BACKGROUND: Although air bags have been shown to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, there have been many reports of air bag-related ocular injuries. We recently treated air bag-related corneal laceration in a patient wearing eyeglasses at the time of a motor accident. CASE: A 38-year-old Japanese man was driving a car at approximately 40 km per hour when he struck a stopped 2-ton truck. He was wearing a three-point lap-shoulder seat belt. At impact, the driver's-side air bag deployed and struck the man on the left side of his face. He was wearing eyeglasses with glass lenses, and the air bag broke the left lens of his eyeglasses, and glass fragments lacerated his cornea. OBSERVATIONS: External examination showed multiple superficial abrasions of the skin and ecchymosis of the left side of his face. Slit-lamp examination of his left eye showed corneal laceration and hyphema. The lens had opacities and was covered with fibrin membrane. Repair of the corneal laceration and phacoemulsification of the lens were performed. Six months later, his best corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: As cars are increasingly equipped with air bags, reports of air bag-related eye injuries have increased. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of corneal laceration caused by a shattered lens in an air bag-related injury. Ophthalmologists should caution patients about the danger of eye injuries in air bag-equipped cars, and thought should be given to improving the materials for eyeglasses.

Accidents, Traffic↗

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Heterogeneity in the host preference of Japanese encephalitis vectors in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.

Experiments, using the capture-mark-release-recapture technique inside large nets, were carried out in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, to examine heterogeneity in the host preference of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vectors. A significantly higher proportion of the vector species that were initially attracted to a cow fed when released into a net with a cow than when released into a net containing a pig. However, Culex vishnui individuals that had been attracted to a pig had a higher feeding rate in a net containing a pig rather than a cow. When mosquitoes were given a choice by being released into a net containing both animals, they exhibited a tendency to feed on the host to which they had originally been attracted. This feeding preference was, however, not shown by the offspring of pig-fed individuals. We have therefore shown evidence of physiological/behavioural conditioning in the host preference of JE vectors rather than genetic variability. Our results suggest that effective control of JE might be achieved by increasing the availability of cows (the dead-end hosts of JE virus) to deflect the vectors from pigs (the amplifying host). The behavioural imprinting which we have found would tend to re-inforce the initial tendency of the vectors to bite cows.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of SG-210, a novel aldose reductase inhibitor, on impaired polyol pathway in rats received diabetic manipulations.

To investigate the effect of SG-210, a potent inhibitor selective to aldose reductase (ARI), on the impaired polyol pathway, we examined biochemically and histologically the potencies of this compound in streptozotocin-induced diabetic or galactosemic rats. The study with diabetic rats showed that SG-210 (1-10 mg x kg(-1)) dose-dependently inhibited sorbitol accumulations in erythrocytes, sciatic nerves, lens, and retina with ED50 values of 1.4, 1.3, 3.5, and 4.6 mg x kg(-1), respectively. Zenarestat, currently under clinical trials both in Japan and the United States, was about two or over five times less potent than SG-210 in suppressing sorbitol contents of erythrocytes or other tissues, respectively. Epalrestat, commercially available, was much less potent in reducing the contents with ED50 values of more than 30 mg x kg(-1) in all of the cells and the tissues examined. An extensive study using galactosemic rats indicated that SG-210 (3-30 mg x kg(-1)) inhibited galactitol accumulations in lens and retina as well as in erythrocytes, preventing the progression of histological abnormalities in lens accompanied by the reduction in galactitol contents. Epalrestat (3-30 mg x kg(-1)) failed to show any significant effects. Pharmacokinetic studies suggested that SG-210 has a high bioavailability and possesses a long half-life in rats (ca. 10 h). Taken together with its excellent pharmacokinetic profiles, the potent suppressive effects of SG-210 observed in this study may be available as a new treatment of diabetic complications.

Aldehyde Reductase↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A simple method for detecting breakthroughs in used chemical cartridges.

This study was intended to develop a simple method using a gas detector tube to detect the end of the service lives of chemical cartridges for organic solvent vapors. The practical usefulness of this method was confirmed by two series of experimental observations of cartridge service lives: (1) The breakthrough times for six organic solvents were determined by passing a test airflow through a cartridge, and the concentration at each breakthrough was measured with a gas chromatograph (GC). These GC-obtained concentrations were compared with the migrated vapor concentrations through each broken cartridge measured with a gas detector tube. (2) CS2 breakthrough of the cartridges used on 32 viscose rayon workers were measured with detector tubes, after which the residual service life of each cartridge was determined. In laboratory experiments the released concentrations detected by the gas detector tube were approximately equal to the final leak concentrations measured by GC. In a field survey the used cartridges exhibiting a stain of CS2 from detector tubes for concentrations greater than 4 ppm were found not to have enough residual adsorption capacity for CS2. Migrated concentrations of CS2 measured with detector tubes were found to be a reasonable predictor of remaining service life.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Preduodenal portal vein and anomalous continuation of inferior vena cava: CT findings.

Four cases of a rare congenital anomaly, preduodenal portal vein (PPV), are presented. Preduodenal portal vein is known to be frequently associated with other anomalies including intestinal malrotation, situs inversus, biliary atresia, and pancreatic, splenic, and cardiac anomalies. Of our four cases, three had azygos or hemiazygos continuation of the inferior vena cava and other anomalies. We want to call attention to association of azygos or hemiazygos continuation of inferior vena cava with PPV.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Acute transverse myelitis caused by Coxsackie virus B5 infection.

A 6-year-old boy developed symptoms of rapidly progressive paraplegia, associated with bowel and urinary dysfunction, but without sensory loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination showed diffuse swelling of the lower spinal cord on T1-weighted images. Based on the clinical presentation and MRI findings, a diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis was made. The serum titer of neutralizing antibody against Coxsackie virus B5 rose from 1/4 on admission to 1/256 1 month later and Coxsackie virus B5 was isolated from stool samples. This case serves as a reminder that acute transverse myelitis can be a rare clinical manifestation of Coxsackie virus B5 infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical significance of natriuretic peptides and cyclic GMP in hemodialysis patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) are suitable markers of 'dry body weight' (DW) in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, it is still unknown whether these markers can be applied to patients with renal failure and coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the reliability of these peptides as volume markers in HD patients with CAD. We also assessed the relationship between natriuretic peptides and indices of left ventricular (LV) function. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of ANP, BNP and cGMP were determined before and after HD in patients with CAD (group 1, n = 19, mean age 63 +/- 12 years) and were compared with those of patients without cardiac disease (group 2, n = 20, age 61 +/- 15 years). Using data obtained by cardiac catheterization, we examined the relationship between natriuretic peptides and indices of LV function in HD patients with CAD. RESULTS: Baseline ANP (244 +/- 205 pg/ml), BNP (713 +/- 928 pg/ml) and cGMP (29.6 +/- 21.6 pmol/ml) were significantly higher in group 1 than in 11 healthy volunteers (18.6 +/- 9.9 pg/ml, 7.7 +/- 7.6 pg/ml, cGMP 8.9 +/- 4.9 pmol/ml, respectively). HD significantly reduced plasma ANP (87 +/- 75 pg/ml) and BNP (477 +/- 702 pg/ml) although they were still above normal control. HD reduced plasma cGMP (7.2 +/- 4.5 pmol/ml) to normal values, suggesting the elimination of cGMP across the dialyzers. Baseline levels of ANP, BNP and cGMP in group 2 were less than those of group 1 but higher than the control. HD reduced natriuretic peptides in group 2 to levels lower than those in post-HD group 1. After HD, there was no significant correlation between reductions in body weight and changes in ANP or BNP. Baseline ANP and BNP levels closely correlated with pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction. A significant correlation was observed between BNP levels and the severity of CAD. CONCLUSION: ANP, BNP and cGMP seem to be a useful markers for fluid overload but not for DW in HD patients with CAD. Plasma ANP and BNP might be useful markers for left ventricular function.

Atrial Natriuretic Factor↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of stable xenon in room air on regional cerebral blood flow and electroencephalogram in normal baboons.

Measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was performed in 6 healthy baboons during ventilation with 35% stable xenon in artificial air. rCBF was measured with the intraarterial xenon-133 method. EEG was recorded continuously. All CBF areas of interest over one hemisphere reacted in the same way. Mean flow increased during short-term exposure to stable xenon and decreased if stable xenon inhalation was continued for at least 24 minutes. EEG showed a decrease of alpha- and beta-wave patterns a short time after the start of stable xenon inhalation without further changes over the period when rCBF finally decreased. CO2 reactivity increased in most animals, and autoregulation to mild arterial hypotension was significantly impaired with increased flow. It is concluded that 35% stable xenon in artificial air increases rCBF after short-term exposure and decreases rCBF after longer exposure. EEG changes were noted after short-term exposure. rCBF and EEG recovered rapidly after the end of stable xenon inhalation.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Membrane calcium current in cardiac excitation: effects of ATP and related substances and sodium pump on bullfrog atrium.

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Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of transaortic catheter venting on left ventricular function during venoarterial bypass.

Although venoarterial bypass (VAB) or percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) can improve hemodynamics in patients with serious cardiac decompression, some cannot be weaned from circulatory support. Insufficient unloading of the left ventricle (LV) with blood stagnation is a main cause of unsuccessful LV recovery during PCPS. This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of transaortic catheter venting (TACV) for LV unloading. Eight mongrel dogs (mean weight 16.3 kg, range 14-20 kg) underwent VAB with TACV. In addition to monitoring standard hemodynamic parameters, the slope of the LV end systolic pressure-volume relationship (Emax) during transient occlusion of the inferior vena cava, the slope of LV end systolic pressure-stroke-volume (Ea), external stroke work (SW), LV pressure-volume area (PVA), and slope of the SW-end diastolic volume relationship (preload recruitable stroke work: PRSW) were assessed by means of a micro-tip manometer and a conductance catheter. We measured data under the following four conditions; before circulatory support (baseline), during isolated VAB, VAB with TACV, and VAB with TACV plus intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP). The LV contractility (Emax) and LV elastance (Ea) were equivalent for the four conditions. By comparison with baseline and VAB with TACV, LV energy (PVA) and work (SW, PRSW) were significantly reduced by TACV (1283.9 +/- 197.1 vs. 793.3 +/- 124.8 x 10(-4) J, 897.1 +/- 147.2 vs. 474.2 +/- 83.0 x 10(-4) J and 35.6 +/- 2.7 vs. 25.7 +/- 1.7 x 10(-4) J/ml, respectively), and the PE/PVA increased with TACV (30.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 40.8 +/- 1.8%). In contrast, there was no significant difference in PVA, SW, PRSW, and PE/PVA between baseline and isolated VAB. These results suggest that TACV might be an adjunctive technique to VAB or PCPS for patients with LV failure.

Animals↗