A comparison of Nd:YAG laser damage thresholds for PMMA and silicone intraocular lenses

Power density producing damage at a probability of 0.5 (ie, damage threshold, DT-50) was determined for PMMA (with/without UV absorber) and Silicone intraocular lenses. Scattered light from a collinear diagnostic He:Ne beam was one of four damage monitors deployed to enhance the sensitivity of the system. In order of increasing laser resistance the following results were obtained: injection molded PMMA (1.9/GW/cm2) Silicone (2.63 GW/cm2) Lathe-cut PMMA (4.47 GW/cm2), Lathe-cut PMMA with UV absorber (8.32 GW/cm2), Cast-molded PMMA (12.30 GW/cm2). An analysis of variance revealed interclass differences significant at the .01 level. Cast-molded PMMA was the most laser-resistant IOL material.     

Dry skin in dermatology: a complex physiopathology

Dry skin (xerosis) is a common dermatosis affecting people of varying skin types and ages and various areas of the body. It is associated with both skin thickening and skin thinning and is triggered by both exogenous (e.g. climate, environment, lifestyle) and endogenous (e.g. medication, hormone fluctuations, organ diseases) factors. Skin requires a water content of 10–15% to remain supple and intact. This water is either ‘static’ (i.e. bound) or ‘dynamic’. The predominance of hydrophobic substances in intercellular constituents is a means of regulating the humidity of the skin. Emollients, highly effective treatment adjuncts in the management of all dry skin disorders, help to restore damaged intercorneocyte lipid structures and increase the water content of the skin, helping to reduce scaling and improving its barrier function.     

Detection of glaucomatous damage using multifocal ERG

The first‐order kernel analysis in multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) using low contrast stimulation is suggested as a way to detect the inner retinal responses in animal studies. In this case report, this protocol is applied to human patients with glaucoma to demonstrate the possibility of using mfERG as a tool to detect glaucomatous damage. Two patients with glaucoma were recruited and had mfERG measurements with the 103‐scaled hexagonal stimulus pattern at low (50 per cent) contrast. Their responses were analysed and compared with those from normal subjects with the mfERG measured under the same condition. In the normal subjects, there were obvious oscillatory components on the ascending and descending limbs of the first‐order kernel response to 50 per cent contrast. In the glaucomatous patients, the oscillatory component on the descending limb was obviously diminished. In addition, this component was significantly diminished in the quadrant with a glaucomatous visual field defect. This suggests that the low‐contrast stimulation condition in mERG measurement may provide a good way to detect glaucomatous damage and this may help in clinical diagnosis of glaucoma.     

Breast pump adverse events: reports to the food and drug administration.

Breast pumps are medical devices used to express milk and maintain the milk supply. The purpose of this study was to characterize adverse events reported to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on breast pumps. Thirty-seven adverse event reports on breast pumps were identified from the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database between 1992 and 2003. Four additional reports were found in the Device Experience Network database from 1992 to 1996. The most commonly reported adverse events for electric breast pumps were pain, soreness, or discomfort; the need for medical intervention; and breast tissue damage. Most frequently reported problems for manual breast pumps were breast tissue damage and infection. Contamination of breast milk during pumping was also reported. Breast pump adverse events are likely underreported to the FDA. Reporting adverse events is important for improving the design and manufacture of breast pumps and subsequently decreasing adverse events.     

'THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS YET THERE IS METHOD IN'T'1

ABSTRACT Freud's paper on the Schreber Case is considered from a contemporary perspective drawing on the object relations theorists. Some of Winnicott's ideas are used to illustrate how one might understand Schreber's predicament today. Although Freud's views on the role of repressed homosexual longings in the aetiology of Schreber's illness are not endorsed his prescience in the search for meaning in the patient's discourse is applauded.