Value of autotaxin in predicting refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the value of autotaxin (an autocrine motility factor) level in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in predicting refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children and its correlation with interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and C-reactive protein (CRP).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on 238 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia who were admitted from January 2019 to December 2021. According to disease severity, they were divided into two groups: RMPP (n=82) and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP; n=156). The two groups were compared in terms of the levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF to study the value of autotaxin level in serum and BALF in predicting RMPP in children, as well as the correlation of autotaxin level with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in children with RMPP.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the GMPP group, the RMPP group had significantly higher levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF (P<0.05). For the children with RMPP, the levels of autotaxin, IL-6, IL-8, and CRP in serum and BALF in the acute stage were significantly higher than those in the convalescent stage (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the level of autotaxin in serum and BALF had a good value in predicting RMPP in children, with an area under the curve of 0.874 (95%CI: 0.816-0.935) and 0.862 (95%CI: 0.802-0.924), respectively. The correlation analysis showed that the level of autotaxin in serum and BALF was positively correlated with IL-6, IL-8, and CRP levels (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The level of autotaxin in serum and BALF increases and is correlated with the degree of disease recovery and inflammatory cytokines in children with RMPP. Autotaxin can be used as a predictive indicator for RMPP in children.

Application of benchmark dose (BMD) in estimating biological exposure limit (BEL) to cadmium / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate the biological exposure limit (BEL) using benchmark dose (BMD) based on two sets of data from occupational epidemiology.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cadmium-exposed workers were selected from a cadmium smelting factory and a zinc product factory. Doctors, nurses or shop assistants living in the same area served as a control group. Urinary cadmium (UCd) was used as an exposure biomarker and urinary beta2-microgloburin (B2M), N-acetyl-13-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and albumin (ALB) as effect biomarkers. All urine parameters were adjusted by urinary creatinine. Software of BMDS (Version 1.3.2, EPA.U.S.A) was used to calculate BMD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cut-off point (abnormal values) was determined based on the upper limit of 95% of effect biomarkers in control group. There was a significant dose response relationship between the effect biomarkers (urinary B2M, NAG; and ALB) and exposure biomarker (UCd). BEL value was 5 microg/g creatinine for UB2M as an effect biomarker, consistent with the recommendation of WHO. BEL could be estimated by using the method of BMD. BEL value was 3 microg/g creatinine for UNAG as an effect biomarker. The more sensitive the used biomarker is, the more occupational population will be protected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BMD can be used in estimating the biological exposure limit (BEL). UNAG is a sensitive biomarker for estimating BEL after cadmium exposure.</p>

Application of Benchmark dose (BMD) in estimating biological exposure limit (BEL) / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Based on two sets of data from occupational epidemiology, Benchmark dose (BMD) was applied to estimate biological exposure limit (BEL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cadmium exposed workers were selected from a cadmium smelting and a zinc products factory and control group was selected from doctors or nurses and staff from shops living in the same area; Urinary cadmium (UCd) was used as exposure biomarker and urinary beta(2) microglobulin (UBM), NAG (UNAG) and albumin (UALB) were as effect biomarkers. All urine parameters were adjusted by urinary creatinine. Software of BMDS (Version 1.3.2, EPA.U.S) was used to calculate BMD.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Calculated abnormal prevalence was based on the upper limit of 95% of effect biomarkers in control group; There are significant dose response relationship between the prevalence of effect biomarkers (UBM, UNAG and UALB) and exposure biomarker (UCd); BEL was 5 microg/g creatinine for UBM as effect biomarker, It consists with the recommendation of WHO; BEL was 3 microg/g creatinine for UNAG as effect biomarker; BEL can be estimated by using the method of BMD; the more sensitive biomarker would used, the more occupational people would protected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The application of BMD in estimating biological exposure limit (BEL) is proper. UNAG is suggested as most sensitive biomarker to be used to estimate BEL for cadmium exposure.</p>

Smoking prevention and control among elementary school students in Xuhui district, Shanghai / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based smoking prevention and control intervention program among elementary school students.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Through two phase cluster sampling, 566 pupils in grade 4 and grade 5 of two schools were assigned to intervention group and control group. One year comprehensive smoking intervention was conducted in the intervention group. The assessment was carried out through three questionnaires: pre- and post-intervention, 6-month after intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After one year intervention, pupils in the intervention group significantly improved their knowledge and attitudes related to tobacco use. The rate of attempting smoking decreased form 7.8% to 2.6% and the rate of passive smoking from 53.6% to 41.8%. The difference between the intervention and control groups was statistically significant. However, several index started to decline at 6-month follow up survey.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of tobacco control in elementary school and the positive effect must be developed.</p>