急性百草枯中毒大鼠肺组织炎症因子表达的变化及意义

目的 观察急性百草枯(PQ)中毒大鼠肺组织中炎症因子表达的变化,探讨早期及晚期炎症因子在急性PQ中毒肺损伤中的作用.方法 50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为2组:正常对照组(10只,生理盐水腹腔注射),PQ染毒组(40只,腹腔注射体积分数为1%的PQ溶液,20 mg/kg).PQ组于染毒后6 h及1、3、7 d处死,正常对照组于处理后1 d处死,检测肺组织中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)、高迁移率族蛋白-1(HMGB-1)mRNA的表达,并观察大鼠的中毒表现及肺组织的病理改变.结果 PQ染毒组大鼠肺组织病理表现为早期充血水肿明显,大量炎性细胞浸润.与正常对照组相比,PQ染毒组大鼠肺组织中TNF-α、IL-10、HMGB-1 mRNA的表达在各时间点均有不同程度升高.PQ染毒组6 h和1 d时TNF-α mRNA表达分别为0.740±0.100和0.584±0.049,1、3 d时IL-10mRNA表达分别为0.551±0.016和0.524±0.010,6 h及1、3 d时HMGB-1 mRNA表达分别为0.695±0.060、0.87±0.154和0.819±0.188,与对照组比较,均明显升高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01).结论 大鼠急性PQ中毒后肺组织中TNF-α、IL-10及HMGB-1 mRNA的表达明显上调,早期及晚期炎症因子均参与PQ急性中毒肺损伤的致病过程.     

慢性应激下脑内高糖诱导小鼠海马小胶质细胞M1型极化

目的 观察慢性应激下脑内葡萄糖含量对小鼠海马小胶质细胞极化类型的影响，探讨慢性应激致神经炎症的可能机制。方法 采用慢性不可预见温和应激(chronic unpredictable mild stress,CUMS)建立慢性应激小鼠模型，并随机分为对照组、应激组。采用葡萄糖检测试剂盒检测小鼠海马及血浆中葡萄糖含量，RT-PCR和ELISA技术检测海马肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β (IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)含量。采用免疫荧光技术检测海马小胶质细胞极化类型。细胞水平采用20μmol/L糖皮质激素（glucocorticoid,GC）和20 mmol/L葡萄糖干预小鼠小胶质细胞系BV2模拟慢性应激及高糖后检测炎性因子IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α的含量。结果 应激组小鼠海马及血浆中葡萄糖含量均升高；应激组小鼠海马区M1型小胶质细胞标志物CD68表达增加，且TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6含量均升高；20μmol/L的GC、20mmol/L的葡萄糖干预BV2细胞后IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α水平均升高，且GC复合葡萄糖与GC组、葡萄糖组比较，IL-6...     

纳米氧化锌对小胶质瘤BV2细胞炎症因子及p38MAPK蛋白磷酸化的影响

[目的]探讨纳米氧化锌(zinc oxide nanoparticle,nano-Zn O)对小胶质瘤BV2细胞炎症因子及p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)磷酸化的影响。[方法]不同质量浓度nano-Zn O(0、5.0、10.0、15.0、20.0、30.0、50.0、75.0 mg/L)染毒小胶质瘤BV2细胞24 h,用MTT法测定细胞存活率后确定染毒剂量。以nano-Zn O(0、5.0、10.0、15.0、20.0 mg/L)染毒BV2细胞24 h,采用乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)检测试剂盒检测细胞培养液上清液中LDH活性,ELISA检测肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的分泌水平,Western blot法检测磷酸化p38MAPK(p-p38MAPK)蛋白水平并用Image J软件对蛋白条带灰度值进行分析。应用Spearman相关分析炎症因子分泌与p38MAPK蛋白磷酸化水平的相关性。[结果]随nano-Zn O染毒剂量的增加,BV2细胞存活率降低(r=-0.994,P0.001),细胞培养液上清液中LDH活性增加(r=0.749,P0.001)。与对照组相比,10.0、15.0、20.0 mg/L nano-Zn O染毒组TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6分泌水平增加(均Ps0.05)。Western blot检测结果发现各染毒组p-p38MAPK蛋白表达水平增高,且与炎症因子分泌水平的变化趋势一致(r TNF-α=0.836,P0.001;r IL-6=0.539,P0.001;r IL-1β=0.659,P=0.008);20.0 mg/L nano-Zn O染毒组p-p38MAPK与p38MAPK灰度值的比值较对照组高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]nano-Zn O可诱导BV2细胞炎症因子分泌水平和p38MAPK蛋白磷酸化水平增高。     

对氨基水杨酸钠对锰染毒大鼠丘脑原代小胶质细胞氧化损伤及炎症反应的影响

[目的]探讨对氨基水杨酸钠(PAS-Na)对体外染锰大鼠丘脑原代小胶质细胞氧化损伤、炎症反应的影响。[方法]将提纯、鉴定后的SD大鼠丘脑小胶质细胞分别给予含不同浓度氯化锰(MnCl_2)(0、200、300、400、500μmol/L)、PAS-Na(50、150、450μmol/L)的完全培养基(DMEM+FBS)培养24 h,采用MTT法检测细胞存活率,根据结果选择染锰的毒性剂量并选定PAS-Na的无毒剂量。随后将细胞随机分为对照组、400μmol/L MnCl_2组、400μmol/L MnCl_2+(50、150、450μmol/L)PAS-Na组、450μmol/L PAS-Na组,共6组。采用MTT法检测各组小胶质细胞存活率;运用DCFH-DA探针标记,荧光倒置显微镜下观察小胶质细胞内活性氧(ROS)的产生情况;ELISA法测定炎症因子白介素(IL)-1β、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α的蛋白分泌量和荧光定量PCR法测IL-1β,TNF-αmRNA表达水平。[结果]400、500μmol/L MnCl_2染毒组的细胞存活率为(85.83±12.53)%、(83.30±6.33)%,低于对照组(均P0.05),故选择400μmol/L作为锰的染毒剂量;与对照组比较,50、150、450μmol/L PAS-Na组的细胞存活率无明显变化(均P0.05)。400μmol/L MnCl_2+(50、150、450μmol/L)PAS-Na组的细胞存活率分别为(96.00±18.11)%、(106.13±18.32)%、(110.21±15.13)%,均比400μmol/L MnCl_2组高(均P0.05)。与对照组比较,400μmol/L MnCl_2组细胞ROS水平、IL-1β和TNF-α的蛋白及mR NA表达水平均升高(均P0.05)。与400μmol/L MnCl_2组比较,400μmol/L MnCl_2+(50、150、450μmol/L)PAS-Na组的ROS水平、TNF-α分泌量和IL-1βmRNA表达量均降低(均P0.05),400μmol/L MnCl_2+(150、450μmol/L)PAS-Na组的TNF-αmRNA表达量降低(均P0.05)。[结论]PAS-Na可减轻锰致大鼠丘脑原代小胶质细胞氧化损伤、炎症反应的程度。     

饮水砷暴露大鼠血清炎症因子及肺泡灌洗液中自噬相关蛋白NBR1与P62的表达

目的观察亚砷酸钠对大鼠血清炎症因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)和肺泡灌洗液中自噬相关蛋白NBR1、P62的影响。方法将32只健康SPF级雄性SD大鼠按体重随机分为4组,分别为对照(超纯水)组和10、100、1 000μg/L亚砷酸钠染毒组,每组8只。采用自由饮用方式染毒,连续染毒28 d。测定大鼠血清中IL-6、IL-8、IL-1β、TNF-α的浓度和肺泡灌洗液中NBR1和P62的水平。结果与对照组比较,各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒组大鼠血清中IL-1β、IL-6的水平和10、100μg/L亚砷酸钠染毒组大鼠血清中IL-8水平及10μg/L亚砷酸钠染毒组大鼠血清中TNF-α水平较高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着亚砷酸钠染毒浓度的升高,大鼠血清中IL-6、IL-8和TNF-α的浓度均呈先升高后下降趋势。与对照组比较,100、1 000μg/L亚砷酸钠染毒组大鼠肺泡灌洗液中NBR1的水平和10、100μg/L亚砷酸钠染毒组大鼠肺泡灌洗液中P62的水平较高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着亚砷酸钠染毒浓度的升高,大鼠肺泡灌洗液中NBR1、P62的浓度均呈先升高后下降趋势。亚砷酸钠染毒大鼠血清IL-6与肺泡灌洗液中P62呈正相关(r=0.399,P0.05),血清TNF-α与肺泡灌洗液中NBR1呈正相关(r=0.452,P0.05)。结论炎症因子和细胞自噬参与亚砷酸钠致大鼠肺损伤,大鼠肺部损伤可能与细胞自噬受到抑制和炎症因子增多有关。     

乌司他丁对百草枯诱导HK-2细胞损伤的保护作用及机制

目的 探讨乌司他丁(ulinastatin,UTD对百草枯(paraquat,PQ)诱导HK-2细胞损伤的保护作用及机制研究.方法 常规培养HK-2细胞,分为正常对照组、PQ组、UTI+PQ组、UTI对照组,应用CCK-8法检测细胞存活率,高效液相色谱法(HPLC)法检测细胞内PQ浓度,DCFH-DA染色法检测细胞内活性氧(ROS)含量,化学比色法检测细胞内超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)含量,双抗夹心酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)法检测细胞上清液中白细胞介素(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)水平.结果 200 μmol/L PQ即能显著抑制HK-2细胞增殖,并且其抑制作用呈浓度和时间依赖性;8 000 U/ml以下UTI对HK-2细胞仍无明显抑制作用.与PQ组比较,UTI+PQ组随着UTI浓度的增加,细胞抑制率明显减轻,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与同时间PQ组比较,UTI+PQ组HK-2细胞内PQ浓度明显下降,除6h组外,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与空白对照组相比较,PQ组HK-2细胞内SOD活力明显降低,ROS、MDA水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与PQ组比较,UTI+PQ组细胞内SOD活力明显升高,ROS、MDA水平明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与空白对照组比较,PQ组细胞上清中IL-6、TNF-α.水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与PQ组比较,UTI+PQ组细胞上清中IL-6、TNF-α水平明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 UTI可通过减少HK-2细胞内的PQ的蓄积来减轻PQ对HK-2细胞的氧化损伤及炎症损伤.     

核因子-κB及细胞因子在百草枯致大鼠肺损伤中的动态变化

目的 观察急性百草枯(PQ)中毒大鼠细胞因子白介素-1β(IL-1β)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、血小板源性生长因子(PDGF)和肺组织核因子-kappa B(NF-κB)的变化及四氢吡咯二硫代氨基甲酸酯(PDTC)的干预效果,以探讨百草枯致肺损伤机制.方法 SD大鼠随机分为对照组6只、PQ染毒组56只、PDTC干预组46只.染毒组和十预组给予生理盐水稀释PQ80 mg/kg一次性灌胃后2 h,染毒组给予等量生理盐水腹腔注射,PDTC干预组给予PDTC 100 mg/kg一次性腹腔注射;对照组给予生理盐水1 ml/kg灌胃后2h,给予等量生理盐水腹腔注射.ELISA法测定大鼠血清IL-1β、TGF-β1、TNF-α及PDGF水平,并分析它们分别与肺脏系数、羟脯氨酸含量的关系;电泳迁移率改变分析法测定肺组织NF-κB活性.结果 与对照组比较,染毒组IL-1β含量1、3、7 d明显升高,TGF-β1、TNF-α含量各时段均明显升高,PDGF含量7、14、28、5 6d明显升高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);IL-1β、TNF-α分别与肺脏系数成正相关(r=0.37,0.46,P<0.05或P<0.01),TGF-β1、PDGF分别与羟脯氨酸含量成正相关(r=0.56,0.89,P<0.01);与对照组比较,染毒组肺组织NF.KB活性1、3.7、14 d明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01).与染毒组比较,干预组血清IL-1β、TGF-β1、TNF-α、PDGF含量明显降低,相应时点差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);肺组织NF-κB活性1、3、7、14 d明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01).结论 NF-κB活化及细胞因子IL-1β、TGF-β1、TNF-α、PDGF的过度表达是参与PQ致肺损伤的重要机制;PDTC通过抑制NF-κB活化进而抑制上述细胞因子的表达,减轻PQ中毒大鼠的肺损伤.     

SiO2 诱导巨噬细胞线粒体分裂在肺成纤维细胞活化中的作用

目的 探讨巨噬细胞线粒体过度分裂调控的核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体家族含热蛋白结构域3(NLRP3)炎症小体激活在矽肺纤维化中的作用机制。方法 以不同浓度二氧化硅(SiO2)染毒大鼠肺巨噬细胞NR8383 12h,采用CCK8检测SiO2对NR8383 细胞存活率的影响;活细胞荧光探针法检测细胞活性氧(ROS)水平;ELISA法测定细胞上清液中白细胞介素-18(IL-18)、IL-1β和转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)的水平;Western blot法检测NLRP3炎症小体相关蛋白(NLRP3、Cleaved caspase-1、ASC)以及线粒体分裂蛋白Drp1的表达水平;Western blot法检测不同染毒时间点(0、12、24、48h)100 μg/ml SiO2 浓度下大鼠成纤维细胞 RFL-6COLⅢ、NLRP3、Drp1、α-SMA蛋白的表达水平;使用 Transwell小室将100 μg/ml SiO2处理过的NR8383细胞与RFL-6细胞进行共培养,检测不同处理时间点共培养上清液中IL-18、IL-1β和TGF-β1的水平及NR8383细胞NLRP3、Cleaved caspase-1、ASC、Drp1和RFL-6细胞COLⅢ、α-SMA的表达水平;使用线粒体分裂抑制剂Mdivi-1(10 μmol/L)预处理共培养细胞,观察线粒体分裂抑制后对NR8383细胞NLRP3炎症小体激活、ROS 水平、TGF-β1释放水平及RFL-6细胞纤维化的影响。结果 随着SiO2染毒浓度增加,NR8383细胞存活率逐渐下降,确定100 μg/ml SiO2为最高染毒浓度;随SiO2染毒剂量的增加,NR8383细胞中ROS水平和细胞培养上清液中IL-18、IL-1β、TGF-β1水平明显增加(P<0.05);与对照组相比,100 μg/ml SiO2染毒后NR8383细胞NLRP3、Cleaved caspase-1、ASC和Drp1蛋白表达显著增加(P<0.05);随着 SiO2染毒时间的增加,RFL-6细胞中COLⅢ、NLRP3、Drp1、α-SMA的表达水平无显著变化。在100 μg/ml SiO2染毒NR8383与RFL-6细胞共培养体系中,随着染毒时间的增加,NR8383细胞中ROS产生和上清液中IL-18、IL-1β、TGF-β1水平显著增加(P<0.05);与对照组相比,SiO2染毒24 h后NR8383细胞中NLRP3、Cleaved caspase-1、ASC 及Drp1表达水平显著增加(P<0.05);RFL-6细胞中COLⅢ、α-SMA蛋白表达显著增加(P<0.05)。Mdivi-1可使SiO2处理的NR8383细胞中ROS和上清液中IL-18、IL-1β、TGF-β1水平的升高受到抑制(P<0.05),并下调NR8383细胞中NLRP3、Cleaved caspase-1、ASC、Drp1和RFL-6细胞中COLⅢ、α-SMA的蛋白表达(P<0.05)。结论 SiO2 可以促进大鼠肺巨噬细胞线粒体过度分裂、NLRP3炎症小体激活,进而诱导共培养体系大鼠成纤维细胞纤维化;抑制大鼠肺巨噬细胞线粒体过度分裂可以减轻NLRP3炎症小体活化,并抑制大鼠成纤维细胞纤维化,提示SiO2诱导肺巨噬细胞线粒体过度分裂可能是导致矽肺炎症过程和纤维化的重要原因。     

基于Luminex液相芯片技术的NNK和AαC体外免疫毒性研究

目的了解4-(甲基亚硝胺基)-1-(3-吡啶)-1-丁酮(NNK)和2-氨基-9H-吡啶并[2,3-b]吲哚(AαC)的体外免疫毒性特征。方法分别以0、12.5、25、50、100、150和200μg/ml NNK染毒小鼠淋巴瘤细胞(EL-4细胞)24 h,以0、2.5、5、7.5、10、12.5和15μg/ml AαC染毒小鼠巨噬细胞(Ana-1细胞)24 h。采用CCK-8法检测细胞存活率,以Luminex液相芯片技术检测细胞上清液中与免疫相关的20种细胞因子分泌量,以BCA蛋白检测方法校正细胞因子的结果。结果 NNK染毒EL-4细胞后,白介素(IL)-10、IL-17、IL-1β和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量随染毒剂量的增加而升高,粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)含量随染毒剂量的增加而降低,且均存在剂量-效应关系;碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF-basic)、γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、IL-1α、IL-2、IL-4、IL-5、IL-6、IL-12、IL-13、干扰素诱导蛋白-10(IP-10)、角质细胞诱导因子(KC)、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)、γ-干扰素诱导性单核因子趋化因子(MIG)、巨噬细胞炎症蛋白-1α(MIP-1α)和血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)含量无明显变化。AαC染毒Ana-1细胞后,IL-5、MCP-1、MIP-1α、TNF-α和VEGF含量随染毒剂量的增加而降低,其余15种细胞因子无明显变化。结论 NNK和AαC可以产生体外免疫毒性。     

细菌性腹膜炎大鼠黏膜炎症因子与应激状态及其Wnt5a/β-catenin信号通路

目的 探讨细菌性腹膜炎大鼠黏膜炎症因子与应激状态及其Wnt5a/β-catenin信号通路的变化。方法 对大鼠建立细菌性腹膜炎模型，并将造模成功的实验性细菌性腹膜炎大鼠分为8 h、16 h、24 h模型组，每组10只，于注射菌液后8 h、16 h、24 h时检测各组大鼠体征变化、血清内毒素，观察腹腔黏膜病理变化，检测黏膜炎症因子白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平，与应激因子超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、活性氧自由基(ROS)水平，并检测黏膜组织中Wnt5a/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白与mRNA水平。结果 对照组疾病活动指数(DAI)评估、内毒素水平低于模型组；对照组黏膜结构清晰，未见充血水肿、炎症浸润，模型组黏膜上皮细胞有明显坏死脱落，出现水肿、出血，大量炎性细胞浸润；模型组IL-1β、IL-4、IL-6、TNF-α表达高于对照组，IL-10低于对照组(P<0.001);模型组MDA、ROS高于对照组，SOD、GSH-Px低于对照组(P<0.001);模...     

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.     

The occurrence of antimicrobial substances in toilet,sink and shower drainpipes of clinical units: A neglected source of antibiotic residues

Antibiotics represent one of the most important drug groups used in the management of bacterial infections in humans and animals. Due to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, assurance of the antibacterial effectiveness of these substances has moved into the focus of public health. The reduction in antibiotic residues in wastewater and the environment may play a decisive role in the development of increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. The present study examines the wastewater of 31 patient rooms of various German clinics for possible residues of antibiotics, as well as the wastewater of five private households as a reference.To the best of our knowledge, this study shows for the first time that in hospitals with high antibiotic consumption rates, residues of these drugs can be regularly detected in toilets, sink siphons and shower drains at concentrations ranging from 0.02?μg·L^?1 to a maximum of 79?mg·L^?1. After complete flushing of the wastewater siphons, antibiotics are no longer detectable, but after temporal stagnation, the concentration of the active substances in the water phases of respective siphons increases again, suggesting that antibiotics persist through the washing process in biofilms. This study demonstrates that clinical wastewater systems offer further possibilities for the optimization of antibiotic resistance surveillance.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

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.     

Fatigue and health in a seafaring population

Background Occupational fatigue is relatively common withinthe general population and has been linked to reduced performance,injury and longer term ill-health. Despite growing acknowledgementof this problem in the maritime sector, little research hasbeen conducted into the risk factors, prevalence and consequencesof seafarers' fatigue. Aims To examine the prevalence of fatigue among seafarers, identifypotential risk factors and assess possible links with poor performanceand ill-health. Methods Cross-sectional questionnaire survey of seafarers workingin the offshore oil support, short-sea and deep-sea shippingindustries. A number of tools were used including the fatiguesubscale of the profile of fatigue-related symptoms, the CognitiveFailures Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire andthe SF36 General Health scale. Results In all, 1855 questionnaires were completed giving anoverall response rate of 20%. Fatigue symptoms were associatedwith a range of occupational and environmental factors, manyunique to seafaring. Reporting a greater number of risk factorswas associated with greater fatigue [e.g. OR = 2.53 (1.90–3.35)for those with three or four risk factors and OR = 9.54 (6.95–13.09)for those with five or more risk factors]. There was also astrong link between fatigue and poorer cognitive and healthoutcomes, with fatigue the most important of a number of riskfactors, accounting for 10–14% of the variance. Conclusions Seafarers' fatigue could impact on safety withinthe industry and may be linked to longer term individual ill-health.It can only be addressed by considering how multiple factorscombine to contribute to fatigue.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

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.