Children with congenital and childhood cataract require frequent follow-up visits and examinations in general anaesthesia: considerations for the strain on families.

Background: Children with cataract require frequent monitoring to detect complications, adjust refractive correction and treat amblyopia. This is time consuming for the families. The aim of the study was to evaluate how often children with cataract are seen as outpatients or under general anaesthesia during the first 7 years of life.

Branched-chain amino acids for people with hepatic encephalopathy.

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain dysfunction with neurological and psychiatric changes associated with liver insufficiency or portal-systemic shunting. The severity ranges from minor symptoms to coma. A Cochrane systematic review including 11 randomised clinical trials on branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) versus control interventions has evaluated if BCAA may benefit people with hepatic encephalopathy.

Principles and applications of PRINS in cytogenetics.

A flexible, low-cost alternative to FISH, primed in situ labeling (PRINS) has traditionally been used to detect tandemly repeated target sequences in chromosomes and nuclei. The technique is capable of discriminating among closely related DNA sequences in situ and has the advantage of using very small probes which easily penetrate to almost any target. This unit describes basic PRINS and the alternative version, dideoxy-PRINS, which can increase the sensitivity of the reaction by an order of magnitude.

Principles and applications of PRINS in cytogenetics.

A flexible, low-cost alternative to FISH, primed in situ labeling (PRINS) has traditionally been used to detect tandemly repeated target sequences in chromosomes and nuclei. The technique is capable of discriminating among closely related DNA sequences in situ and has the advantage of using very small probes which easily penetrate to almost any target. This unit describes basic PRINS and the alternative version, dideoxy-PRINS, which can increase the sensitivity of the reaction by an order of magnitude.

Turner syndrome and clinical treatment.

Background: Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder associated with abnormalities of the X chromosome, occurring in about 50 per 100,000 liveborn girls. TS is usually associated with reduced adult height, gonadal dysgenesis and thus insufficient circulating levels of female sex steroids leading to premature ovarian failure and infertility. The average intellectual performance is within the normal range.

Total pancreatectomy in six patients with intraductal papillary mucinous tumour of the pancreas: the treatment of choice.

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous tumours (IPMT) were described as a distinct entity in 1982.The extent of surgical resection remains controversial.

Methods: Six patients with a diffuse dilatation of the main pancreatic duct were treated with total pancreatectomy for cure of IPMT.

On the ocular refractive components: the Reykjavik Eye Study.

Purpose: To study the correlation between ocular refraction and the refractive components (corneal power, lens power and axial length) in a population-based sample of normal subjects.

Methods: We analysed the refractive and biometric findings for 723 right eyes (325 males and 398 females) comprising a population-based random sample of citizens 55 years and older participating in the Reykjavik Eye Study. Measurements of refraction, corneal curvature (by keratometry), anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length (all by ultrasound biometry) were used to calculate crystalline lens power.

Improved accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation with the Zeiss IOLMaster.

Purpose: This study aimed to demonstrate how the level of accuracy in intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation can be improved with optical biometry using partial optical coherence interferometry (PCI) (Zeiss IOLMaster) and current anterior chamber depth (ACD) prediction algorithms.

Methods: Intraocular lens power in 461 consecutive cataract operations was calculated using both PCI and ultrasound and the accuracy of the results of each technique were compared. To illustrate the importance of ACD prediction per se, predictions were calculated using both a recently published 5-variable method and the Haigis 2-variable method and the results compared.

Prediction of the effective postoperative (intraocular lens) anterior chamber depth.

Purpose: To investigate methods to predict the effective postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) based on a large patient sample.

Setting: University Eye Clinic, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Methods: Based on 6698 consecutive cataract operations with recorded postoperative refractive results, the postoperative effective ACD was calculated in each case and studied by multiple linear regression for covariance with a number of preoperatively defined variables including the axial length by ultrasonography, preoperative ACD, lens thickness, corneal radius by keratometry, subjective refraction, patient age, and corneal white-to-white diameter, the latter of which was available in a subgroup of 900 cases.

[Smoking reduction is associated with a reduced the risk of lung cancer--a secondary publication].

The purpose of this cohort study with up to 31 years of follow-up of 19,714 persons from three Danish population-based studies was to analyse the association between smoking reduction and lung cancer risk. Information on smoking habits and changes in these were linked to the Danish Cancer Registry for incident lung cancers and analysed with Cox regression. Results showed that compared to sustained heavy smokers, smoking reduction by at least 50% reduced lung cancer incidence by 27%.

Calibration of axial length measurements with the Zeiss IOLMaster.

Purpose: To study the conditions for consistent axial length measurements with partial coherence interferometry (PCI) performed with the Zeiss IOLMaster.

Setting: University Eye Clinic, Aarhus, Denmark.

Methods: A consecutive, unselected series of 1289 cataractous eyes were measured with the optical technique of PCI according to the IOLMaster as well as with conventional (contact) A-scan ultrasound (US) for the measurement of axial length.

Diabetic renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: new strategies for prevention and treatment.

Over the last 35 years an increasing number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have developed advanced renal disease and the need for dialysis. At present in the US, about 50% of the patients in dialysis units have type 2 diabetes mellitus. The explanation for the increase in the number of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in end-stage renal disease programs is not completely clear, but the overall number of patients with this type of diabetes is rapidly increasing - and is expected to continue to increase over the next years.

Expression levels and functional aspects of the hyaluronan receptor CD44. Effects of insulin, glucose, IGF-I, or growth hormone on human arterial smooth muscle cells.

An increased amount of hyaluronan (HA) in the arterial wall is a feature of the diabetic macroangiopathy. The functional consequences of accumulated HA are mediated through binding to CD44. The regulation of this receptor by diabetic metabolic and hormonal factors is, however unknown.

Interstitial capillary changes in lithium nephropathy: effects of antihypertensive treatment.

Histopathological changes were investigated in the tubulointerstitium and in the capillaries of male Wistar rats with lithium-induced nephropathy using stereological methods. Two antihypertensive drugs with opposite effects on the renin-angiotensin system, an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) and a thiazide diuretic, modified the nephropathy. Generally, there was a significant positive correlation between the reduction in GFR (glomerular filtration rate) and the reduction in the volume of intact tubular structures and interstitial capillaries.

Serum insulin-like growth factors, insulin-like growth factor binding proteins, and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women.

Background: Studies have shown a positive association between serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and breast cancer risk in premenopausal but not postmenopausal women. IGF-II and estrogen receptor (ER) status has never been investigated. We examined the association between IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-3 protease activity and breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women, taking ER status of the breast cancer into consideration.

[Grading sacroiliitis with emphasis on MRT-imaging].

Cross-sectional imaging techniques play a decisive role in identification, localization, and characterization of alterations in the sacroiliac joint during the early stage of seronegative spondylarthropathy (SpA). Although several studies showed that the diagnostic capabilities of MRI and CT are superior to those of conventional radiography, they have not yet become established and accepted as methods for evaluating the grade of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in contrast to conventional radiography. The lack of acceptance for MRI and/or CT methods for evaluating and grading changes in the sacroiliac joint makes it difficult to include the results of these procedures in classifying the grade of SpA.

[Technique and radiation dose of conventional X-rays and computed tomography of the sacroiliac joint].

Anterior-posterior (a.p.) or posterior-anterior X-rays of the sacroiliac joint, sometimes supplemented by a transverse view, have been the method of choice for diagnosis of patients suspected of having sacroiliitis.

Symptoms and signs in patients with suspected neuropathic pain.

The study sought to determine if symptoms and signs cluster differentially in groups of patients with increasing evidence of neuropathic pain (NP). We prospectively looked at symptoms and signs in 214 patients with suspected chronic NP of moderate to severe intensity. According to a set of clinical criteria the patients were a priori classified as having the so-called 'Definite NP' (n = 91), 'Possible NP' (n = 71), or 'Unlikely NP' (n = 52).

Hyperglycaemia and mortality in critically ill patients. A prospective study.

Objective: To describe hyperglycaemia as a possible marker of morbidity and mortality in critically ill medical and surgical patients admitted to a multidisciplinary ICU.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: A 13-bed non-cardiac multidisciplinary ICU in a university hospital.

National prevalence of respiratory allergic disorders.

Background: Many epidemiological studies have assessed the prevalence of respiratory allergic disorders in confined geographical locations. However, no study has yet established nationally prevalence data in a uniform manner representing whole countries and, thus, enabling cross-national comparisons.

Methods: In 10 European countries, screening of random, representative samples of telephone numbers identified the target population aged 16-60.

Transforming growth factor beta1-induced glomerulopathy is prevented by 17beta-estradiol supplementation.

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) affects extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. It plays a role in the thickening of the peripheral basement membrane (PBM) and expansion of the mesangium in several renal diseases. The beneficial influence of female gender on the progression of chronic renal diseases may be explained by a favorable effect of estrogen on ECM homeostasis.

Platelet rich plasma and fresh frozen bone allograft as enhancement of implant fixation. An experimental study in dogs.

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous source of growth factors. By application of PRP around cementless implants alone or in combination with bone allograft chips, early implant fixation and gap healing could be improved. We inserted two porous HA coated titanium implants extraarticularly in each proximal humerus of eight dogs.

Sentinel lymph nodes in malignant melanoma: extended histopathologic evaluation improves diagnostic precision.

Background: The optimal technique for sentinel lymph node (SN) assessment in patients with melanoma is controversial. Molecular analysis (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) detects significantly greater numbers of SNs with suspected micrometastases (up to 71%) than does routine histopathology (approximately 20%). The authors sought to identify possible reasons for this discrepancy and to determine whether using an extended histopathologic protocol could improve diagnostic precision.