Objective To investigate the change of T helper 17 cells (Th17) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) in patients with liver cystic echinococcosis. Methods Fifty-six subjects were divided into three groups: healthy controls (HD, n = 20), patients with cystic echinococcosis (CE, n= 18) and patients with cystic echinococcosis combined with bile fistula (BF,n= 18). The frequency of Th17 cells in CD4+ T lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry. Th17-related cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed by t test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results The frequency of Th17 in the peripheral blood was significantly lower in CE group compared to BF group and HD group [(0. 23±0. 11)% vs (0. 76±0.43)% vs (0.52±0.50)%; t=2. 225 and4. 077 respectively, both P＜0.05), while there was no statistical difference between BF group and HD group (t=1. 931, P＞0.05). The levels IL-17 and IL-23 were (12.1±3.7) ng/L and (84.4±46.0) ng/L respectively in CE group, which were lower than those in BF group [(15.5±4.1) ng/L and (138.6±37. 9) ng/L, respectively; t=2. 515 and 3. 649 respectively, both P＜0.05] and those in HD group [(14.8±4.4) ng/L and (138.1±48. 7) ng/L, respectively; t=2. 401 and 3. 706 respectively,both P ＜0.05], while there was no statistical difference between BF group and HD group (t=0. 534,P ＞0.05). Serum concentrations of IL-17 were all positively correlated with the concentrations of IL23 in these three groups (r=0. 657, P＜0.05). Conclusion The frequeny of Th17 cells in PBMC and the serum concentrations of IL-17, IL-23 are significantly reduced in patients with cystic echinococcosis.

Background and objective Since 1970s, Xuanwei in Yunnan province has been one of the towns with highest lung cancer mortality in China. Moreover, the characters of high female lung cancer mortality and sub-regional clustering high lung cancer mortality have not changed. In this study, we further described the exposure situa-tion of risk factors of lung cancer in Xuanwei nowadays, in order to explore the trend of the distribution of lung cancer there.Methods Firstly we divided the 26 towns of Xuanwei city to high-, median- and low- lung cancer areas by the lung cancer mortality in 2010-2012. We chose 2 towns within each area according to topography and orientation, and randomly picked 4 villages in each town to be our study area. We did a questionnaire about lung cancer related risk factors upon the sample population in the study area. We calculated the exposure percentages of each risk factor, in whole sample population and subgroups, for nowadays and for 10 years ago (only living environmental risk factors), and compared them between areas or time points using standardized rates and the statistical test of standardized rate comparison, or chi-square test.Results 65%-80% male in the study area has a history of smoking; 60%-90% non-smoker has been exposed to second hand smoke. These situations are worse in high and median lung cancer areas. 50% male in median lung cancer area have coal mining work experience, which is 2 times of the percentages in the other two areas; while 15%-25% people in high lung cancer area have other occupational exposure history to particulate air pol-lution, which is 3-5 times of the percentages in the other two areas. From ten years ago until nowadays, 80% families in median lung cancer area use 2 tons or more smoky coal per year; more than 90% families burn coal for household heating; more than 60% families suffer from smog in the kitchen during cook; 60% families most frequently use stove in the ground with chimney. Only 20% families in high lung cancer area now use 2 tons or more smoky coal per year. Now 50%-75% families in the study area use 700 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, much more than ten years ago. 80% residents in low lung cancer area eat fatty or pickled or smoked food at least 3 days per week; while in high and median lung cancer areas the percentages are 50%-60%.Conclusion According to data obtained in this survey, current distribution of smoky coal use has differed from the distribution of high-, median- and low- lung cancer areas. Tobacco use and second hand smoke, the use of smoky coal and occupational exposure to particulate matters could be the main risk factors for lung cancer in Xuanwei now. The relations between lung cancer and stove type, dietary habit and so on deserve further study.

BACKGROUND: Decreased heart rate variability (HRV) is a predictor of autonomic system dysfunction, and is considered as a potential mechanism of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) induced by exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM METHODS: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of panel studies till November 1, 2019 was conducted to evaluate the acute effect of exposure to ambient PM RESULTS: A total of 33 panel studies were included in our meta-analysis, with 16 studies conducted in North America, 12 studies in Asia, and 5 studies in Europe. The pooled results showed a 10 μg/m CONCLUSION Short-term exposure to PM
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Female ; Heart Rate/drug effects* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Young Adult