Discrimination of cathinone regioisomers, sold as 'legal highs', by Raman spectroscopy.

The discrimination of a cross section of cathinone regioisomers, sold as 'legal highs', using Raman spectroscopy, is reported here. Mephedrone and flephedrone were identified in 'legal high' products sold in Irish head shops, and their 2, 3 and 4-isomers were synthesized as reference standards. The 3,4-methylenedioxy substituted cathinones, methylone, butylone and methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), were also identified in 'legal highs' and their 2,3-isomers were synthesized for comparison. In addition, alpha- and beta-naphyrone were synthesized. Raman spectra of all the isomers were obtained using far-red excitation (785 nm) and it was found possible to discriminate the isomers of each substituted cathinone. In addition, Raman spectra were also recorded for a number of head shop products and, by comparison with the reference standards, correct isomer assignment for 4-mephedrone, 3-flephedrone, 3,4-methylone, 3,4-butylone, 3,4-MDPV, alpha-naphyrone and beta-naphyrone was achieved, thus providing a non-destructive, high-throughput and minimal sample preparation technique for the discrimination of such drug isomers.

A Bayesian network model to assess the public health risk associated with wet weather sewer overflows discharging into waterways.

Overflows from sanitary sewers during wet weather, which occur when the hydraulic capacity of the sewer system is exceeded, are considered a potential threat to the ecological and public health of the waterways which receive these overflows. As a result, water retailers in Australia and internationally commit significant resources to manage and abate sewer overflows. However, whilst some studies have contributed to an increased understanding of the impacts and risks associated with these events, they are relatively few in number and there still is a general lack of knowledge in this area. A Bayesian network model to assess the public health risk associated with wet weather sewer overflows is presented in this paper. The Bayesian network approach is shown to provide significant benefits in the assessment of public health risks associated with wet weather sewer overflows. In particular, the ability for the model to account for the uncertainty inherent in sewer overflow events and subsequent impacts through the use of probabilities is a valuable function. In addition, the paper highlights the benefits of the probabilistic inference function of the Bayesian network in prioritising management options to minimise public health risks associated with sewer overflows.

Balloon dacryocystoplasty study in the management of adult epiphora.

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy of dacryocystoplasty with balloon dilation in the treatment of acquired obstruction of the nasolacrimal system in adults. METHODS: Balloon dacryocystoplasty was performed in 52 eyes of 42 patients under general anaesthetic. A Teflon-coated guidewire was introduced through the canaliculus and manipulated through the nasolacrimal system and out of the nasal aperture. A 4 mm wide 3 cm coronary angioplasty balloon catheter was threaded over the guidewire in a retrograde fashion and dilated at the site of obstruction. RESULTS: There was complete obstruction in 30% of cases and partial obstruction in 70%. The most common site of obstruction was the nasolacrimal duct. The procedure was technically successful in 94% of cases. The overall re-obstruction rate was 29% within 1 year of the procedure. There was an anatomical failure rate of 17% for partial obstruction and 69% for complete obstruction within 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dacryocystoplasty has a high recurrence rate. There may be a limited role for this procedure in partial obstructions. Further refinements of the procedure are necessary before it can be offered as a comparable alternative to a standard surgical dacryocystorhinostomy.

Role of infection control practitioners in human immunodeficiency virus testing. APIC Bloodborne Pathogens Committee.

BACKGROUND: As a result of the HIV epidemic, the role of the ICP has changed; acute care settings have developed a variety of policies regarding patient and health care worker (HCW) HIV testing and issues related to the HIV-infected HCW. APIC conducted a survey to determine the extent to which ICPs were involved in HCW and patient HIV testing and counseling, the prevalence of routine HIV testing for patients, institutional policies on HIV testing of patients and HCWs, and the management of HIV infected HCWs. METHODS: In 1990, a questionnaire was sent to ICPs in a simple random sample of 1300 acute care hospitals (approximately 20%) in the United States. RESULTS: Response rate was 52.8%. Of the 686 respondents, 54.8% provided counseling to the HCW after an exposure incident. ICPs were involved not only in HIV testing and counseling for patients and HCWs but also in institutional policy development for HIV-related issues. Most facilities (73.8%) obtained written consent for testing from the patient after an employee exposure. When a direct care giver was known to be HIV positive, 61.5% of the respondents evaluated each case individually. CONCLUSIONS: The ICP has a significant role in the development and implementation of institutional policies on HIV testing and counseling and on the management of HIV-infected workers. These findings affirm the need for APIC to provide educational opportunities on the issues related to HIV testing and counseling.

Perforating eye injuries in Cork. A review.

Of 95 cases of perforating eye injury during the 4-year period 1973 to 1976 reviewed, 21 had a retained intraocular foreign body. Sporting activities, including shotgun injuries, were found to be the cause in a significant number of cases. Four cases of perforating injury due to car battery explosions are also reported. None in the series was found to have sympathetic ophthalmitis.