阴道微环境改变与HPV16感染在宫颈上皮内瘤变中的作用及其交互效应

目的 探讨阴道微环境改变和HPV16感染在宫颈上皮内瘤变中的作用及其交互效应。方法 研究对象来源于课题组前期在山西省建立的宫颈病变研究队列,包括623例正常宫颈（NC）妇女、303例低度宫颈上皮内瘤变（CINⅠ）患者和93例高度宫颈上皮内瘤变（CINⅡ/Ⅲ）患者。在收集其人口学特征和宫颈上皮内瘤变相关因素资料的同时,采用导流杂交技术检测HPV16感染状况,应用需氧菌性阴道炎/细菌性阴道病联合检测试剂盒检测阴道分泌物中的H₂O₂、β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶、凝固酶、唾液酸酐酶和白细胞酯酶,以及阴道pH值和清洁度。应用SPSS 22.0软件进行数据的录入和资料分析。结果 随着宫颈病变的进展,HPV16感染率（趋势性χ²=55.45,P<0.001）、H₂O₂ （趋势性χ²=26.19,P<0.001）、pH值（趋势性χ²=5.06,P=0.024）、阴道清洁度（趋势性χ²=19.55,P<0.001）、β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶（趋势性χ²=17.52,P<0.001）、唾液酸酐酶（趋势性χ²=14.90,P<0.001）的异常率均逐渐升高,而凝固酶和白细胞酯酶异常率未见相应趋势。广义多因子降维模型交互作用分析显示,在CINⅠ组,HPV16感染与H₂O₂、β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶、凝固酶、唾液酸酐酶异常呈交互作用,在CINⅡ/Ⅲ组,HPV16感染与阴道清洁度、H₂O₂、β-葡萄糖醛酸苷酶、唾液酸酐酶异常呈交互作用。结论 阴道微环境改变和HPV16感染均可增加宫颈病变的发病风险,且在宫颈上皮内瘤变中具有交互作用。     

hnRNP K在宫颈上皮内瘤样变中的作用及其与HPV16交互效应

目的 探讨hnRNP K与HPV16感染在宫颈上皮内瘤样变（CIN）中的作用及其交互效应。方法 选取2014年6月至2015年6月在山西省介休市建立的社区队列中经病理学确诊的正常宫颈（NC）女性67例和CIN患者137例（CINⅠ患者69例、CINⅡ/Ⅲ患者68例）为研究对象。采用结构式问卷收集研究对象人口学资料及宫颈病变相关因素的基础上，采集宫颈脱落细胞和宫颈活检或手术组织，应用分子导流杂交法检测HPV16感染状况，并采用Western blot技术检测宫颈组织中hnRNP K蛋白表达水平。采用SPSS 23.0软件对资料进行整理分析，研究对象的人口学特征、相关因素、hnRNP K蛋白和HPV16感染在NC组、CINⅠ和CINⅡ/Ⅲ组的差异通过χ²检验、趋势χ²检验、Kruskal-Wallis H检验进行比较；hnRNP K蛋白表达量的组间两两多重比较采用Bonferroni法；采用非条件logistic回归模型计算hnRNP K蛋白、HPV16感染与CIN的关联强度OR值及其95% CI，采用相加交互模型及交互效应指标评价hnRNP K蛋白和HPV16感染两因素在CIN中的交互效应。结果 CINⅡ/Ⅲ组HPV16感染率（41.2%）高于NC（10.4%）、CINⅠ（14.5%），差异有统计学意义（P<0.001），且随着CIN程度加重，HPV16的感染率呈上升趋势（趋势χ²=18.512）。hnRNP K蛋白表达量在NC组、CINⅠ组和CINⅡ/Ⅲ组间差异有统计学意义（H=48.138，P<0.001），且随着CIN程度加重呈上升趋势（趋势χ²=21.765，P<0.001）。交互效应分析显示，hnRNP K蛋白高表达与HPV16感染在CINⅡ/Ⅲ组存在正相加交互作用（API=0.639，95% CI：0.083~1.196），在CINⅠ组尚未发现存在类似交互作用。结论 hnRNP K蛋白高表达、HPV16感染均可能增加CIN的发生风险，且在高度CIN发生中存在正相加交互作用。     

天津市中老年社区居民性活跃现状及相关因素分析

目的 了解天津市中老年社区居民性活跃现状及其相关因素。方法 2020年6月至2022年12月，通过多阶段抽样方法，对天津市≥50岁中老年社区居民开展横断面调查。样本量估计数为735名。通过调查员面对面收集问卷，包括社会人口学特征、健康特征以及性生活方式有关特征等相关信息。采用多因素logistic回归模型分析性活跃状态的相关因素。结果 共纳入776名研究对象（男性和女性分别为510名和266名），年龄以50~59岁（45.9%）为主。总体性活跃率为45.6%。年龄更大（60~69岁：aOR=0.67，95%CI：0.45~0.99；≥70岁：aOR=0.12，95%CI：0.07~0.21）、男性（aOR=1.93，95%CI：1.32~2.82）、城镇居民（aOR=0.18，95%CI：0.12~0.28）、同居/已婚（aOR=2.80，95%CI：1.41~5.58）、独居（aOR=0.51，95%CI：0.27~0.96）、爬楼或行走困难（aOR=0.55，95%CI：0.31~0.97）、现患慢性病（1种：aOR=0.55，95%CI：0.36~0.85；≥2种：aOR=0.53，95%CI：0.33~0.84）与性活跃状态有关。结论 相当比例的中老年社区居民仍然保持性活跃。身体健康状况与中老年社区居民的性活跃状态存在关联。应将性健康服务纳入中老年社区居民卫生保健服务范围，加强社区卫生服务人员的性健康相关服务意识和技能。     

山东省男男性行为人群HIV暴露前后预防用药情况及相关因素分析

目的 了解山东省MSM的HIV暴露前后预防（PrEP/PEP）用药情况并分析相关因素，为PrEP/PEP工作的推广提供参考依据。方法 2022年4-7月在山东省7个城市监测哨点招募MSM进行问卷调查，每个城市样本量为400人。收集MSM社会人口学、性行为、PrEP/PEP用药等信息，并采集血标本做HIV和梅毒抗体检测。结果 研究对象MSM共2 815人，以≤30岁（55.7%，1 569/2 815）、未婚（68.6%，1 931/2 815）、大专及以上文化程度（56.5%，1 590/2 815）为主。PrEP用药者占9.2%（258/2 815）；PEP用药者占10.8%（305/2 815）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示，MSM中PrEP用药的可能性较高的相关因素包括年龄≤30岁（aOR=4.04，95%CI：1.25~13.01）、自我认知HIV感染风险较低（aOR=1.76，95%CI：1.16~2.68）、最近6个月发生群交行为（aOR=1.51，95%CI：1.10~2.09）、最近6个月发生同性商业性行为（aOR=1.69，95%CI：1.16~2.47）、使用新型毒品（aOR=1.53，95%CI：1.11~2.11）、接受同伴教育（aOR=1.56，95%CI：1.03~2.37）、知晓别人PrEP用药（aOR=3.29，95%CI：2.48~4.36）、HIV抗体阴性（aOR=8.40，95%CI：1.12~63.12）；MSM中PrEP用药的可能性较低的相关因素为主要性伴为临时性伴（aOR=0.67，95%CI：0.49~0.90）。MSM中PEP用药的可能性较高的相关因素包括年龄<50岁（≤30岁：aOR=2.41，95%CI：1.02~5.69；31~49岁：aOR=3.33，95%CI：1.42~7.85）、自我认知无HIV感染风险（aOR=1.87，95%CI：1.12~3.11）、最近6个月发生群交行为（aOR=1.68，95%CI：1.23~2.29）、使用新型毒品（aOR=3.86，95%CI：2.94~5.07）以及未接受同伴教育（aOR=1.54，95%CI：1.12~2.12）。结论 山东省MSM的PrEP/PEP用药比例较高。应加强同伴教育和自我认知HIV风险教育，提高MSM中PrEP/PEP用药的使用率。     

高危型人乳头瘤病毒感染的转归特点及阴道微环境因子对其转归影响的研究

目的 探讨高危型人乳头瘤病毒（HR-HPV）感染的转归特点及阴道微环境因子对其转归的影响。方法 从本课题组前期建立的社区队列中,选取HR-HPV感染、经病理学诊断为正常宫颈的421名女性为研究对象,进行24个月的随访。在收集基线资料的基础上,应用需氧菌性阴道炎/细菌性阴道病联合检测试剂盒测定阴道微环境因子,采用导流杂交技术检测HPV感染状况。根据基线和随访24个月后HR-HPV的感染状况,描述HR-HPV感染的转归特征,并探讨阴道微环境因子对HR-HPV感染转归的影响。结果 在390名完成24个月随访的HR-HPV感染女性中,HR-HPV持续感染率居前5位的型别依次为HPV16（24.1%）、HPV58（22.2%）、HPV53（21.7%）、HPV52（20.0%）和HPV39（11.8%）。阴道pH值（aOR=1.74,95%CI：1.08~2.80）、唾液酸苷酶（aOR=2.70,95%CI：1.52~4.83）和白细胞酯酶（aOR=3.41,95%CI：2.13~5.44）异常可增加HR-HPV持续感染的风险,其中唾液酸苷酶和白细胞酯酶异常均可增加同型和异型HR-HPV持续感染的风险。结论 HPV16容易发生持续感染,阴道pH值、唾液酸苷酶和白细胞酯酶异常可增加HR-HPV持续感染的风险,特别是唾液酸苷酶、白细胞酯酶异常作用更为明显。     

抗病毒治疗HIV感染者血脂变化轨迹特征及影响因素分析

目的 分析抗病毒治疗HIV感染者血脂变化轨迹特征及其影响因素。方法 基于回顾性队列研究设计,以浙江省台州市2004年1月至2021年4月抗病毒治疗HIV感染者为研究对象,运用χ²检验分析研究对象社会人口学特征和基线指标情况,应用潜在类别混合模型描述研究对象接受抗病毒治疗后血脂变化轨迹,采用多因素logistic回归分析血脂变化轨迹的影响因素。采用R 3.5.0.软件LCMM软件包进行统计学分析。结果 2 079例HIV感染者中,年龄M（Q₁,Q₃）为31（43,55）岁,以男性（78.1%,1 623/2 079）和已婚（58.7%,1 221/2 079）为主,BMI≥24.0 kg/m²占18.9%（393/2 079）,异性性传播途径占67.7%（1 407/2 079）。血脂变化轨迹分为3种：倒U形（2.3%,48/2 079）、进展型（31.3%,650/2 079）和一般轨迹（U形）（66.4%,1 381/2 079）,倒U形和进展型确定为危险轨迹（33.6%）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,相比于抗病毒治疗方案为齐多夫定-替诺福韦-依非韦伦（3TC- TDF-EFV）、基线TC水平<5.2 mmol/L、基线TG水平<1.7 mmol/L、BMI为18.5~23.9 kg/m²、基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）计数<200个/μl和抗病毒治疗时间<5年者,抗病毒治疗方案一直使用齐多夫定-拉米夫定-依非韦伦（3TC-AZT-EFV）（aOR=1.99,95%CI：1.44~2.77）和更换为克力芝（LPV/r）（aOR=3.17,95%CI：2.00~5.01）、基线TC水平分别为5.2~6.1 mmol/L（aOR=2.55,95%CI：1.92~3.39）和≥6.2 mmol/L（aOR=5.89,95%CI：3.76~9.25）、基线TG水平分别为1.7~2.2 mmol/L（aOR=2.00,95%CI：1.53~2.62）和≥2.3 mmol/L（aOR=6.51,95%CI：4.97~8.54）、BMI为≥24.0 kg/m²（aOR=1.44,95%CI：1.11~1.88）的HIV感染者较容易出现血脂变化的危险轨迹。而BMI为<18.5 kg/m²（aOR=0.55,95%CI：0.35~0.86）、基线CD4计数为200~349个/μl（aOR=0.67,95%CI：0.52~0.87）和≥350个/μl（aOR=0.71,95%CI：0.54~0.94）、抗病毒治疗时长为5~9年（aOR=0.74,95%CI：0.56~0.99）和≥10年（aOR=0.53,95%CI：0.22~0.67）的HIV感染者较不容易出现血脂变化的危险轨迹。结论 部分HIV感染者抗病毒治疗后的血脂变化呈危险轨迹状态,与AZT和LPV/r等特定抗病毒药物使用、抗病毒治疗时长、基线CD4计数、TC、TG和BMI显著关联,建议HIV感染者开始抗病毒治疗阶段的同时,加强血脂监测并采取针对性干预措施。     

抗病毒治疗HIV感染者神经认知损伤与认知表现特征研究

目的 联合应用两种神经认知评价量表,探讨接受抗病毒治疗（ART）的HIV感染者神经认知损伤患病率、影响因素及其神经认知表现特征。方法 纳入浙江省台州市开展的HIV与衰老相关疾病前瞻性队列研究中2 250例接受ART的HIV感染者。使用中国版简易智能精神状态检查量表（MMSE）和国际HIV相关性痴呆量表（IHDS）评价其神经认知损伤情况,并对2个量表中的7个神经认知域进行聚类分析。结果 在接受ART的HIV感染者2 250例中,年龄集中在45~89岁（48.0%,1 080/2 250）,男性占79.2%（1 782/2 250）,小学及以下文化程度者占37.8%（852/2 250）。MMSE和IHDS判断的神经认知损伤的患病率分别为14.3%（321/2 250）和31.8%（716/2 250）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,HIV感染者MMSE判断的神经认知损伤危险因素包括60~89岁（aOR=2.63,95%CI：1.52~4.56）、抑郁症状（aOR=5.58,95%CI：4.20~7.40）和使用依非韦伦（EFV）治疗（aOR=2.86,95%CI：1.89~4.34）;男性（aOR=0.71,95%CI：0.51~1.00）、偏胖（aOR=0.63,95%CI：0.44~0.89）和文化程度较高（aOR=0.11,95%CI：0.05~0.25）为保护因素。IHDS判断的神经认知损伤危险因素包括60~89岁（aOR=3.10,95%CI：2.09~4.59）、抑郁症状（aOR=1.78,95%CI：1.44~2.20）和使用EFV治疗（aOR=1.79,95%CI：1.41~2.29）;男性（aOR=0.75,95%CI：0.58~0.97）、偏瘦（aOR=0.67,95%CI：0.47~0.96）、基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞（CD4）计数≥350个/μl（aOR=0.69,95%CI：0.53~0.91）和文化程度较高（aOR=0.23,95%CI：0.14~0.39）是保护因素。HIV感染者的神经认知表现分为4种主要类型,在年龄、性别、文化程度、饮酒、抑郁症状、腰臀比、高血压病史、糖尿病病史、基线CD4计数和使用EFV治疗的差异有统计学意义（均P < 0.05）。结论 接受ART的HIV感染者神经认知表现分为4种类型,神经认知损伤患病率较高,需对不同类型者采取针对性的监测、预防与控制措施。     

台州市2006－2019年HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗策略与免疫学效果的关联及影响因素分析

目的 分析2006－2019年台州市HIV/AIDS立即抗病毒治疗（ART）的影响因素,探讨不同ART策略与免疫学效果随时间变化的关联。方法 采用回顾性队列研究和logistic回归模型分析立即ART影响因素,采用t检验和χ²检验比较不同ART策略的免疫学效果差异,采用Kaplan-Meier（K-M）法绘制生存曲线。结果 2006－2019年台州市2 971例HIV/AIDS中,立即ART组1 786例（占60.1%）,其中2016－2019年立即ART的比例为77.8%（1 170/1 504）。2006－2019年立即ART组的成功率（87.4%,1 561/1 786）高于延迟ART组（84.4%,1 000/1 185）。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,HIV/AIDS立即ART的影响因素中,男性（aOR=1.28,95% CI：1.03~1.59）、已婚（aOR=1.71,95% CI：1.33~2.19）、基线CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数≤200个/μl（aOR=1.60,95% CI：1.27~2.02）与立即ART呈正相关;31~40岁（aOR=0.63,95% CI：0.48~0.84）、感染途径为异性性传播（aOR=0.60,95% CI：0.49~0.74）、确证时间为2015年及以前（aOR=0.20,95% CI：0.17~0.23）与立即ART呈负相关。立即ART组各年份CD₄/CD₈比值的增幅和ART累积成功率均大于延迟ART组（P<0.05）。结论 2006－2019年台州市HIV/AIDS立即ART策略落实较好,立即ART比例超过60.0%,立即ART组的ART免疫学效果较好。针对HIV/AIDS中31~40岁、女性、未婚和异性性传播者,需加强立即ART的健康教育工作,进一步提高ART效果。     

重庆市50岁及以上男性HIV感染者艾滋病知识知晓与非婚性行为调查

目的 了解重庆市≥50岁男性HIV感染者的艾滋病知识知晓情况及非婚性行为现状，为制定疫情防控措施提供科学依据。方法 采用横断面研究，于2021年7-12月，在重庆市渝北区、开州区、江津区和沙坪坝区招募≥50岁男性HIV感染者进行面对面问卷调查，样本量800例。采用logistic回归模型分析研究对象艾滋病知识知晓与最近1年非婚性行为的相关因素。使用SPSS 26.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 在≥50岁男性HIV感染者698例中，年龄（62.5±8.6）岁。艾滋病知识总体知晓率为66.91%（467/698），最近1年发生非婚性行为的比例为6.73%（47/698），安全套坚持使用率为61.70%（29/47）。多因素logistics回归分析结果显示，年龄≥70岁（aOR=0.60，95%CI：0.40~0.91）、年龄≥60岁（aOR=0.61，95%CI：0.41~0.90）和丧偶/离异/未婚者（aOR=0.70，95%CI：0.50~0.98）艾滋病知识知晓率较低；初中及以上文化程度者（aOR=5.90，95%CI：3.34~10.44）艾滋病知识知晓率较高。丧偶/离异/未婚者（aOR=13.01，95%CI：6.11~27.71）和最近1年使用过助性剂者（aOR=8.72，95%CI：2.76~27.55）发生非婚性行为的比例较高。结论 重庆市≥50岁男性HIV感染者艾滋病知识知晓率较低，存在一定比例的非婚性行为，安全套使用率较低。建议加强性健康知识教育，持续推广使用安全套。     

中国2014年新报告男男性行为者中HIV感染者婚姻及配偶感染现状

目的 分析我国2014年新报告MSM中HIV感染者（MSM感染者）婚姻及配偶感染现况及相关因素。方法 收集国家艾滋病综合防治信息系统2014年新报告、经男男性行为途径感染HIV、≥22周岁的MSM感染者基线和随访信息。根据确诊后180 d内配偶首次HIV检测结果，分为“检测发现前发生配偶传播”和“检测发现前未发生配偶传播”两种感染类型。应用logistic回归分析检测发现前发生配偶间传播的相关因素。结果 共有22 337例MSM感染者纳入分析，22.7%（5 081/22 337）为已婚有配偶者，3 715例感染者确证后180 d内其配偶进行首次检测，7.6%（282/3 715）配偶为HIV阳性。多因素logistic回归分析显示，检测发现前发生配偶传播的相关因素包括MSM感染者年龄≥60岁（OR=2.64， 95% CI：1.50～4.65）、少数民族（OR=1.93， 95% CI：1.13～3.29）、CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）≤500个/μl［CD₄<200个/μl： OR=2.91（95% CI： 1.82～4.65）；CD₄为200～349个/μl： OR=1.98（95% CI： 1.22～3.23）；CD₄为350～500个/μl： OR=1.69（95% CI：1.00～2.86）］、自我报告不安全性行为（OR=1.92， 95% CI： 1.44～2.58）。结论 应加强MSM感染者中的已婚有配偶者的行为干预和HIV检测，尽早发现感染者，减少其传播给配偶的机会。     

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.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Die sogenannte Vinylchlorid-Krankheit—eine berufsbedingte Systemsklerose?

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 13 Arbeiter untersucht, die zwischen 1 3/4 und 18 Jahren in einem PVC-herstellenden Betrieb beschäftigt waren. 8 von ihnen wiesen sklerodermieartige Hautveränderungen (Abb. 2) auf, die histologisch charakterisiert sind durch Verbreiterung und Homogenisierung der kollagenen Faserbündel (Abb. 3 u. 4) sowie Fragmentation und Rarefizierung der elastischen Fasern (Abb. 5). Bei 7 Patienten bestanden trommelschlegelartige Auftreibungen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 1). 11 Patienten zeigten Durchblutungsstörungen der Extremitäten (4 von diesen ein Raynaud-Syndrom) und 6 Patienten Acroosteolysen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 6, Tabellen 1–3).Darüber hinaus bestand bei allen Patienten eine Thrombocytopenie, bei 12 Patienten eine Splenomegalie, bei 11 Patienten eine Einschränkung der Leberfunktion (erhöhte BSP-Retention). An der Leber ließ sich histologisch bei den 5 laparoskopierten Patienten eine deutliche Fibrosierung der Portalfelder nachweisen. Bei 4 Patienten bestanden Oesophagusvaricen (Tabellen 4 u. 5). 8 Patienten zeigten eine Partialinsuffizienz mit Hinweisen für vorwiegend restriktive Veränderungen.Die hier beschriebenen Veränderungen gehen weit über das bisher bekannte Acroosteolysesyndrom hinaus. Es wird der dringende Verdacht geäußert, daß langfristige Vinylchlorid-Exposition dieses komplexe Krankheitsbild verursacht. Daher wird für diese systemische Krankheit die Bezeichnung Vinylchlorid-Krankheit vorgeschlagen.Wir danken Frau E. Voigtländer für die Herstellung der klinischen und histologischen Abbildungen.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.