Effect of toluene inhalation on astrocytes and neurotrophic factor in rat brain

Toluene, an abused substance in Japan, is a neurotoxic chemical that has been shown to have neurobehavioral and electrophysiological effects. In previous work, both acute and chronic effects of toluene on cells have been studied extensively. However, although glial cells are thought to play an important role in the survival of neurons in the brain, the effect of toluene on glial cell function has not yet been characterized. To elucidate this, the effect of toluene inhalation on astrocytes in rat brain was examined. Toluene exposure (1500 ppm for 4 h on 4-10 days) augmented glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity, particularly in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Quantitative analysis showed that toluene inhalation markedly enhanced GFAP expression in the hippocampus and cerebellum. In both regions, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) showed no obvious changes, but glutamine synthetase (GS)-immunoreactive cells were markedly increased by toluene exposure. Thus, the elevation of GFAP expression was induced by astrocyte activation rather than by cell proliferation. If toluene exposure activates astrocytes, astrocytes may play a role in the neurophysiological changes observed in toluene intoxication. A neurotrophic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) was observed immunohistochemically in the capillary vessel walls in the hippocampus and the cerebellum of toluene-intoxicated rats. Basic-FGF may have induced GFAP expression both in the hippocampus and the cerebellum. So, other neurotrophic factors may affect the difference of GFAP elevation between the hippocampus and the cerebellum. These differences may relate to neurobehavioral function of each brain part after toluene exposure.     

Author Index

Authors Index

Author Index     

零工经济中个体就业动机探析 ——以北京市外卖骑手为例

随着数字技术的发展和人们生活、用餐习惯的改变，数字经济中的餐饮行业获得了较快发展，为劳动者创造了大量的就业机会。本研究基于外卖平台骑手的数据探讨数字零工经济下个体的就业动机。研究发现：大多数外卖骑手表面上是为了追求工作灵活性、经济收益和扩大社交网络而主动选择零工就业，但实际上，他们并没有在平台真正实现这三方面的诉求。劳动力市场结构转变让他们为了谋求生存而被动“挤入”,而非主动选择进入零工就业中。因此，针对劳动密集型平台就业群体，需要深入分析其选择零工就业的真正原因，才能在对其帮扶的政策制定和执行中，实现“对症下药”和“精准帮扶”。     

基于马克思劳动幸福理论的“劳动幸福问卷”设计及其信效度检验

劳动幸福是一种客观状态，对劳动幸福观测维度的测量有助于有针对性地提高劳动幸福程度。劳动幸福可以从四个观测维度进行测量，分别是劳动发展维度、劳动解放维度、劳动尊严维度以及劳动基础条件维度。这四个维度相互联系、互为因果，共同促进劳动幸福程度的提高。根据这样的理论建构，研究设计了"劳动幸福问卷”,对来自全国的样本进行了网络在线调查。分析结果显示，劳动幸福四维度之间具有正相关关系，符合本研究的理论建构。这说明“劳动幸福问卷”在总体上是可用的，是一个可靠和可信的研究工具。     

Medical devices; immunology and microbiology devices; classification of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene mutation detection system. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation detection systems into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: CFTR Gene Mutation Detection Systems." The agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is announcing the availability of the guidance document that will serve as the special control for the device.     

Possession, use, and transfer of select agents and toxins--reconstructed replication competent forms of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus containing any portion of the coding regions of all eight gene segments. Interim final rule

We are adding reconstructed replication competent forms of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus containing any portion of the coding regions of all eight gene segments to the list of HHS select agents and toxins. We are taking this action for several reasons. First the pandemic influenza virus of 1918-19 killed up to 50 million people worldwide, including an estimated 675,000 deaths in the United States. Also, the complete coding sequence for the 1918 pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus was recently identified, which will make it possible for those with knowledge of reverse genetics to reconstruct this virus. In addition, the first published study on a reconstructed 1918 pandemic influenza virus demonstrated the high virulence of this virus in cell culture, embryonated eggs, and in mice relative to other human influenza viruses. Therefore, we have determined that the reconstructed replication competent forms of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus containing any portion of the coding regions of all eight gene segments have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety.     

Registration of food facilities under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final regulation that confirms the interim final rule entitled "Registration of Food Facilities Under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002" (68 FR 58894, October 10, 2003 (interim final rule) as corrected by a technical amendment (69 FR 29428, May 24, 2004), and responds to comments submitted in response to the request for comments in the interim final rule. This final rule affirms the interim final rule's requirement that domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture/process, pack, or hold food for human or animal consumption in the United States be registered with FDA by December 12, 2003. The interim final rule implemented the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act), which requires domestic and foreign facilities to be registered with FDA by December 12, 2003. This final rule does not make any changes to the regulatory requirements established by the interim final rule.     

Electronic products; performance standard for diagnostic x-ray systems and their major components. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing a final rule to amend the Federal performance standard for diagnostic x-ray systems and their major components (the performance standard). The agency is taking this action to update the performance standard to account for changes in technology and use of radiographic and fluoroscopic x-ray systems and to fully utilize the International System of Units to describe radiation-related quantities and their units when used in the performance standard. For clarity and ease of understanding, FDA is republishing the complete contents, as amended, of three sections of the performance standard regulations and is amending a fourth section without republishing it in its entirety. This action is being taken under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the act), as amended by the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 (SMDA).     

Beverages: bottled water. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its bottled water quality standard regulations by revising the existing allowable level for the contaminant arsenic. As a consequence, bottled water manufacturers are required to monitor their finished bottled water products for arsenic at least once each year under the current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations for bottled water. Bottled water manufacturers are also required to monitor their source water for arsenic as often as necessary, but at least once every year unless they meet the criteria for the source water monitoring exemptions under the CGMP regulations. This final rule will ensure that the minimum quality of bottled water, as affected by arsenic, remains comparable with the quality of public drinking water that meets the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) standards.