Rhinovirus infections in Tecumseh, Michigan: frequency of illness and number of serotypes

We studied rhinovirus-associated illnesses from 1976 to 1981 among residents of the community of Tecumseh, Michigan, in a continuation of similar studies done in 1966-1971. Rhinoviruses were the most frequently isolated respiratory pathogen in all age groups, including young children. The pattern of age-specific isolation rates was similar to that for total respiratory illness. Rhinovirus-associated illnesses were generally mild but of relatively long duration; restriction of daily activity was frequent, especially in certain age groups. Typing of all isolates has been completed; with high-quality antisera nearly all isolates could be typed. Thus, new serotypes are probably not evolving, and most have already been identified. Differences in frequency of occurrences of different serotypes were evident, but ranking in order of importance was difficult based on existing data.     

Repeat Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for Progressive Hepatic Carcinoid Metastases Provides Results Similar to First TACE

Background Transarterial chemoemobolization (TACE) is commonly used to treat metastatic carcinoid tumors; however, the management of progressive disease is less clear. We sought to determine if patients with disease progression after TACE would benefit from repeat TACE. Methods The records of 27 patients undergoing repeat TACE for radiologic or symptomatic progression after TACE for metastatic carcinoid were reviewed and compared to 122 undergoing first TACE. Overall and progression-free survivals were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results Mean disease-free interval after first TACE was 11.8 months. Radiologic response was observed in 61% compared to 82% after first TACE (p = 0.058); hormone response in 64% compared to 80% (p = 0.159); and symptomatic response in 77% compared to 92% (p = 0.053). The complication rate after repeat TACE was lower than after first TACE (p = 0.03). Median overall survival was similar after repeat (28.1 months) and first TACE (33.3 months) (p = 0.53). Progression-free survival was shorter after repeat TACE but not significantly so. No factor examined could predict survival after repeat TACE. Conclusion Repeat TACE for patients with hepatic carcinoid metastases failing first TACE or having evidence of disease progression is safe and offers a viable treatment option. Presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Washington, DC, May, 2007.     

Inability to assess breath sounds during air medical transport by helicopter

This study assessed the capabilities of a traditional and an amplified stethoscope used by flight nurses to assess breath sound during air medical transport in an MBB BO-105 helicopter. We developed a normal breath sound model using a prerecorded tape of breath sounds interspersed with segments without breath sounds; the recorder had been placed in the chest wall of a resuscitation training manikin. Flight nurses completed control listening sessions in a quiet environment and experimental sessions during flight using a traditional stethoscope for half of the sessions and an amplified stethoscope for the remaining half. In the quiet environment, flight nurses accurately reported the presence or absence of breath sounds in 110 (92%) of 120 trials. During helicopter flight, none of the flight nurses heard breath sounds during any of the recorded segments with either the traditional stethoscope or the amplified stethoscope. We conclude that flight nurses are unable to hear normal breath sounds using a traditional or amplified stethoscope during flight in a medically configured MBB BO-105 helicopter. Improved stethoscopes, innovative methods of listening, and reduction of aircraft noise are potential solutions to the problems of breath sound assessment during air medical transport.     

上海市某区警察心理健康状况和生活质量的时点调查

目的调查警察心理健康状况和生命质量的基本流行学资料。方法采用梅奥心理服务问卷,主要内容为心理健康状况和生命质量测定等。在上海市某公安分局内进行截断面时点调查。结果1共调查警员1611人,男性91.5%,女性8.5%,年龄28.8±17.5岁。2GHQ的平均得分:1.5±2.31,存在可能心理障碍倾向者比例15.3%,可能存在重度心理障碍者比例2.9%。3SCL-90总分大于160分者比例17.2%;单项分大于2分比例最高的是强迫症状因子(19.5%),睡眠饮食因子次之(12.8%),躯体化症状因子(12.6%)第3位,敌对因子(12.4%)处于第4位。4健康变化、总体健康感、心理健康和生命活力得分是相对最低的维度。结论1在警察群体中存在心理障碍者比例远高于一般市民,生活质量一些维度相对较差;2建立长效机制是维护和保证警察心理健康和生活质量的有效手段。