Digital artery diameters: an anatomic and clinical study.

This study measured the diameter of the arteries at the level of the diaphysis of the proximal phalanges of the index, long, ring, and small fingers. We measured the diameter of the vessel on ten normal arteriograms and on six amputated specimens. The larger vessel was usually on the ulnar border of the index and long fingers and on the radial border of the ring and small fingers. By the Hagen-Poiseuille equation, we assume that the larger vessel has the greater flow and, therefore, represents the dominant vessel to the digit. This observation may have clinical relevance in the reimplantation and revascularization of digits.

Persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen in the bedbug Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.).

The fate of hepatitis B virus in the bedbug was investigated to assess this insect's potential as a vector. Colony-reared Cimex hemipterus (Fabr.) were fed once on blood positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The insects were sampled at intervals thereafter and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBsAg persisted for up to six weeks in the bedbug's body after a single HBsAg-positive meal, during which time several further HBsAg-negative blood meals were taken. This result explains the high rates of field infection in bedbugs and further supports the hypothesis that bedbugs may play a role in transmission of hepatitis B virus.