Objective To evaluate the protective effect of exogenous biliverdin on ultraviolet B (UVB)-radiated HaCaT cells,and to explore its mechanism.Methods Cultured HaCaT cells were divided into 5 groups:control group receiving no treatment,UVB group irradiated with 30 mJ/cm2 UVB,3 biliverdin + UVB groups treated with 100 nmol/L,1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L biliverdin respectively for 1 hour followed by 30 mJ/cm2 UVB radiation.After 24-hour treatment,changes in the morphology of HaCaT cells were observed,and cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay was performed to determine cell survival rates in the above groups.Western blot analysis was conducted to measure the protein expression of antioxidant signaling molecule NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and the photodamage signaling molecules matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-3.Results CCK8 assay showed that the survival rate of HaCaT cells was significantly lower in the UVB group than in the control group (P ＜ 0.05),but significantly higher in the 100-nmol/L,1-μmol/L and 10-μmol/L biliverdin + UVB groups than in the UVB group (all P ＜ 0.05).Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression of MMP-1 and MMP-3 was significantly higher in the UVB group (1.150 ± 0.187,0.979 ± 0.054 respectively) than in the control group (0.116 ± 0.018,0.636 ± 0.035 respectively;both P ＜ 0.01),but was significantly lower in the 100-nmol/L,1-μmol/L and 10-μmol/L biliverdin + UVB groups (MMP-1:0.825 ± 0.139,0.313 ± 0.047 and 0.286 ± 0.036 respectively;MMP-3:0.888 ± 0.017,0.672 ± 0.042 and 0.569:±:0.037 respectively) than in the UVB group (all P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,the protein expression of Nrf-2 was significantly lower in the UVB group (0.906 ± 0.034) than in the control group (1.242 ± 0.141,P ＜ 0.05),but significantly higher in the 100-nmol/L,1-μmol/L and 10-μmol/L biliverdin + UVB groups (1.556 ± 0.112,1.897 ± 0.234 and 2.035 ±0.274) than in the UVB group (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Exogenous biliverdin protects against UVB-induced photodamage in HaCaT cells,which may be associated with Nrf-2 antioxidant signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of reproductive system diseases among female workers in a city and related occupational influencing factors. Methods: From June to September, 2016, a cross-sectional survey was used to select 9 944 female workers from six districts of Beijing and then a face-to-face questionnaire survey was performed. Univariate analysis using chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the risk factors for reproductive system diseases. Results: The age of 9944 female workers ranged from 18 to 65 years (mean 35.53±9.52 years) , and among them, 7 351 (73.92%) were married. The overall prevalence rate of reproductive system diseases among these 9944 female workers during the past three months was 28.29%, and the prevalence rates of hyperplasia of mammary glands, vaginitis, and hysteromyoma were 15.54%, 11.25%, and 6.77%, respectively. After adjustment for age, marital status, education level, and annual family income, the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that frequent overtime work (odds ratio[OR]=1.119, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.070-1.343) , frequent night shifts (OR=1.198, 95%CI: 1.054-1.361) , standing for a long time (OR=1.197, 95%CI: 1.063-1.347) , sitting for a long time (OR=1.327, 95%CI: 1.191-1.479) , heavy workload (OR=1.429, 95%CI: 1.262-1.615) , exposure to lead (OR=1.696, 95%CI: 1.307-2.201) , exposure to mercury (OR=1.452, 95%CI: 1.086-1.940) , and exposure to ionizing radiation (OR=1.679, 95%CI: 1.424-1.980) were associated with reproductive system diseases. Conclusion The prevalence of reproductive system diseases among female workers in Beijing is not optimistic. Reproductive system diseases are associated with frequent overtime work, frequent night shifts, standing for a long time, sitting for a long time, heavy workload, and exposure to lead, mercury, and ionizing radiation.