Differentiation by imaging of superior segmental optic hypoplasia and normal-tension glaucoma with inferior visual field defects only

Purpose: To differentiate superior segmental optic hypoplasia (SSOH) from normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) with inferior visual field defects only. Methods: Eighteen eyes with SSOH (SSOH group) and 19 eyes with NTG (NTG group) were examined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), Heidelberg retina tomography (Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II, HRT II) and standard automated perimetry. Results: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) based on OCT measurements was significantly reduced (thinner) in the superior to superonasal sectors and significantly greater (thicker) in the inferotemporal sector in the SSOH group than in the NTG group. The cup was significantly smaller and the rim significantly larger in the superotemporal and temporal sectors in the SSOH group than in the NTG group based on HRT II measurements. The greatest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for discrimination of SSOH from NTG by OCT and HRT II was for the RNFLT ratio of 1 + 2 o\u27clock/10 + 11 o\u27clock (0.985) and for the ratio of the superonasal to superotemporal sector of rim to disc area ratio and cup to disc area ratio (0.955), respectively. The frequent location of the inferior visual field defects corresponded to the difference in structural changes in both groups. Conclusions: Comparison of the superonasal to superotemporal sectors by OCT and HRT II were useful in differentiating SSOH from NTG with only inferior visual field defects. © 2012 Japanese Ophthalmological Society

Association between Glaucoma Progression in Macular Ganglion Cell Complex and Disc Hemorrhage: Differences between Superior and Inferior Hemiretinas

Disc hemorrhage (DH) is often associated with glaucoma progression. A vertically asymmetrical pattern is typical of glaucoma progression, but it remains unclear whether the association between DH and glaucoma progression differs between the superior and inferior hemiretinas. We compared the thickness changes of the macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) in the hemiretinas of normal-tension glaucoma patients with or without DH, as well as between hemiretinas positive and negative for DH, during five years. Both the superior and inferior hemiretinas in the DH-positive group had a more negative GCC thickness slope in association with more DH counts compared to those in the DH-negative group. Conversely, only the inferior hemiretina exhibited a significant relationship between GCC thickness slope and DH counts when hemiretinas positive and negative for DH in the DH-positive group were compared. In the superior hemifield, the slope of the total deviation changes in the DH-positive hemifield of the DH-positive group was more negative compared to that of the DH-negative group. The association between DH and glaucoma progression in the macular GCC may be stronger in the inferior hemiretina, suggesting that more attention should be paid to DH in the inferior disc area as a sign of glaucoma progression

A Medico-Legal Study on Diamine Oxidase in Human Semen

The fundamental enzymological properties of human seminal diamine oxidase (DAO) were investigated to establish a detailed fluorescence assay procedure for DAO. Using this assay, a high activity of DAD was demonstrated in human seminal fluid. DAO activity was also found in the serum of pregnant woman and cucumber, but not in other body fluids and plants tested. Human seminal fluid revealed much higher activity than the other two. These results suggest the possibility that DAO can be used for the identification of semen in medicolegal practice.rights:日本法医学会rights:本文データは日本法医学会の許諾のもと掲載しています

Ovarian torsion due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome diagnosed by sonographic whirlpool sign in the first trimester of pregnancy: A case report

Ovarian torsion during pregnancy is a rare condition that needs prompt diagnosis and detorsion in order to preserve ovarian function. Diagnosing ovarian torsion is a difficult procedure especially in pregnant cases since radiation exposure should be avoided. Detecting the whirlpool sign by ultrasonography is a highly useful technique as it is noninvasive, less time-consuming, and radiation-free. Here is a case of ovarian torsion due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome diagnosed solely by sonographic features and in which laparoscopic detorsion was promptly performed.A 26-year-old woman in her sixth week of pregnancy visited a tertiary hospital with sudden onset lower abdomen pain. Transvaginal ultrasound detected an 8 cm left ovary and a whirlpool sign between the uterus and left ovary. Ovarian torsion was suspected and laparoscopic surgery was performed. Intraoperatively, an enlarged left ovary was twisted at 540° involving the left fallopian tube. After detorsion, bilateral ovaries were preserved and the postoperative course was uneventful. Ovarian torsion was suspected solely by ultrasonographic features which led to surgical detorsion quickly, resulting in the preservation of bilateral ovaries. Detecting the whirlpool sign when ovarian torsion is suspected is useful, especially in pregnant women

Characterization of Isolates of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Displaying High-Level Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Japan

Strains of the multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated in Japan were examined for high-level fluoroquinolone resistance. Since the first isolation in 2000 (described in reference 13), we have identified 12 human and 5 nonhuman isolates with high-level fluoroquinolone-resistance (ciprofloxacin MIC of 24 μg/ml or more). Most of these isolates shared some features including definitive phage type (DT12/193), resistance type (ACSSuTNCp; resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides, tetracycline, nalidixic acid, and ciprofloxacin), and genotype on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis that were different from those of the MDR S. enterica Typhimurium DT104. Mutations in quinolone resistance-determining regions of gyrA and parC were also conserved in almost all of the isolates despite the absence of any apparent epidemiological relationships among cases. This suggests that a specific clonal group of the serovar Typhimurium with high levels of fluoroquinolone resistance is disseminating among animals and humans in Japan