Meta-analyses of the relationship between five CXCL8 gene polymorphisms and overall cancer risk, and a case-control study of oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL8), also known as interleukin-8, is a prototypical CXC family chemokine bearing a glutamic acid-leucine-arginine (ELR) motif that plays key roles in the onset and progression of a range of cancers in humans. Many prior studies have focused on exploring the relationship between CXCL8 gene polymorphisms and the risk of cancer. However, the statistical power of many of these reports was limited, yielding ambiguous or conflicting results in many cases. METHODS: Accordingly, the PubMed, Wanfang, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published until July 20, 2023 using the keywords 'IL-8' or 'interleukin-8' or 'CXCL8', 'polymorphism' and 'cancer' or 'tumor'. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to examine the association. The CXCL8 +781 polymorphism genotypes were assessed with a TaqMan assay. RESULTS: About 29 related publications was conducted in an effort to better understand the association between these polymorphisms and disease risk. The CXCL8 -353A/T polymorphism was associated with an increased overall cancer risk [A vs. T, odds ratio (OR) = 1.255, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.079-1.459), Pheterogeneity = 0.449, P = 0.003]. The CXCL8 +781 T/C allele was similarly associated with a higher risk of cancer among Caucasians [TT vs. TC + CC, OR = 1.320, 95%CI (1.046-1.666), Pheterogeneity = 0.375, P = 0.019]. Furthermore, oral cancer patients carrying the CXCL8 +781 TT + TC genotypes exhibited pronounced increases in serum levels of CXCL8 as compared to the CC genotype (P < 0.01), and also shown similar trend as compared to genotype-matched normal controls (P < 0.01). Finally, several limitations, such as the potential for publication bias or heterogeneity among the included studies should be paid attention. CONCLUSION: Current study suggested that the CXCL8 -353 and +781 polymorphisms may be associated with a greater risk of cancer, which might impact cancer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment through the different expression of CXCL8. At the same time, the +781 polymorphism may further offer value as a biomarker that can aid in the early identification and prognostic evaluation of oral cancer.

Tea Polysaccharide Ameliorates High-Fat Diet-Induced Renal Tubular Ectopic Lipid Deposition via Regulating the Dynamic Balance of Lipogenesis and Lipolysis.

Renal tubular ectopic lipid deposition (ELD) plays a significant role in the development of chronic kidney disease, posing a great threat to human health. The present work aimed to explore the intervention effect and potential molecular mechanism of a purified tea polysaccharide (TPS3A) on renal tubular ELD. The results demonstrated that TPS3A effectively improved kidney function and slowed the progression of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in high-fat-diet (HFD)-exposed ApoE-/- mice. Additionally, TPS3A notably suppressed lipogenesis and enhanced lipolysis, as shown by the downregulation of lipogenesis markers (SREBP-1 and FAS) and the upregulation of lipolysis markers (HSL and ATGL), thereby reducing renal tubular ELD in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice and palmitic-acid-stimulated HK-2 cells. The AMPK-SIRT1-FoxO1 axis is a core signal pathway in regulating lipid deposition. Consistently, TPS3A significantly increased the levels of phosphorylated-AMPK, SIRT1, and deacetylation of Ac-FoxO1. However, these effects of TPS3A on lipogenesis and lipolysis were abolished by AMPK siRNA, SIRT1 siRNA, and FoxO1 inhibitor, resulting in exacerbated lipid deposition. Taken together, TPS3A shows promise in ameliorating renal tubular ELD by inhibiting lipogenesis and promoting lipolysis through the AMPK-SIRT1-FoxO1 signaling pathway.

Efficacy of botanical lozenges in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In clinical practice, antibiotics and/or inhaled or oral hormone preparations are the first line of treatment for chronic pharyngitis. However, this therapeutic regimen is not satisfactory enough. At present, medicinal plants as dietary supplements or functional foods are widely recognized for the treatment and prevention of different diseases. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the botanical lozenge made from several medicinal plant extracts in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis and its effects on patients' illness perception and adherence to treatment. Methods: Patients with chronic pharyngitis were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 52) or the control group (n = 51). Patients were given botanical lozenges prepared from the extracts of medicinal plants such as Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey ex A.M.Lu and Zhi Y. Zhang [Cucurbitaceae; Siraitiae fructus], Lonicera japonica Thunb [Caprifoliaceae; Lonicerae japonicae flos], Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC [Campanulaceae; Platycodon radix], and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC [Fabaceae; Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma] or placebos made of starch for 15 days. The improvement of pharyngeal symptoms and signs, illness perception, and adherence to treatment were evaluated at the end of the intervention. Results: The total score of pharyngeal symptoms of patients in the experimental group (3.33 ± 2.33) was significantly lower than that in the control group (5.20 ± 2.93) (p < 0.01). In comparison to the control group (3.43 ± 1.43), the total pharyngeal signs score of patients in the experimental group (2.69 ± 1.59) was considerably lower (p < 0.01). The improvement rates of pharyngeal itching, dry throat, pharyngeal foreign body sensation, aggravation due to excessive speaking, and congestion of pharyngeal mucosa in the experimental group were 73.81%, 67.50%, 67.57%, 65.22% and 44%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, patients taking botanical lozenges had better illness perception and adherence to treatment than those taking placebos (p < 0.05). Patients with low adherence to treatment showed less personal control, concerns, and understanding of chronic pharyngitis (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Botanical lozenges not only aided patients in recovering from chronic pharyngitis but also improved their positive perceptions of the disease, which helped them adhere to their treatment regimen. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR2200062139].

Causal association between kynurenine and depression investigated using two-sample mendelian randomization.

As research progresses, the intricate metabolic connections between depression and tryptophan, as well as kynurenine (KYN), have become increasingly evident. In studies investigating the relationship between KYN and depression, the conclusions reached thus far have been inconsistent. Therefore, we propose employing a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) approach to further elucidate the relationship between KYN and depression. We utilized extensive data from large-scale genome-wide association studies to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms that act as instrumental variables for kynurenine and depression in European ancestry populations, ensuring compliance with MR assumptions. We employed five MR algorithms, namely, weighted median, MR-Egger, inverse variance weighted (IVW), simple mode, and weighted mode, with IVW as the primary analysis method. Sensitivity tests were conducted using Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier, and Leave-one-out analysis.The IVW analysis revealed that each standard deviation increase in kynurenine corresponded to a 1.4-fold increase in the risk of depression (OR = 1.351, 95% CI 1.110-1.645, P = 0.003). The direction of the effect size (positive or negative) was consistent with the findings from the other four algorithms. Sensitivity tests indicated no heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy among the instrumental variables. Elevated levels of kynurenine have a causal relationship with an increased risk of developing depression.

Alteration of relative telomere length and telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in the granulosa cells of women during aging and assessment of in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Telomere attrition plays a critical role in the reproductive aging process in humans. Telomere length (TL) is typically regulated by telomerase, the main component of which is telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes of relative TL (RTL) and TERT expression in granulosa cells (GCs) during aging and its association with reproduction. Clinical data on the frozen­thawed embryo transfer cycles of older (>35 year old) and younger (≤35 year old) women from a single center over a 3­year period were retrospectively analyzed. Preimplantation genetic testing for chromosome aneuploidies in older women during the same period was also analyzed. Following the analysis of the data, several biological characteristics of senescent GCs were explored. In addition, a total of 160 women who were undergoing their first fresh cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection were included in the study. GCs were collected from all participants. The changes of RTL and TERT expression in GCs during aging were investigated using quantitative PCR and western blotting. The associations of RTL and TERT with IVF outcomes were also assessed. The clinical data demonstrated that the pregnancy and live birth rates of women aged >35 years were ~20% lower than those of women aged ≤35 years, and the number of embryos with aneuploidy was 7­fold of that without euploidy in the older age group. An aging­induced change in follicle stimulating hormone receptor expression was observed. A shorter TL and increased TERT expression were detected in the older women. A significant inverse correlation between the expression levels of TERT and oocyte yield was identified. However, no association of RTL and TERT with blastocyst formation rate and the probability of clinical pregnancy was detected. It may be concluded that RTL and TERT alterations in GCs are potential determinants of ovarian aging. TERT expression in GCs appears to be a potential biomarker for the prediction of ovarian response, which provides a novel strategy for the assessment of female fertility.

Mediating effect of gastrointestinal symptoms on dietary behavior and quality of life in Chinese adults with chronic gastritis-a cross-sectional study.

Background: Chronic gastritis is accompanied by varying degrees of gastrointestinal symptoms, which affect people's quality of life. The association between dietary behaviors and gastrointestinal symptoms of patients with chronic gastritis has been proved recently. However, no studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between dietary behaviors, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 176 patients diagnosed with chronic gastritis aged 18 to 65 years, comprising their information on demographic characteristics, dietary behaviors, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life, was collected. A descriptive analysis and a correlation matrix were used to illuminate the characteristics of the subjects and bivariate correlation, respectively. The mediation model was analyzed using the PROCESS macros for SPSS. Results: Demographic characteristics were found to influence the symptoms, dietary behaviors, and quality of life of chronic gastritis patients; in particular, students categorized by occupation had higher levels of gastrointestinal symptoms and lower levels of quality of life and dietary behavior. The study variables were all pound related. We found that gastrointestinal symptoms played a partial mediating role between dietary behavior and both the physical components summary and mental components summary, and the ratios of mediating effects to the total effect on the physical components summary and mental components summary were 23.5% and 21.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Our survey discovered that dietary behavior, gastrointestinal symptoms, and quality of life were all pairwise related. The effect of dietary behavior on quality of life was partially mediated by gastrointestinal symptoms. These results may provide a novel perspective for medical staff in improving the quality of life of patients with chronic gastritis.

Inhibition of Ca2+-calpain signaling is a new mechanism using Laminaria japonica polysaccharide to prevent macrophage foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.

The Ca2+-calpain signaling plays a pivotal role in regulating the upstream signaling pathway of cellular autophagy. The aim of the current work was to investigate the role of Ca2+-calpain signaling in the regulation of macrophage autophagy by a Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) in Ox-LDL induced macrophages and high fat diet fed atherosclerotic mice. Results revealed that the LJP61A markedly decreased the levels of intracellular Ca2+, calpain1, calpain2 and their downstream effectors (Gsα, cAMP and IP3), and simultaneously enhanced autophagy activity and lipid metabolism, thereby reducing lipid accumulation in the Ox-LDL stimulated macrophages and lipid-laden plaques in atherosclerotic mice. Moreover, BAPTA-AM (a Ca2+ chelator) and calpeptin (a calpain inhibitor) synergistically strengthened the beneficial effects of LJP61A on autophagy and lipid metabolism by decreasing the levels of intracellular Ca2+, calpain1, calpain2, and their downstream effectors (Gsα, cAMP and IP3) induced by Ox-LDL. These findings suggested that the LJP61A suppressed macrophage derived foam cell formation and atherosclerosis by modulating the Ca2+-calpain-mediated autophagy.

Laminaria japonica polysaccharide attenuates podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transformation via TGF-ß1-mediated Smad3 and p38MAPK pathways.

In the present work, we explored the interventional effect and potential mechanism of a purified Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) on podocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TGF-ß1-induced podocytes and adriamycin-treated mice. Results showed that compared to the model groups, LJP61A significantly up-regulated the levels of epithelial markers (Nephrin, WT-1, podocin) and down-regulated the levels of mesenchymal markers (α-SMA, FN1) in vitro and in vivo, thus preventing EMT-like morphological changes of podocytes, proteinuria and kidney injury. Smad3 and p38MAPK are two central pathways mediating podocyte EMT activated by TGF-ß1. We found that LJP61A suppressed TGF-ß1-induced activation of Smad3, Smad4 and p38MAPK in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the inhibitory actions of LJP61A on podocyte EMT were synergistically strengthened by Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 and p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Taken together, these findings revealed that LJP61A could prevent podocyte EMT, which might be related to the inhibition of TGF-ß1-mediated Smad3 and p38MAPK pathways.

Continuity of Care plus Whole Process Psychological Intervention for Lung Cancer Patients undergoing Chemotherapy.

Objective: To explore the efficiency of continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention for lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 130 patients who have lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy admitted to our hospital from 2019 to 2021 were recruited and assigned via different intervention methods (1 : 1) to receive either continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention (observation group) or routine nursing (control group). Outcome measures included psychological state, treatment compliance, quality of life, and nursing satisfaction. Results: Continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention was associated with significantly lower Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scores versus routine care. The patients given combined nursing showed higher self-esteem scores versus those given routine care. Continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention also resulted in significantly lower cancer-related fatigue scores and higher treatment compliance versus routine care. Patients given continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention had a better quality of life and higher nursing satisfaction versus those given routine care (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Continuity of care plus whole process psychological intervention can effectively mitigate the negative emotions of lung cancer patients, alleviate cancer-related fatigue, improve treatment compliance, and boost the life quality of patients.

Roles of the gut microbiota in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide. The pathophysiological mechanisms linking gut dysbiosis and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection are poorly understood, although gut microbiota disorders are related to severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. The roles of the gut microbiota in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection were compared with those in respiratory viral infection, which is an easily understood and enlightening analogy. Secondary bacterial infections caused by immune disorders and antibiotic abuse can lead to dysregulation of the gut microbiota in patients with respiratory viral infections. The gut microbiota can influence the progression of respiratory viral infections through metabolites and the immune response, which is known as the gut-lung axis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 is expressed in both the lungs and the small intestine, which may be a bridge between the lung and the gut. Similarly, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been shown to disturb the gut microbiota, which may be the cause of cytokine storms. Bacteria in the gut, lung, and other tissues and respiratory viruses can be considered microecosystems and may exert overall effects on the host. By referencing respiratory viral infections, this review focused on the mechanisms involved in the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infections and the gut microbiota and provides new strategies for the treatment or prevention of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections by improving gut microbial homeostasis.

Impacts of psychological resilience on self-efficacy and quality of life in patients with diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) usually have a poor quality of life (QoL) and self-efficacy, which is affected by many risk factors. However, the role of psychological resilience in QoL and self-efficacy in DFU patients has remained unclear. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed in a single center from January 2018 to February 2020. A total of 98 DFU patients were enrolled in this study. Some demographic and clinical data were prospectively collected from participants. The psychological resilience of participants was assessed by Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Self-efficacy was also assessed using the diabetes management self-efficacy scale (DMSES) and QoL was assessed by the 36-item short-form (SF-36) health survey. Univariable and multivariable linear regression were used to analyze the risk factors of self-efficacy and QoL. Then, logistic regression was used to analyze the predictors of psychological resilience among the participants. RESULTS: A CD-RISC score of more than 85 points was defined as high psychological resilience in this study; there were 28 participants diagnosed with high psychological resilience and 70 patients with low psychological resilience. Those with high psychological resilience had significantly higher self-efficacy, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health than those with low psychological resilience. According to multivariable linear regression, low psychological resilience and older age were identified as risk factors of self-efficacy. On the contrary, low psychological resilience, older age, lower perceived social support and higher level of glycated hemoglobin were identified as risk factors of QoL. Finally, males had lower psychological resilience than females and those receiving more social support had higher psychological resilience than participants receiving less social support. CONCLUSIONS: Some risk factors of QoL and self-efficacy were identified in this study and these results may provide some evidence for the improvement of QoL and self-efficacy in DFU patients. Being female and receiving higher social support were shown to have potential for improving psychological resilience in DFU patients.

Bilateral high-frequency hearing loss is associated with elevated blood pressure and increased hypertension risk in occupational noise exposed workers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of bilateral high-frequency hearing loss (BHFHL) with blood pressure and hypertension among occupational noise exposed workers. METHODS: Occupational noise exposed workers were enrolled in 2017 from the occupational diseases survey of Chengdu. BHFHL was classified as normal, mild, or high by the bilateral high-frequency tone average. Linear regression model was used to assess the effects of occupational noise exposure time and BHFHL on blood pressure. Logistic regression model was performed to estimate hypertension risk odds ratios (ORs) associated to occupational noise exposure time and BHFHL. RESULTS: Increasing years of occupational noise exposure and BHFHL were significantly associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure increase (all P<0.001). The lineal trend was only significant in males, with adjusted ORs for hypertension gradually increasing with increasing years of occupational noise exposure (P<0.001). Furthermore, subjects having mild and high BHFHL had a higher hypertension risk of 34% and 281%, respectively (both P<0.001). Dose-response relationship between BHFHL and hypertension was found in both males and females. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational noise exposure was positively associated with blood pressure levels and hypertension risk.

Co-exposure to metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, microRNA expression, and early health damage in coke oven workers.

BACKGROUND: All humans are now co-exposed to multiple toxic chemicals, among which metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of special concern as they are often present at high levels in various human environments. They can also induce similar early health damage, such as genetic damage, oxidative stress, and heart rate variability (HRV). Exposure to metals, PAHs, and their combined pollutants can alter microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns. OBJECTIVES: To explore the associations of metal-PAH co-exposure with miRNA expression, and of the associated miRNAs with early health damage. METHODS: We enrolled 360 healthy male coke oven workers and quantified their exposure levels of metals and PAHs by urinary metals, urinary monohydroxy-PAHs (OH-PAHs), and plasma benzo[a]pyrene-r-7,t-8,t-9,c-10-tetrahydotetrol-albumin (BPDE-Alb) adducts, respectively. We selected and measured ten miRNAs: let-7b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-142-5p, miR-150-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-27a-3p, miR-28-5p, miR-320b, and miR-451a. For miRNAs influenced by the effect modification of metals or PAHs and/or metal-PAH interactions, we further evaluated their associations with biomarkers for genetic damage, oxidative stress, and HRV. RESULTS: After adjusting for PAHs and other metals, miRNA expression was found to be negatively associated with aluminum, antimony, lead, and titanium, and positively associated with molybdenum and tin (p < 0.05). Antimony showed modifying effects on the PAH-miRNA associations, while OH-PAHs and BPDE-Alb adducts modified the associations of metals with miRNAs (p for modifying effect < 0.05). Furthermore, miRNA expression was influenced by the antagonistic interactions between antimony and OH-PAHs, and by the synergistical interactions between metals and BPDE-Alb adducts (pinteraction < 0.05). Let-7b-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-16-5p, and miR-320b were additionally found to be associated with increased genetic damage in the present study [false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted p < 0.05]. CONCLUSIONS: Associations of metal-PAH co-exposure with miRNA expression, and of associated miRNAs with early health damage, suggested potential mechanistic connections between the complex metal-PAH interactions and their deleterious effects that are worthy of further investigation.

Development and validation of a fluoride bone injury risk prediction model.

BACKGROUND: Fluoride bone injury affects millions of people exposed to fluoride worldwide, and has no treatment - prevention is the only solution. OBJECTIVES: A risk prediction model was developed to identify workers at high risk for fluoride bone injury in aluminum production. METHODS: We collected data from the Molecular Epidemiology Study of Fluoride Bone Injury. 120 fluoride bone injury cases and 120 controls were involved in the study. Logistic regression was used to determine variables in the risk prediction model. Predictive accuracy was validated with bootstrap method. Potential risk cut-offs was evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: Working history, urinary fluoride, osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase and calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism were included in the final prediction model. The model had very good calibration and discrimination (C index=0.986; Brier score 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Our fluoride bone injury risk prediction model performed well in the present data, and the working history, urinary fluoride, osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, and calcitonin receptor gene polymorphism were identified as predictors. The model could be used to assess the fluoride bone injury risk, and identify the susceptible workers.

Genome-Wide Analysis of DNA Methylation and Cigarette Smoking in a Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a risk factor for many human diseases. DNA methylation has been related to smoking, but genome-wide methylation data for smoking in Chinese populations is limited. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate epigenome-wide methylation in relation to smoking in a Chinese population. METHODS: We measured the methylation levels at > 485,000 CpG sites (CpGs) in DNA from leukocytes using a methylation array and conducted a genome-wide meta-analysis of DNA methylation and smoking in a total of 596 Chinese participants. We further evaluated the associations of smoking-related CpGs with internal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biomarkers and their correlations with the expression of corresponding genes. RESULTS: We identified 318 CpGs whose methylation levels were associated with smoking at a genome-wide significance level (false discovery rate < 0.05), among which 161 CpGs annotated to 123 genes were not associated with smoking in recent studies of Europeans and African Americans. Of these smoking-related CpGs, methylation levels at 80 CpGs showed significant correlations with the expression of corresponding genes (including RUNX3, IL6R, PTAFR, ANKRD11, CEP135 and CDH23), and methylation at 15 CpGs was significantly associated with urinary 2-hydroxynaphthalene, the most representative internal monohydroxy-PAH biomarker for smoking. CONCLUSION: We identified DNA methylation markers associated with smoking in a Chinese population, including some markers that were also correlated with gene expression. Exposure to naphthalene, a byproduct of tobacco smoke, may contribute to smoking-related methylation. CITATION: Zhu X, Li J, Deng S, Yu K, Liu X, Deng Q, Sun H, Zhang X, He M, Guo H, Chen W, Yuan J, Zhang B, Kuang D, He X, Bai Y, Han X, Liu B, Li X, Yang L, Jiang H, Zhang Y, Hu J, Cheng L, Luo X, Mei W, Zhou Z, Sun S, Zhang L, Liu C, Guo Y, Zhang Z, Hu FB, Liang L, Wu T. 2016. Genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation and cigarette smoking in Chinese. Environ Health Perspect 124:966-973; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509834.

The effects of heavy metals and their interactions with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the oxidative stress among coke-oven workers.

Heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are predominate toxic constituents of particulate air pollution that may be related to the increased risk of cardiopulmonary events. We aim to investigate the effects of the toxic heavy metals (arsenic, As; cadmium, Cd; chromium, Cr; nickel, Ni; and lead, Pb), and their interactions with PAHs on oxidative stress among coke-oven workers. A total of 1333 male workers were recruited in this study. We determined their urinary levels of As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, twelve PAH metabolites, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and 8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α (8-iso-PGF2α). Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyze the effects of these metals and their interactions with PAHs on 8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2α levels. It was found that only urinary As and Ni showed marginal or significant positive linear dose-dependent effects on 8-OHdG in this study population, especially among smokers (ß=0.103, P=0.073 and ß=0.110, P=0.002, respectively). After stratifying all participants by the quartiles of ΣOH-PAH, all five metals showed linear association with 8-OHdG in the highest quartile subgroup (Q4) of ΣOH-PAHs. However, these five urinary metals showed significantly consistent linear associations with 8-iso-PGF2α in all subjects and each stratum. Urinary ΣOH-PAHs can significant modify the effects of heavy metals on oxidative stress, while co-exposure to both high levels of ΣOH-PAHs and heavy metals render the workers with highest 8-OHdG and 8-iso-PGF2α (all P(interaction)≤0.005). This study showed evidence on the interaction effects of heavy metals and PAHs on increasing the oxidative stress, and these results warrant further investigation in more longitudinal studies.

Association between the DICER rs1057035 polymorphism and cancer risk: evidence from a meta-analysis of 1,2675 individuals.

BACKGROUND: DICER, one of the microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis proteins, is involved in the maturation of miRNAs and is implicated in cancer development and progression. The results from previous epidemiological studies on associations between DICER rs1057035 polymorphism and cancer risk were inconsistent. Thereforewe performed this meta-analysis to summarize possible associations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched all relevant articles on associations between DICER rs1057035 polymorphism and cancer risk from PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure until August 2014. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess any associations. Heterogeneity tests, sensitivity analyses and publication bias assessments were also performed in this meta-analysis. All analyses were conducted using STATA software. RESULTS: Seven case-control studies, including 4,875 cancer cases and 7,800 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that the C allele of DICER rs1057035 polymorphism was significantly associated with decreased cancer risk in allelic comparison, heterozygote and dominant genetic models (C vs T: OR=0.88, 95%CI 0.81-0.95, p=0.002; TC vs TT: OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.77-0.93, p=0.001; CC/TC vs TT: OR=0.86, 95%CI 0.78-0.94, p=0.001). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, a significantly decreased cancer risk was found in Asian but not Caucasian populations. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that the C allele of the DICER rs1057035 polymorphism probably decreases cancer risk. However, this association may be Asian-specific and the results should be treated with caution. Further well-designed studies based on larger sample sizes and group of populations are needed to validate these findings.

Association between the HSPA1B ±1267A/G polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 14 case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological studies have suggested a potential role of the HSPA1B±1267A/G polymorphism in risk of developing cancer. However, the results were inconsistent. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to summarize the possible association with cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrieved relevant articles from PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Studies were selected using specific criteria. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess those associations. All analyses were performed using STATA software. RESULTS: Fourteen case-control studies, including 1, 834 cancer cases and 2, 028 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the results indicated that the G allele of HSPA1B gene ±1267A/G was significantly associated with an increased cancer risk in all genetic models (G vs A: OR=1.51, 95%CI 1.17-1.95, p=0.001; GG vs AA: OR=2.93, 95%CI 1.50-5.74, p=0.002; AG vs AA: OR=1.48, 95%CI 1.10-1.98, p=0.009; GG/AG vs AA: OR=1.69, 95%CI 1.22-2.33, p=0.001; GG vs AG/AA: OR=2.31, 95%CI 1.24-4.32, p=0.009). In the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity, a significant association was identified in Caucasians (G vs A: OR=1.35, 95%CI 1.08-1.69, p=0.008; GG/AG vs AA: OR=1.36, 95%CI 1.09-1.70, p=0.007), but not in Asians. In the stratified analysis by cancer types, individuals with the G allele showed an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma compared with carriers of the A allele (OR=2.40, 95%CI 1.47-3.91, p< 0.001). Inversely, individuals with the GG genotype showed a decreased risk of gastric cancer compared with carriers of the AG/GG genotypes (GG vs AG/AA: OR=0.39, 95%CI 0.20-0.70, p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests associations between the HSPA1B ±1267A/G polymorphism and risk of cancer. However, this association might be Caucasian-specific and the G allele of this polymorphism probably increases risk of hepatocellular carcinoma while decreasing risk of gastric cancer. Further well-designed studies based on larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

Organic extracts of coke oven emissions can induce genetic damage in metabolically competent HepG2 cells.

Coke oven emissions (COEs) containing various carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent the coal-burning pollution in the air. Organic pollutants in the aerosol and particulate matter of COEs were collected from the bottom, side, and top of a coke oven. The Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay were conducted to analyze the genetic damage of extractable organic matter (EOM) of COEs on HepG2 cells. All the three EOMs could induce significant dose-dependent increases in Olive tail moment, tail DNA, and tail length, micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds frequencies, which were mostly positively correlated with the total PAHs concentration in each EOM. In conclusion, EOMs of COEs in the three typical working places of coke oven can induce DNA strand breaks and genomic instability in the metabolically competent HepG2 cells. The PAHs in EOMs may be important causative agents for the genotoxic effects of COEs.