β-胡萝卜素和亚硒酸钠体外抗肿瘤作用的实验研究

方法：采用细胞株体外培养技术，研究β－胡萝卜素和亚硒酸钠（Ｎａ２ＳｅＯ３）单独／联合对人肝癌细胞株（Ｑ３）和人膀胱癌细胞株（Ｔ２４）生长的影响。以小鼠成纤维母细胞（３Ｔ３）为正常对照细胞株。实验分为：１．β－胡萝卜素组：剂量为３、３０、１００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ，溶剂对照为ＤＭＳＯ；２．亚硒酸钠组：剂量为０．１５、１．５、５．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ，溶剂对照为生理盐水；３．β－胡萝卜素和亚硒酸钠联合组：剂量为１．５＋０．１５、１５＋１．５、５０＋５．０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ，溶剂对照为ＤＭＳＯ和生理盐水。各实验组均设空白组。分别在实验后２４ｈ、４８ｈ、７２ｈ观察细胞成活率和活细胞蛋白质含量的变化。结果：１．β－胡萝卜素各剂量组对两株肿瘤细胞生长均有明显的抑制作用；２．亚硒酸钠对两株肿瘤细胞的抑制作用较弱，但随作用时间延长和剂量的增加其抑制作用明显增强；３．β－胡萝卜素和亚硒酸钠对Ｑ３细胞株的抑制作用比Ｔ２４细胞株强；４．β－胡萝卜素和亚硒酸钠联合对Ｑ３和Ｔ２４细胞的抑制作用结果提示两者有相加效应。     

镉对硒引起的离体大鼠肝细胞DNA损伤作用的影响

应用单细胞凝胶电泳研究氯化镉对亚硒酸钠引起的大鼠肝细胞ＤＮＡ损伤作用的影响。结果表明，在８７５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、１７５０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、３５００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的剂量下，亚硒酸钠单独作用时，可引起肝细胞ＤＮＡ损伤。当氯化镉与亚硒酸钠联合作用时，８７５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的氯化镉对８７５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、１７５０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、３５００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的亚硒酸钠引起的ＤＮＡ损伤存在明显的拮抗作用，而３５００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的氯化镉对８７５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、１７５０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ、３５００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ亚硒酸钠引起的ＤＮＡ损伤不但未显示出拮抗作用，反而使得ＤＮＡ损伤程度加重。１７５０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的氯化镉与１７５０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的亚硒酸钠联合作用，拮抗作用最为明显。本研究结果提示，在一定剂量条件下，氯化镉对亚硒酸钠引起的大鼠肝细胞ＤＮＡ损伤存在拮抗作用，并与镉和硒的相对剂量有关     

硒和维生素E对人白血病周期的影响

方法：应用体外细胞培养法，流式细胞术（ＦＣＭ）研究硒和ＶＥ对人髓系白血病细胞株ＨＬ－６０和非髓系白血病细胞株Ｋ５６２细胞增殖和细胞周期分布的影响。结果：Ｓｅ（５～１１μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对于ＨＬ－６０，Ｋ５６２细胞的增殖均有显著性抑制作用，ＦＣＭ表明，在Ｓｅ（８μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）作用６～７２ｈ后，ＨＬ－６０和Ｋ５６２细胞分别出现Ｇ１和Ｓ期阻滞现象。ＶＥ在１００～３００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ范围内对ＨＬ－６０细胞具有显著性抑制作用，而在１０～３００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ范围内对Ｋ５６２细胞同样具有显著性抑制作用，且呈剂量相关效应。ＶＥ（１００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）作用６～７２ｈ后，ＨＬ－６０，Ｋ５６２细胞分别被阻滞于Ｓ期和Ｇ１期。值得注意的是Ｓｅ与ＶＥ对ＨＬ－６０和Ｋ５６２细胞周期分布的影响恰恰相反。结论：硒的抗癌作用和ＶＥ的抗癌作用是互补的，不能互相替代     

硒多糖、亚硒酸钠对大鼠血硒浓度和肝细胞色素P_(450)单加氧酶系的影响

研究了一次和连续７天腹腔注射硒多糖、亚硒酸钠对大鼠血硒浓度及肝细胞色素Ｐ４５０、ｂ５、ＮＡＤ（Ｐ）Ｈ－细胞色素Ｃ还原酶、谷胱甘肽硫转移酶（ＧＳＴ）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ）的影响；并比较了硒多糖与亚硒酸钠的作用。结果表明：一次腹腔注射Ｓｅ０．６ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重的硒多糖和亚硒酸钠后，血硒浓度迅速增加，在注射后２小时血硒浓度达到高峰，随后血硒浓度逐渐下降。亚硒酸钠在大鼠体内的吸收和排出均较硒多糖快。连续７天腹腔注射０．２ｍｇ／ｋｇ体重剂量硒多糖和亚硒酸钠后，硒多糖和亚硒酸钠组大鼠血硒浓度分别为对照组的２．６倍和２．１倍，其中硒多糖组的血硒含量显著高于亚硒酸钠组（Ｐ＜０．０５）；硒多糖和亚硒酸钠在体内、外均降低肝细胞色素Ｐ４５０、ｂ５的含量，抑制ＧＳＴ的活性，硒多糖的作用尤为显著，分别为对照组的５７％、７０％和６２％（Ｐ＜０．０５）。两种硒化合物对ＮＡＤ（Ｐ）Ｈ－细胞色素Ｃ还原酶无明显影响。硒多糖和亚硒酸钠均能显著增强ＧＳＨ－Ｐｘ的活性（Ｐ＜０．０５）。     

β－胡萝卜素对人体乳腺癌细胞株BCap－37生物学作用的研究

应用细胞培养技术，分子杂交的ＮｏｒｔｈｅｒｎＢｌｏｔ方法和图像细胞分析技术（ＩＣＭ）研究了β－胡萝卜素对体外培养的人乳腺癌细胞株ＢＣａｐ一３７的生物学作用。细胞生长曲线的结果显示，两个实验组（５×１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ，１×１０（－４）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对细胞的生长有显著抑制作用并伴有明显的细胞形态学特征的改变。抑制率分别为３３．３３％和２８．２５％（Ｐ＜０．０１，Ｐ＜０．０５）。血浆生理浓度组（１×１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对细胞的生长没有抑制作用（Ｐ＞０．０５）。基因表达的研究显示，β－胡萝卜素（１×１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ，１×１０（－４）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）对癌基因Ｃ一ｅｒｂＢ２ｍＲＮＡ的表达没有抑制作用，１×１０（－４）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ浓度组对癌相关基因ＥＧＦＲｍＲＮＡ的表达有抑制作用，应用ＩＣＭ技术测定四项指标，即ＤＮＡ指数（ＤＩ值），Ｓ期百分比（Ｓ％），总ＤＮＡ含量以及细胞核面积。结果显示，两实验组（１×１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ，１×１０（－４）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＤＩ值为１．８１和１．７４，反映细胞呈异倍体水平，为恶性细胞的特征。两组的Ｓ期百分比为３３．７０％和３０．３９％，核面积为１４３．０μＭ２和１２０．９０μＭ２，均低?     

硒锗联合对酒精致大鼠肝脏脂质过氧化的影响

采用体外和体内实验以酒精诱导大鼠肝脏脂质过氧化为模型，研究了（Ｎａ＿２ＳｅＯ＿３）和锗（羧乙基锗倍半氧化物，Ｇｅ－１３２）联合应用的协同抗氧化作用。结果表明，酒精在体外和体内均可导致大鼠肝脏脂质过氧化。体外研究发现将硒和锗同时使用时（Ｎａ＿２ＳｅＯ＿３，２０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ＋Ｇｅ－１３２，１０．５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ），表现出比使用相同剂量单一的硒Ｎａ＿２ＳｅＯ＿３，２０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）或锗（Ｇｅ－１３２，１０．５ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）具有更强的抗氧化作用。体内研究将硒和锗剂量减半同时使用（Ｎａ＿２ＳｅＯ＿３，０．０５５ｍｇ／ｋｇ＋Ｇｅ－１３２，１００ｍｇ／ｋｇ），具有类似如单一的较高剂量硒（Ｎａ＿２ＳｅＯ＿３，０．１１ｍｇ／ｋｇ）的抗氧化作用和比使用单一的较高剂量锗（Ｇｅ－１３２，２００ｍｇ／ｋｇ）更强的抗氧化作用。本次研究结果表明硒（Ｎａ＿２ＳｅＯ＿３）和锗（Ｇｅ－１３２）在体外及体内均具有协同抗氧化作用。     

硒对氟引起脾脏损伤保护作用的实验研究

采用Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠６０只，分别饮用含氯化钠１５０ｍｇ／Ｌ（折算每日剂量为１５ｍｇ／ｋｇ）及氟化钠１５０ｍｇ／Ｌ加不同剂量亚硒酸钠的水，二个月后断头处死，取脾脏作光镜、组织化学观察。结果：氟化钠组脾小结与周围界线不清，红髓充血，淋巴细胞核固缩，免疫细胞反应程度降低，糖原ＰＡＳ反应，ＤＮＡ（Ｆｅｕｌｇｅｎ）反应减弱。脾门肥大细胞少。氟化钠加亚硒酸钠２０ｍｇ／Ｌ组（亚硒酸钠折算每日剂量为０２ｍｇ／ｋｇ）脾小结结构清楚，有的可见生发中心，动脉鞘、红髓结构正常。淋巴细胞膜、核结构完整。免疫细胞分布成群，糖原ＰＡＳ反应、ＤＮＡ（Ｆｅｕｌｇｅｎ）反应呈强阳性。脾门肥大细胞多。提示：亚硒酸钠２０ｍｇ／Ｌ对氟引起脾脏损伤有一定的保护作用     

硒代蛋氨酸与亚硒酸钠对心肌细胞动作电位影响的比较

在培养的Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞上观察了硒代蛋氨酸与亚硒酸钠对膜电位活动的影响。结果表明，硒代蛋氨酸与亚硒酸钠（１．０，２．０，４．０ｍｇ／Ｌ）均可使心肌细胞动作电位幅值（ＡＰＡ）、超射（ＯＳ）、阈电位（ＴＰ）、最大舒张电位（ＭＤＰ）及最大除极速率（Ｖｍａｘ）显著降低；硒代蛋氨酸使复极化时程（ＡＰＤ１０、ＡＰＤ５０、ＡＰＤ９０）缩短，动作电位发放频率（ＡＰＦ）加快；而亚硒酸钠在４．０ｍｇ／Ｌ硒剂量时使所有的ＡＰＤ均延长，动作电位发放频率减慢，在作用剂量为１．０、２．０ｍｇ／Ｌ硒时，使ＡＰＤ１０延长，而ＡＰＤ５０、ＡＰＤ９０缩短。表明两种硒化合物均具有Ｃａ２＋通道阻滞作用，而亚硒酸钠还具有Ｋ＋通道阻滞作用     

硒对大鼠胚胎神经细胞增殖和分化的影响

为探讨不同浓度硒对神经细胞增殖和分化的影响，将细胞培养物经不同浓度（０．０１～１０ｕｍｏｌ／Ｌ）亚硒酸钠（Ｎａ２ＳｅＯ３）处理，用ＭＴＴＩ地检测细胞增殖率，并观察细胞形态变化和细胞分化程度，结果：低浓度硒（０．０１～０．１ｕｍｏｌ／Ｌ）能促进神经细胞增殖和分化；较高浓度硒（０．０５～５ｕｍｏｌ／Ｌ）则抑制神经细胞增殖和分化，并均呈剂量－效应关系，高浓度硒（１０ｕｍｏｌ／Ｌ）引起细胞毒性，提示低浓度     

硒对大鼠肝细胞DNA损伤的研究

为探讨硒的遗传毒性，应用单细胞凝胶电泳研究亚硒酸钠对离体大鼠肝细胞ＤＮＡ损伤的作用。结果表明，８．７５μｍｏｌ／Ｌ，１７．５０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ，３５．００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ的亚硒酸钠可以引起肝细胞ＤＮＡ单链断裂，出现拖尾的彗星细胞。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Hydrazine inhalation hepatotoxicity

Abstract Hydrazine is a hazardous chemical commonly used as a reactant in rocket and jet fuel cells. Animal studies have demonstrated hepatic changes after hydrazine inhalation. Human case reports of hydrazine inhalation hepatotoxicity are rare. We report a case of mild hepatotoxicity following brief hydrazine vapour inhalation in a healthy young man, which resolved completely on expectant management.     

Fitness standards in airline staff

Employers have a legal duty to manage safety and to meet this duty it is necessary to control risks arising from pre-existing medical conditions. Such conditions can be identified at the time of job placement, but there is little published information about the approach to fitness standards by most airlines. This review is therefore limited to the practice of one major airline. It is illustrated by reference to various occupations within the airline, with the associated rationale.