Adult male rats were fed diets containing 0, 5, 15, and 30 ppm chlordecone for 90 d and then either bred to untreated females or sacrificed for terminal studies. Chlordecone residues in liver, fat, and serum were determined in the treated males. Reproductive performance was unaffected, and no histologic changes in the male sex organs could be attributed to chlordecone treatment. Reversible decreases in the motility and viability of epididymal spermatozoa and decreased sperm reserves in the cauda epididymidis were observed in rats fed 15 or 30 ppm. No effect on sperm morphology or on sperm concentration in epididymal fluid was detected. Chlordecone accumulation in tissues was linearly related to dietary levels, with the highest chlordecone concentration occurring in the liver.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of a teen parent program designed to reduce child abuse and neglect and to strengthen families.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a teen parent program designed to increase parents' self-esteem, improve parenting skills, and increase parental knowledge about child development. Subjects (n = 30) in the program were referred from public health services. Control subjects (n = 30) were served by a local health department. Subjects were tested before and on completion of the program (or 6-9 months later for controls) using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), the Inventory of Parents' Experiences (IPE), and the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST). Findings included (a) intervention subjects scored lower than control subjects on the pretesting in self-esteem (p less than 0.05), parental role satisfaction (p less than 0.05), and community support (p less than 0.0001); (b) control subjects scored lower on satisfaction with intimate relationships (p less than 0.0001); (c) at post-test, there were no statistically significant differences, and intervention subjects recorded self-esteem scores had increased to control levels; and (d) no developmental delays were detected in newborns at either pre- or post-testing. Implications of this study include (a) data support effectiveness of the program in enhancing self-esteem, maintaining satisfaction in parental role, and increasing community support for teen parents; and (b) evaluation of teen parent programs' effects should be done every 3-6 months to reduce subject attrition.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of keratometry and videokeratography after penetrating keratoplasty.

BACKGROUND: As new methods for corneal curvature measurement have evolved, users of videokeratscopes need to know the practical limitations of these instruments. We assessed agreement between keratometry and videokeratography in measuring highly astigmatic corneas. METHODS: Two independent examiners made three keratometric and videokeratographic measurements on each of 33 corneas after penetrating keratoplasty. The non-orthogonal keratometric readings obtained with a Zeiss 10 SL/O keratometer (Carl Zeiss Ltd.) were compared to the non-orthogonal simK readings (maxK, minK) calculated by the algorithms of a TMS-1 videokeratoscope (Tomey). Measurement agreement was evaluated for steep and flat meridian power and location, and astigmatism magnitude (D). RESULTS: A systematic bias of the TMS-1 in measuring steeper than keratometry for the steep meridian was demonstrated (95% confidence interval: -0.34 to -1.20 D). The limits of agreement (d - 2SD to d + 2SD) between the two instruments were found to be unacceptable for clinical purposes in measuring steep meridian power (-3.17 to +1.63 D), flat meridian power (-4.92 to +4.48 D) and astigmatism magnitude (-5.84 to +4.87 D). Clinically acceptable differences were observed in identification of steep and flat meridian location. CONCLUSIONS: The Zeiss 10 SL/O keratometer and the TMS-1 videokeratoscope showed poor measurement agreement for irregular corneal surfaces, despite the good correlation previously shown between keratometry and videokeratography in calibrated spheres and regular corneas. The TMS-1 showed a systematic bias, measuring a greater power in the steeper meridian than the Zeiss 10 SL/O keratometer. It is suggested that the two instruments cannot be used interchangeably in comparing the curvature of corneas after penetrating keratoplasty.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adie's syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adie Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radial keratotomy: a continuing controversy.

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Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Lead intoxication and the amygdaloid kindling model of epileptogenesis in the adult rat.

The influence of lead intoxication on the seizure state produced by amygdaloid kindling was studied in rats. Exposure to 1% lead (in the form of lead acetate) in drinking water for periods up to 4 weeks led to significant increases in lead content in the blood and various brain regions. Signs of lead intoxication, including behavioral depression, loss of body weight and decreased hematocrit were produced by this treatment regime. The intensity and nature of behavioral convulsions as well as the rate of development of amygdaloid kindled seizures did not appear to be affected by lead intoxication. However, lead exposure during kindling led to significant increases in an electrographic aspect of the seizure, i.e., the afterdischarge duration. Although pair-fed controls were not utilized and therefore definitive conclusions cannot be made, our data would seem to indicate that lead intoxication has a relatively minor ability to potentiate amygdaloid kindling in adult rats.

Amygdala↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiologic characteristics of an outbreak of serogroup C meningococcal disease and the public health response.

An outbreak of serogroup C meningococcal disease occurred in six counties in the State of Washington from January 1989 through mid-1991. This report describes epidemiologic data collected from hospitals and health departments, the results of multilocus enzyme electrophoresis of isolates, and the vaccination of high-risk populations in one county. A total of 45 confirmed or probable cases (10 per 100,000 population) occurred. Infants younger than age 1, Hispanics and American Indians, and low-income populations had high attack rates. Nine (20 percent) patients died. The predominant enzyme type, ET-22, had not been detected previously in Washington. More than 22,000 persons were vaccinated in one of the counties. Major challenges to health care personnel included deciding when and where to employ vaccination, obtaining sufficient vaccine, and responding to public anxiety.

Adolescent↗