Report from the CDC. Pap test intervals used by physicians serving low-income women through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program

The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides breast and cervical cancer screening to low-income women who are uninsured or underinsured. For women with three consecutive annual Pap tests with normal findings, the NBCCEDP supports extending the screening interval to every 3 years. Thirteen telephone focus groups were conducted with physician providers in 17 states and the District of Columbia to investigate familiarity with NBCCEDP's triennial Pap test policy, the Pap test intervals actually used, and the factors influencing screening interval selection. No participants were familiar with NBCCEDP's triennial Pap test policy, and none reported routinely extending the screening interval after three consecutive annual Pap tests with normal findings. Two patterns of screening interval use were reported: annual screeners continued performing yearly Pap tests, and selective extended screeners offered an extended interval to select patients. Annual and selective extended screeners reported that both unique and common factors influenced the screening intervals they used. The NBCCEDP has established its cancer screening priorities to focus limited resources on the goal of providing services to eligible women who have rarely or never been screened. Increased efforts are needed to educate physicians about the science supporting an extended Pap screening interval and overcome the barriers associated with its adoption.

Experimental hyphema clearance in rabbits. Drug trials with 1% atropine and 2% and 4% pilocarpine

The effect of topical 1% atropine sulfate, 2% pilocarpine hydrochloride, and 4% pilocarpine hydrochloride on the clearance rate of RBCs labeled with chromium 51 (51Cr) that were injected into the anterior chamber of rabbits was determined by monitoring sequential radioactivity counts. Counts were made directly over the anterior chamber. One eye of each animal was treated with either 1% atropine, 2% pilocarpine, or 4% pilocarpine, and the other eye served as a control. None of these drugs significantly altered the clearance rate of 51Cr-labeled RBCs injected into the anterior chamber.

Serum clonazepam concentrations in children with absence seizures

Clonazepam, a chlorinated derivative of nitrazepam, was administered to 10 children with absence seizures. Serum concentrations were measured after 8 weeks of treatment, at steady state. Seizure frequency reports and the 12-hour telemetered electroencephalogram were studied before and after 8 weeks of treatment to determine the frequency and duration of generalized spike-wave paroxysms. The clonazepam dosage ranged from 0.028 to 0.111 mg per kilogram and was reflected in serum levels ranging from 13 to 72 ng per milliliter, with an excellent correlation between dose and serum level. Eight of the 10 patients showed a significant decrease in seizure frequency, with three experiencing no seizures at all. Six patients had side effects, predominantly drowsiness and ataxia. This preliminary study shows clonazepam to be useful in the treatment of absence seizures in children and to merit further study.