五味子乙素对汞性大鼠急性肾损伤的影响

目的探讨五味子乙素(Sch B)对汞致大鼠急性肾损伤的影响。方法 Wistar大鼠30只,按体重随机分成5组:第1组为正常对照组,第2~4组分别为低、中、高剂量单纯染汞组,第5组为Sch B预处理组。对照组和单纯染汞组空腹以大豆油灌胃,Sch B预处理组16 mg/kg Sch B空腹灌胃,灌胃容量为5 ml/kg;2 h后,对照组皮下注射生理盐水,低、中、高剂量单纯染汞组分别皮下注射2.2μmol/kg、4.4μmol/kg、8.8μmol/kg氯化汞,Sch B预处理组皮下注射8.8μmol/kg氯化汞,注射容量为5 ml/kg。第二日重复上述操作,并将大鼠放入代谢笼,收集24 h尿液;而后将大鼠乙醚麻醉,腹主动脉采血,切取大鼠肾皮质,测定尿汞和肾皮质汞,尿β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、尿乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)及尿碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活力,尿蛋白和血尿素氮(BUN)含量,肾皮质还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力。结果与对照组比较,高剂量氯化汞组尿汞和肾皮质汞含量,尿NAG、LDH及ALP活力,尿蛋白和BUN含量,GSH和M...     

沙棘油对镉致大鼠肝损伤的拮抗作用

目的 探讨沙棘油(SBO)对急性、亚慢性染镉致大鼠肝损伤的拮抗作用.方法 急性实验时,对照组和染镉组均灌胃0.9%NaCl,SBO干预组灌胃5 ml/kg SBO(纯度为95%).2 h后,对照组皮下注射0.9%NaCl,SBO干预组和染镉组皮下注射35 μmol/kg CdCl2.亚慢性实验时,染镉组和SBO干预组皮下注射6μmol/kg CdCl2,对照组皮下注射0.9%NaCl,连续6周.然后SBO干预组灌胃5 ml/kg SBO,对照组和染镉组灌胃0.9%NaCl,共2周.腹主动脉取血并取肝脏,测定急性、亚慢性染镉大鼠血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活力,肝丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力.结果 急性、亚慢性镉染毒使大鼠血清LDH、GPT活力明显升高,肝MDA、GSH含量明显升高及SOD活力明显降低.SBO干预组可使急性染镉大鼠血清LDH、GPT活力,肝MDA、GSH含量分别降至单纯染镉组的71.5%(183.77,257.02)、58.3%(15.83,27.13)和74.8%(88.49,118.27)、64.9%(6.81,10.49),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),肝SOD活力明显升高.亚慢性染镉时,SBO处理组血清GPT活力明显低于单纯染镉组,肝MDA、GSH含量明显下降,肝SOD活力明显升高,差异有显著性(P<0.01).结论 SBO对急性、亚慢性镉染毒致大鼠肝氧化损伤有一定的拮抗作用.     

茶多酚对氯化汞染毒大鼠急性肾损伤的影响

目的探讨茶多酚(tea polyphenols,TP)对氯化汞染毒大鼠急性肾损伤的影响。方法将30只成年清洁级Wistar大鼠按体重随机分为5组,分别为对照(豆油)组,2.2、4.4、8.8μmol/kg氯化汞单独染毒组和TP(500 mg/kg)+氯化汞(8.8μmol/kg)染毒组,每组6只,雌雄各半。对照组和各氯化汞单独染毒组空腹以豆油灌胃,TP+氯化汞染毒组空腹灌胃500mg/kg TP溶液,灌胃容量为5 ml/kg,2 h后,TP+氯化汞染毒组和各氯化汞单独染毒组皮下注射染毒氯化汞,对照组注射生理盐水,染毒容量为5 ml/kg;每天染毒1次,连续染毒2 d。染毒结束后,检测尿汞、肾皮质汞含量,尿β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、尿乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、尿碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活力,尿蛋白、血尿素氮(BUN)含量,肾皮质还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力。结果随着氯化汞染毒剂量的升高,大鼠尿汞、肾皮质汞含量,尿NAG、LDH、ALP活力,尿蛋白、血BUN含量,肾皮质GSH、MDA含量均呈上升趋势,肾皮质SOD和GSH-Px活力均呈下降趋势。与8.8μmol/kg氯化汞单独染毒组比较,TP+氯化汞染毒组大鼠尿NAG、LDH、ALP活力,尿蛋白、血BUN含量,肾皮质GSH、MDA含量均下降,肾皮质GSH、MDA含量和SOD、GSH-Px活力均上升,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);而尿汞、肾皮质汞含量间差异无统计学意义。结论 TP预处理对汞致大鼠急性肾损伤有一定的拮抗作用。     

α-硫辛酸和牛磺酸对亚慢性镉染毒致肾损伤影响的实验研究

目的通过观察α-硫辛酸(LA)和牛磺酸(Tau)对亚慢性镉染毒致肾损伤的影响,探讨氧化损伤在镉中毒中的作用。方法实验用大鼠32只,分为4组。给3个实验组大鼠皮下注射7μmol/kg的氯化镉(CdCl2)溶液,每周5次,连续6周。对照组大鼠在相应时间皮下注射生理盐水。于第7周、第8周,两干预组大鼠分别腹腔注射35μmol/kg的LA溶液和0.8 mmol/kg的Tau溶液,对照组和单纯镉染毒组在相应时间内腹腔注射生理盐水。注射容量均为5 ml/kg,每周5次。最后1次注射后,收集大鼠12 h尿液,然后处死大鼠,切取肝、肾组织。测定尿N-乙酰-β-D氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活力及尿肌酐、尿蛋白和尿镉含量,肝和肾皮质镉、丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力。结果与对照组比较,单纯镉染毒组的肝、肾皮质和尿中镉含量显著增加,尿ALP和NAG酶活力及尿蛋白含量显著升高,肾皮质GSH和MDA含量升高到34.65μg/g蛋白和171.05 nmol/g蛋白,GSH-Px活力下降到0.23 U/mg蛋白,差异有显著性。肝GSH含量升高,SOD和GSH-Px活力均显著下降。与单纯镉染毒组比较,LA干预组的尿镉含量、尿ALP活力和尿蛋白含量显著下降,肾皮质GSH和MDA含量降低到19.72μg/g蛋白和127.47 nmol/g蛋白,GSH-Px活力升高到0.30 U/mg蛋白,肝GSH-Px和SOD活力显著升高;Tau干预组的肝膈和尿镉含量均显著降低。肾皮质GSH含量降低到26.36μg/g蛋白,GSH-Px活力升高到0.37 U/mg蛋白。结论氧化损伤是镉中毒机制的一部分,LA和Tau对镉致肾氧化损伤的恢复具有一定的促进作用。     

亚硒酸钠对急性和亚慢性镉毒性的拮抗作用

目的探讨急性、亚慢性镉染毒对大鼠的肝、肾毒性以及亚硒酸钠(Na2SeO3)对镉染毒大鼠肝、肾毒性的拮抗作用。方法急性实验时,Na2SeO3干预组大鼠以10μmol/kg腹腔注射Na2SeO3溶液,对照组和镉染毒组腹腔注射0.9%氯化钠。2 h后,干预组和镉染毒组大鼠皮下注射氯化镉(CdCl2)溶液35μmol/kg,对照组皮下注射0.9%氯化钠。亚慢性实验时,大鼠皮下注射CdCl2溶液7μmol/kg,每周5 d,1次/d,连续6周。然后Na2SeO3干预组大鼠腹腔注射Na2SeO3溶液10μmol/kg,共2周,对照组在相同时间注射0.9%氯化钠。测定大鼠血清、尿液和肝、肾组织中各酶的活力。结果急性镉染毒使大鼠血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)活力明显升高,肝谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)含量明显升高,谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力明显下降。Na2SeO3预处理可使急性镉染毒大鼠血清ALT、LDH活力分别降低至单纯镉染毒组的63.8%(166.61,261.11)和30.1%(40.85,135.52),差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),肝GSH、MDA含量明显降低,而GSH-Px、SOD活力明显升高。亚慢性镉染毒使大鼠尿碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、N-乙酰-β-苷酶(NAG)活力和尿蛋白含量明显升高,肾皮质GSH、MDA含量明显升高,GSH-Px活力明显降低。Na2SeO3处理使亚慢性镉染毒大鼠尿ALP酶活力明显下降,肾皮质GSH、MDA含量明显降低,GSH-Px活力明显升高。结论Na2SeO3对急性镉染毒所致肝损伤具有明显的保护作用,对亚慢性镉染毒致肾损伤的恢复具有一定的促进作用。     

异搏定和氯丙嗪对镉慢性肾毒性影响的实验研究

目的:对慢性镉染毒(Cd)大鼠投予异搏定(Ver)和氯丙嗪(CPZ),探讨这两种物质对镉慢性肾损伤的影响。方法:实验用4组大鼠,单纯镉染毒组和Ver、CPZ预处理组均皮下注射含Cd 1．4mg／kg的氯化镉(CdCl2)溶液,每周3次,连续6周。Ver和CPZ预处理组在每次皮下注射CdCl2前1h,分别向腹腔注射Ver 4mg／kg和CPZ 5mg／kg,,对照组大鼠在相同时间注射生理盐水5ml／kg,,在实验开始后第2,4,6周时收集尿样,测定尿N-乙酰-B—D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)活力和尿蛋白含量。最后一次注射后24h处死大鼠,采集血液,取肾脏,测定血清尿素氮(BUN),血、肾皮质和尿中的Cd、Ca及血、肾皮质中丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果镉染毒4周时,与单纯镉染毒组比较,Ver和CPZ预处理组的尿NAG活力和尿蛋白含量均明显降低;镉染毒6周时,Ver和CPZ预处理组的血Cd、血清BUN、尿Ca及肾皮质MDA含量均明显降低。CPZ预处理组肾皮质Cd和血MDA含量也明显降低。结论:Ver和CPZ具有防止镉所致慢性肾损伤的作用,其机制可能是减轻镉对肾脏的脂质过氧化损伤。     

莱菔硫烷对镉致大鼠肾脏损伤的保护作用

目的探讨亚慢性染镉对大鼠的肾脏毒性及莱菔硫烷(SFN)的保护作用。方法 Wistar大鼠32只,按体重随机分为对照组、低剂量和高剂量单纯染镉组、莱菔硫烷干预组,每组8只。对照组和低、高剂量单纯染镉组大鼠皮下注射生理盐水,SFN干预组大鼠皮下注射1 mg/kg SFN;2 h后,对照组腹腔注射生理盐水,其他三组分别腹腔注射3、6、6μmol/kg氯化镉。皮下注射隔日1次,每周3次;腹腔注射每日1次,每周5次;连续处理6周。将大鼠放入代谢笼,收集24 h尿液,测定尿蛋白含量和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力;然后将大鼠乙醚麻醉,腹主动脉采血测定大鼠血清尿素氮(BUN)含量;切取大鼠肾皮质,测定肾皮质还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力。结果与对照组比较,高剂量单纯染镉组尿蛋白和血清BUN含量及尿NAG、LDH和ALP活力明显上升(P0.01);肾皮质中GSH含量、SOD和GSH-Px活力显著降低(P0.01);MDA含量升高(P0.01)。与高剂量单纯染镉组比较,SFN干预组尿蛋白和血清BUN,尿NAG、LDH和ALP活力及肾皮质MDA含量下降;GSH-Px和SOD活力上升;差异均有统计学意义(P0.05或P0.01)。结论给大鼠亚慢性染镉可引起明显的肾脏损伤,SFN对镉致大鼠肾脏损伤有一定的保护作用。     

谷胱甘肽和牛磺酸对汞急性肾毒性影响的实验研究

目的 探讨预先投予GSH和牛磺酸对汞急性肾毒性的影响。方法 将32只Wistar大鼠随机分为对照、HgCl2染毒、GSH HgCl2和牛磺酸 HgCl2 4组。对照组皮下注射0．9％的生理盐水,汞染毒组皮下注射2．5mg／kg的HgCl2溶液,注射容量为5ml／kg。GSH和牛磺酸组于注射相同剂量Hg口2前2h分别腹腔注射3mmoL/kg的GSH溶液和4mmol／kg的牛磺酸溶液。测定尿N-Z乙酰-β-D氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性,尿蛋白和尿肌酐含量,血清尿素氮(BUN)以及尿汞和肾汞含量。结果 与对照组比较,HgCl2染毒组尿NAG、ALP、LDH活性显著升高,尿蛋白、BUN、尿汞、肾汞含量明显增加。预先投予GSH和牛磺酸后,可使汞染毒大鼠尿NAG和ALP活性、尿蛋白和BUN含量均较HgCl2染毒组显著减低;GSH组尿汞显著低于单纯染汞组,而牛磺酸组尿汞、肾汞与汞染毒组比较差异则无显著性。结论 GSH和牛磺酸对汞致急性肾损伤有一定的保护作用。     

2-氨基-4-(S-丁基磺酰亚氨)丁酸对汞急性毒作用影响的实验研究

目的　研究 2 -氨基 - 4 - (S -丁基磺酰亚氨 )丁酸 (BSO)对汞急性毒作用的影响 ,探讨汞的毒作用机制。方法　 32只Wistar大鼠随机分成 4组 :对照组 ,皮下注射生理盐水 ;汞染毒 1组和 2组 ,分别皮下注射HgCl2 溶液 (0 75 ,1 5mg/kg) ;BSO预处理组 ,腹腔注射BSO (0 5mmol/kg) ,4h后皮下注射HgCl2 溶液 (0 75mg/kg)。测定肝、肾皮质和尿中汞含量 ,尿N -乙酰 - β -D氨基葡萄糖苷酶 (NAG)、碱性磷酸酶 (ALP)、乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)活力和蛋白含量 ,肝和肾皮质谷胱甘肽 (GSH)和丙二醛 (MDA)含量。结果　对照组、汞染毒 1组和 2组尿NAG活力分别为 4 3 6 5 ,6 1 0 6 ,89 2 7U/ gCr ,尿ALP活力分别为2 4 5 2 ,6 2 98,93 0 5U/ gCr,尿LDH活力分别为 0 85 ,6 5 0 ,18 17U/ gCr,尿蛋白含量分别为 0 77,1 2 1,2 2 9mg/ gCr,肾皮质GSH含量分别为 9 0 0 ,12 96 ,16 0 2 μmol/ g蛋白 ,肾皮质MDA含量分别为10 2 2 2 ,12 5 99,2 0 6 34nmol/ g蛋白。BSO预处理组尿NAG、ALP、LDH活力和蛋白含量明显高于对照组和汞染毒 1组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,肝、肾皮质GSH含量明显低于汞染毒 1组 (P <0 0 5 ) ,肝脏MDA含量高于对照组 (P <0 0 5 )和汞染毒 1组 ,肾皮质MDA含量明显高于对照组和汞染毒 1组 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　BS     

壳聚糖对镉致大鼠肝脏损伤的拮抗作用

目的探讨壳聚糖对镉致大鼠肝脏损伤的拮抗作用。方法 50只健康SD大鼠,雌雄各半,随机分为5组,即对照组,单纯镉染毒组,壳聚糖20、100、500mg/kg 3个剂量干预组。壳聚糖干预组分别灌胃壳聚糖20、100、500mg/kg,对照组和单纯镉染毒组灌胃0.9%生理盐水,2h后壳聚糖干预组和单纯镉染毒组腹腔注射氯化镉1.0mg/kg,对照组腹腔注射0.9%生理盐水,连续7d。末次染毒后处死大鼠,分别测定肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及血清中丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)活力。结果大鼠镉染毒7d后,与对照组比较,肝脏中SOD活力明显下降,MDA含量明显升高,其中单纯镉染毒组与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),其余各剂量壳聚糖干预组与对照组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);但随着壳聚糖摄入剂量的逐渐增高,大鼠肝脏中SOD活力逐渐升高,MDA含量逐渐减小,与单纯镉染毒组比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。各组血清中ALT活力均明显高于对照组(P<0.05),但各剂量壳聚糖干预组血清中ALT活力与单纯镉染毒组比较,均明显下降(P<0.05)。结论壳聚糖对镉致大鼠肝脏损伤有一定的拮抗作用。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.