Comparing Electronic News Media Reports of Potential Bioterrorism-Related Incidents Involving Unknown White Powder to Reports Received by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: U.S.A., 2009–2011

There have been periodic electronic news media reports of potential bioterrorism-related incidents involving unknown substances (often referred to as “white powder”) since the 2001 intentional dissemination of Bacillus anthracis through the U.S. Postal System. This study reviewed the number of unknown “white powder” incidents reported online by the electronic news media and compared them with unknown “white powder” incidents reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) during a 2-year period from June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2011. Results identified 297 electronic news media reports, 538 CDC reports, and 384 FBI reports of unknown “white powder.” This study showed different unknown “white powder” incidents captured by each of the three sources. However, the authors could not determine the public health implications of this discordance.     

Differences in Handwritings of Schizophrenia Patients and Examination of the Change after Treatment

The aim of this study was to analyze the differences between the handwritings of schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects in addition to the changes that occurred in schizophrenia patients' handwriting in response to the treatment. The test subjects were 29 schizophrenia patients and 29 healthy individuals with the same age, gender, and dominant hand. The changes in the handwritings were examined according to 14 different parameters. On the day of admittance, the percentage of extra letters was 16.7%, and after 7–10 days of hospitalization, it rose to 33.3%. The percentage of skipped words decreased from 29.2% to 16.7% after 7–10 days of hospitalization, and to 10% after 3 weeks. The letters written by schizophrenia patients are significantly larger in height and width compared to the control group. The schizophrenia patients showed a higher incidence of crossed-out letters, adding extra words, missing punctuation as well as missing words.     

Ancestry and BMI Influences on Facial Soft Tissue Depths for A Cohort of Chinese and Caucasoid Women in Dunedin,New Zealand

This study measured and assessed facial soft tissue depths (FSTDs) in adult female Chinese and New Zealand (NZ) Europeans (Caucasoids). Ultrasound was used to obtain depths at nine landmarks on 108 healthy subjects (51 Chinese, 57 NZ European), erect positioned, of same age group (18–29 years). Height and weight were also recorded. Statistical analysis focused on comparison of tissue depth between the two ancestry groups and the influence of Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m²). Results showed mean depth differences at Supra M2 and Infra M2 landmarks significantly greater for Chinese than Caucasoid women for all three BMI Classes (BMI <20, 20 ≤ BMI < 25, 25 ≤ BMI < 30), even BMI <20. For both groups BMI positively correlated with FSTD values at all landmarks except Labrale superius. This study enabled ancestry and BMI influence on FSTDs to be observed and compared for two distinct groups. Results add to knowledge about facial tissue depth variation.     

711例道路交通事故死亡案例分析

目的分析711例道路交通事故死亡案例,探讨道路交通死亡事故的特点。方法收集相关市区711例道路交通事故死亡案例,按照死者性别、年龄、死亡原因、死者交通方式等项目分类进行统计分析。结果 711例死者中男性多于女性(2.18∶1),21~60岁占70.6%,气温较低的季节发生交通事故较多,一天中高发时间段为6~8、18~20及23~1时,死者中以非机动车驾乘者和步行者居多,分别占41.4%和29.1%;肇事车辆主要为货车和轿车,分别占38.2%和25.1%;交通事故造成颅脑损伤导致死亡的占损伤致死亡的比例最高(54.7%),联合损伤致死的其次(30.9%)。结论本文数据来源地交通事故造成人员死亡案例的特点,与沿海其他较发达城市的相关调查数据相符,需综合治理以减少相关事故的发生。     

Evaluation of a method for simultaneous quantification of codeine, ethylmorphine and morphine in blood.

Codeine, ethylmorphine and morphine are the most commonly detected opiates in forensic blood samples in Norway. A method for the simultaneous quantification of these opiates utilizing solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been evaluated. The detection limits were 0.026 mumol/l for codeine, 0.025 mumol/l for ethylmorphine and 0.032 mumol/l for morphine (corresponding to 7.8, 7.8 and 9.1 micrograms/l, respectively). The analytical variations at concentrations of 1.0 mumol/l codeine, 1.0 mumol/l ethylmorphine and 0.5 mumol/l morphine were less than 5%.     

Diffuse gastropathy and gastritis--a main or secondary finding concerning the cause of death?

On the basis of the autopsy results in three cases, extensive pathomorphological changes were demonstrated in the stomach, such as Ménétrier's disease and diffuse superficial gastritis. For these cases of sudden death, no cause could be found that could be verified by morphological or toxicological means. Analogous to clinical experience on the protein deficiency syndrome and food allergies and based on the knowledge that the intestinal tract also represents an immune organ, as well as the finding of diffuse changes in the gastric mucosa ideas have been developed regarding hypersensitive immunological reactions which might have not only local but also systemic effects comparable with anaphylactic reactions of different origins. Diffuse gastropathy or gastritis should not simply be assessed as a secondary finding. If other explanations are lacking and there are indications of intensive cellular immune reactions, the possibility arises of reconstructing lethal pathophysiological mechanisms.     

论政治现代化的标准及中国政治现代化的路径选择

政治现代化是一个国家或地区的政治结构和功能不断变化,从传统向现代的演变过程,也是政治系统的不断完善和各项机制的逐步健全过程。其标准主要包括政治结构分化,公民参与扩大化、世俗化,政府具有高效能和社会管理法制化等。中国政治现代化的路径,应该结合中国实际,从以下方面入手:改善、加强党的领导;坚持民主政治建设的全面性;树立全面发展观;坚持发展是执政兴国的第一要务;注重对公民自由民主权利的保护;注重与中国国情的结合;选择已经具备条件的地区试点;选择渐进式发展道路。