幼儿园环境中铅含量对儿童血铅值的影响

目的探讨幼儿园环境是否对儿童铅暴露产生影响。方法采集、测定幼儿园环境样品中铅含量,同时采集、测定儿童的手尘铅和血铅浓度,分析环境铅和血铅的相关关系。铅测定方法为原子吸收法。结果19所幼儿园室内地面尘、脱落漆皮。室内降尘、室外地面尘、土壤和自来水铅含量的几何均数分别为86．5μg/m2、235.5μg/g、445．9μg/g、172．4μg/m2、70．1μg/g及12.5μg／L。儿童双手尘铅的平均值为3．4μg。相关分析结果提示血铅与室外地面尘铅、儿童手尘铅呈正相关。多因素分析显示手尘铅被引入血铅的回归方程,而且其标准化回归系数最大,达0.3842,其偏回归系数为0．2018。结论幼儿园的环境卫生状况直接影响着儿童铅的摄入水平。因此有必要对儿童进行健康教育,使其养成勤洗手的卫生习惯,克服吮吸手指的不良行为。     

儿童接触低水平铅与智能发育的关系研究

为探讨接触低水平铅是否对儿童智能发育产生影响,根据血铅值将儿童分为低血铅组（血铅＜１０μｇ／ｄｌ）和高血铅组（血铅≥１０μｇ／ｄｌ）,比较两组之间婴幼儿智能发育和学龄前儿童智力测验结果是否有差异。结果高血铅组儿童的ＰＤＩ、ＶＩＱ、ＰＩＱ和ＦＩＱ高于低血铅组。单因素分析提示血铅与ＣＤＣＣ量表中的心理运动发育指数（ＰＤＩ）以及ＷＰＰＳＩ量表中的语言智商（ＶＩＱ）、操作智商（ＰＩＱ）和总智商（ＦＩＱ）存在负相关关系,ｒ分别为－０．１４５８,－０．３３３０,－０．２３１６,－０．３１３３;高血铅组高于低血铅组。但多元回归分析显示血铅值与智能发育无相关关系,表明铅可能是阻碍儿童智能发育的一个危险因素。但当血铅水平不太高时（血铅值不高于２５μｇ／ｄｌ）的相关关系不明显。     

A model for understanding diagnostic imaging referrals and complex interaction processes within the bigger picture of a healthcare system

Using experiences from the South African public healthcare system with limited resources, this review proposes a model that captures a holistic perspective of diagnostic imaging services embedded in a network of negotiated decision-making processes. Professional interdependency and interprofessional collaboration, cooperation and coordination are built around the central notion of integration in order to achieve a seamless transition through the continuum of various types of services needed to come to a diagnosis. Health-system role players interact with patients who enter the system from the perspective of their life-world. The distribution of diagnostic imaging services – within one setting or at multiple levels of care – demonstrates how fragments of information are filtered, interpreted and transformed at each point of care. The proposed model could contribute to alignment towards a common goal: services providing holistic quality of care within and beyond a complex healthcare system.     

Mapping of reproductive health financing: methodological challenges

Low level of funding for reproductive health (RH) is a cause for concern, given that RH service utilization in the vast majority of the developing world is well below the desired level. Though there is an urgent need to track the domestic and international financial resource flows for RH, the instruments through which financial resources are tracked in developing countries are limited. In this paper we examined the methodological and conceptual challenges of monitoring financial resources for RH services at international and national level. At the international level, there are a number of estimates that highlights the need for financial resources for RH programmes but the estimates vary significantly. At the national level, Reproductive Health Accounts (RHA) in the framework of National Health Accounts (NHA) is considered to be the ideal source to track domestic financial flows for RH activities. However, the weak link between data production by the RHA and its application by the stakeholders as well as lack of political will impedes the institutionalization of RHA at the country level.     

The psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) when used prenatal

ObjectiveTo evaluate the psychometric properties of the Icelandic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) when used prenatal, explore the dimensionality of the scale and describe its effectiveness in identifying depression.DesignA sample of Icelandic women filled in the EPDS at week 16 gestation, week 24 and week 36. If screened positive in week 16 they were asked to attend a psychiatric diagnostic interview 2–4 weeks later. Every 10th woman screened negative was also asked to attend an interview.SettingAntenatal clinics at primary health care centres in Iceland.ParticipantsIn total, 2512 women receiving prenatal care participated in the study. At week 16 gestation, 2397 women filled in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, 2025 at week 25, and 1756 at week 36. 474 women attended diagnostic interview two to four weeks after screening.Measurements and findingsInternal reliability, convergent validity and test-retest correlation of the Icelandic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale appeared acceptable. An exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale that was confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis showing best fit for one general factor with two group factors. A cut-off score of 11 or higher had specificity of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.80 and positive predictive value of 0.44.Key conclusions and implications for practiceThe Icelandic version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a valid and reliable one-dimensional instrument suitable to screen for depression prenatally. We recommend using score 11 or higher as a cut-off. If women score 11, they should be re-assessed two weeks later, but if they score 12 or higher, they should be referred directly for a further assessment. A time gap of two to four weeks does weaken the scale's ability to discriminate between those suffering from Major Depression and those who screen negative.     

Forensic characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the Chinese Han population from Chongqing Municipality,Southwest China

Chongqing Han is an important southern Han group, but investigations on its paternal genetic structure are still limited. Here, we analyzed the forensic and phylogenetic characteristics of the Chongqing Han population based on 27 Y-STR and predicted Y-SNP markers. Based on AMOVA, haplogroup distribution and network analysis, we explored the genetic relationship between Chongqing Han, other Chinese groups and some southern indigenous groups (speaking Kra-Dai, Austronesian, etc).     

Coexisting sporadic late onset nemaline myopathy and AL amyloid myopathy – incidental or related?

Sporadic late onset nemaline myopathy (SLONM) and amyloid myopathy are frequently unrecognized acquired and treatable myopathies, which classically present with rapidly progressive and severe proximal muscle weakness. We report a case of SLONM and amyloid myopathy associated with IgM lambda monoclonal gammopathy in a 77-year-old Caucasian man. Creatine kinase (CK) was mildly elevated. Myositis panel was negative. Electromyogram showed prominent fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves with myopathic motor unit action potentials. Muscle biopsy revealed nemaline rods and amyloid deposits with characteristic apple-green birefringence under polarized light, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy detected a peptide profile consistent with AL (lambda) type amyloid deposition. Genetic testing for congenital nemaline rod myopathy was negative. The patient was treated with dexamethasone and chemotherapy x3 cycles with very good partial remission. CK and lambda light chain normalized. Our case emphasizes the importance of completing a thorough histochemical and pathological evaluation by muscle biopsy analysis, to provide timely and optimal treatment of these conditions.     

Blood lead levels among children aged 1 to 5 years in Wuxi City, China

The objective of this study was to determine mean blood lead levels and prevalence of elevated blood lead levels among 1- to 5-year-old children in Wuxi City, China. By use of a representative cross-sectional survey that included measurements of capillary blood lead, 1117 children aged 1-5 years were examined from October through December, 1997. The geometric mean blood lead level for children 1-5 years of age in Wuxi City was 8.2 microg/dL (0.40 micromol/L); 27.3% had blood lead levels >or=10 microg/dL and 1.0% had blood lead levels >or=20 microg/dL. Blood lead levels were significantly higher for males and for those living in industrial areas, particularly the Beitang, Mashan, and Xinqu districts. Residence in these districts and in the Jiaoqu industrialized district also increased the likelihood of an elevated blood lead level, with odds ratios ranging from 2.59 to 4.53. In conclusion, blood lead levels among Wuxi City children are high enough to be of concern, particularly in industrial areas. Further studies are needed to better define the extent of lead exposure among children in China. In addition, national standards for blood lead collection and measurement methods should be applied in China.