3种抗氧化剂对亚砷酸钠染毒人膀胱上皮细胞血管内皮生长因子表达的拮抗作用研究

目的探讨抗氧化剂褪黑素(melatonin,MEL)、N-乙酰半胱氨酸(N-acetyl cysteine,NAC)、维生素C(Vitamin,VC)对砷诱导人正常膀胱上皮(SV-HUC-1)细胞血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)表达的拮抗作用。方法将处于对数生长期的SV-HUC-1细胞暴露于含终浓度分别为0(对照)、0.5、1、2、4、8、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠的F12K完全培养基染毒24 h,或者含终浓度分别为4、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠的F12K完全培养基染毒0(对照)、4、12、24、48、72 h;联合暴露组在加入含终浓度分为4μmol/L亚砷酸钠的F12K完全培养基前30 min分别加入1%二甲基亚砜(DMSO)和抗氧化剂MEL、VC、NAC(终浓度分别为0.5、1、1 mmol/L),染毒24 h。分别采用Western blot法和RT-PCR法检测SV-HUC-1细胞VEGF蛋白和mRNA的表达水平。结果 10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组SV-HUC-1细胞VEGF mRNA的表达水平高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着亚砷酸钠染毒剂量的升高,SV-HUC-1细胞VEGF mRNA的表达水平呈上升趋势。与对照组比较,4μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒12、24、48 h及10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24和48 h后SV-HUC-1细胞VEGF mRNA的表达水平均升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着亚砷酸钠染毒时间的延长,各剂量组SV-HUC-1细胞VEGF mRNA的表达水平均呈先上升后下降的趋势。与对照组比较,4μmol/L亚砷酸钠+DMSO染毒组SV-HUC-1细胞中VEGF蛋白的表达水平均增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与4μmol/L亚砷酸钠+DMSO染毒组比较,亚砷酸钠+NAC染毒组SV-HUC-1细胞中VEGF蛋白的表达水平较高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而亚砷酸钠与MEL和VC联合染毒组SV-HUC-1细胞中VEGF蛋白的表达水平无明显改变。结论砷能诱导人正常膀胱上皮细胞VEGF表达增加,NAC能增加VEGF表达。     

抗氧化剂对砷诱导人膀胱上皮细胞氧化应激相关通路的影响

目的研究抗氧化剂对亚砷酸钠诱导的人膀胱上皮细胞系(SV-HUC-1)氧化应激相关通路的影响。方法取处于对数生长期的SV-HUC-1细胞,分别暴露于含终浓度为0(对照,F12K培养基)、4μmol/L亚砷酸钠及4μmol/L亚砷酸钠与丁硫氨酸亚砜亚胺(BSO,0.5 mmol/L)、褪黑素(0.5 mmol/L)或N-乙酰半胱氨酸(NAC,0.5 mmol/L)的培养基中,于培养16 h后,收集细胞进行转录因子NF-E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2,NRF2)通路相关蛋白及其下游基因[血红素加氧酶1(heme oxygenase-1,HO1)、醌氧化还原酶(NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1,NQO1)]蛋白表达水平的检测;于培养1 h后,收集细胞进行丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase,MAPK)通路关键蛋白[p-细胞外信号调节激酶(p-ERK)、p-p38、p-c-Jun-N末端激酶(p-JNK)]表达水平的检测。结果与对照组比较,亚砷酸钠暴露SV-HUC-1细胞内NRF2、NQO1、HO1蛋白及p-ERK、p-p38、p-JNK蛋白的表达水平均较高;巯基耗竭剂BSO与亚砷酸钠联合暴露可加剧砷诱导的SV-HUC-1细胞内NRF2、NQO1、HO1和p-p38、p-JNK蛋白表达水平的升高,而抑制p-ERK的升高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。褪黑素与亚砷酸钠组及亚砷酸钠+NAC组SV-HUC-1细胞内NRF2蛋白的表达水平明显低于对照组和亚砷酸钠组;NQO1蛋白的表达水平仅明显高于对照组;HO1蛋白的表达水平明显高于对照组,而明显低于亚砷酸钠组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。褪黑素+亚砷酸钠组SV-HUC-1细胞内p-ERK、p-p38蛋白的表达水平明显低于对照组和亚砷酸钠组;p-JNK蛋白的表达水平明显高于对照组和亚砷酸钠组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。亚砷酸钠+NAC组SV-HUC-1细胞内p-p38蛋白的表达水平明显低于对照组和亚砷酸钠组;p-JNK蛋白的表达水平仅明显高于对照组;p-ERK蛋白的表达水平明显高于对照组,而明显低于砷暴露组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论抗氧化剂能够抑制亚砷酸钠急性暴露导致的SV-HUC-1细胞氧化应激相关通路的活化。     

砷对人永生化角质形成细胞核转录因子红细胞系-2p45相关因子-2和Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白-1基因表达的影响

目的探讨不同剂量亚砷酸钠对人永生化角质形成细胞(human keratinocytes cell,Ha Ca T)Kelch样环氧氯丙烷相关蛋白-1(Keap1)和核转录因了红细胞系-2 p45相关因子-2(Nrf2)基因表达的影响。方法将Ha Ca T细胞分别暴露于终浓度为0(对照)、1.30、3.25、6.50μmol/L的亚砷酸钠培养基中培养24、48、72 h。采用流式细胞仪检测Ha Ca T细胞凋亡率,采用实时荧光定量(real-time quantitative PCR)检测Ha Ca T细胞中Nrf2、Keap1 m RNA的表达水平。结果与对照组相比,1.30μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h后Ha Ca T细胞的凋亡率降低,而3.25、6.50μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒48、72 h后Ha Ca T细胞的凋亡率升高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着亚砷酸钠染毒时间的延长和染毒剂量的升高,Ha Ca T细胞的凋亡率均呈上升趋势。与对照组相比,1.30μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24、48、72 h和3.25μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h后Ha Ca T细胞中Nrf2 m RNA的表达水平均增高,而3.25、6.50μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒72 h后Ha Ca T细胞中Nrf2 m RNA的表达水平均下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着亚砷酸钠染毒时间的延长和染毒剂量的升高,Ha Ca T细胞Nrf2 m RNA的表达水平均呈下降趋势。与对照组相比,1.30、3.25μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒72 h和3.25、6.50μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒48 h后Ha Ca T细胞中Keap1 m RNA的表达水平均增高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。随着亚砷酸钠染毒时间的延长,1.30μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Ha Ca T细胞中Keap1 m RNA的表达水平呈波动性上升,3.25μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Ha Ca T细胞中Keap1 m RNA的表达水平呈逐渐上升趋势,6.50μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Ha Ca T细胞中Keap1 m RNA的表达水平呈先上升后下降;随着亚砷酸钠染毒剂量的升高,24、72 h时Ha Ca T细胞中Keap1 m RNA的表达水平呈下降趋势,而48 h时Ha Ca T细胞中Keap1 m RNA的表达水平呈上升趋势。结论亚砷酸钠可抑制Ha Ca T细胞的生长,诱导凋亡和角化的发生,其机制可能与Nrf2和Keap1基因的表达有关。     

慢性砷暴露对人皮肤角质形成细胞药物转运相关蛋白mRNA表达和砷代谢的影响

目的探讨慢性砷暴露对人皮肤角质形成细胞(human keratinocytes,HaCaT)药物转运蛋白mRNA表达和砷代谢的影响。方法将HaCaT细胞随机分为慢性对照(不予以砷处理)组和慢性砷暴露(100 nmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒28周)组,培养于含10%胎牛血清和1%双抗的培养基中,收集处于对数生长期的细胞,采用实时荧光定量(real-time quantitative PCR)法检测细胞多药耐药相关蛋白mRNA的表达水平。将处于对数生长期的HaCaT对照细胞和慢性砷暴露细胞分别暴露于含终浓度为0(对照)、2.5、5、10、20、30、40、50、60、80、100、150μmol/L亚砷酸钠的培养基中孵育24 h,采用MTS法检测细胞活性。将慢性砷暴露组细胞和对照细胞予以10μmol/L亚砷酸钠处理24 h,采用氢化物发生-原子吸收分光光度法检测细胞砷蓄积和砷排放量。结果与对照细胞相比,慢性砷暴露HaCaT细胞多药耐药相关蛋白ABCC2和ABCC4 mRNA表达水平均升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而ABCC1、ABCC3、ABCC5、ABCG1、ABCG2 mRNA的表达水平均无显著变化。与对照细胞相比,慢性砷暴露HaCaT经各浓度急性砷处理后细胞存活率均升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照细胞相比,10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h后,慢性砷暴露细胞内的砷蓄积量降低,而砷排放量升高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论慢性砷暴露的HaCaT细胞药物转运蛋白mRNA的表达升高,砷排出能力增强,对砷毒性产生耐受性。     

赖氨酸甲基转移酶PR-Set7在亚砷酸钠致人永生化皮肤角质形成细胞DNA损伤中的作用

目的探讨组蛋白甲基转移酶PR-Set7在亚砷酸钠致人永生化皮肤角质形成细胞(Ha Ca T细胞)DNA损伤中的作用机制。方法将处于对数生长期的Ha Ca T细胞暴露于含终浓度分别为0(对照)、1.25、2.5、5、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠的DMEM高糖培养基染毒24 h。采用MTT法测定Ha Ca T细胞的存活情况。另设对照(24 h)组、亚砷酸钠(10μmol/L,24 h)染毒组、PR-Set7小干扰RNA干扰组(Si PR-Set7,50 nmol/L,48 h)和联合暴露(50 nmol/L Si PR-Set7干扰48 h后,10μmol/L亚砷酸钠暴露24 h)组。分别采用q RT-PCR法检测PR-Set7 m RNA的表达水平,采用Western blot法检测H4K20me1和PR-Set7蛋白的表达水平,采用单细胞凝胶电泳法检测DNA损伤水平。结果与对照组相比,5、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Ha Ca T细胞的存活率均较低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组比较,5、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Ha Ca T细胞PR-Set7蛋白和m RNA的表达水平均升高,而H4K20me1蛋白的表达水平降低;2.5、5、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Ha Ca T细胞尾部DNA%及尾矩升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。随着亚砷酸钠染毒浓度的升高,Ha Ca T细胞PR-Set7蛋白和m RNA的表达水平均呈上升趋势,而H4K20me1蛋白和m RNA的表达水平呈下降趋势,DNA损伤水平(尾部DNA%及尾矩)呈上升趋势。与对照组比较,Si PR-Set7干扰组Ha Ca T细胞PR-Set7蛋白的表达大幅下降;亚砷酸钠染毒组、Si PRSet7干扰组和联合暴露组Ha Ca T细胞H4K20me1蛋白的表达水平均降低,而尾部DNA%及尾矩均升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与亚砷酸钠染毒组比较,联合暴露组Ha Ca T细胞PR-Set7蛋白和m RNA以及H4K20me1蛋白的表达均降低,而Ha Ca T细胞尾部DNA%及尾矩均升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在对Ha Ca T细胞进行PR-Set7干扰后,亚砷酸钠可能通过抑制组蛋白甲基转移酶PR-Set7蛋白及m RNA的表达水平,从而降低H4K20me1的修饰水平,影响Ha Ca T细胞DNA损伤修复能力,使DNA损伤加重。     

亚砷酸钠对人正常肝细胞凋亡及Bax和Bcl-2 mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

目的探讨亚砷酸钠对人正常肝(L-02)细胞凋亡及Bax、Bcl-2 m RNA和蛋白表达的影响。方法将L-02肝细胞分别暴露于含0(对照)、50、100、150μmol/L亚砷酸钠的培养基中暴露24 h。采用MTT法检测L-02肝细胞的存活率,采用流式细胞术检测L-02肝细胞凋亡率,采用RT-PCR的方法检测Bax、Bcl-2 m RNA相对表达情况,采用Westernblotting方法检测L-02肝细胞中Bax、Bcl-2蛋白的表达情况。结果与对照组相比,各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒组L-02细胞的存活率均较低,凋亡率均较高,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,L-02细胞的存活率呈下降趋势,而凋亡率上升趋势。与对照组相比,各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒组L-02细胞中Bcl-2、Bax m RNA和蛋白的表达水平均较高,100μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Bcl-2 m RNA/Bax m RNA值也较高,而150μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Bcl-2 m RNA/Bax m RNA值及50、150μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组Bcl-2蛋白/Bax蛋白值均较低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论亚砷酸钠可抑制L-02肝细胞的生长,诱导细胞凋亡的发生;其机制可能与Bcl-2家族的激活有关。     

长时间低浓度暴露亚砷酸钠促进人正常膀胱上皮细胞增殖

以不同浓度亚砷酸钠(Na As O2)(0、0.1、0.5、1.0μmol/L)对人正常膀胱上皮细胞(SV-HUC-1)进行长期染毒,采用四甲基偶氮唑(MTT)比色法检测细胞活力。未经砷染毒的SV-HUC-1进行长期传代培养,细胞增殖活力没有发生任何改变;0.1、0.5μmol/L Na As O2处理20代后,细胞增殖活性显著增高,并呈剂量-反应增高趋势(r=0.632、P0.01,r=0.939、P0.01),而1.0μmol/L Na As O2处理的细胞其增殖活力未随染毒时间而发生变化(P0.05)。提示长时间低浓度暴露Na As O2可以促进SV-HUC-1增殖。     

不同剂量亚砷酸钠暴露不同时间对HaCaT细胞活性氧的影响

目的 探索不同剂量亚砷酸钠暴露不同时间对诱导人永生化角质形成(HaCaT)细胞活性氧(ROS)产生的影响以及低剂量亚砷酸钠预处理HaCaT细胞对诱导ROS水平改变的时间效应.方法 设未预处理组[分别加入终浓度为0(对照)、0.15、0.6、2.5、10 μmol/L的亚砷酸钠染毒8、24、72 h]和预处理8h组(加入0.15μmol/L亚砷酸钠预处理8h后,加入10 μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒8h)及预处理24 h组(加入0.15 μmol/L亚砷酸钠预处理24 h后,加入10 μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒8h).利用2’,7’-二乙酰二氯荧光素(DCFH-DA)通过流式细胞仪检测细胞内ROS水平.结果 与对照组比较,各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒8h和0.6、2.5、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h及0.6、2.5 μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒72 h后HaCaT细胞内ROS水平均较高,而0.15、10μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒72 h后HaCaT细胞内ROS水平均较低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).亚砷酸钠染毒8h时,HaCaT细胞内ROS水平达到峰值;之后,低剂量(0.15、0.6 μmol/L)亚砷酸钠染毒组HaCaT细胞内ROS水平于24 h下降,72 h有所回升,而高剂量(≥2.5 μmol/L)亚砷酸钠染毒组HaCaT细胞内ROS水平则呈持续下降.预处理8h组HaCaT细胞内ROS水平高于预处理24h组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与10 μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒未预处理HaCaT细胞8h组比较,预处理8h组HaCaT细胞内ROS水平较高,预处理24 h组HaCaT细胞内ROS水平较低,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 HaCaT细胞急性暴露于亚砷酸钠后能够引起HaCaT细胞内ROS产生增加,而不同剂量亚砷酸钠暴露诱导HaCaT细胞ROS水平的改变与暴露时间密切相关,且低剂量亚砷酸钠暴露对HaCaT细胞产生的适应性反应可能取决于其作用时间.     

亚砷酸钠对人淋巴细胞白细胞介素和穿孔素及颗粒酶B的影响

目的探讨亚砷酸钠体外染毒对人淋巴细胞白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)、IL-10、穿孔素(perforin,PFP)和颗粒酶B(granzyme B,Gr B)水平的影响。方法采集健康成年人外周血,密度梯度离心分离出淋巴细胞,分别暴露于含终浓度为0.00(对照)、5.00、10.00、20.00、30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠的培养基染毒12、24、48 h。采用HE染色法鉴定染毒模型;MTT比色法检测细胞存活率;ELISA法检测IL-6、IL-10、PFP和Gr B的水平。结果与不同时间的对照组相比,5.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组淋巴细胞的存活率均升高,而10.00~30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒组淋巴细胞的存活率均降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与相同浓度亚砷酸钠染毒12 h比较,20.00、30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h及10.00~30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒48 h淋巴细胞的存活率均降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,10.00~30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒12 h组和各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒24 h组及20.00、30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒48 h组淋巴细胞分泌的IL-6水平均较高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒12 h组和20.00、30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h组及10.00~30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒48 h组淋巴细胞分泌的IL-10水平均较高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,10.00~30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒12、24 h组及各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒48 h组淋巴细胞分泌的PFP水平均较高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与相同浓度亚砷酸钠染毒12 h比较,各浓度亚砷酸钠染毒组淋巴细胞分泌的PFP水平均升高,除10.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24 h外,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。与对照组相比,30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒12 h组和20.00、30.00μmol/L亚砷酸钠染毒24、48 h组淋巴细胞分泌的Gr B水平均较高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。不同浓度亚砷酸钠染毒12、24、48 h后淋巴细胞分泌的IL-6、IL-10、Gr B水平间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论砷暴露可诱导IL-6、IL-10、穿孔素及颗粒酶B表达水平升高,导致细胞因子分泌平衡紊乱,此可能在砷致免疫系统损伤中发挥重要作用。     

Calcium intake in the elderly: validation of a dietary questionnaire

Epidemiological studies of calcium and osteoporosis have been hampered by the lack of a suitable tool for assessing calcium intake. This report describes a new frequency and amount questionnaire for measuring present and past calcium intake in the elderly. The validity of the questionnaire was tested against two commonly used standards of dietary assessment, five-day duplicate diets and seven-day weighed dietary inventories. The resulting correlation coefficients were, respectively, r = 0.76 and r = 0.69, while that for repeatability was r = 0.84. Furthermore, the questionnaire categorized subjects into thirds of the distribution of intake with almost no gross misclassification. It is suggested that the present findings may be extended to the majority of normal, healthy elderly subjects, implying wide application for the questionnaire in the assessment of calcium intake in the elderly.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

深圳公立医院管理体制改革制度设计

深圳公立医院管理体制改革实行政事分开、管办分开,在理事会架构下按法定机构模式组建市医管中心,落实公立医院运营管理自主权.作者从当前公立医院管理体制的弊端入手,介绍了深圳市进行公立医院管理体制改革的基本思路及改革方案设计的主要举措,深入剖析了的改革方案的特点,并对改革效果进行了预测.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on red blood cells of rats: Changes in components of red cell membranes during in vivo exposure to NO2

Red cell membranes, prepared from red blood cells of rats exposed to 4, 10, or 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 to 10 days, were examined for evidence of changes in membrane components. Appreciable changes were not found in contents of phospholipid and cholesterol during exposure to 10 ppm NO₂. By contrast, protein content altered with the time of exposure. Moreover, changes in protein composition were observed by employing sodium dodecyl sulfate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four-hour exposure to NO₂ at the concentration above 10 ppm resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) to the total phospholipids. The prolonged exposure to 10 ppm NO₂ gave rise to a further increase in LysoPE, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) showed a gradual decrease. A 1-day exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂ also caused an increase in sialic acid content and decreases in those of PE and hexose. In addition to contents of these components the percentage of LysoPE increased 5 days after exposure and the elevated values were maintained up to the end of exposure period. These results demonstrate that red blood cells in circulation exhibit different membrane properties in terms of lipid and carbohydrate composition during 10 days of exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂.     

Investigating clusters in the workplace and beyond

Clusters of disease are common and occur in the workplace and in the general community. They often arouse considerable concern among the population. Investigations have sometimes lead to exciting new knowledge, but in general the investigation of clusters is difficult and often unrewarding, especially for community clusters. In the workplace, investigations are more likely to find associations and even new causes, but still many clusters remain enigmatic. Despite this, there are many reasons for investigating clusters, including allaying community concern and identifying uncontrolled exposures. A structure for investigating clusters in the workplace is suggested.