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The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between anemia and day-night blood pressure variations in essential hypertensive patients. We found that anemic hypertensives had significantly elevated nocturnal BP, and decreased mean 24-h BP and daytime BP.

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Following our earlier observation of clinically evident optic tract neuropathy in patients receiving low-dose interferon (IFN) therapy, we prospectively evaluated 53 consecutive patients treated for chronic hepatitis B or C with a median dose of 3 MU of IFN-a2b thrice weekly. Measurements included routine ophthalmologic evaluation and recordings of visual evoked responses (VER), electroretinograms (ERG), visual acuity, and visual fields, before, at the end of IFN treatment, and at follow-up visits. Baseline P100 latencies of VERs (base-VER) were abnormally prolonged in 24 patients (32 of 106 eyes, 30.2%); age was the only significant covariate associated with increased risk for an abnormal base-VER by multiple logistic regression (relative risk [RR] 5.3 per each 5-year increase in age). In 45 patients (74 eyes) with normal baseline P100 latencies, the end-of-treatment VERs (end-VER) were significantly prolonged compared with baseline, becoming abnormal in 11 (15 of 74 eyes, 20.3%) (138.8+/-8.7 vs. 117.7+/-5.2 ms, P < .001). This subgroup had older age (59.1+/-11.0 vs. 47.5+/-15.3, P=.007) and reduced visual sensitivity compared with their own pretreatment measurements (24.5+/-1.6 vs. 23.0+/-1.2db, P=.019). Changes of end-VERs by age had a sigmoid distribution with a steep increase of values beyond the 5th decade (R2=.326, P < .001). In a logistic regression model, significant predictors of abnormal end-VERs were, patients' age (RR 5.6 per each 5-year increase), presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (RR 15.1 compared with hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection) and serum cholesterol levels above 240 mg% (RR 7.1 compared with values < 240 mg%). Subconjunctival hemorrhages were seen in 2 cases and funduscopic examination revealed cotton wool spots in one other. ERG recordings and the P100 amplitude remained unchanged. After stopping IFN, the treatment-associated neurovisual abnormalities reversed to normal in 7 patients (10 of 15 eyes) and persisted in 5 (5 of 15 eyes, 33.3%) for up to 37 (median 7.3) months observation, all patients remaining clinically asymptomatic. In conclusion, subclinical neurovisual impairment is a frequent, largely unrecognized complication of low-dose IFN therapy, and patients with chronic hepatitis B and older age appear to be most susceptible. This apparently innocuous complication is long lasting, possibly irreversible in some patients, with yet undetermined consequences on visual function.

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The 'binding' of cholesterol on to dog brain synaptosomal plasma membranes from aqueous cholesterol 'solutions' was studied. 'Binding' of exogenous cholesterol is a slow process, strictly depending on the concentration of cholesterol and the quantity of the membranes present. It appears that binding probably occurs in three distinct successive stages. The first stage occurs very rapidly, and consists of a large deposition-like accumulation of cholesterol onto the membranes. This stage is characterized by the lack of functional changes of integral proteins. It is followed or accompanied by a slower type of binding, probably at 'specific binding sites', the nature of which is, in all probability, cooperative. Thus, when the glucoside of cholesterol is used at lower concentrations as compared to cholesterol it increases the binding of cholesterol, while at higher concentrations relative to cholesterol, it antagonizes its binding. This stage, which evokes strong functional changes of integral proteins, merges without interruption into an incorporation of cholesterol as a structural element into the membranous framework (nonspecific binding).

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Two Greek female patients with Aicardi's syndrome are presented. The clinical picture, electroencephalogram, computer axial tomography scan, and the ophthalmological findings in these patients are described. The ocular features are emphasised because they can establish the diagnosis of this rare syndrome.

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In this work seven cases with epithelial cyst of the iris resulting from trauma or cataract surgery were studied and treated by Argon laser photocoagulation. The authors analyse theirs results stressing the fact that no alteration of the lens or the cornea has been provoked after a follow-up of three years.

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