Multidisciplinary approach to assess the toxicities of arsenic and barium in drinking water

Well water could be a stable source of drinking water. Recently, the use of well water as drinking water has been encouraged in developing countries. However, many kinds of disorders caused by toxic elements in well drinking water have been reported. It is our urgent task to resolve the global issue of element-originating diseases. In this review article, our multidisciplinary approaches focusing on oncogenic toxicities and disturbances of sensory organs (skin and ear) induced by arsenic and barium are introduced. First, our environmental monitoring in developing countries in Asia showed elevated concentrations of arsenic and barium in well drinking water. Then our experimental studies in mice and our epidemiological studies in humans showed arsenic-mediated increased risks of hyperpigmented skin and hearing loss with partial elucidation of their mechanisms. Our experimental studies using cultured cells with focus on the expression and activity levels of intracellular signal transduction molecules such as c-SRC, c-RET, and oncogenic RET showed risks for malignant transformation and/or progression arose from arsenic and barium. Finally, our original hydrotalcite-like compound was proposed as a novel remediation system to effectively remove arsenic and barium from well drinking water. Hopefully, comprehensive studies consisting of (1) environmental monitoring, (2) health risk assessments, and (3) remediation will be expanded in the field of environmental health to prevent various disorders caused by environmental factors including toxic elements in drinking water.

Progress of the micronucleus test in the field of molecular cancer epidemiology / 中华预防医学杂志

The micronucleus test (MNT) can be used to detect multiple genetic end points simultaneously, including chromosome aberration, mis-repaired DNA damage, apoptosis, parts of mutation and so on, which MNT has been an important part of the study of cancer epidemiology.Here, we reviewed the progress of MNT in the field of molecular cancer epidemiology in recent years, including early detection and diagnosis of cancer, evaluation of carcinogenic substances, genetic susceptibility biomarkers, micronutrient and cohort studies.

The pathogens analysis of pneumonia children with antibiotic-associated diarrhea / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To investigate the intestinal pathogens in pneumonia children with antibioticassociated diarrhea (AAD).Methods The etiological data of 208 pneumonia children with AAD were analyzed retrospectively.Results The results dictated there were 46 A and/or B toxin-positive samples of Clostridium difficile(CD),and after culturing there were 122 Candida,107 Escherichia coli,42 Staphyloccocus aureus,28 Clostridiurn perfringens,21 Klebsiella oxytoca,18 Enterobacter cloacae,12 Klebsiella pneumoniae,8 Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the fecal specimens of 208 pneumonia children with AAD.Conclusions The pathogens are complicated in pneumonia children with AAD,the highest detection rate are Candida and Escherichia coli.The antibiotic use time of treatment of CD infection AAD and the hospital stay time are the longest,AAD treatment should be made according to different pathogens situation.

Genotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of Rhizobium radiobacter isola-ted from pediatric patients with bacteremia / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate genotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of Rhizobium radiobacter (R.radiobact-er)isolated from pediatric patients with bacteremia.Methods R.radiobacter strains from blood cultures of pediatric pa-tients with bacteremia from February 2013 through February 2014 were collected.16S rDNA fragment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR),bacterial genotypes were identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE),antimi-crobial susceptibility testing were performed by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.Results 13 isolates of R.radiobacter were isolated from 12 children with positive blood culture,which including 3 genotypes,the homology of 16S rDNA fragment and R.radiobacter IFM 10623 was up to 99%.According to CLSI 2003 standard,these 13 R.radiobacter were resistant to ceftazidime,piperacillin,ticarcillin,piperacillin/tazobactam,ticarcillin/clavulanic acid,aztreo-nam and polymyxin B,but sensitive to cefepime,doripenem,imipenem,meropenem,tobramycin,netilmicin,cip-rofloxacin,levofloxacin,and norfloxacin.In addition,cefotaxime and ceftriaxone showed larger inhibition zone. Conclusion Therapy of R.radiobacter infection should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility testing results;cefo-taxime and ceftriaxone are better selection for the therapy of R.radiobacter infection in pediatric patients.

Evaluation on laboratory diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infec-tion due to Rhizobium radiobacter in pediatric patients / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To evaluate diagnostic method and infection factors for catheter-related bloodstream infec-tion(CRBSI)due to Rhizobium radiobacter (R.radiobacter)in pediatric patients.Methods Clinical data of 1 014 pediatric patients with central venous catheter(CVC)-related treatment in a hospital from February 2012 to February 2014 were collected,semi-quantitative culturing of catheter,colony forming unit (CFU)ratio of catheter to venous blood,difference in culture time between venous blood and catheter were detected among patients with R.radiobact-er infection;factors for R.radiobacter infection were analyzed.Results Of 1 014 pediatric patients who used CVC, 32 were detected R.radiobacter from catheter blood,28 were detected from venous blood,27 were detected from both catheter and venous blood.Catheter semi-quantitative culture of 27 patients were ≥ 15 CFU,5 were5 days are risk factors for R.radiobacter bloodstream infection.

Extraction-purification of pueraia isoflavone and soyisoflavones from Radix Puerariae lobatae by inner ebullition / 中成药

AIM:To extract pueraia isoflavone and soyisoflavones with n-butanol by means of inner ebullition from Radix puerariae lobatae.METHODS:A little ethanol was first used to saturate the powder of Radix puerariae lobatae to make the pueraia isoflavone desorbed adequately,and then hot n-Butanol solution was added to make the ethanol inside Radix puerariae lobatae begin to boil and the extraction was intensified.Based on different solubility of pueraia isoflavone and soyisoflavones in n-Butanol,when solvent vaporized,the soyisoflavones were separated and then the pueraia isoflavone by step vaporizeing on centrating crystal.RESULTS:80 mL of 60% ethanol,saturating time 20 min,600 mL n-Butanol including 20% water,at the temperature of 90 ℃,the yield of total isoflavone was 11.3 %.When 90% solvent vaporized,the ratio of quality of the soyisoflavones and pueraia isoflavone was 1∶3.The puerarin and daidzin's purity reached 46.0% and 6.12% by the HPLC respectively.CONCLUSION:The technology of inner ebullition extraction and solvent vaporizing crystal separation are simple,which provide industry production basis for pueraia isoflavone and soyisoflavones.