Real-time polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of necrotizing herpes stromal keratitis.

Aim: To design, optimize and validate a rapid, internally controlled real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the diagnosis of necrotizing herpes stromal keratitis.

Methods: Tears alone or together with corneal epithelium scrapings from 30 patients (30 eyes) suspected of necrotizing herpes stromal keratitis were tested for HSV DNA by RT-PCR. The samples were collected during the first visit and then on the subsequent 7, 14, 28, 42, and 56d.

Effect of exenatide on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: This study was designed to determine the effect of exenatide on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients who were suboptimally controlled with metformin and/or sulfonylurea.

Subjects And Methods: Twenty-three patients with T2DM with inadequate glucose control were randomly divided into two groups: exenatide group (E group) (12 patients, 5 μg b.d.