OBJECTIVETo establish a method to determine total bromine in urine.

METHODDiluted urine samples were directly introduced into ICP-MS then quantized by standard curve.

RESULTTotal bromine in urine was linear within 1.0~50 mg/L with r > 0.999, When spiked at a concentration of 0.020 mg/L, 0.050 mg/L, 0.150 mg/L, the recovery was 95%~98%, intra-assay precision was 1.4% 3.2%, inter-assay precision was 3.4% to 5.0%. Urine could store in -20 °C refrigerator 3 months without any bromine loss.

CONCLUSIONUsing ICP-MS to determine the urinary total bromine, the method is fast, accurate, wide linear range of features, could meet with the requirement of Part 5 of occupational health standards guide: Method determination of chemical substances in biological materials (GBZ/T 210.5-2008), a strong competitive advantage in a wide range of survey, suitable for promotion.

Bromine ; urine ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry

The aim of the present study was to determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) could contribute to the protective effects of preconditioning, and to explore its underlying mechanism. The Langendorff model of isolated rat heart was used. Cardiac contractility and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the coronary effluent were measured, and infarct area of hearts after 30 min of ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion was analyzed. We found that: (1) The subthreshold preconditioning (2 min of ischemia and 10 min of reperfusion), captopril (an ACEI with sulfhydryl groups) or perindoprilate (an ACEI without sulfhydryl groups) alone did not protect the hearts from being injured by 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. (2) However, the combination of captopril or perindoprilate with subthreshold preconditioning could decrease left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), increase left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and coronary flow compared with the subthreshold preconditioned group. The combination treatments also inhibited the release of LDH from ischemia/reperfusion hearts, and reduced the infarct area in ischemic heart after 2 h of reperfusion (P<0.05). (3) By using NOS inhibitor L-NAME (100 mumol/L) before combined administration of ACEI with subthreshold preconditioning, the protection effect triggered by the combination treatment was significantly reduced. Pretreatment of the hearts with mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (mitoK(ATP)) channel inhibitor 5-HD (100 mumol/L) also abolished the protection effect (P<0.05). (4) Subthreshold preconditioning, captopril or perindoprilate alone could enhance the NO content in coronary effluent (P<0.05), but the combination of captopril or perindoprilate with subthreshold preconditioning could further augment the NO content compared with the subthreshold preconditioned group (P<0.05). The results indicate that ACEIs with or without sulfhydryl groups may potentiate the subthreshold preconditioning to trigger cardiac protection effect against the ischemia/reperfusion injury. This protection effect in the heart is possibly mediated by the generation of NO and the activation of mitoK(ATP) channel.

BACKGROUNDThe diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients is still challenging today due to the absence of an in vitro culture system and the low diagnostic accuracy of microscopic examinations. Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis of PCP.

METHODSWe searched Web of Knowledge and Medline from 1990 to May 2010 for studies reporting diagnostic accuracy data regarding the use of real-time PCR in the diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients.

RESULTSTen individual studies were included. Overall, the sensitivity of real-time PCR was 97% (95%CI: 93% - 99%); the specificity was 94% (95%CI: 90% - 96%). The area under the HSROC curve (95%CI) for real-time PCR was 0.99 (0.97 - 0.99). In a subgroup analysis regarding studies involving HIV patients among the study population, the sensitivity and specificity were 97% (95%CI: 93% - 99%) and 93% (95%CI: 89% - 96%), respectively. Regarding studies using Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples only: sensitivity = 98% (95%CI: 94% - 99%); specificity = 93% (95%CI: 89% - 96%), respectively. Regarding studies using microscopy as a reference standard: sensitivity = 97% (95%CI: 92% - 99%); specificity = 93% (95%CI: 88% - 96%). However, high between-study statistical heterogeneity was observed in all analyses.

CONCLUSIONSReal-time PCR has a good diagnostic accuracy and may provide a useful adjunctive tool for the diagnosis of PCP in immunocompromised patients. Further studies are needed in order to identify any differences in the diagnostic performance of real-time PCR in HIV and non-HIV immunocompromised patients.

Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) on the expressions activin A, follistatin, and cripto in cultured human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) form patients with endometriosis.

METHODSCultured HESCs were stimulated with 250, 500, and 750pg/ml IL-1β, and the mRNA and protein expressions of activin A, follistatin, and cripto were assayed using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIL-1β treatment caused significant dose-dependent increments of the mRNA and protein expressions of activin A and follistatin and of the mRNA expression of cripto in cultured HESCs.

CONCLUSIONIL-1β can affect the expressions of activin A, follistatin and cripto in HESCs from patients with endometriosis.

Activins ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; Endometrium ; cytology ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; pharmacology ; Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the methods for constructing the digital three-dimensional model of fetal heart.

METHODSOriginal two-dimensional CT image data sets were collected from 4 abortion fetuses with fetal malformations but not heart malformation or chromosomal abnormalities. The three-dimensional fetal heart model was reconstructed using Mimics14.0 software.

RESULTSIn the reconstructed three-dimensional fetal heart, the left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium, right ventricle, the ascending aorta, the main pulmonary and their branches, the superior cava and inferior vena cava were marked with different colors, and these structures could be displayed individually or with other structures. This model also allowed three-dimensional arbitrary scaling, shifting or rotation at any angle, and the diameter of the each vessel could be measured with the software.

CONCLUSIONThe fetal heart model can be successfully reconstructed from the CT datasets using three-dimensional reconstruction software to facilitate clinical and anatomical teaching.

Female ; Fetal Heart ; anatomy & histology ; Heart Atria ; anatomy & histology ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Heart Ventricles ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Models, Anatomic ; Pregnancy ; Software ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; anatomy & histology

Poly（ADP-ribose）polymerase（PARP）is a kind of DNA damage repair enzyme. PARP inhibitors include Olaparib （AZD2281），Niraparib（MK-4827），Rucaparib，Veliparib（ABT-888），Fluzoparib and Talazoparib （BMN-673），etc. This article reviews the preclinical research on the combined application of PARP inhibitors against tumor by searching the relevant literatures. Through the synthetic lethal mode ，PARP inhibitors have a strong killing effect on tumor cells with homologous recombination repair defects. However ，for tumor cells with intact DNA damage repair function ，PARP inhibitors often need to be combined with radiotherapy or other drugs to play a role. Combined application drugs include antiangiogenic drugs ，heat shock protein 90 inhibitors，cyclin-dependent kinase 12 inhibitors，immune checkpoint inhibitors ，histone deacetylase inhibitors ，etc. The combined application of PARP inhibitors is expected to enhance the efficacy of anti-tumor drugs and achieve the goals of sensitization ， synergism and reversal of drug resistance ，which is worthy of further in-depth research and exploration of new combined treatment schemes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate atmospheric mercury concentration in the workplace and urinary mercury concentration in workers exposed to mercury in a thermometer factory, and to determine the levels and influencing factors of urinary Β₂-microglobulin (Β₂-MG) and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in these workers.

METHODSAn occupational health survey of the workplace was completed according to relevant national occupational health standards. Questionnaire survey and occupational health examination were conducted in 178 workers exposed to mercury in the factory. Statistical analysis was accomplished using SPSS 19.0.

RESULTSIn the workplace, atmospheric mercury concentration was out of limits at seven of eight detection points expressed by short-term exposure limit; it was out of limits at all the eight detection points shown by time-weighted average. Statistically significant difference in atmospheric mercury concentration was found among different detection points (F = 138.714, P < 0.001). The geometric mean of urinary mercury concentration measured in 154 workers was 171.607 µg/g. There were 127 workers with urinary mercury concentration exceeding the standard (82.5% over-standard rate). Significant difference in urinary mercury concentration was shown in the workers among different positions (χ² = 44.531, P < 0.01). Urinary mercury concentration was positively correlated with atmospheric mercury concentration (r = 0.624, P < 0.01). The mean urinary Β₂-MG level measured in 148 workers was 0.142 mg/L, and seven workers had urinary Β₂-MG levels greater than 0.3 mg/L (4.7% abnormal rate). The mean urinary RBP level measured in 153 workers was 0.485 mg/L, and 19 workers had urinary RBP levels greater than 0.7 mg/L (12.4% abnormal rate). Ordinal logistic regression showed that age >34 years (OR = 4.88, 95%CI: 2.24∼10.62) and length of service >15 years (OR = 2.50, 95%CI: 1.06-5.92) were risk factors for increased urinary Β₂-MG level. Age >45 years (OR = 7.52, 95%CI: 2.50∼22.65) was a risk factor for increased urinary RBP level.

CONCLUSIONIn the thermometer factory under study, atmospheric and urinary mercury concentrations both seriously exceeded the standards, which were harmful to the health of workers. High atmospheric mercury concentration, old age, and long length of service were risk factors for increased urinary Β₂-MG and RBP levels in workers exposed to mercury.

Adult ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; Mercury ; analysis ; toxicity ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Factors ; Threshold Limit Values ; Time Factors ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of autophagy in ischemic myocardium of rats treated with fasudil for inhibiting Rho kinase.

METHODSThe hearts isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min of occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by 120 min of reperfusion with or without treatment with fasudil or fasudil+Wort. The left ventricular hemodynamics were continuously recorded, and the coronary effluent was collected during the reperfusion to determine lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. The mRNA expressions of autophagy-related genes Atg5 and Beclin1 and apoptosis-related genes bax and bcl-2 were detected by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with I/R group, fasudil significantly improved the left ventricular developed pressure, maximal rise/fall rate of left ventricular pressure and rate pressure product, reduced LDH release during reperfusion, increased Atg5 and Beclin1 mRNA expression and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and lowered caspase 3 protein expression. The autophagy inhibitor Wort significantly attenuated the effect of fasudil in the rat hearts.

CONCLUSIONFasudil treatment for inhibiting Rho kinase promoted autophagy in ex vivo rat heart to protect against myocardial ischima-reperfusion injury possibly by reducing apoptosis of the cardiac myocytes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possession of occupational health examination qualification among occupational health examination institutions in Zhejiang province, China and the application of GBZ188-2007 "Technical specifications for occupational health surveillance" among related government departments, and to provide a basis for revising and improving the specifications.

METHODSA questionnaire survey was carried out among occupational health inspection agencies, health supervision authorities, and enterprises of different sizes, which possessed provincial-level occupation health inspection qualifications and had engaged in occupational health examination for more than 2 years. The investigation included awareness, using frequency, and revision suggestion about GBZ 188-2007 "Technical specifications for occupational health surveillance".

RESULTSMedical institutions and centers for disease control and prevention (CDCs)showed a high rate of occupational health examination qualification possession in chemical substances, dust, noise, and high temperature and a low rate of qualification possession in physical factors, biological factors, special operations, and other aspects. These institutions showed high awareness of chemical substances, dust, and physical factors in GBZ 188-2007 "Technical specifications for occupational health surveillance" and low awareness of other factors. Medical institutions, CDCs, and provincial and municipal health supervision authorities used these specifications more frequently than county-level authorities and enterprises. More than 80% investigated units believed that the following issues required further optimization: occupational health care, emergency health examination regulations, classification of occupational health inspection reports, and special operation monitoring. It is consistently stressed that for exposure to chemical compounds that may bring harm to various organs of the body, explicit specifications should be made concerning health examination before, during, and after service. Conflicting opinions existed concerning the following issues: satisfaction with GBZ 188-2007 specifications, whether to add contents for care of personnel exposed to biological factors (such as forest encephalitis), the threshold of noise intensity to perform health care, and whether to add health care for exposure to compounds such as benzene and phenols.

CONCLUSIONThe occupational health inspection agencies in Zhejiang province have a high rate of qualification possession in health examination concerning chemicals, dust, noise, and high temperature. The medical institutions, CDCs, and health supervision departments above the county level often use the specifications at work. It is consistently recommended that more kinds of harmful substances should be included, and related specifications and issues should be further optimized, in order to better meet the requirement of occupational health care in the new era.

China ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health Services ; standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of breakthrough bleeding in adult patients with severe hemophilia A (SHA) receiving low- and intermediate-dose FVIII for tertiary prophylaxis and explore the factors affecting the outcomes of the treatment.

METHODSForty-nine patients (mean age 31.53∓7.33 years) with SHA receiving tertiary prophylaxis FVIII treatment were divided into low-dose group (n=15) and intermediate-dose group (n=34). The data including clinical bleeding phenotype (Pre?AJBR), 72 h FVIII trough activity, and Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) were recorded in all the patients, and Hemophilia Steward APP was used to record the bleeding episode and the treatment data. All the patients were followed up for at least 6 months.

RESULTSIn the low-dose and intermediate-dose groups, the number of joint bleeding (AJBR) episodes were 18.79∓13.03 and 9.28∓7.02 per year (P=0.016), and the proportions of spontaneous bleeding were 75.0% and 47.7%, respectively. The proportions of patients with target joint were 80% and 44%, target joint bleeding occurred in 59% and 41%, and cataract bleeding after 0-12 h of prophylactic injection occurred in 4.86% and 5.18% of the patients with a median breakthrough bleeding time of 40.08 h and 46.08 h (P=0.008), respectively. The proportions of patients with 72 h FVIII trough activity <1% were 44.4% and 34.8% in the two groups, respectively. AJBR was negatively correlated with the preventive dose consumed (r=-0.57, P=0.000, n=49) and FISH, but positively correlated with Pre-AJBR in the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTertiary prophylaxis with low- and intermediate-dose FVIII is not sufficient to achieve the goal of preventing progression of joint disease in Chinese adult patients with SHA. Although the prophylactic dose is the most important factor to affect the treatment efficacy, other non-factor approaches may also help to improve the efficacy of the treatment.