Quality of Pulmonary Function Tests in Participants with Down Syndrome

IntroductionPeople with Down syndrome (DS) have high respiratory morbidity, evaluating their respiratory health with standardized, objective tests is desirable. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the technical quality of Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) to determine which ones are most suitable for this population.MethodsParticipants included children, teenagers and adults with DS, 5 years of age or older (n = 302). The technical quality of the impulse oscillometry system (IOS), forced spirometry, lung-diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO), and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were analyzed by age group. Capnography and pulse oximetry were included in the study. Technical quality was determined on the basis of current international PFTs standards.ResultsFifty-one percent of participants were males. A total of 184 participants (71%) who completed the IOS fulfilled the quality criteria, while 210 (70%) completed the 6MWT. Performance on forced spirometry and DL_CO was poor. All pulse oximetries and 96% percent heart rates obtained had good quality, but exhaled carbon dioxide (PetCO₂) and respiratory rate (RR) showed deficient repeatability.ConclusionsIOS appears to be the most reliable instrument for evaluating lung mechanics in individuals with DS.     

Assessment of sexual abuse and trauma: Clinical measures

Examined are several measures currently used in the assessment of child abuse, sexual abuse, and trauma. These measures include structured clinical interviews, self report measures, screening inventory, symptom checklist, and some measures that include decision making properties. Issues and implications for clinical practice are explored.     

96例急性迟缓性麻痹病例监测分析

目的：观察急性迟缓性麻痹病例（AFP）在我市的发病状况。方法：对96例急性迟缓性麻痹病人采集48h内粪便进行病毒分离，并进行个案调查与随访。结果：96例中，7例分布于城镇，89例分布于农村；格林-巴利综合征55例（57.3%）-横断性脊髓炎16例（16.6%）、神经炎11例（11.5%）、重症肌无力12例（12.5%）、与疫苗相关的脊髓灰质炎AFP病例（VAPP）2例（2.08%）。结论：防疫部门与各级医院加强合作和直接管理能及时了解发病状况。市髓灰质炎减毒疫苗（OPV）免疫工作尚存不足，宣讲教育应进一步加强。     

The epidemiology and surveillance of blood lead in Taiwan (R.O.C.): A report on the PRESS-BLL project

 To monitor the lead hazards in industries and to investigate the prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in lead-exposed workers, a lead surveillance system (PRESS-BLLs) has been established and operated in Taiwan, Republic of China, since July 1993. A cohort of lead-exposed workers who received a periodic annual health examination at 55 accredited hospital laboratories was constructed. A total of 9807 separate BLL measurements were reported to the system in 1994. The mean BLL was 15.8 μg/dl in male workers and 11.6 μg/dl in female workers. The mean BLL of lead-exposed workers was significantly (P<0.05, z-test) higher than that of the general Taiwanese population (8.6 μg/dl for males and 6.7 μg/dl for females). In addition, the BLLs of 983 (10.0%) workers exceeded the regulatory action level (40 μg/dl for males; 30 μg/dl for females). The workplaces and homes of 57% of the workers with elevated BLLs were thoroughly investigated to determine the sources of lead contamination. These actions identified the causes of elevated BLLs and set up strategies to reduce workers’ lead exposure. The establishment of this occupational lead surveillance system represents a method for monitoring of lead hazards from occupational and environmental settings to prevent lead poisoning. The information acquired from the system can help in the setting up of a priority of prevention and the development of control measures. It is also useful for further monitoring of changes in the BLLs of the lead-exposed-worker cohort. The Health Department of Taiwan can use this information to evaluate the effectiveness of current industrial hygiene practice. Subjects with elevated BLLs have been medically treated and placed on long-term follow-up for sequelae. Received: 2 September 1996/Accepted: 29 November 1996     

衡阳市城区市售甲鱼中检测霍乱弧菌的采样调查

目的了解衡阳市城区市售甲鱼中有无霍乱弧菌的感染。方法共采样55份，其中甲鱼肛门涂抹样36份，甲鱼表面粘液涂抹样19份。采用霍乱弧菌食物中毒的国家标准的检验方法进行检测。结果衡阳市市售甲鱼55份样本中有1份检测出O139血清型霍乱弧菌的感染。结论需采取相应的预防措施以防止霍乱弧菌引起的疫情。     

野战背负式净水机的研制与应用

自行研制了一套可以背负式的野战净水机，采用脚踏为装置提供动力，采用陶瓷膜分离及KDF-活性炭吸附联合净水工艺，产水质量符合国际及军队饮用水标准。装置体积小，重量轻，携带方便，可充分满足野战、救灾用水的需求，十分适合推广。     

Detection of low birth-weight new born babies by anthropometric measurements in Bangladesh

Birthweight is an important indicator of child survival. Appropriate and timely care of a newborn specially if he is born with low birthweight is important but this is difficult in developing countries since most of the deliveries are conducted at home where adequate facilities to weigh a new born does not exist. This study was conducted to find out a surrogate which could efficiently be used for detecting low birthweight babies at birth when no weighing machine is around. In this study 41% of the newborn babies were found to weigh less than 2,500 gm at birth. Out of this about 52% were females. The mean chest, thigh and mid-arm circumference at birth for males were 30.89 cm, 15.06 cm and 9.27 cm respectively with standard deviations of 1.83 cm, 1.30 cm and 1.04 cm. Corresponding figures for female babies were 30.69 cm, 15.14 cm and 9.25 cm respectively with standard deviations of 2.08 cm, 1.70 cm and 1.16 cm. Correlation co-efficient between normal birthweight and the chest, thigh and mid-arm circumference were 0.867, 0.845 and 0.842 respectively. A liner regression analysis showed that a chest circumference of 30.14 cm, a thigh circumference of 14.56 cm and a mid-arm circumference of 8.90 cm corresponded well with a birthweight of 2,500 gm. On this basis sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the chest circumference was better than the other two measurements. However, the mid-arm circumference was observed to be more reliable than the other two measurements for detecting birthweight less than 2,000 gm. A home made measuring tape has been devised on this basis to detect brithweights with cut-off values for 2,500 gm, 2,000 gm to 2,500 gm and 2,000 gm in different shades of colour for illiterate birth attendants.     

H^＋—ISFET的性能特点及应用研究

本文报道由我们研制的氢离子半导体传感器的性能特点，并与普通离子选择电极（玻璃电极）比较。Ｈ＾＋－ＩＳＦＥＴ具有体积小、取样少、快速、稳定、全固体化、不用预先活化等优点，对氢离子的敏感性也优于普通玻璃电极。本文还成功地将Ｈ＾＋－ＩＳＦＥＴ应用于有复杂成分并存的尿、血及其他生物材料的ｐＨ值测试，并改进胆碱酯酶活力测定方法，将Ｈ＾＋－ＩＳＦＥＴ应用于有机磷中毒后胆碱酯酶活力的快速定量测定。     

A slim needle-shaped multiwire microelectrode for intracerebral recording

The construction of a needle-shaped multiwire microelectrode is described. It can be made with simple mechanical tools. The presented electrode assembly consists of 12 insulated nichrome wires (core diameter 25 μm) which are embedded in epoxylite resin. The straight-cut wire tips are aligned lengthwise and have a relative spacing of 150 μm. Outer dimensions vary from 100 × 180 μm at the level of the 1st electrode channel, to 100 × 100 μm at the level of the 12th channel at the tip. The configuration of this electrode was determined by its application: the laminar analysis of evoked potentials in the cortex of the rat. However, the number of channels, the diameter of the (nichrome) wire which determines the surface area of these channels, and the channel spacing can be easily adjusted during construction to meet other experimental requirements, such as the recording of single-unit activity. The electrode which is composed of biocompatible materials is suited for the study of field potentials and multiple-unit activity, in both acute and chronic experiments, and can be used repeatedly. To demonstrate the performance of the electrode assembly, a depth profile of field potentials is presented, accompanied by the corresponding current source density distribution. The potentials were recorded in the somatosensory cortex of the rat following stimulation of the median nerve under ketamine anesthesia.