Primary oxalosis with myocardial involvement and heart block

An unusual case is described of primary oxalosis with renal failure and cardiac involvement with complete heart block. Although cardiac involvement rarely occurs, it nevertheless requires evaluation because of the therapeutic implications.     

Monocular elevator paresis, Argyll Robertson pupils and sarcoidosis

Platelet concentrates were shown to contain 18 to 38 mg/dl of a phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) which arose by migration from the vinyl plastic packs in which the platelets were prepared and stored. Transfusion of these platelets into six adult patients with leukemia resulted in peak blood plasma levels of DEHP ranging from 0.34 to 0.83 mg/dl (approximately 0.02 mg/dl plasma per mg DEHP administered per square meter of surface area). The blood levels fell monoexponentially with a mean rate of 2.83 per cent per minute and a half-life of 28.0 minutes. Urine was assayed by a method that would measure unchanged DEHP as well as all phthalic acid-containing metabolites. In two patients, at most 60 and 90 per cent of the infused dose, respectively, was excreted in the urine collected for 24 hours posttransfusion. These estimates, however, could be high due to the simultaneous excretion of DEHP remaining from previous transfusions or arising from uncontrolled environmental exposures.     

Protein and energy value of pearl millet grain for mature goats

We conducted two studies to assess the protein and energy value of pearl millet grain (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) for mature goats. In Exp. 1, 15 2-yr-old male castrated goats were gradually introduced over a 4-mo period to three all-grain diets consisting of 100% corn (Zea mays L.), 50:50 corn:pearl millet, and 100% pearl millet. After the adjustment to all-grain feeds, the goats were fed the diets in metabolism crates for 2-d adjustment and 7-d total collection periods. For Exp. 2, complete diets containing the three grain treatments (corn, 50:50 corn:pearl millet, and pearl millet) as 40% of the total DM as fed (the remainder was mainly alfalfa meal and mineral supplement) were balanced to contain 16% crude protein (CP) and 2.24 Mcal digestible energy (DE)/kg on an air-dry basis. Twelve mature (4- to 6-yr-old) buck goats were randomly assigned to diets and fed in pens for 14 d and then moved to metabolism crates for 10-d adjustment and 10-d total collection periods. In Exp. 1, DM intake was unaffected by dietary treatment, but digestibility of DM and organic matter was lowest (P < .10) in goats fed 100% pearl millet. Digestibility of complete diets also decreased (P < .10) as corn was replaced by 50 or 100% pearl millet, but DM intake increased (P < .10) on the 100% millet diet. In both experiments, substituting pearl millet for corn had no effect on nitrogen retained by the goats. Metabolizable energy of pearl millet was only 92% that of corn, but ME intake was similar when the grains were fed as 40% of the dietary DM. Pearl millet has potential as a major energy feed for goats in areas where it can be economically produced.     

Plasmon transmissivity and reflectivity of narrow grooves in a silver film

Surface plasmon (SP) reflectivity and transmissivity of narrow grooves in silver films are studied. The SP source is the probe of a scanning near-field optical microscope. Locally detected leakage radiation from the SP provides detailed information on the paths of SP propagation, in particular the influence of perturbations. Global detection provides representative average data on the SP properties of a given metal film and its structures. A groove of 200 nm width, for instance, reflects/transmits about 15%/80% of 'blue–green' SP radiation at normal incidence.     

In vivo biocompatibility of two PEG/PAA interpenetrating polymer networks as corneal inlays following deep stromal pocket implantation

This study compared the effects of implanting two interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) into rabbit corneas. The first (Implant 1) was based on PEG-diacrylate, the second (Implant 2) was based on PEG-diacrylamide. There were inserted into deep stromal pockets created using a manual surgical technique for either 3 or 6 months. The implanted corneas were compared with normal and sham-operated corneas through slit lamp observation, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, in vivo confocal scanning and histological examination. Corneas with Implant 1 (based on PEG-diacrylate) developed diffuse haze, ulcers and opacities within 3 months, while corneas with Implant 2 (based on PEG-diacrylamide) remained clear at 6 months. They also exhibited normal numbers of epithelial cell layers, without any immune cell infiltration, inflammation, oedema or neovascularisation at post-operative 6 month. Morphological studies showed transient epithelial layer thinning over the hydrogel inserted area and elevated keratocyte activity at 3 months; however, the epithelium thickness and keratocyte morphology were improved at 6 months. Implant 2 exhibited superior in vivo biocompatibility and higher optical clarity than Implant 1. PEG-diacrylamide-based IPN hydrogel is therefore a potential candidate for corneal inlays to correct refractive error.