Colon Cancer in Patients Under 25 Years Old: A Different Disease?

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Changes in the SF-12 among Depressed Elders Six Months after Discharge from an Inpatient Geropsychiatric Unit

Using the SF-12 to measure physical and mental functioning, the authors examine the intra-individual changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) 6 months post-discharge for depressed older adults. In addition, they examine three sets of predictors that might influence these changes. The sample of depressed older adults was recruited from an inpatient geropsychiatry unit. Although their physical and mental health scores on the SF-12 were lower than comparable norms, the sample showed an average increase in their mental functioning but a decrease in the physical functioning over the 6 months. Negative life-events were significant predictors of people who reported no change in their mental health functioning and decreases in their physical health functioning. Interestingly, those who experienced positive life events were more likely to report declines and younger participants were more likely to report no change in their physical functioning. The findings indicate that the effects of depression on HRQOL can have enduring effects on a sample of previously hospitalized older adults. The significance of life event changes might signify the importance of taking into account non-traditional areas of medical interventions. Further, the findings indicate the usefulness of the SF-12 quantifying HRQOL outcomes.     

Ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants around Mt.Yinggeling,Hainan Island,China

Aim of the study

The main objectives were to collect information on the use of medicinal plants and compare medicinal plant traditions between Run and Qi.

Materials and methods

Information was obtained from semi-structured interviews, personal conversation and guided fieldtrips with herbalists.

Results

385 species belonging to 290 genera in 104 families were used for the treatment of various diseases. Rubiaceae (20 species), Euphorbiaceae and Compositae (19 species respectively) were predominant families used by herbalists. The most species were used for injuries (20.1%), muscular–skeletal system disorders (18.3%) and infections/infestations (18.0%). The coefficient of similarity (36.6%) shown a high consensus of plant species used by Run and Qi. The ‘informant agreement ratio’ values for both Run and Qi are rather low (less than 0.3).

Conclusions

Traditional medicinal plants still play an important role in medical practices of Li Ethnic Group around Mt.Yinggeling. There is a close relationship of medicinal plant traditions between Run and Qi. Further investigation is necessary to record this valuable knowledge before its disappearance.     

An ecologically based examination of barriers to physical activity in students from grade seven through first-year university

PurposeThe first purpose was to identify barriers to physical activity that students in grade seven through first-year university experienced. A second purpose was to classify barriers using an ecological framework and to examine the pattern of barrier categories (i.e., intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, community, public policy, and physical environmental) and specific barrier types as grade increased. The use of an ecological model addressed limitations in prior research revolving around the identification of salient barriers in a manner that makes the design of effective interventions difficult.MethodsParticipants in grades 7–8 (n = 35), 9–10 (n = 67), 11–12 (n = 80), and the freshmen year of university (n = 109) listed barriers to physical activity on an open-ended measure.ResultsFindings revealed a trend for the average number of barriers reported per student to increase as grade in school increased. First-year university students reported significantly more barriers than all other grade groupings. The frequency of barriers reported within the ecological categories was dependent on the specific grade groupings. Further, within each ecological category, distinct barriers were reported across the different grade groupings.ConclusionsFindings highlight the utility of using an ecological model to categorize barriers, rather than simply classifying barriers as internal or external to an individual, as done in prior research. Understanding the pattern of ecologically based barrier categories and specific types of barriers will help to inform the content of future research and interventions designed to alleviate salient barriers to physical activity.     

Predictors of oral health quality of life in older adults

There is limited information regarding oral health status and other predictors of oral health‐related quality of life. An association between oral health status and perceived oral health‐related quality of life (OHQOL) might help clinicians motivate patients to prevent oral diseases and improve the outcome of some dental public health programs. This study evaluated the relationship between older persons' OHQOL and their functional dentition, caries, periodontal status, chronic diseases, and some demographic characteristics. A group of 733 low‐income elders (mean age 72.7 ISD=4.71, 55.6% women, 55.1% members of ethnic minority groups in the U.S. and Canada) enrolled in the TEETH clinical trial were interviewed and examined as part of their fifth annual visit for the trial. OHQOL was measured by the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI); oral health and occlusal status by clinical exams and the Eichner Index; and demographics via interviews. Elders who completed the four‐year assessment had an average of 21.5 teeth (SD=6.9). with 8.5 occluding pairs (SD=4.6), and 32% with occlusal contacts in all four occluding zones. Stepwise multiple regressions were conducted to predict total GOHAI and its subscores (Physical, Social, and Worry). Functional dentition was a less significant predictor than ethnicity and being foreign‐bom. These variables, together with gender, years since immigrating, number of carious roots, and periodontal status, could predict 32% of the variance in total GOHAI, 24% in Physical, 27% in Social, and 21 % in the Worry subscales. These findings suggest that functional dentition and caries influence older adults' OHQOL, but that ethnicity and immigrant status play a larger role.     

舟山海岛学生的碘营养状况对照研究

目的 :　海岛学生饮食结构中含有碘丰富的海产品。本研究旨在了解海岛学生的碘营养状况 ,评价食盐补碘的利弊。方法 :　对定海农村 (食用碘盐 )和岱山农村 (不食用碘盐 )的学校中随机抽取的 1 2个班级 ,对碘盐组和非碘盐组的饮食碘摄入和尿碘水平等变量进行描述 ,并分别以尿碘和甲状腺肿率为应变量进行单因素和多因素回归分析。结果 :　碘盐组除碘盐外每日碘摄入量中位数为 1 84μg,而不食用加碘盐的组为 1 0 5 μg,两组饮食碘摄入有显著性差异 (u=4.71 0 ,P=0 .0 0 0 ) ,而尿碘水平在食用碘盐组和不食用碘盐组分别为 1 6 9μg/L和 1 2 9μg/L,两组间有显著性差异 (u=6 .3 0 2 ,P=0 .0 0 0 )。多因素分析中性别和是否食用碘盐对尿碘水平有显著性意义 (P<0 .0 5 ,OR值分别为 0 .76 5 ,1 .93 3 )。甲状腺肿学生和正常学生的饮食碘和尿碘无统计学差异 (P>0 .0 5 )。Poisson回归分析中性别和是否食用碘盐对甲状腺肿率有影响 (P<0 .0 5 ,OR值分别为2 .2 5 ,3 .5 2 )。结论 :　舟山海岛学生要注意补碘过程中可能出现的碘过量问题。     

真皮下血管网岛状皮瓣抗菌力的实验研究

为研究真皮下血管网薄皮瓣用于感染创面的可行性，在家猪臀部两侧分别形成以旋髂深血管主干分支为蒂的传统岛状皮瓣和远侧５０％修薄的真皮下血管网岛状皮瓣。用细菌计数、吖啶橙荧光染色测定白细胞吞噬指数和白细胞内杀菌率，应用激光多普勒、墨汁灌注、透明标本等方法，对两种皮瓣的抗菌力作自身对照研究。结果表明，真皮下血管网岛状皮瓣的抗菌力明显降低，可能与皮瓣修薄后血供减少，白细胞功能相应降低有关。     

逆行岛状皮瓣修复手部软组织缺损

目的报道手部软组织缺损逆行岛状皮瓣修复方式的选择及临床效果。方法根据手部软组织缺损的不同部位，应用六种不同的手与前臂逆行岛状皮瓣进行修复。结果本组57块皮瓣中，除4块皮瓣远端部分坏死外，其余皮瓣成活良好，外观满意，弹性、质地良好，两点辨别觉6～12mm。结论手与前臂逆行岛状皮瓣切取简便，创伤小。根据手部软组织缺损不同部位，选择不同的逆行岛状皮瓣进行修复，可获得满意的临床效果。