Practice of orthokeratology by a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong

Purpose: The aim of the study was to provide information about the characteristics of three main types of orthokeratology (ortho‐k) lenses used in Hong Kong and to report on their performance based on the clinical impressions of a group of ortho‐k practitioners. Method: Twelve ortho‐k practitioners were interviewed between 1 March and 30 June 2001. Results: Most ortho‐k lenses were ordered from three manufacturers: DreimLens, Fargo and Contex. The median maximum myopia reduction reported for DreimLens, Contex and Fargo lenses were 6.25 D, 6.00 D and 4.50 D respectively. The time to reduce myopia by up to 4.00 D could be up to three weeks for Contex and DreimLens and up to four weeks for Fargo. For reduction of myopia by up to 4.00 D, the treatment usually required only one or two lenses per eye for all three types of lenses. The incidence of lens binding and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction was reported to be higher with the DreimLens design. Good centration, less lens binding, relatively lower incidence of complications and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction were reported with the Fargo lenses. Conclusions: DreimLens tended to be more effective for myopia reduction. However, some practitioners were concerned with the aggressiveness of myopia reduction using this lens design and the higher potential for ocular complications. Selection of the lens design is dependent on various factors, in particular, practitioners need to be comfortable with the design they choose and to consider the needs of their patients and the final goal of the treatment.     

Association of low caregiver health literacy with reported use of nonstandardized dosing instruments and lack of knowledge of weight-based dosing.

OBJECTIVE: Caregivers of young children frequently measure doses of liquid medications incorrectly. Use of nonstandardized dosing instruments and lack of knowledge that dosing is weight-based contribute to dosing errors. We sought to assess whether low caregiver health literacy was associated with these outcomes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of caregivers presenting to an urban pediatric emergency room. Dependent variables were caregiver reported use of nonstandardized dosing tools and knowledge of weight-based dosing. The independent variable was caregiver health literacy (Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults [TOFHLA]). RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-two caregivers were assessed: 23.3% reported use of nonstandardized liquid dosing instruments, and 67.8% were unaware of weight-based dosing. Caregivers who were unaware of weight-based dosing were more likely to use nonstandardized dosing tools (28.3% vs 12.8%; P = .003). In unadjusted analyses, overall health literacy, reading comprehension, and numeracy were all associated with both dependent variables. In analyses adjusting for child age, health care experiences, and caregiver acculturation and education, inadequate/marginal overall health literacy was associated with lack of knowledge of weight-based dosing (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.3; P = .03), whereas lower reading comprehension was associated with both lack of knowledge (AOR 2.0; P = .03) and reported use of nonstandardized instrument (AOR 2.4; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Low health literacy, in particular reading comprehension, was associated with reported use of nonstandardized dosing instruments and lack of knowledge regarding weight-based dosing. Both caregiver health literacy and sociodemographic factors should be considered in the design of interventions to prevent medication administration errors.     

In vitro evaluation of ablation parameters of normal and fibrous aorta using smooth excimer laser coronary angioplasty

A modified exeimer laser energy delivery system was used to irradiate 100 segments of normal and fibrous aorta in vitro. The laser beam was scanned into 8 fiber bundles consisting of 50 fibers each resulting in a reduction of the applied pulse energy. The total repetition rate was increased to 150 Hz in order to keep the repetition rate per fiber bundle close to 20 Hz and to minimize thermal injury. The results demonstrate that effective ablation (etch rate per 8 pulses > 2.0 μm) occurred at an energy fluency of 50 mJ/mm² in both normal and fibrous aorta. Tissue damage (carbonization, tissue separation, fissures, cracks, and vacuolization) was in a range of 100 ± 28 to 152 ± 30 μm for normal aorta and in a range of 57 ± 35 to 110 ± 39 μm for fibrous aorta. We conclude that effective ablation of normal and fibrous human aorta can be achieved by the application of smooth excimer laser coronary angioplasty. This improvement of excimer laser technology may result in a reduction of shock wave- and cavitation-induced damage leading to a reduction of tissue injury. However, this awaits further in vitro and in vivo confirmation. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Osgood-Schlatter lesion: fracture or tendinitis? Scintigraphic, CT, and MR imaging features.

To determine whether the Osgood-Schlatter lesion (OS) is produced by avulsion fracture or injury to the patellar tendon, all images obtained in 28 cases of OS in 20 patients (16 scintigrams, 34 computed tomographic [CT] scans, and 27 magnetic resonance [MR] images) were retrospectively analyzed. In 21 cases, imaging was performed before and after treatment; in 20 cases, relief from pain was complete at the time of repeat examination. In all patients (100%), abnormal size of the tendon, decreased attenuation, and increase in signal intensity were compatible with the CT and MR imaging appearance of tendinitis. Distended deep infrapatellar bursa was a frequent finding, particularly on MR studies. These abnormalities had partially disappeared at follow-up examination. An ossicle was seen in only nine of 28 cases (32%); in three of seven cases with follow-up, the ossicle remained nonunited to the tibial tuberosity on follow-up studies despite relief from symptoms. This implies that healing of fracture is not essential for relief from symptoms. These results strengthen the argument that in most cases of OS, insult to the tendon and associated soft tissues, rather than avulsion fracture, causes OS.     

肿瘤患者医院感染的分析与预防措施

目的了解肿瘤科医院感染特点,为临床减少肿瘤患者感染提供参考信息。方法以主动监测与系统回顾相结合的方法,对2005年全年入住肿瘤科2 679例患者的临床资料进行统计、分析、评定。结果2 679例肿瘤患者发生医院感染120例次,医院例次感染率为4.47%,其中感染1次者179例、2次者31例、≥3次者10例;以呼吸道感染占首位,其中上呼吸道38例、下呼吸道36例,其次为消化道10例、血液9例、手术切口感染8例、泌尿道6例和其他部位感染13例。结论提高机体免疫力、控制内源性感染,是预防与控制肿瘤患者感染的主要措施。     

Anatomic and spiral computed tomographic study of the genial tubercles for genioglossus advancement.

OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare Chinese mandibular genial tubercles measured anatomically and with computed tomography (CT). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Spiral CT scans were taken of 40 adult human skulls; the superior genial spines were measured using anatomic and CT methods. RESULTS: The height and width of the superior genial spines, mandible thickness, and distance from the menton to the inferior and superior margins of the superior genial spines were 5.82 +/- 0.71, 6.98 +/- 1.35, 11.95 +/- 1.59, 11.08 +/- 2.05, and 16.91 +/- 2.30 mm from anatomic measurements and 6.17 +/- 0.71, 7.01 +/- 1.13, 12.19 +/- 1.64, 10.41 +/- 1.55, and 15.73 +/- 2.12 mm using spiral CT, respectively. The anatomic and CT measurements were correlated. CONCLUSION: Spiral CT of the genial tubercles can help locate the osteotomy in genioglossus advancement. SIGNIFICANCE: This study acquired reference data on Chinese genial tubercles demonstrating that CT measurements of the genial tubercles reflect their anatomy, which should allow accurately locate the osteotomy.     

Excretion of 1,2,4-benzenetriol in the urine of workers exposed to benzene

Urine samples were collected from 152 workers (64 men, 88 women) who had been exposed to benzene, 53 workers (men only) exposed to a mixture of benzene and toluene, and 213 non-exposed controls (113 men, 100 women). The samples were analysed for 1,2,4-benzentriol (a minor metabolite of benzene) by high performance liquid chromatography. The time weighted average solvent exposure of each worker was monitored by diffusive sampling technique. The urinary concentration of 1,2,4-benzentriol related linearly to the intensity of exposure to benzene both in men and women among workers exposed to benzene, and was suppressed by toluene co-exposure among male workers exposed to a mixture of benzene and toluene. A cross sectional balance study in men at the end of the shift of a workday showed that only 0.47% of benzene absorbed will be excreted into urine as 1,2,4-benzenetriol, in close agreement with previous results in rabbits fed benzene. The concentration of 1,2,4-benzenetriol in urine was more closely related to the concentration of quinol than that of catechol. The fact that phenol and quinol, but not catechol, are precursors of 1,2,4-benzentriol in urine was further confirmed by the intraperitoneal injection of the three phenolic compounds to rats followed by urine analysis for 1,2,4-benzenetriol.     

α_2受体阻滞后肾上腺素诱导的心衰病人血小板的聚集功能

先前的研究表明血小板α_2受体变化表征交感神经突触前α_2受体的变化。为了解心衰病人血小板α_2受体功能状况,我们观察了10例Ⅲ、Ⅳ级心功能的心衰病人及10例配对正常人由肾上腺素诱导的血小板聚集率在α_2受体阻滞前后的变化。结果表明肾上腺素诱导的血小板聚集率在两组无显著性差异,但应用α_2阻滞剂Rauwolscine(0.25mg/L)后,0.25,0.5,1.0mg/L E诱导的心衰病人血小板聚集率显著低于对照组,提示血小板α_2受体在心衰时有数量的减少或(和)功能的降低,表征交感神经突触前NE释放的负反馈机制被抑制。