Clinical, radiologic, electrocardiographic and 2-dimensional echocardiographic findings of fifty cases of mitral valve prolapse syndrome attending the Pediatric Cardiology clinic of I.C.H. and Childrens Hospital, Medical College, Kottayam over a period of ten years from 1980-1989 are presented. Mitral valve prolapse syndrome (MVPS) accounted for 2% of cardiac problems attending our pediatric cardiology clinic. Isolated MVPS constituted 64% of the cases. The common causes of secondary MVPS were Marfan Syndrome-18%, Atrial Septal Defect-10% and Rheumatic fever-8%. Associations of MVPS included Pectus excavatum (8%), Isolated arachnodactyly (2%) and Straight back syndrome (2%). 2-D echocardiogram demonstrated prolapse of both leaflets of Mitral valve in 44%, Isolated posterior mitral valve leaflet prolapse in 32% and Isolated anterior mitral valve leaflet prolapse in 24% of cases. No complications were seen during follow up.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Long term prophylaxis of febrile seizures.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Causes of fever in febrile seizures.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Bronchopneumonia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Angiotensin II and its different receptor subtypes in placenta and fetal membranes.

The recent discovery of a local renin-angiotensin system in trophoblastic tissues has raised many questions regarding its role in the physiology of normal gestation and its implications in the pathophysiology of hypertension during pregnancy. In this article, the authors first review the most interesting aspects of the chorioplacental renin-angiotensin system, dwelling on the tissue distribution of angiotensin II and its receptor subtypes in the placenta and fetal membranes of different species. The relationship between angiotensin II and other locally synthesized chorioplacental substances is also analysed and the therapeutic implications of phenomena observed in pregnancy-associated hypertension are discussed.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of noncontingent sensory reinforcement, contingent sensory reinforcement, and response interruption on stereotypical and self-injurious behavior.

Three analyses were conducted to assess the effects of different consequent stimuli on the rate of stereotypical and self-injurious behavior performed by two individuals with severe developmental disabilities and dual sensory impairments. An analogue functional analysis documented an undifferentiated pattern of problem behavior across all conditions for Participant 1. Data for Participant 2 indicated an undifferentiated pattern with lower frequencies in the demand condition. Stimuli chosen to compete with the type of sensory stimulation produced by the stereotypy and self-injurious behavior were presented noncontingently during play conditions. Noncontingent presentation of the specially selected stimuli resulted in reductions in stereotypy and self-injurious behavior. Finally, contingent presentation of the same stimuli with and without response interruption was assessed in a demand context. Contingent presentation of the specially selected stimuli plus response interruption resulted in more suppression than contingent sensory stimulus presentation alone. Results are discussed as to competing and concurrent schedules of reinforcement.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Human testis-specific PGK gene lacks introns and possesses characteristics of a processed gene.

Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) (ATP:3-phospho-D-glycerate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.2.3) is a metabolic enzyme functioning in the Embden-Meyerhof pathway that converts glucose (or fructose) to pyruvate. Two functional loci for the production of PGK have been identified in the mammalian genome. PGK-1 is an X-linked gene expressed constitutively in all somatic cells and premeitotic germ cells. The human PGK-1 gene consists of 11 exons and 10 introns encompassing a region approximately 23 kilobases (kb) in length. PGK-2 is an autosomal gene expressed in a tissue-specific manner exclusively in the late stages of spermatogenesis. In the present study, a molecular analysis of a human genomic clone of PGK-2 originally isolated by Szabo et al. has revealed that this autosomal sequence completely lacks introns and contains characteristics of a processed gene, or 'retroposon', including the remnants of a poly(A)+ tail and bounding direct repeats. Typically such processed sequences form non-functional pseudogenes that have evolved multiple genetic lesions which preclude translation of any transcript into a functional polypeptide. For example, an X-linked processed pseudogene of PGK-1 (psi PGK-1) in humans has been identified and shown to contain premature termination codons in all reading frames. It was therefore unexpected to find that the intronless autosomal PGK sequence reported here is not a pseudogene, but is rather a functional gene that has retained a complete open reading frame, and is actively expressed in mammalian spermatogenesis. Both the unusual conservation of function in this processed PGK-2 gene and its tissue-specific expression in spermatogenesis are best explained as a compensatory response to the inactivation of the X-linked PGK-1 gene in spermatogenic cells before meiosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Responses to the region 5 NHEXAS time/activity diary. National Human Exposure Assessment Survey.

The time/activity diary developed for use in the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) was completed by 249 participants in the Research Triangle Institute/Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (RTI/EOHSI) NHEXAS population-based pilot project conducted in the upper Midwest (EPA Region 5). The majority of participants successfully completed the diary during the 6-day study period. Participant responses showed internal consistency between related questions within the diary and between instruments used within the study. Comparison of response rates with the National Human Activity Pattern Survey, a nationwide population-based study, found consistent results when the same questions were used in both studies. Several questions identified age-specific activities. The value of the 6-day diary over 1-day surveys was apparent in discriminating between episodic and regularly conducted activities and in identifying subpopulations whose behavior may contribute to exposure to environmental pollutants.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Thermal effects of hooding incubators.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of covering infant incubators on incubator wall and air temperatures, as well as on infant temperatures. DESIGN: A within-subject ABA design, in which blankets covering the incubators were removed for a 30-minute period and then replaced. SETTING: A neonatal intensive-care unit. PARTICIPANTS: Eight medically stable infants (gestational age, 28-33 weeks; birth weight, 913-1,947 g; and postnatal age, 2-39 days). INTERVENTIONS: Incubator wall and air temperatures as well as infant temperatures were measured during three study conditions: incubators covered (30 minutes), uncovered (60 minutes), and re-covered (30 minutes). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incubator air and wall temperature; infant temperature. RESULTS: All incubator walls decreased in temperature after being uncovered; the decrease ranged from 0.6-2.2 degrees C. CONCLUSION: Although infants maintained relatively stable body temperatures during the uncovered period, the energy cost to their thermoregulatory efforts is unknown.

Body Temperature↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A high rate of caesarean sections in an affluent section of Chennai: is it cause for concern?

BACKGROUND: While rising Caesarean section rates have been the subject of much attention and debate worldwide, there is not much information available on this rate and its potential adverse impact in India. METHODS: Our survey was a standard Expanded Programme on Immunization 30-cluster design, carried out in an urban educated, middle/upper class population in Chennai. Mothers of 210 children aged 12-36 months were interviewed and data collected on immunization and breast-feeding practices. Since the mode of delivery was one of the questions, we could generate population-based data on the Caesarean section rate and its influence on breast-feeding. RESULTS: Of the 210 babies, 95 (45%, 95% confidence interval: 39.1-51.3) had been delivered by Caesarean section. Two hundred and six of 210 babies (98%) had been breast-fed at some time. However, babies born by Caesarean section tended to be started late on breast-feeds were given prelacteal feeds more often, and colostrum less often when compared to babies delivered vaginally (all statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a very high rate of Caesarean section in the selected metropolitan population. On purely scientific grounds, a rate of 40% to 50% is extremely difficult to justify. Though not conclusive, the data also suggest that Caesarean section may be adversely affecting some aspects of breast-feeding. There is a need for more data and audits on Caesarean section rates in India, and a wider debate on its potential adverse impact on the health of mothers and newborns.

Cesarean Section↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized double-blind sham-controlled study of intrathecal human anti-tetanus immunoglobulin in the management of tetanus.

BACKGROUND: Tetanus is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Various modalities of treatment to prevent progression of the disease and alter its outcome have been tried. This study was designed to evaluate the role of intrathecal human anti-tetanus immunoglobulin (TIG) in the management of tetanus. METHODS: Thirty-six adult patients presenting to an university-affiliated teaching hospital were stratified based on the severity of disease into mild and severe disease, and subsequently randomly allocated to receive either 250 i.u. of TIG intrathecally or a sham procedure mimicking the lumbar puncture. RESULTS: In mild tetanus, TIG administration significantly retarded the rate of progression (p = 0.05), reduced the duration of hospital (p = 0.01) and intensive care unit stay (p = 0.05), need for tracheostomies (p = 0.03) and the dose of sedatives required for control of spasms (p = 0.01). In mild tetanus, the mortality rates were 20% and 30% in the treated and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: We suggest that TIG is useful in reducing the morbidity, progression of disease and mortality in patients presenting with mild tetanus.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Proceedings: Sulpiride effects on plasmatic gonadotropins in women (author's transl)].

The study of longitudinal evolution of plasmatic gonadotropins in women receiving sulpirid, a psychotropic drug with a strong anti-ovulatory effect, shows the coexistence of anovulation and the peristance of a physiological pattern of gonadotropins during the first cycle of treatment. It also shows the persistance of LH peaks comparable to preovulatory levels more than one year after the initiation of therapy. However, the basal line became very unsteady. This study suggests the presence of two types of perturbations with sulpirid. A hypothalamic-hypophyseal mild action and, an ovarian resistance to gonadotropins resulting from the hyperprolactinism induced by sulpirid.

Female↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical characteristics and treatment response among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics and therapeutic response among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB). METHODS: One hundred subjects with isolates resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin were included over a three-year period (1997-1999). There were 82% males with a mean age of 36 years, mean duration of symptoms of 29 months, and a previous history of tuberculosis in 85% (pulmonary 96% and extrapulmonary 4%). RESULTS: HIV ELISA test was positive in two out of 28 (7%) patients while diabetes was diagnosed in 16 percent. Mean time to diagnose MDR TB was 5.5 months. Subjects had received a mean of 3.2 anti-TB drugs before the diagnosis of MDR TB was made. Forty-five patients were lost to follow-up. The rest had a median follow-up of 13.5 months (range 1-37 months). Follow-up AFB smear and culture results were available in 49 out of 55 and 26 out of 55 patients, respectively. Sputum smear became negative for AFB in 26 out of 49 (53%) and culture converison occurred in 16 out of 26 (61.5%) patients. Clinical and radiological response was noted in 31 (56%) and 13 (32.5%) out of 40 patients respectively. A mean of 5.5 drugs was used in those who achieved sputum conversion. Combination therapy containing ofloxacin in the regimen was noted to have a favourable response. CONCLUSION: Only a limited number of patients with MDR tuberculosis have a favourable response.

Adult↗