OBJECTIVE: To determine the range of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) levels in healthy Filipino adults using both the MPS II and the macuscope and to investigate whether age and sex were related to inter-subject variations in MPOD.

METHODS: This was a prospective, cross sectional study of 168 healthy Filipino patients who underwent heterochromic filter photometry to measure macular pigment levels using the MPS II and the macuscope. The MPOD levels were averaged per age group and analyzed as to variations among age and gender.

RESULTS: One hundred thirty (130) and thirty-eight (38) patients underwent MPS II and macuscope testing respectively. The mean MPOD level for MPS II was 0.39(±0.16) and for macuscope 0.27(±0.07). MPOD values were similar across all age groups and gender, but they were lower when measured with the macuscope.

CONCLUSIONS: MPOD levels measured among healthy Filipino adults were lower with the macuscope compared to the MPS II. These differences should take into consideration the differences in apparatus and techniques of measurement.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Macular Pigment ; Cross-sectional Studies ; Prospective Studies ; Photometry

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of the active humidification systems (AHS) in patients already weaned from mechanical ventilation and with an artificial airway has not been very well described. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of an AHS in chronically tracheostomized and spontaneously breathing patients. METHODS: Measurements were quantified at three levels of temperature (Tdegrees) of the AHS: level I, low; level II, middle; and level III, high and at different flow levels (20 to 60 L/minute). Statistical analysis of repeated measurements was performed using analysis of variance and significance was set at a P<0.05. RESULTS: While the lowest temperature setting (level I) did not condition gas to the minimum recommended values for any of the flows that were used, the medium temperature setting (level II) only conditioned gas with flows of 20 and 30 L/minute. Finally, at the highest temperature setting (level III), every flow reached the minimum absolute humidity (AH) recommended of 30 mg/L. CONCLUSION: According to our results, to obtain appropiate relative humidity, AH and Tdegrees of gas one should have a device that maintains water Tdegrees at least at 53degrees C for flows between 20 and 30 L/m, or at Tdegrees of 61degrees C at any flow rate.
Humans ; Humidity ; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy ; Patient Care ; Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Therapy ; Tracheostomy ; Ventilator Weaning ; Water

Bilateral posterior communicating (pComm) artery aneurysms represent only 2% of mirror intracranial aneurysms. Usually, these are surgically approached through bilateral craniotomies for clipping. We present the case of a 50-year-old female presenting with headache and horizontal diplopia. Neurological examination revealed a left oculomotor palsy, with no other neurological deficits. Imaging studies revealed bilateral aneurysmatic lesions in both internal carotid arteries (ICA). A conventional left pterional approach was planned in order to treat the symptomatic aneurysm, and, if deemed feasible, a contralateral clipping through the same approach. The procedure was performed in a hybrid operating room (HOR), performing an intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and roadmapping assistance during dissection and clipping. Transoperatively, a post-fixed optic chiasm was identified, with a wide interoptic space, which allowed us to perform the contralateral clipping through a unilateral approach. This technique for clipping bilateral pComm aneurysms can be performed when the proper anatomical features are met.

Objective: To determine the range of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) levels in healthy Filipino adults using both the MPS II and the macuscope and to investigate whether age and sex were related to inter-subject variations in MPOD. Methods: This was a prospective, cross sectional study of 168 healthy Filipino patients who underwent heterochromic filter photometry to measure macular pigment levels using the MPS II and the macuscope. The MPOD levels were averaged per age group and analyzed as to variations among age and gender. Results: One hundred thirty (130) and thirty-eight (38) patients underwent MPS II and macuscope testing respectively. The mean MPOD level for MPS II was 0.39(±0.16) and for macuscope 0.27(±0.07). MPOD values were similar across all age groups and gender, but they were lower when measured with the macuscope. Conclusions MPOD levels measured among healthy Filipino adults were lower with the macuscope compared to the MPS II. These differences should take into consideration the differences in apparatus and techniques of measurement.
Macular Degeneration ; Zeaxanthins

INTRODUCTIONTemporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs) are caused by several factors such as anatomical, neuromuscular and psychological alterations. A relationship has been established between TMJDs and postural alterations, a type of anatomical alteration. An anterior position of the head requires hyperactivity of the posterior neck region and shoulder muscles to prevent the head from falling forward. This compensatory muscular function may cause fatigue, discomfort and trigger point activation. To our knowledge, a method for assessing human postural attitude in more than one plane has not been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to design a methodology to measure the external human postural attitude in frontal and sagittal planes, with proper validity and reliability analyses.

METHODSThe variable postures of 78 subjects (36 men, 42 women; age 18-24 years) were evaluated. The postural attitudes of the subjects were measured in the frontal and sagittal planes, using an acromiopelvimeter, grid panel and Fox plane.

RESULTSThe method we designed for measuring postural attitudes had adequate reliability and validity, both qualitatively and quantitatively, based on Cohen's Kappa coefficient (> 0.87) and Pearson's correlation coefficient (r = 0.824, > 80%).

CONCLUSIONThis method exhibits adequate metrical properties and can therefore be used in further research on the association of human body posture with skeletal types and TMJDs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Movement ; physiology ; Posture ; physiology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Young Adult