Prevalence and incidence of ocular trauma in North China: the Beijing Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and incidence of ocular trauma and proportion of trauma-related visual impairment in the population of Greater Beijing. METHODS: The population-based Beijing Eye Study included 4439 subjects in 2001, of whom 3251 subjects returned for follow-up examination in 2006 (response rate: 73.3%). The subjects underwent a comprehensive ocular evaluation. Prospective information on ocular trauma and type of treatment was recorded with questionnaires in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: A history of ocular trauma was reported by 72 (1.6 ± 0.2%) subjects (age-standardized prevalence: 1.7 ± 0.01%). Prevalence of ocular trauma history was associated with male gender (p = 0.02), rural residence (p = 0.04) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.01). Trauma as underlying cause for visual impairment (best-corrected visual acuity < 20/60 and ≥ 20/400) was found in 4 (6.6%) eyes and as underlying cause for blindness (best-corrected visual acuity <20/400) in three eyes (4.2%). In the survey of 2006, 116 (3.6 ± 0.3%) participants had a self-reported history of ocular trauma, which was associated with male gender (p = 0.002), low income (p = 0.01) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.016). The 5-year incidence of ocular trauma was 2.6 ± 0.3%, which was associated with male gender (p = 0.02), younger age (p = 0.037) and lower income (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: In the adult population of Greater Beijing with an age of 40+ years, the prevalence of ocular trauma was 1.6 ± 0.2% and was associated with male gender, rural residence and alcohol consumption. The age-standardized ocular trauma prevalence of 1.7 ± 0.01% was comparable with figures from Caucasian populations. The 5-year incidence of ocular trauma of 2.6 ± 0.3% was associated with male gender, younger age and lower income.

Mineralization of p-nitrophenol by a new isolate Arthrobacter sp. Y1.

Arthrobacter sp. Y1, capable of metabolizing p-nitrophenol (PNP) as the sole carbon, nitrogen and energy source was isolated from activated sludge. The bacterium could tolerate concentrations of PNP up to 600 mg L(- 1), and degradation of PNP was achieved within 120 h of incubation. PNP and its metabolites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The metabolite formed indicated that the organism followed the 4-nitrocathechol (4-NC) pathway for metabolism of this compound. The relevant degrading-enzyme was extracellular. Addition of other carbon source (glucose 0 approximately 30 g L(- 1)) led to accelerated degradation. If the glucose concentration exceeded 30 g L(- 1), however, degradation was repressed. Spectrophotometry assay of the nitrite and genotoxic study showed that strain Y1 could detoxify PNP. Therefore, the present study may provide a basis for the development of the bioremediation strategies to remedy the pollutants in the environment.

Biodegradation of insecticide carbofuran by Paracoccus sp. YM3.

A bacterium (Paracoccus sp. YM3) capable of degrading carbofuran was isolated from carbofuran-contaminated sludge. The strain was shown to metabolize carbofuran (50 mg L(-1)) to carbofuran-7-phenol in minimal salt medium within 6 days in which the pesticide was the only source of carbon. Carbofuran and its main metabolite were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The addition of an other carbon source led to accelerated biodegradation. The relevant degrading-enzyme was intracellular and inducible. A tobacco hypersensitivity experiment showed that YM3 could eliminate carbofuran in soils effectively and safely. This is the first report of a Paracoccus sp. that could degrade carbofuran. The present study may provide a basis for biotreatment of wastewaters and bioremediation of carbofuran-contaminated soils.