Allergen detection and logistic multifactor analysis of allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the allergens in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and AR-related influencing factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 230 children with AR admitted to our hospital from June 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and included in the observation group. The clinical data of 230 healthy children during the same time period were included as the control group. All children had been tested for allergens using serum allergens, and the clinical data were collected by telephone questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors affecting AR. RESULTS: A total of 230 children with AR was included in this study, and some of them had two or more allergens. The proportion of house dust mite was the highest among the inhaled allergens, about 75.22%. Shrimp accounted for the highest proportion of food allergens, about 40.87%. Compared with the control group, the proportion of floating population, home heating, allergy history, asthma and other general information in the observation group was higher. At the same time, the proportion of environmental factors such as second-hand smoke, number of residents (≤ 3), daily ventilation and cleaning (no), domestic animals, domestic plants, decoration within 2 years, and living environment (rural) in the observation group was higher. In addition, the proportion of family factors such as delivery mode (cesarean section), family history of allergic rhinitis, parents' education level (middle school and above) in the observation group was higher (p < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that allergic history, asthma, second-hand smoke, floating population, number of residents, domestic animals, decoration within 2 years, delivery mode, and family history of allergic rhinitis were the risk factors affecting the incidence of AR in children (p < 0.05), and daily window ventilation and cleaning were the protective factors (p < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that asthma, second-hand smoke, floating population, decoration within 2 years, family history of allergic rhinitis and domestic animals were independent risk factors for the occurrence of AR (p < 0.05), and daily ventilation and cleaning were protective factors for the occurrence of AR in children (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of house dust mite in inhalation allergens and shrimp in food allergens were the highest in AR children. The incidence of AR was closely related to asthma, second-hand smoke, floating population, decoration within 2 years, family history of AR and domestic animals, etc. Targeted measures could effectively prevent the occurrence and recurrence of AR. At the same time, daily ventilation and cleaning were the protective factors which could reduce the incidence and occurrence of AR in children.

[Genetic diagnosis of microcephaly].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of chromosome karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) in microcephaly. Methods: A total of 9 cases of microcephaly fetuses diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound or children with microcephaly diagnosed after birth were selected from the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2014 to August 2022.Karyotype analysis and/or CMA were used to detect. The cases with negative karyotype analysis and CMA results were further sequenced by trio-based WES (Trio-WES). Then the coding genes contained in the pathogenic copy number variation (CNV) fragments were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment. The genes related to the development of the central nervous system contained in the pathogenic CNV and the pathogenic genes found by Trio-WES were combined for gene interaction network analysis. Results: In this study, 9 cases of microcephaly were recruited, with the time of diagnosis ranged from 23 weeks of gestation to 7 years after birth, and the head circumference of fetus or children ranged from 18.3 to 42.5 cm (-7SD to -2SD). Karyotype analysis was detected in all 9 cases and no abnormality result was found. Eight cases were detected by CMA, and one abnormal was found. Five cases were detected by Trio-WES, and two cases were detected with likely pathogenic genes. The GO enrichment analysis of the coding gene in the 4p16.3 microdeletion (pathogenic CNV) region showed that: in biological process, it was mainly concentrated in phototransduction, visible light; in terms of molecular function, it was mainly concentrated in fibroblast growth factor binding; in terms of cell components, it was mainly concentrated in rough endoplasmic reticulum. Gene interaction network analysis suggested that CDC42 gene could interact with CTBP1, HTT and ASPM gene. Conclusions: CMA could be used as a first-line detection technique for microcephaly. When the results of chromosome karyotype analysis and/or CMA are negative, Trio-WES could improve the detection rate of pathogenicity of microcephaly.

[A non-targeted metabolomics study on serum of occupational people exposed with nanometer titanium dioxide particles (TiO(2)-NPs)].

Objective: To study the changes of serum metabolic profile of occupational people exposed with nanometer titanium dioxide particles (TiO(2)-NPs), and to explore the biomarkers and injury mechanism of TiO(2)-NPs health effects. Methods: From June 2020 to June 2021, a TiO(2)-NPs production enterprise was selected as the research site by a typical sampling method, 64 people in the TiO(2)-NPs exposure group were selected from the enterprise, and 62 people of the logistics administrative staff in the same enterprise were selected as the control group, and blood samples were collected using non-anticoagulant blood collection tubes. After the samples were methanol-precipitated, the untargeted metabolomic data was collected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and biomarkers were screened and metabolic pathway analysis was performed. Results: 46 different metabolites were screened out by P<0.05 and variable importance projection index (VIP) value >1, mainly including glycerides, sphingomyelin, glycerophospholipid, fatty acyl, etc.; By ROC analysis to determine 3-hydroxy-4, 5-dimethyl-2 (5H) - furanone, 4-aminobiphenyl, heptanoylcarnitine, Hexadecanedioic acid mono-L-carnitine ester, Ibutilide, LysoPA (18∶1 (9Z) /0∶0), LysoPC (18∶0), PC (16∶0/16∶0), PC (16∶0/20: 4 (5Z, 8Z, 11Z, 14Z) ), PC (P-18∶1 (9Z) /P-18∶1 (9Z) ) 10 candidate biomarkers; involving changes in 4 metabolic pathways, namely glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan acid biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism. Conclusion: Occupational exposure to TiO(2)-NPs has a significant impact on serum metabolic profiles.

[Associations between plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and gestational diabetes mellitus in the second trimester].

Objective: To examine the associations between plasma n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the second trimester and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among Chinese pregnant women. Methods: Based on data from the Tongji-Shuangliu Birth Cohort enrolled from 2017 to 2019 in the Shuangliu Maternal and Child Health Hospital, it conducted a case-control study among 269 GDM cases who were diagnosed by 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, and 538 non-GDM controls matched at a 1∶2 ratio on maternal age and gestational weeks. The age range of the 807 women was 18-40 years. Fasting plasma n-3 PUFAs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the second trimester (24-28 weeks). Participants were categorized into quartiles (Q1-Q4) of plasma n-3 PUFAs based on distributions in the control group. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to estimate the associations between plasma n-3 PUFAs and GDM. Results: The median (interquartile) relative concentrations of plasma n-3 PUFA C22∶5n-3 was significantly lower in women with GDM 0.87 (0.72, 1.07) compared with women without GDM 0.94 (0.75, 1.19)(P=0.001). Plasma n-3 PUFA C22∶5n-3 was inversely associated with GDM, with an OR (95%CI) of 0.75 (0.62-0.90) for each SD increase of relative concentration. Compared with the Q1 group, the OR values and 95%CIs of Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were 0.97 (0.62-1.51), 0.72 (0.45-1.15), and 0.54 (0.32-0.90), respectively (Ptrend<0.05). However, there were no significant associations of C18∶3n-3, C20∶5n-3, C22∶6n-3, and total n-3 PUFAs with GDM. Conclusion: Plasma n-3 PUFA C22∶5n-3 was inversely associated with GDM during the second trimester.

[A non-targeted metabolomics study on urine of occupational exposure people with titanium dioxide nanoparticles].

Objective: To investigate the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) on urine metabolites in occupationally exposure people based on metabolomics technology, and to explore the mechanism of early health effects of TiO(2) NPs on occupational exposure. Methods: In October 2019, the TiO(2) NPs occupational exposure population was selected as the research object, of which 64 people were in the exposure group who had been engaged in TiO(2) NPs exposure positions for more than 1 year; the control group was 62 people, who were logistics administrative staff of the same company. The urine of the research subjects before class was collected, using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometer to collect the metabolism data of the urine, Progenesis QI software for data preprocessing and metabolite identification, SIMCA-P software for the principal component analysis of the data and potential biomarkers screening, MetaboAnalyst 4.0 software for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis. Results: The urine metabolism profile of workers in the exposure group was different from the control group, and 44 potential biomarkers were screened and identified. These potential biomarkers were significantly enriched in three pathways (P<0.05) , namely D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism pathway, nitrogen metabolism pathway and D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism pathways. Conclusion: The occupational exposure of TiO(2) NPs can affect the concentration of metabolites in people urine and metabolic pathways, which provides a direction for the study of occupational hazard mechanisms of TiO(2) NPs and the monitoring of health risks.

[Metabolomics study of urine with Benzene, Toluene and Xylene combined exposure based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry].

Objective: To study the effects of combined occupational exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene on human metabolism at an overall level, and to screen biomarkers related to the combined occupational exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene, and to explore the mechanism of early health effects preliminarily caused by combined occupational exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene by identification of biomarkers and retrieval of metabolic pathways. Methods: A shoe-making company was selected as the research site. Twenty subjects for the exposed group and the control group were selected separately, and urine of the subjects was collected. The metabolic profiles of the samples were collected by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and professional metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis software were used to establish PCA and OPLS-DA analysis models to screen potential biomarkers and identify biomarkers. Finally, based on the dynamic changes and trends of potential biomarkers between groups, the mechanism of body damage caused by benzene, toluene, and xylene was initially explored. Results: Urine metabolomics analysis showed that the metabolic profile of urine samples of the benzene, toluene, and xylene combined exposure group was different from that of the control group. 27 potential biomarkers that were closely related to the combined exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene were screened and identified. These potential biomarkers were enriched in 16 metabolic pathways, of which 3 pathways were significantly enriched (P<0.05) , respectively, lysine metabolism, amino sugar metabolism, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Conclusion: The metabonomics method can well reflect the changes in the metabolome of urine samples in the occupational population after the combined exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene, which will help us better evaluate the risk of combined exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene and prevent and control their health risks.

[Membrane sampling for the determination of chlorothalonil in the air of workplaces-solvent analysis-Gas Chromatography].

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of chlorothalonil in air by filtration membrane sampling, solvent elution and gas chromatography. Methods: PTFE filter was used for sampling, eluted with dichloromethane, separated by DB-5 capillary column, and determined by FID. Results: The standard curve was used for quantitative detection, and the correlation of chlorothalonil in the range of 15 µg/ml-300 µg/ml, R(2)=0.9999. The detection limit of this method was 1.70 µg/ml and the lower quantitative limit was 5.70 µg/ml. The minimum detected concentration was 0.045 mg/m(3) (75L air sample was collected) . The recovery rate was 90.14%-91.81%. The precision of the same batch was 1.5%-1.8%, and that of different batches was 2.3%-3.8%. The sampling efficiency can reach above 95%; The samples can be stored for 14 days at room temperature. Conclusion: The results show that the method of filtration membrane sampling-solvent elude-gas chromatography is suitable for the determination of chlorothalonil in the air.

HBP1 deficiency protects against stress-induced premature senescence of nucleus pulposus.

OBJECTIVE: Senescence of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is involved in the pathological process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). HMG-box transcription factor 1 (HBP1) is a transcriptional inhibitor that prevents proliferation and regulates premature senescence of cells. The aim of this study was to confirm whether HBP1 deficiency could protect stress-induced NP cells premature senescence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Firstly, HBP1 protein level in human degenerated intervertebral disc tissues was detected. Then, NP cells were isolated from disc samples and transfected with plasmid to upregulate HBP1expression. H2O2 and interleukin-1b (IL-1b) were used to induce NP cells premature senescence in a different manner. Thereafter, cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were measured, and the protein expressions of collagen II, HBP1, and p16, were determined by Western blot or immunofluorescence. Finally, the mRNA levels of aggrecan, collagen I, IL-6, Transforming Growth Factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The data indicated that HBP1 was upregulated in degenerated NP tissues. HBP1 gene overexpression increased p16 expression, affected NP cell proliferation, and caused cell apoptosis. In addition, HBP1 also decreased the collagen II and aggrecan expressions but increased collagen I, IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-3 levels. Moreover, the silencing of HBP1 markedly reversed the H2O2 and IL-1b induced NP cell senescence by reducing p16 expression, apoptotic cell population, and inflammatory response and by promoting cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, HBP1 accumulation contributes to the senescence of NP cells, and HBP1 deficiency protects stress-induced NP cells premature senescence.

Long noncoding RNA PVT1 promotes metastasis via miR-484 sponging in osteosarcoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in various malignancies including osteosarcoma. In the current study, we aimed to illustrate the role of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) in osteosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of PVT1 and microRNA-486 (miR-486) in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and in situ hybridizations (ISH) assay. Transwell migration/invasion assays were performed to determine the metastatic ability changes in osteosarcoma cells. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to analyze the overall survival (OS) of patients with osteosarcoma. Luciferase assays were used to evaluate the targeted binding effect between PVT1 and miR-486. RESULTS: We illustrated that lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) was upregulated in osteosarcoma, and it was correlated with poor prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Furthermore, we found that PVT1, via constructed loss of function and gain of function assays, promoted osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that microRNA-486 (miR-486) was involved in PVT1-induced migration and invasion. We also uncovered that miR-486 was downregulated in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines. Functionally, we showed that upregulation of miR-486 reversed the facilitative effect of PVT1 on osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion, and vice versa. Mechanically, we illustrated that PVT1 interacted with miR-486 in a reciprocal suppressed manner. Moreover, we found that miR-486 could target to PVT1 via Luciferase assay. Lastly, we proved that PVT1 promoted osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion through miR-486 sponging. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that PVT1, functioning as an oncogene, promotes osteosarcoma cells metastasis via miR-486 sponging. PVT1/miR-486 axis might be a novel target in the molecular treatment of osteosarcoma.

[Association between self-rated health and risk of cardiovascular disease among middle-aged and elderly Chinese].

Objective: To analyze the association between the self-rated health (SRH) status and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the middle-aged and eldly Chinese. Methods: Data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), which enrolled 21 133 participants by using the probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling from 150 counties/districts of 28 provinces in China from 2011 to 2012. A total of 11 701 participants were included in the study. Basic information and SRH were obtained in the baseline survey via questionnaires. Information of CVD was self-reported during the follow-up. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to analyze the association between the baseline SRH and risk of CVD. Subgroup analyses were performed by age, sex and body mass index (BMI), and their interactions with SRH for risk of CVD were examined by using the likelihood ratio test. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the association. Results: Participants were (57.9±9.7) years old, and men accounted for 48.1% (5 626). SRH was reported as the excellent, very good, good, fair and poor among 4.2% (n=487), 13.5% (n=1 583), 33.6% (n=3 932), 35.4% (n=4 147) and 13.3% (n=1 552), respectively. During 42 104 person-years of followed up, 590 cases of CVD were identified. Cox regression analyses showed that compared with the excellent/very good SRH, the HR (95%CI) of CVD risk for the good, fair and poor SRH was 1.36 (1.02-1.80), 1.66 (1.26-2.19) and 1.89 (1.38-2.59), respectively. Subgroup analyses showed that compared with the excellent/very good SRH, HR (95%CI) of CVD risk for poor SRH in the group of 45-59 years old, equal to or over 75 years old, men, women and normal BMI were 2.00 (1.32-3.04), 3.87 (1.04-14.46), 1.76 (1.07-2.91), 1.92 (1.27-2.91) and 2.30 (1.42-3.72), respectively. There were no interactions between age, sex, BMI and SRH (P>0.05). Conclusion: SRH is associated with risk of CVD among middle-aged and elderly Chinese. The CVD risk for good, fair and poor SRH is higher than that for excellent/very good SRH.

[Risk factors for visual field loss progression in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in Wenzhou area].

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for visual field (VF) loss progression in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. Methods: A prospective nested case-control study. Patients were collected from the Wenzhou glaucoma progression study in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University during March 2014 and April 2018. In this study, the eyes were divided into a progression group and a non-progression group using the glaucoma progression analysis methods to analyze the risk factors for glaucomatous VF loss progression. Axial length (AL) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured using the Lenstar LS900. The baseline, fluctuation (standard deviation), mean, maximum, minimum and range of intraocular pressure (IOP) during the follow-up period were determined based on IOP measured at each follow-up. The IOP measurements were included from the baseline to the last visit (for the non-progression group), or to the visit at which VF loss progression was determined (for the progression group). The independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U inspection and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 140 patients (140 eyes) were enrolled, including 67 males and 73 females. There were 19.3% of the eyes (27 of 140 eyes) showing VF loss progression. The median time to the endpoint for progression was 24.0 (16.0, 40.0) months. The AL in the progression group and non-progression group were 23.58 (23.05, 24.24) mm and 23.91 (23.10, 24.91) mm (P=0.111). The CCT in the two groups were 531.0 (512.0, 565.0) µm and 535.0 (518.5, 552.0) µm, respectively (P=0.897). The baseline age in the progression group and non-progression group was 71.0 (68.0, 74.0) years and 68.0 (58.0, 72.0) years, respectively (Z=-2.872, P=0.004). The slope of visual field index in the two groups was -3.50 (-7.10, -1.80)%/year and 0.40 (-0.60, 1.40)%/year, respectively (Z=-6.823, P<0.01). The mean IOP during the follow-up was (16.2±2.7) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in the progression group and (15.1±2.4) mmHg in the non-progression group (t=-2.215, P=0.028). The IOP fluctuation in the progression group and non-progression group was (2.6±1.3) mmHg and (2.0±0.7) mmHg, respectively (t=-2.175, P=0.038). In the multivariate model, older baseline age (HR=1.080; 95%CI:1.019-1.143), higher baseline IOP (HR=1.120; 95%CI:1.016-1.236), higher mean IOP (HR=1.145; 95%CI:1.001-1.309) and higher IOP fluctuation (HR=1.750; 95%CI:1.193-2.566) were all significantly predictive risk factors for glaucomatous VF loss progression. Longer AL (HR=0.725; 95%CI:0.532-0.988) was a protective factor against VF loss progression. However, CCT was found to be not associated with VF loss progression. Conclusion: Baseline age, baseline IOP, mean IOP, IOP fluctuation and shorter AL are found to be risk factors for glaucomatous VF loss progression among eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma in Wenzhou. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 777-784).

[Development of ethylene glycol Samples in silicone tubes and their application in inter-laboratory comparison].

Objective: To development of ethylene glycol samples in silicone tubes, and the samples were applied to inter-laboratory comparison, through it to evaluate the detection capacity of occupational health testing laboratories. Methods: Three content levels of ethylene glycol samples in silicone tubes were prepared, and the homogeneity and stability of samples were investigated, the results were statistically analyzed. A robust statistical four-point distance method was used to calculate the results submitted by each participant laboratory and the test capability of the laboratory was assessed by the z-score method. Results: The statistic of the homogeneity of ethylene glycol samples in silicone tubes were less than the critical value (P>0.05) , and the samples were stable at room temperature for one month. The satisfactory rate of comparison between 204 laboratories was 88.24%. Conclusion: The homogeneity and stability of the ethylene glycol samples in the silicone tubes can meet the requirements of proficiency testing and can be used for laboratory comparison. Most of the laboratories that participated in the comparison had the ability to detect ethylene glycol.

[Research status of human papillomavirus vaccine for prevention and treatment of respiratory papillomatosis].

Recurrent respiratory papilloma (RRP) is closely related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is the main pathogenic factor. At present, HPV vaccine injection is a new method to control RRP, and its efficacy has been confirmed by many clinical trials. The development and application of HPV vaccine is bound to bring new development to the treatment of RRP. This article reviews the status of HPV vaccine in clinical RRP treatment.

Expression of programmed death ligand-1 and programmed death 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and PD ligand-1 (PD-L1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised tumor sections from 45 HCC patients treated with curative resection, which were evaluated for PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was increased in cancers compared to adjacent normal tissues, with a positive rate of 37.78% (17/45) and 62.22% (28/45), respectively, which was positively correlated with the tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, negatively with postoperative prognosis. PD-1 positivity was most frequently observed in stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The number of PD-1 positive lymphocyte was correlated with PD-L1 positive expression. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 and PD-1 are overexpressed in HCC tissues. PD-L1 expression plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of human HCC, suggesting that it might be used as a new biomarker to predict the disease progression and prognosis.

[Determination of methylenedianiline in urine by high performance liquid chromatography-tandemmass spectrometry].

Objective: To develop a method for determination of metabolites of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) in urine, i.e. methylenedianiline (MDA) by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass (LC-MS-MS) . Methods: Urine samples were prepared by hydrolyzation with sulfuric acid and extraction by acetonitrile, and then separated on a Shim-pack XR-ODS column, analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) . The external solvent standard calibration were tested. Results: The linearity ranges were 0.05~20.00 µg/L, The related coefficients were 0.999 5. The limit of detection was 0.02 µg/L. The rats of recovery were 91.0%~103.4%. The relative standard deviations were between 2.7%~7.3%. Conclusion: The method was sensitive, accurate and suitable for the MDA determination in urine of MDI exposed population.

[The relationship between smoking and hyperuricemia in Chinese residents].

Objective: To explore the relationship between smoking and hyperuricemia in Chinese residents. Methods: Based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), residents with blood samples provided in the 2009 round (including information of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, medical history, and laboratory examinations etc.) were selected as the participants in the current analysis. Unconditional logistic regression models were utilized to compute the ORs and corresponding 95%CIs for assessing the relationship between smoking and hyperuricemia. Results: Among the 8 785 subjects, 1 435 had hyperuricemia with a prevalence rate of 16.3%, consisting of 886 men and 549 women with prevalence rates of 21.6% (886/4 110) and 11.7% (549/4 675) , respectively. Compared with never smokers, the adjusted OR (95%CI) for hyperuricemia was 0.83 (0.70-0.98) among current smokers, 0.77 (0.63-0.94) among current smokers with 20-39 years of smoking, and 0.79 (0.65-0.97) among current smokers with 11-20 cigarettes per day. When stratified by gender and compared with non-smoker, the adjusted OR (95%CI) for hyperuricemia among current smokers compared with never smokers was 0.83 (0.70-0.98) among men, while no significant association was found in female current smokers (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.42-1.26, P=0.260). Conclusion: In Chinese residents, there is an inverse association between smoking and hyperuricemia prevalence, and this association may be related to duration and intensity of smoking among current smokers. The findings need to be validated in large prospective cohort studies.

[Determination method of iron and its inorganic oxide in the air of workplace].

Objective: To establish the method for determination of iron and its inorganic oxide in the air of workplace. Methods: The iron and its inorganic oxide was collected by MCE filter membrane and then digested by electric heating digestion apparatus. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for the detection of iron and its inorganic oxide. Results: The sampling efficiency was higher than 97%; under the 372.0 nm wavelength, the linearity of AAS was good at the range of 1.0~150.0 µg/ml, the minimum quantitation concentration was 0.28 mg/m(3), the maximum quantitation concentration was 6.24 mg/m(3), the recovery was ranged from 99%~102%, the RSD of intra-and inter-batch precision were 0.5%~1.2% and 1.0%~2.2%, respectively; the linearity of ICP-OES was good at the range of 0.1~500 µg/ml, the minimum quantitation concentration was 0.28 mg/m(3), the maximum quantitation concentration was 20.8 mg/m(3), the recovery was ranged from 101%~103%, the RSD of intra-and inter-batch precision were 0.5%~1.0% and 1.5%~1.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The sampling method and determination method meet the requirements of analysis and apply to the collection and determination of iron and its inorganic oxide in the air of workplace.

[Determination of titanium dioxide in the air of workplace by inductivehy coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry].

Objective: To establish the method for determination of titanium dioxide in the air of workplace by inductivehy coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) . Methods: The titanium dioxide was collected by filter membrane and then digested by microwave digestion apparatus in the mixed solvents (HNO(3)∶HF∶H(2)O=4∶1∶1) , dilutedto 25 ml and detected by ICP-OES. Results: The sampling efficiency was higher than 95%; the linearity of ICP-OES was good at the range of 10-500 µg/ml, the minimum quantitation concentration was 0.72 mg/m(3) (as collecting 150 L air sample) , the maximum quantitation concentration was 21.7 mg/m(3) (as collecting 960 L air sample) , the recovery was ranged from 99.0%-102.0%, the RSD of intra- and inter-batch precision were 0.5%-3.2% and 1.7%-3.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The sampling method and determination method meet the requirements of guide for establishing occupational health standards-part 4: determinatin methods of air chemicals in workplace (GBZ/T 210.4-2008) , and areapplys to the collection and determination of TiO(2) in the air of workplace.

[Determination of thiocyanate within human urine by ion chromatography method].

Objective: To establish ion chromatography method to determine thiocyanate within urine of workers who were exposed to cyanide. Methods: After the workers work, used 50 ml centrifuge tube to collect the urine of workers about 20 ml.The urine were tested by centrifugation, dilution and filtration by C(18) column, thiocyanate was separated by AS(16) and mobile phase elution by KOH, detected by electrical circuitryconductivity detector, quantitative by the standard curve method. Results: The linear correlation coefficient of thiocyanate within the range of 0.1-5.0 µg/ml was more than 0.999. The method detection limit was 0.11µg/ml (in 1ml urine) , the method quantitative limit was 0.35 µg/ml. The method recoveries were 95.1%-99.7%. The within-day precision range was 0.54%-2.05%, The between-run precision range was 2.06%-5.09%. Sample stability test showed that thiocyanate samples could be stored for 5 days at room temperature and 7 days at 4 ℃, could be stored for 14 days at-20 ℃. Conclusion: The technical indicator of method compliance with rule of Guide for establishing occupation health standards-Part 5: determination methods of chemicals in biological materials (GBZ/T 210.5-2008) , the method applies to workers who were exposed to cyanide.

A new cave-dwelling loach, Triplophysa xichouensis sp. nov. (Teleostei Nemacheilidae) from Yunnan, China.

A new cave-dwelling loach of the genus Triplophysa, T. xichouensis, is described from an outlet of a subterranean river in Xisa Town, Xichou County, Yunnan Province, China. It can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: dorsal-fin rays iii, 8; anal-fin rays ii, 6; pectoral-fin rays i, 9 or 10; pelvic-fin rays i, 5 or 6; branched caudal-fin rays 16(8+8); eyes highly degenerated to a very tiny black dot; dorsal-fin origin closer to snout tip than to caudal-fin base and anterior to vertical line of pelvic-fin origin; pectoral fin length about two-thirds the distance between pectoral-fin origin to pelvic-fin origin; caudal peduncle slender, its length about three times its depth; caudal fin emarginate; body smooth and scaleless; lateral line complete and straight; anterior chamber of air bladder wrapped in dumbbell-shaped bony capsule and the posterior one well developed, long, oval; intestine short, bending in zigzag shape behind stomach. A key for the cave-dwelling species of Triplophysa is provided. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9162FFB1-7911-47C3-AE50-6A00E9590327.