Can marital selection explain the differences in health between married and divorced people? From a longitudinal study of a British birth cohort

In view of the rising divorce rates, the impact of divorce on health has an increasing importance in public health. The differentials in health between the married and the divorced may be explained by ‘marital selection’ and ‘marital protection’. Using longitudinal data from a study of the 1958 British birth cohort, factors that select people into divorce were identified from the areas of socio-economic status, health, and attractiveness, which included physical attractiveness, health-related behaviour and temperament. Evidence for both positive and adverse selection is found. The different sets of selection factors for females and males appear to be in line with gender role expectations. The health differentials between married and divorced men were weak and can be explained away by the selection factors. Having controlled for the selection effects, there were still significant associations between divorce and physical and psychological health in women. Though these unexplained differentials cannot be definitely interpreted as the consequences of marital dissolution, this interpretation remains plausible.     

Spontaneous perforation of the rectosigmoid colon: a report of 2 cases

Spontaneous perforation of rectosigmoid colon is rare but usually results in severe peritonitis, with very high mortality. Two cases of spontaneous rectosigmoid perforations are reported here along with a brief literatures review.     

In vitro and in vivo antifungal activities of the eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. with potent activity against fluconazole-resistant fungal pathogens

Antifungal activity of natural products is being studied widely. Saponins are known to be antifungal and antibacterial. We have isolated eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L. , namely TTS-8, TTS-9, TTS-10, TTS-11, TTS-12, TTS-13, TTS-14 and TTS-15. TTS-12 and TTS-15 were identified as tigogenin-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→ 2）-[-β-D-xylopyranosyl（ 1 → 3 ） 3-β- D-glucopyranosyl （ 1 → 4 ）- 1- α-L-rhamnopyranosyl （ 1 → 2 ） 3-β-D-galactopyranoside and tigogenin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranpyranosyl（1→2）-[-β-D-xylopyranosyl（1→ 3）3-β-D-glucopyranosyl（1→4）-β-D-galactopyranoside, respectively. The in vitro antifungal activities of the eight saponins against six fluconazole-resistant yeasts, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida para psilosis , Candida tropicalis , Candida krusei , and Cryptococcus neo f ormans were studied using microbroth dilution assay. The results showed that TTS-12 and TTS-15 were very effective against several pathogenic candidal species and C. neoformans in vitro. It is noteworthy that TTS-12 and TTS-15 were very active against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans （MIC80 = 4.4, 9.4 mg/ml）, C. neoformans （MIC80 =10.7, 18.7 mg/ml） and inherently resistant C. krusei （MIC80 =8.8, 18.4 mg/ml）. So in vivo activity of TTS-12 in a vaginal infection model with fluconazole-resistant C. albicans was studied in particular. Our studies revealed TTS-12 also showed in vivo activities against fluconazole-resistant yeasts. In conclusion, steroid saponins TTS-12 and TTS-15 from Tribulus terrestris L. have significant in vitro antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant fungi, especially TTS-12 also showed in vivo activity against fluconazole-resistant C. albicans.     

A randomized phase II trial of capecitabine and two different schedules of irinotecan in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer: efficacy, quality-of-life and toxicity.

BACKGROUND: To determine the efficacy, impact on quality-of-life (QoL) and tolerability of two different irinotecan administration schedules in combination with capecitabine as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a randomized phase II trial to select one of the following treatment regimens for further investigation: weekly irinotecan at a dose of 70 mg/m(2) days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (arm A) or 3-weekly irinotecan at a dose of 300/240 mg/m(2) day 1 and days 22 (arm B) in combination with capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) twice daily days 1-14 and days 22-35 every 6 weeks. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients with good performance status entered the trial. The two arms were well balanced for relevant patient and disease characteristics. The most frequent toxic effects were grade 3/4 diarrhea (arm A: 34%, B: 19%), grade 3/4 neutropenia (A: 5%, B: 19%) and grade 2/3 alopecia (A: 26%, B: 65%). Other grade 3/4 toxic effects were rare (<5%). Response rates were 34% [95% confidence interval (CI) 20% to 51%] in arm A and 35% (95% CI: 20% to 53%) in arm B. Median time to progression was 6.9 (4.6-10.1) and 9.2 (7.9-11.5) months and median overall survival was 17.4 (12.6-23.0+) and 24.7 (16.3-26.4+) months. Patients with an objective tumor response reported better physical well-being (P < 0.01), mood (P < 0.05), functional performance (P < 0.05) and less effort to cope (P < 0.05) compared with the non-responders and stable disease patients. CONCLUSIONS: The primary end point of this study was the objective response rate and based on the statistical design of the trial, the 3-weekly irinotecan schedule was selected over weekly irinotecan administration. The 3-weekly irinotecan schedule also seemed advantageous in terms of grade 3/4 diarrhea, time to progression, overall survival and patient convenience, but the study was not designed to detect differences in these parameters. In addition, tumor response was shown to have a beneficial effect on QoL indicators.     

Top–down signal transmission and global hyperconnectivity in auditory‐visual synesthesia: Evidence from a functional EEG resting‐state study

Auditory‐visual (AV) synesthesia is a rare phenomenon in which an auditory stimulus induces a “concurrent” color sensation. Current neurophysiological models of synesthesia mainly hypothesize “hyperconnected” and “hyperactivated” brains, but differ in the directionality of signal transmission. The two‐stage model proposes bottom–up signal transmission from inducer‐ to concurrent‐ to higher‐order brain areas, whereas the disinhibited feedback model postulates top–down signal transmission from inducer‐ to higher‐order‐ to concurrent brain areas. To test the different models of synesthesia, we estimated local current density, directed and undirected connectivity patterns in the intracranial space during 2 min of resting‐state (RS) EEG in 11 AV synesthetes and 11 nonsynesthetes. AV synesthetes demonstrated increased parietal theta, alpha, and lower beta current density compared to nonsynesthetes. Furthermore, AV synesthetes were characterized by increased top–down signal transmission from the superior parietal lobe to the left color processing area V4 in the upper beta frequency band. Analyses of undirected connectivity revealed a global, synesthesia‐specific hyperconnectivity in the alpha frequency band. The involvement of the superior parietal lobe even during rest is a strong indicator for its key role in AV synesthesia. By demonstrating top–down signal transmission in AV synesthetes, we provide direct support for the disinhibited feedback model of synesthesia. Finally, we suggest that synesthesia is a consequence of global hyperconnectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 39:522–531, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Protein-tyrosine kinase p72syk in Fc gamma RI receptor signaling

In this report we show that gamma-interferon (IFN) induces the expression of the nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase, p72syk, and that cross-linking the Fc gamma RI receptor in IFN-differentiated U937 cells (U937IF cells) results in the activation of syk kinase. We show that syk is tyrosine phosphorylated (12-fold increase) after Fc gamma RI cross-linking. In vitro kinase assays demonstrate that the specific kinase activity of syk increased eightfold after Fc gamma RI cross- linking. The activation of signal transduction through the Fc gamma RI receptor, as measured by the respiratory burst, is associated with the tyrosine phosphorylation and catalytic activation of the syk kinase. We show that syk coprecipitates with the gamma subunit of the Fc gamma RI, Fc gamma RI gamma. The data suggest that p72syk is involved in signal transduction through the Fc gamma RI receptor, involving the Fc gamma RI gamma subunit.     

自体骨髓单个核细胞经介入途径移植治疗股骨头坏死54例：12个月疗效随访

目的:观察经介入途径移植自体骨髓单个核细胞在股骨头坏死治疗中的应用,并评价其疗效。方法:选择2004-07/2005-11在解放军四六三院细胞治疗中心住院的,具有完整随访资料的股骨头坏死确诊患者共54例91髋。纳入确诊股骨头坏死,有关节疼痛、功能障碍等症状患者,性别、年龄不限;排除有严重心力衰竭、严重肾功能异常等不能耐受手术者。符合纳入标准54例,男45例,女9例,12～68岁。按ARCO分期Ⅱ期42髋,Ⅲ期47髋,Ⅳ期2髋。实验对象对治疗的相关内容知情同意并签知情同意。干预措施:抽取患者髂后上嵴骨髓进行单个核细胞悬液的制备。在DSA监视下将采集的单个核细胞混悬液经股动脉行Seldinger法穿刺,穿刺成功后,置入4F动脉鞘,经动脉鞘置入Cobra导管,将导管超选择至闭孔动脉及旋股内外侧动脉,平均注入单个核细胞悬液。术后定期随访症状变化情况,1年后复查X射线或CT,随访疼痛、关节活动度等情况。实验评估:①疼痛指数:无疼痛症状为3分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛分级A级;时有隐痛2分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛B级;轻度疼痛为1分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛C级;中度疼痛为0分,Harris髋关节评分疼痛D级。②功能指数:髋关节屈、伸、展、收、旋转度评分达Harris髋关节活动范围评分4～5分为3分;3～4分为2分;2～3分为1分;小于2分为0分。③X射线平片指数:股骨头形态无变化,应力骨小梁清晰,坏死区明显缩小为3分;坏死区略缩小为2分;治疗前后无明显变化为1分;坏死区扩大为0分。④血管指数:治疗后旋股内、外侧动脉及其分支增粗、增多,延长1cm以上者3分;1～0.5cm者2分;小于0.5cm者1分,无变化者0分。结果:54例患者均完成疼痛症状、关节功能及影像学随访1年。①术后12个月复查疼痛消失9髋,缓解61髋,无缓解21髋,缓解率为76.9%。②关节功能缓解33髋,无缓解58髋,缓解率为36.3%。③1年后X射线平片或CT、MRI示股骨头区可见不同程度的股骨头坏死区骨质密度改变,坏死区有吸收、缩小,股骨头形态变圆滑规整,改善28髋,无缓解或加重63髋,缓解率为30.1%。④12例24髋完成术后12个月复查股骨头供血动脉数字减影血管造影,好转18髋,好转率为72.2%。结论:经介入途径移植自体骨髓单个核细胞治疗股骨头坏死损伤小,可缓解临床相关症状。     

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.