Measurement of (n,γ) reaction cross section of 186W-isotope at neutron energy of 20.02±0.58 MeV

392-396The cross-section of 186W(n,γ)187W reaction has been measured at an average neutron energy of 20.02±0.58 MeV by using activation technique. The 27Al(n,α)24Na and 115In(n,n´)115mIn reactions have been used for absolute neutron flux measurement. Theoretically the reaction cross-sections have been calculated by using the TALYS-1.9 code. The results from the present work and the EXFOR based literature data have been compared with the evaluated data and calculated data from TALYS-1.9 code

Measurement of (n,) reaction cross section of W-186-isotope at neutron energy of 20.02±0.58 MeV

The cross-section of 186W(n,)187W reaction has been measured at an average neutron energy of 20.02±0.58 MeV by using activation technique. The 27Al(n,)24Na and 115In(n,n´)115mIn reactions have been used for absolute neutron flux measurement. Theoretically the reaction cross-sections have been calculated by using the TALYS-1.9 code. The results from the present work and the EXFOR based literature data have been compared with the evaluated data and calculated data from TALYS-1.9 code

Measurement of (n,γ) reaction cross section of 186W-isotope at neutron energy of 20.02±0.58 MeV

The cross-section of 186W(n,γ)187W reaction has been measured at an average neutron energy of 20.02±0.58 MeV by using activation technique. The 27Al(n,α)24Na and 115In(n,n´)115mIn reactions have been used for absolute neutron flux measurement. Theoretically the reaction cross-sections have been calculated by using the TALYS-1.9 code. The results from the present work and the EXFOR based literature data have been compared with the evaluated data and calculated data from TALYS-1.9 code

Spectrum and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria contaminating the upper gut in patients with malabsorption syndrome from the tropics

BACKGROUND: Various causes of malabsorption syndrome (MAS) are associated with intestinal stasis that may cause small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Frequency, nature and antibiotic sensitivity of SIBO in patients with MAS are not well understood. METHODS: Jejunal aspirates of 50 consecutive patients with MAS were cultured for bacteria and colony counts and antibiotic sensitivity were performed. Twelve patients with irritable bowel syndrome were studied as controls. RESULTS: Culture revealed growth of bacteria in 34/50 (68%) patients with MAS and 3/12 controls (p < 0.05). Colony counts ranged from 3 × 10(2 )to 10(15 )(median 10(5)) in MAS and 100 to 1000 (median 700) CFU/ml in controls (p 0.003). 21/50 (42%) patients had counts ≥10(5 )CFU/ml in MAS and none of controls (p < 0.05). Aerobes were isolated in 34/34 and anaerobe in 1/34. Commonest Gram positive and negative bacteria were Streptococcus species and Escherichia coli respectively. The isolated bacteria were more often sensitive to quinolones than to tetracycline (ciprofloxacin: 39/47 and norfloxacin: 34/47 vs. tetracycline 19/47, <0.01), ampicillin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole (21/44, 14/22 and 24/47 respectively vs. tetracycline, p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: SIBO is common in patients with MAS due to various causes and quinolones may be the preferred treatment. This needs to be proved further by a randomized controlled trial

Hepatitis E: intrafamilial transmission versus waterborne spread

The relative significance of intrafamilial transmission and continued water contamination in the spread of hepatitis E is not known. To resolve this question, two surveys were conducted during a large bimodal waterborne epidemic of hepatitis E in Kanpur, India, affecting an estimated 79 000 persons: i) April 1991: covering 420 houses (60 houses each in seven municipal wards) selected using multistage sampling and random number tables, and ii) May 1992: covering the same families in five municipal wards with incidence rates exceeding 1.5% in the first survey. The number of affected cases in each family and the time of onset of disease in each case were recorded. The time interval between the first (‘index’) case and the subsequent (‘later’) case(s) in each family was calculated. The temporal relationship of the occurrence of cases was correlated with the time of control of water contamination. One hundred and eleven hepatitis cases occurred in the 343 families (with 2018 members) studied. Eighty-one of these were single or first cases in their families. Twenty-two ‘later’ cases occurred within 2 weeks (minimum incubation period of hepatitis E) of the ‘index’ cases and could not be due to intrafamilial transmission. Thus, 103 of 111 (92.8%) cases were due to primary waterborne infection. Eight ‘later’ cases (7.2% of 111) that occurred 2–6 weeks after the index cases could be due either to direct spread or to intrafamilial transmission. No ‘later’ case occurred more than 6 weeks after the ‘index’ cases. New cases stopped appearing 9 weeks (upper limit of incubation period of hepatitis E) after steps to check water contamination were taken. Our data suggest that intrafamilial transmission plays a minor role in hepatitis E transmission compared to continued contamination of water supply

Evidence in favour of high infection rate with hepatitis E virus among young children in India

This article does not have an abstract

Immunological alterations in pregnant women with acute hepatitis E

Background: Infection with hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a major cause of acute viral hepatitis in several developing countries. Although usually self-limiting and benign, the disease is particularly severe among pregnant women, with mortality rates reaching 15-20%. Methods: Immune parameters among pregnant women with acute hepatitis E (P-HEV) were investigated and compared with those in non-pregnant patients with hepatitis E (N-HEV), and healthy pregnant (PC) and non-pregnant (NPC) women. Results: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from P-HEV patients had lower lymphocyte proliferation response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) than those in the PC and NPC groups. A positive lymphocyte proliferation response to HEV antigen (HEVAg), a mixture of eight peptides derived from HEV proteins, was observed in 7/19 (37%) P-HEV patients, 3/9 (33%) N-HEV patients and only 2/21 (10%) PC and 2/14 (14%) NPC subjects; the stimulation indices in the P-HEV group were similar to the N-HEV group and higher than the PC group. Measurement of cytokine production by PBMC in response to PHA and HEVAg showed a reduction in production of T-helper 1 (Th1) cytokines and an increase in that of Th2 cytokines in the P-HEV group. Cytokine mRNA levels showed similar changes. Conclusion: These results show the existence of a Th2 bias in pregnant women with acute hepatitis E. The role of this Th2 bias in the greater severity of hepatitis E among pregnant women needs further investigation

Assessment of cost-effectiveness of universal hepatitis B immunization in a low-income country with intermediate endemicity using a Markov model

Background/Aims: Most countries with high hepatitis B (HB) virus endemicity and most high-income countries have introduced immunization programmes against this infection. However, several low-income countries with intermediate HB endemicity have not done so. We performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of universal childhood HB immunization in such countries using India as an example, since available data on this aspect are limited. Methods: Marginal cost of every life-year and quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained with universal HB vaccination was calculated using a Markov model. Two types of analyses (including and excluding expenditure on treatment of long-term complications of HB infection) were done. Several sensitivity analyses and Monte-Carlo simulation were performed. Results: Universal immunization reduced the HB carrier rate by 71%, and increased the number of years and QALY lived by a birth-cohort by 0.173 years (61.072 vs. 60.899 years) and 0.213 years (61.056 vs. 60.843 years), respectively. Marginal costs were US$16.27 per life-year gained and US$13.22 per QALY gained, much lower than annual per capita income. One-way sensitivity analysis and Monte-Carlo simulation confirmed the robustness of the conclusions. Conclusions: Universal HB immunization is highly cost-effective in low-income countries with intermediate endemicity rates