives used in prevention of food spoilage caused by microorganisms have shown adverse effects and found to be of low effectiveness. This challenging situation stimulated research to find alternatives. As a result, numerous natural product-based compounds have been patented for use as antimicrobial food preservatives.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection associated with Lutembacher's syndrome.

Lutembacher's syndrome is a rare combination of congenital atrial septal defect and mitral stenosis (almost always rheumatic). The hemodynamic effect of this combination makes the clinical diagnosis difficult due to a wide variation of clinical presentation. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization are useful tools for proper diagnosis and planning of the therapeutic strategy.

The Kelman Duet phakic intraocular lens: 1-year results.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Kelman Duet phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) for correction of moderate and high myopia.

Methods: Kelman Duet PIOLs were implanted in 169 eyes of 110 patients with moderate or high myopia. In all cases, implantation of the lens was feasible through an incision of less than 2.

Corneal wavefront-guided LASIK retreatments for correction of highly aberrated corneas following refractive surgery.

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of customized corneal wavefront-guided retreatment in symptomatic patients with highly aberrated corneas following LASIK.

Methods: This prospective study included 75 eyes of 59 patients with significant visual symptoms who underwent LASIK for the correction of residual refractive error. Ablation profiles were calculated using CSO corneal topography and ESIRIS/Schwind laser platform.

Effect of suction ring application during LASIK on goblet cell density.

Purpose: To study the effect of LASIK surgery on conjunctival goblet cells as one of the proposed mechanisms for dry eye occurring after LASIK.

Methods: This prospective study included 22 eyes (11 patients) that underwent LASIK for the correction of myopia. Three pairs of samples were taken from the bulbar conjunctiva of each eye.

Lowering homocysteine decreases levels and expression of VEGF(165) and endostatin.

Background: Homocysteine, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and endostatin have been implicated in angiogenesis and in the development and progression of atherothrombotic vascular disease. We sought to determine whether homocysteine modulates plasma levels of VEGF and endostatin and their expression in leukocytes in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials And Methods: Ten patients with PAD and 15 patients with type 2 DM were evaluated before and 6 wk after oral administration of folic acid and B vitamins.

Colchicine inhibits intimal hyperplasia and leukocyte VEGF expression in dogs.

Background: Restenosis due to intimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty limits its long-term efficacy. We evaluated the effect of colchicine on the development of intimal hyperplasia following balloon angioplasty and on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in leukocytes.

Material And Methods: Adult dogs underwent balloon angioplasty of the right iliofemoral artery.

Effect of surfactants on the voltammetric response and determination of an antihypertensive drug.

The effect of adding surface-active agents to electrolytes containing terazosin, an antihypertensive drug, on the voltammetric response of glassy carbon electrode was studied. The current signal due to the oxidation process was a function of the amount of terazosin, pH of the medium, type of surfactant, and accumulation time at the electrode surface. Two surfactants were used, an anionic type, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and a cationic type, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB).

Comparison of goblet cell density after femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome in LASIK.

Purpose: To study the effect of the LASIK procedure performed with a femtosecond laser and a manual microkeratome on the conjunctival goblet cell and epithelial cell populations.

Methods: In this prospective, nonrandomized, masked study, 64 eyes undergoing LASIK were included: 30 with the Moria M2 (M2) microkeratome and 34 with the IntraLase femtosecond laser (IL). The preoperative spherical equivalent was -2.

Human anterior lens capsule as a biologic substrate for the ex vivo expansion of limbal stem cells in ocular surface reconstruction.

Purpose: To study the potential use of human anterior lens capsule as a scaffold for stem cell transplantation in treatment of limbal cell deficiency.

Methods: Limbal biopsies and anterior lens capsules were obtained (same eye) from 30 patients during cataract surgery. Biopsies were suspended in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium under sterile conditions and stored at 4 degrees C.

Bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous: an Egyptian family supporting a rare autosomal dominant inheritance.

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) is an idiopathic congenital malformation confined to the eye that has no obvious cause and that is usually unilateral and sporadic. The clinical features of the classic PHPV syndrome include white, vascularized tissue covering some or all of the posterior surface of the lens; centrally dragged ciliary processes; secondary glaucoma caused by swelling of the lens or caused by contracture of the retrolental tissue, with anterior shifting of the lens-iris diaphragm; extensive intravitrael hemorrhaging; persistence of the hyaloid artery; and occasionally retinal detachment. In the present study we describe a patient with bilateral PHPV not associated with other diseases.

Early lymphocyte recovery following autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation is associated with better survival in younger patients with lymphoproliferative disorders.

Early absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) has become an important end point for engraftment in patients undergoing autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (APSCT). In this retrospective study, we evaluate the prognostic significance of early recovery of ALC ( > or = 0.5 cells x 10(9)/l on or before day 15) following APSCT in predicting transplant outcome in 72 patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 30), Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 8) and multiple myeloma (n = 34).

Menopause in Egypt: past and present perspectives.

The mean age of the menopause in Egypt is 46.7 years, which is low compared to many countries, but this age has been rising recently. The incidence of menopause-associated symptoms in Egyptian women is higher than in the West, probably because of the different 'sociocultural attitudes' towards the menopause in different communities.

Hyperopic LASIK with Esiris/Schwind technology.

Purpose: To investigate the refractive and visual outcomes of hyperopic LASIK using Esiris/Schwind technology.

Methods: This retrospective non-comparative observational study included 106 eyes (65 patients) operated with the Esiris/Schwind laser for hyperopia. Eyes were divided into two groups: group 1, < or = +3.

Clinical spectrum associated with some structural cerebellar abnormalities.

Objective: To review the clinical, neuroimaging, cytogenetic, and biochemical studies obtained in 20 patients with different cerebellar structural abnormalities presenting at variable ages of onset with variable signs and symptoms.

Methods: These patients visited the Clinical Genetics Department, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt during the period from September 2002 to September 2003. All patients were subjected to complete personal and family history taking 3 generation family pedigree construction and full clinical examination, including complete eye evaluation.

[Optic neuritis after meningococcal vaccination].

Case Report: We report the case of a 13 year-old male with bilateral optic neuritis after meningococcal C vaccination. He was treated with intravenous corticosteroids, but only showed visual recovery in one eye. A significant limitation of his sharp vision remained in his other eye.

Hyperopic LASIK retreatments with the Technolas laser.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and predictability of hyperopic LASIK retreatments.

Methods: This retrospective, consecutive, non-comparative, observational study included 85 eyes that underwent hyperopic LASIK retreatment with 1-year follow-up. Complete ophthalmic examination included distance uncorrected (UCVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), cycloplegic refraction, and pachymetry.

Brain atrophy after immunoablation and stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis.

The authors measured brain atrophy in nine patients undergoing immunoablation and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis. From baseline to 1 month after treatment, atrophy was 10 times faster than before treatment. A patient with non-CNS lymphoma showed comparable acute brain atrophy after analogous therapy.

Interface corneal edema secondary to steroid-induced elevation of intraocular pressure simulating diffuse lamellar keratitis.

Purpose: To describe interface corneal edema secondary to steroid-induced elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) following LASIK.

Methods: Retrospective observational case series. Diffuse interface edema secondary to steroid-induced elevation of IOP was observed after LASIK simulating diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) in 13 eyes.

Genetic study of blepharoptosis among Egyptians.

Objectives: This study was aimed to develop an etiological classification of congenital blepharoptosis among Egyptian children and also to differentiate between congenital blepharoptosis as an isolated anomaly or part of a syndrome.

Background: Blepharoptosis refers to dropping of the upper eyelid. The difference in the height of the fissures with the eyes in primary position signifies the amount of ptosis.

Ruptured intracranial dermoid cysts.

Rupture of intracranial dermoid cysts (RICDC) is a rare phenomenon. The mechanism of rupture, pathophysiology of fat in the ventricles and subarachnoid spaces, possible complications, and proper management of such conditions are proposed on the basis of a review of the literature and experience with two cases of ruptured intracranial dermoid cysts (One was in the pineal region, while another was in the fourth ventricle). It is concluded that rupture of intracranial dermoid cysts is usually spontaneous and non-fatal.

Advances in microincision cataract surgery intraocular lenses.

Purpose Of Review: This paper reviews the recent developments in microincision cataract surgery intraocular lenses.

Recent Findings: Seven intraocular lenses are currently available for implantation through sub-2.0-mm incision.

Severe corneal epithelial sloughing during laser in situ keratomileusis as a presenting sign for silent epithelial basement membrane dystrophy.

Purpose: To report the occurrence of large intraoperative epithelial sloughing during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) as a first diagnostic sign for silent epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD).

Setting: Refractive Surgery and Cornea Unit, Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology, Alicante, Spain.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, the medical records of all patients with large corneal epithelial sloughing/defects during LASIK from January 1995 to December 2004 were reviewed.