准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地鼠体蚤类群落及其在动物鼠疫流行病学中的作用

目的 了解和掌握准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地主要鼠类体外寄生蚤类的群落结构,分析各鼠体蚤在该疫源地动物鼠疫流行中的作用.方法 采用群落生态研究方法对准噶尔盆地各鼠体蚤类群落进行群落结构因子、相似性和聚类研究.结果 大沙鼠、子午沙鼠和红尾沙鼠体外寄生蚤群落最复杂,体外寄生蚤群落的丰富度、多样性、相对稀有种类数高,优势度不明显;其次为三趾跳鼠体外寄生蚤群落,丰富度为8,平均稀有种类丰富度最大为12.39,相对稀有种类数、多样性次之,分别为50.00％和1.4838;柽柳沙鼠、西伯利亚五趾跳鼠体外寄生蚤群落相对较为复杂,均匀性、优势度适中,在0.5～0.6之间,种类丰富度均为5种,占该疫源地蚤种类数的31.25％,平均种类丰富度分别为1.38和8.65,相对稀有种类数分别为20.00％和40.00％.小五趾跳鼠、灰仓鼠、小家鼠和小林姬鼠体外寄生蚤群落结构简单,相对稀有种类数均为0,平均种类丰富度均在1.00以下,小林姬鼠仅有1种蚤类;另3种鼠体寄生蚤群落丰富度在2～4之间;大沙鼠、子午沙鼠、红尾沙鼠、三趾跳鼠、小五趾跳鼠、灰仓鼠和小林姬鼠7种鼠类体外寄生蚤群落与其它鼠类寄生蚤相似性指数均值＞0.5,柽柳沙鼠、西伯利亚五趾跳鼠和小家鼠3种鼠体寄生蚤群落与其它鼠类寄生蚤相似性指数均值＜0.5;其中,子午沙鼠体蚤群落与其它鼠类寄生蚤群落的相似性均值最高,为0.6836,与7种鼠类寄生蚤群落的相似性＞0.6;其次是大沙鼠和三趾跳鼠体蚤群落,与6种鼠类体外寄生蚤群落相似性＞0.5;西伯利亚五趾跳鼠体外寄生蚤群落与其它鼠类寄生蚤群落的相似性最小,均＜0.5;小家鼠仅与红尾沙鼠和柽柳沙鼠体蚤群落的相似性＞0.5,相似性指数均值为0.2812;10种鼠类体外寄生蚤群落可聚类为3个系统支,分为大沙鼠、柽柳沙鼠和红尾沙鼠体蚤群落支,子午沙鼠体蚤群落支和三趾跳鼠、西伯利亚五趾跳鼠、小五趾跳鼠、小家鼠、小林姬鼠和灰仓鼠体蚤群落支.结论 准噶尔盆地鼠疫疫源地鼠体蚤类群落是一个复杂的生态群落,大沙鼠、子午沙鼠、红尾沙鼠体蚤群落在维持该疫源地蚤类复杂性和多样性方面居第一层次,小五趾跳鼠、灰仓鼠、小林姬鼠和小家鼠体蚤群落起补充作用;该地区鼠体间蚤类存在广泛交换,子午沙鼠体蚤群落是各鼠体蚤类群落间相互交换的关键因子;大沙鼠及其体蚤在该疫源地动物鼠疫流行中起关键作用,子午沙鼠及其体蚤群落对动物鼠疫的流行有扩散作用.     

新疆维吾尔自治区准噶尔盆地2007-2016年鼠疫流行态势分析

目的 了解准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地鼠疫流行现状。方法 采用数理统计方法分析2007-2016年在该疫源地18个县（市、区）采集的鼠疫宿主动物、媒介及鼠疫抗体和病原体检测数据。结果 该疫源地大沙鼠密度在时间分布上呈波动状态,为2.1~22.6只/hm²;空间分布呈不均匀分布,以克拉玛依市和乌鲁木齐市米东区最高,分别为14.2只/hm²和13.0只/hm²;夜行鼠捕获率为4.2~10.1只/100夹次,以2014年最高,为10.1只/100夹次;子午沙鼠为优势种（81.9%）;大沙鼠染蚤率和总蚤指数空间和时间分布存在波动,平均染蚤率为90.7%,总蚤指数为10.44,簇鬃客蚤为优势种,分布最广,占总蚤指数的47.8%;夜行鼠平均染蚤率为20.2%,总蚤指数为1.20,以同形客蚤指名亚种和秃病蚤指名亚种为优势种类;鼠疫血清学检测啮齿动物13种9 087份,阳性617份。其中大沙鼠阳性率最高（9.4%）,其次为三趾毛脚跳鼠（1.1%）。空间分布存在2个鼠疫流行强度较高区域：昌吉至木垒的准噶尔东部区域,以克拉玛依、沙湾和乌苏甘家湖为中心的中部地区,大沙鼠鼠疫抗体阳性率分别为14.3%和13.6%。时间分布上呈波动状态：2008年为低谷,2013年呈高峰,阳性率分别为1.0%和19.3%;10年间共计检出鼠疫菌18株,以大沙鼠及其体蚤检菌最多。以乌鲁木齐市米东区、吉木萨尔和克拉玛依市检菌最多。结论 准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地是一个物种组成丰富、宿主和媒介群落结构多样、鼠疫流行强度不断变化的复杂生态系统,动物间鼠疫流行呈全区域性、连续性和异质性,存在主动和被动接触感染2类3种鼠疫风险播散链。     

准噶尔盆地鼠疫调查

目的 掌握准噶尔盆地鼠疫疫源地的分布、动物区系组成、宿主动物及其体外寄生蚤类的种群结构以及动物鼠疫的流行动态.方法 采用生态学研究方法、鼠疫血清学和病原学检验方法以及生物化学技术对准噶尔盆地进行鼠疫流行病学调查和研究.结果 准噶尔盆地共有小型哺乳动物7科11属17种,其中啮齿动物13种,啮齿动物体外寄生蚤类8科10属19种;大沙鼠洞群平均覆盖率22.5%,洞群平均密度15.9个/hm2,洞群平均栖息率为70.2%;在大沙鼠洞群鼠类群落中,大沙鼠占总捕获数的72.9%,子午沙鼠占24.5%;夜行鼠类群落中,子午沙鼠占总捕获数的64.0%,三趾跳鼠占15.1%.准噶尔荒漠鼠类群落中大沙鼠的染蚤率最高,为84.9%;染蚤种类有16种,总蚤指数为8.58,以簇鬃客蚤为优势种.准噶尔荒漠啮齿动物血清鼠疫F1抗体平均阳性率5.5%.其中,大沙鼠阳性率12.1%,占阳性总血清的94.3%,子午沙鼠和三趾跳鼠血清阳性率分别为0.7%和0.9%;自大沙鼠、子午沙鼠及其体外寄生蚤--臀突客蚤、同形客蚤指名亚种、长吻角头蚤和簇鬃客蚤共分离出鼠疫菌26株,其中自大沙鼠及其体外寄生蚤分离出鼠疫菌24株,占92.3%;该区域鼠疫菌的生化特性是麦芽糖、阿胶糖、甘油阳性,鼠李糖和脱氮阴性,对小白鼠强毒.结论 准噶尔盆地鼠疫疫源地涉及整个准噶尔区域,有12个县(市)发生了动物鼠疫流行,确定克拉玛依、博乐、吉木萨尔和奇台4个县(市)为鼠疫疫源县(市).疫源地动物、媒介组成复杂,生态系统稳定,主要宿主动物为大沙鼠,鼠疫菌生化型属中世纪型,为中国新类型的鼠疫自然疫源地.     

准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地动物鼠疫流行的空间和时间分布研究

目的　了解准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地动物鼠疫流行的空间和时间分布特征。方法　对2005--2012年准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地大沙鼠血清鼠疫抗体检测数据,采用统计学方法并结合地理地貌特征,分析鼠疫抗体阳性率的空间分布及其时间变化。结果　共获得准噶尔盆地13个行政区域大沙鼠血清鼠疫抗体检测数据4 825份。大沙鼠动物鼠疫主要流行于准噶尔盆地中东部的古尔班通古特沙漠荒漠（阳性率为8．39％）和准噶尔盆地西部低山平原粘土荒漠（阳性率为1．56％）2个地区。准噶尔盆地西部地区鼠疫抗体阳性率由2005年的7．59％下降至2008年的0．61％,其后一直处于静息状态。东部古尔班通古特沙漠荒漠地区的东、中、西3个区段鼠疫抗体阳性率变化有所不同,西段于2006年和2010年间出现2次流行高峰,其间隔期为4年,2010年高峰期鼠疫抗体阳性率则达到45．65％,为3个地理区段最高值;中段于2006、2009和2011年出现3次高峰,间隔期为2．5年,鼠疫抗体平均阳性率为8．92％,流行强度低于东、西段;东段是大沙鼠鼠疫最活跃的地区,各年度均可检出鼠疫抗体阳性血清,其变化呈现2006、2009和2012年3个高峰期,间隔期为3年。大沙鼠鼠疫抗体检测阳性率秋季高于春季,说明大沙鼠鼠疫流行为春季至秋季的持续流行。结论　准噶尔盆地大沙鼠鼠疫流行存在地理区域和时间上的双重波动,以及地理区域上的异质性,并可分为准噶尔盆地西部低山平原粘土荒漠和中东部古尔班通古特沙漠荒漠2个流行区域。     

云南省德宏傣族景颇族自治州1950－2019年鼠疫流行病学分析

目的 分析1950－2019年德宏傣族景颇族自治州（德宏州）鼠疫流行情况及影响因素,为制定有效的防控策略提供理论依据。方法 收集1950－2019年德宏州动物和人间鼠疫疫情资料和监测数据资料,进行描述性流行病学方法分析,采用SPSS 20.0软件建立多重线性回归方程,分析动物间鼠疫与鼠密度和蚤指数的相关关系,以及人间鼠疫与动物间鼠疫的相关关系。结果 1950－2019年德宏州鼠疫经历了流行-静息-再流行-再静息的循环流行,在5个县（市）的36个乡（镇）共判定疫点数614个,人间鼠疫流行15个年次,发现1 153例病例,死亡379例。1982－2019年捕获鼠类261 319只,黄胸鼠占70.95%（185 421/261 319）;共检获蚤类70 124匹,印鼠客蚤占76.65%（53 752/70 124）;印鼠客蚤指数为0.57,游离蚤指数为0.22;从285 091份动物标本及60 119组蚤类分离出鼠疫菌1 577及418株;从64 157份血清中检出255份F1抗体阳性标本;2008年后未分离出鼠疫菌,也未发现鼠疫疫情。动物间鼠疫与鼠密度、人间鼠疫与动物间鼠疫回归分析均存在相关关系。结论 德宏州鼠疫呈现长期性、顽固性、稳定性的特点,虽然目前鼠疫处于静息期,但其流行受多种因素的影响,故暴发的不确定性仍然存在。因此,加强动物间疫情的监测对预防人间鼠疫发生至关重要。     

从SARS到人感染H7N9禽流感——行为生态型传染病

目的　了解准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地动物鼠疫流行的空间和时间分布特征。方法　对2005--2012年准噶尔盆地鼠疫自然疫源地大沙鼠血清鼠疫抗体检测数据，采用统计学方法并结合地理地貌特征，分析鼠疫抗体阳性率的空间分布及其时间变化。结果　共获得准噶尔盆地13个行政区域大沙鼠血清鼠疫抗体检测数据4 825份。大沙鼠动物鼠疫主要流行于准噶尔盆地中东部的古尔班通古特沙漠荒漠（阳性率为8．39％）和准噶尔盆地西部低山平原粘土荒漠（阳性率为1．56％）2个地区。准噶尔盆地西部地区鼠疫抗体阳性率由2005年的7．59％下降至2008年的0．61％，其后一直处于静息状态。东部古尔班通古特沙漠荒漠地区的东、中、西3个区段鼠疫抗体阳性率变化有所不同，西段于2006年和2010年间出现2次流行高峰，其间隔期为4年，2010年高峰期鼠疫抗体阳性率则达到45．65％，为3个地理区段最高值；中段于2006、2009和2011年出现3次高峰，间隔期为2．5年，鼠疫抗体平均阳性率为8．92％，流行强度低于东、西段；东段是大沙鼠鼠疫最活跃的地区，各年度均可检出鼠疫抗体阳性血清，其变化呈现2006、2009和2012年3个高峰期，间隔期为3年。大沙鼠鼠疫抗体检测阳性率秋季高于春季，说明大沙鼠鼠疫流行为春季至秋季的持续流行。结论　准噶尔盆地大沙鼠鼠疫流行存在地理区域和时间上的双重波动，以及地理区域上的异质性，并可分为准噶尔盆地西部低山平原粘土荒漠和中东部古尔班通古特沙漠荒漠2个流行区域。     

宁夏回族自治区盐池县鼠疫监测及疫情分析

目的 探讨宁夏回族自治区盐池县动物间鼠疫流行的影响因素.方法 野鼠密度调查采取分层抽样方法,鼠疫病原学的分离采取剖检鼠类脏器,取病变组织压印培养的方法;蚤类细菌学检验采取集组培养的方法.结果 2002-2006年盐池县长爪沙鼠鼠疫监测抽样面积占疫源地面积的15.93%,长爪沙鼠平均密度11.02只/hm2,鼠体染蚤率平均34.17%,鼠体蚤指数平均0.85;以2005年和2006年的鼠密度、鼠体染蚤率及鼠体蚤指数3项指标为高.5年中共捕获野鼠4633只,隶属于4科6属8种.5年共检出鼠疫菌68株.其中剖检鼠类3523只,检出鼠疫菌57株;鼠体寄生蚤共收集2393匹,集组培养380组,检菌11株.结论 该疫源地在鼠类种群构成方面,以长爪沙鼠和子午沙鼠为优势种,三趾跳鼠、五趾跳鼠和黑线仓鼠、小毛足鼠为常见种,灰仓鼠和黄鼠为稀有种;动物间鼠疫的暴发与鼠密度、鼠体染蚤率及鼠体蚤指数3项指标呈正相关性;盐池县实施的退耕还林还草及周期性禁牧生态工程,短期内增加了鼠害及动物间鼠疫暴发的频度和危险.     

最优回归子集法在达乌尔黄鼠疫源地风险分级中的应用

目的　对达乌尔黄鼠疫源地动物鼠疫流行情况进行风险分级。方法　对内蒙古达乌尔黄鼠疫源地动物鼠疫流行总体数据7个监测指标（鼠密度、鼠体染蚤率、鼠体蚤指数、巢穴蚤染蚤率、巢穴蚤指数、洞干蚤染蚤率、洞干蚤指数）利用Matlab软件中最优回归子集法进行风险分级,采用指数平滑法预测2012年动物鼠疫流行的风险。按照检出鼠疫菌为流行（y=1）,未检出菌视为不流行（y=0）,将风险分为流行、高风险及不流行3级,若预报值y>2／3,预报为流行;若预报值y<1／3,预报为不流行;若1／3≤y≤2／3,预报为高风险。结果　对风险分级采用实际数据进行拟合,当y>2／3时预报流行的拟合率均为100％;回归模型的回归因子≥4个时,y<1／3时预报流行的拟合率均为100％;1／3≤y≤2／3时预报流行的拟合率约为50％。结论　风险分级预测结果表明2012年达乌尔黄鼠疫源地不会发生动物鼠疫流行,预测结果与实际情况相符（当年实际并未检出鼠疫菌）。     

河北省鼠疫自然疫源地长爪沙鼠体蚤多样性研究

目的通过对河北省鼠疫自然疫源地长爪沙鼠种群结构和生物多样性的研究,为河北省动物间鼠疫防控提供参考。方法整理2000—2017年河北省鼠疫自然疫源地长爪沙鼠体蚤监测数据进行统计分析。结果 2000—2017年共检长爪沙鼠3 739只,带蚤长爪沙鼠1 016只,检获各种蚤1 813匹,隶属3科8属15种,秃病蚤蒙冀亚种和方形黄鼠蚤蒙古亚种为优势种,分别占41.59%和36.68%。长爪沙鼠体蚤指数和染蚤率季节消长趋势整体十分相似,全年呈单峰型。长爪沙鼠体蚤多样性、均匀性较为稳定,波动幅度较小,生态优势度在2011年之前较为稳定,2011年以后波动较大。优势度2005年、2010—2011年、2014—2017年出现小高峰。结论长爪沙鼠体蚤指数和染蚤率季节消长趋势明显,长爪沙鼠体蚤均匀性较低、优势度较高时,更容易发生动物间鼠疫。     

河北省2001-2013年长爪沙鼠疫源地长爪沙鼠密度相关因素分析

目的 探讨2001-2013年河北省长爪沙鼠疫源地长爪沙鼠密度在不同年份、月份和生境上的分布及其相互间关系。方法 对2001-2013年河北省国家级和省级两个长爪沙鼠疫源地相关长爪沙鼠监测数据进行分析;以年为观察单位,定义鼠密度≥1.00只/公顷时为高危年组、0.20～1.00只/公顷时为预警年组、≤0.20只/公顷时为标准年组,采用Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验按年份组比较长爪沙鼠生境、月份分布的差异,并对这些变量进行多重对应分析。结果 2001-2005年河北省长爪沙鼠疫源地连续5年长爪沙鼠密度>1.00只/公顷,2005年之后长爪沙鼠密度呈下降趋势,但2008和2013两年长爪沙鼠密度在0.20～1.00只/公顷之间。生境分布分析显示,3个年份组的不同生境长爪沙鼠密度分布均不同,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,3组鼠密度M均为耕地最高,而高危年的荒地极大值最高,为20.50只/公顷。月份分布显示,高危年和标准年的不同月份鼠密度分布不同,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,而预警年鼠密度月份分布差异无统计学意义。多重对应分析可见动物鼠疫高危年与荒地、4月份和6月份有较强聚集;预警年与耕地、7月份有关联。结论 河北省长爪沙鼠疫源地长爪沙鼠鼠密度>1.00只/公顷时提示动物鼠疫流行的危险性增加。应根据长爪沙鼠的分布特点,对耕地和荒地以及4和6月份加强监测,防止动物鼠疫的流行。     

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 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.     

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.     

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.     

The risk of heat exhaustion at a deep underground metalliferous mine in relation to surface temperatures

The risk of heat exhaustion at a deep underground metalliferous mine was assessed in relation to thermal conditions prevailing on the surface. For each day of a 1-year prospective case series of heat exhaustion, surface 24-h mean wet and dry bulb temperatures were recorded. From this data, 24-h mean wet bulb globe temperatures were derived using certain assumptions. The three surface temperature variables were significantly higher on those days on which heat exhaustion occurred, compared to those days on which it did not occur (P < 0.001). The relative risk of heat exhaustion on days when the 24-h mean wet bulb globe temperature was in the range 26.0-28.0 degrees C was 4.82 (95% confidence interval 2.12-10.96). Surface temperature data could be used at this mine to warn miners about the risk of heat exhaustion.