Andrew Cutz

Publications

• Effects of microwave radiation on the eye: the occupational health perspective.

  A Cutz

  Lens and eye toxicity research. 02/1989; 6(1-2):379-86.

  The purpose of this overview is to promote an interest in understanding and reducing the possible occupational health risks of microwave radiation on the eye. Microwaves act on living tissue through two types of mechanisms, thermal and nonthermal. Lens opacities can be induced in experimental animal... [more] The purpose of this overview is to promote an interest in understanding and reducing the possible occupational health risks of microwave radiation on the eye. Microwaves act on living tissue through two types of mechanisms, thermal and nonthermal. Lens opacities can be induced in experimental animals at relatively high intensities (power densities greater than 100 mW/cm2). For lower intensities, lens changes may depend on the cumulative dose. At "nonthermal intensities", microwaves can act as a trigger and set off changes in the living tissues (e.g. Ca++ efflux). Some cataract-causing agents (alloxan and galactose) act synergistically with microwaves. Microwaves also accelerate formation of cataracts due to diabetes. The corneal endothelium can be damaged by microwaves alone or in combination with some drugs. Microwave degeneration of retinal nerve endings and a small increase in retinal permeability were also found in animals. The effect of long-term low-intensity microwave exposure on the human lens remains poorly understood. Several reports have implicated occupational microwave exposure as a factor in increasing the rate of lens aging and retinal injury in microwave workers. In Canada, recommended microwave exposure limits are set at 25 mW/cm2 for microwave workers and at 1 mW/cm2 for the general public (both averaged over 1 minute). The Australian microwave exposure safety standard (1985) recommends pre- and post-employment eye examinations for workers.
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  Ocular effects of water from acidic lakes: an experimental study.

  P K Basu, M Avaria, A Cutz, M Chipman

  Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie. 05/1984; 19(3):134-41.

  The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects on the conjunctiva and cornea of eyes exposed to water from acidic lakes in comparison with water from lakes having a nearly neutral pH. One eye each of 190 rabbits was exposed to an experimental sample of water having a pH of 5.18,... [more] The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects on the conjunctiva and cornea of eyes exposed to water from acidic lakes in comparison with water from lakes having a nearly neutral pH. One eye each of 190 rabbits was exposed to an experimental sample of water having a pH of 5.18, 5.04, 4.70 or 4.50. The other eye of each rabbit was simultaneously exposed to a control sample of water having a pH of 6.40 or 6.21. The water was continuously instilled for 15 minutes every day for 7 days. Observations were made daily. The two eyes of each rabbit were compared for conjunctival congestion, corneal staining with fluorescent dye, the granulocyte count and osmolarity of the tears, bacteriologic findings in conjunctival swabs, corneal cell damage, corneal thickness and ultrastructural features of the corneal epithelium. Although some of the rabbits showed a difference of reaction in the two eyes, the majority showed similar reactions to water from the acidic and nearly neutral lakes.
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  Tensile strength of fascia lata sutures following gamma radiation.

  A Cutz, D B Reid, P K Basu

  Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie. 08/1977; 12(3):211-5.

  Gamma radiation (Co-60) is used to sterilize biological sutures. We wished to compare the effect of gamma-radiation in doses of 2.7 and 4.0 Mrads on the tensile strength of human fascia lata sutures obtained from the same cadaver. Five variables of tensile strength viz. Breaking Elongation, Breaking... [more] Gamma radiation (Co-60) is used to sterilize biological sutures. We wished to compare the effect of gamma-radiation in doses of 2.7 and 4.0 Mrads on the tensile strength of human fascia lata sutures obtained from the same cadaver. Five variables of tensile strength viz. Breaking Elongation, Breaking Load, Yield Point Load, Work of Rupture and Elastic Stiffness were determined for each suture. For Breaking Elongation the mean strength for the 4.0 Mrad dose was 3% less than for 2.7 Mrad dose (P less than 0.05); for Breaking Load 11% less (P less than 0.01); for Yield Point Load 9% less (P less than 0.02); for Work of Rupture 14% less (P less than 0.01); and for Elastic Stiffness 8% less (P less than 0.02). Irradiation with 4.0 Mrads, does not greatly change the tensile strength characteristics of fascia lata sutures.
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  Ultimate tensile strength of gamma irradiated human scleral sutures.

  A Cutz, D B Reid, P K Basu

  Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie. 08/1977; 12(3):216-22.

  Scleral sutures were prepared by hand from the equatorial region of 53 paired donor eyes. The weakening produced by two doses of gamma Co-60 radiation (2.7 and 4.0 Mrads) was compared using measurements of tensile strength; the strength of unirradiated scleral sutures was also measured, for comparis... [more] Scleral sutures were prepared by hand from the equatorial region of 53 paired donor eyes. The weakening produced by two doses of gamma Co-60 radiation (2.7 and 4.0 Mrads) was compared using measurements of tensile strength; the strength of unirradiated scleral sutures was also measured, for comparison. The three variables of tensile strength, viz. Breaking Elongation, Breaking Load, and Work of Rupture was determined for each suture. As compared to unirradiated sutures, Breaking Elongation decreased on irradiation (P less than 0.01), but the two doses of irradiation were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05); Breaking Load increased on irradiation (P less than 0.01), but the two doses of irradiation were again not significant (P greater than 0.05). Only 4.0 Mrads irradiated scleral sutures, as compared to unirradiated ones, showed a statistically significant reduction (P less than 0.01) for Work of Rupture. No definite relationships were found by regression analysis among the tensile strength variables and the independent variables of sex and various storage times for the 4.0 Mrad data. Work of Rupture showed a negative relationship to the age of donors, though the change with age was small.