Prenatal and postnatal exposure to bisphenol a induces anxiolytic behaviors and cognitive deficits in mice

Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental endocrine‐disrupting chemical, has been extensively evaluated for reproductive toxicity and carcinogenicity. However, little is known about the behavioral and neurochemical effects of BPA exposure. This study examined whether chronic daily exposure to an environmental endocrine‐disrupting chemical, bisphenol A [(BPA); 100 μg/kg/day or 500 μg/kg/day, p.o.], from prenatal Day 7 to postnatal Day 36 would lead to changes in anxiety and memory in mice. First, we observed the behavioral alterations of BPA‐treated mice using two anxiety‐related models, the open field test and elevated plus maze (EPM) test. In the open field test, BPA treatment (100 μg/kg/day) increased movement in the central zone. BPA treatment (500 μg/kg/day) also increased the time spent in the open arms in the EPM test. Second, we measured cognitive ability in the Y‐maze test and novel object test. BPA‐treated mice showed decreased alternation behavior in the Y‐maze at both of doses, indicating working memory impairment. BPA‐treated mice (100 μg/kg/day) also showed decreased novel object recognition as expressed by central locomotion and frequency in the central zone, showing recognition memory impairment. Finally, to measure changes in the dopaminergic and NMDAergic systems in the brain, we performed autoradiographic receptor binding assays for dopamine D₁ and D₂ receptors, the NMDA receptor, and the dopamine transporter. BPA treatment increased D₂ receptor binding in the caudate putamen (CPu) but decreased DAT binding. BPA treatment also decreased NMDA receptor binding in the frontal cortex and CA1, CA3, and DG of the hippocampus. Taken together, our results suggest that long‐term BPA exposure in mice can induce anxiolytic behaviors, cognitive deficits and changes in the dopaminergic and NMDAergic systems. Synapse 64:432–439, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Recombinant Ehrlichia P29 protein induces a protective immune response in a mouse model of ehrlichiosis

Ehrlichioses are emerging tick-borne bacterial diseases of humans and animals for which no vaccines are available. The diseases are caused by obligately intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus Ehrlichia. Several immunoreactive proteins of ehrlichiae have been identified based on their reactivity with immune sera from human patients and animals. These include the major outer membrane proteins, ankyrin repeat proteins and tandem repeat proteins (TRP). Polyclonal antibodies directed against the tandem repeats (TRs) of Ehrlichia chaffeensis TRP32, TRP47 and TRP120 have been shown to provide protection in mice. In the present study, we evaluated E. muris P29, which is the ortholog of E. chaffeensis TRP47 and E. canis TRP36, as a subunit vaccine in a mouse model of ehrlichiosis. Our study indicated that unlike E. chaffeensis TRP47 and E. canis TRP36, orthologs of E. muris (P29) and E. muris-like agent (EMLA) do not contain tandem repeats. Immunization of mice with recombinant E. muris P29 induced significant protection against a challenge infection. The protection induced by E. muris P29 was associated with induction of strong antibody responses. In contrast to development of P29-specific IgG antibodies following immunization, development of P29-specific IgG antibodies, but not IgM antibodies, was impaired during persistent E. muris infection. Furthermore, our study indicated that CD4+ T cells target P29 during E. muris infection and differentiate into IFN-γ-producing Th1 effector/memory cells. In conclusion, our study indicated that orthologs of E. muris P29 showed considerable variation in the central tandem repeat region among different species, induction of P29-specific IgG antibody response was impaired during persistent E. muris infection, and rP29 induced protective immune responses.     

Effects of self-care behaviors on medical utilization of the elderly with chronic diseases – A representative sample study

BackgroundResearch indicates that self-care affects lifestyle and health behaviors; however, little is known about whether or not self-care affects medical utilization.ObjectivesExploring the effects on self-care behaviors to medical utilizations by elderly with chronic conditions.MethodData from the Taiwanese National Survey of Health and Living Status of Older Adults and the National Health Insurance claim databases in 2007 were used. Indicators of self-care were disease management behavior and self-care confidence of the elderly. We considered hospital admissions, emergency room services, and avoidable hospitalizations as representing utilization of medical services.ResultsIn total, 2531 cases were recruited. After controlling for demographic factors and health status, a logistic regression showed that higher self-care confidence and beginning an exercise program decreased avoidable hospitalizations. Furthermore, beginning an exercise program decreased hospital admissions and also decreased utilization of emergency services.DiscussionSelf-care behavior and confidence decreased avoidable hospitalization, hospital admission and emergency services. More research is needed to identify the interaction between self-care literacy, self-care behavior and health services that may clarify the effective means and provide appropriate intervention programs.     

Analysis on epidemic and management of tuberculosis among senior middle school students from Qinghai Tibetans in a school of Daxing District of Beijing from 2010 to 2019

目的 分析北京市大兴区某中学高中部青海省玉树藏族自治州(西部结核病高发地区)集体来京藏族学生肺结核疫情及处置情况,为学校结核病防控工作提供参考依据。方法 回顾性分析2010—2019年大兴区某中学高中部在校学生肺结核疫情及处置情况;其中83.19%(10687/12847)为本地学生,16.81%(2160/12847)为青海省玉树藏族自治州集体来京的藏族学生。对青海藏族学生开展入(返)校胸部X线摄影(简称“胸片”)和单纯结核菌素皮肤试验(简称“PPD试验”)中度及以上阳性学生预防性治疗情况进行总结与分析。采用SPSS 21.0软件对数据进行统计学分析。计数资料采用χ²检验,当理论频数<1,或者分析总数<40时,采用Fisher确切概率法,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果 2010—2019年该校高中部报告活动性肺结核31例,其中青海藏族学生患者23例,报告发病率为1064.81/10万(23/2160);本地学生肺结核8例,报告发病率为74.86/10万(8/10687),差异有统计学意义(Fisher确切概率法,P=0.000)。23例青海藏族患者全部为住宿生,其中男13例(56.52%),女10例(43.48%),男∶女=1.3∶1。截至2019年9月,对1518名青海藏族学生进行了胸片检查,经临床综合评估确诊肺结核9例,检出率为0.59%(9/1518),占10年间全部青海藏族学生肺结核患者的39.13%(9/23);其中2017年2月在返校藏族学生筛查中,经临床综合评估确诊肺结核6例,检出率为3.03%(6/198)。2016—2019年单纯PPD试验中度及以上阳性学生91名,预防性服药者的发病率[4.17%(3/72)]低于未接受预防性服药者的发病率[10.53%(2/19)],但差异无统计学意义(Fisher确切概率法,P=0.280)。5例患者均于筛查后或服药后1年内发病。2019年1月至2020年5月本报告完稿时未再出现学生肺结核患者。结论 学生是结核病防控的重点人群,对西部结核病高发地区集体来京学生开展入(返)校胸片检查,能够实现关口前移,是预防和控制结核病在校园传播的有效手段。     

Epidemiology and preventive intervention of inactive tuberculosis

Houben博士等利用高斯过程回归模型估算我国约有3.5亿人感染结核分枝杆菌(MTB),是世界上MTB感染负担最重的国家之一。2020年,世界卫生组织发布的《结核病综合指南:预防性治疗》中提出“有既往结核病史或者非活动性肺结核病灶者因有更高的发病风险也应该成为暴露后干预的目标人群”。美国和加拿大等国家均将提示有既往肺结核病史的肺部纤维化病灶人群作为潜伏性结核感染检测和治疗的目标人群。目前,我国暂未对有非活动性肺结核人群进行系统干预。考虑到结核病高负担国家和地区可能同样存在较重的非活动性肺结核负担,针对这一高危人群开展活动性结核病的常规监测和早诊早治,并对潜伏性结核感染者开展预防性干预将可能对降低社区发病率做出重要贡献。     

Co-Occurrence and Clustering of Sedentary Behaviors,Diet, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages,and Alcohol Intake among Adolescents and Adults: The Latin American Nutrition and Health Study (ELANS)

Poor diet, sedentary behaviors, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and alcohol intake seem to co-exist in complex ways that are not well understood. The aim of this study was to provide an understanding of the extent to which unhealthy behaviors cluster in eight Latin America countries. A secondary aim was to identify socio-demographic characteristics associated with these behaviors by country. Data from adolescents and adults from the “Latin American Health and Nutrition Study” was used and the prevalence of screen-time, occupational and transportation–sedentary time, socializing with friends, poor diet, SSB and alcohol intake, alone and in combination, were identified. The eight Latin America (LA) countries added to analyses were: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between ≥2 behaviors clustering, socio-demographics and weight status. Among 9218 individuals, the most prevalent behaviors were transportation and occupation–sedentary time, SSB and alcohol intake. Younger, female, married/living with a partner, low and middle-income and obese individuals had higher chances for these clustering behaviors. These results provide a multi-country level of understanding of the extent to which behaviors co-occur in the LA population.     

History of Unemployment Predicts Future Elevations in C-Reactive Protein among Male Participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

Background   Unemployment is associated with risk of future morbidity and premature mortality. Purpose   To examine whether unemployment history predicts future C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in male participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. Methods   Unemployment, body mass index (BMI), and health behaviors were measured at 7, 10, and 15 years post-recruitment. CRP was measured at Years 7 and 15. Results   Having a history of unemployment at Year 10 was associated with higher CRP at Year 15, independent of age, race, BMI, Year 7 CRP, Year 15 unemployment, and average income across Years 10–15. Poor health practices and depressive symptoms explained 22% of the association, but Year 10 unemployment history remained a significant predictor. Findings did not differ across age, race, education, or income. Conclusions   Discrete episodes of unemployment may have long-term implications for future CRP levels.     

船用射频电磁场防护服的研制

目的研制船用射频电磁场防护服。方法筛选并改进屏蔽材料,设计制造新型防护服样衣,进行防护效能测量评价实验。结果所选用屏蔽材料在10 MHz至20 GHz频率范围内屏蔽效能为56.8～34.2dB,防护服在30MHz至18GHz频率范围内整体防护效能为15～45dB,适于船员防护射频电磁场时穿着。结论新研制的防护服基本达到了设计要求,对船舶射频电磁场有较好的防护效果。     

Building social capital in post-conflict communities: Evidence from Nicaragua

Studies of social capital have focused on the static relationship between social capital and health, governance and economic conditions. This study is a first attempt to evaluate interventions designed to improve the levels of social capital in post-conflict communities in Nicaragua and to relate those increases to health and governance issues. The two-year study involved a baseline household survey of approximately 200 households in three communities in Nicaragua, the implementation of systematic interventions designed to increase social capital in two of the locales (with one control group), and a second household survey administered two years after the baseline survey. We found that systematic interventions promoting management and leadership development were effective in improving some aspects of social capital, in particular the cognitive attitudes of trust in the communities. Interventions were also linked to higher levels of civic participation in governance processes. As in other empirical studies, we also found that higher levels of social capital were significantly associated with some positive health behaviors. The behavioral/structural components of social capital (including participation in groups and social networks) were associated with more desirable individual health behaviors such as the use of modern medicine to treat children's respiratory illnesses. Attitudinal components of social capital were positively linked to community health behaviors such as working on community sanitation campaigns. The findings presented here should be of interest to policy makers interested in health policy and social capital, as well as those working in conflict-ridden communities in the developing world.