守宫木致CHL及V79细胞染色体畸变作用

目的 观察守宫木对体外培养细胞的遗传学毒性.方法 以守宫木提取液为受试物,不同浓度条件下染毒培养中国仓鼠肺成纤维细胞(CHL)及中国仓鼠肺细胞(V79)2株细胞系,观察中期分裂相细胞的染色体畸变率.结果 守宫木对CHL细胞的染色体致畸率很高(P<0.01),在50%浓度下,其直接致染色体畸变能力明显高于经S9代谢活化组,对CHL细胞的染色单体型畸变明显高于染色体型畸变.守宫木对V79细胞在50%浓度下,其直接的致染色体畸变效应不明显,经S9代谢活化,致突变效应与阴性对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),染色单体型畸变仍高于染色体型畸变.结论 守宫木具有一定的诱发染色体畸变的遗传毒性.     

10种市售染发剂的安全性评价

目的研究市售染发剂的使用安全性现状,探讨使用染发剂对健康的可能效应与不良影响。方法采用眼刺激试验、Ames试验、体外细胞染色体畸变试验等方法检测10种从市场抽检的染发剂对兔和体外测试系统的影响。结果10种染发剂所含的染料中间体均较低,对实验兔染毒30s后冲洗试验呈现眼刺激性或腐蚀性,但4s后冲洗试验均呈轻刺激性或微刺激性;在Ames试验中,10种染发剂对TA97、TA98、TA100、TA102鼠伤寒沙门菌菌株的各染毒剂量组均呈现阴性反应,各种染发剂无细胞毒性时的最高染毒剂量为2000μg/皿或1500μg/皿,最低染毒剂量为125μg/皿;在中国仓鼠CHL细胞株体外细胞染色体畸变试验中,各种染发剂无细胞毒性时的最高染毒剂量为2500μg/ml至156μg/ml,最低染毒剂量为78μg/ml到19.5μg/ml,染色体畸变细胞率最高为7.5%(+S9)及5%(-S9),与对照相比差异均无统计学意义。结论目前市售的染发剂具有一定眼刺激性,但无明显遗传毒性作用;其对基因突变与染色体畸变的作用力较文献报道的同类产品低,可能与现在染发剂中染料中间体的含量减少有关。     

乙烷硒啉致突变试验研究

目的观察乙烷硒啉是否存在遗传毒性。方法应用Ames试验、中国仓鼠肺细胞体外培养染色体畸变试验和小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核试验,研究乙烷硒啉的致突变作用。结果Ames试验在〈400μg/皿浓度下未见回复突变菌落数显著增加;中国仓鼠肺细胞体外培养染色体畸变试验在〈3.3μg/ml浓度下未出现细胞染色体畸变率显著增高;小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核试验在〈20.0g/kg剂量下未诱发微核细胞率的增高。结论乙烷硒啉在试验剂量范围内无致突变作用。     

复方菊苣粉急性经口毒性和遗传毒性研究

目的 研究复方菊苣粉的急性经口毒性和遗传毒性。方法 SD大鼠(体质量为170 g～190 g)20只，设15 g/(kg·bw)1个剂量组，进行急性经口毒性试验；小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核试验选用昆明种小鼠(体质量为25 g～30 g)50只，设2.5 g/(kg·bw)、5.0 g/(kg·bw)和10.0 g/(kg·bw)3个试验组，同时设阴性对照和阳性对照；体外哺乳类细胞染色体畸变试验：试验设11个复方菊苣粉剂量：-S9条件下设5.0 mg/ml、2.5 mg/ml和1.25 mg/ml 3个剂量；+S9条件下设2.18 mg/ml、1.09 mg/ml和0.55 mg/ml 3个剂量。同时设阴性对照，进行综合评价。结果 急性经口毒性试验：SD大鼠15 g/(kg·bw)剂量经口染毒后，2周内未见动物死亡，亦无明显的中毒症状或不良反应，判属无毒级别。遗传毒性试验：Ames试验、小鼠骨髓嗜多染红细胞微核试验和体外哺乳类细胞染色体畸变试验三项遗传毒性试验结果均为阴性。结论 复方菊苣粉属无毒级物质，未见遗传毒性作用。     

沙尘暴细颗粒物对人外周血淋巴细胞的遗传损伤效应

目的探讨沙尘暴细颗粒物(PM2.5)对人外周血淋巴细胞的遗传损伤.方法用采集自内蒙古包头市和甘肃武威市的沙尘暴和正常天气PM2.5不同浓度(0、33、100、300μg/ml)提取物染毒人外周血淋巴细胞,用染色体畸变试验和胞质阻断法进行畸变率和微核率统计.结果包头、武威沙尘暴和正常天气PM2.5提取物的100、300μg/ml剂量组人血淋巴细胞微核率均高于其对照组(均P＜0.01).包头、武威沙尘暴300μg/ml剂量组和正常天气PM2.5提取物的100、300μg/ml剂量组人血淋巴细胞核分裂指数均低于其对照组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);染毒剂量与微核率呈正相关,与核分裂指数成负相关.不同浓度沙尘暴PM2.5提取物染毒能引起人外周血淋巴细胞染色体结构畸变,主要表现为染色体及染色单体断裂、缺失、成环、形成双着丝粒(染色体桥)、断片等,同时也明显增加了淋巴细胞染色体畸变率,且存在剂量-反应关系(P＜0.01).结论沙尘暴PM2.5能引起淋巴细胞遗传损伤,其遗传毒性主要与染毒剂量有关.     

亚硝酸钠对中国仓鼠肺细胞染色体畸变率的影响

[目的]研究亚硝酸钠(NaNO2)致中国仓鼠肺细胞(CHL)染色体畸变的作用. [方法]测定NaNO2对CHL细胞的半数抑制浓度(IC50),根据IC50设立不同剂量组,进行正式实验,分别观察不加及加S9后的染色体畸变情况,根据标准进行结果判定. [结果]NaNO2染毒在不加S9时,128、12.8和1.28μg/ml 3个剂量组的染色体畸变率均＞5%而≤10%,为可疑阳性,而高剂量组(1.28 mg/ml)畸变率＞10%而＜20%,为阳性反应.NaNO2染毒在加入活化系统S9后,各剂量组引起CHL细胞染色体畸变率在12.8和1.28 μg/ml 2个剂量组的染色体畸变率均＞5%而≤100%,为可疑阳性,而中(128μg/ml)和高(1.28 mg/ml)剂量组畸变率均＞10%而＜20%,为阳性反应. [结论]NaNO2在1.28 mg/ml剂量下可引起CHL细胞染色体畸变率增高.     

守宫木Sauropus androgynus毒理学安全性评价

目的 研究守宫木的急性及亚慢性、细胞、遗传及免疫毒性并对其作出安全性评价.方法 对守宫木进行小鼠急性经口、大鼠亚慢性经口、细胞、遗传及免疫毒性试验.结果 全成份鲜样匀浆、叶干粉LD50值＞21.5 g/kg,梗干粉小鼠LD50值雌性20 g/kg、雄性23.3 g/kg;大鼠亚慢性经口毒性试验中干粉无明显有害作用剂量(NOAEL)为2 000 mg/kg;较低剂量守宫木对细胞生长有抑制作用,较高剂量则出现细胞增殖现象;浓缩除菌滤液剂量相当于含鲜样6×102mg/mL时,染色体畸变急剧增加,剂量达1.2×103 mg/mL时,细胞全部死亡;守宫木提取物对BALB/C小鼠脾T、B淋巴细胞体外增殖功能以及肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)、干扰素(IFN-γ)细胞因子的分泌功能均呈抑制作用,而对腹腔巨噬细胞吞噬功能呈刺激性增强作用.结论 守宫木为低毒或无毒类物质,对大鼠无明显急性毒性、亚慢性毒性,对免疫系统有一定毒物兴奋效应.     

吴茱萸对CHL细胞染色体畸变影响的研究

目的 探讨吴茱萸的主要生物碱(吴茱萸碱和吴茱萸次碱)以及柠檬苦素对CHL细胞染色体畸变的影响,对其遗传毒性进行初步研究.方法 用不同剂量的吴茱萸碱、吴茱萸次碱、柠檬苦素对CHL细胞进行体外染毒,观察其致CHL细胞染色体结构及数量的变化.结果 吴茱萸在0.5 mg/ml、0.05 mg/ml和0.005 mg/ml不同测试浓度下,在+S9和-S9条件下,与细胞作用4h及24h收集细胞进行染色体畸变分析,各剂量组染色体畸变率均在正常范围；吴茱萸次碱在0.5 mg/ml、0.05 mg/ml和0.005 mg/ml不同测试浓度下,在+S9和-S9条件下,与细胞作用4h收集细胞进行染色体畸变分析,各剂量组染色体畸变率均在正常范围,与细胞作用24 h,可诱发可重复性的阳性结果；柠檬苦素在2.5mg/ml、0.25 mg/ml和0.025 mg/ml不同测试浓度下,在+S9和-S9条件下,各剂量组染色体畸变率均出现可重复性的阳性结果.结论 在本试验所确定的测试条件下,吴茱萸次碱和柠檬苦素可导致CHL细胞染色体畸变.     

碲化镉量子点对CHL细胞染色体畸变作用研究

目的探讨碲化镉量子点(CdTe QDs)对中国仓鼠肺成纤维细胞(CHL)染色体畸变作用。方法用体外方法检测CdTe QDs在1.6、3.2、6.3、12.6、25.2μl/ml染毒浓度范围内,在代谢活化条件下(+S9)及非代谢活化条件下(-S9)CHL细胞的染色体畸变率。结果 CdTe QDs的代谢活化组(+S9)在染毒浓度为2.6μl/ml和25.2μl/ml浓度组CHL细胞染色体畸变率与对照组比较,显著增加(P<0.01),染色体畸变类型主要是染色体断裂、交换和碎片等。结论 CdTe QDs在代谢活化条件下(+S9)可能导致CHL细胞染色体畸变。     

小鼠淋巴瘤细胞TK基因突变试验检测染料木素的诱变性

目的：用小鼠淋巴瘤细胞TK基因突变试验检测染料木素的诱变性。方法：不加S9活化的条件下，用染料木素5、10、15、20μg／ml处理L5178Y细胞3h，采用微孔板法进行细胞毒性、平板接种效率和突变频率测定。结果：随染毒剂量的增加，染料木素对L5178Y的细胞毒性增大。染料木素能诱发L5178Y细胞tk位点突变频率显著增高，当剂量达到15μg/ml以上时其诱发突变频率为自发突变的3倍以上。结论：染料木素对L5178Y细胞有明显的细胞毒性，并可诱发tk基因突变。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.     

Stress in the Norwegian police service

BACKGROUND: High levels of stress have been attributed to the conditions of police work, but there is little empirical evidence for this. AIMS: To develop a new instrument to measure job stress in the police; to assess the most severe and frequent police stressors; to compare levels of stress according to the demographic and organizational factors; and to study stress in relation to personality traits, work locus of control and coping strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive nationwide questionnaire survey of 3272 Norwegian police at all hierarchical levels, including the Norwegian Police Stress Survey (NPSS), the Job Stress Survey, the Basic Character Inventory, the Work Locus of Control Scale, and the Coping Strategies Scale. RESULTS: Work injuries were appraised as the most stressful but least frequent stressor and job pressure was reported the least severe but most frequent stressor. Females experienced job stressors less frequently, but appraised them as more severe than men did. Older police officers reported more job pressure severity and fewer work injuries. The police in districts where peer support was planned but not implemented, and who worked in districts with more than 50,000 inhabitants, perceived the lack of support more severely than others. The correlations between stress and personality traits, work locus of control, and coping were moderate. CONCLUSIONS: The NPSS captures police-specific stressors that are not adequately measured by global stress instruments. The study of stress in police work should preferably involve a nationwide use of police-specific stress instruments.