Microcratering within the lunar regolith--a theory and observation.

Since the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, there has been substantial analysis of the lunar rocks and soil grains, utilizing more recent advances in electron probe technologies. It is the objective of this research to revisit the theories concerning the microcratering within the lunar regolith. Recent theories have included the idea that the microcratering phenomenon was caused by meteoric impacting onto the lunar surface during early lunar history. Other theories have suggested that the microcratering was a result of secondary ejector associated with micrometeoric and meteoric impact. This research team suggests that microcratering may have been associated with primordial dust during and before the formation of our solar system.

Germination, growth rates, and electron microscope analysis of tomato seeds flown on the LDEF.

The purpose of the experiment was to determine cosmic rays long-term effects on living tissue. A batch of tomato seeds were flown in orbit aboard the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) for almost 6 y. During this time, the seeds received an abundant exposure to cosmic radiation. Upon the return of the LDEF to Earth, the seeds were distributed throughout the United States and 30 foreign countries for analysis. Our university analysis included germination and growth rates as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray analysis of the control as well as space exposed tomato seeds. In analyzing the seeds under the electron microscope, usual observations were performed on the nutritional and epidermis layer of the seed. These layers appeared to be more porous in the space exposed seeds than on Earth-based control seeds. This unusual characteristic may explain the increases in the space seeds growth pattern. (Several test results showed that the space-exposed seeds germinated sooner than Earth-based seeds. Also, the space-exposed seeds grew at a faster rate.) The porous nutritional region may allow the seeds to receive necessary nutrients and liquids more readily, thus enabling the plant to grow at a faster rate. Roots, leaves and stems were cut into small sections and mounted. After sputter coating the specimens with argon/gold palladium plasma, they were viewed under the electron microscope. Many micrographs were taken. The X-ray analysis displayed possible identifications of calcium, potassium, chlorine, copper, aluminum, silicon, phosphate, carbon, and sometimes sulfur and iron. The highest concentrations were shown in potassium and calcium. As a result of the electron interaction and X-ray production within the open seeds, the traditional layers of the space-exposed seed gave peaks of Mg, P and S, while the Earth seed gave an iron peak, which was not detected in the space-exposed seed because of electron beam positioning difference. The space-exposed seed and the Earth-control seed specimens displayed high concentrations of copper.

Balloon catheter dilatation for treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of balloon catheter dilatation to treat congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children over 12 months of age and in children who had failed lacrimal system probing or silicone intubation. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of balloon catheter dilatation for congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in 61 lacrimal systems of 51 patients with an age range of 13 to 73 months (mean, 26 months). Twenty-seven lacrimal systems (44.3%) had no previous procedures, 21 lacrimal system (34.4%) had one or more failed probings, and 13 lacrimal system (21.3%) had failed silicone intubation. Infection was eliminated or suppressed preoperatively with a ten-day course of systemic and topical antibiotics. Oral and topical antibiotics were continued for ten days after surgery. Oral prednisone was administered for five days after surgery. One percent prednisolone acetate eyedrops were for ten days after surgery. Patency was defined as absence of tearing or discharge after the sixth postoperative week, a lack of discharge and a normal tear meniscus on examination, and a normal dye disappearance test. RESULTS: Twenty-six (96%) of the 27 lacrimal drainage systems that had balloon catheter dilatation as a primary procedure were patent after surgery. Thirty-two (94%) of the 34 lacrimal drainage systems that had undergone previous probing or silicone intubation were patent after balloon catheter dilatation. Overall, 58 (95%) of 61 lacrimal drainage systems were patent after balloon catheter dilatation. CONCLUSION: Balloon catheter dilatation is generally effective in the treatment of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction as a primary procedure in children over 12 months of age, and as a procedure after failure of lacrimal system probing or silicone intubation.

Eyelid level after lower lid blepharoplasty with skin excision. The relationship of intraoperative and postoperative lid levels.

Sixty-seven consecutive patients (134 lids) undergoing lower lid blepharoplasty with skin excision had preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative photographs taken in a sitting position. There was correlation between intraoperative and postoperative lower lid levels in 119 (89%) of 134 lids. There were nine lids with normal intraoperative lower lid level but postoperative lower lid retraction (scleral show). All nine of these lids had preoperative lower lid retraction. This demonstrated a high correlation between intraoperative and postoperative lower lid levels in the sitting position in lower lid blepharoplasty with skin excision, providing preoperative lower lid retraction is not present, horizontal lid laxity is corrected, and cicatricial lid retraction does not occur.

Balloon catheter dilatation in pediatric patients.

Balloon catheter dilatation was performed in five children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who had failed probing or silicone intubation, or who were 6 years of age or older. A patent lacrimal system was achieved in four of these children. Balloon catheter dilatation may offer an alternative to silicone intubation in children with nasolacrimal duct obstruction who fail probing or who are at least 2 years old.

A modified tissue expander for socket enlargement in clinical anophthalmos.

Early and rapid expansion of the tiny socket is desirable in clinical anophthalmos. This paper reports three cases utilizing an expandable conformer made of silicone. Socket enlargement adequate for fitting of a satisfactory cosmetic prosthesis was attained rapidly in each case. The design of the conformer allows the greatest expansion toward the fornices.

Balloon catheter dilatation in lacrimal surgery.

We performed balloon catheter dilatation in four patients with a failed dacryocystorhinostomy. Epiphora was relieved and a patent lacrimal drainage system was achieved after the procedure in three of the four. The fourth patient had a transient partial response. Epiphora recurring in one patient 3 1/2 months after the procedure responded to a second dilatation.

An unusual family with retinoblastoma.

Reported here is an unusual family with retinoblastoma. The father has spontaneously regressed, bilateral, multifocal retinoblastoma with complete preservation of vision. Three of his six children have had bilateral retinoblastoma requiring bilateral enucleation. At least two of these three children have an associated mental and physical retardation. Chromosome number 13 in this family was normal.