Clinical evaluation of an HP-guar gellable lubricant eye drop for the relief of dryness of the eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a new lubricant eye drop containing polyethylene glycol 400 and propylene glycol demulcents with hydroxypropyl-guar as a gelling agent (Test Product) to a system with carboxymethylcellulose (Control Product) for reducing dry eye signs and symptoms. METHODS: Eighty-seven dry eye volunteers were enrolled at seven sites for this six-week, concurrently controlled, double-masked clinical study. RESULTS: The Test Product significantly reduced conjunctival staining (p = 0.025) and temporal corneal staining (p = 0.024) compared to the Control. The Test Product also significantly reduced symptoms of dryness in the morning and evening, compared to the Control (p = 0.015 and p = 0.023, respectively). Subjects in the Test treatment group reported lower frequencies of foreign body sensation and felt their eyes were "refreshed longer" compared to those in the Control group (p = 0.033 and p = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The Test Product was more effective at reducing both the signs and symptoms of dry eye compared to the carboxymethylcellulose containing Control.

Physician practice management solutions.

Medicine today has changed in many aspects. Physician practices face enormous challenges in the form of higher costs, lower reimbursement, and managed care. Barriers in the form of physician discomfort with information technology and the costs associated with employing this technology make physicians reluctant to adopt information technology systems in their practices. Thus the problem is how to get doctors to adopt technology that can actually help them combat these challenges and problems and provide quality care to patients. This chapter discusses an appropriate and practical orientation from which to approach design and implementation of information technology for the office practice.

Nail damage in spray operators exposed to paraquat

Nail damage in 55 persons due to contamination by diluted paraquat in a group of 296 spray operators employed on a sugar estate in Trinidad is described. The commonest lesion seen was transverse white bands of discoloration, but loss of nail surface, transverse ridging, gross deformity of the nail plate, and loss of nails occurred. The index, middle, and ring fingers of the right hand were predominantly affected and this could be ascribed to leakage from the knapsack sprayer. It is emphasized that, although the degree of contamination was unusually gross, it is nonetheless important to recognize that diluted material can cause nail damage. Simple hygienic precautions and proper maintenance of spraying equipment can prevent its occurence. Periodic medical examinations are recommended even for workers exposed only to diluted paraquat. The distribution of the nail lesions confirms that they are the result of a local action. Following cessation of further exposure subsequent nail growth is normal. (AU)

Bagassosis: an epidemiological and environmental survey - abstract

An epiemiological and environmental survey of 170 bagasse workers employed by a raw sugar producing company in Trinidad was carried out in order to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, and to determine if exposure to bagasse was associated with alterations in ventilatory capacity. The epidemiological survey failed to reveal a significantly increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the more exposed group, but showed that the group of Indian workers who were regularly and continuously exposed to bagasse had a significantly lower ventilatory capacity than the control group (p < 0.001). This diminished ventilatory capacity was demonstrated despite negligible dust concentrations in the plant. Dust concentrations were measured using a Hexhlet sampler, the highest mean total dust concentration of 0.71 mg./m3 being found in the unloading area. However, the possibility that persistent exposure to low concentrations of bagasse may be the cause of the diminished ventilatory capacity must be considered (AU)

Bagassosis: an epidemiological, environmental, and clinical survey

An epidemiological and environmental survey of 170 bagasse workers employed by a raw sugar producing company in Trinidad was carried out in order to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and to determine if exposure to bagasse was associated with alterations in ventilatory capacity. The epidemiological survey failed to reveal a significantly increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the more exposed group but showed that the group of Indian workers who were regularly and continously exposed to bagasse had a significantly lower ventilatory capacity than the control group. This diminished ventilatory capacity was demonstrated despite negligible dust concentrations in the plant. However, the possibility that persistence exposure to low concentrations of bagasse may be the cause must be considered. During a five-year period, 17 patients with bagassosis were seen, the clinical picture being similar to that described in extrinsic allergic alveolitis from other causes. The systematic variations demonstrated in some indices of ventilatory function in different racial groups is discussed.(AU)