Effect of Flavonoids in Hawthorn and Vitamin C Prevents Hypertension in Rats Induced by Heat Exposure.

BACKGROUND: Excessive oxidative stress is associated with hypertension in professional high-temperature working conditions. Polyphenols exhibit a cardioprotective effect. Hawthorn contains high amounts of flavonoids, though its effect on hypertension protection has yet to be studied. This study aims to investigate this effect of extract of hawthorn (EH) or its combination with vitamin C (Vit. C) in rats induced by working under a hot environment. METHODS: Forty-two male rats were randomly divided into a control group under normal temperature and six treatment groups exposed at 33 ± 1 °C along with 1 h of daily treadmill running. They were orally provided with water, Vit. C (14mg/kg), EH (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg), and EH500 + Vit. C, once a day for four weeks. RESULTS: Both EH and Vit. C alone reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of rats exposed to the heat environment; however, their joint supplementation completely maintained their blood pressure to the normal level throughout the experimental period. No morphological changes were found on the intima of aorta. Moreover, the co-supplementation of EH and Vit. C prevented the changes of heat exposure in inducing oxidative stress markers, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and nitric oxide; the synergistic action was more effective than either individual treatment of EH and Vit. C. Furthermore, the administration of EH had more potent effects on increasing superoxide dismutase, IL-2, the 70 kilodalton heat shock proteins and high sensitivity C reactive protein, and decreasing serum malondialdehyde and lipofuscin in vascular tissue than those in Vit. C group. CONCLUSIONS: A strong synergistic effect of EH and Vit. C on the prevention of hypertension under heat exposure was established, as they inhibited the oxidative stress state. This study also sets up a novel intervention strategy in animal models for investigation on the early phases of hypertension induced by heat exposure.

[Relationship between occupational noise exposure and hypertension in male steel workers].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of occupational noise exposure on hypertension in male steel workers. METHODS: The general information, noise exposure and blood pressure were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Chi-square test was used to investigate the prevalence of hypertension under different cumulative noise exposure, and the effect of noise exposure and other factors on hypertension was analyzed by the restrictive cubic spline(RCS) combined with multivariatenon-condition Logistic regression model. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension in noise exposure group was higher than that in noise non-exposure group(P<0. 001). After adjusting for multiple factors, the restricted cubic spline model showed a dose-response relationship between cumulative noise exposure(CNE) and hypertension(overall correlation χ~2=75. 76, P<0. 001, and nonlinear χ~2=24. 17, P<0. 001). Compared with the steel workers exposure to lowest dose, the risk of hypertension of steel workers exposure to 82-94 and 95-107 dB(A) in group was 1. 81(95%CI 1. 31-2. 52) times and 2. 60(95%CI 1. 84-3. 68) times. CONCLUSION: There is a non-linear dose-response relationship between cumulative noise exposure and hypertension.

[Association between joint of heat and noise and metabolic syndrome in steel workers].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between joint of heat and noise, and metabolic syndrome in a steel rolling factory workers. METHODS: A total of 590 steel workers were selected as subjects by cluster sampling method from workers of a steel factory. They were investigated by face to face way with the unified questionnaire which contents included personal information, occupational history, personal history, habits and other factors. Furthermore, height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. Referring to the 2005 International Diabetes Federation (IDF) issued by the metabolic syndrome (MS) worldwide uniform definition combines waist diagnosis MS. A database was built by Epidata 3.0 software, and data was analyzed by SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: 571 steel workers were from 22 to 60 years, mean age (41.2 -7.9) years old. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in steel workers was 17.9%. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome of those who exposed to high temperature was 18.8%, higher than that of those who did not expose to high temperature (5.3%), there was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome of those who exposed to noise was 20.6%, higher than that of those who did not exposed to noise (14.0%) (P < 0.05). After adjusting for the effects of confounding factors, the prevalence of MS those who exposed to high temperatures and noise is 1.118 times as high as that of those who did not exposed to high temperatures and noise. CONCLUSIONS: The combined effects of heat and noise is related to the increasing prevalence of MS of steel workers.

Perfluorocarbons and Gilbert syndrome (phenotype) in the C8 Health Study Population.

BACKGROUND: Gilbert syndrome (GS) is an inherited defect of bilirubin conjugation, most commonly caused by a gene mutation for the enzyme UGT1A. GS is known to affect the metabolism and excretion of drugs and xenobiotics. Perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs) are bio-persistent environmental contaminants that affect metabolic regulation. In this study, we examined the associations of GS phenotype and serum PFCs in the C8 Health Study Population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 2005-2006 data from a large PFC-exposure population survey, we compared serum PFCs concentrations between GS and non GS clinical phenotypes, in a cross sectional design, adjusting for standard risk factors, including age, BMI, smoking status, socioeconomic status and gender. RESULTS: Among 10 PFC compounds considered, only perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) was seen at a significantly higher concentration in GS men and women. CONCLUSION: PFHxA exposure may be associated with GS. Our findings do not support increased exposure in GS for other PFCs.

The life-course changes in muscle mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: The China BCL study and the US NHANES study.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an important indicator of ill health and is linked to increased mortality and a reduced quality of life. Age-associated muscle mass indices provide a critical tool to help understand the development of sarcopenia. This study aimed to develop sex- and age-specific percentiles for muscle mass indices in a Chinese population and to compare those indices with those from other ethnicities using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. METHODS: Whole-body and regional muscle mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in participants of the China Body Composition Life-course (BCL) study (17 203 healthy Chinese aged 3-60 years, male 48.9%) and NHANES (12 663 healthy Americans aged 8-59 years, male 50.4%). Age- and sex-specific percentile curves were generated for whole-body muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass using the Generalized Additive Model for Location Scale and Shape statistical method. RESULTS: Values of upper and lower muscle mass across ages had three periods: an increase from age 3 to a peak at age 25 in males (with the 5th and 95th values of 41.5 and 66.4 kg, respectively) and age 23 in females (with the 5th and 95th values of 28.4 and 45.1 kg, respectively), a plateau through midlife (30s-50s) and then a decline after their early 50s. The age at which muscle mass began to decline was 52 years in men with the 5th and 95th percentile values of 43.5 and 64.6 kg, and 51 years in women with the 5th and 95th percentile values of 31.6 and 46.9 kg. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass decreased earlier than whole body muscle mass, especially leg skeletal muscle mass, which decreased slightly after age 49 years in both sexes. In comparison with their US counterparts in the NHANES, the Chinese participants had lower muscle mass indices (all P < 0.001) and reached a muscle mass peak earlier with a lower muscle mass, with the exception of similar values compared with adult Mexican and White participants. The muscle mass growth rate of Chinese children decreased faster than that of other races after the age of 13. CONCLUSIONS: We present the sex- and age-specific percentiles for muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass by DXA in participants aged 3-60 from China and compare them with those of different ethnic groups in NHANES. The rich data characterize the trajectories of key muscle mass indices that may facilitate the clinical appraisal of muscle mass and improve the early diagnosis of sarcopenia in the Chinese population.

[Study on predictive value of pulmonary ventilation function of healthy coal mine workers].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the predictive value of pulmonary ventilation function for dust-exposed-workers in some coal mine. METHODS: From March to August in 2011, 2994 coal workers were involved in the research, their pulmonary ventilation function were examined by pulmonary function measuring instrument. 1389 worker's pulmonary ventilation function were normal, the data of 1139 workers established the predictive value equation, and those of 250 workers tested the equation. RESULTS: Age was negatively correlated with FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, MMF and PEFR (P < 0.05). Height was negatively correlated with FEV1%, however, it was positively correlated with others (P < 0.05). Weight was negatively correlated with MMF and positively correlated with FVC and PEFR (P < 0.05). The regression equation of the predictive value was established by age, height and weight as in dependent variables. It were above 90% that the accordance ratio to test the equation by original data and test data. Predictive value of pulmonary ventilatory function from predictive value equation were lower than that of lung fucntion machine (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Predictive value of pulmonary ventilatory function from predictive value equation was superior to that of lung fucntion machine.

[Value of oxygenic injury sensitive index in the screening of the early coal workers' pneumoconiosis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of oxidative injury in the screening of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). METHODS: With the method of nitrate reductase, TBA, et al, the content of NO, MDA and other indexes of peroxidation in plasma lipid were detected in 112 patients suffering from coal workers' pneumoconiosis and 114 healthy coal workers as controls. RESULTS: There were statistical significant between two groups (P < 0.05) with the content or density of MDA, CuZn-SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC, UA, NO and iNOS except CP. As screening index of pneumoconiosis, there were statistical significant in area under the curve (AUC) of MDA, T-AOC, NO and iNOS between the two groups by ROC. As screening index of pneumoconiosis, MDA, T-AOC, NO and iNOS can be selected as early screening index. Especially, T-AOC was the best index of four indexes (sensitivity is 70.5%, specificity is 68.1%). CONCLUSION: Joint screening of MDA, T-AOC and iNOS is better than single index or series of T-AOC and MDA to the screening of CWP.

Association of TNF-alpha-238G/A and 308 G/A gene polymorphisms with pulmonary tuberculosis among patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

OBJECTIVES: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may play an important role in host's immune response to mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection. This study was to investigate the association of TNF-alpha gene polymorphism with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP). METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in 113 patients with confirmed CWP complicated with pulmonary TB and 113 non-TB controls with CWP. They were matched in gender, age, job, and stage of pneumoconiosis. All participants were interviewed with questionnaires and their blood specimens were collected for genetic determination with informed consent. The TNF-alpha gene polymorphism was determined with polymerase chain reaction of restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Frequency of genotypes was assessed for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability. Factors influencing the association of individual susceptibility with pulmonary TB were evaluated with logistic regression analysis. Gene-environment interaction was evaluated by a multiplicative model with combined OR. All data were analyzed using SAS version 8.2 software. RESULTS: No significant difference in frequency of the TNF-alpha-308 genotype was found between CWP complicated with pulmonary TB and non-TB controls (chi2 = 5.44, P = 0.07). But difference in frequency of the TNF-alpha-308 A allele was identified between them (chi2 = 5.14, P = 0.02). No significant difference in frequencies of the TNF-alpha-238 genotype and allele (P = 0.23 and P = 0.09, respectively) was found between cases and controls either, with combined (GG and AA) OR of 3.96 (95% confidence interval of 1.30-12.09) at the -308 locus of the TNF-alpha gene, as compared to combination of the TNF-alpha-238 GG and TNF-alpha-308 GG genotypes. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of the TNF-alpha-238 GG and TNF-alpha-308 GA genotypes was 1.98 (95% CI of 1.06-3.71) for risk for pulmonary TB in patients with CWP. There was a synergic interaction between the TNF-alpha-308 GG genotype and body mass index (OR = 4.92), as well as an interaction between the TNF-alpha-308 GG genotype and history of BCG immunization or history of TB exposure. And, the interaction of the TNF-alpha-238 GG genotype and history of BCG immunization or TB exposure with risk for pulmonary TB in them was also indicated. CONCLUSIONS: TNF-alpha-308 A allele is associated with an elevated risk for pulmonary TB, whereas TNF-alpha-238 A allele was otherwise.

Prostate-specific antigen and perfluoroalkyl acids in the C8 health study population.

PURPOSE: To inform questions raised by inconsistent findings regarding an association between perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) and prostate cancer by assessing the relationship of PFAAs in human serum to prostate-specific antigen (PSA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using 2005 to 2006 survey data from a large survey population, we compared serum PFAA concentrations in adult males with PSA concentrations adjusted for risk factors including age, body mass index, smoking status, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: Perfluoroalkyl acids are not consistently associated with PSA concentration in general, or with PSA more than 4.0. DISCUSSION: These findings do not provide evidence that PFAA exposure is associated with PSA.

Solvothermal Synthesis of Three-Dimensional Hierarchical CuS Microspheres from a Cu-Based Ionic Liquid Precursor for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors.

It is meaningful to exploit copper sulfide materials with desired structure as well as potential application due to their cheapness and low toxicity. A low-temperature and facile solvothermal method for preparing three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical covellite (CuS) microspheres from an ionic liquid precursor [Bmim]2Cu2Cl6 (Bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) is reported. The formation of CuS nanostructures was achieved by decomposition of intermediate complex Cu(Tu)3Cl (thiourea = Tu), which produced CuS microspheres with diameters of 2.5-4 µm assembled by nanosheets with thicknesses of 10-15 nm. The ionic liquid, as an "all-in-one" medium, played a key role for the fabrication and self-assembly of CuS nanosheets. The alkylimidazolium rings ([Bmim](+)) were found to adsorb onto the (001) facets of CuS crystals, which inhibited the crystal growth along the [001] direction, while the alkyl chain had influence on the assembly of CuS nanosheets. The CuS microspheres showed enhanced electrochemical performance and high stability for the application in supercapacitors due to intriguing structural design and large specific surface area. When this well-defined CuS electrode was assembled into an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) with an activated carbon (AC) electrode, the CuS//AC-ASC demonstrated good cycle performance (∼88% capacitance after 4000 cycles) and high energy density (15.06 W h kg(-1) at a power density of 392.9 W kg(-1)). This work provides new insights into the use of copper sulfide electrode materials for asymmetric supercapacitors and other electrochemical devices.

Effects of psychological stress on hypertension in middle-aged Chinese: a cross-sectional study.

We examined the effect and relative contributions of different types of stress on the risk of hypertension. Using cluster sampling, 5,976 community-dwelling individuals aged 40-60 were selected. Hypertension was defined according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee, and general psychological stress was defined as experiencing stress at work or home. Information on known risk factors of hypertension (e.g., physical activity levels, food intake, smoking behavior) was collected from participants. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between psychological stress and hypertension, calculating population-attributable risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). General stress was significantly related to hypertension (odds ratio [OR] = 1.247, 95% CI [1.076, 1.446]). Additionally, after adjustment for all other risk factors, women showed a greater risk of hypertension if they had either stress at work or at home: OR = 1.285, 95% CI (1.027, 1.609) and OR = 1.231, 95% CI (1.001, 1.514), respectively. However, this increased risk for hypertension by stress was not found in men. General stress contributed approximately 9.1% (95% CI [3.1, 15.0]) to the risk for hypertension. Thus, psychological stress was associated with an increased risk for hypertension, although this increased risk was not consistent across gender.

Selective determination of melamine in milk samples using 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate-modified gold nanoparticles as colorimetric probe.

A novel and sensitive colorimetric method for determination of melamine in milk samples was developed by a 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate-modified gold nanoparticles (MPS-GNPs) probe. Melamine molecule has multiple -NH(2) groups. These functional groups can interact with MPS to form strong hydrogen bonding and induce the aggregation of the MPS-GNPs, resulting in a dramatic color change from red to blue. Therefore, the concentration of melamine in milk samples can be quantitatively detected by the naked eyes or a UV-vis spectrometer. Moreover, investigations have revealed that the sensitivity of the detection could be clearly improved by adding NaCl to the modified GNPs solution, which leads to a more rapid color change in the NaCl-optimized GNPs system. It is worth noting that the absorption ratio (A(650)/A(520)) of the modified GNPs in the NaCl-optimized system exhibited a linear correlation with melamine concentration and the limit of detection is 8 nM, well below the safety limit (1 ppm for infant formula in China).

Theoretical investigation on stability and isomerizations of CH3SO isomers.

The stability and isomerizations of CH3SO isomers have been investigated at B3LYP/6-311G(d,p), MP2/6-311G(d,p), QCISD/6-311G(d,p), and CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p) levels. Geometries of isomers and transition states (TS) have been optimized at the B3LYP/6-311G(d, p) level. Vibration analysis and the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) calculated at the same level have been applied to validate the connection of the stationary points. The four different methods give similar results: 11 isomers and 9 isomerization channels were found. CH3SO and CH2(S)OH are the most stable species among the 11 isomers. Furthermore, the breakage and formation of the chemical bonds in isomerization reactions have been discussed by the topological analysis method of electronic density. The "energy transition state (ETS)" and the "structure transition state (STS)" of all the isomerizations have been found. The topological analysis shows that the relative positions of ETS and STS are determined by reaction energy. The nonplanar four-member ring structure transition state (STS), which was first found in this paper, extended the concept of ring STS.

[Study on the determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among coal miners].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among coal miners and to seek for competent preventive measures. METHODS: 425 coal miners from three coal mines, Tangshan, Daxing, and baodian were chosen under stratified random cluster sampling. Face to face interview was conducted to fill the unified questionnaires by trained interviewers. 306 subjects underwent gastroenduoscopy to detect the situation of the gastroenduodenal diseases, according to the Sydney System of diagnosis. Mucosa biopsies were also undertaken according to the regulated location for culture of H. pylori and for pathological examination. Blood samples were obtained to detect the anti-HpU-IgG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). H. pylori infection was determined through culture and ELISA but confirmed under the standards set at the National Congress on Gastroduodenal Diseases in 1999. RESULTS: Among 425 eligible coal miners being tested, 297 (69.9%) were H. pylori positive and the rate for those working underground (74.0%) was higher than that of those working on ground (P=0.004). No difference was found among coal miners between the three mines (P >0.05). Age, living conditions in childhood, number of current family members, the amount of alcohol intake and ways of eating at home were strongly associated with the status of H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Difference of H. pylori infection prevalences between the underground and the aboveground coal miners was noticed. Determinants that influencing the H. pylori infection would include socioeconomic factors, individual habits and ways of eating at home.