Purpose: To determine the proportion of glaucoma suspects with abnormal nerve fiber layer measurement using GDx nerve fiber analyzer Methodology: The study population consisted of glaucoma suspects between ages 30-70 years, who underwent glaucoma workup including retinal nerve fiber layer measurement (GDx NFA) Results: 35 eyes of glaucoma suspects were analyzed. 28/35 were found to have normal NFL thickness; 5/35 have 1 abnormal GDx parameters; 1/35 with 3 abnormal GDx parameters; 1/35 with 3 GDx abnormal parameters. Linear regression analysis showed no correlation between C:D and GDx parameters Conclusion: This study confirms that superior maximum is useful to the other parameters but there is a need to collect more samples. (Author)
Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; RETINA/ANATOMY & HISTOLOGY ; NERVE FIBERS ; GLAUCOMA ; HUMAN ; OPTIC DISK ; SCANNING LASER POLARIMETRY ; LASER/DIAGNOSTIC USE

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by alterations in microvascular structure and function. In these patients, numerous studies have demonstrated a relationship between capillary morphology and peripheral blood perfusion. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy reveals the peripheral microvascular morphology and thus allows classification and scoring of capillary abnormalities with respect to different microangiopathy patterns (early, active, and late). Laser Doppler flowmetry and laser speckle contrast analysis can be used to estimate cutaneous blood flow through microvessels and to assess and quantify blood perfusion at peripheral sites. These two methods are also used to identify changes in digital blood perfusion after the infusion of vasodilators.
Blood Flow Velocity ; Humans ; *Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; *Microcirculation ; Microscopic Angioscopy/*methods ; Microvessels/*pathology/*physiopathology ; Nails ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Regional Blood Flow ; Scleroderma, Systemic/*diagnosis/pathology/physiopathology ; Skin/*blood supply ; Vasodilator Agents/diagnostic use ; *Video Recording

Choroidal neovascular membranes are often poorly defined on fluorescein angiography because of fluorescein leakage or blockage of hyperfluorescence by overlying hemorrhage, lipid, turbid fluid, or pigment. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a highly protein-bound dye in the near infrared portion of the spectrum. Therefore, ICG remained in and around the neovascular membrane and enhanced the visualization of certain membranes poorly defined with fluorescein. ICG penetrated through the overlying turbid tissue, and improved the visualization of the underlying choroidal neovascular membrane. Using an infrared angiography system, the authors obtained 21 ICG-angiograms with suspected choroidal neovascularization, and compared them to fluorescein angiograms. In 5 of the 21 eyes, occult choroidal neovascularization was well delineated on the ICG angiograms. In 2 eyes, we were able to detect a well-defined choroidal neovascular membrane underlying a subretinal hemorrhage. In 12 of the 21 eyes with choroidal neovascular membrane, we performed argon-green laser photocoagulation applying the overlay technique of the ICG angiogram to red-free photo or the early fluorescein angiogram, and evaluated the effect of full coverage laser treatment.
Choroid/*blood supply ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography/*methods ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green/*diagnostic use ; *Laser Coagulation ; Macular Degeneration/*complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/diagnosis/etiology/*surgery ; Retinal Hemorrhage/complications ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVETo discuss the technical points, advantages, follow-up results and mechanism of endovenous holmium laser treatment for varicose veins.

METHODSEndovenous holmium laser procedures were performed for 96 patients (99 legs) with primary varicosity of lower extremities. Perioperative Duplex was used for preoperative diagnosis, intraoperative guide and postoperative follow-up. The time of procedure and clinical results were observed. The mean follow-up time was 7 months.

RESULTSSixty-seven in 99 legs with saphenous vein occluded immediately during operation. All saphenous veins were confirmed to be occluded 7 days after the procedure. There was no recanalization with Duplex finding during the follow-up period. No wound complications. Two cases were with minor skin burn. One case was with saphenous nerve injury. Three cases were with thigh ecchymosis.

CONCLUSIONPreliminary results show endovenous holmium laser treatment for varicose veins is safe and effective in treating varicose veins with cosmetic appearance and quicker recovery.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Holmium ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Laser Coagulation ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Saphenous Vein ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex ; Varicose Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Molecular diagnostic methods have enabled the rapid diagnosis of drug-resistant mutations in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and have reduced both unnecessary therapeutic interventions and medical costs. In this study we evaluated the analytical and clinical performances of the HepB Typer-Entecavir kit (GeneMatrix, Korea) in detecting entecavir-resistance-associated mutations. METHODS: The HepB Typer-Entecavir kit was evaluated for its limit of detection, interference, cross-reactivity, and precision using HBV reference standards made by diluting high-titer viral stocks in HBV-negative human serum. The performance of the HepB Typer-Entecavir kit for detecting mutations related to entecavir resistance was compared with direct sequencing for 396 clinical samples from 108 patients. RESULTS: Using the reference standards, the detection limit of the HepB Typer-Entecavir kit was found to be as low as 500 copies/mL. No cross-reactivity was observed, and elevated levels of various interfering substances did not adversely affect its analytical performance. The precision test conducted by repetitive analysis of 2,400 replicates with reference standards at various concentrations showed 99.9% agreement (2398/2400). The overall concordance rate between the HepB Typer-Entecavir kit and direct sequencing assays in 396 clinical samples was 99.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The HepB Typer-Entecavir kit showed high reliability and precision, and comparable sensitivity and specificity for detecting mutant virus populations in reference and clinical samples in comparison with direct sequencing. Therefore, this assay would be clinically useful in the diagnosis of entecavir-resistance-associated mutations in chronic hepatitis B.
Adult ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; Cross Reactions ; DNA, Viral/blood/standards ; Drug Resistance, Viral/*genetics ; Genotype ; Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/*drug therapy/genetics ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/standards ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/*standards ; Reference Standards ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization/standards