广东省传染性非典型肺炎流行病学特征分析

目的 了解广东省局部地区流行的传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)的流行病学特征，为制定预防控制对策和措施提供科学依据。方法 采用统一的流行病学个案调查表对SARS，临床确诊病例进行调查。分析SARS病例在广东省的流行过程、地区、时间、人群分布及聚集性等特征。结果 截止2003年6月6日，广东省21个地级市有15个市报告SARS病例1511例，发病率为1．98／10万，病死率为3．77％。发病主要集中在1月下旬到2月下旬(2月上旬达到高峰)，占病例总数的54．00％，。首例发病时间为2002年11月16日，末例发病时间为2003年2003年5月9日。病例主要集中在广州、深圳、江门、中山、佛山5个市，占96．03％，其中广州占86．04％。20～49岁发病占病例总数的65．45％；医务人员发病较多，占病例总数的22．90％；聚集性病例占31.97％(483／1511)。潜伏期1～12d，中位数4d。结论 广东省SARS疫情波及面广，发病相对集中，有明显的家庭和医院聚集现象；传播途径主要为近距离飞沫和密切接触传播。     

广州市番禺区传染性非典型肺炎疫情分析

目的 分析广州市番禺区传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)疫情特点，了解流行因素，探讨防制措施。方法 采用统一的流行病学个案调查表对番禺区报告的SARS病例进行调查和统计分析。结果 2003年2月11日至5月31日共发生SARS病例16例，死亡2例。发病高峰在2～3月，占总病例数的81．3％；30～45岁病例占总病例数的56．2％，以离退休人员及家务待业人员多发(占37．5％)；发病呈聚集性(占43．8％)。结论 SARS是新发现的传染病，目前已得到有效控制。加强医院感染的控制。可有效减少SARS发病。     

广东省1 164例社区传染性非典型肺炎病例流行病学分析

目的 通过分析社区传染性非典型肺炎(又称严重急性呼吸综合征，简称SARS)病例的流行病学特点，摸清社区SARS病例的发病规律、流行特征，为当前更有效地减少社区发病及有效防治提供科学依据。方法 采用描述性流行病学分析方法对1164例社区SARS病例进行调查，分析其三间分布特点。结果 截止2002年5月12日，广东省共报告1：164例社区SARS病例，病例分布在15个地级市，以珠江三角洲一带人口流动大的经济发达地区为主，其中广州病例最多，高达86．43％。发病的高峰在2月上、中旬，占病例总数的38.75％，并由2月上旬日均30.8例下降至5月上旬日均0．7例。社区病例以20～59岁年龄段为主，占总病例数的70．96％。社区病例病死率为4.30％，农民病死率最高，达12．50％。80.7％的社区病例无明确同类病例接触史。结论 广东省社区SARS病例以散发为主，且疫情已得到有效控制。     

广州市医务人员传染性非典型肺炎流行情况及预防控制效果分析

目的 分析广州市医务人员传染性生非典型肺炎(SARS)流行的基本特征，探讨流行因素，评价防制措施，为医疗卫生单位开展SARS收治及预防控制工作提供指导。方法 采用统一调查表对医务人员SARS患进行流行病学调查，采用定性生研究方法对医院SARS流行影响因素、预防控制措施及其效果进行调查，资料采用描述性流行病学方法分析。结果 广州市医务人员首例SARS患发病时间为2003年1月13日，截止5月5日共有29家医疗卫生单位报告医护人员发病280例，占全市总病例数的26．07％。医务人员发病高峰在2月上、中旬，共有167例，占医务人员发病总数的59．64％，呈明显聚集性。4月后病例为零星散发。病例主要集中在1月下旬前开始收治SARS患(对SARS尚缺乏认识的时期)的6家医院，占总病例数的73．2％(2c15／280)。调查180例医务人员SARS患中92．22％直接参与过SARS患的救治工作。采取定点收治患、加强医院病区通风、加强医护人员自身的个人防护等综合措施后，2月下旬开始，医务人员的新发SARS病例明显减少。结论 控制SARS在医务人员中流行的关键措施是：(1)要对出现SARS症状的患高度警惕，及时诊断并隔离患；(2)严格按照操作规范做好个人防护措施；(3)收治区要合理布局，严格区分污染区、半污染区和清洁区；(4)加强病区通风换气；(5)严格按照有关指引做好污染物、空气及环境的消毒工作。     

广州市白云区传染性非典型肺炎流行病学调查分析

目的 及时分析传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)在广州市白云区的流行特点，为进一步的预防控制工作提供依据。方法 对白云区辖内医院收治的SARS病例的报告资料和病例的流行病学调查资料进行分析。结果 截止2003年5月20日，白云区共报告SARS病例138例，死亡2例。其中以医务人员(16例)和学生(17例)多见，占23．9l％。在16例医务人员中8例通过院内感染。发病高峰在2～3月，占发病总数的73．9l％；病例集中在21～40岁年龄组，占发病总数的53．62％。全区大部分病例为散发，出现3起共8例家庭聚集性病例。结论 广州市白云区出现以社区散发为主的SARS暴发流行，经采取综合防治措施后，疫情已得到有效控制。     

广东省传染性非典型肺炎流行病学特征初步调查

目的 了解广东省局部地区流行的传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)的流行病学特征，为制定预防控制对策和措施提供科学依据。方法 采用统一的流行病学个案调查表对病例进行调查。利用EPI6．0软件分析SARS病例在广东省的流行过程，地区、时间、人群分布及聚集性等特征。结果 SARS在广东省的发病率为1．72／10万，病死率为3．64％。发病主要集中在1月下旬至2月下旬(2月上旬达到高峰)，占病例总数的61．88％。地区分布以经济发达、人口流动频繁的珠江三角洲地区为主，占病例总数的96．66％；患者以青壮年居多；医务人员是高发人群，占病例总数的24．9％；有明显的家庭和医院聚集，聚集性病例占37．1％。结论 SARS是一种呼吸道传播为主的传染病，目前发现传染源是人，潜伏期1—12天，中位数4天；通过短距离飞沫和密切接触传播；人群普遍易感，病例主要集中在经济发达、人口流动频繁的珠江三角洲地区。     

广东省严重急性呼吸综合征的流行与控制

目的 分析广东省2003年严重急性呼吸综合征(severe acute respirstory syndrome,SARS)流行特征,探讨其危险因素,为有效控制该病的流行提供对策、依据与参考。方法 用描述流行病学方法对SARS流行病学及控制措施等相关资料进行描述与分析。结果 目前追溯到首例发病日期为2002年11月16日,家庭聚集发病5例;2003年1月2日,河源市为全国最早正式报告SARS病例的城市。至2003年6月15日止,广东省共有15个地级市报告SARS病例1511例,全省报告发病率为1．77／10万,主要集中在珠江三角洲的5个城市(佛山、广州、深圳、中山及江门),占病例总数的95．97％,广州市报告病例最多,占病例总数的85．81％;报告死亡数为58例,报告死亡率为0．07／10万,病死率为3．84％。发病高峰出现在1月28日至2月26日(占病例总数的50．69％),单日发病例数最多的为2月8日,共55例。发病年龄主要集中在青壮年(20—49岁),占65．86％。发病率随着年龄的增大而升高。有明显的医院和家庭聚集现象,医务人员的聚集性病例占病例总数的19．38％,家庭聚集性病例占12．04％。早期135例无明确接触史的社区散发患者中,从事与动物相关职业者11例,占8．14％。潜伏期为1—12d,中位数为4．5d。实行严格的SARS疫情监测报告制度,落实预防控制SARS的各项指引,切断SARS从患者到健康人的传播链,强化医院感染控制的技术指导和落实,做好消毒和个人防护工作是主要的控制措施。结论 切断SARS从患者到健康人的传播链是控制SARS流行的关键;重点控制医院内感染的发生;一些研究结果支持SARS病原可能来源于动物的假设。     

某区SARS家庭聚集性病例的流行病学分析

目的 :分析北京市朝阳区传染性非典型肺炎 (SARS)家庭聚集性病例的流行病学特征及临床表现 ,探讨家庭因素在 SARS传播中的作用 ,为有效控制该病的流行提供对策与依据。方法 :采用描述性分析方法对朝阳区 SARS家庭聚集性病例进行分析。结果 :朝阳区共发生家庭聚集性病例 175例 ,涉及 4 6户家庭 (族 ) ,死亡 32例 ,病死率 18.2 9%。家庭聚集性病例发病高峰在 4月中、下旬 ,病例数分别为 5 2例和 4 8例 ,占 5 7.14 %。男女发病性别比为 1∶ 1.30。发病年龄主要集中在 30～4 9岁年龄组 ,共 83例 ,占 4 7.4 2 %。死亡者以 5 0岁以上组居多 ,占死亡总数的 71.88% ,病死率随年龄的升高而上升 ,各年龄组之间病死率差异有显著性。家庭聚集性发病以楼梓庄乡、八里庄、左家庄和金盏乡较多 ,共计发生 5 2例 ,占 2 9.71%。其中 19户家庭 (族 )发生 2例病例 ,2 7户家庭 (族 )发生 2例以上 ,最多有 2户发生病例 11例。 31例首发病例发病前 2周有明确接触史 ,包括与 SARS病人接触 7例 ,因其他病在医院就诊、住院 16例及到医院探视 8例。家庭首发病例与二代病例发病时间间隔为 7d(中位数 )。结论 :控制 SARS家庭聚集性病例发生的关键是控制医院内感染及加强对高危人群的保护     

广州市芳村区传染性非典型肺炎流行病学分析

目的 通过对广州市芳村区传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)流行情况分析,初步探讨其流行规律与特征,为制定预防控制措施提供科学依据。方法 用描述性流行病学分析方法对芳村区发生的SARS病例进行分析。结果 2003年1月至5月,芳村区共发生SARS病例86例,死亡4例;病例以20～49岁为主,占63．95％;病例无明显的职业特点和地区差异;医院内感染并呈聚集性发病的病例共48例,占55．81％;有明确接触史的病例共51例,占59.30％。结论 芳村区的SARS疫情呈明显的聚集性和医院内感染,初步推断本次疫情与病区空气污染和近距离接触有关。     

广州市东山区传染性非典型肺炎流行病学调查分析

目的 了解广州市东山区传染性非典型肺炎(SARS)病例分布情况及其流行特征。方法 对东山区传染性非典型肺炎病倒进行流行病学调查及分析。结果 2003年1月17日东山区出现首例传染性非典型肺炎病例，最后一例发病时间为4月30日。共发生病例122例，死亡8例，病死率为6．56％。2月份为发病高峰，其发病人数占总发病人数的51．64％，3、4月份发病人数逐步下降；21～30岁年龄组和31～40岁年龄组发病例数分别占总数的25．41％和20．49％；医务人员发病在职业人群中发病最高，占总数的28．68％。结论 在采取了有效的预防控制措施后传染性非典型肺炎的流行在东山区内已受到遏制。     

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.     

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.     

Empathic processes: perception by medical students of patients'' anxiety and depression

Perceptions by medical students of patients' affective states were investigated, and the effect of the students' own emotions on such perceptions. One hundred and one fourth-year medical students rated the levels of anxiety and depression of three women patients presented on videotape, rated their own levels of anxiety and depression and completed a questionnaire on aspects of the rating process. Students had widely different and often inappropriate perceptions of patients' levels of anxiety and depression. Students who consistently overrated anxiety or depression in patients, compared to those who consistently underrated, were themselves significantly more anxious or depressed. These data suggest a need in medical education for systematic teaching of empathic skills and for recognition of potential bias in clinical decision-making arising from the clinician's own emotional state.     

The reported incidence of work-related ill-health in Scotland (2002-2003)

BACKGROUND: Although incidence data for work-related ill-health in the UK are available, more detailed information for smaller geographical areas has hitherto been unpublished. AIMS: To estimate the incidence of work-related ill-health reported by clinical specialists in Scotland, 2002-2003. METHODS: THOR (The Health and Occupation Reporting network) is a UK wide reporting scheme for work-related ill-health. In 2002-2003, 241 out of 2162 physicians in THOR were based in Scotland. We have summarized the reported cases and calculated incidence rates for categories of ill-health by age, gender and industry. The UK Labour Force Survey (2002) was used to provide denominator data, with comparisons made between rates for Scotland and the rest of the UK. RESULTS: In 2002-2003, 4043 estimated cases were reported from Scotland. Mental ill-health was most frequently reported (41%); followed by musculoskeletal disorders (31%), skin disorders (16%), respiratory disease (10%), hearing disorders (2%) and infection (1%). The reported average annual incidence rate per 100,000 employees for all work-related ill-health in Scotland was 86.0. The highest reported rate for mental ill-health was found for employees in public administration and defence (76.7 per 100,000), and health and social work (72.3 per 100,000). The construction industry had the highest reported rate of musculoskeletal disorders (41.6 per 100,000), while hairdressers appeared at most risk of developing occupational contact dermatitis (rate=86.4 per 100,000). CONCLUSIONS: Despite its limitations, THOR has indicated types of work-related ill-health and related industries for targeted disease prevention in Scotland.     

Function of the protein RPE65 in the visual cycle

A protein called RPE65 performs a key role in the trans-cis isomerization of retinol in the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye. The palmitoylation of RPE65 serves to switch off the visual cycle in darkness and to switch it on in the light.     

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.     

Acute symptoms following work with pesticides

BACKGROUND: Serious accidental poisoning by pesticides is rare in the UK, but more minor pesticide-related illness may be under-reported. Anecdotally, use of sheep dip has been linked with flu-like symptoms. AIM: To explore the frequency, nature and determinants of acute symptoms following work with pesticides. METHODS: A postal survey of men in three rural areas of England and Wales provided data on occupational use of five categories of pesticide, occurrence of 12 specified symptoms within 48 h of using pesticides and tendency to somatize. Risk factors for pesticide-related symptoms were assessed by modified Cox regression. RESULTS: Of 10 765 responders (response rate = 31%), 4108 had at some time used pesticides occupationally, including 935 (23%) who reported symptoms following such work on at least one occasion. In two areas, acute symptoms were most frequent following use of sheep dip (29 and 32% of users), but in the third area the rate was significantly lower (13% of users). The relative frequency of symptoms was similar for all five categories of pesticide, and flu-like symptoms did not cluster unusually among users of sheep dip. Risk of pesticide-related symptoms increased with somatizing tendency (prevalence ratio for highest versus lowest category 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.0-3.0) and was higher in men who had used pesticides most often or handled concentrate. CONCLUSION: Acute symptoms are common following work with pesticides, but in many cases the illness may arise through psychological rather than toxic mechanisms.