Rapid prenatal diagnosis of beta thalassemia using DNA amplification and nonradioactive probes

We used in vitro DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction and nonradioactive probes for prenatal diagnosis of beta thalassemia in Chinese from the Guangdong province. Exact molecular diagnoses were made in all 20 fetuses studied over a 6-month period. We conclude that this method of prenatal diagnosis for beta thalassemia is a viable approach in many parts of the world where this disease is common.     

A comparison of biopsy techniques in suspected focal liver disease

This prospective study was designed to determine the most accurate method of obtaining a tissue diagnosis in patients with suspected focal liver disease. Computed tomography (CT) was performed initially in all patients. Patients with extensive right lobe disease on CT had a blind, percutaneous liver biopsy. Those with focal lesions on CT were randomized to either a CT or laparoscopic directed biopsy. Patients with no lesions on CT had laparoscopy for further evaluation. The results indicate that blind percutaneous biopsy is sufficient if extensive right lobe disease is present. There is no significant difference in the sensitivity of laparoscopy and CT directed biopsy if focal lesions are detected by CT. However, a negative CT directed biopsy does not exclude malignancy. Laparoscopy has a significant yield in patients with a negative CT and is the procedure of choice in evaluating these patients.     

A Randomized Controlled Study of a Group Intervention Program to Enhance Mental Health of Children of Illegal Migrant Workers

Background

The social–ecological environment of undocumented children of migrant workers includes varying levels of risk factors. Growing up in these conditions compromises children’s development on all levels. Many of these children are in need of psychotherapy, however, due to limited resources, only a few of them receive mental health aid.

Objective

The present research undertook to construct and examine the effectiveness of a specialized group intervention program to enhance children’s self-efficacy and mental health.

Methods

Participants were 70 children aged 8–12 of illegal migrant workers in Israel. The repeated measures design included completion of a self-efficacy scale and emotional, behavioral and social difficulties child-report and teacher-report measures. Children were randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group.

Results

The first hypotheses predicting a greater improvement in self-efficacy between the pre-test and post-test for children in the intervention as opposed to control group was confirmed. The second hypothesis predicting a greater reduction in the self- and teacher-reports of emotional, social and behavioral difficulties was confirmed. The third hypothesis predicting a moderating relation between self-efficacy, group type and time on the dependent variables was confirmed only for children’s self-report of their difficulties.

Conclusions

Findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of this short term playful intervention program for this group of disadvantaged children, suggesting its application to other at-risk groups of children.     

The management of epilepsy in pregnancy

While most women with epilepsy can expect a normal pregnancy outcome, epilepsy remains a significant contributor to both maternal and perinatal morbidity. Pre-pregnancy planning must address reliable contraception and optimisation of antiepileptic drug (AED) regimens to minimise teratogenic risk while maintaining seizure control. The most recent data from the AED registries regarding malformations is presented in this review, as is the limited data on the newer AEDs and studies linking neurocognitive outcomes to AED exposure. During pregnancy, important considerations include; therapeutic drug monitoring, surveillance for obstetric complications and vigilance for seizures during the intrapartum and postpartum period.     

Ageing appearance in China: biophysical profile of facial skin and its relationship to perceived age

Background Perceived age is important to women and is a primary driver for topical product use and facial cosmetic surgery. Changes in facial features and biophysical skin parameters with chronological age and their associations with perceived age have not been described in Asian populations. Objective To investigate the relationship between biophysical properties of the skin, visual features of skin ageing and perceived facial age in Chinese women. Methods Facial photographs were collected of 250 Chinese women, aged 25–70 years in Shanghai, China. The perceived facial age was determined and related to the chronological age for each participant and to a range of visual assessments of skin appearance and objective biophysical measurements of the skin. The profile of changes in these parameters with age was investigated together with the differences in those parameters for women judged to look younger than their chronological age and those judged to look older than their chronological age. Results Large discrepancies in perceived age (up to 29 years) were found in women of the same chronological age. Each objective skin measure and visual assessment parameter had a stronger correlation with perceived age than with chronological age. The strongest relationships to perceived age were for wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Skin colour, hydration and trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL) had weaker associations with perceived age. Women judged to look older than their chronological age had significantly higher scores than those judged to look younger for coarse wrinkles and hyperpigmentation across all age groups. The appearance differences between these groups were evident in composite facial images of the same average chronological age. Conclusions We have identified the skin attributes which differ with perceived age in Chinese women. Perceived age is a better measure of the biological age of facial skin than is chronological age in this population.