Syndromische Surveillance akuter respiratorischer Erkrankungen in Kindergärten und Kindertagesstätten Schleswig-Holsteins (SHARE)Ein dreijähriges Pilotprojekt im Kreis Schleswig-Flensburg

Zur zeitnahen Gewinnung belastbarer, regionaler Daten zur Ausbreitung der Influenza in Altersgruppen, die bevorzugt zuerst von Influenza betroffen sind, wurde ab 2006 ein syndromisches Surveillance-System für akute Respirationstrakt-Erkrankungen in Kindergärten und Kindertagesstätten Schleswig-Holsteins etabliert. Als Pilotkreis diente der Kreis Schleswig-Flensburg, in dem 12 von 114 Kindergärten mit 850 von 5759 betreuten Kindern zu einer freiwilligen Kooperation bereit waren. Die Arbeit fasst die Ergebnisse der syndromischen Surveillance zusammen und bewertet sie

Stress and laterality - The comparative perspective

Functional hemispheric asymmetries can vary over time and steroid hormones have been shown to be one of the factors that can modulate them. Research into this matter has mainly focused on sex steroid hormones (androgens, estrogens and progestogens), although there is increasing evidence that glucocorticoids which are related to the body's response to stress (e.g. cortisol or corticosterone) might also modulate functional hemispheric asymmetries. Here, we review studies in humans and non-human model species investigating the relation of stress and laterality. Results indicate a dual relationship of the two parameters. Both acute and chronic stress can affect different forms of lateralization in the human brain, often (but not always) resulting in greater involvement of the right hemisphere. Moreover, lateralization as a form of functional brain architecture can also represent a protective factor against adverse effects of stress

Carrier prevalence, secondary household transmission and long-term shedding in two districts during the Escherichia coli O104:H4 outbreak in Germany, 2011

Background: From May-July 2011, Germany experienced a large Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O104:H4 outbreak. Our objective was to identify the prevalence of STEC O104:H4 carriers in households in highly affected areas, the rate of secondary household transmissions, and the duration of long-term shedding. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we recruited case and control households to determine STEC household prevalence; we then conducted a prospective cohort study (≥2-persons households with ≥1 case) for rates of household transmission and shedding duration. Results: For part 1, we recruited 57 case households (62 cases and 93 household contacts) and 36 control households (89 household members). We only detected cases in previously known case households and identified 1 possible adult-to-adult household transmission. For part 2, we followed 14 households and 20 carriers. No secondary household transmission was detected in the prospective follow-up. The longest prolonged shedding lasted >7 months, however, median estimated shedding time was 10-14 days (95% CI: 0-33 days). Three carriers showed intermittent shedding. Conclusions: Prevalence of STEC O104:H4 carriers even in highly affected areas appears to be low. Despite prolonged shedding in some patients, secondary adult-to-adult household transmissions seem to be rare events in the post-diarrheal disease phase

The space infrared telescope for cosmology and astrophysics: SPICA A joint mission between JAXA and ESA

International audienceThe Space Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA) is planned to be the next space astronomy mission observing in the infrared. The mission is planned to be launched in 2017 and will feature a 3.5 m telescope cooled to 30 microns wavelength). We describe the scientific advances that will be made possible by this large increase in sensitivity and give details of the mission, spacecraft and focal plane conceptual design