Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Workers,Turin, Italy

We measured severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein subunits S1/S2 antibodies by using capillary electrophoresis and a chemiluminescence immunoassay for 5,444 active healthcare workers in Italy. Seroprevalence was 6.9% and higher among participants having contact with patients. Seroconversion was not observed in 37/213 previously infected participants.     

Influenza cases in nine aged care facilities in Sydney,Australia over a three-year surveillance period, 2018—2020

BackgroundInfluenza outbreaks in aged care facilities are a major public health concern. In response to the severe 2017 influenza season in Australia, enhanced influenza vaccines were introduced from 2018 onwards for those over 65 and more emphasis was placed on improving vaccination rates among aged care staff. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts were then further escalated to reduce the additional burden that influenza could pose to facilities.MethodsAn observational epidemiological study was conducted from 2018 to 2020 in nine Sydney (Australia) aged care facilities of the same provider. De-identified vaccination data and physical layout data were collected from participating facility managers from 2018 to 2020. Active surveillance of influenza-like illness was carried out from 2018 to 2020 influenza seasons. Correlation and Poisson regression analyses were carried out to explore the relationship between physical layout variables to occurrence of influenza cases.ResultsInfluenza cases were low in 2018 and 2019, and there were no confirmed influenza cases identified in 2020. Vaccination rates increased among staff by 50.5% and residents by 16.8% over the three-year period of surveillance from 2018 to 2020. For each unit increase in total number of beds, common areas, single rooms, all types of rooms (including double occupancy rooms), the influenza cases increased by 1.02 (95% confidence interval:1.018–1.025), 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.019–1.073), 1.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.016–1 0.038) and 1.02 (95% confidence interval:1.005–1.026) times which were found to be statistically significant. For each unit increase in the proportion of shared rooms, influenza cases increased by 1.004 (95% confidence interval:1.0001–1.207) which was found to be statistically significant.ConclusionsThere is a relationship between influenza case counts and aspects of the physical layout such as facility size, and this should be considered in assessing risk of outbreaks in aged care facilities. Increased vaccination rates in staff and COVID-19 prevention and control measures may have eliminated influenza in the studied facilities in 2020.     

Predictive equation for acquisition of hepatitis B in hospital workers in a general hospital

A cross-sectional study was performed to obtain risk factors for hepatitis B disease, HBsAg carriers and immunised personnel, among 2470 workers in a general hospital in Madrid, Spain. The data obtained were analyzed with multiple logistic regression to obtain coefficients for variables. The results of the analysis show that being a nurse or being regularly exposed to blood are the most important risk factors for hepatitis B acquisition. The length of time working at the same job activity was also a risk factor. The resulting coefficients allow the construction of a predictive equation for non-immunised, HBsAg carrier and immunised HBV status, which can select subjects for a hepatitis B vaccination program.     

UV-Cured PDMS for Oil Removal from Wastewater

The removal of oil from water is a worldwide challenge that must be faced to avoid irreversible marine habitat destruction. A novel fast and simple technique to obtain polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes is developed using the photopolymerization technique. The high reactivity of the acrylated PDMS formulation toward photo-induced free radical polymerization is assessed via the differential scanning photo-calorimetry (photo-DSC) technique. Two different membranes dense or porous are developed and investigated. Porous membranes, having 100–200 µm as pore size, are obtained using a low-cost environmentally friendly sodium chloride template. Thanks to the hydrophobic/oleophilic intrinsic characteristic of PDMS, the UV-cured membranes can selectively remove dodecane, selected as the target oil, from water. The dodecane sorption capability of both membranes is investigated and compared. Moreover, the membranes can be easily reused since the adsorbed oil can be recovered by simply compressing the membrane. Those PDMS sorbents show high mechanical stability after five adsorption/desorption cycles.     

蓖麻油餐用于晚期妊娠引产118例分析

目的：观察蓖麻油餐用于晚期妊娠引产的疗效。方法：随机选择１１８例服用蓖麻油餐引产与同期１０６例催产素引产作对照,观察引产效果、产程、产后出血及新生儿评分。结果：观察组引产效率明显高于对照组（Ｐ＜００５）,剖宫产率明显低于对照组（Ｐ＜００５）,两组的产后出血和新生儿阿氏评分无显著性差异（Ｐ＞００５）。结论：蓖麻油引产优于催产素引产。     

硅油继发青光眼的发病相关因素及治疗的初步探讨

探讨硅油继发青光眼的发病相关因素及治疗。方法对行玻璃体切割,硅油注入术的２７５例患者术后随访结果进行回顾性研究。结果硅油继发青光眼的发病率为１１．３％,随着硅油在眼内存留时间的延长,其发病率增高。     

Recovery of slowed nerve conduction velocity in lead-exposed workers

Summary Maximum motor nerve conduction velocities in the median nerve (MCV) and blood lead (PbB) were repeatedly measured in 14 lead exposed workers with an initial PbB from 0.7 to 4.0 mol/kg (median 2.3 mol/kg) for a period from 3 months to 7 years: A certain dose of Calcium Disodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (CaEDTA) was injected intravenously into most of the subjects during the period.In seven subjects, MCV improved by more than 4 m/s during the observation period which involved the first two successive measurements of MCV and PbB, but the remaining seven subjects showed the minimal alteration (within ± 4.0 m/s). The initial value of MCV was significantly slower (P < 0.01) and the decrease in PbB was significantly greater (P < 0.05) in the group of subjects having shown the improvement of MCV by more than 4 m/s.The initial value of MCV was significant in determining the alteration in MCV in multiple regression analysis and, together with the change in PbB, explained 31% of the alteration in MCV between the first two successive measurements. The initial level of PbB, dose of CaEDTA, time interval between the measurements and age played no essential part in the alteration in MCV.The alteration in MCV throughout the whole observation period in each subject significantly correlated with the concurrent change in PbB (r=–0.573, P < 0.001).     

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome training from a union perspective.

The authors developed a union sponsored 2-day human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) "train the trainer" program for healthcare workers in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program incorporated the "education for action" approach in an effort to respond to the inadequacies in many traditional, institutional trainings. Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) conducted the HIV/AIDS "train the trainer" program for approximately 100 healthcare workers in county public hospitals and community health clinics. After completing the program, these workers went back to their healthcare facilities, or community organizations, and led additional classes on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention for approximately 600 more people. The goal of the program was to empower healthcare workers to: 1) identify the occupational risks associated with exposure to blood and potentially infectious body fluids at the workplace; 2) develop strategies to reduce those risks; 3) discuss their feelings about caring for an HIV/AIDS patient; and, 4) conduct HIV/AIDS workshops at the workplace.