血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β1水平对重症急性胰腺炎患者预后的评估价值研究

目的探究血清C-反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞计数(WBC)、白细胞介素-17(IL-17)、转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁)水平对重症急性胰腺炎(SAP)患者预后的评估价值。方法选取2017年2月-2020年4月于宜昌市某医院诊治的112例SAP患者为SAP组,另选取该院同期诊治的轻度急性胰腺炎(MAP)、中度急性胰腺炎(MSAP)患者各40例,分别为MAP组、MSAP组。检测3组患者的血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平,比较3组患者血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平差异和随访3月时的不良预后发生情况,根据随访结果将SAP患者分为存活组及死亡组,比较存活组及死亡组患者的血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平差异,利用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平对SAP患者预后的预测价值。结果SAP组患者的血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平均明显高于MSAP组和MAP组,MSAP组患者的血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平也明显高于MAP组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。SAP组患者不良预后发生率为58.93%,明显高于MAP组的8.00%及MSAP组的27.50%,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。生存组SAP患者血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平明显低于死亡组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平对SAP患者预后预测的截断值及曲线下面积(AUC)分别为(142.35 mg/L,0.734)、(27.11×10⁹/L,0.870)、(326.69 pg/mL,0.736)、(110.41 pg/mL,0.884)。结论随着急性胰腺炎患者病情严重程度的增加,其血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平均显著升高,尤其是SAP预后不良患者的血清CRP、WBC、IL-17及TGF-β₁水平升高明显,因此在临床上可利用上述指标对SAP患者进行预后预测。     

不同儿科评定营养不良筛查工具评分的住院患儿血清前白蛋白检测及意义

目的　观察住院患儿血清前白蛋白变化,探讨其在住院患儿儿科评定营养不良筛查工具评分中的价值。方法　选取2013年3月至2014年4月福建医科大学附属第一医院儿科住院治疗的867例患儿为研究对象,所有患儿均于入院24 h内完成儿科评定营养不良筛查工具评分,根据评分结果分成低评分营养不良组及高评分营养不良组,同期抽取静脉血进行血清前白蛋白检测和问卷调查患儿性别、年龄、患病前后主要饮食类型等,并从临床病历中摘取患儿临床资料及实验室检查结果。结果　高评分营养不良组463例(53.4%)、低评分营养不良组404例(46.6%);高评分营养不良组、低评分营养不良组患儿血清前白蛋白浓度分别为(144.7±50.6)mg/L和(173.6±71.3)mg/L,两组比较差异有统计学意义(t=6.795,P=0.000);协方差分析在控制患儿年龄、入院前病程、白细胞数、血白蛋白、谷草转氨酶、C反应蛋白协变量后,两组住院患儿血清前白蛋白边缘估计均值及其95% CI分别为139.8(134.9～144.8)mg/L和157.9(151.9～163.8)mg/L,高评分营养不良组患儿血清前白蛋白含量仍然显著低于低评分营养不良组(F=20.433,P=0.000)。高评分营养不良并低血清前白蛋白、单纯高评分营养不良、单纯低血清前白蛋白及低评分营养不良且血清前白蛋白正常患儿临床治愈率分别为62.9%(95/151)、80.5%(251/312)、77.1%(27/35)及98.1%(362/369) (χ2=112.80,P=0.000),医院内获得性感染发生率分别为21.9%(33/151)、8.7%(27/312)、22.9%(8/35)及1.9%(7/369)(χ2=63.55,P=0.000)。结论　对住院患儿进行营养不良评定筛查的同时进行血清前白蛋白检测,能更客观反映住院患儿是否存在高营养不良。     

非小细胞肺癌相关抗原血清水平与老年重症肺炎预后关系的探讨

目的探讨老年重症肺炎(SAP)患者非小细胞肺癌相关抗原(CYFRA21-1)血清水平变化及其对临床转归的影响。方法28例老年SAP患者分为存活组(13例)与死亡组(15例),另选26例老年健康者作为对照组。一旦确诊为SAP,分别于入院当天、治疗后5d及治愈出院或死亡时测血清CYFRA21-1水平,并动态观察神志、血压、SaO2、白蛋白、白细胞计数、PaO2、PaCO2及急性生理和慢性健康状况(APACHEⅡ)评分等指标。结果神志、血压、SaO2、白蛋白、白细胞计数、PaO2、PaCO2及APACHEⅡ评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗第5天血清CYFRA21-1水平死亡组高于存活组(P<0.05),存活组治愈后如仍高,有反复发作肺炎的可能;两组血清CYFRA21-1水平均高于健康对照组。结论老年SAP患者血清CYFRA21-1的水平升高程度与病死率密切相关,和反复发作也有一定的关系,说明血清CYFRA21-1在老年SAP发生及发展过程中有一定作用。     

降钙素原和C-反应蛋白检测与小儿发热性疾病的相关性分析

目的:分析降钙素原(PCT)和C-反应蛋白检测在小儿发热性疾病中的临床意义。方法:将2010年6月～2011年6月在吉林省人民医院诊治的130例发热性疾病患儿随机分为细菌感染组和非细菌感染组,分别检测每位患儿的血清降钙素原(PCT)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)及白细胞计数水平。结果:69例细菌感染患儿血清PCT和CRP质量浓度升高,差异均有统计学意义,但PCT更明显(P<0.01),非细菌感染组PCT阳性率为13%,与细菌感染组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),PCT的敏感度与CRP相同,均为100%,而特异性为78%,优于CRP。结论:与CRP及白细胞计数相比较,PCT是寻找发热性疾病病因的重要生化检查,是区别细菌感染及非细菌感染的有效标准,特异性明显高于CRP及白细胞计数,可指导临床发热性疾病的诊断及抗生素的合理应用。     

激素敏感型原发性肾病综合征患儿激素治疗巩固维持阶段不同减量方案比较

目的探讨激素敏感型原发性肾病综合征(PNS)患儿激素治疗巩固维持阶段不同减量方案对疾病复发率的影响。 方法选择2017年6月至2020年6月，在中山大学附属第一医院确诊的41例初治PNS患儿为研究对象，均对激素治疗敏感。根据激素治疗巩固维持阶段采用的不同减量方案，将其分为每日顿服组(n＝22)和隔日顿服组(n＝19)。本研究41例激素敏感型PNS患儿中，男性患儿为29例，女性为12例，男、女比例为2.4∶1，确诊时年龄为1.3~14.6岁。采取回顾性分析法对2组患儿一般临床资料、实验室检查结果进行分析。同时分析2组患儿PNS首次治疗复发时间、复发率、频复发率、加用免疫抑制剂治疗率，以及激素相关不良反应发生情况。本研究遵循的程序符合中山大学附属第一医院伦理委员会规定，通过该伦理委员会审查，并获得批准(审批文号：伦审〔2022〕334号)。 结果①2组患儿发病年龄、性别构成比、PNS临床分型构成比比较，差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②2组患儿初治时24 h尿蛋白定量、血清白蛋白、血清胆固醇、血清肌酐、估算的肾小球过滤率(eGFR)、免疫球蛋白(Ig)G、补体C3水平，以及足量激素疗程及变态反应性疾病占比、肾功能不全占比比较，差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。2组患儿初治时血清IgE水平比较，差异有统计学意义(χ²＝－2.153，P＝0.031)。③本研究41例PNS患儿中，距初始治疗3、6、12个月时复发率分别为12.2%(5/41)、31.7%(13/41)、53.7%(22/41)。与隔日顿服组相比，距初始治疗时12个月内，每日顿服组患儿首次复发时间明显延长(χ²＝4.973，P＝0.026)。距初始治疗3、6个月时，每日顿服组患儿的复发率明显低于隔日顿服组，并且差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)；距初始治疗12个月时复发率，也低于隔日顿服组[40.9%(9/22) vs 68.4%(13/19)]，但是2组比较，差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。这41例PNS患儿中，60.7%患儿复发有明确诱因(感染或激素减量/停药)，对其采取控制感染和(或)激素加量/再次使用足量激素治疗后，尿蛋白检查结果均在4周内转阴。每日顿服组患儿激素相关性眼损害发生率高于隔日顿服组，但是差异无统计学意义(22.7% vs 5.3%，P＝0.257)。 结论激素敏感型PNS患儿预后良好，复发率高，巩固维持阶段采用每日顿服方案可延长复发时间，降低中期复发率。治疗期间需定期监测患儿眼压，早发现、早治疗糖皮质激素相关性眼损害。     

儿童急性B前体淋巴细胞白血病铁转出蛋白表达水平与其临床特征和预后相关性研究

目的探讨儿童急性B前体淋巴细胞白血病(BCP-ALL)铁转出蛋白(Fpn)表达水平与其临床特征和预后的关系。 方法选择2011年2月至2014年6月四川大学华西第二医院收治的64例BCP-ALL患儿为研究对象,纳入研究组。对其统一按照中国儿童白血病协作组(CCLG)-急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL) 2008方案进行分型诊断和治疗。采用随机数字表法随机选择同期于本院健康体检的21例健康儿童,纳入对照组。采用荧光定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术分别检测研究组BCP-ALL患儿初诊时及对照组受试者体检时骨髓和外周血单个核细胞的Fpn表达水平。以Fpn相对表达量(0.18)为界值进行划分,研究组Fpn相对表达量>0.18为Fpn高表达患儿,纳入Fpn高表达亚组(n＝32),Fpn相对表达量≤0.18为Fpn低表达患儿,纳入Fpn低表达亚组(n＝32)。采用Kaplan-Meier法计算研究组患儿无复发生存(RFS)率、无事件生存(EFS)率和总生存(OS)率。统计学分析Fpn表达水平与研究组BCP-ALL患儿的临床特征、免疫表型、ALL相关融合基因、早期治疗反应、临床危险度及其预后的关系。本研究遵循的程序符合四川大学华西第二医院人体试验委员会制定的伦理学标准,得到该委员会批准。 结果①研究组与对照组受试者,以及Fpn高、低表达亚组患儿的性别构成比和年龄分布分别比较,差异均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。②研究组Fpn中位相对表达量(0.18)显著低于对照组(2.19),差异有统计学意义(U＝1 415.0,P<0.001)。③研究组患儿初诊时白细胞计数<50×10⁹/L(47例)和白细胞计数≥50×10⁹/L(17例)患儿的Fpn中位相对表达量分别为0.23和0.04,二者比较,差异亦有统计学意义(U＝399.0,P＝0.02)。分别按照初诊时中位白细胞计数(21.1×10⁹/L)和中位初诊幼稚细胞绝对计数(14.1×10⁹/L)进行划分,研究组初诊时高、低中位白细胞计数和高、低中位幼稚细胞绝对计数患儿的Fpn中位相对表达量均分别为0.09和0.28,差异均有统计学意义(U＝870.0、878.0,P＝0.02、0.03)。研究组患儿中,Fpn高、低表达亚组患儿初诊时中位白细胞计数及中位幼稚细胞绝对计数分别为15.4×10⁹/L和29.3×10⁹/L,8.2×10⁹/L和21.3×10⁹/L,差异亦均有统计学意义(U＝863.5、866.0,P＝0.018、0.019)。Fpn相对表达量与初诊时白细胞计数及幼稚细胞绝对计数均呈显著负相关关系(r_s＝－0.357、－0.366,P＝0.004、0.003)。④Fpn相对表达量与BCP-ALL患儿初诊年龄、性别,以及ALL免疫表型、融合基因类型、糖皮质激素耐药、危险度分组和早期治疗反应均无明确相关关系(P>0.05)。Fpn高、低表达亚组患儿不同临床特征的构成比比较,差异亦无统计学意义(P>0.05)。⑤研究组患儿的中位随访时间为13个月(2～50个月)。Kaplan-Meier生存分析结果显示,Fpn高、低表达亚组患儿的3年RFS率、EFS率、OS率分别为74.4%与61.7%、68.0%与62.4%、85.0%与74.4%,组间比较,差异均无统计学意义(χ²＝0.975、0.102、0.576,P＝0.323、0.749、0.448)。 结论BCP-ALL细胞Fpn表达水平显著低于正常外周血单个核细胞,并与初诊时白细胞计数和幼稚细胞绝对计数呈显著负相关关系。这高度提示Fpn表达下调有助于细胞内铁的阻滞,满足淋巴白血病细胞旺盛代谢对铁的需求。与乳腺癌等恶性实体肿瘤一样,这可能也是淋巴白血病细胞增殖异常的重要铁代谢调控机制。     

早期C反应蛋白水平测定对预测轻重症急性胰腺炎的临床意义

目的 探讨急性胰腺炎(AP)早期血清C反应蛋白(CRP)水平对预测AP分型和预后的临床意义.方法 AP患者43例,入院后立即采用免疫散射速率比浊法测定血清CRP水平,7 d后评估AP的轻重分型.根据血清CRP水平分为两组:CRP≤300 mg/L(Ⅰ组)和CRP＞300 mg/L(Ⅱ组),对两组患者血清CRP水平与胰腺增强CT检查分级及各种影响AP预后的临床指标(血钙、血脂、血糖、血气分析)进行比较分析.结果 Ⅱ组患者中肥胖(62.5%)、原发性高血压(31.2%)、脂肪肝(62.5%)、高脂血症(56.2%)、高血糖(62.5%)、低钙血症(56.2%)比例明显高于Ⅰ组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).Ⅱ组患者胰腺增强CT检查分级多为C级及C级以上,重症AP发生率明显高于Ⅰ组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 以血清CRP 300 mg/L作为诊断阈值界定,在AP早期测定来预测患者病情轻重及判断预后,对指导临床治疗有重要参考价值.     

血清超敏C-反应蛋白/白蛋白对低体质量儿感染早期发现的诊断分析

目的探讨血清hs-CRP/ALB对低体质量儿早发感染的诊断效果,以减少低体质量儿早发感染的发生。方法选取2014年5月-2016年8月出生6h入住医院NICU合并宫内感染围生期高危因素的低体质量儿112例,依据早产儿感染的结局状况,将患者分为观察组55例和对照组57例,观察组又分为死亡组和存活组;对两组患儿的一般情况,所有患儿入新生儿病房时前白蛋白(PA)、白蛋白(ALB)、血小板计数(PLT)、白细胞计数(WBC)的结果、患儿入新生儿病房0、24、48和72h时的血清超敏C-反应蛋白数值以及超敏C-反应蛋白与白蛋白的比值进行收集和比较,对死亡组和存活组白蛋白、血清超敏C-反应蛋白以及超敏C-反应蛋白与白蛋白的比值进行对比,对受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)进行分析。结果感染组患儿48、72h血清超敏C-反应蛋白水平和48h超敏C-反应蛋白与白蛋白比值均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);死亡组患儿白蛋白低于存活组,48h时的血清超敏C-反应蛋白数值高于存活组,故死亡组超敏C-反应蛋白与白蛋白比值较存活组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);根据ROC曲线分析,48h血清超敏C-反应蛋白与白蛋白比值预测早产儿早发感染的ROC曲线下面积(即AUC)为0.764;最佳临界值时敏感度为85.01%。结论血清hs-CRP/ALB对低体质量儿早发感染具有很好的诊断价值,对患儿临床预测、评估、治疗具有较好的帮助,值得临床借鉴。     

不同中医辨证分型过敏性紫癜患儿的血清白三烯B4及白细胞介素6含量变化

目的探讨过敏性紫癜(HSP)患儿中医辨证施治治疗前、后血清白三烯B4(LTB-4)及白细胞介素6(IL-6)含量变化及其临床意义。 方法选择2012年1月至2014年12月,于成都中医药大学附属医院儿科门诊确诊并治疗的70例HSP患儿为研究对象,纳入HSP组,其中中医辨证分型为血热妄行型为45例、气不摄血型为25例。将同期于本院门诊体检的20例健康儿童纳入对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)法,检测两组儿童血清LTB-4及IL-6含量。将HSP组患儿治疗前与治疗后的血清LTB-4及IL-6含量进行统计学比较,并分别与对照组儿童进行统计学比较;同时比较2种中医辨证分型HSP患儿治疗后血清LTB-4、IL-6含量下降值差异及病情反复率、肾脏损害率差异。两组儿童年龄及性别构成比比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。本研究遵循的程序符合成都中医药大学附属医院伦理审查委员会制定的伦理学标准,得到该委员会批准,征得受试对象监护人知情同意,并与之签署临床研究知情同意书。 结果①HSP组患儿治疗前LTB-4及IL-6含量[(114.7±6.3) ng/L、(286.9±64.1) ng/L],均较对照组[(18.5±0.5) ng/L、(35.4±3.5) ng/L]或HSP组患儿治疗后[(18.2±1.9) ng/L、(34.9±2.3) ng/L]高,且差异均有统计学意义(t＝－6.794、－6.794,P<0.05;t＝－7.271、－7.271,P<0.05)。②治疗后血热妄行型HSP患儿血清LTB-4、IL-6含量下降值[(100.7±4.0) ng/L、(288.5±43.3) ng/L],均较气不摄血型含量下降值[(94.2±6.3) ng/L、(186.0±35.5) ng/L]多,且差异有统计学意义(t＝5.23、－10.10,P<0.05);而气不摄血型HSP患儿病情反复率及肾脏损害率(40.0%、20.0%),均较血热妄行型(15.6%、2.2%)者高,且差异有统计学意义(χ²＝5.22、6.48,P<0.05)。 结论中医辨证施治对HSP患儿血清LTB-4及IL-6含量有调节作用。气不摄血型HSP患儿病情易反复,并且容易发生肾脏损害。     

缺血性卒中相关性肺炎危险因素的病例对照研究

目的 探讨缺血性卒中相关性肺炎的危险因素。方法 回顾性纳入2018年1月—2020年12月期间唐山市协和医院神经内科住院的急性缺血性卒中(acute ischemic stroke, AIS)患者,收集人口统计学及临床资料。根据是否发生卒中相关性肺炎(stroke - associated pneumonia, SAP)分为非SAP组和SAP组,比较两组的各项临床资料,并采用多因素logistic回归分析SAP的独立影响因素。结果 共纳入721例患者,平均年龄(65.63±12.07)岁;SAP组年龄、入院美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS)评分,冠心病、心房颤动、卒中史、吞咽障碍和入院格拉斯哥昏迷评分≤10分的比例、同型半胱氨酸、纤维蛋白原和白细胞计数均高于非SAP组,而SAP组入院舒张压、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、白蛋白、白蛋白与球蛋白比值、血红蛋白和红细胞计数均低于非SAP组,差异均有统计学意义;多因素logistic回归分析显示,年龄增高(OR = 1.055,95%CI:1.009～1.103)、入院NIHSS评分增加(OR = 1.290,95%CI:1.154～1.444)、白细胞计数升高(OR = 1.267,95%CI:1.101～1.457)是SAP发生的危险因素。结论 缺血性卒中相关性肺炎与高龄、入院NIHSS评分增加和白细胞计数升高相关。     

Calcium intake in the elderly: validation of a dietary questionnaire

Epidemiological studies of calcium and osteoporosis have been hampered by the lack of a suitable tool for assessing calcium intake. This report describes a new frequency and amount questionnaire for measuring present and past calcium intake in the elderly. The validity of the questionnaire was tested against two commonly used standards of dietary assessment, five-day duplicate diets and seven-day weighed dietary inventories. The resulting correlation coefficients were, respectively, r = 0.76 and r = 0.69, while that for repeatability was r = 0.84. Furthermore, the questionnaire categorized subjects into thirds of the distribution of intake with almost no gross misclassification. It is suggested that the present findings may be extended to the majority of normal, healthy elderly subjects, implying wide application for the questionnaire in the assessment of calcium intake in the elderly.     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

深圳公立医院管理体制改革制度设计

深圳公立医院管理体制改革实行政事分开、管办分开,在理事会架构下按法定机构模式组建市医管中心,落实公立医院运营管理自主权.作者从当前公立医院管理体制的弊端入手,介绍了深圳市进行公立医院管理体制改革的基本思路及改革方案设计的主要举措,深入剖析了的改革方案的特点,并对改革效果进行了预测.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on red blood cells of rats: Changes in components of red cell membranes during in vivo exposure to NO2

Red cell membranes, prepared from red blood cells of rats exposed to 4, 10, or 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 to 10 days, were examined for evidence of changes in membrane components. Appreciable changes were not found in contents of phospholipid and cholesterol during exposure to 10 ppm NO₂. By contrast, protein content altered with the time of exposure. Moreover, changes in protein composition were observed by employing sodium dodecyl sulfate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four-hour exposure to NO₂ at the concentration above 10 ppm resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) to the total phospholipids. The prolonged exposure to 10 ppm NO₂ gave rise to a further increase in LysoPE, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) showed a gradual decrease. A 1-day exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂ also caused an increase in sialic acid content and decreases in those of PE and hexose. In addition to contents of these components the percentage of LysoPE increased 5 days after exposure and the elevated values were maintained up to the end of exposure period. These results demonstrate that red blood cells in circulation exhibit different membrane properties in terms of lipid and carbohydrate composition during 10 days of exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

The risk of heat exhaustion at a deep underground metalliferous mine in relation to surface temperatures

The risk of heat exhaustion at a deep underground metalliferous mine was assessed in relation to thermal conditions prevailing on the surface. For each day of a 1-year prospective case series of heat exhaustion, surface 24-h mean wet and dry bulb temperatures were recorded. From this data, 24-h mean wet bulb globe temperatures were derived using certain assumptions. The three surface temperature variables were significantly higher on those days on which heat exhaustion occurred, compared to those days on which it did not occur (P < 0.001). The relative risk of heat exhaustion on days when the 24-h mean wet bulb globe temperature was in the range 26.0-28.0 degrees C was 4.82 (95% confidence interval 2.12-10.96). Surface temperature data could be used at this mine to warn miners about the risk of heat exhaustion.