17染色体微卫星多态与原发性高血压关系的多因素分析

目的 探索D17S1878和D17S932位点多态性是否与原发性高血压存在关联.方法 在高血压高发区收集67个原发性高血压家系的流行病学资料,应用遗传分析仪分析D17S1878、D17S932位点的多态性,进行表型不一致家系同胞的病例对照研究,应用logistic回归方法进行多因素分析.结果 高血压受累同胞与非高血压受累同胞相比,年龄、男性、饮酒、平均收缩压、平均舒张压、BMI、总胆固醇、HDL-C、LDL-C均显著高于非高血压受累同胞(P＜0.05).D17S1878多态性位点共有11个等位基因,其等位基因频率在家系高血压者与非高血压者的分布,经Fisher's确切检验差异具有统计学意义(P=0.017).D17S932多态性位点共有9个等位基因,其等位基因频率在家系高血压者与非高血压者的分布,经Fisher's确切检验差异无统计学意义(P=0.559).logistic多因素分析结果显示,两个位点均没有进入模型,而年龄(OR=1.044,95%CI:1.019～1.069)、饮酒(OR=2.644,95%CI:1.778～3.932)、性格急躁(OR=3.078,95%CI:1.721～5.504)、甘油三酯(OR=1.305,95%CI:1.016～1.676)、LDL-C(OR=1.787,95%CI:1.296～2.646)进入模型,是原发性高血压的危险因素.结论 在原发性高血压家系中,D17S1878、D17S932多态性位点可能与原发性高血压无关联.     

中学生攻击行为与父母心理行为控制的相关性

探讨父母心理控制、行为控制与中学生攻击行为之间的关系,为青少年攻击行为的干预工作提供依据.方法 采用随机整群抽样法抽取蚌埠市初高中在校学生1 046名,使用父母心理控制和行为控制量表及攻击行为量表进行调查.结果 女生愤怒得分高于男生,男生攻击总分高于女生(t值分别为6.28,2.56,P值均<0.01);两两比较显示,初二学生攻击行为得分高于初三、高一和高二的学生(P值均<0.05).男、女生在父母控制总分、父亲行为和心理控制得分上差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为3.22,4.07,3.01,P值均<0.05);父母控制存在年级差异,两两比较显示,初中生父母控制水平高于高中生(P值均<0.05).父母控制与男女中学生的攻击性呈正相关(r值分别为0.16,0.29),其中父母的心理控制与男生的攻击性呈正相关(r值分别为0.26,0.23),父母的行为控制和父母的心理控制与女生的攻击性均呈正相关(r值分别为0.09,0.13,0.29,0.35)(P值均<0.05).Logistic回归分析显示,父亲(OR=0.50,95%CI=0.21~0.79)和母亲(OR=0.32,95%CI=0.02~ 0.62)的心理控制对男生的攻击行为具有预测性;对于女生而言,母亲的心理控制(OR=0.55,95%CI=0.23~0.87)和父母控制(OR=0.17,95%CI=0.01~0.33)可以预测女生的攻击行为(P值均<0.05).结论 中学生的攻击行为不容忽视,对父母控制进行有效干预可以预防和控制中学生的攻击行为.     

上海市社区35岁及以上人群高血压筛查结果分析

目的了解上海市社区高血压筛查对象的血压水平分布及影响因素,为新时期高血压早发现政策和措施的制定提供依据。方法于2017年11—12月,采用多阶段抽样方法抽取上海市7个区共21 496名35岁及以上常住居民为调查对象,进行问卷调查、身体测量和实验室检测。采用SAS 9.4软件进行复杂抽样下一般线性模型分析、Rao-Scottχ2检验、趋势χ2检验和多因素有序多分类反应变量的logistic回归分析。结果本次调查共有高血压筛查对象(自报未患高血压者)13 980名,其平均收缩压为130.6 mm Hg(95%CI:127.8～133.5 mm Hg),平均舒张压为81.3 mm Hg(95%CI:79.6～83.1 mm Hg)。男性平均收缩压[132.5 mm Hg(95%CI:128.4～136.5 mm Hg)]和平均舒张压[83.4 mm Hg(95%CI:81.0～85.7mm Hg)]均高于女性[平均收缩压为128.8 mm Hg(95%CI:126.5～131.2 mm Hg),平均舒张压为79.4 mm Hg(95%CI:77.9～80.8 mm Hg)],均有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01)。≥75岁组平均收缩压最高,为145.4 mm Hg(95%CI:141.8～149.0 mm Hg),而平均舒张压最高的是45～59岁组,为82.2 mm Hg(95%CI:80.1～84.3 mm Hg)。高血压筛查对象的高血压、正常高值检出比例分别为32.94%(95%CI:27.91%～37.96%)和45.62%(95%CI:42.90%～48.34%),男性高血压比例高于女性(P0.05),75岁以上年龄组高血压检出率最高,为61.57%(95%CI:52.95%～70.20%)。多因素回归分析表明,男性(OR=1.67,95%CI:1.43～1.95)、高年龄(45～59岁OR=1.53,95%CI:1.22～1.92;60～74岁OR=2.18,95%CI:1.83～2.59;≥75岁OR=5.08,95%CI:4.28～6.03)、现在饮酒(OR=1.30,95%CI:1.04～1.62)、糖尿病(OR=1.66,95%CI:1.30～2.11)、血脂异常(OR=1.45,95%CI:1.28～1.65)和超重或肥胖(OR=1.79,95%CI:1.61～1.98)人群血压水平升高的风险较高,均有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01),而文化程度较高人群(高中或中专OR=0.67,95%CI:0.53～0.85;大专及以上OR=0.62,95%CI:0.52～0.73)血压水平升高的风险较低,有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论社区高血压筛查对象的正常高值、高血压检出率较高。需探索多途径、高效的筛查和干预模式,重视高血糖、高血脂、超重肥胖和饮酒等高血压危险因素的控制。     

血清铁与原发性高血压关系

目的 探讨血清铁与高血压是否存在关联,为高血压病因研究奠定基础.方法 以黑龙江报社人群为调查对象,于2005年7月对该人群进行高血压横断面调查,测量血压、身高、体重、腰围、臀围并进行生活方式相关因素的调查.现场采集空腹静脉血,检测血脂、空腹血糖、血清铁等指标.统计分析采用SAS 9.1.3统计软件,计算相应指标在高血压组和对照组人群中的差异.结果 年龄、性别在高血压组与非高血压组差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01),2组的吸烟率和饮酒率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).高血压组的甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)水平均高于非高血压组(P＜0.01),高血压组的高密度脂蛋白(HDL)水平低于非高血压组(P＜0.05);高血压组体质指数(BMI)和腰臀比(WHR)均高于非高血压组(P＜0.01).高血压组空腹血糖高于非高血压组(P＜0.01).单因素分析显示,低水平血清铁与原发性高血压有关(P＜0.05),可能是保护因素(P＞0.05),血清铁增加不会增加患高血压的危险.用Logistic回归分析调整年龄、性别、饮酒、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖、BMI混杂因素后,血清铁与高血压的关联程度差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 血清铁与原发性高血压无关联.     

妊娠高血压患者血压变异性与尿微量白蛋白关系的研究

目的 探究妊娠高血压患者血压变异性与其尿微量白蛋白(MAU)的关系.方法 选取2014年10月至2016年10月期间成都市第五人民医院妇产科就诊的首诊妊娠高血压患者125例作为临床研究对象,根据患者的MAU水平将其分为MAU阳性试验组和MAU阴性对照组两组,其中MAU阳性试验组患者55例,MAU阴性对照组患者70例,同时回顾性分析患者的临床一般资料,比较两组患者的24h动态血压变化情况及血压变异参数的变化.结果 MAU阳性的试验组患者24h平均收缩压、24h平均舒张压、白天平均收缩压、夜间平均收缩压、白天平均舒张压、夜间平均舒张压等24h动态血压值均明显高于MAU阴性对照组患者,组间差异具有统计学意义(t =56.3 ～6.46,均P＜0.05).试验组患者的24h平均收缩压标准差、24h平均舒张压标准差、24h平均收缩压变异系数、24h平均舒张压变异系数等血压变异参数指标也明显高于对照组患者,组间差异具有统计学意义(f =4.53 ～6.46,均P＜0.05).结论 妊娠期高血压患者的血压变异性与患者的尿微量白蛋白水平具有明显相关性.MAU可做为妊娠期高血压患者肾功能早期损伤检测指标,且具有良好的临床应用价值.     

老年原发性高血压合并慢性肾脏病的影响因素

目的了解老年原发性高血压(EH)患者合并慢性肾脏病(CKD)情况,并探讨其影响因素。方法收集2018年3～9月在上海金山工业区社区卫生服务中心参加≥60岁居民健康体检的829例EH患者资料,根据是否合并CKD,分为合并CKD组和非合并CKD组,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归模型分析EH并发CKD的影响因素。结果老年EH患者中蛋白尿、eGFR下降、CKD检出率分别为23.64%、13.15%、30.64%,女性eGFR下降检出率高于男性,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。老年EH合并CKD和非合并CKD患者在糖尿病、超重/肥胖、高尿酸血症发生率和收缩压、舒张压、HDL-C、尿素氮、血清肌酐、血尿酸、eGFR水平及年龄方面比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示:年龄(OR=3.50,95%CI:2.57～4.78)、糖尿病(OR=1.80,95%CI:1.28～2.53)、收缩压≥140 mmHg(OR=2.07,95%CI:1.53～2.81)、高尿酸血症(OR=2.75,95%CI:2.00～3.78)是EH合并CKD的危险因素。结论老年原发性高血压患者的CKD患病率较高,年龄、糖尿病、血压水平、高尿酸血症是CKD的危险因素,因此需要重视CKD早期防治,控制危险因素,遏制CKD进展。     

原发性高血压患者血浆内皮素-1水平与血压及血压变异的相关性分析

目的研究血浆内皮素-1水平与高血压的关系,探讨高血压患者血浆内皮素-1水平对血压变异的影响,阐明高血压患者血浆内皮素-1水平与血压及血压变异的关系。方法 2012年1月—2013年12月筛选104例高血压患者作为高血压组,并根据血压数值及靶器官损害情况分为高血压1级组36例、高血压2级组36例和高血压3级组32例,筛选同期健康体检者45例作为对照组。所有对象均进行无创性24 h动态血压监测,次日清晨空腹抽取肘静脉血,测定血浆内皮素-1水平。计量资料采用t检验或单因素方差分析,两变量间相关性分析采用Pearson线性相关,多因素分析采用多元线性回归分析,P0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果高血压1级组、高血压2级组和高血压3级组血浆内皮素-1水平分别为(2.66±0.97)、(3.93±1.77)、(5.79±2.31)ng/ml,均明显高于对照组的(1.31±0.11)ng/ml,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。血浆内皮素-1水平与24 h平均收缩压、24 h平均舒张压均呈显著正相关(r=0.637、0.879,均P0.05)。血浆内皮素-1水平与24 h收缩压变异系数、24 h舒张压变异系数呈显著正相关(r=0.863、0.633,均P0.05)。多元逐步回归分析表明,24 h平均收缩压(OR=1.47,95%CI为1.03~2.13)、24 h平均舒张压(OR=2.13,95%CI为1.16~3.98)、24 h收缩压变异系数(OR=2.44,95%CI为1.32~4.76)及24 h舒张压变异系数(OR=0.47,95%CI为0.24~0.85)是内皮素-1水平的影响因素。结论进一步证实了血浆内皮素-1的水平不仅与血压升高有关,而且与血压变异性关系密切。据此我们推论血浆内皮素-1可能参与高血压的发生、发展机制,血压水平及血压变异是导致内皮素-1水平升高的危险因素。     

中国7～10岁儿童腹型肥胖与血压的关系

目的 分析中国7 ～10岁儿童腹型肥胖与血压的关系.方法 采用2010年全国学生体质与健康调研数据,选取身高、体重、腰围和血压资料完整的7～10岁儿童青少年作为研究对象,共计40 495名.利用中国肥胖工作组(WGOC)制定的BMI超重、肥胖筛查标准和腰围身高比(WHtR)＞0.46判定体形,将研究对象分为正常体形、单纯腹型肥胖、腹型肥胖合并外周型肥胖(简称复合型肥胖)和其他体形;以血压高于2010年全国学生同性别、同年龄收缩压和(或)舒张压第95百分位数(P95)界值判定为血压偏高.描述单纯腹型肥胖、复合型肥胖和血压偏高的检出情况;并按相同性别、年龄(相差±0.5岁)、身高(相差±0.3 cm)以1∶1∶1相互匹配正常体形、单纯腹型肥胖、复合型肥胖3种体形儿童青少年,每组分别为2165名,利用x2检验、方差分析及多水平模型分析腹型肥胖与血压的关系.结果 40 495名研究对象,包括男生20 175名,女生20 320名;单纯腹型肥胖检出率为6.36％(2576/40495),男生为7.41％(1494/20 175),女生为5.32％(1082/20 320);复合型肥胖检出率为16.33％(6611/40 495),男生为21.30％(4298/20 175),女生为11.38％(2313/20 320);男女生体形分布差异有统计学意义(x2=869.01,P＜0.01).血压偏高检出率为9.62％(3896/40 495),男生[10.05％(2028/20 175)]高于女生[9.19％(1868/20 320)](x2=8.59,P＜0.01).复合型肥胖组收缩压、舒张压数值[男生:(103.8±11.3)、(64.7±10.1)mm Hg(1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa);女生:(102.9±12.1)、(64.5±10.0)mm Hg],高于单纯腹型肥胖组[男生:(99.5±11.2)、(61.6±9.9)mm Hg;女生:(99.6±11.4)、(62.6±9.3)mm Hg]高于正常体形组[男生:(97.4±10.8)、(60.5±9.4)mm Hg;女生:(97.2±10.8)、(60.8±9.4) mm Hg],差异有统计学意义(男生:F值分别为113.22、62.05;女生:F值分别为54.19、32.31,P值均＜0.01).多水平分析结果示:复合型、单纯型肥胖组较正常体形组,男生收缩压分别升高6.0、1.8 mm Hg(Wald x2值分别为17.55、204.94,P值均＜0.01),舒张压分别升高4.0、0.9 mm Hg(Wald x2值分别为6.37、114.05,P值均＜0.05);女生收缩压分别升高5.0、2.1 mm Hg(Wald x2值分别为16.47、92.52,P值均＜0.01),舒张压分别高3.5、1.6 mm Hg(Wald x2值分别为12.29、57.52,P值均＜0.01).单纯腹型肥胖男生收缩压偏高的风险高于正常体形男生[OR=1.48(95％ CI:1.06 ～ 2.06)],复合型肥胖男[收缩压:OR=3.06(95％ CI:2.28 ～4.11);舒张压:OR =2.72(95％ CI:1.99～3.72)]、女生[收缩压:OR=2.48(95％ CI:1.75 ～3.53);舒张压:OR =2.64(95％CI:1.82 ～3.93)]收缩压和舒张压偏高的风险均高于正常体型者.结论 单纯腹型肥胖是儿童青少年血压升高的相关因素,复合型肥胖与血压升高的关系更为密切.     

儿童青少年血脂水平与血压相关性

目的分析宁夏银川、吴忠市儿童青少年血脂水平与血压的关系。方法采用分层整群随机抽样方法,于2013年9月在宁夏银川和吴忠市抽取学生2 331人,对其进行问卷调查、血压测定及血脂水平测定。结果研究对象高血压检出率为18.6%;不同年龄组儿童青少年高血压检出率差异有统计学意义(χ~2=116.186,P=0.000),10岁年龄组高血压检出率最高,为32.7%。不同年龄组血脂异常检出率及其水平有差异(均P0.05),血脂异常组收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)水平均高于血脂正常组(P0.001),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、总胆固醇(TC)高血压检出率异常组高于正常组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);不同体质指数(BMI)水平下SBP、DBP水平差异均有统计学意义(P0.01),高血压检出率肥胖组超重组正常组。进一步二元logistic回归分析结果表明,年龄(OR=0.754,90%CI=0.717~0.793)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)(OR=0.594,90%CI=0.424~0.832)、LDL-C(OR=1.550,90%CI=1.272~1.840)、甘油三酯(TG)(OR=1.733,90%CI=1.546~1.944)、TC(OR=1.502,90%CI=1.357~1.663)、BM I(OR=1.173,90%CI=1.134~1.213)、高血压家族史(OR=1.282,90%CI=1.050~1.660)均与高血压相关。结论儿童青少年高血压检出率处于较高水平,血脂可能是血压的影响因素,HDL-C是高血压的保护性因素,LDL-C、TG、TC、BMI、高血压家族史均是高血压的危险性因素。     

童年期虐待经历和亲子关系与中学生自伤行为的关联

了解童年期虐待经历和亲子关系与中学生非自杀性自伤行为(non-suicidal self-injury,NSSI)的关联,为中学生NSSI的防控提供参考.方法 采用分层整群抽样方法,选取深圳、郑州、南昌和贵阳4个地区14 500名在校中学生,采用儿童期虐待问卷、亲子关系问卷、NSSI问卷进行调查.结果 中学生NSSI检出率为14.81%,男生(15.95%)高于女生(13.64%),差异有统计学意义(x2=15.29,P<0.01).多因素Logistic回归模型显示,中、高水平童年期虐待(OR值分别为2.23,3.27)以及低水平的父亲/子女和母亲/子女关系(OR值分别为1.80,1.36)均与中学生高NSSI检出率相关联(P值均<0.01).在低、中、高童年期虐待水平组,低水平的父亲/子女关系与中学生高NSSI检出率相关联(OR值分别为1.36,1.34,1.56,P值均<0.05);在高水平童年期虐待组,低水平的母亲/子女关系与中学生高NSSI检出率相关联(OR=1.20,P<0.05).男生在高水平童年期虐待组中,低水平的父子关系和母子关系均与中学生高NSSI检出率相关联(OR值分别为1.46,1.35,P值均<0.01);女生在各童年期虐待水平组中,低水平的父女关系均与其NSSI的检出率相关联(OR值分别为1.64,1.54,1.68,P值均<0.01).结论 童年期虐待经历和不良亲子关系均与中学生NSSI相关联,并表现为一定的性别差异.预防童年期虐待,改善亲子关系,有益于中学生NSSI的防控.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.