Guoqin Wang

Comparison of corneal power, corneal astigmatism, and axis location in normal eyes obtained from an autokeratometer and a corneal topographer.

PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability and agreement of corneal power, corneal astigmatism, axis location, and astigmatic vector component measurements using an autokeratometer and a corneal topographer in healthy subjects. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan. DESIGN: Evaluation of diagnostic test or technology. METHODS: Keratometric readings were obtained with an ARK‐700A autokeratometer and an Atlas corneal topographer. Measurement repeatability and agreement in corneal power (flattest and steepest meridians), mean corneal power, corneal astigmatism, axis location, and astigmatic vector components (Jackson cross‐cylinders J0, J45) between the devices were evaluated. RESULTS: The repeatability of both devices in the flattest and steepest meridians, mean corneal power, corneal astigmatism, axis location, J0, and J45 was high. The 95% limits of agreement between the 2 devices were from −0.51 to 0.48 diopters (D) for the flattest meridian, from −0.74 to 0.71 D for the steepest meridian, from −0.56 to 0.53 D for the mean corneal power, from −0.58 to 0.58 D for corneal astigmatism, from −15.3 to 17.5 degrees for axis location, from −0.32 to 0.30 D for J0, and from −0.22 to 0.20 D for J45. In eyes with a small amount of astigmatism, there was wider disagreement in axis location between the 2 devices. CONCLUSIONS: Both devices provided excellent repeatability and comparability of corneal powers and corneal astigmatism, suggesting they can be used interchangeably for measurement of these corneal variables in healthy eyes. However, disagreement in axis location between the 2 devices was not negligible in some eyes, especially in those with low astigmatism. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Scleral Buckling and Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: An Analysis of 542 Eyes

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the anatomical success rates of scleral buckling (SB) and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) performed for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in a large case series and to identify prognostic factors for the primary anatomical success rates of surgical techniques. Methods: We reviewed 542 consecutive eyes for primary RRD in this retrospective study. Follow-ups were performed for at least six months. In each of the two groups, 271 eyes were examined. The main outcome measure was the primary anatomical success rate. Multivariate analysis was also performed to determine whether independent risk factors of the preoperative parameters for redetachment exist. Results: The primary anatomical success rates were 93.7% and 96.3% in the SB and PPV groups; and the final anatomical success rates were 100% in both groups (each with 271 eyes). In the SB group, eyes with macula-off had significantly lower primary anatomical success rates than those with macula-on (p = 0.002). Preoperative break location or lens status had no significant effect on primary anatomical success rates in either group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using four variables, namely, sex, posterior vitreous detachment, macular status and preoperative visual acuity, showed that the macular status was an independent risk factor for redetachment in the SB group (p = 0.039, odds ratio 3.7). The six-month follow-up visual acuity was significantly better than the preoperative visual acuity in both groups (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Both SB and PPV gave excellent primary and final anatomical success rates. The macula-off status was associated with a lower success rate in the SB group, although break location and lens status had no significant effect on success rates in either group.

Reliability and validity of splenic volume measurement by 3‐D ultrasound

Aim:  We prospectively evaluated the reliability and validity of splenic volume with 3‐D ultrasound measurement and clarified its clinical usefulness.

Association of Knowledge of HIV and Other Factors with Individuals’ Attitudes toward HIV Infection: A National Cross-Sectional Survey among the Japanese Non-Medical Working Population

Background The stigma of and discrimination because of HIV has been described as the most important obstacle to prevention and treatment efforts. The purpose of this study was to investigate negative attitudes and prejudice toward HIV among the Japanese non-medical working population and to explore contributing factors. Methods An online anonymous nationwide survey involving approximately 3,000 individuals was conducted in Japan. Questions ranged from background information and HIV knowledge to individuals’ attitudes towards HIV infection in the workplace. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were applied for analysis. Results Thirty-three percent of participants feared transmission of HIV from infected colleagues, 34% tended to avoid contact with them and 40% had prejudiced opinions about HIV infection. Despite a relatively high level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS overall (11.9±3.3 from 15 points), only 50% of individuals were aware of some issues. Greater knowledge was associated with less negative attitudes towards HIV infection (OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31–0.48 for prejudiced opinion, high compared with low level of knowledge), whereas greater health consciousness was inversely related to attitude (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.50–2.58 for prejudiced opinion, high compared with low health consciousness). Conclusion Knowledge neutralizes peoples’ negative attitudes towards HIV infection, whereas greater health consciousness may worsen them. Educational programs should balance knowledge with health consciousness to improve the efficacy of HIV interventions.

Effects of Intravenous Prostaglandin E1 on Pain and Body Temperature in Patients with Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

OBJECTIVE Bathing, heating, or sympathetic blockade often alleviates pain due to post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), suggesting that blood flow may affect PHN pain. Here, we examined the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE), which improves blood circulation, on pain and body temperature in patients with PHN. DESIGN Twenty-four patients with PHN were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. After 30-minute rest in a temperature-controlled (20 degrees C) and intravenous cannulation, patients were randomized to receive either 60 microg of PGE dissolved in 100 mL of saline, or 100 mL of saline at an infusion rate of 0.03 microg/kg/min. Following a 7-day washout period, patients were crossed over to receive the other treatment. The visual analog scale (VAS) of ongoing pain and tactile allodynia, and skin and the tympanic temperatures were measured before and after infusion. RESULTS The two solutions significantly decreased the VAS for ongoing pain, and the reduction was greater with PGE than placebo (P < 0.05). Although the temperatures of the forehead, hand, foot, chest, abdomen, and the most painful region were significantly increased in the two solutions, the elevation in the foot and the most painful region was greater with PGE than placebo (P < 0.01). The tympanic temperature did not significantly change following infusion of PGE. CONCLUSIONS Intravenous infusion of PGE produces analgesia associated with elevation of skin temperature in patients with PHN.

Hepatitis screening in Japanese individuals of working age and prejudice against infected persons in the workplace.

Hepatitis Screening in Japanese Individuals of Working Age and Prejudice against Infected Persons in the Workplace: Nanae SASAKI, et al. Health Promotion Center Shonan Area, Komatsu Ltd.—

The Effect of Riding as an Alternative Treatment for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: There is a substantial body of evidence assessing the effects of equine-assisted therapy on physiological and psychological aspects of individuals with disabilities. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological benefits of this alternative therapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP) by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: This systematic review included all randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials of hippotherapy (HT), therapeutic horse riding (THR), and artificial saddle (AS) for the treatment of children with CP by a systematic search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and other databases up to November 2012. Articles were assessed for inclusion eligibility and quality by two independent reviewers. Any discordant case was re-reviewed and consensus was obtained after sufficient discussion. A random effects model of meta-analysis was applied to provide summary statistics for each outcome. Results: Seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 4 non-RCTs, and 7 self-controlled studies were included for quality assessment. Ten studies assessed the effect of HT, 5 evaluated THR, and 3 evaluated AS. The sample size differed from 3 to 72, and the quality ranged from low to moderate. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis, and there was a significant improvement in the 66-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66), the GMFM-66/88 total score, and the dimension E of the GMFM. Although the asymmetry score tended to be reduced, it failed to reach statistical significance. Conclusions: HT, THR, and AS seem to improve the total score of the gross motor function via improvement of the walking, running, and jumping dimension. However, they are not likely to be of benefit to the symmetry of postural muscle activity. Studies included in this review lack high-quality RCTs with a sufficient number of subjects, which thus warrants further evaluations of these modalities using large-scale well-designed RCTs.