Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy with different ablation zones

In this study we would like to introduce the excimer laser, and to demonstrate our results and complications by using different ablation zones during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the correction of myopia and astigmatismus. In 1996 we performed photorefractive keratectomy on 100 myopic eyes of 52 patients (28 females, 24 males). Mean age was 26.21 years (ranged from 19 to 54 years). The preoperative refraction ranged from -1.0 D to -18.0 Diopters. The diameter of the ablation zones were between 5 and 6.5 mm. We evaluated the results and the complications of the surgeries of 100 eyes which were performed with Schwind keratom F excimer laser. After 2 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively we tested the best uncorrected and corrected visual acuities, and performed intraocular pressure measurement, slit lamp examination as well as corneal topography. The postoperative refractions were between +/- 0.5 to +/- 1.0 Diopters. After six months postoperatively the slit lamp examination showed that 80% of the patients had no corneal haze while 20% had stage I (Hanna) corneal haze. The smaller the diameter of the ablation zone was, the more pronounced the corneal haze and the night-glare were. The photorefractive excimer laser keratectomy is judged to be a safe method, although it might have some side-effects. The different ablation zones of this treatment means an important modification, that not only allows the method to meet the individual requirements, but reduces the chance of the complications as well. Based on the authors' experiences PRK for moderate myopia with large diameter ablation zones appears more predictable than than with smaller ablation zone diameters.

Characterization of the hypoglycemic effects of Trigonella foenum graecum seed

The whole powder of Trigonella foenum graecum seeds and its extracts were tested for their hypoglycemic effect on normal and diabetic model rats. The powder, its methanol extract, and the residue remaining after methanol extraction had significant hypoglycemic effects when fed simultaneously with glucose. The water extract of the methanol extractive-free residue of the seed powder showed significant hypoglycemic activity at different prandial states. The Soluble Dietary Fibre (SDF) fraction showed no effect on the fasting blood glucose levels of nondiabetic or NIDDM model rats. However, when fed simultaneously with glucose, it showed a significant hypoglycemic effect (p < 0.05) in NIDDM model rats. Chemical analysis showed that the major constituent of the SDF is a galactomannan. The results confirm the involvement of SDF in the hypoglycemic effect of T. foenum graecum seeds. However, compound(s) other than SDF is (are) also involved in the hypoglycemic activity.

Intermamillary indices in premature infants

The internipple distance and its relationship to gestational age has not been studied in infants born in the United States. One hundred and thirty-three newborns between 25 and 40 weeks gestation showed progressive increase in the internipple distance with increasing gestational age. The internipple index stays constant during various gestational ages. The internipple index greater than 28% (greater than 2 SD) at any gestational age or during immediate postnatal age should be flagged to look into widely spaced nipples. Extrauterine growth of internipple distance is similar to that of intrauterine growth.

Clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic predictors of operative mortality in patients undergoing single valve replacement. Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Valvular Heart Disease

Preoperative characteristics of 964 patients in the Veterans Administration Cooperative Study on Valvular Heart Disease undergoing single valve replacement were examined to determine predictors of operative mortality. The operative mortality rate was 8.3% in 661 patients having isolated aortic valve disease and 7.5% in 239 patients having isolated mitral valve disease, but 12.5% in 64 patients with multivalve disease undergoing single valve replacement. For the aortic valve replacement subgroup, three-vessel coronary artery disease, left ventricular systolic pressure, prior cardiac operation, body surface area, and cardiac index were related to operative mortality. In the mitral valve replacement group, there was a strong association of operative mortality with advanced age, exertional dizziness, reduced cardiac index, left ventricular contraction grade, ST segment depression on the resting electrocardiogram, and pleural effusion. The risk of operative death for an individual patient undergoing aortic or mitral valve replacement may be estimated with the use of independent risk factors.