The Medical journal of Australia
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A myoelectrically controlled electric hand has been modified so that the gripping force between thumb and index finger may be measured. The measurement is used to control a sensory feedback device applied to the surface of the skin within the socket of the prosthesis informing the wearer of the strength of grip exerted. Two people have been fitted with this prosthesis and they report that the sensory feedback gives them reassurance when using the arm. To date there has not been any noticeable adverse tissue reponse from the applied sensory stimulus.
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In a consecutive series of 93 patients with premature rupture of the membranes at 20 to 34 weeks of gestation, the perinatal mortality was 23.7%. One-quater of the deaths were due to lethal congenital abnormalities, 18% were due to intrauterine infection, and 36% resulted from severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). ⋯ Almost one-third of the patients were delivered within 48 hours of membrane rupture; however, short-term treatment with salbutamol was able to delay the delivery for at least six days in 5 of the 13 patients to whom it was given. As postponement of delivery for days or weeks after the membranes have ruptured reduces the incidence and severity of Rds, this therapy may well have a place in the treatment of this condition.
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The possible danger of surgical transmission of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease from one human being to another has been reported in three instances. Although laboratory attempts at transmission of this disease by corneal grafting have so far failed in animals, it is emphasized that great care should be exercised in the selection of donor material for corneal grafts and renal transplants.