[Analysis on the quality of life and its influencing factors of visual display terminal operators in Internet enterprises].

Objective: To investigate the quality of life of the visual display terminal (VDT) operators in Hangzhou Internet enterprises and to analyze its influencing factors. Methods: Through cluster sampling,, 944 employees were investigated by demographic and general health questions and the MOS 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire from October to November in 2016 and carried out statistical analysis. Results: VDT operators' physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, mental health, physical component summary and mental component summary scores were (86.3±17.0) , (82.5±30.3) , (80.6±16.1) , (56.8±18.6) , (53.7±15.6) , (78.5±17.8) , (81.2±31.9) , (48.8±19.3) , (51.1±8.9) , (43.8±9.1) . Except physical functioning, role-physical and physical component summary scores, the scores of other scales and mental component summary were lower than the norm (P<0.05) . Multivariable logistic regression showed that vegetable intake, sleeping and physical exercise had an impact on the physical component summary score. The influential factors of mental component summary score included marital status, education, neck pain and health concerns. Conclusion: We should pay attention to the quality of life of VDT operators in Internet enterprises, especially their mental health.

[Effects of p-phenylenediamine on lung function and health-related quality of life of workers].

Objective: To study the effects p-phenylenediamine (PPD) on lung function and health-related quality of life of occupational exposed workers. Methods: This study was based on data from a company that produce hair dye containing PPD in China. Workers who exposed to PPD were selected as the study group, and workers un-exposed to PPD were selected as the control group. Questionnaires on health-related quality of life of workers using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) . Occupational health examination assessment results were tested in Taizhou Cancer Hospital. The lung function test includes forced vital capacity (FVC) , forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1.0)) , and ratio of FEV(1.0) to FVC (FEV(1.0)/FVC) . Results: The difference in systolic blood pressure between the PPD exposed group and the control group was statistically significant (P<0.05) . FVC, FEV(1.0), and FEV(1.0)/FVC of the lung function indexes in the exposed group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . In the health-related quality of life, body pain (P=0.002) , general health (P=0.029) , vitality (P=0.038) , and mental health (P=0.003) were lower in the exposed group than in the control group. Conclusion: Occupational exposed to PPD may induce hazard to the workers'lung function and may cause detrimental effect on workers' health-related quality of life.

[Effects of p-Phenylene diamine on liver and kidney functions of occupational exposed workers].

Objective: To study the effect of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) on liver and kidney function in occupational exposed workers. Methods: Workers in a hair dye production enterprise which used p-phenylenediamine as a raw material for production were selected as the main research population. Then we conducted a questionnaire survey on the basic conditions of workers and conducted occupational health checkups on general health status, liver and kidney function. Occupational health examination assessment results were tested in Taizhou Cancer Hospital. All data was built using EpiData 3.1 software, and statistical analysis was performed using software SPSS 20.0. Results: The liver function indicators including direct bilirubin, prealbumin, total protein, and white protein, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamyl transpeptidase, and total bilirubin in the workers exposed to high concentration of PPD were at high normal values, and these indicators were significantly different from low PPD concentration group (P<0.05) . The serum creatinine and serum uric acid in the renal function index were significantly higher in workers exposed to PPD than in workers exposed to low concentrations and in the control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational exposed to PPD may have a hazard to the workers' liver and kidney function. Long-term occupational exposure to PPD may lead to increased cumulative exposure of workers, which may cause potential chronic liver and kidney damage in occupationally exposed populations.

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial activity of Xenorhabdus bovienii YL002 against Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea.

AIMS: Developing new bio-agents to control plant disease is desirable. Entomopathogenic bacteria Xenorhabdus spp. have potential antimicrobial activity in agriculture. This work was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Xenorhabdus bovienii YL002 on plant pathogenic fungi and oomycete in vitro and the efficiency of this strain to reduce the in vivo incidence of grey mould rot on tomato plants caused by Botrytis cinerea and leaf scorch on pepper plants caused by Phytophthora capsici. METHODS AND RESULTS: The antimicrobial activity of X. bovienii YL002 was firstly determined on in vitro plant pathogenic fungi and oomycete and then on tomato fruits and plants infected with B. cinerea and pepper plants infected with P. capsici. The cell-free filtrate of X. bovienii YL002 exhibited highest inhibition effects (>98%) on mycelia growth of P. capsici and B. cinerea. The 50% inhibition concentration (EC50) of the methanol-extracted bioactive compounds (methanol extract) of the cell-free filtrate against P. capsici and B. cinerea were 164·83 and 42·16 µg ml⁻¹. The methanol extract also had a strong effect on the spore germination of P. capsici and B. cinerea, with a EC50 of 70·38 and 69·33 µg ml⁻¹, respectively. At 1000 µg ml⁻¹, the methanol extract showed a therapeutic effect of 70·82% and a protective effect of 77·4% against B. cinerea on tomato plants compared with the control. The methanol extract also showed potent effect against P. capsici, with a therapeutic effect of 68·14% and a protective effect of 65·46% on pepper plants compared with the control. CONCLUSIONS: Xenorhabdus bovienii YL002 produces antimicrobial compounds with strong activity on plant pathogenic fungi and oomycete and has the potential for controlling grey mould rot of tomato plants and leaf scorch of pepper and could be useful in integrated control against diverse plant pathogenic fungi and oomycete. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study showed the potential that X. bovienii YL002 can be used to control the grey mould rot caused by B. cinerea on tomato plants and leaf scorch caused by P. capsici on pepper plants with the objective to reduce treatments with chemical fungicides.

[Clinical analysis of 31 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus infection in children from six provinces (autonomous region) of northern China].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory examinations, chest imaging, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019-nCoV was conducted. The patients were diagnosed between January 25th, 2020 and February 21st, 2020 in 21 hospitals in 17 cities of six provinces (autonomous region) of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Hebei, Henan and Shandong. Results: The age of the 31 children with 2019-nCoV infection was 7 years and 1 month (6 months-17 years). Nine cases (29%) were imported cases. Other 21 cases (68%) had contact with confirmed infected adults. One case (3%) had contact with asymptomatic returnees from Wuhan. Among the 31 children, 28 patients (90%) were family cluster cases. The clinical types were asymptomatic type in 4 cases (13%), mild type in 13 cases (42%), and common type in 14 cases (45%). No severe or critical type existed. The most common symptom was fever (n=20, 65%), including 1 case of high fever, 9 cases of moderate fever, 10 cases of low fever. Fever lasted from 1 day to 9 days. The fever of fifteen cases lasted for ≤3 d, while in other 5 cases lasted >3 d. Other symptoms included cough (n=14, 45%), fatigue (n=3, 10%) and diarrhea (n=3, 10%). Pharyngalgia, runny nose, dizziness, headache and vomiting were rare. In the early stage, the total leukocytes count in peripheral blood decreased in 2 cases (6%), the lymphocytes count decreased in 2 cases (6%), and the platelet count increased in 2 cases (6%).Elevation of C-reactive protein (10%, 3/30), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (19%, 4/21), procalcitonin (4%,1/28), liver enzyme (22%, 6/27) and muscle enzyme (15%, 4/27) occurred in different proportions. Renal function and blood glucose were normal. There were abnormal chest CT changes in 14 cases, including 9 cases with patchy ground glass opacities and nodules, mostly located in the lower lobe of both lungs near the pleural area. After receiving supportive treatment, the viral nucleic acid turned negative in 25 cases within 7-23 days. Among them, 24 children (77%) recovered and were discharged from hospital. No death occurred. Conclusions: In this case series, 2019-nCoV infection in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China are mainly caused by close family contact. Clinical types are asymptomatic, mild and common types. Clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results are nonspecific. Close contact history of epidemiology, nucleic acid detection and chest imaging are important bases for diagnosis of 2019-nCoV infection. After general treatment, the short-term prognosis is good.

[Toxicity of drugs on nasal mucocilia and the method of its evaluation].

Effect of solutions or suspensions of eight drugs including analgin, paracetamol, propafenone hydrochloride, propranolol hydrochloride, ephedrine hydrochloride, gentamycin sulfate, sodium deoxycholate and hydrocortisone on ciliary movement were evaluated with in vitro or in situ toad palate model and scanning electron microscope. In vitro toad palate model: 0.2 ml of test drug solution or suspension was applied to a piece of freshly dissected upper palate of toad. The mucocilia were examined with an optical microscope and the lasting time of ciliary movement was recorded after drug application. The upper palate was rinsed with physiological saline when the ciliary movement stopped. The lasting time of ciliary movement after rinsing was then recorded again. In situ palate model: 0.5 ml of test drug solution or suspension was applied to the upper palate of toad for 30 min, and rinsed with physiological saline. The palate was dissected out and the operation was carried out in a similar manner. The results showed that the in situ toad palate model is a satisfactory method for studying the ciliotoxicity of drugs. The in vitro toad palate model is unsuitable for suspension and gel. The results of the eight drugs revealed that ciliary movement is frequently affected by many drugs and, therefore, care must be taken in developing any nasal dosage form to ensure its least ciliotoxicity.

[Comparison of concentration of piroxicam in blood and local site after two routes of administration].

The systematic and local concentrations of piroxicam after oral and transdermal administration were determined and compared. Mice were randomly grouped, and oral suspensions (0.72 mg.ml-1) or transdermal gels 1 mg.ml-1 were given. Systematic concentration (Cs) and local concentration (C1) of the drug in each mouse were determined by HPLC method. After transdermal administration of 0.25 mg of piroxicam gels Cmax(s) = 8.06 micrograms.ml-1 and AUC(s)0-24(s) = 58.36 micrograms.h.ml-1 were obtained, whereas after oral administration of 0.026 mg.10 g-1 body weight of piroxicam suspensions Cmax(s) was 36.82 micrograms.ml-1 and AUC(s)0-24 was 155.59 micrograms.h.ml-1. The C1/Cs ratio (0.01) through oral route was far lower than the C1/Cs ratio (0.13) through transdermal route. The area under local concentration-time curve (15.85 micrograms.h.ml-1) calculated from transdermal administration was much higher than that from oral administration (1.93 micrograms.h.ml-1). So, it seems to be unreasonable that only serum concentration is taken as a criterion for bioavailability test of piroxicam for local dosage forms, the local drug concentration should also be investigated and evaluated.

Endostatin gene therapy for endometriosis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Endostatin gene therapy for endometriosis was studied in an experimental autotransplantation model in rats. METHODS: Endometriotic lesions were transfected by intralesional injection of the plasmid lipofectamine-endostatin-pBud (group 1), lipofectamine-pBud (empty vector; group 2) or phosphate-buffered saline (group 3). Endostatin mRNA and protein levels in lesions were evaluated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Endostatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels in serum, and microvessel density (MVD) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 protein levels in endometriotic lesions, were also determined. RESULTS: Lipofectamine-endostatin-pBud injection increased endostatin mRNA and protein levels in lesions. Lesions were significantly smaller, and serum VEGF levels significantly lower, in group 1 versus controls. Serum VEGF was significantly and negatively correlated with serum endostatin. In group 1, MMP-2 levels and MVD were significantly lower versus controls. MMP-2 level was negatively correlated with endostatin. CONCLUSIONS: Gene therapy with endostatin appears to be an effective treatment for endometriosis. Restoration of endostatin gene expression by gene transfer in vivo might be a potential gene therapy approach for human endometriosis.

Sorbic acid improves growth performance and regulates insulin-like growth factor system gene expression in swine.

Sorbic acid (SA) is a PUFA with a conjugated double bond. The conjugated fatty acids, including CLA, are multifunctional bioactive fatty acids with the ability to improve growth performance. The effect of SA on pig growth performance was examined to determine its mechanism of action. The ADG, ADFI, and serum IGF-I concentration were examined, as were IGF-I secretion and IGF system gene expression in hepatocytes. Two hundred forty 21-d-old Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weaned piglets (6.86 ± 0.02 kg) were randomly divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 3 pens of 20 piglets (10 female and 10 male). The 4 groups of piglets were kept in a temperature-controlled room (26 to 28 °C), and feed and water were provided to the pigs ad libitum. Weanling piglets were fed diets that included 0, 0.5, 2, or 4 g of SA/kg for 42 d. The diet supplemented with 0.5 g/kg of SA improved (P < 0.05) ADG, BW, and G:F, whereas supplementation with all 3 SA doses increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F at 21 to 42 d of age. The greatest concentration of plasma triglycerides was observed (P < 0.05) in the 4 g/kg of SA group. The SA increased (0.5 g of SA/kg, P > 0.05; 1 g of SA/kg, P < 0.05; and 2 g of SA/kg, P < 0.05, respectively) plasma total serum protein and globulin concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. It was noted that the smallest SA treatment dose (0.5 g/kg) dramatically increased (P < 0.05) serum IGF-I concentration but decreased (P < 0.05) the concentrations of blood urea N and cortisol. The SA increased (P < 0.05) IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR), and PPARα gene mRNA expression and IGF-I secretion, but not (P > 0.05) IGFBP or PPARγ mRNA expression, in pig primary hepatocytes. These results indicate that SA improves growth performance by regulating IGF system gene expression and hormone secretion.

Sex differentials in perinatal mortality in China and Finland.

This study describes patterns of sex differentials in perinatal mortality in China and Finland. The analysis is based on three population-based one-year birth cohorts, one from Qingdao, China, in 1992 and two from Northern Finland in 1966 and 1985-86, comprised of 9,219, 11,422 and 9,207 singletons with at least 28 gestational weeks and 1000 g in birthweight, respectively. Both Finnish cohorts had an excess of male over female perinatal deaths, but in the Chinese cohort girls were more likely to die than boys. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of perinatal mortality for boys was 1.31 (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 0.98, 1.78) and 1.57 (95 per cent CI 0.89, 2.78) in the Finnish 1966 and 1985-86 cohorts, respectively, and 0.82 (95 per cent CI 0.55, 1.20) in the Chinese cohort. The corresponding figure for stillbirths in the Chinese was 0.57 (95 per cent CI 0.33, 0.98), which could explain the total excess of female deaths during the perinatal period. Our results suggest that the role of different social and cultural environments on the existing sex differentials in perinatal mortality between the countries needs further evaluation.