The need for an outcomes research agenda for clinical laboratory testing

Aural papillomatosis has been infrequently reported in the English literature. It is a condition which can be very difficult to treat. We present the first reported case of aural papillomatosis successfully treated with the CO2 laser.     

A new model to assess staphylococcal adhesion to intraocular lenses under in vitro flow conditions

Adhesion of staphylococcal cells to intraocular lenses coated with heparin was studied under in vitro flow conditions (280 microl min(-1)) at 37 degrees C. The intraocular lenses were incubated with human cerebrospinal fluid for 1 h or with cerebrospinal fluid including 0.50% plasma for 12 h, prior to bacterial challenge. Two strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis selected for this study, were isolated from biomaterial-associated infections. Bacterial adhesion was quantitated by bioluminescence and visualized by fluorescence microscopy of acridine orange stained bacteria. Surface coating with heparin significantly decreased bacterial adhesion of both strains after incubation with cerebrospinal fluid including 0.50% plasma for 12 h (p = 0.0209). However, no difference in bacterial adhesion was obtained between intraocular lenses with and without heparin, after incubation with cerebrospinal fluid for 1 h (p = 0.327). Microscopy showed that more bacteria were present on intraocular lenses without heparin than on intraocular lenses with heparin. The results show that preincubation with a proteinaceous fluid influences subsequent bacterial adhesion to the polymer surface. The results suggest that IOLs with heparin coating may be less prone to bacterial adhesion under perfusion conditions after surface conditioning in human CSF with 0.50% plasma and a preincubation period of 12 h. Heparin coating might be a valuable tool to decrease implant-associated bacterial endophthalmitis.     

The International Stripa Project: an overview

The International Stripa Project was a cooperative research and development project among several member countries of the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The scientific and technical objectives of the project were to investigate several aspects of technology concerned with the feasibility and safety of disposal of long-lived, heat-generating radioactive waste at depth in granitic rocks. In particular, the Stripa Project addressed: 1) the development of instruments and procedures to characterize candidate repository sites; 2) the understanding and modelling of groundwater flow and solute transport in fractured crystalline rock; and 3) the design of engineered barriers capable of contributing to waste isolation by restricting groundwater flow in proximity to the waste containers and in the surrounding host rock. This overview summarizes the work focussed on natural barriers and engineered barriers.     

A comparison of SRM and Globoid type screw compressorsComparaison des compresseurs à vis SRM et Globoïdes

A study is presented of two similar types of compressors belonging to the same family, ie positive displacement, oil-injected compressors. They were both screw compressors, one of the SRM type and the other of the Globoid type. The comparison was made between two compressors with the same swept volume. The compressor geometry and losses were analysed theoretically. This analysis showed that SRM compressors have certain advantages which should result in better efficiency. It has been shown elsewhere¹⁷ that results of test runs verify the results of the theoretical comparison.     

Predicting episodic memory performance in dementia: Is severity all there is?

Whether individual differences in demographic, psychometric, and biological domains can predict episodic memory in dementia was investigated. Mildly to moderately demented very old persons performed episodic memory tasks (free recall and recognition of slowly and rapidly presented random words, free and cued recall of organizable words, and recognition of dated and contemporary famous faces). A factor analysis of the memory measures yielded 2 factors, 1 indexing recall and 1 recognition. Controlling for severity of dementia, only 2 predictors contributed to performance: (a) Block Design (a marker of fluid intelligence) was positively related to recall, and (b) age was negatively related to recognition. Although these results are similar to data reported on predictors of episodic memory in normal aging, (a) the number of predictive variables appears to be reduced in dementia, and (b) age seems to affect recall and recognition differentially in normal aging and dementia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Oxygen consumption in relation to work load in students with cerebral palsy

Eighteen adolescents with various forms of cerebral palsy performed tests on a mechanically braked ergometer bicycle. VO2 was measured at different loads and net mechanical efficiency calculated. It was found that efficiency was poor at light loads for most of the students but that there were significant intergroup differences in mechanical efficiency at higher loads. The leveling-off plateau demonstrated by healthy adolescents was only attained by a few of the disabled students. It was concluded that the muscle hypertonia and involuntary movements were responsible for the high level of energy expended in the mechanical work performed.     

Systemic methotrexate toxicity. A pharmacological study of its occurrence after intrathecal administration in a patient with renal failure

Methotrexate pharmacokinetic studies, performed on a patient with renal impairment who had toxic effects following 20 mg/sq m of intrathecally administered methotrexate, demonstrated prolonged serum concentrations of the drug, which accounted for the condition. After the return of normal renal function, pharmacokinetic studies were repeated following the same dose and route of administration of methotrexate. On this occasion there was a rapid clearance of serum methotrexate below toxic levels.