Objective To study the mutagenicity of water from Yangling-Xingping section of Weihe River and wastewater from paper mills along the river. Methods No1 and No2 paper mill as the pollution source were located along the Yangling-Xingping section of Weihe River,their sampling points were named paper mill 1 and paper mill 2.The outlets for sewage at the bank of Weihe River in Yangling and Xingping were selected the sampling points of pollution sections, namely Yangwu and Xingwu respectively. The clear sections (Yangshang and Xingshang) were situated at a distance of 1 km from polluted sections at the upper reaches of Weihe River were selected and at the sames at the lower reaches were selected as the self-purification sections, namely Yangxia and Xingxia. The mutagenicity of water samples collected from above sampling points was tested by Ames test,mouse sperm malformation test, Vicia faba root tips cell micronucleus test. Results The results of Ames test showed that the water samples of Xingwu, Xingxia and two paper mills presented mutigenicity.The water samples of Xingwu, Xingxia and two paper mills showed significantly higher levels of sperm malformation rates compared with that of negative control group(P

Objective: To investigate the expression of mage-a mRNA in lung cancer tissues of mice induced by coal tar pitch(CTP) fume and to discuss the above model for lung cancer immunotherapy with mage-a. Methods: Tumor tissue samples of lung cancer and paired non-tumor tissues were obtained from 8 lung cancer mice. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Nested polymerase chain reaction amplification using mage-a specific primer was performed to detect the expression of mage-a. The 2 clones of mage-a mRNA positive PCR products were sequenced by DNAs sequencer (PE-377). Results: Of 29 mice in the experimental group, 8 were induced to lung cancer.Among which 5 (5/8) expressed mage-a mRNA. The expression of mage-a gene was not found in adjacent lung tissues. The DNA sequencing confirmed that the target gene fragments in 2 samples of PCR products were mage-a cDNA. Conclusion: The mage-a gene is highly expressed in lung cancer in mice induced by CTP fume, suggesting that CTP-induced lung cancer in mice may be an ideal animal model for lung cancer therapeutic experiment with MAGE-A.

Objectives To investigate the relationship between polymorphisms in the collagen type I alpha 2 (COL1A2),osteocalcin (OC) gene and serum calciotropic hormone levels.Method One hundred twenty-two healthy children aged 8-12 years old were recruited.The Pvu Ⅱ and Rsa Ⅰ polymorphisms in the COL1A2 gene and Hind Ⅲ polymorphism in the OC gene were determined using the PCR-RFLP procedure.Calcitonin(CT) and OC levels in the serum were measured using radioimmunassays.Results The calcium and CT in serum of children carrying the homozygous genotype RR were found to be significantly higher compared to children carrying the homozygous genotype rr (P

Objective:To explore the factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in adult males with low-to-moderate fluoride exposure in Henan Province.Methods:Adult male villagers from low-to-moderate fluoride exposure areas in Tongxu County, Kaifeng City, Henan Province were recruited from April to May 2017 based on cluster random sampling. Questionnaire survey, physical measurements and urinary samples collection were conducted respectively. Urinary fluoride (UF) was determined by fluoride ion-selective electrode. Ultrasound bone densitometer was used to measure BMD (T-score). Partial correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the influence factors of BMD.Results:A total of 439 adult males were included in this study. Age, body mass index (BMI), UF content, and T-score of the participants were (47.99 ± 8.49) years, (25.77 ± 3.23) kg/m 2, (1.34 ± 0.74) mg/L, and-1.79 ± 0.79, respectively. Partial correlation analysis showed a significantly positive correlation between BMI and T-score after age adjustment ( r = 0.194, P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that T-score decreased by 0.015 (95% CI:-0.024 -- 0.005, P < 0.05) for each 1-year increase in age and T-score increased by 0.034 (95% CI: 0.009-0.059, P < 0.05) for each 1.0 kg/m 2 increase in BMI. Interaction analysis showed that T-score was closely related to the interaction between overweight (≥24.0 kg/m 2), non-smoking, tea drinking and UF [ β (95% CI): 0.134 (0.001-0.269), 0.163 (- 0.015-0.337), 0.215 (- 0.006-0.436), P < 0.10]. Conclusions:Our findings reveal a negative correlation between age and BMD, and a positive correlation between BMI and BMD in adult males with low-to-moderate fluoride exposure in Henan Province. In addition, low-to-moderate fluoride exposure is more likely to damage the BMD of smokers.

Objectives To investigate the relationship between fluorosis polymorphisms in collagen type Ⅰ alpha 2 (COL1A2) and osteocalcin (OC) gene, and serum calciotropic hormone levels. Methods The children between 8 and 12 years of age in Kaifeng and Tongxu cities of Henan Province were chosen to be the object of observation. Accoding to situation of dental fluorosis, they were divided into three groups: dental fluorosis group, non-dental fluorosis group from high fluoride areas, and control group form the control areas. The Pvu Ⅱ and Rsa Ⅰ markers of COL1A2 gene as well as HindⅢ marker of OC gene were genotyped by PCR-RFLP procedure. Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels in serum were measured using radioimmunassays. Results The frequency distribution of COL1A2 PvuⅡ genotype was pp 49.3%(37/75), Pp 32.0%(24/75), PP 18.7%(14/75) in children with fluorosis; pp 43.5% (30/69), Pp 52.2% (36/69), PP 4.3%(3/69) in children without fluorosis from high fluoride areas; and pp 43.8% (42/96), Pp 40.6% (39/96), PP 15.6% (15/96) in the children without fluorosis from control areas respectively. Childrens with the homozygous genotype PP of COL1A2 Pvu Ⅱ had a significantly increased risk of dental fluorosis(OR=4.85, 95%CI: 1.22-19.32) compared to children with the homozygous genotype pp in anendemic fluorosis area. The frequency distribution of COLIA2 Rsa Ⅰ genotype was rr 50.7% (38/75), Rr 36.0% (27/75), RR 13.3%(10/75) in children with fluorosis; rr 46.4%(32/69), Rr 46.4%(32/69), RR 7.2%(5/69) in children without fluorosis from high fluoride areas, and rr 45.8% (44/96), Rr 45.8% (44/96), RR 8.3% (8/96) in the children without fluorosis from control areas respectively. There were no significant differences in the three groups (P>0.05). The frequency distribution of OC Hind Ⅲ genotype was hh 48.0% (36/75), Hh 34.7% (26/75), HH 17.3% (13/75) in children with fluorosis; hh 43.5% (30/69), Hh 43.5% (30/69), HH 13.0% (9/69) in children without fluorosis from high fluoride areas, and hh 47.9%(46/96), Hh 40.6%(39/96), HH 11.5%(11/96) in children without fluorosis from control areas respectively. There were no significant differences in the three groups (P>0.05). Additionally, fluoride levels in urine and OC levels inserum were found to be significantly lower in controls from non-endemic areas compared to cases(P<0.05). However, the differences in urine fluoride and serum OC levels were not observed when cases were compared to controls from high fluoride areas(P>0.05). Conehlsions This study provides the evidence of an association between polymorphisms in the COL1A2 gene with dental fluorosis in populations exposed to high fluoride. There were no correlation between OC Hind Ⅲ genotype and the dental fluorosis.

Objectives To explore the relationship between polymorphism in estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)gene Xba I and child dental fluorosis.Methods Qiulou township of Kaifeng and Sunying township of Tongxu counties of Henan province were chosen as the investigation spots in 2006.An area of water drinking endemic fluorosis(high fluoride area)and a non-endemic area(control area)were chosen in every spot,where dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 years old were examined and diagnosed by using the Dean method.The children in the high fluoride areas were divided into dental fluorosis group and control group of the endemic areas according to dental fluorosis status,and the children in the control areas as control gruop of non-endemic areas.The Xba I polymorphism in the ERα gene was genotyped using the PCR-RFLP procedure.The fluoride levels in the urine samples from the three groups were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode and over standard rate of the urine was counted.Results The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis in high fluoride areas was 51.7%(74/143)and the community fluorosis index was 1.310.No dental fluorosis case was checked out in the control and the community fluorosis index was 0.021.The over standard rate of urine fluoride in dental fluorosis group[84.6%(121/143)]was significantly higher than that of control in non-endemic area[9.6%(9/94);χ2=125.95,P<0.01].The frequency distribution of ERα Xba I genotype was XX 6.8%(5/74),xx 36.5%(27/74),xx 56.8%(42/74)in dental fluorosis group;XX 15.9%(11/69),Xx 37.7%(26/69),xx 46.4%(32/69)in the eontrol of the endemic areas;XX 14.9%(14/94),Xx 43.6%(41/94),xx 41.5%(39/94)in children from the control in non-endemic area,respectively.No significant difference was found among the three groups(χ2= 3.450, P > 0.05). Allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes was X 22.7%(30/132), x 77.3%(102/132) in dental fluorosis group and X 35.5%(39/110),x 64.5% (71/110) in the control in endemic area when urine fluorosis of children was exceeding standard and significant difference was found in this two groups(χ2 = 4.768, P < 0.05; OR = 0.535,95% CI:0.305 - 0.941). Conclusion Children who carried X allele frequency of ERα Xba I genotypes have a lower risk of dental fluorosis when children with high-loaded fluoride status.

OBJECTIVETo further investigate and discuss the cause of species endangerment, the status and present problem of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine in China.

METHODPrevious relevant investigations and literatures were summed up in the field. The present situation of conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was analyzed.

RESULTThe status of endangered resources, cause of species endangerment, the conserving status and conserving measures etc were elaborated. The classification was made and suggestion of species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine were put forward.

CONCLUSIONThe endangered species conservation of traditional Tibetan medicine was carried out by building protective area of endangered species resources and plant garden, setting up germplasm bank, developing the domestication and cultivation of Tibetan medicinal herbs most in use, strengthening the investigation and study of endangered species, launching exchange and cooperation of conservation techniques on endangered species, enhancing the protective awareness of endangered species traditional Tibetan medicine etc. By so doing we can facilitate the sustainable development of traditional Tibetan medicine in China.

Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ecosystem ; Materia Medica ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; Tibet

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of occupational exposure to traffic exhaust and smoking on DNA damage in traffic policemen.

METHODS812 traffic policemen (741 men and 71 women, 130 of office-work and 682 of outside work) from 8 districts in Guangzhou were investigated. Blood samples were taken by venipuncture and lymphocytes were collected by using lymphocyte separation medium and centrifugation. The comet assay was used to measure DNA damage.

RESULTSThe office-work policemen [(37.7 +/- 9.5) years] were older than the outside-work ones [(32.3 +/- 8.1) years, P < 0.001]. No significant difference was observed in sex (P = 0.08) and age (P = 0.45). Comet assay showed that occupational exposure to traffic exhaust significantly increased tail length [4.20 micro m, 95% CI: (3.98 - 4.42) micro m vs 3.23 micro m, 95% CI: (2.82 - 3.7) micro m, P < 0.001]. Smokers had longer tail length [4.66 micro m, 95% CI: (4.37 - 4.97) micro m] than ex-smokers [3.28 micro m, 95% CI: (2.57 - 4.17) micro m] and nonsmokers [3.47 micro m, 95% CI: (3.21 - 3.75) micro m, P < 0.001]. In nonsmokers, significant increase in tail length was observed by passive smoking at home (P = 0.004) but not at work (P = 0.22). When out-door nonsmokers were excluded, passive smoking at work also significantly increased tail length (P = 0.007). Analysis of covariance showed that occupational exposure to traffic exhaust, tobacco smoking, and female had independent effect on lymphocyte DNA damage (P < 0.001) after these factors were adjusted. Passive smoking and age had no effect on lymphocyte DNA damage.

CONCLUSIONSOccupational exposure to traffic exhaust and tobacco smoking respectively increase lymphocyte DNA damage. Female traffic policemen may have more severe DNA damage than male.

Adult ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Police ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Vehicle Emissions ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of water fluoride exposure on reproductive hormones in female.

METHODSCross-sectional study was conducted in seven villages of a county in Henan province by using simple random sampling including high fluoride area, defluoridation project area and control area on April, 2011 based on the preliminary study results of fluoride concentration in drinking water. Women who were born and growth or lived in the village at least 5 years and aged 18-48 years old were recruited using cluster sampling. They were divided into high fluoride group (HFG, 116 subjects), defluoridation project group (DFPG, 132 subjects) and control group (CG, 227 subjects) in accordance with the above areas. All subjects accepted questionnaire and physical checkup. Fasting blood and morning urine samples were collected. The concentration of fluoride in urine was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method. The serum level of GnRH was detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum level of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) were determined by chemiluminesence immunoassay (CLIA).

RESULTSThe average age was (39.44 ± 7.34), (38.84 ± 8.03), (37.45 ± 7.70) years old in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there were no significant differences among the three groups (F = 3.02, P = 0.05). The urine fluoride levels were (1.34 ± 1.07), (2.59 ± 1.57), (0.92 ± 0.46) mg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively, there was a significant difference among three groups (F = 105.38, P < 0.01). No significant differences were observed of serum GnRH, LH, T, FSH and E2 among three groups in follicular phase (P > 0.05). The serum levels of E2 in Ovulatory period were 67.73, 58.09, 84.96 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in CG (H = 4.00, P < 0.05). The serum levels of T in Ovulatory period were 0.55, 0.45, 0.55 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 6.47, P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between HFG and CG (H = 2.41, P > 0.05). The serum levels of GnRH in Luteal phase were 24.09, 20.16, 23.50 ng/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 14.14, P < 0.05) and CG (H = 12.53, P < 0.05). The serum level of E2 in luteal phase were 81.47, 64.60, 74.55 pg/ml in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. It was lower in HFG than that in DFPG (H = 5.69, P < 0.05). As for LH, FSH and T, no significant differences were observed among the three groups (P > 0.05 respectively). The abnormal rates of E2 level were 22.73 (30/102), 37.93 (44/72), 20.26 (46/181) in female from DFPG, HFG and CG respectively. The E2 abnormal rate in female from HFG was higher that from DFPG (χ(2) = 6.82, P < 0.05) and CG (χ(2) = 12.38, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFluoride exposure may influence reproductive hormones in female, especially in ovulatory and luteal phase of menstrual cycle.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Drinking Water ; chemistry ; Environmental Exposure ; adverse effects ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; urine ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Menstrual Cycle ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Progesterone ; blood ; Testosterone ; blood

BACKGROUNDHigh fluoride exposure can result in dental fluorosis. Fluoride and iodine are coexistent in the drinking water of areas in China and may affect the prevalence of dental fluorosis and osteogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum calciotropic hormone level, and dental fluorisis in children exposed to different concentrations of fluoride and iodine in drinking water.

METHODSA pilot study was conducted in three villages located in the Kaifeng and Tongxu counties of Henan Province, China in 2006. Children aged 8 to 12 years, born and raised in the three villages were recruited. The fluoride levels in the samples of urine from these children were detected by fluoride ion selective electrode. Calcitonin and osteocalcin levels in the serum, and serum calcium were measured by radioimmunassay and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively.

RESULTSFluoride levels in urine were significantly lower in children from control area (CA) as compared with those from the high fluoride & iodine areas (HFIA) and the high fluoride area (HFA) (P < 0.05 respectively), and no statistically significant difference was found between the children from HFIA and HFA. Additionally, calcitonin levels in the serum were significantly lower in children from CA and HFA as compared with that from HFIA (P < 0.05 respectively), and osteocalcin levels in the serum was lower in children from CA than those from HFIA (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in serum osteocalcin concentrations was found between children from HFA and HFIA.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides an evidence that iodine exposure may modify the serum calciotropic hormone levels related to fluorine exposure.

Calcitonin ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Fluorides ; administration & dosage ; Fluorosis, Dental ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Pilot Projects ; Prevalence ; Water Supply ; analysis