PURPOSE: To examine the long-term longitudinal changes in corneal surface configuration as determined by Fourier series harmonic analysis of videokeratography data and of visual acuity and refraction after penetrating...PURPOSE: To examine the long-term longitudinal changes in corneal surface configuration as determined by Fourier series harmonic analysis of videokeratography data and of visual acuity and refraction after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: One hundred thirty eyes of 130 consecutive patients who were scheduled for PK using 16 interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures were recruited. Spherical equivalent power, regular astigmatism component, irregular astigmatism (asymmetry and higher-order irregularity) component of the central cornea as determined by Fourier analysis of videokeragraphic data, spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and spherical equivalent were examined at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after PK. RESULTS: Spherical equivalent power increased considerably for up to 1 month after PK, but thereafter showed no further appreciable change up to the final follow-up at 24 months. The regular astig matism component decreased markedly for up to 6 months after PK, while the total irregular astigmatism (sum of the asymmetry and higher-order irregularity) component decreased considerably up to approximately 3 months, and then these showed no further relevant change for up to 24 months. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity also improvedmarkedly until approximately 3 months after PK, after which it was virtually stable. Furthermore, important correlations were found between regular and irregular astigmatism and the spectacle corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal surface configuration after PK appears to be stable by approximately 6months after PK, concurrent with postkeratoplasty stabilization of visual acuity.展开更多
Background. Increasing evidence indicates that iron cytotoxicity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, the biochemical effects of iron reduction therapy on CHC remain to be...Background. Increasing evidence indicates that iron cytotoxicity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, the biochemical effects of iron reduction therapy on CHC remain to be confirmed in a controlled study. This study aimed to test whether iron removal by repeated phlebotomy improves serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels in patients with CHC. Methods. Patients were randomly assigned to an iron reduction therapy or control group.The patients in the treatment group received 3-month iron reduction therapy by biweekly phlebotomy, while the patients in the control group were followed up for 3 months with regular blood tests alone. Results. Thirty-three patients completed the 3-month treatment, while 29 patients received the complete follow-up. The serum ALT levels were reduced from 118 ± 79 to 73 ± 39 IU/L in the treatment group, but did not change in the control group (106 ± 45 versus 107 ± 48 IU/L). Post-treatment enzyme activity was decreased significantly from the baseline.Furthermore, it was significantly lower than the 3-month control level. Although 5 patients withdrew from the study, none was affected by any side effects of repeated phlebotomy that required them to discontinue the treatment. Conclusions. This short-term controlled trial demonstrated the biochemical efficacy and safety of iron reduction therapy for patients with CHC.展开更多
文摘PURPOSE: To examine the long-term longitudinal changes in corneal surface configuration as determined by Fourier series harmonic analysis of videokeratography data and of visual acuity and refraction after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: One hundred thirty eyes of 130 consecutive patients who were scheduled for PK using 16 interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures were recruited. Spherical equivalent power, regular astigmatism component, irregular astigmatism (asymmetry and higher-order irregularity) component of the central cornea as determined by Fourier analysis of videokeragraphic data, spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and spherical equivalent were examined at 1 week, and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after PK. RESULTS: Spherical equivalent power increased considerably for up to 1 month after PK, but thereafter showed no further appreciable change up to the final follow-up at 24 months. The regular astig matism component decreased markedly for up to 6 months after PK, while the total irregular astigmatism (sum of the asymmetry and higher-order irregularity) component decreased considerably up to approximately 3 months, and then these showed no further relevant change for up to 24 months. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity also improvedmarkedly until approximately 3 months after PK, after which it was virtually stable. Furthermore, important correlations were found between regular and irregular astigmatism and the spectacle corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal surface configuration after PK appears to be stable by approximately 6months after PK, concurrent with postkeratoplasty stabilization of visual acuity.
文摘Background. Increasing evidence indicates that iron cytotoxicity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, the biochemical effects of iron reduction therapy on CHC remain to be confirmed in a controlled study. This study aimed to test whether iron removal by repeated phlebotomy improves serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels in patients with CHC. Methods. Patients were randomly assigned to an iron reduction therapy or control group.The patients in the treatment group received 3-month iron reduction therapy by biweekly phlebotomy, while the patients in the control group were followed up for 3 months with regular blood tests alone. Results. Thirty-three patients completed the 3-month treatment, while 29 patients received the complete follow-up. The serum ALT levels were reduced from 118 ± 79 to 73 ± 39 IU/L in the treatment group, but did not change in the control group (106 ± 45 versus 107 ± 48 IU/L). Post-treatment enzyme activity was decreased significantly from the baseline.Furthermore, it was significantly lower than the 3-month control level. Although 5 patients withdrew from the study, none was affected by any side effects of repeated phlebotomy that required them to discontinue the treatment. Conclusions. This short-term controlled trial demonstrated the biochemical efficacy and safety of iron reduction therapy for patients with CHC.
