Health risk assessment of PCDD/F emissions from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) in China.

The objectives of this study were to determine the environmental impacts of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) emitted from two typical municipal solid-waste incinerators (MSWIs), named M and L, in China. The main differences between the two MSWIs relate to incineration technologies, treatment capacities, emission standards and meteorological conditions. The distribution of PCDD/Fs in the surrounding ambient air and soils of the MWSIs were monitored and compared. In addition, air dispersion models and health risk assessments were combined to determine the behaviour and transport of PCDD/Fs. The results indicated that higher PCDD/F emission levels resulted in higher concentrations in the surrounding environment. The average PCDD/F levels emitted from the M MSWI was about seven times higher than those emitted from the L MSWI and about 10 times and 2 times higher in air and soils, respectively. The simulation results were similar to the trend of the monitored results. Both the observed and the simulation results suggested that the atmospheric pollution by PCDD/F surrounding the M MSWI was relatively serious; the environmental impact of the L MSWI was not significant.

[Assessment of quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease with Seattle angina questionnaire].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quality of life (QOL) of patients with different severity of coronary artery disease using Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ). METHODS: A total of 513 hospitalized patients undergoing coronary angiography from December 2007 to December 2008 were included. QOL of these patients was measured with SAQ and their demographic and clinical data were collected. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the severity of coronary artery disease by coronary angiography. And comparisons of traditional risk factors and QOL were made among these groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the variables associated with QOL. RESULTS: The scores of physical limitation were significantly different among 3 groups according to the severity of coronary artery disease by coronary angiography (80 +/- 16, 79 +/- 19 and 71 +/- 22, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that physical limitation of the patients was affected by age (P < 0.01), gender (P < 0.01) and severity of coronary artery disease (P < 0.01). Angina stability was affected by the history of myocardial infarction (P = 0.03). Angina frequency was affected by the history of myocardial infarction (P = 0.01) and gender (P = 0.04). Treatment satisfaction was affected by the severity of coronary artery disease (P = 0.03) and disease perception by the history of DM (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Age, gender, history of myocardial infarction, history of DM and severity of coronary artery disease are independent predictors of QOL in patients with coronary artery disease.

[Assessment of life quality in patients with chronic heart failure].

OBJECTIVE: Using Kansas city cardiomyopathy questionnaire (KCCQ) to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) of the patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS: A total of 271 hospitalized patients with heart failure symptoms in cardiology department, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, who undergone coronary angiography from December 2007 to December 2008, were included in this study. QOL of the subjects was measured, and their demographic and clinical data were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to heart function and they were compared by QOL.Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to identify the variables associated with the quality of life. RESULTS: KCCQ physical limitation scores of the patients of left ventricular elective fraction (LVEF) < 50% (n = 50) and LVEF > or = 50% (n = 221) were (66 +/- 22) points and (73 +/- 22) points (P < 0.05). In the patients of NYHA I/II (n = 227) vs NYHA III/IV (n = 44), KCCQ scores of physical limitation, symptoms and QOL were (74 +/- 20) vs (60 +/- 27) points, (62 +/- 22) vs (49 +/- 25) points and (61 +/- 16) vs (53 +/- 18) points (all P < 0.05). In the patients of heart failure grade A/B (n = 197) vs grade C/D (n = 74), KCCQ scores of physical limitation, symptoms and QOL were (75 +/- 19) vs (61 +/- 26) points, (63 +/- 22) vs (52 +/- 24) points, (61 +/- 16) vs (56 +/- 18) points (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis of QOL KCCQ showed that, age, NYHA cardiac function classification, gender and Judkins score were the risk factors of patients' physical limitation (P < 0.01); gender and stages of heart failure were the risk factors of patients'symptoms (P < 0.01); gender was the risk factors of patients'social function (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The patients with poor cardiac function have a poor QOL. KCCQ is more sensitive for the evaluation of heart function. Age, NYHA, gender, Judkins score and stages of heart failure can change QOL for the patients with chronic heart failure.