ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the prevention and control of endemic arsenism in Qianxinan state of Guizhou Province in 30 years,so as to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of arsenic poisoning. Methods According to the documentary information of endemic arsenism in Qianxinan state of Guizhou Province of 1976-2005.and the data from samples monitoring of published article,to discuss the general situation of prevention and control by time sequence.Results There were 3 large outbreaks in Xingren County in 1976.in Jiaole District in 1991,in Xingyi City and Anlong County in 1992-1994 with 877,1548 and 594 patients respcctively.The arsenic quantities of various areas of burning-coal were 3361,2130,352 and 2150 mg/kg,which were obviouslv above national standards(1 00 mg/kg).The arsenic quantities of samples were 1.34,1.34,0.71 and 0.39 mg/L in urine,and 53.50,53.50,58.60 and 12.60 mg/kg in hair.The national standards of the two samples were 0.17 mg/L and 0.28 mg/kg.The dead causes of 236 arsenism decedent were 45.3%(107/236)cancer,26.3% (62/236)hepatocirrhosis ascites,5.9%(14/230)lung-cardiopathy in 1992-2000.Other systemic damages were found.Conclusions Reducing the use of high-arsenic coal is crucial in prevention of endemic arsenism.Only the long-term mechanism is established and the strong prevention and control measures are formulated,the occurrence of endemic arsenism can be effectively controlled.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To probe into the situation and significance of p16 gene CPG island methylation in patients with arseniasis caused by coal-burning pollution.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>DNA was extracted using the Phenol-Chloroform method from leukocytes of 51 patients suffered from coal-burnt arsenism and 52 healthy volunteers. The quantity of the DNA was determined by UV spectrophotometry. Target DNA was denatured by NaOH, then the single strand DNA was modified by sodium bisulfite, converting all unmethylated (but not the methylated) cytosines to uracil. Subsequently a nested amplification with primers specific for methylated versus unmethylated DNA was performed, and PCR products were detected by gel electrophoresis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hypermethylation of the p16 CPG island was presented in 94.1% of the patients suffering from coal-burnt arsenism and in 73.1% of the healthy volunteers. There was statistical difference (P < 0.05) between them.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Methylation of p16 gene CPG island should have important pertinence in the metabolism of coal-burnt arsenism.</p>