Examining double standards in layoff preferences and expectations for gender, age, and ethnicity when violating the social norm of vaccination

Whether vaccination refusal is perceived as a social norm violation that affects layoff decisions has not been tested. Also unknown is whether ascribed low-status groups are subject to double standards when they violate norms, experiencing stronger sanctions in layoff preferences and expectations, and whether work performance attenuates such sanctioning. Therefore, we study layoff preferences and expectations using a discrete choice experiment within a large representative online survey in Germany (N = 12,136). Respondents chose between two employee profiles, each with information about ascribed characteristics signaling different status groups (gender, age, and ethnicity), work performance (work quality and quantity, and social skills), and whether the employees refused to vaccinate against COVID-19. We found that employees who refused vaccination were more likely to be preferred and expected to be laid off. Respondents also expected double standards regarding layoffs due to vaccination refusal, hence, harsher treatment of females and older employees. Nonetheless, their preferences did not reflect such double standards. We found little support that high work performance attenuates these sanctions and double standards, opening questions about the conditions under which social biases arise. Our results suggest detrimental consequences of vaccination refusal for individuals, the labor market, and acceptance of health policies.

Pay Justice and Pay Satisfaction: The Influence of Reciprocity, Social Comparisons, and Standard of Living

This study compares two pay evaluations: pay justice and pay satisfaction. Conceptually, pay justice entails a moral assessment and is more specific to work, whereas pay satisfaction is a broader attitude that includes non-work-related factors. We analyzed German employee data and found overall similarity in determinants but differences in proximity to work contexts. Pay satisfaction was more strongly associated with private pay comparisons and standard of living, whereas pay justice was more strongly associated with reciprocity in the employer-employee relationship through working hours and comparisons at work. The results therefore suggest that employers can influence pay justice more easily than pay satisfaction by means of addressing imbalances in the employer-employee exchange and within organizational pay structures.

Observing many researchers using the same data and hypothesis reveals a hidden universe of uncertainty

This study explores how researchers' analytical choices affect the reliability of scientific findings. Most discussions of reliability problems in science focus on systematic biases. We broaden the lens to emphasize the idiosyncrasy of conscious and unconscious decisions that researchers make during data analysis. We coordinated 161 researchers in 73 research teams and observed their research decisions as they used the same data to independently test the same prominent social science hypothesis: that greater immigration reduces support for social policies among the public. In this typical case of social science research, research teams reported both widely diverging numerical findings and substantive conclusions despite identical start conditions. Researchers' expertise, prior beliefs, and expectations barely predict the wide variation in research outcomes. More than 95% of the total variance in numerical results remains unexplained even after qualitative coding of all identifiable decisions in each team's workflow. This reveals a universe of uncertainty that remains hidden when considering a single study in isolation. The idiosyncratic nature of how researchers' results and conclusions varied is a previously underappreciated explanation for why many scientific hypotheses remain contested. These results call for greater epistemic humility and clarity in reporting scientific findings.

Is Microarray Analysis Really Useful and Sufficient to Diagnose Nut Allergy in the Mediterranean Area?

BACKGROUND

Component-based diagnosis on multiplex platforms is widely used in food allergy but its clinical performance has not been evaluated in nut allergy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic performance of a commercial protein microarray in the determination of specific IgE (sIgE) in peanut, hazelnut, and walnut allergy.

METHODS

sIgE was measured in 36 peanut-allergic, 36 hazelnut-allergic, and 44 walnut-allergic patients by ISAC 112, and subsequently, sIgE against available components was determined by ImmunoCAP in patients with negative ISAC results. ImmunoCAP was also used to measure sIgE to Ara h 9, Cora 8, and Jug r 3 in a subgroup of lipid transfer protein (LTP)-sensitized nut-allergic patients (positive skin prick test to LTP-enriched extract). sIgE levels by ImmunoCAP were compared with ISAC ranges.

RESULTS

Most peanut-, hazelnut-, and walnut-allergic patients were sensitized to the corresponding nut LTP (Ara h 9, 66.7%; Cor a 8, 80.5%; Jug r 3, 84% respectively). However, ISAC did not detect sIgE in 33.3% of peanut-allergic patients, 13.9% of hazelnut-allergic patients, or 13.6% of walnut-allergic patients. sIgE determination by ImmunoCAP detected sensitization to Ara h 9, Cor a 8, and Jug r 3 in, respectively, 61.5% of peanut-allergic patients, 60% of hazelnut-allergic patients, and 88.3% of walnut-allergic patients with negative ISAC results. In the subgroup of peach LTP-sensitized patients, Ara h 9 sIgE was detected in more cases by ImmunoCAP than by ISAC (94.4% vs 72.2%, P < .05). Similar rates of Cora 8 and Jug r 3 sensitization were detected by both techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnostic performance of ISAC was adequate for hazelnut and walnut allergy but not for peanut allergy. sIgE sensitivity against Ara h 9 in ISAC needs to be improved.

A Comprehensive Comparison of the IEFPCM and SS(V)PE Continuum Solvation Methods with the COSMO Approach

Dielectric continuum models are popular for modeling solvent effects in quantum chemical calculations. The polarizable continuum model (PCM) was originally published exploiting the exact dielectric boundary condition. This is nowadays called DPCM. The conductor-like screening model (COSMO) introduced a simplified and slightly empirical scaled conductor boundary condition, which turned out to reduce the errors resulting from outlying charge. This was implemented in PCM as CPCM. Later, the integral equation formalism (IEFPCM) and the formally identical SS(V)PE model of Chipman introduced a modified dielectric boundary condition combining the dielectric exactness of DPCM with the reduced outlying charge sensitivity of COSMO. In this paper, we demonstrate on two huge data sets of neutral and ionic solutes that no significant difference can be observed between the COSMO and IEFPCM, if the correct scaling factor is chosen for COSMO.

SiO2 coating effects in the magnetic anisotropy of Fe3-xO4 nanoparticles suitable for bio-applications

We present radio frequency transverse susceptibility (TS) measurements on oleic acid-coated and SiO2-coated Fe3-xO4 magnetite nanoparticles. The effects of the type of coating on the interparticle interactions and magnetic anisotropy are evaluated for two different particle sizes in powder samples. On the one hand, SiO2 coating reduces the interparticle interactions as compared to oleic acid coating, the reduction being more effective for 5 nm than for 14 nm diameter particles. On the other hand, the magnetic anisotropy field at low temperature is lower than 1 kOe in all cases and independent of the coating used. Our results are relevant concerning applications in biomedicine, since the SiO2 coating renders 5 and 14 nm hydrophilic particles with very limited agglomeration, low anisotropy, and superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. The TS technique also allows us to discriminate the influence on the anisotropy field of interparticle interactions from that of the thermal fluctuations.

Validity of ultrasonography and measures of adult shoulder function and reliability of ultrasonography in detecting shoulder synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis using magnetic resonance imaging as a gold standard

OBJECTIVE

To assess the intra- and interobserver reproducibility of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (US) in detecting inflammatory shoulder changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and to determine the agreement between US and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a gold standard.

METHODS

Eleven rheumatologists investigated 10 patients in 2 rounds independently and blindly of each other by US. US results were compared with shoulder function tests and MRI.

RESULTS

The positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) for axillary recess synovitis (ARS) were 0.88 and 0.43, respectively, for posterior recess synovitis (PRS) were 0.36 and 0.97, respectively, for subacromial/subdeltoid bursitis (SASB) were 0.85 and 0.28, respectively, and the NPV for biceps tenosynovitis (BT) was 1.00. The intraobserver kappa was 0.62 for ARS, 0.59 for PRS, 0.51 for BT, and 0.70 for SASB. The intraobserver kappa for power Doppler US (PDUS) signal was 0.91 for PRS, 0.77 for ARS, 0.94 for SASB, and 0.53 for BT. The interobserver maximum kappa was 0.46 for BT, 0.95 for ARS, 0.52 for PRS, and 0.61 for SASB. The interobserver reliability of PDUS was 1.0 for PRS, 0.1 for ARS, 0.5 for BT, and 1.0 for SASB. P values for the SPADI and DASH versus cuff tear on US were 0.02 and 0.01, respectively; all other relationships were not significant.

CONCLUSION

Overall agreements between gray-scale US and MRI regarding synovitis of the shoulder varied considerably, but excellent results were seen for PDUS. Measures of shoulder function have a poor relationship with US and MRI. Improved standardization of US scanning technique could further reliability of shoulder US.

Ultrasound in rheumatology. The Mexican experience

Over the last few years, a growing number of rheumatologists has taken great interest in ultrasonography for its well known advantages and wide spectrum of validated applications in daily rheumatological practice. Most rheumatologists actively performing ultrasonography have had a training experience mainly based on attendance in sonographic courses and/or in radiological or rheumatological units. At present, in Mexico ultrasonography has a still limited diffusion among rheumatologists even if it may play a key role as a first line imaging technique also because of the restricted availability for rheumatic patients for other imaging modalities. This report describes the Mexican experience in education and training on musculoskeletal ultrasound. In 2003, the Mexican School of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound of the Mexican College of Rheumatology (ECOMER) was founded with the intention of joining efforts to launch musculoskeletal ultrasound in Mexico. Essential requirements shared by all the members of ECOMER include: to own an ultrasound machine, to incorporate ultrasonography into clinical daily practice and to keep up-to-date in musculoskeletal ultrasound. The motto of ECOMER is una clara imagen de la reumatologia which means a clear picture of rheumatology. The statute of ECOMER can be read in its web site: www.ecomer.org.mx. This web site also provides a forum for case discussion, consultation and image review.

Epidemiologic evidence of transmission of donor-related bacterial infection through a transplanted heart

This study describes a patient who had fulminant infectious myocarditis as a result of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus after receiving a heart transplant from an infected donor. There was complete concordance of typing results between donor and recipient strains that were different from the 20 isolates with which they were compared. Molecular epidemiologic study provided compelling evidence that a transplanted organ can transmit a bacterial infection from the donor to the recipient.

Spectrum of alcohol-induced myocardial damage detected by indium-111-labeled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies

OBJECTIVES

We sought to determine the prevalence, intensity and evolving changes of myocardial damage detected by myocardial uptake of antimyosin antibodies in patients with alcohol-induced dilated cardiomyopathy, alcohol addicts attending a detoxification unit and healthy subjects with short-term alcohol consumption.

BACKGROUND

Evidence of alcohol-induced myocardial damage may be provided by myocardial uptake of indium-111-labeled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies. The spectrum of such damage in patients who are heavy drinkers (> 100 g for > 10 years), with or without cardiomyopathy, and the impact of short-term alcohol ingestion on antimyosin antibody uptake have not been adequately explored.

METHODS

One hundred twenty antimyosin studies were performed in 56 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (group I), 15 alcohol addicts attending a detoxification unit (group II) and 6 volunteers for short-term alcohol ingestion (group III). Estimation of antibody uptake was calculated through a heart/lung ratio (HLR) (normal < 1.55).

RESULTS

The 56 patients in group I (54 men, 2 women; mean [+/-SD] age 46 +/- 11 years) had consumed 123 +/- 60 g/day of alcohol for 21 +/- 9 years, for a cumulative intake of 914 +/- 478 kg. Mean duration of symptoms was 46 +/- 49 months. Mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was 71 +/- 10 mm, and mean ejection fraction was 28 +/- 12%. No differences in New York Heart Association functional class, ventricular size or ejection fraction were noted between 28 active and 28 past consumers, except for the prevalence and intensity of antibody uptake (75% vs. 32%, p < 0.001) and HLR (1.75 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.49 +/- 0.17, p = 0.0001). In 19 patients in the active group restudied after alcohol withdrawal, antibody uptake decreased (from 1.76 +/- 0.17 to 1.55 +/- 0.19, p < 0.001), and ejection fraction improved (from 30 +/- 12% to 43 +/- 16%, (p < 0.001). No changes occurred in the 15 past consumers restudied. The 15 male patients in group II (mean age 36 +/- 4 years) had consumed 156 +/- 59 g/day for 17 +/- 5 years, for a cumulative alcohol intake of 978 +/- 537 kg, an amount similar to that in patients in group I, but antimyosin antibody uptake was detected in only 3 (20%) of 15 patients. None of six group III subjects developed antibody uptake after short-term ethanol ingestion. Despite the small sample size, the power to detect clinically relevant differences in most variables that did not reach statistical significance was amply sufficient.

CONCLUSIONS

In alcohol-induced dilated cardiomyopathy, alcohol withdrawal is associated with the reduction or disappearance of myocardial damage and improvement of function. The difference in prevalence of antimyosin antibody uptake in patients with and without cardiac disease who consume similar amounts of alcohol suggests the presence of those with different myocardial susceptibilities to alcohol. Short-term ethanol ingestion in healthy subjects does not induce detectable uptake of antimyosin antibodies.

Nursing protocol for manipulation of haemodialysis catheters

This study looked at the incidence of infection complications, in relation to central vein catheterisation as a provisional HD access, by means of the establishment of a nursing protocol for the handling of these catheters. Central vein catheterisation is a classical technique in Nephrology.

Enterovirus persistence and myocardial damage detected by 111In-monoclonal antimyosin antibodies in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in whom enteroviruses in the myocardium are detected are more likely to die than those in whom no viruses have been demonstrated. The presence of enterovirus RNA in the myocardium at endomyocardial biopsy has been shown to be the strongest predictor of reduced survival. These results raise the question as to whether persistent virus might be responsible for continuing myocardial damage. Detection of myocardial cell damage is assessed using 111Indium-labelled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies. The present study was undertaken to address the question of whether the presence of myocardial cell damage by such antibodies in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy can be correlated with enterovirus persistence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A series of 19 consecutive patients diagnosed as having chronic dilated cardiomyopathy who were referred for evaluation for heart transplantation were studied with 111Indium labelled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies. These patients and 10 controls were screened for enterovirus RNA sequences in endomyocardial biopsy tissue by hybridization with an enterovirus group-specific cDNA probe.

RESULTS

Antimyosin uptake, indicative of myocardial cell damage, was observed in 16 of 19 patients (84%), with dilated cardiomyopathy, and enterovirus RNA sequences were detected in endomyocardial biopsies from four of these 16 patients (25%), but not in myocardium from the remaining three patients with a negative antimyosin scan, nor from any of 10 controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Although these data do not establish a causal relationship between virus persistence in the myocardium and myocardial damage, the results obtained in the preliminary study support the hypothesis that enterovirus persistence is associated with continuing myocardial damage in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Epidemic outbreak of interstitial lung disease in aerographics textile workers--the "Ardystil syndrome": a first year follow up

BACKGROUND

The longer term respiratory effects of massive inhalational exposure of textile printing sprayers to Acramin (the "Ardystil syndrome") are not well established.

METHODS

A 12 month follow up of 27 heavily exposed textile sprayers was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty one patients experienced cough, 18 dyspnoea, and 17 nose bleeding at initial exposure, with histological evidence of organising pneumonia in 13 cases, radiological abnormalities detected by computed tomographic scanning in 20 cases, and diminution of diffusion capacity to below 80% of predicted in seven cases. At one year after exposure symptoms persisted in 15 cases, radiological alterations in six, and diffusion capacity was reduced in nine.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst most of our patients showed improvement at one year, evidence of persistent lung involvement was present in an appreciable minority of exposed cases.

Active myocardial damage in hyperthyroidism. A concurrent mechanism of heart failure reversed by treatment

A patient with hyperthyroidism, heart failure, and depressed ejection fraction, in whom myocardial damage was evidenced by In111-labelled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies, is presented. Both myocardial damage and left ventricular dysfunction disappeared after antithyroid therapy. This suggests that, in addition to volume overload, heart failure in hyperthyroidism could be also due to the presence of potentially reversible concurrent myocardial damage.

Reversal of dilated cardiomyopathy after chronic tricyclic antidepressant drug withdrawal

Two patients referred for heart transplantation for dilated cardiomyopathy on chronic tricyclic antidepressant treatment are described. Echocardiographic normalization of left ventricular diameters and function were evidenced after drug withdrawal, suggesting drug-induced toxic myocardial disease. The possibility of functional improvement after tricyclic antidepressant drug withdrawal should be kept in mind before including patients with dilated cardiomyopathy in a heart transplantation program.

Outbreak of organising pneumonia in textile printing sprayers. Collaborative Group for the Study of Toxicity in Textile Aerographic Factories

Eight textile printing factories in Valencia, Spain, with a total workforce of 257 using spraying techniques were investigated as a result of severe interstitial lung disease occurring in three employees, one of whom died. Clinical and radiological data together with biopsy specimens from 71 (27.6%) workers with abnormal respiratory features indicated the occurrence of an outbreak of organising pneumonia resulting in 6 deaths. Epidemiological analysis included the 22 workers who fulfilled the radiological case definition based on chest radiograph and computed tomographic scan showing widespread nodular opacities or confluent patchy consolidation with a lung biopsy corresponding to organising pneumonia. The overall attack rate was 8.9%. Only 2 of the 22 cases never worked in factories A or B. Those who had only worked in factory A had the highest risk of being a case (RR = 24.3; 95% CI = 5.7-104.4). The relationship of case status to period of employment suggested an abrupt change in exposure conditions in the period when Acramin FWR was substituted by Acramin FWN. Although the precise toxicological mechanism is unknown, it is proposed that the lung disease was caused by spraying procedures delivered a respirable aerosol of Acramin FWN to distal airways and pulmonary parenchyma.

Presence, evolving changes, and prognostic implications of myocardial damage detected in idiopathic and alcoholic dilated cardiomyopathy by 111In monoclonal antimyosin antibodies

BACKGROUND

The clinical relevance of myocardial cell damage in dilated cardiomyopathy is uncertain. Myocardial uptake of 111In monoclonal antimyosin antibodies (MAA) was used to study myocardial damage in patients with idiopathic (IDC) and alcoholic (ADC) dilated cardiomyopathy and to assess its prognostic implications.

METHODS AND RESULTS

MAA and echocardiographic studies were performed in 117 patients. Intensity of antibody uptake was measured by heart-to-lung ratio (HLR) (normal < 1.55). Studies were repeated in survivors and patients who did not receive a cardiac transplant. Follow-up extended up to 62 months (mean, 23 +/- 16 months). Eighty-eight patients with IDC showed a 77% prevalence of abnormal MAA. After acute-onset IDC, reduction of HLR (1.81 +/- 0.2 to 1.56 +/- 0.1) (P = .007) with improvement in ejection fraction (EF) (35 +/- 10% to 46 +/- 14%) (P = .018) was observed. No changes in HLR or EF were detected in patients with chronic stable IDC. Twenty-nine patients with ADC showed a lower prevalence (48%) of abnormal MAA studies than those with IDC (P = .003). HLR was higher in 13 active (1.78 +/- 0.3) than in 16 past consumers (1.49 +/- 0.2) (P = .019); in the former, HLR decreased to 1.44 +/- 0.2 (P = .012), and EF improved (35 +/- 14% to 53 +/- 18%) (P = .05) after abstention. Intensities of uptake HLR of > 1.87 were associated with increased risk of death or transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with IDC, variations of MAA uptake are detected in patients who present acutely but not in those with chronic stable disease. In patients with ADC, MAA uptake mainly depends on alcohol consumption. In both situations, reduction of uptake correlates with improvement of ventricular function. Higher intensities of MAA uptake are associated with a worse outcome. The intensity of antibody uptake, along with other clinical and functional variables, may be helpful in risk stratification of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

[Percutaneous coronary transluminal angioplasty in a heart transplant recipient]

A 46-year-old female, who underwent an orthotopic heart transplantation 5 years ago, presented an occlusive coronary artery disease with severe stenosis of the left anterior descending artery and a large septal perforator. An isonitrile scintigraphy showed a decreased uptake involving the anterior and inferior segments of the left ventricle. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was successfully performed in both lesions. Three months after dilatation, improvement of the uptake in both myocardial segments was detected. The results of the percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty published in the literature are reviewed.

Early postoperative reduction of monoclonal antimyosin antibody uptake is associated with absent rejection-related complications after heart transplantation

BACKGROUND

Detection and treatment for rejection after transplantation are based on the identification of myocyte damage upon endomyocardial biopsy. Noninvasive detection of such damage is possible with 111In-labeled monoclonal antimyosin antibodies (MAA). Although the presence and degree of MAA uptake parallels the rejection activity detected by biopsy, the relation between the degree of uptake and the occurrence of severe rejection-related complications has not been previously assessed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Two hundred forty-seven MAA studies were performed coinciding with biopsies in 52 patients 1-71 months after transplantation. A heart-to-lung ratio (HLR) was used as a measure of relative MAA uptake, with an HLR of 1.55 discriminating normal from abnormal studies. Of the 247 antimyosin studies, 149 coincided with absent, 38 with mild, and 60 with moderate rejection at biopsy. HLR was 1.68 +/- 0.27, 1.79 +/- 0.22, and 1.91 +/- 0.33 in the three biopsy groups, respectively (p less than 0.0001). Two hundred thirty-eight of 247 antimyosin studies coexisted with absent rejection-related complications; in nine of 247 patients, such complications were detected (five congestive heart failure episodes due to rejection and four episodes of vascular occlusion, which resulted in five deaths), and mean HLR was 1.74 +/- 0.3 and 2.1 +/- 0.16 in the two groups, respectively (p less than 0.0001). No complications were noted in 193 studies of patients with HLR of less than 2.00, whereas in nine of 45 with HRL of 2.00 or greater, complications occurred (p less than 0.0001). None of the 23 patients prospectively followed since surgery who had a gradual decrease in MAA uptake during the first 3 months showed rejection-related complications, whereas persistent uptake was associated with complications in five of nine patients (p less than 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

No rejection-related complications are seen coinciding with HLR of less than 2.00, whereas patients who have complications have an HLR of more than 2.00. The early 3-month pattern of decreasing MAA uptake is associated with a clinical course free of rejection-related complications, whereas a persistent pattern is a signal of the possibility of such complications.

Indium-111-monoclonal antimyosin antibody studies after the first year of heart transplantation. Identification of risk groups for developing rejection during long-term follow-up and clinical implications

The long-term clinical course and results of biopsies in 21 patients studied with monoclonal antimyosin antibodies more than 12 months after heart transplantation according to the presence and degree of antimyosin-antibody uptake is described. Eighteen men and three women aged 20-52 years (39 +/- 9 years) were studied with antimyosin antibodies 12-40 months (mean, 22 +/- 9 months) after heart transplantation, and followed for a mean of 18 months (10-28 months). The number of biopsies performed during follow-up was 102. Results showed normal antimyosin-antibody studies in nine patients and abnormal studies in 12 patients. Myocyte damage was identified in 18 of the 102 biopsies (17.6%), one in the normal antimyosin-antibody group of patients and 17 in those patients with myocardial antimyosin-antibody uptake. Patients who developed rejection comprised 11% and 67% of each respective group; the mean number of rejection episodes per patient was 0.11 +/- 0.33 and 1.41 +/- 1.41, respectively (p less than 0.01). A trend was noted by which higher heart-to-lung ratios were associated with greater probability of rejection. Conclusively, 1) antimyosin-antibody studies performed after more than 1 year after heart transplantation indicate the presence and level of rejection activity, 2) groups of patients at risk for developing rejection at biopsy during long-term follow-up may be detected by antimyosin-antibody study, and 3) surveillance for rejection and the degree of immunosuppression should be tailored to meet individual patient needs.

[A morbidity information system based on school absenteeism]

We present a pilot experience about the introduction of a information system designed for the knowledge of infant morbidity (4-15 years) in a 13 school week period in a representative sample of 60 schools of the Valencian Community. We studied school absences that lasted three days or longer. Reports of teachers and parents were the source of information (100% response rate). Medical certification was also requested to the pediatricians and general practitioners of the area of the schools (12.74% response rate). To test the validity of this information system, absences caused by hepatitis were compared with the registry of Notifiable Diseases System (NDS) for the same period. We recorded 3,968 absences, with a cumulative incidence of 100.68 per 1,000 (C.I., alpha = .05, +/- 4.97) for females, and 119.4 (C.I., alpha = .05, +/- 18.36) for males. These differences were statistically significant. There was a concordance of 80.25% of the hepatitis cases between the registry of absenteeism and that of the NDS (chi 2 goodness of fit test = 3.16, p = .754). Although absences shorter than 3 days were not taken into account, the information system provided relevant and valid estimates of morbidity. Moreover, collaboration of teachers was considered very positive, which led us to use this health information system in five health areas of the Valencian Community.

[Predictive value of obligatory reporting of sexually transmitted diseases]

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were recently included in the Spanish reporting system, or Compulsory Reporting of Diseases (EDO). In the present study, the validity of this system is evaluated with the estimation of the positive predictive values of the EDO. A preestablished questionnaire was administered by phone to the reporting physicians of the 478 cases of STD that had been reported to the EDO system from August 1987 to May 1988 in the Alicante and Valencia provinces. In this survey, in addition to data related to the reporting physician (specialty and place of work) and to the patient (sex, clinical symptoms and signs), information permitting to classify each diagnosis as certain, likely and unlikely was collected (incubation time, laboratory tests). Considered as a whole, the results suggested an acceptable accuracy (positive predictive value 79.09%, confidence limits 76.7%-81.5%) for both diseases. This permits to consider STD statistics as fairly accurate. Among the factors influencing the diagnostic precision are the disease itself, the patient's sex, the qualification of the reporting physician and his place of work. The predictive value of the cases reported from centers of diagnosis of STD was higher. We think that, although these results are acceptable for the epidemiological survey, the quality of care could be enhanced by a better organization of services and an improved undergraduate and postgraduate education.

[The diagnosis of infection in the neonatal period]

The laboratory tests used to establish the diagnosis of infection in the newborn period were studied and it was found that more than 700 band cells/mm3 in peripheral blood supported the diagnosis of sepsis and that concomitant thrombocytopenia increased these possibilities. Among the other tests, only the IgM was found of diagnostic value in cases of intrauterine infection.