Assessment of Fecal Microflora Changes in Pigs Supplemented with Herbal Residue and Prebiotic.

Antibiotic usage in animals as a growth promoter is considered as public health issue due to its negative impact on consumer health and environment. The present study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of herbal residue (ginger, Zingiber officinale, dried rhizome powder) and prebiotic (inulin) as an alternative to antibiotics by comparing fecal microflora composition using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism. The grower pigs were offered feed containing antibiotic (tetracycline), ginger and inulin separately and un-supplemented group served as control. The study revealed significant changes in the microbial abundance based on operational taxonomic units (OTUs) among the groups. Presumptive identification of organisms was established based on the fragment length of OTUs generated with three restriction enzymes (MspI, Sau3AI and BsuRI). The abundance of OTUs representing Bacteroides intestinalis, Eubacterium oxidoreducens, Selonomonas sp., Methylobacterium sp. and Denitrobacter sp. was found significantly greater in inulin supplemented pigs. Similarly, the abundance of OTUs representing Bacteroides intestinalis, Selonomonas sp., and Phascolarcobacterium faecium was found significantly greater in ginger supplemented pigs. In contrast, the abundance of OTUs representing pathogenic microorganisms Atopostipes suicloacalis and Bartonella quintana str. Toulouse was significantly reduced in ginger and inulin supplemented pigs. The OTUs were found to be clustered under two major phylotypes; ginger-inulin and control-tetracycline. Additionally, the abundance of OTUs was similar in ginger and inulin supplemented pigs. The results suggest the potential of ginger and prebioticsto replace antibiotics in the diet of grower pig.

Extraocular muscle responses to orbital cooling (ice test) for ocular myasthenia gravis diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: As a result of clinical and laboratory investigations of temperature correlates of myasthenia gravis, orbital cooling (ice test) has been developed as a reliable test for ocular myasthenia diagnosis through blepharoptosis response. The test has not been utilized in a prospective manner for myasthenia diagnosis through extraocular muscle responses. METHODS: Fifteen patients with acquired motility disorders were studied with the use of orbital cooling and other tests for myasthenia gravis. Orbital cooling was performed in a standard fashion for all patients. In 14 of 15 patients, the diagnosis of myasthenia was not established at the time the ice test was performed. Fifteen non-myasthenic patients with acquired motility disorders were also studied with use of the ice test. Temperatures during orbital cooling were measured in the superior cul-de-sac of one patient and between the lateral rectus muscle and globe in 3 patients. RESULTS: All patients subsequently proven to have myasthenia gravis by other tests and by response to myasthenia therapy had a positive (diagnostic of myasthenia) response to the ice test. No patient had a false-positive or a paradoxical response to the ice test. No control patient had a positive blepharoptosis or motility response to orbital cooling. Temperature measurements demonstrated significant cooling effects in the superotemporal cul-de-sac and beneath the lateral rectus muscles after orbital cooling for 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital cooling, within certain parameters, can be a useful clinical test for myasthenia diagnosis through motility response, as well as blepharoptosis response.

Prospective evaluation of extraocular motility following double-plate molteno implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and type of extraocular motility disturbance after double-plate Molteno implantation. METHODS: In a prospective clinical series, we evaluated preoperative and postoperative ocular motility at 3 and 6 months in 24 eyes of 24 patients undergoing double-plate Molteno implantation. Visual acuity, motility testing, and subjective and objective diplopia were evaluated at each examination. RESULTS: Within the first 6 months postoperatively, new or worse strabismus developed in 11 (46%) of the 24 study patients. Three of the 11 patients had a generalized restriction of the superior rectus and the superior oblique muscles, all of which persisted 6 months after surgery. Four patients had clinical features consistent with an acquired Brown syndrome, and 6 months after surgery, 3 of the 4 patients had a residual deviation, although the deviation in 1 patient resolved. A superior oblique palsy developed in 3 patients, and a lateral rectus palsy developed in 1 patient. All 4 of the muscle palsies resolved or were resolving during the follow-up period, which ranged from 6 to 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Extraocular motility disturbances are not rare after double-plate Molteno surgery. Muscle palsies, acquired Brown syndromes, and generalized restrictions occurred in similar proportions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients should be counseled before Molteno surgery concerning the risk of strabismus and diplopia.

Pseudomonas-induced bilateral endophthalmitis with corneal perforation in a neonate.

Neonatal endophthalmitis is a rare entity that may be exogenous or endogenous. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous gram-negative rod that may appear as a nosocomial source of infection in the neonatal intensive care unit. A case of bilateral Pseudomonas-induced endophthalmitis is presented, and a discussion of the case and of the relevant literature follows.

Presumed isolated inflammation of the superior oblique muscle in idiopathic orbital myositis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe isolated involvement of the superior oblique muscle in association with idiopathic orbital myositis. DESIGN: A case report with review of the literature. PARTICIPANT: A 57-year-old man with acquired strabismus participated. INTERVENTION: Oral steroid therapy was administered. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and radiographic features before and after treatment were measured. RESULTS: Computed tomographic scanning showed isolated enlargement of the superior oblique muscle consistent with orbital myositis. Clinical and radiographic abnormalities quickly improved after oral steroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital pseudotumor may present as a myositis isolated to the superior oblique muscle. This extremely rare condition has been reported in only three patients, each of whom lacked early diagnosis or treatment. Early recognition may improve chances for a successful clinical outcome.

Ritleng intubation system for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Twenty-eight patients (34 eyes) with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction underwent silicone intubation with the Ritleng lacrimal intubation system. The technique involves introduction of a Prolene (Ethicon Inc, Somerville, NJ) monofilament guide thread, securely fastened to the silicone tubing, into a tubular metal probe that opens into the inferior meatus. The outcome was evaluated in terms of ease of intubation and objective success rate. Thirty-two (94%) of the 34 lacrimal systems were successfully intubated with the Ritleng system. Difficulty passing the Prolene thread through the probe and out the tip, necessitating conversion to a Crawford intubation system, was encountered in only 2 eyes (6%). The Prolene spontaneously emerged from the nose in 24 (75%) of 32 eyes, making retrieval simple and uncomplicated. The success rate for relieving signs and symptoms of obstruction was 97% (31/32) for the eyes with the Ritleng system and 100% (2/2) for the eyes with the Crawford system. Bicanalicular silicone intubation with the Ritleng intubation system is an easy and effective technique for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Polydiaxonon prevents adhesions in the rabbit model: a pilot report.

PURPOSE: Restrictive strabismus is a common and difficult problem confronted by strabismologists. Several materials have been used to minimize the formation of adhesions after strabismus surgery with varying degrees of success. Polydiaxonon (PDS, Ethicon) is an absorbable, nontoxic, nonporous material. We used it as 25 and 50 microm thick sleeves to study its effectiveness in the prevention of adhesions. METHOD: Eight eyes of four adult New Zealand White rabbits were used. To simulate the adhesions, a raw scleral bed was created under the superior rectus insertion in study animals and the muscle capsule facing the sclera was opened. Four study eyes had PDS sleeves inserted around the superior rectus; the other four served as controls. After 4 months the animals were killed. The surgical sites were inspected for adhesions. Light microscopy was also performed. RESULTS: Virtually no adhesion formation was noted in the study eyes. In the control group, however, dense adhesions were seen. Light microscopy confirmed these results. No significant amount of foreign material was found. There was no toxicity resulting from PDS. CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrated nearly complete prevention of adhesions in the rabbit model. PDS sleeves appear to have potential in surgery for restrictive strabismus.

Capsular management and refractive error in pediatric intraocular lenses.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children regarding patient selection, age limitations, operative techniques, including management of the posterior capsule, and refractive goals are not universally agreed on. METHODS: The authors placed posterior chamber IOLs in the capsular bag of 79 eyes in 57 children. Patient age ranged from 10 months to 17 years. Follow-up averaged 2 years. Patients were selected on the basis of age, cataract morphology, laterality, and lack of potential complicating factors. In general, postoperative refractions were intended to be mildly hyperopic with the magnitude dependent on patient age. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of patients able to report a postoperative visual acuity showed 20/40 or better visual acuity. Vision was limited by amblyopia in the remaining patients. There were no significant complications. The posterior capsule opacified on average 2 years after surgery regardless of patient age. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of posterior chamber IOLs in carefully selected children appears to be effective and safe. Consideration should be given to primary posterior capsulectomy-anterior vitrectomy at the time of lens implant in children who are not expected to be candidates for yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) capsulotomy within 18 months of surgery.

Surgical treatment of superior oblique palsy.

Reports of several large series of patients with superior oblique palsy (SOP) published in 1986 or before set forth important guidelines for both diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Newer information about the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the superior oblique has accrued over the past decade. This paper reviews our experience with diagnosis and treatment of SOP over the past 5 years in light of this new information. Charts of patients treated for SOP over 5 year (1990 to 1995) were reviewed for male or female sex, age, symptoms, refraction, vision, stereo acuity, head posture, facial asymmetry, intraoperative superior oblique traction test, diagnostic position prism and cover test, torsion, surgery performed, and results of treatment. The charts of 190 patients were reviewed. In 181, postoperative examinations were performed by us. The etiology of the SOP was congenital in 137 and acquired in 53. Twenty-nine acquired cases were due to trauma and 24 arose from other causes. Fifty-six patients had facial asymmetry, 51 of whom had congenital SOP. Ninety-five had a lax tendon, 83 (87%) of whom had congenital SOP. Sixty-six had a normal tendon, 29 (44%) of whom had acquired SOP. Seventy-seven percent of patients had Knapp class I, III, or IV palsy. An average of 1.26 surgeries was performed per patient. Inferior oblique weakening was performed in 177 (93%), while 68 vertical rectus recessions were done. Thirty-five patients had superior oblique tuck or resection, all on lax tendons, and 15 had Harada Ito procedures for torsion. Six patients had mild Brown syndrome postoperatively, none of which required a takedown. A cure, defined as relief of symptoms or elimination of strabismus and head tilt, was achieved in 166 of 181 (92%) of patients. Successful treatment of SOP can be accomplished in the majority of cases by selective surgery usually beginning with inferior oblique weakening plus additional vertical rectus and horizontal surgery as needed, with superior oblique strengthening used only for lax tendons or when torsion is the main problem.

Spontaneous orbital subperiosteal hematomas in patients with liver disease.

Spontaneous orbital subperiosteal hematomas are rare entities. They are often associated with systemic coagulopathies. We present two cases of spontaneous orbital subperiosteal hematomas in patients with systemic coagulopathies resulting from liver disease. One patient was diagnosed with hepatitis B and had spontaneous resolution of the hematoma. Another patient had alcoholic cirrhosis and required an orbitotomy for drainage of a hematoma for compressive optic neuropathy. With the rising incidence of hepatitis B and the prevalence of alcoholic liver disease, it is important to include liver disease in the systemic evaluation of patients with spontaneous orbital subperiosteal hematomas.

Strabismus in infancy.

In order to prospectively study the development of strabismus in infancy, the ocular alignment of a large population of normal neonates was studied and follow-up examinations were obtained in a subset of these infants. The characteristic findings of congenital esotropia subsequently developed in three infants who were either orthotropic or exotropic at birth. Pathologic exotropia developed in two infants; both were exotropic at birth, but no more so than most normal neonates. In infants with congenital esotropia or pathologic exotropia, the characteristic deviation appears to develop between 2 and 4 months of age, a period during which normal infants are becoming increasingly orthotropic.

Development of normal ocular alignment.

Ocular alignment was examined in a large population of normal infants to determine the prevalence of various motility findings at ages ranging from birth to 10 months. Exodeviations were frequently seen up to the age of 6 months. Esodeviations were occasionally seen in infants who did not go on to develop congenital esotropia, but not after 2 months of age. It is unclear whether precursors of pathologic strabismus, such as congenital esotropia, can be distinguished from these transient ocular deviations seen in normal infants. However, any strabismus persisting after the ages listed above should be considered abnormal and receive ophthalmologic evaluation.

Linear subcutaneous fat atrophy after corticosteroid injection of periocular hemangiomas.

Two children developed evidence of subcutaneous fat atrophy after corticosteroid injection of periocular hemangiomas. The atrophy appeared at the site of injection and followed the expected course of lymphatic channels to the vicinity of regional lymph nodes.

Evaluation of an absorbable muscle sleeve to limit postoperative adhesions in strabismus surgery.

A muscle sleeve fashioned from polyglactin 910 Vicryl mesh was used in a rabbit animal model to evaluate its efficacy in decreasing postoperative adhesions encountered in extraocular muscle surgery. Clinical observations, as well as gross and histological comparison of the experimental and control groups, revealed a significant reduction in postoperative adhesions under conditions of normal surgical trauma. Where there was extensive trauma, however, no significant reduction was observed. No evidence of toxicity of the material to ocular tissues was found.