Higher incidence of Gastrospirillum sp. in swine with gastric ulcer of the pars oesophagea

Gastric ulcer in swine is characterized by an area of acid-peptic digestion, occurs usually in the pars oesophagea of the stomach, and has unknown etiopathogenesis. The present work was carried out to investigate the prevalence of the newly described spiral-shaped microorganism Gastrospirillum sp. ("Gastrospirillum suis") in stomachs of abattoir pigs with and without gastric ulcer. Stomachs were removed from 32 consecutive pigs presenting apparently normal mucosa and from 32 additional consecutive pigs presenting frank, chronic gastric ulcer of the pars oesophagea. Fragments of antral, oxyntic, cardiac and pars oesophagea regions were taken from each stomach and processed for histology and for identification of Gastrospirillum sp. in tissue sections. The microorganisms were identified mainly in the mucous layer and in gastric foveolas of the antral and oxyntic mucosa. Forty pigs (62.5%) were positive for Gastrospirillum sp.; among them, 27 (67.5%) had gastric ulcer, and 13 (32.5%) had no ulcer. Twenty-four pigs (37.5%) were negative for Gastrospirillum sp.; among them, five (20.8%) presented with gastric ulcer, and 19 (79.2%) had no ulcer. There was a significant difference between pigs with and without gastric ulcer in regard to the presence of Gastrospirillum sp. (P < 0.01). The spiral-shaped microorganism Gastrospirillum sp. that inhabits the stomach of pigs should be considered a possible factor connected with the etiopathogenesis of swine gastric ulcer.     

Oral carriage of Candida species in patients visiting the Medunsa Dental Clinic

148 Healthy adults visiting the Medunsa Dental Clinic were screened for the presence of oral candida species. Fifty-three per cent of these subjects harboured candida with a higher prevalence in females (61 per cent) than in males (44 per cent). Candida carriage was not significantly influenced by plaque or gingival indices. There was no significant difference in prevalence between smokers and non-smokers in the group as a whole, but smoking males showed a significantly higher prevalence than non-smoking males (p < 0.05).     

Efficacy of doxycycline in feed for the control of pneumonia caused by Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in fattening pigs

A multicentre, controlled, randomised and blinded study was carried out in three French pig herds to assess the efficacy of doxycycline administered in the feed for the control of pneumonia. About 20 per cent of 363 pigs from the three fattening units were diseased at the start of the study. Pneumonic lesions were found on pigs examined postmortem and Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the lungs of pigs in all the herds. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection was confirmed either by detection in pneumonic lungs or by seroconversion in pigs sampled three weeks apart. P multocida, Bordetella bronchiseptica and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae were isolated from 64 per cent, 50 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively, of 148 nasal swabs. The following variables were significantly different between the treated and untreated groups (P < or = 0.001): the incidence of diseased pigs during the three weeks from the start of treatment (8.1 per cent in treated group v 35.4 per cent in control group), mean daily weight gain over the same period (934 g/day in the treated group v 834 g/day in the control group) and the cure rate of pigs which were diseased at the start of treatment (73.5 per cent in treated group v 35.3 per cent in control group). These data demonstrate that an average dose of 11 mg doxycycline/kg bodyweight per day in feed for eight days was effective in controlling pneumonia due to P multocida and M hyopneumoniae in these fattening pigs.     

(-)-Stepholidine acts as a D1 partial agonist on firing activity of substantia nigra pars reticulata neurons in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 20 randomly selected streets in Moradbad city in North India to determine the association of magnesium and antioxidant vitamins with risk of ageing. There were 595 subjects (314 males, 281 females) between 50-84 years of age inclusive. The overall prevalence of hypo-magnesemia was 11.8 per cent (n = 60) with a prevalence of 13.2 per cent (n = 33) in males and 10.6 per cent (n = 27) in females. The prevalence of hypomagnesemia showed significant declining trend in the concentration of serum magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene and a rising trend in lipid peroxides and diene conjugates with increase in age from 50-59 years to 70-84 years in both men and women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene were significant risk factors of ageing in both men and women. The findings suggest that some urban populations of India can benefit by consuming higher dietary magnesium, potassium and antioxidant vitamins for prevention of ageing.     

Evoked response and kinesthetic measures of augmenting/reducing in schizophrenics: replications and extensions

The results of a 15 months' intensive study on seven flocks of indigenous goats in the Southern Darfur region of the Sudan are discussed in this paper. Birth rates in the region approached 2-1 kids per doe per year. A high total offtake of 28 per cent and a weighted average death rate of about 16-5 per cent were insufficient to offset this high birth rate and flock numbers are increased. Mortality in kids was unrelated to number of births. Weighted average rate of gain for all surviving kids was 87 g per day to 3 months and 67 g per day to 6 months of age. The growth rates of twin and single were similar, but triplet kids grew at a slower rate. For each kilogramme liveweight of breeding females, goats produced 1-5 and 8 times the weight of meat produced by sheep and cattle respectively under the same management and environmental conditions.     

Abattoir survey of sheep and goats in The Gambia

An abattoir survey of sheep and goats was carried out in The Gambia for one year. A total of 1248 goats and 438 sheep, predominantly young females, were slaughtered and sampled. Sixty per cent of the females of both species were pregnant. There were no significant differences between the dressing percentages of different breeds and age groups. Sex and stage of pregnancy had a significant influence on carcase yields in both species. In goats the highest carcase yields were obtained during the early dry season. Most of the animals were clinically healthy and there were few pathological findings postmortem. In both species, there was a seasonal fluctuation of packed cell volume (PCV), with a minimum during the rains, and although the prevalence of trypanosomiasis was low it reduced the PCV. Faecal egg counts of Trichostrongylidae were highest during the rainy season and goats had higher faecal egg and coccidial oocyst counts than sheep. In sheep, a breed difference was observed for PCV and an age difference for egg excretion. The peak or higher rates of egg excretion occurred during the rains in both species. The immune status against peste des petits ruminants was significantly lower in goats (39 per cent) than in sheep (49.5 per cent). Antibodies against bluetongue virus were found in 62.6 per cent of goats and 55.8 per cent of sheep.     

Reproduction of the ewe and female goat in the province of Fars, Iran

Over a period of 12 months, 1006 ovine and 1129 caprine genitalia were collected from an abattoir. 57-5 per cent of the sheep and 89 per cent of the goat specimens were gravid of which 26-9 per cent and 30-2 per cent, respectively, of the total were estimated to be over two months of gestational age. Transuterine migration of the early embryo was a feature in both species although it was more frequent in the goat. Signs of fertilisation failure or embryonic death was most frequently observed if associated with multiple ovulations. Three ovine and two caprine fetuses had severe developmental abnormalities, and a total of 30 specimens had either congenital or acquired abnormalities of the ovaries and uterus.     

Esophageal involvement after tetracycline ingestion

Between 1985 and 1992, 81 spontaneous oesophageal injuries associated with tetracycline were notified to the French Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres. The side effects were oesophageal ulcers (79 per cent), esophagitis (11 per cent) and dysphagia (10 per cent). Esophagitis and dysphagia appeared sooner (4 days) than the ulcers (15 days). The mean age of the patients was 29 +/ 13 years and 73 per cent were women. In 92 per cent of cases, the recommendations for administration were not observed (medication taken at bedtime with not enough or without water). With 96 per cent of patients, doxycycline was the tetracycline in question; this prevalence could be explained by its irritant and cytotoxic properties. The oesophageal injuries were 22 times more frequent with capsules than with tablets, because of their easier adhesion to the oesophageal surface. Oesophageal injuries are potentially serious and must be avoided by clear information to patients and prescribers on tetracycline administration; consumption in the middle of a meal with an adequate quantity of water and never less than one hour before bedtime.     

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): definition, classification and clinical course

A CPITN survey involving Chileans aged 35-44 and 65-74 was conducted. A random, stratified sample by age, gender, socio-economic status and educational level was obtained, comprising 1150 individuals. Prevalence of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease (Codes 3 + 4) was 90.89 per cent in subjects aged 35-44, and 100 per cent in subjects aged 65-74. The total prevalence for both age cohorts was 92.19 per cent. Prevalence of periodontal disease was slightly lower in females but severity was significantly higher in males. A significant association between socio-economic status and periodontal health was found. Prevalence (Code 3 + 4) was 56.44 per cent in subjects of high, 98 per cent in subjects of middle, and 100 per cent in subjects of low socio-economic status. Also, the mean number of sextants with pockets > 6 mm (1.12) and mean number of excluded sextants (1.43) were significantly higher in subjects of low socio-economic status. An association between educational level and periodontal health was apparent. The only subjects who were periodontally healthy were in the group with university education. Prevalence of CITN (Code 3 + 4) was also significantly lower in subjects with university education. There was also a significant association between educational level and loss of teeth. Concerning missing teeth, 22 per cent were lost due to periodontal disease and 77 per cent due to caries. The prevalence of periodontal disease found in this adult representative Chilean population indicates that the entire population needs oral hygiene instruction and scaling, and that 45.70 per cent need complex periodontal treatment.     

Determination of the true digestibility of amino acids in pigs

Pigs of varying liveweight received protein-free diets in a trial made to establish the excretion levels of endogenic intestinal nitrogen and endogenic intestinal amino acids. The highest excretion rates of endogenic intestinal N and intestinal amino acids per kg of liveweight or per 100 g of dry matter ingested were found in pigs weighing about 10 to 40 kg. The lowest values were abtained in pigs with a liveweight exceeding 40 kg. The levels of endogenic intestinal N and intestinal amino acids are variable quantities. So, true amino acid digestibility data should be determined in pigs weighing more than 40 kg, because in these animals the relation between the intaken of amino acids and the level of endogenic excretion in the faeces is widest and hence, this variable factor would have the least influence on calculations of digestibility data. The data established for the true digestibility of nitrogen and amino acids of barley fed to pigs weighting 10-100 kg were found to be at the same level (with the exception of lysine) when due consideration was given to figures for the excretion of endogenic intestinal N and intestinal amino acids taking into account the liveweight of the animals.     

Cancer risk in diethylstilbestrol-exposed offspring

The occurrence of columnar epithelium in the vagina (vaginal adenosis) in young women with intrauterine exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) during the first trimester of pregnancy was observed in 231 patients (82 per cent of 280 cases who underwent colposcopic study). Extension of columnar epithelium onto the portio of the cervix was present in the remaining 18 per cent of the cases. Abnormal colposcopic findings were present in the transformation zone in 96 per cent of the patients with vaginal adenosis. Directed biopsy revealed four cases of vaginal and/or cervical squamous carcinoma in situ (CIS), two cases of severe dysplasia, five cases of moderate, and 29 cases of mild dysplasia. The prevalence of CIS in DES-exposed girls (1.4 per cent) was nearly five times the prevalence rate of CIS in a control group of 5,808 DES-unexposed women (0.44 per cent). This finding correlates well with the hypothesis that the genesis of squamous intraepithelial neoplasia is specifically related to the extent and surface area of the vaginal transformation zone. An unusual case of invasive squamous carcinoma in a DES-exposed young girl is presented, which represents the initial observation of this association to date.     

Effect of feeding regimen on gastric ulceration of the pars oesophagea of intensively raised pigs

Three groups of pigs (total 23 pigs) were fed ad libitum from weaning until market weight and these were compared with three groups of pigs (total 26 pigs) fed ad libitum until 12 weeks of age, and then fed on a restricted regimen (twice per day) until marketed. There was a significant difference in degree of ulceration between the two feeding regimens; those pigs fed ad libitum had the most severe gastric ulcers. The pigs fed ad libitum, had significantly less agonistic interactions per minute than did the restricted fed pigs. Growth rates of the pigs from weaning to market weight did not differ significantly in the two regimens, although the average pig on ad libitum feeding consumed 182.9 kg, and the restricted fed pigs ate 148.2 kg per pig.     

Abattoir observations of the weights of stomachs and their contents in pigs slaughtered at known times after their last feed

From 15 farms, 1242 pigs (range per farm 12-169) were sent for slaughter at known times after their last feed. The time of feeding, quantity and type of last feed, time of loading, time in transit, distance travelled, time in lairage and time of slaughter, were recorded. The mean +/- SD stomach weight and wet stomach contents weight were 0.68 +/- 0.12 and 0.55 +/- 0.45 kg, respectively. There were 148 stomachs (11.9%) with wet contents weights > 1 kg, nine > 2 kg but < 3 kg, and one weighed 3.04 kg. The means and ranges for times from last feed to loading interval, time in transport, and time in lairage were 13.6 (0-40), 3.1 (0.75-6.0) and 4.1 (2.1-12.5) h, respectively. The mean and range for distance travelled was 193.1 (43-320) km. Ten stomachs were collected at random from a further load of pigs from one farm. They had been fed 0.64 kg dry pellets and were slaughtered 18.5 h later. The mean and range for wet stomach contents weight was 0.87 kg (0.24-1.33). Samples were dehydrated and the mean calculated stomach dry matter content for the 10 pigs was 127.4 +/- 69.1 g.     

Lung function among black and white children

Racial differences in ventilatory lung function were evaluated in a community study of 393 children (158 blacks, 235 whites). Mean forced vital capacity was 18 per cent larger in nonsmoking white males than in nonsmoking black males, and 11 per cent larger in nonsmoking white females than in nonsmoking black females. Similar differences were observed for the 1-sec forced expiratory volume and for the maximal expiratory flow at 50 per cent of the vital capacity. However, when adjusted for lung size (on the basis of forced vital capacity), 1-sec forced expiratory volume and maximal expiratory flow at 50 per cent of the forced vital capacity were larger in the black children compared to the white children. Lung function prediction equations based on race, sex, age, height and weight are presented for healthy nonsmoking children; these allow for an evaluation of normal lung function in both black and white children.     

Neuroendoscopy and endoscopic neurosurgery

The effects of ad libitum (AL) feeding, moderate dietary restriction (DR), and initial (6-week) and one-year body weights on the two-year survival of the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat were evaluated. DR-fed rats were given approximately 75 percent of the adult AL food intake. At two years, body weights of DR-fed males and females were approximately 69 and 58 percent of the AL-fed male and female body weights, respectively. The 2-year survival rate was 80 and 74 percent in DR-fed males and females, respectively, and 28 and 38 percent in AL-fed males and females, respectively. This increase in longevity indicates that DR-fed males and females in carcinogenicity studies would have 14.8 and 9.1 additional weeks of exposure in a 2-year period to test compounds, respectively, compared to AL-fed animals. There was no correlation between initial body weight and 2-year survival in DR or AL-fed rats. There was no association between 1-year body weight and 2-year survival among DR-fed rats. However, AL-fed rats with the greatest 1-year body weight had a lower 2-year average survival compared with the lightest AL-fed rats; this trend was statistically significant only in males. Body weights between the first and second years were statistically significantly correlated for both genders and feeding regimens but no correlation was observed between pretest and 2-year body weights. These findings demonstrate that initial body weight is not the determining factor of 2-year survival, but that the total adult food (caloric) intake is important. In conclusion, moderate dietary restriction prevented excessive body weight gain and greatly increased the 2-year survival of the SD rat. Initial body weights did not correlate to 2-year body weight gain and were not a predictive biomarker of 2-year SD rat survival.     

In-hospital and follow-up mortality of patients with acute myocardial infarction

Patients with definite acute MI who were admitted to Songkla University Hospital between 1982 and 1990 were studied. The 195 patients and 202 admissions were nearly equally distributed between these 65 and older versus those younger than 65. Three quarters were males. The in-hospital mortality was 19.5 per cent and 76.3 per cent of the deaths were from heart failure. Neither age nor gender determined the mortality once corrected for the Killip's staging. There was no difference in mortality when comparing Q versus non-Q MI, anterior versus inferior wall MI or males versus females. One hundred and thirty-eight patients could be followed for and average of 27.1 months. First year mortality was 11 per cent and the first 2 years was 14 per cent. The in-hospital mortality, representing the prethrombolytic era, appeared to be similar to values reported from the Thai and Western literature. The predominance of death from heart failure rather than from arrhythmia may be a consequence of delayed admission whence arrhythmic death had already occurred or patients will seek hospital advice only if highly symptomatic.     

Efficacy of home cervical traction therapy

Cervical traction is administered by various techniques ranging from supine mechanical motorized cervical traction to seated cervical traction using an over-the-door pulley support with attached weights. Duration of cervical traction can range from a few minutes to 20 to 30 min, once or twice weekly to several times per day. Anecdotal evidence suggests efficacy and safety, but there is no documentation of efficacy of cervical traction beyond short-term pain reduction. Because of a clinical impression that a simplified, inexpensive, over-the-door home cervical traction method of treatment requiring 5 min of cervical traction twice daily was efficacious for both cervical pain and radiculopathic syndromes, we undertook a retrospective study of 58 outpatients treated between 1994 and 1996. Age range was 29 to 84 (mean, 56) yr. Twenty-three males and 35 females were classified as Grade 1 to Grade 3 according to the Quebec Task Force of Whiplash-Associated Disorders Cohort Study. Outcomes were as follows: Grade 1 (mild)--4 of 4 (100%) patients improved; Grade 2 (moderate)--34 of 44 (77%) patients improved (P < 0.01), 5 were unchanged, and 5 felt their symptoms were aggravated by cervical traction; Grade 3 (patients with radiculopathy)--9 of 10 (90%) patients improved (P < 0.01). In a retrospective study, a brief (3-5 min), over-the-door home cervical traction modality provided symptomatic relief in 81% of the patients with mild to moderately severe (Grade 3) cervical spondylosis syndromes. Prospective, randomized assessment of cervical traction for this and other methods is needed.     

A survey of mortality in slaughter pigs during transport and lairage

Of 2.9 million pigs transported to seven slaughter plants in 1991 and 1992, 1781 (0.061 per cent) died in transit and 314 (0.011 per cent) died subsequently in the lairage. Overall mortality for both years was 0.072 per cent and mortality in 1992 was 0.066 per cent. There was little seasonal variation in the number of pigs dying in lairage, but more pigs died in transit in months when the weather was hotter. The relationship with temperature was curvilinear; above about 15 to 17 degrees C the detrimental effect of high temperatures was far more serious. In 1992, the year for which complete data were available, average mortality in the seven plants ranged from 0.045 to 0.093 per cent, but this variation was not related to the size of the plant. The number of pigs which died in lairage, rather than in transit, ranged from 4 to 21 per cent of all deaths in the different plants, and the average was 15 per cent. The variation might be related to differences in average lairage times or to the policies of individual plants with regard to moribund pigs. The survey provided no evidence that the mortality among transported pigs has increased over the last 20 years.     

Pain in venous leg ulcers

A prospective study was conducted to assess the prevalence, severity and diagnostic utility of pain in patients with venous leg ulcers. A semi-structured questionnaire was completed by 140 consecutive patients in two specialist centres caring for patients with leg ulcers. A high proportion (64%) of the 94 patients with ulcers of purely venous aetiology reported severe pain; 50% of these patients were taking either mild analgesia or none at all. In 10 of 72 cases, leg elevation made the pain worse. Venous ulcers are painful. Pain in three distinct locations was reported by patients-within ulcers, around ulcers and elsewhere in the leg. The presence of severe pain does not necessarily indicate arterial disease or infection. Pain is, in general, inadequately controlled in these patients.     

Systemic clotting activation by low-grade endotoxaemia in liver cirrhosis: a potential role for endothelial procoagulant activation

Laparoscopic fundoplication is technically feasible in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although medication is the primary treatment for GERD, not all patients respond completely or are able to adhere to a medical regimen. In the present series, 59 patients were laparoscopically treated for GERD at three centers using a standardized technique. All patients had been medically treated prior to referral, although 84 per cent had heartburn and 2 per cent had laryngitis despite 20 to 40 mg/day of omeprazole. Fifteen per cent of patients were intolerant of or would no longer take omeprazole. Patients were evaluated by esophageal manometry (in 100%) and 24-hour pH studies (in 66%). Seventy-six per cent of patients had lower-esophageal sphincter pressure <15 mm Hg. Five patients had low esophageal body peristaltic pressures (<35 mm Hg). These patients underwent Toupet partial fundoplication, whereas 54 patients underwent Nissen fundoplication. Mean operative time was 158 +/- 7 minutes, and three patients (5%) were converted to an open procedure. Operative complications were minor and occurred in 13 per cent. In 45 patients evaluated 1 year after surgery, heartburn had resolved in 98 per cent. Thirty-nine of 56 patients (70%) had mild early (<1 month postoperatively) dysphagia, and 9 (19%) had severe early dysphagia, which improved in 7 after nonoperative dilatation. Two of these had continued mild dysphagia. Two patients had severe dysphagia and were laparoscopically converted from Nissen to Toupet fundoplications, which resulted in marked improvement. Early gas bloat symptoms occurred in 45 per cent and dropped to 5 per cent at 1 year. Laparoscopic treatment of GERD is safe and effective in preventing reflux symptoms. Although mild dysphagia occurs after the procedure, this is transient in most patients. Patients with severe dysphagia can be treated with nonoperative dilatation or laparoscopic partial fundoplication and maintain the antireflux characteristics of the wrap.