Regulatory Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Therapy for Diaphragm Function of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Model Rats with Muscular Dystrophy / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on diaphragm function of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rats with muscular dystrophy, and to explore the regulatory mechanism. Methods Forty male rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, electroacupuncture group, exercise group, electroacupuncture plus exercise group, 8 rats in each group. After successful establishment of COPD rat model with muscular dystrophy, the modeled rats in various intervention groups were given electroacupuncture and/or exercise treatment. After the last treatment, the changes of rat body mass were observed, the rat lung function was detected, and the mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chains (MHC) of MHC-1, MHC-2 and diaphragmatic related signal proteins of Atrogin-1, muscle ring-finger protein-1(MuRF-1), MyoD were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results (1) Compared with the blank group, inspiratory resistance (IR) and functional residual mass (FRC) in the model group were increased (P < 0.05) , and the dynamic lung compliance(Cydn) was decreased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, IR and FRC in the intervention groups were decreased (P < 0.05), but the differences among the three intervention groups were insignificant(P>0.05). (2) Compared with the blank group, the mRNA expression levels of MHC-1, Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD in the model group were increased (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression level of MHC-2 was decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression levels of MHC-1, Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD in the intervention groups were decreased (P < 0.05) , and the mRNA expression level of MHC-2 was increased(P<0.05). Compared with the exercise group, the mRNA expression levels of Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD in the electroacupuncture group were decreased (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression level of MHC-2 was increased (P<0.05) , but the above indexes in electroacupuncture plus exercise group showed no obvious changes(P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve respiratory function of COPD rats with muscular dystrophy, and the possible mechanism is related with the increase of MHC-2 mRNA expression and with the decrease of Atrogin-1, MuRF-1, MyoD mRNA expression, which result into the regulation of ubiquitin proteasome pathway(UPP), reduction of myosin loss, and the relief of diaphragmatic atrophy.

Analysis on micronucleus of peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers exposed to power frequency electromagnetic fields / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of long-term exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields on the occurrence of micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocytes and the lymphocyte transformation in transformer substation workers. METHODS: By simple random sampling method,54 workers exposed to power frequency electromagnetic fields for more than 1. 0 year and other 54 non-exposure workers in 500 kV transformer substations were chosen as the exposure group and control group,respectively. The peripheral venous blood of subjects in these two groups was collected,and then the lymphocytes were separated. The micronucleus cell rate,the micronucleus rate and the lymphocyte transformation rate were detected and analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group,the micronucleated cell rate,the micronucleus rate,and the lymphocyte transformation rate of the exposure group and its different length of service subgroups( ≤ 10. 0and > 10. 0 years) showed no statistical significance respectively( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: The long-term exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields has no obvious effects on the micronucleus and lymphocyte transformation in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of exposed workers.

Effects of noise exposure level on the relationship between SNPs of SOD1 and the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of noise exposure level and cumulative noise exposure (CNE) on the relationship between rs2070424 and rs10432782 SNPs in SOD1 and the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was performed for investigating the effects of environmental risk factors on the susceptibility to NIHL in 201 sensitive workers and 202 resistant workers.A questionnaire was utilized to investigate the occupational health and to identify the occupational risk factors. The noise exposure levels were detected according to the Chinese standard Measurement of noise in the workplace (GBZ/T 189.8-2007). The peripheral blood samples (5 ml blood for each sample) were from sensitive workers and resistant workers. Genomic DNA was extracted on the basis of the standard procedures of Takara kit. SNPs were detected using standard procedures of TaqMan probe allele identification method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In group exposed to 85 - 92 dB noise (A), the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the AA genotype of rs2070424 was lower than that in the subjects with the GG genotype, OR = 0.37 (95%CI: 0.17∼ 0.80). In group exposed to > 82 dB CNE (A), the AA genotype of rs2070424 is a protective factor of NIHL, as compared with the GG genotype, OR = 0.25 (95%CI: 0.09 ∼ 0.70). In group exposed to 85 - 92 dB noise (A), the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the GG genotype of rs10432782 was compared with the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the TT genotype, OR = 3.17 (95%CI: 1.16 ∼ 6.89). The GT genotype was compared with TT genotype, OR = 2.39 (95%CI: 1.16 ∼ 4.97). In group exposed to 75 ∼ 82 dB CNE (A), the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the GG genotype was compared with the risk of NIHL in the subjects with the TT genotype, OR = 2.35 (95%CI: 0.96 ∼ 5.72), P = 0.06. The GG genotype may bea risk factor of NIHJ.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The noise exposure level and CNE may influence the relationship between rs2070424, rs10432782 SNPs in SOD1 and noise-induced hearing loss.</p>

Association between SNPs in SOD1 and noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese Han population / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the association between SNPs in SOD1 (rs1041740, rs2070424, rs10432782 and rs4998557) and noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was used to study the effects of environmental risk factors on the susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in 201 sensitive workers and 202 resistant workers. A questionnaire was designed to carry out an investigation, and an occupational health survey was used to identify the occupational risk factors. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells using standard procedures of Takara kit, and 5 ml blood was from each subject. SNPs were detected using standard procedures of TaqMan probe allele identification method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In SOD1 gene, the A allele of rs2070424 was a protective factor of NIHL, compared with the G allele (OR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.50 approximately 0.88). The risk with NIHL in subjects with AA genotype was significantly lower than that in subjects with GG genotype (OR = 0.48, 95%CI: 0.26 approximately 0.79). After adjusting the confusion factors, OR was 0.44 and 95%CI was 0.25 approximately 0.78.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In Chinese Han population, the SNP of rs2070424 in SOD1 may be associated with the susceptibility to NIHL.</p>

Clinical observation on simple obesity treated by acupuncture / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of simple obesity treated by acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By randomized single-blind clinical trial, one hundred and eighteen cases of simple obesity were divided into an acupuncture group (76 cases) and a placebo-acupuncture control group (42 cases), additionally, health control group (30 cases) was included. In acupuncture group and placebo-acupuncture control group, all the patients received a restricted diet; Zhongwan (CV 12) and Zhongji (CV 3) etc. at abdomen and Liangqiu (ST 34) and Zusanli (ST 36) etc. at limbs were selected; body mass index (BMI), Serum Total Cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), Glucose, Creatinine, urea nitrogen (BUN), Uric Acid and adverse reactions scores were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment the BMI in acupuncture grown was lower than that in placebo-acupuncture control group (P < 0.01). In metabolism indices, the serum Total Cholesterol and Glucose after treatment were reduced obviously than those before treatment in acupuncture group (all P < 0.01), and there was no significant differences in other metabolism indices (all P > 0.05) in two groups. After treatment, in adverse reactions scores, the hunger sensation scores in acupuncture group was reduced than that in placebo-acupuncture control group (P < 0.05), and there was no significant differences in other indices (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BMI of simple obesity was reduced by acupuncture, and the Serum Total Cholesterol and Glucose were reduced accordingly. The adverse reac tions such as weakness, nervosa and diarrhea, etc. doesn't appear after acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture therapy is one of the safe and effective methods for simple obesity.</p>

Epidemiological investigation of welder's pneumoconiosis in two container manufacturing industries in Guangdong province / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence of welder's pneumoconiosis in container manufacturing industries in Guangdong province and present some preventive and curative strategy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Occupational epidemiology study methods were used to study the incidence of welder's pneumoconiosis in two container manufacturing enterprises (enterprise A and enterprise B).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Before 2004, the rate of up-to-standard of weld fume concentration in the workplaces was relatively low (< or = 40%), and the maximum value of time weighted average (TWA) was 26.7 mg/m(3). After 2004, with the system of dust control, the rate of up-to-standard was 85% in the enterprise A. Of the 813 weld workers examined, 19 were diagnosed as welder's pneumoconiosis (stage I was 15, while I (+) was 4 ) and the incidence was 2.34% (19/813). The age of electric welders suffering from welder's pneumoconiosis and the duration of dust exposure were (33.45 + 4.64) and (8.04 + 1.97) years respectively. Chest radiographic examination showed mainly small round opacities "p". The value of MVV, FEF25%, FEF50% and FEF75% in lung function tests were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The main features of welder's pneumoconiosis in container manufacturing industries are the short duration of dust exposure, and small round opacities "p" in the chest radiographs. Therefore, it should be the key point of the prevention and treatment of occupational diseases in this industry to control the harmful weld fume.</p>