全国卫生监督机构中食品安全监督岗位人员结构分析

目的:了解全国卫生监督机构中食品安全监督岗位的设置情况及人员数量、学历、学位、专业等基本信息,分析其差异及存在的问题,为食品安全监督岗位人才队伍建设提供参考。材料与方法:从普查获得的全国卫生监督机构人员基本资料中,选取食品安全监督岗位人员数据,应用SPSS 16.0软件进行统计分析。结果:在全国仍设有食品安全监督岗位的卫生监督机构已不到调查机构总数的一半,设岗比例以中部和省级最高,东部和县级最低;人员均数为7.08人,以西部最少,省级最多;学历在专科以上的比例为69.64%;无学位比例超过七成;专业以公共卫生与预防医学为最多,占31.36%。结论:中部地区和市级机构食品安全监管的职能移出相对较慢,应加快调整步伐。在既有模式下,人员配备在西部地区明显不足,应予以有效补充;人员整体受教育程度不高,尤其是中部和县级;所学专业差异较大,以东部和省级的构成相对较合理,中部和县级无专业人员较多。     

Is relatively young age within a school year a risk factor for mental health problems and poor school performance? A population-based cross-sectional study of adolescents in Oslo,Norway

Background  

Several studies have shown that children who are relatively young within a school year are at greater risk for poorer school performance compared with their older peers. One study also reported that relative age within a school year is an independent risk factor for emotional and behavioral problems. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that relatively younger adolescents in the multiethnic population of Oslo have poorer school performance and more mental health problems than their relatively older classmates within the same school year.     

Sensitivity of Lamprey Ammocoetes to Six Chemicals

As part of the ecological risk assessment for Portland Harbor Superfund site, a study was conducted to address the question of whether the use of surrogate species in the risk assessment would be protective of lamprey ammocoetes. The study evaluated the acute toxicity of six chemicals: pentachlorophenol, copper, diazinon, aniline, naphthalene, and lindane; these chemicals represent the toxic modes of action of oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler, gill dysfunction, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, polar narcosis, narcosis, and central nervous system interference, respectively. Field-collected lamprey ammocoetes were exposed to each of the six chemicals in a definitive 96-h flow-through acute water-only toxicity test. LC₅₀s were calculated for pentachlorophenol at 31 μg/l, copper at 46 μg/l, diazinon at 8.9 mg/l, and aniline at 430 mg/l. Species sensitivity distributions based on LC₅₀s for aquatic organisms indicated that lamprey ammocoetes were relatively sensitive to pentachlorophenol (15th percentile). The sensitivity of lamprey ammocoetes to copper approximated the average of aquatic species tested (46th percentile). Lamprey ammocoetes were relatively insensitive to diazinon and aniline (72th and 90th percentile, respectively). The 96-h LC₅₀ for naphthalene was estimated at 10 mg/l, based on 50% mortality in the highest concentration. Based on a comparison with LC₅₀s for four other fish species, ranging from 2.0 to 6.6 mg/l, lamprey ammocoetes were relatively insensitive to naphthalene. A 96-h LC₅₀ could not be derived for lindane, with 12.5% mortality in the highest test concentration of 2.68 mg/l. LC₅₀s for numerous other fish species ranged from 0.001 to 0.24 mg/l, indicating that lamprey ammocoetes were relatively insensitive to lindane. The study concluded that the use of surrogate species in the ecological risk assessment for Portland Harbor would be protective of lamprey ammocoetes.     

Binding forms of toxic heavy metals, mechanisms of entrance of heavy metals into the food chain, and possible measures to reduce levels in foodstuff.

The literature on binding forms of toxic heavy metals is evaluated. In terrestrial ecosystems mercury—with the exception of mushrooms—generally does not enter the food chain in significant quantities, because of its chelation by soil organic matter and its binding to functional groups of cell walls in plant roots. In aquatic ecosystems uptake and accumulation of mercury by organisms occur because of methylation of Hg²⁺ by methylcobalamin produced by microorganisms. Cadmium enters the human food chain mainly via the terrestrial pathway resulting from increasing input into terrestrial ecosystems and its relatively high mobility. In aquatic systems edible molluscs may be a significant source of cadmium because cadmium is concentrated within particulate matter, which is taken up by these organisms. Lead in human diet stems mainly from particles sedimented on food plants containing predominately PbSO₄. Lead is taken up by plants in significant quantities only at relatively high levels in soils and at low pH values. Because of its preferential binding to particulate matter in aquatic ecosystems lead is accumulated in relatively high amounts by certain molluscs especially in contaminated waters.     

Accidents in the first three years of life

This study is concerned with a group of normal children. It reports a correlation between the condition of a baby at birth, as recorded by a modified Apgar scale, and a future history of accidental injury before age three. Various other behavioural characteristics were also associated with having scored relatively poorly on the Apgar type scale; in addition, there was some evidence that the pregnancies and previous obstetric histories of the mothers of poor birth status babies had been different. Possible connections between the behavioural characteristics and a liability to accidental injury are discussed, as is the part played by the relatively poor status at birth.     

Children's blood lead levels in the lead smelting town of Port Pirie, South Australia

This survey included 1,239 children, representing 50% of the elementary school population of the lead smelting town of Port Pirie. Of these children, 7% had a capillary blood lead level equal to or greater than 30 micrograms/dl, which is the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council's "level of concern." There was a statistically significant difference in capillary lead levels by area of residence that was independent of age, sex, soil lead, rainwater tank lead, and school attended. A case-control study indicated that the following subset of factors was most predictive of an elevated blood lead level: household members who worked with lead in their occupations; living in a house with flaking paint on the outside walls; biting finger nails; eating lunch at home on school days; when at school, appearing to have relatively dirty clothing; when at school, appearing to have relatively dirty hands; and living on a household block with a large area of exposed dirt. A program to reduce the risk of elevated blood lead levels in Port Pirie children has been introduced.     

Evolution of innate and adaptive immune genes in a non-model waterbird,the common tern

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are the key pathogen-recognition genes of vertebrate immune system and they have a crucial role in the initiation of innate and adaptive immune response, respectively. Recent advancements in sequencing technology sparked research on highly duplicated MHC genes in non-model species, but TLR variation in natural vertebrate populations has remained little studied and comparisons of polymorphism across both TLRs and MHC are scarce. Here, we aimed to compare variation across innate (four TLR loci) and adaptive (MHC class I and class II) immune genes in a non-model avian species, the common tern Sterna hirundo. We detected relatively high allelic richness at TLR genes (9–48 alleles per locus), which was similar to or even higher than the estimated per locus allelic richness at the MHC (24–30 alleles at class I and 13–16 alleles at class II under uniform sample sizes). Despite this, the total number of MHC alleles across all duplicated loci (four class I and three class II) was much higher and MHC alleles showed greater sequence divergence than TLRs. Positive selection targeted relatively more sites at the MHC than TLRs, but the strength of selection (dN/dS ratios) at TLRs was higher when compared to MHC class I. There were also differences in the signature of positive selection and recombination (gene conversion) between MHC class I and II (stronger signature at class II), suggesting that mechanisms maintaining variation at the MHC may vary between both classes. Our study indicates that allelic richness of both innate and adaptive immune receptors may be maintained at relatively high levels in viable avian populations and we recommend a transition from the traditional gene-specific to multi-gene approach in studying molecular evolution of vertebrate immune system.     

Lower age at menarche affects survival in older Australian women: results from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing

Background  

While menarche indicates the beginning of a woman's reproductive life, relatively little is known about the association between age at menarche and subsequent morbidity and mortality. We aimed to examine the effect of lower age at menarche on all-cause mortality in older Australian women over 15 years of follow-up.     

Self-rated health as a comprehensive indicator of lifestyle-related health status

Objectives

To evaluate the usefulness of self-rated health (SRH) as a comprehensive indicator of lifestyle-related health status by examining the relationships between SRH and: (1) history of cancer and cardiovascular disease; (2) treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia; (3) abnormalities in clinical parameters including blood pressure, fasting glucose, and lipids; and (4) lifestyle habits.

Methods

3744 health-check examinees at Tokai University Hachioji Hospital seen between April 2009 and March 2010 were enrolled. SRH was graded as “good,” “relatively good,” “relatively poor,” or “poor.” For statistical comparison, the differences among “healthy” (=good), “relatively healthy” (=relatively good), and “unhealthy” (=relatively poor plus poor) groups were examined. Mantel–Haenszel odds ratios were calculated to remove the confounding effect of age, using the healthy group as the reference. The Mantel-extension method was used as a trend test.

Results

1049 subjects rated their health as good, 2194 as relatively good, 428 as relatively poor, and 73 as poor. The prevalence of all diseases showed significant odds ratios and trends as SRH deteriorated. Obesity, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and lipids deteriorated significantly as SRH became poorer, and a trend was observed in all parameters. Weight change, exercise, smoking, and rest showed significant odds ratios and trends as SRH deteriorated.

Conclusion

SRH appears useful as a comprehensive indicator of lifestyle-related health status.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12199-012-0274-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Long duration measurements of whole-body vibration exposures associated with surface coal mining equipment compared to previous short-duration measurements

Previous measurements of whole-body vibration associated with earth-moving equipment at surface coal mines have highlighted the significance of the hazard. Considerable variability in measurement amplitudes, even within the same equipment type operated at the same site, has been noted. However, the measurements have previously been undertaken for relatively short durations. Fifty-nine measurements were collected from a range of earth-moving equipment in operation at a surface coal mine. Measurement durations ranged from 100–460 min (median = 340 min). The results indicate that the measurements previously observed are not an artifact of the relatively short durations and confirm that operators of dozers and off-road haul trucks, in particular, are frequently exposed to vertical whole-body vibration levels which lie within, or above, the Health Guidance Caution Zone defined by ISO2631.1. Further investigations are justified to identify opportunities for reducing operators' exposure to high amplitude vibrations.     

安徽省2013-2021监测年度流感流行特征及感染风险的相关因素分析

目的 分析安徽省流感流行特征与量化不同因素对流感发生的影响,为更好地开展流感防控工作提供科学依据。方法 资料来源于中国流感监测信息系统2013年4月1日至2021年3月31日安徽省网络报告数据,对2013-2021监测年度安徽省的流感样病例(ILI)和RT-PCR结果进行描述性分析和影响因素分析。结果 安徽省2013年4月1日至2021年3月31日哨点医院ILI就诊百分比(ILI%)为3.80%(1 209 142/31 779 987),总体呈上升趋势,其中2017-2018监测年度较高,为4.30%(191 148/4 448 211)。0~4岁婴幼儿的ILI构成比较高(54.14%,654 676/1 209 142);安徽省阜阳市ILI%较高(6.25%,236 863/3 788 863)。实验室监测结果显示,8家流感监测年度哨点医院ILI中流感阳性率为16.38%(34 868/212 912),总体呈逐年上升趋势,其中2017-2018监测年度较高,为26.19%(6 936/26 488)。5~14岁学龄儿童阳性率较高(28.81%,13 869/48 144),16个城市中芜湖市阳性率较高(22.01%,2 693/122 237)。流感活动呈现冬春季单峰与冬春季、夏季双峰的交替,且各亚型交替流行,夏季流感优势亚型为A(H3N2)亚型。多因素logistic回归模型结果显示,2017-2018监测年度、5~14岁儿童、冬季、皖南地区的阳性率更高。结论 2013-2021监测年度安徽省流感流行具有明显的季节性,且在2013-2021监测年度ILI%和流感阳性率呈现上升趋势。因此,提示应在冬春流感季到来之前保障疫苗供应,同时加强疫苗接种健康教育,以避免流感高发期的感染风险。     

Development and validation of a psychosocial screening instrument for cancer

Background  

We are reporting on the development of a psychosocial screening tool for cancer patients. The tool was to be brief, at a relatively low reading level, capture psychological variables relevant to distress and health-related quality-of-life in cancer patients, possess good reliability and validity, and be free of copyright protection.     

In vitro cultivation of the rickettsial agent of trench fever

Although trench fever appears to be endemic in many areas of the world, recognition of the disease has been handicapped by the difficulties of making a clinical diagnosis and the unavailability of a simple laboratory procedure to establish the etiology. The author describes a method for the in vitro cultivation of Rickettsia quintana that provides a relatively simple means for the laboratory diagnosis of trench fever. R. quintana can be propagated with ease from the blood of patients directly on blood agar incubated at 37°C for 12-14 days under a gas tension of 5% CO₂ in air. The number of rickettsiae circulating in the patient''s peripheral blood can be quantitated. The protracted rickettsiaemia in trench fever makes for a relatively long period during which blood culture can be usefully employed.     

Thermal effusivity: a promising imaging biomarker to predict radiation-induced skin injuries

ABSTRACT: An effective screening technology is needed to triage individuals at the time of radiation incidents involving a large population. Three-dimensional thermal tomography is a relatively new development in active thermal imaging technology that produces cross-sectional images based on the subject's ability to transfer heat-thermal effusivity-at the voxel level. This noninvasive imaging modality has been used successfully in nondestructive examination of complex materials; also it has been shown to predict the severity of radiation-induced skin injuries several days before the manifestation of severe moist desquamations or blister formation symptoms in mice at 40 Gy. If these results are confirmed at lower dose levels in human subjects, a thermal tomography imaging device may be an ideal screening tool in radiation emergencies. This imaging method is non-invasive, relatively simple, easily adaptable for field use, and when properly deployed, it will enhance public emergency preparedness for incidents involving unexpected radiation exposure.     

Unique immunogenicity of hepatitis B virus DNA vaccine presented by live-attenuated Salmonella typhimurium

A novel vaccine for hepatitis B virus (HBV) was designed by putting a naked DNA vaccine carrying hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) into live-attenuated Salmonella typhimurium. Mucosal immunization by the oral route in mice showed significantly stronger cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response than recombinant HBsAg vaccination (P < 0.01 at an effector:target ratio of 100:1), while comparable to intramuscular naked DNA immunization at all effector:target ratios. Contrary to previous reports on naked DNA vaccines given intramuscularly, the IgG antibody response induced by the mucosal DNA vaccine is relatively weak when compared to recombinant HBsAg vaccine (P < 0.001 at day 21). These findings are supported by a high interferon-gamma but a low interleukin-4 level detected in the supernatant of splenic cell cultures obtained from mucosally immunized mice. As distinct to recombinant HBsAg vaccine which is effective for protection, oral mucosal DNA vaccine should be considered as a candidate for therapeutic immunization in chronic HBV infection, donor immunization before adoptive transfer of HBV-specific CTL to HBsAg positive bone marrow transplant recipients, and immunization of non-responders to recombinant HBsAg vaccine. This strongly cellular and relatively absent humoral response may make this vaccine a better candidate as a therapeutic vaccine for chronic HBV carriers than naked DNA vaccines, as the humoral response is relatively less important for the clearance of HBV from hepatocytes, but its presence may lead to side effects such as serum sickness and immune complex deposition in chronic HBV carriers.     

Osteoporosis Management: Physicians' Recommendations and Womens' Compliance Following Osteoporosis Testing

ABSTRACT

Physicians use several pharmaceutical agents (e.g., hormone replacement therapy [HRT], calcitonin, bisphosphonates, calcium, and vitamin D) to manage osteoporosis. However, relatively little research has examined how physicians employ these agents in osteoporosis management. Additionally, researchers have not examined compliance with these treatments following the measurement of bone mass. Using a mail survey, we examined physicians' recommendation of, and women's compliance with, osteoporosis treatment modalities (stratified by fracture risk at the femoral neck and age) following bone mass measurement. We found that physicians recommended non-HRT treatment more often than HRT treatment to women with an increased risk of fracture, and women's acceptance of recommended treatments was relatively high following the measurement of bone mass.     

山东省重点中学学生健康知识水平及其对健康教育的态度

目的了解中学生健康知识水平和对健康教育的态度情况,为教育主管部门、学校和教师合理地、有针对性地解决存在的问题提供依据。方法采取分层抽样的方法在山东省部分市县抽取重点初中和高中学生1867人,采用自行设计的调查问卷,对调查对象的健康知识知晓情况与对健康教育的态度进行调查。结果山东省重点中学学生的健康知识总体水平较高,经济发达地区学生的健康知识水平明显高于其他地区的中学生;高中学生的健康知识水平明显高于初中学生;女生的健康知识水平比男生高;认为健康教育是重要的比例较高,93.7%的中学生认识到开设健康教育课是重要的,92.3%的中学生愿意接受健康教育,94.2%的中学生愿意养成良好的卫生习惯和采取健康的生活方式。结论山东省重点初中高中学生健康知识知晓率较高,对健康教育的态度较明确,这与近年来我国小学普及健康教育课有关,但还有一些知识知晓率相对较低,应该加强。     

Bioaccessibility of Metals in Soils at Typical Legacy Industrial Sites: In Vitro Evaluation Using Physiologically-Based Extraction

Risk assessment of soil metal pollution based on total metal contents might give overestimates by neglecting the bioaccessibility of the pollutants to soil biota. Physiologically-based extraction tests (PBET) are in vitro methods for evaluation of bioaccessibility of soil pollutants. A total of 27 soil samples collected from four types of legacy industrial site representing metal smelting, lead-acid battery factories, chemical plants and steel plants were analyzed for the bioaccessibility of six potentially toxic metals using a PBET method. The metal pollutants at the industrial sites depended on the former industrial processes and emissions. The highest proportions of gastric phase and intestinal phase in these soil samples were 43.9% for Cd and 27% for Cu, respectively. Factors affecting metal bioaccessibility included type of industry and soil properties. The soils at a lead-acid battery factory showed relatively high bioaccessibility of Pb, Zn and Cd and those at the steel plant showed relatively low metal bioaccessibility. Soil organic matter and clay contents were positively related to metal bioaccessibility but soil pH and CEC showed negative relationships. Further studies are recommended to determine the speciation of the bioaccessible metals in these soils.

     

Relationships among total lipid, lipid classes, and polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in two indigenous populations of ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa) over an annual cycle

Two indigenous ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) populations were sampled approximately every four weeks during 1997 to investigate the relationships among concentrations of total lipid, lipid classes, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). One population was located in a highly contaminated area near a Superfund site (New Bedford Harbor, MA, USA), while the other population was located at a relatively clean site (West Island, Fairhaven, MA, USA). Mussel tissue total PCB concentrations (quantified as the sum of 18 congeners) from the contaminated site were two orders of magnitude greater than those at the clean site. Total lipid and triacylglycerol (TG) also were higher at the contaminated site. No significant relationship (p > 0.05) was observed between total PCBs and total lipid at either location; however, the correlations at both sites increased when total PCBs were compared with total TG or, to a lesser extent, total nonpolar lipid. Principal component analysis and linear discriminatory analysis indicated that the two mussel populations could be distinguished by the proportions of their lipid classes, particularly the concentration of nonpolar lipids, which consisted mainly of TG. These results suggest that the standard method of normalizing organism PCB concentrations to total lipid may not be appropriate as a routine practice, especially when the organism has a relatively low total lipid content (<6% dry wt in this study).