河南省81例HCV/HIV共感染者接受艾滋病二线抗病毒治疗效果及HIV耐药性分析

目的 了解HCV/HIV共感染者在艾滋病一线抗病毒治疗病毒学失败后更换二线治疗方案一年内的效果和耐药情况.方法 招募2012年5－10月间河南省新蔡、确山和尉氏3县中HIV/HCV抗体阳性且使用一线艾滋病抗病毒治疗方案一年后病毒载量未得到抑制的患者.患者更换艾滋病二线治疗方案后6个月和12个月时进行随访和CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数、HIV病毒载量和HIV耐药性检测.结果 符合条件的81例HIV/HCV共感染者的CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞中位数在更换二线药物6个月、12个月后出现回升;基线、6个月和12个月的CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞中位数分别为266 cells/μl、275 cells/μl和299 cells/μl(χ²=8.214,P=0.009);HIV病毒载量得到抑制的患者比例分别上升到6个月、12个月的46.84%、50.00%.HIV耐药发生率显著下降,基线、6个月和12个月的耐药发生率分别为66.67%、26.58%和27.63%(χ²=29.362,P=0.000);同时NRTI和NNRTI耐药的发生率均下降,基线、6个月和12个月的发生率分别为51.85%、18.99%和17.11%(χ²=14.230,P=0.005).81例患者在基线时对NRTI中3TC、ABC和FTC的耐药发生率都在50%以上,对AZT、D4T和DDI的耐药发生率在41%～44%之间,对TDF的耐药发生率为33.33%,6个月和12个月后下降到12%～18%.患者基线时对NNRTI中NVP和EFV的耐药率都达到65.43%,而在更换二线药物6个月和12个月后都下降到24%～27%.结论 发生一线艾滋病抗病毒治疗病毒学失败的HIV/HCV共感染者在更换二线治疗方案6个月后状况得到了改善,但是在12个月后治疗效果改善有限.     

云南省576例齐多夫定或替诺福韦方案治疗失败的HIV/AIDS患者基因型耐药差异性分析

目的 比较抗病毒治疗药物齐多夫定(zidovudine,AZT)与替诺福韦(tenofovir,TDF)治疗失败后HIV/AIDS患者基因型耐药突变差异性并探讨相关影响因素。 方法 收集经一线治疗方案治疗半年以上且基因型耐药检测结果为耐药的患者信息,通过单因素检验确定与AZT或TDF耐药相关变量,再通过多重对应分析获得变量的相互关系。 结果 使用含AZT或TDF治疗方案患者576例,常见的耐药突变有M184V/I、D67N、K70R/E/Q、K65R及T69N,单因素分析显示接受含此两种药物方案治疗情况下患者年龄(χ²=3.503,P=0.320)及感染途径(χ²=3.122,P=0.210)无相关性,突变位点(χ²=104.438,P=0.000)、病毒载量(χ²=17.284,P=0.000)、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞(χ²=33.338,P=0.000)、性别(χ²=8.904,P=0.003)及治疗时长(χ²=40.081,P=0.000)相关;感染多重对应分析显示突变方式为AZT与患者治疗时长大于2年(>25月)、病毒载量<10 000 copies/ml、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞计数≥200 cells/mm³有关,TDF治疗方案则与患者在治疗时长为2年(0~24月)、病毒载量≥10 000 copies/ml、CD4⁺T淋巴细胞计数<200 cells/mm³以及K65R表现出聚集性。 结论 多重对应分析极其适用于HIV耐药人口学及突变的研究;M184V/I与D67N及K70R/E/Q出现相关性,与含TDF方案相比,NRTIs常见突变多以含AZT方案引起,T69N与AZT耐药出现低病毒载量有关,长期使用含AZT方案过程中需密切监测基因型耐药,含TDF治疗方案中早期应积极监测病毒载量与CD4⁺T淋巴细胞数。     

四川省部分地区HIV-1感染者二线方案抗病毒治疗效果及耐药突变分析

目的分析四川省部分地区接受一线方案并发生耐药的HIV-1感染者更换二线方案后抗病毒治疗(ART)效果及耐药突变。方法采用队列研究方法, 2019年1月1日至2021年12月31日对接受一线方案发生耐药的HIV-1感染者随访2年, 采用χ2检验分析观察终点CD4+T淋巴细胞(CD4)计数、病毒载量(VL)变化及耐药突变情况的差异, 使用多因素logistic回归模型分析更换二线方案且依从性较好的HIV-1感染者ART效果的影响因素。结果共招募HIV-1感染者737例, 在持续保持较好依从性的情况下, 及时更换二线方案HIV-1感染者持续CD4计数>200个/μl和持续病毒抑制的比例较高(P<0.05), 其中基线不同耐药程度HIV-1感染者持续CD4计数>200个/μl和持续VL<200拷贝数/ml(持续病毒抑制)的比例差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。更换二线方案后, 部分蛋白酶抑制剂和非核苷类反转录酶抑制剂的耐药突变位点分别呈上升和下降趋势(P<0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示, 在更换二线方案且依从性较好的HIV-1感染者中, ...     

河南省抗HIV治疗效果及耐药变异分析

目的 研究河南省人类免疫缺陷病毒/艾滋病(HIV/AIDS)患者应用高效抗逆转录病毒治疗后治疗效果及耐药变异产生情况.方法 对采用2种治疗方案的河南省HIV/AIDS患者进行病毒载量、CD4+T淋巴细胞数、耐药变异基因型监测.结果 2种治疗方案都在部分HIV/AIDS患者身上取得病毒载量抑制和提升CD4+T淋巴细胞数效果,但用药后均有耐药变异发生,2005年D4T/ddI/NVP、AZT/ddI/NVP高度耐药相关突变率分别为19.7%,16.2%;2006年分别为19.4%,19.5%.结论 河南省HIV/AIDS患者应用高效抗逆转录病毒治疗(HAART)治疗基本上取得了预期的疗效,但在应用逆转录酶抑制剂后有耐药变异发生,且多为交叉耐药、多药耐药.所以应用逆转录酶抑制剂时要加强耐药监测,规范管理,及时调查用药以节省有限的药物资源并防止耐药株的产生.     

两种高效抗反转录病毒方案预防艾滋病母婴传播的效果

目的:了解两种高效抗反转录病毒(HAART)方案预防艾滋病母婴传播的效果,为进一步合理选择母婴阻断抗病毒治疗方案提供依据。方法:采用两种方案(齐多夫啶AZT+拉米夫啶3TC+克力芝LPV/r和齐多夫啶AZT+拉米夫啶3TC+施多宁/奈韦拉平EFV/NVP)预防艾滋病母婴传播,对入组病例在服药前、孕36周及产后3个月进行CD4+T淋巴细胞计数和血浆HIV病毒载量测定。结果:共入组72例孕产妇,所生73例婴儿除1例因新生儿窒息死亡外,其余72例经早期HIVDNA-PCR核酸检测,结果均为阴性;血浆病毒载量在孕36周时最低(P<0.001);CD4+T淋巴细胞水平从治疗前至产后3个月呈增高趋势(P<0.001);治疗前后的病毒载量及CD4+T淋巴细胞平均水平两组间均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:两种HAART方案预防艾滋病母婴传播效果显著,在病毒抑制和提高CD4+T淋巴细胞计数上两方案效果一致。     

四川省HIV耐药患者后续治疗效果和影响因素分析

目的分析四川省接受一线艾滋病抗病毒治疗方案失败并产生耐药的患者后续治疗效果和影响因素。方法以四川省2012-2014年间接受艾滋病抗病毒治疗并检测为HIV-1基因型耐药的HIV/AIDS患者为研究对象,以发现耐药时间点为观察起点,连续随访2年,采用秩和检验分析研究对象后续CD4中位数差异,采用卡方检验分析研究对象后续CD4上升≥50个/μl和病毒载量(VL)400拷贝/ml的比例,采用Logistic回归分析耐药患者后续治疗效果影响因素。结果357例符合研究标准,325例完成两年随访,观察起点、随访12个月、24个月的CD4中位数分别为206、233、242个/μl,其中观察起点和随访12个月差异秩和检验有统计学意义(P=0.02),病毒载量(VL)400拷贝/ml患者数分别为0例(0%)、121例(37.23%)和179例(55.08%),相邻观察时间点差异卡方检验均有统计学意义(P=0.005);随访12个月和24个月的CD4细胞计数上升≥50个/μl患者数分别为118例(36.31%)和130例(40.00%),差异经卡方检验无统计学意义(P=0.333);多因素Logistic回归分析发现年龄≤40岁、观察终点使用含洛匹那韦+利托那韦(LPV/r)的二线方案是CD4细胞计数上升≥50个/μl的保护因素(P0.05),无性病、观察终点使用含LPV/r的二线方案是VL400拷贝/ml的保护因素(P0.05)。结论四川省艾滋病一线药物耐药患者后续治疗取得一定成效,但还需加强免疫学恢复机制的研究;含LPV/r的二线方案可有效改善使用一线治疗方案失败并产生耐药的患者的治疗效果。     

2009-2011年河南省部分未治疗艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病患者的CD4和病毒载量情况分析

目的了解2009-2011年河南省未治疗艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病患者的CD4+T淋巴细胞计数和病毒载量状况。方法通过"河南省艾滋病检测实验室数据应用平台"收集2009-2011年河南省部分未治疗艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病患者的相关信息以及CD4+T淋巴细胞计数和病毒载量信息,分析比较该人群CD4+T淋巴细胞和病毒载量的中位数和构成比。结果 2009-2011年3年间河南省未接受抗病毒治疗人群的病毒载量变化差异无统计学意义(χ2=3.345,P=0.188),病毒载量在103拷贝/ml和105拷贝/ml两个区间的患者构成比均有所增加(分别为:χ2=7.965,P=0.019和χ2=22.869,P=0.000)。2009-2011年3年间河南省未治疗艾滋病感染者人群的CD4有所升高(χ2=16.567,P=0.000),CD4在200~349个/μl区间的构成比有所减少(χ2=12.236,P=0.002),而在350~499个/μl区间的构成比则有所增加(χ2=10.412,P=0.005)。结论 2009-2011年河南省未治疗艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病患者的机体状况有所好转,目前河南省的抗病毒治疗工作要以应治尽治的为基础同时加强关注高病毒载量的患者。     

艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗生存时间分析

目的 了解内江市艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗后生存时间现状,探讨不同治疗方案及基线CD4 +T淋巴细胞计数对生存时间的影响.方法 利用国家艾滋病综合防治信息系统抗病毒治疗内江市治疗数据信息,使用SPSS 17.0进行相关分析.结果 本研究纳入227例患者,截止到2011-12-31,共有40例研究对象死亡,其中92.5％ (37/40)死于艾滋病相关疾病.含AZT方案/d4T方案患者生存率差异无统计学意义,基线CD4+T淋巴细胞计数不同,患者的生存期差异有统计学意义(x2=10.631,P＜0.01).结论 定期监测艾滋病感染人群的CD+ 4T淋巴细胞计数,定期随访观察他们的临床症状,早期对患者开展抗病毒治疗更有利于延长病人的生存时间.     

新报告HIV感染者/AIDS基线病毒载量水平与CD4+/CD8+比值分析

目的 分析江西省2015—2019年新报告艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者/艾滋病(AIDS)病人(简称HIV感染者/AIDS)的基线病毒载量水平与其细胞免疫水平之间的关系。方法 对2015—2019年在江西省疾病预防控制中心确证的HIV感染者/AIDS进行基线CD4⁺T淋巴细胞、CD8⁺T淋巴细胞和病毒载量检测,用SPSS软件对数据进行相关性分析和二元logistic回归分析。结果 新报告HIV感染者/AIDS 513例,CD4⁺T淋巴细胞计数中位数为209个/μl,CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值中位数为0.233,病毒载量中位数为5.06 log₁₀ 拷贝/ml。病毒载量水平与CD4⁺T淋巴细胞、CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值总体呈显著负相关; CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值<0.20 的HIV感染者/AIDS其病毒载量≥10⁵拷贝/ml的风险为CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值≥0.20的3.775倍。结论 江西省新报告HIV感染者/AIDS中高病毒载量比例高,中位病毒载量高,CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值<0.2是高病毒载量的预测因素。应进一步加强扩大检测人群和比例,尽早发现感染者并进行抗病毒治疗,提高患者期望寿命。     

河南省2005-2008年艾滋病抗病毒治疗评估:患者CD4+T淋巴细胞计数和病毒载量分析

目的 为评估和预测河南省艾滋病抗病毒治疗状况,分析患者CD4+T淋巴细胞和病毒载量.方法 通过"河南省艾滋病检测实验室网络数据库"收集河南省艾滋病人群2009年CD4+T淋巴细胞计数和病毒载量检测结果及相关信息.对其中未治疗和2005-2008年加入一线抗病毒治疗人群(＞13岁)的检测结果构成比进行横断面研究.结果 在2009年上、下半年河南省未治疗的艾滋病人群中,CD4+T淋巴细胞检测＜200个/μl者均＞20%(χ2=2.059,P=0.151),200～350个/μl者的构成比则由上半年27.61%上升到下半年的29.41%(χ2=4.636,P=0.031),＞350个/μl者的构成比从上半年51.49%下降到下半年的48.60%(χ2=9.767,P=0.002).在未治疗的艾滋病人群中,病毒载量＞10 000 copy/ml和＞30 000 copy/ml者所占百分比分别为34.53%和19.65%.2005-2008年间加入一线抗病毒治疗的艾滋病人群中,治疗时间越长,CD4+T淋巴细胞＞350个/μl者的构成比越高(χ2=148.689,P＜0.001),＜200个/μl者的构成比则越低(χ2=46.686,P＜0.001);同时,病毒载量＜500 copy/ml者的构成比越低(χ2=9.066,P=0.003),＞10 000 copy/ml者的构成比则越高(χ2=6.597,P=0.010).结论 河南省多年来进行的艾滋病一线抗病毒治疗疗效显著,但随着治疗时间的增加,治疗失败的风险也逐渐加大,应及时进行耐药监测,更换治疗方案.同时应加强未治疗人群的检测,加大抗病毒治疗的投入并扩大纳入治疗的范围.     

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.     

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.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

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.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

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.