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PubMed2002

A test of the adaptive specialization hypothesis: population differences in caching, memory, and the hippocampus in black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla).

To test the hypothesis that accurate cache recovery is more critical for birds that live in harsh conditions where the food supply is limited and unpredictable, the authors compared food caching, memory, and the hippocampus of black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapilla) from Alaska and Colorado. Under identical laboratory conditions, Alaska chickadees (a) cached significantly more food; (b) were more efficient at cache recovery: (c) performed more accurately on one-trial associative learning tasks in which birds had to rely on spatial memory, but did not differ when tested on a nonspatial version of this task; and (d) had significantly larger hippocampal volumes containing more neurons compared with Colorado chickadees. The results support the hypothesis that these population differences may reflect adaptations to a harsh environment.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2004

Surveillance for certain health behaviors among selected local areas--United States, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2002.

PROBLEM: Monitoring risk behaviors for chronic diseases and participation in preventive practices are important for developing effective health education and intervention programs to prevent morbidity and mortality. Therefore, continual monitoring of these behaviors and practices at the state, city, and county levels can assist public health programs in evaluating and monitoring progress toward improving their community's health. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: Data collected in 2002 are presented for states, selected metropolitan, and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSA), and their counties. DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an on-going, state-based, telephone survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged >18 years. All 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico participated in BRFSS during 2002. Metropolitan and MMSA and their counties with >500 respondents or a minimum sample size of 19 per weighting class were included in the analyses for a total of 98 MMSA and 146 counties. RESULTS: Prevalence of high-risk behaviors for chronic diseases, awareness of certain medical conditions, and use of preventive health-care services varied substantially by state, county, and MMSA. Obesity ranged from 27.6% in West Virginia, 29.4% in Charleston, West Virginia, and 32.0% in Florence County, South Carolina, to 16.5% in Colorado, 12.8% in Bethesda-Frederick-Gaithersburg, Maryland, and 11.8% in Washington County, Rhode Island. No leisuretime physical activity ranged from 33.6% in Tennessee, 36.8% in Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Florida, and 36.8% in Miami-Dade County, Florida to 15.0% in Washington, 13.8% in Seattle-Bellevue-Everett Washington, and 11.4% in King County, Washington. Cigarette smoking ranged from 32.6% in Kentucky, 32.8% in Youngstown-Warren- Boardman, Ohio-Pennsylvania, and 31.1% in Jefferson County, Kentucky to 16.4% in California, 13.8% in Ogden- Clearfield, Utah, and 10.9% in Davis County, Utah. Binge drinking ranged from 24.9% in Wisconsin, 26.1% in Fargo, North Dakota-Minnesota, and 25.1% Cass County, North Dakota, to 7.9% in Kentucky, 8.2% in Greensboro- High Point, North Carolina, and 6.6% in Henderson County, North Carolina. At risk for heavy drinking ranged from 8.7% in Arizona, 9.5% in Lebanon, New Hampshire-Vermont, and 11.3% in Richland County, South Carolina, to 2.8% in Utah, 1.9% in Ogden-Clearfield, Utah, and 1.7% in King County, New York. Adults who were told they had diabetes ranged from 10.2% in West Virginia, 11.1% in Charleston, West Virginia, and 11.1% in Richland, South Carolina, to 3.5% in Alaska, 2.7% in Anchorage, Alaska, and 2.4% in Weber County, Utah. Percentage of adults aged>50 years who were ever screened for colorectal cancer ranged from 64.8% in Minnesota, 67.9% in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Minnesota-Wisconsin, and 73.6% in Ramsey County, Minnesota, to 39.2% in Hawaii, 30.7% in Kahului-Wailuku, Hawaii, and 30.7% in Maui County, Hawaii. Persons aged >65 years who had received pneumococcal vaccine ranged from 72.5% in North Dakota, 74.8% in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin, and 73.1% in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, to 47.9% in DC, 47.5% in New York-Wayne-White Plains, New York, New Jersey, and 47.9% in DC County, DC. Older adults who had received influenza vaccine ranged from 76.6% in Minnesota, 80.0% in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin, and 76.3% in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, to 57.0% in Florida, 55.8% in Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, Texas, and 56.2% in Cook County, Illinois. INTERPRETATION: BRFSS data indicate substantial variation in high-risk behaviors, participation in preventive healthcare services, and screening among U.S. adults at states and selected local areas, indicating a need for continued efforts to evaluate public health programs or policies designed to reduce morbidity and mortality. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: Data from BRFSS are useful in developing and guiding public health programs and policies. Therefore, states, selected MMSA, and their counties can use BRFSS data as a tool to prevent premature morbidity and mortality among adult population and to assess progress toward national health objectives. The data indicate a continued need to develop and implement health promotion programs for targeting specific behaviors and practices and serve as a baseline for future surveillance at the local level in the United States.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The benefits of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis and risk factors for tuberculosis among Oglala Sioux Indians.

In a case-control study of 92 Indian patients, 46 with active tuberculosis (cases) and 46 tuberculin reactors without the disease (control subjects), significantly more control subjects than patients had prior adequate isoniazid chemoprophylaxis. While the Indian Health Service recommends treating all tuberculin reactors with isoniazid prophylaxis, most (75%) of our tuberculosis (TB) cases could have been prevented if the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society had been followed. Diabetes, alcohol abuse, and chronic renal failure were risk factors for active TB. Despite marked reductions in TB morbidity and mortality rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives over the past 30 years, their TB rates are still two to three times higher than overall United States and white rates. Enhanced TB control programs with an emphasis on preventive therapy for patients at risk for developing active disease, especially those with diabetes and chronic renal failure, could decrease the incidence and eventually eliminate TB among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Identification of gadoid species (Pisces, Gadidae) by PCR-RFLP analysis.

A rapid PCR-RFLP analysis was optimized to identify the presence of 3 closely related gadoid fish species: Alaska pollack Theragra chalcogramma, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus and Atlantic cod Gadus morhua in commercial seafood products. Gadoid universal primers were designed for PCR amplification of a 558-bp fragment encoding the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Without purification of the PCR products, double digestion with Eco32I and Eco105I restriction enzymes generated reproducible species-specific restriction patterns visualizing 3 fragments (106 bp, 161 bp and 291 bp) in Alaska pollack and 2 fragments (106 bp and 452 bp) in Pacific cod, whereas no cleavage was observed in Atlantic cod. This PCR-RFLP analysis is simple, rapid and reliable, and therefore can be routinely applied to discover fraudulent substitution among 3 economically important gadoid species in commercial seafood products.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Tobacco use among racial and ethnic population subgroups of adolescents in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Limited data on cigarette smoking among population subgroups hinder the development and implementation of intervention strategies for those subgroups. Because of small sample sizes or inadequate study formats, cigarette smoking among youths has been studied mostly among broad racial or ethnic categories (e.g., Asian, Hispanic) instead of subgroups (e.g., Vietnamese, Cuban). The objective of this study was to evaluate cigarette smoking among U.S. youths by racial and ethnic subgroups. METHODS: The study used a nationally representative sample of youths aged 12 to 17 years who participated in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 1999, 2000, or 2001. Outcomes measured include prevalence of cigarette smoking, mean age of smoking initiation, and susceptibility to start smoking. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking among youths aged 12 to 17 years varied among racial and ethnic subgroups, ranging from 27.9% for American Indians and Alaska Natives to 5.2% for Japanese. Among youths aged 12 to 17 years, the age of smoking initiation ranged from 11.5 years (American Indians and Alaska Natives) to 13.2 years (Japanese); the overall mean age of initiation was 12.3 years. White and African American youths were the only groups that showed a significant sex difference in age of initiation among all 14 subgroups; white and African American boys initiated smoking a few months earlier than white and African American girls. One of every four never-smokers aged 12 to 17 years was classified as susceptible to becoming a smoker. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of cigarette smoking among youths varies widely by racial and ethnic subgroup. There is a need for sustained, culturally appropriate interventions to prevent and control cigarette smoking among youths, particularly within racial and ethnic subgroups with a high prevalence of cigarette smoking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Contraception counts: ranking state efforts.

(1) California ranks first among states in efforts to help women avoid unintended pregnancy, followed by Alaska, South Carolina, Alabama and New York. (2) The states that rank the lowest are Nebraska, North Dakota, Indiana, Ohio and Utah. (3) The states that made the most progress between 1994 and 2001 are Alaska, Louisiana, South Carolina, Oregon and California.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Abortion surveillance--United States, 2003.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: CDC began abortion surveillance in 1969 to document the number and characteristics of women obtaining legal induced abortions. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: This report summarizes and describes data voluntarily reported to CDC regarding legal induced abortions obtained in the United States in 2003. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: For each year since 1969, CDC has compiled abortion data by state or area of occurrence. During 1973-1997, data were received from or estimated for 52 reporting areas in the United States: 50 states, the District of Columbia, and New York City. In 1998 and 1999, CDC compiled abortion data from 48 reporting areas. Alaska, California, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma did not report, and data for these states were not estimated. During 2000-2002, Oklahoma again reported these data, increasing the number of reporting areas to 49, and for 2003, Alaska again reported and West Virginia did not, maintaining the number of reporting areas at 49. RESULTS: A total of 848,163 legal induced abortions were reported to CDC for 2003 from 49 reporting areas, representing a 0.7% decline from the 854,122 legal induced abortions reported by 49 reporting areas for 2002. The abortion ratio, defined as the number of abortions per 1,000 live births, was 241 in 2003, a decrease from the 246 in 2002. The abortion rate was 16 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years for 2003, the same as for 2002. For the same 47 reporting areas, the abortion rate remained relatively constant during 1998-2003. During 2001-2002 (the most recent years for which data are available), 15 women died as a result of complications from known legal induced abortion. One death was associated with known illegal abortion. The highest percentages of reported abortions were for women who were unmarried (82%), white (55%), and aged <25 years (51%). Of all abortions for which gestational age was reported, 61% were performed at < or =8 weeks' gestation and 88% at <13 weeks. From 1992 (when detailed data regarding early abortions were first collected) through 2002, steady increases have occurred in the percentage of abortions performed at < or =6 weeks' gestation, with a slight decline in 2003. A limited number of abortions were obtained at >15 weeks' gestation, including 4.2% at 16--20 weeks and 1.4% at > or =21 weeks. A total of 36 reporting areas submitted data documenting that they performed and enumerated medical (nonsurgical) procedures, making up 8.0% of all known reported procedures from the 45 areas with adequate reporting on type of procedure. INTERPRETATION: During 1990-1997, the number of legal induced abortions gradually declined. When the same 47 reporting areas are compared, the number of abortions decreased during 1996-2001, then slightly increased in 2002 and again decreased in 2003. In 2000 and 2001, even with one additional reporting state, the number of abortions declined slightly, with a minimal increase in 2002 and a further decrease in 2003. In 2001 and 2002, as in the previous years, deaths related to legal induced abortions occurred rarely. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: Abortion surveillance in the United States continues to provide the data necessary for examining trends in numbers and characteristics of women who obtain legal induced abortions and to increase understanding of this pregnancy outcome. Policymakers and program planners use these data to improve the health and well-being of women and infants.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1991

Diphyllobothriasis: fish tapeworm disease in the circumpolar north.

Although fish tapeworm infections in arctic and subarctic residents are often attributed to the cestode Diphyllobothrium latum, other Diphyllobothrium species are frequently responsible. D. dendriticum, for example, occurs throughout the circumpolar area at high latitudes beyond the range of D. latum. Several additional species are also implicated in human infections in northern communities bordering the Pacific: D. ursi from northern Canada and Alaska, D. dalliae from Alaska and Siberia, and D. klebanovskii from Siberia. Routine diagnosis of diphyllobothriasis by coprology does not allow designation of the Diphyllobothrium species involved as their eggs cannot be differentiated and identification of the proglottids from adult worms requires a taxonomic specialist. On the other hand, relevant information on the Diphyllobothrium species most likely to infect the inhabitants of a particular region can be derived from a knowledge of the fish consumed. Larvae of D. dendriticum occur predominantly in salmonid fishes (e.g. arctic char, salmon, trout, whitefish), and this parasite has never been found in pike and perch, the usual intermediate hosts of D. latum. Conversely, D. latum is rarely found in salmonids. D. ursi and D. klebanovskii predominantly occur in Pacific salmon, and D. dalliae in Alaskan blackfish. Species other than D. latum probably constitute transitory intestinal infections in humans, usually lasting for only a few months. Although many carriers are asymptomatic, overt clinical manifestations of diphyllobothriasis can include diarrhea, epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. There are no reports of anaemia associated with any of the northern species except D. latum. Effective control for diphyllobothriasis originating from D. latum has been achieved in many areas by a combination of selective drug therapy and improved sewage treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Total mercury levels in human milk from Italian mothers having not been particularly exposed to methyl-mercury].

Some researches have been carried out about the foetal and neonatal exposure to methylmercury among the epidemiological studies on the effects of the exposure to this compound with foodstuffs. From the whole of these studies it seems that newborns are particularly sensitive to organic mercury compounds. The health effects can also appear in newborn of mother without symptoms. Now we show the early results of a carried out survey on some mothers without stated exposure to methylmercury living in the area or near Padua (Italy). The analytical data are concerning the levels of total mercury, total fats, lactose and total proteins in the breast-milk. The data, on 33 women, are summarized in a table, as: the number of sample, the mother's age, the time-lag from the delivery and the beginning of milk collection (day after delivery), the levels of total mercury, total fats, lactose and total proteins in breast-milk. In the table, also, the smoking habits, the alcohol consumption and the frequency during the last weeks before the delivery of the consumption of fish, if available, are registered. All the samples of breast-milk were positive in the mercury level. The mean total mercury level was 13.94 +/- 12.94 micrograms/L. The range of values was among 1.63 micrograms/L and 52.5 micrograms/L. 11 mothers eat fish on average once a week, only 3 mothers eat fish twice a week. 12 mothers eat fish seldom, between twice a month or once every two months. Present Italian values don't differ significantly from that of Spain and of coastal areas of Alaska. Present Italian values are significantly higher than those of inner areas of Alaska, Poland, Iowa and Tokyo. No statistic significant correlation is between mercury levels and nutritional components of breast-milk. In order to assess the health risk, we utilize the calculated tolerance concentration of mercury in human milk by Jensen, as 4 ppb. Only 11 (33.3%) of the analyzed breast-milk samples have total mercury levels below 4 ppb. Nevertheless, the possible high intake of mercury is over estimated by PTWI.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Tuberculosis in Inuit.

Tuberculous infection was first introduced to the majority of the Inuit (Eskimos) in the first half of this century. In the 1950s tuberculosis became a grave problem with the mortality rate approaching 1% per annum and the incident rate almost 3%. The annual risk of infection has been estimated at 25% per annum. These are probably the highest rates recorded anywhere in the world in the 20th century. Some 20-30 years ago, an intensive case-finding programme as well as a treatment programme began in all three jurisdictions where the Inuit live (northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland). The preventive measures differed; Alaska relying mainly on chemoprophylaxis and Greenland on BCG vaccination, while Canada adopted both measures. Over the last 20 years, the rates fell rapidly with the mortality rate approaching zero, and the morbidity (incidence) rate falling (Canadian Inuit) by the record 14% per annum. The high rates in the Inuit were, in part, an expression of the lack of 'natural' resistance acquired by other races through the exposure to tubercle bacilli for many generations. Over-crowding in igloos and frequent starvation among those Inuit who relied on cariboo meat, undoubtedly contributed a great deal to the gravity of the problem. The rapid decline of the rates is without doubt primarily caused by the intensive tuberculosis programme and the compliance of the Inuit with the demands of this programme; better housing and in some cases, improved nutrition doubtlessly also played a part.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1995

Lack of geographic structure in mitochondrial DNA sequences of Bering Sea walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma.

We compared 511 nucleotides of mitochondrial DNA from 162 walleye pollock from 32 locations in the Bering Sea, the Shelikof Strait, and the Gulf of Alaska to learn about population structuring in this economically important species. Specifically, we tested for evidence of genetic heterogeneity among three sequence data sets: a 76-bp spacer, the control region, and spacers and control regions combined among six geographic regions: southwest Bering Sea, northern Bering Sea, western Aleutians, eastern Aleutians, the Donut Hole, and the Gulf of Alaska. No significant genetic heterogeneity was detected among spacer sequences or control regions, or spacers and control regions combined among areas of the Bering Sea. Slight genetic heterogeneity was detected when a "Western Bering" sample (southwest Bering and northern Bering) and an "Eastern Bering" sample (western Aleutians and eastern Aleutians) were compared. Presence of an abundant and widespread haplotype suggests recent establishment of the walleye pollock population in the Bering Sea. However, the ratio of nucleotide transitions to transversions in these pollock is extremely low, suggesting that the population may be old. Presence of a widespread and abundant haplotype, together with numerous rare ones, suggests a high variance in reproductive success for relatively few females, which may be disproportionately contributing to the survival of individual haplotypes. Sequencing of control regions in pollock may be less informative than conventional analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms or RFLP analysis of amplified variable sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Surveillance for smoking-attributable mortality and years of potential life lost, by state--United States, 1990.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: Mortality and years of potential life lost attributable to cigarette smoking. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: 1990. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: Mortality and years of potential life lost were estimated for each state by using the Smoking-Attributable Mortality, Morbidity, and Economic Costs (SAMMEC) software. These estimates were based on attributable risk formulas for smoking-related causes of death. Estimates of smoking prevalence were obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the U.S. Bureau of the Census, and mortality data were obtained from CDC. RESULTS: The median estimate for the number of smoking-attributable deaths among states was 5,619 (range: 402 [Alaska] to 42,574 [California]). Within each state, the number of smoking-attributable deaths among males was approximately twice as high as among females. Utah had the lowest mortality rate (218.0 per 100,000 population) and the lowest percentage of all deaths attributable to cigarette smoking (13.4%). Nevada had the highest mortality rate (478.1 per 100,000 population) and the highest percentage of deaths from smoking (24.0%). The number of years of potential life lost ranged from 6,720 (Alaska) to 498,297 (California). INTERPRETATION: The number of deaths attributable to cigarette smoking in 1990 remained high. Efforts are needed to control tobacco use in all states. ACTIONS TAKEN: SAMMEC data are used in many states to assist policymakers in strengthening tobacco control efforts.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Overview of National Cancer Institute networks for cancer control research in Native American populations.

BACKGROUND: The National Cancer Institute established two Native American cancer control research networks. These networks were created to develop and promote a cadre of cancer prevention and control scientists to conduct culturally sensitive research among Native American populations (i.e., American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and American Samoan). The primary objective of these research efforts is to reduce morbidity and mortality from cancer. Toward reaching this objective, the networks have (1) conducted research, (2) affiliated with or stimulated other groups to conduct research, or (3) facilitated research by encouraging the training of new researchers of Native American origin to promote prevention and early detection as well as state-of-the-art treatment among their people. METHODS: The networks are organized and financially supported by the NCI. Members of the network have established working committees that follow up on tasks identified during the meetings. RESULTS: Accomplishments of these networks have been recorded between 1990 and 1996. Two strategic plans for cancer control research among American Indians and Alaska Natives have been drafted and disseminated. One of the plans was designed for federal agencies and the other for state health departments. The networks have conducted three national surveys regarding native peoples' access to cancer prevention and control services and conducted two national Native American cancer conferences. The Native Hawaiian/American Samoan Task Force was established in 1992 due to the high incidence and mortality statistics for cancer in these populations. CONCLUSIONS: Through support mechanisms such as those implemented by the NCI, independent networks can be created to advocate actively for cancer prevention and control efforts within Native American communities, among nonnatives, and within professional organizations and governmental agencies.

American Samoa↗
PubMed1997

Acanthocephala of the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in North America.

Examination of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) collected from several locations in North America contributed new information concerning the acanthocephalan fauna of this host. Representatives of Arythmorhynchus brevis, representing a new host record, were collected from eagles in Florida, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. Plagiorhynchus sp. was collected from an eagle in Florida. Corynosoma strumosum was collected from an eagle in Alaska. Andracantha phalacrocoracis, representing a new host record, was collected from an eagle in Alaska. Southwellina hispida, representing a new host record, was collected from eagles in Maine and Virginia. The occurrence of gravid or mature females of A. brevis, Plagiorhynchus sp., and S. hispida suggests that the bald eagle may serve as a competent definitive host for these species.

Acanthocephala↗
PubMed1997

Limited range of genetic variation in Echinococcus multilocularis.

DNA sequencing of 1.3 kb of rDNA containing both internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, ITS2) and adjoining rRNA coding regions in each of 11 Echinococcus multilocularis isolates from Germany, Japan, and Alaska resulted in identical nucleotide sequences except for a single polymorphic locus 54 bp upstream of the 3' end of the 18S coding region, separating Eurasian isolates from an Alaskan isolate. The same base substitution was found in each of 2 additional isolates from Alaska. The distribution of the resulting genotypes with regard to their origin is highly significant (>99.9%) and corresponds to the traditional subspecies Echinococcus multilocularis multilocularis and Echinococcus multilocularis sibiricensis.

Animals↗
PubMed1963

CESIUM-137 IN ALASKAN ESKIMOS.

During the summer of 1962, levels of radioactivity in over 700 people at four villages above the Arctic Circle in Alaska were measured with a transportable whole-body counter. The averages for body burden of cesium-137 were much higher than the average for people in the rest of the United States. The people of the interior village of Anaktuvuk Pass had the highest average burden of cesium-137, which was 421 nanocuries; the maximum burden was 790 nanocuries.

Alaska↗
PubMed1964

RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS IN ALASKAN ESKIMOS IN 1963.

During the summer of 1963 people at five villages above the Arctic Circle in Alaska were measured for accumulated radioactivity with a portable whole-body counter. Adults of the interior village of Anaktuvuk Pass showed the highest average body burden, 628 nanocuries of cesium-137. This is an increase of nearly 50 percent over the summer before. The maximum burden foundwas 1.24 microcuries.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser iridotomy. A field trial with a portable laser system.

The efficacy of a small, portable, battery-operated, Q-switched neodymium-YAG laser with a slit-lamp delivery system was evaluated in a short-term pilot study. Iridotomies were created in 44 Eskimo eyes (23 patients) with occludable angles in Alaska's Kotzebue region. The laser was transported as regular baggage, was used in three villages (utilizing available facilities), and was operational within five minutes. Patent iridotomies were achieved in all eyes and with one pulse in 18 eyes (44%). Complications included transient bleeding from the iridotomy site in 23 eyes (52%), focal corneal opacities in 11 eyes (25%), and a transient immediate postoperative intraocular pressure elevation in nine eyes (20%). This appears to be the first portable laser system that can be used in frontier areas and underdeveloped nations to prophylactically treat pupillary-block glaucoma.

Aged↗