贵州野生多汁乳菇对60Co-γ损伤小鼠的保护作用

目的 了解贵州野生多汁乳菇对60Co-γ辐射损伤小鼠的保护作用.方法 实验设3个多汁乳菇剂量组(2.3、4.5、9.0 g/kg体重)、阴性对照组和60Co-γ辐射模型对照组,辐射剂量为5 Gy.观察小鼠白细胞计数、测定骨髓DNA含量.结果 辐照后5 d小鼠各剂量组的白细胞总数(6.83±1.95、6.42±1.00、6.34±1.23)明显高于60Co-γ辐射对照组(5.05±0.93)(P＜0.01);辐照后4、15 d,多汁乳菇各剂量组小鼠随剂量增加,DNA损伤程度逐渐降低,呈剂量反应关系(P＜0.05).结论 在本实验条件下,多汁乳菇对60Co-γ辐射导致的小鼠白细胞损伤、DNA损伤具有一定的保护作用.     

番茄红素对小鼠辐射损伤的防护作用

目的观察番茄红素对小鼠辐射损伤的防护作用。方法ICR小鼠接受γ射线辐照,同时给予番茄红素(剂量分别为0·27g/kg bw、0·53g/kg bw和0·80g/kg bw),检测指标为外周血白细胞数、骨髓有核细胞数、骨髓细胞微核、血清超氧化物歧化酶活性和血清溶血素。结果3个剂量番茄红素实验组小鼠白细胞数均显著高于辐射对照组(P<0·01);0·27g/kg bw番茄红素实验组小鼠骨髓有核细胞数显著高于辐射对照组(P<0·01);各剂量番茄红素实验组小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核数显著低于辐射对照组(P<0·01);各剂量番茄红素实验组小鼠血清SOD活力与辐射对照组比较差异无显著性;0·27g/kg bw番茄红素实验组小鼠血清溶血素显著高于辐射对照组(P<0·05)。结论番茄红素对小鼠辐射损伤具有一定的防护作用。     

3种食用菌对小鼠免疫功能的影响

目的观察香菇、贵州野生多汁乳菇、野生牛肝菌对受环磷酰胺(CP)损伤免疫系统小鼠的免疫调节作用。方法实验设:①正常对照组;②多汁乳菇9 g/(kg.bw)+CP 50 mg/(kg.bw)组;③牛肝菌9 g/(kg.bw)+CP50 mg/(kg.bw)组;④香菇9 g/(kg.bw)+CP 50 mg/(kg.bw)组;⑤CP 50 mg/(kg.bw)组。小鼠灌胃35 d,CP腹腔注射造成小鼠免疫损伤。观察小鼠的一般临床表现、小鼠脏器系数、血清溶血素、足趾DTH、碳粒廓清指数α等指标。结果3种食用菌小鼠胸腺系数(牛肝菌除外)、血清半数溶血值(HC50)、足趾DTH、碳粒廓清指数α明显高于CP组(P<0.01)。结论在本实验条件下,3种食用菌分别对CP所致的免疫损伤小鼠的细胞免疫、体液免疫、非特异性免疫功能有明显改善作用,尤其是野生多汁乳菇对增强小鼠细胞免疫功能和非特异免疫功能的作用比香菇还强。     

大蒜素对小鼠辐射损伤的辅助保护作用

目的 研究大蒜素对小鼠辐射损伤的辅助保护作用.方法 将60只昆明雄性小鼠随机分为辐射模型对照组、溶剂对照组、大蒜素低(0.17 g/kg)、中(0.33 g/kg)、高(1.00 g/kg)剂量组,用大蒜素灌胃20 d后,小鼠接受60Co-γ射线一次性全身辐照,观察对小鼠外周血白细胞总数、骨髓细胞微核率、骨髓细胞DNA含量、红细胞超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力等损伤指标的影响.结果 大蒜素高剂量组能明显增加经一次60Co-γ射线全身照射后小鼠的外周血白细胞总数,降低骨髓细胞微核发生率,提高骨髓细胞DNA含量,增加红细胞超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活力.结论 大蒜素对小鼠辐射损伤有辅助保护作用.     

复方灵芝制剂对小鼠抗疲劳作用的研究

目的探讨复方灵芝制剂对小鼠的抗疲劳作用,为其保健功能的研发提供实验依据。方法将SPF级昆明种小鼠随机分成4组,每组12～13只,实验设受试物0.25、0.50、1.50g/(kg.bw)3个剂量组及对照组,各剂量组所需浓度以纯净水调配成,每日按0.2 mL/(10g.bw)灌胃给予受试物,对照组给予纯净水。灌胃量根据每周体重增减调整,连续30 d。末次给予受试物30 min后,分别检测小鼠负重游泳时间、肝糖元含量、无负重游泳90 min休息60 min后尿素氮含量以及测定血乳酸曲线下面积。结果 1.50 g/(kg.bw)剂量组可延长小鼠负重游泳时间(P<0.01);游泳后20 min各剂量组的血乳酸含量基本恢复到运动前的水平,并比对照组降低,其中0.50 g/(kg.bw)剂量组与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);各剂量组的血乳酸曲线下面积均有所减少,其中1.50 g/(kg.bw)剂量组与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);各剂量组小鼠肝糖原的含量明显增加,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论受试的灵芝孢子粉与灵芝提取浸膏复方制剂具有抗疲劳作用。     

鲜皇浆的抗辐射损伤作用研究

目的:探讨鲜皇浆对小鼠辐射损伤的保护作用。方法:将160只小鼠随机分为3个试验组,剂量分别为0.80、1.78、5.00g/kg,另设一个辐射对照组,每天灌胃1次,连续30d后,各组均以60Co射线进行一次全身照射,并继续给样品,根据检测指标选择不同的照射剂量。辐照前、辐照后第3和14天进行外周血细胞计数;辐照后第3天进行骨髓有核细胞计数和骨髓细胞微核试验;辐照后第7天进行超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力测定;辐照后第14天测定血清溶血素。结果:3个试验组小鼠外周血白细胞数、骨髓有核细胞数和血清溶血素含量明显高于辐射对照组(P<0.05),骨髓微核率明显低于辐射对照组(P<0.05),血清SOD活力高于辐射对照组,但无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:鲜皇浆对辐射损伤具有一定的防护作用。     

贵州野生多汁乳菇对小鼠免疫功能影响

目的观察贵州野生多汁乳菇对正常及环磷酰胺（cp）损伤免疫系统小鼠的免疫调节作用。方法实验设多汁乳菇组9．0mg／（kg·bw）、多汁乳菇组9．0mg／（kg·bw）＋CP、CP组、正常对照组。灌胃给小鼠多汁乳菇提取液35d，CP腹腔注射造成小鼠免疫损伤。观察小鼠体重的生长情况、小鼠脏器系数、血清溶血素、小鼠足趾迟发型超敏反应（DTH）、碳粒廓清指数α等指标。结果小鼠胸腺系数、血清溶血素（HC50）、小鼠足趾DTH、碳粒廓清指数α明显高于CP组（P〈0．01）。其中小鼠足趾DTH，碳粒廓清指数α恢复至正常对照组水平。结论贵州野生多汁乳菇对CP所致的免疫损伤小鼠的细胞免疫、体液免疫、非特异性免疫功能有明显的改善作用。     

低剂量12C6+离子辐射诱导的小鼠骨髓细胞适应性反应实验研究

目的研究低剂量重离子辐射(LDR)对小鼠造血系统的适应性反应特征。方法对小鼠给予大剂量(2.0 Gy)12C+6射线照射前预先采用0.050,0.075 Gy 12C+6离子束全身照射,其中一批小鼠24 h处死,测定外周血指标、脏器系数、骨髓细胞微核率、骨髓DNA含量;第二批小鼠接受大剂量(2.0 Gy)全身辐照后观察其30 d存活情况。结果与大剂量直接照射组相比,0.050Gy低剂量照射组小鼠外周血白细胞明显升高,骨髓DNA含量升高,小鼠骨髓细胞的微核率降低(均P<0.05~0.01),其余指标无统计学差异。0.075 Gy低剂量照射后小鼠外周血白细胞与照射对照组比较有一定下降,其余指标无明显差异。结论低剂量碳离子束照射能拮抗大剂量照射后引起的骨髓细胞损伤,对造血组织产生适应性反应,对重离子治疗肿瘤及放射防护具有一定参考意义。     

苯致小鼠淋巴细胞DNA、RNA损伤作用

目的研究苯对小鼠淋巴细胞DNA、RNA损伤作用。方法采用单细胞凝胶电泳方法和3H-胸腺嘧啶1、4C-尿嘧啶掺入技术检测不同剂量苯[100,200,400 mg/(kg.bw)]经腹腔注射染毒对小鼠外周血、脾脏、胸腺淋巴细胞DNA、RNA损伤情况。结果除了苯染毒为100 mg/(kg.bw)剂量组外,小鼠外周血淋巴细胞DNA彗星细胞率、彗星尾长均高于阴性对照组(P<0.05),3H-胸腺嘧啶和14C-尿嘧啶掺入计数每分钟衰变数(dpm)值明显低于阴性对照组(P<0.01)。结论苯可致外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤,明显影响小鼠脾脏、胸腺淋巴细胞DNA和RNA合成而产生遗传毒性作用。     

虾青素对60Coγ射线所致小鼠氧化损伤的保护作用

目的探讨虾青素对60Coγ射线诱导的小鼠氧化损伤的保护作用。方法 50只昆明种小鼠随机分为5组,即对照组、模型组和虾青素高、中、低剂量组(10.2、2.0和4.0mg/kg)。辐照前,各剂量组每日经口灌胃不同浓度的虾青素,模型组和对照组则给予等体积植物油,连续30天。30天后,除对照组外,其余各组给予8 Gy 60Coγ射线全身一次性照射。照射后第4天处死小鼠,取肝细胞进行彗星实验以观察细胞DNA损伤,制取肝匀浆测定MDA含量、SOD和GSH-Px活性,同时进行外周血粒细胞和骨髓有核细胞计数。结果与对照组相比,模型组MDA含量显著升高(P<0.01),SOD和GSH-Px活性显著降低(P<0.01);与模型组相比,虾青素各组MDA含量显著降低(P<0.01),SOD活性显著升高(P<0.01),高剂量组GSH-Px活性显著升高(P<0.01)。模型组DNA损伤指标均显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而虾青素各组DNA损伤显著低于模型组(P<0.01),且随着虾青素剂量的增加,细胞拖尾率和OTM逐渐减少。与对照组相比,模型组粒细胞和骨髓有核细胞计数显著降低(P<0.01),而虾青素各组粒细胞和中、高剂量组骨髓有核细胞显著高于模型组(P<0.01)。结论虾青素对于辐射诱导的氧化损伤具有保护作用。     

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.