儿童肝母细胞瘤疗效及预后分析

目的探讨儿童肝母细胞瘤(HB)患儿的临床特征、疗效、生存情况、预后相关危险因素及其临床诊治。 方法选择2010年1月至2017年9月,于四川大学华西第二医院儿童血液肿瘤科收治的23例新发HB患儿为研究对象。采用回顾性分析方法,收集其临床病例资料,包括患儿确诊时年龄、性别、首发临床表现、组织病理学类型、治疗前病变范围(PRETEXT)分期、术后儿童肿瘤协作组(COG)分期等临床资料,以及治疗方案、疗效、预后、化疗相关不良反应等。对本组HB患儿的生存分析,如2年总体生存(OS)率、无事件生存(EFS)率,采用Kaplan-Meier法,不同临床特征患儿的生存曲线比较采用log-rank检验。HB患儿接受不同化疗方案治疗的不良反应率比较,采用Fisher确切概率法。本研究遵循的程序符合2013年修订的《世界医学协会赫尔辛基宣言》要求。 结果①本组23例HB患儿确诊时的中位年龄为25.9个月(2.3～155.0个月);男性患儿为12例,女性为11例;腹部肿块为最常见首发临床表现(56.5%,13/23)。其完全缓解(CR)率为65.2%(15/23),部分缓解(PR)率为8.7%(2/23),死亡为5例(21.7%)。②对23例患儿的中位随访时间为21.5个月(7.5～81.4个月),其2年EFS率、OS率分别为60.1%和75.0%。HB患儿预后影响因素的单因素分析结果显示,HB累及血管患儿的2年EFS率为38.9%,显著低于未累及者的81.8%,二者比较,差异有统计学意义(χ²＝4.293,P＝0.038)。HB患儿PRETEXT分期为Ⅳ期者,其2年EFS率为33.3%,显著低于PRETEXT分期为Ⅰ～Ⅲ期者的70.6%,二者比较,差异有统计学意义(χ²＝5.258,P＝0.022)。肺转移HB患儿的2年EFS率、OS率分别为20.0%、30.0%,均显著低于无肺转移者的71.4%、85.7%,二者分别比较,差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝5.491,P＝0.015;χ²＝7.773,P＝0.005)。手术后接受3个疗程化疗,血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)值未恢复正常患儿的2年EFS率、OS率分别为27.2%、37.7%,显著低于手术后接受≤3个疗程化疗即恢复正常者的91.7%、100.0%,二者比较,差异亦均有统计学意义(χ²＝9.837,P＝0.002;χ²＝8.682,P＝0.003)。③严重血液学毒性反应为本组HB患儿最常见化疗相关不良反应,尤其是采取包含多柔比星的联合化疗方案者更严重。本组术后接受化疗的22例HB患儿中,接受联合化疗方案包含多柔比星的14例患儿的3级以上血液学毒性反应、轻度转氨酶升高发生率分别为100.0%(14/14)、64.3%(9/14),显著高于未包含多柔比星患儿的37.8%(3/8)、0(0/8),二者分别比较,差异均有统计学意义(P＝0.002,P＝0.006)。 结论本组儿童HB的临床特征、组织病理学类型与国内外相关临床报道结果基本一致。HB患儿肺转移及手术后接受3个疗程化疗,血清AFP值未恢复正常水平,与该病的不良预后密切相关。     

儿童成熟B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤临床特点和预后分析

目的探讨儿童成熟B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤(B-NHL)患儿的临床特征、疗效、生存情况,以及预后相关危险因素。 方法选择2010年1月至2018年12月,四川大学华西第二医院收治的67例儿童B-NHL患儿为研究对象。其中,伯基特淋巴瘤/L3急性淋巴细胞白血病(BL/L3-ALL)、弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)及其他B-NHL(病理检查结果为骨髓B淋巴细胞高增殖活性,除外上述2种B-NHL)分别为51、11及5例,将其分别纳入BL组、DLBCL组及其他B-NHL组。采用回顾性分析方法,收集3组患儿的临床病例资料,包括确诊年龄、性别、临床特征、实验室检查结果、B-NHL临床分期、治疗与随访结果及预后等。对本组67例B-NHL患儿进行生存分析,如2年和5年总体生存(OS)率、无事件生存(EFS)率。3组患儿的生存曲线比较,采用Cox比例风险回归模型进行分析。根据既往研究结果,并结合临床经验及B-NHL患儿预后影响因素的单因素分析结果,对B-NHL患儿预后影响因素,进行多因素非条件logistic回归分析。本研究遵循的程序符合2013年修订的《世界医学协会赫尔辛基宣言》要求。3组患儿病程比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结果①患儿年龄、性别：67例B-NHL患儿确诊时,中位年龄为7.0岁(1.8～14.6岁);其中男性患儿为48例(71.6%),女性为19例(28.4%),男、女患儿比为2.5∶1。3组患儿的年龄、性别构成比比较,差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝8.054、8.677,P＝0.018、0.013),并且DLBCL组患儿年龄和男性患儿所占比例,分别大于或高于BL组,差异亦均有统计学意义(Z＝2.866、P＝0.004,χ²＝3.892、P＝0.049)。②B-NHL原发部位及骨髓和CNS受累情况：化疗前,67例B-NHL患儿均完成影像学、骨髓穿刺涂片及脑脊液检查。BL组中,BL/L3-ALL原发部位位于腹腔者最多,占39.2%(20/51),DLBCL组患儿中,DLBCL原发部位位于外周淋巴结为主,占45.5%(5/11),其他B-NHL组患儿中,原发部位位于腹腔者最多,占60.0%(3/5)。此外,11例患儿存在骨髓和CNS受累(均为BL组患儿)。③实验室检查结果：39例(58.2%)患儿血清LDH水平升高,中位血清LDH水平为498 U/L(153～6 640 U/L)。BL组患儿Bcl-6阳性表达率(86.4%,38/44)和C-MYC基因重排阳性率(96.3%,26/27),均显著高于DLBCL组的54.5%(6/11)和0,并且差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝6.960、26.527,P＝0.031、<0.001)。④临床分期：3组患儿的临床分期构成比比较,差异有统计学意义(χ²＝13.949、P＝0.012)。BL组患儿临床分期为Ⅲ/Ⅳ期所占比例(80.4%,41/51),均显著高于DLBCL组的36.4%(4/11),并且差异有统计学意义(χ²＝6.740、P＝0.009)。⑤随访结果：对67例患儿随访截至时间为2019年3月1日,中位随访时间为49个月(2～104个月),完全缓解(CR)为49例,部分缓解(PR)为7例,进展/复发为9例(5例死亡、3例失访、1例经治疗后无病存活),其他原因所致患儿死亡为2例(1例因严重感染放弃治疗而死亡,1例化疗疗程结束后死亡)。⑥生存情况：67例B-NHL患儿的2年OS率、EFS率分别为88.8%、85.7%,5年OS率、EFS率分别为88.8%、83.2%。3组患儿5年OS率和5年EFS率组间分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。67例患儿的中位复发时间为9个月(2～37个月),2年、5年累积复发率(CIR)分别为11.3%、13.9%。存在骨髓/CNS受累患儿的5年OS率(71.6%)和5年EFS率(59.7%),均显著低于无骨髓/CNS受累者的92.2%和87.6%,并且差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝5.001、6.319,P＝0.025、0.012)。⑦单因素分析：复发/进展和非复发/进展患儿的单因素分析结果显示,复发/进展患儿骨髓/CNS受累者所占比例和肿瘤裂解综合征发生率分别为50.0%(4/8)和25.0%(2/8),显著高于非复发/进展患儿的11.9%(7/59)和1.7%(1/59),二者比较,差异有统计学意义(χ²＝4.946、P＝0.026;P＝0.036);复发/进展患儿2个疗程内达CR率(12.5%,1/8)显著低于非复发/进展患儿(69.5%,41/59),二者比较,差异亦有统计学意义(χ²＝9.782、P＝0.002)。⑧多因素分析：结合已有研究结果及临床经验,以及单因素分析结果,对B-NHL患儿预后影响因素的多因素非条件logistic回归分析结果显示,骨髓/CNS受累(OR＝6.536,95%CI：1.085～39.380,P＝0.040)和2个疗程内未达CR(OR＝14.682,95%CI：1.582～136.240,P＝0.018)是B-NHL患儿疾病复发/进展的独立危险因素。 结论儿童B-NHL以病理类型为BL最为常见,原发部位位于回盲部最为常见;其次为DLBCL,其原发部位位于外周淋巴结最为常见。骨髓/CNS受累和2个疗程未达CR是B-NHL患者发生复发/进展的危险因素。尽管B-NHL患儿2年EFS及5年EFS均>80%,但是,临床分期为Ⅳ期及进展/复发的B-NHL患儿的预后仍然尚待提高。     

造血干细胞移植治疗儿童高危及复发急性淋巴细胞白血病的临床研究

目的探讨影响高危及复发急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)患儿造血干细胞移植(HSCT)临床疗效的相关因素。 方法选择2001年4月至2013年5月在中山大学附属孙逸仙纪念医院接受异基因HSCT(allo-HSCT)的34例高危及复发ALL患儿的临床病历资料为研究对象。其中B细胞型ALL(B-ALL)为28例,T细胞型ALL(T-ALL)为6例;21例为高危ALL首次完全缓解(CR1),13例为ALL复发后第2次CR(CR2)。按照接受allo-HSCT供体的不同,将其分为全相合同胞供体外周血干细胞移植(MSD-PBSCT)者(5例),非血缘相关供体脐血移植(UD-UCBT)者(11例),非血缘相关供体外周血干细胞移植(UD-PBSCT)者(18例)。allo-HSCT的预处理方案为：以白消安(BU)＋环磷酰胺(CY)为基础,加用氟达拉宾(Flud),接受非血缘相关供体(UD)者预处理时,加用抗人胸腺细胞球蛋白(ATG)。本研究遵循的程序符合本院人体试验委员会制定的伦理学标准,得到该委员会批准,并与受试对象监护人签署临床研究知情同意书。 结果本组34例患儿接受allo-HSCT后,30例成功植入患儿中,急性移植物抗宿主疾病(aGVHD)发生率为33.3%(10/30)。本组其中Ⅲ～Ⅳ度aGVHD发生率为16.7%(5/30),接受UD-PBSCT患儿的aGVHD发生率明显高于接受MSD-PBSCT及UD-UCBT患儿,并且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。本组成功植入并且存活超过100 d的27例患儿中,慢性GVHD(cGVHD)发生率51.8%(14/27)。本组接受allo-HSCT患儿的5年总生存(OS)率为(61.5±8.3)%(16/26),5年无病存活(DFS)率为(57.7±6.0)%(15/26)。本组34例患儿的移植相关死亡(TRM)率为23.5%(8/34)。其中,获得CR2者TRM率显著高于CR1者,并且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。导致TRM的原因主要为感染及自身免疫性溶血性贫血、淋巴细胞增殖病、严重GVHD。移植后ALL复发率为19.4%(6/31),复发与造血干细胞来源无明显相关性,移植后发生cGVHD者复发率更低。 结论allo-HSCT是治疗儿童高危及复发ALL的有效手段,干细胞来源可以为脐血和外周血干细胞。接受allo-HSCT后,患儿5年OS率超过50%。CR2患者TRM率高于CR1者;发生cGVHD的ALL患儿复发风险较未发生cGVHD者低。建议对高危及复发ALL患者尽早进行allo-HSCT治疗。     

小剂量HAG方案联合地西他滨治疗15例老年急性髓系白血病的疗效及安全性分析

目的观察小剂量HAG方案(高三尖杉酯碱+阿糖胞苷+重组人粒细胞集落刺激因子)联合地西他滨(DAC)诱导老年急性髓系白血病(AML)缓解的疗效及安全性。方法回顾性分析2014年1月-2017年6月接受小剂量HAG联合DAC治疗的15例老年AML患者。治疗2个疗程后评价疗效及安全性。7例患者接受了MTT法药物敏感实验。结果 2个疗程后CR率为33.3%(5/15),PR率为20.0%(3/15),NR率为46.7%(7/15)。9例难治或复发的老年AML中3例获得CR,1例获得PR。所有患者中位OS为10个月,获得CR组较NR组患者OS显著延长(未达到vs 8个月,P=0.006)。小剂量HAG方案联合DAC耐受性好,均未发生治疗相关死亡。7例患者治疗前的药敏结果显示Ara-C和Ara-C+DAC对肿瘤细胞的抑制率没有明显差异。结论小剂量HAG方案联合地西他滨治疗老年AML取得满意的CR率,显著延长CR患者的OS时间,且耐受性良好。体外MTT药敏实验提示地西他滨不是通过直接杀伤细胞发挥抗肿瘤作用。     

CD₁₃₃及CD₄₄表达与不同类型上皮性卵巢癌组织

目的探讨卵巢癌干细胞(OCSC)标志物CD₁₃₃、CD₄₄在不同类型上皮性卵巢癌(EOC)组织表达的差异及其意义。 方法选择2003年1月1日至2016年12月31日,四川大学华西第二医院收治的15例复发EOC患者,30例术前未接受化疗、30例术前接受新辅助化疗(NACT)的初发晚期EOC患者为研究对象,分别纳入复发组(n＝15)、未化疗组(n＝30)、NACT组(n＝30)。对复发组EOC初发与复发时手术切除组织,以及未化疗组与NACT组手术切除组织,采用免疫组化方法测定其CD₁₃₃、CD₄₄阳性表达率及光密度值(OD)。复发组EOC初发与复发时手术切除组织CD₁₃₃、CD₄₄阳性表达率及OD比较,分别采用配对χ²检验和Wilcoxon符号秩和检验。未化疗组与NACT组手术切除EOC组织上述指标比较,分别采用χ²检验和Wilcoxon秩和检验。采用Cramer′s V系数分析EOC组织的CD₄₄与CD₁₃₃表达相关性。本研究符合2013年修订的《世界医学协会赫尔辛基宣言》的要求。3组患者的年龄、病理分型和分级等一般临床资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结果①复发组EOC初发与复发时手术切除组织CD₁₃₃阳性表达率及OD(CD₁₃₃、CD₄₄)分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);复发时手术切除组织CD₄₄阳性表达率为86.7%(13/15),高于初发时的73.3%(11/15),2者比较,差异有统计学意义(χ²＝4.922、P＝0.027)。②NACT组手术切除组织OD(CD₁₃₃、CD₄₄)及CD₄₄阳性表达率,均高于未化疗组,差异均有统计学意义(Z＝－2.176、P＝0.030,χ²＝5.455、P＝0.020,Z＝－4.759、P<0.001)。③EOC组织中CD₄₄与CD₁₃₃表达具有相关性(Cramer′s V＝0.462、P<0.001)。 结论OCSC标志物CD₁₃₃与CD₄₄在EOC组织中的表达具有相关性,可能在OCSC表面同时存在。化疗后OCSC残留,可能为导致EOC复发的真正原因。     

新辅助化疗联合手术治疗ⅡB期宫颈癌患者的疗效及其影响因素分析

目的探讨采取新辅助化疗(NACT)联合手术治疗与同步放化疗治疗的国际妇产科联盟(FIGO)临床分期为Ⅱ_B期宫颈癌患者的疗效及其影响因素。 方法选取2010年1月至2018年12月,大连医科大学附属第二医院收治的196例Ⅱ_B期宫颈癌患者为研究对象。按照治疗方案,将其分为联合手术治疗组(n＝95,采取NACT联合手术治疗)与同步放化疗组(n＝101,仅采取同步放化疗)。采用回顾性分析方法,收集2组患者总体生存(OS)期、无进展生存(PFS)期及治疗相关不良反应情况。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算2组患者5年OS率、PFS率等,并采用对数秩检验进行比较。对本研究所有患者的OS期、PFS期影响因素,进行多因素Cox比例风险回归分析。对2组患者的治疗相关不良反应率比较,采用χ²检验。本研究遵循的程序符合2013年新修订的《世界医学协会赫尔辛基宣言》要求。 结果①本研究联合手术治疗组患者的5年OS率、PFS率分别为91.9%与84.0%,均显著高于同步放化疗组的64.2%与64.8%,并且差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝5.920、P＝0.015,χ²＝4.560、P＝0.033)。②对本研究所有患者的OS期与PFS期影响因素的多因素Cox比例风险回归分析结果显示,治疗方式是其OS期的独立影响因素(HR＝0.267,95%CI：0.094～0.758,P＝0.013);治疗方式、肿瘤组织病理类型、肿瘤细胞分化程度、肿瘤直径、患者年龄,均非其PFS期的独立影响因素(P>0.05)。③对联合手术治疗组患者OS期与PFS期影响因素的多因素Cox比例风险回归分析结果显示,手术切缘情况为其OS期、PFS期的独立影响因素(HR＝0.027,95%CI：0.003～0.281,P＝0.003;HR＝0.004,95%CI：0.000～0.197,P＝0.006)。④联合手术治疗组患者的放射性膀胱炎发生率为4.2%(4/95),显著低于同步放化疗组的13.9%(14/101),并且差异有统计学意义(χ²＝5.467、P＝0.019)。 结论对于Ⅱ_B期宫颈癌患者采取术前NACT,再联合手术治疗的疗效优于同步放化疗。采取NACT联合手术治疗患者的手术切缘情况,为其OS期、PFS期的独立影响因素。由于本研究仅为回顾性研究,仍需多中心、大样本、随机对照试验进一步证实NACT联合手术治疗该病患者的疗效及其影响因素。     

淋巴细胞绝对计数及CA 125与非霍奇金淋巴瘤国际预后指数的关系

目的本研究探讨淋巴瘤患者外周淋巴细胞绝对计数(absolute lymphocyte count,ALC)及CA125检测的临床意义及其与国际预后指数(international prognostic index,IPI)的关系。方法回顾性的分析127例非霍奇金淋巴瘤患者临床资料,对初诊时ALC、CA125、IPI评分系统及疗效进行统计分析。结果中位随访23.1月(7.9⁴8.3月)总有效率(RR)为73.2%,完全缓解率(CR)为59.8%,总生存率(OS)为55.1%。高ALC(ALC≥1.0×109/L)组和低ALC(ALC<1.0×109/L)组RR率为82.9%和61.4%(P=0.007),CR率为72.9%和43.9%(P=0.001),总生存率(OS)为63.2%和30%(P=0.000)。高CA125组和CA125正常组RR率为40%和88.5%(P=0.000),CR率为20%和78.2%(P=0.000),总生存率为31%和75%(P=0.000)。将IPI评分048.3月)总有效率(RR)为73.2%,完全缓解率(CR)为59.8%,总生存率(OS)为55.1%。高ALC(ALC≥1.0×109/L)组和低ALC(ALC<1.0×109/L)组RR率为82.9%和61.4%(P=0.007),CR率为72.9%和43.9%(P=0.001),总生存率(OS)为63.2%和30%(P=0.000)。高CA125组和CA125正常组RR率为40%和88.5%(P=0.000),CR率为20%和78.2%(P=0.000),总生存率为31%和75%(P=0.000)。将IPI评分0¹分和2分合并为低危组,3分、41分和2分合并为低危组,3分、4⁵分合并为高危组,统计分析显示,高危组淋巴细胞绝对计数较低危组明显降低(P=0.020),高危组CA125水平高于低危组(P=0.000)。结论 ALC及CA125可与IPI评分系统一起用于评价弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤患者的预后。     

强烈化疗治疗儿童急性淋巴白血病的临床分析

目的总结分析强烈化疗治疗小儿急性淋巴细胞白血病的临床疗效.方法 121例患儿采用(VDLP)方案诱导缓解,缓解后用CAT、HDMTX、EA、VDLP方案早期巩固强化治疗,用MTX、6-MP维持治疗,用MA、EA、VDLP方案定期加强治疗,用HDMTX联合三联鞘注对庇护所白血病进行预防.结果完全缓解率(CR)95.8%,标危ALL为97.2%,高危ALL为92%.5 a无事件生存(EFS)率为(70.2±6.2)%.标危ALL为(70.2±5.0)%,高危ALL为(55.3±8.9)%.结论采用多种非交叉耐药性抗肿瘤药物交替联合强烈化疗,庇护所预防治疗及完善的辅助治疗措施是减少白血病复发,提高EFS率的关键.     

雷替曲塞联合顺铂同步放化疗治疗中晚期宫颈癌

目的探讨雷替曲塞联合顺铂同步放化疗,治疗中晚期宫颈癌的临床疗效和安全性。 方法选择2011年1月至2012年12月,东南大学医学院附属徐州市中心医院放疗科收治的80例中晚期宫颈癌患者为研究对象。采用信封法,将其随机分为RP组(n＝40,接受雷替曲塞联合顺铂同步放化疗方案治疗)与TP组(n＝40,接受紫杉醇联合顺铂同步放化疗方案治疗)。RP组具体化疗方案为：雷替曲塞3 mg/m²,静脉滴注15 min,d1;顺铂60 mg/m²,静脉滴注60 min,d1。TP组具体化疗方案为：紫杉醇135 mg/m²,静脉滴注180 min,d1;顺铂60 mg/m²,静脉滴注60 min,d2。统计学比较2组患者治疗有效率、不良反应率、总生存(OS)率及无病生存(DFS)率。本研究经过本院伦理委员会审核通过,所有患者均签署知情同意书。 结果①2组患者的年龄、Karnofsky行为状态(KPS)评分、体重下降百分比、肿瘤最大直径、病理类型、国际妇产科联盟(FIGO)临床分期等基本临床资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②RP组和TP组治疗有效率分别为92.5%(38/40)与90.0%(36/40),二者比较,差异无统计学意义(χ²＝0.734,P＝0.675)。③RP组骨髓抑制、皮疹、脱发、肌肉和关节酸痛、外周神经炎发生率分别为62.5%(25/40)、12.5%(5/40)、30.0%(12/40)、5.0%(2/40)、10.0%(4/40),均分别显著低于TP组的82.5%(33/40)、35.0%(14/40)、80.0%(32/40)、25.0%(10/40)、32.5%(13/40),并且差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝4.013,P＝0.045;χ²＝5.591,P＝0.018;χ²＝20.202,P<0.001;χ²＝6.275,P＝0.012;χ²＝6.050,P＝0.014)。2组患者恶心、呕吐、腹泻、食欲下降、肝功能损害发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。④2组患者OS曲线、DFS曲线分别比较,差异无统计学意义(χ²＝0.930,P＝0.330;χ²＝0.780,P＝0.380)。 结论雷替曲塞联合顺铂同步放化疗,治疗中晚期宫颈癌安全、有效,其疗效与紫杉醇联合顺铂同步放化疗疗效相近,但导致的不良反应更少。     

医护人员引导式教育联合融合教育在孤独症谱系障碍儿童视频脑电图监测前的应用

目的探讨医护人员进行的引导式教育联合融合教育，对孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童视频脑电图(v-EEG)监测完成效果的影响。 方法选择2018年2至5月，于成都市第三人民医院接受v-EEG监测的61例ASD患儿为研究对象。按照接受v-EEG监测的时间，将其分为观察组(n＝31，2018年4至5月接受v-EEG监测)与对照组(n＝30，2018年2至3月接受v-EEG监测)。对观察组受试儿，在接受v-EEG监测前30～40 min，采用医护人员进行的引导式教育联合融合教育进行干预；对对照组受试儿，在接受v-EEG监测前7 d，采用社会培训中心进行的引导式教育联合融合教育进行干预。采用χ²检验，对2组患儿头皮损伤率及v-EEG完成率进行统计学比较。本研究经成都市第三人民医院伦理委员会批准(审批文号：[2018]S-28)，与所有患儿监护人签署知情同意书。 结果观察组ASD患儿头皮损伤率为22.6%，显著低于对照组ASD患儿的53.3%；观察组ASD患儿v-EEG完成率为80.6%，显著高于对照组ASD患儿的56.7%，并且差异均有统计学意义(χ²＝4.011、P＝0.013，χ²＝1.893、P＝0.043)。 结论ASD患儿在接受v-EEG监测前，采用医护人员进行的引导式教育联合融合教育，有助于患儿配合完成v-EEG监测。     

Calcium intake in the elderly: validation of a dietary questionnaire

Epidemiological studies of calcium and osteoporosis have been hampered by the lack of a suitable tool for assessing calcium intake. This report describes a new frequency and amount questionnaire for measuring present and past calcium intake in the elderly. The validity of the questionnaire was tested against two commonly used standards of dietary assessment, five-day duplicate diets and seven-day weighed dietary inventories. The resulting correlation coefficients were, respectively, r = 0.76 and r = 0.69, while that for repeatability was r = 0.84. Furthermore, the questionnaire categorized subjects into thirds of the distribution of intake with almost no gross misclassification. It is suggested that the present findings may be extended to the majority of normal, healthy elderly subjects, implying wide application for the questionnaire in the assessment of calcium intake in the elderly.     

The occurrence of antimicrobial substances in toilet,sink and shower drainpipes of clinical units: A neglected source of antibiotic residues

Antibiotics represent one of the most important drug groups used in the management of bacterial infections in humans and animals. Due to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, assurance of the antibacterial effectiveness of these substances has moved into the focus of public health. The reduction in antibiotic residues in wastewater and the environment may play a decisive role in the development of increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. The present study examines the wastewater of 31 patient rooms of various German clinics for possible residues of antibiotics, as well as the wastewater of five private households as a reference.To the best of our knowledge, this study shows for the first time that in hospitals with high antibiotic consumption rates, residues of these drugs can be regularly detected in toilets, sink siphons and shower drains at concentrations ranging from 0.02?μg·L^?1 to a maximum of 79?mg·L^?1. After complete flushing of the wastewater siphons, antibiotics are no longer detectable, but after temporal stagnation, the concentration of the active substances in the water phases of respective siphons increases again, suggesting that antibiotics persist through the washing process in biofilms. This study demonstrates that clinical wastewater systems offer further possibilities for the optimization of antibiotic resistance surveillance.     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

深圳公立医院管理体制改革制度设计

深圳公立医院管理体制改革实行政事分开、管办分开,在理事会架构下按法定机构模式组建市医管中心,落实公立医院运营管理自主权.作者从当前公立医院管理体制的弊端入手,介绍了深圳市进行公立医院管理体制改革的基本思路及改革方案设计的主要举措,深入剖析了的改革方案的特点,并对改革效果进行了预测.     

Fatigue and health in a seafaring population

Background Occupational fatigue is relatively common withinthe general population and has been linked to reduced performance,injury and longer term ill-health. Despite growing acknowledgementof this problem in the maritime sector, little research hasbeen conducted into the risk factors, prevalence and consequencesof seafarers' fatigue. Aims To examine the prevalence of fatigue among seafarers, identifypotential risk factors and assess possible links with poor performanceand ill-health. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire survey of seafarers workingin the offshore oil support, short-sea and deep-sea shippingindustries. A number of tools were used including the fatiguesubscale of the profile of fatigue-related symptoms, the CognitiveFailures Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire andthe SF36 General Health scale. Results In all, 1855 questionnaires were completed giving anoverall response rate of 20%. Fatigue symptoms were associatedwith a range of occupational and environmental factors, manyunique to seafaring. Reporting a greater number of risk factorswas associated with greater fatigue [e.g. OR = 2.53 (1.90–3.35)for those with three or four risk factors and OR = 9.54 (6.95–13.09)for those with five or more risk factors]. There was also astrong link between fatigue and poorer cognitive and healthoutcomes, with fatigue the most important of a number of riskfactors, accounting for 10–14% of the variance. Conclusions Seafarers' fatigue could impact on safety withinthe industry and may be linked to longer term individual ill-health.It can only be addressed by considering how multiple factorscombine to contribute to fatigue.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on red blood cells of rats: Changes in components of red cell membranes during in vivo exposure to NO2

Red cell membranes, prepared from red blood cells of rats exposed to 4, 10, or 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 to 10 days, were examined for evidence of changes in membrane components. Appreciable changes were not found in contents of phospholipid and cholesterol during exposure to 10 ppm NO₂. By contrast, protein content altered with the time of exposure. Moreover, changes in protein composition were observed by employing sodium dodecyl sulfate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four-hour exposure to NO₂ at the concentration above 10 ppm resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) to the total phospholipids. The prolonged exposure to 10 ppm NO₂ gave rise to a further increase in LysoPE, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) showed a gradual decrease. A 1-day exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂ also caused an increase in sialic acid content and decreases in those of PE and hexose. In addition to contents of these components the percentage of LysoPE increased 5 days after exposure and the elevated values were maintained up to the end of exposure period. These results demonstrate that red blood cells in circulation exhibit different membrane properties in terms of lipid and carbohydrate composition during 10 days of exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.