"A Judgment-Free Zone": Adaptation and Pilot Study of a Virtual Wellness Group for African American Mothers with Young Children

The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for the mental health of African American (AA) birthing people. The pandemic necessitated shifting mental health care to online interventions. The goals of this study were to (1) describe an adapted evidence-based group preventive intervention for AA mothers with young children within a pediatric setting and (2) evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of this virtual intervention. Phase 1 describes the adaptation of the HealthySteps Mom's Virtual Wellness Group, including eight weekly sessions based on the Mothers and Babies Course. Phase 2 was a mixed-methods, pre-post intervention design. Six AA mothers with young children completed questionnaires related to depression, anxiety, and parenting competence at three time points: pre-intervention (T1), post-intervention (T2), and 3 months post-intervention (T3). The participants also completed a focus group post-T2 to gather qualitative feedback regarding the intervention. The median scores for depression were lower at T2 and increased at T3, and for anxiety, they increased at T2 and decreased at T3. The median scores for parenting competence increased across the three time points. The participants attended a mean of 7.2 sessions (SD = 0.74). The qualitative results indicate that the participants gained a sense of empowerment, enjoyed connecting with other mothers, and acquired information. This pilot study suggests that a virtual intervention is feasible, acceptable, and can increase parenting competence and support among AA mothers with young children.

Through Their Eyes: Youth Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health Barriers and Facilitators in Baltimore, Maryland

PURPOSE

Youth face barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Few states require the delivery of comprehensive sex education in schools, and youth report challenges with accessing clinical care. We sought to identify youth's perceived barriers and facilitators to SRH in their communities.

METHODS

We utilized photovoice, a community-based participatory research methodology. Youth were recruited from high schools in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants were given a tutorial on Photovoice methodology and photography. In groups of 5-7 participants, youth brainstormed questions relevant to their perspective of SRH. Three months were allocated to taking photographs. Participants wrote brief narratives to accompany their photographs, and group level assessment was used for participants to comment on others' photographs. Participants discussed the narratives and comments, created themes, and generated action steps to address barriers to SRH. Further thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo.

RESULTS

There were 30 participants aged 14-19 years with 26 self-identifying as female and four nonbinary. Self-identified race/ethnicity included 50% Black/African American, 30% Asian American, and 20% White or Hispanic/Latino. Four domains emerged: desire for societal-level change, community-level change, peer-level change, and positive examples of SRH within their communities (e.g., gender-inclusive spaces and free menstrual products).

DISCUSSION

Youth photographs shed light on a strong desire for an improved school environment, in terms of safety, cleanliness, gender-inclusivity, menstrual product access, and SRH education.

Utilizing Digital Health Technology to Increase Sexual Health Care Access: Youth Preferences on Self-Collect, Mail-In Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing in a High Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence Area

PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for innovative approaches to delivering care. Self-collect, mail-in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing could address barriers to in-person STI testing, particularly for youth, who bear a disproportionate burden of STIs. This study sought to obtain youth input on the development of a free self-collect, mail-in STI testing program.

METHODS

Focus group discussions (n = 5, 45-60 minutes each) were conducted with 28 youth ages 14-19 years old living in Baltimore, Maryland. Focus group discussions were based on a conceptual framework of patient-centered health-care access, and a prototype online program was discussed. Transcribed data were coded thematically. Memos were written to synthesize findings and identify representative quotes.

RESULTS

Participants noted existing barriers to in-person STI testing barriers including individual-level (e.g., lack of knowledge), interpersonal-level (e.g., stigma), and structural-level (e.g., financial). Although participants expressed concerns about self-collect, mail-in STI testing (e.g., accuracy of self-swabbing), there was overall acceptance of the program, and many felt it would address current barriers to testing. Opportunities to improve the testing program included all four steps of testing process: kit ordering, receipt of the kit and swabbing, post-testing experience, and communication of results and treatment. Specifically, participants desired expanded shipping options to schools, and mail drop-off points such as lockers and local convenience stores; more transparency about testing and treatment; and hearing directly from health-care providers to assuage any concerns.

DISCUSSION

Self-collect, mail-in STI testing was favorable among youth, and could be a viable option for increasing youth access to STI testing.

Unhealthy alcohol use independently associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes among Indian men

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10% of incident TB cases worldwide are attributable to alcohol. However, evidence associating alcohol with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes is weak.METHODS: We prospectively evaluated men (≥18 years) with pulmonary TB in India for up to 24 months to investigate the association between alcohol use and treatment outcomes. Unhealthy alcohol use was defined as a score of ≥4 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C) scale at entry. Unfavorable TB treatment outcomes included failure, recurrence, and all-cause mortality, analyzed as composite and independent endpoints.RESULTS: Among 751 men, we identified unhealthy alcohol use in 302 (40%). Median age was 39 years (IQR 28-50); 415 (55%) were underweight (defined as a body mass index [BMI] <18.5 kg/m²); and 198 (26%) experienced an unfavorable outcome. Unhealthy alcohol use was an independent risk factor for the composite unfavorable outcome (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] 1.47, 95% CI 1.05-2.06; P = 0.03) and death (aIRR 1.90, 95% CI 1.08-3.34; P = 0.03), specifically. We found significant interaction between AUDIT-C and BMI; underweight men with unhealthy alcohol use had increased risk of unfavorable outcomes (aIRR 2.22, 95% CI 1.44-3.44; P < 0.001) compared to men with BMI ≥18.5 kg/m² and AUDIT-C <4.CONCLUSION: Unhealthy alcohol use was independently associated with unfavorable TB treatment outcomes, highlighting the need for integrating effective alcohol interventions into TB care.

Implant wastage in orthopaedic trauma: a UK experience

INTRODUCTION

Implant wastage is an under-reported issue in orthopaedics, yet it has been shown to have a significant cost burden on healthcare budgets. In a background of a perilous financial climate in the UK health service, our aim was to define the frequency and costs of implant wastage in orthopaedic trauma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The trauma theatre's implant logbook was retrospectively analysed between April 2017 and April 2018. Wasted implants were identified by the study authors independently. Patient demographics, implant details and costs were among the data collected. Product codes of wasted implants were used to identify implant costs through the manufacturer.

RESULTS

Implant wastage occurred in 25.1% of trauma procedures during the study period. Most wasted implants (91%) were screws. The total cost of implant wastage was £8,377.25 during the 12-month period, accounting for 2% of the total implant budget. Wasted intramedullary nails accounted for almost 50% of the total cost. More than 51% of affected procedures involved a trainee as the primary operator.

DISCUSSION

We report the first study of implant wastage in orthopaedics from the UK. Total implant wastage was higher than reported in most of the published literature, although it represented a small portion of the budget. Implant wastage is attributable to surgeons or operating theatre staff in most cases and is compounded by surgeons' limited understanding of implant costs. Initiatives to reduce implant wastage should include raising awareness of costs and departmental wastage to surgeons and operating theatre staff as well as employing preoperative planning techniques.

Assessment of the Xpert assay among adult pulmonary tuberculosis suspects with and without diabetes mellitus

SETTING: Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area, Maharashtra State, India.OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay among adults with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and with or without diabetes (DM).DESIGN: As part of a prospective cohort study, we screened 2359 adults presumed to have PTB with no history of TB. All individuals underwent testing for two sputum smears, culture, Xpert, glycated haemoglobin and fasting blood sugar. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of Xpert by comparing it with TB sputum culture result as a gold standard.RESULTS: Among screened individuals, 483 (20%) were diagnosed with DM and 1153 (49%) with pre-DM; 723 (31%) had no DM. Overall sensitivity of Xpert was 96% (95%CI 95–97) and specificity was 91% (95%CI 89–93). Xpert sensitivity was significantly higher among DM group (98%) than in the ‘No DM' (95%; P < 0.01) and pre-DM (96%; P < 0.05) groups. Among sputum smear-negative individuals, Xpert sensitivity was higher in the DM group than in the No DM (92% vs. 82%; P = 0.054) and pre-DM group (92% vs. 82%; P = 0.037).CONCLUSION: High sensitivity and specificity of Xpert underscores the need for its rapid scale up for the early detection of TB in settings with a high dual burden of TB and DM.

Trends in HbA1c levels and implications for diabetes screening in tuberculosis cases undergoing treatment in India

SETTING

The optimal timing of screening for diabetes mellitus (DM) among tuberculosis (TB) cases is unclear due to the possibility of stress hyperglycemia.

DESIGN

We evaluated adult (18 years) pulmonary TB cases at treatment initiation as well as at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. DM was identified by self-report (known DM) or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)  6.5% (new DM). Trends in HbA1c levels during treatment were assessed using non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

Of the 392 participants enrolled, 75 (19%) had DM, 30 (40%) of whom had new DM. Of the 45 participants with known DM, respectively 37 (82%) and 40 (89%) received medication to lower glucose levels at treatment initiation and completion; one participant with new DM initiated glucose-lowering medication during follow-up. The median HbA1c level in participants with known, new and no DM was respectively 10.1% (interquartile range [IQR] 8.3-11.6), 8.5% (IQR 6.7-11.5) and 5.6% (IQR 5.3-5.9) at treatment initiation, and 8.7% (IQR 6.8-11.3), 7.1% (IQR 5.8-9.5) and 5.3% (IQR 5.1-5.6) at treatment completion (P < 0.001). Overall, 5 (12%) with known and 13 (43%) with new DM at treatment initiation had reverted to HbA1c < 6.5% by treatment completion (P = 0.003); the majority of reversions occurred during the first 3 months, with no significant reversions beyond 6 months.

CONCLUSION

HbA1c levels declined with anti-tuberculosis treatment. Repeat HbA1c testing at treatment completion could reduce the risk of misdiagnosis of DM.

Prevalence of dysglycemia and clinical presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis in Western India

SETTING

Pune, India.

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of pre-diabetes mellitus (DM) and DM, and its associations with the clinical presentation of tuberculosis (TB).

DESIGN

Screening for DM was conducted among adults (age  18 years) with confirmed TB between December 2013 and January 2017. We used multinomial regression to evaluate the risk factors for pre-DM (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c]  5.7-6.5% or fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dl) and DM (HbA1c  6.5% or fasting glucose  126 mg/dl or random blood glucose > 200 mg/dl or self-reported DM history/treatment) and the association of dysglycemia with the severity of TB disease.

RESULTS

Among 1793 participants screened, 890 (50%) had microbiologically confirmed TB. Of these, 33% had pre-DM and 18% had DM; 41% were newly diagnosed. The median HbA1c level among newly diagnosed DM was 7.0% vs. 10.3% among known DM (P < 0.001). DM (adjusted OR [aOR] 4.94, 95%CI 2.33-10.48) and each per cent increase in HbA1c (aOR 1.42, 95%CI 1.01-2.01) was associated with >1+ smear grade or 9 days to TB detection.

CONCLUSION

Over half of newly diagnosed TB patients had DM or pre-DM. DM and increasing dysglycemia was associated with higher bacterial burden at TB diagnosis, potentially indicating a higher risk of TB transmission to close contacts.

Outcomes in Patient Undergoing Maxillectomy for Squamous Cancer Invading Maxilla in a Rural Tertiary Care Institute in Socioeconomic Poor Group of Patients

Background: Oral cancer accounts for more than 250,000 new cases of cancer in India. Oral cancer combining all sites of cancer in oral cavity is the single commonest cancer in males in India. Oral cancer involving upper alveolus and primary maxillary sinus tumors are a surgical challenge due to the complex surgery and rehabilitation. Aim: Optimal treatment strategy for treatment of squamous cancer invading maxillary sinus. Methods: This is a retrospective study of clinicopathological features, treatment, rehabilitation and outcome of all patients who underwent surgical treatment of tumor invading maxillary sinus over a period of 30 months in a rural cancer hospital. Results: Out of a total of 47 patients, 26 (55.3%) were males and 21 (44.7%) were females. Median age was 56 year with youngest patient of 23 year and oldest 88 year old. Primary maxillary sinus cancers were 19.1%, palatal tumors were 10.6% and 70.3% were buccal mucosa and upper alveolus cancers. Early cancers were 51% and locally advanced were 49%. Total maxillectomy was performed in 59.6%, partial maxillectomy in 34.1% and extended maxillectomy in 6.3% of the patients. Histology was squamous carcinoma in all patients and 85.1% were grade 2. Peripheral neural invasion was present in 14.9%, lympho-vascular emboli in 23.4%, and surgical margins were positive in 10% of the patients. Eighty percent patients underwent reconstruction by free microvascular flap. Fifty-one percent patients received postoperative chemoradiotherapy while 25.5% received only radiotherapy and 19.1% received no adjuvant treatment. At a mean follow-up of 11 months 74.5% patients are alive. Good speech was achieved in 70% and intelligible speech in 17% of the patients, while 12.8% were not able to speak. Solid food swallowing was achieved in 36.2%, semisolid in 27.6%, liquid in 19.1% of the patients and 12.8% remained on nasogastric tube feeds. Conclusion: Surgical resection with reconstruction by microvascular flap and postsurgical chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cancers is key for improved survival and successful rehabilitation in cancer invading maxilla.

Abstract P2-12-13: Modified pectoral nerves block for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy: A comparative study

Background: The modified pectoral nerves block (Pecs II) as a method of analgesia for breast cancer surgery has shown excellent results in recent publications. This technique blocks the long thoracic nerve, thoracic intercostal nerves from T2-T6 & thoracodorsal nerve.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Pecs II block for pain relief in the postoperative period of patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM).

Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted at our instituition between November 2014 and March 2015. Patients scheduled to undergo MRM were randomly assigned to the test group (endotracheal anaesthesia along with Pecs II) and the control group (endotracheal anaesthesia only). In the postoperative period the patients were evaluated using a visual analogue scale to determine pain scores at 6, 12 & 24 hours.

Results: Fifty patients (25 in each group), between the ages of 24 to 76 years (54.76 ± 10) were included in the study. There was no significant difference in ages between test & control groups. In the postoperative period, the test group had significantly lower median pain scores at 6, 12 & 24 hours as compared to the control group.

Table 1: Comparative analysis for Pecs II block TestControlp valueeffect size (r)Average age (years)54.44 ± 10.7855.08 ± 9.370.824-Median postoperative pain scores  6 hours2 (1)6 (2)&lt;0.001*- 0.8312 hours3 (1)5 (2)&lt;0.001*- 0.6224 hours3 (1)0.034*- 0.30* statistically significant

Conclusion: The modified pectoral nerves block (Pecs II) is a novel & effective technique for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy.

Citation Format: Kanitkar R, Mane A, Agashe A, Kulkarni M, Deshmukh S. Modified pectoral nerves block for postoperative analgesia after modified radical mastectomy: A comparative study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-13.

Implementation of the INTERGROWTH-21st Project in India

The South Asian site in the INTERGROWTH-21(st) Project was the city of Nagpur, in Maharashtra State, India, with approximately 4500 births per year among the target population with middle to high socio-economic status. These deliveries are mainly concentrated in 20 small private hospitals, most of which are in the city centre. The sample for the Newborn Cross-Sectional Study (NCSS) was drawn from ten of these hospitals, covering 76% of the target low-risk pregnant population. The Fetal Growth Longitudinal Study (FGLS) sample was recruited from the largest of these institutions, Ketkar Hospital, as well as several ancillary antenatal care clinics. Special activities to encourage participation and raise awareness of the study at this site included translating patient information leaflets into local languages and securing local media interest. Among the unique challenges of the Indian site was the coordination of the large number of hospitals involved in NCSS, a task that required careful planning and organisation by the field teams.

Para-clinico-pathological observations of insidious incidence of canine hepatozoonosis from a mongrel dog: a case report

A rare case of canine hepatozoonosis in a mongrel dog with para-clinico-pathological observations has been reported. The study included detailed haemato-biochemical changes at two stages, i.e. before treatment and after treatment with adopted therapy. Before therapy, blood picture revealed normocytic hypochromic anaemia and neutrophilic leucocytosis with variable counts of platelets. Thirty-seven percent of neutrophils were found infected with gametocytes of Hepatozoon canis. Following treatment, further decrease in haemoglobin value with a relative increase in lymphocyte count was seen. Biochemically, increase in alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels along with hyperproteinemia was seen. The 14 days chemotherapy did not bring a respite for the dog and the level of parasitaemia was 33% after the treatment. The alkaline phosphatase and creatinine level further rose up following therapy with sulphadiazine and clindamycin. Continual study is required to explain the best possible therapeutic combination to deal H. canis.

Comparative protection of two different commercial vaccines against Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1 and biotype 2 in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Differentially extended specific protection by two commercial vaccines against Yersinia ruckeri serotype O1 biotype 2 was studied following 30s immersion exposure. Rainbow trout were challenged intra-peritoneally (i.p.) with Y. ruckeri serotype O1, biotype 2 (≈10(6) to 10(7)CFU/fish) at 4, 6 and 8 months after vaccination with vaccines containing either biotype 1 (AquaVac(®) ERM) or both biotypes 1 and 2 (AquaVac(®) RELERA™). The specific pattern of vaccine-mediated protection was evaluated by relative percentage survival (RPS) analysis at 4 and 6 months post-vaccination and by obtaining gross pathological observations at 4 and 8 months respectively. We determined specific significant and superior protection in terms of increased survivability in AquaVac(®) RELERA™ vaccinated fish and observed correspondingly fewer pathological changes. The challenge trials indicated a longer protection for at least 6 months without any booster vaccination. A specific and adaptive response induced by AquaVac(®) RELERA™ vaccine against Y. ruckeri biotype 2 was clearly indicated. In addition, some degree of cross protection rendered by AquaVac(®) ERM containing biotype 1 during infection with Y. ruckeri biotype 2 was also noted.

A Case of Intranasal Hemangioma and Concurrent Tetracycline-induced Ulcerative Gastritis in Dogs

Incidence of drug-induced gastritis and ulceration in human medicine is well established. Besides, unilateral hemangioma, a unique concurrent case of tetracycline induced gastric toxicity in a dog, characterized by gastritis and ulceration is being reported here. Grossly, the appearance of gastric ulcers mimicked the appearance of Italian pizza. Histological examination further supported drug-induced etiology in this case. This is probably the one of the few cases in the annals of veterinary medicine to be documented as drug-induced gastric toxicity in dog.

Arterial hypoxemia in patients with cirrhosis of liver

INTRODUCTION

Mild hypoxia has been seen in approximately one third of patients with chronic liver disease. Development of hypoxemia in patients with chronic liver disease, modifies the line of management and worsens the prognosis of the disease. Hence an early detection of hypoxemia in these patients is essential. Hypoxemia results from various causes in patients with chronic liver disease. Hepato pulmonary syndrome is an important cause in a patient with hypoxemia and chronic liver disease. Development of this complication in chronic liver disease indicates a poorer prognosis in these patients. Chronic liver disease is also known to be associated with pulmonary manifestations that affect both the pleural space and lung parenchyma. This study was undertaken to study the prevalence of hypoxemia and assess the prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourty three patients aged 18 years and above with evidence of cirrhosis, admitted under the department of Medicine and Gastroenterology, were included in the study. A detailed history was taken and clinical examination were done in all patients. All patients underwent ultrasonography, LFT, biochemical tests and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to confirm chronic liver disease, portal hypertension and varices, if any chest X-ray, 2-D transthoracic echocardiogram, viral studies and pulmonary function tests. The patients in whom arterial hypoxemia was detected with a positive contrast echocardiogram were considered to have hepato pulmonary syndrome.

RESULTS

Six out of the 43 patients (13.9%) included in the study had hypo-xemia. Among these 6 patients with hypoxemia, 3 were found to have contrast enhanced echocardiographic evidence of intra pulmonary vascular dilatations and diagnosed hepato pulmonary syndrome. The other 3 patients had evidence of both, interstitial lung disease and pleural effusion contributing to hypoxemia. The patients with hepato pulmonary syndrome had a significant P (A-a) O2 gradient, died during the study period, indicating a poorer prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that identification of hypoxemia and its aetiology in patients with chronic liver disease is essential. Identification of hepato pulmonary syndrome is important, as it carries a poor prognosis in patients with chronic liver disease.

Removal of chromium from tannery industry effluents with (activated carbon and fly ash) adsorbents

Adsorption is a strong choice for removal operations as it is very simple to recover a high quality product from waste sludge. The efficiency of adsorbents like fly ash and activated carbon are tested based on their performance to remove chrome at various pH values, bed heights, and concentration of adsorbents. The removal efficiency was also tested for wastewater characteristics in a pilot plant in addition to the use of adsorbents. The concentration of chromium was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer). The results depicted that the efficiency of removal increased with increasing pH and bed height and decreased with increasing concentration. The removal efficiency with fly ash as an adsorbent was comparatively better than activatedcarbon. Thus, adsorbents can be used for chromium removal from tannery industry effluent.

Effects of feeding Fusarium verticillioides (formerly Fusarium moniliforme) culture material containing known levels of fumonisin B1 in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

One hundred fifty 1-d-old quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were divided into 2 groups. The 2 groups were designated as controls (CX) and fumonisin-fed birds (FX) with each containing 50 and 100 chicks, respectively. The birds in group CX were maintained on quail mash alone, whereas the birds in group FX were maintained on diets supplemented with 300 ppm of fumonisin B1 from Fusarium verticillioides (formerly Fusarium moniliforme) culture material from 1 d. Quail chicks in both groups were examined daily for clinical signs and mortality. Five randomly selected quail from each group were individually weighed on 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d post-feeding (DPF). After weighing, blood was collected from these birds at 7, 14, 21, and 28 DPF for hematological studies and at 14, 21, and 28 DPF for biochemical studies. Fumonisin B1-fed birds (FX) had ruffled feathers, reduced feed and water intake, poor body growth, and greenish mucus diarrhea with 59% mortality. Nearly 30% of the fumonisin B1-fed birds showed nervous signs during the 4-wk experimental period. From 7 DPF onward, BW in group FX were significantly lower than those in group CX. Fumonisin feeding significantly increased hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count, and total leukocyte count. There was also a significant increase in aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase in the fumonisin-fed group. Fumonisins significantly increased concentrations of total serum protein and albumin on 14 and 21 DPF, serum calcium and cholesterol levels from 14 DPF onward, and creatinine from 21 DPF onward. This study revealed that the addition of F. verticillioides culture material supplying a level of 300 ppm of FB1/kg of diet is highly toxic to quail chicks, resulting in heavy mortality, decreased growth rate, and significant alterations in hemato-biochemical parameters.

Individual and Combined Effects of Fusarium moniliforme Culture Material, Containing Known Levels of Fumonisin B1, and Salmonella Gallinarum Infection on Liver of Japanese Quail

Three hundred day-old Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were divided into two groups with 150 quail in each group. One group was maintained on quail mash alone, while Fusarium moniliforme culture material was added to quail mash in the second group from day 5 of age and was supplied at a rate of 150 ppm fumonisin B1 (FB1)/kg mash. At day 21, each group was further subdivided into two groups, yielding four groups with 75 birds apiece, which served as the control (group CX), the Salmonella Gallinarum alone group (group CS), the FB1 alone group (group FX), and the group fed FB1 and infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (group FS). An oral challenge with Salmonella Gallinarum organisms (2 x 10(4) colony-forming units/ml) was given to groups CS and FS at 21 days of age. Three quail each were necropsied on day 21 (0 day interval) from groups CX and FX only. At subsequent intervals (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days postinfection [DPI]), three quail were euthanatized from all four groups (CX, CS, FX, and FS). The gross and microscopic lesions were recorded in both mortality and euthanatized birds at the above intervals. The ultrastructural studies were done at 5 DPI. Mild to moderate hepatomegaly and pale discoloration of liver were observed in group FX, while congestion, hemorrhages, necrosis, and mild to severe hepatomegaly were the predominant gross lesions in both infected groups (CS and FS). The gross lesions in quail inoculated with Salmonella Gallinarum alone (group CS) generally developed slowly, appeared more widely scattered, and involved comparatively less surface area in contrast to the rapidly progressive and frequently confluent lesions in the combination group (FS), especially in the first 5 days of infection. Mild to marked hepatocellular swelling, multifocal hepatic necrosis, and hepatocellular and bile duct hyperplasia were the characteristic microscopic changes in the FX group. Microscopic lesions in quail of group CS comprised congestion, vacuolar changes, and focal necrosis in early stages, followed by granulomatous lesions at later intervals. Similar but more severe lesions were observed in the combination group (FS). Based on transmission electron microscopy, the maximum effect of FB1 toxicity was observed on mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. In general, the mitochondriae showed diverse form and structure, some of which appeared to lose their intact outer membrane, and the mitochondrial cristae were disoriented. The deformity in the cisternae structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum, with their rearrangement into round or tubular forms either bearing granular surface or leading to accumulation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, was evident only in groups FX and FS. We conclude that the continuous presence of fumonisins in the diets of young quail might increase their susceptibility to or the severity of Salmonella Gallinarum infection.

Effects of Fusarium moniliforme culture material containing known levels of fumonisin B1 on progress of Salmonella Gallinarum infection in Japanese quail: clinical signs and hematologic studies

To study the individual and combined effects of fumonisin B1 (FB1) toxicity and Salmonella serotype Gallinarum infection, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were fed Fusarium moniliforme culture material (2.5%), 150 mg FB1/kg ration, and were subsequently challenged orally with Salmonella Gallinarum organisms (2 x 10(4) colony-forming units) at 21 days of age. The chicks were fed culture material containing FB1 from day 5 till the end of the experiment. After being infected with Salmonella Gallinarum, observations were made 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days postinfection. The clinical signs of diarrhea with bloody discharges were more pronounced in the Salmonella-infected birds on the FB1 diet. Mortality caused by Salmonella Gallinarum increased by 12% in the presence of FB1. Mean body weights in both the Salmonella-infected and FB1-fed groups were significantly lower than those of the controls at almost all intervals. Mean values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and total erythrocyte count were slightly higher in birds fed FB1 but were lower in the Salmonella Gallinarum groups fed FB1 and plain chick mash. Anemia was evident, between 5 and 10 days postinfection, in quail chicks infected with Salmonella Gallinarum alone. Total leukocyte counts were higher in Salmonella-infected and FB1-fed groups because of an increase in the number of heterophils and lymphocytes. However, the increase in lymphocyte response to infection was lower by 4.27%-30.09% between 3 and 21 days postinfection in the FB1-fed chicks compared with chicks infected with Salmonella Gallinarum. Alanine transaminase and total serum protein were slightly higher in both the infected and FB1-fed groups. This study revealed that the continuous presence of fumonisins in the diets of quail chicks might increase the susceptibility to or the severity of Salmonella Gallinarum infection.

The neural inductive signal is transferred to ectoblast in 1-2 h but a continued contact with mesoblast for 2-3 h is essential for neuralization in the chick area pellucida

In the area pellucida of the chick gastrula, the Hensen's node (HN) graft must contact the competent ectoblast for at least 4 h to promote neural induction. When we removed the grafted HN after 1 to 3 h and replaced it by a non-inducing post nodal (PN) fragment, a 1-2 h contact with HN was found to be sufficient to promote neural induction. When HN graft was removed after 3 or 4 h and replaced by PN, the neural inductive response was substantially improved towards formation of archencephalic structures. Thus, our results indicate that neural induction takes place in two steps. In the first step, a contact with HN for 1-2 h is sufficient to transferthe inductive signal which is stabilized through a second step involving continued cell-cell contact with even non-inducing PN mesoblast.

The neural inductive response of competent chick ectoblast decreases away from the host axis and correlates with an increased proliferative activity

We have assessed the quality and quantity of the neural inductive response of the chick gastrula ectoblast located at increasing distancefrom the host axis. In a stage 4 gastrula, entire ectoblast exhibits neural competence. The quality of induced neural tissue shifts from deuterencephalic type in the area pellucida to archencephalic type in the area opaca and primitive medullary or palisade type atthe margin of overgrowth with a concomitant reduction in the number of induced neural cells. In contrast, the mitotic and 3H-TdR labelling frequencies in the competent ectoblast increase with increasing distance from the host axis and in a proportion inverse to the amount of induced neural tissue. It is suggested that the strong neural inductive response is correlated with low proliferative activity, or longer cell cycle time, of the competent ectoblast.

Mortality and morbidity in high risk infants during a six year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To study the mortality and morbidity in high risk infants after discharge from the hospital.

DESIGN

Prospective, 6 year follow up.

SETTING

High Risk Clinic (HRC).

METHODS

Infants discharged from a Neonatal Special Care Unit were identified for follow up using predetermined risk criteria. Home visits were made by the social worker, if appointments to HRC were missed. Verbal autopsy was performed in case of home deaths. Intercurrent illnesses and rehospitalizations were recorded. At six years, the children who had come for the final assessment at 30 months on the Bayley Scales, were recalled for assessment of the intelligence quotient, by Stanford-Binet Scale.

RESULTS

Four hundred and four high risk infants and eighty six controls were enrolled. There were 40 deaths in the study period, out of which 38 occurred in the first year of life, sixty per cent of these occurring in the first three months. The mortality was significantly higher in the VLBW group. Out of the 22 hospital deaths, 72.7% were due to infection. There was a significant difference (p < 0.001) in the mortality rate between the group which attended the HRC regularly (6.4%) as compared to that of the defaulters (27.6%). Ninety five children had rehospitalization in the High Risk group as compared to two in the control group (p < 0.001). In the 286 children who were assessed at 6 years, the incidence of borderline intelligence was 14.6% as compared to 5.6% in the controls (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mortality and rehospitalization rate is high in high risk infants, after discharge from the hospital. Children who appear to have normal development in the third year, may show a high incidence (14.6%) of borderline intelligence at six years.