Statement on breast feeding,fertility and contraception

An important part of the human reproductive process, breastfeeding also plays a key role in infant nutrition while protecting the infant from exposure to infection. Breastfeeding also plays a major role in the natural regulation of fertility, but breastfeeding patterns are changing along with urbanization and lifestyle changes. These changes are tending towards a shortening of the duration of breastfeeding, a reduction in the daily frequency of breastfeeding episodes, and an earlier introduction of food supplements. Consequently, the risk of pregnancy during lactation has increased. The literature suggests considerable variability in the length of breastfeeding and postpartum amenorrhea and in the duration of lactational infertility among different populations. Both the return of ovarian activity and fertility depends on the time elapsed since delivery. Variables that play a primary role in the length of amenorrhea and infertility include: the duration of breastfeeding the frequency and duration of suckling; the administration of supplements to the infant; the mother's nutritional status; and geographic, social, and cultural factors. Knowledge of local breastfeeding practices and the associated risks of pregnancy should be a prerequisite for those counseling nursing women. All women should be advised and encouraged to breastfeed fully, as far as is practicable. Women also need to be informed that it is difficult to predict exactly the duration of lactational infertility for each woman. The timing of the introduction of contraception depends on the risk factors and some programmatic aspects, such as the possibility that the woman may not return after delivery or after the 1st postpartum visit as well as the type of contraceptive chosen. Current information on the influence of contraceptive methods -- IUDs, oral contraceptives, injectable contraceptives, norplant, barrier methods, periodic abstinence, and sterilization -- upon breastfeeding are summarized.     

Involvement of doctors in torture: conclusions and recommendations

In 1984 the Council of the British Medical Association set up a working party, chaired by J.P. Quillam, to investigate claims that doctors in some countries were cooperating with the use of torture as a routine instrument of repression. The conclusions and recommendations of the working party's recently published report are reproduced here, along with a list of the members of the working party. Among the report's conclusions [which are reproduced also in the British Medical Journal 1986 Mar 15; 292(6522): 781-782] are that doctors have a responsibility to support any practitioner who refuses to keep silent about abuses of human rights, to check for signs of physical abuse of prisoners, and to publicize any violations of the Declaration of Tokyo. Physicians are also encouraged to offer their services to organizations such as the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture.     

电针及吗啡对大鼠脊髓内P物质(SP)脑啡肽(ENK)及乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)的影响——免疫细胞化学及组织化学研究

大白鼠56只,共分四组,即①对照组;②电针组;③吗啡组;④吗啡+电针组。应用Sternbergel氏PAP免疫组织化学技术显示各组动物脊髓内P物质(SP),脑啡肽(ENK),及以Karnovsky-Roots氏组织化学方法显示乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE),此外,还取已染SP及AChE的切片制作电子显微镜标本,作SP及AChE超微分布的观察,各种活性物质,并作了半定量测定及分析。电针后,在痛阈升高的同时,脊髓第Ⅱ层内SP的免疫反应性(LI)升高(P<0.001,与对照组相比),然而,与此相反在同一个部位内的ENK-LI降低(P<0.001)。注射吗啡后,SP-LI与电针组者相似;在第Ⅱ层内坛加(P<0.001),但注射吗啡动物若再进行电针,SP-LI不仅不继续升高反而降低(P<0.001,与吗啡组相比)。至于脊髓后角内AChE活性的组织化学改变,各组动物间互相差异,如:3.855±0.550(对照组),4.225±0.477(电针组),3.252±0.405(吗啡组)以及3.775±0.401(吗啡+电针组)。脊髓第Ⅱ层,不仅富于SP-LI,而且AChE也丰富、电镜观察表明“细”纤维轴终末内SP-LI见于清亮突触囊泡的周围,而由“粗”纤维(有薄层髓鞘者)AChE多分布于轴内。以上结果表明:在SP-LI改变方面,电针镇痛与吗啡镇痛的作用相似,但是在AChE活性的改变方面,二者作用相反,并认为:电针及吗啡分别对SP-LI及ENK-LI的影响可用Jessell-Iversen氏一级传入信息在脊髓内加工的模式来解释,同时,SP与乙酰胆碱之间的功能联系也不能排除。含AChE神经元可能影响SP的释放。     

IPPF statement on infertility

The policy statement on infertility issued by the International Medical Advisory Panel of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and adopted by the Central Council of the IPPF in November, 1984, is provided. The IPPF recognizes that subinfertility and infertility is a part of family planning and provides suggestions for how Family Planning Associations (FPAs) can provide supportive assistance in this area of concern. Depending on the facilities and resources available at specific clinics, FPS can provide preventive, counseling, diagnostic, treatment, and referral services. FPAs can play a major role in prevention. Many conditions which cause infertility are preventable, and these include sexually transmitted diseases, infections stemming from abortion and childbirth, and possibly tuberculosis. IUDs increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and may increase the risk of infertility; however, a direct relationship between IUDs and infertility has not been established. Injectable contraceptives may delay the return of fertility but do not lead to permanent infertility. Barrier methods protect againsr sexually transmitted diseases, and oral contraceptives may provide protection from pelvic inflammatory disease. FPAs should be familiar with the major causes of infertility in their region and adopt an advocacy role by promoting community programs to control sexually transmitted diseases which may play a role in infertility, to improve obstetric care, to increase access to reproductive health services, and to provide reproductive educational services for adolescents. FPAs can work in cooporation with other agencies concerned with infertility prevention and management. FPAs can play a direct role by educating their clients about infertility prevention. Most FPAs do have have the facilities and personnel to provide diagnostic and treatment services, but they can provide referral services. They should establish a link with centers which are fully equipped to provide diagnostic and treatment services. FPAs, with appropriately trained personnel, may offer screening services such as taking sexual histories and providing instruction in the timing of sexual intercourse. Clinics, with appropriate laboratory facilities, may offer endometrial biopsy, postcoital testing, and semen analysis.     

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树Qu的人工哺育

为探索和建立人工哺育树鼩的可行方法,将5对成年树鼩配对后饲养在繁殖笼内,喂与由标准动物粉状饲料、奶酪、新鲜蔬菜和水果构成的混合食物.新生树鼩出生后立即从母笼移出至孵育箱,每日人工喂与专门配制的牛奶制品.三周后将小树鼩从孵育箱移出,经喂与转换食物约10 d,过度到自食成年食物.结果7个月内5对成年树鼠句在共产11窝31只仔树鼩.在27只出生后人工喂养的仔树鼩中,25只健康存活至进入动物实验,人工喂养成活率为92.6%.树鼩平均产仔间隔52±8.9 d;平均窝产仔数2.8±0.4只.人工哺育树鼩的成功为提供树鼩应用于医学实验研究,尤其是与肝癌、肝炎有关的研究,开拓了广阔的前景.     

Dark Tea: A popular beverage with possible medicinal application

Tea is a famous beverage that is produced from leaves of Camellia sinensis. Amongst the six major tea categories in China, dark tea is the only one that involves microbial fermentation in the manufacturing process, which contributes unique flavors and functions for the tea. In the recent decade, the reports about the biofunctions of dark teas have increased rapidly. Therefore it may be the proper time to consider dark tea as one potential homology of medicine and food. In this viewpoint, our current understanding of the chemical constituents, biological activities and possible health beneficial effects of dark teas were introduced. Some future directions and challenges to the development perspectives of dark teas were also discussed.