Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Silicosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Talc ; adverse effects

Electromagnetic Fields ; Magnetic Fields ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Television

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Wenyang Decoction (WD) on the differentiation of CD34+ progenitor cells of occupational asthma (OA) model rats.

METHODSFifty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the model group, the blank control group,the WD group,the Western medicine group,the combined group, 10 in each group. Prednisone suspension (10 mg/kg) was administered to rats in the Western medicine group by gastrogavage. WD (20 g/kg) was administered to rats in the WD group by gastrogavage. Prednisone suspension plus WD was administered to rats in the combined group by gastrogavage. Normal saline was administered to rats in the model group and the blank control group by gastrogavage. The general condition of rats was observed. Expression levels of peripheral blood IL-5 and eotaxin, eosinophils (EOS), CD34+, CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3+) in bone marrow suspension were detected by ELISA, Wirght-Giemsa, and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group,expression levels of IL-5 and eotaxin in peripheral blood were significantly higher (P < 0.01), and the count of EOS and CD34+ cells, as well as CD34+ /CCR3+ significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, expression levels of IL-5 and eotaxin, the count of EOS, CD34+ cells, CD34+ / CCR3+ were lowered in three treated groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the Western medicine group, the count of EOS and CD34+ / CCR3+ decreased in the combined group (P < 0.01). The count of EOS was significantly lower in the combined group than in the WD group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONWD could reduce levels of in vivo inflammatory factors, and restrain the differentiation and recruitment of EOS,thereby alleviating the differentiation of CD34 progenitor cells to EOS.

Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; Asthma, Occupational ; drug therapy ; Bone Marrow ; Cell Differentiation ; Chemokine CCL11 ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Eosinophils ; Flow Cytometry ; Interleukin-5 ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, CCR3 ; Stem Cells

Objective To explore the effect and indication of splenectomy in liver transplantation.Methods From January 2001 to April 2006,260 patients underwent piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation(PBOLT),and 28 patients had undergone combined PBOLT and splenectomy(splenectomy group).These patients were compared to 56 randomly selected non-splenectomy patients from the same transplant period,meaningly two controls were se- lected for every non-spleneetomy case.Two groups were analyzed with respect to rate of infection and survival rate, as well as biopsy-proven acute allograft rejection within 30 days after transplantation.Results Rate of infection in the splenectomy group was higher than that in the non-splenectomy patients(85.7% vs 55.4%,P

Objective To investigate the association between psychological sub-healthy status and risks on injuries and related predictors among adolescents in China,in order to develop reasonable intervention programs.Methods Adolescents were selected from middle schools and colleges in eight cities.Baseline status on sub-healthy that related to psycho-pathology was measured using the Multidimensional Sub-health Questionnaire of Adolescents (MSQA).Data on Self- or unintentional injuries were collected using a standardized injury surveillance questionnaire every 3 months,for three times (T0,T1,T2 and T3).Results A total of 12 113 students completed the study.Prevalence rates related to self-injury among boys and girls were 19.4％ and 19.9％,respectively.The rates of having more than 4 types of self-injuries in boys and girls were 4.7％ and 4.2％,respectively.Boys had a significantly higher unintentional injury rate than that of girls (62.2％ vs.57.3％ ).The differences in the rates of having more than 4 types of unintentional injury between boys (3.8％) and girls (3.4％) were also statistically significant.Rates on self- and unintentional-injuries increased in T1,T2 and T3 when the psychological symptoms had an increase.Data from Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the baseline psychological sub-healthy status was a predictive factor for higher risk of self- and unintentional- injuries at each of the follow-up waves.Conclusion Sub-healthy status of psycho-pathology was associated with an increased risk on self-and unintentional injuries among adolescents.Integrative psycho-pathological and behavioralintervention programs might help in reducing the risk of injuries among the Chinese adolescents.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the interference effect of nicotinamide on UVA-induced melanin genesis and melanin transport in human skin melanocyte.

METHODSThe optimum UVA dose expected to cause cell proliferation: 0.2 J/cm(2), nicotinamide was added immediately after the 0.2 J/cm(2) UVA exposure and the melanin content, cell cycles, cell apoptosis and mRNA express level were measured respectively.

RESULTSMelanin content in melanocytes was increased significantly after exposed to 0.2 J/cm(2) UVA. Melanin content in melanocytes was decreased after treatment with 10.0 mmol/ml nicotinamide following UVA exposure, but the cell cycles and the cell apoptosis rate were not significantly altered. mRNA express levels of TYR, TRP-1 were modulated by nicotinamide.

CONCLUSIONNicotinamide has more effect on decreasing melanin genesis after UVA exposure, nicotinamide also plays a role in modulating the mRNA express of TYR, TRP-1 gene. It is possible to consider nicotinamide as an efficient and safe sun screen to provide a certain level of protection for UVA exposed skin.

Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Melanins ; biosynthesis ; Melanocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Niacinamide ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo study the factors affecting the management and treatment of immigrant workers with tuberculosis, to determine the most effective measures and to provide an academic basis for tuberculosis control and prevention strategies targeting the immigrant population.

METHODSA self-designed questionnaire was administered to 1364 immigrant workers with tuberculosis (study group) and 436 local residents (control group) with tuberculosis.

RESULTSWhether a patient's tuberculosis status was discovered or not was related to the medical facilities initially visited, job mobility, and the individual worker's economic condition. The percentage of cases discovered was relatively low among those who made their first visit to a private clinic (39.0%), and 58.4% (796) of immigrant workers delayed their first consultation mainly due to neglecting symptoms (55.9%, 445), subjective perception of symptoms being not severe enough (19.3%, 154) to visit a physician and the inconvenience of visiting a hospital because of its being far away from home (15.8%, 47). As comparing immigrant workers with local residents, the differences of the delay reason between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 21.49, P < 0.01). And 39.9% (544) of immigrant workers and 49.1% (214) of local residents had had late confirmation. The differences of the delay reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 7.31, P = 0.293). And 17.6% (240) patients of immigrant workers and 13.1% (57) patients of local residents did not keep to their drug regimens in a timely fashion. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 6.66, P > 0.05). And 77.5% (1057) of immigrant workers and 31.8% (138) of local residents were considered that taking medicine in supervision spot might have impact on their lives and work. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were significant (chi(2) = 9.71, P < 0.05). All 79.2% (1080) of immigrant workers and 63.3% (276) of local residents did not obtain medicine according to prescriptions. The differences of reasons between the two groups were statistically significant (chi(2) = 24.84, P < 0.01). And 51.2% (699) of immigrant workers and 46.1% (201) of the registered population did not follow up with doctors' directions for lab tests. The differences of the reasons between the two groups were insignificant (chi(2) = 3.26, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe influential factors in tuberculosis management and treatment were complex. Prevention strategies should focus on health education and promotion activities to improve awareness in seeking medical services. Also, developing and standardizing reference mechanisms for patients, and alleviating the economic burden of the workers will be critical to reduce the tuberculosis incidence.

China ; epidemiology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Transients and Migrants ; Treatment Outcome ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Urban Population

Growth year is one of the important factors for the quality of Polygala tenufolia. In this study, primary metabolites and secondary metabolites were compared in 1, 2 and 3 years old P. tenufolia cultivated in Shaanxi Heyang. The samples were subjected to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, and the obtained data were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) and other statistical analysis methods. In addition, content and correlation of different metabolites were also calculated. The results showed no significance between main component contents in 2 year-old and 3 year-old P. Tenufolia, but 1 year-old was statistically different. The contents of primary metabolites, such as fructose, sucrose, and choline increased as time goes on, while glycine and raffinose decreased. The contents of secondary metabolites, such as onjisaponin Fg, polygalasaponin XXVIII, polygalasaponin XXXII increased, while polygalaxanthone III and parts of oligosaccharide multi-ester including tenuifoliose A, tenuifoliose C, tenuifoliose C2 and tenuifoliose H decreased with the extension of the growth years. Growth years has important impact on the quality of P. tenuifolia and the existing growing years of commodity P. tenuifolia have its scientific evidence. This study supplied a new method for the quality evaluation of Chinese medicinal materials.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Metabolomics ; Oligosaccharides ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polygala ; chemistry ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin treatment on the functions of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and possible mechanisms.

METHODSBlood samples were obtained in 10 children with KD before and 7 days after the treatment by IVIG and aspirin. MTT method, modified Boyden chamber method and cell culture plate adhesion method were used to assess the functions of EPCs, including proliferation, adhension and migration activities. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) were also measured.

RESULTSThe functions of circulating EPCs 7 days after IVIG and aspirin treatment were significantly improved. IVIG and aspirin treatment significantly reduced plasma TNF-α and hs-CRP concentrations. There was a significant linear regression relationship between the reduced plasma TNF-α and hs-CRP levels and the increased functions of circulating EPCs.

CONCLUSIONSIVIG and aspirin treatment can improve the functions of circulating EPCs, possibly through reducing plasma concentrations of TNF-α and hs-CRP.

Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Infant ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; Stem Cells ; physiology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of noninvasive intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (NIPPV) in treatment of patients with pneumoconiosis combined with respiratory failure.

METHODThree were 46 inpatients with pneumoconiosis combined with respiratory failure. Twenty-six inpatients treated with conventional therapy and NIPPV were categorized as treatment group; Twenty inpatients just treated by conventional therapy served as control group. Compared with the changes of HR, RR and arterial blood gas index (PH, PaCO2, PaO2) in two groups after treatment.

RESULTSThe effective ratio of treatment group was 88.5%, control group was 60%, which had significant difference (P < 0.05); The HR in treatment group after treatment was (95.38 +/- 10.75) beats per minute, control group was [(103.00 +/- 12.56) beats per minute; The RR in treatment group was (21.69 +/- 1.37) breaths per minute, control group was [(22.60 +/- 1.57) breaths per minute]; The PaCO2 in treatment group was (52.88 +/- 10.75)mm Hg, control group was [(59.66 +/- 11.49)mm Hg]; All of those were significantly decreased than those in control group (P < 0.05). The PaO2 in treatment group was (100.77 +/- 25.3) mm Hg, control group was [(71.82 +/- 17.94) mmHg]; Compared with the control group, PaO2 in the treatment group increased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNIPPV is beneficial to pneumoconiosis combined with respiratory failure in different degrees.

Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; therapy ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; etiology ; therapy