Sensitive fluorescence detection of glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium pesticides by purine-hydrazone-Cu2+ complex.

Organophosphorus pesticides play an important role as broad-spectrum inactivating herbicides in agriculture. Developing a method for rapid and efficient organophosphorus pesticides detection is still urgent due to the increasing concern on food safety. An organo-probe (ZDA), synthesized by purine hydrazone derivative and 2,2'-dipyridylamine derivative, was applied in sensitive recognition of Cu2+ with detection limit of 300 nM. Mechanism study via density functional theory (DFT) and job's plot experiment revealed that ZDA and Cu2+ ions form a 1:2 complex quenching the fluorescence emission. Moreover, this fluorescent complex ZDA-Cu2+ was applicable for detecting glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium following fluorescence enhancement mechanism, with detection limits of 11.26 nM and 11.5 nM, respectively. Meanwhile, ZDA-Cu2+ was effective and sensitive when it is used for pesticide detection, reaching the maximum value and stabilizing in 1 min. Finally, the ZDA-Cu2+ probe could also be tolerated in cell assay environment, implying potential bio-application.

Factors Influencing the Fasting Time in Adult Patients After the Endoscopic Management of Sharp Esophageal Foreign Bodies.

Background: Sharp esophageal foreign body (SEFB) impaction can cause varying degrees of damage to the esophagus. There are few studies analyzing the postoperative fasting time in SEFB patients. Methods: We retrospectively collected 835 SEFB patients. According to the fasting time after the endoscopic removal (ER) of SEFBs, the patients were divided into two groups: short fasting time (SFT, fasted ≤24 h) and long fasting time (LFT, fasted >24 h). Results: There were 216 and 619 patients in the SFT and LFT group, respectively. The average age of the SFT group (52.97 years) was younger than that of the LFT group (55.96 years) (p = 0.025). The LFT group had lower proportion of duration of impaction (DOI) within 12 hours (14.2% vs 22.2%, p = 0.006) and erosion rates (89.0% vs 94.0%, p = 0.034) as well as higher proportion of esophageal perforation (19.5 vs 6.5%, p = 0.010) and patients who got intravenous anesthesia (63.78% vs 31.9%, p = 0.000) than the SFT group. The longest diameter of the foreign body (Lmax) in the LFT group (2.60 ± 1.01 cm) was greater than that in the SFT group (2.41 ± 0.83 cm; p = 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis found that age (OR = 1.726[1.208-2.465], p = 0.003), DOI (OR = 1.793[1.175-2.737], p = 0.007), Lmax (OR = 1.477[1.033-2.111], p = 0.032), perforation (OR = 3.698[2.038-6.710]; p < 0.01) and intravenous anesthesia (OR = 3.734[2.642-5.278]; p < 0.01) were the independent factors that prolonged fasting time in patients with SEFBs, while esophageal mucosal erosion (OR = 0.433[0.229-0.820]; p = 0.01) was the influencing factor leading to shortened fasting time. Conclusion: For the first time, we analyzed factors influencing the fasting time after ER in SEFB patients. Age, DOI, Lmax, perforation and intravenous anesthesia were risk factors for a prolonged postoperative fasting time.

Data-Driven Platform Framework for Digital Whole-Process Expressway Construction Management.

To increase the speed and efficiency of expressways construction, information management is being gradually introduced into the construction process. However, progress is limited due to the complexity of expressway engineering and application limitations of information technology. Design and delivery are still dominated by paper files, and the management of test and inspection data is still relatively extensive. Research to date into digital expressway construction has been piecemeal and fragmented with a lack of research related to the whole construction process and a data-centric information management system yet to be realized. In response, through literature research and semi-structured interviews, the framework of a data-driven digital whole-process highway construction management platform was determined. A whole process management platform was established according to the framework, and the functional application of the proposed platform was explained through a case. The framework is proposed from the perspective of the whole process of collaborative sharing., which provides a new way of thinking to solve the problems existing in the current field of expressway construction whole-process management. It also provides data-centric management, electronic design and delivery, a refined workflow, and an efficient management process.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on transforming growth factor-beta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and potential mechanism in human corneal epithelial cells.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs). METHODS: HCECs were cultured and treated with TGF-ß1 for establishing the model of EMT in vitro. Biological effect of EGF on TGF-ß1-induced EMT was evaluated. Proteins and mRNAs expression changes of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and Fibronectin (EMT-relative markers) after TGF-ß1 or TGF-ß1 combined EGF treatment were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Viability and migration of HCECs were measured by CCK-8, transwell cell migration assay and cell scratch wound healing assay. Activation of Smad2, ERK, p38, JNK and Akt signaling pathways were evaluated by Western blot. Inhibitors of relevant signaling pathways were added to the HCECs to explore the key signal mechanism. RESULTS: With treatment of TGF-ß1 only, three EMT-relative proteins and mRNA expression showed that EMT up-regulated in a concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner, with significantly decreasing cell viability (TGF-ß1≥5 ng/mL, P<0.05) and increasing cell migration (TGF-ß1≥5 ng/mL, P<0.01). The phosphorylation of Smad2 and p38 was a key process of TGF-ß1-induced EMT. Meanwhile, EMT-relative proteins and mRNA expression showed that EGF inhibited TGF-ß1-indued EMT, with significantly increasing cell viability (EGF≥10 ng/mL, P<0.01). It was noteworthy that EGF significantly enhanced cell migration although EMT was inhibited (EGF≥10 ng/mL, P<0.01), and the blockage of p38 (by SB202190, a p38 inhibitor) was a potential mechanism of this phenomenon. CONCLUSION: EGF inhibits TGF-ß1-induced EMT via suppressive p38, and promotes cells proliferation and migration in a non-EMT process by inhibiting p38 pathway.

Magnetic anisotropy and relaxation behavior of six-coordinate tris(pivalato)-Co(ii) and -Ni(ii) complexes.

Experimental and theoretical studies of magnetic anisotropy and relaxation behavior of six-coordinate tris(pivalato)-Co(ii) and -Ni(ii) complexes (NBu4)[M(piv)3] (piv = pivalate, M = Co, 1; M = Ni, 2), with a coordination configuration at the intermediate between an octahedron and a trigonal prism, are reported. Direct current magnetic data and high-frequency and -field EPR spectra (HFEPR) of 1 have been modeled by a general Hamiltonian considering the first-order orbital angular momentum, while the spin Hamiltonian was used to interpret the data of 2. Both 1 and 2 show easy-axis magnetic anisotropies, which are further supported by ab initio calculations. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibilities reveal slow magnetic relaxation at an applied dc field of 0.1 T in 1, which is characteristic of a field-induced single-ion magnet (SIM), but 2 does not exhibit single-ion magnetic properties at 1.8 K. Detailed analyses of relaxation times show a dominant contribution of a Raman process for spin relaxation in 1.

Slow magnetic relaxation in mononuclear seven-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes with easy plane anisotropy.

Two mononuclear seven-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes [Co(L)3(NO3)2] (L = 4-tert-butylpyridine, 1; L = isoquinoline, 2) were prepared and structurally analyzed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The coordination spheres of 1 and 2 exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramid geometry. Analysis of their direct-current magnetic data reveals the existence of easy plane anisotropy (D > 0) with a small transverse anisotropy (E), which was further confirmed by high-field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy. Field-induced slow magnetic relaxations were observed under the applied dc field in complexes 1 and 2 by alternating-current magnetic susceptibility measurements. Importantly, these complexes are new instances of mononuclear high-coordinate cobalt(II)-based single-molecule magnets.

[Analyses on the characteristics and the trends of pneumoconiosis notified between 1997 and 2009, in China].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence of pneumoconiosis reported in China from 1997 to 2009 and investigate the epidemiological trends and characteristics of pneumoconiosis, and to provide basic data for formulating the guidelines and policies for control of pneumoconiosis, research on pneumoconiosis, and establishing the time series model for monitoring and early warning of pneumoconiosis. METHODS: The national database of new cases of pneumoconiosis reported from 1997 to 2009 was subjected to systematic arrangement, descriptive analysis, and trend test using SPSS 15.0. The statistical indices included number of new pneumoconiosis cases in each year, types of pneumoconiosis, regional and industrial distributions of pneumoconiosis cases, work types of pneumoconiosis cases, and the annual changes in mean length of service and mean age at the onset of pneumoconiosis. RESULTS: From 1997 to 2009, a total of 122 333 new cases of pneumoconiosis were reported; the number of new cases increased since 1998, but fell to 7620 in 2003, and then it increased again to a maximum of 12 492 in 2009. Of all patients, 87.5% were cases of coal-workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis; 54 068 (44.2%) were coal-workers' pneumoconiosis cases, and 52 930 (43.3%) were silicosis cases. The pneumoconiosis cases were distributed mainly in Hunan Province (12 995 cases, 10.6%), Shandong Province (8952 cases, 7.3%), and Sichuan Province (8417 cases, 6.9%). Most cases were distributed in coal industry (61270 cases, 50.1%), architectural, material industry (9754 cases, 8.0%), nonferrous metals industry (9380 cases, 7.7%), and metallurgical industry (8773 cases, 7.2%). The work types of these cases mainly included tunneling as the main work (15 659 cases, 12.8%), mining as the main work (15 009 cases, 12.3%), drilling (14 010 cases, 11.5%), tunneling (12 122 cases, 9.9%), and hybrid coalmine work (10 612 cases, 8.7%). The mean length of service at the onset of pneumoconiosis in new cases of pneumoconiosis was shortened from 1997 to 2009, with a median length of service of 20.00 years; the median lengths of service at the onsets of coal-workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and asbestosis were 21.58, 17.00, and 20.00 years, respectively. The median age at the onset of pneumoconiosis was 51.00 years, and the mean age of onset in new cases of pneumoconiosis increased over the 13 years. CONCLUSION: The incidence of pneumoconiosis is still high, with a marked concentrated trend in several industries, work types, and pneumoconiosis types, a marked rising trend in number of new cases, and a marked shortening trend in length of service at the onset of pneumoconiosis. The prevention and control of pneumoconiosis should be enhanced in key industries and for people engaging in key types of work according to the epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis. In addition, the demonstration project of comprehensive prevention and control of occupational dust hazards should be carried out, and the monitoring and early warning system for pneumoconiosis should be established.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 506 acute severe occupational poisoning accidents for 15 years with 4 657 workers poisoned. The total poisoning rate was 54.8%, and the total mortality was 16.5%. The average poisoning age was (31.9 +/- 9.8) years old and the average death age was (33.7 +/- 10.3) years old. The poisoning accidents occurred more in men than in women. (2) There were more than 112 chemicals which caused these poisoning accidents. Most of the accidents caused by hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, benzene and homologs, metal and metalloid and carbon dioxide, and the types of chemicals varied in different types of industries. (3) The accidents mainly occurred in chemical industry, manufacture, water disposal industry, mining and construction industry, and the risk was higher in some jobs than others, such as cleanout, machine maintenance and repair, production, mine and digging. The accidents occurred more frequently from April to August each year. CONCLUSION: (1) The control over the severe acute occupational poisoning is urgent. (2) The trend of the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents is centralized in the high risk industries, poisons and jobs. (3) The characteristics of the accidents varied in different types of industries. (4) It is the key point to strengthen the supervision on poisoning.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 273 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases for 15 years with 1638 workers poisoned and 600 workers died, which accounted for 53.95% in total accidents and 35.17% of workers poisoned and 78.64% of workers died of all severe acute occupational poisoning accidents. The average poisoning age was (33.8 +/- 9.7) years old and the average death age was (36.6 +/- 10.0) years old. (2) Most of the accidents were caused by hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide respectively, and mainly occurred in chemical industry, mining, water disposal industry, paper making industry and brewing industry. The risk was higher in some jobs than others, such as cleanout, machine maintenance and repair, production, mine and digging. The poisoning accidents occurred more frequently from April to September each year and occurred in the confined space, in the basement and the mine, and workers died of poisoning mostly were men. CONCLUSION: (1) The severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases are more dangerous than others. (2) The control of poisoning accidents related to hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which occurred easily in the confined space, should be paid more attention to, and good work practice should be developed on some posts, such as digging, cleanout, dredge, machine maintenance and repair and mine.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to irritating gases in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to irritating gases reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 92 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases during 15 years, which showed that there were 14.5 accidents occurred each year. Forty types of chemicals were reported to cause poisoning accidents directly. On average, there were 14.5 persons poisoned and 0.8 persons died of poisoning in each event. The number of death of poisoning reached 7 in most of the severe accidents. Chlorine was the main irritating gas resulting in poisoning accidents according to the number of accidents, cases and death. CONCLUSION: (1) The severe acute occupational poisoning related to irritating gases are more dangerous than others because of it is involved in more cases in each accident. (2) The accidents have concentricity in the certain types of chemicals, industries and jobs, and should be focused on control. (3) It is important to develop the program about early warning and forecast and the first aid.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to organic solvents in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to organic solvents reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 58 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to organic solvents for 15 years with 393 workers poisoned and 48 workers died. The total poisoning rate was 51.2%, and the total mortality was 12.2%. The average poisoning age was (30.9 +/- 8.8) years old and the average death age was (30.6 +/- 12.0) years old. (2) There were 11 types of chemicals that caused these poisoning accidents, and most of the accidents were caused by benzene and homologs. (3) Most of the accidents occurred in manufacture, chemical industry, construction industry, transportation and storage industry, service and commerce. The risk was higher in some jobs than in others, such as paint spraying and cleanout. The poisoning accidents occurred more frequently from April to July each year. (4) The main causes of the accidents were poor ventilation (23.6%), lack of personal protection equipment (21.2%), lack of safety education (19.2%), and lack of safety work practice (15.8%) etc. CONCLUSION: The ventilation at the workplace involved in organic solvents should be maintained and the skin contacting directly with the organic solvents should be avoided, and it is encouraged to replace the poison with the nontoxic or lower toxic chemicals.

[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to metal and metalloid in China between 1989 and 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to metal and metalloid and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods. RESULTS: (1) There were 39 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to metal and metalloid for 15 years, which showed that there were 2.6 accidents occurred each year. Thirteen chemicals were reported to cause poisoning directly with 609 workers poisoned and 32 workers died. On average, there were 15.6 workers poisoned and 0.8 workers died of poisoning in each accident. The total poisoning rate was 52.9%, and the total mortality was 5.3%. The average poisoning age was (29.2 +/- 9.08) years old and the average death age was (32.3 +/- 9.9) years old. (2) The number of accidents related to metal and metalloid had been rising since 1997, and 43.6% of the accidents were caused by hydrogen arsenide. (3) The accidents mainly occurred in manufacture and chemical industry and easily occurred in some jobs, such as cleanout and porterage. (4) The main causes of the accidents were poor ventilation (22.5%), lack of personal protection equipment (19.8%), lack of safety education (19.8%), and lack of safety work practice (15.3%). CONCLUSION: (1) The accidents related to hydrogen arsenide and arsenide should be highly emphasized. (2) It is important to strengthen the safety education and personal protection.

[The reporting system of acute pesticides poisoning and general situation of pesticides poisoning in China].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the reporting system of acute pesticides poisoning and analyze epidemiologic characteristics of pesticides poisoning from reported cases in China. METHODS: Case reports in the data base of reporting system for occupational diseases were computed by Excel for windows and statistical significance by SAS 6.12. RESULTS: A total of 108 372 cases were reported from 1997 to 2003. Among them, the incidence of occupational poisoning, and non-occupational poisoning accounted for 25.39%, and 74.61% respectively. The fatality rate was 6.86%. The average age was 36.83 years for all pesticides poisoning patients, and 15-59 years old patients accounted for 84.11%. Among 0-14 years old non-occupational poisoning patients, 0-4 years children accounted for 33.51%. Male patients were in the majority in occupational pesticides poisoning, female in non-occupational. Insecticides especially organophosphorus insecticides such as methamidophos, parathion, and omethoate comprised a higher proportion, accounting for 86.02% of the pesticides poisoning. CONCLUSION: More attention should be paid to pesticides poisoning by the government and medical workers engaged in public health.

[Study of drug poisoning on 2612 cases in the department of emergency].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics of the drug poisoning. METHODS: In the 25 department of emergency selected hospitals, design questionnaires to register the drug poisoning patients who seeking emergency treatment within one-year period. RESULTS: Collected 2 612 cases of drug poisoning patients, accounted as 0.31% of the aggregated number of emergency patients at the same time, as well as 23.42% of poisoning patients at the same time. The sexual proportion between males and females was 1:3.45, average age was 30.33 years, and the age groups between 15-34 years were the high potentials. The three top ranking industries were farmers, unemployed ones and services. Amongst the samples, 99.12% of them were exposed by mouth transmission. 84.57% were committed as suicides. The medicines most frequently adopted were 1. antianxity drugs; 2. analgesics antipyretic and antirheumatic drugs; 3. antipsychotropic drugs. Only 1.68% of the drug poisoning patients were diagnosed through blood-medicine. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to enhance the administration and education of medicines. To establish monitoring system for drug intoxication and improve the quality of diagnose and treatment of drug poisoning patients.

[A survey of emergency treatment of pesticides poisoning in comprehensive hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To seek the characteristics of pesticide poisoning in emergency departments. METHODS: Twenty-five hospitals were selected. Among them, they were 14 province or city level and 11 county level. The object of study was the patients with pesticide poisoning who were first visit to a doctor (including transfer to the above emergency departments of hospitals) from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002. RESULTS: There were 2 261 cases of pesticide poisoning that ranked third place of total acute poisoning cases at the same period. Gender ratio was 1 male to 1.47 female. Among 1 618 patients who first visited to emergency departments (excluding transfer), 43.9% were by emergency ambulance. 68.3% of total cases were caused by intentional exposure to pesticides, of which female accounted for 75.8%. Young people aged 15 to approximately 34 years accounted for 47.5% of all cases. Children (0 to approximately 14 years) also had relatively high pesticide poisoning rates, particularly an accident pesticide poisoning for 1- to approximately 4-year-old children accounted for 65.9% of total acute poisoning in the age group. 98.2% of all cases needed urgent medical treatment, and 52.4% were hospitalized. The leading occupation of patients was farmers followed by housekeepers, students and preschoolers. Insecticides poisoning accounted for 60.1% of all pesticides. The fatality rate in emergency department was 3.9%. 60.8% case was collected from county hospital. Pesticide poisoning rank first place of total acute poisoning cases in county hospital. CONCLUSION: A safety education of Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) is an effective measure for preventing pesticide poisoning.

[The study of poisoning-suicide-attempted patients in emergency departments of 25 hospitals in China].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop an estimate of the actuality and characteristics of poisoning suicide attempted patients in emergency department (ED) in China. METHODS: We selected 25 hospital EDs in whole country as the investigation spots, and designed one special questionnaire to collect information from the poisoning suicide attempted patients from 1st July, 2001 to 30th June, 2002. RESULTS: Results were based on 4060 cases hospitalized during the investigating period. In general frequency analysis, the ratio of male to female was 1:2.95. In all patients, 98.40% cases took poisons orally, and 93.57% cases occurred at home. The average age was 31.5 years old (min 8, max 93). The leading occupations of cases were farmers, unemployed house-wives, jobless, service people and students. The main types of poisons were druggery (54.29%) and pesticide (35.84%). 2044 cases (59.23%) were cured timely (in 1 hour). When comparing cases from rural hospitals (RHs) and urban hospitals (UHs): ratio of poisoning attempted suicides in RHs to all poisoning cases was higher than UHs with significant gender difference (P < 0.05). UHs number one cause of poisoning was druggery, but in RHs it was pesticide. CONCLUSION: Poisoning attempted suicide was very serious in China. Farmers and women were among the high-risk groups. Druggery and pesticide were the primary poisons, suggesting that management enforcement was in urgent need.

[Study on injuries from emergency departments in 25 general hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to study the characteristics of injuries in the Emergency Departments. METHODS: Acute injuries of the Emergency Department attendants from Jury 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002 were selected. RESULTS: 25,019 cases were sampled. Results showed that injured persons accounted for 17.46% of all emergent cases attending the above hospitals. 81.67% of the injuries were accidental. Sex ratio was 2.0. Young people aged 15-34 years accounted for 50.63% of all the injuries. The leading cause was mechanical injury, followed by traffic accidents and accidental falls. The leading occupation would include workers, followed by farmers and students. The fatality rate was 5.12 per thousand. The number of deaths for young people accounted for 79.69% of all deaths. The number of deaths for motor vehicle accidents took the first place and accounted for 46.88%. The characteristics due to mechanical injury and 11,151 cases of acute poisoning were analyzed. CONCLUSION: To develop a surveillance post on injuries in the Emergency Departments of general hospitals are not only necessary, urgent but feasible.