Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Champion.
In this paper the author argues that two major issues for nurse educational planning in the 1990s are developing a higher education ethos within the colleges and the contracts for educational provision. Underpinning each is the concept of educational accountability.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Two cases of autoptically observed congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) in a newborn and in an infant, one with electron photomicrographs, are presented. In contrast to the adjacent RPE cells, the apical cellular surface of CHRPE cells shows only rare small microvilli, mostly at the cell border. The prominent findings are large pigment granules from 3.5 to 8 microns protruding towards the apical cellular surface. These macromelanosomes do not exhibit coalescence as noted by others, but show a concentric lamellar structure that may be the result of a disturbed development sequence in melanin granule formation. The authors' observation of CHRPE in a newborn and in an infant suggests that the term congenital HRPE is appropriate. The presence of these changes at this early age is consistent with the condition being a primary failure of differentiation. Finally, the authors present evidence of a disturbed melanogenesis in CHRPE cells resulting in macromelanosomes formation.
Silicone oils (polymethylsiloxanes) with different viscosities (200, 1000 and 5000 cSt) and a fluorinated silicone oil (5000 cSt) were injected into the peritoneum of CBA mice. Three weeks after the injection, peritoneal exudates were obtained and investigated using light and electron microscopy. For each silicone-oil type, light-microscopic examination revealed the presence of abundant extracellular lipid-like droplets and a dense cellular infiltrate composed of macrophages, lymphocytes and multinucleated giant cells. Lipid-like inclusions were observed in macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. These intracellular inclusions were revealed to be membrane bound by transmission electron microscopy. We observed no differences with respect to the amount of phagocytotic activity for the different silicone-oil types tested. Purified silicone oils of lower viscosity (OP 200 and OP 1000) resulted in the mildest chronic inflammatory reaction. Our results suggest that emulsification, phagocytosis and granulomatous inflammation are associated with intraocular silicone-oil implantation. The question of which properties would make a silicone oil most suitable for clinical use requires further investigation.
Of 110 eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) examined postmortem, 37% had both haptics outside of the capsular bag; 57% had one haptic in the capsular bag and the other haptic outside of the bag. Typically, these optics were decentered by 1 to 2 mm. Only six eyes (5%) had both haptics within the capsular bag. Erosion into the ciliary sulcus produced obliteration of the major arterial circle of the iris in 12 eyes (11%). The local tissue response to eroding haptics was similar for haptics composed of polypropylene and haptics composed of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The authors found considerable discrepancy between the actual location of haptics and the surgeon's desired location (i.e., capsular bag or ciliary sulcus). Most of these cases were clinically successful.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
An epidemic of human and animal anthrax raged in Chad mainly in the Department of Chari Baguirmi from September to December 1988, infesting more than 50% of donkeys and horses. 716 human cases have been reported, with 88 deaths. Thanks to a geographical distribution of animal and human prevalence, one sees immediately the interdependency between sanitary state of live-stock and public health. An unusual means of transmission from donkey to donkey by insects as the vector is suggested to explain the intensity of animal epidemics. Two strains of B. anthracis were isolated and described. Systematic annual prophylactic inoculation of the live-stock is recommended, and also resumption of research to create a polyvalent vaccine for cattle plague/peripneumonia and anthrax.