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PubMed1981

[Three cases of cystic neurinoma arising from the upper cervical nerve roots and extending into the posterior cranial fossa (author's transl)].

Three cases of cystic neurinoma arising from the upper cervical spinal nerve roots and extending to the posterior cranial fossa through the foramen magnum were reported. Case 1 was a 52-year-old female presenting marked bilateral papilledema, hyperactive right knee jerk, left positive Gordon reflex and trunkal ataxia. The mass was mostly cystic and arose from the left 1st cervical nerve root. It extended to the posterior fossa, occupied the cerebello-medullary cistern and displaced the left cerebellar hemisphere posteriorly and superiorly. Case 2 was a 39-year-old male presenting marked bilateral papilledema, neck stiffness, dysfunction of the right 7, 9, 10 and 11th cranial nerves, gaze nystagmus, Horner's syndrome, right limb ataxia, and ataxic gait. The mass was totally cystic containing yellowish fluid and was growing from the right 2nd cervical spinal nerve root. The mass extended to the posterior cranial fossa up to the right cerebello-pontine angle and compressed the medulla oblongata, upper cervical cord and 7th through 11th cranial nerves on the right side. Case 3 was a 66-year-old male presenting marked bilateral papilledema, gaze nystagmus, left hemiparesis, bilateral hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, numbness of the left fingers and ataxic gait. CT scanning revealed in the midline of the posterior cranial fossa a low density mass which was enhanced in a ring-like fashion. Vertebral angiograms showed an avascular mass displacing the PICAs upwards and elongating its cranial loops antero-posteriorly. The mass was totally cystic, arose from the left 2nd cervical spinal nerve root, extended to the posterior cranial fossa and occupied the cisterna magna and vallecula. Foramen magnum syndrome was discussed and the symptoms and signs presented in these three cases were compared with those presented by foramen magnum meningioma in other reports.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cryopreservation extenders affect calcium flux in bovine spermatozoa during a temperature challenge.

Bovine spermatozoa are commercially cryopreserved by diluting the cells in media, known as extenders, followed by slow cooling and freezing. Previous work has shown that this process of cryopreservation alters the cells' ability to control divalent calcium (Ca2+) movement. This study evaluated the effect of a brief exposure to common extenders on bovine spermatozoa during subsequent cooling and rewarming. Three fresh ejaculates from each of three bulls were each split and incubated for 30 minutes at 25 degrees C in milk extender or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (control); three other fresh ejaculates from each of three bulls were similarly incubated in egg yolk-Tris extender (EYT) or PBS. Spermatozoa were washed and the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, indo-1 acetoxymethyl ester, was used to monitor the internal Ca2+ in the spermatozoa in Ca(2+)-free PBS over a continuous temperature gradient of 25 degrees C (15 minutes), cooling to 5 degrees C (32 minutes), at 5 degrees C (15 minutes), rewarming to 25 degrees C (25 minutes), and at 25 degrees C (15 minutes). Milk exposure reduced the initial percentage of missing acrosomes and EYT exposure improved the initial viability and acrosome morphology compared to the controls; only milk immediatetly increased internal Ca2+. The initial rate of Ca2+ uptake at 25 degrees C was greater for milk or EYT-exposed spermatozoa than controls (P < 0.05). During cooling, the rate of Ca2+ uptake in all spermatozoa increased (P < 0.01), and it continued to increase during the 15 minutes at 5 degrees C. During rewarming to 25 degrees C, the internal Ca2+ in all spermatozoa declined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Extended resection in colorectal cancer. Personal experience].

At the moment of surgical intervention, colorectal cancer involves adjacent tissues or organs in a percentage of cases ranging between 5% and 12%. "En bloc" resection of these tumors, when not associated with distant metastasis, allows survival at 5 years in from 32% to 79% of cases. The authors discuss their personal experience on the subject of extended resection for carcinoma of the large intestine, in order to evaluate not only the possible anatomico-clinical peculiarities but also both short and long term results. In the period from 1976 to 1993 1164 patients underwent surgery for colorectal cancer, in 791 cases (68%) with a curative aim. 71 patients underwent extended resection, in 59 cases for the curative treatment of a primary tumor and in 12 for the treatment of a local recurrence (LR). Pathologic examination revealed neoplastic infiltration into at least one of the organs removed with the tumor in 43 cases (61%). It must, however, be pointed out that the above frequency was considerably higher (92%) when extended resection was carried out for LR than in cases of exeresis of primary cancers (54%). The reported results show that extended resection leads to potentially higher morbidity and mortality than can be observed after standard resection, but that, at the same time, it proves to be the only treatment able to provide these patients with good prospects for fairly long-term survival. Recourse to this procedure must therefore always be out of necessity, furthermore the extension of demolition must be adapted to the operative finding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ketoprofen extended-release capsules: a new formulation for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the propionic acid family with demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; a distinguished safety profile; and good tolerability. This report describes a new extended-release formulation that maintains therapeutic plasma ketoprofen concentrations for up to 24 hours. A single 200-mg capsule thus provides daytime and nighttime symptom control. Small pellets, enclosed in a gelatin capsule, are released in the stomach but release their contained ketoprofen only after reaching the nonacidic environment of the small intestine. Diurnal fluctuations in plasma concentrations of ketoprofen are reduced, and the drug does not accumulate in plasma with extended use. The half-life of the drug from this dosage form is not significantly affected by the increasing age of the patients. The efficacy of extended-release ketoprofen in British clinical trials has been comparable to that of conventional ketoprofen or naproxen. Safety profiles have been comparable to profiles of other NSAIDs; adverse effects have usually been mild and transient, although, as with other NSAIDs, ulcers and bleeding can occur. Extended-release ketoprofen appears to be a good choice for the symptomatic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Convenient once-daily administration may help improve patients' compliance.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetic profiles of extended-release ketoprofen and piroxicam in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The efficacy and safety of two once-daily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were compared in a single-center, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. Sixty patients with rheumatoid arthritis received either extended-release ketoprofen 200 mg or piroxicam 20 mg once daily for 3 weeks. Both treatments produced significant improvements from baseline in the primary efficacy variables (physician's global assessment, patient's global assessment, number of tender joints, number of swollen joints) at most visits. There were no statistically significant differences between treatments in any efficacy variable except the number of tender joints at week 3, favoring piroxicam. Both treatments improved the quality of sleep. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluations were conducted on a subset of 29 patients, aged 57 to 71 years. No statistically significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters were noted between the first and last dose of extended-release ketoprofen; that is, there was no accumulation of ketoprofen. In contrast, a fourfold increase in peak concentration, a twofold increase in area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), and a 53% reduction in clearance were observed in piroxicam-treated patients. There was a direct relationship between AUC at steady state and three of four efficacy variables for ketoprofen. No correlation between the efficacy scores and trough plasma levels was seen with either drug. There were no significant differences between treatments in the number of adverse events. Elevated mean blood urea nitrogen levels and relative hyponatremia persisted 1 week after the end of treatment in piroxicam-treated patients. The results of this study indicate that extended-release ketoprofen and piroxicam are therapeutically comparable. However, extended-release ketoprofen, in contrast to piroxicam, reached steady state after the first dose, was rapidly cleared, and did not accumulate over the 3-week study period.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Extended lymphadenectomy for rectal cancer: cure vs quality of life.

Because of continued problems with local recurrence after surgery for rectal cancer, extended resection of lymph node-bearing tissue has been proposed, both to increase survival and to decrease local recurrence. Such extended resection has often been associated with increased long-term morbidity, particularly as regards urinary and sexual function. A comparative analysis of currently available data with such extended resections is presented, considering both survival and morbidity data, and contrasting these data with results obtained with conventional resection. While it is not yet clear whether extended resections do in fact increase survival, results are promising in several specific situations, and work in progress has been successful in diminishing long-term morbidity for many patients.

Humans↗

PubMed1994

Extended aortic valvuloplasty for recurrent valvular stenosis and regurgitation in children.

Recurrent significant aortic valvular stenosis or regurgitation, or both, after balloon or open valvotomy in pediatric patients often necessitates aortic valve replacement. In an attempt to preserve the aortic valve, we performed extended aortic valvuloplasty in 21 children with recurrent aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation from January 1989 to March 1993. Previous related procedures were one open aortic valvotomy or more (n = 15), balloon valvotomy (n = 4), balloon valvotomy after surgical valvotomy (n = 1), and repair of iatrogenic valve tear (n = 1). Mean age at the time of the extended aortic valvuloplasty was 6 +/- 3.4 years. Mean pressure gradient across the aortic valve was 56 +/- 12 torr. Regurgitation was moderate (grade 2 to 3) in nine and severe (grade 4) in 12 patients. Extended aortic valvuloplasty techniques consisted of thinning of valve leaflets (n = 15), augmentation of scarred and retracted leaflets with autologous pericardium (n = 11), resuspension of the augmented leaflet (n = 14), release of the rudimentary commissure from the aortic wall (n = 5), extension of the valvotomy incision into the aortic wall on both sides of the commissure (n = 20), patch repair of the sinus of Valsalva perforation (n = 1), reapproximation of tears (n = 5), and narrowing of the ventriculoaortic junction (n = 2). No operative deaths occurred. The postoperative mean pressure gradient, assessed by most recent Doppler echocardiography or cardiac catheterization at a follow-up of 18 +/- 6 months, was 19 +/- 6 torr (p < 0.01 versus the preoperative gradient). Aortic regurgitation was absent in 13, mild in 6, and moderate-to-severe, necessitating subsequent aortic valve replacement, in 2. This short-term experience indicates that extended aortic valvuloplasty is a safe and effective surgical approach that minimizes the need for aortic valve replacement in children with significant recurrent aortic valve stenosis or regurgitation.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1993

Experimental basis and clinical application of extended highly selective vagotomy for duodenal ulcer.

An ideal operation for a benign disease, such as duodenal ulcer, must be effective, relatively free of serious postoperative complications and standardized for effective performance. Highly selective vagotomy, an operation known to have few side effects, has not been adopted by many surgeons because of the concerns about postoperative recurrent ulcers, as well as by concerns about the technical performance of the operation. Recurrent ulcers may be the result of incomplete denervation of the parietal cell mass; based upon the results of intraoperative testing, we suspected that previously unrecognized sites supplied preganglionic vagus nerves to the parietal cell mass. Nerve tracing studies identified four areas in the stomach that are not adequately denervated in the "standard" highly selective vagotomy. Based on these data, we defined and performed "extended highly selective vagotomy" upon 180 patients with ulcers. Herein, the results of follow-up examinations of 113 patients for a mean of at least 4.5 years postoperatively are reported. Recurrent duodenal ulcers occurred in 2.9 percent (two of 69) after extended vagotomy alone, and in none of 44 in whom a drainage procedure was used; the overall recurrence rate was 1.8 percent. Serious postoperative complaints were found in one patient in each group. The use of extended highly selective vagotomy for duodenal ulcer has a rational experimental basis and acceptable clinical results. Pyloroplasty, in conjunction with extended highly selective vagotomy, does not increase the incidence of serious postoperative side effects.

Duodenal Ulcer↗

PubMedDate not supplied

EXTEND: a prototype expert system for teaching nursing diagnosis.

In this article, the development and uses of EXTEND (Expert system for Education in Nursing Diagnosis), a computer assisted instruction package for teaching nursing diagnosis using the categories proposed by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, are described. EXTEND provides a knowledge base that is able to deduce a nursing diagnosis from case factors and extends the normal use of expert systems beyond diagnosis to diagnosis education by providing answers to student questions about a simulated client and by guiding them through the diagnostic task. Furthermore, EXTEND allows the teacher to record the steps taken by students in the assessment and diagnosis of the simulated client, and use this as the focus of further discussion. The system is a response to the problems of teaching nursing diagnoses cited in the professional literature.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

PubMed1996

Extendible endoprostheses for the skeletally immature.

Aseptic loosening was identified as the predominant cause of implant related failure in a retrospective study of a consecutive series of 168 Stanmore custom made extendible endoprosthetic replacements used in skeletally immature patients. Most of the replacements were used in the treatment of bone tumor and the remainder for the revision of failed massive endoprosthetic replacements. Since the first Stanmore extendible endoprosthesis was inserted in 1976, 4 types of extension mechanisms have been used. Thirty eight of the 164 cases with followup data were revised, of which 19 were as a result of aseptic loosening. Survival analysis revealed that the overall probability of surviving an implant related failure was 0.512 (+/- 0.005) at 5 years, highlighting the high complication rate of these extendible replacements that required a revision procedure. Sixteen of the 19 aseptic loosening cases were distal femoral replacements. The probability of a patient with a distal femoral replacement surviving aseptic loosening was 0.773 (+/- 0.008) at 5 years. Other modes of implant related failure included jamming of the extending mechanism, infection, and maximum extension of the replacement before skeletal maturity had been reached.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Extended induction of ovulation by human menopausal gonadotropins and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog in high responders for in vitro fertilization and oocyte donation.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of extending ovulation induction for the in vivo maturation of oocytes. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-nine high responders underwent 72 in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with a conventional protocol of human menopausal gonadotropin and a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog. These patients donated oocytes to 81 recipients. The same 59 patients underwent 90 subsequent cycles in which the duration of induction was extended by two to three days. The oocytes were also donated to 138 patients. RESULTS: With the extended protocol, significantly more oocytes were retrieved (29.1 vs. 20.6), and a greater proportion of them were mature. Fertilization rates were significantly higher for both donors (67.7% vs. 36.2%) and recipients (67.5% vs. 47.1%). Conception rates were also significantly higher for both donors (24.4% vs. 11.1%) and recipients (38.4% vs. 24.7%). CONCLUSION: Extending the duration of ovulation induction in high responders is associated with in vivo maturation of oocytes and improved success rates in IVF and ovum-donation programs.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMed1997

Distribution of oxytocin- and vasopressin-binding sites in the rat extended amygdala: a histoautoradiographic study.

Radioligand receptor autoradiography has shown that oxytocin- and vasopressin-binding sites exist in numerous rat brain regions, among which the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) are especially prominent. However, these descriptions did not take into account the numerous subdivisions of the amygdala and the BST. Thus, we have reinvestigated the distribution of these sites in the rat extended amygdala, which is formed by a continuum of structures stretching from the BST to the centromedial amygdala, including parts of the accumbens nucleus, substantia innominata, and transition areas between the amygdala and the striatum. For this purpose, histoautoradiography was used to detect binding sites at the cellular level, and anatomical boundaries were defined on the basis of acetylcholinesterase histochemistry and tyrosine-hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Oxytocin- and vasopressin-binding sites were detected in well-defined subdivisions of both medial and central parts of the extended amygdala, but they almost never coexisted in the same region. Compared with previously reported distributions, our reinvestigation describes novel oxytocin- and vasopressin-binding sites in the lateral and supracapsular BST, in the sublenticular extended amygdala, in the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure, in the marginal zone, in the central amygdaloid nucleus, and in the anterior amygdaloid area. These results indicate that oxytocin- and vasopressin-binding sites represent an important feature of the extended amygdala and may participate in the large variety of functions that characterize this area, including reproductive and ingestive behaviors, conditioned fear and autonomic regulation.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

PubMed1997

Extended-interval dosing of aminoglycosides.

Aminoglycosides are efficacious agents. Their use has declined partly because of the development of newer, presumably less toxic agents. Research shows that aminoglycosides can be dosed differently than in the past, maintaining efficacy while reducing aminoglycoside toxicities. Aminoglycosides administered with newer agents may help overcome antibiotic bacterial resistance and thus yield safe and more effective therapy. This study focused on the efficacy and safety of the aminoglycosides extended-interval dosing regimen and was conducted by a search of the literature. Data from The Mount Sinai Hospital regarding bacterial resistance patterns were collected. A nomogram describing the administration of the extended-interval dosing regimen is provided. Extended-interval dosing of aminoglycosides is as efficacious as administering these agents every 8 hours and may result in lower rates of toxicities. Extended-interval dosing also may cost less and be easier to administer. Aminoglycosides are less susceptible to bacterial resistance than many of the newer, currently favored antibiotics. Increasing the usage of aminoglycosides is likely to be safe and beneficial in the treatment of certain bacterial infections.

Aminoglycosides↗

PubMed2005

Changes in water content of high plus hydrogel lenses worn on an extended wear basis in a geriatric aphakic population.

PURPOSE: To investigate the water content of hydrogel lenses of relatively high plus power hydrogel lenses after 3 months extended wear and compare values with unused lenses. METHOD: Geriatric aphakic extended wear soft lens patients were fitted with one of four different brands of hydrogel lenses (A) Incanto 78 (Cantor and Nissel, UK), (B) PSL72 (Prospect lenses, UK), (C) ES70 (Ocular Sciences), (D) Proclear (Coopervision). After 3 months continuous wear the lens was removed and water content (WC) was determined at both lens surfaces using an Abbé refractometer. The water content was also measured for 40 unused lenses (+10 to +20D, 10 lenses per brand). RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two lenses were checked after 3 months extended wear. Mean (+/-S.D.) WC values for front (f) and back (b) surfaces of worn and unworn lenses were, respectively, (A) Worn (n=45): f 73.2(4.13) b 73.8(4.33); unworn f 80.5(0.68) b 81.1 (0.80). (B) Worn (n=37); f 70.5(4.49) b 70.9 (3.89); unworn f 72.5(0.94) b 72.3 (0.89). (C) Worn (n=34); f 68.3(3.18) b 68.4(3.63); unworn f 70.6 (0.48) b 71.1 (0.55). (D) Worn (n=16); f 63.4(3.68) b 63.3(3.19); unworn f 60.9 (1.56) b 61.5 (1.92). There was a significant correlation between WC measured from front and back surfaces (p < 0.01). In worn A-C lenses, front surface WC tended to be lower than back surface WC. For lenses A and C at both surfaces the WC of worn lenses was significantly lower than unworn lenses (p < 0.05). For lens D, mean WC of worn lenses was significantly higher than unworn lenses (p < 0.05). In 80% of B lenses, surface WC of worn lenses were significantly lower than WC of unworn lenses (p < 0.05). There was no relationship between WC and lens power. CONCLUSION: On average, A and C lenses tended to desiccate but D lenses tended to swell as did 20% of B lenses. The front surface of worn lenses measured lower water content than the back surface suggesting the front surface is drier than the back. This apparent difference in water content between the surfaces could be an artefact emanating from differential rates of surface deposition.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

The Berkeley Contact Lens Extended Wear Study. Part II : Clinical results.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the principal clinical outcomes associated with 12 months use of rigid gas-permeable (RGP) extended wear contact lenses and address two primary study questions: (1) does extended wear (EW) of high oxygen transmissibility (Dk/t) RGP lenses reduce the incidence of ocular complications, and (2) does the wearing of high-Dk/t lenses reduce the rate of failure to maintain 6-night RGPEW over 12 months? DESIGN: A randomized, concurrently controlled clinical trial. INTERVENTION: Subjects who adapted to EW with high Dk (oxygen permeability) RGP lenses were randomized to either high Dk or medium-Dk RGP lenses for 12 months of 6-night EW. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contact lens-associated keratopathies (CLAK), changes in refractive error and corneal curvature, and survival in EW. RESULTS: Two hundred one subjects were randomized to medium or high-Dk lenses for 12 months of EW. Sixty-two percent of the subjects in each group completed 12 months of EW; however, the probability of failure was significantly greater for the medium-Dk group. Although the risk of complications was similar for the two groups, the number of CLAK events that led to termination were 16 versus 5 for the medium-Dk and high-Dk groups, respectively. This suggests that the type of adverse response or the inability to reverse an adverse event was different for the group being exposed to the lower oxygen dose. CONCLUSIONS: The level of oxygen available to the cornea has a significant impact on maintaining successful RGP extended contact lens wear, but not on the initial onset of CLAK. The number of clinical events leading to termination was substantially higher for the medium Dk group, which suggests that corneal hypoxia is an important factor in the development of CLAK. Although overnight contact lens wear should be recommended with caution and carefully monitored for early detection of ocular complications, it appears that high-Dk RGP lenses can be a safe and effective treatment for correction of refractive error for most individuals who can adapt to EW.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

The Berkeley Contact Lens Extended Wear Study. Part I : Study design and conduct.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of the Berkeley Contact Lens Extended Wear Study (CLEWS) was to test the hypotheses that extended wear of rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses with greater oxygen permeability (Dk) reduces the incidence of contact lens-associated keratopathy (CLAK) and increases the survival rate in RGP extended wear (EW). In this article we describe the clinical trial design in detail, present the results of subject recruitment and retention, and provide the baseline demographic and ocular characteristics of the CLEWS subjects, whose data will be analyzed to address the study aims in a companion article. DESIGN: A randomized, concurrently controlled clinical trial. INTERVENTION: Subjects were fitted with day wear (DW) high-Dk RGP lenses and then adapted to EW. Subjects who adapted to EW were then randomly assigned to either high- or medium-Dk RGP lenses for 12 months of 6-nights/week EW. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Slit-lamp assessment and grading of 17 possible keratopathies, measurement of refractive error and corneal curvature, and symptoms. Follow-up data were collected every 3 months. RESULTS: From 545 subjects entering the DW adaptation phase, 201 adapted to EW and were randomly assigned to medium- or high-Dk lenses for 12 months of EW. The baseline characteristics of the two study groups were similar and did not differ from the 344 DW subjects who failed to adapt to EW. The distributions of oxygen transmissibility for the two study groups were disjoint, indicating that each group received distinctly different levels of hypoxia. CONCLUSIONS: We show that CLEWS was appropriately designed to address the study hypotheses, was conducted with regard for the safety of the subjects, and adhered to rigorous protocols designed to control for bias and ensure the integrity of study data. We establish the internal validity of between-group statistical comparisons and characterize our study population to permit informed evaluation of the applicability of our results to the contact lens-wearing population in general.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Corneal ulcers associated with cosmetic extended wear soft contact lenses.

In 52 patients with a history of using cosmetic extended wear soft contact lenses, corneal ulcers developed requiring admission to Wills Eye Hospital between January 1, 1982, and June 30, 1986. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the contact lens history, clinical presentation, culture and sensitivity results, and final visual acuity of these patients. Pseudomonas organisms were isolated in 75% of culture-positive cases. The final visual acuity was 6/60 or less in 12% of all cases and 25% of the Pseudomonas ulcers. Patients and practitioners must be aware of this vision-threatening problem in patients wearing cosmetic extended wear lenses. The pathogenesis of corneal ulcers in contact lens patients has not been established. There may be an inherent increased risk in the use of extended wear, compared to daily wear, soft contact lenses for cosmetic purposes.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Secretory IgA epitopes in basal tears of extended-wear soft contact lens wearers and in non-lens wearers.

PURPOSE: To determine secretory IgA epitopes in tears of extended-wear soft contact lens wearers and non-wearing controls. METHODS: We developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to determine the tear concentrations of two epitopes of secretory IgA, the IgA alpha-chain and the secretory component. These epitopes were measured in basal tears of 20 individuals in 6 nights of extended wear of etafilcon A soft contact lenses and in 19 non-lens-wearing individuals. RESULTS: Levels of IgA alpha-chain immunoreactivity were significantly decreased in the lens-wearing group compared to non-lens wearers. However, the level of secretory component immunoreactivity was not significantly different between groups. IgA alpha-chain and secretory component immunoreactvity were highly correlated; however, some samples showed a marked variation between these two values. CONCLUSION: Tear concentrations of sIgA epitopes are significantly reduced in extended-wear contact lens wearers, and may contribute to the increased susceptibility to ocular infection seen in this group.

Adult↗