Intra-urban variations of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in a developing city

Numerous surveys at the national and regional level have demonstrated that large inequalities in infant health status exist in Southern Africa. Few studies have assessed infant mortality at the intra-urban scale of geographic analysis. Comparisons between infant mortality rates from different areas are made even more meaningful if the data are divided into two primary categories based on period-of-death; these being the neonatal and post-neonatal components. This study presents the results of a survey undertaken in Metropolitan Cape Town (population 1.6 million) during 1982. The aim was to determine the spatial variation of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality at the suburb (or community) level within the city. Overall, a total of 36,789 live births and 928 infant deaths were recorded; 53.4% in the neonatal period and 46.6% in the post-neonatal period. The mean infant mortality rate was 25.2 per 1000 live births; the neonatal mortality rate and post-neonatal mortality rate being 13.5/1000 and 11.7/1000, respectively. A marked range in death rates was evident for both components. For the neonatal category it was 0.0-49.9/1000 and 0.0-40.0/1000 for the post-neonatal period. The generally low post-neonatal mortality rate among the 69 suburbs studied has made the neonatal component the dominant contributor to the infant mortality rate. However, in the lowest socio-economic areas the post-neonatal mortality rate was responsible for over 60% of infant deaths.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Determinants of all causes of death in samples of Italian middle-aged men followed up for 25 years.

A total of 1712 men aged 40 to 59 years in two rural cohorts of northern and central Italy have been followed up for 25 years after an entry examination in 1960. Forty one individual characteristics have been considered as possible predictors of death in the next 25 years. After exclusion of 55 men with life threatening diseases (cardiovascular and cancer) and of 161 men because of missing measurements, 1495 men have been analysed for relation between entry factors and subsequent death (n = 670). Twelve factors eventually emerged as powerful predictors of future death: in hierarchical order, age, blood pressure, forced expiratory volume, cigarette smoking, xanthelasma, mother life-status, arm circumference, father life-status, shoulder-pelvis ratio, vital capacity, arcus senilis, and serum cholesterol. Discrimination as provided by logistic modelling placed 19.6% of all cases in the upper decile of the estimated risk, 36.8% in the upper quintile, 2.5% in the lowest decile, and 7.1% in the lowest quintile. Out of those located in the lowest decile of risk, 11.4% died within 25 years while the corresponding percentage in the upper decile was 87.3%. Use of the Cox model yielded slightly better coefficients than logistic function.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica antigens in faecal material

This paper describes a method for the detection of Entamoeba histolytica antigens in stool samples using a multi-layer ELISA. The method is sensitive and specific, showing no interference with other intestinal parasites, e.g. E. coli, E. hartmanni, Endolimax nana, Iodamoeba buetschlii, Hymenolepis nana, Giardia lamblia, Trichomonas and Ascaris. The method provides a rapid and simple screening assay for E. histolytica infections and should assist in diagnosis and epidemiological studies of the disease.     

Effects of danazol on mineral homeostasis in normal postmenopausal women: preliminary communication.

The effects of danazol on calcium homeostasis in normal postmenopausal women was examined in a 14-day study utilizing a dosage of 800 mg per day. Danazol caused significant falls in plasma ionized calcium and in the fasting urinary calcium/creatinine ratio, indicating inhibition of bone resorption. Retention of phosphate was also observed as expected with this anabolic agent. The plasma total alkaline phosphatase was also depressed by the drug, which had no effect on hepatocellular function as measured by plasma AST. Certain effects induced by treatment with danazol were still apparent two weeks after cessation of treatment. The drug was well tolerated and androgenic side effects were not seen. It is suggested that the minimal dose regimen of danazol which exerts a calcium-sharing effect should be identified, and that this regimen should be considered for use in a prospective study of the effects of danazol on bone mineral content in the postmenopause.     

An increase in water content of mouse erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium yoelii

Mean cell volume and mean cell water content were examined in Plasmodium yoelii-infected mouse erythrocytes by gas chromatography and 3H-sucrose. Mean cell volume increased by 16% in infected erythrocytes with late trophozoites and schizonts. Mean cell water content further increased by 23% in the infected erythrocytes. Measurement of the erythrocyte potassium and sodium concentrations by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer revealed that the infected erythrocytes contained highly elevated sodium and slightly reduced potassium levels when calculated per single erythrocyte. It is suggested that membrane transport processes of sodium and potassium are changed in P. yoelii-infected erythrocytes and that a passive inflow of sodium takes place, which results in an increase in intra-erythrocytic water content.