Changing patterns of addiction and public aid receipt: tracking the unintended consequences of welfare reform

Sharp declines in welfare rolls since the passage of welfare reform legislation have led many to label it a social policy success. Using data from prereform and postreform samples of welfare applicants and recipients, as well as ethnographic data on welfare reform implementation, we examine three hypotheses based on concerns raised during the welfare reform debate about the possible effects of new policies on substance abusers and addicts: First, they would be "scared off," or discouraged from applying to aid by welfare's new requirements surrounding work and treatment. Second, they might be "weeded out," or face discrimination in the application process because of concerns about the difficulty of moving them successfully from welfare to work. Third, they might be "bumped down," or shifted to local aid programs rather than moving from welfare to self-sufficiency. Our empirical analysis finds no evidence of scaring off or weeding out, and some evidence of bumping down. Using ethnographic data, we offer some possible explanations for these findings by placing them in the context of policy change and implementation in the years following welfare reform.     

Time-course changes in the expression of heme oxygenase-1 in human subcutaneous hemorrhage

To determine the time-course of human subcutaneous hemorrhage, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression and macrophage infiltration were observed using an immunohistochemical technique and semiquantitative analysis. The number of immunoreactive cells and the number of all infiltrating cells of each microscopic field were counted, and the ratio of the former to the latter was calculated as the positive cells ratio. An increase in the HO-1-positive cells ratio was observed starting at 3 h after injury, and the maximum ratio was observed 3 days after injury. The pattern of the increase in the macrophage ratio was similar to that of the HO-1-positive cells ratio in the early period after injury. Observation of serial sections revealed that the expression of HO-1 in the cells corresponded to the localization of macrophage. The present results suggest that the determination of HO-1 expression, as derived from macrophages, might be useful for the estimation of the time-course of subcutaneous hemorrhage.     

Correlation of age and ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis using computed tomography

OBJECT: The aim of this study was the examination of relationship between the age and the ossification of medial epiphysis of the clavicle referred to CT examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Concerning the epiphyseal ossification of the clavicle CT's of 100 patients (50 male and 50 female) between 16 and 25 years (10 patients for each year) were analyzed by three viewers. RESULTS: In the legal relevant age segment (16-25a) we saw a turnover from stage 3 to stage 4 at the age of 21 years. The calculated empiric distribution function showed 95% of stage 4 over 21 years while 75% of the patients with stage 3 were under 21 years. A reconstruction kernel suitable for osseous structures should be used, images should be viewed or presented in a bone window. CONCLUSION: According to these results it can be concluded that a person with stage 4 is probably 21 years or older, while a stage 3 leads to an estimated age under 21 years. On the other hand, a confidence level of 99.67% is not reached. Therefore, CT of the medial epiphysis of the clavicle will only be suitable for age estimation around the age of 21 years, if this relevant statistic obstacle is defeated. Bearing this in mind, further studies are needed to evaluate slice thickness as the most critical parameter.     

Population genetics for Y-chromosomal STRs haplotypes of Chinese Tibetan ethnic minority group in Tibet

Y-chromosomal STRs loci were analyzed from a sample of 119 healthy unrelated autochthonous male individuals of Chinese Tibetan ethnic minority group using a multiplex PCR system. Allele and haplotype frequencies for DYS19, DYS389 I, DYS389 II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385a,b, DYS438, and DYS439 were determined by the Y-PLEXtrade mark 12 kit. The gene diversity values for the Y-STRs loci ranged from 0.3347 (DYS438) to 0.9547 (DYS385a,b). A total of 110 haplotypes were identified in the Y-STR loci, among which 104 were unique, while six occurred more than once. The overall haplotype diversity for the Y-STRs loci was 0.9981, and the discrimination capacity was 0.9897. The results in the present study can be used for routine forensic application in the region, and enrich Chinese ethnical genetic informational resources.     

Microwave processing and ethanol-based fixation in forensic pathology

An ethanol-based fixative (FineFIX) has been used, together with rapid microwave-stimulated processing, in postmortem material, resulting in a rapid fixation and processing of the tissues with morphology, histochemical stains, and immunocytochemistry comparable to formalin-fixed material. Furthermore, this alternative fixation gives better DNA recovery in higher amounts if compared with DNA extracted from formalin-fixed tissue, particularly advantageous in forensic pathology.     

Post-traumatic venous and systemic air embolism associated with spinal epidural emphysema: multi-slice computed tomography diagnosis

A 30-year-old man was admitted with chest trauma after a road traffic accident. The patient was paraplegic and suffered from transient monoparesia of the left arm. The chest X-ray revealed a severe right tension pneumothorax and thoracic spine fractures. Emergency right thoracic drainage was carried out followed by angiography. Unfortunately the patient died and an autopsy was not permitted. Consequently post-mortem multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) was performed, revealing presence of air inside the right cerebral arteries, bilateral pneumothorax accompanied by a severe right tension pneumothorax, bilateral haematic pleural effusion, pneumomediastinum and bilateral lung contusions. Air was also observed within the right coronary artery, ascending aorta and right ventricle. Thoracic and cervical spinal epidural emphysema were diagnosed. Venous air embolism followed by arterial air embolism producing paradoxical embolism was diagnosed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case illustrating by post-mortem MSCT such simultaneous complications after chest trauma as spinal epidural emphysema and cerebral and coronary air embolism.     

Ethanol production by Candida albicans in postmortem human blood samples: effects of blood glucose level and dilution

We present two cases in which the ethanol concentration in blood samples taken after death continued to increase in the absence of any remarkable increase in n-propanol concentration. Species of bacteria and yeasts, including Candida albicans were isolated from these samples. We then examined whether C. albicans, the most common yeast in the general environment, was able to produce ethanol in human blood stored at room temperature. Ethanol production increased as the glucose concentration increased, indicating that C. albicans produced ethanol from the glucose. Our results also suggested that C. albicans produced ethanol more easily in blood diluted by intravenous infusions that included glucose than in undiluted blood. These findings are useful for the evaluation of postmortem ethanol production in subjects whose blood has been diluted by infusions with glucose. Furthermore, there was no quantitative relationship between the amount of n-propanol detected and the amount of ethanol production: n-propanol appears to be an unreliable index of putrefaction and postmortem ethanol production by C. albicans. It is possible for the blood ethanol level to be high and n-propanol not to be detected, even if the subject has not been drinking alcohol. We reconfirmed the necessity of immediately adding sodium fluoride to samples for ethanol analysis to prevent postmortem ethanol production.     

Iatrogenically-related, fatal methotrexate intoxication: a series of four cases

Since the early eighties, the folic antagonist methotrexate (MTX) has been used in long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Because of the high toxic potential clinical and laboratory controls at regular intervals and patient education in order to avoid misadventure is of overriding importance. We present four cases of fatal MTX intoxication due to medical malpractice from the Tübingen Institute of Forensic Medicine autopsy material, which show the severe consequences of MTX overdose. It becomes evident that among non-rheumatologists there still is need for information about toxicity and dose limitation in MTX low-dose treatment.     

苏维埃民法中的民事法律关系

苏联专家玛·克依里洛娃曾于本年四月初在上海讲学,这是她的第一次报告.本文是根据当时口译记录下来,整理后送本刊发表的.原文未经报告人核对,如有错误,由记录人负责.