Objective To investigate the current prevailing status of endemic fluorosis in the Yellow River basin of Shandong Province and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Nine counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation.The content of fluoride in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode and dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was diagnosed by Deans method.Results Water fluoride content was determined in 1761 fluorosis villages,among which 606 villages had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L,accounting for 34.41%(606/1761);1155 villages had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L,which accounted for 65.59%(1155/1761).The highest water fluoride content was 11.33 mg/L.Water fluoride content of 618 water-improving and defluoridation projects had been determined,among which 449 projects had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L and accounted for 72.65%(449/618),169 projects had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L and accounted for 27.35%(169/618),the highest water fluoride content was 5.85 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was 45.03%(25 579/56 804) and the index of dental fluorosis was 0.80. Conclusions In the Yellow River basin in Shandong Province,up to 50.00%in the villages the water fluoride content exceeds the county standard(≤1.00 mg/L).The prevalence of endemic fluorosis in the basin hasn't been effectively controlled.So the counterrneasures for endemic fluorosis should be carried out as soon as possible.

Diacylglycerol, DAG, because of its multifunctional and nutritional properties, attracted considerable attention recently. Enzymatic synthesis of diacylglycerols from linoleic acid was investigated in a solvent-free reaction in a continuously operated fixed bed reactors containing Lipozyme RM IM. By appropriate manipulation of the fluid-residence time, the relative proportions of the various acylglycerols in the effluent stream can be controlled. In addition, the presence of excess glycerol is effective for the removal of water produced during the esterification reactions. Under the conditions of molar ratio of linoleic acid to glycerol of 0.5, the immoblized enzyme maintained high stability and allowed the reaction to continue for 10 days without significant deterioration in enzyme activity. It was determined that the conversion of fatty acid, content of 1,3-DAG and volume efficiency of reactor reached optima under the conditions: a packaged-bed reactor(with a ratio of packed length to inner diameter of 7.8), reacting temperature at 65 degrees C, molar ratio of linoleic acid to glycerol of 0.5, and feeding flow rate of 1.2 mL/min.
Catalysis ; Diglycerides ; chemical synthesis ; Enzyme Stability ; Enzymes, Immobilized ; chemistry ; Lipase ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether photochemical smog emitted during the process of electric arc welding might cause oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the bodies of welding operators.

METHODSSeventy electric arc welding operators (WOs) and 70 healthy volunteers (HVs) were enrolled in a randomized controlled study design, in which the levels of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) in plasma as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and the level of lipoperoxide (LPO) in erythrocytes were determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSCompared with the average values of the above experimental parameters in the HVs group, the average values of VC and VE in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the WOs group were significantly decreased (P < 0.005-0.0001), while the average value of LPO in erythrocytes in the WOs group was significantly increased (P < 0.0001). The findings from the partial correlation analysis on the controlling of age suggested that with a prolonged duration of exposure to photochemical smog the values of VC, VE, SOD, and GPX, except for CAT, in the WOs were decreased gradually (P < 0.05-0.005), the value of LPO in the WOs was increased gradually (P < 0.001), and that with the ozone dose increased in the air in each worksite VC, VE, SOD, CAT and GPX decreased (P < 0.005-0.001), but LPO increased (P < 0.001). The findings from the reliability analysis for the VC, VE, SOD, CAT, GPX, and LPO values which were used to reflect oxidative stress and potential oxidative damage in the WOs showed that the reliability coefficients' alpha (6 items) was 0.8021, P < 0.0001, and that the standardized item alpha was 0.9577, P < 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONFindings in the present study suggest that there exists an oxidative stress induced by long-term exposure to photochemical smog in the bodies of WOs, thereby causing potential oxidative and lipoperoxidative damages in their bodies.

Adult ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Ascorbic Acid ; blood ; Catalase ; blood ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxides ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Oxidants, Photochemical ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Oxidative Stress ; Ozone ; analysis ; toxicity ; Risk Assessment ; Smog ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Vitamin E ; blood ; Welding

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between mortality and HBVDNA and HBeAg expression of severe hepatitis B patients.

METHODSThe mortality rates of different types of severe hepatitis patients in our hospital during the last five years were analysed. HBV DNA was detected using the fluorescence quantitative PCR method and the HBeAg expression of severe hepatitis B was studied using a microparticle method.

RESULTS(1) Hepatitis B morbidity was 83.5% in each type of severe hepatitis, and severe chronic hepatitis B morbidity was 96.77% in each type of severe chronic hepatitis. (2) The mortality rate of those with HBV DNA more than 1 x 10(5) copies/ml was 53.25% and the mortality of those with HBV DNA less than 1 x 10(5) copies/ml was 34.50% (P less than 0.01). The HBeAg expression had no influence on the death rate. (3) The death rate descended to 30.38% from 54.64% (HBV DNA more than 1 x 10(5) copies/ml) when treated with Lamivudine (P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn severe hepatitis the quantity of virus carried in the patient is one of the key factors of mortality; antivirus treatment can lower mortality.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the status of endemic fluorosis in Boxing County in Shandong Province at present,and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Children aged 8-12 years old and adults above 30 years old were selected from 8 endemic fluorosis villages in 2 fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years old were diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluomsis diagnosed by clinic and X-Rays.Results Eight villages in 2 towns were chosen underwent epidemiological investigation.Eight villages had water fluoride content＞4.50 mg/L.the highest water fluoride content was 5.78 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years old WaS 90.70%(195/215),the index of dental fluorosis was 2.15 and the rate of dental damage was 24.65%(53/215).The rate of skeletal fluorosis detected by clinic and X-rays in adults older than 30 years old were 30.71%(78/254)and 16.54%(42/254),respectively.The averaged fuoride level in urine wa8 over 1.50 mg/L in 98.95%(189/191)of children aged 8-12 years old and in 97.92%(235/240)adults older than 30 years old,with the highest respectively being 14.50 mg/L and 17.99 mg/L.Conclusions In Boxing County in Shandong Province,endemic fluorosis is not effectively controlled.So endemic fluorosis control mfist be strengthened.

OBJECTIVETo observe effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture at Neimadian for analgesia in the extremities after orthopedic operation.

METHODSTwo hundred cases enrolled were divided into two groups. The test group of 100 cases were treated with electroacupuncture at Neimadian and oral administration of placebo, and the control group of 100 cases with oral administration of tramadoli hydrochloride.

RESULTSThe mean score for pain signs at all the time points before and after analgesic treatment in the test group had more decreases as compared with the control group (P < 0.001); and in the good rate after treatment, the test group was higher than the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.05), and for safety, the test group was higher than the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe analgesic effect and safety of electroacupuncture at Neimadian are superior to the routine analgesic after operation of the extremities.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans ; Pain Management

OBJECTIVETo analyse the efficacy and safety of thalidomide (Thal) for patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSEffectiveness and adverse events of 102 MM patients treated with thalidomide at a median dosage of 200 mg/d. Thirteen cases were treated with Thal alone (group A), and 105 case with Thal in combination with other therapeutic agents (group B) were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULT1) The response rate (RR) (CR + PR) was 65.4% for induction therapy in 52 cases and 45.5% for salvage therapy in 66 cases. RR in group B was higher than that in group A (58.1% versus 23.1/%, P= 0.017), and the non-response/progress (NR) rate was lower (15.2% versus 46.2%, P= 0.015). In group B, the NR rate was lower in 50 cases of newly diagnosed MM than in 55 cases of refractory or relapsed MM (6.0% versus 23.6%, P=0.012). In group B, RR between Thal+VAD or M, regimen (72 cases) and Thal + MP regimen (33 cases) was not statistically significant (62.5% versus 48.5%, P >0.05). 2) The median duration of response maintenance was 15.5 (1.0-58.0) months in 21 cases. 3) Among 97 patients with follow-up data, the estimated median duration of OS was 44 months in a median follow-up duration of 20 months and the accumulative time for use of Thal was 8 months. In univariate analysis,the accumulative duration for use of Thal 6 months, hemoglobin > or = 100 g/L and bone marrow megakaryocytes > 20 per smear were associated with longer OS (P = 0.0014, 0.0101, 0.019, respectively). 4) Multivariate analysis suggested that the accumulative time for use of Thal and bone marrow megakaryocytes > 20 were independent good prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.006, 0.036, respectively). 5) The adverse events of Thal were mostly endurable, the rate of thrombus events was lower than that reported in literature.

CONCLUSIONThalidomide alone or combined with chemotherapy is an useful therapy for MM. The accumulative time for use longer than 6 months may improve survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalidomide ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of inhibiting stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) expression by RNA interference (RNAi) on adhesion and drug sensitivity of Jurkat cells co-cultured with bone marrow stromal cells.

METHODSSDF-1 specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing plasmid was transferred into cultured human acute leukemic bone marrow stromal cells, positive clones were isolated by screening G418 resistance (Group A) , SDF-1 protein level in culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The adhesion rates to bone marrow stromal cells layer and the drug sensitivity to doxorubicin of co-cultured Jurkat cells were detected by cell counting and MTT assay, respectively. The un-transfected bone marrow stromal cells of acute leukemia patient (Group B) or normal subject (Group C) were taken as control.

RESULTSThe level of secreted SDF-1 protein (pg/10(5) cells/week) in the supernatants of Group A, B and C were 1920 +/- 205, 12,370 +/- 1355 and 6620 +/- 770, respectively. Of co-cultured Jurkat cells in Group A, B and C, the adhesion rates after 24 h co-culturing were (28.8 +/- 2.6)%, (57.4 +/- 3.8)% and (45.2 +/- 4.0)%, respectively, and the IC50 values of doxorubicin were 585, 6162 and 1758 nmol/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONDown-regulating SDF-1 expression of bone marrow stromal cells by RNAi reduces adhesion rates and enhances drug sensitivity to doxorubicin of their co-cultured Jurkat cells.

Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coculture Techniques ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; RNA Interference ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of RNA interference inhibiting stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) expression on the proliferation and apoptosis of co-cultured Jurkat cells.

METHODInhibition of SDF-1 expression by RNA interference (RNAi) was achieved by transferring SDF-1 specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expressing plasmid into cultured human acute leukemic bone marrow stromal cells. Resistant clones were obtained by G418 selection (group A). The concentration of SDF-1 protein in culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The population double time (PDT), cell cycles, apoptosis rates and the expressions of PCNA, Bcl-2/Bax, Fas/FasL of co-cultured Jurkat cells were detected by cells counting, flow cytometry. TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) and immunocytochemistry (ICC), respectively. The un-transfected acute leukemic (group B) and normal (group C) bone marrow stromal cells were taken as controls.

RESULTSThe content of SDF-1 protein in supernatant of group A\[(384 +/- 41) pg/ml] was significantly lower than that in group B[(2474 +/- 271) pg/ml] or group C[(1324 +/- 154) pg/ml]. As group A compared with group B and group C, the PDT of co-cultured Jurkat cells was prolonged (group A: 42 h, vs group B: 29 h, group C: 33 h), and G(0)/G(1) stage cells increased [group A: (28.47 +/- 2.39)%, vs group B: (19.43 +/- 2.80)%, group C: (27.15 +/- 2.07)%], S stage cells decreased [group A: (25.57 +/- 1.90)%, vs group B: (74.48 +/- 3.23)%, group C: (60.99 +/- 2.33)%], G(2)/M stage cells increased [group A: (45.96 +/- 3.24)%, vs group B: (6.09 +/- 1.96)%, group C: (11.86 +/- 1.98)%], the apoptosis rate increased [group A: (15.2 +/- 0.8)%, vs group B: (5.4 +/- 0.7)%, group C: (9.5 +/- 0.4)%], and the expressions of PCNA, Bcl-2, Fas decreased; whereas the expressions of Bax and FasL were increased.

CONCLUSIONThe inhibition of SDF-1 expression in bone marrow stromal cells inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of co-cultured Jurkat cells.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; genetics ; Coculture Techniques ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Jurkat Cells ; RNA Interference ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo understand antibody responses to and RNA sequences of Hantavirus in patients with hemorrhagic fever renal syndrome (HFRS) in Yantai areas and to demonstrate the type of the prevalent viruses caused HFRS.

METHODSSerum specimens collected at acute and convalescent stages from 90 patients with HFRS and IgM and IgG antibodies against Hantavirus were detected with ELISA, and cross plaque reduction neutralizing tests were performed to detect neutralizing antibody. Viral RNA was extracted from the patients? sera by using Trizol method and nested PCR was utilized to amplify the specific segments of the viral cDNA and the products of the PCR were TA cloned and then the nucleotide sequences were determined.

RESULTSThe IgM antibody was positive in 82.2% (88/107) of the patients while the IgG antibody was positive in 85.7% (66/77) of the patients. Both the serologic and sequence analyses demonstrated that the epidemic of HFRS in Yantai areas was caused by mixed types of Hantavirus. The prevalent strains of Hantavirus had higher homology with the strains isolated in Korea than with those isolated previously in China.

CONCLUSIONSThe serologic and sequencing analyses indicated that the epidemic of HFRS in Yantai areas was caused by mixed types of Hantavirus dominated by type SEO.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Base Sequence ; China ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Disease Reservoirs ; Hantaan virus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; virology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Serotyping