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Macroptilium (Benth.) Urb. is a neotropical legume genus from the subtribe Phaseolinae. The investigated species present a stable chromosome number (2n = 22), but differ in their karyotype formulae, suggesting the presence of chromosome rearrangements. In this work, we comparatively analysed the karyotypes of six species (Macroptilium atropurpureum, Macroptilium bracteatum, Macroptilium erythroloma, Macroptilium gracile, Macroptilium lathyroides, and Macroptilium martii) from the two main clades that form the genus. Heterochromatin distribution was investigated with chromomycin [A.sub.3] (CMA)/4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to localize the 5S and 35S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sites. Single copy bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) previously mapped in the related genera Phaseolus L. and Vigna Savi were used to establish chromosome orthologies and to investigate possible rearrangements among species. CMA+/DAPI- bands were observed, mostly associated with rDNA sites. Additional weak, pericentromeric bands were observed on several chromosomes. Although karyotypes were similar, species could be differentiated mainly by the number and position of the 5S and 35S rDNA sites. BAC markers demonstrated conserved synteny of the main rDNA sites on orthologous chromosomes 6 and 10, as previously observed for Phaseolus and Vigna. The karyotypes of the six species could be differentiated, shedding light on its karyotype evolution. Key words: bacterial artificial chromosomes, CMA/DAPI banding, cytotaxonomy, fluorescent in situ hybridization, chromosome evolution, rDNA, Introduction The genus Macroptilium (Benth.) Urb. is composed of 21 species that are distributed throughout the neotropical region, from the southwestern United States to Argentina and Uruguay (Espert and Burghardt [...]

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Digital dermatoscopy, a noninvasive auxiliary method that can improve the diagnosis of nearly all pigment skin lesions, was used to study 6 cases of tinea nigra, a rare dematiaceous superficial fungal infection and a potential mimicker of melanocytic nevus. Patients were first evaluated by a manual dermatoscope using a 10-fold magnification. The same patients were then reevaluated using a digital dermatoscope with 20-, 50-, and 70-fold magnifications. Direct mycologic examination and culture supported the establishment of the etiologic diagnosis. All reported cases showed a single dermatoscopic pattern. Manual and digital dermatoscopic images revealed irregularly distributed dark brown-pigmented dot lesions with filamentous aspect. The authors could not observe any melanocytic lesions. Cutaneous pigmented lesions, including superficial spreading melanoma, are the differential diagnosis. The dermatoscopic images are useful to help distinguish tinea nigra from other melanocytic diseases.

Purpose: To evaluate prospectively 3 different approaches to the management of a flat anterior chamber (FAC) because of overfiltration in the early postoperative period after trabeculectomy., Materials and Methods: Thirty-six eyes diagnosed with a FAC with total iridocorneal touch, but no lenticular touch (grade II) because of overfiltration in the first 14 days after trabeculectomy were randomized prospectively into 3 groups: group 1--anterior chamber reformation with viscoelastic substance; group 2--anterior chamber reformation with balanced salt solution and concurrent drainage of choroidal effusion; and group 3--pharmacologic therapy with atropine, phenylephrine, and in select cases oral acetazolamide. Outcome measures were visual acuity, amount of intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, and achievement of predetermined target IOP., Results: Treatment group 2 had a greater number of eyes with acuity decline of two or more lines relative to group 3 (P=0.04). Group 1 had more eyes with acuity decline of two or more lines relative to group 3, but this was not significant (P>0.05)., Conclusions: For grade II FACs because of overfiltration in the early postoperative period after trabeculectomy, reformation of the anterior chamber with drainage of choroidal effusion may be associated with greater long-term trabeculectomy success, but is associated with greater visual acuity loss relative to medicinal therapy alone. Reformation with viscoelastic resulted in a trend toward lowest final IOP in comparison to medicinal therapy alone.

Purpose: Releasable scleral flap sutures have been effectively used with trabeculectomy to provide a safer postoperative course. This review will assess the indications for using releasable sutures, with the consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, after trabeculectomy., Methods: A review of the literature provided the most common releasable suture techniques., Results: Releasable scleral flap sutures reduce the incidence of complications of early postoperative overfiltration after trabeculectomy. As a result, there are fewer cases that might require reformation of the anterior chamber and drainage of suprachoroidal fluid. In contrast to performing laser suture lysis; there is no need for a laser, suture visibility under the conjunctiva is irrelevant, and no contact lens is required., Conclusions: The use of releasable scleral flap sutures in guarded filtration surgery safely provides an effective and simple way of titrating intraocular pressure postoperatively. It allows the transition from a relatively low flow state to a higher rate of subconjunctival filtration to achieve a satisfactory long-term outcome of glaucoma surgery.

The authors describe a case of progressive optic neuropathy in a patient with congenital glaucoma who had routinely practiced the Sirsasana (headstand) yoga posture for several years. Ophthalmic examination included best-corrected visual acuity, anterior segment examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, ultrasound pachymetry for central corneal thickness, and intraocular pressure before, during, and after maintaining the Sirsasana posture for 5 minutes. Intraocular pressure increased significantly during the Sirsasana posture. Transient elevation in intraocular pressure during yoga exercises may lead to progressive glaucomatous optic neuropathy, especially in susceptible patients with congenital glaucoma.

Purpose: To get an idea of whether the issue of what makes people healthier is studied in ophthalmology by determining the proportion of articles dealing with that subject., Methods: Prospective review of all articles published in 3 consecutive issues of 7 peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals, using a grading system in which A signified an article that clearly dealt with a subject expected to have an impact on health or quality of life, or that considered health or quality of life itself directly; B indicated an article similar to A, but not directly concerned with the issue of health; C signified an article similar to B but more distantly related to health or quality of life; and D was the grade given when there was no relationship at all to health or quality of life. Grading was done independently by 3 graders. A literature review on the subject was also performed., Results: Thirty-three articles received a grade of A, 229 of B, 740 of C, and 81 of D. There were more articles that had no relationship at all to health or quality of life than there were articles dealing directly with those issues., Conclusions: On the basis of a review of the literature and of over 1000 articles, ophthalmologists do not appear to give much priority to issues of quality of life or health. How validly these conclusions can be generalized to general clinicians is not known.