2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚对人神经母细胞瘤细胞自噬水平的影响

目的探讨2,2’,4,4’-四溴联苯醚(2,2’,4,4’-tetrabromodiphenyl ethers,PBDE-47)对人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞自噬水平的影响。方法取对数生长期的SH-SY5Y细胞,分别以终浓度为0(溶剂对照)、1、5、10μmol/L的PBDE-47染毒处理24 h后,采用透射电子显微镜观察细胞内双层膜自噬体结构;以自噬囊泡示踪剂单丹黄酰尸胺(MDC)染色检测自噬囊泡生成情况;采用Western blotting技术检测自噬相关蛋白LC3、Beclin1、P62的表达水平。结果电镜超微结构观察结果显示,对照组细胞内未见异常变化,1μmol/L染毒组细胞内可见轻微的线粒体扩张但未见明显的双层膜自噬体结构,5μmol/L染毒组细胞内可见明显的线粒体空泡及双层膜自噬体结构,10μmol/L染毒组细胞内观察到的双层膜自噬体结构最多;与对照组相比,5、10μmol/L PBDE-47染毒组MDC荧光强度升高,MDC阳性细胞比例增加;此外,5、10μmol/L PBDE-47染毒组自噬相关蛋白LC3、Beclin1、P62的表达水平与对照组相比均明显升高,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 PBDE-47可诱导SH-SY5Y细胞自噬水平的增加。     

PKCα/β通过调控紧密连接蛋白参与百草枯致脑微血管内皮细胞的通透性异常

目的 探讨经典型蛋白激酶C(cPKC:PKC α、PKC β)是否通过调控紧密连接蛋白(tight Junction,TJ)的表达,引起百草枯(paraquat,PQ)致小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞通透性的异常。 方法 体外培养小鼠脑组织来源的血管内皮细胞株(bEnd.3)作为单层血脑屏障模型,通过Millicell-ERS细胞电阻仪测定跨内皮细胞电阻(TEER)、荧光素钠(Na-FLU)通透性测定以评价体外血脑屏障模型的功能。四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法测定细胞相对存活率:终浓度0、50、100、200、300 μmol/L PQ处理细胞24 h,确定剂量-效应关系;终浓度200 μmol/L PQ分别处理细胞6、12、24、48、72 h,确定时间-效应关系。终浓度0、100、200、300 μmol/L PQ处理细胞24 h,免疫荧光(IF)和实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)分别测定紧密连接蛋白(ZO-1、Occludin、Claudin-5)和基因的表达水平,免疫印迹法(Western blot)测定PKC α、PKC β、p-PKC α、p-PKC β蛋白表达水平;经典PKC抑制剂(Go 6983)1 μmol/L预处理细胞1 h后,200 μmol/L PQ染毒细胞24 h,Western blot法测定ZO-1、Occludin、Claudin-5及p-PKC α、p-PKC β蛋白表达水平。 结果 bEnd. 3细胞的TEER随培养时间延长逐渐升高,于第6 d达到峰值[(114.3±6.9)Ω· cm^2],荧光素钠通透性检测显示,细胞通透性随培养时间延长逐渐降低,于第6天降至(1.7±0.2)cm/min,说明细胞屏障功能良好。与对照组比较,100、200、300 μmol/L PQ染毒组细胞存活率明显降低,200 μmol/L PQ染毒细胞12、24、48、72 h,细胞存活率明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),呈剂量依赖和时间依赖关系。IF和qRT-PCR显示,随着PQ浓度的升高,ZO-1、Occludin、Claudin-5蛋白和基因表达量明显减少,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Western blot法检测显示,与对照组比较,PQ染毒组的p-PKC α、p-PKC β蛋白表达水平明显升高,ZO-1、Occludin、Claudin-5蛋白表达量明显降低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);Go 6983干预组的ZO-1、Occludin、Claudin-5蛋白表达水平较染毒组明显升高,p-PKC α、p-PKC β蛋白表达水平明显下降,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。 结论 PQ通过激活cPKC(PKC α、PKC β)导致紧密连接蛋白/基因表达降低,引起小鼠脑微血管内皮细胞通透性升高。     

苯代谢物氢醌促进人T细胞白血病细胞自噬的研究

目的探讨苯代谢物氢醌(hydroquinone,HQ)对人T细胞白血病细胞株(Jurkat细胞)自噬水平的影响及其作用机制。方法取对数生长期的Jurkat细胞,分别暴露于含终浓度为0(对照)、6.25、12.5、25、50μmol/L HQ的培养基处理24 h。采用单丹黄酰尸胺(MDC)染色法检测Jurkat细胞内自噬囊泡的生成;通过透射电子显微镜观察Jurkat细胞内自噬体的超微结构;采用Western blot法检测自噬标志性蛋白微管相关蛋白1A/1B轻链3B(LC3B)、P62蛋白及经典的自噬调节通路磷脂酰肌醇3激酶/丝苏氨酸蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)信号通路中人第10号染色体缺失的磷酸酶与张力蛋白同源等位基因(PTEN)、Akt与磷酸化Akt(p-Akt)蛋白的表达情况。结果 Jurkat细胞内MDC荧光强度随着HQ浓度的升高而增强,在胞浆中呈点状分布。HQ染毒组Jurkat细胞出现较多的双层膜自噬体结构,伴有线粒体明显肿胀,内质网扩张等超微结构的改变。与对照组比较,各剂量HQ染毒组Jurkat细胞内LC3B-Ⅰ、LC3B-Ⅱ蛋白的表达水平及6.25、12.5μmol/L HQ染毒组Jurkat细胞内P62蛋白的表达水平均较高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着HQ染毒浓度的升高,Jurkat细胞内LC3B-Ⅰ、LC3B-Ⅱ蛋白的表达水平均呈上升趋势,而P62蛋白的表达水平呈先上升后下降的趋势。与对照组比较,12.5、25、50μmol/L HQ染毒组Jurkat细胞内PTEN蛋白的表达水平均较高,而各剂量HQ染毒组Jurkat细胞内p-Akt蛋白的表达水平均较低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);但各剂量HQ染毒组Jurkat细胞内Akt蛋白的表达水平均无明显改变(P0.05)。且随着HQ染毒浓度的升高,Jurkat细胞内PTEN蛋白的表达水平呈上升趋势,p-Akt蛋白的表达水平呈下降趋势。结论 HQ可促进Jurkat细胞内自噬水平的增加,其作用机制可能与PI3K/Akt信号通路被抑制有关。     

1,4苯醌对K562细胞自噬的影响及机制

[目的]研究1,4苯醌(1,4-BQ)对人慢性髓系白血病K562细胞自噬的影响及其机制。[方法]选择人慢性髓系白血病K562细胞,采用1,4-BQ、自噬早期抑制剂LY294002和自噬晚期抑制剂氯喹(CQ)进行染毒处理,分为对照组、1,4-BQ染毒组(5、10、20μmol/L)、LY294002组(10μmol/L)、CQ组(10μmol/L)、1,4-BQ(20μmol/L)+LY294002(10μmol/L)组和1,4-BQ(20μmol/L)+CQ(10μmol/L)组。应用MTT法检测细胞增殖率;采用CYTO-ID荧光探针并运用荧光染色法和流式细胞术法对细胞自噬水平进行定性、定量检测;采用丫啶橙染色法检测细胞溶酶体pH值;运用实时定量PCR法和Western blot法检测LC3-Ⅱ和P62自噬相关基因和蛋白的表达水平。[结果]10、20μmol/L的1,4-BQ分别作用K562细胞24、48、72 h后,细胞相对增殖率明显降低(P0.05)。CYTO-ID自噬荧光染料特异性聚集在K562细胞胞质内,随着染毒浓度增加荧光强度明显增强。流式细胞术结果显示,与对照组相比,5、10、20μmol/L 1,4-BQ组自噬水平均明显增加,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。丫啶橙染色结果显示,不同浓度1,4-BQ组红色荧光强度均高于对照组,即1,4-BQ组溶酶体pH明显降低。Western blot结果显示,当1,4-BQ浓度为10、20μmol/L时,LC3-Ⅱ和P62蛋白表达量明显高于对照组(P0.05),且在染毒24 h时增幅最大。干预自噬后,与1,4-BQ组相比,1,4-BQ+LY294002组的自噬水平和LC3-Ⅱ蛋白表达量均降低(P0.05)。与1,4-BQ组相比,1,4-BQ+CQ组自噬水平增加(P0.05),而与CQ组的差异无统计学意义。此外,与对照组相比,CQ组LC3-Ⅱ蛋白表达明显增加(P0.05)。与1,4-BQ组相比,1,4-BQ+CQ组LC3-Ⅱ蛋白表达水平差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]1,4-BQ可引起K562细胞LC3-Ⅱ、P62蛋白表达增加,可能是通过增加自噬体的合成和减少自噬体的降解从而增加细胞自噬。     

槐定碱通过PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路诱导自噬抑制胰腺癌细胞增殖

目的 探讨槐定碱对胰腺癌细胞增殖及自噬的影响,并分析其机制。方法 MTT法分析Sw1990细胞增殖, MDC染色法检测细胞自噬水平,western blot检测细胞自噬相关蛋白、PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路相关蛋白表达水平,运用自噬抑制剂（3 - MA）研究自噬对细胞增殖的影响;裸鼠成瘤实验检测体内胰腺癌细胞增殖情况,并分析瘤组织中LC3 II、p - mTOR蛋白水平。结果 槐定碱抑制胰腺癌Sw1990细胞的增长,促进自噬小泡的形成,上调LC3 II/ LC3 I、Beclin - 1水平,下调p - PI3K、p - AKT、p - mTOR水平（P＜0.05）;与槐定碱40 μmol/L组比较,槐定碱40 μmol/L + 3 - MA 5 μmol/L组细胞抑制率升高,LC3 II/ LC3 I降低,p - mTOR蛋白水平升高（P＜0.05）; 40 mg/kg槐定碱下调裸鼠瘤体体积、瘤体质量,上调LC3 II/ LC3 I水平,下调p - mTOR蛋白水平（P＜0.05）。结论 槐定碱能抑制Sw1990细胞增殖,与调控PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路影响自噬有关。     

TGF-β1-Smad2/3信号转导通路在百草枯中毒致肺纤维化中的作用

目的观察百草枯(PQ)染毒对人肺成纤维细胞的影响,探讨PQ中毒致肺纤维化中转化生长因子β1-Smad2/3蛋白(TGF-β1)-Smad2/3信号转导通路的作用。方法体外培养人胚肺成纤维细胞(MRC-5),以终浓度为0、12.5、25、50、100、200、400μmol/L的PQ处理细胞24h,四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)检测细胞存活率。使用终浓度50μmol/L PQ处理细胞6、8、12、24、48、72h,检测PQ在不同时间点对细胞的损伤程度。终浓度0、25、50、100μmol/L PQ处理细胞24h,酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)检测细胞TGF-β1蛋白表达水平,聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测细胞TGF-β1 mRNA表达水平。为了观察PQ染毒对TGF-β1/Smad信号通路的影响,将MRC5细胞分成6组:正常对照组、25μmol/L PQ染毒组、50μmol/L PQ染毒组、100μmol/L PQ染毒组、TGF-β1阳性对照组、TGF-β1刺激组(100μmol/L PQ+50μmol/L TGF-β1),免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测磷酸化Smad2/3蛋白(p-Smad2/3)表达水平。结果与对照组比较,MRC-5细胞存活率随着PQ剂量和时间的增加明显降低(P0.05),呈剂量和时间依赖性;ELISA显示,PQ作用MRC-5细胞24h后,TGF-β1蛋白表达升高至37.4、48.8、39.3μg/ml,但诱导作用呈非剂量依赖方式;RT-PCR显示,随着PQ浓度增加TGF-β1mRNA表达水平明显升高,分别是对照组的3.5、6.9和9.7倍,诱导作用呈剂量依赖方式(P0.05);Westem blot显示,浓度为25、50、100μmol/L PQ作用细胞24h后,p-Smad2、p-Smad3蛋白表达水平明显升高(P0.05),给予细胞100μmol/L PQ+50μmol/L TGF-β1共同刺激下,p-Smad2、p-Smad3蛋白量达到最多(P0.05)。结论TGF-β1、pSmad2、p-Smad3的异常表达参与了PQ致MRC5细胞损伤过程,TGF-β1/Smad信号通路激活在PQ致肺纤维化中发挥重要作用。     

槲皮素对百草枯染毒肺上皮细胞存活率和上皮间质转化标志的影响

  目的  探讨槲皮素（Que）对百草枯（PQ）处理肺上皮细胞（MLE-12）的存活率和上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition，EMT）的影响及机制。
  方法  采用CCK-8法分别检测不同剂量PQ（50、150、450 μmol/L）对MLE-12细胞存活率的影响。实验设立空白对照组、阳性对照组、PQ（150 μmol/L）+Que（30、60、90μmol/L）干预组、阴性对照组，在Que干预24 h后检测细胞存活率。应用荧光定量PCR法和蛋白免疫印迹（Western blot）法分别检测α-SMA、结缔组织生长因子（connective tissue growth factor，CTGF）、E-Cadherin、TGF-β1、Smad3、Akt、mTOR的mRNA和蛋白表达。
  结果  经PQ（150 μmol/L）处理后，60 μmol/L和90 μmol/L的Que能够显著提高MLE-12细胞存活率，与阳性对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。荧光定量PCR法和Western blot法检测结果表明，与空白对照组比较，50 μmol/L的PQ能提高α-SMA、CTGF、E-Cadherin、TGF-β1、Smad3、Akt、mTOR的mRNA表达，以及α-SMA、CTGF、E-Cadherin、TGF-β1、Smad3、Akt的蛋白表达（P < 0.05）；150 μmol/L的PQ能提高TGF-β1和mTOR的mRNA表达，以及α-SMA、E-Cadherin、TGF-β1、Smad3的蛋白表达（P < 0.05）；450 μmol/L的PQ能提高CTGF和Smad3的mRNA表达，以及α-SMA、E-Cadherin、Smad3的蛋白表达（P < 0.05）。在不同浓度Que干预PQ（150 μmol/L）染毒的MLE-12细胞后，与阳性对照组相比，30 μmol/L的Que能降低α-SMA、TGF-β1、Akt、mTOR的mRNA和蛋白表达水平，以及α-SMA、CTGF、Akt、mTOR的蛋白表达水平（P < 0.05）；60 μmol/L的Que能提高CTGF、E-Cadherin、Smad3、Akt的mRNA表达水平，以及α-SMA、Smad3、mTOR的蛋白表达水平（P < 0.05）；90 μmol/L的Que能降低TGF-β1、mTOR的mRNA表达水平，提高CTGF的mRNA表达水平，降低Akt、mTOR的蛋白表达水平（P < 0.05）。
  结论  百草枯染毒可能通过TGF-β1诱导细胞发生上皮间质转化。槲皮素干预能提高百草枯染毒MLE-12细胞的存活率，并能改变细胞上皮间质转化程度，其机制可能是通过调控TGF-β1/Smad和Akt/mTOR信号通路实现。
     

氟对人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞自噬水平的影响

目的探讨氟对人神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y细胞自噬水平的影响。方法用不同浓度(20、40、60 mg/L)的氟化钠(Na F)染毒SH-SY5Y细胞24 h,采用透射电子显微镜观察细胞内自噬体超微结构;吖啶橙染色观察细胞内自噬囊泡的生成;Western blotting技术检测自噬延伸相关蛋白Atg5和LC3-II与自噬降解相关蛋白P62的表达水平。结果透射电子显微镜下可观察到细胞内自噬体结构,且随NaF剂量的增加自噬体数量明显减少;吖啶橙染色可见,与对照组相比,40和60 mg/L NaF染毒组自噬囊泡数量逐渐减少,尤以60 mg/L NaF染毒组减少最为明显;Western blotting检测发现,与对照组相比,Atg5和LC3-II的表达水平呈剂量依赖性降低,而P62的表达水平呈剂量依赖性升高,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论氟可抑制SH-SY5Y细胞的自噬水平。     

自噬在氯化镉诱导小鼠初级精母细胞凋亡中的作用

目的 探究自噬在氯化镉(cadmium chloride, CdCl₂)诱导小鼠初级精母细胞(GC-2 spd)凋亡中的作用及其潜在作用机制。方法 以不同浓度CdCl₂(0、5和10μmol/L)染毒GC-2 spd细胞24 h。Hoechst33342染色法和单丹磺酰戊二胺法分别检测凋亡小体和自噬体;TUNEL荧光染色检测细胞凋亡情况;在不含/含CdCl₂(10μmol/L)的细胞培养液中分别加入自噬抑制剂3-甲基腺嘌呤(60μmol/L)、凋亡抑制剂胱天蛋白酶家族抑制剂(50 nmol/L)、自噬激动剂雷帕霉素(50 nmol/L)和溶酶体抑制剂氯喹(10μmol/L)处理GC-2 spd细胞24 h, Western blot检测细胞内自噬相关蛋白LC3、P62以及促凋亡蛋白cleaved Caspase-3和cleaved Caspase-9的表达水平。结果 CdCl₂染毒细胞24 h后,自噬体聚集且凋亡细胞增多。Western blot结果显示,5和10μmol/L CdCl_2<...     

Antimicrobial resistance in community-acquired urinary tract infections in Paris in 2015

Background

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequent community-acquired infection. Escherichia coli resistance has been on the rise since 2000s.

Further reduction in lead exposure in women in general populations in Japan in the 1990s, and comparison with levels in east and south-east Asia

Objective: The objective of the study was to elucidate the current level of environmental lead (Pb) exposure of women in general population in Japan, where the use of organic Pb in automobile gasoline was phased out from 1973 to reach a zero level early in the 1980s. Methods: A survey was conducted in 27 sites throughout Japan from 1991 to 1997. Five hundred and eighty-eight non-smoking women from the sites offered 24-h food duplicate, peripheral blood, and spot urine samples. Pb in food duplicates (Pb-F), blood (Pb-B), and urine (Pb-U) were analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results of Pb-F and Pb-B were compared with observations from a study conducted from 1977 to 1981 on 339 women at the same sites. Log-normal distribution was assumed for the evaluation of the results. Results: Geometric means (GMs) of Pb-F, Pb-B, and Pb-U in the 1991–1997 study were 9.0 μg/day, 20.2 μg/l, and 2.18 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The values for Pb-F and Pb-B were substantially lower than the values (32.8 μg/day for Pb-F and 31.7 μg/l for Pb-B) obtained in the 1977–1981 study, which were already low when compared internationally. Cd-U values in the period from 1991 to 1997 also appeared to be among the lowest in the world. Analysis for time-dependent changes in Pb-U was, however, not possible at the time of this study because no values were available for the period from 1977 to 1981. Conclusions: Substantial reductions from 1977–1981 levels in environmental Pb exposure were observed among the study populations in Japan. Current exposure levels appear to be lower than those in other parts of Asia, the USA, and Europe. Received: 16 March 1999 / Accepted: 27 August 1999     

Correlation among cadmium levels in river sediment, in rice, in daily foods and in urine of residents in 11 prefectures in Japan

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine if overall correlation exists among cadmium levels (Cd) in the general environment, dietary Cd intake, and Cd body burden of local residents. Methods: Eleven prefectures in Japan were selected as the areas where large-scale data on Cd levels in urine of adult women (40–49 and 50–59 years of age, respectively) were available to calculate geometric mean (GM) values for each of the prefecture. Other data were cited from published or previously established databases on Cd in the sediments of river bottoms (as a representative of Cd in the environment), Cd in rice for local consumption, and Cd in daily food duplicate samples collected from local women populations, and calculated for GM values for the prefectures. The GM values were subjected to correlation matrix and regression analysis. Results: Marginally significant (P<0.10) correlation was detected between Cd in sediment and Cd in rice. Furthermore, correlation of Cd in sediment was significant with Cd in total foods (P<0.05) and possibly with Cd in urine (P<0.05–0.10). Importance of data on Cd in rice paddy soil as a missing link is discussed. Conclusions: Correlation was demonstrated in the flow of Cd transport from the environment (expressed as Cd contents in river sediments) to humans (in terms of Cd in urine) among general populations in Japan.     

北京市新发地市场新型冠状病毒肺炎疫情相关病例的流行病学特征分析

目的 分析并比较北京市新发地市场疫情中新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）确诊病例与无症状感染者的流行病学特征。方法 收集并整理传染病报告信息管理系统中北京市新发地市场疫情中COVID-19感染者数据和流行病学调查报告资料,应用SPSS 19.0软件分析并比较确诊病例和无症状感染者的流行病学特征。结果 2020年6月11日至7月10日北京市共诊断新型冠状病毒感染者368例,其中确诊病例335例（91.03%）,无症状感染者33例（8.97%）。病例分布于11个区,其中丰台区病例数占总病例数的68.48%（252/368）。发病曲线呈现暴发流行模式,发病高峰为6月13日。全部感染者年龄M（Q_R）为43（31~51）岁,无症状感染者的年龄M（Q_R）为32（29~49）岁,低于确诊病例的年龄M（Q_R）[43（31~52）岁],差异有统计学意义（Z=2.416,P=0.016）。感染者男女性别比为1.26：1。从事餐饮及商业服务和公共场所服务的人员最多,占64.13%（236/368）。73.91%（272/368）的感染者有新发地市场直接暴露史。通过核酸筛查发现全部感染者的54.08%（199/368）。确诊病例中轻型和普通型病例占99.10%（332/335）,无死亡病例。结论 北京市新发地市场疫情呈暴发流行模式,COVID-19病例以餐饮和服务业人员为主。无症状感染者的年龄低于确诊病例。     

Use of solvents in industries in Korea: experience in Sinpyeong-Jangrim industrial complex

Objectives: To identify the most popular solvent and typical type of solvent work among solvent-using workplaces in Korea. Methods: In practice, 862 solvent-using workshops in Sinpyeong-Jangrim industrial complex in Pusan were investigated in a 2-year period from March 1995 to February 1997. Solvent vapors in the breathing zone of workers were collected by personal sampling with charcoal tubes. The exposed charcoal was extracted with carbon disulfide, and the solvents in the extract were analyzed by flame ionization detector-equipped gas chromatography (FID-GC). Results: Solvents were used in painting, glue application, cleaning, printing and solvent-mixing workshops in decreasing order of popularity. Toluene was the most frequently measured solvent. In the five types of solvent work, acetone, hexane, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene and xylenes were also used frequently. Conclusions: Toluene was identified as the most frequently used solvent in solvent works in Korean manufacture industries in the late 1990s. Eight types of solvent were popularly used in five popular types of solvent work. These trends are very similar to the cases reported for industries in Japan. Received: 20 April 1999 / Accepted: 6 May 2000     

Lead contents in the surface enamel of deciduous teeth sampled in vivo from children in uncontaminated and in lead-contaminated areas

This study aimed to: (1) measure lead contents in the surface enamel of two populations consisting of 4-6-year-old children, one from an apparently uncontaminated area (Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, SP, Brazil, n=247) and the other from an area notoriously contaminated with lead (Bauru, São Paulo State, Brazil, n=26); (2) compare biopsy depths between the two populations; (3) correlate biopsy depth with lead content; (4) stratify samples according to biopsy depth to compare lead contents in samples from similar biopsy depths. A surface enamel acid-etch microbiopsy was performed in vivo on a single upper deciduous incisor for each sample. Lead was measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) while phosphorus was measured colorimetrically to establish biopsy depth. Samples from both populations were classified into categories of similar biopsy depths based on biopsy depth quartiles. Median lead contents were statistically different between the Ribeirão Preto population (206 μg/g, range: 5-1399 μg/g) and the Bauru population (786 μg/g, range: 320-4711 μg/g) (p<0.001); however, biopsy depth did not differ between the Ribeirão Preto (3.9 μm, Standard Deviation, SD=0.9) and Bauru (3.8 μm, SD=0.9) populations (p=0.7940). Pearson's correlation coefficient for biopsy depths versus log₁₀ lead values was −0.29 for Ribeirão Preto and −0.18 for Bauru. Lead contents were statistically different between the two populations for all quartiles of biopsy depth. These findings suggest that lead accumulated in the surface enamel of deciduous teeth is linked to the environment in which people reside, indicating that this tissue should be further explored as an accessible biomarker of lead exposure.     

Cost of breast cancer in Sweden in 2002

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Swedish women and an important cause of illness and death. The aim of this study was to estimate the total cost of breast cancer in Sweden in 2002, using a top-down prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach. The total cost of breast cancer in Sweden in 2002 was estimated at 3.0 billion SEK (1 € = 9.4 SEK). The direct costs were estimated at 895 million SEK and constituted 30% of the total cost. Indirect costs were estimated at 2.1 billion SEK and constituted 70% of the total cost. The main cost driver was production losses caused by premature mortality, amounting to 52% of the indirect costs. The reason that indirect costs were the dominant cost is because most newly detected breast cancers occur in patients aged below 65, thus causing significant production losses due to sick leave, early retirement, and premature mortality.

Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the elderly in a community in Italy

Objectives: Assess the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in reducing hospitalization due to pneumonia and influenza among elderly subjects in a community in central Italy. Estimate the hospitalization fraction preventable by extending the vaccination program. Methods: Case–control study. Cases were subjects aged 65+ at hospital admission (1 December 1994–31 March 1995). For each case two population controls were randomly chosen, matched by sex, age and residence. Variables of interest were recorded through a postal questionnaire and telephone interview. A matched-set analysis was carried out adjusting for concomitant chronic diseases, education, type of home heating, and smoking habits. The preventable fraction of hospitalization was computed through the application of the attributable risk estimate. The setting was 33 municipalities in central Italy including 169,370 residents aged 65 years or more. Results: Two hundred and seventy-five cases 550 controls were analyzed. Influenza vaccination was effective in preventing 33% of hospitalization due to pneumonia/influenza. The fraction of hospital admissions preventable by extending the vaccination was 17%. When the analysis was limited to self-respondents to the questionnaire (excluding next-of-kin) and to pneumonia/influenza as primary discharge diagnosis, protection from hospitalization by vaccination almost reached 50%, a better result in comparison with most case–control studies. Conclusions: Influenza vaccination was shown to be successful in reducing hospital admissions due to pneumonia and influenza. A large number of hospitalizations could be reduced extending the vaccination campaign.     

Seasonal gaps in measles vaccination coverage in Madagascar

Introduction

Measles elimination depends on the successful deployment of measles containing vaccine. Vaccination programs often depend on a combination of routine and non-routine services, including supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) and vaccination weeks (VWs), that both aim to vaccinate all eligible children regardless of vaccination history or natural infection. Madagascar has used a combination of these activities to improve measles coverage. However, ongoing massive measles outbreak suggests that the country was in a “honeymoon” period and that coverage achieved needs to be re-evaluated. Although healthcare access is expected to vary seasonally in low resources settings, little evidence exists to quantify temporal fluctuations in routine vaccination, and interactions with other immunization activities.

Intestinal Parasites in Healthy Subjects in Albania

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 277 healthy subjects in the city of Mamuras (Albania, South Eastern Europe) and the correlation between parasitic infections and possible risk factors. Faecal samples collected with sodium-acetate-formalin fixative were concentrated by formalin ethylacetate sedimentation and examined as wet mounts, permanent stains and by anti-Giardia/Cryptosporidium fluorescent antibodies. Data concerning age, sex, level of education, availability of piped water, number of people living in the same house, and residence in rural or urban area were collected for each subject. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test and regression logistic analysis. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 183/277 (66.06%). In particular, pathogenic protozoa or helminths were found in 67 subjects (24.18%), including Trichuris trichiura in 34 (12.27%), Giardia duodenalis in 31 (11.19%), Hymenolepis nana in 5 (1.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides in 3 (1.08%). A significant correlation was observed only between parasite colonization and older age and between Trichuris trichiura infection and residence in rural areas.