B超图像采集及病历管理系统

介绍一种实用的大型医院B超图像采集及病历管理系统。该系统通过专业医用视频图像采集卡将B超影像引入计算机，实现了影像的采集、显示功能；同时，病历管理系统对采集的图像进行编辑、处理、管理、并自动生成病人诊断数据库。它既可以同其它的医学影像工作站一起组成医院PACS系统，也可以独立形成医院的B超影像工作站。     

在构建医院PACS时应该注意的一些技术问题

医学图像归档及通信系统（PACS）是医学图像处理领域的研究热点，同时对医院建立放射信息系统、医院信息系统有着十分重要的意义。首先对PACS进行了简单介绍，并详细论述了在构建PACS时，会遇到的各种各样的技术问题，并给出了多种方案及它们的优缺点。最后，对这些问题进行了总结。     

CT图像数据的数字化获取及存储

目的 研制Siemens Somatom DR3 CT图像数据的数字化获取及存储。方法 通过分析存储DR3 CT图像数据的磁光盘的文件结构及图像数据存储格式，找出其主要特征。在DOS平台下编写设备驱动程序，实现DOS下对DR3 CT磁光盘的读、写。结果 实现了对DR3 CT图像数据的全数字化获取及极低成本存储。结论 与用扫描仪、视频模拟采集卡等通过模数转换方式间接从CT图像获取CT图像数据以及CT图像的胶片和磁光盘保存相比，这种方案无任何信息损失，存储成本低，有很高的性能价格比。     

更快使用数字化放射图像和加速诊断进程乃当务之急

在诊断中应用数字化医学图像的趋势越来越增加。通常大多数诊断由医院放射科负责，但是近来，心脏、神经等科室进行图像诊断的步伐也在增加。数字化图像有很高的分辨率，因此要占用很大的存储空间，访问和检索这些高分辨率医学图像是关心的一个问题。检索医学图像的时间取决于所用通讯带宽，可以是几分钟，也可能要几个小时。     

基于数学形态学的多分辨率医学图像融合技术

多模医学图像融合在医学图像分析和诊断上具有极为重要的应用价值。采用基于数学形态学的多分辨率分析对人脑图像CT、MRI图像序列进行了融合研究。结果表明此方法能够充分有效地将两种不同模式的信息集成在一起．为临床诊断提供更加有效的信息，具有广阔的应用前景。     

CT图像经济性存储初步尝试

目的：通过对Dicom格式图像的刻,改变传统胶片存储CT图像的方法，实现CT图像存储的无胶片化。方法：利用SieNet Magic View300软件的功能，实现CT图像Dicom,Jpeg或Tiff格式存储。结果；此方法成功地实现了CT图像以Dicom,Jpeg或Tiff格式的刻录，图像质量合格，并能将图像返回CT主机进行再处理。结论：此方法投入少，效果好，图像质量符合Dicom标准，并节省了大笔的相关费用。     

PACS系统影像存储介质及归档策略

随着PACS的强大功能逐渐被医学领域所认知，PACS系统在各家医院得到越来越广泛的应用。PACS作为一项新技术，其中的图像存储不是一种简单的存储，而是集存储、归档、图像检索、调阅为一体的永久性的图像存储。影像存储系统设计的好坏将直接影响影像系统工作的质量。本文主要探讨医学影像信息海量存储介质及归档策略；     

PACS系统中的各种图像采集方法的比较

对现阶段国内医院环境下的PACS系统的图像采集所采用的方案进行了探讨。     

医院图像网络系统及远程诊断

在我国,随着计算机软硬件技术的持续发展和医院科学管理水平的不断提高,实行医院信息管理网络化已势在必行,尤其是图像信息的网络化管理已提上议事日程,它可让医院有效实现远程诊断,从而提高诊疗水平,这是未来现代化医院的发展趋势。1医院图像信息网络系统1．1医院图像信息网的特点随着世界医疗水平的不断提高,诊疗手段日趋多元化,特别是各种影像技术的发展为医院进行病情诊断提供了良好的条件,每天医院都要对几十甚至上百名的病人进行X光、CT、MRI及电子显微镜等病理检查。各种影像信息如能通过计算机来采集、存贮和传输,实现…     

图像存档和传输系统的实践应用

目的评价图像存档和传输系统（PACS）系统在图像存储与传输方面的临床价值。方法对华奕医疗信息技术有限公司生产的PACS系统在我院影像获取、贮存、传输网络中的应用进行临床评估。结果PACS应用省时、可靠、方便、高效、降低成本，减少不必要的照射，在临床应用中取得了良好的效果，使医院信息化建设迈上了新的台阶，满足了医院整体数字化、网络化、无纸化的要求。结论PACS能提高工作效率及医学影像质量。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

Hydrazine inhalation hepatotoxicity

Abstract Hydrazine is a hazardous chemical commonly used as a reactant in rocket and jet fuel cells. Animal studies have demonstrated hepatic changes after hydrazine inhalation. Human case reports of hydrazine inhalation hepatotoxicity are rare. We report a case of mild hepatotoxicity following brief hydrazine vapour inhalation in a healthy young man, which resolved completely on expectant management.     

Fitness standards in airline staff

Employers have a legal duty to manage safety and to meet this duty it is necessary to control risks arising from pre-existing medical conditions. Such conditions can be identified at the time of job placement, but there is little published information about the approach to fitness standards by most airlines. This review is therefore limited to the practice of one major airline. It is illustrated by reference to various occupations within the airline, with the associated rationale.