Fentanyl-associated fatalities among illicit drug users in Wayne County, Michigan (July 2005-May 2006).

Background: During the summer of 2005, multiple cities in the United States began to report outbreaks of fentanyl-associated fatalities among illicit drug users. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine if an outbreak of fentanyl-associated fatalities occurred in mid-2005 to mid-2006 and (2) to examine trends and compare features of fentanyl-contaminated heroin-associated fatalities (FHFs) with non-fentanyl, heroin-associated fatalities (NFHFs) among illicit drug users.

Methods: Baseline prevalence of fentanyl- and heroin-associated deaths was estimated from January to May 2005 based on recorded cause of death (determined by the medical examiner (ME)) using the Wayne County, MI, USA toxicology database.

Nitrates in drinking water and methemoglobin levels in pregnancy: a longitudinal study.

Background: Private water systems are more likely to have nitrate levels above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Pregnant women are considered vulnerable to the effects of exposure to high levels of nitrates in drinking water due to their altered physiological states. The level of methemoglobin in the blood is the biomarker often used in research for assessing exposure to nitrates.

In utero exposure to a brominated flame retardant and male growth and development.

Whether environmental exposures alter the timing of puberty is the subject of increasing interest as pubertal age may have consequences for long term health. This study examines the association between exposure to a brominated flame retardant, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), and puberty and growth. The population consists of sons born to women accidentally exposed to PBBs during 1973-74.

Keyboard use and musculoskeletal outcomes among computer users.

Background: In this review, the epidemiological evidence examining associations between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders and keyboard use intensity (hours of computer use-per day or per-week) and computer user posture was explored.

Methods: An OVID Medline literature search was conducted to identify papers published in the peer-reviewed medical literature between 1966 and November, 2005. A total of 558 citations were found and reviewed.

Job strain and risk of musculoskeletal symptoms among a prospective cohort of occupational computer users.

Objectives: Most previous studies of the association between psychosocial stress and musculoskeletal illness among computer users have been cross-sectional and have yielded inconsistent results. The association between a measure of psychosocial stress, "job strain", and incident neck-shoulder and arm-hand musculoskeletal symptoms was investigated among recently hired computer users.

Methods: The participants worked for one of several large employers and were followed prospectively for 6 months.