Escherichia coli Isolated from Domestic Animals Pathogenic for Gnotobiotic Piglets

Three strains of Escherichia coli isolated from infectious processes in a calf, a dog, and a cat were examined for their capacity to produce disease or death, or both, in newborn gnotobiotic piglets. The O groups represented by these particular strains of E. coli were O4: (canine origin), O6: (feline origin), and O39: (bovine origin). All three isolates upon oral administration proved to be pathogenic. Infection with the E. coli O4: (canine) or O39: (bovine) consistently produced signs of enteric coli-bacillosis and death in all 1- and 3-day-old piglets within 24 to 48 hr. The O6: (feline) isolate, on the other hand, produced a marked polyserositis and generally required 6 to 7 days to kill a piglet. Only the respective type of E. coli used in the particular trial was recovered from the diseased piglets. These findings suggest the possible role of domestic animals and household pets in the spread of potentially pathogenic E. coli to other species.     

Identity of BCA200 and c-erbB-2 indicated by reactivity of monoclonal antibodies with recombinant c-erbB-2.

BCA200 has been described as a 200,000 Mr monomeric cell surface glycoprotein associated with human breast cancer. Since the physical properties and cellular distribution of BCA200 resemble those of c-erbB-2, antibodies to BCA200 were tested for the ability to bind a recombinant protein containing the c-erbB-2 extracellular domain (erbB-2 ECD). Three antibodies to distinct epitopes of BCA200 reacted with erbB-2 ECD but not with a control protein expressed in a similar baculovirus lysate. Control myeloma proteins and antibodies to four other antigens did not react with erbB-2 ECD. A protein with the expected molecular weight for erbB-2 ECD was also immunoprecipitated by anti-BCA200 antibody 520C9. We conclude that BCA200 is another synonym for c-erbB-2.     

Development of a composite indicator to prioritize districts for implementation of human immunodeficiency virus programmes in Maharashtra,India

A key recommendation of the National AIDS Control Programme‐IV of India was to develop new strategies for geo‐prioritization of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. We conducted this study to categorize the districts in Maharashtra (India) based on a multidimensional framework for geo‐prioritization of services. Programmatic data on trends of HIV prevalence, coverage of marginalized populations and vulnerability factors were included. A composite indicator based on these was developed, and the cumulative score was calculated for each district. HIV prevalence among general population has declined steadily from 0.60% in 2007 to 0.33% in 2017. The programme coverage was stable but inadequate for men who have sex with men (MSM). The coverage for female sex workers (FSWs) was inadequate and reduced over time. Nine districts were categorized as high priority, 13 as moderate priority and 11 were classified as low‐priority districts based on burden and vulnerability for HIV. The high‐priority districts were Pune, Solapur and Yavatmal for FSW interventions and Pune, Thane and Latur for MSM interventions. This multidimensional indicator is based on existing programmatic data, dynamic and can be made state‐specific. It is useful to categorize and prioritize districts for allocation of resources and geo‐prioritization of services in resource limited settings.     

Evaluation of inhibitory effect of diphenhydramine on benzodiazepine dependence in rats

Effect of diphenhydramine was investigated on withdrawal signs in lorazepam dependent rats. Physical dependence was produced by giving lorazepam admixed with the food in the following dose schedule: 10 x 4, 20 x 4, 40 x 4, 80 x 4 and 120 x 7 (mg/kg, daily x days). The parameters observed during the periods of administration of lorazepam and after its withdrawal were spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), body temperature, reaction time to pain, foot shock aggression (FSA) and audiogenic seizures. Diphenhydramine was administered orally in the dose schedules of once daily (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and twice daily (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) in separate groups during the withdrawal period. The withdrawal signs observed in control group (without diphenhydramine) were hyperkinesia, hyperthermia, hyperaggression and audiogenic seizures. Hyperkinesia and hyperthermia were blocked in all the groups of diphenhydramine-treated rats. FSA was inhibited only by diphenhydramine (10 and 20 mg/kg) given twice daily. Audiogenic seizures were completely blocked by once daily (20 and 40 mg/kg) as well as twice daily (20 mg/kg) doses of diphenhydramine. It may be concluded that diphenhydramine exerts a protective effects on benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.     

Neuro-otological profile of Episodic Vertigo

Episodic Vertigo Comprises a large group of patients seen in any neurootology unit. A total of 118 subjects were reviewed who attended the neurootology unit. Vertigo of shorter duration was noted in 78 and of longer duration in 40 cases. 51 cases showed bilateral neurosensory deafness, 15 cases had bilateral and another one case had unilateral conductive loss. Spinovestibular tests were abnormal in all cases of vertigo of short duration but only 29 cases showed abnormal reflex in patients with a long duration of illness. Thermal vestibulometry revealed hyporeflexia in 33 cases, directional preponderance in 30 cases and 4 cases showed hyperreflexia 28 cases had peripheral lesions while 81 cases had central lesions. The acute cases showed significant improvement on follow up except cases with abnormality in thermal vestibulometry . The cases with positional nystagmus showed improvement with head and body balance exercises expect in those who received treatment with vestibulosedative and vestibular suppersive drugs. Hearing loss remained the same except in patients with middle ear disorders.     

Value of antenatal echocardiography in high risk patients to diagnose congenital cardiac defects in fetus

Results of fetal echocardiography in 1062 high risk pregnant patients are described. It was performed before 28 weeks of gestation in 770 cases. These were 38 abnormal scans (3.6%). A fetal arrhythmia was diagnosed in 14 cases and structural abnormality of the heart in 24. Complete atrioventricular block was commonest (n=12), structural heart disease associated in two of these cases. Other lesions identified were atrioventricular septal defect (n=5), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n=4), ventricular septal defect (n=4), Ebstein’s anomaly (n=3), coarctation of aorta (n=2) and others (n=9). Postnatal confirmatory echocardiography is available in a total of 993 babies including 36 of 38 abnormal cases. There were eleven neonatal deaths amongst babies with abnormal scans. Errors in interpretation were observed in six instances. An anomaly was missed in five cases; in two of these, the main cardiac malformation was picked up but secondary lesions were missed. In one case, a false positive diagnosis of atrial septal defect was made. These errors did not influence the management of the pregnancy. Fetal echocardiography is a very sensitive (91.6%) and specific (99.9%) tool for antenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease in high risk pregnancies. The information so obtained helps in guiding the optimal obstetric and neonatal management of these cases.     

改良尿道拖入术治疗外伤性后尿道狭窄

自1994年以来,我院采用改良的尿道拖人术治疗外伤性后尿道狭窄22例,取得满意疗效,现报道如下。l临床资料本组病例均为男性,为严重车祸伤或高处跌伤致骨盆骨折所致,年龄则一46岁,平均35岁。临床症状有尿道四溢血、尿摊留、腹胀、肛周青紫肿胀,有休克者2例,合并直肠损伤2例,磅眈破裂6例。术中发现前列腺尖游离者4例。所有病例不能将导尿管插入膀跳,而均行单纯“耻骨上膀胜造疾术”,有膀脱破裂者行“膀脱破裂修补术”,有直肠损伤者,行“乙状结肠造疫术”。患者于术后3－6个月来院行尿道重建术。术前常规尿道造影,显示膜部尿道狭…