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At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Postoperative astigmatism following phacoemulsification with sutured vs. unsutured wounds.

A total of 293 cases of phacoemulsification cataract surgery with a 5.0- or 6.0-mm frown incision were analysed retrospectively to compare postoperative astigmatism between cases with sutured wounds and those with unsutured wounds. Astigmatic analysis was done with a simplified method (keratometric readings with steep meridians between 46 degrees and 134 degrees were considered "with-the-rule" [WTR], and those with steep meridians less than 46 degrees and greater than 134 degrees, "against-the-rule" [ATR]). Among patients with WTR astigmatism preoperatively, the mean keratometric cylinder in the sutureless group (n = 53) was significantly lower at 1 day and at 4 to 6 months postoperatively than before surgery (p < or = 0.001); in the suture group (n = 120) the mean cylinder was significantly higher at 1 day and significantly lower at 4 to 6 months than before surgery (p < 0.05). Among patients with ATR astigmatism preoperatively, the mean keratometric cylinder in the sutureless group (n = 22) was significantly higher at 1 day than before surgery (p < 0.01); in the suture group (n = 98) the mean cylinder was significantly lower at 1 day than before surgery (p < 0.001), and the difference at 4 to 6 months almost reached statistical significance (p = 0.052). Vector analysis showed that surgically induced cylinders in the suture and sutureless groups were similar. Our findings suggest that in the short term patients with preoperative WTR astigmatism may benefit from unsutured wounds, and those with preoperative ATR astigmatism may benefit from sutured wounds if the incision is placed in the vertical meridian.

Astigmatism↗
PubMed1993

Magnification perimetry.

PURPOSE: The authors used a method of spatial scaling to quantify the eccentricity-related decline in differential light sensitivity as a function of visual field meridian and age. METHODS: Differential light threshold at the fovea was measured in two groups of subjects of differing age (young mean age, 23.6 yr; standard deviation, 2.4 yr; elderly mean age, 69.6 yr; standard deviation, 6.2 yr) using a Goldmann size I stimulus moving across fixation at 1 degree/sec. With luminance kept constant, eccentricity thresholds for kinetic stimuli of increasing magnification were then measured. The results were analyzed in terms of the E2 value, which specifies the eccentricity at which the stimulus size must double to maintain performance equivalent to that at the fovea. RESULTS: For the young subjects, eccentricity thresholds increased linearly with an increase in stimulus diameter for most meridians. E2 varied between 5-12 degrees, depending on the meridian, and showed the same meridional trend as that of retinal ganglion cell distribution, although the magnitudes of E2 were different. For the elderly subjects, the eccentricity thresholds increased in a nonlinear manner with the stimulus diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Further factors, such as spatial summation, must also determine the eccentricity dependence of the differential light threshold because ganglion cell density decreases at a much faster rate than the differential light threshold. The most marked effects of age on differential light sensitivity occur at the fovea and beyond 20 degrees in the peripheral field, with a relative sparing in the pericentral area.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Topographic analysis of the changes in corneal shape due to aging.

We studied the aging changes in corneal shape using corneal topography. Normal corneas (1,343) from 734 volunteers were examined by Topographic Modeling System-1 (TMS-1). All eyes were divided into eight groups according to age: (a) < 20 years of age and, respectively, in their (b) 20s, (c) 30s, (d) 40s, (e) 50s, (f) 60s, (g) 70s, and (h) > 80. The age-related changes in the averaged map of TMS-1 were evaluated. The findings noted in this map were confirmed by analyzing the data as well as by assessing the average-of-difference map. The averaged maps of subjects from < 20 years of age to the 40s showed a vertical bow-tie-rule astigmatism. In the maps of subjects in their 50s and 60s, the central steep area gradually extended horizontally until it became a round configuration. The maps of subjects in their 70s and > 80 revealed a horizontal oval-shaped steep area, suggesting against-the-rule astigmatism. The average-of-difference map demonstrated a marked corneal steepening at the horizontal meridians. In the data analysis of the averaged map, the mean refractive powers of the cornea increased with age. Moreover, the refractive powers in the horizontal meridians exceeded those in the vertical meridians when they were in the 60s, which verified against-the-rule astigmatic shift. In conclusion, normal cornea becomes steeper and shifts from with-the-rule to against-the-rule astigmatism with age.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of astigmatism associated with myopia or hyperopia with the holmium laser: second year follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In 1993, the Summit Technology apogee system for treating astigmatism was not available, so (to avoid the deep cuts of astigmatic keratotomy) the Summit Holmium: YAG laser was used to treat astigmatism associated with myopia; an excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy was to be performed when the keratometry readings had stabilized. The holmium:YAG laser also was utilized to concurrently treat hyperopia and astigmatism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For myopic astigmatism, four holmium spots were administered, two on either side of the optical zone. An optical zone of 6.5 mm was used for keratometric astigmatism of 4.00 diopters (D) or greater; 7.0 mm for 3.00 to 3.90 D; 7.5 mm for 1.50 to 2.90 D. For hyperopic astigmatism, two extra spots were placed in the inner treatment ring, one on either side of the flattest meridian for 1.50 to 2.90 D of keratometric astigmatism. By omitting the outer ring treatments in the steeper meridian and using four extra spots, two on either side of the flattest meridian in the inner ring, 3.00 D or more was treated. RESULTS: Thirty-one myopic eyes were treated; five were lost to follow-up; 12 have subsequently had a photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy (PARK); six have had a PRK; eight had had no further procedures. Seven eyes now have 18 months of follow-up or more (and have not had a PARK); the four successes are presented in detail and it appears that their keratometry readings are nearly stable. CONCLUSION: Four of 7 (57%) myopic eyes, which had holmium laser treatment of associated astigmatism, can be considered as successes after 18 months or more follow-up. Keratometry readings are nearly stable; further follow-up is required to determine if regression continues. The treatment of astigmatism simultaneously with hyperopia treatment with the holmium laser was not successful.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed1996

Multi-meridional keratometry.

During conventional keratometry, the two principal meridia are identified and measurements of the anterior corneal curvature determined along these orientations. However, in cases of corneal irregularity, the principal meridia may be difficult to identify. Accordingly, the present study sought to evaluate two alternative procedures which do not require identification of the principal meridia. Instead, measurements of anterior corneal curvature were determined along either three or four preselected meridia and subsequently converted into the standard format for measurements of anterior corneal curvature. The study was performed on 25 visually normal subjects and the results compared with conventional two meridian keratometry findings. No significant differences were observed between the mean findings for the three and four meridian techniques. Furthermore, both procedures gave comparable results to the conventional two meridian method. Accordingly, multi-meridional keratometry may be valuable in cases of irregular astigmatism, for example produced by keratoconus or scarred corneas, since measurements can be obtained without the necessity for identification of the principal meridia.

Cornea↗
PubMed1997

A comparison of two selective interrupted suture removal techniques for control of post keratoplasty astigmatism.

PURPOSE: Two selective interrupted suture removal techniques were compared to determine which technique resulted in earliest, best visual acuity and least postoperative astigmatism. METHODS: Sixty-five consecutive optical penetrating keratoplasties were performed using 12 interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures and a 12-bite continuous 10-0 nylon suture, and were alternately assigned to 1 of 2 selective suture removal groups. All patients had refraction, keratometry, and videokeratoscopy postoperatively, starting at 6 weeks. Six weeks postoperatively, Group I underwent simultaneous removal of six alternate sutures, with the first of the 6 sutures removed at the steepest meridian, while Group II had selective sutures removed only at the steepest meridian, if associated with greater than 2 diopters of astigmatism in that meridian. Subsequently, interrupted sutures were then selectively removed until the resultant astigmatism approached 3.0 diopters or less. Measurements of resultant astigmatism are reported prior to selective suture removal, following selective suture removal, at 6 months postoperatively, at the completion of all selective suture removal, and at the final visit. RESULTS: At 6 months, residual astigmatism after the 2 techniques of selective suture removal, as measured by refraction, keratometry, and computer-assisted videokeratoscopy, was 2.8, 3.0 and 3.4 diopters for Group I, and 2.2, 2.6 and 3.7 diopters for Group II. At 1 year, the average final visit, astigmatism was 2.5, 2.4 and 2.7 diopters for Group I, and 2.1, 2.0 and 2.3 diopters for Group II. By the final visit, a best corrected vision of 20/50 or better was achieved in 86% of eyes in Group I and in 65% of eyes in Group II, and there was a significant difference in average keratometry of 47.4 diopters in Group I compared to 46.0 diopters in Group II and, as measured by videokeratoscopy, 47.9 diopters in Group I compared to 45.8 diopters in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Selective suture removal by either technique reduces keratoplasty astigmatism with residual interrupted and continuous sutures in place. The combined use of refraction, keratometry, and videokeratoscopy probably provides more reliable and reproducible quantitative measurements of astigmatism. Minimizing astigmatism by selective suture removal is a major factor in the attempt to achieve excellent and visual function in the majority of patients who have undergone penetrating keratoplasty.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Shape visualization of the anterior and posterior human cornea in vivo.

A series of 60 reflected-light, rotating slit images of the human cornea in vivo are acquired with a rotating Scheimpflug camera. Each single acquired optical slice on a single meridian contains the shape of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. These 60 images are mathematically transformed into a three-dimensional volume that can be visualized on any meridian, including those images on meridians that have not been selected during the image-acquisition process. The optical distortions and aberrations of both the camera system and the eye are not included in this study using a rotating slit camera to determine the shape of both anterior and posterior corneal surfaces. The method presents the view of the anterior and posterior cornea (out to the midperipheral region) and a reference plane of the iris reflection. Further development of this technique may find clinical applications in corneal refractive surgery.

Cornea↗
PubMed2005

Expression of connexin43 in rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts.

To explore the role of connexin43 (Cx43) in gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and propagated sensation along meridians, the expression of Cx43 in the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts was studied both in vitro and in vivo. With the in vitro study, the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts were cultured together, and the localization of Cx43 was detected by immunohistochemistry and indirect immunofluorescent cytochemistry and under confocal microscopy. And the expression of Cx43 on the surface of the cells was examined by flow cytometry. With the in vivo examination, 20 SD rats were randomized into control group (n = 10) and electrical acupuncture group (EA group, n = 10). EA ( 0.5-1. 5 V, 4-16 Hz , 30 min) was applied to "Zusanli" acupoint for 30 min at rat's hind paw, the localization of Cx43 was immunohistochemically detected. The immunohistochemical staining and indirect immunfluorescent cytochemistry showed that Cx43 was localized on the surface of the cells and in the cytoplasm. The relative expression level of Cx43 on the cellular membrane surfaces of the rat epithelial cells and fibroblasts, as determined by FACS, were 13.91% and 29.53% respectively. Our studied suggested that Cx43 might be involved in GJIC and propagated sensation along meridians.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of abdominal electroacupuncture on parameters related to obesity in obese women: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of electroacupuncture at abdominal meridian points on various obesity-related parameters: body weight (BW), body fat (BF) percentage, body mass index (BMI), percent ideal body weight (PIBW), and waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumferences. All of these parameters changed significantly compared to pretreatment in this pilot uncontrolled study involving 31 women with obesity. The percent reductions were 5.3% in BW, 1.3% in BF, 4.7% in BMI, 6.0% in PIBW, 4.6% in WC, 6.2% in HC, and 2.1% in the WC/HC ratio. The most affected variable was WC (effect size=0.58). Since this was a pilot study with several limitations, such as a small sample size and absence of a control treatment and appropriate follow-up, further studies that include a randomized design, larger sample sizes, and more detailed data about the subjects are needed to convincingly show the effects of electroacupuncture at abdominal meridian points on overweight and obese patients.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Spinal mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors mediate intense stimulation-elicited inhibition of a nociceptive reflex in the rat.

Intense electrical stimulation of meridian points in the rat inhibits the nociceptive tail withdrawal reflex. The objective of the present study was to determine whether spinal opioid receptors mediate this inhibition. Electrical stimulation was applied with 2 ms square pulses, at 4 Hz for 20 min at 20 times the threshold, to previously defined meridian points in the hindlimb. Threshold was the minimum current required to elicit muscle twitch. In lightly anaesthetized intact rats (n = 8) stimulation inhibited tail withdrawal during and for greater than one hour after the end of stimulation. In unanaesthetized spinal rats (n = 12) this inhibition was less and the post-stimulation effect lasted for 15 min. In control anaesthetized intact (n = 28) and unanaesthetized spinal rats (n = 14) placement of electrodes without stimulation had no effect. In spinal rats, preadministration of naloxone (25 mg/kg, i.p.) blocked the evoked inhibition (n = 11). In intact animals both naloxone (n = 8) and the mu-opioid receptor antagonist, beta-funaltrexamine (10 nmol; n = 9), given via a chronic intrathecal catheter, attenuated inhibitions during and after the end of stimulation by 50-60%. The delta-opioid receptor antagonist H-Tyr-tic psi[CH2NH]Phe-Phe-OH (TIPP[psi]; 10 nmol; n = 7) and the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (10 nmol; n = 13) given by lumbar puncture attenuated the inhibition during the stimulation by 30% and 56%, respectively; both antagonists blocked the post-stimulation effect and even facilitated the withdrawal. The data suggest that spinal mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors each contribute to the evoked inhibition.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Acupuncture treatment of compression neuropathy of the radial nerve: a single case report of "Saturday Night Palsy".

PURPOSE: Evidence that acupuncture is effective for any type of motor nerve injury is limited to case reports and case series but these findings indicate benefit. Observation that the radial nerve has the most rapid recovery of all peripheral nerves suggests that acupuncture might benefit treatment of "Saturday Night Palsy," a syndrome of radial-nerve compression. TREATMENT: A 41-year-old female with a 1-week history of inability to write or extend the right wrist received 1 acupuncture treatment utilizing the Lung and Large Intestine meridians in the forearm, with the 2 meridians interconnected using the Luo and Yuan points. A cockup wrist splint was then applied. CONCLUSIONS: Wrist motion with gravity neutralized returned immediately after treatment. As the day progressed, the patient reported increasing strength in wrist and finger extension. The next day, the patient cancelled the second acupuncture treatment, as her hand had recovered. Examination 4 months later revealed normal wrist and finger extension, sensation, and return of the brachioradialis reflex. The patient was symptom-free 1-year postinjury. Acupuncture potentially facilitates recovery and may enhance treatment of peripheral motor nerve injury.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed2006

Effects of electrical acupuncture on acupoint BL15 evaluated in terms of heart rate variability, pulse rate variability and skin conductance response.

In this research, heart rate variability (HRV), pulse rate variability (PRV) and human skin conductance (SC) of all acupoints on Heart Meridian were used to evaluate the effects of electrical acupuncture (EA) on acupoint BL15 (Bladder Meridian). Ten healthy volunteers (aged 23 +/- 6) were selected as the control group on the first day, and then used again as the experimental group on the second day. The control group received sham EA during the study, while subjects of the experimental group were stimulated by 2 Hz EA on acupoint BL15 for 10 minutes. Electrocardiogram (ECG), wrist blood pressure pulse meter and skin conductance response (SCR) device were used to measure and analyze HRV, PRV and SCR for the two groups before and after stimulation. From the spectrum analysis of ECG and pulse pressure graph, we found that the EA applied on BL15 could induce a significant increase in the normalized high frequency power (nHFP) component of HRV and PRV, as well as a significant decrease in the normalized low frequency power (nLFP) part (p < 0.05). Moreover, both the heart rate and pulse rate were reduced in the analysis of the time domain of ECG and PRV. Furthermore, most of the SCR values at acupoints were decreased after stimulation. These results also indicate that the stimulation of BL15 by EA could cause relaxation, calmness and reduce feeling of tension or distress.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The effect of EA on the gastric mucosal histology and ITF mRNA expression in stress-induced rats.

This study focuses on the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the gastric mucosal histology and ITF (intestinal trefoil factor) mRNA in stress-related rat, and the relationship between the gastric protective mechanism of EA at acupoints of Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (SMFY) group and Gallbladder Meridian of Foot-Shaoyang (GMFS) group. Forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank control group (BCG), model control group (MCG), SMFY group (EA at acupoints of SMFY for 7 days before model inducing), and GMFS group (EA at acupoints of GMFS for 7 days before model inducing). All rats (except normal group) were made model by water immersion and restriction (WRS) on day 7, then the gastric mucosal lesion index (GUI) was accessed, ITF mRNA expression of the tissue was detected by reverse- transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, and the histological change under light microscope was observed. As a result, the GUI value in SMFY/GMFS groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05 or 0.01). The level of ITF mRNA expression in SMFY group was significantly higher than that in MCG (p < 0.01), while that in GMFS group was higher than MCG but there was no statistical difference (p < 0.05). This result may be due to the intrinsic mechanism of EA's gastric mucosal protection by the upregulation of ITF mRNA expression in gastric mucosal tissue, and the expression variance indicated the classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory "Relative Particularity between SMFY and Stomach.".

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Pulse spectrum study on the effect of sie-zie-tang and Radix aconiti.

Extracts of the traditional Chinese formula Sie-Zie-Tang as well as one of its main components, Radix Aconiti were injected into rats intraperitoneally to observe pressure wave spectrum changes at the caudate artery. We found that Radix Aconiti decreased the C0 (DC term of the pulse), C5 and C6 (the harmonic proportions of the 5th and the 6th harmonic), but increased C2 and C3 (the harmonic proportions of the second and the third harmonic) significantly. For Sie-Zie-Tang, the increases of C2, C3, and C4 were accompanied by the decreasing of C0. The decreases of C5, C6 were small and not significant. The additional ingredients in the formula reduce toxic side effects (arrhythmia or heart failure caused by faster and stronger heart beat) due to Radix Aconiti. For human subjects, low dose Sie-Zie-Tang tends to normalize the Fourier components of the pressure wave. Orally taking the formula elevates the harmonic proportion of the harmonic that is lower than normal, but suppresses the higher one. Our results provides a possible mechanism for heart meridian related herbs. It strengthens heart beats, and normalizes energy distribution to different meridians. The study on Sie-Zie-Tang reveals another formula construction to reduce toxic side effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[On effects of acupoints and drugs in acupoint-injection treatment].

Acupoint-injection therapy is a successful sample for clinical application of integrated Chinese and Western medicine, and has widely been applied clinically. In this method, effects of meridians, acupoints and drugs are organically combined, with obviously higher total therapeutic effect compared with routine acupuncture and moxibustion, intermuscular injection or intravenous injection. In this paper, the total therapeutic effects of acupoint-injection, high effectiveness of drugs and integrated action of acupoint and drug were discussed mainly and it is considered that the basic reason of acupoint-injection producing the high effect of drug is due to meridians and acupoints integrating some pharmacological actions of drugs.

Acupuncture↗
PubMed2005

[Clinical application of the Ziwu Duichong Qixue Huzhu theory].

OBJECTIVE: To study the origin, basis and application of the Ziwu Duichong Qixue Huzhu theory. METHODS: Analyze internal relation of every pair of gua among the 12 Xiao-Xi-Gua in The Yijing, in combination with clinical examples. RESULTS: This theory is used for meridian diagnosis and acupoint selection with the best therapeutic effects. CONCLUSION: Ziwu Duichong Qixue Huzhu theory is a complement for qi and blood circulation in the 12 meridians. And it can broaden thinking of clinical treatment.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2005

[Study on the theory of "selection of distal acupoints"].

The meridians belong to zang-fu organs inside and connect with the extremities outside. They keep information exchange among different tissues and make various organs of the human body as an organic whole. If the meridians are blocked and the information exchange makes mistake, the body will produce pathologic changes. Because the location of the blocked part is difficult to identify, in this paper it is explained that selection of distal acupoints is the best way to dredge the nodes of disease, and the theoretical basis is closely related with the theories of "the root cause and symptoms of a disease", "Genjie", and "Jing, Xing, Shu, Jing, He", and also implies the thought of "to cure a disease must treat the root of the disease".

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2006

[Jingluo, Jingmai and their English translation].

Chinese meaning and English translation of Jing, Luo, Mai, Jingluo, Jingmai and other terminology of Chinese medicine are compared from both writing and medical theory, raising that the Jingmai in the Internal Classic should include both the channel system and the vessel system. From the form of the characters or functions and structures, the Jing is longitude and the Luo is net, Mai is vessels, and the concept and function of Jingluo (channels and collaterals) and Jingmai (the meridians and vessels) do not allow obscure. In ancient times, Jing and Mai were jointly called as Jingmai, aimed at understanding network state of the channels and collateral system through tangible distribution of the vesselar system. Translation of "Jing mai" as the meridians and collaterals or channels and collaterals practically is only translated a half of real meaning of Jingmai.

Language↗