Sacral morphometrics for sex estimation of dead cases in Central Thailand

Sex estimation by various forensic anthropology approaches is a crucial factor for identification of human skeletal remains. However, inexpensive, uncomplicated and reliable methods are still required, especially in a remote crime scene and a high crime incidence area. Here, we examined 13 sacral parameters from 78 independent skeletons derived from deceases found in Central Thailand (male, n = 46; female, n = 32) using simple standard anthropometric techniques for sex allocation. Discriminant analysis exhibited that anterior-posterior diameter of S₁ vertebra corpus (APS) is the most accurate sacral parameter for sex determination in our study with 82.1% of correct discrimination rate. The accuracy could be improved up to 97.4% when additional three sacral variables including the length of sacrum measured from the medial anterior-superior sacral promontory to the medial anterior-inferior S₅ vertebra (ASL), alar index (ALI), and the maximum anterior breadth of sacrum measured across sacral alar (ABS) were computed together with APS. These encourage the use of sacral morphometrics for sex assessment of human sacrum remains in Central Thailand. However, further investigation with broadening sacral morphometric data across the country might provide a promising sex determination equation from a sacral skeleton for Thai population.     

Evaluation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing in the management of tinnitus. An observational study

ObjectivesTinnitus can induce disabling psychological suffering, requiring an integrative multimodal approach, combining neuromodulation and psychotherapeutic methods. We sought to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and acceptability of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in tinnitus.Materials and methodsThis was a single-center prospective non-comparative study. Inclusion criteria comprised: adult patient, with chronic tinnitus, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) score > 17, causing psychological distress motivating active treatment after ineffective “classic” treatment (combining advice, sound therapy and first-line drug treatment), and agreement to EMDR therapy. Therapeutic efficacy was defined by a decrease in THI or Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Treatment acceptability was defined by the rate of included patients who completed therapy.ResultsThirty-eight patients were included. There was a significant reduction of 53.5% in THI score in 78.9% of patients (P < 0.0001; 64.8 ± 20.8 before versus 31.8 ± 24.7 after treatment), and of 51% in VAS score in 76.3% of patients (P < 0.0001; 7.24 ± 2.12 before versus 3.58 ± 2.03 after treatment). The treatment acceptability was 86.8%.ConclusionEMDR appeared to be an effective alternative that was acceptable to the majority of patients, after failure of “classic” first-line treatment, improving quality of life in tinnitus patients and thus relieving disability.     

Ultrasound Fetal Weight Estimation: How Accurate Are We Now Under Emergency Conditions?

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of sonographic estimation of fetal weight when performed at due date by first-line sonographers. This was a prospective study including 500 singleton pregnancies. Ultrasound examinations were performed by residents on delivery day. Estimated fetal weights (EFWs) were calculated and compared with the corresponding birth weights. The median absolute difference between EFW and birth weight was 200 g (100–330). This difference was within ±10% in 75.2% of the cases. The median absolute percentage error was 5.53% (2.70%–10.03%). Linear regression analysis revealed a good correlation between EFW and birth weight (r = 0.79, p < 0.0001). According to Bland–Altman analysis, bias was −85.06 g (95% limits of agreement: −663.33 to 494.21). In conclusion, EFWs calculated by residents were as accurate as those calculated by experienced sonographers. Nevertheless, predictive performance remains limited, with a low sensitivity in the diagnosis of macrosomia.     

神经症患者主客观生活事件的影响因素

目的研究应对方式、社会支持和压力反应等与应激有关因素对神经症患者主观、客观生活事件的影响。方法应用自编生活事件量表、压力反应问卷、特质应对问卷、领悟社会支持量表及一般情况调查表对88例神经症患者和88名健康对照进行调查和分析。结果神经症组主观事件得分[(13.295±11.845)分]高于健康组[(7.261±10.873)分](P<0.01),而神经症组客观事件得分[(10.239±9.105)分]与健康组得分[(8.376±11.213)分]差异无显著性(P>0.05)。神经症组主观事件与压力反应正相关,与家庭内支持和年龄负相关(P<0.01),客观生活事件与应激其他因素均无关;健康对照组主观事件与压力反应正相关,客观生活事件与压力反应和消极应对正相关(P<0.01)。多元逐步回归分析提示,影响神经症组主观事件的因素依次有客观事件、年龄、压力反应和家庭内支持,预测力为47.7%;但影响神经症组客观事件、健康组主观事件和客观事件的仅有相对应的主观或客观事件。结论神经症患者主观事件报告明显多于健康人群,且神经症患者主观事件受其他压力有关因素的影响较大。     

Estimating Potency for the E max-Model Without Attaining Maximal Effects

The most widely applied model relating drug concentrations to effects is the E_max model. In practice, concentration–effect relationships often deviate from a simple linear relationship but without reaching a clear maximum because a further increase in concentration might be associated with unacceptable or distorting side effects. The parameters for the E_max model can only be estimated with reasonable precision if the curve shows sign of reaching a maximum, otherwise both EC₅₀ and E_max estimates may be extremely imprecise. This paper provides a solution by introducing a new parameter (S₀ ) equal to E_max/EC₅₀ that can be used to characterize potency adequately even if there are no signs of a clear maximum. Simulations are presented to investigate the nature of the new parameter and published examples are used as illustration.     

Modelling Germline Mosaicism and Different New Mutation Rates Simultaneously for Appropriate Risk Calculations in Families with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

For several genetic diseases two biological phenomena have been recognised as important: germline mosaicism; and different new mutation rates in males and females depending on mutation type. Both principles have been investigated separately and their influence on risk estimation in families has been exemplified in the literature. The aim of this paper is to present a general model that includes mosaicism and different new mutation rates. Mosaicism is introduced by defining additional alleles at the disease locus in combination with adapted segregation rules. Taking Duchenne muscular dystrophy as an example, we derive the conditions which have to be fulfilled for a population in mutation selection equilibrium. Our approach describes the model at the population level and not in individual subjects. This has the advantage of being able to use well known algorithms for the calculation of likelihoods in pedigrees, and to include additional diagnostic information such as marker genotypes and carrier deletion test results. We demonstrate the impact of the new model on a typical pedigree. In families where the patient is not available, the distinction between point mutations and deletions is important, since often molecular diagnostic tests for females can only screen for deletions. Negative deletion test results can now be included in the risk calculations.     

研究生主观幸福感与人格特征相关研究

目的探讨研究生的主观幸福感与人格的关系。方法采用艾森克人格问卷量表与总体主观幸福感量表（GWB）对200名研究生进行测验。结果（1）在专业、性别、年级、年龄、婚姻状况上及来源上，研究生的主观幸福感不存在显著差异。（2）相关分析表明外向性人格纬度与总体幸福感存在显著的正相关，神经质与总体幸福感存在显著的负相关。稳定外向型和稳定内向型人格的总体幸福感水平最高，其次是不稳定外向型人格，总体幸福感水平最低的是不稳定内向型人格。结论外向性与神经质等人格特征是影响研究生幸福感的重要因素。