Effects of intraoperative steroid injection on the outcome of pterygium surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of intraoperative triamcinolone injection on the outcome of pterygium surgery. METHODS: This prospective study included 54 eyes with primary nasal pterygia that underwent pterygium surgery with a bare-sclera technique and intraoperative mitomycin C application. Patients were randomized into two groups; the steroid group that received subconjunctival injection of 12 mg triamcinolone acetonide at the end of surgery, and the control group that did not receive such steroid injection. Main outcome measures included presence of conjunctival inflammation at 1 month postoperatively as well as recurrence of pterygium. RESULTS: Twelve-month follow-up was completed in 48 eyes (23 in the steroid group and 25 in the control group). At 1 month postoperatively, different grades of conjunctival inflammation were present in 11 (47.8%) of the steroid group and in 14 (56%) of the control group (P=0.39). For eyes with moderate or severe postoperative inflammation, subconjunctival triamcinolone was injected; these included 6 (26.1%) and 9 (36%) in the steroid and control groups, respectively (P=0.54). During follow-up, surgical area showed fine episcleral vessels without fibrous tissue in 1 (4.3%) of the steroid group and 3 (12.0%) of the control group (P=0.33), which all regressed after triamcinolone injection. Conjunctival recurrence of pterygium was seen in 2 (8.7%) of the steroid group and in 1 (4.0%) of the control group (P=0.47). No eye developed corneal recurrence in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In pterygium surgery with a bare-sclera technique and mitomycin C application, intraoperative triamcinolone injection did not significantly reduce postoperative conjunctival inflammation or pterygium recurrence.

Supplementary feeding in programmes in developing countries: lessons of the eighties.

This extensive report reviews the important lessons learned during the 1980s on supplementary food distribution for the vulnerable groups in developing countries. These lessons may be useful in making such programs a more cost-effective option in narrowing the food/nutrient gap in intake among the program beneficiaries. This report follows a similar report published at the end of the 1970s by the author and George Beaton for UNICEF. The primary focus in the study has been the food distribution among young children, particularly school children, and also in pregnant and lactating women. The data have been gathered through a comprehensive search of the literature, official reports and documents from several United Nations agencies, aid agencies, national and international institutions. As well as original research papers on theoretical and applied issues, reports on design and evaluation of specific programs in over 20 countries are studied. Consideration of programme design examines objectives, nutrient/food gap, poverty reduction, malnutrition, mother and child feeding practices, foods, ration sizes, leakages, targeting, coverage, integration of feeding and health care. Potential and measured benefits are considered in the light of the reports published at the end of the 1970s and consequent analysis of work up until the end of the 1980s. Programme costs are documented. In a discussion on context and input, the functional significance of mild and moderate malnutrition is considered, together with diet and physical activity. The author offers some thoughts on future directions and highlights the need for further research.

Supplementary feeding in programmes in developing countries: lessons of the eighties.

This extensive report reviews the important lessons learned during the 1980s on supplementary food distribution for the vulnerable groups in developing countries. These lessons may be useful in making such programmes a more cost-effective option in narrowing the food/nutrient gap in intake among the programme beneficiaries. This report follows a similar report published at the end of the 1970s by the author and George Beaton for UNICEF. The primary focus in the study has been the food distribution among young children, particularly schoolchildren, and also in pregnant and lactating women. The data have been gathered through a comprehensive search of the literature, official reports and documents from several United Nations agencies, aid agencies, national and international institutions. As well as original research papers on theoretical and applied issues, reports on design and evaluation of specific programmes in over 20 countries are studied. Consideration of programme design examines objectives, nutrient/food gap, poverty reduction, malnutrition, mother and child feeding practices, foods, ration sizes, leakages, targeting, coverage, integration of feeding and health care. Potential and measured benefits are considered in the light of the reports published at the end of the 1970s and consequent analysis of work up until the end of the 1980s. Programme costs are documented. In a discussion on context and input, the functional significance of mild and moderate malnutrition is considered, together with diet and physical activity. The author offers some thoughts on future directions and high-lights the need for further research.

Childhood lymphoma in southern Iran.

A study of 81 childhood lymphomas diagnosed in the Department of Pathology of Pahlavi University Medical Center, Shiraz, Iran, encompassing all histologically diagnosed childhood lymphomas from the Fars Province, Southern Iran over a 14-year period (1963--1976) revealed a 3:1 male predominance and a 1:4 frequency compared to adult lymphomas. Peripheral lymphadenopathy at the initial physical examination was almost twice as common as deep node involvement. Comparison of cumulative and age-standardized (to world population) incidence rates with those of selected Tumor Registries in various continents revealed a higher rate in our region of both non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's lymphoma relative to some of the Western countries. Our incidence rates were in general intermediate between Western populations on one hand and some South America, African and Asian populations on the other. Hodgkin's disease accounted for 64% (males) and 88% (females) of lymphomas and mixed cellularity was the commonest histologic subtype. Histologically almost all non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were diffuse at the time of diagnosis.

Colorectal polyps and carcinoma in Southern Iran.

A study was made of the prevalence of colorectal polyps (excluding juvenile polyps, familial polyposis coli and villous adenomas) and the minimum frequency of colorectal carcinoma in Southern Iran. A total of 801 large intestines from necropsies performed on individuals 20 years or older was examined with or without magnifying lens for presence of polyps. Our prevalence rate was then compared with those reported on postmortem material from the USA, Australia, South Africa (Bantus), Colombia, and Hawaii (Japanese immigrants). Our surgical pathology files were reviewed for colorectal polyps over a 22-year period (1952-1973). Colorectal carcinomas diagnosed in the Department of Pathology were reviewed over 11 years (1963-1973) and the minimum frequency rates compared with corresponding age- and sex-specific incidence rates from Connecticut, USA. The data indicate 1) a very low prevalence rate for colorectal polyps as well as carcinoma in our region and 2) a rather striking predominance of right-sided colonic carcinoma.