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Objective To assess the level of radiation exposures of operators in three typical types of interventional fluoroscopic procedures.Methods Alderson Radiation Therapy (ART) phantom was used to stimulate the practices of diagnosis and therapy using TLDs for dose measurement.The radiation exposures of eye lens, neck, and breast were measured when the lead shielding of machine was on/off and the equivalent dose and effective dose to the eye lens were estimated.Results Radiation exposure of head was obviously reduced by 85% -90% when the lead shielding was on.The doses in different procedures were different.In cerebral angiography the dose equivalent of eye len was the highest in the three procedures.The annual effective dose for the operators was smaller in peripheral vascular interventions than that in cardiovascular interventional therapy and that in cerebral angiography.Conclusions The operators involved in intervention will receive an annual effective dose of less than 20 mSv as recommended by the ICRP under the protection conditions provided by the current study, except for eye lens.Attention should be paid to the protection of the eyes of operators.

Objective To study the radiation dose level and dose distribution of leakage and scattering radiation in a helical tomotherapy (TOMO) room,and to identify the dose distribution characteristic which is different from the conventional radiotherapy so as to provide scientific data for the radiation protection of TOMO.Methods A helical tomotherapy facility typed Tomotherapy Hi-Art was employed as the radiotherapy device.The air kerma from leakage radiation and scattering radiation distributed on the couch plane and in TOMO room were detected mainly by GR-200A TLDs of LiF(Mg,Cu,P),while 100 Gy were being accumulated under the condition of simulation radiation treatment.Then,the leakage radiation ratio and scattering-leakage radiation ratio (the ratio of site radiation dose to isocenter standard output dose) were calculated.Results The radiation level and dose distribution of leakage radiation and scattering radiation in the TOMO treatment room were in bilateral symmetry to the rotation isocenter and the treatment couch longitudinal axis,and the radiation level in front of the radiotherapy device was significantly higher than that of the rear of the TOMO equipment.In the plane of treatment couch,the maximum leakage radiation ratio at the position 100 cm away from the isocenter was only 1.3 × 10-4,and the mean value of the leakage radiation ratio at the position 300 cm away from the isocenter was lower than 2.0 × 10-5.The scattering radiation at 200-300 cm away from the isocenter was accounted for 25％-30％ of the leakage radiation from the responding sites,and the indoor scattering radiation decreased faster than leakage radiation with the distance from the isocenter.Conclusions The radiation level of leakage and scattering in a TOMO room is significantly lower than that in a conventional radiotherapy room.

Objective To investigate the radiation dose levels to the adults examined from diagnostic exposure in Beijing. Methods The radiation doses to the examined individuals were measured by using individual diagnostic radiology equipments in 30 random hospitals from a total of 10 districts and suburban areas, including 1 182 samples of X-ray photography,542 samples of mammography and 410 samples of CT examination. Results 2 134 samples were measured in this study. The dose ranges of X-ray photography, CR, and DR were 0?4 -24?1, 0?3 -13?9 and 0?1 -15?9 mGy, respectively. The average dose range of glandular breast was 0?3-5?4 mGy. In 410 CT samples the value of CTDIw , CTDIvol and DLP were 28?1 - 96?3 mGy, 7?0 - 23?4 mGy, and 162?2 - 898?1 mGy·cm, respectively. Conclusions Several dose levels from diagnostic examination were higher than guidance level for medical exposure in GB 18871-2002,which should be noted.

Objective To monitor the levels of radioactive contamination due to the Japanese Fukushima nuclear accident in Beijing,so as to provide scientific technical information for government to draw effective controlling strategy and processing mechanism.Methods The system of nuclear emergency nmonitoring was started,then the radioactive contamination levels of atmosphere,rain water,surface water and vegetables in Beijing were detected according to the relative survey regulations and technology criterions.Results During the period from 15 to 41 d after the accident,obvious radioactive contamination was found in the atmosphere of Beijing.The maximum radioactivity concentration of 131I ( 5.89 mBq/m3 ) was detected at 22 d after the accident.The radioactivity concentrations of 137Cs and 134Cs were surveyed forming their corresponding peaks at 20 d after the accident,but they were one magnitude lower than the peak value of 131I at least.In addition,the gross β radioactivity level in the water of Chao Bai-he river was verified to be in the range of 0.314 - 0.602 Bq/L. Conclusions The radioactive contamination due to Fukushima nuclear accident has not done visible harm to the public health in Beijing,but monitoring should be continued to observe the long-term effect of the accident.

OBJECTIVEThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays an important role in initiating dendritic cell mediated allergic inflammation. This study was designed to examine the effects of inhaled budesonide on TSLP expression in the lung tissues and on the bronchial-pulmonary pathology in asthmatic rats.

METHODSThirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were sensitized and challenged with inhaled ovalbumin (OVA) to induce asthma. The asthmatic rats were randomly divided into 2 groups on the 22nd day of OVA challenge: a budesonide treatment group that received inhaled budesonide at 0.32 mg/kg daily for 7 days and an asthma control group that received inhaled 0.9% normal saline for 7 days. TSLP expression in the lung tissues was measured by Western blot and fluorescent-immunohistochemistry 29 and 36 days after OVA challenge. Bronchial-pulmonary pathological changes were evaluated by hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-schiff staining.

RESULTSBudesonide treatment alleviated airway inflammation when compared with the asthma control group 29 days after OVA challenge. However, the airway inflammatory reactions were aggravated in the budesonide treatment group 36 days after OVA challenge (7 days after budesonide discontinuance). TSLP expression in the lung tissues was significantly lower in the budesonide treatment group than that in the asthma control group both 29 and 36 days after OVA challenge (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSInhaled budesonide can inhibit the TSLP expression in the lung tissues and alleviate lung inflammatory reactions in asthmatic rats, but there is end-of-dose failure.

Administration, Inhalation ; Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchi ; pathology ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVEThe protection rate of inoculation with BCG vaccine is only 50 percent, and most of patients with tuberculosis had a history of BCG vaccine inoculation. Adenosine (ADO) has an immunomodulating effect; it promotes immune reaction by increasing number of macrophage and enhancing phagocytosis. The present study was designed to investigate if combined use of adenosine with BCG enhances the anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis effect of macrophage in mice.

METHODSFifty BALB/C mice were divided randomly into 3 groups: BCG group (n = 21), BCG plus ADO group (n = 21) and control group (n = 8). The mice in BCG and BCG plus ADO groups were inoculated with 0.1 ml BCG intradermally and the mice in BCG plus ADO group were injected intraperitoneally with ADO 30 mg/(kg.d) for 5 days. The mice in BCG group and control group were injected with NS 0.1 ml/d for 5 days. Six weeks after the last injection, all mice were challenged with intravenous 1 x 10(6) CFU human Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulent strain. After challenging, lung and spleen specimens were taken at the 10th, 20th and 30th days from the mice of BCG and BCG plus ADO groups and at the 30th day from mice in control group. The pathological examinations of lung and spleen sections were performed after HE staining and acid-fast staining, and detection of cell apoptosis was also performed.

RESULTSConsolidation with neutrophil infiltration was found in most of the lung tissue taken at the day 30; there were a lot of tuberculous granulomas and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lungs of control group. The alveolar septum in BCG gradually became wide and in interstitium lymphocyte infiltration dominated, and there were less tuberculous granulomas but there were large number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lungs from 10th to 30th days after challenging. The widening of alveolar septum and consolidation of lung tissue in BCG plus ADO group became milder with monocytes infiltration, and there were few tuberculosis granulomas and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the lungs from 10th to 30th days after challenging.

CONCLUSIONADO could increase the number of monocyte-macrophages and promoted anti-bacterial effects of these cells.

Adenosine ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Animals ; BCG Vaccine ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Injections, Intradermal ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; immunology ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; drug effects ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; immunology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study the alteration of thymus matrix lymphocyte generator (TSLP) and change of the Th factor in the course of disease development, and to analyze the curative effect of inhalation of Vitamin A (VA) with corticosteroid for the treatment of asthmatic pneumonia.

METHODSAsthmatic pneumonia models were prepared by challenging rats with inhalation of ovalbumin for 4 weeks, and rested for 1 week. The treatment with VA and corticosteroid inhalation for 1 week was followed. The rat thymus and lung specimen were examen by histochemical and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter 4 - 5 weeks of stimulation, there were more TSLP-positive cells and alveolar macrophages (AM) found in thymus and lung tissue of asthmatic group, the cell proliferation in spleen and thymus was obvious, and blood Th factors elevated. The inflammation within the lung tissue aggravated gradually. In VA group, the expression of TSLP and Th2 factors were all lowered at the 4th week. The TSLP expression slightly increased at the 5th week, and the cell proliferation within T-cell zone of spleen and thymus was strong at first and weakened later. Alveolar microphages (AM) increased significantly and the inflammation in the lung subsided gradually at the 5th week. In the hormone group, TSLP and Th2 factors expression in both thymus and lung were decreased at the 5th week, while the cell proliferation in thymus and lung was gradually increased. The quantity of AM was decreased, whereas the inflammation of the lung was increased gradually at the 5th week.

CONCLUSIONDuring asthmatic period elevated TSLP expression was accompanied by Th2 type responses while VA and corticosteroid both suppressed TSLP and Th2 factors expression. VA alone promoted T lymphocyte proliferation as well as the antigen elimination function by AM, after ceasing the usage, the lung inflammation abated gradually. In contrast, after ceasing the use of corticosteroid, inflammation aggravated.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Asthma ; complications ; Beclomethasone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vitamin A ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

With the determination of the whole genome sequence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) virus, the successful breakthrough of infectious cloning technology of VZV, and the emergence of effective preventive vaccines, which have been proven to be effective and safe, varicella has become a disease preventable by specific immunity. This article will review the genomic structure, epidemiological characteristics, and research application progress of varicella vaccine and herpes zoster vaccine of varicella zoster virus to provide reference for primary prevention of the disease.
Humans ; Herpesvirus 3, Human/genetics* ; Herpes Zoster/prevention & control* ; Herpes Zoster Vaccine ; Chickenpox Vaccine ; Genomics

Objective:To investigate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in Jiangsu province during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in China from December 7, 2022 to January 27, 2023, and to analyze the influencing factors of all-cause death.Methods:It was a multi-center cross-sectional investigation. Structured questionnaire was used to collect patient information by medical staff of each hemodialysis center (room) as investigators. Part of the demography data and laboratory examination data came from the Jiangsu Province Hemodialysis Data Information System. MHD patients from hemodialysis centers (rooms) at all levels of medical institutions and independent hemodialysis institutions in Jiangsu province during the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included, and the clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality of confirmed and suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed.Results:Questionnaire surveys and data analysis on 57 278 patients in 407 hemodialysis centers (rooms) were completed, accounting for 90.41% of the total number of MHD patients (63 357 cases) in Jiangsu province during the same period. There were 24 038 cases (41.97%) of SARS-CoV-2 infection and 14 805 cases (25.85%) of suspected infection, which were widely distributed in all dialysis centers in Jiangsu province. After clinical classification of 38 843 confirmed and suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, 3 662 cases were severe and critical cases, accounting for 9.43% of the infected and suspected cases. Among the patients who had completed the questionnaires, there were 1 812 all-cause deaths, with an all-cause mortality rate of 3.16%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elderly (taking ≤50 years as a reference, 51-59 years: OR=1.583, 95% CI 1.279-1.933, P=0.001; 60-69 years: OR=3.972, 95% CI 3.271-4.858, P<0.001; 70-79 years: OR=7.236, 95% CI 5.917-8.698, P<0.001; ≥80 years: OR=11.738, 95% CI 9.459-14.663, P<0.001), male ( OR=1.371, 95% CI 1.229-1.529, P<0.001), and co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (positive serum HBV surface antigen, OR=0.629, 95% CI 0.484-0.817, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for all cause mortality. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for male, age and current HBV infection prediction of all-cause death was 0.529 ( P<0.001), 0.724 ( P<0.001) and 0.514 ( P=0.042), respectively, and the cut-off value for age prediction of all-cause death was 65.5 years old. Compared with patients without HBV infection, MHD patients with HBV infection significantly reduced the proportion of severe and critically ill patients, all-cause hospitalizations and all cause deaths when infected with SARS-CoV-2 (4.99% vs. 6.41%, χ2=6.136, P=0.013; 8.90% vs. 11.44%, χ2=11.662, P<0.001; 2.01% vs. 3.37%, χ2=10.713, P=0.001, respectively). Conclusion:The MHD patients in Jiangsu province are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. Elderly age and male gender are independent risk factors for death in MHD patients during the epidemic, while the HBV infection may be a protective factor for death of MHD patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.