Oral mifepristone 600 mg and vaginal gemeprost for mid-trimester induction of abortion: An open multicenter study

This open multicenter study was performed in 20 hospital gynecological units in the UK. The effects of 600 mg oral mifepristone as pretreatment to vaginal prostaglandin induction of second second trimester abortion was studied in 267 women.

The primary efficacy variable was the abortion induction interval, defined as the time taken to expel the fetus from the time of administration of the first prostaglandin pessary. Induction was commenced 36 to 48 hours following mifepristone intake.

The mean abortion induction interval was 7 h. A total of 81.9% of women aborted within 12 h. There was a significant relationship between abortion induction interval and age of gestation, and a significant inverse relationship between abortion induction interval and parity.

Vomiting, pelvic pain, and nausea were the most frequently reported adverse events. Two patients required transfusion and one patient with a uterine scar from a previous cesarean section suffered a ruptured uterus and hysterotomy.     

构建玻片蛋白质芯片的实验研究

目的:探讨玻片蛋白质芯片的构建方法及其中间操作条件的选择与优化。方法:利用生物芯片点样仪将超微量蛋白质点到经特殊处理的玻璃片表面,然后选用不同的化学试剂对玻片背景进行封闭;再用荧光素标记的蛋白质与点样蛋白杂交;最后用生物芯片分析仪扫描成像并进行分析,比较不同条件下芯片的显示效果。结果:蛋白质样品与片基稳定结合,并保持原活性状态;封闭试剂选用酪蛋白或明胶效果较佳;点样探针与其特异蛋白质抗体可稳定结合,结合效果与点样蛋白浓度在一定范围内呈正相关;在1.6 cm×1.6 cm的玻璃片面积上,构建了36×36=1269点的蛋白质芯片。结论:本实验条件下,蛋白质抗原或抗体可以稳定地固定于经过处理的玻璃片表面.制成免疫型蛋白芯片,并可通过随后的抗原抗体反应与荧光素标记的相应抗体或抗原结合,用生物芯片分析仪可对其荧光信号进行检测分析。     

The challenges facing nurse-midwives in working towards Safe Motherhood in Malawi

A midwife is the only health worker most of the women of the childbearing group in Malawi will ever meet in their lifetime. A midwife plays an essential role in the promotion of health and provision of care to these women. It is therefore, very important that midwives be available for the well being of these women. However, mere presence of midwives is not adequate for women''s optimal health.     

Clinical profile of AIDS: a study at a referral hospital

The present study describes the clinical and epidemiological features of 74 patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who presented to a referral hospital. Sixty two patients (83.7%) were diagnosed to have acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Mean age of the patients was 34.9 +/- 12 years and male to female ratio was 3:1. Majority of patients (80%) were from lower socio-economic class. Multiple unprotected heterosexual contact with commercial sex workers in metropolitan cities of India, mainly Mumbai, was major risk factor in 82.1% male patients while most of the females (66.6%) had acquired infection from HIV positive husbands. Blood transfusion was the risk factor in 9(12.1%) patients. Sixty eight patients were infected with HIV 1, one with HIV 2, and five patients with both HIV 1 and HIV 2. Fever and weight loss were the commonest presenting symptoms. Tuberculosis, oropharyngeal candidiasis, and interstitial pneumonitis were present in 54.8%, 40.3% and 20.9% patients, respectively. Fourteen patients (22.5%) had generalised lymphadenopathy. Herpes zoster, cryptococcal meningitis, and peripheral neuropathy were infrequent. Response to standard antifungal and antitubercular treatment was satisfactory. Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma, and CNS toxoplasmosis were not found. The clinical manifestations of AIDS patients are strikingly different from that in the Western countries. It, thus, necessitates setting up of different guidelines for the clinical diagnosis and management of AIDS in India.     

N-Benzoyl-16-acetylcycloxobuxidine: A New Alkaloid from the Leaves of Buxus papilosa

A new alkaloid, N-benzoyl-16-acetylcycloxobuxidine, has been isolated from the leaves of BUXUS PAPILOSA, to which structure 1 has been assigned.     

Restarting LDLT During COVID-19: Early Results After Restructuring

IntroductionLiving-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been mostly suspended and deceased-donor living transplantation activity has been considerably reduced because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We modified our protocols and procedures in line with COVID-19 guidelines. Since the restructuring, we have performed 20 LDLTs. Our study reports the outcomes of these cases and demonstrates the feasibility of LDLT during this pandemic.Materials and MethodsThe changes were influenced by experiences and communications from across the globe. A month-long self-imposed moratorium was spent in restructuring the program and implementing new protocols. Twenty LDLTs were performed between April 18 and September 15 using the new protocols. Our experience includes 2 simultaneous liver-kidney transplants, 1 ABO-incompatible LDLT, and 1 pediatric case (age 11 months).ResultsNineteen patients recovered and 1 patient died. We maintained our postoperative immunosuppression protocol without many changes. Major complications were observed in 30% of recipients but none of the donors. One recipient was infected with COVID-19 during the postoperative period. A donor-recipient couple contracted COVID-19 after discharge from the hospital. All patients recovered from COVID-19 and liver enzymes were unaffected.ConclusionThis study represents a microcosm of experience in LDLT during the COVID-19 era. Outcomes of LDLT are not affected by COVID-19 per se, provided that we make necessary changes.