Development and global validation of a 1-week-old piglet head finite element model for impact simulations / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Child head injury under impact scenarios (e.g. falls, vehicle crashes, etc.) is an important topic in the field of injury biomechanics. The head of piglet was commonly used as the surrogate to investigate the biomechanical response and mechanisms of pediatric head injuries because of the similar cellular structures and material properties. However, up to date, piglet head models with accurate geometry and material properties, which have been validated by impact experiments, are seldom. We aim to develop such a model for future research.@*METHODS@#In this study, first, the detailed anatomical structures of the piglet head, including the skull, suture, brain, pia mater, dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, scalp and soft tissue, were constructed based on CT scans. Then, a structured butterfly method was adopted to mesh the complex geometries of the piglet head to generate high-quality elements and each component was assigned corresponding constitutive material models. Finally, the guided drop tower tests were conducted and the force-time histories were ectracted to validate the piglet head finite element model.@*RESULTS@#Simulations were conducted on the developed finite element model under impact conditions and the simulation results were compared with the experimental data from the guided drop tower tests and the published literature. The average peak force and duration of the guide drop tower test were similar to that of the simulation, with an error below 10%. The inaccuracy was below 20%. The average peak force and duration reported in the literature were comparable to those of the simulation, with the exception of the duration for an impact energy of 11 J. The results showed that the model was capable to capture the response of the pig head.@*CONCLUSION@#This study can provide an effective tool for investigating child head injury mechanisms and protection strategies under impact loading conditions.

The application of the King’s theory for the standardized training of new recruited nurses based on Tower platform / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To explore the application of the King′s theory for the standardized training of new recruited nurses based on Tower platform.@*Methods@#Totally 167 new recruited nurses were randomly divided into the intervention group (n=84) and the control group (n=83). The nurses in the intervention group were taught with the teaching mode of King′s theory based on Tower platform while the control group were taught with routine teaching.@*Results@#After training, the scores of autonomous learning ability, self-motivated belief, task analysis, self-monitoring and regulation, self-evaluation in the intervention group were 124.30±19.34, 52.47±7.01, 23.01±4.03, 34.24±6.17, 14.58±3.83, higher than those in the control group 116.81±15.52, 50.78±6.01, 21.07±3.72, 31.64±5.38, 13.32±3.01, and the differences were significant (t=-5.540-3.134, P<0.05). The theoretical scores in the intervention group (91.37±3.47) were higher than those in the control group (82.68±6.21), and the differences were significant (t=5.172, P<0.05). The scores of the competency of registered nurses in the intervention group (154.75±32.45) were higher than those in the control group (147.82±27.63), and the differences were significant (t=7.68, P<0.05). The total score of nurses in intervention group was 27.79±3.50, which was significantly higher than 20.75±2.54 in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-8.682, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#The King′s theory for the standardized training of new recruited nurses based on Tower platform helps to promote the quality of teaching. The training method is well accepted and recognized by the new recruited nurses.

The application of the King’s theory for the standardized training of new recruited nurses based on Tower platform / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To explore the application of the King′s theory for the standardized training of new recruited nurses based on Tower platform. Methods Totally 167 new recruited nurses were randomly divided into the intervention group (n=84) and the control group (n=83). The nurses in the intervention group were taught with the teaching mode of King′s theory based on Tower platform while the control group were taught with routine teaching. Results After training, the scores of autonomous learning ability, self-motivated belief, task analysis, self-monitoring and regulation, self-evaluation in the intervention group were 124.30±19.34, 52.47±7.01, 23.01±4.03, 34.24±6.17, 14.58±3.83, higher than those in the control group 116.81 ± 15.52, 50.78 ± 6.01, 21.07 ± 3.72, 31.64 ± 5.38, 13.32 ± 3.01, and the differences were significant (t=-5.540-3.134, P<0.05). The theoretical scores in the intervention group (91.37±3.47) were higher than those in the control group (82.68±6.21), and the differences were significant (t=5.172, P<0.05) . The scores of the competency of registered nurses in the intervention group (154.75± 32.45) were higher than those in the control group (147.82±27.63), and the differences were significant (t=7.68, P<0.05) . The total score of nurses in intervention group was 27.79 ± 3.50, which was significantly higher than 20.75±2.54 in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-8.682, P＜0.05). Conclusions The King′s theory for the standardized training of new recruited nurses based on Tower platform helps to promote the quality of teaching. The training method is well accepted and recognized by the new recruited nurses.

Out of the office and into the field: Exploring neuropsychological correlates between search behavior and a traditional desktop task in children and adolescents with ADHD / Del consultorio a la vida cotidiana: Una exploración de los correlatos neuropsicológicos entre una prueba tradicional de escritorio y de la conducta de búsqueda en niños y adolescentes con TDAH

Abstract Introduction Cognitive assessment of patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can help clinicians provide individually tailored treatment and advice, and researchers to identify potential associations between psychopathology and specific cognitive deficits. Assessment instruments, however, have received some criticism regarding their ecological validity, that is, the capacity to extrapolate from the performance on such tasks to aspects of everyday functioning. In order to meet this challenge we developed the Ball Search Field Task (BSFT) that takes place outdoors and uses large, open areas. In the BSFT, the goal is to search for target objects hidden under opaque containers, with experimenters assessing the efficiency of participants' strategies to collect a maximum of these. Objective Here we explore how the measures produced by one of the latest versions of this task (the patchy BSFT) match up with a traditional desktop task often used in clinical environments, the Tower of London (ToLo). Method We applied the BSFT and ToLo to children and adolescents with ADHD and compared the metrics using Spearman correlations. Results We found significant, moderate correlations between instruments, as exemplified by that of balls collected per cones lifted (BSFT) and number of moves (ToLo) (r = -.44). Discussion and conclusion Matching correlates between the BSFT and ToLo suggest these tasks may be tapping into similar cognitive processes. The addition of assessment tools with ecological validity may help provide a more comprehensive evaluation and a better understanding of the day-to-day impact of cognitive afflictions underlying psychiatric disorders such as ADHD.

Resumen Introducción La evaluación cognitiva de pacientes con déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) puede ayudar al personal clínico a personalizar el tratamiento y a los investigadores a identificar asociaciones entre psicopatología y deficitarios cognitivos específicos. Los instrumentos de evaluación han recibido críticas en cuanto a su validez ecológica, esto es, la capacidad de extrapolar el desempeño en dichos instrumentos a situaciones de la vida diaria. Con este desafío en mente, desarrollamos la Prueba de Búsqueda de Pelotas (BSFT, por sus siglas en inglés) que se lleva a cabo en áreas abiertas y amplias. La BSFT consiste en buscar objetos escondidos bajo contenedores opacos para evaluar la eficiencia de la búsqueda que intenta encontrar el mayor número posible de objetos. Objetivo Exploramos la manera en que una versión de esta tarea (la BSFT en parches) se compara con una tarea de uso común en ambientes clínicos, la Torre de Londres (ToLo, por sus siglas en inglés). Método Aplicamos la BSFT y la ToLo a niños y adolescentes con TDAH y comparamos las métricas resultantes mediante una correlación de Spearman. Resultados Encontramos correlaciones significativas entre estas pruebas, como lo ejemplifica aquella entre el número de conos levantados (BSFT) y el número de secuencias correctas (ToLo) (r = -.48). Discusión y conclusión Correlatos de equivalencia entre la BSFT y la ToLo sugieren que estas tareas demandan procesos cognitivos similares. Investigar tareas con validez ecológica puede ayudarnos a ofrecer una evaluación más completa y a entender mejor el impacto diario de las afectaciones cognitivas subyacentes a trastornos psiquiátricos como el TDAH.

Do we Plan through Gestures? Evidence from Children, Adolescents and Adults in Solving of Tower of Hanoï Task / ¿Planeamos a través de los gestos? Evidencia en niños, adolescentes y adultos en la resolución de la tarea de la Torre de Hanoï

Abstract The aim of this research was to study the planning of the execution of the Tower of Hanoï task (TOH) through gesture and speech. The effects of age and task complexity on gestures-speech mismatches were analyzed in 144 participants (48 children from 8 to 10 years old, 48 adolescents from 12 to 14 years old, and 48 adults from 18 to 20 years old) during their early explanations of the solution to the problem of the TOH. Results suggested effects from task complexity but not from age. Gesture-speech mismatches could be a possible way to analyze early explanations of the tasks, and the level of difficulty could be considered as a developmental indicator. The question of the relationship between gestures and speech during the planning of complex problems is in fact at the center of a passionate debate on the close relationship between thought and language. It is also at the heart of research on multimodal communication and thinking, according to which human cognition is based on verbal and nonverbal aspects of communicative behavior.

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar la planificación de la ejecución de la tarea de la Torre de Hanoi (TOH) a través de los gestos y la palabra. Se analizaron los efectos de la edad y la complejidad de la tarea en las discordancias gestos-palabras en 144 participantes (48 niños de 8 a 10 años, 48 ​​adolescentes de 12 a 14 años y 48 adultos de 18 a 20 años) durante sus explicaciones anticipadas a la resolución de TOH. Los resultados sugieren efectos de la complejidad de la tarea, pero no de la edad. Las discordancias gestos-palabras podrían constituirse en una manera posible de analizar explicaciones anticipadas a la resolución efectiva de las tareas, y el nivel de dificultad podría ser considerado como un indicador de desarrollo. La pregunta de la relación entre los gestos y las palabras durante la planificación de problemas complejos es, de hecho, el centro de un apasionado debate sobre la estrecha relación entre pensamiento y lenguaje. También está en el centro de la investigación sobre la comunicación y el pensamiento multimodales, según la cual la cognición humana se basa en los aspectos verbales y no verbales del comportamiento comunicativo.

Efficacy and Safety of Teriflunomide in Chinese Patients with Relapsing Forms of Multiple Sclerosis: A Subgroup Analysis of the Phase 3 TOWER Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Disease-modifying therapy is the standard treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in remission. The primary objective of the current analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of two teriflunomide doses (7 mg and 14 mg) in the subgroup of Chinese patients with relapsing MS included in the TOWER study.@*Methods@#TOWER was a multicenter, multinational, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group (three groups), placebo-controlled study. This subgroup analysis includes 148 Chinese patients randomized to receive either teriflunomide 7 mg (n = 51), teriflunomide 14 mg (n = 43), or placebo (n = 54).@*Results@#Of the 148 patients in the intent-to-treat population, adjusted annualized relapse rates were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.44, 0.92) in the placebo group, 0.48 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.70) in the teriflunomide 7 mg group, and 0.18 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.36) in the teriflunomide 14 mg group; this corresponded to a significant relative risk reduction in the teriflunomide 14 mg group versus placebo (-71.2%, P = 0.0012). Teriflunomide 14 mg also tended to reduce 12-week confirmed disability worsening by 68.1% compared with placebo (hazard ratio: 0.319, P = 0.1194). There were no differences across all treatment groups in the proportion of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; 72.2% in the placebo group, 74.5% in the teriflunomide 7 mg group, and 69.8% in the teriflunomide 14 mg group); corresponding proportions for serious adverse events were 11.1%, 3.9%, and 11.6%, respectively. The most frequently reported TEAEs with teriflunomide versus placebo were neutropenia, increased alanine aminotransferase, and hair thinning.@*Conclusions@#Teriflunomide was as effective and safe in the Chinese subpopulation as it was in the overall population of patients in the TOWER trial. Teriflunomide has the potential to meet unmet medical needs for MS patients in China.@*Trial Registration@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00751881; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00751881?term=NCT00751881&rank=1.

Relationship between executive function and depressive symptoms during the tower of London test in patients with major depressive disorder / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between executive function and depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder( MDD) under the Tower of London Test ( TOL) . Meth-ods Thirty depression patients and thirty age?, gender?, education?matched normal controls participated in the study. All subjects received the Tower of London Test. The severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAMD) ,Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale( HAMA) and Beck Depression Rating Scale( BDI) . Results ( 1) The numbers of correct response and total response of the TOL in MDD(9.1±5.1,12.1±5.3) were significantly lower than those of the control group(13.8±5.0, 17.3±3.9)(P<0.05).The response time of the TOL test in patients with MDD((10.4±2.8)s) was signifi?cantly longer than that of the control group((8.5±2.2)s)(P<0.05). (2)The scores of HAMD ,BDI and HAMA were negatively correlated with numbers of total response( r=-0.403,-0.544,-0.495,) in patients with MDD ( all P<0.05) . Conclusion The executive function of patients with MDD is impaired and nega?tively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms under the Tower of London Test.

Cool executive function before and after the treatment in drug-naive, first-episode schizophrenia patients / 实用医学杂志

Objective To explore the cool execution function (CEF)and its influence factors before and after treatment in drug-na?ve, first-episode schizophrenics. Methods Twenty-one drug-naive, first-episode schizophrenics (patients group) and 25 healthy persons (control group) were interviewed by using the SCID. The severity of clinical symptoms was respectively assessed in patient group before treatment and after 8 weeks using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The Trail-Marking Test A-B (TMT A-B) and Hanoi Tower Test (HTT) were conducted to assess cool executive function. Reaction time and the number of errors of TMT A-B’s and HTT’s reaction time and operative steps were recorded. Results Before treatment, the patient group’s reaction time was longer in HTT and TMT A-B than that in the control group's (P = 0.013;P = 0.000;P =0.001), respectively. Error number of TMT-B in the patient group was more than that in the control group (P =0.015); The operative steps of HTT and error number of TMT A were no statistical difference than those in the control group. After treatment, reaction time of TMT A reduced significantly than before treatment (P = 0.002);Before and after treatment , patients ’ reaction time of HTT and TMT B , operative steps of HTT and the error number of TMT A-B were all no statistical difference. Running multiple linear regression , reaction times of TMT-B was positively correlated with negative symptoms (β = 7.198,P = 0.012), and the error number of it was positively correlated with positive symptoms (β = 0.382,P = 0.024). Conclusions CEF in patients with drug-naive, first-episode schizophrenia is affected in a certain degree, especially the flexibility and attention transfer. Symptoms is the most serious influence factors. Treatment in sympotoms earlier is the important way to protect cool cognition.

Building Process and Architectural Planning Characteristics of Daehan Hospital Main Building / 의사학

This paper explores the introduction process of Daehan Hospital from Japan as the modern medical facility in Korea, and the architectural planning characteristics as a medical facility through the detailed building process of Daehan Hospital main building. The most noticeable characteristic of Daehan Hospital is that it was designed and constructed not by Korean engineers but by Japanese engineers. Therefore, Daehan Hospital was influenced by Japanese early modern medical facility, and Japanese engineers modeled Daehan Hospital main building on Tokyo Medical School main building which was constructed in 1876 as the first national medical school and hospital. The architectural type of Tokyo Medical School main building was a typical school architecture in early Japanese modern period which had a middle corridor and a pseudo Western-style tower, but Tokyo Medical School main building became the model of a medical facility as the symbol of the medical department in Tokyo Imperial University. This was the introduction and transplantation process of Japanese modern 'model' like as other modern systems and technologies during the Korean modern transition period. However, unlike Tokyo Medical School main building, Daehan Hospital main building was constructed not as a wooden building but as a masonry building. Comparing with the function of Daehan Hospital main building, its architectural form and construction costs was excessive scale, which was because Japanese Resident-General of Korea had the intention of ostentation that Japanese modernity was superior to Korean Empire.

Tabanidae (Diptera) no dossel da floresta amazônica atraídos por luz e descrição de machos de três espécies / Tabanidae (Diptera) in the canopy of the Amazon rainforest attracted by light and description of males of three species

Foram realizadas coletas de tabanídeos a 40 metros de altura, em uma torre metálica, na Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Amazonas, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas de janeiro a dezembro de 2004, durante três noites de transição lunar minguante/nova de cada mês, das 18 às 6 horas. As mutucas foram capturadas em um lençol iluminado com lâmpada de luz mista de vapor de mercúrio de 250 watts e lâmpada de 20 watts BLB. Foram coletados 216 espécimes, dos quais 135 machos e 81 fêmeas, alocados em 29 espécies. Três machos desconhecidos são descritos pela primeira vez: Catachlorops halteratus Kröber, 1931, Leucotabanus janinae Fairchild, 1970 e Leucotabanus pauculus Fairchild, 1951.

Tabanids were collected at a height of 40 meters on a metallic tower, at Estação Experimental de Silvicultura Tropical, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Samples were collected monthly from January to December of 2004, during three nights of lunar transition third quarter moon/ new moon from 06 p.m. to 06 a.m. Horse flies were captured on a vertical sheet illuminated by a 250-watts mixed mercury vapor light and 20-watts black-light (BLB) lamps. 216 specimens were collected, of which 135 were males and 81 were females belonging to 29 species. Males of three species with unknown males are described for the first time, namely: Catachlorops halteratus Kröber, 1931, Leucotabanus janinae Fairchild, 1970 and Leucotabanus pauculus Fairchild, 1951.

Chilled packing systems for fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in the sterile insect technique

We evaluated three packing systems (PARC boxes, "GT" screen towers and "MX" screen towers) for the emergence and sexual maturation of sterile fruit flies, at three adult fly densities (1, 1.2 and 1.3 fly/cm²) and three food types. At the lowest density, results showed no significant differences in the longevity and flight ability of adult Anastrepha ludens (Loew) and Anastrepha obliqua Macquart among the three packing systems. Higher densities resulted in a decrease in these parameters. In the evaluation of the three food types, no significant differences were found either on longevity or flight ability of A. ludens. However, the greatest longevity for both sexes A. obliqua was obtained with commercial powdered Mb® and the mix of sugar, protein and corn starch on paper (SPCP) food types. The highest value for flight ability in A. obliqua males was obtained with powdered Mb® and SPCP food types, and for females with Mb® powdered food. Our data indicated that GT and MX screen tower packing systems are an alternative to the PARC boxes, since they were suitable for adult fly sexual maturation without any harm to their longevity or flight ability. The tested foods were equivalent in both fruit fly species, with the exception of the agar type for A. obliqua, which yielded the lowest biological parameters evaluated. Our results contribute to the application of new methods for the packing and release of sterile flies in large-scale programs.

Reduced prefrontal activation during tower of London (TOL) in first-episode schizophrenia: a multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy study / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the executive function of the patients with first-episode schizophrenia,and their relationships with the positive and negative symptoms. And to evaluate the activation characteristics of prefrontal cortex(PFC) in the schizophrenia. Methods Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) was used to assess the activation of the bilateral PFCs during the computerized version of Tower of London(TOL) tasks in schizophrenia and controls. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS) was used to assess the psychiatric symptoms of the schizophrenia. 40 schizophrenic patients and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. Results ( 1 ) The number of correct TOL responses in patients ( one-move ( 7.35 ± 1. 94 ), two-move ( 7.30 ± 2.53 ), three-move ( 6.58 ± 2.53 ), four-move ( 2.90 ± 1.89 ) ) was significantly less than the healthy controls( one-move (8.82 ± 1.48 ), two-move ( 8.38 ± 1.59 ), three-move ( 7.68 ± 1.47 ), four-move ( 3.73 ±1.71 ); P＜0. 05 ). ( 2 ) There was a significant negative correlation between the patients' task performance and the negative symptom scores(P ＜ 0.05 ). (3) The majority of the prefrontal area was activated in health subjects.Patients were characterized by significant decreased activation in the left PFC during the TOL task compared to healthy subjects. Conclusion Schizophrenic patients have executive function disorder at the initial stage of the disease.The results support that schizophrenia patients have hypofrontality ,and executive function is significantly negatively correlated with negative symptoms. NIRS my be a useful tool for research and clinical assessment for major psychoses.

Solid phase extraction-gas chromatography with dual tower and dual column for the simultaneous determination of 53 organophosphorus pesticides in traditional Chinese herbal medicines / 中成药

AIM: The multi-residues method was used to determine organophosphorus pesticides in traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs).METHODS: Fifty three pesticides were extracted by high-speed homogenization,and then cleaned sequentially by C_(18) and Carb/NH2 solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges.The residues were simultaneously identified and quantified by GC-FPD equipped with dual tower,dual column and two FPD detectors.RESULTS: The analytical performance was demonstrated by the analysis of 6 TCHMs samples extracts,spiked at three concentration levels for each pesticide.In general,the recoveries ranging from 70% to 120%,with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 15%,were obtained.The limit of detection (LOD) for most of the targeted pesticides tested was below 0.01 mg/kg.CONCLUSION: The method has good extraction efficiency,purification effect and good reproducibility,which can be applied to the determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in the routine analysis of TCHMs.

Torre de Londres e Torre de Hanói: contribuições distintas para avaliação do funcionamento executivo / Tower of London and Tower of Hanoi: distinct contributions to the assessment of executive functioning

OBJETIVO: Realizar um estudo teórico sobre comparações de aspectos cognitivos e metodológicos envolvidos no desempenho das Torres de Hanói e de Londres em indivíduos normais. MÉTODO: Revisão narrativa da literatura. RESULTADOS: O desempenho nesses instrumentos não compartilha a variância esperada em virtude das similaridades aparentes em sua estrutura e demanda de solução. Verificaram-se correlações significativas, porém moderadas, entre o desempenho das duas torres, refletindo em média 75 por cento da variância não compartilhada. CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as torres recrutam diferentes processos executivos para solução da tarefa e não podem ser utilizadas como instrumentos permutáveis.

OBJECTIVE: To produce theoretical study about comparisons of cognitive and methodological aspects involved in the performance of Towers of Hanoi and London in normal individuals. METHOD: Narrative review of the literature. RESULTS: The performances in these instruments do not share the expected variance due to the apparent similarities in your structure and solution demand. Correlations significant, however moderate, among the two towers performance, were found reflecting the average of 75 percent of the nonshared variance. CONCLUSIONS: Both towers recruit different executive processes for task solution and cannot be used as exchangeable instruments.

Discussion on Running Cost of PACS / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To discuss the running cost and the upgrade of picture archiving and communication system(PACS).Methods More than ten million yuan were invested into radiology department to set up PACS,which was put into use in November,2004.Archiving and communication of digital images from MRI,CT,DR,CR,DSA,RF were realized.Communication between RIS and worklist were also implemented.Results PACS not only facilitates medical treatment,teaching and scientific research,but promotes the development of Medical Imageology and enhances the diagnosis and treatment level.But replacement of disc-carving machine and supplement of pack of compact disc made cost increase fast.Conclusion As memory,tower of compact disc is so cost that it should be optimized.

Cancer Incidence in the Vicinity of Korean AM Radio Broadcast Towers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Several studies have raised the possibility that exposure to electrical and/or magnetic fields may be particularly harmful in the promotion or initiation of cancer. The purpose of this study which was based on a geographical correlation design was to investigate any association that may exist between residing near radio broadcast towers and carcinogenic activity in Korea. METHODS: In this study, the health effects of EMF of 10 AM radio broadcast towers in Korea were investigated. The electric powers of the towers were above 100kW. We chose exposed areas that were located within 2 km from the towers as well as four control regions which had similar populations in the same province(Do) but had no towers nearby. The incidence of leukemia, malignant lymphoma, brain tumor and breast cancer between the exposed areas and the control areas was compared. The standardized incidence ratios(SIRs) were calculated. Korean Medical Insurance data(between Nov,1,1993 and Oct,31,1996) was used for the cancer incidence estimation. The Nationwide Population Census data(in 1995) and the Resident Register data(in 1995) were used for information about population and locations. RESULTS: Among the 10 exposed areas, one area for leukemia and one area for brain tumor showed a significantly high incidence compared to the control areas. There were no significant increased areas for malignant lymphoma and breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This study design must be considered to be exploratory and not used for determining causality. However, the results suggest the necessity for further analytical epidemiological studies that have a more precise exposure measurement scale and information on confounding factors.

A Surveillance Study of Cooling Tower Water of Large Buildings in Seoul City for Legionella Species with Molecular Analysis / 감염

BACKGROUND: To prevent and control legionellosis outbreaks, it is important to monitor cooling towers for Legionella and establish epidemiological markers. We determined level of contamination with Legionella of cooling tower in Seoul city, analyzed the distribution of Legionella subtypes, and evaluated molecular typing methods for discrimination power and feasibility. METHODS: Water samples from 120 cooling towers in 25 areas(Gu) of Seoul city were collected during June, 1997. Culture and duplex-PCR(polymerase chain reaction) with Southern hybridization probed with Legionella-specific genes were performed with filtered samples. Twenty-two Legionella isolates were analyzed comparatively by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) and arbitrarily primed(AP)-PCR using a M13 reverse primer. RESULTS: Culture and duplex-PCR with Southern hybridization were positive for Legionella in 22(18.3%) and 106(88.3%) of 120 samples, respectively, resulting in 90.8%(109/120) of contamination level. Out of 22 Legionella isolates, 17 were identified as Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1, 4 as L. pneumophila serogroup 6 and 1 as an unknown. Molecular analysis of 17 isolates of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 showed 7 subtypes by PFGE(A0 in 9 isolates; A1, 2; A2, 1; A3, 2; B, 1; C, 1; D, 1) and 5 subtypes by AP-PCR(Ia in 11 isolates; Ib, 2; Ic, 2; II, 1; III, 1). The agreement of results of both methods was 76.5%(13/17) of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and 81.8%(18/22) of all isolates, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most of cooling towers in Seoul city were already contaminated with Legionella just before summer, requiring decontamination measures and continuous surveillance. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 was the predominant isolate with variable subtypes. The AP-PCR can be used as a rapid and reproducible screening tool in tracking legionellosis outbreak.

Investigation on Sanitation Administration and Legionella pneumophila Contamination in Central Air Conditioning System of Public Places / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To know the hygienic administration status of central air conditioning system(CACS)and the Legionella contamination of cooling water in public places; and to identify the risk factors for legionella contamination associated with hygienic administration measures of CACS. Methods One hundred and forty-eight public places with CACS were recruited and the hygienic administration status was investigated by questionnaire survey in Sep. 2008. The culture methods were used to identify Legionella in cooling water. Results Positive rate of Legionella pneumophila in cooling water was 68.1%, 65.1% and 66.7% respectively in the condition of disinfection, preservative (detergent) and regular examination of the cooling water. The positive rate of Legionella pneumophila in cooling water was 92%, 87.7% and 84.7% respectively without disinfection, preservative,detergent and regular examination of the cooling water. Conclusion Disinfection, preservative,detergent and regular examination of the cooling water can reduce Legionella contamination risk.