microRNA与乙型肝炎病情转归的关系

微小核糖核酸(microRNA,miRNA)是一类内源性非编码调控RNA,由二十几个核苷酸长度组成,其通过抑制蛋白质翻译或降解mRNAs调控基因转录后的表达,参与调节细胞的分化,增殖及凋亡,并在肿瘤的发生发展中起重要作用。研究表明乙型肝炎病毒和宿主之间通过miRNA进行相互调节,这在HBV相关肝病的发生发展中起着非常重要的作用。本文就miRNA与HBV感染及其相关肝病的研究现状加以综述以探讨miRNA的研究对HBV相关肝病诊治的重要意义。     

乙型肝炎病毒转录后调节机制的研究进展

乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)转录后的调节涉及多个环节,包括HBV启动子之间的相互作用、多聚腺苷酸化位点的利用、肝细胞核蛋白与HBV“转录后调节序列”的结合、HBV转录体由细胞核向细胞浆的转运等。抑制性转录后调节序列结合蛋白的发现不仅对阐明宿主抗HBV感染的非细胞溶解机制具有重要意义,而且为抗HBV治疗提供了一条新的途径。     

miRNA调节病毒复制的研究进展

miRNA的发现是分子生物学领域的一个巨大突破,它们是长约18～23nt的非编码RNA.近来,研究发现宿主和病毒都可以编码miRNA,并且两者都在调控病毒生存周期及病毒与宿主相互作用的过程中起到非常关键的作用.此文就近年来miRNA在调节病毒复制方面的研究进展进行综述.     

microRNA在HIV-1型感染及其相关疾病中的研究进展

微小RNA(microRNA, miRNA)是一种重要的转录后基因表达调节因子,其表达谱的变化与许多人类病理学有关。miRNA与人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)之间的相互关系已成为全球研究的热点之一。本文主要从miRNA对HIV-1病毒的转录复制、潜伏感染的影响,miRNA在HIV-1相关疾病中的研究,及其对人类获得性免疫缺陷综合征(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,AIDS)的治疗前景进行综述。     

乙型肝炎病毒X基因变异与隐匿性感染的关系

隐匿性HBV感染指患者血清HBsAg阴性,而血清和(或)肝组织HBV DNA阳性,其发生机制仍未明了.目前,对HBV基因变异的研究大多集中在S基因,而X基因是病毒复制的重要调节区,是转录、反转录和正链合成的起点,此处变异可能会影响到病毒的转录和复制,但由于X基因结构和功能的复杂性,目前对其变异与隐匿性HBV感染的关系研究相对较少.此文就HBV X基因变异对隐匿性HBV感染的发生和影响进行综述.     

乙型肝炎病毒X蛋白的生物学功能研究进展

乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)X基因编码的X蛋白(HBx)是一种多功能病毒调节蛋白,具有广泛的基因转录调控作用,并能与宿主细胞的多种蛋白质直接作用,从而调节基因表达及宿主细胞蛋白质功能,进而影响病毒的复制、宿主细胞信号转导、细胞增殖与分化、细胞凋亡及癌变等。     

乙型肝炎病毒感染的小鼠模型

小鼠不是HBV的自然宿主,不支持HBV的感染、复制,需通过一定的手段才能使其感染HBV。转基因小鼠是目前应用最多的研究HBV的动物模型,但因不能用于病毒进入以及免疫清除机制等方面的研究而限制了其应用。通过腺病毒载体介导或通过注射质粒等方法也可导致HBV在小鼠体内短暂复制,因而可作为研究HBV急性感染的模型。将人肝细胞移植到免疫缺陷小鼠体内形成嵌合小鼠来研究HBV是最近研究的热点,嵌合模型更加接近自然感染,可以用于病毒的早期进入、复制以及抗病毒治疗的研究,缺点是应用了免疫缺陷小鼠,限制了其在病毒免疫方面的研究,因此目前尚需研发更加完善的HBV动物模型。     

MicroRNAs用于诊断和治疗HBV相关肝病研究进展

微小RNA(miRNAs)是一类内源性且具有精细调控功能的非编码单链RNA,能抑制靶基因的mRNAs翻译或引起其降解,与病毒发病机制和组织癌变的发生息息相关。乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)感染宿主后会发生肝炎、肝硬化、肝癌3步转归,而在该疾病发展过程中, HBV和宿主细胞利用miRNAs进行相互调节,期间伴有不同miRNAs表达谱的变化,并且以miRNAs作为新的抗HBV作用靶点开发抗病毒药物的前景良好,而很少有人对该领域的研究进行综述,因此本文就miRNAs在诊断和治疗HBV感染相关肝病的研究进展做一综述。     

人乳头瘤病毒感染与宿主免疫应答

人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染能引起人皮肤、黏膜良性增生性病变乃至官颈癌等恶性肿瘤。HPV不仅可以刺激宿主固有免疫和适应性免疫并产生一定的免疫应答,还可以通过多种免疫逃逸机制逃避宿主免疫应答而致持续感染。HPV与宿主免疫系统之间的相互作用决定了HPV感染后的临床表现和疾病转归。此文对HPV感染后宿主的免疫应答及可能的免疫逃逸机制进行了综述。     

乙型肝炎病毒与肝细胞癌关系研究进展 鲍曼不动杆菌感染暴发的流行病学调查

[摘要]　HBV是一种诱发急、慢性乙型肝炎的DNA病毒，HBV感染是引起肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC）的主要原因之一。HBV诱发HCC是一个多因素、多阶段的过程，包括HBV DNA整合到宿主基因中、HBV基因组突变和病毒调节蛋白HBx异常表达等分子机制，异常免疫攻击介导慢性肝损害的免疫机制和DNA甲基化等表观遗传相关机制以及细胞自噬。本文将对近年来HBV诱发HCC的各种机制的研究进展进行综述。     

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.