Construction of stable photo-Fenton system with efficient removal capability of ciprofloxacin by accelerating in-situ photoreduction of Fe3+ in MIL-100(Fe).

Well-dispersed MIL-100(Fe) nanoparticles were synthesized under mild conditions and used to construct a photo-Fenton system (VMH system) with the assistance of visible-light irradiation and hydrogen peroxide. In such a VMH system, the MIL-100(Fe) has a high specific surface area and provides numerous Fe3+ active sites, thus accelerating the reaction of Fe3+ with photo-generated electrons under visible-light irradiation and generates Fe2+, and then the acquired Fe2+ can activate H2O2 to generate ⋅OH, accompanying with the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+. Hence, the in-situ recycling of Fe2+/Fe3+ promotes the generation of ·OH, thus making the VMH system exhibits promising photocatalytic activity. The removal rate of ciprofloxacin in the VMH system is as high as 95.2% within 120 min photo-Fenton reaction, which is about 26 times higher than that of the Visible light/MIL-100(Fe) system. Moreover, the VMH system also exhibits strong degradation ability to other typical antibiotics, such as tetracycline, norfloxacin and cephalexin, and maintains high cyclic stability, revealing great practical application potential in the purification of antibiotic wastewater.

[Expression of interleukin-37, vascular endothelial growth factor A, and transforming growth factor-ß1 and their correlation with T cells in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia]. / å„¿ç«¥åŽŸå‘å ç–«æ€§è¡€å°æ¿å‡å°‘ç—‡IL-37、VEGFA、TGF-ß1çš„è¡¨è¾¾åŠå ¶ä¸ŽTç»†èƒžçš„ç›¸å ³æ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression of interleukin-37 (IL-37), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in children with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and their correlation with T cells. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 45 children with ITP (ITP group) who were admitted to Handan Central Hospital from January 2020 to April 2022, and 30 healthy children who underwent physical examination during the same period were included as the healthy control group. The mRNA expression levels of IL-37, VEGFA, and TGF-ß1 and the levels of regulatory T cells (Treg) and helper T cells 17 (Th17) were measured before and after treatment, and the correlation between the mRNA expression levels of IL-37, VEGFA, and TGF-ß1 and the levels of Treg, Th17, and Treg/Th17 ratio were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, the ITP group had a significantly higher mRNA expression level of IL-37 and a significantly higher level of Th17 before and after treatment, as well as significantly lower mRNA expression levels of VEGFA and TGF-ß1 and significantly lower levels of Treg and Treg/Th17 ratio (P<0.05). After treatment, the ITP group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression level of IL-37 and the level of Th17 and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of VEGFA and TGF-ß1 and the levels of Treg and Treg/Th17 ratio (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that in the ITP group, the mRNA expression levels of IL-37 and TGF-ß1 were negatively correlated with the levels of Treg and Treg/Th17 ratio (P<0.05) and were positively correlated with the level of Th17 (P<0.05) before and after treatment; the mRNA expression level of VEGFA was positively correlated with the levels of Treg and Treg/Th17 ratio (P<0.05) and was negatively correlated with the Th17 level (P<0.05) before and after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal expression levels of IL-37, VEGFA, and TGF-ß1 may be observed in children with ITP, which is significantly associated with the imbalance of Treg/Th17 ratio. It is speculated that the cytokines such as IL-37, VEGFA, and TGF-ß1 may be involved in the development and progression of ITP or may become important potential targets for the treatment of children with ITP. Citation:Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2023, 25(11): 1131-1136.

Magnesium-Promoted Reductive Carboxylation of Aryl Vinyl Ketones: Synthesis of γ-Keto Carboxylic Acids.

Direct reductive carboxylation of easily prepared aryl vinyl ketones under the atmosphere of carbon dioxide led to the selective formation of γ-keto carboxylic acids in 38-86% yields. The reaction is characterized by the carbon-carbon bond formation of carbon dioxide at the ß-position of enone, with the use of magnesium turnings that can be easily handled as the reducing agent and the eco-friendly reaction conditions such as no pressuring, no lower or higher reaction temperature, and short reaction time. This protocol showed a wide substrate scope and provided a useful and convenient alternative to access biologically important γ-keto carboxylic acids.

Regioselective Silylations of Propargyl and Allyl Pivalates through Ca-Promoted Reductive C(sp3)-O Bond Cleavage.

A practical protocol for the regioselective preparation of 3-phenylpropargylsilanes and 3-phenylallylsilanes in yields of 36-77 and 48-86%, respectively, from readily accessible 3-phenylpropargyl and 1-phenylallyl pivalates was developed through reductive C(sp3)-O bond cleavage. This method represents the first example of the direct application of vastly abundant calcium granules to a reductive coupling reaction. A broad range of propargylsilanes and allylsilanes are simply prepared using easy-to-handle pivalates and chlorotrimethylsilane under mild catalyst-free and additive-free conditions.

Reductive 3-Silylation of Benzofuran Derivatives via Coupling Reaction with Chlorotrialkylsilane.

Reductive silylation of benzofurans with an electron-withdrawing group by a magnesium metal and the subsequent oxidative rearomatization by DDQ gave the selective formation of less reported 3-silylated benzofurans in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions with wide substituent scope. The silyl group introduced on the five-membered ring by the reductive coupling could survive with no elimination throughout the oxidation process. The silylated heteroaromatic skeleton is useful as an intermediate in organic synthesis, and its practical utility was also demonstrated by several transformation reactions.

Diagnosis and Monitoring Value of Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using Neuroendocrine Analysis During Radiotherapy for Laryngeal Cancer.

We used 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the role of semiquantitative parameters related to dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting and monitoring the efficacy of concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy for laryngeal cancer. The data from 58 patients with newly diagnosed laryngeal cancer who had been treated at our hospital from August 2016 to March 2018 were collected. The 58 patients included 56 men and 2 women, with a median age of 57 years. The pathologic examination of the biopsy specimens revealed squamous cell carcinoma. The time signal curve (TIC) of the tumor and related semiquantitative parameters was measured before, during (radiation dose, 50 Gy), and at the end of treatment (monitoring value after treatment). The results revealed that the TIC types and DCE-MRI-related semiquantitative parameters can predict the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Of the semiquantitative parameters, the signal enhancement ratio at 56 seconds had the greatest predictive value. Patients with TIC type I before treatment had a better prognosis than those with TIC type III. The pre-ADC value was not enough to predict the efficacy. The ADC value, DCE-MRI-related semiquantitative parameters, and their change before treatment had a certain effect in monitoring the changes in water molecule diffusion movement and hemodynamic changes after tumor treatment. However, these were not enough to predict the efficacy.

Accuracy Evaluation of Five Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems in Patients from Different Departments.

BACKGROUND: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) systems are expected to be accurate and provide reliable results. The international standard ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 15197:2013 is widely accepted for the accuracy evaluation for SMBG systems. Accuracy evaluation was performed for 5 different SMBG systems in patients from multi-departments at the hospital. METHOD: A total of 120 patients from Changzhou Second People's Hospital (Changzhou, China) were randomized and enrolled in the study. Accuracy evaluation was performed for 5 different SMBG systems: Gold AQ (Sinocare), Freestyle Optium Xceed (Abbott), Contour TS (Bayer), OneTouch Ultra (J&J) and Accu-Chek Performa (Roche). For each system, comparison measurements were performed with YSI 2300 STAT PLUS Glucose and Lactate Analyzer and Roche Cobas 8000 Modular Analyzer. RESULTS: All 5 systems showed that 100% of results fall within consensus error grid Zones A and B. Compared with YSI 2300 or Roche Cobas 8000 Modular Analyzer, Gold AQ system showed the highest accuracy. The linearity analysis also showed that Gold AQ had the highest correlation coefficient. CONCLUSION: Compared with other SMBG systems, Gold AQ Glucose Monitoring System manufactured by Sinocare Inc. had the highest accuracy in measuring blood glucose level in patients from multi-departments at this hospital.

Prediction of overall survival for metastatic pancreatic cancer: Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram with data from open clinical trial and real-world study.

It is necessary to develop prognostic tools of metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) for optimizing therapeutic strategies. Thus, we tried to develop and validate a prognostic nomogram of MPC. Data from 3 clinical trials (NCT00844649, NCT01124786, and NCT00574275) and 133 Chinese MPC patients were used for analysis. The former 2 trials were taken as the training cohort while NCT00574275 was used as the validation cohort. In addition, 133 MPC patients treated in China were taken as the testing cohort. Cox regression model was used to investigate prognostic factors in the training cohort. With these factors, we established a nomogram and verified it by Harrell's concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots. Furthermore, the nomogram was externally validated in the validation cohort and testing cohort. In the training cohort (n = 445), performance status, liver metastasis, Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) log-value, absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and albumin were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). A nomogram was established with these factors to predict OS and survival probabilities. The nomogram showed an acceptable discrimination ability (C-index: .683) and good calibration, and was further externally validated in the validation cohort (n = 273, C-index: .699) and testing cohort (n = 133, C-index: .653).The nomogram total points (NTP) had the potential to stratify patients into 3-risk groups with median OS of 11.7, 7.0 and 3.7 months (P < .001), respectively. In conclusion, the prognostic nomogram with NTP can predict OS for patients with MPC with considerable accuracy.

Current status of new tuberculosis vaccine in children.

Pediatric tuberculosis contributes significantly to the burden of TB disease worldwide. In order to achieve the goal of eliminating TB by 2050, an effective TB vaccine is urgently needed to prevent TB transmission in children. BCG vaccination can protect children from the severe types of TB such as TB meningitis and miliary TB, while its efficacy against pediatric pulmonary TB ranged from no protection to very high protection. In recent decades, multiple new vaccine candidates have been developed, and shown encouraging safety and immunogenicity in the preclinical experiments. However, the limited data on protective efficacy in infants evaluated by clinical trials has been disappointing, an example being MVA85A. To date, no vaccine has been shown to be clinically safer and more effective than the presently licensed BCG vaccine. Hence, before a new vaccine is developed with more promising efficacy, we must reconsider how to better use the current BCG vaccine to maximize its effectiveness in children.

Bacteriological and virulence study of a Mycobacterium chimaera isolate from a patient in China.

A clinical isolate from a patient was identified as Mycobacterium chimaera, a recently identified species of nontuberculous Mycobacteria. The biochemical and molecular identity, drug sensitivity and virulence of this isolated strain were investigated. 16S rRNA, the 16S-23S ITS, hsp65 and rpoB were amplified, and their sequence similarities with other mycobacteria were analyzed. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of 22 anti-microbial agents against this isolate were established, and the virulence of the isolate was evaluated by intravenous injection into C57BL/6 mice using Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv as a control strain. Growth and morphological characteristics and mycolic acid profile analysis revealed that this isolated strain was a member of the Mycobacterium avium complex. BLAST analysis of the amplified sequences showed that the isolated strain was closely related to M. chimaera. Susceptibility testing showed that the isolate was sensitive to rifabutin, rifapentine, clarithromycin, azithromycin, imipenem and cefoxitin. Bacterial load determination and tissue histopathology of the infected mice indicated that the isolate was highly virulent. The first case of M. chimaera infection in China was evaluated. The information derived from this case may offer valuable guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The effect of bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination at birth on immune response in China.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is still the most effective approach to prevent tuberculosis in childhood. In order to provide protection against severe forms of childhood tuberculosis, it is customary to give BCG vaccination at birth in China. Tuberculin skin testing after vaccination is usually used to evaluate the immunogenic activity and protective efficacy of the BCG. We report the results of a multi-site prospective cohort study to evaluate the immunological reactivity against BCG in four prefectural cities in China. A total of 59,022 newborn infants were vaccinated between January 2011 and March 2012, and follow-up data on 27,517 vaccinated infants were available for this study. Of these, 679 (2.5%) had PPD readings of 0-5mm, 17,072 (62.0%) had PPD readings of 5-10 mm of induration, 8864 (32.2%) had readings of 10-15 mm, 815 (3.0%) had readings of 15-20 mm, and 87 (0.3%) had readings of >20 mm of induration. The size of PPD reaction varied significantly with the geographic location, gender, season of vaccination, and grade of hospital administering the BCG vaccine (P<0.001). 97.8% of the infants with a BCG scar of >1mm had a positive TST reaction. However, only 56.9% of infants without a BCG scar had a positive PPD reaction. Our results demonstrate that the BCG immunization among newborn infants in China induces satisfactory immune response. In addition, BCG scars provide a useful indicator of vaccination response in Chinese infants.

Bacteriological characterization of a Mycobacterium parascrofulaceum strain isolated from a Chinese pneumonia patient.

BACKGROUND: A Mycobacterium parascrofulaceum strain was isolated from a pneumonia patient-the first such reported case from China. The bacteriological characteristics of the strain were determined. METHODS: Species identification was performed by homologue gene sequence comparison, then a series of biochemical tests was conducted to elucidate the bacteriological characteristics. Drug susceptibility and pathogenicity to mice of the strain were tested. RESULTS: The clinical M. parascrofulaceum strain presented a very similar phenotypic profile to that of Mycobacterium scrofulaceum. The M. parascrofulaceum strain was sensitive to rifabutin, rifapentine, clarithromycin, azithromycin, cefoxitin, and moxifloxacin in vitro. At week 2 post-infection, the lung tissues of mice demonstrated a local inflammatory response denoted by peri-bronchiolar inflammatory infiltrates. At weeks 4 and 8, the lung tissues showed peri-bronchiolar inflammatory infiltrates with large aggregates of lymphocytes and part of the tissue showed granulomatous lesions; there was no appreciable necrosis. The colony-forming units (CFU) count of infected lung and spleen increased gradually during the 8 weeks of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The M. parascrofulaceum strain isolated in China was sensitive to rifabutin, rifapentine, clarithromycin, azithromycin, cefoxitin, and moxifloxacin. The mycobacteria were capable of proliferating in mice and could lead to pathological changes in the lungs of the mice.

Molecular characteristics of MDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated in Fujian, China.

Of 75 MDR isolates from Fujian Province, the sensitivity of RIF, INH, EMB, SM, OFLX and KAN resistance by DNA sequencing was 96.0%, 96.0%, 66.7%, 66.0%, 84.2% and 75.0%, respectively. We also identified that minority mutations in the mixed Mycobacterium tuberculosis population may be responsible for two "false-negative" results. In addition, Beijing genotype is still the predominant sublineage in the MDR TB cases from Fujian.

Combining COLD-PCR and high-resolution melt analysis for rapid detection of low-level, rifampin-resistant mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) remains a serious threat to public health. Mutational analysis of the gene encoding the beta subunit of RNA polymerase (rpoB) is an established and widely used surrogate marker for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). The rpoB-based drug-resistant assay requires relatively less time to detect drug resistance in M. tuberculosis, yet it fails to detect low-level mutations in wild-type DNA. Here, we describe a low-level mutation detection method that combines co-amplification at lower denaturation temperature polymerase chain reaction (COLD-PCR) with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis, aimed at detecting low-level, rifampin-resistant mutations in M. tuberculosis. Compared to conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), dilution experiments demonstrated a four- to eightfold improvement in selectivity using COLD-PCR/HRM to detect low-level, rifampin-resistant mutations. The mutation detection limit of conventional PCR/HRM was approximately 20%, whereas COLD-PCR/HRM had a mutation detection limit of 2.5%. Using traditional PCR/HRM and DNA sequencing, we found rpoB mutation in 110 rifampin-resistant isolates. The use of COLD-PCR/HRM allowed us to detect 10 low-level, rifampin-resistant mutations in 16 additional drug-resistant isolates. The sensitivity of COLD-PCR/HRM (95.2%) is significantly higher than that of PCR/HRM (87.3%). Our findings demonstrate that combined use of COLD-PCR with HRM can provide a sensitivity of at least 5% in detecting rpoB-mutated populations in a wild-type background, decreasing the delay in drug-resistant TB diagnosis and leading to faster, cheaper, more efficient, and more personalized antibiotic treatment, especially for low-level drug resistance mutations among the excess wild-type DNA.

[Influences of intervention on the abilities of detecting pulmonary tuberculosis cases in general hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influences of intervention on the abilities of detecting pulmonary tuberculosis cases in general hospitals. METHODS: We selected 6 general hospitals at 3 different levels (A, B, and C). The intervened group included hospitals A1, B1, and C1, and the non-intervened group included hospitals A2, B2, and C2. The results after intervention were compared. RESULTS: The report rate of pulmonary tuberculosis, sputum positive rate of reported cases, and sputum check rate of reported cases were significantly higher in hospital A1 than grouping hospital A2 (P = 0.000, P = 0.045, and P = 0.017, respectively). The report rate and sputum examination rate of reported cases were significantly higher in hospital B1 than grouping hospital B2 (P = 0.000, P = 0.024, respectively). The report rate and sputum examination rate of reported cases were significantly lower in hospital C1 than grouping hospital C2 (P = 0.000, P = 0.001, respectively). In hospital A1, the report rate, sputum positive rate of reported cases, and sputum check rate of reported cases were not significantly different before and after intervention (P = 0.182, P = 0.116, and P = 0.583, respectively). In hospital B1, the report rate were significantly different before and after intervention (P = 0.004), while the sputum positive rate of reported cases and sputum check rate of reported cases were not significantly different (P = 0.909, P = 0.052, respectively). In hospital C1, the report rate was significantly higher after intervention (P = 0.025). In hospital C2, the sputum check rate significantly increased (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Intervention influences the hospitals abilities to detect pulmonary tuberculosis cases. However, more optimized and long-term intervention mechanism should be established to increase case detection rate of pulmonary tuberculosis.

[Effects of two treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis in tuberculosis control project areas: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVES: To search for an ideal therapeutic regimen for multidrug resistant tuberculosis conforming to the situation of China. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four patients with rifampin-resistant tuberculosis, 114 multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) and 40 resistant to other drugs, in Heilongjiang, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen, 107 males and 47 females, aged 39 (19-77), were randomly divided into 2 groups: 85 patients in the group of drug-resistant regimen, 3RFT AM Ofx Pto PAS-INH/5RFT Ofx Pto PAS-INH regimen, including rifapentine (RFT), amikacin (Am), ofloxacin (Ofx), protionamide (Pto), para-aminosalicylic acid-isoniazid (PAS-INH) for 3 months and then RFT, Ofx, Pto, and PAS-INH for 5 months, and 69 in the retreatment regimen group undergoing 3 H3R3Z3E3S3/5 H3R3E3, including isoniazid (H), rifampin (R), pyrazinamide (Z), ethambutol (E), and streptomycin (S) for 3 months and then H, R, and E for 5 months. Sputum smear was checked and the sputum smear conversion rate was calculated as an effective treatment indicator 3, 6, and 8 months later. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen of the 154 patients were treated for a good 8 months. The sputum smear conversion rate 8 months after treatment of the drug-resistant regimen group was 65.9% (56/85), significantly higher than that of the retreatment regimen group [40.6% (28/69), chi2 = 9.834, P = 0.002]. Eighty-five of the 114 MDR-TB patients had been treated for a good 8 months with a sputum smear conversion rate of 61.8% (42/68), significantly higher than that of the retreatment regimen group [39.1% (18/46), chi2 = 5.638, P = 0.018]. Sputum smear conversion at the end of the 8th month was related to age, course of disease, therapeutic regimen, and the type of drug-resistance (all P < 0.05). The side-effect rate of the drug-resistant regimen group was 23.9% (17/71), higher than that of the retreatment regimen group [18.6% (8/43)], but not significantly (chi2 = 0.446, P = 0.504). CONCLUSION: The drug-resistant regimen recommended above is more effective than the retreatment regimen and should be considered in the areas where the WHO guideline fails to be followed or drug sensitivity test (DST) cannot be conducted and adjusted according to the results of DST and treatment.

[Combined effects of genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P450s and GSTM1 on lung cancer susceptibility].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the gene polymorphism of metabolizing enzymes and the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer as well as to study the synergistic effects between smoking and the genes. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 279 patients with primary lung cancer and 684 age-, nationality-, and native place-matched controls, including patients with benign diseases and healthy volunteers. PCR-RELP was used to detect the distribution of CYP1A1, 2D6, 2E1, and GSTM1 genotypes. The correlation of these genes with the sensibility to lung cancer was analyzed. RESULTS: The CYP1A1 variant allele frequency of the lung cancer group was 67.4%, significantly higher than that of the control group (55.7%, P = 0.001). GSTM1-null genotype was found to be associated with lung cancer (OR = 1.58, P = 0.002). The risk of lung cancer in the individuals carrying GSTM1-null genotype and CYP1A1 (w/m, m/m) genotype was 2.75 times that of the individuals not carrying these genotypes (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the frequencies of CYP2D6 and CYP2E1 genotypes between these two groups. In the heavy smokers GSTM1-null, CYP1A1, CYP2D6, and CYP2E1 genotypes increased the risk of lung cancer by 5.71 - 11.67 times (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The individuals who carry GSTM1-null genotype and CYP1A1 (m) genotype have an increase risk of lung cancer. The combined effect of I phase metabolizing enzymes and II phase metabolizing enzymes is observed. In heavy smokers the polymorphism of GSTM1 and CYPs affects the susceptibility to lung cancer.

[A cross sectional study of passive smoking of non-smoking women and analysis of influence factors on women passive smoking].

OBJECTIVE: To fund out the state of passive smoking of non-smoking women and search for measures of controlling women passive smoking. METHODS: 3500 non-smoking women in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu city were interviewed. Analyses were performed by chi2 test Fisher test and ANOVA test. RESULTS: 92.7% passive smoking women exposure to ETS at home, 40.8% at workplace. 38.9% exposed to ETS from birthday, and 42.3% from 18 - 30 age. The average exposure time of passive smoking is (1.17 +/- 1.10) hours per day. The proportion of passive-smoking time over 2 hours at home is higher than work place. In passive-smoking group, the proportion of 30 - 50 age group, secondary education, married, merchant/service, principal of units, and manufacture/transport workers were higher than non-smoking group. 97.5% think that passive smoking is harmful to health, and the proportion of thinking passive smoking has severe harm to health in non-passive-smoking group is higher than passive-smoking group. 70.0% open windows when someone smokes around her, but only 16.9% ask the smokers do not smoke around her forwardly. Suppose that someone were smoking around yourself, the consciousness of avoiding passive smoking forwardly in non-passive-smoking group is stronger than passive-smoking group. 95.1% believe the content of smoking-harm propagandized by medium. CONCLUSION: The main places of controlling passive smoking are the home and the department, commerce, service, and manufacture/ transport workplace. The rate of passive smoking was influenced by the consciousness of the serious level of harms by passive smoking. Propagandizing the serious harm of passive smoking by medium and strengthening the consciousness of avoiding passive smoking were one of feasible measures to lower the rate of smoking and passive smoking.

[A case-control study of the risk factors for lung cancer among Chinese women who have never smoked].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors for lung cancer among women who had never smoked. Methods A 1:2 matched case-control study was carried out. The cases are the no-smoking female patients with the primary lung cancer diagnosed by pathology mothed from hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu between September 2001 and February 2004. One hospital control and one population control matched for age, sex and no-smoking et al., were enrolled. The case and control were interviewed about the exposure information of related factors using the uniform questionnaire. Statistical analysis of single-factor and multivariate conditional Logistic regression were performed to screen the risk factors of lung cancer. RESULTS: During the single-factoranalysis, 28 exposure factors were identified as risk factors for lung cancer. The multivariate conditional Logistic regression show that passive smoking index > or = 50 person * year (OR = 1.77,95% CI, 1.07 - 2.92), consumption of internal organs of animals (OR = 1.85,95% CI, 1.06 - 3.22), and occupational exposure to dust (OR = 2.47,95% CI, 1.21 - 5.03) and bad ventilation in workplace( OR = 4.02,95% CI, 1.74 - 9.29) are risk factors for lung cancer, but consumption of vegetables( OR = 0.26, 95% CI, 0.12 - 0.59), taking vitamins often (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.30 - 0.93), average month income per person after married > or = 500 yuan ( OR = 0.50, 95% CI, 0.28 - 0.91) and the first procreation occurred between 24 and 30 years old (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.32 - 0.90) are the protective factors for lung cancer. The dose-response were observed between passive smoking and risk rate of lung cancer by trend test. CONCLUSION: Some factors such as passive smoking, consumption of internal organs of animals, occupational exposure to dust and bad ventilation in workplace can increase the risk of lung cancer for women who had never smoked. Other factors such as consumption of vegetables, taking vitamins, and so on, can reduce the risk of lung cancer for women who had never smoked.

[Improved case finding by using sputum examination in pulmonary tuberculosis suspects with clinical symptoms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate more effective methods in case finding of tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Sputum examination for TB suspects was applied on the basis of traditional chest X-ray screening. TB suspects with cough more than 3 weeks were subjected to a sputum examination firstly. The case finding rate of X-ray screening alone and in combination with sputum examination for TB suspects were compared. RESULTS: Nine hundred new cases of active pulmonary TB were detected by application of sputum examination to TB suspects, among which 73 more cases were found than X-ray screening alone, and the case detection rate increased 8.8% (73/827). Among the 900 new cases, 30 more cases were found than that of X-ray screening alone in 262 smear positive cases, and the case detection rate increased 12.9%. Three hundred sixty cases were culture positive, among which 63 more cases were found than X-ray screening alone, the case detection rate increased 21.2% (63/297). Among the cases detected by X-ray screening alone, the smear positive rate was 28.1% (232/827), and the culture positive rate was 35.9% (297/827). However, among the cases detected by sputum examination, 29.1% (262/900) was smear positive, and 40.0% (360/900) was culture positive. Among the 73 more cases of active pulmonary TB found by using sputum examination in TB suspects, both the smear positive and the culture positive rates were higher, 41.1% (30/70) and 86.3% (63/73) respectively, as compared to those of cases found by X-ray screening (28.1% and 35.9% respectively). CONCLUSION: Sputum examination in individuals with symptoms suggestive of pulmonary TB could find out more cases with active disease (21.2%) than chest X-ray screening alone.