In Taiwan, the age-specific fertility rate for adolescent girls aged 15-19 years has remained at 14-18/1,000 births during the past two decades, which is the highest among developed countries in Asia. There was a surprisingly high age-specific fertility rate for married women aged 15-19 years at 726 per 1,000 in 1994, much higher than that of the United States. Adolescent childbearing causes many adverse outcomes including unwanted and unstable marriage, repeated childbearing during adolescence, and increased risks of having low birth weight and preterm births and neonatal mortality. Studies in Taiwan showed that adolescent childbearing is associated with their poor knowledge but open attitude and behaviour on sexuality, the inadequate contraceptive services for the adolescents in need, some risk-taking behaviors, family dysfunction and low socioeconomic status of the adolescents' families. About two-thirds of the fathers of infants born to adolescent girls were adults, even old adults with a low education level Effective strategies for adolescent childbearing prevention range from sex education, the direct provision of contraceptive supplies, and to life options programmes, especially for the adolescents with high risk of adolescent pregnancy. Reducing the incidence of adolescent childbearing by active use of contraception is more important and practical than prohibiting adolescent sexual activity.

To explore the association of polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene and the susceptibility to alcohol dependence in Yunnan Han population, PCR and DNA sequencing techniques were used to detect 5-HTT-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR). One hundred and eighteen alcohol dependent patients as case group and 214 normal people as control group were employed in this study. Significant differences in genotype frequencies were present between case group and control group of 5-HTTLPR (P<0.05). The proportion of L/L and L/S genotype was significantly smaller in case group than that was in control group (OR=0.581, P=0.026). No significant association was observed in allelic frequencies, which differed in different ethnic groups. In conclusion, 5-HTTLPR polymorphism may be associated with alcohol dependent patients, and the genotype L/L or L/S may be a genetic factor that is responsible for decreasing susceptibility of alcohol dependence in Yunnan Han population.

No abstract

We present a case of phytodermatitis caused by a poisonous plant known as poison ivy. It is one of the leading causes of allergic contact dermatitis and it causes significant morbidity in the United States. Prevention of the disease is by identification and avoidance of the plant. Barrier protection minimises the chance of contact and prompt rinsing with soap water limits antigen exposure after skin contact. General approach to treatment of allergic contact dermatitis can be applied but special precaution should be taken on the duration of systemic steroid therapy. Too short a course of oral steroid may result in a more severe recurrent flare. High potency topical steroids may limit the development of skin lesions.