[Effect of miR-96-5p targeting IRS1 on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by aluminum maltol].

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-96-5p on apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by maltol aluminum. Methods: In January 2021, PC12 cells at logarithmic growth phase were divided into blank control group and low, medium and high dose group. Cells in each group were treated with 0, 100, 200 and 400 µmol/L maltol aluminum for 24 hours respectively. Cells were collected and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry, miR-96-5p and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) mRNA expressions were detected by qRT-PCR, and the protein expression levels of cysteine protease 3 (Caspase3) 、activated cysteine protease 3 (Cleaved-caspase3) 、IRS1、phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and phosphorylated glucose synthesis kinase 3ß (p-GSK3ß) were detected by western blotting. The target binding relationship between miR-96-5p and IRS1 was detected by double luciferase reporter gene experiment. The miR-96-5p inhibitor cells and negative control cells were constructed after transfecting PC12 cells with miR-96-5p inhibitor for 24 hours. The cells were divided into blank control group, negative control group, aluminum exposure group, aluminum exposure+negative control group, aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition group, and miR-96-5p inhibition group. After transfecting PC12 cells with miR-96-5p inhibition and IRS1 siRNA for 24 h, the cells were divided into aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+negative control group and aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+IRS1 inhibition group. The control group was cultured in complete culture medium, and cells in the aluminum exposure group were treated with 200 µmol/L maltol aluminum for 24 hours. Cells in each group were collected and the apoptosis rate, miR-96-5p and IRS1 mRNA expression levels, as well as protein expression levels of Caspase3, Cleaved-caspase3, IRS1, p-AKT, and p-GSK3ß were measured. Results: After 24 hours of exposure, compared with blank control group and low-dose group, the apoptosis rates, relative expressions of Caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3 proteins, and relative expressions of miR-96-5p in the medium and high-dose groups of PC12 cells were significantly increased, while the relative expression levels of IRS1 mRNA, IRS1, p-AKT and p-GSK3ß proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Targetscan prediction and double luciferase report experiment both proved that IRS1 was a direct target gene of miR-96-5p. In the transfection experiment, compared with the aluminum exposure group, the apoptosis rate, the relative expressions of Caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3 proteins, the relative expression of miR-96-5p in the aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition group were significantly decreased, while the relative expression levels of IRS1 mRNA and IRS1, p-AKT and p-GSK3ß proteins were significantly increased (P<0.05). In the IRS1 low expression experiment, compared with the aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+negative control group, the apoptosis rate, the relative expressions of Caspase3 and Cleaved-caspase3 proteins in the aluminum exposure+miR-96-5p inhibition+IRS1 inhibition group were significantly increased, while the relative expression levels of IRS1 mRNA and IRS1, p-AKT and p-GSK3ß proteins were significantly decreased (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The increased expression of miR-96-5p and the targeted inhibition of IRS1 may be one of the mechanisms of apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by maltol aluminum exposure.

[Hsp90 participates in the necroptosis of mouse neural cells induced by aluminum through the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway].

Objective: To investigate whether heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) participates in the necroptosis of C57BL/6 mouse neurons and spatial memory impairment induced by Aluminum maltol [Al (mal) (3)] through RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway. Methods: In March 2022, Thirty-two C57 mice were randomly divided into control group, Low dose group, a medium dose group, and a high-dose group, with 8 mice in each group, and injected intraperitoneally with physiological saline, 20, 40, and 80, respectivelyµmol/kgAl (mal) (3) was administered, it was injected 5 days a week and discontinued 2 days for 60 days. Morris water maze test was used to test the spatial learning and memory ability of mice. Nissl staining was used to observe the pathological changes of brain tissue. The protein expression levels of RIP1, RIP3, MLKL and HSP90 in hippocampus were determined by Western blotting. Results: In the water maze experiment, compared with the control group, the number of mice crossing the platform decreased in each dose group, the difference was statistically significant (H=9.50, P=0.023), and the number of mice crossing the platform was statistically significant among each dose group (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, the number of hippocampal nerve cells in each dose group decreased, the arrangement was disordered, and the Nissellite bodies decreased. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the expression level of RIP1 protein in the hippocampus of mice in high-dose group was higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.05). The expression levels of RIP3, MLKL and HSP90 in hippocampal tissue of mice in medium and high dose groups were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). After siRNA intervention decreased the expression of HSP90 protein, the expressions of HSP90, RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL in Al (mal) (3) groups were increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Through RIP1/RIP3/MLKL pathway, HSP90 is involved in neuronal programmed necrosis and spatial memory impairment induced by maltol aluminum in C57 mice.

Monitoring mild cognitive impairment of workers exposed to occupational aluminium based on quantitative susceptibility mapping.

AIM: To investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) of aluminium (Al) workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The basic data of 53 workers in an Al factory were collected and divided into the MCI group and normal control (NC) group by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores. All participants were tested for plasma Al concentration and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The QSM values of many areas of the brain were delineated and measured. Independent two-sample t-tests or non-parametric tests were used to compare the parameter values between the two groups. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed between QSM values, MoCA scores, and plasma Al concentration. The receiver operating characteristic curve and z test were performed to assess diagnostic efficacy and the best parameter. RESULTS: There was no difference in age and educational level. Plasma Al concentration of the MCI group was higher than that of NC group (p=0.057). QSM values of the left hippocampus, left dentate nucleus, right substantia nigra, and left putamen in MCI group were higher than that of NC group (p<0.05), and the left hippocampus had the best diagnostic efficacy. QSM values correlated negatively with MoCA scores. No correlation was found between QSM values and plasma Al concentration (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: QSM might be a neuroimaging marker for the diagnosis of MCI. The left hippocampus showed the best diagnostic efficacy. Plasma Al concentration of the MCI group was higher than that of the NC group. A correlation between QSM and plasma Al concentration was not found.

[The impact of occupational aluminum exposure on workers' overall cognitive function and various cognitive fields].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of occupational aluminum exposure on workers' overall cognitive function and cognitive fields. Methods: From July to August 2019, using the method of cluster sampling, 101 and 117 workers were selected from the electrolytic aluminum workshop of an aluminum plant in a region and the maintenance workshop of a plant in the same region. The venous blood of the subjects was collected, the plasma was extracted, and the blood aluminum concentration was measured by ICP-MS. According to the blood aluminum concentration and type of work, 93 workers who were lower than the median blood aluminum concentration and in the maintenance workshop of a factory were divided into low aluminum exposure group, and 85 workers who were higher than the median blood aluminum concentration and in the electrolytic aluminum workshop of an aluminum factory were divided into high aluminum exposure group. The basic information of the respondents, was collected through the employee physical examination form. The overall cognitive function of workers was evaluated by Beijing Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) . Multiple linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for multiple statistical analysis. Results: Compared with the low aluminum exposure group (25.42±1.808) , the total score of MoCA in the high aluminum exposure group (23.84±2.919) was significantly lower, and the scores of visual space, executive function, abstract and delayed recall were significantly lower (P<0.05) . Linear regression analysis showed that the total score of MoCA, visual space and executive function, naming and delayed recall were negatively correlated with blood aluminum concentration (ß=-0.018、-0.008、-0.003、-0.008, P<0.05) .MOCA total score, visual space and executive function, attention, language, abstraction, orientation were positively correlated with educational level (ß=0.853、0.310、0.216、0.171、0.412、0.122, P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that adjusting for age, smoking, drinking and education, blood aluminum was a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (OR=1.017, P<0.05) ; Education level was the protective factor of mild cognitive impairment (OR=0.419, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational aluminum exposure can affect the overall cognitive function of workers, and occupational aluminum exposure increases the risk of MCI.

[Effects of occupational exposure to aluminum on verbal function of workers].

Objective: To explore the effect of occupational aluminum (Al) exposure on workers' overall cognitive level and speech function. Methods: In July 2019, by using cluster sampling method, the group of 232 exposed to Al from an Al plant in Shanxi Province were selected as the exposed group, and the group of 228 not exposed to Al were selected as the control group. The blood Al concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MAS) . The exposed group was divided into high exposure group and low exposure group according to the median (M) concentration of Al in serum. The general cognitive function and speech function were evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) , and the differences in the general cognitive function and speech function between the groups were compared, and non-conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the possible influencing factors of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) . Results: There were significant differences in age, working age, education and drinking status between Al exposed group and control group (P<0.05) . The total MoCA score, animal naming tese (ANT) score and category fluency repetition (CFT) score in Al exposure group were lower than control group and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . The full rate of ANT was lower than that of CFT in Al exposure group (P<0.05) . The total MoCA score, ANT score and CFT score in the high exposure group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05) . The score of MoCA, ANT and CFT in high exposure group were lower than those in low exposure group between the level of serum aluminum>60 µg/L group and ≤60 µg/L group (P<0.05) . Logistic regression analysis showed that working age, serun Al concentration, ANT score, CFT score and SR score were the possible influencing factors of MCI in occupational Al exposure workers (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational Al exposure can lead to impaired speech function of workers, the higher the ANT score, CFT score and SR score, the lower working age and serum Al concentration, the lower risk of MCI.

Fermi-Surface Instability in the Heavy-Fermion Superconductor UTe_{2}.

Transport measurements are presented up to fields of 29 T in the recently discovered heavy-fermion superconductor UTe_{2} with magnetic field H applied along the easy magnetization a axis of the body-centered orthorhombic structure. The thermoelectric power varies linearly with temperature above the superconducting transition, T_{SC}=1.5 K, indicating that superconductivity develops in a Fermi liquid regime. As a function of field the thermoelectric power shows successive anomalies which appear at critical values of the magnetic polarization. Remarkably, the lowest magnetic field instability for H∥a occurs for the same critical value of the magnetization (0.4 µ_{B}) than the first order metamagnetic transition at 35 T for field applied along the b axis. It can be clearly identified as a Lifshitz transition. The estimated number of charge carriers at low temperature reveals a metallic ground state distinct from LDA calculations indicating that strong electronic correlations are a major issue.

Association of thyroid cancer risk with plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D binding protein: a case-control study in China.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of thyroid cancer (TC) with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and examine whether there was an interaction between 25(OH)D and DBP in relation to TC risk. METHODS: A matched case-control study based on multiple hospitals included 506 pairs of cases with newly diagnosed TC and controls. All subjects were divided into the quartiles according to the distribution of 25(OH)D and DBP in controls. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of TC with 25(OH)D and DBP were estimated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Comparing the highest to lowest quartiles, a decreased TC risk was respectively associated with plasma 25(OH)D (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.40-1.00, P-trend = 0.046) and DBP (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.32-0.77, P-trend = 0.001). However, the association between DBP and TC might be modified by 25(OH)D (P-interaction = 0.014) and physical activity (P-interaction = 0.017). Compared to participants with 25(OH)D and DBP concentrations respectively below medians, those with both concentrations above medians had a lower risk of TC (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.82). In stratified analysis based on clinical characteristics of tumor, significantly negative association between 25(OH)D, and DBP and TC were observed among the cases with early stage of tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that 25(OH)D and DBP had protective effects against TC. But the negative association between TC and DBP might be modified by 25(OH)D and physical activity.

Copy number variation in HOXB7 and HOXB8 involves in the formation of beard trait in chickens.

The derived feathering phenotype beard in domestic birds is an ideal resource to investigate the genetic mechanisms controlling feather development and differentiation. In the present study, we performed a GWAS and QTL linkage analysis on the trait of beard in Beijing fatty chicken. One major QTL (1.2-1.9 Mb) was identified that could explain 34% of the phenotypic variation. The copy number variation that was copied from the region (GGA27:3 578 409-3 592 890 bp) containing homebox B7 (HOXB7) and homebox B8 (HOXB8) was validated to be only exhibited in the genome of bearded chickens. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that HOXB7 and HOXB8 proteins could highly interact with the HOXB family members, including HOXB4, HOXB5 and HOXB6, whose genomic locations near HOXB7 and HOXB8 suggested that they may regulate their family members to involve in the formation of the beard trait in chickens. Overall, our work provides basic data for understanding the mechanisms regulating beard development and differentiation.

Occupational allergy: is there a role for nanoparticles?

All fields of industry are applying nanotechnologies for the development of advanced materials, there¬fore at present the number of workers exposed to nanosized materials are significantly increasing. Unfortunately, protective equipment for nanoparticles (NPs) is of uncertain efficacy so the risk of noxious effects, in particular allergic sensitization, on workers gives many concerns. At the same time, studies of allergic physiopathology demonstrated that the lack of prevention and treatment could result in invalidating dis¬eases that, in case of professional etiology, might imply removal from the job and compensation. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the role of NPs in inducing allergic diseases is mandatory to implement the risk assessment and preventive measures for nanosafety in the workplace. The possibility that NPs favor, ex¬acerbate or directly induce allergy is being suggested by recent experimental investigations in cellular and animal models. Unfortunately, studies are heterogeneous and few data have received experimental confir¬mation, lacking reproducibility. What comes to attention is the uncertainty about the real plausibility of the observed experimental effects, as there are only a few reported cases of allergy onset or exacerbation for workers exposed to NPs. However, the potential for NPs to induce, favor or exacerbate allergies seems possible even though not completely demonstrated. This should be a greater incentive to carry out appro¬priate epidemiological studies that are lacking and really needed.

[The role of DFO in Al (mal) (3)-induced ferroptosis in PC12 cells].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Al (mal) (3)-induced ferroptosis in rat adrenal pheochromocytoma cells (PC12), to explore the effect of deferoxamine (DFO) . Methods: Taken PC12 cells growing at logarithmic phase and divided into 6 groups: control group, 200 µmol/L Al (mal) (3) group, 0.5% DMSO group, 200 µmol/L DFO group, Al (mal) (3)+DMSO group, Al (mal) (3)+DFO group. DMSO and DFO were added to the DMSO group and the Al (mal) (3)+DMSO group, the DFO group and the Al (mal) (3)+DFO group for 2 h, respectively, Al (mal) (3) was then added to the Al (mal) (3) group, Al (mal) (3)+DMSO group, and the Al (mal) (3)+DFO group to a final concentration of 200 µmol/L. The cell viability was detected by CCK8, the morphology and ROS levels of PC12 cells was observed by inverted microscope, the cell proliferation toxicity and intracellular iron ion content were detected by colorimetry, the GSH content and GSH-PX activity were detected by biochemical method. Results: Al (mal) (3) exposure significantly inhibited the growth of PC12 cells and destroyed the cell morphological structure, resulting in increased LDH activity and intracellular iron ion content in PC12 cells, decreased GSH content and GSH-PX activity, increased ROS levels; the combined treatment of Al (mal) (3)+DFO can significantly improve the cell viability of PC12 cells, improved cell morphology, decreased cell LDH activity and intracellular iron ion content (P>0.05), increased GSH content and GSH-PX activity, decreased ROS levels. Conclusion: Al (mal) (3) can induce ferroptosis in PC12 cells, DFO may inhibit ferroptosis by reducing intracellular iron levels and reducing oxidative damage.

[Application of Touch DNA in Investigation Practice].

With the continuous development of DNA extraction and testing technology, the DNA left at a crime scene plays a decisive role in the determination of criminal suspects in criminal investigation. But in the meanwhile, the anti-reconnaissance awareness of suspect is growing, which leads to a decrease of evidence left at scene during and after a crime. Therefore, in the process of evidence collection at scene, the finding and extraction of touch biological evidence, and the DNA detection are more and more important. At present, the proportion of touch evidence at the crime scene increases, which plays an increasingly important role in the detection of cases. However, with the characteristics of minute quantities, small size and secrecy, these touch evidence is difficult to be observed. What's more, various forms of pollution at the scene greatly accelerate the degradation rate of trace material, thus, the test and analysis of such material has become the emphasis and difficulty of the forensic evidence identification. This article reviews different kinds, collection and extraction methods of touch DNA, the factors that affect the detection and the problems may meet in the detection for providing an application prospect to the forensic practice.

[The study of the effects of occupational aluminum exposure on TNFR1 expression and cognitive function].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between cognitive function and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) expression of occupational exposed workers to aluminum and provide the basis for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Methods: 140 cases Shanxi aluminum plant workers were collected in 2016 as the research object, including 70 potroom workers for exposure group, 70 non-electrolytic aluminum plant workers in the control group, respectively. Using mini mental status examination (MMSE), digit span test (DST), fuld object memory examination(FOME) and simple reaction time test(SRTT) evaluate the cognitive function of objects. Using graphite furnace atomic absorption method for the determination of plasma aluminum levels as an indicator of aluminum contact exposure of workers. Using RT-PCR method for detection of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) mRNA expression levels. And comparison group differences in cognitive and TNFR1 mRNA expression levels. Results: The plasma aluminum content of exposed group (77.12±27.18) µg/L higher than the control group (55.6±28.69)µg/L (P=0.000); Compared to control group, FOME and MMSE score was significantly increased in the exposed group (P=0.000, P=0.000), SRTT scores significantly higher in the exposed group (P=0.001), DST no significant difference in the control group (P=0.893). Compared to control group, The mRNA expression of TNFR1 was significantly higher in the exposed group(P=0.002); Compared to control group, The protein expression of TNFR1 was significantly higher in the exposed group (P=0.002). By correlation analysis in exposure group, plasma aluminum content was negatively correlated with MMSE and the DST (r=-0.284, r=-0.331, P<0.05) and positively correlated with the SRTT, TNFR1 (mRNA) and TNFR1(protein)(r=0.255, r=0.333, r=0.987, P<0.01), MMSE was negatively related to TNFR1 (mRNA) and TNFR1 (protein) (r=-0.268, r=-0.255, P<0.05); DST was negatively correlated with the SRTT and TNFR1 (protein)(r=-0.267, r=-0.330, P<0.05); SRTT was positively correlated with TNFR1 (protein)(r=0.243, P<0.05); TNFR1 (mRNA) was positively correlated with TNFR1 (protein)(r= 0.340, P<0.01). Conclusion: Cognitive function change of occupational exposed workers to aluminum was related to the increase of TNFR1 expression.

Beneficial effects of deep sea fish oil on diabetic mice neurological injury.

Deep sea fish oil mainly includes polyunsaturated fatty acid, which is usually used as health products and applied for prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, there are only a few studies investigating the diabetes induced nerve injury till now. We established the diabetic model by using the 8-week old inbred male mice, and assumed that fish oil had a certain therapeutic effect on related neurosensory impairment and oxidative stress. Mice were divided into group A (diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (STZ) and treated with fish oil), group B (diabetic mice) and group C (normal mice, without STZ treatment). The memory and exploration ability were evaluated and oxidation status of brain tissue was detected. Results indicated that memory and exploration ability of fish oil group A was significantly improved compared to diabetic group B (P<0.05), and equal to group C. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level of fish oil group A was decreased significantly and antioxidant level was increased significantly compared to diabetic group B (P<0.05), and equal to group C. In conclusion, deep sea fish oil could be used as auxiliary health care products, which plays important role in preventing and treating implications of nerve lesion impairment induced by diabetes mellitus.

[Correlation between the clinical symptoms and the activation pattern of brain neurons in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder].

Objective: To explore the correlation between clinical symptoms of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the activation pattern of brain neurons at resting. Methods: A total of 26 patients diagnosed with fist-episode OCD were selected and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning at resting state. The fMRI data were processed by statistical parametric mapping (SPM8), Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI Analysis Toolkit (DPARSFA), and Resting State fMRI Data Analysis Toolkit (REST) software. With age as concomitant variable, Pearson Correlation Analysis was adopted to study the correlation between clinical symptoms (obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior) of patients and their regional homogeneity ( ReHo) values of whole brain. Results: The positive correlation between obsessive thoughts score of patients with OCD and ReHo value lied in insular_L, insular_R, cerebellum_L, cerebellum_R, calcarine_L, cuneus_L. The negative correlation between obsessive thoughts score of patients with OCD and ReHo value lied in thalamus_L, precuneus_L, caudate_L, cingulum_R, frontal_R. The positive correlation between compulsive behavior score of patients with OCD and ReHo value lied in temporal_L, frontal_inf_orb_l, frontal_inf_orb_R, frontal_mid_L, precentral_R. The negative correlation between compulsive behavior score of patients with OCD and ReHo value lied in cingulum-L, cingulum-R, caudate_L. Conclusion: Different obsessive-compulsive symptoms has different image foundation, and the dysfunction of cingulate has a major impact on the incidence of both obsessive thoughts and compulsive behavior of OCD patients.

[Effects of subchronic aluminum exposure on long-term potentiation and activities of RAS and extracellular regulated protein kinases in rats].

Objective: To study the effects of subchronic aluminum exposure on LTP and activities of RAS and ERK in rats in vivo. Methods: 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group、low-dose group、medium-dose group and high-dose group, and received saline (control group) or Al (mal) (3) (15 µmol、kg、30 µmol、kg or 45 µmol/kg) via intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) for 8 weeks, respectively. The fEPSP in CA1 region were recorded by field potentiation technique in vivo and the hippocampal activities of RAS and ERK were examined by ELISA. Results: The fEPSP amplitudes of the control group were 1.90±0.19, 1.64±0.15 and 1.54±0.08 at 1, 30 and 60 min after HFS, respectively. The fEPSP amplitudes of the low-dose group were 1.40±0.06 at 60 min, which represented a statistically significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05) ; these values at 30min and 60min dropped to 1.33±0.20 and 1.12±0.07 in the medium-dose group (P<0.05) and further decreased to 1.05±0.05 and 0.91±0.10 in the high-dose group (P<0.05) . And the activity dose-dependent decreases were observed both in RAS and ERK: compared with the control group and the low-dose group, the activities of RAS and ERK of the medium-dose and high-dose group significantly decreased (P<0.05) and compared with the medium-dose group, the activities of the high-dose group statistically dropped (P<0.05) . Conclusion: RAS and ERK may be related to the suppression of LTP by subchronic aluminum exposure and the RAS-MAPK transduction pathway may be involved in the damage of learning and memory induced by aluminum.

[The effect of aluminum trichloride on expression of phosphorylated tau and Aß in SH-SY5Y cells].

Objective: To investigate the expression of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and Aß in SH-SY5Y cells induced by aluminum or/and ApoE ε4 allele, and study the interaction between aluminum and ApoE ε4 allele. Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were assigned to control group, 400 µmol/L AlCl(3) group, ApoEε4 transfected group and 400 µmol/L AlCl(3) with Apo Eε4 transfected group. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay; the expressions of p-tau and Aß was determined with ELISA Kit after AlCl(3) exposure or or/and ApoE ε4 transfection. Results: The viability of cells exposed to 400 µmol/L AlCl(3) or/and ApoE ε4 transfected were significantly lower than that of controls (P<0.05) . The expressions of total tau, tau-181, tau-231, tau-396 and Aß in 400 µmol/L Al(3)+ or/and ApoE ε4 transfected exposed cells showed significantly higher than those of controls (P<0.05) . Based on the factorial design, a significant interaction exists, and there is a synergistic effect between AlCl(3) and ApoE ε4 (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Aluminum and ApoE ε4 allele could increase expression of p-tau and Aß deposition; there was a synergistic interaction between aluminum and ApoE ε4 allele on cell death, tau phosphorylation and Aß deposition of SH-SY5Y.

[Influence of aluminum on microRNA29 and ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 in the brain of rats].

Objective: To investigate the influence of aluminum on microRNA29 (miR29) subtypes miR29a, miR29a*, miR29b1, miR29b2, miR29c1, and miR29c2 and ß-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) in the brain of rats. Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group and 15, 30, and 45 µmol/kg groups according to the body weight, with 10 rats in each group. The rats were exposed to aluminum (at a dose of 0.1 ml/100 g body weight) by intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks. The rats in control group were given 0.9% normal saline, and those in exposure groups were given aluminum-maltolate (equivalent volumesof maltolate and aluminum solution were mixed before exposure) . The cerebral cortex and hippocampus were isolated after exposure ended; Western blotting was used to measure the change in BACE1 expression, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA expression of miR29 subtypes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Results: Compared with the control group, the 45 µmol/kg group had a significant increase in BACE1 expression in the cerebral cortex, and the 30 and 45 µmol/kg groups had significant increases in BACE1 expression in the hippocampus (all P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the 15, 30, and 45 µmol/kg groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression of miR29a*, miR29b2, miR29c1, and miR29c2 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (all P<0.01) , and the 45 µmol/kg group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression of miR29a and miR29b1 in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (all P<0.05) . The results of correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between the mRNA expression of miR29a*, miR29b2, miR29c1, and miR29c2 and BACE1 expression in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (all P>0.05) , while the mRNA expression of miR29a and miR29b1 was negatively correlated with BACE1 expression (cerebral cortex: r=-0.987 and -0.981, P<0.05; hippocampus: r=-0.992 and -0.991, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Aluminum can reduce the expression of miR29 subtypes and increase BACE1 expression in the brain, and the expression of miR29a and miR29b1 is negatively correlated with BACE1 expression.

[Influence of occupational aluminum exposure on cognitive function and glutamate receptor protein expression in workers].

Objective: To investigate the influence of occupational aluminum exposure on cognitive function and glutamate receptor protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers and the possibility of glutamate receptor being used as a biomarker for cognitive impairment in aluminum workers. Methods: From October to December, 2014, cluster sampling was performed to select 121 workers in aluminum electrolysis workshop as exposure group and 231 workers in thermoelectric workshop and logistics department as control group. Mini-Mental State Examination, clock drawing test, digit span test (DST) , verbal fluency test (VFT) , and Fuld Object-Memory (FOM) Evaluation were used to analyze cognitive function. Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to measure plasma aluminum level as an exposure indicator. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the content of glutamate receptor proteins in peripheral blood lymphocytes, including the subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1, NR2A, and NR2B and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) . The correlation between cognitive function indices and the content of glutamate receptor proteins was analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in plasma aluminum level between the control group and the exposure group (132.52±80.40 µg/L vs 182.88±72.32 µg/L, P>0.05) . According to the plasma aluminum level, the study subjects were divided into control group and low-, medium-, and high-level plasma aluminum groups, and there were significant differences in plasma aluminum level between these groups (all P<0.01) . The high-level plasma aluminum group had a significantly lower memory ability score than the control group and the low- and medium-level plasma aluminum groups (all P<0.05) . The high-level plasma aluminum group had lower DST and digital span forward (DSF) scores than the control group and the low-and medium-level plasma aluminum groups. The low-, medium-, and high-level plasma aluminum groups had lower digital span backward (DSB) scores than the control group. The medium-and high-level plasma aluminum groups had lower VFT scores than the control group and the low-level plasma aluminum group. The high-level plasma aluminum group had significantly lower expression of NR1 and NR2A proteins than the control group and the low-and medium-level plasma aluminum groups, and the medium- and high-level plasma aluminum groups had significantly higher expression of mGluR1 protein than the control group and the low-level plasma aluminum group (all P<0.05) . The expression of NR1 and NR2A proteins was negatively correlated with plasma aluminum level (r=-0.475 and -0.692, both P<0.05) , andthe expression of mGluR1 protein was positively correlated with plasma aluminum level (r=0.756, P<0.05) . The expression of NR1 protein was positively correlated with DSF, DSB, DST, and VFT scores (r(s)=0.213, 0.249, 0.271, and 0.228, all P<0.05) , and the expression of NR2A protein was positively correlated with VFT score (r(s)=0.206, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Occupational aluminum exposure may affect workers' memory function, and the expression of NR1 and NR2A in peripheral blood lymphocytes is correlated with cognitive function indices and can be used as biomarkers for cognitive impairment in aluminum workers.

[Influence of aluminum chloride exposure on embryonic development of zebrafish and neurobehavior of juvenile fish].

Objective: To investigate the influence of aluminum chloride (AlCl(3)) solution on the embryon-ic development of zebrafish and neurobehavior of juvenile fish. Methods: The embryos of zebrafishat 6 hours after fertilization were exposed to AlCl(3) solution at a concentration of 0, 55.0, 60.5, 66.6, 73.5, 80.5, or 100.0 mg/L, and embryonic hatching rates at 48 and 72 hours after fertilization were calculated. The embryos of zebrafishat 6 hours after fertilization were exposed to AlCl(3) solution at a concentration of 0, 60.0, 72.0, 86.4, 103.7, or 124.4 mg/L, and the embryonic mortality rates at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after fertilization were calculat-ed. The embryos of zebrafish at 6 hours after fertilization were exposed to AlCl(3) solution at a concentration of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 µg/L, and the changes in the neurobehavior of juvenile fish were observed after hatching, including touch-escape reaction at 72 hours after fertilization and autonomic movement and panic es-cape reflex at 7 days after fertilization. Results: Compared with the 0 mg/L group, the≥66.6 mg/L group had a sig-nificant reduction in embryonic hatching rate at 48 and 72 hours after fertilization, and the ≥72.0 mg/L group had a significant increase in embryonic mortality rate at 96 hours after fertilization (P<0.05) . Compared with the 0 µg/L group, the≥100 µg/L group had a significant reduction in the number of times of touch-escape reaction (P<0.05) .Compared with the 0 and 50 µg/L groups, the 100-800 µg/L groups had significant reductions in total movement distance and average speed (P<0.05) . Compared with the dark period before illumination, all groups had a significant increase in movement speed during the light period of the panic escape reflex test (i.e., the third minute) (P<0.05) ; within 2 minutes after the light was turned off, there was no significant change in movement speed in the 0-200 µg/L groups (P>0.05) ; the 400 and 800 µg/L groups had a significant increase in movement speed (P<0.05) . Conclusion: AlCl(3) exposure may cause embryonic developmental disorder in zebrafish and ab-normal neurobehavior in juvenile fish.

Exposure to electromagnetic fields aboard high-speed electric multiple unit trains.

High-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) trains generate high-frequency electric fields, low-frequency magnetic fields, and high-frequency wideband electromagnetic emissions when running. Potential human health concerns arise because the electromagnetic disturbances are transmitted mainly into the car body from windows, and from there to passengers and train staff. The transmission amount and amplitude distribution characteristics that dominate electromagnetic field emission need to be studied, and the exposure level of electromagnetic field emission to humans should be measured. We conducted a series of tests of the on board electromagnetic field distribution on several high-speed railway lines. While results showed that exposure was within permitted levels, the possibility of long-term health effects should be investigated.