The antigenicity and evolution of influenza H1 haemagglutinin, from 1950-1957 and 1977-1983: two pathways from one gene

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the region of the haemagglutinin gene coding for the HA1 domain of the protein was performed on 19 human influenza A strains of H1 subtype representative of the two epidemic periods from 1977-1983 and from 1950-1957. The amino acid changes relative to A/USSR/90/77 are summarised and are consistent with the view that variation in these field strains involves changes largely at the Sb and Ca antigenic sites previously characterised in laboratory mutants of the haemagglutinin of influenza A/PR/8/34. The Sa and Cb sites are less variant and are probably masked by carbohydrate side chains. We discuss the significance of other amino acid changes which do not correspond to previously defined antigenic sites. We also define the "mainstream" amino acid changes characteristic of the divergent evolutionary pathways of the 1950-1957 and 1977-1983 periods and note that the rate of evolution is faster in the earlier period.     

Frequency of Saint Louis encephalitis virus in humans from Florida, USA: 1990-1999

Four general frequencies of human St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) virus (epidemic, focal, sporadic, and no transmission) occurred in Florida between 1990 and 1999. An epidemic with 226 clinical cases and 11 deaths was reported from 28 Florida counties between July 1990 and January 1991. During the autumn of 1993, a focal outbreak was reported from Lee (5 cases) and Collier (3) Counties in southwest Florida. During the autumn of 1997, sporadic transmission to nine humans was reported from five Florida counties (Brevard [1 case], Polk [3], Charlotte [1], Lee [2], and Palm Beach [2]). Human infection with SLE virus depends on a number of variables that drive virus transmission. These include vector, virus, and avian host abundance, and meteorological events, especially rainfall. We monitored the abundance and serological status of wild avian amplification hosts, virus isolations from Culex nigripalpus Theobald females, and SLE virus transmission to sentinel chickens during 1990, 1993, and 1997. The epidemic of 1990 was characterized by conditions that produced an unusual abundance of vector mosquitoes and avian amplification hosts early in the year. We propose that epidemics may result when a specific combination of biotic and abiotic conditions favor SLE virus minimum field infection rates that approach 1:1,000 in Cx. nigripalpus vectors.     

Eating disorder patient referrals from a population region 1977-1986

Three hundred and forty-three eating disorder patients (50% anorexia nervosa, 37% bulimia and 13% atypical eating disorder) were seen by the eating disorder service in the Wellington (New Zealand) region between 1977 and 1986. Ninety-six per cent were female. Annual rate of referral for anorexia nervosa remained stable at 5 per 100,000 population (34 per 100,000 females aged 15-29 years). Annual referral rate for bulimia increased from 6 to 44 per 100,000 females aged 15-29 years.     

A five year review of scar dehiscence in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin

The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for scar dehiscence in labour, to illustrate the clinical presentations of patients with scar dehiscence and to quantify the risk posed by the use of oxytocin in labour. This was a case controlled, 5 year retrospective study. Patients with scar dehiscence were identified from labour ward records with matched controls and chart review of case and control patients were performed. Our results showed that the vaginal delivery rate for trial of scar was 76.9%. The incidence of scar dehiscence was 0.043%. Oxytocic labour augmentation was a risk factor (OR 4.5, 95% CI 0.9313-42.8, p=0.065) but induction of labour using oxytocin was not (p=0.222). The commonest symptom of scar dehiscence was fetal distress (OR 12.3, 95% CI 1.9-81). There was no maternal or fetal mortality. We concluded that trial of labour after one caesarean section is acceptable practice with a good success rate and a low incidence of serious morbidity. The use of oxytocin to augment labour is associated with scar dehiscence.     

Five year study of postpartum hemorrhage: Queens of Angels Hospital, 1973--1977.

Postpartum hemorrhage accounts for about one quarter of the deaths in the obstetric hemorrhage group. Blood loss is the most important underlying cause of morbidity. To save blood, the obstetrician must partice “preventive medicine” by being cognizant of any situation during pregnancy, labor and delivery which may result in increased blood loss.     

Implication of ADAM-8, -9, -10, -12, -15, -17, and ADAMTS-1 in implantational remodeling of a mouse uterus

In the present study, whether the ADAM-8, -9, -10, -12, -15, -17, and ADAMTS-1 proteins might play a role in mouse uterus during periimplantation period was investigated. Immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that all ADAM proteins consistently appeared throughout days 1 to 8 of pregnancy but with a variation depending on the species of ADAM gene, the progression of pregnancy, and the site of the uterus. Immunohistochemical analyses indicated that ADAM proteins were localized in the luminal or glandular epithelial layers with a varying intensity depending on the species of ADAM and the progression of pregnancy. Particularly ADAM-8, -12, and -15, were predominantly located in the implantation site of the uterine tissues, whereas little or no protein was localized in the interimplantation site. Based upon these observations, it is suggested that the ADAMs might play an important role in the remodeling of the mouse uterus during the periimplantation period.     

Colorectal carcinoma in young persons: experience at Howard University Hospital, 1955--1977.

Case records of all patients 30 years of age and under with a proven pathological diagnosis of colorectal cancer at Howard University Hospital between January 1955 and December 1977 were reviewed. Over this 23-year period, 14 cases were documented. All patients were black. This study reaffirms the poor prognosis which accompanies colorectal carcinoma in the young, particularly in those patients with mucinous carcinoma.     

Viral hepatitis A in the catchment area of the Brno University Hospital 1983-1990]

Introduction of assessment of specific anti-HAV IgM antibodies by the RIA method in 1983 and in 1989 also by the ELISA method made accurate aetiological diagnosis of viral hepatitis A (HA) possible. The authors evaluated the incidence of HA in 1983 to 1990 in the catchment area of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital and Policlinic in Brno-Bohunice and the Clinic of Infectious Diseases in Children of the Paediatric University Hospital with Policlinic in Brno-Cerná Pole, i.e. in a catchment area with a population of cca 850,000. In 1990 the incidence of HA increased markedly to 126 cases. This increase was due to an epidemic of HA from September to December 1990 when in September 13, in October 45 and in November 17 patients contracted the disease. In December the number of HA declined to 8. Eighteen patients from this epidemic were from the municipal Brno area 3, i.e. the area of Husovice and Zidenice. Mostly patients of gypsy origin with mutual contacts were involved. The majority of cases of HA in this epidemic had a not quite typical course, very frequently the course was protracted.     

Evolution of a national urine quality assurance programme: the Australasian experience, 1981-1983.

A national interlaboratory quality assurance programme for quantitative urine analysis has been conducted over the past three years in Australasia under the auspices of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia and the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists. Analysis of urine calcium has consistently improved over the three year period whereas urine protein analysis has consistently declined. Based on the findings in 1983, it is considered that urine sodium, potassium, creatinine, phosphate, glucose, and chloride are currently being measured satisfactorily by Australasian laboratories, while the analyses of urine proteins, urate, oxalate, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid still require substantial improvement.     

A profile of attenders at the A&E Department of the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin

The Department of Health state that the prime function of the A&E department is to provide for the reception and initial management of every variety of medical emergency, provided that the condition could not be treated by the General Practitioner. The A&E department in the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin receives an average of 55,000 visits annually. The study profiled attenders according to their: socioeconomic status; reasons for attendance; appropriateness of attendance; and outcome of attendance. Attenders parents were more likely to be unemployed (22%), single (26%) and GMS card holders (52%) than national average figures. Families who attended out of hours (i.e. after 5pm) and/or who were self-referred did not differ socio-economically from other attenders. 74% of all attenders were self-referred and the self-referred group were more likely to attend after 5pm. 54% of attenders had attended the department more than once in the previous twelve months. 37% of all attendance were due to accidents. Casualty doctors assessed that 39% of all attendance did not require hospital services. However, the percentage of 'GP referred' and 'self-referred' groups deemed to require hospital services were comparable (47% v 38%). Furthermore, only 19% of GP referrals were admitted. These figures suggest that a large number of children who attend the A&E department should be attending a medical paediatric out patient unit, rather than an A&E department.