5% amlexanox oral paste, a new treatment for recurrent minor aphthous ulcers: II. Pharmacokinetics and demonstration of clinical safety.

The safety of 5% Amlexanox paste was demonstrated in the following clinical studies: vehicle-controlled safety and efficacy studies; dermal irritation and sensitization studies; single and multiple dose pharmacokinetic studies; and a 28-day in use safety study. Minimal adverse experiences were observed with the 991 subjects that were exposed to 5% Amlexanox paste. No significant irritation or sensitization was associated with 5% Amlexanox paste. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that systemic levels of Amlexanox are most likely due to normal gastrointestinal absorption with only limited absorption directly through the ulcer. After a 100 mg dose of 5% Amlexanox paste the average maximum concentration of Amlexanox in the serum was 120 ng/ml, occurring 2.4 hours after application. The half-life for elimination of Amlexanox was 3.5 hours, and there was no evidence of accumulation with multiple applications. Overall, the data indicate that 5% Amlexanox paste (Aphthasol) is safe for the treatment of recurrent minor aphthous ulcers.

Digital ischemia in clandestine intravenous drug users.

Five young adults were seen initially with digital ischemia without a history of trauma or underlying systemic illness. After careful evaluation and treatment, inadvertent intraarterial drug injection was found to be the cause of the ischemia. The diagnosis was initially overlooked because the patients did not offer a history of drug abuse and did not appear like the stereotypical drug user. These patients may be seen early or several months after their accidental intraarterial injection. With the increase in drug abuse today, all segments of society can be affected. This diagnosis should be considered in any patient with unexplained digital ischemia.

A methodology for near-optimal computational superimposition of two-dimensional digital facial photographs and three-dimensional cranial surface meshes.

The authors present a methodology for human identification based on digital superimposition techniques. This methodology computes a fast, near optimal fit between a three-dimensional skull surface mesh and a two-dimensional digitized facial photograph. Since this is done digitally, (1) the photograph can be enhanced to reduce or eliminate motion blur, overexposure or underexposure, and out-of-focus distortions; (2) previous problems with skull/photograph scaling and alignment are minimized or eliminated; and (3) the photograph and skull can be numerically correlated. Two of several test cases produced from an implementation of this methodology are also presented.

Post-traumatic toxic shock syndrome.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) associated with Staphylococcus occurs most commonly in menstruating women, although cases in both sexes have been reported. This report describes a severe case of TSS after a relatively minor stab wound. The male patient exhibited all of the major characteristics of this multisystem disease including anuric renal failure. TSS, which can be fatal, may result from surgical and traumatic wound infections and demands prompt recognition and treatment.

The Big Thompson Flood.

The Big Thompson Flood of 1976 yielded a known death toll of 139. The temporary morgue set up was successful in personally identifying all of the bodies. This effort was made possible by the fortuitous presence of the three scientists necessary for such an operation, to wit, the forensic pathologist, a forensic odontologist, and a forensic anthropologist. An outcome of the morgue effort was the establishment of the Center for Human Identification. Many law enforcement agencies and county emergency disaster offices in the country contacted the morgue directors for advice on how to cope with similar disasters. It would appear that there are no state or federal statutes or planning in the area of body identification. One function of the Center at CSU is to advise on just how a total effort in body identification can be effected.