基于区间删失数据估计方法的COVID-19潜伏期分布估计

目的 新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情已经成为全球关注的公共卫生问题,其潜伏期等流行病学特征尚不明确,本研究旨在对新型冠状病毒肺炎的潜伏期分布进行估计。方法 收集各省份卫生健康委员会官方发布信息平台的确诊病例暴露与发病信息,利用区间删失数据估计方法,基于Log-normal、Gamma和Weibull分布,对新型冠状病毒肺炎的潜伏期分布进行估计。结果 本研究共收集确诊病例109例,平均年龄为39.825岁。基于Log-normal分布的潜伏期M=4.938（P₂₅～P₇₅：3.451～7.304）d,Gamma分布的潜伏期M=5.064（P₂₅～P₇₅：3.489～7.301）d,Weibull分布的潜伏期M=5.678（P₂₅～P₇₅：3.653～7.666）d。Gamma分布的对数似然函数值最大。结论 COVID-19的潜伏期服从Gamma分布,基于区间删失数据的估计方法可用于传染病潜伏期分布的估计。     

北京市新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株的传播力研究

目的 评估新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株在北京市现有防控措施下的传播力,为做好疫情防控工作提供参考依据。方法 收集北京市2022年3月7-25日报告的78例具有明确传播链的Omicron变异株感染者信息,分别采用Gamma和Weibull分布拟合潜伏期和序列间隔时间,使用马尔科夫链蒙特卡罗算法估计实时再生数（R_t）。结果 Omicron变异株感染者潜伏期M（Q₁,Q₃）为4.0（3.0,6.0）d,序列间隔时间3.0（2.0,5.0）d,序列间隔时间在未完成和已完成全程疫苗接种感染者中M（Q₁,Q₃）分别为2.0（1.0,4.0）d和4.0（2.0,6.0）d（Z=-2.12,P=0.034）,儿童和成年人感染者分别为2.0（1.5,3.0）d和4.0（2.0,6.0）d（Z=-2.02,P=0.044）,差异均有统计学意义。本轮疫情R_t初始值为4.98（95%CI： 2.22~9.04）。结论 与既往Delta变异株相比,北京市Omicron变异株的传播力较强,应持续做好常态化疫情防控和新型冠状病毒疫苗接种工作,关注儿童易感人群。     

北京市一起新型冠状病毒Omicron变异株聚集性疫情特征分析

目的 分析北京市海淀区一起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集性疫情流行病学特征及传播链。方法 采用描述性流行病学方法分析疫情流行病学特征,应用现场调查和大数据技术分析传播链。结果 2022年4月27日至5月13日, 海淀区发生一起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集性疫情,全基因组测序系Omicron变异株（BA.2.2进化分支）;涉及感染者38例,确诊病例34例,无症状感染者4例;临床分型以轻型（88.2%）为主,无重型、危重型和死亡病例;早期临床症状以咽部不适（50.0%）、咳嗽（29.4%）为主;17 d内传播7代,涉及3起社区聚集、2起单位聚集和8个家庭内传播;暴露方式以同住（47.6%）、同时空暴露（31.6%）为主;代间距M（Q₁,Q₃）为3（1,6）d;总续发率为1.5%（37/2 482）,其中家庭续发率为36.7%（18/49）。结论 本起Omicron变异株疫情临床症状轻,家庭、社区聚集性明显,疫情传播速度较快,同时空暴露感染风险较高,需利用信息化技术全面摸排密切接触者,以快制快,有效阻断疫情传播。     

宁波市15起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集性疫情的传播力研究

目的 描述新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）聚集性疫情病例的基本特征。方法 收集15起COVID-19聚集性疫情病例的基本信息,采用伽马分布拟合病例代际间隔时间（Tg）,使用基于SEIR模型计算基本再生数（R₀）。结果 15起聚集性疫情中共有确诊病例52例、涉及5例核酸阳性无症状感染者。病例发病时间主要集中在1月23日至2月4日,以女性为主,潜伏期为（6.11±3.38）d。Tg为（6.93±3.70）d,在<60岁、≥60岁组及男、女性之间,Tg差异无统计学意义（P=0.551）。按照本研究估算的Tg计算,宁波市新冠肺炎感染的R₀为3.06（95% CI：2.64~3.51）;按照文献报告的病例Tg为7.5 d计算,R₀为3.32（95% CI：2.51~9.38）。结论 COVID-19聚集性疫情病例的Tg在不同年龄、性别间差异不大,COVID-19早期致病和传播力较高。     

SEIR动力学模型辅助北京市新发地新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情传播起始时间溯源和防控效果评价

目的 推测2020年6月北京市新发地新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情首例感染的传播时间起点,辅助传染病溯源,评价当前综合防控效果。方法 根据北京市卫生健康委员会官方报告统计每日发病人数,建立SEIR传染病动力学模型,基于每日发病人数拟合动力学模型,并搜寻本次疫情的传播时间起点;考虑不同的防控效果而拟合6月12日至7月1日的累计发病人数,以评估当前综合防控措施效果。结果 北京市新发地疫情传播首例感染应起始于5月22日至5月28日之间（累计概率为95%）,起始于5月25日的概率最大（23%）。本次疫情R₀为4.22（95% CI：2.88～7.02）。模型拟合结果提示,截至6月11日,累计发病为99例（95% CI：77～121）,符合实际情况。若不加控制,则截至7月1日累计发病估计将达到65 090例（95% CI：39 068～105 037）。截至7月1日,较之无防控措施的理论情况,实际感染人数减少了99%。自6月12日起,北京市采取了强有力的综合防控措施,疫情实际走势接近于传播率降低95%的推演结果,敏感性分析支持这一结果。结论 针对突发性疫情,传染病动力学模型可用来辅助推演传染病传播起始时间,辅助疫情溯源。北京市针对本次突发疫情所及时采取的综合防控措施迅速控制了95%以上的传播途径,减少了99%的感染人数,快速遏制了疫情,对于未来疫情防控具有重要的指导意义。     

一起新型冠状病毒肺炎聚集疫情传播链的调查分析

目的 分析新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）聚集疫情的传播特点，评价新型冠状病毒在潜伏期的传染性。方法 以一起发生在重庆市的COVID-19聚集疫情为研究对象，采用回顾性调查的方法，并用统一的调查表，以现场调查和电话调查相结合的方式对129名密切接触者进行线索追踪和个案调查。采用传播链示意图分析传播关系，采用接触史示意图分析传染性。结果 本起COVID-19聚集疫情由同学聚会分别引起了3起家庭（亲戚）和1起同事的聚集。R₀=3.8，潜伏期接触的感染率为17.57%，平均发病前3 d有传染性，不同的接触方式感染率差异有统计学意义（χ²=15.10，P<0.01），单次接触时间不同感染率差异有统计学意义（χ²=25.08，P<0.01）。结论 COVID-19潜伏期存在较强的传染性，越密闭狭小的空间传播风险越高，单次接触时间越长传播风险越高，存在间接接触传播方式。     

广州市2起由新型冠状病毒奥密克戎变异株引起的本地疫情流行病学参数研究

目的 本研究旨在估计广州市2起由新型冠状病毒（新冠病毒）奥密克戎变异株（BA.2）引起的本地疫情的潜伏期、序列间隔和基本再生数（R₀）等流行病学参数,探索不同场所聚集性对R₀的影响,为奥密克戎变异株疫情防控提供科学依据。方法 收集2022年4-5月广州市2起新冠病毒奥密克戎变异株本地疫情病例数据,使用Weibull、Gamma和lognormal分布对奥密克戎变异株本地疫情的潜伏期、序列间隔分布进行估计,采用指数增长法和极大似然法估计R₀。结果 两起疫情中位潜伏期为2.94（95%CI：2.52~3.38）d;中位序列间隔为3.32（95%CI：2.89~3.81）d。小型场所聚集性疫情R₀为4.40（95%CI：3.95~4.85）,机场聚集性疫情R₀为11.35（95%CI：11.02~11.67）。结论 广州市2起由新冠病毒奥密克戎变异株引起的本地疫情潜伏期较德尔塔变异株明显缩短。场所聚集程度越高,R₀越大,传播速度越快,易呈现暴发疫情,应及时调整防控策略。     

北京市新发地市场新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情相关病例的流行病学特征分析

目的 分析并比较北京市新发地市场疫情中新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）确诊病例与无症状感染者的流行病学特征。方法 收集并整理传染病报告信息管理系统中北京市新发地市场疫情中COVID-19感染者数据和流行病学调查报告资料,应用SPSS 19.0软件分析并比较确诊病例和无症状感染者的流行病学特征。结果 2020年6月11日至7月10日北京市共诊断新型冠状病毒感染者368例,其中确诊病例335例（91.03%）,无症状感染者33例（8.97%）。病例分布于11个区,其中丰台区病例数占总病例数的68.48%（252/368）。发病曲线呈现暴发流行模式,发病高峰为6月13日。全部感染者年龄M（Q_R）为43（31~51）岁,无症状感染者的年龄M（Q_R）为32（29~49）岁,低于确诊病例的年龄M（Q_R）[43（31~52）岁],差异有统计学意义（Z=2.416,P=0.016）。感染者男女性别比为1.26：1。从事餐饮及商业服务和公共场所服务的人员最多,占64.13%（236/368）。73.91%（272/368）的感染者有新发地市场直接暴露史。通过核酸筛查发现全部感染者的54.08%（199/368）。确诊病例中轻型和普通型病例占99.10%（332/335）,无死亡病例。结论 北京市新发地市场疫情呈暴发流行模式,COVID-19病例以餐饮和服务业人员为主。无症状感染者的年龄低于确诊病例。     

基于动态基本再生数的新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情防控现状评估

目的 对全国各省份的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19)疫情防控现状进行分析,建立预测模型预估现有防控措施预期成效,为决策部门提供科学信息。方法 基于COVID-19疫情网络公开数据,估计全国、各省份以及武汉市不同时间基本再生数(R0)的动态变化R₀(t),以评估在现有防控措施下,COVID-19传染速率随时间变化的趋势,预估现有防控措施的预期成效。结果 从结果稳定性考虑,选择累积确诊病例数>100例的地区进行分析,共24个省份纳入分析。在疫情初期,全国整体R₀(t)不稳定,数值较大,误差也较大。随着防控措施的进一步加强,R₀(t)普遍在1月下旬开始呈现下降趋势,2月始下降趋势稳定。截至数据分析日,纳入分析的24个省份中已有18个省份(75%)R₀(t)降到1以下。这为有条件地开放人员流动提供了信息。结论 动态R₀(t)有助于动态评估COVID-19传染速率变化情况,本次疫情防控措施已初显成效,如能继续保持,全国疫情有望短期内得到全面控制。     

基于传染病动力学模型的宁波市新型冠状病毒肺炎防控措施效果评估

目的 基于传染病动力学模型评估宁波市新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）防控措施的效果。方法 收集截至2020年3月9日宁波市COVID-19疫情个案数据、疾病进程等信息。根据防控策略落实情况,建立SEIR传染病动力学模型,计算基本再生数（R₀）和实时再生数（R_t）,评估防控效果。结果 宁波市累计确诊COVID-19病例157例,无死亡病例,重症病例比例为12.1%。从暴露到发病（潜伏期）平均（5.7±2.9）d,发病到确诊平均（5.4±3.7）d,从确诊到出院平均（16.6±6.5）d。累计医学观察105 339人,其中居家医学观察者COVID-19感染率为0.1%,集中医学观察者感染率为0.3%,确诊病例在就诊前处于医学观察期者占63.1%。估算R₀为4.8。随着防控措施的加强,R_t呈逐渐下降趋势,到2月4日下降至1.0以下,之后持续下降到2月中旬的0.2。结论 通过建立传染病动力学模型,能够有效评估宁波市COVID-19防控措施的效果,为防控策略的制定提供科学依据。     

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.     

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.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.