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Highlights • First comparison of HPV tests in PreservCyt and SurePath, 2 samples from each woman. • Nucleic acid HPV tests showed similar performance in PreservCyt and SurePath. • Manufacturers’ recommended pre-treatment protocols must be observed., Background Two transport media, PreservCyt and SurePath, are widely used for cervical cytology screening. There are concerns that they may perform differently for HPV testing. Objectives A comparison of the performance of six different HPV tests in SurePath and PreservCyt in a referral population using two samples from each woman. The primary goal was to compare the performance of each test in the two media. Comparisons between assays and viral load comparisons between media were secondary aims. Study design Two cervical samples were collected in random order at the same visit in women with abnormal cytology. One sample was placed in 20 ml of PreservCyt and the other in 10 ml of SurePath. Aliquots were taken for 4 DNA based tests: digene HC2 High-Risk HPV DNA Test, Abbott Realtime, BD Onclarity and Genera PapType, an RNA based test—: Hologic Aptima and a protein test: OncoHealth. Results 630 sample pairs were included in the analyses. For all tests except the protein test sensitivities were in excess of 90% for CIN2+ and 95% for CIN3+ for both media and with no significant differences except for a lower sensitivity for CIN2+ of Aptima in SurePath (93% vs 98%, P = 0.005). Specificity for

This is a report that describes advanced conductor research performed by LANL in preparation for the Colloquia at the University of New Mexico.

Emergency physicians can feel pressured by opposing forces of clinical reality and the need to publish successful key performance indicators in an environment of increasing demands and cost containment. This is particularly relevant to management of patients with undifferentiated chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome. Unreliability of clinical assessment and high risk of adverse outcomes for all concerned exist, yet national guidelines are at odds with efforts to reduce ED crowding and access block. We report findings from the Nambour Short Low-Intermediate Chest pain risk trial, which safely introduced an accelerated diagnostic protocol with reduced ED length of stay and high patient acceptability. Over a 7-month period, there were no major adverse cardiac events by 30 days in 19% of undifferentiated chest pain presentations with possible acute coronary syndrome discharged after normal sensitive cardiac troponin taken 2 h after presentation and scheduled to return for outpatient exercise stress test.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of macular grid photocoagulation in preserving or improving central visual acuity in eyes with macular edema due to central vein occlusion (CVO) and best-corrected visual acuity of 20/50 or poorer. Methods: Patients with angiographically documented macular edema due to CVO were entered into a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial supported by the National Eye Institute. Eligibility was determined based on both clinical examination findings and photographic documentation evaluated at a photograph reading center. Eyes were assigned randomly to macular grid photocoagulation (77 eyes) or no treatment (78 eyes). Patients were followed every 4 months for 3 years or until the end of the study. The outcome measure was visual acuity. Results: The study population consisted of 155 eyes in 155 patients. There was no difference between treated and untreated eyes in visual acuity at any point during the follow-up period. Initial median visual acuity was 20/160 in treated eyes and 20/ 125 in control eyes. Final median visual acuity was 20/200 in treated eyes and 20/160 in control eyes. However, treatment clearly reduced angiographic evidence of macular edema. Conclusion: The results of this study do not support a recommendation for macular grid photocoagulation for the population meeting the Central Vein Occlusion Study macular edema group eligibility criteria.

This paper and associated presentation explores the economic phenomenon of the so called ‘resource curse’. We begin by defining the phrase and outlining the main individual ‘curses’ and their causes to give the reader a broad understanding of what is meant by the phrase. This is followed by an in‐depth examination of the transmission mechanisms for the resource curse, the theoretical underpinnings of the resource curse argument, and literature and case study evidence. Our examination of the evidence shows that the ‘curse’ is not uniformly spread among resource rich countries, but applies more in developing countries with weak institutional frameworks than in developed economies. In particular, there is little evidence to show that Australia is afflicted by the resource curse, a finding consistent with the above conclusion. Therefore Australia is free to enjoy the benefits of having resources and to pursue policies of economic growth, and we outline the key policies that will best achieve these objectives.Our key conclusion is that the resource curse itself is a misnomer for the observation, and that rather than being ‘cursed’, nations with resources have to a large extent the capacity to control the economic effects of having the resources. The real problem is not a ‘resource curse’ but rather a ‘resource temptation’ that can result in a ‘curse’. The lesson in this for Australia is that we are not automatically immune from the resource curse, and that constant attention is needed to ensuring that we maintain an institutional framework that ensures continued benefit, without the detriments, that having resources can bring.

BACKGROUND: The Kell blood group system consists of 25 antigens that result from single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Most polymorphic Kell antigens reside on the N-terminal domain of Kell before the zinc-binding catalytic motif, which is the major site for endothelin-3–converting enzyme activity. Kell antigens are important in transfusion medicine owing to their strong immunogenicity, and the corresponding antibodies are clinically significant. Two probands were studied whose serum samples contained antibodies to different high-prevalence Kell antigens. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Standard hemagglutination methods were used for serologic testing of Proband 1 and Proband 2. DNA was prepared from both probands and family members. The 19 exons and the intron-exon regions of KEL from both probands were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and the sequences were compared with that of common KEL. The identified substitutions were located on a three-dimensional model of Kell generated based on the crystal structure of neutral endopeptidase, a homolog of Kell. RESULTS: In Proband 1, a homozygous 1988G>A mutation (Arg623Lys) in Exon 17 was present. One sibling of Proband 1 was homozygous for 1988G>A. In Proband 2, a homozygous 1033G>A mutation (Asp305Asn) in Exon 8 was present. Three siblings of Proband 2 were heterozygous for 1033G>A. CONCLUSION: The identified KEL mutations of the two probands are novel and inherited. The antigen absent from the red blood cells (RBCs) of Probands 1 and 2 are named KALT and KTIM, respectively. KALT is unique in that it is the only Kell antigen sensitive to treatment of RBCs by trypsin.

The solid solution region and reaction kinetics of the Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub y} (2212) superconductor were examined as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. Crystallization studies from the glassy and molten states were undertaken to determine the phase transformation and kinetics associated with the formation of 2212 and other competing phases. Crystallization of nominal 2212 glasses was found to proceed in two steps with the formation of Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2{minus}x}Ca{sub x}CuO{sub y} (2201) and Cu{sub 2}O followed by Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 3{minus}x}Ca{sub x}O{sub y}, CaO, and SrO. The 2212 phase converts from the 2201 phase with increasing temperatures. However, its formation below 800 C was kinetically limited. At 800 C and above, a nearly full conversion to the 2212 phase was achieved after only one minute although considerably longer anneal times were necessary for the system to reach equilibrium. In low oxygen partial pressures, the solidus is reduced to approximately 750 C. Solidification studies revealed an eutectic structure separating the incongruently melting 2212/2201 phases at high oxygen partial pressures from the congruently melting Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 3{minus}x}Ca{sub x}O{sub y} (23x) and Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2{minus}x}Ca{sub x}O{sub y} (22x) phases present at low oxygen partial pressures. During solidification in various oxygenmore » partial pressures, the separation of CaO in the melt and the initial crystallization of alkaline-earth cuprates leaves behind a Bi-rich liquid from which it is impossible to form single-phase 2212. Hence, significant amounts of 2201 were also present in these samples. These problems could be reduced by melt processing in inert atmospheres. Bulk 2212 material produced in this manner was found to possess high transition temperatures, high intergranular critical current densities below 20K, and modest critical current densities at 77K.« less

The purpose of this paper is to present the different models of fundus cameras available on the current market. Included is a users survey for which 775 questionnaires were sent to ophthalmic photographers for evaluation of their equipment. A total of 394 questionnaires were returned. Possible bias in the users survey was decreased by excluding eight of the returned questionnaires that indicated proprietary interests. Thirty-two photographers reported that they used two or more camera systems. The survey results do not include all of the cameras that are currently available; only the camera models for which evaluations were returned. Some of the returned questionnaires listed cost as one of the best or worst features of a particular system. However, this survey reflects only the technical data supplied by the users, as cost may not reflect the quality of a system. The authors have taken into consideration the fact that the manufacturers of fundus cameras are continuously striving to update their products and realize that upon publication of this article newer models may be available. The authors wish to note that neither has any proprietary interest in the development or marketing of any fundus camera system and to be as objective as possible, they did not contribute to the technical data.

• Serial fundus photographs of 14 eyes that eventually developed glaucomatous visual field defects and 110 slides from 76 eyes of race- and age-matched controls were reviewed in randomized masked fashion. Each eye that lost visual field demonstrated consistent abnormalities of the nerve fiber layer, beginning as early as 5 years (mean, 1½ years) before it developed glaucomatous visual field defects on routine Goldmann perimetry. Preliminary estimates, based on regression analysis of this small series, suggest that half of these eyes (median) might demonstrate such reproducible abnormalities between four and six years before onset of their visual field defects. Only 9% of the matched controls showed similar nerve fiber layer changes, and in the one instance where analysis was possible, these were inconsistent and nonreproducible. Nerve fiber layer assessment by means of fundus photographs may be the earliest, surest means of distinguishing ocular hypertension from true glaucoma. ( Arch Ophthalmol 95:2149-2156, 1977)

This paper includes the different manufacturers and models of the fundus cameras available on the market at the present time. With each model of fundus camera are listed the manufacturer's specifications and optional equipment available for each system. The present cost of a fundus camera may range from a few thousand to over $30,000. However, the price of a fundus camera does not reflect the overall optical quality, mechanical stability, or ease of operation. Many considerations should be taken to mind, and prospective purchasers would be well advised to familiarize themselves as to the quality and variable capabilities of each system, as no one fundus camera system is best suited for all applications. Upon considering the purchase of a fundus camera, actual photographs taken from each system should be reviewed, as quality will vary. Reproduction or marketing brochures do not represent the average quality of the photographs obtainable from a specific system. The authors present this material in the hope that it may aid those who may be considering the purchase of a fundus camera. From the The Wilmer Institute, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.

Abnormalities in the appearance of the retinal nerve fiber layer can indicate the presence of optic nerve atrophy, but a major problem has been the difficulty of visualizing the nerve fiber layer in some individuals. By selectively illuminating the white nerve fiber layer in comparison with the red retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal background, red-free light increases the visibility of the nerve fiber layer. Compared with the standard red-free photographic technique, a 560-nm short-pass cut-off filter, used with extended-range, high-resolution, extremely fine-grain film (Kodak No. 2415 Technical Pan film), considerably enhanced the ability to resolve nerve fiber bundles.