Coarctation of the Aorta,Aortic Valvar Stenosis,and Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis with Left Coronary Artery Ostial Stenosis: Management Using a Staged Hybrid Approach

In this report, we describe a case of coarctation of the aorta, congenital aortic stenosis with bicuspid valve, and supravalvar aortic stenosis with left coronary artery ostial stenosis. The child underwent staged treatment using a hybrid approach employing both surgical and interventional cardiology methods. A single pericardial patch repair technique for supravalvar aortic stenosis associated with left coronary ostial stenosis is also described.     

Severe folate deficiency mimicking HELLP syndrome--report of two cases

Severe folate deficiency in pregnancy may mimick HELLP syndrome as there are similar features in both. Proper diagnosis is important as far as the prognosis and management are concerned. Two cases of severe folate deficiency occuring in multigravid women mimicking HELLP syndrome are reported below with review of literature.     

Pontine glioma and cerebellopontine angle epidermoid tumour occurring as collision tumours

A 36-year-old male was admitted with a 10-year history of gradually progressive left ear hearing loss, diplopia and right hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a left lateral pontine enhancing tumour and an additional cerebellopontine angle epidermoid tumour in close proximity forming a collision tumour. On exploration, the epidermoid tumour and the intraaxial pontine glioma were completely resected. The literature on collision tumours is reviewed.     

Carcinoma urinary bladder presenting as acute abdomen

Bladder perforation presenting as acute peritonitis is a rare and dramatic event in the course of carcinoma urinary bladder. We present one such case and discuss the presentation, management and brief follow-up.     

Immunological implications of structural mimicry between a dodecapeptide and a carbohydrate moiety

The immunogenicity and antibody cross-reactivity of two chemically different but structurally equivalent molecular mimics were analyzed by presenting them to the immune system in different modes. The observed differences in IgM and IgG responses in terms of cross-reactivity with the mimicking antigen could reflect the differential proliferative abilities of the corresponding B-cells. Modification of the T-cell help, either by using a promiscuous T-cell epitope or by prepriming, led to the shift in the antibody response towards the mimicking epitope. Also, the anti-sugar antibodies could be boosted using a carbohydrate mimicking peptide on cross-immunization. Thus, the carbohydrate-peptide mimicry appears to be a topological quasi-equivalence reflected differently in terms of antibody response during maturation.     

Canadian family physicians and prostate cancer: a national survey

A sample of family physicians was randomly selected from the membership database of the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Potential respondents were mailed a survey questionnaire, and a modified Dillman approach was utilized. A total of 964 completed questionnaires were received, providing a response rate of 50.1%. Although most family physicians were aware of many basic facts about prostate cancer, there were knowledge limitations related to risk factors, relative frequency of the disease (to other cancers), and selected aspects of PSA effectiveness. There was considerable variation in perceived effectiveness of early detection methods, with most physicians taking a conservative approach to PSA utilization. Most family physicians indicated that they have an important role to play in the care of men after they have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. They also expressed a high level of interest in obtaining additional information related to prostate cancer.     

Radiation induced sarcoma following treatment of breast cancer

The occurrence of radiation induced sarcoma following treatment of breast cancer is rare. It has an average latency of ten years and it correlates with the dose and technique of radiation. The prognosis is poor due to delay in diagnosis. We present a case where a female patient developed a chondrosarcoma of sternoclavicular joint 19 years after radiotherapy for breast cancer.     

Prevalence of poliovirus antibodies in healthy children of Ahmedabad

Antibodies against polioviruses were estimated in 258 healthy children upto 3 years of age in Ahmedabad. Fifty per cent of the children were negative for all three poliovirus antibodies before immunisation. Only 7.8 per cent of children had antibodies against all the three types of poliovirus. Prevalence of poliovirus type 1, type 2 and type 3 antibodies were 32.3, 31.8 and 15.5 per cent respectively. In the 3–6 months age group 39.6 per cent children were having poliovirus antibodies against one or more type but the per cent positivity increased in the age group 25–36 months to 78.6 per cent children. There was no difference in the prevalence of polio antibodies between the two sexes. About 92.0 per cent of children upto 3 years of age were lacking in one or more types of poliovirus antibodies in their blood, and would be susceptible for paralytic poliomyelitis if not immunised. Financed by a grant from the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi. This paper was presented in the 28th Annual Conference of Indian Association of Pathologists and Microbiologists heald at Chandigarh in December, 1979.