Cerebral release of gastric acid inhibitor.

1. Gastric juice collected during electro-anesthesia and limbic system stimulation in monkeys contains a substance which, when injected into other monkeys, produces reduction in basal gastric acid secretion. 2. Cross-circulation experiments indicate that a factor producing reduction in acid secretion is also present in blood during electroanesthesia.     

Toxicity of antibiotic combinations for vitrectomy infusion fluid

We have found that gentamicin 8 microgram/ml in various combinations with methicillin 25 microgram/ml, oxacillin 10 microgram/ml, clindamycin 10 microgram/ml and penicillin 80 microgram/ml to be nontoxic to the retina when used in vitreous replacement fluid.     

Epidemiologic survey of accidental dentofacial injuries among U.S. Army personnel

This epidemiologic study of accidental dentofacial injuries to U.S. Army personnel was conducted to determine the frequency and distribution patterns of accidental dentofacial injuries to soldiers. Administratively, it was anticipated that this data would permit identification of high-risk groups and would suggest feasible preventive measures. This 9-month study was conducted on 16 Army posts with a combined population at risk of 210,500 soldiers; a standardized data collection form was completed by the dental corps officer treating the injury case and then was mailed to a central collection site for analysis. The data from this dentofacial injury study clearly reveal that differential risks exist for various military subpopulations. While the overall U.S. Army accidental dentofacial injury rate was 37.7 cases/10,000/year, this rate varied greatly for specific subgroups with high-risk factors including young males, lower enlisted ranks, recent recruits, and combat training posts. The primary specific causes of these injuries were fistfights (nearly 30%), sports (over 20%), and vehicles (about 15%).     

Risk factors for neonatal mortality in rural areas of Bangladesh served by a large NGO programme

Neonatal deaths account for about half of all deaths among children under 5 years of age in Bangladesh, making prevention a major priority. This paper reports on a study of neonatal deaths in 12 areas of Bangladesh served by a large NGO programme, which had high coverage of reproductive health outreach services and relatively low neonatal mortality in recent years. The study aimed to identify the main factors associated with neonatal mortality in these areas, with a view to developing appropriate strategies for prevention. A case-control design was adopted for collection of data from mothers whose children, born alive in 2003, died within 28 days postpartum (142 cases), or did not (617 controls). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated as estimates of relative risk for neonatal death, using 'neighbourhood' controls (241) and 'non-neighbourhood' controls (376). A similar proportion of case and control mothers had received NGO health education and maternal health services. The main risk factors for neonatal death among 122 singleton babies, based on the two sets of controls, were: complications during delivery [AOR, 2.6 (95% CI: 1.5-4.5) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.8-5.3)], prematurity [AOR, 7.2 (95% CI: 3.6-14.4) and 8.3 (95% CI: 4.2-16.5)], care for a sick neonate from an unlicensed 'traditional healer' [AOR, 2.9 (95% CI 0.9-9.5 and 5.9 (95% CI: 1.3-26.3)], or care not sought at all [AOR, 23.3 (95% CI: 3.9-137.4)]. The strongest predictor of neonatal death was having a previous sibling not vaccinated against measles [AOR, 5.9 (95% CI: 2.2-15.5) and 12.0 (95% CI: 4.5-31.7)]. The findings of this study indicate the need for identification of babies at high risk and early postpartum interventions (40.2% of the deaths occurred within 24 hours of delivery). Relevant strategies include special counselling during pregnancy for mothers with risk characteristics, training birth attendants in resuscitation, immediate postnatal check-up in the home for high-risk babies identified at delivery, advice for mothers on appropriate care-seeking for sick babies, improving the capacity of sub-district hospitals for emergency obstetric and newborn care, and promotion of institutional deliveries.     

Optic nerve sheath meningioma: visual improvement during radiation treatment

PURPOSE: To describe four patients with optic nerve sheath meningioma in whom visual improvement began to occur even before completion of a standard course of radiation therapy. DESIGN: Retrospective case review. METHODS: A review was conducted of 35 patients who received stereotactic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for optic nerve sheath meningioma from 1990 to 2005. RESULTS: Four patients with radiographic confirmation of optic nerve sheath meningioma were identified who had neuro-ophthalmologic assessment, which included perimetry, either while radiation treatment was underway or immediately afterwards. All of the patients showed improvement in visual acuity and visual fields. CONCLUSION: A rapid response to radiation therapy may occur in some patients with optic nerve sheath meningioma. In such patients, it may be possible to customize the radiation dose by assessing of visual function during the course of therapy.