Serum anti-hepatitis E virus IgG antibody and risk factors among female residents of Xinmi in Henan Province / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the distribution of anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) IgG antibody and anti-human papilloma virus (HPV) IgG antibody among female residents of Xinmi and investigate the risk factors of HEV infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A questionnaire was used to collect data on the demographic characteristics and suspected risk factors of HEV infection, including behavioral habits. All questionnaire responders also provided peripheral blood samples for investigation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect HEV-IgG. Demographic data were statistically evaluated by t-test and univariate analysis, and HEV infection risk factors were statistically evaluated by a binary logistic regression model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average age of the 952 questionnaire responders was 47.16 + 8.09 years. The demographic parameters of education level, income, experience of stillbirth, and age were associated with HEV-IgG positivity (all P less than 0.05). Age, occupation, and income were identified as independent risk factors for HEV-IgG positivity (all P less than 0.05). No statically association was found between sexual behavior and anti-HEV or anti-HPV levels, or HEV infection.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The female population surveyed in Xinmi, Henan Province showed a higher HEV-IgG positive rate than generally reported in the literature, and this rate shows an increasing trend with age, Risk factors for HEV infection among this group are age, income and occupation.</p>

Study of molecular mechanism of Rheum offcinale against Yersinia pestis / 中国中药杂志

To investigate molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine Rheum offcinale against Yersinia pestis, whole genome DNA microarray that contains 4005 annotated genes of Y. pestis was used. The minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of R. offcinale extract against Y. pestis was determined by liquid dilution method. The gene expression profile of Y. pestis was performed after exposured to R. offcinale extract at a concentration of 10 X MIC for 30 and 60 minutes. The total RNA extracted and purified from Y. pestis were reverse-transcribed to cDNA and labeled by Cy3-Cy5 dye. The labeled probes were hybridized to the microarray and the results were obtained by a laser scanner and analyzed by the SAM software. The microarray data was confirmed by RT-PCR. The platform of the DNA microarray-based bacteria transcriptional profiling was eshtablished. The results revealed general gene expression changes of Y. pestis were a global phenomenon. Down-regulation of genes encoding proteins involved in ribosome protein synthesis was a remarkable change. Genes encoding cell envelope and transport/binding proteins were the major changed genes of the Y. pestis in response to R. offcinale.

Survey of Current Status of Three-Chamber Septic Tanks at a Sampling Point in Chongqing / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To perform a hygienic assessment of the three-chamber septic tanks and analyze the efficiency of non- hazardous treatment of feces and the impact on the environment, so as to provide the reference for the three-chamber septic tanks improvement test. Methods From September 2007 to January 2008, the 20 latrines of residents and the three-chamber septic tanks were selected by simple random sampling method from A village of A town , Chongqing , as the investigation point,with suitable economic conditions,the status of the latrines with three-chamber septic tanks were surveyed, and the hygienic and environmental indicators of the third chamber feces samples were detected. Results After the implementation of the three-chamber septic tanks, the rural ecological environment was improved. The samples test showed that pH value was basically in the range of 8-9, the qualified rate was 85%, as for the other indicators, the qualified rates were generally lower. The qualified rate of chemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen was only 5% , five-day biochemical oxygen demand and total phosphorus was 10% , SS and the color was 15% , fecal coliform value of the samples were not qualified. Conclusion The management of the three-chamber septic tanks needs to be improved. If the liquid dung of septic tanks was directly discharged, it will cause secondary environmental pollution.So it should be deeply treated.

Determination for Total Flavonoids in Health Food with the Ultrasonic Extraction Technology / 环境与健康杂志

extraction time.The extraction of total flavonoids in health food was the highest under the situations of ethanol concentration 60%,solid-to-liquid ratio 1:20 and ultrasonic time 20 min.The average value was 5.370 mg.The linear range of total flavonoids was between 1.0-40 ?g/ml while the regression equation is y=0.003 3x-0.010 9,correlation coefficient was 0.999 5 and detection limit was 1.0 ?g/ml.The standard addition recovery rates of this method were 95%-104%(n=3),RSD was 1.717%(n=5).Conclusion Under the optimum situation,this method has high precision and accuracy while the blank is low and stable as well.It is applicable to the detection of total flavonoids in health food and some other foods.

Serum Level of Three Kinds of PAEs in Children Living in City and Countryside in an Area in China / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To understand the body burden of PAES in the children aged 10-12 years,living in city and countryside and estimate the potential hazard of PAEs for the children. Methods The reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was employed to determine the serum level of three kinds PAEs (DEP,DBP and DEHP) in two groups of children,including 36 city children and 38 countryside children in Jan. 2007. Results In the city children,the average serum level (median) of PAEs was 0.002 6 mg/L for DEP,0.035 9 mg/L for DBP and 0.106 25 mg/L for DEHP. In the countryside children,the serum level of PAEs was 0.000 0 mg/L for DEP,0.040 6 mg/L for DBP and 0.052 45 mg/L for DEHP. The differences of average levels of DEP and DEHP between the two groups were significant (P