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Abstract Background The process of digitization should simplify our work and improve related processes (i.e. quality, transparency). Moreover, it enables the home office, which is greatly expanded due to the current pandemic. Regarding workplace health, it should be noted that with increasing digitization, physical activity decreases, and as a result, the number of work-related diseases will increase. On the other hand, increasing digitization also offers promising opportunities for new approaches to workplace health promotion. With these positive as well as negative effects in mind, we designed a workshop to increase physical activity at work. This protocol describes our approach to a live workshop concept. Methods We use a randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups: a live workshop with and without additional reminders. The workshop intervention design consists of a baseline measurement, two workshops, and one follow-up measurement. Each workshop takes place in small groups (n

We detected delayed and reduced antibody and T-cell responses after BNT162b2 vaccination in 71 elderly persons (median age 81 years) compared with 123 healthcare workers (median age 34 years) in [...]

Abstract Purpose The use of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine has generated much debate concerning safety issues among the general population and physicians. It was questioned if this is a safe vaccine. Therefore, we investigated the safety of an inactivated monovalent H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine Methods We focused on the H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine Pandemrix® and applied a self reporting questionnaire in a population of healthcare workers (HCWs) and medical students at a major university hospital. Results In total, 4337 individuals were vaccinated, consisting of 3808 HCWs and 529 medical students. The vaccination rate of the employees was higher than 40%. The majority of individuals were vaccinated in November 2009. In total, 291 of the 4337 vaccinations were reported to lead to one or more adverse reactions (6.7%). Local reactions were reported in 3.8%, myalgia and arthralgia in 3.7%, fatigue in 3.7%, headache in 3.1%. Conclusions Our data together with available data from several national and international institutions points to a safe pandemic influenza vaccine.

Abstract Background In April 2009 a novel influenza A H1N1/2009 virus was identified in Mexico and in the United States which quickly spread around the world. Most of the countries established infection surveillance systems in order to track the number of (laboratory-confirmed) H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Methods The impact of the emergence of the novel pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus on Frankfurt was statistically evaluated by the Health Protection Authority, City of Frankfurt am Main. Vaccination rates of the health care workers (HCWs) of the University Hospital Frankfurt were measured by the Occupational Health Service. Results Although the virulence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 seems to be comparable with seasonal influenza, a major patient load and wave of hospital admissions occurred in the summer of 2009. Even though the 2009 vaccination rate of the University Hospital Frankfurt (seasonal influenza [40.5%], swine flu [36.3%]) is better than the average annual uptake of influenza vaccine in the German health care system (approximately 22% for seasonal and 15% for swine flu), vaccination levels remain insufficient. However, physicians were significantly (p < 0.001) more likely to have been vaccinated against swine flu and seasonal influenza than nurses. Conclusions The outbreak of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in April 2009 provided a major challenge to health services around the world. Nosocomial transmission of H1N1/2009 has been documented. Present experience should be used to improve pandemic preparedness plans and vaccination programs ought to target as many HCWs as possible.

Abstract Due to an increasing awareness of the potential hazardousness of air pollutants, new laws, rules and guidelines have recently been implemented globally. In this respect, numerous studies have addressed traffic-related exposure to particulate matter using stationary technology so far. By contrast, only few studies used the advanced technology of mobile exposure analysis. The Mobile Air Quality Study (MAQS) addresses the issue of air pollutant exposure by combining advanced high-granularity spatial-temporal analysis with vehicle-mounted, person-mounted and roadside sensors. The MAQS-platform will be used by international collaborators in order 1) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to road structure, 2) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to traffic density, 3) to assess air pollutant exposure in relation to weather conditions, 4) to compare exposure within vehicles between front and back seat (children) positions, and 5) to evaluate "traffic zone"-exposure in relation to non-"traffic zone"-exposure. Primarily, the MAQS-platform will focus on particulate matter. With the establishment of advanced mobile analysis tools, it is planed to extend the analysis to other pollutants including NO2, SO2, nanoparticles and ozone.

Background: Rapid and reliable diagnostic work-up of tuberculosis (TB) remains a major healthcare goal. In particular, discrimination of TB infection from TB disease with currently available diagnostic tools is challenging and time consuming. This study aimed at establishing a standardised blood-based assay that rapidly and reliably discriminates TB infection from TB disease based on multiparameter analysis of TB antigen-reactive CD4 + T-cells acting as sensors for TB stage-specific immune status., Methods: 157 HIV-negative subjects with suspected TB infection or TB disease were recruited from local tertiary care hospitals in Berlin (Germany). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed for CD4 + T-cells reactive to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens purified protein derivative and early secretory antigenic target 6 kDa/culture filtrate protein 10. The activation state of TB antigen-reactive T-cells, identified by surface expression of CD154, was evaluated according to the expression profile of proliferation marker Ki-67 and activation markers CD38 and HLA-DR. Using data from 81 subjects with clinically confirmed TB infection (n=34) or culture-proven pulmonary or extrapulmonary TB disease (n=47), 12 parameters were derived from the expression profile and integrated into a scoring system., Results: Using the scoring system, our assay (TB-Flow Assay) allowed reliable discrimination of TB infection from both pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB disease with high sensitivity (90.9%) and specificity (93.3%) as was confirmed by Monte-Carlo cross-validation., Conclusion: With low time requirement, ease of sample collection, and high sensitivity and specificity both for pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB disease, we believe this novel standardised TB-Flow Assay will improve the work-up of patients with suspected TB disease, supporting rapid TB diagnosis and facilitating treatment decisions., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: A. Scheffold and P. Bacher are advisors to Miltenyi Biotec who own IP rights on the use of CD154 for antigen-specific T-cell detection. A. Scheffold, C. Meisel, H-D. Volk, P. Bacher, T. Meyer and A. Mantei are listed as inventors in a patent (10 2018 131 696.8) that has been issued and a patent (PCT/EP2019/084392) that is pending on the discrimination of TB infection and TB disease using the method described herein. The remaining authors declare no competing financial interests., (Copyright ©The authors 2022.)

Background: Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) can cause a transmission of bloodborne diseases. In this study, injury rate, accident mechanisms, and targets for preventive strategies were investigated at a major university hospital hosting different medical study programs., Methods: In 2009 and 2010, cross-sectional anonymous surveys were carried out among medical undergraduate students. Furthermore, all NSIs reported to the accident insurer from 2007 to 2010 were analyzed. This spans the comprehensive introduction of safety instruments in the university hospital in 2008., Results: The online survey was completed by 1,214 students in 2009 and 917 students in 2010. Results show an injury rate of 21.4% per year (mean value). Accidents are mostly related to vein puncture, surgical procedures, and instrument disposal. Comparing 2 parallel medical programs, the educational curriculum using objective structured clinical examinations, which are associated with significantly lower NSI incidences. The rate of under-reporting is 53% (mean value). Analysis of the injury reports made to the accident insurer showed a 50% decrease in NSIs surrounding the introduction of safe instruments., Conclusion: Undergraduate medical students are at high risk of NSIs. Safe instruments and university instructions can prevent NSIs. Reporting procedures should be part of medical undergraduate training., (Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)