Influence of feeding various kinds, levels and combinations of antibiotics on growth and feed efficiency of broiler-strain chicks

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1965 M43Master of Scienc

Validation of driving simulator and driver perception of vehicle mounted attenuator markings in work zones

This research work sought to validate the driving simulator at Missouri University of Science and Technology and to evaluate the vehicle mounted attenuator (VMA) markings for various times of day. For comprehensive validation of the driving simulator, a framework is proposed which is demonstrated using a fixed-base driving simulator. Objective and subjective evaluations were conducted, and validation of the driving simulator was performed at specific locations and along the highway. Field data were collected for a partial lane closure using a global positioning system (GPS) along the work zone and supplemented with video recordings of traffic data at specific locations in the work zone. The work zone scenario was reconstructed in a driving simulator and analyzed with 46 participants. The results of objective evaluation established the absolute and relative validity of the driving simulator. The results of subjective evaluation of the simulator indicated realistic experience by the participants. Evaluation of four VMAs used by departments of transportation (DOTs) in work zones determined the effectiveness of specific striping patterns and color combinations. The survey of DOTs indicate that the yellow and black inverted \u27V\u27 pattern is the most widely used since it is the one most often provided by VMA suppliers. A driving simulator study was then conducted to evaluate each VMA for use during the day, at dusk, and at night. By driving through virtual highway work zones, 120 participants of various ages evaluated the VMA markings. Additionally, the drivers completed a detailed subjective survey. The results of the objective and subjective evaluations indicate that, overall, the red and white checkerboard pattern is most effective --Abstract, page iv

Liver Stiffness Measurements in Patients with Non‐cirrhotic Portal Hypertension – The Devil is In the Details

Non‐cirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is often a diagnostic challenge due to signs and symptoms of portal hypertension that overlap with cirrhosis. The etiology of NCPH is broadly classified as prehepatic, hepatic (pre‐sinusoidal and sinusoidal) and post‐hepatic.1 Some common etiologies of NCPH encountered in clinical practice include portal vein thrombosis (prehepatic) and nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) (hepatic)

Cost-effectiveness of primary offer of IVF vs. primary offer of IUI followed by IVF (for IUI failures) in couples with unexplained or mild male factor subfertility.

BACKGROUND: In unexplained and mild male factor subfertility, both intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) are indicated as first line treatments. Because the success rate of IUI is low, many couples failing IUI subsequently require IVF treatment. In practice, it is therefore important to examine the comparative outcomes (live birth-producing pregnancy), costs, and cost-effectiveness of primary offer of IVF, compared with primary offer of IUI followed by IVF for couples failing IUI. METHODS: Mathematical modelling was used to estimate comparative clinical and cost effectiveness of either primary offer of one full IVF cycle (including frozen cycles when applicable) or "IUI + IVF" (defined as primary IUI followed by IVF for IUI failures) to a hypothetical cohort of subfertile couples who are eligible for both treatment strategies. Data used in calculations were derived from the published peer-reviewed literature as well as activity data of local infertility units. RESULTS: Cost-effectiveness ratios for IVF, "unstimulated-IUI (U-IUI) + IVF", and "stimulated IUI (S-IUI) + IVF" were 12,600 pounds sterling, 13,100 pound sterling and 15,100 pound sterling per live birth-producing pregnancy respectively. For a hypothetical cohort of 100 couples with unexplained or mild male factor subfertility, compared with primary offer of IVF, 6 cycles of "U-IUI + IVF" or of "S-IUI + IVF" would cost an additional 174,200 pounds sterling and 438,000 pounds sterling, representing an opportunity cost of 54 and 136 additional IVF cycles and 14 to 35 live birth-producing pregnancies respectively. CONCLUSION: For couples with unexplained and mild male factor subfertility, primary offer of a full IVF cycle is less costly and more cost-effective than providing IUI (of any modality) followed by IVF.RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are

STUDY ON MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF MOBILE PHONES AND THEIR ROLE IN NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL OF SOUTH INDIA

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Mobile phones have become an essential accessory of our life in todays' world.. The study revealed the potential role of mobile phonesin nosocomial infections.Objectives: To screen the mobile phones of health-care personnel for microbial contamination in hospital.Methods: A total of 100 swabs were collected from mobile phones of 40 resident doctors and 10 health-care personnel before and after use ofdisinfectant. Samples were processed, and identification was done as per standard laboratory procedures.Results: Results revealed 92% bacterial contamination with monomicrobial or polymicrobial growth. Coagulase negative Staphylococci (29.59%)was the most predominant organism followed by Diphtheroids (22.44%). Other bacteria which were isolated Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococci,Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter spp. fungal growth included Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.On the other hand, after using disinfectant, the contamination rate was reduced.Conclusion: Mobile phones act as a carrier for transmission of both community acquired as well as hospital acquired infections. However, with theproper use of disinfectants, and proper hand hygiene practices it can be reduced.Keywords: CONS(Coagulase-negative Staphylococci), S.aureus (Staphylococcus aureus), K.pneumoniae(Klebsiella pneumoniae)

A pilot study comparing the DuoFertility(®) monitor with ultrasound in infertile women.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of ovulation detection by the DuoFertility(®) monitor compared with transvaginal ultrasound in infertile women with regular menstrual cycles. METHODS: Eight infertile patients, aged 27-40 years, with a body mass index of 19-29, regular menses, normal ovaries on pelvic ultrasound scan, and normal early follicular luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone, and prolactin were recruited from infertility clinics in primary and secondary care for this pilot, prospective, observational study. The patients were asked to use the DuoFertility monitor for the whole cycle, with investigators and patients blind to DuoFertility data. Daily urine LH monitoring commenced on cycle day 8, with daily transvaginal ultrasound following the first positive LH until ovulation was observed. Ovulation was further confirmed by serum progesterone. The main outcome measure was detection of ovulation by the DuoFertility monitor, and correlation between day of ovulation assessed by DuoFertility and ultrasound. RESULTS: DuoFertility identified ovulation as having occurred within one day of that determined via ultrasound in all cycles. The sensitivity of ovulation detection was 100% (95% confidence interval 82-100). The specificity could not be concluded from the data. CONCLUSION: In infertile women with regular cycles, the DuoFertility monitor appears to accurately identify ovulatory cycles and the day of ovulation

A Rare Case of Primary Mucinous Cystadenoma of Spleen

Mucinous cystadenomas are relatively uncommon benign cystic tumors. Most of them are found in the ovary, pancreas, and appendix. Primary mucinous cystadenoma of spleen is extremely rare and only countable cases have been recorded. These are assumed to arise from heterotopic pancreatic tissue or invaginated spleenic capsular mesothelium. We present a rare case of primary mucinous cystadenoma of spleen without pancreatic tissue in it. Exact tissue of origin could not be determined

Acute fulminant necrotizing amoebic colitis: a rare and fatal complication of amoebiasis: a case report

Acute Fulminant Necrotizing Amoebic Colitis is a rare complication of amoebiasis that is associated with high mortality. Only one to four such cases are seen per year in large hospitals of India, and only few such cases have been reported in the literature. The condition requires early diagnosis and surgical intervention. We recently cared for a patient who presented with acute abdomen with history of intermittent abdominal pain and diarrhea. Before presenting to our institution he was misdiagnosed as a case of inflammatory bowel disease and had been treated with steroids. On emergency exploration, extensive necrosis and multiple perforations in retroperitoneum involving entire colon were seen. Total colectomy with ileostomy was performed. Postoperative course was marked by septicaemia and multi-organ failure followed by death. This case report emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of acute FAC, and associated high mortality

Cannabidiol (CBD) Consumption and Perceived Impact on Extrahepatic Symptoms in Patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis

Background and Aims Utilization and safety of cannabidiol (CBD) in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are currently unknown. We aimed to identify the frequency of CBD use, impact on symptoms, and safety profile. Methods An invitation to complete a CBD-specific questionnaire was posted every other day to well-established autoimmune hepatitis Facebook communities (combined membership of 2600 individuals) during a 10-day study period. Age ≥ 18 years and an AIH diagnosis by a physician were the eligibility criteria for participation in the survey. Results In total, 371 AIH patients (median age 49 years, 32% reported advanced fibrosis) completed the questionnaire. Respondents were 91% women, 89% Caucasian, and 89% from North America. Ninety-three (25%) respondents were ever CBD users, with 55 of them (15% of the survey responders) identified as current users. Among ever users, 45.7% reported their treating doctors were aware of their CBD use. The most common reason cited for CBD use was pain (68%), poor sleep (62%), and fatigue (38%). Most respondents using CBD for these symptoms reported a significant improvement in pain (82%), sleep (87%), and fatigue (61%). In ever CBD users, 17.3% were able to stop a prescription medication because of CBD use: pain medication (47%), immunosuppression (24%), and sleep aids (12%). Side effects attributed to CBD use were reported in 3% of CBD users, yet there were no reported emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Conclusion CBD use was not uncommon in patients with AIH, and its use was associated with reports of improvement in extrahepatic symptoms