Non-ionizing radiations, e.g., radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, could induce DNA damage and oxidative stress in human lens epithelial cells (LECs) which can be early events in cataractogenesis. Extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF MF) as another common form of manmade electromagnetic fields has been considered as suspected human carcinogen by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and become a focus that people play more and more attentions to. This study aimed to determine whether ELF MF can induce DNA damage in cultured human LECs at a relatively low intensity. Human LECs were exposed or sham-exposed to a 50 Hz ELF MF which produced by a well-designed exposure system at the intensity of 0.4 mT. DNA damage in human LECs was examined by the phosphorylated form of histone variant H2AX (gH2AX) foci formation assay and further explored with western blot, flow cytometry, and alkaline comet assay. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that 0.4 mT ELF MF did not significantly increase gH2AX foci formation in human LECs after 2, 6, 12, 24, or 48 hr exposure. No significant differences had been detected in gH2AX expression level between the ELF MFand sham-exposure groups, while no obvious chromosomal DNA fragmentation was detected by alkaline comet assay after ELF MF exposure. The results indicate an absence of genotoxicity in ELF MF-exposed human epithelial cells and do not support the hypothesis that environmental ELF MF might be causally led to genomic instability via chromosomal damage response processes. Neither short nor long term continuous exposure to 50 Hz ELF MF at 0.4 mT could induce DNA damage in human lens epithelial cells in vitro. Anat Rec, 299:688-697,

ObjectivesWe developed an informational support questionnaire of transitional care (ISQTC) for aged patients with chronic disease and investigated its reliability and validity.SettingThis study was conducted in three large general hospitals in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China.ParticipantsA total of 130 aged patients with chronic diseases, admitted into outpatient and inpatient departments from three hospitals in China, participated in the study. The inclusion criteria were: (1) patients must provide consent to participate; (2) being 60 years and above; (3) being diagnosed with at least one chronic disease and hospitalised more than two times within the last 1 year; (4) being able to listen, speak, read and write. The exclusion criteria were: (1) refusing to participate; (2) language expression and communication barriers (and having no caregiver to assist in participation); (3) being in intensive care or long-term hospitalisation.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe developed questionnaire was validated and tested for reliability. The content validity of the questionnaire was determined through experts’ interviews and Delphi expert consultation, and the structure validity of the questionnaire was determined by performing exploratory factor analysis. The coefficient of reliability of the questionnaire was measured using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsThrough Delphi expert consultation and exploratory factor analysis, the questionnaire was reduced from four dimensions and 12 items to three dimensions and 11 items. A total of 130 patients responded to the questionnaire. The alpha coefficient was 0.747.ConclusionThe ISQTC is a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating aged patients with chronic disease in transitional care.Trial registration detailsChiCTR1900020923. The trial was registered on 22 January 2019.

Aims In this paper, we present a study aiming to develop a questionnaire on instrumental support for transitional care as a tool for investigating services, staff, equipment and supplies, and funds of transitional care and conduct a cross‐sectional study on the current instrumental support for transitional care in older adults with chronic diseases. Design A cross‐sectional study combining instrumental support with transitional care through a mixed‐method approach. Methods Data are collected through two sources: distribution of the questionnaire to older adults with chronic diseases and interviews with experts from different specialties such as nursing, clinical medicine, geriatrics, sociology and government. Results The developed questionnaire and expert interviews will be used to investigate the current instrumental support for transitional care among older adults with chronic diseases in China. These findings can help leaders identify areas for improvement in transitional care and contribute to the long‐term positive development of transitional care.

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