OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between simple exposure to chrysotile and lung cancer.

METHODSThe nested case-control study method was used. All of lung cancer cases collected from a male fixed prospective cohort with follow-up of 30 years served as cases and a 1:4 matched proportion was used to select non-cancer case as controls. Controls matched for sex age (+/-5 years old), work time (+/-5 years) and smoking were collected in the same cohort.

RESULTSForty cases died of lung cancer in the study cohort, and the incidence was higher than the average incidence (SMR =1.77). The top four work types of death density were raw material (741.5), combing and spinning (424.3), weaving (365.0), and repairing (285.5), which was consistent with exposed level. According to the exposed level of chrysotile, the research objects were divided into the high level group and the low level group. The result demonstrated that lung cancer incidence of the high exposed level group of chrysotile was higher (OR = 3.7 95% CI 2.30 approximately 8.16), compared with the low exposed level group.

CONCLUSIONSimple exposure to chrysotile can increase the risk of lung cancer for workers who are exposed to chrysotile.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on adenine nucleotides in the myocardial tissues of the myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) rats, and to explore the mechanism of EA pretreatment on myocardial prevention and protection in MIRI rats. Methods:Forty SPF male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: a blank group, a sham operation group, a model group, an EA at Neiguan (PC 6) group and an EA at Hegu (LI 4) group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in the blank group only received binding to the rat plate, 30 min/time, once a day for 7 d; on the 7th day, rats in the sham operation group were subjected to threading for 40 min at the left anterior descending coronary artery without ligation, and then the rats were allowed to stand for 60 min before collection of the specimens; on the 7th day, rats in the model group were subjected to threading at the left anterior descending coronary artery with ligation, for 40 min before the blood flow was restored, and then the rats were allowed to stand for 60 min before collection of the specimens; on the 7th day of pretreatment with EA at Neiguan (PC 6) or Hegu (LI 4) for 30 min per day (once a day for 7 d), rats in the EA at Neiguan (PC 6) group and EA at Hegu (LI 4) group were subjected to modeling and sample collection same as in the model group. The left ventricular myocardium of the lower left anterior descending coronary artery was collected from rats in all 5 groups. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to observe the changes in myocardial pathological morphology. The change in the adenine nucleotide level of myocardial tissue was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results:The HE staining and ultrastructure showed that the myocardial injury was severer in the model group compared with the sham operation group. Compared with the model group, the myocardial injury in the EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and the EA at Hegu (LI 4) groups was mild or hardly any. The adenine nucleotide levels in the sham operation group and the model group were all decreased compared with the blank group (allP<0.05); compared with the sham operation group, the adenine nucleotide level of the model group was also decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05); compared with the model group, the adenine nucleotide level in the EA at Neiguan (PC 6) group was increased (P<0.05), and the adenine nucleotide level in the EA at Hegu (LI 4) group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The adenine nucleotide level in the EA at Hegu (LI 4) group was higher than that in the EA at Neiguan (PC 6) group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the EA at Neiguan (PC 6) group, the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in the EA at Hegu (LI 4) group were significantly increased (allP<0.01). Conclusion:Both EA at Neiguan (PC 6) and Hegu (LI 4) can alleviate the pathological damage to myocardium in MIRI rats, and increase the adenine nucleotide level in myocardial tissues, and thus protect MIRI rats. EA at Hegu (LI 4) has a better protective effect than Neiguan (PC 6).

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety between cryoablation (Cryo) and radiofrequency (RF) ablation for treating patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). Methods Patients with AVNRT (n=304) were divided into Cryo group (n=67) and RF group (n=237). The procedure success rate, complete slow pathway block rate, atrioventricular block rate and relapse rate were compared between two groups. Results There was no statistically difference between 2 groups in the success rate (Cryo group 98.5% vs RF group 97.0%, P=0.820), complete slow pathway block rate (Cryo group 98.5% vs RF group 91.6%, P=0.088), atrioventricular block rate (Cryo group 0 vs RF group 2.5%, P=0.413), relapse rate (Cryo group 0 vs RF group 1.7%, P=0.643). But Cryo group had more advantage than RF group. Conclusion Efficacy and safety were comparable between cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation for treating patients with AVNRT.

Background The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and prediabetes has increased in China,and at different rates in different locations.Therefore a community-based screening research was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of CKD and prediabetes,and to analyze associated risk factors of CKD and prediabetes in a city of Southern China.Methods A total of 7801 community residents aged 18 year and older from 6 communities were screened by a stratified random cluster sampling method.An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR),albuminuria,fasting plasma glucose (FPG),and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured.Age-standardized prevalence was calculated by the direct method with the use of data on the population distribution in China in 2006.Multivariate logistic analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of CKD and prediabetes,and association of insulin resistance (IR) with CKD and prediabetes was analyzed.Results The age-standardized prevalence of CKD was 12.5％,eGFR ＜60 ml.min-1.1.73 m-2 was 2.7％ and ACR (albumin to creatinine ratio) ＞30 mg/g was 10.3％.The age-standardized prevalence of prediabetes was 12.1％.Logistic regression suggests that IR was a common independent risk factor of CKD and prediabetes.Further analysis show that HOMA-IR was increased with the aggravation of kidney injury and FPG.Conclusion CKD and prediabetes have become a major public health problem in Zhuhai,Southern China; insulin resistance may be an important risk factor.

OBJECTIVETo establish a stable method for obtaining large quantity of highly purified immature dendritic cells (imDCs) in vitro, and identify the morphology, function and surface markers of the cells.

METHODSCD117(+) hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were isolated and purified from the bone marrow of healthy C57 mice by magnetic affinity cell sorting. After cell expansion by treatment with stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3), the HSCs were induced for directional differentiation into imDCs by treatment with GM-CSF, IL-4 and IL-10. The imDCs obtained were identified by morphological and functional observation under inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, followed by detection of the expressions of the surface markers using flow cytometry.

RESULTSAfter 3, 5 and 7 days of culture in the presence of SCF+IL-3, the cells were expanded by 10.34-/+1.43, 22.65-/+2.71 and 54.39-/+3.08 folds, respectively. The HSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into imDCs with phagocytotic activity. The dendrites of the imDCs were short small, and appearing spinous. The expressions of surface markers were detected from the cells showing the phenotype of CD11c(+), I-A/I-E(low), CD40(-), CD80(-), CD86(-).

CONCLUSIONThe method described allows steadily acquisition of large quanty of highly purified imDCs and of their effective identification in vitro.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit

BACKGROUNDContrast-enhanced ultrasound is a dynamic and continuous modality providing real-time view of vascularization and flow distribution patterns of different organs and tumors. In order to evaluate the diagnostic significance of intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound in assessing the resection degree of brain glioma by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination, it is important to have specific knowledge about contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Methods : Ultrasound contrast was applied in operations of 120 cases of brain glioma, to evaluate the degree of tumor resection. Biopsy tissues were obtained the suspicious residual tumors surrounding the tumor cavity. The sensitivity and specificity of the residual tumors were determined by the intraoperative ultrasound contrast according to TEM examination results.

RESULTSThere were 44 cases of low-grade gliomas and 76 cases of high-grade gliomas. Three hundred and sixty biopsy tissues were obtained. The sensitivity of intraoperative ultrasound contrast in diagnosing the residual tumor was 62.2%, while the specificity degree of it was 92.8%. The consistency coefficient of the ultrasound contrast diagnosis and TEM examination results was 0.584 (Kappa = 0.584), which was between 0.4 and 0.6, therefore it was of medium consistency. Conclusions : Intraoperative ultrasound contrast was of a high sensitivity and specificity in evaluating the excision degree of tumor. The consistency of the residual tumor rate detected, respectively, by ultrasound contrast and TEM examination was of medium consistency. The application of intraoperative ultrasound contrast can improve the resection rate of brain glioma.

Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Glioma ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Objective To design a novel oxygenator to solve the existing problems of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)machine in high transmembrane pressure difference,low efficiency of blood oxygen exchange and susceptibility to thrombosis.Methods The main body of the oxygenator vascular access flow field was gifted with a flat cylindrical shape.The topology of the vascular access was modeled in three dimensions,and the whole flow field was cut into a blood inlet section,an inlet buffer,a heat exchange zone,a blood oxygen exchange zone,an outlet buffer and a blood outlet section.The oxygenator was compared with Quadrox oxygenator by means of ANSYS FLUENT-based simulation and prototype experiments.Results Simulation calculations showed the oxygenator designed was comparable to the clinically used ones in general,and gained advantages in transmembrane pressure difference,blood oxygen exchange and flow uniformity.Experimental results indicated that the oxygenator behaved better than Quadrox oxygenator in transmembrane pressure difference and blood oxygen exchange.Conclusion The oxygenator has advantages in transmem-brane pressure difference,temperature change,blood oxygen ex-change and low probability of thrombosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):23-28]

OBJECTIVETo establish an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) method for determination of 30 trace elements including As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ni, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, Mn, Pb, Sr, Tl, V, Ge, Mo, Nb, Ti, W, Te, Se, Zr, In, Sb, Hg, Ce, La, and Sm in human blood.

METHODThe blood samples were analyzed by ICP-MS after diluted 1/10 with 0.01% Triton-X-100 and 0.5% nitric acid solution. Y, Rh and Lu were selected as internal standard in order to correct the matrix interference of Cr, As, Se, and Hg by a hex pole-based collision-reaction cell. Other elements were determined with standard method. The limits of detection, precision and accuracy of the method were evaluated. The accuracy was validated by the determination of the whole blood reference material.

RESULTSAll the 30 trace elements have good linearity in their determination range, with the correlation coefficient > 0.9999. The limits of detection of the 30 trace elements were in the range of 1.19 - 2.15 µg/L and the intra-precision and inter-precision (relative standard deviation, RSD) were less than 14.3% (except Hg RSD < 21.2%, and Ni RSD < 15.4%). The spiked recovery for all elements fell within 59.3% - 119.2%. Among the 13 whole blood reference materials, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Cd, Te, and Pb (1.45, 1.19, 18.40, 0.18, 1.57, 591.00, 2.97, 61.00, 0.35, 1.86, and 9.70 µg/L respectively) fell within the acceptable range and the detection results of Hg (0.59 µg/L) and Mo (1.59 µg/L) were slightly beyond the range.

CONCLUSIONThis method was simple, fast and effective. It can be used to monitor the multi-elementary concentration in human blood.

Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Metalloids ; blood ; Metals ; blood ; Trace Elements ; blood

BACKGROUNDThe primary ovarian sarcoma is a very rare malignancy. The objective of this study was to further investigate the clinicopathologic features and outcome in patients with primary sarcoma of the ovary.

METHODSBetween 1988 and 2007, 24 patients with primary ovarian sarcoma who underwent treatment at Peking Union Medical Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Response to treatment, progression and overall survival were analyzed.

RESULTSPatients with ovarian sarcoma had a mean age of (54.3 ± 10.3) years, and 16 of them were postmenopausal. The most common symptom was abdominal pain, present in 14 patients. Of the 24 patients, 16 patients were pathologically diagnosed as carcinosarcoma (known as malignant mixed mesodermal tumor (MMMT)), 2 as ovarian leiomyosarcoma (LS) and 6 patients as ovarian endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS). The patients in optimal debulking group had a median survival period of 28 months and 1-year survival rate of 71%. The patients in suboptimal debulking group had a significantly lower median survival of 6 months (P = 0.02) and 1-year survival rate of 29%. Among the patients, 23 patients received chemotherapy and most of regimens were based on platinum, 3 patients received chemoradiation. The mean number of courses of combined chemotherapy was 6.6 ± 5.0, and the response was unsatisfactory. The median survival for the entire group was 18.7 months. The one-year survival rate was 58%, and two-year survival rate only 29%.

CONCLUSIONSOvarian primary sarcoma has a poor overall prognosis. Optimal debulking surgery appears to be of prognostic significance. There is a clear need for further study to explore the role and the regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy in primary ovarian sarcoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoma ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the strategy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with YMDD mutation.

METHODSA total of 120 chronic hepatitis B patients with YMDD mutation were randomly assigned into four groups. In group A, patients received adefovir dipivoxil for 48 weeks. In group B, patients received adefovir dipivoxil in combination with lamivudine during the first 12 weeks and adefovir dipivoxil only for the following 36 weeks. In group C, patients received adefovir dipivoxil in combination with lamivudine for 48 weeks. In group D, patients received entecavir for 48 weeks.

RESULTSThe rate of rebound of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 30.0% (9/30), 10.0% (3/30), 6.7% (2/30), 10.0% (3/30) (P < 0.05) during the first 12 weeks, and one patient with severe hepatitis was found in group A. The positive rate of YMDD mutation was 17.9%, 0, 0, 0 at week 12. There was no significant difference in the level of ALT and the rate of HBeAg seroconversion after 48-week treatment (P > 0.05). At week 48, there was significant difference in the ALT normalization rate and undetectable HBV DNA rate between group C and group A, and also between group D and group A, and the rate of drug resistant genotype was 6.9%, 6.7%, 0, 0. Two patients had rtN236T mutation in group A, and one patient had rtN236T mutation and another one had rtA181V mutation in group B.

CONCLUSIONAdefovir dipivoxil in combination with lamivudine or entecavir are safe and effective therapies for chronic hepatitis B patients with YMDD mutation.

Adenine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guanine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Organophosphonates ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult