Excitation Mechanism of Low-n Edge Harmonic Oscillations in Edge Localized Mode-Free, High Performance, Tokamak Plasmas.

The excitation mechanism for low-n edge harmonic oscillations in quiescent H-mode regimes is identified analytically. We show that the combined effect of diamagnetic and poloidal magnetohydrodynamic flows, with the constraint of a Doppler-like effect of the ion flow, leads to the stabilization of short wavelength modes, allowing low-n perturbation to grow. The analysis, performed in tokamak toroidal geometry, includes the effects of large edge pressure gradients, associated with the local flattening of the safety factor and diamagnetic flows, sheared parallel and E×B rotation, and a vacuum region between plasma and the ideal metallic wall. The separatrix also is modeled analytically.

The effect of positional changes on intraocular pressure during sleep in patients with and without glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine whether sleeping at a 20-degree head-up position decreases nocturnal intraocular pressure (IOP) compared with lying supine (flat) in patients with and without glaucoma. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized comparative case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were recruited based on self-reported disease status with 15 glaucoma and 15 nonglaucoma patients; a total of 60 eyes were tested. Patients were evaluated in a sleep laboratory on 2 separate nights, lying flat 1 night and lying on a wedge pillow at a 20-degree head-up position another night. Baseline IOP was measured during the awake period (10 PM), then measured at 2-hour intervals during the sleep period (12, 2, 4, and 6 AM). RESULTS: IOP measurements during the 10 PM awake period did not significantly differ between the 2 positions (P=0.55). During the sleep period (12 to 6 AM), the mean IOP was 1.51 mm Hg lower in the 20-degree head-up position when compared with the flat position (95% confidence interval, 0.99 to 2.04 mm Hg), with an average drop of 1.56 and 1.47 mm Hg in glaucoma and nonglaucoma patients, respectively. This corresponds to a 9.33% and 8.67% IOP reduction in glaucoma and nonglaucoma patients, respectively. Twenty-five of 30 patients (83.3%) had lower mean IOPs in the 20-degree head-up position. Mean IOP reduction was >10% for 11 of 30 patients (36.7%) when sleeping in the head-up position. CONCLUSIONS: The 20-degree head-up position correlates with lower nocturnal IOP as compared with the supine position in glaucoma and nonglaucoma patients. No significant difference in IOP reduction was observed in glaucoma patients when compared with nonglaucoma patients.

Central retinal artery occlusion in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot.

A 17-year-old Caribbean male presented with painless acute vision loss in the left eye. The patient was found to have a central retinal artery occlusion and an underlying uncorrected tetralogy of Fallot. To our knowledge, this is the first such reported case. One week after presentation visual acuity in the left eye spontaneously improved to 20/200.

Observation of the effects of dust particles on plasma fluctuation spectra.

Charged dust particles are theoretically expected to modify the amplitude and spectrum of plasma fluctuations, and this can eventually provide novel diagnostic tools. Direct experimental evidence of the effects of dust particles on the fluctuations of a low collisionality plasma is reported, in agreement with the expectations of kinetic theory.

Dynamics of tearing modes during strong electron cyclotron heating on the FTU tokamak.

The localized electron cyclotron resonance heating power that can suppress sawteeth reconnection often drives m = 2 tearing modes in a tokamak operating at constant current. The dynamics of mode onset and coupled mode evolution is described in detail and compared with a nonlinear theoretical model that identifies the effects of mode coupling, finite inertia of the rotating islands, and wall braking.

Linear IgA dermatosis mimicking ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

PURPOSE: To describe an unusual case of cicatrizing conjunctivitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 59 year old male presented in July 1997 with a complaint of intermittent redness and discharge of the right eye. Medical history was significant for a buccal mucosal lesion biopsy taken two years earlier that revealed subepidermal fibrosis. Conjunctival biopsy, performed to rule out ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, yielded a diagnosis of linear IgA dermatosis, an unusual diagnosis not often considered by ophthalmologists. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of cicatrizing conjunctivitis is often overlooked. Its importance as it pertains to the life threatening disease of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is clear.

Medical professionals' attitudes toward breastfeeding.

This study examined the attitudes toward breastfeeding of medical professionals working with pregnant or new mothers. Most advocated breastfeeding to mothers who had not made an infant feeding decision; fewer talked about breastfeeding during the first trimester; and many recommended that mothers supplement a breastfed infant with prepared commercial baby milk. All agreed that a mother's return to work led to early discontinuance of breastfeeding and that the family is a major influence on a mother's decision to breastfeed. To increase the prevalence of breastfeeding, the study group recommended prenatal education, participation in support groups, and promotion of breastfeeding through the media.

Renal adenocarcinoma metastasizing to contralateral renal pelvis.

Ureteric metastases from renal adenocarcinoma are uncommon and occur predominantly in the residual ipsilateral ureteric stump. We report on a patient with renal adenocarcinoma metastasizing to the contralateral renal pelvis and the clinical problems involved.

Retinal-vein occlusions: carotid artery evaluation indicated.

In patients presenting with retinal-vein occlusion there is a 50% likelihood that there is concomitant carotid artery disease. Six of 12 patients originally presenting with retinal vein disease were subsequently diagnosed as having carotid artery disease. The implication is clear: Patients with retinal vein occlusions merit careful carotid artery evaluation.

Tratamento da ancilostomiase por meio do albendazol. / Treatment of ancylostomiasis with albendazole

Mediante utilizacao de dose unica de 10 mg/kg de albendazol, 74,3% dos componentes de um grupo de individuos com ancilostomiase foram curados. O emprego de um segundo tratamento elevou essa porcentagem para 94,7%. Atraves do uso do pamoato de pirantel, anti-helmintico bastante recomendado no Brasil, presentemente, quando desejada a eliminacao da verminose referida, ocorreram taxas inferiores de sucessos. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o albendazol passa a representar muito valioso recurso terapeutico no que concerne a infeccao parasitaria considerada, convindo a proposito ressaltar a facilidade de administracao e a boa tolerancia relativos a esse medicamento

Tratamento da ancilostomiase, ascaridiase e tricocefaliase por meio do albendazol ou do mebendazol. / Treatment of ancylostomiasis, ascaridiasis and trichocephaliasis with albendazole or mebendazole

Por meio do albendazol (dose unica de 400 mg) ou do mebendazol) (100 mg, duas vezes em 24 horas, durante tres dias), foram tratados individuos com ancilostomiase, ascaridiase e tricocefaliase ou com, pelo menos, duas dessas verminoses. As porcentagens de curas verificadas correponderam, respectivamente, a 55,2%, 91,2% e 38,5% e a 44,0%, 90,0% e 71,4% no que concerne as parasitoses e aos medicamentos citados. O albendazol e composto cuja atividade antihelmintica, em seres humanos, vem sendo avaliada ultimamente e o mebendazol, ja empregado de forma ampla, serviu, no estudo realizado, como termo de comparacao. Os remedios em apreco nao causaram disturbios colaterais dignos de registro, tendo ficado patente que o albendazol, administravel de maneira bastante singela, desenvolveu atividade curativa semelhante a do mebendazol no que diz respeito a ancilostomiase e a ascaridiase. A proposito da investigacao efetuada, sucedeu analise estatistica dos resultados obtidos

Mucormycosis: case presentation and discussion.

Mucormycosis is encountered in patients with diabetes mellitus, as well as other debilitating diseases. The fungus is ubiquitous, but only certain types of patients become afflicted with this disease. Early diagnosis, control of the underlying disease, drug therapy, and surgical treatment can save the lives of patients with this infection. One should not be reluctant to think of mucormycosis in a differential diagnosis. Mucormycosis is becoming more frequently diagnosed.

Central retinal vein occlusion: life and sight implications.

Central retinal vein occlusion is an ophthalmic disease with both life and sight threatening implications. Treatment should be aimed at the underlying ophthalmic or systemic disease. Questionable modes of therapy (ie, anticoagulation) may injure the patient as a whole without offering any really better results for the ophthalmic condition.