The prevalence and risk factors of work related musculoskeletal disorders among electronics manufacturing workers: a cross-sectional analytical study in China.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the electronics manufacturing industry and to investigate the relations between work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and work-related variables. METHODS: An interview-based questionnaire survey was carried out in thirty electronics manufacturing factories in China in 2018. The prevalence of WMSDs was estimated using the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of risk factors on WMSDs on multiple body parts. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of WMSDs among participants was 40.6%, and the common body sites affected were the neck (26.8%), shoulder (22.8%), upper back (14.9%), and lower back (14.8%). The results of logistic regression showed that female adults, > 5 job tenure and work-related factors (including awkward posture, lifting or carrying weights, excessive repetition, prolonged sitting, monotonous work and working under conditions of cold or temperature variations) led to a higher risk of WMSDs on most body parts. Upper back, wrist/hand and elbow pain levels were significantly higher for workers with vibration. However, more frequently, physical exercise was a protective factor against WMSDs on most body parts except the upper back, leg and knee. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among the electronics manufacturing industry in China. Different personal and work factors are related to the occurrence of WMSD on different body parts. Preventive measures should be implemented based on the characteristics of WMSD in the electronic manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the training and intervention guidance of ergonomic hazards in the workplace need to be strengthened by understanding the impact of bad posture, avoiding long-term sitting posture and increasing physical activities.

Multi-Site Musculoskeletal Symptoms in the Electronics Manufacturing Industry in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: With the development of the electronics manufacturing industry, the demand for human resources has increased, which has also led to the frequent occurrence of multi-site work-related musculoskeletal disorders. METHOD: The participants (n = 7307) were recruited from 30 enterprises in China in 2018. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was estimated using a modified Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. The multivariate logistic regression model was applied to evaluate the effects of risk factors on multi-site musculoskeletal symptoms. Additionally, the log-binomial model was established to examine the correlation between the various sites of musculoskeletal symptoms in the body. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among participants was 40.6%. The proportion of musculoskeletal symptoms involving single-site and 2/>2 body sites were 11.6% and 29.0%, respectively. The results of logistic regression showed that female adults who smoked, had >5-year job tenure, and always stood or sat for long period at work had a higher risk in 2/>2 body sites of musculoskeletal symptoms (p < 0.05). However, physical exercise during leisure time and "Squatting or kneeling for long period at work" were more frequently protective factors. Furthermore, the log-binomial model indicated that the neck and shoulder were significantly related to each other (Prevalence Ratio, PR: 5.511 and 7.017). CONCLUSIONS: Several demographic characteristics and work-related factors were associated with multi-site musculoskeletal symptoms in the electronics manufacturing industry in China. Improving the levels of physical exercise and reducing posture problems and force loads may help to promote the health of workers.

Association of air pollution and greenness with carotid plaque: A prospective cohort study in China.

Previous studies indicated that exposure to air pollution was associated with the progress of atherosclerosis, but evidence is very limited in China and even in the world. This study aims to assess the associations of long-term exposures to air pollution and greenness with the occurrence of carotid plaque. Participants of this cohort study were urban residents and office workers who visited Hebei General Hospital for routine physical examination annually from September 2016 through to December 2018. Eligible participants were people diagnosed the absence of carotid plaque clinically at their first hospital visit and were followed up at their second or third hospital visit. Exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) were estimated using an inverse distance weighted (IDW) method. The level of greenness was assessed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The associations were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Among 4,137 participants, 575 showed the occurrence of carotid plaque during the follow-up period. After controlling for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) of carotid plaque associated with per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5, NO2, and O3 were 1.78 (1.55, 2.03), 1.32 (1.14, 1.53) and 1.99 (1.71, 2.31), respectively. Increased EVI and NDVI were significantly associated with lower risk of carotid plaque [HR (and 95%CI): 0.84 (0.77, 0.93) and 0.87 (0.80, 0.94)]. PM2.5 significantly mediated 80.47% or 93.00% of the estimated association between EVI or NDVI and carotid plaque. In light of the significant associations between air pollution, greenness and carotid plaque in this study, continued efforts are needed to curb air pollution and plan more green space considering their effects on vascular disease.

Association between residential greenness and sleep quality in Chinese rural population.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies on the association of residential greenness with sleep quality are limited in China. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the association of long-term exposure to residential greenness with sleep quality in rural China. METHODS: In our study, 27,654 rural residents were selected from 4 counties of Henan Province by a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method. Participants' sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), two satellite-derived vegetation indexes, were used to assess the level of residential greenness. Long-term greenness exposure was defined as the averages of NDVI and EVI during the three years prior to the baseline survey. The relationship between sleep quality and greenness was assessed using the mixed-effect linear regression models. RESULTS: Among 27,654 rural residents, the mean age was 55.89 years (standard deviation, SD = 12.22) and 60.18% of them were female. In the crude model, the PSQI score decreased with per interquartile range (IQR) increase in EVI and NDVI [ΔPSQI score (95% confidence interval, 95%CI): -0.073 (-0.115, -0.030) and -0.047 (-0.089, -0.002)]. After controlling potential confounders, ΔPSQI scores and 95%CIs were -0.055 (-0.095, -0.012) and -0.090 (-0.151, -0.025) associated with per IQR increment in EVI and NDVI. The results of stratified analyses showed the effect of residential greenness on sleep was stronger among males and individuals with higher household income and educational attainment than females and those with lower household income and educational attainment. Moreover, the modification effect of air pollution was observed in the greenness-sleep association. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that higher residential greenness was significantly associated with better sleep quality in Chinese rural population, which highlights the significant effect of green space on human health.

Associations of Residential Greenness with Depression and Anxiety in Rural Chinese Adults.

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are top contributors to non-fatal health loss globally. Several studies have indicated the association between residential greenness and mental health. METHOD: The participants (n = 27,366) were recruited from four counties in Henan Province, China during 2015-2017. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) in the baseline survey. The level of residential greenness during the 3-year period before the baseline survey was assessed using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The mixed-effect linear regression model was applied to examine the associations of residential greenness with depression and anxiety. RESULTS: The results of adjusted models showed that the score of PHQ-2 (Δscore and 95% confidence interval [CI]) decreased by -0.024 (-0.041, -0.006) and -0.022 (-0.038, -0.004) with an interquartile range (IQR) increase in NDVI and EVI within a 1,000-m buffer radius, respectively. The score of GAD-2 (Δscore and 95% CI) decreased by -0.024 (-0.040, -0.006) and -0.028 (-0.044, -0.011), in relation to an IQR increase in NDVI and EVI within a 1,000-m buffer radius, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A higher level of residential greenness was significantly associated with lower risk of depression and anxiety in rural areas of Henan Province. Improving residential greenness accessibility may help to promote the mental health of rural populations.

Effect of combined propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia on immune function in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Effect of combined propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia on immune function in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was investigated. A retrospective analysis was performed on 150 pediatric patients with ALL who were admitted to Xiangyang No. 1 People's Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine from May 2014 to October 2017. All eligible patients were treated with intrathecal chemotherapy and were randomized into three groups according to the type of anesthesia used: group A, propofol used only; group B, sevoflurane used only; and group C, combined propofol and sevoflurane used. Venous blood samples were drawn, respectively, at 30 min before anesthesia (T1) and 24 h after anesthesia (T2). Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of T- and B-cell subsets, as well as the ratio of Th1/Th2 in T helper cells (Th cells). Serum levels of IFNγ, IL-4 and TGF-ß were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At T2, the percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD19+ cells in group C were significantly higher than those in groups A and B (P<0.05). The percentage of CD8+ cells in group C was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05). At T2, the percentages of Th1 and Th2 cells and the Th1/Th2 ratio in group C were higher than those in groups A and B (P<0.05). At T2, IL-4 level in group C was significantly higher than that in group A (P<0.05), while TGF-ß level was significantly lower (P<0.05). The IFNγ level in group C was higher than those in groups A and B (P<0.05). The IFNγ/IL-4 ratio in group C was higher than that in group A (P<0.05). Combined propofol-sevoflurane anesthesia was more beneficial to the recovery of T/B cell subset activity, to the alleviation of immunosuppression, and the suppression of ALL progression, compared to the sole use of propofol or sevoflurane.

Hemodynamic Analysis on Meglev Left Ventricular Assist Device of a New Generation / 医用生物力学

Objective To reduce the thrombosis probability and hemolysis risk of the meglev left ventricular assist device (LVAD), so as to increase the efficiency of blood supply. Methods The influences of the pump outlet diameter, exit angle, fillet size between the outlet and the inner wall of the pump, as well as gap between the rotor and the shell on internal flow field of the pump were studied by using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, so as to optimize the internal structure and improve the hydrodynamic performance of the pump. Results Compared with pump of the previous generation, the maximum wall shear stress (WSS) of the pump inner wall, the maximum WSS of the pump rotor, the area with WSS >200 Pa were reduced by 23.6%, 47.4%, 76.2%, respectively, while the outlet flow was increased by 14.4%. Conclusions For the meglev LVAD of the new generation, its internal blood flow tended to be smooth, and the hemodynamic performance of blood flow was improved comprehensively. The research findings provide references for optimization design of the meglev LVAD and related experimental researches in the future.

Effect of Ningdong Granules on Tourette's Syndrome Concomitant with Sleep Disorder in Children / 医药导报

Objective To observe curative effect of Ningdong granules on tourette syndrome (TS) concomitant with sleep disorder in children.Methods Eighty-three cases were diagnosed by diagnosis and statistics of mental-disorder (DSMIV) TS criterion and diagnostic standard of traditional Chinese medicine,and then were divided into 3 groups:tiapride hydrochloride group (n =25),Ningdong granules group (n =30) and tiapride hydrochloride plus Ningdong granules group (n =28).Yale global tic severity scale (YGTSS) and Athens insomnia scale (Athens) were used for rating the clinical efficacy before and after treatment.The enrolled children were treated for a period of three months.Results The therapeutic effective rate of TS in tiapride hydrochloride group,Ningdong granules group and tiapride hydrochloride plus Ningdong granules group was 92.0％,90.0％ and 96.4％,respectively.The therapeutic effective rate of sleep disorder was 84.0％,93.3％ and 96.4％,respectively.Mter treatment,YGTSS and Athens scores were significantly changed in all three groups (P ＜ 0.05).Athens score was significantly different between tiapride hydrochloride plus Ningdong granules group and tiapride hydrochloride group (P ＜ 0.05).The total number of adverse reactions was 16,1 and 8,with significant difference (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Curative effect of Ningdong granules is similar to that of tiapride hydrochloride on treating TS,but Ningdong granules is more effective than tiapride hydrochloride on treating sleep disorder with less adverse reactions.Combination therapy of Ningdong granules with tiapride hydrochloride is the better choice for treating TS with sleep disorder,and it can also reduce the incidence of adverse reactions of tiapride hydrochloride.

Current situation of awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, China / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the awareness and use of banned pesticides among vegetable greenhouse farmers in a town of Ledu County, Qinghai Province, China and to provide a basis for the management and control of banned pesticides.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Local residents who lived in a town of Ledu County for more than 5 years were selected as subjects in August 2012. A questionnaire survey was conducted in 267 vegetable greenhouse farmers who were selected from five villages of the town by cluster random sampling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 267 subjects, 249 (93.26%) completed and returned the questionnaires. Eighty-seven (34.9%) of the 249 subjects were aware of banned pesticides, and the banned pesticide awareness rate varied significantly among the subjects with different education levels (χ(2) = 11.061, P = 0.011). Only education level entered the regression equation in non-conditional logistic regression analysis. Only five (2.0%) of the 249 subjects knew the banned pesticides as well as the details. All the 249 subjects used banned pesticides to varying degrees in the past 5 years. Only 9.0% (17/189) of the vegetable greenhouse farmers knew the time pesticides were initially banned in China.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The banned pesticide awareness rate is relatively low in the town of Ledu County, and this rate is influenced by education level. It is needed to spread the knowledge and hazards of banned pesticides.</p>

Taurine inhibits rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by lysophosphatidic acid / 中国药理学通报

AIM: To observe effects of taurine on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). METHODS: The 3H-TdR incorporation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity were measured in cultured VSMC. TBA measured end product of lipid peroxidation-MDA. RESULTS: LPA enhanced the cultured VSMC 3H-TdR incorporation in a concentration dependent manner. LPA increased MAPK activity and MDA content. Taurine (Tau) and PD098059 inhibited the VSMC 3H-TdR incorporation and MAPK activity. Tau inhibited the VSMC MDA content stimulated by LPA, but PD098059 had no effect. CONCLUSION: LPA has a stimulating effect on VSMC proliferation. The LPA-induced intracellular signal transduction may be related to MAPK activity. The exogenous Tau can efficiently inhibit VSMC proliferation.