Endocyclophotocoagulation combined with phacoemulsification in surgically naive primary open-angle glaucoma: three-year results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of endocyclophotocoagulation with phacoemulsification (phaco-ECP) in surgically naive, primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients undergoing phaco-ECP between 2007 and 2017 at a single centre in London, UK. The primary outcome was intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary outcomes were visual acuity, visual field global indices, topical medications and surgical complications. Failure criteria were: (1) IOP > 21 mmHg or <20% reduction at two consecutive visits, (2) IOP <5 mmHg and (3) further IOP-lowering surgery. RESULTS: Eighty-three eyes from 83 patients were eligible. Pre-operatively, mean IOP (±SD) was 18.4 ± 5.2 mmHg. The mean number of topical agents (±SD) was 2.7 ± 0.9. Mean IOP (±SD) significantly reduced to 14.3 ± 4.7 at 1 year, 14.1 ± 4.0 at 2 years and 13.6 ± 3.7 at 3 years (p < 0.0001). Topical medications were significantly reduced to 1.3 ± 1.2 at 1 year, 1.7 ± 1.2 at 2 years and 1.8 ± 1.3 at 3 years (p < 0.0001). Annual IOP 'survival' was 70%, 54% and 45% at year 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Complications included uveitis (6%), macular oedema (2%), IOP spikes (1%) and corneal decompensation (1%) with no episodes of hypotony or retinal detachment. One patient underwent filtration surgery within 3 years (1%). CONCLUSION: Phaco-ECP facilitates significant IOP lowering and reduction of medication burden in surgically naive POAG requiring cataract extraction. The procedure is relatively safe and without the use of implants and their associated risks.

Association between psychological distress and cancer type in patients referred to a psycho-oncology service.

Psychological distress is common in patients with cancer and psychological well-being is increasingly seen as an important component of cancer care. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between cancer type and subjective distress. The following data were collected from a database of consecutive psycho-oncology referrals to the Liaison Psychiatry service in Cork University Hospital from 2006 to 2015: demographics, cancer diagnosis, Distress Thermometer (DT) score. 2102 out of 2384 referrals were assessed. Of those assessed, the most common cancer diagnoses were breast (23%, n=486) followed by haematological (21%, n=445). There were significant difference in DT score between the different cancer types, (?2(13)=33.685, p=0.001, Kruskal-Wallis test). When adjusted for age, gender and whether or not the cancer was recently diagnosed, there was no significant association between cancer type and psychological distress. In conclusion, cancer type is not associated with level of distress in cancer.

Synthesis and docking studies of novel benzopyran-2-ones with anticancer activity.

Novel series of 7-substituted-benzopyran-2-ones was synthesized by incorporating heterocyclic rings as oxadiazole, triazole, pyrazole or pyrazolin-5-one to benzopyran-2-one nucleus at p-7 via methylene-oxy or acetoxy linker. In-vitro anticancer activity was evaluated for these hybrids; twelve compounds were selected by National Cancer Institute for anticancer screening. Among them, compound 9a exhibited broad spectrum antitumor activity showing full panel median growth inhibition (GI(50)) = 5.46 microM. According to docking results using Molsoft ICM 3.4-8c program, the target compounds may act through inhibition of topoismerase 1, where camptothecin is used as ligand.

Immunohistochemical nuclear staining for P53 in nodular scabies.

Fifty patients with scabies were included in this study. Clinical, parasitological and histopathological study of all patients was done. P-53 expression was examined, using immunohistochemical techniques. Biopsies of nodular scabies showed atypical changes in the epidermis, the dermis showed dense inflammatory infiltrate. Focal positivity for P-53 have been demonstrated which could favour premalignant changes, and recommend further investigations.

Problems of duodenogastric reflux in Tc-99m Hexa MIBI planar, tomographic and bull's eye display.

Tc-99m Hexa MIBI (RP-30) is excreted through hepatobiliary pathways. Myocardial imaging with RP-30 is recommended 45-60 minutes after injection. During this waiting period duodenogastric reflux (DGR) is occasionally seen. Fundal activity due to duodenogastrix reflux presents problems in planar, tomographic, and Bull's eye display. The authors recommend in those cases to give the patient a light meal and wait 15-30 minutes more for the gastric activity to empty in the small intestine before starting myocardial imaging.

Radionuclide findings in arteriovenous fistula between left pulmonary artery and vein.

Right-to-left extra cardiac shunts are usually congenital and are rarely due to trauma or complicating thoracic or vascular surgery. A case of a right-to-left cardiac shunt due to an arteriovenous fistula between the left pulmonary artery and the left pulmonary vein is reported. This may be the first report of this abnormality. The etiology is not clear. The case was investigated only by radionuclide procedures because the general condition of the patient was so poor that invasive procedures could not be undertaken.