Water, trachoma and conjunctivitis.

The incidence of eye infections in a community is generally accepted as an indicator of the adequacy of water supply for their needs. However, discrepancies in the published results from various studies seem to challenge this view. We have reanalysed the published data on trachoma in relation to the most relevant indicators of water accessibility, using prevalence ratios as the single parameter for risk assessment. A definite trend emerges from this review: the incidence of infectious conjunctivitis is not sensitive to differences in water accessibility; on the other hand, a reduction in the risk of trachoma is consistently associated with better access to water. This conclusion may support the efforts of WHO and other multilateral and bilateral agencies to sustain the commitment towards the water supply sector beyond the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade.     

Dorsal intramedullary spinal epidermoid cysts: Report of two cases and review of literature

Intramedullary epidermoid cysts of the spinal cord are rare tumors, especially those not associated with spinal dysraphism. About 50 cases have been reported in the literature. Of these, only seven cases have had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. We report two cases of spinal intramedullary epidermoid cysts with MR imaging. Both were not associated with spina bifida. In one patient, the tumor was located at D4 vertebral level; while in the other, within the conus medullaris. The clinical features, MRI characteristics and surgical treatment of intramedullary epidermoid cyst are presented with relevant review of the literature.     

维吾尔药玫瑰花口服液结合西药治疗44例心血管疾病的疗效观察

冠心病、高血压、心律失常等心血管疾病作为现代社会的多发病和常见病，已经引起医学界的广泛关注和高度重视。维吾尔医药基于维吾尔医药的特有理论和丰富的经验，借助现代医学先进的诊疗技术和科学手段，对部分常见的心血管疾病进行了大量的临床观察和深入的研究，取得了许多独具特色的成功经验和科研成果。我院在临床上自1991年开始应用玫瑰花口服液治疗心血管疾病，疗效显著。现仅在2005年治疗心血管疾病中随机抽样进行疗效观察。     

新疆维吾尔族慢性胃炎患者HLA-DRB1等位基因与幽门螺杆菌感染的关系

目的研究新疆维吾尔族慢性胃炎患者HLA-DRB1等位基因与幽门螺杆菌（Hp）感染的关系。方法采用幽门螺杆菌分离培养技术检测33例维吾尔族慢性胃炎患者幽门螺杆菌感染情况,采用PCR-SSP检测HLA-DRB1＊0405、HLA-DRB1＊08、HLA-DRB1＊12等位基因,并与36例汉族慢性胃炎患者进行比较。结果1）新疆维吾尔族慢性胃炎患者Hp阳性率（78.8%）显著高于汉族慢性胃炎患者（58.3%）（P〈0.05）;2）维吾尔族、汉族慢性胃炎患者Hp感染与HLA-DRB1＊0405、HLA-DRB1＊08、HLA-DRB1＊12等位基因无相关性（P〉0.05）。结论1）维吾尔族慢性胃炎患者Hp感染率高于汉族慢性胃炎患者;2）维吾尔族、汉族慢性胃炎患者Hp感染与HLA-DRB1＊0405、HLA-DRB1＊08、HLA-DRB1＊12等位基因无关。     

Complete disappearance of lung abnormalities on high-resolution computed tomography: A case of histiocytosis X

A case of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, proved by both lung high-resolution computed tomography and lung biopsy, is described. Following smoking cessation, lung nodules and cysts gradually disappeared on serial computed tomography scans, with complete clearance of the lesions after 12 months. The role of tobacco smoking is discussed, in detail, against the background of the literature.     

Solitary ileocolic arteriovenous malformation: spongostan and silk therapeutic embolisation.

A debilitated patient with liver cirrhosis and poor haemostasis had a severe lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage. A superior mesenteric arteriogram revealed an early persistent and promiment draining vein in the ileocolic artery. Two fragments of Spongostan and silk were used to embolise the bleeding artery and the haemorhage ceased immediately. No infarction of the embolised area was observed and the bleeding was controlled.     

Why are children living in poverty getting fatter?

In recent decades, there has been a dramatic increase in unhealthy weight for both children and adults. The Canadian standard of living has changed in favour of more easily prepared, calorie-dense foods and sedentary practices. Many family characteristics have also changed over the past 50 years. More Canadian families are living in disadvantaged situations, forecasting a host of unhealthy behaviours and attitudes in adults. The poor are not only getting poorer, they are also becoming heavier. Children from disadvantaged families seem to be leading the trend in increasing prevalence of unhealthy weight. Because they live in neighbourhoods that are perceived as unsafe, these children are likely spending more time indoors. This is associated with watching more television, which not only displaces other forms of educational and active entertainment but also places them at risk of learning inaccurate information about proper eating. Social science research helps identify factors contributing most to the rise in excess weight within this population, thus providing essential clues for effective approaches to its eradication.