Objective:To find out the variety, producing area, fluorine content of brick tea in Qinghai Province, and the drinking situation of brick tea among people, so as to provide basis for preventing and curing endemic fluorosis of drinking tea type.Methods:From April to November 2019, according to historical data, in 3 066 administrative villages in 39 counties (cities, districts, hereinafter referred to as counties) in Qinghai Province that had the habit of drinking brick tea, 10 families were randomly selected from each village to investigate the demographic data of each family and the drinking situation of brick tea, to collect brick tea samples to determine the fluorine content, and to calculate the daily average brick tea fluorine intake of the population > 16 years old.Results:A total of 31 067 brick tea samples were collected. The main brick tea consumed by the residents in the whole province was Fu brick tea, accounting for 89.97% (27 952/31 067), followed by Kang brick tea [5.12% (1 592/31 067)], Green brick tea [2.29% (710/31 067)], Black brick tea [1.85% (574/31 067)], and golden tip, mosaic, black wool and other brick tea [0.77% (239/31 067)]. There were 523 brands of brick tea in circulation in the province, among which there were 410 brands produced in Hunan Province, 26 brands in Sichuan Province, 11 brands in Hubei Province, and 76 brands in Henan Province and other provinces. The average content of fluorine in brick tea was 646.1 mg/kg, which ranged from 40.0 to 2 295.0 mg/kg. Brick tea with fluorine content ≤300 mg/kg accounted for 7.80% (2 422/31 067) of all samples. The annual average consumption of brick tea by population > 16 years old was 1.09 (0.35 - 7.40) kg, and the daily average brick tea fluorine intake was 1.93 (0.39 - 18.64) mg. There were 15 counties and 486 administrative villages in which the daily average brick tea fluorine intake exceeded the national standard (3.5 mg).Conclusion:The main brick tea in circulation in Qinghai Province is Fu brick tea, which has high fluorine content and is harmful to people, and prevention and control measures should be taken as soon as possible.

Objective:To understand the water iodine content in Qinghai Province and draw a distribution map of water iodine, so as to provide a basis for scientific supplementation of iodine and continuous elimination of iodine deficiency hazards.Methods:In 2017, in all counties (cities, districts) in Qinghai Province, with townships (towns, streets, referred to as townships) as the unit, the residents' drinking water samples were collected, water iodine content was tested, the median water iodine was calculated, and the water iodine distribution map of Qinghai Province was drew.Results:Totally 1 836 drinking water samples were collected in 392 townships, the median water iodine was 1.7 μg/L. Townships that had the median water iodine < 5 μg/L, in the range of 5 to 10 μg/L and > 10 μg/L accounted for 80.6% (316/392), 17.1% (67/392) and 2.3% (9/392), respectively. Among all townships, the highest of the median water iodine was 24.8 μg/L. Based on the results, water iodine distribution map of Qinghai Province, water iodine distribution map of Xining City and water iodine distribution map of Haidong City were compiled.Conclusions:Iodine deficiency is widespread throughout natural environment in Qinghai Province. Hence, salt iodization measures to prevent iodine deficiency disorders should be implemented continuously. According to the water iodine distribution map, the people should be guided to supplement iodine scientifically.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the effect of health education on drinking brick-tea type fluorosis in Zhiduo County, Qinghai Province, so as to provide basis for further formulating health education strategies.Methods:From April 2019 to April 2020, according to the historical prevalence of drinking brick-tea type fluorosis in Zhiduo County, Qinghai Province, 3 townships (towns) were selected to carry out the health education activities on drinking brick-tea type fluorosis for students of grade 4 - 6, village doctors, adults and monks in each township (town). We carried out a one-year publicity on the prevention and treatment of drinking brick-tea type fluorosis, distributed health education materials and organized health education activities. Before and after the intervention, we conducted a questionnaire survey on health education among the target population (grade 4 - 6 students, village doctors, adults and monks), to evaluate the awareness rate and behavior formation rate of fluorosis prevention and control, and to evaluate the intervention effect.Results:A total of 86 students of grade 4 - 6, 40 village doctors, 42 adults and 20 monks were investigated, after the intervention, the awareness rates of prevention and treatment of drinking brick-tea type fluorosis in grade 4 - 6 students, village doctors, adults and monks were 87.98% (227/258), 96.67% (116/120), 81.75% (103/126), 83.33% (50/60), respectively, which were significantly higher than those before the intervention [38.38% (76/198), 83.33% (100/120), 15.45% (19/123), 28.89% (13/45), P < 0.05]. After the intervention, the behavior formation rates of prevention and treatment of the drinking brick-tea type fluorosis in grade 4 - 6 students, village doctors, adults and monks were 74.42% (128/172), 72.50% (58/80), 52.38% (44/84), 60.00% (24/40), respectively, which were significantly higher than those before the intervention [14.39% (19/132), 38.75% (31/80), 3.66% (3/82), 0(0/28), P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The comprehensive intervention measures based on health education can significantly improve the knowledge of local residents, and improve their bad drinking habits of drinking tea, which is of great significance to the prevention and treatment of drinking brick-tea type fluorosis.

Objective:To understand the situation of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis (short for drinking water fluorosis) in Huangzhong, Ping'an and Ledu districts of Qinghai Province and operation status of water improvement projects, and to evaluate the effect of control measures.Methods:In historical drinking water fluorosis villages of Huangzhong, Ping'an and Ledu districts of Qinghai Province in 2018, the status of water improvement, the operation of water improvement projects and the content of water fluoride were investigated; the dental fluorosis of 8-12 years old children in all investigated villages was checked; 3 villages from 3 districts were selected, X-ray examination for skeletal fluorosis and urinary fluoride detection of adults over 25 years old of age were performed.Results:Eight-two historical drinking water fluorosis villages in 3 districts were investigated and all the villages had water improvement projects, in addition, the water improvement projects were operating normally, and the water fluoride content ranged from 0.10 to 0.37 mg/L, which were in line with the drinking water fluoride content standard (< 1.2 mg/L). Totally 2 503 children aged 8-12 years old were examined, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 6.03% (151/2 503), the index of dental fluorosis was 0.13, the epidemic intensity was negative; the detection rates of dental fluorosis in 3 districts were 6.24% (129/2 068), 4.05% (7/173), 5.73% (15/262), respectively, reaching the control standard (< 30%), and the detection rate of dental fluorosis in 81 villages was less than 30%; 198 adults over 25 years old were examined, the detection rate of skeletal fluorosis was 5.05% (10/198), the geometric mean of urinary fluoride was 0.81 mg/L, and skeletal fluorosis cases were mainly in the age group over 40 years old, all of them were mild cases.Conclusions:The fluoride content in drinking water and the detection rate of children's dental fluorosis are all up to the control standard, and the condition of skeletal fluorosis is significantly reduced after the implementation of water improvement measures in Huangzhong, Ping'an and Ledu districts. It can be seen that the prevention and control of drinking water fluorosis in Huangzhong, Ping'an and Ledu districts have achieved good results, but later management and condition monitoring of water improvement projects should be strengthened to prevent the disease from rebounding.

Objective:To investigate the dietary iodine intake of people in different areas of Qinghai Province, and to provide the basis for scientific iodine supplementation and continuous elimination of iodine deficiency hazards.Methods:From 2018 to 2019, according to administrative division, natural geographical regions, population distribution and economic development level of Qinghai Province, a total of 14 survey sites were selected. One village was selected from each survey site, and 20 households were selected from each village, the salt samples and 24 h urine samples of all family members were collected to detect salt iodine and urinary iodine. One drinking water sample was collected at the five directions of east, west, south, north and middle of each village to detect water iodine. Salt iodine was detected by direct titration, urinary iodine and water iodine were detected by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry. At the same time, the 3-day weighing method was used to investigate the diet, the daily dietary iodine intake per capita (the result was expressed as average) and the proportion of dietary iodine in urinary iodine were calculated, the daily dietary iodine intake per capita of different production modes (agricultural region and pastoral region), different geographical environment (Hehuang Valley, Qaidam Basin, Qilian Mountain and Qingnan Plateau), different nationalities (Han, Tibetan, Hui, Mongolian, Tu, Salar) and different economic levels (< 8 000, 8 000 -, 10 000 -, ≥12 000 Yuan) were compared.Results:A total of 999 people from 280 families were surveyed, including 511 males and 488 females. The median water iodine of each survey site was less than 10 μg/L, all of which were environmentally iodine-deficient areas. A total of 280 salt samples were collected, the median salt iodine was 26.0 mg/kg, and the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 100% (280/280). A total of 999 urine samples were tested, and the median urinary iodine of people was 192.5 μg/L, which was at an appropriate level of iodine. There was no statistically significant difference ( t =-1.599, P > 0.05) in the daily dietary iodine intake per capita (28.53, 33.44 μg) of people in agricultural region ( n = 643) and pastoral region ( n = 356). The daily dietary iodine intake per capita (25.38, 33.30, 32.98, 34.79 μg) of people in Hehuang Valley ( n = 448), Qaidam Basin ( n = 125), Qilian Mountain ( n = 157), and Qingnan Plateau ( n = 269) were compared, the difference was statistically significant ( F = 2.883, P < 0.05); among them, the daily dietary iodine intake per capita in Hehuang Valley was lower than that in Qingnan Plateau ( P < 0.05). The daily dietary iodine intake per capita of different nationalities were compared, the difference was statistically significant ( F = 3.647, P < 0.05), Salar ( n = 68) and Tibetan ( n = 239) were higher (37.21 and 32.21 μg). The daily dietary iodine intake per capita (38.97, 17.01, 30.86, 33.14 μg) of annual per capita disposable income < 8 000 ( n = 194), 8 000-( n = 221), 10 000-( n = 302), ≥12 000 Yuan ( n = 282) were compared, the difference was statistically significant ( F = 9.407, P < 0.05). The proportions of dietary iodine in urinary iodine of various population ranged from 5.35% to 15.54%. Conclusions:The iodine nutrition of people in Qinghai Province is suitable, the dietary iodine intake of people is closely related to geographical environment, nationality and economic level. But the proportion of dietary iodine in urinary iodine is relatively low, the consumption of iodized salt is still the main way for people to intake iodine, and it is also the main measure to continuously eliminate the harm of iodine deficiency in Qinghai Province.

Objective:To study the epidemic status of drinking brick-tea type fluorosis in Haibei Prefecture, Qinghai Province, and to provide evidence for future targeted intervention measures.Methods:In 2018, according to the historical prevalence of drinking brick-tea type fluorosis in Haibei Prefecture, in Haiyan, Menyuan, Qilian, Gangcha counties, based on the classification of pastoral area, agricultural area, semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral areas, one township (town) was selected, and one natural village was selected in each township (town) as a survey site. Drinking water samples of local residents were collected, water fluorine content was detected; and 10 households in Haiyan and Menyuan counties were selected, respectively, 100 brick-tea samples of different brands were collected, brick-tea fluorine content was detected. At the same time, dental fluorosis was examined in all children aged 8 to 12 years old in survey sites; and X-ray of skeletal fluorosis was examined in all adults aged 26 - 55 years old in Haiyan and Menyuan counties, urine samples were collected from adults at random for 1 time and urine fluorine content was detected. Water fluorine, brick-tea fluorine, and urine fluorine contents were detected by ion selective electrode method; the diagnosis of dental fluorosis was based on "Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis" (WS/T 208-2011), and the diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis was based on "Diagnostic Criteria for Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis" (WS 192-2008).Results:The mean of fluorine of the 10 water samples was 0.33 mg/L (0.20 - 0.84 mg/L). The mean of fluorine of the 100 brick-tea samples was 750 mg/kg (230 - 1 660 mg/kg), and the mean of daily fluorine intake from brick-tea of each person was 1.87 mg. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children was 22.56% (217/962), and the dental fluorosis index was 0.42. The detection rate of skeletal fluorosis in adults was 6.88% (24/349); and the geometric mean of urine fluorine was 1.53 mg/L (0.20 - 20.60 mg/L).Conclusion:In Haibei Prefecture, residents are still affected by drinking brick-tea type fluorosis, which needs to be paid attention to.

Objective:To investigate the effects of 3 treatment methods on serum cytokines in Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD) patients.Methods:In May 2015, according to "Diagnosis of Kaschin-Beck disease" (WS/T 207-2010), KBD patients with grade Ⅰ and above who lived in KBD areas of Guide, Xinghai and Banma counties of Qinghai Province for at least 25 years and aged 25 - 62 years old were selected as research subjects. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to different treatment methods. The first group ( n = 91) was treated with Celecoxib + Xiaohuoluo pill (concentrated pill), the second group ( n = 89) was treated with Celecoxib + bone-strengthening joint pill, and the third group ( n = 94) was treated with Celecoxib + anti-osteogenic tablet, and the overall treatment effects of 6 months after treatment of the 3 groups were compared and analyzed. The contents of serum nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients before and after treatment were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:A total of 274 KBD patients were included, aged (47.24 ± 18.97) years old, including 132 males and 142 females. The treatment effective rates in the first, second and third groups were 80.22% (73/91), 77.53% (69/89) and 77.66% (73/94), respectively, and there was no significant difference between the three groups (χ 2 = 0.25, P > 0.05). Before and after the treatment, the serum NO contents of the 3 groups [(149.23 ± 20.61), (135.88 ± 29.63), (151.33 ± 22.15), (137.55 ± 31.51), (148.58 ± 24.36), (134.81 ± 28.53) μmol/L] were significantly different ( t = 2.678, 2.403, 3.195, P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences in TNF-α, IL-1β, and HA contents ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Three treatment methods for treating KBD have achieved certain effects, all the 3 treatment methods have reduced serum NO content and have no significant effect on TNF-α, IL-1β and HA contents.

Objective:To analyze the assessment results of the external quality control in iodine deficiency disorders laboratories at all levels in Qinghai Province so as to provide quality assurance for monitoring and control effect evaluation of iodine deficiency disorders.Methods:The results of urinary iodine, salt iodine, and water iodine quality control assessments at the provincial, city (state) and county-level iodine deficiency disorders laboratories were analyzed in Qinghai Province from 2013 to 2018 (sourced from the annual evaluation results issued by National Reference Laboratory for Iodine Deficiency Disorders). Among them, there were 1 provincial, 8 city (state) and 43 county-level (2017, 2018) laboratories participated in the urinary iodine assessment; 1 provincial, 8 city (state) and 30 county-level (43 in 2017 and 2018) laboratories participated in the salt iodine assessment; 1 provincial and 8 city (state)-level laboratories participated in the water iodine assessment.Results:From 2013 to 2018, the feedback rates and qualified rates of provincial and city (state)-level laboratories participated in the urinary iodine external quality control assessment were 100.0%; the feedback rates of 43 county-level laboratories (2017 and 2018) were 100.0%, and the qualified rates were 93.0%(40/43) and 88.4%(38/43), respectively. The feedback rates and qualified rates for salt iodine assessment in provincial and city (state)-level laboratories were 100.0%; the county-level laboratories feedback rates were 100.0%, and the qualified rates were > 90.0% except for 2014. And the feedback rates of provincial and city (state)-level laboratories for water iodine assessment were 100.0%; the qualified rate of provincial-level laboratory was 100.0%, and the city (state)-level laboratories were 100.0% except 2016 (7/8).Conclusions:The quality control network of Qinghai Province's iodine deficiency disorders laboratories has fully covered all city (state) and county-level laboratories. Provincial, city (state)-level laboratories have stable and reliable levels of urinary iodine, salt iodine, and water iodine; some individual county-level laboratories testing capabilities still need to be improved.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the changes of serum nitric oxide (NO) content in adult patients with Kaschin-Beck disease (KBD).Methods:Systematic retrieval was conducted on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang Data, VIP Database, PubMed, Embase and other databases, to analyze the literatures published from the database establishment to March 31, 2019, on the changes of serum NO content of adult patients with KBD. Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 software, and mean difference ( MD) and 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated; sensitivity analysis was performed using fixed-effect model or random-effect model based on heterogeneity results; and publication bias was evaluated using funnel chart. Results:Totally 7 qualified literatures were included, including 358 cases in the adult KBD group and 305 cases in the control group. After the heterogeneity test, there was heterogeneity among the literatures (χ 2 = 188.07, I2 = 97%, P < 0.01), so a random-effect model was used for Meta-analysis. The NO content in the KBD group was significantly higher than that in the control group (MD = 44.29, 95% CI: 30.57 - 58.00), the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 6.33, P < 0.01). Sensitivity analysis showed that the results of this study were stable. The two sides of the funnel were basically symmetrical, suggesting that the possibility of publication bias was small. Conclusion:The serum level of NO content in adult patients with KBD is significantly increased.

Objective To understand the current environmental selenium and T-2 toxin levels in the critically ill areas of Kaschin-Beck disease in Qinghai Province.Methods In three historical villages with serious diseases of Kaschin-Beck disease,Xia,Xiemalang and Yaoshidao were selected;at the same time,three villages from non-diseased areas were selected as control villages including Damitan,Gongba and Deang in 2018.Six villages were used as survey sites.Collected hair samples of children aged 6-12 years old,to measure the hair selenium content in Xinghai and Guide survey sites [children's selenium content reference value was (0.60 ± 0.03)mg/kg].Ten samples of self-produced grain were collected from each survey site,selenium content [wheat selenium content reference value was (0.053 ± 0.007) mg/kg] and T-2 toxin content in grain was detected in the six survey sites.Ten soil samples were collected from each survey sites.Soil selenium content was detected in the six survey sites [soil selenium content reference value was (0.24 ± 0.03) mg/kg].Results The selenium contents of children's hair in the diseased and non-diseased areas of Xinghai County,Guide County were (0.252 ± 0.071),(0.296 ± 0.087);(0.225 ± 0.032),(0.238 ± 0.040) mg/kg,respectively.The selenium contents of wheat in the diseased and nondiseased areas of the three counties were 0.000 19,0.003 66;0.000 15,0.004 16;0.016 78,0.016 94 mg/kg.The soil selenium contents in the diseased and non-diseased areas of the three counties were (0.095 ± 0.015),(0.114 ± 0.014);(0.082 ± 0.013),(0.083 ± 0.018);(0.080 ± 0.005),(0.060 ± 0.013) mg/kg.The T-2 toxin contents of wheat in the diseased and non-diseased areas of the three counties were (3.173 ± 0.762),(3.100 ± 0.473);(2.506 ± 0.430),(3.186 ± 0.451);(2.416 ± 0.619),(2.879 ± 0.456) μg/kg.Conclusions The content of hair selenium of children is close to the normal reference value in the area of Kaschin-Beck disease in Qinghai Province.The contents of soil selenium and the main grain selenium of the residents are low in the diseased village.A certain amount of T-2 toxin is detected in the main grain of residential households.