OBJECTIVETo explore the application of biosensor technology in the determination of endotoxin-neutralizing materials.

METHODSAfter mixing polymyxin B (PMB) with endotoxin in certain concentration, the neutralizing ratio of PMB to endotoxin was assessed by biosensor technique and limulus amebocyte lysate test respectively. The results from the two methods were compared.

RESULTSThe neutralizing ratio of PMB to endotoxin as assessed by biosensor technology was 0.35 microg to 1 ng, while that by dynamic turbidimetric and chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) technique was 0.5 mg to 1 ng and 1 mg to 1 ng, respectively. The results obtained by biotechnology were similar to that by biosensor technique.

CONCLUSIONBiosensor technology was an accurate, convenient and rapid method for the determination of potency of endotoxin-neutralizing materials.

Bacterial Proteins ; analysis ; Biosensing Techniques ; methods ; Endotoxins ; analysis ; Lipid A ; analysis ; Polymyxin B ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Aim To observe the effeet of changes in miR-124 expression on the proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of HCC eells and its mecha¬nism.Methods The expression levels of miR-124 and ZEB2 were deteeted in HepG2 eells.CCK8, flow cytometry, Edu and Fran swell were used to deteet the effeets of miR-124 and ZEB2 on eell proliferation, ap¬optosis, migration and invasion.Dual lueiferase and target genes were used to prediet the targeting relation¬ship between miR-124 and ZEB2.The effeet of miR- 124 and ZEB2 on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion-related protein expression was deteeted by Western blot.Results The expression of miR-124 in HepG2 eells was lower than that in normal liver eells L-02, while ZEB2 and miR-124 showed the opposite trend.The results of bioinformaties prediction and dual lueiferase showed that the expression of ZEB2 was neg¬ atively correlated with the expression of miR-124.Overexpression of miR-124 and silencing ZEB2 signifi¬cantly inhibited cell proliferation activity, migration and invasion ability compared with the control group; silencing miR-124 and overexpression of ZEB2 signifi¬cantly promoted cell proliferation activity, migration and invasion ability.Western blot results showed that overexpression of miR-124 and silencing ZEB2 signifi¬cantly promoted Bax expression and inhibited Bcl-2, PCNA, MMP2 and MMP9 expression levels.Silencing miR-124 and overexpression ZEB2 were the opposite.Conclusion miR-124 could negatively regulate the effects of ZEB2 on the proliferation, migration and in¬vasion of HCC cells.

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we aimed at exploring the association between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and work organization based on a case-control study.

METHODSA total of 1938 workers who claimed to suffer from WMSDs were selected from Beijing, Henan, Hubei, and the Guangdong province. The control group consisted of 2009 workers employed in similar industries without severe disease or musculoskeletal discomforts. We used a modified version of the questionnaire developed by the NMQ and the DMQ to investigate individual and work-related factors.

RESULTSA total of 13 variables (P<0.1) were selected by the chi-square test and finally, 7 variables entered into the equation, with 6 variables reaching statistical significance (P<0.05). The odds ratios (OR) of 'work changing with season' and 'sufficient rest time' did not reach 1 (0.749 and 0.441, respectively). In addition, 'sufficient rest time' seemed to be the stronger protective factor according to its higher standardized coefficient. And 'repetitive work every minute', 'constantly repetitive work' (every day), 'shortage of site personnel', and 'often switching shifts with others' seemed to be the risk factors.

CONCLUSIONWork organization may have comprehensive effects on the occurrence of WMSDs. This pattern of associations suggests that further investigation into the mechanism of how work organization affects the prevalence of WMSDs is required.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Demography ; Ergonomics ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Personnel Staffing and Scheduling ; organization & administration ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Work Schedule Tolerance ; physiology ; Workplace ; organization & administration ; Young Adult