Case-control study on fragility fractures in coal miners: A comparison between surface and underground workers / 环境与职业医学

Background The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia is higher among underground coal miners than surface workers. The special underground work environment and unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking, and a high-salt diet may lead to changes in bone metabolism, increasing the risk of fragility fractures and placing a heavy economic burden on individuals and society. Objective To identify potential factors influencing fragility fractures among coal miners in different working environments and to provide a basis for targeted preventive measures to reduce the occurrence of fragility fractures. Methods Male participants who attended at least one of the physical examinations in Kailuan Group between June 2006 and December 2020 were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups based on their working environment: surface or underground. A case-control study was conducted, where patients with new fragility fractures served as the case group and participants without fragility fractures served as the control group. The two groups were matched with a case:control ratio of 1:4 by age (±1 year) and the same year of physical examination. The matching process was repeated twice, once for the surface working population and once for the underground working population. The analysis of risk factors was conducted using conditional logistic regression models. Results Among a total of 113138 employees in Kailuan Group, 82631 surface workers and 30507 underground workers were included, respectively. The number of individuals who suffered fragility fractures was 1375, accounting for 1.22% of the total population. The incidence of fragility fractures in underground workers was significantly higher than that in surface workers (1.63%>1.07%, P<0.001). The results of conditional logistic regression model showed that current smoking (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.05, 1.51), manual labor (OR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.06, 1.78), diabetes (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.54), sinus tachycardia (OR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.23, 2.66), history of stroke (OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.09, 2.09), education at college and above (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.45, 0.95), high income level (OR=0.69, 95%CI: 0.54, 0.90), elevated hemoglobin (OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.85, 0.98), and elevated total cholesterol (OR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.82, 0.99) were associated with fragility fractures in the surface working population of coal mines; current smoking (OR=1.48, 95%CI: 1.17, 1.87), current drinking (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.56), manual labor (OR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.41, 4.94), history of dust exposure (OR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.58), and obesity (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.52, 0.96) were associated with fragility fractures in the underground working population of coal mines. Conclusion In preventing fragility fractures, special attention should be paid to the bone health of underground workers engaged in manual labor or having a history of dust exposure. It is important to correct their unhealthy behaviors in a timely manner, such as smoking and drinking, and to appropriately increase body weight to prevent fragility fractures. For surface workers, particular attention should be given to the high-risk group for fragility fractures, such as low family income per capita, manual labor, and having a history of stroke or diabetes; in addition, close monitoring of their resting heart rate, hemoglobin levels, and total cholesterol levels may help prevent fragility fractures.

Investigation on awareness of radon and health risks in non-uranium miners from 2020 to 2021 / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To understand the non-uranium miners′ awareness of radon and health risks in China and analyze the relevant influencing factors, in order to provide research basis for radiological protection institutions and employers to carry out radon health education.Methods:Male miners in 32 typical non-uranium mines from 11 provinces were selected by using cluster random sampling method from June 2020 to December 2021. The awareness of radon and health risks was investigated, and the influencing factors were analyzed by binary logistic regression model.Results:A total of 1 184 non-uranium miners were investigated, and the radon awareness rate of them was 19.17%. 36.56% of the non-uranium miners heard about radon knew the radon health risks accurately, and 18.06% could identify the measures to reduce radon concentration correctly. Univariate analysis showed that the radon awareness rate of non-uranium miners varied with different education levels, labor relations, post categories, and regions ( χ2=55.92, 21.89, 64.31, 11.26, P<0.05 ). The result of logistic regression analysis showed that a bachelor degree or above, regular employee, administrative personnel and technical personnel were influencing factors of the radon awareness level ( χ2=12.81, 6.58, 5.66, 21.44, P<0.05 ). There was no statistically significant difference of radon awareness rate in different ages, working years, regions, and smoke groups ( P>0.05 ). Conclusions:The awareness level of radon and health risks of non-uranium miners was relatively low in China. Radiological protection institutions and employers should strengthen education and training of radon related knowledge in non-uranium miners through mass media, on-duty training, contract notification and workplace publicity board notification, so as to improve their personal protection consciousness.

Preliminary estimation of lung cancer risk of radon exposure in a uranium mine using different corrections / 中国职业医学

Objective: To explore the correction factors of lung cancer caused by radon exposure in a uranium mine, and estimate the excess relative risk (ERR) coefficient of lung cancer caused by radon in the uranium miners. Methods: Male miners who worked in a uranium mine more than one year in Hunan Province from 1958 to 2018 were selected. This study preliminarily estimated the ERR coefficient of lung cancer caused by radon in the miners with different corrections using the Possion regression model. Results: This study cohort included 4 851 uranium miners, with 187 miners died with lung cancer from 1958 to 2018, and cumulative follow-up of 207 251 person-year. The ERR coefficient of lung cancer caused by radon without correction factors was estimated to be 0.21%/WLM (95%CI: 0.04%/WLM-0.27%/WLM). In the final model, the exponential correction factors of radon-induced lung cancer were time since exposure and exposure rate. In this model, if time since exposure was 45 years and the average exposure rate was 0.14 WL, the estimated ERR coefficient was 1.73%/WLM (95%CI: 0.36%/WLM-3.11%/WLM). The ERR decreases by about 60.00% for every 10 years since exposure, and increases by about 30.00% for every one WL increase exposure rate. Conclusion: The correction factors of lung cancer caused by radon in uranium miners in this mine were the time since exposure and exposure rate. It was preliminarily estimated that the ERR coefficient of lung cancer caused by radon in the occupational radon exposed population in this uranium mine was 1.73%/WLM (95%CI: 0.36%/WLM-3.11%/WLM).

Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of newly diagnosed occupational pneumoconiosis in Henan Province from 2006 to 2020 / 中国职业医学

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological distribution of new occupational pneumoconiosis (hereinafter referred as pneumoconiosis) in Henan Province from 2006 to 2020. Methods: Clinical data of newly recruited pneumoconiosis cases from 2006 to 2020 in Henan Province were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 9 624 cases of newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis were reported in Henan Province in the past 15 years, of which 98.6% were males. The number of cases had two peaks, one in 2009-2011 and the other in 2014-2017. There were 12 types of pneumoconiosis of all reported cases except for mica pneumoconiosis, in which coal workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis accounted for 96.0%. The incidence of phase Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ pneumoconiosis was 64.7%, 21.0% and 14.3%, respectively. The incidence of phase Ⅱ and Ⅲ silicosis was higher than that of coal miners' pneumoconiosis (56.3% vs 22.7%, P<0.01). Patients with pneumoconiosis were mainly distributed in Zhengzhou City, Sanmenxia City, Luoyang City, Pingdingshan City and Hebi City, accounting for 85.0%. The enterprises involved were mainly mining industry, large- and medium-sized enterprises, state-owned enterprises and collective enterprises. The top five position of patients were coal miners, rock drillers, excavators, coal mixed workers and pure coal miners, total accounting for 72.0%. There were 196 enterprises reported ≥10 cases, accounting for 17.2% of all enterprises and 80.3% of the total of newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis cases. The median (M) of onset age of new cases was 49 years old, and the M of onset of working age was 16 years. The onset age of silicosis was younger (M: 49 vs 48 years old, P<0.05), while the onset of working age was longer (M: 10 vs 20 years, P<0.05), compared with that of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Conclusion: The incidence of pneumoconiosis in Henan Province were disease clustering distribution, regional distribution, industry of enterprise, enterprise scale, enterprise type, nature and working position distribution of enterprises. And it showed the characteristics of group incidence. The prevention and control treatment of pneumoconiosis should be strengthened in key areas, key enterprises and key diseases and jobs.

MiRNA expressions in peripheral blood plasma of workers in a certain mine / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of radon on the expressions of miR-16, miR-106b, miR-449a, let-7g, miR-21, miR-221 and miR-34a in peripheral blood plasma of miners.Methods:A total of 46 randomly selected miners worked underground(the underground group)and 38 miners worked aboveground (the control group). MiRNA levels in the underground and control groups were detected by qRT-PCR and their relationship with cumulative effective dose was further analyzed.Results:The levels of miR-106b, miR-21, miR-221 in plasma of the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group( Z=-2.32, -2.47, -2.79, P<0.05), the corresponding Fc values were 1.61, 1.75, 1.30, respectively. The levels of miR-16, miR-449a, let-7g and miR-34a were slightly higher than those in the control group ( P>0.05). After controlling of confounding factors such as age, BMI and smoking, the alteration of miR-16, miR-106b, let-7g, miR-21 and miR-221 in plasma of the underground group were positively correlated with the cumulative effective dose( t=2.50, 3.31, 2.60, 2.95, 3.25, P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the plasma levels of miR-449a and miR-34a between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:miR-106b, miR-21 and miR-221 could be used as potential biomarkers of radon exposure.

Effect of occupational stress on job burnout among coal miners: The mediating role of work-family conflict / 环境与职业医学

Background The highly prevalent of occupational stress and job burnout of coal miners seriously affect their physical and mental health. Objective To investigate the levels of occupational stress and job burnout in coal mine workers, and to analyze the mediating effect of work-family conflict between these two conditions. Methods A total of 1500 coal miners were included by random cluster sampling method from February to October 2019. The levels of occupational stress, work-family conflict, and job burnout of the study participants were evaluated using the Effort-Reward Imbalance Inventory scale (ERI), the Work-Family Conflict Scale, and the Chinese version of the Burnout Scale, and compared among coal miners with different demographic characteristics. Partial correlation analysis was used to find the correlations between indicators; SPSS AOMS 26.0 software was used to analyze the potential mediating effect among occupational stress, work-family conflict, and job burnout in the coal miners in Xinjiang. Results The study included 1247 male coal miners with a valid questionnaire return rate of 83.13%. The M (P25, P75) score of job burnout was 55.00 (47.00, 62.00). Except for gender and monthly income, the differences of job burnout scores among coal miners grouped with selected demographic characteristics were statistically significant (P<0.05). The M (P25, P75) scores of ERI and work-family conflict of coal miners were 1.01 (0.85, 1.21) and 51.00 (44.00, 57.00) respectively, and the differences of ERI and work-family conflict scores among different job types were statistically significant (P<0.05). ERI values were positively correlated with burnout (rs=0.212), emotional exhaustion (rs=0.188), and depersonalization (rs=0.244) scores (all P<0.01); work-family conflict scores were positively correlated with burnout (rs=0.382), emotional exhaustion (rs=0.360), depersonalization (rs=0.370), and reduced sense of accomplishment (rs=0.105) scores (all P<0.01). The regression results showed a significant positive effect of occupational stress on job burnout and work-family conflict (b=7.117, b=8.347, P<0.001), and a mediating effect of work-family conflict on the association between occupational stress and job burnout, with a mediating effect value of 0.249 (50.92% of the total effect of 0.489, P=0.002). Conclusion Work-family conflict may act as a mediating role between occupational stress and job burnout in coal miners, which suggests an indirect effect on occurrence of job burnout.

Relationships of job burnout and depressive symptoms with work-related musculoskeletal disorders in coal miners in Xinjiang / 环境与职业医学

Background Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) is one of the main disorders that impair the working ability of workers. Social and psychological factors can lead to WMSDs by affecting physiological mechanisms, changing work posture, or disturbing mood and cognitive ability. Objective To explore current situation of job burnout, depressive symptoms, and WMSDs in coal miners, and to analyze their relationships. Methods This cross-sectional survey adopted cluster random sampling method and selected 1700 on-job coal miners from five coal mining enterprises in Xinjiang. The general information, job burnout, depressive symptoms, and the prevalence of WMSDs in coal miners were investigated by using the Job Burnout Scale, Self-rating Depressive Symptom Scale, and Chinese Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The prevalence rates of WMSDs, job burnout scores, and depressive symptom scores of coal miners with different demographic characteristics were compared. Spearman correlation analysis was used to identify the correlations among the three variables. A structural equation model was established to the analyze the potential mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between job burnout and WMSDs. Results A total of 1528 valid questionnaires were collected, with an valid recovery rate of 89.9%, including 1335 males (87.4%) and 193 females (12.6%). The M (P0-P100) of age was 41 (19-59) years, and the M (P0-P100) of length of service was 25 (1-42) years. The prevalence rate of WMSDs in coal miners was 57.7%. The M (P25, P75) score of job burnout was 54.0 (45.0, 61.0), and the M (P25, P75) score of depressive symptoms was 48.8 (43.8, 53.8). There were significant differences in WMSDs prevalence rate, job burnout score, and depressive symptom score among different sex, age, length of service, shift, and education level groups (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between job burnout and WMSDs and between depressive symptoms and WMSDs (rs=0.172 and 0.098, P < 0.01), and there was a positive correlation between job burnout and depressive symptoms (rs=0.138, P < 0.01). The results of structural equation model suggested that job burnout and depressive symptoms directly affected WMSDs, and the standardized path coefficients (β) were 0.10 and 0.09, respectively; job burnout also directly affected depressive symptoms (β=0.19). The total effect of job burnout on WMSDs was 0.120, the direct effect was 0.102, and the indirect effect mediated by depressive symptoms was 0.018, accounting for 15.0% of the total effect (all Ps<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence rate of WMSDs in coal miners is high, and job burnout and depressive symptoms are associated with WMSDs.

Research progress on work-related musculoskeletal disorders of coal miners / 中国职业医学

Coal miners are a high-risk occupational group of work-related musculoskeletal disorders(WMSDs). This disease not only causes a reduction in the quality of life of workers, loss work ability, and decline in work efficiency, but also becomes an important factor leading to increase social medical burden. At present, most of the evaluation of WMSDs of coal miners at home and abroad adopts the international general scale. Chinese scholars have developed a WMSDs questionnaire that meets the occupational characteristics of Chinese population based on the international general scale—the Chinese Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire. The questionnaire has good reliability and validity, and is a reliable and effective tool for evaluating WMSDs. The prevalence of WMSDs in coal miners is relatively high. The occupational factors that affect WMSDs in coal miners are mainly physical load, postural load, mental load, work organization, and work environment. The individual factors are mainly age, working experience, and education level. It′s recommended to prevent and control the occurrence of coal miners′ WMSDs through multi-level intervention measures such as strengthening education, changing the working posture, and improving the working conditions of coal miners, and rationally arranging labor organizations.

Occurrence regularity and integrated control of leaf miner in safflower / 中国中药杂志

Leaf miner is one of the major pests on safflower, which causes yield loss and poor quality seriously. "Weihonghua", "nine safflower varieties" and "three chemical insecticides" as materials that used to evaluate variety and regularity of leaf miner, safflower resistant level, and different proportions insecticides in field efficiency test. The results showed that Liriomyza sativae and L. huidobrensis accounted for 80%, the peak period of two pests was all in July; but Phytomyza horticola is relative less, its peak period occured in June. Three were great difference of resistance to leaf miner among safflower varieties, FQ12 and YJ65 expressed higher resistibility to leaf miner by ratio method. With abamectin 2% emulsifiable concentrate diluted for 2 000 times, or the mixture three insecticides(bifenthrin 20% water emulsions, thiamethoxam 25% water dispersible granule, abamectin 2% emulsifiable concentrate=1∶1∶1) diluted for 3 000 times, which were sprayed on leaves at squaring stage and lethal rate was 96% after 48 h in the study. Through comparative study on the variety and regularity of leaf miner, screen for resistant varieties to leaf miner and for high efficiency pesticide. The study provides theoretical basis and reference for integrated pest management of leaf miner.

Current status of job burnout and its influence on working capability of miners in a copper-nickel mine in Xinjiang Municipality / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status of job burnout and working capability in miners of a copper-nickel mine of Xinjiang Municipality and explore the relationship between miners′ job burnout and working capability.METHODS: A total of 1 254 miners in a copper-nickel mine were selected as study subjects by stratified cluster sampling method. The Chinese Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Work Ability Index Questionnaire were used to investigate their job burnout and working capability.RESULTS: The total score of male miners′ job burnout was higher than that of female miners(P<0.05). The total score of high school educated miners′ job burnout was higher than that of junior middle school and below, junior college, undergraduate and above education groups(P<0.05). The total score of smelting miners′ job burnout was higher than that of mining and ore dressing miners(P<0.05). College degree group, unmarried group, intermediate professional title or above group, monthly income of 4 000-yuan group and mineral processing unit group had higher working capability(P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that education level, type of jobs and job burnout level independently affect the miners′ working capability(P<0.01). The miners′ working capability decreased with decreasing education level and the increasing job burnout level(P<0.01). The working capability of ore dressing miners was higher than that of mining and smelting miners(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The working capability of copper-nickel miners is negatively correlated with their job burnout. Reducing job burnout can improve the working capability of miners.

First record of Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) infecting adults of Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Brazil / Primeiro registro de Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) infectando adultos de Melanagromyza sojae (Diptera: Agromyzidae) no Brasil

ABSTRACT: This note is the first report on the infection of adult stage of Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera: Agromyzidae) by the entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) (Berk. & Broome) G. H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, in subtropical Brazil. Entomopathogenic fungi, which attack dipteran insects, are of great scientific and economic importance mainly due to their potential as biological control agents of insect pests. Our findings bring new perspectives on the geographical distribution and host range of Ophiocordyceps dipterigena. We emphasize the need of further studies and research on new biological control agents of agricultural pests such as the soybean stem miner fly.

RESUMO: Esta nota é o primeiro registro da infecção no estágio adulto de Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera: Agromyzidae) pelo fungo entomopatogênico Ophiocordyceps dipterigena (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) (Berk & Broome) G. H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora, no Brasil subtropical. Fungos entomopatogênicos, que atacam dípteros, são de importância científica e econômica principalmente devido ao potencial como agentes de controle biológico de pragas de insetos. Este trabalho traz novas perspectivas sobre a distribuição geográfica e variação de hospedeiro de Ophiocordyceps dipterigena. Destacamos a necessidade de ampliar o conhecimento sobre novos agentes de controle biológico de pragas agrícolas como a mosca minadora do caule da soja.

Anxiety and depression status of coal miners and related influencing factors / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To analyze the anxiety and depression status of coal miners and related influencing factors, and to provide justifications for occupational health protection.@*Methods@#From April 2017 to June 2017, a total of 650 coal miners in a mining area in Shanxi, China were enrolled; The coal miners were evaluated for their anxiety and depression status using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (14 items) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17 items) , respectively. The related influencing factors for anxiety and depression of the coal miners were analyzed with nonparametric test, chi-square test, and logistic regression.@*Results@#The incidence rates of anxiety and depression were 51.1% and 60.5%, respectively. As suggested by the scores and detection rates of anxiety and depression, males had significantly higher anxiety and depression scores than females (P<0.05) ; subjects in older-age groups and those working in shifts had significantly higher anxiety scores (P<0.05) ; subjects with higher education degrees and smokers had significantly higher depression scores (P<0.05) ; while subjects with longer length of service, those with poor sleep quality, and those working in the underground mines had both significantly higher anxiety and depression scores (P<0.05) . The detection rate of anxiety was significantly higher in subjects with a drinking habit than in those who did not drink (P<0.05) . The detection rate of depression was significantly higher in subjects with hypertension than in those with normal blood pressure (P<0.05) . A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that work type and length of service were related to anxiety; gender and length of service were related to depression; length of service was positively correlated with both anxiety and depression.@*Conclusion@#The anxiety and depression in coal miners and related influencing factors should be taken seriously. Gender, age, length of service, working in shifts, education degree, smoking, sleep quality, underground working environment, and hypertension may be risk factors for anxiety and depression in coal miners.

Prevalence of dyslipidemia and risk factors among coal miners under different work conditions / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To understand the prevalence of dyslipidemia and risk factors among coal miners under different work conditions.@*Methods@#The survey was conducted from April 2016 to June 2016. 759 mine workers were divided into three groups (group of the front line miner, underground auxiliary and ground) . Questionnaire and physical examination were used to collect related information of workers. Logistic regression model was used to analyze relative factors.@*Results@#The overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 43.2% in coal miners. The prevalence rate of the front line miner and underground auxiliary miners was 46.6%. Ground workers had the lowest prevalence rate of 36.4%. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that higher body mass index (BMI) was risk factors for underground workers (OR=2.18, 95%CI:1.51~3.13) . Smoking (OR=1.99, 95%CI:1.17~3.38) , drinking (OR=1.85, 95%CI:1.11~3.06) , hypertension (OR=1.79, 95%CI:1.00~3.22) and higher waist and hip ratio (OR=1.06, 95%CI:1.04~1.09) were risk factors for underground auxiliary workers. For ground workers, those with higher BMI (OR=2.64, 95%CI:1.68~4.16) were at higher risk of dyslipidemia and female workers had lower risk (OR=0.35, 95%CI:0.18~0.65) than male workers.@*Conclusion@#The dyslipidemia rate of coal mine workers is related to work environment and behavior. Health education may be needed to reduce the dyslipidemia rate of coal mine workers.

Syntomopus parisii and Leptomeraporus sp. parasitizing Melanagromyza sojae in Brazil / Syntomopus parisii e Leptomeraporus sp. parasitando Melanagromyza sojae no Brasil

ABSTRACT: This note is the first report of Syntomopus parisii De Santis 1976 and Leptomeraporus sp. (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) simultaneously parasitizing Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera, Agromyzidae) in Brazil. The Pteromalidae parasitoids are natural enemies of stem miner flies, opening perspectives for biological control of soybean stem miner fly.

RESUMO: Esta nota é o primeiro registro de Syntomopus parisii De Santis 1976 e Leptomeraporus sp. (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) parasitando simultaneamente Melanagromyza sojae Zehntner, 1900 (Diptera, Agromyzidae) no Brasil. Os parasitoides Pteromalidae são inimigos naturais de moscas minadoras do caule, abrindo perspectivas para o controle biológico da mosca minadora do caule da soja.

Analysis of the Correlation between Social Support, Self-esteem, and Happiness of Hypertensive Miners in a Coal Mine in North China / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To explore the relationship between social support,self-esteem,and happiness and the demographic factors affecting happiness among hypertensive miners,in order to provide a scientific basis for improving their happiness and promoting physical and mental health.Methods A total of 640 hypertensive miners were investigated from the a coal group in Liaoning Province during the period from July 2015 to September 2015,with 523 (81.718％) actual respondents.Results Social support and self-esteem were positively associated with and had a significant predictive effect on the happiness of the hypertensive miners.Conclusion Social support and self-esteem effectively predict hypertensive miners' happiness.Therefore,it is important to improve hypertensive miners' social support and self-esteem to effectively improve their levels of happiness.

Extant diversity and estimated number of Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) species yet to be discovered in the Neotropical region

ABSTRACT Gracillariidae (Lepidoptera) are commonly known by the leaf miner habit found in the larval stage of most species. By using worldwide, public databases on species diversity and DNA sequences available for extant gracillariid species, we determined changes in the rate of taxonomic species descriptions through time, mapped their spatial distributions, examined their phylogenetic diversification, and estimated the number of species yet to be described for the family in the Neotropics. We recovered 185 species, a number that is smaller than that found in any other biogeographic region. However, it was estimated that at least 3875 additional species remain to be described in the region. Phylogenetic diversification showed a pattern of expanding diversity. A few entomologists have been involved with gracillariid taxonomy in the Neotropics, having 39% of the species been described by a single taxonomist. In most of such cases, descriptions were based on the adults only. A few species have been described from biomes known to have some of the greatest diversity on earth, such as the Atlantic Forest. Thus, such a scenario results from low sampling and scarce taxonomic activity that has prevailed for this family of moths in the Neotropics. It may also be associated with their small body size and to the fact that gracillariids do not seem to be attracted to light traps as much as other moths, which make their collection and identification by non experts difficult. We also suggested scientific and political actions that could be adopted to overcome such an unfavorable scenario.

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes regulating lipid metabolism during melanoma progression.

A new hallmark of cancer involves acquisition of a lipogenic phenotype which promotes tumorigenesis. Little is known about lipid metabolism in melanomas. Therefore, we used BRB (Biometrics Research Branch) class comparison tool with multivariate analysis to identify differentially expressed genes in human cutaneous melanomas, compared with benign nevi and normal skin derived from the microarray dataset (GDS1375). The methods were validated by identifying known melanoma biomarkers (CITED1, FGFR2, PTPRF, LICAM, SPP1 and PHACTR1) in our results. Eighteen genes regulating metabolism of fatty acids, lipid second messengers and gangliosides were 2-9 fold upregulated in melanomas of GDS-1375. Out of the 18 genes, 13 were confirmed by KEGG pathway analysis and 10 were also significantly upregulated in human melanoma cell lines of NCI-60 Cell Miner database. Results showed that melanomas upregulated PPARGC1A transcription factor and its target genes regulating synthesis of fatty acids (SCD) and complex lipids (FABP3 and ACSL3). Melanoma also upregulated genes which prevented lipotoxicity (CPT2 and ACOT7) and regulated lipid second messengers, such as phosphatidic acid (AGPAT-4, PLD3) and inositol triphosphate (ITPKB, ITPR3). Genes for synthesis of pro-tumorigenic GM3 and GD3 gangliosides (UGCG, HEXA, ST3GAL5 and ST8SIA1) were also upregulated in melanoma. Overall, the microarray analysis of GDS-1375 dataset indicated that melanomas can become lipogenic by upregulating genes, leading to increase in fatty acid metabolism, metabolism of specific lipid second messengers, and ganglioside synthesis.

Ação sistêmica e translaminar do óleo de nim visando ao controle de Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lep: Gelechiidae) em tomateiro / Systemic and translaminar action of neem oil for the control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lep: Gelechiidae) in tomato

A traça Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) é o inseto-praga que mais compromete a produção do tomateiro. Basear o seu controle no uso de inseticidas sintéticos pode comprometer a cultura em termos econômicos e ambientais. Como alternativa de controle, o óleo de nim foi aplicado em folhas de tomateiro, avaliando os efeitos inseticida e antialimentar por ação sistêmica e translaminar. No ensaio para avaliar a ação translaminar, o óleo diluído em água foi aplicado na superfície adaxial dos folíolos, em concentrações de 0,5, 1, 5 e 10%. A mortalidade observada variou entre 49 e 100%, e o tamanho médio das minas, entre 1,62 e 0,34 cm. Nos tratamentos representados por água e água + emulsificante (5%), a mortalidade não ultrapassou 20%, com tamanho médio das minas de 1,63 cm. O estudo da ação sistêmica foi realizado ao aplicar o óleo de nim na superfície adaxial e abaxial de todas as folhas das plantas, à exceção daquelas em que as lagartas foram infestadas. Neste ensaio, o óleo foi aplicado nas concentrações de 1, 2,5 e 5%, diluídos em água e emulsificante. Observou-se que a mortalidade foi maior que 90% quando o óleo foi aplicado nas concentrações de 2,5 e 5%, sendo o tamanho médio das minas inferior a 1,0 cm. Não ocorreu mortalidade nos tratamentos controle, mas o tamanho das minas foi, em média, de 1,96 cm. Desta maneira ficou evidenciado que o óleo de nim apresenta efeito inseticida e antialimentar sobre lagartas de T. absoluta, com a propriedade de ser incorporado e translocado através das folhas de tomateiro.(AU)

The leaf miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) is the pest that mostly jeopardizes tomato production. The use of synthetic pesticides for its control can affect the crop economically and environmentally. As an alternative form of control, neem oil was applied on tomato leaves in order to assess antifeedant and insecticidal effects by systemic and translaminar action. In experiment for translaminar action, oil diluted in water was applied to the adaxial surface of leaflets at concentrations of 0.5, 1, 5 and 10%. The mortality rate ranged between 49 and 100%, and the average size of the mines, between 1.62 and 0.34 cm. In treatments represented by water and water + emulsifier (5%), mortality did not surpass 20%, with the average size of mines reaching 1.63 cm. The study of systemic action was performed by applying neem oil to the adaxial and abaxial surfaces of all leaves, except those that were infested by caterpillars. In this assay, the oil was applied at concentrations of 1, 2.5 and 5%, being diluted in water and emulsifiers. We observed that the mortality rate exceeded 90% when the oil was applied at concentrations of 2.5 and 5%, and the average size of mines was smaller than 1.0 cm. There was no mortality in the control treatments, but the mine size was on average 1.96 cm. Therefore, it is clear that the neem oil has an insecticidal and anti-food effect on T. absoluta caterpillars, and is possible to be incorporated and applied on tomato leaves.(AU)

A replacement name for Hualpenia Mundaca, Parra & Vargas (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae)

A replacement name for Hualpenia Mundaca, Parra & Vargas (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae). Vihualpenia nom. nov. is proposed as a replacement name for Hualpenia Mundaca, Parra & Vargas, 2013 (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae), in order to remove homonymy with Hualpenia Franz, 1996 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae).

Changes in values of probability of causation for lung cancer due to radiation in Chinese uranium miners / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To evaluate the difference of PC values based on GBZ 97-2002 and on GBZ 97-2009 for lung cancer cases in Chinese uranium miners.Methods Using 19 lung cancer data ascertained in the past epidemiological study,PC values were calculated according to GBZ 97-2002 and GBZ 97-2009.Results In the 19 lung cancer cases,those cases that could not be judged as radiogenic cancers based on GBZ 97-2002,but may be judged as radiogenic cancers with GBZ 97-2009.The probability was enlarged by 1.1 times at least.The major reason was that the used value was the upper limit of 95％ in GBZ 2009 but the median in 2002.Conclusions Compared to GBZ 97-2002,the criteria value of PC in GBZ 97-2009 drops obviously.