ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the cardiac toxicities of a heat waves and ozone exposure on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and explore a possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The incidence of ozone exposure combined with heat wave was simulated in the Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System (Shanghai-METAS). A total of 64 ApoE-/- mice, matched by weight, were randomly divided into 8 groups and exposed to heat wave conditions or ozone. The levels of creatine kinase (CK), D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1), D-dimer (D2D), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and blood lipid in plasma and heat shock protein-60 (HSP60), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in hearts were measured after exposure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of all indicators, except for SOD, increased with the ozone-only exposure. However, cardiac damage was most significant when the heat wave conditions were combined with severe ozone exposure. Moreover, the levels of CK, D-LDH, NO, PAI-1, sICAM-1, and TNF-α in plasma increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the contents of HSP60, HIF-1α, CRP, and MDA in hearts increased considerably (P < 0.05), but the activity of SOD decreased significantly. In addition, the levels of four blood lipid items remarkably increased (except the level of HDL-C which decreased significantly) with ozone exposure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A short-term exposure to a heat wave and ozone causes severe toxic effects on the heart. Cardiac damage was most significant under combined heat wave and severe ozone exposure simulations.</p>
ABSTRACT
Objective Through the comparative study of the acute toxic effects of PM2.5 in nickel-contaminated area in rats to explore the possible mechanism of acute toxicity of PM2.5.Methods A nickel-contaminated area and a control area were selected,the air quality of the two areas was monitored and the concentration of nickel in the collected PM2.5 was determined. Forty two male Wistar rats(SPF Grade)were randomly divided into three groups,including one saline control group and two experimental groups,the nickel-polluted group and the non-polluted group,in each.There were three subgroups.PM2.5 were administered to rats by intratraeheal instillation at doses of 1.6 mg/kg,8.0 mg/kg and 40.0 mg/kg respectively.The rats were sacrificed 24 hours after treatment and the brochoalveolar tavage fluid(BALF)were collected,the phagocytic function of alveola macrophages of rats were tested.Results There was no significant difference between the level of environmental quality in the two areas,the concentration of Ni in PM2.5 in the nickel-polluted area was 48.75 times of that in the non-polluted control area.The phagocytic function of alveola macrophages of rats in the experimental groups decreased significantly(P
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>The purposes of this study are to investigate and analyze the status of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) in married women in rural western China, and to develop effective strategies for improving the ability of married women to prevent RTIs in this region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted in-depth interviews of 142 married women from four villages in three townships. Two questionnaires were used to gather data on married women's health care status, family income, knowledge about RTIs, relevant behaviors, and attitudes toward RTIs. Descriptive, parallel, and logistic regression analyses and the Chi-square test were applied to analyze the relationships between basic conditions and several influential factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Over 80% of the respondents were of limited income and had with poor knowledge of and a lack of experience in preventing RTIs. Some 83.3% of the married women had experienced menstrual irregularities; 70.3% of those interviewed had experienced malodorous vaginal discharge with or without perineal itching. It was found that 80.7% of the interviewees did not have good personal hygiene habits in daily living regarding RTIs. It was found that the prevalence of RTIs was lower in women who had accurate information about RTIs. Most married women lacked basic knowledge of ways to prevent RTIs, and this, together with the limited support of the health care system and the absence of medical insurance schemes, was responsible for the observed high prevalence of RTIs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is an urgent need to improve the capability of married women in rural China to prevent RTIs, and it is important to find effective ways to prevent these diseases. Three health promotion strategies are presently being implemented to prevent RTIs and to build capacity for disease prevention among married women in rural western China.</p>