A comparison of cyst age and assay method of the efficacy of contact lens disinfectants against Acanthamoeba.

AIMS: (i) To determine effect of Acanthamoeba cyst age, method of production, and (ii) to assay technique on the efficacy of multipurpose solutions (MPS) and hydrogen peroxide based contact lens disinfectants. (iii) To establish if MPS can remove mature cysts from contact lenses according to the ISO/DIS 14729 regimen test for microbe removal. METHODS: Immature and mature cysts of A polyphaga were tested against the MPS Opti-Free express and the hydrogen peroxide based solutions Oxysept 1Step and Oxysept 1 using two assay methods. Simulated patient regimen testing was performed with the Opti-Free express and Complete using mature cysts inoculated on to group I or group IV lenses. RESULTS: Immature cysts were sensitive to disinfection by all solutions. No killing was observed with mature cysts with Opti-Free express, while immature cysts yielded a 1-2 log reduction in viability. Oxysept 1Step gave a 1.1 (SD 0.3) log reduction in mature cysts after 6 hours. Oxysept 1 gave a 2.4 (0.3) log reduction in mature cysts after 4 hours and a 3.8 (0.5) log reduction after 6 hours. Patient regimen testing using Opti-Free express and Complete resulted in no recovery of viable mature cysts from the contact lenses or from the soaking solutions. CONCLUSION: Cyst age but not method of production used in this study influences the efficacy of contact lens disinfectants against Acanthamoeba. MPS are effective in removing cysts from contact lens surfaces and may have a role in the prevention of acanthamoeba keratitis.

Galileo's First Images of Jupiter and the Galilean Satellites

The first images of Jupiter, Io, Europa, and Ganymede from the Galileo spacecraft reveal new information about Jupiter's Great Red Spot (GRS) and the surfaces of the Galilean satellites. Features similar to clusters of thunderstorms were found in the GRS. Nearby wave structures suggest that the GRS may be a shallow atmospheric feature. Changes in surface color and plume distribution indicate differences in resurfacing processes near hot spots on Io. Patchy emissions were seen while Io was in eclipse by Jupiter. The outer margins of prominent linear markings (triple bands) on Europa are diffuse, suggesting that material has been vented from fractures. Numerous small circular craters indicate localized areas of relatively old surface. Pervasive brittle deformation of an ice layer appears to have formed grooves on Ganymede. Dark terrain unexpectedly shows distinctive albedo variations to the limit of resolution.

First images of asteroid 243 ida.

The first images of the asteroid 243 Ida from Galileo show an irregular object measuring 56-kilometers by 24 kilometers by 21 kilometers. Its surface is rich in geologic features, including systems of grooves, blocks, chutes, albedo features, crater chains, and a full range of crater morphologies. The largest blocks may be distributed nonuniformly across the surface; lineaments and dark-floored craters also have preferential locations. Ida is interpreted to have a substantial regolith. The high crater density and size-frequency distribution (-3 differential power-law index) indicate a surface in equilibrium with saturated cratering. A minimum model crater age for Ida-and therefore for the Koronis family to which Ida belongs-is estimated at 1 billion years, older than expected.

Galileo multispectral imaging of the north polar and eastern limb regions of the moon.

Multispectral images obtained during the Galileo probe's second encounter with the moon reveal the compositional nature of the north polar regions and the northeastern limb. Mare deposits in these regions are found to be primarily low to medium titanium lavas and, as on the western limb, show only slight spectral heterogeneity. The northern light plains are found to have the spectral characteristics of highlands materials, show little evidence for the presence of cryptomaria, and were most likely emplaced by impact processes regardless of their age.

[Value of standard radiographies in the diagnosis of rotator cuff rupture]. / Valeur des radiographies standards pour le diagnostic de rupture de la coiffe des rotateurs de l'épaule.

To assess the value of the Leclercq maneuver (anteroposterior roentgenogram of the shoulder during resisted active abduction) for the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear, the medical records of 93 patients evaluated by glenohumeral arthrography, standard radiographs, and radiographs taken using the Leclercq maneuver were retrospectively reviewed. The comparison of patients with (n = 53) and without (n = 40) arthrographic evidence of rotator cuff tear demonstrated statistically significant differences for mean acromiohumeral space difference between the normal and affected shoulders, for the acromiohumeral space difference between the standard film and Leclercq maneuver film, and for presence of an inferior glenohumeral diastasis on the Leclercq maneuver film. An acromiohumeral space of 7 mm or less on standard radiographs proved a specific (0.975) but insensitive (0.24) sign of rotator cuff tear. This parameter measured on the Leclercq maneuver film exhibited better sensitivity (0.62) and excellent specificity. Other criteria with good specificity for rotator cuff tear included an acromiohumeral space difference between the normal and abnormal side of 2 mm or more (0.97), an acromiohumeral space difference between standard and Leclercq maneuver films of at least 4 mm, and existence of an inferior glenohumeral diastasis; however, sensitivities of these three parameters were poor (respectively 0.65; 0.20; and 0.19).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[N2O-supplemented intravenous anesthesia versus inhalation anesthesia. A comparative study of the sympathoadrenergic reaction and postoperative vigilance]. / N2O-supplementierte, intravenöse Anästhesie versus Inhalationsanästhesie. Vergleichende Untersuchung der sympathoadrenergen Reaktion und der postoperativen Vigilanz.

The aim of the present study was a comparison of the intraoperative sympathoadrenergic response and the postoperative vigilance of a propofol/alfentanil anaesthesia to a conventional isoflurane anaesthesia. 25 patients were admitted to the study undergoing septorhino surgery. Patients with continuous intravenous anaesthesia with propofol/alfentanil combined with nitrous oxide showed better haemodynamic conditions without an increase of blood pressure and catecholamines under laryngoscopy, intubation and surgical stimulation. In contrast to that the patients with isoflurane anesthesia showed a significant increase in haemodynamic parameters and capillary bloodflow. The measured plasma adrenalin levels showed wide intraindividual fluctuation but no significant difference between the groups. The suppression of plasma noradrenaline was more pronounced under intravenous anaesthesia. Recovery was significantly faster and vigilance significantly better in the patients undergoing intravenous anaesthesia. After 30 min patients with i.v. anaesthesia fulfilled all the conditions to be transferred to the regular ward; the other group needed more than one hour. It can be concluded that continuous i.v. anaesthesia with propofol/alfentanil is superior in suppressing the stress response to invasive stimuli and provides faster recovery and better postoperative analgesia.

[Long-term results of chymopapain chemonucleolysis]. / Résultats a long terme de la chimionucléolyse à la papaïne.

Results of chemonucleolysis were evaluated (on the basis of residual pain, occupational activities, physical activities, and use of analgesics) in 125 of 162 consecutive patients with lower back pain and sciatica associated with documented vertebral disc protrusion who were managed and followed up for at least five years. Results were satisfactory in 62% of patients. Among 82 patients evaluated during a follow-up visit, 30% were free of symptoms, 38% had lower back pain, and 30% had radicular pain; however, among symptomatic patients, 67% had no limitations of activities of daily living. Results were significantly less favorable in power drill workers and in patients who had chemonucleolysis at the L4-L5 level. These data are evidence that chemonucleolysis provides good long-term results.

Galileo encounter with 951 gaspra: first pictures of an asteroid.

Galileo images of Gaspra reveal it to be an irregularly shaped object (19 by 12 by 11 kilometers) that appears to have been created by a catastrophic collisional disruption of a precursor parent body. The cratering age of the surface is about 200 million years. Subtle albedo and color variations appear to correlate with morphological features: Brighter materials are associated with craters especially along the crests of ridges, have a stronger 1-micrometer absorption, and may represent freshly excavated mafic materials; darker materials exhibiting a significantly weaker 1-micrometer absorption appear concentrated in interridge areas. One explanation of these patterns is that Gaspra is covered with a thin regolith and that some of this material has migrated downslope in some areas.

[Prophylactic administration of glucocorticoids prior to microlaryngoscopies?]. / Prophylaktische Glukokortikoidgabe vor Mikrolaryngoskopien?

Intravenous glucocorticoids before direct laryngoscopy? The necessity of a preventive injection of corticoids before direct laryngoscopy was determined in a prospective, double blind study. 51 patients, who underwent direct laryngoscopy under general anaesthesia, received either 250 mg methylprednisolone in 10 ml NaCl 0.9% (corticoid group) or 10 ml NaCl (NaCl group) intravenously one hour before laryngoscopy. Oedema formation and the degree of inflammation in the pharynx and hypopharynx were examined on the day prior to surgery and three to four hours postoperatively. Complications of the airways were noted in the immediate postoperative phase and at the time of the second examination. Direct laryngoscopy did not induce any significant change in oedema formation or degree of inflammation in both groups. However, there was a correlation between the duration of surgery and the degree of increase in oedema and inflammation in the NaCl group but not in the corticoid group. No difference between the groups was noted with regard to postoperative complications of the airways. Based on the present study, routine application of corticoids to prevent oedema after direct laryngoscopy cannot be recommended.

[The effective antibacterial spectrum of sulfacetamide]. / Zum antibakteriellen Wirkungsspektrum von Sulfacetamid.

Swabs of the anterior eye segment of 180 eyes (145 patients) taken in the time period between August 1, 1989 until August 30, 1989 were sent to an external, independent microbiological institute in order to verify in-vitro antibacterial properties of marketed sulfacetamide containing drugs. MIC test was performed with isolated pathogenic bacterial strains without knowledge of the underlying diagnosis. It was shown that sulfacetamide is able to inhibit the growth of all isolated strains. Depending on the type of bacteria concentrations of 0.006 up to 6.4% sodium sulfacetamide proved to be effective. Simultaneously, all patients were treated with sulfacetamide containing ointment and/or eye drops 4 times daily for maximum of 14 days. With swabs taken at intervals of 7 and 14 days no bacterial growth was detected.

[Effect of preventive glucocorticoid administration on edema formation and inflammation susceptibility after microlaryngoscopy]. / Einfluss einer prophylaktischen Glukokortikoidgabe auf die Odembildung und Entzündungsneigung nach Mikrolaryngoskopie.

51 patients, who underwent direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia, received either 250 mg Methyprednisolone or 10 ml NaCl 0.9% intraveneously in a prospective, double blind study. 4-5 hours after microlaryngoscopy they were examined in regard to edema and size of redness of certain anatomical structures of the larynx and hypopharynx. Findings were compared to the results which had been found on the eve of the operation. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, in the NaCl-Group there was a direct correlation between the edema formation and inflammatory reaction on one hand and the duration of surgery on the other hand. Routine prescription of Cortisone before mikrolaryngoscopy is not necessary, but is recommended, when the operation is expected to take a long time, around more than 30 min.

Lunar impact basins and crustal heterogeneity: new Western limb and far side data from galileo.

Multispectral images of the lunar western limb and far side obtained from Galileo reveal the compositional nature of several prominent lunar features and provide new information on lunar evolution. The data reveal that the ejecta from the Orientale impact basin (900 kilometers in diameter) lying outside the Cordillera Mountains was excavated from the crust, not the mantle, and covers pre-Orientale terrain that consisted of both highland materials and relatively large expanses of ancient mare basalts. The inside of the far side South Pole-Aitken basin (>2000 kilometers in diameter) has low albedo, red color, and a relatively high abundance of iron- and magnesium-rich materials. These features suggest that the impact may have penetrated into the deep crust or lunar mantle or that the basin contains ancient mare basalts that were later covered by highlands ejecta.

Images from galileo of the venus cloud deck.

Images of Venus taken at 418 (violet) and 986 [near-infrared (NIR)] nanometers show that the morphology and motions of large-scale features change with depth in the cloud deck. Poleward meridional velocities, seen in both spectral regions, are much reduced in the NIR In the south polar region the markings in the two wavelength bands are strongly anticorrelated. The images follow the changing state of the upper cloud layer downwind of the subsolar point, and the zonal flow field shows a longitudinal periodicity that may be coupled to the formation of large-scale planetary waves. No optical lightning was detected.

[Effect of nifedipine and urapidil on autoregulation of cerebral circulation in the presence of an intracranial space occupying lesion]. / Der Einfluss von Nifedipin und Urapidil auf die Autoregulation der zerebralen Durchblutung in Gegenwart einer intrakraniellen Raumforderung.

We investigated in dogs with an intracranial space occupying lesion the effects of the antihypertentive agents nifedipine and urapidile on intracranial pressure (ICP) and intracerebral autoregulation. During the application of nifedipine the ICP rose significantly whereas urapidile had no influence on the ICP. By continuous angiotensin infusion the mean arterial pressure was raised by 50% by which a simultaneous increase of the ICP could be seen in the nifedipine group, whereas the urapidile group remained unaffected.

[Characteristics of the relative humidity and temperature in the inspiratory part of the Dräger circle system and their influence on the function of the ciliary epithelium]. / Das Verhalten von relativer Luftfeuchtigkeit und Temperatur im Inspirationsteil des Dräger-Kreissystems und deren Einfluss auf die Funktion des Flimmerepithels.

Changes in relative humidity and temperature of the anaesthetic gases were measured in the inspiratory limb of the Dräger circle system next to the carbon dioxide absorber in 29 patients requiring ENT surgery under general anaesthesia. Immediately following intubation and prior to extubation, nasal and tracheal cytologic samples were taken with a brush technique and ciliary beat frequency was determined. At a fresh gas flow of 6 l/min, relative humidity increased from 57.6 +/- 1.5 to 62.5 +/- 1.8% (p less than 0.05) after 110 minutes. Temperature increased continuously from 21.96 +/- 0.97 degrees C to 23.83 +/- 0.48 degrees C after 200 minutes. The number of vital ciliated cells in the tracheal samples decreased from 24.4% following induction of anaesthesia to 6% at the end of anaesthesia (p less than 0.05), and from 35.7% to 26.8% (p less than 0.05) in the nasal samples. Ciliary beat frequency remained unchanged at the end of anaesthesia as compared to control in tracheal as well as in nasal samples. It is concluded that the output of relative humidity and temperature in the circle system is not sufficient to prevent broncho-epithelial damage. Ciliary beat automaticity appears to behave according to an all or nothing principle.

[Reactions of the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract to intubation anesthesia]. / Die Reaktionen des Flimmerepithels des Respirationstraktes auf eine Intubationsnarkose.

During insufflation anaesthesia the ciliary beat frequency of the ciliated cells of the trachea and the nasal cavity was assessed via vital cytological sampling from these sites before and after anaesthesia. The percentage of vital and dead ciliated cells as well as the percentage of squamous cells was counted in a chamber.-It was found that the ciliary beat frequency did not change significantly, whereas the number of vital ciliated cells in the tracheal samples was significantly reduced and the vitality of the epithelia in the nose showed a minor change. It must be presumed that the observed noxious effects on the tracheal epithelium are due to inhaled gases, since the temperature and humidity in the ventilation circuit are within a range known not to violate the ciliary epithelium. Apart from that, the intubation itself might produce reflexes in the mucosal layer.