[Spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of etiologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2021].

Objective: To analyze the spatial-temporal distribution of etiologically positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) at the county (city, district) unit in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2021 to provide evidence for the implementation and adjustment of prevention and control strategies of PTB in Jiangsu Province. Methods: The registration data of etiologically positive PTB patients in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2021 were collected from the Tuberculosis Management Information System in the China Information System of Disease Control and Prevention. Data on the permanent population were from the statistical yearbook of each county (city, district) in Jiangsu Province. Geoda 1.18.0 software was used to analyze the global and local spatial autocorrelation and explore the spatial clustering. SaTScan 10.1 software was used to analyze the spatial-temporal clusters, and ArcGIS 10.7 software was used to visualize the spatial-temporal clusters. Results: A total of 128 240 etiological positive PTB cases were registered in Jiangsu Province from 2011 to 2021, with an average annual registration rate of 13.99/100 000. The registration rate showed an overall upward trend (trend χ2=63.49, P<0.001) after 2017, and the etiologically positive rate showed an overall upward trend (trend χ2=3 710.86, P<0.001). The annual Moran's I values ranged from 0.107 to 0.343, which showed a spatial clustering distribution. The results of local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there were "high-high" clustering areas in Jiangsu Province each year, showing a dynamic distribution, and most of the areas were distributed in the central and southern regions of Jiangsu Province, with the largest number (7) in 2015 and the smallest number (1) in 2011. A total of 4 spatial-temporal clustering areas were explored by spatial-temporal scanning analysis (all P<0.001), among which the first-level clustering area covered 3 counties (cities, districts), namely Changshu, Taicang, and Xiangcheng District of Suzhou, and the clustering time was from 2011 to 2015. The secondary clustering areas covered 24 counties (cities, districts), mainly covering Jiangsu's central and northern regions, such as Huai'an, Suqian, and Yancheng. The third-level clustering areas covered 26 counties (cities, districts); the fourth-level clustering area was the Gaochun District of Nanjing, with the clustering period from 2017 to 2021. Conclusions: From 2011 to 2021, the etiologically positive PTB registration rate at the county (city, district) level in Jiangsu Province had obvious spatial-temporal clustering characteristics. The clustering areas included the northern areas with relatively backward economies and the southern areas with better economic development. Multiple measures should be taken to prevent and control PTB according to the specific situation in different regions.

Hypomorphic RAG deficiency: impact of disease burden on survival and thymic recovery argues for early diagnosis and HSCT.

Patients with hypomorphic mutations in the RAG1 or RAG2 gene present with either Omenn syndrome or atypical combined immunodeficiency with a wide phenotypic range. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is potentially curative, but data are scarce. We report on a worldwide cohort of 60 patients with hypomorphic RAG variants who underwent HSCT, 78% of whom experienced infections (29% active at HSCT), 72% had autoimmunity, and 18% had granulomas pretransplant. These complications are frequently associated with organ damage. Eight individuals (13%) were diagnosed by newborn screening or family history. HSCT was performed at a median of 3.4 years (range 0.3-42.9 years) from matched unrelated donors, matched sibling or matched family donors, or mismatched donors in 48%, 22%, and 30% of the patients, respectively. Grafts were T-cell depleted in 15 cases (25%). Overall survival at 1 and 4 years was 77.5% and 67.5% (median follow-up of 39 months). Infection was the main cause of death. In univariable analysis, active infection, organ damage pre-HSCT, T-cell depletion of the graft, and transplant from a mismatched family donor were predictive of worse outcome, whereas organ damage and T-cell depletion remained significant in multivariable analysis (hazard ratio [HR] = 6.01, HR = 8.46, respectively). All patients diagnosed by newborn screening or family history survived. Cumulative incidences of acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease were 35% and 22%, respectively. Cumulative incidences of new-onset autoimmunity was 15%. Immune reconstitution, particularly recovery of naïve CD4+ T cells, was faster and more robust in patients transplanted before 3.5 years of age, and without organ damage. These findings support the indication for early transplantation.

[Assessment of biological activities of exopolysaccharides with different relative molecular masses extracted from Rhizopus nigricans].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antioxidant, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities of exopolysaccharides with different molecular masses isolated from Rhizopus nigricans. METHODS: Three polysaccharides with different molecular masses, namely RPS-1, RPS-2 and RPS-3, were separated from the fermentation broth of Rhizopus nigricans by fractional ethanol precipitation, and their capacity for scavenging DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals was assessed. Cell counting kit-8 was used to analyze the changes in the viability of MFC, A549 and RAW 264.7 cells following treatments with the 3 polysaccharides; The level of nitric oxide in the supernatant of RAW 264.7 cells was detected using a nitric oxide detection kit, and the apoptosis rate of A549 cells was analyzed with flow cytometry. RESULTS: All the 3 polysaccharides had good antioxidant activities, and among them RPS-1 with a medium molecular mass exhibited the strongest scavenging capacity for DPPH and ABTS radicals (P < 0.05) while RPS-3 with the lowest molecular mass had the best scavenging activity for hydroxyl radicals (P < 0.01). All the 3 polysaccharides were capable of inhibiting the proliferation of MFC cells and A549 cells, activating the macrophages RAW 264.7 cells, and inducing apoptosis of A549 cells. RPS-2 with the highest molecular mass showed the strongest inhibitory effects against MFC and A549 cells (P > 0.05), and RPS-2 had the strongest activity for inducing apoptosis in A549 cells (P < 0.05). Compared with the other two polysaccharides, RPS-2 more strongly promoted the proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells and enhanced NO release from the cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 3 polysaccharides all have antioxidant, anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities, and among them RPS-1 and RPS-3 have better antioxidant activities, and RPS-2 has stronger anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activities.

[Application of three semi-quantitative risk assessment methods in electroplating enterprises].

Objective: To apply the semi-quantitative risk assessment model in the Technical Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Hazardous Factors in the Workplace to assess the occupational health risk of electroplating enterprises and explore its applicable conditions and characteristics. Methods: Three electroplating enterprises were selected as the research objects. Occupational hygiene survey and hazard factor detection were conducted on the spot. Three semi-quantitative risk assessment methods were used to assess the risk, and the evaluation results were compared. Results: The consistency between the contact index method and the comprehensive index method was strong. The weighted Kappa value was 0.946 and the P value was less than 0.001, but the consistency between the contact ratio method, the contact index method and the comprehensive index method was poor. The weighted Kappa value was 0.345 and 0.391, and the P value was 0.009 and 0.004, respectively. When the contact concentration is less than 50% OELs, the evaluation results of the contact ratio method are lower than those of the exponential method and the comprehensive exponential method. The consistency of the three methods was the highest when the contact concentration (>50%) and (OELs, the results of the contact ratio method are higher than those of the index method and the comprehensive index method. Conclusion: Contact ratio method is suitable for occupational health risk assessment under the condition of incomplete occupational health information and for enterprise managers to identify key control points of health risk through self-assessment; Contact index method is suitable for hazard risk assessment of occupational hazards without sampling test conditions or OELs, and pre-assessment of occupational hazards of construction projects without access to analogical test data. The index method is suitable for occupational health risk assessment with available testing data and complete occupational health information.

[Disparity of minnesota multiphasic personality inventory between positions and its relationship with job burnout in a general hospital].

Objective: To explore the difference of personality characteristics of physicians, nurses, medical skills and administrative personnel in a general hospital and its influence on job burnout. Methods: Employee entered the hospital before 2018 were enrolled in the current study and the position was classified as physicians, nurses, medical technician and administrative staff. Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) was completed by the employee at the time of entering the hospital. Status of job burnout was assessed in 2018 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) . Results: Physicians have a higher rate of paranoia than others (P<0.05) , and administrative staff and medical technician have a slightly higher score than the other two categories of people (P<0.05) , and administrators lie at a higher rate than others (P<0.05) . Further analysis found that personality traits did not have a significant association with job burnout at the time of entry. Conclusion: The administrative and medical staff is slightly more irritable, the administrative staff lying slightly higher score, the staff after the entry of job burnout is not affected by the personality characteristics of the onboarding.

A sub-megavolt anti-scattering grid: Fabrication, testing, and Monte Carlo simulation.

X-ray flash radiography is an effective diagnostic in implosive research. While scattering reduces the contrast of radiography, the anti-scattering grids can effectively intercept the scattered radiation and acquire better images. A focused sub-megavolt grid is elaborately manufactured with the combination of lithography, etching, and laser drilling. The consistency of Monte Carlo simulations and radiographic experiments suggests a transmission of about 36% and a 1000 times improvement for the signal to scatter ratio of the grid.

[Factors affecting the participation rates in epidemiologic surveys].

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the response in health-related epidemiological investigation among Chinese population aged 15 and over. We analyzed the specific causes of non-response, and explored the effective ways to improve the response rate, so as to provide reference for future epidemiological studies of this kind. Methods: Two modes of studies regarding the prevalence of important cardiovascular diseases were used in Chongqing, during the 12(th) Five-Year Plan period in oder to find out the cause related to non-response. Intervention programs were carried out to evaluate the effects. Results: When using the concentrated mode (CM), the completion rate to the questionnaires was only 20.00% in the pre-investigation, with the response rate as 13.48%. In the deconcentrated mode (DM), the completion rate was 31.16%, with the response rate as 25.19%. After a series of incentives provided to both the respondents and the project-related core staff in the two modes, response rates of the two modes increased to the expected 60%. Conclusions: CM appeared having advantages on quality control, but was more time consuming, with higher cost, and without effective follow-up measures to improve the response rate. However, DM had the advantages on controlling the cost and could increase the response rate through making advanced appointment with the households but quality control remained difficult. Two key points should be strengthened to improve the response rates, which including: Precisely finding out the research objects and providing incentives to the respondents to attract their interests of participating in the investigation.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis on colorectal cancer screening program].

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening program in different age groups from the view of health economics. Methods: The screening compliance rates, detection rates in different age groups were calculated by using the data from colorectal cancer screening program in Jiashan county, Zhejiang province. The differences in indicator among age groups were analyzed with χ(2) test or trend χ(2) test. The ratios of cost to the number of case were calculated according to cost statistics. Results: The detection rates of immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) positivity, advanced adenoma and colorectal cancer and early stage cancer increased with age, while the early diagnosis rates were negatively associated with age. After exclusion the younger counterpart, the cost-effectiveness of individuals aged >50 years could be reduced by 15%-30%. Conclusion: From health economic perspective, it is beneficial to start colorectal cancer screening at age of 50 years to improve the efficiency of the screening.

The mortality and direct medical costs of osteoporotic fractures among postmenopausal women in Taiwan.

UNLABELLED: This study estimated the fracture-related mortality and direct medical costs among postmenopausal women in Taiwan by fracture types and age groups by utilizing a nationwide population-based database. Results demonstrated that hip fractures constituted the most severe and expensive complication of osteoporosis across fracture sites. INTRODUCTION: The aims of the study were to evaluate the risk of death and direct medical costs associated with osteoporotic fractures by fracture types and age groups among postmenopausal women in Taiwan. METHODS: This nationwide, population-based study was based on data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Female patients aged 50 years and older in the fracture case cohort were matched in 1:1 ratio with randomly selected subjects in the reference control cohort by age, income-related insurance amount, urbanization level, and the Charlson comorbidity index. There were two main outcome measures of the study: age-differentiated mortality and direct medical costs in the first and subsequent years after osteoporotic fracture events among postmenopausal women. The bootstrap method by resampling with replacement was conducted to generate descriptive statistics of mortality and direct medical costs of the case and control cohorts. Student's t tests were then performed to compare mortality and costs between the two cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 155,466 postmenopausal women in the database met the inclusion criteria for the fracture case cohort, including 22,791 hip fractures, 72,292 vertebral fractures, 15,621 upper end humerus (closed) fractures, 36,774 wrist fractures, and 7,988 multiple fractures. Analytical results demonstrated that patients experiencing osteoporotic fractures were at considerable excess risk of death and incurred substantially higher treatment costs, notably for hip fractures. Furthermore, results also revealed that the risk of mortality increased with advancing age across the spectrum of fracture sites. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirmed an excess mortality and higher direct medical costs associated with osteoporotic fractures. Moreover, hip fractures constituted the most severe and expensive complication of osteoporosis among fracture types.

Hindering factors and suggestions related to organ donation decisions: perspective of the Taiwan Ali-Shan Tsou aboriginal tribe.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Ali-San Tsou (AST) is one of leading aboriginal tribes in Taiwan with traditional godly beliefs related to life and death. Lacking related knowledge, health professionals (HPs) often failed to help them reach good dying or organ donation (OD). This study aimed to explore hindering factors and suggestions related to OD for good dying from Taiwan AST's own perspective. METHODS: An explorative qualitative design was employed using a purposive sample of the AST tribes from Taiwan. Data were collected with AST residents by face-to-face interviews and analyzed by content analysis. RESULTS: Thirty AST residents (16 females and 14 males) with ages ranging from 28 to 78 (mean, 54.5) years completed interviews. Of them, 85% reported various diseases. In this study 73% were Catholics and Christians, 17% held traditional godly believes, and 10% had no religious affiliation. Eight hindering factors were reported: (1) limited information about organs and OD; (2) no qualified organs for donation; (3) worry about lack of forgiveness by ancestors; (4) tribe elders who might not accept concept of OD; (5) intact bodies were required at home during spirit-companion rituals; (6) earth burial with intact bodies was preferred; (7) bodies due to accidental and bad death were impermissible for OD; and (8) worry about possession by the donor's spirit. Seven suggestions were also reported for HPs to enhance AST's OD decisions: (1) starting with friendship and a caring relationship; (2) providing spiritual support from reverent religions; (3) stressing good deeds and honoring tribe folks by OD; (4) avoiding accidental/bad death; (5) providing relevant modern medical knowledge of human organs and OD; (6) introducing OD as part of a good-dying care plan; and (7) demonstrating a respectful discussion mindset about OD. CONCLUSIONS: Eight hindering factors and 7 types of suggestions for enhancing AST aboriginal people's OD decisions were first explored in this project. In the future, HPs are encouraged to invite AST to share the concepts of OT and try to clarify the related concerns with respect for their cultural contexts. With mutual respect, the efforts of sharing and integrating OD into good-dying care would be more possible.

Measuring energy expenditure in clinical populations: rewards and challenges.

The measurement of energy expenditure (EE) is recommended as an important component of comprehensive clinical nutrition assessments in patients with altered metabolic states, who failed to respond to nutrition support and with critical illness that require individualized nutrition support. There is evidence that EE is variable in patients with metabolic diseases, such as chronic renal disease, cirrhosis, HIV, cancer cachexia, cystic fibrosis and patients under intensive care. By using appropriate techniques and interpretations of basal or resting EE, clinicians can facilitate the adequate nutrition support with minimum negative impacts from under- or overfeeding in these patients. This review is based on our current understanding of the different components of EE and the techniques to measure them, and to re-examine advances and challenges to determine energy needs in clinical populations with more focuses on the obese, pediatric and elderly patients. In addition, technological advances have expanded the choices of market-available equipments for assessing EE, which also bring specific challenges and rewards in selecting the right equipment with specific performance criteria. Lastly, analytical considerations of interpreting the results of EE in the context of changing body composition are presented and discussed.

Quantitative assessment of spinal cord perfusion by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound in a porcine model with acute spinal cord contusion.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify spinal cord perfusion by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a porcine model with acute spinal cord injury. METHODS: Microcirculatory changes of acute spinal cord injury were shown by CEUS in a porcine model with spinal cord contusion at three selected time points, coupling with conventional ultrasound (US) and Color Doppler US (CDFI). Time-intensity curves and perfusion parameters were also obtained by autotracking contrast quantification (ACQ) software in the epicenter of contusion site, adjacent region and distant region, respectively. Neurologic and histologic examinations were used to confirm the severity of injury. RESULTS: Conventional US revealed the spinal cord was hypoechoic and homogeneous, whereas the dura mater, pia mater and cerebral aqueduct were hyperechoic. On CDFI intramedullary blood vessels were displayed as segmental and columnar. It was homogeneous on CEUS. After spinal cord contusion, the injured region on gray scale US was hyperechoic. CDFI demonstrated intramedullary blood vessels of adjacent region had increased and dilated during the observation period. On CEUS the epicenter of contusion site was hypoperfusion, whereas its adjacent region was hyperperfusion compared with the distant region. Quantitative analysis showed that peak intensity decreased in epicenters of contusion but increased in adjacent regions significantly at all time points (P<0.05). Evaluation of neurological function for post-contusion demonstrated significantly deterioration in comparison before injury (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is a practical technique that provides overall views for evaluating microcirculatory pattern in spinal cord injury. Quantitative analysis shows the efficacy in assessment of perfusion changes after spinal cord injury.

Evidence for direct CP violation in B±â†’ηh± and observation of B0→ηK0.

We report measurements of the branching fractions and CP asymmetries for B(±)→ηh(±) (h=K or π) and the observation of the decay B(0)→ηK(0) from the final data sample of 772×10(6) B ̅B pairs collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e(+)e(-) collider. The measured branching fractions are B(B(±)→ηK(±))=(2.12±0.23±0.11)×10(-6), B(B(±)→ηπ(±))=(4.07±0.26±0.21)×10(-6), and B(B(0)→ηK(0))=(1.27(-0.29)(+0.33)±0.08)×10(-6), where the last decay is observed for the first time with a significance of 5.4 standard deviations (σ). We also find evidence for CP violation in the charged B modes, A(CP)(B(±)→ηK(±))=-0.38±0.11±0.01 and A(CP)(B(±)→ηπ(±))=-0.19±0.06±0.01 with significances of 3.8 σ and 3.0 σ, respectively. For all measurements, the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Evaluation for the ecological quality status of coastal waters in East China Sea using fuzzy integrated assessment method.

This research presented an evaluation for the ecological quality status (EcoQS) of three semi-enclosed coastal areas using fuzzy integrated assessment method (FIAM). With this method, the hierarchy structure was clarified by an index system of 11 indicators selected from biotic elements and physicochemical elements, and the weight vector of index system was calculated with Delphi-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) procedure. Then, the FIAM was used to achieve an EcoQS assessment. As a result of assessment, most of the sampling stations demonstrated a clear gradient in EcoQS, ranging from high to poor status. Among the four statuses, high and good, owning a ratio of 55.9% and 26.5%, respectively, were two dominant statuses for three bays, especially for Sansha Bay and Luoyuan Bay. The assessment results were found consistent with the pressure information and parameters obtained at most stations. In addition, the sources of uncertainty in classification of EcoQS were also discussed.

Cost-effectiveness of influenza immunization in adult cancer patients in Taiwan.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the influenza vaccine among cancer patients in Taiwan. We determined the effect of immunization on the following outcomes of disease: hospitalizations, emergency department visits, hospital outpatient visits, physician office visits, and deaths. Cost-effectiveness was analysed from the perspectives of the healthcare system and society. A decision tree was used, with estimates of disease burden and costs based on data from published and unpublished sources. The model followed 34 112 cancer patients aged 20-64 years who were registered by the Taiwan National Cancer Registry in 2002. An influenza immunization programme for the cancer population would prevent 2555 cases of all types of influenza infection, 660 of which would be serious cases involving hospitalization, emergency department visits and death. From the perspective of the healthcare system, the programme would cost US$7.7 million, providing net savings of US$5.4 million. From a societal perspective, the programme would cost US$28.6 million, providing net savings of US$22.3 million. This corresponds to savings of US$2107 and US$6338 per case averted, from healthcare and societal perspectives, respectively, as well as 110 lives saved. Lesser disease burden, greater vaccine efficacy and lower cost of hospitalizations increased cost-effectiveness. Influenza immunization for cancer patients is cost-saving and cost-effective from a healthcare and societal perspective in Taiwan. We highly recommend annual influenza vaccinations for this patient group.

The cost-effectiveness of syndromic management for male sexually transmitted disease patients with urethral discharge symptoms and genital ulcer disease in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of syndromic management for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in comparison with the strategies currently used in STD clinics in Taiwan. METHODS: Between July 2004 and June 2005, all male patients with genitourinary symptoms attending two hospitals were included in this study. Current clinical procedures (presumptive treatment and laboratory tests), aetiological diagnosis and syndromic management were compared in terms of diagnostic accuracy, treatment appropriateness, costs and effectiveness. RESULTS: 473 patients met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. 335 patients (71%) had urethral symptoms (discharge, dysuria or painful urination) and 138 (29%) had genital ulcers, sores and skin rashes. For the current approach, the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) for the detection of chlamydial, gonococcal and combined forms of infection were 100%, 40.0% and 60.4%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity, specificity and PPV for the detection of syphilis were 100%, 86.7% and 70.2%, respectively. For syndromic management, the sensitivity, specificity and PPV detection of chlamydial, gonococcal and combined forms of infection were 85.0%, 40.0% and 56.4%, respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity, specificity and PPV for the detection of syphilis were 78.8%, 18.1% and 23.2%, respectively. The average cost of implementing a correct treatment using the current approach was US$54.27 and US$30.74 for urethritis and syphilis, respectively. For the aetiological approach, the average cost of implementing a correct treatment was US$32.83 and US$21.58 for urethritis and syphilis, respectively. For the syndromic approach, the average cost for a correct treatment was US$3.86 and US$14.30 for urethritis and syphilis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of patients attending STD clinics in Taiwan, syndromic management was found to be a more cost-effective protocol in terms of cost per treated STD patient compared with the current and aetiological protocols for STD.

Life expectancy of patients with newly-diagnosed HIV infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the life expectancy of patients with newly-diagnosed HIV infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). AIM: To provide such an estimate using a semi-parametric projection. DESIGN: Statistical analysis. METHODS: Follow-up data for patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection in Taiwan (HIV/AIDS Cohort) from 1 May 1997 to 30 April 2003 (n = 3351, only 1% are injecting drug users) were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The survival function for an age- and gender-matched reference population was generated by the Monte Carlo method from the life-table of the general population. A constant excess hazard model was used to project long-term survival of HIV-infected patients, with linear extrapolation of a logit-transformed curve of survival ratio between HIV-infected patients and the reference population. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate was 58% in patients who had already developed AIDS at diagnosis (AIDS group), and 89% in those who had not (non-AIDS group). Extrapolation yielded an expected mean survival time of 10.6 years after diagnosis for the AIDS group, and 21.5 years after diagnosis for the non-AIDS group. DISCUSSION: Our results support the expansion of HIV screening programs to minimize delay in diagnosis. With continuing advances in HAART, this estimate of survival in initially asymptomatic patients may be conservative. Their long life expectancy raises questions about what kind of preventive heath services should be offered. These should be addressed through further analysis of overall benefit and cost-effectiveness.

Energy expenditure of genuine laughter.

OBJECTIVE: To measure energy expenditure (EE) and heart rate (HR) during genuine laughter. DESIGN: Experimental trial of viewing film clips in four cycles either intended to evoke laughter (humorous -10 min) or unlikely to elicit laughter (not humorous -5 min) under strictly controlled conditions of a whole-room indirect calorimeter equipped with audio recording system. PARTICIPANTS: Forty five adult friend dyads in either same-sex male (n=7), same-sex female (n=21) and mix-sex male-female (n=17); age 18-34 years; body mass index 24.7+/-4.9 (range 17.9-41.1). MEASUREMENTS: Energy expenditure in a whole-room indirect calorimeter, HR using Polar HR monitor. Laugh rate, duration and type from digitized audio data using a computerized system and synchronized with HR and EE results. RESULTS: Laughter EE was 0.79+/-1.30 kJ/min (0.19+/-0.31 kcal/min) higher than resting EE (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval=0.75-0.88 kJ/min), ranging from -2.52 to 9.67 kJ/min (-0.60-2.31 kcal/min). Heart rate during laughter segments increased above resting by 2.1+/-3.8 beats/min, ranging from -7.6 to 26.8 beats/min. Laughter EE was correlated with HR (r (s)=0.250, P<0.01). Both laughter EE and HR were positively correlated with laughter duration (r (s)=0.282 and 0.337, both P<0.001) and rate (r(s)=0.256 and 0.298, both P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Genuine voiced laughter causes a 10­20% increase in EE and HR above resting values, which means that 10­15 minutes of laughter per day could increase total EE by 10­40 kJ (2­10 kcal) [corrected].

Short-latency disparity vergence in humans: evidence for early spatial filtering.

Our study was concerned with the disparity detectors underlying the initial disparity vergence responses (DVRs) that are elicited at ultrashort latencies by binocular disparities applied to large images. DVRs were elicited in humans by applying horizontal disparity to vertical square-wave gratings lacking the fundamental (termed here, the "missing fundamental"). In the frequency domain, a pure square wave is composed of odd harmonics--first, third, fifth, seventh, etc.--such that the third, fifth, seventh, etc., have amplitudes that are one-third, one-fifth, one-seventh, etc., that of the first, and the missing fundamental lacks the first harmonic. The patterns seen by the two eyes have a phase difference of one-quarter wavelength, so the disparity of the features and 4n + 1 harmonics (where n = integer) has one sign (crossed or uncrossed), whereas the 4n - 1 harmonics--including the strongest Fourier component (the third harmonic)--has the opposite sign (uncrossed or crossed): spatial aliasing. The earliest DVRs, recorded with the search-coil technique, had minimum latencies of 70 to 80 ms and were generally in the direction of the third harmonic, that is, uncrossed disparities resulted in convergent eye movements. In other experiments on the DVRs, one eye saw a missing fundamental and the other saw a pure sine wave with the contrast and wavelength of the third harmonic but differing in phase by one-quarter wavelength. This resulted in short-latency vergence in accordance with matching of the third harmonic. These data all indicate the importance of the Fourier components, consistent with early spatial filtering prior to binocular matching.

Human health risk assessment of organochlorines associated with fish consumption in a coastal city in China.

Food consumption is an important route of human exposure to organochlorines (OCs). In order to assess the potential health risks associated with these contaminants due to fish consumption, five species of fish were collected from a local market in Zhoushan City, an island in the East China Sea. Dioxin-like compounds, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/ dibenzofurans, in the fish samples were screened by H4IIE-luc cell bioassay, and the concentrations of specific organochlorines were measured by gas chromatograph-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The bioassay results indicated that concentrations of dioxin-like compounds in the fish samples were below detection limit (0.64 pg/mL). The concentrations of OC pesticides and PCBs ranged from 0.67 to 13 and 0.24 to 1.4 ng/g wet wt., respectively. Significantly, concentrations of p,p'-DDE in fish meat were comparatively high (average 3.9 ng/g wet wt.) compared with the other OC pesticides. The daily fish consumption, based on a dietary survey conducted among 160 local healthy residents, was determined to be 105 g/person. The relevant cancer benchmark concentrations of HCB, dieldrin, chlordane, DDTs and PCBs were 0.36, 0.04, 1.6, 1.7, and 0.29 ng/kg per day, respectively, based on the local diet. The hazard ratios (HRs), based on non-cancer endpoints were all less than 1.0, while the HRs based on cancer were greater than 1.0 for certain contaminants based on the 95th centile concentration in fish tissue.