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Biomedical subjects

L Mastropasqua

Publications and source records attributed to L Mastropasqua.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Macular recovery time in diabetic children without retinopathy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with initial diabetic nephropathy (defined as persistent microalbuminuria) have an impairment of macular recovery time and if this impairment changes in a long-term follow-up. Eighty insulin-dependent diabetic children without fluorescein angiographic signs of retinopathy and 80 controls were included in the study. All patients underwent nyctometry at the beginning of the study; diabetic children repeated the same test after 7 years. Diabetics were divided into two subgroups as regards presence of persistent microalbuminuria (albumin excretion rate > 20 micrograms/min/1.73 m2). At the beginning of the study, diabetics as a whole and normoalbuminuric patients showed similar data to controls, while microalbuminuric ones showed worse data at nyctometry (initial recovery time (IRT): 44.89 +/- 12.50; Summation method (SM): 509.1 +/- 312.0) in comparison with normoalbuminuric (IRT: 38.12 +/- 10.31, P = 0.010; SM 648.6 +/- 272.2, P = 0.036) and control subjects (IRT: 37.77 +/- 11.82, P = 0.004; SM: 661.5 +/- 297.5, P = 0.013). After 7 years, normoalbuminuric subjects showed a slight, but not significant worsening of nyctometry, while in microalbuminuric ones a significant difference between baseline and the end of follow-up was found (IRT: 44.89 +/- 12.50 vs. 52.91 +/- 13.9, P < 0.01; SM: 509.1 +/- 312.0 vs. 374.8 +/- 271.9, P < 0.05). Diabetic patients had a higher rate of abnormal IRT and SM than controls (P = 0.0004 and P = 0.0006, respectively). A higher number of patients in microalbuminuric subgroup than in normoalbuminuric one were found (both at baseline and at the end of follow-up) above the 95th centile of IRT (baseline 3 vs. 15; P = 0.0002; end of follow-up 5 vs. 23; P < 0.0001) and below the 5th centile of SM (baseline 5 vs. 14; P = 0.004; end of follow-up 5 vs. 19; P < 0.0001). Nyctometry was found more altered in microalbuminuric patients than in normoalbuminuric and controls. Unfortunately, there is a large overlap between the two diabetic subgroups and between diabetics and controls; for this reason, this technique is not suited for everyday practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Hypoxanthine and xanthine levels in human aqueous humor from cataractous eyes.

Purine nucleotide degradation products have been determined by HPLC in aqueous humor obtained during cataract surgery and from plasma of 22 patients (12 women). Uric acid, cytosine, guanosine monophosphate, uracyl, guanine, adenosine, adenosine monophosphate, thymine, adenine, inosine, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, hypoxanthine and xanthine were evaluated. Uric acid and the last two were the only compounds detectable in measurable amounts in aqueous humor and in plasma of all patients. Aqueous humor xanthine levels were not significantly different from plasma; aqueous humor hypoxanthine concentrations were lower than those of xanthine and than plasma oxypurine levels. In 8 patients, treated with allopurinol, oxypurinol concentrations in aqueous humor and in plasma were comparable suggesting that oxypurines are transported through the blood-aqueous humor barrier.

Aqueous Humor↗
PubMed1996

The ability of bacteria to use Na-hyaluronate as a nutrient.

The objective of this study was to test bacteria ability to use Na-hyaluronate as a nutrient in vitro. Thirteen bacteria strains were tested in three different media: specific culture medium, agar-Healon medium and agar-Healon GV medium. The bacterial growth criteria were determined by counting the number of new colonies appearing at each observation time (0, 24, 48 and 72 h). The results were expressed as the percentage of growth in agar-Na-hyaluronate compared to each corresponding specific culture medium. After 24 h in the medium containing agar-Healon, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes and S. viridans grew using hyaluronic acid as a nutrient. The percentage of growth of these species remained constant over the follow-up period. The other bacteria strains tested were unable to use Healon as a nutrient. After 24 h of incubation in the medium containing agar-Healon GV, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes, and S. viridans exhibited about 20% growth. Subsequently, this percentage slowly increased to about 50%. The other bacteria stains tested were unable to employ Healon GV as a nutrient. With the exception of Staphylococci and Streptococci, the other species do not synthesize the necessary enzymes to break glucosidic bonds, therefore neither concentration of hyaluronic acid can be utilized as a source of carbohydrate for their survival in culture media.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1996

Long term results of intraoperative mitomycin C in the treatment of recurrent pterygium.

AIM: The study was designed to evaluate the long term results of intraoperative mitomycin C in patients with one recurrence of pterygium. METHODS: In 45 white patients with one recurrence of pterygium the 'bare sclera technique' was performed and a sterile sponge soaked in a 0.2 mg/ml (0.02%) mitomycin C solution was placed intraoperatively on the sclera for 3 minutes. The control group underwent surgical excision only. Recurrences were analysed by the chi 2 test and the method of Kaplan-Meier (life table analysis); the difference between survival curves was tested by the log rank test. The chi 2 test with Yates's correction or Fisher's exact test were used to analyse the difference in complications and side effects between the two groups. RESULTS: After a mean postoperative follow up of 34.55 (SD 13.70) months, 6 recurrences (12.5%) were observed in the mitomycin C treated patients and 16 (35.6%) in the control patients (p = 0.027). The 24 and 48 month life table success rates were 89% and 83% in the mitomycin C treated group and 66% and 63% in the control group, respectively (p = 0.022). No severe side effects appeared during follow up. Superficial punctate keratitis appeared in the early postoperative period in only seven mitomycin C treated eyes (15.5%) (p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: This study confirms the efficacy of intraoperative mitomycin C in improving the success rate after recurrent pterygium surgical excision.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effect of dapiprazole, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, on aqueous humor dynamics in pigmentary glaucoma.

PURPOSE: In this investigation the authors studied the effect of dapiprazole, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, on aqueous humor dynamics in patients affected with pigmentary glaucoma. METHODS: Dapiprazole 0.5% eye drops were administered 3 times daily as adjunctive therapy to 16 pigmentary glaucoma patients in addition to timolol 0.5% eye drops twice daily. Computerized tonography was performed before and 3, 12 and 36 months after dapiprazole treatment. Sixteen sex- and age-matched pigmentary glaucoma patients treated with timolol 0.5% eye drops alone were used as a control group. RESULTS: After 36 months of follow-up, the dapiprazole-treated group showed a significant increase in total outflow facility (C, from 0.17 +/- 0.04 to 0.22 +/- 0.07 ml min-1 mm Hg-1; p = 0.010, paired t test) and Po/C ratio (Q) significantly decreased from 113.39 +/- 31.02 to 89.22 +/- 51.66 (p = 0.036, paired t test). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the introduction of dapiprazole in the therapy of pigmentary glaucoma may be useful in the long-term management of these patients. Its mechanism of action is likely to be due to iridoplegia; in fact, a decrease in the shedding of pigment occurs, with time, the outflow facility increases and the pigment clearance from the trabecular meshwork is enhanced.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

Long-term results of Krupin-Denver valve implants in filtering surgery for neovascular glaucoma.

The long-term results obtained with the Krupin eye short valve shut in 28 eyes with neovascular glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed by means of Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The preoperative intraocular pressures (IOPs) ranged from 28 to 62 mm Hg (mean, 36.8 +/- 5.8 mm Hg). Success was considered an IOP of less than 22 mm Hg and greater than 5 mm Hg without medication (complete success) or with medication (qualified success) without additional glaucoma filtering surgery or devastating complications. Postoperative success was obtained in 10 out of 28 eyes after a mean follow-up period of 58.4 +/- 23.02 months (range, 10-108 months). The 3- and 6-year life table success rates were 66 and 34%, respectively. Early complications were: shallow or flat anterior chamber (15 patients, 53.6%), hypotony (16 patients, 57.1%), hypertony (7 patients, 25%), serous choroidal effusion (7 patients, 25%), fibrinous uveitis (5 patients, 17.9%), blockage of the intracameral portion of the tube by fibrin (5 patients, 17.9%), choroidal hemorrhage (2 patients, 7.1%). Late complications were: external conjunctival bleb failure (12 patients, 42.9%), blockage of the intracameral portion of the tube by fibrovascular tissue (5 patients, 17.9%), cataract (2 patients, 7.1%), bullous keratopathy (2 patients, 7.1%), external erosion of the Silastic valve (2 patients, 7.1%), phthisis bulbi (2 patients, 7.1%). Mortality during long-term follow-up was high in our series. The complications of an underlying diabetes mellitus were the most common cause of death (15 out of 22 patients). The high mortality of patients subjected to valve implantation makes it difficult to interpret the results of long-term studies. However, the valve implant is still today an alternative surgical procedure for controlling IOP in eyes with neovascular glaucoma that have visual potential.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The usefulness of dapiprazole, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, in pigmentary glaucoma.

The aim of this study was to increase understanding of the usefulness of an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, dapiprazole 0.5% eyedrops, as an adjunct in antiglaucomatous therapy for 20 patients with pigmentary glaucoma receiving timolol 0.5% and pilocarpine 1%. After 12 months of dapiprazole treatment, the difference from the pretreatment mean intraocular pressure (IOP) value was statistically significant (P = .005). After 12 and 36 months of treatment, an hour-to-hour comparison of diurnal IOP curve values showed a statistically significant difference in all cases (P < .001). Although further investigations may be necessary to reach a definite conclusion, dapiprazole appeared to have a beneficial, stable in time effect in these patients.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1996

Tear deficiency in Fuchs' intermediate uveitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess quantitatively and qualitatively tear secretion in Fuchs' intermediate (heterochromic) uveitis to detect any possible anomaly linked to Fuchs' uveitis. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University eye clinic, Chieti, Italy. PATIENTS: Thirty consecutive white patients aged 32 to 65 years with unilateral Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Results of Schirmer's test I, tear film breakup time, conjunctival mucus ferning. RESULTS: Schirmer's test I showed a tear deficiency in 15 patients; the tear film breakup time and ferning were abnormal in these patients. There was a significant difference in the test results between the affected eyes and the fellow, unaffected eyes (p < 0.001). There was no relation between tear deficiency and age. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of tear anomalies only in the affected eye of patients with Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis suggests a link between Fuchs' uveitis and tear deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Colour vision and persistent microalbuminuria in children with type-1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus: a longitudinal study.

In an attempt to elucidate colour vision in children with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus without fluorescein angiographic signs of retinopathy, we studied a group of 50 patients of mean age + or - SD 10.27 + or - 2.89 (range 8.1-13.0 years). Results were compared with a sex-and age-matched control group. The Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test showed a significantly higher value in total error score (TES) in diabetics than in controls (64.07 + or - 18.32 and 54.27 + or - 12.87, respectively: P = 0.0004). Diabetic patients were divided in two groups as regards presence of persistent microalbuminuria and followed for 7 years. The HbAlc values of the two groups were: normoalbuminuric 7.10 +/- 2.92%, microalbuminuric 9.79 + or - 1.41 (P = 0.004). Microalbuminuric patients showed a significantly higher TES than normoalbuminuric subjects both at the beginning (94.79 + or - 13.98 vs. 58.10 + or - 11.98) and end of the study (103.07 + or - 14.61 vs. 61.04 + or - 13.36: P < 0.0001), and after follow-up they had a worse TES than at the beginning of the study (P = 0.01); no change in TES was found in normoalbuminuric patients during the study. The results suggest that a deficit in colour vision occurs in diabetic children before the onset of fluorescein angiographic signs of retinopathy. Our follow-up shows that microalbuminuric patients present a significant worsening of colour vision. When a patient shows persistent microalbuminuria, colour vision must be carefully evaluated, also in subjects without fluorescein angiographic signs of retinopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Visual field defects in diabetic children without retinopathy. Relation between visual function and microalbuminuria.

The effects of diabetes on retinal function before the onset of clinically detectable retinopathy have been investigated with several methods. Our aim is to evaluate the usefulness of computerized perimetry in early diagnosis of retinal sensitivity impairment in lack of fluorescein angiographic signs of diabetic retinopathy. Seventy diabetic children and adolescents, 39 normoalbuminuric and 31 microalbuminuric patients, and 70 normal subjects were investigated with static computerized perimetry. Normoalbuminuric patients showed functional parameters similar to those of controls, while microalbuminuric patients had a significant reduction of mid-peripheral light sensitivity in comparison with both normoalbuminuric children and controls. Our data suggest that an impaired light sensitivity, in mid-periphery of the visual field, is present in diabetic patients with persistent microalbuminuria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Iris chafing in pseudophakia.

Iris defects occur in pseudophakic patients with posterior chamber intraocular lens in sulcus. Prevalence of pigmentary dispersion syndrome and pigmentary glaucoma has been evaluated in 920 pseudophakic patients (920 eyes). 16.08% of patients showed pigment dispersion syndrome, while 1.96% developed pigmentary glaucoma. Diabetic patients had a statistically significant greater prevalence of these complications than non-diabetic ones (p < 0.05). The authors suggest the preventive use of alpha-blockers in presence of pigment dispersion syndrome or diabetes mellitus, even in absence of ocular hypertension.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1994

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in clear and cataractous human lenses.

In this histochemical study on the ocular lens, the authors test for the presence of various sorts of the (unsaturated) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) in 66, both clear and cataractous human lenses. A statistically significant greater amount of PAH is found in the cataractous lenses studied (p < 0.01), with two kind of PAH, phenanthrene and 1,2-benzoanthracene, appearing exclusively in lenses with cataracts. The authors put forward a hypothesis on the cataractogenic effect of PAH on the basis of its interference with lens metabolism and the subsequent production and release of free-radicals.

Cataract↗
PubMed1994

Aqueous misdirection syndrome: a complication of neodymium: YAG posterior capsulotomy.

A 50-year-old, white, pseudophakic man who had a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) posterior capsulotomy for capsule opacification developed a persistent rise in intraocular pressure (IOP) associated with a flat anterior chamber. Full-thickness patent iridotomy performed with an Nd:YAG laser did not reduce IOP. A-scan ultrasonography showed aqueous pockets in the vitreous, leading to a diagnosis of malignant glaucoma. Medical therapy comprising atropine, phenylephrine, mannitol, and acetazolamide normalized IOP and resolved the clinical findings.

Anterior Chamber↗
PubMed1994

Effectiveness of intraoperative mitomycin C in the treatment of recurrent pterygium.

The effectiveness of intraoperative administration of mitomycin C and the occurrence of postoperative complications have been evaluated in 30 white patients with one recurrence of pterygium. The authors employed the 'bare-sclera technique' and, intraoperatively, placed in the episcleral space for 3 min a sterile sponge soaked in a 4% mitomycin C solution. The control group (30 patients with one recurrent pterygium) underwent only surgical excision. Statistical analysis performed using the chi-square test showed a significant (p = 0.024) reduction of recurrences of pterygium in the group treated intraoperatively with mitomycin C. No heavy side effects occurred during the follow-up period. Mitomycin C, administered intraoperatively, may be considered an effective treatment to improve the success rate after surgical excision.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Diabetic retinopathy. Relationship with nephropathy in pediatric age.

In order to evaluate the relationship between diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy we studied 55 (25 females, 30 males) retinopathic diabetic children and adolescents: their age ranged from 9.0 to 17.3 (mean +/- SD 13.9 + 3.8) years and the duration of disease from 4.8 to 10.0 (6.9 +/- 3.1) years. The mean glycosilated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 10.4 + 2.7%. Patient distribution in relation to retinal grading showed that the greatest number of patients (34: 61.82%) were in 14-20 retinopathy level (with minimal signs of retinopathy), 9 patients showed 31 retinopathy level (16.36%) and 12 (21.82%) were in the other classes. Comparison between retinal grading of retinopathy and presence/absence of microalbuminuria showed a significant difference between the evaluated subgroups (p < 0.0001). In fact, only 6 patients out of 34 (17.64%) in class 14-20 retinopathy level, 8 patients out of 16 (50%) in 31-41 retinopathy level and 5 patients out of 5 (100%) in 51 retinopathy level had microalbuminuria. Our study shows that the presence of persistent microalbuminuria is an important risk factor for diabetic retinopathy. In conclusion, we suggest that when diabetic children have persistent microalbuminuria, the eye should be carefully examined, in order to prevent a deterioration of the eye function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Effect of topical ketanserin administration on intraocular pressure.

The effect of topical ketanserin on intraocular pressure (IOP) in normotensive and hypertensive eyes was evaluated. The study was performed on 10 healthy volunteers and 10 glaucomatous patients. Systolic arterial blood pressure (SBP), diastolic arterial blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), IOP, tonographic outflow facility, pupil diameter, corneal thickness, and tear secretion were recorded at baseline and at 1 hour intervals for 12 hours after topical administration of 0.5% ketanserin or placebo, given in a randomised, double masked, crossover fashion. The alternative treatment was given 1 week later. In all subjects ketanserin significantly lowered IOP, while no variations in SBP, DBP, HR, pupil diameter, corneal thickness, and tear secretion were found. When subjects received placebo no significant variations of IOP occurred. Total outflow facility, measured by conventional tonography, increased significantly after drug administration in all subjects. Ketanserin is effective up to 6 hours in control subjects and 9 hours in glaucomatous patients. The placebo did not induce any change in this component of the aqueous humour dynamic in normal or in glaucomatous eyes. The findings indicate that topical ketanserin might be added to the list of antiglaucomatous agents.

Administration, Topical↗