三氯乙烯对豚鼠皮肤致敏作用与肝肾功能的损害

目的 探讨三氯乙烯(TCE)对豚鼠皮肤致敏作用及肝肾功能的损害.方法 采用豚鼠最大值试验(GPMT),将动物分成阴性对照组、阳性对照组和TCE实验组,每组6只豚鼠,分别皮内注射橄榄油、2,4-二硝基氯苯(DNCB)和TCE.实验结束后观察动物皮肤改变,应用自动生化分析仪检测致敏动物血清中丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、白蛋白、球蛋白、乳酸脱氧酶(LDH)、肌苷、尿酸等指标.结果阳性对照组和TCE实验组动物出现明显皮肤红斑、水肿,阳性对照组动物致敏率为100%,TCE实验组动物致敏率为83.3%.阳性对照组动物血清中ALT、AST活力升高,TCE实验组动物血清中ALT、AST、LDH活力明显高于阴性对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论 TCE可诱导豚鼠产生明显的皮肤致敏作用,属强致敏物,并可引起实验动物肝功能指标的改变.     

三氯乙烯致豚鼠皮肤变态反应和血清免疫球蛋白水平改变

目的:探讨三氯乙烯(TCE)对豚鼠皮肤变态反应和血清免疫球蛋白水平的改变。方法:采用豚鼠最大值试验GPMT,动物分成阴性对照组、阳性对照组和TCE实验组,每组6只豚鼠,分别皮内注射橄榄油、2,4-二硝基氯苯(DNCB)和TCE。实验结束后观察动物皮肤改变,应用自动生化分析仪检测致敏动物血清免疫球蛋白水平。结果:阳性对照组和TCE实验组动物出现明显皮肤损害,阳性对照组动物致敏率为100%,TCE实验组致敏率为83.3%。TCE致敏豚鼠血清总IgG含量明显高于阴性对照组(P0.05)。结论:三氯乙烯属于强致敏物,可诱导豚鼠产生皮肤变态反应,引起血清免疫球蛋白改变。     

三氯乙烯致敏豚鼠及IL-10表达的研究

目的研究细胞因子白细胞介素-10(IL-10)在三氯乙烯(TCE)致敏豚鼠表皮中的表达,探讨TCE药疹样皮炎发病机制。方法将白色雌性豚鼠随机分成空白对照组、溶剂对照组、TCE实验组、2,4—二硝基氯苯(DNCB)阳性对照组,根据豚鼠最大反应试验(guinea pig maximization test,GPMT)方法处理豚鼠,在终末激发后进行皮肤反应评分,皮肤反应评分≥1判断为致敏,依据致敏结果以及取材时间的不同将TCE实验组分为致敏组24 h、72 h和未致敏组24 h、72 h,DNCB阳性对照组24 h和72 h。无菌条件下取皮制成蜡块,采用Elivison二步法免疫组织化学法检测各组表皮中IL-10的表达情况。结果 TCE实验组致敏率为62.1%;TCE致敏24 h组和72 h组的IL-10水平高于溶剂对照组,且差异有统计学意义(P0.05);同时TCE致敏24 h组与TCE未致敏24 h组比较、TCE致敏72 h组与TCE未致敏72 h组比较,差异也有统计学意义(P0.05);TCE致敏24 h组与DNCB 24 h组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 TCE对豚鼠皮肤具有致敏作用,IL-10在TCE药疹样皮炎发生过程中具有重要意义。     

三氯乙烯致敏豚鼠皮肤组织中白细胞介素-1、-6和-8表达的研究

目的研究白细胞介素(IL)-1、IL-6和IL-8在三氯乙烯(TCE)致敏豚鼠皮肤组织中的表达情况,探讨TCE药疹样皮炎发病机制。方法将白色雌性豚鼠随机分成空白对照组、溶剂对照组、TCE实验组、2,4-二硝基氯苯(DNCB)阳性对照组,根据豚鼠最大值试验(GPMT)方法处理豚鼠,在终末激发后(依据致敏结果以及取材时点的不同,将TCE实验组以及DNCB阳性对照组分为TCE致敏组24 h、TCE致敏组72 h、TCE未致敏组24 h和TCE未致敏组72 h;DNCB组24 h和DNCB组72 h)进行皮肤反应评分,并采取皮肤组织,制成蜡块,采用Elivison二步法免疫组织化学法检测各组皮肤组织中IL-1、IL-6和IL-8的表达情况。结果根据皮肤反应评分≥1判断为致敏阳性,TCE实验组致敏率为62.1%;TCE致敏组24 h和TCE致敏组72 h的IL-1水平要显著高于溶剂对照组,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);同时TCE致敏组24 h与TCE未致敏组24 h比较、TCE致敏组72 h与TCE未致敏组72 h比较差异也有统计学意义(P<0.05),但IL-6和IL-8水平在各个组别和不同时间点之间差异无统计...     

三氯乙烯染毒对豚鼠肝功能与凋亡基因表达的影响

目的探讨使用三氯乙烯(TCE)染毒对豚鼠肝功能和肝细胞凋亡基因(BAX、BAD、Bc1-2)表达的影响。方法将24只豚鼠随机分为3组,采用豚鼠最大值法(GPMT),设立TCE实验组、阴性对照组、阳性对照组,用皮内注射的方式分别注射TCE、橄榄油、2,4-二硝基氯苯(DNCB),实验结束后观察动物皮肤改变,应用自动生化分析仪检测动物肝功能指标,用荧光定量PCR检测肝细胞凋亡基因表达水平。结果 TCE实验组和阳性对照组动物出现明显皮肤损害。TCE实验组动物血清中丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力明显高于阴性对照组(P0.05或P0.01)。肝细胞BAX、BAD的mRNA表达水平比阴性对照组显著升高,Bc1-2表达水平下降(P0.05或P0.01)。结论三氯乙烯可诱导豚鼠产生明显的皮肤变态反应,引起实验动物肝功能指标改变和肝细胞凋亡基因表达水平明显改变。     

职业性三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者血清肝纤维化指标的研究

目的研究三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者肝损害指标透明质酸(HA)、层粘连蛋白(LN)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)、Ⅳ型胶原(C-Ⅳ)、甘胆酸(CG)的水平,探讨三氯乙烯皮炎肝损害后肝纤维化指标的改变,为判断三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎肝损害的预后提供依据.方法对28名三氟乙烯药疹样皮炎及16名对照组进行放射免疫法检测HA、LN、PCⅢ、C-Ⅳ、CG水平,并对中毒组与对照组、皮炎轻重不同组进行对比分析,对血清肝纤维化损害指标与常规肝损害指标进行相关分析.结果肝损害指标HA、PCⅢ、C-Ⅳ、CG等在三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者明显增高(P＜0.05),与丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、总胆红素、胆汁酸等肝损害指标有良好的相关性.严重皮炎组血清肝纤维化指标值低于一般皮炎组,LN在三氟乙烯皮炎病例反而低于对照组.结论 HA、PCⅢ、C-Ⅳ、CG检测可以作为三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者肝损害程度的评价指标.三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者皮肤病变的严重程度与患者肝损害后肝纤维化指标不平衡.三氯乙烯皮炎患者肝损害可引起多个肝纤维化指标明显升高.     

三氯乙烯致敏豚鼠皮肤组织中TNF-α和IL-1的表达水平

目的研究TNF-α及IL-1在三氯乙烯(TCE)致敏豚鼠皮肤组织中的表达情况,探讨TCE药疹样皮炎发生过程中可能存在的机制。方法选用体重250 g左右白色雌性豚鼠,随机分成空白对照组、溶剂对照组、TCE处理组、2,4-二硝基氯苯(DNCB)阳性对照组,用豚鼠最大值实验(guinea pig maximization test,GPMT)方法建立动物致敏模型,并在终末激发后依据致敏结果以及取材时点的不同(分别于24 h、72 h取材),将TCE处理组分为TCE致敏24 h组、72 h组和TCE未致敏24 h组、72 h组;DNCB阳性对照组分为DNCB 24h组和DNCB 72h组。采用Elivison二步法免疫组织化学法检测各组皮肤组织中TNF-α和IL-1的表达。结果TCE处理组致敏率为62.1%;TCE致敏24 h组和TCE致敏72 h组的TNF-α及IL-1水平显著高于溶剂对照组,差异有统计学意义;同时TCE致敏与未致敏24 h组、TCE致敏与未致敏72 h组比较差异也有统计学意义。结论TCE对豚鼠皮肤具有致敏作用,TNF-α和IL-1在TCE药疹样皮炎发生过程中具有重要意义。 更多还原     

三氯乙烯致敏豚鼠皮肤及血清中IL-17的测定

目的比较三氯乙烯(TCE)致敏豚鼠和未致敏豚鼠皮肤和血清中IL-17表达水平,探讨TCE药疹样皮炎新的发病机制。方法将豚鼠随机分为空白对照组,溶剂(橄榄油)对照组,TCE处理组。根据豚鼠最大值试验方法(Guinea Pig Maximization Test,GPMT)处理豚鼠。按照《化学品毒性鉴定技术规范》的评分标准对动物的皮肤反应进行评分,评分≥1的判为致敏。在末次激发后24 h,72 h,1周和2周分四批采血和皮肤组织,用ELISA试剂盒测定血清中IL-17的含量;将皮肤组织制成蜡块,采用Elivison二步法免疫组织化学法检测其IL-17的表达情况。结果根据皮肤反应评分判断致敏阳性,TCE处理组致敏率为70%。TCE处理组血清中IL-17的水平及皮肤组织免疫组化评分明显高于溶剂对照组,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);TCE处理组的不同时间段相比,IL-17的表达差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);在TCE处理组72h和1周两个时点,TCE致敏鼠IL-17的表达比相应的未致敏鼠高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 TCE可以诱导豚鼠致敏,IL-17在豚鼠致敏的过程中有重要意义。     

14例三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者肝损害病例分析

目的 分析三氯乙烯(TCE)药疹样皮炎患者肝功能损害的临床资料,为临床治疗提供依据.方法 对病例组14名TCE药疹样皮炎患者肝功能指标进行分析,并与接触对照组16名接触TCE但未发病者和健康对照组15名健康者进行比较.结果 病例组血清中的直接胆红素(DBIL) 44.2(7.6～166.0) μmol/L、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT) 681.5( 169.0～1 815.0) U/L和天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST) 191.5(48.0～1 690.0)U/L均明显升高,而白蛋白(ALB)下降明显,为30.3(26.6 ～33.8)g/L,上述指标与健康对照组和接触对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P ＜0.01);接触对照组DBIL、ALT、AST与ALB水平与健康对照组比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).结论 TCE药疹样皮炎患者肝脏损害严重,应加强防范.     

三氯乙烯及其代谢产物的豚鼠皮肤致敏试验

目的　探讨三氯乙烯及其代谢产物三氯乙酸、三氯乙醇及水合三氯乙醛对豚鼠的皮肤致敏作用。方法　按豚鼠最大值试验 (GPMT)法 ,用三氯乙烯、三氯乙酸、三氯乙醇及水合三氯乙醛分别对白化豚鼠进行皮内和涂皮结合法致敏试验 ,并设阳性对照 (二硝基氯苯 )、溶剂对照 (橄榄油 )和福氏完全佐剂 (FCA)对照 ,观察各组动物皮肤的红斑和水肿等情况 ,求出致敏率和平均反应值。结果　三氯乙烯、三氯乙酸和二硝基氯苯的致敏率分别为 71 4%、5 8 3 %和10 0 % ,平均反应值分别为 2 3、1 1和 6 0。三氯乙醇和水合三氯乙醛的致敏率均为 0。结论　三氯乙烯是强度致敏物 ;三氯乙酸是中度致敏物 ;三氯乙醇及水合三氯乙醛未见致敏作用。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.