The functional evolution of GALT: a review.

This synopsis of the evolution of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in increasingly complex animals suggests that GALT plays an essential role in cellular nutrition and energy metabolism as well as in immunity. Throughout phylogeny, the mediation of immunity as well as cell nutrition depends on the normal capacity of GALT to produce lymphocytes which customarily generate an evolving variety of soluble globulins during maturation and proceed to migrate throughout the body as emperipoletic cytoplasm-depleted cells which donate their residual constituents to genetically compatible cells; and destroy living matter recognized as genetically incompatible. A dividend is that the lymphocytes not only destroy the genetically foreign but also render the remains innocuous or useful as food.

Occupational skin diseases in Washington State, 1989 through 1993: using workers' compensation data to identify cutaneous hazards.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize occupational dermatoses and cutaneous hazards. METHODS: Workers' compensation claims filed for skin disease in the Washington State Fund were analyzed for 1989 through 1993; incidence rates for industries and employers were calculated, and cutaneous hazards associated with the highest rates were identified. RESULTS: A total of 7445 claims were filed for skin disorders, principally contact dermatitis; 675 (9.1%) involved more than 3 missed work-days. The rate of accepted skin disorder claims was 1.0 per 1000 full-time employee-years. The highest incidence rates (4.6 to 30.7 accepted claims per 1000 full-time employee-years) were in certain manufacturing industries (plastics related, concrete products, aircraft parts, sporting goods, and boat building), wholesale farm product raw materials, automotive glass replacement, and beauty shops. Seven of the 10 employers with the highest incidence rates (19.6 to 85.5 accepted claims per 1000 full-time employee-years) used fiber-reinforced plastics (composites) and exposed workers to epoxy and other resin systems associated with contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Workers' compensation data identify known and emerging workplace cutaneous hazards and show promise for targeting prevention efforts.

The XI AIDS conference and HIV-1 lymphopathy.

The random reverse transcription of HIV-1 RNA into the genes of large dividing lymphocytes and transport of integrated proviral DNA within and between persons via migratory small cytoplasm depleted lymphocytes derived therefrom causes deterioration of the entire lymphopoietic system. Secondary results are progressive failure in homeostasis, loss of sensitivity to potentially therapeutic drugs, and inability to produce preventive vaccines. The world-wide prevention of HIV-1 sickness and other lymphopathic retroviral diseases will depend on greater individual cooperation, especially with respect to minimizing the numbers of infected lymphocytes which migrate between persons through blood, semen, uterine endocervical secretions and maternal colostrum.

Injuries due to assaults on psychiatric hospital employees in Washington State.

In order to estimate rates and identify risk factors for assaults on employees of a state psychiatric hospital, we examined workers' compensation claims, hospital-recorded incident reports, and data collected in a survey of ward staff. Results revealed 13.8 workers' compensation claims due to assault per 100 employees per year. Assaults were responsible for 60% of total claims. Incident reports revealed 35 injuries due to assault per 100 employees per year. Survey data revealed 415 injuries due to assault per 100 employees per year. Of the respondents, 73% reported at least a minor injury during the past year. Assault management training in the past year was associated with less severe injuries. Working in isolation, the occupation of mental health technician, and working on the geriatric-medical hospital unit were associated with more severe injuries during the past year. Assaults on staff in psychiatric hospitals represent a significant and underrecognized occupational hazard.

Patient and staff views of factors influencing assaults on psychiatric hospital employees.

This study compares the viewpoints of psychiatric hospital employees and patients as to situational and interactional factors that are related to patient assaults on staff. Sixty-nine patients from eight high-assault wards in two state psychiatric hospitals were interviewed to identify hospital practices and aspects of the physical environment that they believed to be related to assaultive behavior. One hundred thirty-seven nursing staff members on the same wards were surveyed. Patients and staff had many concerns in common, including restrictions on patient smoking and access to the outdoors, staff clinical skills and patients' being treated with respect, and the use of seclusion and restraint on the wards. Additionally, patients were concerned about rules not being explained. Staff believed that the single most important issue was an adequate number of personnel. A considerable portion of assaults may relate to circumstances that are amenable to intervention, and assaults may be reduced in severity or number by changes in hospital practices.