Cotton-tipped Applicator Research Articles

Sector Pupillary Dilation

Sector pupillary dilation is a method for controlled delivery of topical ophthalmic adrenergic agonists to stimulate the dilator muscle focally in patients predisposed to pharmacologically induced acute angle-closure glaucoma. Sector pupillary dilation can be achieved by applying a sterile cotton-tipped applicator moistened with 2.5% phenylephrine ophthalmic solution at the 6:00 o'clock limbus. A pilot study (N = 2) was conducted of one blue-eyed subject (M, age 38 years) and one brown-eyed subject (F, age 36 years) using drug contact times of 5 to 30 s in 5-s intervals. The horizontal and vertical pupil diameters were measured using photographs taken every 10 min for 1 h and every 20 min for the second hour. Sector pupil dilation developed with all application times. For the blue-eyed subject maximum sector dilation (delta = V-H = 1.5 mm) occurred with a 20-s contact time and peaked after 40 min. For the brown-eyed subject, the sector dilation effect was less marked and did not demonstrate a clear-cut peak time.

A comparative analysis of scoring methods for chemical discrimination of prey by squamate reptiles

In studies of squamate responses to prey chemicals presented on cotton-tipped applicators, investigators typically record several responses, each of which gives only part of the overall picture. The tongue-flick/attack score (TFAS) is a widely used composite measure of response strength that accounts for attack, its latency, and number of tongue-flicks. We present data and analyses on these variables and investigate the utility of several other possible response variables. It is concluded, for both practical and theoretical reasons, that TFAS and two modifications of it are the best measures of response strength. Uses and statistical analyses of TFAS and variables derived from it are discussed. It is recommended that information on tongue-flick rate, number of individuals attacking, and latency to attack be presented.

Management of Chronic Blepharitis

To Editor. —Letters in June 1988 issue of theArchives1,2referred to use of a new, commercially available preparation for treatment of chronic blepharitis. Duke-Elder and MacFaul3describe use of a large number of substances for this common condition and note that the most effective single measure in treatment of blepharitis is good lid-hygiene. Included in this list of substances is a bland, isotonic bicarbonate lotion, which was often prescribed by several of my ophthalmic teachers (with an appropriate antibiotic ointment after bacteriological studies had been performed). I began to advise patients to make their own solutions and arbitrarily suggested using one teaspoonful of sodium bicarbonate added to a (British) pint (0.57 L) of tapwater that had been boiled then allowed to cool. This was to be made up weekly or biweekly, and care was taken not to redip cotton-tip applicators. Solutions

Maserlike nonlinear scatter from human breath, a surface-enhanced far infrared scatter effect

A cotton tip applicator was utilized to stimulate far IR scatter (emission) from human breath. The reticulated cotton tip was vibrated at 200 Hz, the acoustic frequency that matches the average vibration frequency of common species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes have open resonator dielectric sensillae (spines) on their antenna that match the 643 cm −1 (15.5) Cabannes line in the 667 cm −1 region of CO 2 rotation line, acoustic Stokes Brillouin and Stokes Raman lines are noted. Implications of such maserlike (coherent or partial coherent) scatter lines to insect control and disease diagnostics are discussed.

Magnetized Forceps for Metallic Corneal Foreign Bodies

<h3>To the Editor.</h3> —Corneal foreign bodies are frequently ferromagnetic. These foreign bodies and their resultant rust rings should be removed.¹Cotton-tipped applicators, hypodermic needles, and dental burrs are commonly used to extricate shards and rust rings.²Although an embedded particle can be displaced by the needle, it may not easily be lifted from the epithelial surface. We have found the following instrument helpful in the removal of corneal magnetic foreign bodies and their rust rings. A magnet is attached to the handle of a sterile jeweler's forceps, rendering the tips magnetic (Figure). One or multiple metallic foreign bodies can be dislodged and magnetically lifted or grasped. The tips of most forceps are slightly less sharp than the tip of a hypodermic needle and, when used tangentially, they facilitate foreign-body and rust-ring removal with less risk of impaling the cornea if the patient moves.

Survival of herpes simplex virus during cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen.

Because many viruses can survive extremely cold temperatures for extended periods of time, transmission of viral diseases from person to person using improper cryosurgical techniques might conceivably occur. To investigate the survivability of herpes simplex virus during cryotherapy, virus was first inoculated onto cotton-tipped applicators from either tissue cultures or from active lesions on patients, and then frozen for variable times in liquid nitrogen (-196 degrees C). After thawing, the applicators were cultured for the virus. The virus survived 12 hours of freezing (the maximum time of freezing in the study), which suggests that herpes simplex could be transmitted between cryosurgical patients if care is not taken to use separate cotton-tipped applicators and liquid nitrogen containers for each case.

Interspecific Odour Discriminations Among Syntopic Congeners in Scincid Lizards (Genus Eumeces)

In a successive discrimination experiment several odours were presented to male Eumeces fasciatus on cotton-tipped applicators. The males displayed higher tongue-flick rates during a 60 second interval when responding to cloacal odours of conspecific females than to cloacal odours of females belonging to two very closely related species in the fasciatus group of Eumeces, water, or a pungency control. Similarly, male E. inexpectatus emitted higher tongue-flick rates to cloacal odors of conspecific females than to those of female E. fasciatus. Because male E. laticeps, which can follow female scent trails, also can discriminate conspecific from heterospecific female odors and because all three of these lizards tongue-flick repeatedly at the outsets of potential social encounters, chemical signals appear to be a basis for important social discriminations in the fasciatusgroup.

Leukotriene D4 relaxes canine renal and superior mesenteric arteries.

To characterize the influences of leukotriene D4 on regional vascular smooth muscle, effects of leukotriene D4 on vasomotor tone of canine renal and superior mesenteric arterial rings were determined. Vascular smooth muscle tone was measured with isometric force transducers. After tone had been induced with norepinephrine, leukotriene D4, in concentrations of 10(-8) M to 10(-7) M, produced dose-dependent relaxation of renal and superior mesenteric arterial rings. Leukotriene D4-induced relaxation was observed only in those ring preparations in which care had been taken to avoid damaging the luminal surface. Acetylcholine (10(-7) M) also decreased tone in these same ring segments. Neither acetylcholine nor leukotriene D4 altered tone of arterial rings after the endothelium had been intentionally disrupted by rubbing with a cotton-tipped applicator. Nitroglycerin (10(-6) M) relaxed rings both before and after rubbing the intimal surface. These results demonstrate that leukotriene D4 possesses the capacity to relax canine superior mesenteric and renal arterial rings in an endothelial-dependent manner. Because relaxation of renal and superior mesenteric arterial rings in response to leukotriene D4 was not altered after incubation with indomethacin (10(-5) M), the observed endothelial-dependent relaxation induced by leukotriene D4 did not appear to be related to release of a cyclooxygenase metabolite(s). In contrast, FPL 55712 (10(-5) M) attenuated the relaxation produced by leukotriene D4, suggesting that this response was a receptor-linked consequence.

Efficacy of Cotton-Tipped Applicators for Obtaining Cells from the Uterine Cervix for Papanicolaou Smears

SHEN, JEN-TA; NALICK, RICHARD H.; SCHLAERTH, JOHN B.; MORROW, C. PAUL Author Information

Abrasion resistant casts for removable partial dentures

Stone casts used for fabrication of cast frameworks for removable partial dentures can be distorted or mechanically abraded in the duplication process. As a result the framework produced may not accurately fit the cast and the patient’s mouth, and it may require major adjustment. Surface trealment of gypsum casts with cyanoacrylate resins significantly increases abrasion resistance without loss of surface detail.‘bz The dimensional increase in size of the casts has been found to be in the range of 2 to 4 pm, which is not a clinically significant amount. To reduce the mechanical abrasion and/or distortion of casts made for the fabrication of removable prostheses, the following procedure is recommended. 1. Make a slone cast, trim, and thoroughly dry it. 2. Apply cyanoacrylate resin (Aron Alpha adhesive, Howmedica, Inc., Clifton, N.J.; or Permabond 910 Adhesive, Permabond Int,ernational Corp., Inglewood, N. J.) liberally to the cast with a cotton-tipped applicator. Excess resin is

Studies on the distribution of abnormal cells in cytological preparations II. Making the smear with the cotton swab applicator

It is apparent that tumor cells are distributed to certain areas of the slide with greater frequency by different smearing techniques when using cotton-tipped applicators. We are now investigating in detail the parameters influencing the concentration of tumor cells in certain areas of the slides in hopes of finding ways to detect abnormal cells as directly as possible. The frequency of tumor cells was highest when a cotton swab was used to make a clockwise circular application to the slide.

An Unusual Case of Cutaneous Diphtheria

SEATTLE-KING County has experienced an outbreak of diphtheria since 1972. 1 It has been characterized mainly by cutaneous diphtheria among alcohol-using indigent adults in Seattle's Skid Road area. During this period, 749 cases and carriers of diphtheria were identified, and one, described here, was an unusual case of chronic intermittent cutaneous diphtheria. Methods For three years the patient was often seen at one of five health facilities: Harborview Medical Center (HMC), Seattle-King County Health Department Communicable Disease Control Clinic, Seattle City Jail, Seattle Indian Health Clinic, and Pioneer Square Neighborhood Health Center. There, the patient's skin lesions were swabbed with a sterile cotton-tipped applicator, and the material was either directly inoculated onto blood agar, tellurite, and Loeffler's blood culture media, or, in several of the facilities, Amies transport medium without charcoal was used initially. Nasopharyngeal and throat cultures were also obtained when the patient was examined at the Health Department.

Application of Diethyl Ether to Herpes Simplex Lesions

To the Editor.— For many years, I have used an excellent, practical, safe solution to the problem of the application of diethyl ether to herpes simplex lesions (238:1631, 1977) and have had no complaints from patients concerning the safety of the following method. I advise them to purchase an aerosol container of engine-starting fluid and warn them as to the directions on the container about its explosive nature. Inasmuch as this product has been used by millions of people over the years, including myself for other purposes, the safety rules concerning its use are well documented. The instructions to the patient concerning application to the herpes lesions involves early detection of the recurrence by means of the pain that exists. This always precedes the emergence of the lesions. At this time, the patient takes a cotton-tipped applicator, places it at the orifice in the head of the aerosol can, releases

Dimethylglyoxime Stick Test for Easier Detection of Nickel

To the Editor.— Nickel is everywhere. Consequently, the nickel-sensitive patient must constantly be on the alert since exposure to this metal could inflict a pruritic, eczematous wound. But how can the nickel-sensitive individual know exactly what he can or cannot touch? We have found that a relatively simple modification of the dimethylglyoxime spot test can greatly increase its usefulness and provide information that will be of help in preventing inadvertent reexposure to nickel. The dimethylglyoxime test for detection of nickel, first described by Fleigl 1 and modified by Fisher, 2 consists of adding a few drops of 1% dimethylglyoxime in alcoholic solution and a few drops of 10% ammonium hydroxide solution to a test object and observing for the presence of a red precipitate. In our modification of this procedure, a few drops of dimethylglyoxime and ammonium hydroxide are successively placed on a cotton-tipped applicator, and the cotton tip is

Dust Particles Retained in the Upper Fornix

Minute multiple dust particles enclosed in long stick mucous filaments may remain hidden in the recesses of the upper fornix for considerable periods of time. They produce the subjective sensations of grittiness or smarting. After repeated maneuvers of eversion of the upper eyelid and blinking, the nasal end of the mucosities lodged in the upper fornix may become visible over the plica semilunaris or caruncle. When drawing them from the lacus lacrimalis with thin moist cotton-tipped applicators, long mucous filaments will be seen gliding out from under the nasal end of the upper eyelid.

Physician and patient-induced diseases in otolaryngology office practice.

"Theragenic" diseases produce common ENT complaints. They are frequently and predictably induced by self or physician treatment. Fifteen percent of first office visits in various practice situations stem from therapeutically-induced disease. Self treatment by cotton tip applicator ear cleaning, nasal decongestants, mouth washes, and lozenges produce symptoms which mimic other etiologies. Prescription medications produce diseases with ENT symptoms which are based on pharmacologic toxicity, multiple drug therapy, drug intolerance, and occasional idiopathic hypersensitivity. The treatment of these diseases is simple and effective once their etiology is discovered.

Removing Cerumen with a Water Pik

Cerumen occluding the ear canal is a common, annoying problem among people of all ages. Hearing can be impaired, adding further to a person's discomfort. Nurses and physicians warn their patients to keep foreign objects out of the ear and not to use even cotton-tipped applicators lest the cerumen be impacted and pushed back to the ear drum. But if the natural movements of the head and neck and minor dilations of the

Removing Cerumen with a Water Pik

Cerumen occluding the ear canal is a common, annoying problem among people of all ages. Hearing can be impaired, adding further to a person's discomfort. Nurses and physicians warn their patients to keep foreign objects out of the ear and not to use even cotton-tipped applicators lest the cerumen be impacted and pushed back to the ear drum. But if the natural movements of the head and neck and minor dilations of the

Filamentary keratitis following cataract extraction.

Filamentary keratitis, a little-known complication of cataract surgery, caused significant symptoms in the patients it affected. In most instances, the filaments disappeared in a week or two with therapy consisting of filament removal with (0.5%) silver nitrate impregnated cotton-tipped applicators. However, in two out of eight patients, the filaments recurred up to four years after surgery, although the visual acuity usually was not significantly affected.

Potato chip laceration of the throat.

<h3>To the Editor.—</h3> A 74-year-old woman was seen as an emergency patient because of the sudden onset of hemoptysis. She had been coughing blood for one hour; otherwise she was asymptomatic. There was no history of heart disease, chest pain, dyspnea, leg pains, or previous cough. The heart and lungs appeared to be normal, and the blood pressure was 130/78 mm Hg. Her throat revealed what appeared to be a laceration in the left tonsillar fossa with profuse welling of blood. An attempt to stop the bleeding by pressure with a cotton-tipped applicator failed. She continued to cough frank blood several times during the examination. Questioning at this time failed to elicit an obvious cause of the bleeding. However, as she was about to leave the office, she suddenly remembered that she had eaten several potato chips prior to the onset of bleeding. My impression at this time was a