甲型H1N1流感病人外周血T细胞亚群检测结果分析

[目的]了解甲型H1N1流感病人抗流感病毒T细胞应答特征。[方法]分别在入院d1、d2和d4,采用流式细胞术检测31例流感病人外周血CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞和CD8+T细胞的数量,并计算CD4/CD8比值。同时检测30例健康对照者。[结果]30例健康对照者外周血CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞及CD4/CD8比值分别(1410±438)个细胞/μl、(880±275)个细胞/μl、(490±252)个细胞/μl和(1.72±0.60)。入院d1,流感病人CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞及CD4/CD8比值分别为(1099±519)个细胞/μl、(583±280)个细胞/μl、(415±222)个细胞/μl和(1.64±0.70),CD3+T细胞和CD4+T细胞显著低于对照组(P﹤0.05);d2分别为(1628±735)个细胞/μl、(886±374)个细胞/μl、(624±357)个细胞/μl和(1.65±0.73),与对照组差异无统计学意义,但都显著高于入院d1;d4分别为(1690±613)个细胞/μl、(914±255)个细胞/μl、(646±252)个细胞/μl和(1.57±0.64),CD3+T细胞和CD8+T细胞数量显著高于对照组。不同年龄段的流感病人及男女间CD3+T细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞及CD4/CD8比值无显著性差异。[结论]在病毒感染初期T细胞亚群的数量短暂下降,紧接着快速增殖反应。甲型H1N1流感病毒新亚型毒株抗原能诱导机体产生T细胞应答,CD8+T细胞应答更为强烈。T细胞应答强度在男女间、不同年龄段间无差异。     

甲型流感患者相关免疫学指标与外周血白细胞和T细胞亚群变化的研究北大核心CSCD

目的掌握甲型流感感染患者的免疫学指标、外周血白细胞和T细胞亚群的变化情况,为甲型流感的临床诊治工作提供相关指导和参考依据。方法选取医院2015年8月-2016年8月期间临床收治甲型流感患者98例和同期来医院体检的健康人群98例为研究对象,以是否感染甲型流感病毒为标准将患者分成感染组和对照组,比较两组相关免疫学指标、外周血白细胞、T细胞亚群、炎症因子等指标。结果感染组患者的血小板和白细胞低于对照组,感染组患者的嗜中性粒细胞高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);感染组患者的IgG和IgM低于对照组,感染组患者补体C3和补体C4高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);感染组患者的CD3^+CD4^+和CD3^+CD8^+低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);感染组患者的TNF-α、IL-12、IL-18、IL-6和IL-8等指标均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论甲型流感病毒感染可引起患者血小板和白细胞降低、嗜中性粒细胞升高,患者的IgG和IgM降低、补体C3和补体C4水平升高,同时T细胞亚群会发生异常改变,患者的各类炎症细胞因子会呈现出高表达的状态。     

甲型流感患者相关免疫学指标与外周血白细胞和T细胞亚群变化的研究

目的掌握甲型流感感染患者的免疫学指标、外周血白细胞和T细胞亚群的变化情况,为甲型流感的临床诊治工作提供相关指导和参考依据。方法选取医院2015年8月-2016年8月期间临床收治甲型流感患者98例和同期来医院体检的健康人群98例为研究对象,以是否感染甲型流感病毒为标准将患者分成感染组和对照组,比较两组相关免疫学指标、外周血白细胞、T细胞亚群、炎症因子等指标。结果感染组患者的血小板和白细胞低于对照组,感染组患者的嗜中性粒细胞高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);感染组患者的IgG和IgM低于对照组,感染组患者补体C3和补体C4高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);感染组患者的CD3~+CD4~+和CD3~+CD8~+低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);感染组患者的TNF-α、IL-12、IL-18、IL-6和IL-8等指标均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论甲型流感病毒感染可引起患者血小板和白细胞降低、嗜中性粒细胞升高,患者的IgG和IgM降低、补体C3和补体C4水平升高,同时T细胞亚群会发生异常改变,患者的各类炎症细胞因子会呈现出高表达的状态。     

不同临床分期弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤患者T淋巴细胞亚群及自然杀伤细胞含量差异及意义分析

目的 了解不同临床分期弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤(DLBCL)患者外周血T淋巴细胞亚群及自然杀伤细胞(NK细胞)的含量并分析其临床意义.方法 62例DLBCL患者按临床分期分为Ⅱ期组(21例)、Ⅲ期组(21例)、Ⅳ期组(20例),另选择健康体检者30例(对照组),采集入选者空腹外周血2ml,采用流式细胞术检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3+、CD4+、CD8+)及NK细胞含量,并计算CD4+/CD8+.结果 Ⅱ期组、Ⅲ期组CD3+明显低于对照组、Ⅳ期组[(854.6±276.9)×106/L、( 823.3±211.5)×106/L 比(1268.8±684.0)× 106/L、( 1332.7±571.2)×106/L,P＜0.05];Ⅱ期组、Ⅲ期组、Ⅳ期组CD4+明显低于对照组[(433.5±240.7)×106/L、(423.8±234.8)×106/L、(423.0±143.8)×106/L比(751.3±367.4)×106/L,P＜0.05];Ⅳ期组CO8+和CD4+/CD8+[( 861.2±634.1)×106/L和0.5±0.3]明显高于对照组[(455.9±334.6)× 106/L和2.1±l.3]、Ⅱ期组[(390.6±54.1)×106/L和1.0±0.8]、Ⅲ期组[(377.4±49.7)×106/L和0.9±0.6](P＜0.05);Ⅳ期组NK细胞明显低于对照组[(210.3±122.0)×106/L比(353.3±284.7)× 106/L,P＜0.05],且临床分期越高,NK细胞越低.结论 随着临床分期的增加,DLBCL患者免疫抑制与紊乱加重,肿瘤负荷越大,NK细胞功能也越差.     

乙型肝炎后肝硬化T细胞亚群、肿瘤坏死因子-α、白细胞介素-6、白细胞介素-8的临床研究

目的 探讨乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)携带者及乙型肝炎后肝硬化患者T细胞亚群、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-8的变化及意义.方法 利用流式细胞仪方法和酶联免疫吸附试验法分别检测30例HBV携带者(HBV携带者组)及27例乙型肝炎后肝硬化患者(乙型肝炎后肝硬化组)的T细胞亚群、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8含量,并与20例正常对照者(正常对照组)进行比较.结果 乙型肝炎后肝硬化组及HBV携带者组与正常对照组比较,CD3+显著下降(0.5900±0.0305、0.6500±0.0502比0.7000±0.0554,P＜ 0.01);CD4+显著下降(0.2900±0.0283、0.3800±0.0306比0.4400±0.0411,P＜ 0.01);CD8+显著升高(0.2900±0.0152、0.2700±0.0238比0.2500±0.0459,P＜ 0.01或＜0.05);CD4+/CD8+乙型肝炎后肝硬化组显著低于正常对照组(1.03±0.10比1.73±0.16,P＜ 0.01),但HBV携带者组与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(1.71±0.18比1.73±0.16,P＞0.05);乙型肝炎后肝硬化组与正常对照组相比NK(CD16+ CD56)显著下降(0.1300±0.0541比0.1900±0.0742,P＜0.01),但HBV携带者组与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(0.1600±0.0539比0.1900±0.0742,P＞ 0.05),乙型肝炎后肝硬化组与HBV携带者组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);乙型肝炎后肝硬化组和HBV携带者组TNF-α显著升高[(307.00±38.28)、(113.00±18.61)μg/L比(101.00±13.90) μg/L,P＜ 0.01];IL-6显著升高[(184.60±18.86)、(68.10±7.58) μg/L比(63.40±7.04)μg/L,P＜0.01或＜0.05];IL-8显著升高[(1710.00±158.05)、(926.00±61.82) μg/L比(814.00±45.91)μg/L,P＜0.01].结论 T细胞亚群、TNF-α、IL-6和IL-8水平的高低,能够反映肝细胞损害的程度,可以作为临床上判断乙型肝炎严重程度和预后的重要指标.     

三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎患者及健康接触工人外周血淋巴细胞亚群分析

目的 研究二氯乙烯(TCE)对接触工人淋巴细胞亚群的影响,寻找TCE药疹样皮炎早期的免疫学效应标志物.方法 选取TCE药疹样皮炎患者28例(病例组),来自发生病例车间的健康ICE作业工人56名(接触组)和未从事过TCE作业的健康工人28名(非接触对照组)作为研究对象.所有研究对象采集静脉血2 ml,EDTA抗凝处理,应用流式细胞技术检测淋巴细胞各亚群的百分比,结合血常规检测结果计算T细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞、B细胞、自然杀伤(NK)细胞绝对数及CD3+ CD4 +/CD3+ CD8+比值,比较各组之间外周血淋巴细胞业群的变化情况.结果 病例组外周血淋巴细胞总数、T细胞、CD4+T细胞、CD8+T细胞绝对数(中位数依次为2810.00、1846.17、831.87、904.05个/μl全血)均明显高于接触组(中位数依次为2101.00、1218.59、643.87、482.81个/μl全血,Z值分别为-3.19、-4.96、-3.22、-4.99,P值均＜0.001)和非接触对照组(中位数依次为1900.00、1223.60、558.60、325.80个/μl全血,Z值分别为- 3.30、-4.46、-3.45、-5.03,P值均＜0.001);病例组CD3+ CI4+/CD3+ CD8+比值和NK细胞绝对数(中位数分别为1.11、255.50个/μl全血)明显低于非接触对照组(中位数分别为1.96、642.60个/μl全血,Z值分别为-3.11、-3.56,P值均＜0.01);接触组CD8+T细胞数(中位数为482.81个/μl全血)明显高于非接触对照组(中立数为325.80个/μl全血,Z=-2.63,P值＜0.01);接触组CD3+ CD4+/CD3+ CD8+比值和NK细胞数(中位数分别为1.27、318.76个/μl全血)均明显低于非接触对照组(中位数分别为1.96、642.60个/μl全血,Z值分别为-2.29、-3.52,P值均＜0.05).结论 TCE接触可导致作业工人外周血淋巴细胞亚群发生变化;总淋巴细胞、T细胞和CD4+T细胞计数升高可作为TCE药疹样皮炎早期的免疫学效应标志物.     

甲状腺癌病理分化类型与EB病毒感染及感染标志物水平的关联性分析

目的分析甲状腺癌病理分化类型与EB病毒感染及感染标志物水平的关联性,阐明感染性疾病在恶性肿瘤发生和发展中的作用机制。方法选取2017年2月-2018年2月80例医院收治的甲状腺癌患者作为研究组,选取同期80例甲状腺腺瘤患者作为对照组,对两组患者的EB病毒感染率、血清白介素-6(IL-6)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)及外周血白细胞计数(WBC)水平进行观察和比较。结果研究组患者EB病毒感染率及血清IL-6、CRP和WBC水平分别为46.25%、(0.56±0.18)μg/L、(5.26±0.71)mg/L、(7.65±2.82)×109/L,均高于对照组(P<0.05)。乳头状癌、滤泡状癌患者血清IL-6、CRP和WBC水平分别为(0.81±0.23)μg/L、(7.81±0.96)mg/L、(9.25±3.16)×109/L;(0.82±0.22)μg/L、(7.76±0.98)mg/L、(9.56±4.63)×109/L,高于髓样癌、未分化癌患者(P<0.05)。合并EB病毒感染甲状腺癌患者血清IL-6、CRP和WBC水平分别为(0.95±0.21)μg/L、(9.24±1.56)mg/L、(10.06±4.18)×109/L,均高于未合并EB感染患者(P<0.05)。结论甲状腺癌患者的EB病毒感染率和感染标志物水平均高于良性甲状腺肿瘤患者,EB病毒感染可能与甲状腺癌患者的炎症反应具有关联性,某些病理分化类型甲状腺癌患者的EB病毒感染率较高,但尚未观察到与其他病毒类型存在显著的差异,还需要进一步的研究予以证实和讨论。     

二甲双胍对2型糖尿病伴甲型流感患者外周血调节性T细胞/Th17细胞及相关细胞因子水平的影响

目的探究二甲双胍对2型糖尿病(T2DM)伴甲型流感患者外周血调节性T细胞(Treg)/Th17细胞及相关细胞因子水平的影响。方法前瞻性选择2021年4月至2022年4月浙江省荣军医院就诊的T2DM伴甲型流感患者108例, 按照患者用药方式的不同分成观察组54例和对照组54例。观察组采用奥司他韦+二甲双胍治疗, 对照组采用奥司他韦+格列齐特治疗。比较两组奥司他韦平均用药天数、平均用药总克数、血乳酸浓度及血气水平, 比较两组治疗前、后的Th17、Treg细胞数及相关细胞因子水平。结果观察组奥司他韦用药天数、用药总克数及血乳酸浓度均高于对照组[(8.94 ± 0.88) d比(7.23 ± 0.79) d、(1.32 ± 0.15) g比(1.08 ± 0.11) g、(1.83 ± 0.43) mmol/L比(1.61 ± 0.32) mmol/L], 差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后两组pH、动脉血氧分压、动脉血二氧化碳分压水平与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗后观察组Treg细胞数、白细胞介素-10、白细胞介素-4、CD3+、CD4+及CD4+/CD...     

ICU患者进行肠内营养支持治疗前后免疫功能的变化研究

目的 研究肠内营养支持对ICU患者免疫功能的影响.方法 选取2009年1月～2011年1月某院ICU收治并进行肠内营养的16例患者为观察组研究对象,对比其接受肠内营养支持治疗前后细胞免疫和体液免疫的变化,另选取10例在该院体检中心查体的健康体检者作为对照.结果 (1)观察组患者肠内营养支持前CD4+淋巴细胞亚群水平(31.2±8.6)以及CD4+/CD8+比值(1.4±0.4)均低于正常对照组,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);CD3+、CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群水平虽低于正常对照组,但比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);NK细胞水平略高于正常对照组,比较差异无统计学意义(P＞ 0.05); IL 2浓度(8.6±2.4) mg/L低于正常对照组,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).观察组患者肠内营养支持后CD3+、CD4+淋巴细胞亚群水平(76.5±13.7、49.2±12.4)以及CD4+/CD8+比值(2.9±0.9)高于治疗前和正常对照组,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜ 0.05); CD8+T淋巴细胞亚群水平虽高于治疗前和正常对照组,但比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);NK细胞水平高于治疗前和正常对照组,比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);IL 2浓度(12.2±3.9) mg/L高于支持前,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).(2)观察组患者肠内营养支持前IgG、IgM、IgA浓度[(10.3±1.2) g/L、(1.2±0.6) g/L、(2.2±0.2) g/L]均低于正常对照组,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).观察组患者肠内营养支持后IgG、IgM、IgA浓度[(13.8±2.3) g/L、(2.1±0.4) g/L、(3.1±0.6) g/L)均高于支持前,比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 肠内营养支持可改善ICU危重症患者的细胞免疫和体液免疫功能.     

宫颈癌患者血小板计数、纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体检测的临床意义

目的 探讨血小板计数、纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体检测对于宫颈癌患者的临床意义.方法 检测87例宫颈癌患者(宫颈癌组)及66例宫颈良性病变患者(对照组)的血小板计数、纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体水平,分析三者的临床意义.结果 宫颈癌组患者血小板计数、纤维蛋白原及D-二聚体均明显高于对照组[(274.22±82.32)×109/L比(238.82±74.97)×109/L、(3.03±0.59) g/L比(2.67±0.45) g/L、(182.77±167.07) ng/L比(113.74±64.84) ng/L],差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).国际妇产科协会分期Ⅱ期患者较Ⅰ期患者、肿瘤直径＞4 cm患者较≤4 cm患者血小板计数、纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体均明显升高[(296.66±94.30)×109/L比(251.26±60.86)×109/L、(3.22±0.67) g/L比(2.84土0.42)g/L、(238.61±213.29) ng/L比(125.63±62.96) ng/L,(299.14±81.33)×109/L比(257.44±79.39)×109/L、(3.20±0.67) g/L比(2.91±0.50) g/L、(281.29±223.33) ng/L比(116.46±51.69)ng/L],差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).淋巴结转移阳性患者与阴性患者各指标比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 宫颈癌患者血小板计数、纤维蛋白原、D-二聚体检测有助于宫颈癌的诊断、治疗及预后的判定.     

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.