Evaluation of macular and choroidal thickness in healthy residents living at high altitude

Purpose: Assessment of long?term effects of high altitude on choroidal thickness. Methods: This prospective cross?sectional study included 88 and 79 age? and sex?matched healthy individuals who were living at sea?level (SL group) and high?altitude (HA group), respectively. Participants were required to have resided in the same place for at least 10 years. Spectral?domain optical coherence tomography (SD?OCT) scans were conducted in two different and were performed within the same time (08:00 am to 10:00 am). Central macular thickness (CMT) and choroidal thickness were measured at five different points (i.e., at the central fovea and 1 mm and 2 mm temporal and nasal of the fovea). Blood hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit (Htc) levels, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and body mass index (BMI) were compared between groups statistically. Results: The HA group had a mean age of 47.5 ± 13.3 years, whereas the SL group was 48.7 ± 13.4 years (P = 0.57). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of CMT. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCFT) was 282.73 ± 87.82 ?m in the HA group and 310.49 ± 74.73 in the SL group (P = 0.02). The choroid was found to be thinner at all the measured locations in the HA group except the 2 mm nasal point of the fovea. However, only the difference at an SFCT was statistically significant. Furthermore compared with the SL group statistically significant higher Hb, RBC, Htc levels were determined in the HA group. In the multiple linear regression model analysis, age was found an only effective confounder factor for SCFT (P = 0.001, 95% CI 4.132–2.476). Conclusion: The systemic adaptive changes due to chronic high altitude exposure may cause structural changes in the choroidal vascular network. The current study results revealed significant thinning only at SFCT. Large?scale longitudinal studies are needed to obtain more definitive data on this subject.

Comparison of tru-cut biopsy and fine-needle aspiration cytology in an experimental alcoholic liver disease model

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Liver biopsies such as tru-cut (sharp needle) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are the most commonly preferred techniques to detect the grade and stage of certain liver diseases. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficiency of USG-guided tru-cut biopsy and fine-needle aspiration cytology in an experimental alcoholic liver disease model. METHODS Thirty-six female Wistar albino rats, 4-6 months old, and weighing from 190 to 250 g, were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into six equal groups: G1 (control), G2 (tru-cut control), G3 (FNAC control), G4 (Alcoholic liver disease model), G5 (Alcoholic liver disease model + FNAC), and G6 (Alcoholic liver disease model + tru-cut biopsy). After a histopathological evaluation by light microscopy, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of FNAC and tru-cut biopsy for the diagnosis of liver lesions were calculated. RESULTS No pathology was detected in G1 except for mild congestion. On the other hand, hepatocyte damage, periportal inflammation, congestion, and fatty changes were detected in all liver tissues of the alcoholic liver disease groups. The sensitivity of hepatocyte damage, inflammation, congestion, and fatty change parameters for FNAC were 33.3%, 80%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, while the sensitivity of the same variables for tru-cut were 66.7%, 40%, 100%, and 20%, respectively. DISCUSSION Both techniques were superior in some aspects. FNAC can be an attractive alternative to tru-cutbiopsy and applied in routine practice in the diagnosis of non-tumoral liver diseases.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO Biópsias hepáticas tais como por agulha tru-cut e por citologia aspirativa por agulha fina (CAAF) são as técnicas frequentemente preferidas para detectar o grau e o estágio de certas doenças hepáticas. Neste estudo, nosso objetivo foi comparar a eficiência da biopsia com agulha tru-cut guiada por ultrassom e a citologia aspirativa por agulha fina em um modelo experimental de doença hepática alcoólica. MÉTODOS Trinta e seis ratos Wistar albinos fêmeas, de 4 a 6 meses de idade e pesando entre 190 e 250g, foram utilizados neste estudo. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em seis grupos: G1 (controle), G2 (controle tru-cut), G3 (CAAF), G4 (modelo de doença hepática alcoólica), G5 (modelo de doença hepática alcoólica + CAAF) e G6 (modelo de doença hepática alcoólica + biópsia tru-cut). Após uma avaliação histopatológica por microscopia de luz, foram calculados a sensibilidade, especificidade e os valores preditivos positivos e negativos da CAAF e biópsia por tru-cut para o diagnóstico de lesões hepáticas. RESULTADOS Nenhuma patologia foi detectada no G1, apenas leve congestão. Por outro lado, detectamos danos nos hepatócitos, inflamação periportal, congestão e alterações nos ácidos graxos nos tecidos hepáticos de todos os grupos de doença hepática alcoólica. As sensibilidades encontradas para os danos nos hepatócitos, inflamação, congestão e alterações nos parâmetros de ácidos graxos para a CAAF foram 33,3%, 80%, 0% e 0%, respectivamente, enquanto que as sensibilidades das mesmas variáveis para o método tru-cut foram 66,7%, 40%, 100% e 20%, respectivamente. DISCUSSÃO Ambas as técnicas foram superiores em alguns aspectos. A CAAF pode ser uma alternativa atraente à biópsia por tru-cut e aplicada como prática de rotina no diagnóstico de doenças hepáticas não tumorais.

Evaluation of choroidal thickness via enhanced depth‑imaging optical coherence tomography in patients with systemic hypertension.

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate choroidal thickness via spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD‑OCT) and to compare the data with those of 24‑h blood pressure monitoring, elastic features of the aorta, and left ventricle systolic functions, in patients with systemic hypertension. Materials and Methods: This was a case–control, cross‑sectional prospective study. A total of 116 patients with systemic hypertension, and 116 healthy controls over 45 years of age, were included. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured using a Heidelberg SD‑OCT platform operating in the enhanced depth imaging mode. Patients were also subjected to 24‑h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and standard transthoracic echocardiography (STTE). Patients were divided into dippers and nondippers using ABPM data and those with or without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH+ and LVH–) based on STTE data. The elastic parameters of the aorta, thus aortic strain (AoS), the beta index (BI), aortic distensibility (AoD), and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), were calculated from STTE data. Results: No significant difference in SFCT was evident between patients and controls (P ≤ 0.611). However, a significant negative correlation was evident between age and SFCT in both groups (r = −0.66/−0.56, P ≤ 0.00). No significant SFCT difference was evident between the dipper and nondipper groups (P ≤ 0.67), or the LVH (+) and LVH (–) groups (P ≤ 0.84). No significant correlation was evident between SFCT and any of AoS, BI, AoD, or LVMI. Discussion: The choroid is affected by atrophic changes associated with aging. Even in the presence of comorbid risk factors including LVH and arterial stiffness, systemic hypertension did not affect SFCT.