孕期环境空气污染物暴露和先天性心脏病关系的Meta分析

目的 探讨孕期空气污染物暴露与先天性心脏病（先心病）发生的关系,为先心病的一级预防提供循证医学证据。方法 收集国内外发表的有关孕期空气污染物暴露与先心病有关的流行病学研究文章,对连续性增长和高浓度对比低浓度的污染物与先心病亚型的关系效应值分别进行合并。使用Stata 12.0软件对文献进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入20篇英文文献。Meta分析结果显示,CO暴露增加法洛四联症的发生风险（高浓度对比低浓度OR=1.22,95%CI：1.03~1.44））;NO₂暴露增加主动脉缩窄的发生风险（浓度每升高10 mm³/m³ OR=1.01,95%CI：1.01~1.20）;O₃暴露增加房间隔缺损的发生风险（浓度每升高10 mm³/m³ OR=1.14,95%CI：1.03~1.26）;PM₁₀暴露增加房间隔缺损的发生风险（浓度每升高10 μg/m³ OR=1.10,95%CI：1.03~1.19）。此外,还发现CO暴露和房间隔缺损的发生,PM₁₀暴露和室间隔缺损的发生存在负相关。结论 孕期暴露于空气污染物CO、O₃、NO₂、PM₁₀可能会增加先心病的发生风险。     

HBsAg阳性母亲HBeAg和新生儿调节性T淋巴细胞关系及对HBV宫内传播的影响

目的 探讨HBsAg阳性母亲的HBeAg与新生儿CD₄⁺CD₂₅⁺Foxp3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞（Treg）含量的关系以及对增加新生儿HBV宫内传播发生风险的影响。方法 选择太原市第三人民医院妇产科分娩的270对HBsAg阳性母亲及其新生儿,收集一般人口学特征及分娩情况等资料,采用荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（FQ-PCR）和化学发光免疫试验（CLIA）检测母婴外周血HBV DNA及HBV血清学标志物;流式细胞术（FCM）检测新生儿外周血Treg等免疫细胞含量。结果 母亲HBeAg阳性是HBV宫内传播的危险因素（OR=4.08,95% CI：1.89~8.82）;母亲HBeAg阳性者新生儿Treg含量高于阴性者（Z=2.29,P=0.022）;按母亲HBeAg滴度分为5组,各组间新生儿Treg、HBeAg及母亲HBV DNA随母亲HBeAg滴度增高呈上升趋势,差异均有统计学意义（χ²=18.73,P<0.001;χ²=181.60,P<0.001;χ²=183.09,P<0.001）。偏相关分析中控制母亲HBV DNA以及新生儿HBeAg后,母亲HBeAg与新生儿Treg呈正相关（r_s=0.19,P=0.039）。新生儿Treg与浆细胞样树突状细胞（pDC）、CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞含量为负相关（r_s=-0.21,P=0.017;r_s=-0.23,P=0.009）。结论 HBsAg阳性母亲的HBeAg可能通过上调新生儿Treg含量,影响树突状细胞和效应T淋巴细胞的功能及其对HBV的免疫应答,从而增加新生儿发生HBV宫内传播的风险。     

江汉平原高砷地下水区水、沉积物砷含量及饮水型地方性砷中毒调查

目的通过对水砷、沉积物砷含量及饮水型地方性砷中毒的调查,进一步掌握江汉平原饮水型地方性砷中毒发病动态。方法 2010-2013年以江汉平原中部的仙桃市、洪湖市作为典型研究区,水砷、沉积物砷含量检测采用二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸银分光光度法,砷中毒诊断采用地方性砷中毒诊断标准。结果 2010-2013年间水砷均值呈逐年递减,但年间差异无统计学意义(F=0.76,P=0.52);各监测点沉积物砷含量与土层深度均呈负相关(r值分别为-0.674、-0.519、-0.571,P值均0.05)。结论江汉平原饮水型地方性砷中毒区土层深度与砷含量呈负相关。     

PM2.5短期暴露对我国死亡和急诊量影响的Meta分析

目的 利用Meta分析定量评价空气中粒径≤ 2.5 μm的颗粒物（PM_2.5）短期暴露与我国居民全因死亡和急诊之间的关系。方法 于2018年3月系统检索中国知网、万方数据知识服务平台、PubMed和EMBASE收集相关文献,提取相对危险度（RR）、超额危险度（ER）及其95% CI,根据异质性检验结果,采用固定或随机效应模型对数据进行合并,并对其进行亚组分析、Meta回归和检验发表偏倚。结果 共纳入33篇原始文献,分别利用39组死亡数据和4组急诊量数据进行Meta分析,结果显示,在47.7~176.7 μg/m³的浓度范围内,PM_2.5每上升10 μg/m³,居民每日全因死亡增加0.49%（95% CI：0.39%~0.59%）,全因急诊量增加0.30%（95% CI：0.10%~0.51%）。对死亡数据的亚组分析显示北方地区（ER=0.42%,95% CI：0.30%~0.54%）合并效应值低于南方地区（ER=0.63%,95% CI：0.44%~0.82%）,研究期间PM_2.5浓度<75 μg/m³地区的合并效应值（ER=0.50%,95% CI：0.37%~0.62%）高于PM_2.5浓度≥ 75 μg/m³的地区（ER=0.39%,95% CI：0.26%~0.52%）。结论 在47.7~176.7 μg/m³的浓度范围内,PM_2.5短期暴露可能与全因死亡和急诊量增加有关。     

天津市2005-2017年医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS特征分析

目的 分析天津市2005-2017年医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS特征,为更好地在医疗机构中开展相关的艾滋病防治工作提供依据。方法 对新报告HIV/AIDS的流行病学调查及随访资料进行分析,同时回顾调查2005-2017年医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS的科室来源及主要就诊疾病。结果 2005-2017年天津市医疗机构新报告HIV/AIDS 3 035例,医疗机构报告HIV/AIDS病例年均增长24.8%,其中49.2%（1 343/2 728）来源于住院病例,50.8%（1 385/2 728）来源于门诊病例,性病门诊就诊者检测在2011-2017年HIV阳性检出率呈现增长趋势（χ²=18.469,P=0.005）;医疗机构住院病例、门诊病例首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）（χ²=17.189,P=0.000）及新报告当年发生死亡比例（χ²=61.198,P=0.000）差异有统计学意义;二级医院与三级医院新报告HIV/AIDS首次CD₄值（χ²=16.751,P=0.000）及新报告当年发生死亡比例（χ²=18.926,P=0.000）差异有统计学意义;不同科室新报告HIV/AIDS首次CD₄值（χ²=37.620,P=0.000）及新报告当年发生死亡比例（χ²=95.489,P=0.000）差异有统计学意义。结论 2005-2017年天津市医疗机构门诊新报告HIV/AIDS较为及时,二级医院新报告HIV/AIDS比三级医院及时。在医疗机构重点科室门诊积极倡导医务人员中主动提供HIV检测服务,对于天津市艾滋病防治工作具有重要意义。     

山西省不同水碘地区孕妇和哺乳期妇女甲状腺功能调查

目的 分析高碘摄入对孕妇及哺乳期妇女甲状腺功能的影响。方法 采用描述流行病学横断面对比研究方法,于2014年在山西省水碘含量>300及50～100 μg/L的地区选择调查点,抽取19～40岁孕妇130名、哺乳期妇女220名作为调查对象。记录一般资料,采集尿样、水样及血样,利用砷铈催化分光光度法检测水碘、尿碘含量,并通过电化学发光免疫分析法检测血清促甲状腺素（TSH）水平、化学发光免疫分析法检测血清游离甲状腺素（FT₄）、抗甲状腺过氧化物酶自身抗体（TPOAb）、抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TGAb）水平。结果 适碘地区孕妇、哺乳期妇女、高碘地区孕妇、哺乳期妇女尿碘M分别为221.9、282.5、814.1、818.6 μg/L。高、适碘两地区内哺乳期妇女血FT₄ M分别为12.96、13.22 pmol/L,TSH M分别为2.45、2.17 mIU/L;孕妇血FT₄ M分别为14.66、16.16 pmol/L,TSH M分别为2.13、1.82 mIU/L。高、适碘两地区内哺乳期妇女血FT₄水平低于孕妇、TSH异常值率高于孕妇,差异有统计学意义（FT₄：Z=-6.677、-4.041,均P<0.01;TSH：Z=8.797、8.910,均P<0.01）,高碘地区哺乳期妇女血FT₄异常值率高于该地区孕妇,差异有统计学意义（Z=7.338,P=0.007）,高碘地区哺乳期妇女血FT₄水平低于适碘地区哺乳期妇女,差异有统计学意义（Z=-4.687,P=0.000）。高碘地区T1、T2、T3期孕妇血FT₄ M分别为16.26、14.22、14.80 pmol/L,TSH M分别为1.74、1.91、2.38 mIU/L,高碘地区内T1期孕妇血FT₄高于T2、T3期孕妇、TSH水平低于T2、T3期孕妇,差异有统计学意义（FT₄：Z=-2.174、-2.238,均P<0.05;TSH：Z=-2.985、-1.978,均P<0.05）。4组妇女间、不同孕期妇女血清中甲状腺自身抗体阳性率组内和组间比较差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。高碘地区孕妇、哺乳期妇女亚临床甲状腺功能减退症（甲减）率均高于适碘地区,差异有统计学意义（χ²=5.363、5.007,均P<0.05）。结论 过量碘摄入可能增加孕妇和哺乳期妇女亚临床甲减发生的潜在风险,建议加强高碘地区孕妇和哺乳期妇女的碘营养及甲状腺功能监测。     

2008－2014年中国艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病患者随访管理进展

目的 了解2008－2014年我国艾滋病病毒感染者/艾滋病患者(HIV/AIDS)随访管理工作进展。方法 采用随访干预、CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞(CD₄)检测和配偶/固定性伴HIV抗体检测3个指标分析随访管理工作进展,利用艾滋病综合防治数据信息系统中2008－2014年数据库,分析指标变化情况。结果 全国HIV/AIDS的随访干预率由2008年的55.7%上升到2014年的94.7%,CD₄检测率由2008年的48.4%上升到2014年的88.3%,配偶/固定性伴HIV抗体检测率由2008年的48.3%上升到2014年的91.1%。3项指标均逐年增长,经趋势χ²检验均有统计学意义(随访干预:χ²=180 466.733,P<0.01;CD₄:χ²=35 982.374,P<0.01;配偶检测:χ²=43 108.270,P<0.01)。注射吸毒途径HIV/AIDS随访干预率和配偶检测率较低,监管场所HIV/AIDS的3项指标均较低,感染途径不详者3项指标最低。结论 我国HIV/AIDS随访管理指标显著提高,HIV/AIDS得到有效随访管理服务。今后要加强注射吸毒途径感染以及监管场所HIV/AIDS的随访管理工作,首诊时加强个人信息的收集。     

基于上海市同卵双生子的胰岛素抵抗与全基因组DNA甲基化关联研究

目的 基于上海市双生子人群,探讨胰岛素抵抗（IR）与全基因组DNA甲基化之间的关联。方法 于2012-2013、2017-2018和2022-2023年招募上海市成年同卵双生子（MZ）作为研究对象,通过问卷调查、体格测量和实验室检测收集相关信息,进行甲基化检测,采用广义线性混合效应模型分析单个位点DNA甲基化水平与稳态模型2胰岛素抵抗指数（HOMA2-IR）之间的关联,并采用非配对和配对设计分析DNA甲基化水平与IR表型之间的关联,对筛选出的阳性位点进行聚类分析得到位点簇,通过广义线性回归评估甲基化模式。结果 本研究纳入100对MZ,发现cg10535199-2q23.1 （β=0.74%,P=1.51×10^-7,OR=1.06,95%CI：1.03~1.09）和ch.17.49619327-SPOP（β=0.23%,P=7.54×10^-7,OR=1.17,95%CI：1.08~1.28）位点高甲基化超过有建议意义的关联水平,经多重比较校正后,未发现位点达到基因组显著性水平,配对分析结果无统计学意义。识别出2个HOMA2-IR位点簇,位点簇1甲基化下调（β=-0.39%,P<0.001）,位点簇2甲基化上调（β=0.47%,P<0.001）。结论 IR与DNA甲基化之间存在关联,遗传因素可能在关联中发挥作用。     

孕期大气细颗粒物PM2.5暴露及对早产的影响研究

目的 探讨空气中粒径≤2.5μm的颗粒物(PM_2.5)对早产的影响情况。方法 以受孕日期在2013年1月1日至12月31日之间、山西医科大学第一医院妇产科分娩的太原市区1882例产妇作为研究对象。按照WHO对早产的定义,将研究对象分为早产组和足月产组,关联性分析时再将早产组分为轻度早产组、早期早产和极早早产组。收集其一般人口学特征资料、健康状况、分娩情况、家庭准确住址等资料;收集太原市8个监测点2013年1月1日至2014年10月10日PM_2.5日平均浓度,根据反距离加权法计算孕妇孕期每天PM_2.5暴露浓度,通过多因素非条件logistic回归模型分析PM_2.5对早产的影响情况。结果 1839例产妇的早产发生率为8.21%(151/1839)。调整孕妇年龄、孕妇文化程度、孕前BMI等因素后结果显示,在分娩前第2周PM_2.5浓度暴露值每增加10μg/m³,早产风险增加8.7%(OR=1.087,95%CI:1.001~1.182),轻度早产风险增加9.9%(OR=1.099,95%CI:1.007~1.200)。分娩前第2周孕妇处于PM_2.5高水平环境(≥75μg/m³)中,早产风险增加0.8%(OR=1.008,95%CI:1.000~1.017),轻度早产风险增加1.0%(OR=1.010,95%CI:1.001~1.018)。结论 孕妇在孕晚期尤其是在分娩前半个月,PM_2.5高浓度暴露会导致早产风险增加。     

5μg和10μg重组乙型肝炎疫苗初次免疫正常应答和高应答新生儿5年抗体持久性比较

目的 比较5 μg和10 μg乙型肝炎疫苗（HepB）初次免疫（初免）正常应答和高应答新生儿初免后5年的抗体持久性。方法 选用5 μg（重组啤酒酵母）和10 μg（重组汉逊酵母）HepB,按照"0-1-6"程序完成3剂次初免的新生儿,并在接种第3剂次后1~6个月（T₀）和5年（T₁）后分别采集静脉血,采用化学发光微粒子免疫分析法（CMIA）定量检测抗-HBs,比较两剂量接种后正常应答和高应答（T₀时抗-HBs ≥ 100 mIU/ml）者T₁时的抗体阳性率（抗-HBs ≥ 10 mIU/ml）和平均抗体浓度（GMC）;通过多因素分析探讨接种剂量与抗体持久性的关系。结果 HepB 5 μg组和10 μg组分别共有1 883名和1 495名观察对象纳入分析,T₁时抗-HBs阳性率分别为49.92%（943/1 883）和75.92%（1 135/1 495）,差异有统计学意义（χ²=237.75,P<0.001）;GMC分别为10.23（95%CI：9.38~11.16）mIU/ml和28.91（95%CI：26.65~31.35）mIU/ml,差异有统计学意义（F=280.36,P<0.001）。10 μg组T₁时抗-HBs阴转者抗-HBs滴度分布与5 μg组的差异有统计学意义（χ²=39.75,P<0.001）。多因素分析显示,排除其他因素影响后,HepB初免剂量与T₁时抗-HBs阳性率和抗-HBs滴度均独立相关[P<0.001,OR=1.44（95%CI：1.20~1.73）;P<0.001,β=0.27（95%CI：0.14~0.40）]。结论 新生儿使用10 μg重组HepB初免后5年抗-HBs持久性优于5 μg重组HepB。     

Surveillance on chronic arsenic exposure in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia using different biomarkers

Thousands of Cambodia populations are currently at high risks of both toxic and carcinogenic effects through drinking arsenic-rich groundwater. In order to determine and assess the use of arsenic contents in different biological samples as biomarkers of chronic arsenic exposure from drinking arsenic-rich groundwater in Cambodia, individual scalp hair, fingernail and toenail were collected from three different provinces in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia. After washing and acid-digestion, digestate was analyzed for total arsenic by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis of the acid-digested hair revealed that among 270 hair samples cut from Kandal, 78.1% had arsenic content in scalp hair (As_h) greater than the typical As_h (1.00 μg g⁻¹), indicating possible arsenic toxicity. Concurrently, 1.2% and 0.6% were found elevated in Kratie (n = 84) and Kampong Cham (n = 173), respectively. Similarly, the upper end of the ranges for arsenic contents in fingernail (As_fn) and toenail (As_tn) clipped from Kandal (fingernail n = 241; toenail n = 187) were higher than the normal arsenic content in nail (0.43–1.08 μg g⁻¹), however, none was observed elevated in both Kratie (fingernail n = 76, toenail n = 42) and Kampong Cham (fingernail n = 83; toenail n = 52). Significant positive intercorrelations between groundwater arsenic concentration (As_w), average daily dose (ADD) of arsenic, As_h, As_fn and As_tn suggest that As_h, As_fn and As_tn can be used as biomarkers of chronic arsenic exposure from drinking arsenic-rich groundwater, in which As_h is more favorable than As_fn and As_tn due to the ease of sample processing and analytical measurements, respectively.     

Surveillance on chronic arsenic exposure in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia using different biomarkers

Thousands of Cambodia populations are currently at high risks of both toxic and carcinogenic effects through drinking arsenic-rich groundwater. In order to determine and assess the use of arsenic contents in different biological samples as biomarkers of chronic arsenic exposure from drinking arsenic-rich groundwater in Cambodia, individual scalp hair, fingernail and toenail were collected from three different provinces in the Mekong River basin of Cambodia. After washing and acid-digestion, digestate was analyzed for total arsenic by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chemical analysis of the acid-digested hair revealed that among 270 hair samples cut from Kandal, 78.1% had arsenic content in scalp hair (As_h) greater than the typical As_h (1.00 μg g⁻¹), indicating possible arsenic toxicity. Concurrently, 1.2% and 0.6% were found elevated in Kratie (n = 84) and Kampong Cham (n = 173), respectively. Similarly, the upper end of the ranges for arsenic contents in fingernail (As_fn) and toenail (As_tn) clipped from Kandal (fingernail n = 241; toenail n = 187) were higher than the normal arsenic content in nail (0.43–1.08 μg g⁻¹), however, none was observed elevated in both Kratie (fingernail n = 76, toenail n = 42) and Kampong Cham (fingernail n = 83; toenail n = 52). Significant positive intercorrelations between groundwater arsenic concentration (As_w), average daily dose (ADD) of arsenic, As_h, As_fn and As_tn suggest that As_h, As_fn and As_tn can be used as biomarkers of chronic arsenic exposure from drinking arsenic-rich groundwater, in which As_h is more favorable than As_fn and As_tn due to the ease of sample processing and analytical measurements, respectively.     

Arsenic exposure in drinking water: an unrecognized health threat in Peru

ObjectiveTo assess the extent of arsenic contamination of groundwater and surface water in Peru and, to evaluate the accuracy of the Arsenic Econo-Quick^™ (EQ) kit for measuring water arsenic concentrations in the field.MethodsWater samples were collected from 151 water sources in 12 districts of Peru, and arsenic concentrations were measured in the laboratory using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The EQ field kit was validated by comparing a subset of 139 water samples analysed by laboratory measurements and the EQ kit.FindingsIn 86% (96/111) of the groundwater samples, arsenic exceeded the 10 µg/l arsenic concentration guideline given by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. In 56% (62/111) of the samples, it exceeded the Bangladeshi threshold of 50 µg/l; the mean concentration being 54.5 µg/l (range: 0.1–93.1). In the Juliaca and Caracoto districts, in 96% (27/28) of groundwater samples arsenic was above the WHO guideline; and in water samples collected from the section of the Rímac river running through Lima, all had arsenic concentrations exceeding the WHO limit. When validated against laboratory values, the EQ kit correctly identified arsenic contamination relative to the guideline in 95% (106/111) of groundwater and in 68% (19/28) of surface water samples.ConclusionIn several districts of Peru, drinking water shows widespread arsenic contamination, exceeding the WHO arsenic guideline. This poses a public health threat requiring further investigation and action. For groundwater samples, the EQ kit performed well relative to the WHO arsenic limit and therefore could provide a vital tool for water arsenic surveillance.     

Arsenic groundwater contamination in Middle Ganga Plain,Bihar, India: a future danger?

The pandemic of arsenic poisoning due to contaminated groundwater in West Bengal, India, and all of Bangladesh has been thought to be limited to the Ganges Delta (the Lower Ganga Plain), despite early survey reports of arsenic contamination in groundwater in the Union Territory of Chandigarh and its surroundings in the northwestern Upper Ganga Plain and recent findings in the Terai area of Nepal. Anecdotal reports of arsenical skin lesions in villagers led us to evaluate arsenic exposure and sequelae in the Semria Ojha Patti village in the Middle Ganga Plain, Bihar, where tube wells replaced dug wells about 20 years ago. Analyses of the arsenic content of 206 tube wells (95% of the total) showed that 56.8% exceeded arsenic concentrations of 50 micro g/L, with 19.9% > 300 micro g/L, the concentration predicting overt arsenical skin lesions. On medical examination of a self-selected sample of 550 (390 adults and 160 children), 13% of the adults and 6.3% of the children had typical skin lesions, an unusually high involvement for children, except in extreme exposures combined with malnutrition. The urine, hair, and nail concentrations of arsenic correlated significantly (r = 0.72-0.77) with drinking water arsenic concentrations up to 1,654 micro g/L. On neurologic examination, arsenic-typical neuropathy was diagnosed in 63% of the adults, a prevalence previously seen only in severe, subacute exposures. We also observed an apparent increase in fetal loss and premature delivery in the women with the highest concentrations of arsenic in their drinking water. The possibility of contaminated groundwater at other sites in the Middle and Upper Ganga Plain merits investigation.     

Comparison of atomic absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic methods for the routine determination of urinary arsenic

Objective: Interpretation of urinary arsenic measurements is sometimes difficult because of the absorption of seafood that contains trimethylated arsenic forms (arsenobetaine and arsenocholine). The objective of this study was to develop a rapid and robust technique for the measurement of the sum of inorganic arsenic metabolites. Methods: Measurement of arsenic was performed in urine after hydride generation in acid medium. Using atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) as the detection system, we developed a rapid (one determination in less than 2min) technique using 50 l urine without pre-treatment. Standardisation was done externally with a mixed standard solution containing inorganic trivalent arsenic (As_i^III), inorganic pentavalent arsenic (As_i^V), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) (15/15/12.5/57.5) Results: Samples distributed in the frame of an international comparison programme were used to assess accuracy of the AFS procedure, which gives a linear response up to 50 g/l and proves more precise [coefficient of variation (CV)< 4% at 5 g/l] and sensitive than the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) technique using a quartz cell. An additional adaptation that allows the detection of non-directly reducible arsenic forms has also been validated for samples with high arsenic concentrations. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the superiority of AFS over atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) in arsenic determination and the interest of online mineralisation prior AFS detection for the determination of arsenic concentration in urine.     

Low-level arsenic excretion in breast milk of native Andean women exposed to high levels of arsenic in the drinking water

Objective: To investigate the excretion of arsenic in breast milk of lactating native Andean women living in a village in northwestern Argentina with high concentrations of arsenic in the drinking water (about 200 μg/l) and to assess the exposure of children to arsenic during the very first period of life. Methods: The study included ten lactating women and two nursing babies. Hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS) was used to determine the concentration of arsenic in samples of human milk, drinking water, blood, and urine. Results: The concentrations of arsenic detected in maternal blood (total arsenic) and urine (metabolites of inorganic arsenic) were high, averaging 10 and 320 μg/l, respectively. In subjects without known exposure to arsenic the average concentrations found in blood and urine are 1–2 and about 10 μg/l, respectively. The metabolites of inorganic arsenic constituted more than 80% of the total arsenic in the urine, which shows that inorganic arsenic was the main form of arsenic ingested. The average concentration of arsenic detected in human milk was 2.3 μg/kg fresh weight (range 0.83–7.6 μg/kg). Although data on background levels of arsenic in human breast milk are scarce, the present concentrations seem to be slightly elevated. However, considering the high levels of arsenic exposure in the mothers, the total arsenic concentrations measured in human milk were low. In concordance with the low concentrations of arsenic found in the milk, the concentrations of arsenic metabolites measured in the urine of two of the nursing babies were low: 17 and 47 μg/l, respectively. Conclusions: The low concentrations of arsenic detected in the breast milk and urine of the two nursing babies in relation to the high level of maternal exposure to arsenic indicate that inorganic arsenic is not excreted in breast milk to any significant extent. This is a very important reason for long breast-feeding periods. Received: 27 February 1997 / Accepted: 6 June 1997     

湖北省2008－2012年血吸虫病空间流行分析

目的 分析湖北省血吸虫病流行区县(市、区)级别血吸虫病的流行状况以及空间分布规律. 方法 回顾性分析2008－2012年湖北省血吸虫病流行县(市、区)人群疫情数据资料,并与湖北省GIS地理空间数据库进行匹配,构建湖北省血吸虫病的空间分析数据库.运用全局空间自相关的Moran''s I指标以及局部空间自相关的Getis-Ord Gi^*指标分析湖北省血吸虫病的空间聚集性.结果 2008－2012年湖北省血吸虫病人数、居民血吸虫感染率均呈下降趋势.5年间居民血吸虫感染率的全局空间自相关分析结果有统计学意义(Moran''s I>0,P<0.01).局部空间自相关分析结果显示,居民血吸虫感染率高值聚集县(市、区)数在8～11个,呈现先增加后减少的趋势.高值聚集区主要分布在荆州区、沙市区、江陵县、公安县、石首市、监利县、洪湖市和赤壁市8个县(市、区).结论 2008－2012年湖北省县(市、区)级居民血吸虫感染率分布存在空间自相关,有空间聚集现象,且高值聚集区主要分布在长江流域江汉平原范围.     

Levels of arsenic in drinking-water and cutaneous lesions in Inner Mongolia

The most common health effects from drinking-water containing dissolved arsenic are skin abnormalities and lesions that are typically diagnosed as keratosis and pigment disorder. It was previously reported that the prevalence of cutaneous lesions was about 44% in arsenic-affected villages. However, there has been little research on the relationship between levels of arsenic in drinking-water and cutaneous lesions in Inner Mongolia. One study examined the association between the prevalence of keratosis and levels of arsenic exposure and the relationship between pigment disorder and levels of arsenic exposure among villagers aged 18 years or older in the arsenic-affected village of Hetao Plain in Inner Mongolia, PR China. The study included 227 participants who were affected by cutaneous lesions and 221 participants who were not affected by cutaneous lesions diagnosed in 1996 and 1998. Well-water drunk by the participants was collected to analyze arsenic content. Adjusting for age, sex, and smoking, logistic regression was applied to calculate the risks that arsenic in drinking-water will lead to cutaneous lesions. The results from the logistic regression showed that, with the increase of arsenic concentration in water, the risk of pigment disorder also increased (odds ratio [OR]=5.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-83.24 for 50-199 microg/L; OR=10.97, 95% CI 1.50-79.95 for 200-499 [microg/L; OR=10.00, 95% CI 1.39-71.77 for > or = 500 microg/L (p=0.000), but the association between risk of keratosis and levels of arsenic was not significant (p=0.346). The findings suggest that keratosis is an early feature of arsenic poisoning, and the development of pigment disorder depends on higher doses of arsenic intake rather than keratosis. Further studies are needed to confirm that cutaneous lesions and other adverse health effects occur at low levels of arsenic exposure.     

Binational arsenic exposure survey: methodology and estimated arsenic intake from drinking water and urinary arsenic concentrations

The Binational Arsenic Exposure Survey (BAsES) was designed to evaluate probable arsenic exposures in selected areas of southern Arizona and northern Mexico, two regions with known elevated levels of arsenic in groundwater reserves. This paper describes the methodology of BAsES and the relationship between estimated arsenic intake from beverages and arsenic output in urine. Households from eight communities were selected for their varying groundwater arsenic concentrations in Arizona, USA and Sonora, Mexico. Adults responded to questionnaires and provided dietary information. A first morning urine void and water from all household drinking sources were collected. Associations between urinary arsenic concentration (total, organic, inorganic) and estimated level of arsenic consumed from water and other beverages were evaluated through crude associations and by random effects models. Median estimated total arsenic intake from beverages among participants from Arizona communities ranged from 1.7 to 14.1 μg/day compared to 0.6 to 3.4 μg/day among those from Mexico communities. In contrast, median urinary inorganic arsenic concentrations were greatest among participants from Hermosillo, Mexico (6.2 μg/L) whereas a high of 2.0 μg/L was found among participants from Ajo, Arizona. Estimated arsenic intake from drinking water was associated with urinary total arsenic concentration (p < 0.001), urinary inorganic arsenic concentration (p < 0.001), and urinary sum of species (p < 0.001). Urinary arsenic concentrations increased between 7% and 12% for each one percent increase in arsenic consumed from drinking water. Variability in arsenic intake from beverages and urinary arsenic output yielded counter intuitive results. Estimated intake of arsenic from all beverages was greatest among Arizonans yet participants in Mexico had higher urinary total and inorganic arsenic concentrations. Other contributors to urinary arsenic concentrations should be evaluated.     

Correlation between the arsenic concentrations in the air and the SMR of lung cancer

Objectives  To verify whether the concentrations of arsenic (As) and its compounds in the air (referred to here as arsenic concentrations) affect the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) associated with lung cancer. Methods  Using monitoring survey data on arsenic concentrations published by the Ministry of the Environment, we classified the municipalities for which arsenic concentrations were measured (measured municipalities) into ten groups according to the average arsenic concentration. We then determined the SMR of lung cancer, stomach cancer, pneumonia, cerebrovascular disease and cardiac disease for each group using socio-demographic data, such as the national census and demographic trends. The relationships between these factors were compared and investigated by statistical means. Results  No effect of arsenic concentrations on stomach cancer, cerebrovascular disease or cardiac disease was observed, and while significant differences in pneumonia were observed among several of the male subjects, there were no significant effects of arsenic concentration. However, lung cancer and arsenic concentration showed a significantly positive correlation for both males and females (males: Spearman r = 0.709, P < 0.05; females: Spearman r = 0.758, P < 0.05). The probability of type α error was less than 5% in areas with more than 1.77 ng As/m³ (71st percentile) and less than 1% in areas with more than 2.70 ng As/m³ (91st percentile). These results confirm that the SMR of lung cancer tends to be higher than the national average in areas of higher arsenic concentrations. Conclusions  The SMR of lung cancer is significantly higher in areas with arsenic concentrations of 1.77 ng/m³ or more.