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Intraovular pressure was measured in 20 patients undergoing anesthesia for electroshock therapy. Compared to control values, determined on the day before electroshock therapy, statistically significant elevations of intraocular pressure followed the post-electroshock therapy convulsions and were still significant 5 minutes later, but not of sufficient magnitude or duration to cause concern.

Plasma cholinesterase activity was periodically measured in bank blood. Of the initial plasma cholinesterase activity 87% was retained after 21 days of storage at 4 C in citrate-phosphate-dextrose solution. In addition, plasma frozen for 7 weeks at -70 C showed no decrease in enzyme activity. No difference could be demonstrated in the stability of the enzyme related to whether the blood was stored in citrate-phosphate-dextrose or in acid-citrate-dextrose solution. Bank blood transfusion prior to or during succinylcholine administration should not significantly alter the duration of action of succinylcholine, and would probably be effective in the management of prolonged apnea resulting from a deficiency of this enzyme.

The extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectrum of aluminum has been measured with a nanosecond pulse of soft x-rays generated by a laser-produced plasma. This technique provides a practical alternative to synchrotorn radiation for the acquisition of EXAFS data. It also provides a unique capability for the analysis of molecular structure in highly transient chemical species.