Sexuality and the deaf culture

There is a general lack of correct sexual information and understanding within the deaf culture. Likewise, in the literature, there is a paucity of information on sexuality in this culture. This paper attempts to explore this area by raising questions about psychosexual development of deaf people, describing their sexual behaviors and problems, and recommends training to develop skilled manpower to deal with problems as well as research to achieve a better understanding of sexuality in deafness.Dr. Robinson is the Associate Superintendent for Psychiatry at Saint Elizabeths Hospital; and Lecturer, Department of Psychology at Gallaudet College (The only liberal arts college in the world for deaf people) — both in Washington, D.C. The opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily those of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, nor of Gallaudet College.     

Lactic acidosis due to pyruvate carboxylase deficiency

Two unrelated Canadian Indian infants presented with metabolic acidosis. Lactate, pyruvate, glutamic acid, proline and alanine were greatly elevated in plasma. Urinary excretion of -ketoglutarate and pyruvate was increased. Pyruvate carboxylase activity was very low in skin fibroblasts and liver. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was low in liver. Both infants were unresponsive to several enzyme cofactors, including biotin. Both survive at age 2 years with severe mental retardation.     

APHAKIC KERATOPLASTY

This paper reports and analyses 53 keratoplasties carried out for either aphakic bullous keratopathy (ABK) 35 operations, or combined with cataract extraction (CGC) 18 operations. These operations were carried out on 43 patients. Some patients had keratoplasties on each eye and some eyes had more than one keratoplasty. Overall, 41 (77%) clear grafts were achieved, these being 28 (80%) in the ABK group and 13 (72%) in the CGC group. The ABK group was broken down into 3 groups on the basis of causative factors. In the Fuchs' dystrophy group, 90% clear grafts were achieved, in the complicated cataract group 67% clear grafts were achieved and in the multiple operations group 79% clear grafts were achieved. Two main conclusions were made. Firstly, in eyes with ABK where the pre-operative vision is accurate projection of light or better, a penetrating keratoplasty should be carried out as the first line of treatment. This will not only relieve distressing symptoms but yield a high percentage of clear grafts and improved vision. Secondly, in patients with both corneal disease and cataract contributing to decreased vision, a combined cataract and penetrating graft operation is advised because of the high percentage of success and decreased period of morbidity when the two operations are carried out simultaneously.