Discovery of Eurytrema Eggs in Sediment from a Colonial Period Latrine in Taiwan

In this study we take a closer look at the diseases that afflicted Japanese police officers who were stationed in a remote mountainous region of Taiwan from 1921 to 1944. Samples were taken from the latrine at the Huabanuo police outpost, and analyzed for the eggs of intestinal parasites, using microscopy and ELISA. The eggs of Eurytrema sp., (possibly E. pancreaticum), whipworm and roundworm were shown to be present. True infection with Eurytrema would indicate that the policemen ate uncooked grasshoppers and crickets infected with the parasite. However, false parasitism might also occur if the policemen ate the uncooked intestines of infected cattle, and the Eurytrema eggs passed through the human intestines. These findings provide an insight into the diet and health of the Japanese colonists in Taiwan nearly a century ago.

Chinese version of the reflux symptom index was evaluated for reliability and validity / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the Chinese version of reflux symptom index (RSI) scale's reliability, validity and clinical value.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the Chinese version of RSI scale on the ENT outpatients. There are one hundred and seven patients, included thirty-five patients with common throat (non-suspected) and seventy-two patients with clinically suspected throat reflux. 107 patients are to complete the two scales before and after one week. Thirteen patients with common throat(non-suspected) diseases and forty-one with suspected throat reflux also received RSI testing. Among the thirty-four confirmed acid reflux disease patients, thirty patients received pharmaceutical treatments and self-performed post-RSI testing after three months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The RSI Scale internal reliability consistency included the test-retest reliability (0.750 - 0.971), discriminant validity and construct validity. RSI total targeting percentage of 66.7%, targeting percentage is 80.8%, discriminant validity using 2 independent samples Wilcoxon test, RSI total score compared to Z = -3.266, P = 0.001. The before and after treatment self-control chi-square test (P < 0.05), difference was statistically significant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RSI Simplified Chinese version has good reliability and validity, and can be used for laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) diagnostic screening along with the efficacy for the treatment of patients with appropriate LPRD aids.</p>