The role of Self-Defined Race/Ethnicity in Population Structure Control

Population-based association studies are powerful tools for the genetic mapping of complex diseases. However, this method is sensitive to potential confounding by population structure. While statistical methods that use genetic markers to detect and control for population structure have been the focus of current literature, the utility of self-defined race/ethnicity in controlling for population structure has been controversial. In this study of 1334 individuals, who self-identified as either African American, European American or Hispanic, we demonstrated that when the true underlying genetic structure and the self-defined racial/ethnic groups were roughly in agreement with each other, the self-defined race/ethnicity information was useful in the control of population structure.     

Fisher information matrix for nonlinear mixed effects multiple response models: Evaluation of the appropriateness of the first order linearization using a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model

We focus on the Fisher information matrix used for design evaluation and optimization in nonlinear mixed effects multiple response models. We evaluate the appropriateness of its expression computed by linearization as proposed for a single response model. Using a pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PKPD) example, we first compare the computation of the Fisher information matrix with approximation to one derived from the observed matrix on a large simulation using the stochastic approximation expectation–maximization algorithm (SAEM). The expression of the Fisher information matrix for multiple responses is also evaluated by comparison with the empirical information obtained through a replicated simulation study using the first‐order linearization estimation methods implemented in the NONMEM software (first‐order (FO), first‐order conditional estimate (FOCE)) and the SAEM algorithm in the MONOLIX software. The predicted errors given by the approximated information matrix are close to those given by the information matrix obtained without linearization using SAEM and to the empirical ones obtained with FOCE and SAEM. The simulation study also illustrates the accuracy of both FOCE and SAEM estimation algorithms when jointly modelling multiple responses and the major limitations of the FO method. This study highlights the appropriateness of the approximated Fisher information matrix for multiple responses, which is implemented in PFIM 3.0, an extension of the R function PFIM dedicated to design evaluation and optimization. It also emphasizes the use of this computing tool for designing population multiple response studies, as for instance in PKPD studies or in PK studies including the modelling of the PK of a drug and its active metabolite. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

水分胁迫条件下不同栽培居群菘蓝中4种有机酸的变化

目的:检测北京、内蒙古、河北和陕西等4个栽培居群菘蓝叶片中草酸、苹果酸、柠檬酸和抗坏血酸等4种有机酸成分含量的差异及在淹水胁迫下的变化.方法:采用高效液相色谱法测定正常及水分胁迫下不同栽培居群的菘蓝叶片中4种有机酸的含量.结果:不同栽培居群叶片中有机酸含量不同,而在水分胁迫条件下,各栽培居群有机酸含量变化趋势相同,草酸、苹果酸和柠檬酸含量升高,抗坏血酸含量下降.结论:不同栽培居群的菘蓝所含各有机酸存在一定差异,在水淹等逆境条件下,其叶片中有机酸含量发生不同程度地变化,并与其逆境生理密切相关.     

Patient comprehension and recall of laparoscopic surgery and outcomes in a non-English speaking population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine patient recall and comprehension after laparoscopic appendectomy in an underserved population. Laparoscopic surgery can lead to diagnostic uncertainty secondary to poor recall and variable port placement. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, we identified a cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from 2000 to 2004 at a single institution. We then attempted to contact the patients to conduct a 10-question telephone survey, which determined whether the patient spoke English or Spanish as a primary language, ethnicity, educational level, and questions about recall of perioperative events and diagnoses. If we could not reach the patient, we tried to call back on 2 different occasions. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2004, 186 patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Of these, 65% were Hispanic. We found that only 17% of these patients returned for a postoperative visit. Only 19.3% could be contacted by phone. Forty-seven percent of the patients contacted by phone spoke Spanish exclusively. Overall 92% of patients contacted knew what operation they had, and gave their correct diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The low percentage of patients available to follow-up makes this study statistically insignificant. However, we believe that fact in itself is important. In Southwestern states, we see a large migrant population. This highlights the need to communicate effectively with the patients at the time of surgery, which we speculate we did based on the percentage of patients that knew their diagnosis.     

上海市流动人口血吸虫病、疟疾、丝虫病监测结果分析

目的：评价外来流动人口对上海市人群传播血吸虫病、疟疾、丝虫病(简称“三病”)的潜在危害，从而预防和控制外源性“三病”在本市传播。方法：对外省市来沪居留3个月以上人员，进行“三病”血清免疫学检测，达到规定的阳性滴度时进行病原学追踪及治疗。结果：2001—2003年共监测外来流动人口909960人次，血吸虫病、疟疾、丝虫病抗体阳性率分别为0．55％、0.28％和0．02％；质量抽检符合率分别为98、42％、94．21％和99．84％。结论:必须加强外来流动人口“三病”监测和防治管理，以有效预防和控制外源性“三病”在本市传播。     

医保对象对职工医疗保险制度反应性的分析

该文对享受上海市城镇职工基本医疗保险的市民进行随机抽样调查,就其对医保政策的评价和就医行为反应性改变,分析医保改革的有效性和震荡度.提出加强医保法制建设,强化费用分担意识,完善医保政策,进一步体现福利性、公益性、公平性.     

产后小鼠子宫内膜边缘群干/祖细胞的分离纯化

目的分离和纯化小鼠子宫内膜边缘群(side population,SP)干/祖细胞,为进一步探讨产后子宫修复的细胞机制奠定基础。方法分别采用酶消化和机械分离结合法与机械研磨分离的方法,原代分离小鼠子宫内膜上皮细胞与基质细胞,通过Hoechst33342-SP法(对照加入维拉帕米),使用流式细胞仪检测子宫内膜SP细胞。结果未孕小鼠子宫内膜上皮与基质中均无明确SP干/祖细胞,产后哺乳期后的小鼠子宫内膜基质中含有SP干/祖细胞达(3.44±1.59)%。结论本研究初步检测到小鼠产后子宫内膜中含有SP干/祖细胞。产后更多SP细胞的出现可能与修复损伤的子宫内膜有关。这群SP细胞是子宫原位干细胞还是有其他来源,如何参与子宫内膜的修复,其分子机制如何,尚待进一步研究。     

南山区与某社区常住人口6年恶性肿瘤发病调查

目的：了解某社区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病率是否高于周边人群，重点是白血病平均年发病率。方法：采用回顾性调查法及个案调查表收集该社区1998年6月～2004年9月常住人口中的确诊恶性肿瘤病人22例，将该社区恶性肿瘤平均年发病率与南山区在该时段恶性肿瘤平均的发病率进行比较。结果：1998年6月～2004年9月南山区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病66．1／10万，某社区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病率29．9／10万，两地差异有统计学意义（F=0．0001，P〈0．05）；南山区常住人口白血病平均年发病率2．79／10万，某社区常住人口白血病平均年发病率4．07／10万，两者无统计学意义差异（F=0．467，P〉0．05）。结论：该社区常住人口恶性肿瘤及白血病平均年发病水平低于南山区全区水平。     

温州市外来流动人口传染病的监测

目的：为了解温州市流动人口传染病的发病情况，加强这些人群的传染病防制和监测工作。方法：我们对温州市1997－2000年甲，乙类传染病报告资料进行调查，整理和分析。结果：（1）流动人口传染病年均报告发病率为44．75／10万；（2）省外流动人口传染病报告发病率（55．55／10万）高于省内（12．03／10万）；（3）流动人口传染病发病率以呼吸道，肠道，血源和性传播疾病为高，而虫媒与自然疫源性疾病和新生儿破伤风相对较低；（4）流动人口中肺结核，乙肝，甲肝和痢疾的发病率较高，其发病数均占总病数的10％以上；（5）流动人口疟疾和新生儿破伤风发病率高于当地人群，而其它传染病发病率则低于当地人群。结论：目前，流动人口传染病问题已日益突出，对社会稳定和经济发展将发生严重影响，采取合适的防制措施对控制流动人口传染病是非常迫切和必要的。