Mm In Internal Diameter Research Articles

Influence of composite restorative materials and light-curing units on diametrical tensile strength

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diametrical tensile strength (DTS) of three light-curing photo-activated composites with two different light curing units (LCU). Three types of dental restorative composites were used in this study: micro filled A110 (3M Espe); P60 (3M Espe) for posterior restorations, and micro-hybrid Charisma (Heraeus-Kulzer). The two LCUs were: halogen light (HAL) (Degulux, Degussa) and blue light emitting diode (LED) (Ultrablue, DMC). Resin composite specimens were inserted incrementally into a Teflon split mold measuring 3 mm in depth and 6 mm in internal diameter, and cured using either LCU (n = 10). Specimens were placed into a dark bottle containing distilled water at 37 degrees C for 7 days. DTS tests were performed in a Universal Testing Machine (0.5 mm/min). Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Results were (MPa): A110/HAL: 276.50 +/- 62.94a; A110/LED: 306.01 +/- 65.16a; P60/HAL: 568.29 +/- 60.77b and P60/LED: 543.01 +/- 83.65b; Charisma/HAL: 430.94 +/- 67.28c; Charisma/LED: 435.52 +/- 105.12c. Results suggested that no significant difference in DTS was obtained with LCUs for the same composite. However, resin composite restorative materials presented different DTS.

Growth and structure of TiO 2 thin films deposited inside borosilicate tubes by spray pyrolysis

Titanium dioxide thin films were deposited inside borosilicate glass tubes by a simple, reproducible spray pyrolysis technique. The tubes had 22 mm of internal diameter and 120 cm of length. Films were transparent, uniform on almost 80% of the tube length, non-light scattering, and well adhered to the substrate. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that titanium oxide films are polycrystalline, and their structure corresponds to a mixed phase of anatase and rutile. The microstructure of the films was built by irregular closed-packed grains of around 100–500 nm wide. Cross sections of the films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and Z-contrast techniques. This analysis showed that the grains were composed by very small crystallites of about 3–5 nm.

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) Drying Characteristic of Okara Cake

Drying of okara cake was investigated in an oven at 105°C with or without the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) technique. The okara cakes (77 g in weight and 81.57% ± 0.14%wb initial moisture) were put in Petri dishes of 93 mm in internal diameter and 18 mm in depth. One sample was exposed to a high electric field (HEF) established with needle and plate electrodes and the other was treated as control. During drying, the voltage was applied at −20 ± 0.1 kV, number of electrodes in point electrodes were 1 and 3, and the electrode gap was 35, 50, and 65 mm. Varying the number of needles in the point electrodes and the electrode gap in HEF drying, the initial drying rate was found to be 1.7–3.2 times higher than the control sample at the same time. The results indicated that the range of the drying rate ratio changed with the moisture content was one to two during drying process. The results also suggested that the drying kinetics of okara cake treated both with and without an electric field were better fitted with Page's model than the Fickian diffusion model. Moreover, the falling rate period could be divided into two parts. When the ratio of moisture content was equal to e−e (= 0.066), the falling rate period changed from the first stage into the second stage. The drying time under HEF condition reduced by 15% to 40% compared to control measured at the final moisture content of 10% wb. The HEF energy efficiency ratio changed with the moisture content was always more than 1 except for a short period before the end of drying. It indicated that the heat energy should be transported to the okara cake exposed to the HEF more than to the control from the oven.

Dry granulation of organic powders—dependence of pressure 2D-distribution on different process parameters

Nowadays dry granulation of powders has become a very important research topic because it is the most economic way of granulation, making the particle handling easier, and avoiding the loss of material during particle processing, or particle transfers. This kind of process has been deeply studied but a better knowledge appears necessary to control the great number of parameters of the process. This is particularly important in cases where the nature of the powder may lead to very complex phenomena during compaction. In order to try and optimise dry granulation process for organic compounds, a roll press has been designed with a series of instruments enabling to control the compaction process. The apparatus consists of three parts: a vertical container with rotating steel blades avoiding arches into which the powder is poured, a feeder transferring the powder towards the rolls; the feeder is equipped with an horizontal helical screw in a cylindrical draft tube (10 mm in internal diameter, 500 mm long) and in the end of the feeder, a junction allows the change from the cylindrical symmetry of the feeder to the prismatic symmetry existing in the roll gap. The roll press (0–500 kN, load per unit length 0– 10 4 kN m - 1 ) has been developed to record different major classical parameters: the roll speed, the roll gap, the press strength, the rotation angle, and the feeding rate (between 0 and 20 g s - 1 ). In comparison with different kinds of roll press described in the literature, in this work an original instrumentation system has been developed to catch specific data. The 3D-pressure distribution profiles at the interface between powder and the roll wall and the drive torque applied to the rolls were measured. A large-sized smooth steel-made roll (240 mm diameter, 50 mm width) has been chosen to compare the results to the industrial scale. The results obtained with an organic compound exhibited the dependence—sometimes unexpected—of the rotation angle, the feeding and the rotation speed on the pressure distribution, the roll width, and the drive torque.

Microhardness of Composites in Simulated Root Canals Cured with Light Transmitting Posts and Glass-Fiber Reinforced Composite Posts

The aim of this study was to evaluate the depth of cure of composite resin cured within simulated root canals by means of light-transmitting plastic posts, glass-fiber–reinforced composite posts, and conventional light curing method. Thirty black plastic cylinders measuring 15 mm in length and 4 mm in internal diameter were divided into three groups. The composite resin was packed into simulated canals. The light-transmitting plastic posts and glass-fiber–reinforced composite posts were inserted into simulated canals and light cured for 90 seconds. The control group was light cured directly. To ensure continual change of material properties by increasing the length of material, a surface microhardness test was done 2 mm, 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm, and 14 mm from the light exposure surface. The results showed a significant increase in microhardness of composite resin (depth of cure) for both light-transmitting plastic posts and glass-fiber–reinforced composite posts compared with the control group. The microhardness of composite resin was also significantly higher with light-transmitting plastic posts than glass-fiber–reinforced composite posts after 8 mm.

Efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation proctitis

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and medium-/long-term clinical course of patients undergoing endoscopic treatment with argon plasma coagulation for hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy. Descriptive, retrospective study with medium- and long-term follow-up. Ten patients were treated with argon plasma coagulation for hemorrhagic radiation proctopathy between July 1998 and February 2003. Inclusion criteria were: evidence of chronic rectal bleeding, consistent endoscopic findings, and absence of any other cause of hematochezia after a comprehensive ano-rectal examination and complete colonoscopy. The equipment used was a standard colonoscope, an argon delivery unit, an argon plasma coagulation probe 1.5 mm in internal diameter, and a high-frequency electrosurgical generator. Consecutive treatment sessions were programmed whenever it was considered necessary until all mucosal lesions had been treated. Clinical and evolutive follow-up was performed with a focus on tolerance, efficacy, and potential argon plasma coagulation-related complications. Data were updated by personal or telephonic interview. In all patients, chronic rectal bleeding stopped after the last treatment session. The mean number of treatment sessions to stop symptoms was 1.7. Mean follow-up was 31.1 months. All sessions were well tolerated, similarly to standard rectoscopy. In one case a recurrence of rectal bleeding was observed four months later, which required two repeat sessions. Four patients were anemic at inclusion. Three of them reported a resolved anemia at the end of the study. No delayed argon plasma coagulation-related complications such us ulcers or strictures were seen. Argon plasma coagulation appears to be a useful, effective and safe treatment for rectal bleeding resulting from chronic radiation proctitis when compared to standard medical and endoscopic treatments. These successful outcomes seem to persist even after long-term follow-up.

Diagnosis of plasmas in compact ECR ion source equipped with permanent magnet

A compact electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source equipped with permanent Nd2Fe14B magnets for mass spectrometry is presented, and the plasma density and electron temperature of the generated plasma are characterized using a Langmuir probe. The compact ion source is only 22.5 mm in internal diameter (1 in. tube), and 56 mm in length, and operates at high microwave frequencies of 7–10 GHz. A permanent ring magnet is introduced to establish a dispersive magnetic field in the ECR zone, and the effect of the position of the magnet is investigated. The plasmas are generated at low pressures of 10–150 mPa, at which the electron temperature and plasma density vary in the range 1–9 eV and 1016–1017 m−3. From an investigation of the effects of input power, pressure, and magnet position, mode jumps of the plasma discharge are observed with increasing input power, and the magnet position is found to be crucial to the tuning of the ion source.

Self-expandable valved stent of large size: off-bypass implantation in pulmonary position.

To evaluate the feasibility of the off-bypass implantation of a self-expandable valved stent of large size in pulmonary position. A glutaraldehyde preserved valved bovine jugular xenograft with internal diameter = 22 mm, mounted in two rings of nitinol 'Z' stent, expandable from 7 to 24 mm of internal diameter, was acutely evaluated in 6 adult pigs, mean body weight 55.6 kg (range 47-67 kg). Through a stent-graft delivery system (24 French) the self expandable valved stent was implanted off-bypass in pulmonary valve position by trans-ventricular approach through median sternotomy. The mean diameter of the main pulmonary artery measured was 21.7 +/- 1.6 mm. The mean length of the self expandable valved stent was 23.1 +/- 0.7 mm, the mean internal diameter 21.6 +/- 0.7 mm and the mean external diameter 26.3 +/- 0.7 mm. The mean peak pressure gradient recorded across the valve was 6.33 +/- 2.8 mmHg (range 4.5-9.6 mmHg) at Doppler echocardiography, and 4.5 +/- 3.1 mmHg (range 0-7 mmHg) at invasive measurement, with a pulmonary blood flow of 3.03 +/- 0.05 l/min. Intra-vascular ultrasound showed complete opening and closure of the valve (mean area reduction from 315.08 +/- 54.13 to 0 mm2). (a) Off-bypass implantation of self-expandable valved stent is feasible in pulmonary position; (b) off-bypass surgical approach allows for valved stent implantation of adult size with adequate hemodynamic functioning; and (c) intra-vascular ultrasound makes implantation and evaluation easy and reproducible.

Off-bypass implantation of a self-expandable valved stent between inferior vena cava and right atrium

A glutaraldehyde preserved valved bovine jugular xenograft mounted in a nitinol 'Z' stent, expandable from 7 to 28 mm of internal diameter, was evaluated in vitro (column of water developing a pressure of 45 mmHg and a mock loop including a pulsatile pump) and in vivo in five adult pigs with intra-vascular ultrasound to measure the inferior vena cava diameter via a retroperitoneal access. Through a stent-graft delivery system (24 French) the self expandable valved stent was implanted off-bypass in the inferior vena cava, between hepatic veins and cavo-atrial junction, with flow and pressure gradient recording. The mean length of the valved stent was 22.80+/-1.06 mm, the mean internal diameter 20.97+/-0.5 mm and the mean external diameter 26.67+/-0.9 mm. The valve leaking under pressure was 32.5+/-12.3 ml/min. The mean pressure gradient recorded across the self expandable valved stent implanted in the inferior vena cava was 1.0+/-0.5 mmHg (range 0-2 mmHg). Intra-vascular ultrasound showed partial opening and closing of the valve (mean area reduction from 148.5 to 81.5 mm2), with almost complete occlusion only during deep breaths. The in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the feasibility of potential application of the self-expandable valved stent implanted off-bypass in the inferior vena cava for late conversion of failing total cavo-pulmonary connection; intra-vascular ultrasound allows for adequate implantation and evaluation.

Spatial Heterogeneity in VEGF-induced Vasodilation: VEGF Dilates Microvessels but Not Epicardial and Systemic Arteries and Veins

This study was designed to investigate the site of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced vasodilation in the systemic and coronary vasculature. Intracoronary infusion of VEGF in Yorkshire pigs resulted in a significant drop in the mean arterial blood pressure, with a decline in the left ventricular left end-diastolic pressure, and no change in the heart rate. Coronary blood flow increase after intracoronary infusion of 10 mg VEGF (2.63 +/- 0.49x) was comparable to that seen after 40 mg of intracoronary adenosine (2.5 +/- 0.53x, p = 0.67) and was significantly higher then after 200 mg of intracoronary nitroglycerine (1.9 +/- 0.12x, p = 0.0005). At the same time, intracoronary VEGF did not result in a significant increase in coronary cross-sectional area determined using intravascular ultrasound. In vitro, VEGF produced dose-dependent relaxation of myocardial and systemic arterioles and venules (arterioles: 60-100 mm and venules: 120-200 mm in internal diameter) that was partially inhibited by L-NNA, but had no effect on epicardial coronary arteries, systemic arteries, or veins. Both VEGF receptors (flt-1 and flk-1) were identified on endothelial cells of epicardial arteries and veins. We conclude that this spatial heterogeneity of VEGF vasomotor effects cannot be explained by the absence VEGF receptors and suggests differential patterns of signal transduction in the vascular tree.

Compliance des ballonnets des sondes d’intubation pédiatriques

Objective. – Define the pressure–volume relationship of the cuff of paediatric cuffed tracheal tubes. Study design. – Experimental study. Material and methods. – The cuff pressure was measured after incremental 0.1 ml filling volumes for 6 sizes (3.0 to 5.5 mm of internal diameter) of paediatric high volume–low pressure cuffed–tracheal tubes. The pressure–volume relationship of the cuff was assessed with and without resistance to the filling. Results were expressed with medium ± SD. Result. – Each increment increased the cuff pressure, without resistance, of 7.3 ± 1.7 mmHg for sizes 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0, 4.8 ± 1.6 mmHg for size 4.5, and 2.3 ± 0.9 mmHg for sizes 5 and 5.5. The resistance decreased the filling volume of the cuff for each size of tracheal tubes. Conclusion. – The margin of safety provided by cuff of smallest cuffed tracheal tubes is too small. Then, the smallest sizes (3.0 to 4.5) should not be called low pressure–high volume cuff.

Peripheral airways in asthma.

The peripheral, or small, airways are usually defined as conducting airways that are less than 2 mm in internal diameter and extend from the noncartilaginous bronchioles to the alveolar ducts. Noninvasively measuring the function of the small airways in isolation is difficult since they make up only about 10% of total airway resistance. Quantitative pathologic studies have shown that both the small and large airways are involved in inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Recent studies also have shown that inflammation involves the alveoli surrounding small airways in asthma and that the distribution of different inflammatory cells across the airway wall varies in both large and small airways. Inhaled treatment that targets the small airways may be more effective than treatment that is deposited more proximally and suggests that treatments in the future need to address the variable distribution of pathology in the bronchial tree in asthma.

Experimental studies of isobutane (R600a) as the refrigerant in domestic refrigeration system

This paper presents an experimental study on the performance of a domestic vapor-compression refrigeration system with isobutane (R600a) as the refrigerant. The input power of the compressor varied between 230 and 300 W, while the amount of the charged refrigerant was about 150 g. The expansion and heat transfer components of the system were capillary tubes and plate heat exchangers, respectively. The refrigeration temperatures were set at about 4 and −10 ° C to simulate the situations of the cold storage and the freezing applications. Both normal and extreme conditions were investigated in this work. In the cold storage application, two capillary tubes in parallel gave better performances than a single tube. The proper sizes of the tube are between 4 and 4.5 m in length, and 0.7 mm in internal diameter in the cold storage application, while in the freezing application they are between 4.5 and 5 m in length, and 0.6 mm in internal diameter. The coefficients of performance of the system lie between 1.2 and 4.5 in the cold storage application and between 0.8 and 3.5 in the freezing application, which are comparable with those of the system with R-12 and R-22 as the refrigerant. In general, the refrigeration capacity increases with the refrigeration loads.

On the interaction of Taylor bubbles rising in two-phase co-current slug flow in vertical columns: turbulent wakes

An experimental study on the interaction between Taylor bubbles rising through a co-current flowing liquid in a vertical tube with 32 mm of internal diameter is reported. The flow pattern in the bubble's wake was turbulent and the flow regime in the liquid slug was either turbulent or laminar. When the flow regime in the liquid slug is turbulent (i) the minimum distance between bubbles above which there is no interaction is 5D-6D; (ii) the bubble's rising velocity is in excellent agreement with the Nicklin relation; (iii) the experimental values of the bubble length compare well with theoretical predictions (Barnea 1990); (iv) the distance between consecutive bubbles varied from 13D to 16D and is insensitive to the liquid Reynolds number. When the flow regime in the liquid slug is laminar (i) the wake length is about 5D-6D; (ii) the minimum distance between bubbles above which there is no interaction is higher than 25D; (iii) the bubble's rising velocity is significantly smaller than theoretical predictions. These results were explained in the light of the findings of Pinto et al. (1998) on coalescence of two Taylor bubbles rising through a co-current liquid.

Free hand aspiration for large periventricular hemorrhage: case report

BACKGROUNDAt present, there are several therapeutic options, including craniotomy and stereotactic aspiration, for large intracerebral hemorrhage perforating into the lateral ventricle. In the cases with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores under 6 with anisocoria, external ventricular drainage would be the first choice [2–4]. We have also performed anterior ventricular horn puncture in a standard manner. The target was the foramen of Monro, at a depth of 5.5 cm from the inner table of the skull. The point of insertion was located just anterior to the coronal suture, approximately 10 cm above the nasion, and 3 cm from the midline [1]. However, we noticed that the insertion of a catheter into the periventricular hematoma adjacent to the lateral ventricle was made easier by tilting the catheter 30° laterally as in the first case (Figure 1). METHODSIn our method, inclining the catheter by 30° laterally, we used a silicone tube 3.5 mm in internal diameter (Silascon® ventricle drainage tube, Kaneka Medix Corp., Osaka, Japan) and then replaced it with another Silascon® tube with a 2.5 mm-internal diameter. From January 1999 through December 2000, eleven patients who all had GCS scores under 6 and anisocoria preoperatively were treated by this method. The series included two patients who were undergoing hemodialysis because of renal failure, two with bleeding tendency because of liver dysfunction, and one with heart failure.RESULTSThe insertion itself caused no complications. Cerebrospinal fluid was drained smoothly after removal of hematoma because the hematoma cavity connecting with the lateral ventricle was opened. Two typical cases using this technique are shown (Figures 1 and 2). All patients recovered favorable consciousness postoperatively compared with the preoperative state but hemiparesis remained. Postsurgical follow up at 3 months revealed the outcomes evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were moderate disability in 5 patients and severe disability in 6 patients.CONCLUSIONThis direct aspiration and drainage of a large intracerebral hematoma that ruptures into the lateral ventricle is superior to simple ventricular drainage in regard to the removal of the hematoma clot. This technique would be the choice especially in patients with serious complications such as cardiac disease and renal failure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an overview of pathology and pathogenesis.

A cigarette smoke-induced inflammatory process underlies the pathogenesis of the majority of pathologic lesions associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In chronic bronchitis, this process is located in the mucosa, gland ducts and glands of intermediate sized bronchi with an internal diameter of 2-4 mm. The mucus-containing exudate produced by the inflammatory response overpowers the normal clearance mechanisms, resulting in the cough and expectoration that characterize chronic bronchitis. In some cases of chronic bronchitis, the inflammatory process extends to smaller bronchi and bronchioles less than 2 mm in internal diameter. In this location, the inflammatory process thickens the wall, narrows the lumen and destroys the parenchymal support of the airways. These changes progressively increase peripheral airways resistance and eventually reduce the patient's ability to empty their lungs to a degree that can be measured by a reduction in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second). The reduction in lung surface area produced by parenchymal inflammation contributes to the decline in FEV1 by reducing lung elastic recoil, which is the major force driving air out of the lung. It also contributes to the reduction in diffusing capacity by reducing the lung capillary bed. The purpose of this presentation is to review the quantitative aspects of these pathological changes and attempt to provide insight into factors which result in progression of these lesions.

Ozone production using pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in oxygen

The production of ozone was investigated using a dielectric barrier discharge in oxygen, and employing short-duration pulsed power. The dependence of the ozone concentration (parts per million, ppm) and ozone production yield (g(O/sub 3/)/kWh) on the peak pulsed voltage (17.5 to 57.9 kV) and the pulse repetition rate (25 to 400 pulses/s, pps) were investigated. In the present study, the following parameters were kept constant: a pressure of 1.01/spl times/10/sup 5/ Pa, a temperature of 26/spl plusmn/4/spl deg/C a gas flow rate of 3.0 1/min and a gaseous gap length of 11 mm. A concentric coaxial cylindrical reactor was used. A spiral copper wire (1 mm in diameter) was wound on a polyvinylchloride (PVC) cylindrical configuration (26 mm in diameter) and placed centrally in a concentric coaxial electrode system with 4 mm thick PVC dielectric layer adjacent to a copper outer electrode of 58 mm in internal diameter. HV and current pulses were provided by a magnetic pulse compressor power source.

Effects of beam-tube roughness on x-ray free electron laser performance

In an x-ray free electron laser like the Linear Coherent Light Source being designed at SLAC, electron bunches about $70\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ FWHM long are sent into a beam tube only 5 mm in internal diameter and more than 100 m in length. Because of the surface roughness of the beam tube, wakefields can be generated that catch up to the bunch and interact with it, causing energy spread and emittance growth. The strength of this effect depends on the details of the roughness of the surface. We present here a study in which the roughness of the beam tube was measured and the longitudinal impedance of the tube was calculated. Our result shows that a commercially available beam tube can be made smooth enough so the resulting wakefield effects are within the tolerance determined by the requirement that the induced relative energy spread of the beam be less than $5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$.

Aspectos biológicos de Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse Saussure e Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) rogenhoferi Kohl (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) em ninhos-armadilhas, com especial referência a suas presas

Ninhos de Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) lactitarse Saussure e Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) rogenhoferi Kohl foram obtidos em ninhos-armadilhas na Fazenda Santa Carlota, Cajuru, SP e Campus da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP. Os ninhos de T. lactitarse (n=51) e de T. rogenhoferi (n=55) foram construídos em gomos de bambu que variaram em comprimento e diâmetro interno, respectivamente, de 88,2 a 233,9 mm e de 7,4 a 14,7 mm, para a primeira espécie e de 104,1 a 201,2 mm e de 7,5 a 14,8 mm para a segunda. As células foram aprovisionadas com aranhas, previamente paralisadas, em número variável de três a 23 aranhas e as biomassas de 129,1 a 367,9 mg, para T. lactitarse, e de três a 24 aranhas e de 143,8 a 506,6 mg, para T. rogenhoferi. Células de T. lactitarse contendo de três a 11 e de T. rogenhoferi de três a 12 presas apresentaram biomassas semelhantes às daquelas contendo de 12 a 23 e de 13 a 24, respectivamente. Para as duas espécies estudadas, os machos mostraram-se menores que as fêmeas, enquanto que machos e fêmeas de T. rogenhoferi foram maiores do que aqueles de T. lactitarse. A família de aranha mais representada nas coletas foi Araneidae, a qual correspondeu a 96,6% dos indivíduos capturados por T. lactitarse e 99,45% daqueles capturados por T. rogenhoferi; as espécies de aranhas mais coletadas pelo primeiro e segundo predador foram Eustala sp1 (37,6%) e Alpaida veniliae (Keyserling) (48,1%), respectivamente.

Astigmatismusreduktion durch 4 mm langen nahtfreien kornealen Starschnitt (Stretch-Inzision) mit Phakoemulsifikation und 5 mm PMMA-Linsen-Implantation

Refractive cataract surgery using corneal incisions is aiming at neutralization of preoperative astigmatism. 61 patients with preoperative astigmatism of 2.25 +/- 0.98 were included in the treatment. A self-sealing corneal tunnel incision measuring 4.0 to 4.1 mm in external diameter and 6.5 to 7.0 mm in internal diameter (stretch incision) was performed on the steeper axis. After capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification a 5 mm PMMA lens was implanted without suturing. Keratometry and corneal topography were performed preoperatively, 3 days and 1 year respectively following surgery. The statistical analysis was based on the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Surgical induced astigmatism (IA) following superior incisions in cases of astigmatism with the rule (n = 29) amounted to 1.93 +/- 0.97, while lateral incisions in cases of astigmatism against the rule (n = 29) led to an IA of 1.35 +/- 0.73. Axial shifts by more than 30 degrees were 23% following superior incisions and 17%, after lateral incisions. We observed. astigmatic reduction of 1.3 D after superior incisions and 0.7 D following lateral incisions. By 4 mm corneal cataract incisions on the steeper axis a high preoperative astigmatism can be reduced significantly without additional keratotomies.