地特胰岛素和甘精胰岛素分别联合门冬胰岛素治疗2型糖尿病疗效分析

目的 比较地特胰岛素和甘精胰岛素分别联合门冬胰岛素治疗2型糖尿病的疗效.方法 选择2010年治疗的68例符合1999年WHO诊断标准的2型糖尿病患者,按随机数字表法分为两组,A组患者30例,给予地特胰岛素联合门冬胰岛素方案,B组患者38例,给予甘精胰岛素联合门冬胰岛素方案.比较两组治疗前后空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h 血糖(2 h PG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)以及治疗后血糖达标率、低血糖事件发生率、胰岛素日用量.结果两组治疗前FPG、2hPG、HbA1c比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两组治疗后FPG、2hPG、HbA1c均较治疗前明显改善[A组:(6.7±1.2) mmol/L比(11.6±3.2) mmol/L、(8.9±1.6) mmol/L比(17.8 +3.0) mmol/L、(8.0±1.2)％比(9.5±1.6)％;B组:(7.1±1.3) mmol/L比(11.4±3.1) mmol/L、(10.2±1.4) mmol/L比(17.4±4.0) mmol/L、(8.4±1.4)％比(9.7±1.5)％],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组治疗后FPG、HbA1c比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),2 hPG比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);两组治疗前后体质指数比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).A组与B组治疗后血糖达标率比较差异有统计学意义[86.7％(26/30)比57.9％(22/38)] (P＜ 0.05),两组治疗过程中低血糖事件发生率、胰岛素日用量比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论地特胰岛素和甘精胰岛素分别联合门冬胰岛素对2型糖尿病的血糖控制均有效,地特胰岛素联合门冬胰岛素对血糖控制效果更显著.     

30/70混合重组人胰岛素注射液与阿卡波糖联合治疗老年2型糖尿病的临床观察

目的 观察比较30/70混合重组人胰岛素注射液(甘舒霖30R)联合阿卡波糖治疗老年2型糖尿病的临床疗效和安全性.方法 54例2型糖尿病患者按随机数字表法分为观察组(甘舒霖30R联合阿卡波糖治疗)30例和对照组(单纯甘舒霖30R治疗)24例,比较两组治疗前后糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2h PG)及低血糖事件的发生率.结果 观察组和对照组治疗后HbArc、FPG、2hPG水平均明显低于治疗前[(6.08±0.52)％比(8.77±1.03％)、(7.20±0.92) mmol/L比(11.20±2.40) mmol/L、(8.09±1.62) mmol/L比(17.04±3.44) mmol/L和(6.43±0.64)％比(8.26±1.02)％、(6.80±0.81) mmol/L比(11.40±2.30) mmol/L、(9.73±1.70)mmol/L比(15.86±3.03) mmol/L],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),且观察组治疗后2hPG优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).观察组每日胰岛素用量为(32.5±5.7)U,低于对照组的(44.6±6.8)U,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).观察组低血糖发生率为6.7％(2/30),对照组低血糖发生率为16.7％(4/24).结论 甘舒霖30R联合阿卡波糖治疗老年2型糖尿病患者安全有效,值得推广应用.     

短期胰岛素强化治疗对初发2型糖尿病游离脂肪酸的影响

目的 探讨短期胰岛素强化治疗对初发2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血清游离脂肪酸(FFA)的影响.方法 对64例初发T2DM患者进行短期胰岛素强化治疗,治疗前和治疗达标后检测空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2hPG)、血脂、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、血清FFA.结果 短期胰岛素强化治疗达标后T2DM患者FPG、2hPG、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、FFA、稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)分别为(9.68±2.02)mmol/L、(12.77±1.35)mmol/L、(4.26±1.07) mmol/L、(1.52±0.58)mmol/L、(2.50±0 75)mmol/L、(435 84±190.94)μmol/L、0.51±0.62,均较治疗前的(14.66±3.50)mmol/L、(17.43±4.89)mmol/L、(5.03±0.94)mmol/L、(2.05±1.42)mmol/L、(2.91±0.78)mmol/L、(586.68±229.45)μmol/L、0.65±0.89显著下降(P＜0.05),稳态模型胰岛素分泌指数(HOMA-β)为2.70±0.83,较治疗前的1.74±1.04显著升高(P＜0.05),并且HOMA-β的升高、HOMA-IR的下降与FFA的下降呈正相关.结论 短期胰岛素强化治疗可以明显降低初发T2DM患者的血清FFA水平,有利于胰岛细胞功能及胰岛素抵抗的改善.

Abstract：

Objective To study the effect of transient intensive insulin treatment on the serum free fatty acid (FFA) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.Methods Sixty-four newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients were treated with transient intensive insulin.The fasting plasma glucose (FPG),2 hours post-prandial glucose (2hPG),lipid,fastin insulin (FINS),and serum FFA was examined hefore and after treatment.Results The levels of FPG,2hPG,total cholesterol (TC),triglycerides (TG),low density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C),FFA and HOMA-IR after treatment were (9.68 ± 2.02) mmol/L,(12.77 ± 1.35) mmol/L,(4.26 ± 1.07) mmol/L,(1.52 ± 0.58) mmol/L,(2.50 ±0.75) mmol/L,(435.84 ± 190.94) μmol/L,0.51 ± 0.62,and they decreased obviously compared with those before treatment [(14.66 ± 3.50) mmol/L,(17.43 ±4.89) mmol/L,(5.03 ±0.94) mmol/L,(2.05 ± 1.42) mmol/L,(2.91 ±0.78) mmol/L,(586.68 ±229.45)μmol/L,0.65 ± 0.89](P＜0.05).The level of HOMA-β increased obviously (2.70 ± 0.83 vs.1.74 ± 1.04)(P＜0.05).The increase of HOMA-β and the decrease of HOMA-IR was positively correlated with the decrease of FFA.Conclusion The transient intensive insulin treatment can evidently decrease the level of FFA that can improve beta-cell function and relieve insulin resistance in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients.     

2型糖尿病患者血尿酸、尿白蛋白排泄率水平与颈动脉内膜-中层厚度的关系

目的 探讨血尿酸(SUA)与尿白蛋白排泄率(UAER)水平和2型糖尿病患者颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(IMT)的关系.方法 选取271例2型糖尿病患者,根据UAER及SUA水平分为A组(UAER 20～200 μg/min,SUA正常)83例,B组(UAER 20～200μg/min,SUA增高)84例,C组(UAER＞200μg/min,SUA正常)61例和D组(UAER＞ 200μg/min,SUA增高)43例.收集相关临床资料,比较各组体质指数(BMI)、病程、SUA、UAER、颈动脉IMT、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2 hPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、总胆固醇、三酰甘油(TG)等差异,Pearson法检验患者SUA水平与各项临床指标的相关性；多元逐步回归法分析影响UAER和颈动脉IMT的相关因素.结果 B组FPG、2 hPG、SUA、UAER水平及颈动脉IMT明显高于A组[(8.29±2.04) mmol/L比(6.92±1.99)mmol/L、(9.27±2.13) mmol/L比(7.97±2.26) mmol/L、(406.6 +48.5) μmol/L比(194.4 +37.6)μmol/L、(146.39±31.22)μg/min比(99.14±21.38)μg/min、(0.96±0.21) mm比(0.57±0.16) mm](P＜0.05)；C组FPG、颈动脉IMT高于A组[(8.52±1.88) mmol/L比(6.92±1.99) mmol/L、(0.98±0.21)mm比(0.57±0.16) mm],UAER水平高于A组及B组[(225.86±35.47) μg/min比(99.14±21.38)、(146.39±31.22)μg/min] (P＜ 0.05)；D组FPG、2 hPG、颈动脉IMT、SUA及UAER水平[(9.68±2.16) mmol/L、(11.36±2.73) mmol/L、(1.46±0.25) mm、(453.9±50.0)μmol/L、(296.45±39.56)μg/min]明显高于A、B、C组(P＜0.05).SUA水平与年龄、病程、BMI、FPG、2 hPG、HbA1c、TG、UAER及颈动脉IMT相关(r=0.13、0.16、0.28、0.24、0.23、0.20、0.19、0.31、0.24,P＜0.05)；年龄、病程、HbA1c、SUA、收缩压、TG是影响颈动脉IMT的独立危险因素(OR=1.084、1.014、1.118、1.008、1.002、1.005,P＜0.05或＜0.01)；病程、SUA、TG水平是影响UAER的危险因素(OR=1.016、1.028、1.524,P＜0.01或＜0.05).结论 SUA、UAER水平与糖尿病大血管病变密切相关,可作为早期预测糖尿病血管病变风险的指标.     

阿卡波糖对糖耐量减低患者血管内皮功能的保护

目的 观察阿卡波糖对糖耐量减低患者血管内皮功能的影响.方法 根据口服葡萄糖耐量试验选择56例糖耐量减低(IGT)患者,按系统抽样法随机分为对照组27例和治疗组29例.对照组口服安慰剂,治疗组口服阿卡波糖25～50 mg,3次/d,连续12周.测定两组治疗前后体质指数、血脂、空腹血糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血管性血友病因子(vWF)、餐后2h血糖和餐后2h胰岛素及肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能(EDD).结果 与治疗前比较,治疗组患者治疗后体质指数、餐后2h血糖、餐后2h胰岛素、HbA1c、hs-CRP、vWF明显降低[(24.69±2.62) kg/m2比(22.02±2.59) kg/m2; (9.26±1.02) mmol/L比(7.43±0.95) mmol/L;(42.17±9.98) U/L比(34.76±9.86) U/L; (6.03±0.67)％比(5.37±0.56)％;(5.45±1.93) mg/L比(4.52±1.55) mg/L;( 187.22±26.57)％比(165.13±23.86)％] (P＜ 0.05或＜0.01),EDD明显增大[(6.08±1.22)％比(7.94±1.25)％](P＜0.01).对照组治疗前后各指标比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 阿卡波糖可以降低IGT患者餐后血糖,并减轻机体胰岛素抵抗,减少炎性因子,改善血管内皮功能,延缓糖尿病的发生及动脉粥样硬化的发展.     

2型糖尿病伴发抑郁症患者皮质醇、炎性因子与胰岛素抵抗的关系

目的 探讨2型糖尿病患者和2型糖尿病伴发抑郁症患者皮质醇、炎性因子的变化,及其与胰岛素抵抗的关系.方法 测定非糖尿病非抑郁组(30例)、非糖尿病抑郁组(26例)、糖尿病非抑郁组(30例)、糖尿病抑郁组(28例)血浆皮质醇[早8时(8:00am)、下午4时(16:00 pm)、午夜0时(0:00 am)]、空腹血糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF- α)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)水平.结果 与非糖尿病非抑郁组比较,非糖尿病抑郁组、糖尿病非抑郁组和糖尿病抑郁组平均皮质醇、TNF-α、IL-6、FINS、胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).与糖尿病非抑郁组比较,糖尿病抑郁组平均皮质醇、TNF-α、ID-6、FINS、HbA1c、HOMA-IR均显著升高[(145.26±54.12)μg/L比(128.03±55.20)μg/L、(8.82±1.28) ng/L比(5.90±0.95)ng/L、(6.72±1.40) ng/L比(5.41±1.70) ng/L、(13.40±4.70) U/L比(11.00±4.50) U/L、(7.20±0.23)％比( 6.70±0.27)％、5.42±1.06比3.68±0.92],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).抑郁严重度指数与体质指数(BMI)、腰围、HbA1c、平均皮质醇、HOMA-IR、TNF-α和IL-6水平显著相关(P＜0.05或＜0.01).结论 2型糖尿病患者皮质醇和炎性因子增高,加重了糖代谢紊乱和胰岛素抵抗;抑郁症与糖尿病患者的皮质醇和炎性因子增高有关,对糖尿病的进展和预后具有不良影响.     

妊娠初期检测血糖和胰岛素预测糖代谢异常的临床意义

目的 探讨妊娠初期空腹血糖(FPG)与妊娠期糖代谢异常的相关性.方法 单胎非孕前糖尿病孕妇277例,在妊娠初期(＜19周)检测FPG、空腹血胰岛素、胰岛素抵抗指数.在妊娠24 ～ 36周行100 g口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT),按OGTT结果进行分组,妊娠期糖耐量受损(GIGT)组24例,妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)组23例,OGTT1 h高血糖(HG-1)组26例,正常组204例.结果 GDM组和HG-1组FPG、空腹血胰岛素、胰岛素抵抗指数均明显高于正常组[(4.58±0.36)、(4.58±0.38) mmol/L比(4.20±0.33) mmol/L,(9.4±1.1)、(9.3±2.1)U/L比(7.0±2.1) U/L,2.0±0.4、2.0±0.3比1.3±0.4,P＜0.05],但GIGT组仅FPG[(4.45±0.36) mmol/L]高于正常组(P＜0.05).控制年龄、体质指数、2型糖尿病家族史、体育活动等因素后,糖代谢异常的相对危险度与妊娠初期FPG、空腹血胰岛素和胰岛素抵抗指数有关(P＜0.05).结论 妊娠初期FPG、空腹血胰岛素和胰岛素抵抗指数对糖代谢异常有预测作用.     

血清hs-CRP测定在妊娠糖尿病患者中的临床意义

目的 探讨血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)在妊娠糖尿病(GDM)患者发病中的作用. 方法 利用ELISA方法检测51例妊娠糖尿病患者和45例糖耐量正常(NGT)孕妇的血清hs-CRP水平,采用葡萄糖氧化酶法及放射免疫法测定空腹葡萄糖(FPG)、空腹胰岛素(FIns)水平,计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR). 结果 (1)GDM组FPG[(6.09±0.79)mmol/L]、FIns[(17.03±7.58)mIU/L]、HOMA-IR(3.88±2.01)、hs-CRP[(11.07±3.69)mg/L]分别高于NGT组[(4.30±0.50)mmol/L、(13.39±3.17)mIU/L、(2.56±0.69)和(6.08±2.54)mg/L](P<0.01);(2)血清hs-CRP水平与HOMA-IR(r=0.288,P<0.01)、FIns(r=0.301,P<0.01)、BMI(r=0.196,P<0.01)相关. 结论 慢性炎症与胰岛素抵抗密切相关,hs-CRP升高是GDM的发病的一个预测因子.     

不同糖耐量状态孕妇血清1,5-脱水葡萄糖醇的研究

目的 通过测定不同糖耐量状态孕妇血清1,5-脱水葡萄糖醇(1,5-AG),探讨其在妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)诊断中的价值.方法 测定30例GDM孕妇(GDM组)、32例妊娠期糖耐量受损孕妇(GIGT组)及43例妊娠期糖耐量正常孕妇(GNGT组)的血清1,5-AG、空腹血糖(FPG)、1h血糖(1hPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c).结果 GDM组血清1,5-AG水平[(11.69±3.92)mg/L]显著低于GIGT组[(20.93±3.43)mg/L]和GNGT组[(27.83±4.03)mg/L](P＜ 0.01),GIGT组低于GNGT组(P＜0.05).孕妇血清1,5-AG与FPG、1hPG、HbA1c均呈显著负相关(P＜0.01).结论 孕妇血清1,5-AG与糖耐量下降相关,1,5-AG可作为GDM的诊断指标.     

糖化血红蛋白对急性心肌梗死患者预后的影响

目的 探讨糖化血红蛋白(HbA1c)与急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者预后的关系.方法 根据冠状动脉造影结果将56例AMI患者分为单支病变组(26例)和多支病变组(30例);按Killip分级和NYHA分级将56例AMI患者分为心力衰竭组(24例)和无心力衰竭组(32例).患者入院后测定随机血糖,次日清晨抽取空腹静脉血测定HbA1c及空腹血糖(FPG).结果 多支病变组HbA1c和FPG水平明显高于单支病变组[(6.62±2.61)%比(5.12±0.65)%,(7.10±1.10)mmol/L比(5.50±0.61)mmol/L,P＜0.01].心力衰竭组HbA1c、FPG及随机血糖水平显著高于无心力衰竭组[(7.10±2.35)%比(6.20±1.44)%,(7.36±2.76)mmol/L比(6.28±1.48)mmol/L,(10.32±4.43)mmol/L比(8.45±3.60)mmol/L,P＜0.05].结论 HbA1c水平与AMI患者冠状动脉病变程度及心力衰竭相关,并且是影响AMI患者预后的预测因子.     

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.