The Rosenbaum card is the most widely used handheld card for measuring near visual acuity. It was developed by Dr. J. George Rosenbaum of Cleveland, Ohio, for testing vision at the bedside of patients after cataract surgery. Millions of copies of the Rosenbaum card have been distributed free by drug companies or sold by medical supply firms. Most versions of the Rosenbaum card are inaccurate because the numbers are not scaled properly to the Snellen system. This article reviews the history of the Rosenbaum card, briefly summarizes issues raised by near vision testing, and provides standards for the manufacture of Rosenbaum near cards.

Equipment Design↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Perceived family characteristic differences between depressed and anxious children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The present study compared anxious vs. depressed children's and adolescents' perceptions about their family environment. METHODS: One hundred inpatient youngsters were interviewed for the study. Of these participants, 21 who met criteria for a depressive disorder without an anxiety disorder and 18 who met criteria for an anxiety disorder without a depressive disorder were compared on several self-report family measures. These measures included the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-II (FACES-II), Family Strengths, and Social Support Questionnaire-Revised (SSQS-R). RESULTS: Youngsters with depressive disorders reported having less pride in their families and perceived their families as being less adaptable to problems than did anxious children. Also, depressed children expressed lower levels of satisfaction with their social network than did anxious children. LIMITATIONS: The fact that our study only included reports from inpatient youngsters, families of anxious and depressed children may differ in the way family members relate to one another and in the way they deal with everyday problems. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the evidence obtained in this study, anxiety and depression may be two distinct internalizing disorders with specific family characteristics.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ongoing research in occupational health and environmental epidemiology in developing countries.

Research in occupational health and environmental epidemiology can play an important role in furthering our understanding of occupational and environmental health problems. Research guides us in the recognition, management, and prevention of health problems. However, in developing countries, where rates of occupational and environmental illnesses and injuries are higher and where these problems are often more severe than in developed countries, research capabilities are less developed. In mid-1990, a project was undertaken to (a) document ongoing research in occupational health and environmental epidemiology in developing countries, (b) facilitate the exchange of information among researchers in this field, (c) stimulate research, and (d) avoid unnecessary duplication among researchers in this field. A questionnaire was mailed, the purpose of which was to learn the current status of research in developing countries and to develop a directory of such ongoing research. The questionnaire was sent to 1,528 individuals. Of the 500 research projects identified, 77% were investigating chemical hazards; 26%, physical hazards; 10%, biological hazards; and 10%, psychosocial hazards (some projects addressed multiple hazards). The chemical hazards studied most frequently were dusts, pesticides, and lead. The greatest number of research projects were identified in China, India, Brazil, Korea, and Thailand. Most projects were descriptive or cross-sectional epidemiologic studies or industrial hygiene or exposure-assessment studies. The World Health Organization has published a directory of the specific research projects that were identified in this survey.

Developing Countries↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The activity of some nucleolytic enzymes in semen and in the secretion of the male reproductive tract.

The activity of 5'-nucleotidase (EC 1.3.5), cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (EC 2.1.4.17), non-specific phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.1) and ribonuclease (EC 1.7.7.16)has been investigated in the seminal plasma of whole semen and in the secretions of the seminal vesicle, prostate and epididymis of the bull, boar, ram, stallion, jackass, rabbit and man. Bull seminal plasma showed the highest activity for 5'-nucleotidase, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and ribonuclease; in contrast, stallion and jackass semen were very poor in these enzymes. Ram, rabbit and boar seminal plasma showed intermediate levels for all enzymes studied. In the bull and ram, nucleolytic enzymes were found to be secreted by the seminal vesicles but in the boar, rabbit and stallion they originate mostly from the epididymis. In human seminal plasma all of the enzymes studied exhibited activity but the levels were generally lower than those recorded for the other species.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nutrition impact of peritoneal dialysis solutions.

All peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions are designed to remove toxins and water, normalize the blood electrolyte profile, and provide alkali to help maintain acid-base balance. Different formulations, however, may have different effects upon nutrition status. Solutions with 40, as opposed to 35, mEq/l of sodium lactate have been found to promote weight and muscle mass gain and reduce hospitalization in malnourished PD patients. Glucose is varied to produce solutions with different ultrafiltration potential. The glucose absorbed from the PD solution has a protein-sparing effect. The high glucose concentrations necessary for sustained ultrafiltration over a long dialysis dwell, however, often produce appetite suppression and metabolic abnormalities. Solutions formulated with glucose polymers, instead of hypertonic glucose, may provide sustained ultrafiltration over long dwells with lower carbohydrate absorption and perhaps fewer metabolic effects. Amino acids can also be substituted for glucose at relatively low concentrations. A number of studies have shown that amino acids absorbed from the dialysis solution can provide nutritional benefit to malnourished PD patients.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Red cell and plasma amino acid concentrations in renal failure.

Red cell and plasma amino acid concentrations were measured in nine healthy subjects, nine patients with advanced chronic renal failure, and before and after dialysis in eight patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Blood was obtained after an overnight fast except for postdialysis specimens. In red cells from the chronically uremic patients and in predialysis specimens, there was increased histidine, cystine, glutamic acid, glycine, ornithine, citrulline, taurine, and N tau-methylhistidine, and an increased glycine to serine ratio. Red cell valine, tyrosine, and the ratios of tyrosine to phenylalanine and valine to glycine were decreased in the two groups. Many amino acid levels that were abnormal in red cells were also abnormal in plasma. However, several amino acids were altered in only one of these compartments. Some red cell or plasma amino acid concentrations were abnormal in the uremic or hemodialysis patients but not in both. During hemodialysis, red cell amino acids did not decrease as markedly as did the plasma concentrations. These findings indicate that in chronically uremic and hemodialysis patients there is an abnormal amino acid pattern in both red cells and plasma. Although the altered amino acid patterns in these two compartments have similarities, they are not identical.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Atypical iris colobomata and Pfeiffer syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Replacement of amino acid and protein losses with 1.1% amino acid peritoneal dialysis solution.

OBJECTIVE: Losses of nutrients into dialysate may contribute to malnutrition. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients are reported to lose 3-4 g/day of amino acids (AAs) and 4-15 g/day of proteins. The extent to which one exchange with a 1.1% AA dialysis solution (Nutrineal, Baxter, Deerfield, IL, U.S.A.) offsets these losses was investigated in a 3-day inpatient study in 20 PD patients. DESIGN: Simple, open-label, cross-over study on consecutive days in a clinical research unit. On day 1 all patients were given a peritoneal equilibration test (PET). On day 2 they received 1.5% dextrose Dianeal (Baxter) as the first exchange of the day and their usual regimen thereafter. On day 3, the first exchange of the day was the 1.1% AA solution in place of 1.5% Dianeal and the usual PD regimen thereafter. On days 2 and 3 all dialysate effluent was collected and analyzed for AAs and proteins. Patients were maintained on a constant diet. RESULTS: Losses of AAs and total proteins on day 2 were 3.4 +/- 0.9 g and 5.8 +/- 2.4 g, respectively, totaling 9.2 +/- 2.7 g. The net uptake of AAs on day 3 was 17.6 +/- 2.6 g (80 +/- 12% of the 22 g infused). Mean gains of AAs on day 3 exceeded losses of proteins and AAs on day 2, p < 0.001. Losses of total proteins, but not losses of AAs, and the net absorption of AAs from the dialysis solution were correlated directly with peritoneal membrane transport characteristics, obtained from the PET. CONCLUSION: Daily losses of AAs and proteins into dialysate are more than offset by gains of AAs absorbed from one exchange with 1.1% AA-based dialysis solution. Net gains of AAs exceeded losses of proteins and AAs in all patients studied. The difference was relatively constant across a wide range of membrane transport types. Net AA gains were approximately two times the total AA and protein losses.

Adult↗