The possible effect of altitude on regional variation in suicide rates

In the United States, suicide rates consistently vary among geographic regions; the western states have significantly higher suicide rates than the eastern states. The reason for this variation is unknown but may be due to regional elevation differences. States’ suicide rates (1990–1994), when adjusted for potentially confounding demographic variables, are positively correlated with their peak and capital elevations. These findings indicate that decreased oxygen saturation at high altitude may exacerbate the bioenergetic dysfunction associated with affective illnesses. Should such a link exist, therapies traditionally used to treat the metabolic disturbances associated with altitude sickness may have a role in treating those at risk for suicide.     

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.     

Molar incisor hypomineralization: prevalence,severity and clinical consequences in Brazilian children

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 426–434 Background. The prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) varies considerably around the world; however, few studies have examined MIH in South American countries. Objective. To evaluate the prevalence, severity, and clinical consequences of MIH in Brazilian children residing in rural and urban areas of the municipality of Botelhos, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods. Children aged 6 to 12 years (n = 918) with all four‐first permanent molars erupted had these teeth evaluated according to the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD) criteria. The examinations were conducted by two previously trained examiners, and the dental impact caused by MIH was evaluated with the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index (WHO). Results. Molar incisor hypomineralization was present in 19.8% of the 918 children, with a higher prevalence in rural areas. The majority of the defects presented were demarcated opacities without post‐eruptive structural loss, which has been considered as mild defects. Children with MIH had higher DMFT values. Conclusion. Despite the high prevalence of MIH, the severity of the defects was mild. The results indicate a positive association between MIH and the presence of dental caries.     

槲皮素诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡的研究

目的:观察槲皮素(quercetin)体外对肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的生长抑制和诱导凋亡作用,并探讨线粒体在诱导凋亡机制中的作用。方法:以10、30、60和100μmol/L槲皮素作用于体外培养的SMMC-7721细胞,MTT法检测细胞生长抑制率;Annexi-V/PI双染流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况;吖啶橙(acridine or-ange,AO)染色法观察细胞凋亡时形态变化;JC-1染色法检测细胞线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential)变化。结果:槲皮素体外能抑制肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的生长(P<0.01),诱导细胞发生凋亡,并呈现量效和时效关系。10、30、60和100μmol/L槲皮素作用72h引起的细胞抑制率(F=343.71,P<0.01)和凋亡率(F=234.17,P<0.01)明显高于对照组。槲皮素作用48h后,AO染色图片可见细胞膜呈泡状膨出和凋亡小体等。凋亡过程中线粒体膜电位下降。结论:槲皮素体外能抑制肝癌SMMC-7721细胞生长,诱导细胞凋亡发生,线粒体膜电位下降在细胞凋亡过程中可能起到重要作用。     

Usefulness of muscle denervation as an MRI sign of peripheral nerve pathology

Peripheral nerve disorders may be classified into compressive or entrapment neuropathies and non‐compressive neuropathies. Muscle denervation recognized on MRI may be a useful sign in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders. Acute or subacute denervation results in prolonged T2 relaxation time, producing increased signal in skeletal muscle on short tau inversion‐recovery and fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted images. Chronic denervation produces fatty atrophy of skeletal muscles, resulting in increased muscle signal on T1‐weighted images. This review will outline and illustrate the various ways that muscle denervation as seen on MRI may assist in the diagnosis and localization of peripheral nerve disorders.     

语义网络技术在电子病历中的应用探讨

以肺癌病理案例和语义网络技术为基础,结合了统一医学语言系统(UMLS),研究探讨了语义网络技术在电子病历中的实际应用,并最终实现了加入时序性特征的病理案例语义网络的表示。