Rate of flow of aqueous humor determined from measurements of aqueous flare

Measurement of light scattered in the anterior chamber can provide important clinical information about the eye. In this study, a scanning ocular spectrofluorophotometer was used to measure scattering in the anterior chamber. Pathologic scattering (flare) was induced by argon laser photocoagulation of the iris in pigmented rabbits. The spectrally corrected intensity of the flare in inflamed eyes decreased as the inverse 2.2 power of the wavelength of the illuminating beam. The strongest signal with this instrument was measured at 470 nm. Diurnal variation of normal and spontaneous scatter from the aqueous humor was measured in nine pigmented rabbits entrained to a 12-hr light/12-hr dark cycle and in eight human subjects. A technique is described for determining the rate of flow of aqueous humor from scattered light when the transfer rate of scattering substance into the anterior chamber is constant. This technique was used to study changes in flow over the diurnal cycle. The rate of flow in human subjects during sleep was 60% of the rate during waking hours. In rabbits, the rate was lowest (44% of maximum) during the 6 hr after the lights were turned on, and were greatest just before the lights were turned on. These findings confirm previous studies of the circadian rhythm of aqueous humor flow in rabbits and humans.     

Morbidity among employees engaged in the manufacture or formulation of chlorpyrifos.

The prevalence of selected illnesses and symptoms during 1977-85 was compared between 175 employees potentially exposed to the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos and 335 matched controls with no history of exposure to organophosphates. Subjects were subdivided into three exposure intensity groups on the basis of job title and air monitoring data for dose response testing. This classification scheme was shown roughly to correlate with plasma cholinesterase inhibition in the workers. No statistically significant differences in illness or prevalence of symptoms were observed between the exposed and unexposed groups or among the three exposure subgroups. Potentially exposed employees did report symptoms of dizziness and of malaise and fatigue relatively more often than subjects from the comparison group; however, further analyses by exposure level, process area, or time did not support a relation with exposure. No cases of peripheral neuropathy were seen among the exposed workers. Although the sample size was small and the statistical power limited, the cumulative exposures likely to have been experienced by this workforce exceed those to be expected for individuals using the product as recommended. The absence of exposure related adverse effects, including neurological impairment, is reassuring.     

Synchronous colonic adenocarcinoma and extragenital malignant mixed mesodermal tumour

A synchronous occurrence of large bowel adenocarcinoma and extragenital malignant mixed mesodermal tumour (MMMT) is reported. This case represents the sixth extragenital MMMT reported in the literature.     

Treatment selection for anterior endodontically involved teeth.

Innovations in material science and clinical techniques have expanded the number of treatment options available for nonvital anterior teeth. These options include the use of composite to fill the access opening with no additional treatment, crown placement, orthodontic extrusion, crown lengthening with or without orthodontic extrusion, dowel restorations with crown placement, and fixed bridge or implant therapy when extraction is necessary. Clinicians need to understand the benefits and limitations of each option in order to provide their patients with optimum function and aesthetics. Using case presentations, this article describes predictable approaches for the diagnosis, treatment planning, and restoration or replacement of endodontically treated teeth in the anterior region.     

Analysis of radionuclide arthrograms, radiographic arthrograms, and sequential plain radiographs in the assessment of painful hip arthroplasty

An analysis of sequential plain radiographs (XR), radionuclide arthrography, (RNA), and radiographic arthrography (RGA) was performed to determine the efficacy and usefulness of each study in the diagnosis of loosening of prosthetic hip components. Over a 2-year-period, 65 hip prostheses were assessed before operation using each type of study; these results were compared to the intraoperative assessment of the status of the components. Of the three studies, sequential plain radiographs were overall the most accurate, sensitive, and specific. Radionuclide arthrography was of no use on the acetabular side but quite useful on the femoral side, especially in cases with only minimal femoral component loosening. Radiographic arthrography was overall the least accurate or sensitive of the three studies performed.