医疗保健 知识点题库

    People with an impulsive personality refer to those who tend to do things without considering the possible dangers or problems first. According to a new study by researchers at the University of Georgia, such people may be more likely to have food addiction. The study found that people exhibiting impulsive behavior weren't necessarily overweight, but impulsiveness was related to a direct relationship with food, and therefore, less healthy weight.

    Food addiction has been compared to addictive drug use. Studies have linked the dopamine (多巴胺) release that occurs after tasting delicious food to the dopamine release that happens when people consume other addictive substances.

    Impulsive behavior involves several personality traits (特点). Two of these traits, known as negative urgency and lack of perseverance, were particularly associated with food addiction and high BMI (身体质量指数) during the study.

    Negative urgency is characterized by the tendency to behave impulsively when experiencing negative emotions. Some people might drink alcohol or take drugs. For others, it could mean eating to feel better. Lack of perseverance is when a person has a hard time finishing hard or boring tasks. People with a lack of perseverance might have difficulty attempting to change addictive eating behavior, which could also cause obesity.

    “Impulsiveness might be one reason why some people eat in an addictive way despite motivation to lose weight,” said Dr. Ashley Gearhardt, a clinical psychologist. He was involved in developing the Yale Food Addiction Scale in aid of those people. “We are theorizing that if food addiction is really a thing, then our measure, the Yale Food Addiction Scale, should be related to helping control impulsive action,” said Gearhardt.

    Clinical psychologist Dr. James MacKillop, whose lab was conducting the study, believes that therapies used to treat addictive drug behavior could help people who suffer from addictive eating habits.

    “Most of the programs for weight loss at this point focus on the most obvious things, which are clearly diet and exercise,” MacKillop said. “It seems that managing strong desires to eat would naturally fit in with the skills a person would need to eat healthily.”

    The gray-haired lady can't wait to leave the building to search for her dad. Unless watched, she will walk in the streets in an effort to find her father, who died 30 years ago.

    Not all cases of Alzheimer's disease look like this, but Alzheimer's is a serious disease that is said to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75. It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer's. In the early stages; people may exhibit short-term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality, easy to be angry. As the disease progresses, patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.

    While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain's nerve fibers, their effect is certain. Alzheimer's destroys not only the patients, but also spouses（配偶）, friends and families.

    What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Though many reasons other than Alzheimer's disease may cause memory loss, its early diagnosis（诊断）and treatment may delay some of the most serious effects.

    What feeling will you likely experience if a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's disease? A person will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock, anger, and so on. If the spouse develops the disease, you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn't remember you are married.

    Life for the Alzheimer's patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses, bringing a deep sorrow, loss and even anger towards God. No matter what feelings are present, facing them honestly will serve one better than burying them.

    Early birds-people who feel most energetic in the morning-tend to make healthier food choices throughout the day than night owls(夜猫子) , according to a new study.

    "Evening types had more irregular meal times," notes study author Mirkka Maukonen, studying human nutrition and obesity(肥胖) in Finland.

    Her study focused on people's risk of heart disease and their eating habits. Participants described when and what they had eaten during the past two days.

Maukonen's team then looked at l,854 people's lifestyle. After analyzing the data, the researchers found that both morning and evening people consumed approximately the same number of calories over a whole day.  However, night owls tended to eat their meals later than early birds. Before 10:00 am, night owls consumed less food than early birds. More of their calories came from sugar. After 8:00 pm, the night owls ate more sugar and fat. Meanwhile ,early birds ate more protein during both the morning and the evening hours.

    "Night owls tend to be less healthy than early risers," notes Courtney Peterson who studies diet and meal timing. "They are more likely to get heart disease or cancer. The fact that night owls tend to eat more junk food probably plays a role," Peterson says. "Other factors(因素) also can ruin a night owl's health. Night owls generally sleep worse," says Peterson. "Poor sleep has been linked to unhealthy food choices. "

    Peterson and Maukonen say night owls tend to have poor eating habits. But that doesn't necessarily mean that being a night owl makes a person a poor eater. It could be the reverse- eating poorly could affect people's sleep habits.

"The new findings should serve as a wake-up call to night owls. For them, the new results should encourage paying attention to healthier lifestyle choices," says Maukonen. 28. How did Maukonen do research about people's risk of heart disease?

    China officially informed the World Trade Organization on Tuesday that it will ban the import of 24 different types of solid waste by the end of this year as part of a campaign to deal with environmental pollution and protect people's health.

    In response to growing public concerns over the potential environmental and health danger caused by the increasing amounts of solid waste imported into the country for recycling and treatment, China passed a special law in 1995 to control imports of waste materials, such as plastics, slag from steelmaking, unsorted scrap paper and discarded textile materials.

    A year later, the country published a list for solid waste imports and began implementing a permit system to control the import volumes and types of waste imported.

    However, due to the lack of effective supervision（监管）and the failure of relevant departments to fulfill their duties, solid waste imports have not been effectively controlled.

    So far, China is the world's largest importer of solid waste. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, China imported 7.3 million metric tons of plastic waste worth $3.7 billion in 2016, accounting for 56 percent of global imports of solid waste.

    Correct recycling of solid waste materials is an important part of the global economy, and moderate imports of scrap plastic, scrap paper and scrap rubber products, such as vehicle tires, can to some extent, make up for China's shortage of various raw materials.

    However, the lack of supervision has resulted in the country's severe soil and environmental worsening.

    Given that China's continuing efforts to push for industrial transformation and upgrading have resulted in a noticeable decline in the demand for the materials recycled from solid waste imports. It is right for the country to restrict such imports for the sake of the environment and public health, and to better adapt to the changed industrial structure.

    It is important to protect yourself from harmful rays. But if you think a high-factor sunscreen keeps you safe from harmful rays, you may be wrong. Research in this week's Nature shows that while factor 50 reduces the number of melanomas（黑瘤）and delays their occurrence, it can't prevent them. Melanomas are the most aggressive skin cancers. You have a higher risk if you have red or blond hair, fair skin, blue or green eyes, or sunburn easily, or if a close relative has had one. Melanomas are more common if you have periodic intense exposure to the sun. Other skin cancers are increasingly likely with long-term exposure.

    There is continuing debate as to how effective sunscreen is in reducing melanomas – the evidence is weaker than it is for preventing other types of skin cancer. A 2011 Australian study of 1,621 people found that people randomly selected to apply sunscreen daily had half the rate of melanomas of people who used cream as needed. A second study, comparing 1,167 people with melanomas to 1.101 who didn't have the cancer, found that using sunscreen routinely, alongside other protection such as hats, long sleeves or staying in the shade, did give some protection. This study said other forms of sun protection – no sunscreen – seemed most beneficial. The study relied on people remembering what they had done over each decade of their lives, so it's not entirely reliable. But it seems reasonable to think sunscreen gives people a false sense of security in the sun.

    Many people also don't use sunscreen properly applying insufficient amounts, failing to reapply after a couple of hours and staying in the sun too long. It is sunburn that is most worrying – recent research shows five episodes of sunburn in the teenage years increases the risk of all skin cancers.

    The good news is that a combination of sunscreen and covering up can reduce melanoma rates, as shown by Australian figures from their slip-slop-slap campaign. So if there is a heat wave this summer, it would be best for us, too, to slip on a shirt, use sunscreen and slap on a hat.

    Whenever we turn on the TV or radio, read the newspapers, or surf the Internet, we'll be surrounded by the word “diet” everywhere. We have so easily been attracted by the promise of diet products that we have stopped thinking about what diet products are doing to us. We are paying for products that harm us psychologically and physically.

    It's obvious that diet products weaken us psychologically. They allow us to jump over the thinking stage that our weight problems lie not in actually losing the weight, but in controlling the consumption of fat. All we have to do is to swallow or recognize the word “diet” in food labels.

    What's more, diet products have greater psychological effects. Every time we have a zero-calorie drink, we are telling ourselves that we don't have to work to get results. Diet products make people believe that gain comes without pain, and that life can be without resistance and struggle.

    As a matter of fact, the danger that diet products bring not only lies in the psychological effects they have on us, but also in the physical harm they cause. Diet foods and diet pills contain zero calories only because the diet industry has created chemicals to produce these wonder products. And they can indirectly harm our bodies because taking them instead of healthy foods means we are stopping our bodies having basic nutrients. Diet products may not be nutritional, and the chemicals that go into diet products are potentially dangerous.

    Losing weight lies in the power of minds, not in the power of chemicals. Think twice before buying diet products. Once we realize this, we will be much better able to resist diet products, therefore, prevent the psychological and physical harm that comes from using them.

    A 12-year-old with end stage cancer, the child's parents had recently moved her from the hospital to her home in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Some days later the girl's breath quickened, and her father phoned the family's hospice nurse. Please come, he said.

    The nurse knew the visit would require more than four hours of her time: a two-hour drive in each direction, plus her time with the girl. Why don't we connect over FaceTime, she asked. The father agreed, and they connected.

The nurse asked the father to move his daughter gently to her side, then to her back, to lift the child's shirt. The nurse would ask: What do you see, what concerns you, and the father would explain. In this fashion the pair examined the girl — the nurse on her computer, the father his iPad. Together they decided that the nurse's presence was not necessary, that the child had more time.

    Later, the father reported feeling comforted by the nurse. He appreciated her availability, the fact that she could see what he saw, and their ability to discuss it in real time.

Telemedicine has become a trend in America. Some hospitals have gone so far as to specially design telemedicine clinics. The room is staged like an office but with better lighting. There's a nice desk for the clinician to sit behind, a computer situated stage left, and books in the background. A physician taking a video call from home might wear a pair of headphones, equipped with a mic — to ensure whatever the patient says isn't broadcast to anyone off-camera.

    However, there is something more than the technology bit. According to David, the head of the telemedicine pilot the girl's family had been part of, there are some people who are great in person and you put them on camera they're a dead fish. “Some physicians are camera shy. For others, the physical isolation can actually help them be more empathetic.” He adds.

    “My experience is that, once you get past some initial hurdles, you can maintain an intimate, immediate connection with patients that in some cases may be more useful than even in-person interactions,” David says.

    When thinking about quitting(停止) smoking…

    List all the reasons why you want to quit. Every night before going to bed, repeat one of the reasons 10 times.

Decide positively that you want to quit. Try to avoid（避免 ）negative（负面的） thoughts about how difficult it might be. Develop strong personal reasons as well as your health and responsibility （责任）to others. For example, think of all the time you waste taking cigarette breaks, rushing out to buy a pack, hunting a light, etc. Set a date for quitting — perhaps a special day like your birthday, a holiday. If you smoke heavily at work, quit during your vacation. Make the date holy seriously, and don't let anything change it. Begin to condition yourself physically; start a modest (适当的) exercise; drink more water; get plenty of rest.

    Immediately after quitting...

    The first few days after you quit, spend as much free time as possible in places where smoking is prohibited, e.g. libraries, museums, theatres, department stores, etc.

    Drink large quantities of water and fruit juice. Try to avoid wine, coffee, and other drinks which remind（提醒 ）you of cigarette smoking. Start a conversation with someone instead of a match for a cigarette.

    If you miss the feeling of having a cigarette in your hand, play with something else - a pencil, a pen, a ruler. If you miss having something in your mouth, try a fake (仿制的) cigarette.

    There are many programs for high school students today that help lonely teenagers deal with loneliness. However, loneliness is not only an issue for teens but also an important and rarely acknowledged one in the elderly.

    In Britain, Tracey Crouch was appointed to be the first Minister of Loneliness in order to address the issues caused by loneliness. This is the first time such a position has been created.

    In Britain, there are around 9 million people who say they are lonely frequently. In Germany, a study conducted by Ruhr University Bochum found that 20 percent of people over the age of 85 felt lonely, and 14 percent of those between age 45 and 65 felt socially lonely. In the United States, more than 25 percent of the population lives alone, more than 50 percent are unmarried.

    Loneliness is generally associated with heart disease, overweight, and anxiety. Additionally, the stress from loneliness can cause your cells to change on a molecular(分子)level that reduces its abilities to defend your body against diseases. In fact, doctors believe having feelings of loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day in regard to its effect on health!

    In Britain, the new Minister of Loneliness will help introduce government policies on the issue and fund a charity—an organization for helping people in need, to devote their efforts towards aiding loneliness. There are charities that link lonely seniors to high school students in order to give them a line of communication whenever they feel lonely!

    The possibilities for the new Minister of Loneliness are endless. For example, she can provide education services to household businesses so that they can identify lonely customers if they see one. Loneliness fits into the category of being a social issue that must be monitored by the entire community in order to help those in need. Therefore, government involvement in medical services and care for seniors and others is vital for happy seniors.

    Many of us love July because it's the month when nature's berries and stone fruits are in abundance. These colourful and sweet jewels form British Columbia's fields are little powerhouses of nutritional protection.

    Of the common berries, strawberries are highest in vitamin C, although, because of their seeds, raspberries contain a little more protein (蛋白质), iron and zinc (not that fruits have much protein). Blueberries are particularly high in antioxidants (抗氧化物质). The yellow and orange stone fruits such as peaches are high in the carotenoids we turn into vitamin A and which are antioxidants. As for cherries (樱桃), they are so delicious who cares? However, they are rich in vitamin C.

    When combined with berries of slices of other fruits, frozen bananas make an excellent base for thick, cooling fruit shakes and low fat "ice cream". For this purpose, select ripe bananas for freezing as they are much sweeter. Remove the skin and place them in plastic bags or containers and freeze. If you like, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice on the bananas will prevent them turning brown. Frozen bananas will last several weeks, depending on their ripeness and the temperature of the freezer.

    If you have a juicer, you can simply feed in frozen bananas and some berries or sliced fruit. Out comes a "soft-serve" creamy dessert, to be eaten right away. This makes a fun activity for a children's party; they love feeding the fruit and frozen bananas into the top of the machine and watching the ice cream come out below.

    Many studies have hinted(暗示) that alcohol, in moderation, can do a heart good. But new research suggests that moderate drinkers are no more likely than non­drinkers to have clear arteries(动脉).

    The scientists looked at almost 2,000 patients who underwent CT test. Overall, there was no association between people's drinking habits and their heart diseases. Researchers said an advantage of the new study is that it used objective measurements.

    “No prior studies have assessed the relationship between alcohol consumption and the presence of heart disease,” said lead researcher Dr Julia Karady. "We could not find any relation between the presence of heart disease and alcohol consumption," Karady said. At the same time, she added, there was no evidence that heavier drinking raised the risk of heart disease.

    However, groups like the American Heart Association(AHA) warn against excessive drinking, because it can raise blood pressure and contribute to heart failure and other problems.

    In general, "moderate" is defined as no more than one glass of alcohol a day for women, and no more than two a day for men. But those studies do not prove that alcohol, itself, protects the heart—in large part because alcohol also carries risks.

    Painkillers (止痛药) are turning out to be a real pain: according to a new study in the British Medical Journal. Taking them for just a week can increase your risk of heart attack by 50%. The research suggested that the risk related to the use of certain drugs was greatest with higher doses (服用量) and during the first month of use. The potential risk may increase by 75% for medicines like ibuprofen (布洛芬) and naproxen, and more than 100% for rofecoxib.

    It all sounds bad but, your risk is very low, — say, one in a million — a 100% increase means you still only have a two in a million chance. Of course, all painkilling medication that works can have side effects — nothing is safe and effective. Paracetamol (扑热息痛) has very few unless taken too much, in which case it can cause serious liver danger, but it isn't very effective. Drugs like opiates are strong painkillers but easy to be addicted and often have other bad effects. Maybe you find that you are in a dilemma now. But don't despair; you can refer to a pain clinic for some professional guidance. For ongoing pain, music and exercise may be the best choices to help you reduce the feeling of it.

    Scientist at Harvard have recently done a quite horrible study on mice. They made the mice experience extremes of hot and cold, applied pressure to their back legs and injected the capsaicin (辣椒素) into their feet. And then they timed how long it took them to respond to the pain. Lack of sleep increased the discomfort, while stimulants (兴奋剂) such as caffeine made them less responsive to pain. This has been widely reported that a good night's sleep and a cup of coffee in the morning may help reduce pain.

    But anyway  don't throw the pills away because the study also shows taking small doses of drugs, such as for short periods of time can be effective and safe as long as your heart is in good condition.

    It has always been thought that alcohol causes people to put on weight because it contains a lot of sugar, but new research suggests a glass a day cold form part of a diet. Looking at past studies they found that, while heavy drinkers do put on weight; those who drink in moderation can actually lose weight.

    A spokesman for the research team at Navarro University in Spain says, "Light to moderate alcohol intake, especially of wine, may be more likely to protect against, rather than promote, weight gain." The International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research reviewed the findings and agreed with most of the conclusions, particularly that data do not clearly indicate if moderate drinking increases weight.

    Boston University's Dr. Harvey Finkel found that the biologic mechanisms(生物学机制) relating alcohol to changes in body weight are not properly understood. His team pointed out the strong protective effects of moderate drinking on the risk of getting conditions like diabetes(糖尿病), which relate to increasing obesity. Some studies suggest that even very obese people may be at lower risk of diabetes if they are moderate drinkers.

    The group says alcohol provides calories that are quickly absorbed into the body and are not stored in fat, and that this process could explain the differences in its effects from those of other foods. They agree that future research should be directed towards assessing the roles of different types of alcoholic drinks, taking into consideration drinking patterns and including the past tendency of participants to gain weight.

    For now there is little evidence that consuming small to moderate amounts of alcohol on a regular basis increases one's risk of becoming obese. What's more, a study three years ago suggested that resveratrol(白藜芦醇), a compound present in grapes and red wine destroys fat cells.

    An Australian rock band, AC/DC, has postponed the US tour after the singer Brian Johnson was warned by doctors that he was at risk of "total hearing loss. This is unsurprising, perhaps, given the decades when this Australian band has been pumping out the hard rock decibel (分贝) But deafness is a concern not only for rock musicians, but for classical violinists and pop singers. In recent years has become clear that anyone around loud music a lot has reason to be equally worried.

    The largest study into noise induced hearing loss in musicians was published in 2014.

    Three million Germans were examined, including 2,227 professional musicians. Scientists found that the musicians were about four times as likely to suffer the noise induced hearing loss compared to the general population. Many studies into classical musicians have also found evidence of such problems. One study from the 1990s found that violinists and violists have more hearing loss in their left ear compared to their right ear. This loss of hearing is caused by the musician's own instrument, as the violin is placed under the chin with the left ear almost touching the instrument. Five studies have found that between 37% and 58% of classical musicians experience hearing loss. For rock and pop the numbers are similar, with studies finding that under half of musicians suffering from hearing loss.

    In the UK, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations sets limits for exposure to noise. The lowest action level is 80 decibels on average over a working day; it is about as loud as a heavily trafficked street. When this action level is exceeded, employers must provide information and training and should make hearing protection available. When the upper action level of 85 decibels on average is exceeded, then employers must take action to reduce the noise and hearing protection becomes compulsory. What counts most in assessing the risk to hearing is the average exposure.

    Exposure to high noise levels often causes temporary deafness—something that many people have experienced after going to a nightclub. While hearing usually recovers after a few hours or days, repeated loud exposure leads to permanent hearing damage. Initially, this damage is slight and unlikely to be noticed by the listener. Problems only become significant in middle age when the noise-induced hearing loss combines with the natural loss of hearing due to ageing. Often, one of the first signs is when someone finds it hard to pick out a conversation in a noisy pub or restaurant. Unfortunately, once that's noticed, it's too late.

    One immediate threat is the loud instruments close by. Moving further away quietens the sound, but if that isn't possible, then other approaches are available. Often orchestras (管弦乐队) use screens to block sound from the loudest instruments. Alternatively, there are "musicians' earplugs". These decrease sound without completely blocking everything out and are very useful in a rehearsal (排练), but get in the way of balancing the sound in a concert. Professional orchestras also focus on how they schedule music, ensuring that musicians are exposed to a mixture of quiet and loud pieces. Given how loud their instruments are, drummers are particularly at risk, but using quieter practice pads and earplugs when they are not performing can lessen potential hearing loss to some extent. For rock and pop musicians, using in-ear monitors rather than loudspeakers also has the potential to reduce noise exposure, because the sound within the ear can be better controlled.

    Improved technology means that the number of musicians such as Johnson having to give up performing could decrease. But student musicians need to be educated about the dangers of noise-induced hearing loss. The increasing use of headphones will also work against this — for musicians and everyone else. Unless people are careful with the volume level of their portable music players, hearing loss caused by music will increase.

    Jeremy grew up being active in sports. But he never thought about healthy eating until he found himself gaining weight several years after college. Last week, Jeremy hit a turning point when he found that he was too out of shape to play in a company football team. He decided to change his eating habits.

    The first step Jeremy took toward healthy eating was to stop going to fast-food restaurants. Jeremy used to eat fast food as often as 4 times a week. To his surprise, he found that giving up fast food wasn't that difficult. Now, he says, "I don't even like it anymore." When Jeremy does go out to eat, he tries to pick menu items that he knows are healthier. He orders salads and lower-fat sandwiches instead of hamburgers, and he drinks water instead of soda pop. "I try to order things that are already prepared the way I would like them to be prepared."

    Planning meals has been a key to Jeremy's success. It helps him avoid getting too hungry and eating fast food. Each week he plans what he will eat for each meal, and he shops for groceries (食品杂货) with his plan in mind. "It's a lot easier to make healthy choices when you're just planning ahead for it." Rather than cutting out certain foods, Jeremy sometimes includes his favourite foods in his eating plan. "That way I don't feel like I'm letting myself down by not sticking to my plan."

    Jeremy's friends and family noticed when he started eating healthier. They have helped him to make a habit of his healthy eating changes. "It made me feel pretty good, especially when people started making comments about the changes I was making," he says. "You just get the positive energy."

Fast-food chains including Burger King and Starbucks have brought in plant-based meat products in China in an effort to promote healthy eating and protect the environment. Readers share their opinions.

Linda (China)

I just don't get it. If you want something that tastes like meat, you'd better eat meat. Plant-based meat is highly processed. It is not as healthy as vegetables. It contains unhealthy amounts of fat, salt and artificial additives. Regular exercise, along with a well-balanced diet, is the best way to stay healthy.

Terryfoy (UK)

Our human body was not designed for us only to eat vegetables. We are designed to eat meat. The protein that our body must have to survive comes from the meat we eat. Our bodies function properly with the correct balance of meat and vegetables. Too much meat and we get fat, too little meat and we get skinny and weak. If you want to be healthy, you must eat a balanced diet of both meat and vegetables.

Taikor (Malaysia)

Start with a huge cutdown on meat. Regarding pigs, do you know they could outsmart you on Playstation games? Don't be surprised. They're much smarter than dogs. So they do better at video games than some primates (灵长类动物). Pigs are extremely clever animals. They're gentle, defenseless creatures. Start doing it now. It's time we made a change.

Sockmonkey (Singapore)

I could never be a vegetarian. I eat very little meat, but I love the meat I do eat! If one has to cut down on meat, it seems that red meat is the first thing to be minimized since it's not as good for you as other types.

Coronaviruses (冠状病毒)

Coronaviruses(冠状病毒) are a large group of viruses. They consist of a core of genetic material (遗传物质) surrounded by an envelope with protein spikes(蛋白棘突). This gives it the appearance of a crown. Crown in Latin is called "corona" and that's how these viruses get their name. In this text, we'll take a quick look at what's currently known about the virus.

Covid-2019

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus was first reported December in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, has quickly spread across the country and around the world. It initially occurred in a group of people with pneumonia(肺炎) who'd been associated with a seafood and live animal market in the city of Wuhan.

Intermediate hosts: The 2019-nCoV may originate in bats, a team led by renowned Chinese virologist Shi Zhengli said earlier, while the intermediary host remains unknown.

Incubation period(潜伏期): 1-14 days.

Infection:Virus may spread before symptoms show.

SARS-CoV

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus was first identified in China in 2003.

Intermediate hosts: Bats are the original host. Civet cats and cats serve as an important intermediary that carries virus from the winged mammal to humans.

Incubation period: 2-7 days.

Infection: Virus spread after symptoms show.

MERS-CoV

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS中东呼吸综合征) coronavirus that was first identified in Saudi Arabia(沙特阿拉伯) in 2012.

Intermediate hosts: Bats are the original host. MERS-CoV was travelled from dromedary camel to humans.

Incubation period: 2-14 days.

Infection: Virus may spread before symptoms show.

The great 18th-century author Montesquieu once put it, "I have never known any stress that an hour's reading does not reduce." And now many argue for a return to this view of literature as therapy, even using the word "bibliotherapy" (阅读疗法)to describe it.

So what does literature provide, beyond entertainment? It can act as a guide. Those who show great respect for Shakespeare, Milton or Proust should keep in mind that even the most famous author was still a human being. In other words, great writers have been through the same things as you. Like you, they found themselves in this strange world and they tried to make sense of it. And this is what most literature consists of: people trying to make sense of the world.

No matter what your fears or concerns may be, chances are some great writer has written about them. Before seeking (寻求)suggestions, cither from a professional or a well-read friend, be clear about what is troubling you. For example, let's say you were raised in a religious (信仰宗教的)family but now, in later life, have lost your faith (信仰).This is painful to you and you feel empty and alone. Countless writers have gone down this path before you and have found a way out — the German poet and novelist Hermann Hesse, for example, wrote the wonderful little novel Siddartha about this search for spiritual peace.

It would also help to consider your particular life stage. Someone from a poor background about to set off for a great college will want a different set of reading from a retired woman whose husband has died. To take another example, let's imagine you had a childhood of abuse (虐待).For years you have suffered from depression. In that case, you could try Edward St Aubyn's The Patrick Melrose Novels. St Aubyn's father abused him, while his mother escaped into drink, but Aubyn wrote a series of splendid novels based on his life, charting a man's journey through the hard situation of abuse and out the other end.

What would happen today, if there was an accident at your workplace? Would employees know what to do? Would the injured person get the best possible care?

When an accident happens, a first aid programme that meets the requirements of the law and is made to the type and size of the workplace can really make the difference between life and death, or between recovery and lasting disablement (伤残).

Employers should make sure that all employees know where emergency information is posted at the workplace. The emergency notice should show the phone numbers of the closest ambulance service,  rescue unit, fire/police station, and hospital.  The amount of time it takes to look up one of these important numbers can make a big difference to a seriously injured person. The place of first aid equipment and rescue equipment should also be posted.

All workplaces should have a person with first aid or medical training in case of an emergency. First aid equipment and supplies, including a variety of dressings and instruments, as well as an up­to­date first aid book, should be stored where they can be reached quickly and easily in case of an accident. These supplies should be inspected frequently, making sure they are kept in sanitary (卫生的) and usable condition and re­stored after use. Larger workplaces may need more than one, fully­equipped first aid bag.

In lonely workplaces, emergency supplies and an action plan are especially important. At least one person trained in emergency first aid should always be on­site (在现场的). If first aid is not given properly, it can sometimes hurt rather than help an injured person, or even be harmful to the person giving first aid.

All workers should know who is trained to give first aid on­site, where emergency first aid equipment is put, and what medical professional or medical instruments should be found if a medical emergency happens.

Drug development is a risky and costly business. Many possibly effective drugs fail to cut the mustard during the experiments. One reason is that drugs which work on lab animals may not work quite so well in human tests. Being able to pick winners and losers as early as possible would save money, and the One Health Company thinks it may have found a way. It is offering to help medical groups test their cancer drugs on sick pets. 

There are several benefits. By treating animals with existing cancers, it hopes to avoid a problem with modern animal research, which is that the "model" animals and diseases that are used to test drugs are not always good stand-ins (替身) for the natural illness. For example, mice used to test cancer drugs may have had their tumours (肿瘤) placed into their bodies, or their immune systems weakened with drugs.

Another plus is that pet owners tend to be great caretakers who are very knowledgeable about their four-legged friends and are likely to report even small changes in behaviors. Lab animals are checked far less often. 

Perhaps the most useful aspect of using pets for drug experiments, however, is that there is no law on animals' medical records. One Health has been able to get 98% of records on animals from hospitals—a number that is impossible for humans. That allows the company to find the right animals for a drug experiment.

Based on the benefits above, the company hopes that pets will prove useful in other diseases in addition to cancers. Horses, for example, seem to be good stand-ins for humans when it comes to arthritis (关节炎). Cats, meanwhile, may prove instructive in breast cancer research.