[A non-targeted metabolomics study on urine of occupational exposure people with titanium dioxide nanoparticles].

Objective: To investigate the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) on urine metabolites in occupationally exposure people based on metabolomics technology, and to explore the mechanism of early health effects of TiO(2) NPs on occupational exposure. Methods: In October 2019, the TiO(2) NPs occupational exposure population was selected as the research object, of which 64 people were in the exposure group who had been engaged in TiO(2) NPs exposure positions for more than 1 year; the control group was 62 people, who were logistics administrative staff of the same company. The urine of the research subjects before class was collected, using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometer to collect the metabolism data of the urine, Progenesis QI software for data preprocessing and metabolite identification, SIMCA-P software for the principal component analysis of the data and potential biomarkers screening, MetaboAnalyst 4.0 software for metabolic pathway enrichment analysis. Results: The urine metabolism profile of workers in the exposure group was different from the control group, and 44 potential biomarkers were screened and identified. These potential biomarkers were significantly enriched in three pathways (P<0.05) , namely D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism pathway, nitrogen metabolism pathway and D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism pathways. Conclusion: The occupational exposure of TiO(2) NPs can affect the concentration of metabolites in people urine and metabolic pathways, which provides a direction for the study of occupational hazard mechanisms of TiO(2) NPs and the monitoring of health risks.

[Metabolomics study of urine with Benzene, Toluene and Xylene combined exposure based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry].

Objective: To study the effects of combined occupational exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene on human metabolism at an overall level, and to screen biomarkers related to the combined occupational exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene, and to explore the mechanism of early health effects preliminarily caused by combined occupational exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene by identification of biomarkers and retrieval of metabolic pathways. Methods: A shoe-making company was selected as the research site. Twenty subjects for the exposed group and the control group were selected separately, and urine of the subjects was collected. The metabolic profiles of the samples were collected by liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and professional metabolomics and multivariate statistical analysis software were used to establish PCA and OPLS-DA analysis models to screen potential biomarkers and identify biomarkers. Finally, based on the dynamic changes and trends of potential biomarkers between groups, the mechanism of body damage caused by benzene, toluene, and xylene was initially explored. Results: Urine metabolomics analysis showed that the metabolic profile of urine samples of the benzene, toluene, and xylene combined exposure group was different from that of the control group. 27 potential biomarkers that were closely related to the combined exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene were screened and identified. These potential biomarkers were enriched in 16 metabolic pathways, of which 3 pathways were significantly enriched (P<0.05) , respectively, lysine metabolism, amino sugar metabolism, and nucleotide sugar metabolism. Conclusion: The metabonomics method can well reflect the changes in the metabolome of urine samples in the occupational population after the combined exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene, which will help us better evaluate the risk of combined exposure of benzene, toluene, and xylene and prevent and control their health risks.

[Membrane sampling for the determination of chlorothalonil in the air of workplaces-solvent analysis-Gas Chromatography].

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of chlorothalonil in air by filtration membrane sampling, solvent elution and gas chromatography. Methods: PTFE filter was used for sampling, eluted with dichloromethane, separated by DB-5 capillary column, and determined by FID. Results: The standard curve was used for quantitative detection, and the correlation of chlorothalonil in the range of 15 µg/ml-300 µg/ml, R(2)=0.9999. The detection limit of this method was 1.70 µg/ml and the lower quantitative limit was 5.70 µg/ml. The minimum detected concentration was 0.045 mg/m(3) (75L air sample was collected) . The recovery rate was 90.14%-91.81%. The precision of the same batch was 1.5%-1.8%, and that of different batches was 2.3%-3.8%. The sampling efficiency can reach above 95%; The samples can be stored for 14 days at room temperature. Conclusion: The results show that the method of filtration membrane sampling-solvent elude-gas chromatography is suitable for the determination of chlorothalonil in the air.

HBP1 deficiency protects against stress-induced premature senescence of nucleus pulposus.

OBJECTIVE: Senescence of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is involved in the pathological process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). HMG-box transcription factor 1 (HBP1) is a transcriptional inhibitor that prevents proliferation and regulates premature senescence of cells. The aim of this study was to confirm whether HBP1 deficiency could protect stress-induced NP cells premature senescence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Firstly, HBP1 protein level in human degenerated intervertebral disc tissues was detected. Then, NP cells were isolated from disc samples and transfected with plasmid to upregulate HBP1expression. H2O2 and interleukin-1b (IL-1b) were used to induce NP cells premature senescence in a different manner. Thereafter, cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were measured, and the protein expressions of collagen II, HBP1, and p16, were determined by Western blot or immunofluorescence. Finally, the mRNA levels of aggrecan, collagen I, IL-6, Transforming Growth Factor-α (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The data indicated that HBP1 was upregulated in degenerated NP tissues. HBP1 gene overexpression increased p16 expression, affected NP cell proliferation, and caused cell apoptosis. In addition, HBP1 also decreased the collagen II and aggrecan expressions but increased collagen I, IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP-3 levels. Moreover, the silencing of HBP1 markedly reversed the H2O2 and IL-1b induced NP cell senescence by reducing p16 expression, apoptotic cell population, and inflammatory response and by promoting cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, HBP1 accumulation contributes to the senescence of NP cells, and HBP1 deficiency protects stress-induced NP cells premature senescence.

Long noncoding RNA PVT1 promotes metastasis via miR-484 sponging in osteosarcoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely involved in various malignancies including osteosarcoma. In the current study, we aimed to illustrate the role of lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) in osteosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Expression of PVT1 and microRNA-486 (miR-486) in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assays and in situ hybridizations (ISH) assay. Transwell migration/invasion assays were performed to determine the metastatic ability changes in osteosarcoma cells. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to analyze the overall survival (OS) of patients with osteosarcoma. Luciferase assays were used to evaluate the targeted binding effect between PVT1 and miR-486. RESULTS: We illustrated that lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) was upregulated in osteosarcoma, and it was correlated with poor prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Furthermore, we found that PVT1, via constructed loss of function and gain of function assays, promoted osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion. Meanwhile, we demonstrated that microRNA-486 (miR-486) was involved in PVT1-induced migration and invasion. We also uncovered that miR-486 was downregulated in osteosarcoma tissue specimens and cell lines. Functionally, we showed that upregulation of miR-486 reversed the facilitative effect of PVT1 on osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion, and vice versa. Mechanically, we illustrated that PVT1 interacted with miR-486 in a reciprocal suppressed manner. Moreover, we found that miR-486 could target to PVT1 via Luciferase assay. Lastly, we proved that PVT1 promoted osteosarcoma cells migration and invasion through miR-486 sponging. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that PVT1, functioning as an oncogene, promotes osteosarcoma cells metastasis via miR-486 sponging. PVT1/miR-486 axis might be a novel target in the molecular treatment of osteosarcoma.

[Development of ethylene glycol Samples in silicone tubes and their application in inter-laboratory comparison].

Objective: To development of ethylene glycol samples in silicone tubes, and the samples were applied to inter-laboratory comparison, through it to evaluate the detection capacity of occupational health testing laboratories. Methods: Three content levels of ethylene glycol samples in silicone tubes were prepared, and the homogeneity and stability of samples were investigated, the results were statistically analyzed. A robust statistical four-point distance method was used to calculate the results submitted by each participant laboratory and the test capability of the laboratory was assessed by the z-score method. Results: The statistic of the homogeneity of ethylene glycol samples in silicone tubes were less than the critical value (P>0.05) , and the samples were stable at room temperature for one month. The satisfactory rate of comparison between 204 laboratories was 88.24%. Conclusion: The homogeneity and stability of the ethylene glycol samples in the silicone tubes can meet the requirements of proficiency testing and can be used for laboratory comparison. Most of the laboratories that participated in the comparison had the ability to detect ethylene glycol.

[Research status of human papillomavirus vaccine for prevention and treatment of respiratory papillomatosis].

Recurrent respiratory papilloma (RRP) is closely related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is the main pathogenic factor. At present, HPV vaccine injection is a new method to control RRP, and its efficacy has been confirmed by many clinical trials. The development and application of HPV vaccine is bound to bring new development to the treatment of RRP. This article reviews the status of HPV vaccine in clinical RRP treatment.

Expression of programmed death ligand-1 and programmed death 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between the expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and PD ligand-1 (PD-L1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised tumor sections from 45 HCC patients treated with curative resection, which were evaluated for PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was increased in cancers compared to adjacent normal tissues, with a positive rate of 37.78% (17/45) and 62.22% (28/45), respectively, which was positively correlated with the tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, negatively with postoperative prognosis. PD-1 positivity was most frequently observed in stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The number of PD-1 positive lymphocyte was correlated with PD-L1 positive expression. CONCLUSION: PD-L1 and PD-1 are overexpressed in HCC tissues. PD-L1 expression plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of human HCC, suggesting that it might be used as a new biomarker to predict the disease progression and prognosis.

[The relationship between smoking and hyperuricemia in Chinese residents].

Objective: To explore the relationship between smoking and hyperuricemia in Chinese residents. Methods: Based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), residents with blood samples provided in the 2009 round (including information of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle behaviors, medical history, and laboratory examinations etc.) were selected as the participants in the current analysis. Unconditional logistic regression models were utilized to compute the ORs and corresponding 95%CIs for assessing the relationship between smoking and hyperuricemia. Results: Among the 8 785 subjects, 1 435 had hyperuricemia with a prevalence rate of 16.3%, consisting of 886 men and 549 women with prevalence rates of 21.6% (886/4 110) and 11.7% (549/4 675) , respectively. Compared with never smokers, the adjusted OR (95%CI) for hyperuricemia was 0.83 (0.70-0.98) among current smokers, 0.77 (0.63-0.94) among current smokers with 20-39 years of smoking, and 0.79 (0.65-0.97) among current smokers with 11-20 cigarettes per day. When stratified by gender and compared with non-smoker, the adjusted OR (95%CI) for hyperuricemia among current smokers compared with never smokers was 0.83 (0.70-0.98) among men, while no significant association was found in female current smokers (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.42-1.26, P=0.260). Conclusion: In Chinese residents, there is an inverse association between smoking and hyperuricemia prevalence, and this association may be related to duration and intensity of smoking among current smokers. The findings need to be validated in large prospective cohort studies.

[Determination method of iron and its inorganic oxide in the air of workplace].

Objective: To establish the method for determination of iron and its inorganic oxide in the air of workplace. Methods: The iron and its inorganic oxide was collected by MCE filter membrane and then digested by electric heating digestion apparatus. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for the detection of iron and its inorganic oxide. Results: The sampling efficiency was higher than 97%; under the 372.0 nm wavelength, the linearity of AAS was good at the range of 1.0~150.0 µg/ml, the minimum quantitation concentration was 0.28 mg/m(3), the maximum quantitation concentration was 6.24 mg/m(3), the recovery was ranged from 99%~102%, the RSD of intra-and inter-batch precision were 0.5%~1.2% and 1.0%~2.2%, respectively; the linearity of ICP-OES was good at the range of 0.1~500 µg/ml, the minimum quantitation concentration was 0.28 mg/m(3), the maximum quantitation concentration was 20.8 mg/m(3), the recovery was ranged from 101%~103%, the RSD of intra-and inter-batch precision were 0.5%~1.0% and 1.5%~1.6%, respectively. Conclusion: The sampling method and determination method meet the requirements of analysis and apply to the collection and determination of iron and its inorganic oxide in the air of workplace.

[The development of ex vivo lung perfusion in lung transplantation].

The shortage of donor lung remains one of the major problem for lung transplantation. With the development of modern lung preservation and repair technique, increasing marginal lung donors have been re-assessed and finally utilized for transplantation. The ex vivo lung perfusion technique (EVLP) was designed and has been developed for evaluation and repair of the lung. Nowadays, the indication of EVLP and the standard of qualified donor lung have reached a consensus according to the foreign publications. The EVLP system could be classified into three categories: the Toronto technique, the Lund technique and Hannover-Madrid technique. The major differences between the Toronto technique and the other two technique are the open left atrium status, the use of Steen solution mixed with erythrocyte and the perfusion at flows correspondent to 100% of the donor predicted cardiac output. With the accumulating experience, researchers have tried to imply some drugs in the circulation, modify the ventilation gas and delivery of adenoviral vector gene in order to improve the lung quality. But these are still in the research phase. Recently, the portable EVLP device has been developed and the lung preservation, assessment and repair could be conducted during transportation. So it could prolong the preservation time and expand the transportation distance of donor lung.

A clinical study evaluating dendritic and cytokine-induced killer cells combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy for stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer.

To compare the efficacy of dendritic and cytokine-induced killer cells (DC-CIK) therapy combined with concurrent radiochemotherapy on stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. Sixty-three patients with stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into the study and control groups. The study group, comprising 30 patients, was treated with DC-CIK combined with docetaxel-cisplatin chemotherapy and synchronization conformal radiotherapy. The control group including 33 patients was only treated with docetaxel-cisplatin chemotherapy and synchronization conformal radiotherapy. The efficacy, Karnofsky performance score (KPS), tumor markers, 6-month and 12-month survival rate, T cell subsets, and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared. The response rate of the study group was 83.3% (25/30), and that of the control group was only 54.5% (18/33). Furthermore, the KPS, T cell subsets, and 12-month survival rate was significantly higher in the study group, and there were significant differences between the two groups. The two groups had no significant difference in adverse reactions. The combined DC-CIK therapy, with synchronous radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer was superior to single synchronous radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The combined therapy can improve the life quality and prolong the survival time of the patients.

Detecting circulating tumor cells in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

We explored the expression and clinical significance of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty-six patients with advanced NSCLC at the Oncology Department of Jinzhou Hospital were selected as an observation group between February and December 2013. Healthy volunteers and 20 benign lung disease patients were taken as a control group. Peripheral blood CTCs in the observation and control groups were detected using the CellSearch(®). CTC detection and analysis system, and the relationship between the expression and clinical effect of CTCs and disease progression was analyzed. Peripheral blood CTCs were observed in 47 of the 66 observation group cases (71.21%), but none were found in the control group (P < 0.05). The CTC-positive rate was independent of NSCLC patients' age, gender, smoking habits, histological features, and degree of differentiation (P > 0.05). The CTC-positive rate correlated with pathological staging (P < 0.05). After two courses of chemotherapy, the number of cases with CTCs ≥3 decreased significantly, compared with pre-chemotherapy cases (P < 0.05), and the disease did not progress in 37 cases (34 cases with <3 CTCs and three cases with ≥3 CTCs). Eight cases displayed disease progression, of which five cases had <3 CTCs and three cases had ≥3CTCs. There was a statistically significant correlation between CTC changes and disease progression (P < 0.05). The CTC-positive rate correlated with the pathological staging and changes in the number of CTCs were associated with chemotherapy efficacy and disease progression.

Network analysis of differentially expressed genes reveals key genes in small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: A combination of comparative analysis of gene expression profiles between normal tissue samples and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) samples and network analysis was performed to identify key genes in SCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microarray data set GSE43346 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), including 43 normal tissue samples and 23 clinical SCLC samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out with t-test. Coexpression network and gene regulatory network were then constructed for the DEGs. GO enrichment analysis as well as KEGG pathway were performed with DAVID online tools to reveal over-represented biological processes. RESULTS: A total of 457 DEGs were obtained in SCLC, 259 up-regulated and 198 down-regulated. Some of them exhibited enzyme inhibitor activity and chemokine activity. A coexpression network including 457 nodes was constructed, from which a functional module was extracted. Genes in the modules were closely related with cell cycle. Top 10 nodes in the regulatory network were acquired and their sub-networks were extracted from the whole network. Genes in these sub-networks were related to cell cycle, apoptosis and transcription. A network comprising 43 microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes (also DEGs) were also constructed. Regulation of cell proliferation, cell cycle and regulation of programmed cell death were over-represented in these genes. CONCLUSIONS: A range of DEGs were revealed in SCLC, which could enhance the understandings about the pathogenesis of this disease and provide potential molecular targets for diagnosis as well as treatment.

Protein kinase D1 inhibits breast cancer cell invasion via regulating matrix metalloproteinase expression.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the role of protein kinase D1 (PKD1) in breast cancer invasion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The relative expression of PKD1mRNA and protein in human invasive breast cancer tissue samples and normal samples, as well as breast cancer cell lines, were detected. Constitutively-active PKD1 and PKD1 specific shRNA were expressed in the MD-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. The role of PKD1 in the invasive behavior of breast cancer cell line was evaluated by matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression. RESULTS: The results showed that PKD1, as a serine/threonine kinase, is downregulated significantly in invasive ductal carcinoma and metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma tissue than the normal tissue and the low expression of PKD1 is also found in breast cancer cell line MD-MB-231. The MMP2 and MMP9 expression in PKD1 constitutively-active MD-MB-231 cells and MCF-7 knockdown cells were decreased and increased respectively. CONCLUSION: The authors confirmed that PKD1 was downregulated in invasive breast cancer. PKD1 can negatively regulate the MMP expression and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.

X-cephalometric study of different parts of the upper airway space and changes in hyoid position following mandibular fractures / Estudio cefalométrico con rayos X de diferentes partes del espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores y cambios en la posición hioidea tras fracturas mandibulares

OBJECTIVE: This study analyses the different parts of the upper airway space and the changes in hyoid position. The results provide a clinical reference for developing timely and effective treatment programmes for patients with mandibular fractures caused by maxillofacial trauma. METHODS: Standard X-cephalometric measurements of the lateral skull of 210 subjects were taken. The subjects were divided into four fracture groups: condylar, mandibular angle, mandibular body, and parasymphyseal. RESULTS: The radiographs of the mandibular fracture groups were compared with the normal occlusion group to analyse the upper airway space and the changes in hyoid position. Different types of fractures have different effects on the upper airway space. Bilateral mandibular body fracture and the parasymphyseal fracture have a significant influence on the lower oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal airway spaces, with serious obstructions severely restricting the ventilatory function ofpatients. CONCLUSIONS: Fractures at different parts of the mandibular structure are closely related to the upper airway and hyoid position.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio analiza las diferentes partes del espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores y los cambios de posición hioidea. Los resultados proporcionan una referencia clínica para desarrollar programas de tratamiento oportuno y eficaz para los pacientes con fracturas de la mandíbula, causadas por trauma maxilofacial. MÉTODOS: Se hicieron mediciones X-cefalométricas estándares del cráneo lateral a 210 sujetos. Los sujetos fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de fractura: ángulo mandibular, condilar, cuerpo mandibular y parasinfisaria. RESULTADOS: Las radiografías de los grupos de fractura mandibular fueron comparadas con el grupo de oclusión normal para analizar el espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores y los cambios de posición hioidea. Diferentes tipos de fracturas tienen diferentes efectos sobre el espacio de las vías respiratorias superiores. La fractura de cuerpo mandibular bilateral y la fractura de parasinfisaria tienen una influencia significativa en los espacios de las vías respiratorias orofaríngea y laringofaríngea inferiores, con serios obstáculos restringiendo severamente la función respiratoria de los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: Las fracturas en diferentes partes de la estructura mandibular se hallan estrechamente vinculadas a las vías respiratorias superiores y a la posición hioidea.

Solitary intracerebral chondroma without meningeal attachment: a case report with review of the literature.

Intracranial chondromas are rare, benign cartilaginous tumours that account for < 0.3% of primary intracranial tumours. They usually originate from the basal synchondrosis and are extradural though, extremely rarely, they can be intracerebral. Here the case of a 45-year old female is presented with a solitary intracerebral chondroma located in the right frontal lobe with no meningeal attachment. The epidemiology, aetiology, clinical behaviour, radiological features, histological features and treatment of the case are discussed with a review of previous cases reported in the literature.