Anti-HIV I antibodies prevalence in parturients through newborn testing: Results of the Italian anonymous serosurvey

A prevalence assessment of HIV infection among parturients was performed in order to estimate the future incidence of pediatric AIDS cases and obtain data on the trend of the infection in Italy.Consecutive whole blood samples from newborns collected on filter paper from all regions of Italy (October-December 1990) for routine metabolic screenings, were anonymously examined for HIV-1 antibodies by an ELISA technique. Positive results were confirmed by Western blot.Among 97,658 blood samples tested, 121 (0.124%, 95% confidence interval Poisson distribution 0.103–0.148) were positive. A high prevalence of HIV infection (> 0.2%) was observed in four regions from North and Central Italy while, in some regions in the South, the seroprevalence was ten times lower. In the Lazio Region, namely in Rome, 5 inner-city hospitals with a particularly high prevalence of HIV infection were identified.Assuming that the prevalence of HIV infection observed in the population in this study may reflect the infection rate in the total population of childbearing women, we estimate that approximately 700 newborn babies were delivered from HIV-positive mothers in Italy during 1990. The identification of high prevalence areas could allow for the development of targeted testing programs to plan and provide adequate counselling and care of HIV-infected women and their infants.U. Angeloni (Roma), I. Antonozzi (Roma), R. Beghini (Verona), S. Carta (Roma), R. Ciannainea (Lecce), L. Chiovato (Tirrenia), V.D. Dainato (Foggia), G.C. Fiorucci (Torino), R. attei (Siena), A. Bracco (Napoli), A. Misserini (Taranto), E. Pasquini (Firenze), S. Piazzi (Bologna), L. Piceni-Sereni (Milano), A. Pignero (Napoli), C. Pintor (Cagliari), G. Pugliese (Potenza), C. Romano (Genova), V. Rossolini (Fano).     

Salmonella serovars identified at the centre for enterobacteriaceae of palermo over the 5-year period 1983-87

Salmonellosis is become an increasing public health problem in many countries. Serotyping and assessment of antibiotic resistance are useful tools, which assist in understanding the epidemiology of Salmonella infections. In this respect, the Centre of Enterobacteriaceae of Southern Italy provides helpful information on the changing pattern of Salmonella serovars in this geographic area.This paper reports the distribution of serovars and their antibiotic susceptibility in the years 1983–1987. In particular, because of their peculiar trends during this 5-year period, epidemiological features of Mbandaka, Corvallis, Dublin, Infantis and Wien serovars are described.     

Embryotoxic/teratogenic potential of halothane

Summary The embryotoxic/teratogenic potential of halothane was evaluated on the basis of available data obtained in an extensive literature search. It was found that halothane induced ultrastructural visible changes in the offspring of rats exposed to concentrations of 10 ppm during gestation. These consisted of degenerative changes in the cerebral cortex and, in particular, the weakening of cell membranes and the vacuolisation of the Golgi-complex. Macroscopically visible morphological changes were seen in rats only after exposure to concentrations equivalent to 320-fold (1600 ppm) the MAK value (maximum concentration value at the workplace). Furthermore, behavioural disorders were seen when exposure to concentrations 10 ppm occurred during gestation and after parturition. In mice, only macroscopical investigations were performed. The first disturbances scored were only visible as retardation in the offspring, and occurred after exposure to concentrations of halothane 200-fold (1000 ppm) the MAK-value. In the rabbit, anaesthetic concentrations of 22 000 ppm. halothane did not result in an embryotoxic/teratogenic effect.The individual epidemiological findings in humans were discussed controversially. The studies are inconclusive in establishing an embryotoxic/teratogenic risk following sole exposure to halothane at the MAK level, since mixed exposures occurred and data on the concentrations of halothane in the inhaled air were missing. Therefore, the decision on whether halothane can impair intrauterine development is primarily based on the animal experimental findings. As long as a threshold value has not been established for the observed lesions, halothane should not be inhaled during pregnancy.     

手外伤所致经济损失的流行病学研究

目的 研究手外伤所致经济损失以及在不同类型手外伤中的分布。方法 对１９９８年１月在上海医科大学附属华山医院就诊的１６０例急诊手外伤患者进行问卷调查,并在伤后４周进行随访。结果 患者的平均年龄为３６．３岁;２０～５０岁的青壮年占６３．１％;男女性别比为２．０８：１。工作时发生的手外伤占３６．３％;６２．７％的患者月收入在１０００元以下。手外伤所造成的人均经济损失为１１３１．５元,其中生活性手外伤为９     

青海省甘德县人群包虫病流行病学调查

用Ｄｏｔ－ＥＬＩＳＡ和Ｂ超、Ｘ线在果洛州甘德县进行了人群包虫病的流行病学调查。结果表明,人群包虫病血清阳性率为１０．８３％。男性和女性分别为９．２９％和１２．９２％。Ｂ超、Ｘ线检查阳性率为５．７７％,男性和女性分别为４．８３％和７．０５％。女性高于男性不同职业血清阳性率和Ｂ超、Ｘ线检查阳性率均以牧民最高（１７．５６＾和１１．５６％）随年龄增加,人群包虫病血清阳性率和Ｂ超、Ｘ线检查阳性率越高。不同地     

海口地区消化系统恶性肿瘤的流行病学调查

目的 调查了解海口地区消化系统恶性肿瘤发病的流行病学状况。方法 用整群、随机抽样的方法对２０６３例消化道疾病住院患者和４９４ 体检者进行问卷调查,记录临床症状及体征,按不同年龄组取５２３例住院患者、２３例体检者做胃肠纤维镜、Ｂ超影像检查,检出阳性者,均取组织活检做病理切片予以确诊。结果 发现住院患者患消化道恶性肿瘤１１１例,占２１．２％;体检者３例,占１３％。结论 加强对消化系统恶性肿瘤环境致病因     

Classification of heart failure in population based research: An assessment of six heart failure scores

Several scores based on symptoms and signs have been developed to assess the presence of heart failure. The goal of this study was to compare six heart failure scores in non-hospitalised subjects and to determine their usefulness in population based research. The scores were applied to 54 participants of a population based study. All underwent a complete medical examination, including chest X-ray, electrocardiography and Doppler echocardiography. Using all information available, a cardiologist, unaware of the results of the scores, clinically classified participants as having no, possible or definite heart failure. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and receiver operating characteristics were calculated, using the cardiologist's assessment as a gold standard. The cardiologist judged definite or possible heart failure to be present in 17 persons. All scores had a high sensitivity for the detection of definite heart failure, whereas the study of men born in 1913 and Walma's score had the highest sensitivity for the combination of possible and definite heart failure. Gheorgiade's and the Boston score had the highest positive predictive values. In conclusion, five of the six scores we studied are broadly similar in the detection of heart failure. The men born in 1913 score relies heavily on the assessment of dyspnea, resulting in a relatively large number of false positives. Although the scores are useful in detecting manifest heart failure, objective measurements of cardiac function appear necessary to reduce the false positive rate and accurately detect early stages of heart failure.     

骨应力性塑形改建的研究及其对新兵基础训练的指导意义

分组模拟训练的２８８只兔股骨标本病理观察及扭断试验结果表明,较大强度和时限训练的主导作用是加速骨塑形改建,增强抗骨折能力。分３组经３种方法训练的１８０只大鼠的胚骨上段病理切片及电镜观察表明,强化循环训练组的改建完成率（４１．７％）高于其它两组（２６．１％,２１．９％）,而应力性骨折发生率（１１．５％）则低于其它两组（２２．９％,１８．８％）。对１１２９名新兵１２周基础训练的前瞻性流行病学调查证实,下肢长管状骨经历约９周的应力性塑形改建期,训练的第２、７周出现的应力性骨折高发的双峰现象可随训练强度与时限的加大或减少,而提前或延迟出现。在训练中采用“强化循环训练法”将加速骨的塑形改建及降低应力性骨折发生率。     

Epidemiology of childhood hepatitis B in India: Vaccination related issues

It has been estimated that presently hepatitis B kills more people every day than AIDS kills in a year world-wide. Infection with hepatitis B produces a wide range of manifestations ranging from asymptomatic carriers to persistent infections leading to chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. Availability of effective and safe vaccine has made all this preventable. To formulate on appropriate vaccination strategy for India the epidemiology of hepatitis B needs to be defined. This report critically reviews the available data. The burden of long term sequelae of HBV infection is probably under-diagnosed and under-reported in India. Prevalence studies of HBV markers indicate that India falls under the area of intermediate endemicity. Limited data on agespecific prevalence of HBV markers suggests that the majority of the infection seems to take place below 15 years of age, and most of it under one year. Perinatal transmission appears to contribute significantly to the carrier pool. Childhood vaccination for HB among the general population is the obvious strategy of choice. But more information is required to decide on the timing of the first dose.     

抗—HEV IgG与乙型肝炎标志物关系的研究

近年已有学者提出戊型肝炎的肠道外传播途径,深圳市散发性戊型肝炎的高发区,本研究以乙型肝炎作为肠道包传播途径的标记探讨该病在我市的传播途径。研究发现抗－ＨＥＶ ＩｇＧ阳性率与乙型肝炎标记物及输血史,手术史等无相关性,提示我市散发性戊型肝炎以肠道途径传播而非肠道外传播为主。