Spirulina phycocyanin extract and its active components suppress epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in endometrial cancer via targeting TGF-beta1/SMAD4 signaling pathway.

Metastasis is a major challenge in aggressive endometrial cancer treatment accounting for the high recurrence risk and poor prognosis of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), regulated by the transforming growth factor beta (TGFß) signaling pathway, facilitates tumor metastasis. Spirulina phycocyanin extract (SPE) and its purified products allophycocyanin (APC) and C-phycocyanin (C-PC), derived from Spirulina platensis, can be considered a nutraceutical compound with the ability to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Current study aims to investigate the anti-metastatic potential of SPE, and its purified products APC, and C-PC on endometrial cancer both in vitro and in vivo. Firstly, human endometrial cancer cell lines (HEC-1A and Ishikawa) as an in vitro model. Secondly, HEC-1A cells transfected with luminescence gene were implanted into female nude mice as a xenograft model. MTT assay, transwell migration assay, immunoblotting assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay, and IVIS XRMS analysis techniques were used. The in vitro results showed that SPE and its purified products APC and C-PC inhibited cell migration, and altered the expression of EMT-related phenotypes by reversing the TGFß/SMADs signaling pathway. The in vivo results indicated that SPE repressed the metastasis of HEC-1A-LUC cells through modulating EMT-related markers expression. Overall, SPE and its efficient components APC and C-PC reversed the EMT through targeting the TGFß/SMADs signaling pathway, suggesting an effective therapeutic strategy for metastatic endometrial cancer.

Associations of exercise, nutritional status, and smoking with cognitive decline among older adults in Taiwan: Results of a longitudinal population-based study.

This study aimed to explore the long-term effects of exercise, smoking, and nutritional status on cognitive reserve and changes in cognitive function among Taiwanese adults aged ≥65 years. Data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging, a national representative population-based cohort study. Results showed that the average baseline scores on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) were 9.07 and 26.01, respectively. The proportions of smoking and exercising at baseline were 24.12% and 58.67%, respectively. A linear regression analysis indicated that old adults who were current and consistent exercisers had better subsequent 4-year SPMSQ scores than those who were not exercisers (P < 0.05). The MNA score was positively associated with subsequent 4- and 8-year SPMSQ scores for the 65-74-year-old adults (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that current and consistent exercise was negatively associated with subsequent 4-year cognitive decline (P < 0.05). Previous exercise experience was positively associated with subsequent 8-year cognitive decline for the ≥75-year-old adults (P < 0.05). The MNA score was negatively correlated with subsequent 4- and 8-year cognitive decline among the 65-74-year-old adults. Among the adults aged ≥75 years, consistent smoking was positively associated with cognitive decline over 4 years (P < 0.05). Therefore, current and consistent exercise and good nutritional status benefit cognitive function and reserve, and have protective effects on cognitive decline among old adults, whereas discontinued exercise, poor nutrition, and cigarette smoking are likely to raise the risk of cognitive decline.

Urinary Concentrations of Triclosan, Benzophenone-3, and Bisphenol A in Taiwanese Children and Adolescents.

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of urinary triclosan (TCS), benzophenone-3 (BP-3), and bisphenol A (BPA) in 52 children and 71 adolescents. The effects of age and sex on the levels of urinary TCS, BP-3, and BPA were explored, respectively. Results demonstrated the overall detection rates of urinary TCS, BP-3, and BPA were 18.7%, 8.1%, and 49.6%, respectively. The females had higher TCS concentrations than males (p = 0.051). The detection rate of urinary BP-3 in females (12.3%) was higher than that in males (0%) (p = 0.015). Moreover, the detection rate of urinary BP-3 in adolescents (14.1%) was higher than that in children (0%) (p = 0.005). For children, no urinary BP-3 was found. There were no differences in detection rates and concentrations of urinary TCS, BP-3, and BPA between males and females, respectively. For adolescents, urinary BP-3 was only found in the females. Urinary TCS levels in females were higher than those in males (p = 0.047). The present study showed that urinary TCS concentrations in females were significantly higher than those in males, respectively. In addition, BP-3 was only detected in urine samples of female adolescents. Sex and age were the important factors influencing urinary TCS and BP-3 concentrations.

Associations between body mass index, mid-arm circumference, calf circumference, and functional ability over time in an elderly Taiwanese population.

BACKGROUND: Anthropometric measurements such as body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference (MAC), and calf-circumference (CC) are assessed with ease during regular health visits, but the associations between these anthropometric parameters and functional ability in elderly population over time has not been studied in detail. This study aimed to examine the associations between functional ability and the anthropometric parameters BMI, MAC, and CC in Taiwanese adults ≥ 65 years old. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Functional decline over a 4- and 8-year period was noted in approximately 14% and 21% of study participants, respectively. BMI was negatively associated with participants' current Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scores, and was positively associated with 4-year ADL scores in adults ≥ 65 years old (ß = -1.19 and 1.14, P = 0.0010 and 0.0420, respectively). MAC and CC were negatively associated with current ADL scores (ß = -1.46, P < 0.0001 and ß = -4.68, P < 0.0001, respectively). The association between CC and current ADL score was stronger than the association between current ADL score and either BMI or MAC. For adults ≥ 65 years old, a high BMI increased the risk of ADL decline over 4 and 8 years by 4-fold and 3-fold (adjusted odds ratio = 4.23 and 2.64, 95% confidential interval = 1.95-9.19 and 1.22-5.71, P = 0.0003 and 0.0141, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: BMI is a significant predictor of decline of functional ability in Taiwanese adults ≥ 65 years old. CC is an important anthropometric indicator of current functional ability among older adults.

Associations of various perceived-stress situations with depressive symptoms in ≥50-year old Taiwanese men and women: Results from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging.

This study was aimed to evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between various perceived-stress and depressive symptoms in old Taiwanese men and women aged 50 years and over. Data were derived from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging. Stress for health, finance, and family members' related issues were all cross-sectionally associated with concurrent depressive symptoms for men and women (all P<0.05). Increased/constant-high health stress was positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in both genders (all P<0.05). Constantly high job stress and increased stress over family members' problems were associated with higher likelihood of subsequent depressive symptoms in men (P<0.05). Constantly high/increased financial stress and relationship strain with family members were positively associated with subsequent depressive symptoms in women (all P<0.05). The results suggest that stress for health, job, finance, and family members-related issues are unequally associated with depressive symptoms among Taiwanese men and women aged 50 years and over. Changes of health stress even reduced are significantly associated with subsequent depressive symptoms. Long-term job stress and increased stress over family members' problems increase occurrences of men's depressive symptoms, while increased/long-term financial stress and relationship-strain with family members increase occurrences of women's depressive symptoms. Long-term high health stress has more impacts on men's depressive symptoms than women's, while long-term high relationship strain with family members has more impacts on women's depressive symptoms than men's.

Therapeutic Effect of Ligustilide-Stimulated Adipose-Derived Stem Cells in a Mouse Thromboembolic Stroke Model.

Stroke is a result of cerebral ischemia that triggers a cascade of both physiological and biochemical events. No effective treatment is available for stroke; however, stem cells have the potential to rescue tissue from the effects of stroke. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are an abundant source of adult stem cells; therefore, ADSC therapy can be considered as a future strategy for regenerative medicine. However, more research is required to improve the effectiveness of transplanted ADSCs as a treatment for stroke in the mouse stroke model. Ligustilide, isolated from the herb Angelica sinensis, exhibits a protective effect on neurons and inhibits inflammation. We also demonstrated that ligustilide treatment increases the expression levels of homing factors such as SDF-1 and CXCR4. In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of ADSC transplantation and ligustilide treatment in a mouse thromboembolic stroke model by behavioral tests, including beam walking, locomotor activity, and rotarod analysis. ADSCs pretreated with ligustilide were transplanted into the brains of stroke mice. The results showed that the therapeutic effect of ADSCs pretreated with ligustilide was better than that of ADSCs without ligustilide pretreatment. There was no difference between the recovery of mice treated by ADSC transplantation combined with subcutaneous ligustilide injection and that of mice treated only with ADSCs. The TUNEL assay showed fewer apoptotic cells in the brains of mice transplanted with ADSCs pretreated with ligustilide as well as in those without pretreatment. In summary, pretreatment of ADSCs with ligustilide improves the therapeutic efficacy of ADSC transplantation. The results of this study will help improve stem cell therapies being developed for future clinical applications.

Occurrence of triclosan in the tropical rivers receiving the effluents from the hospital wastewater treatment plant.

The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of triclosan in the tropical rivers where received the effluents from a hospital wastewater treatment plant (HWWTP) in southern Taiwan. Three and ten sampling sites were selected at the Jiaosu River (S0-S2) and Dian-Bao River (S3-S12), respectively. The samples of the HWWTP influent, effluent and receiving river water and sediment were collected and analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/ MS). Results showed that the triclosan level in surface water of the Jiaosu River and Dian-Bao River ranged from 3 to 68 ng/L and ranged from <2.7 to 51 ng/L, respectively. The hospital did contribute a loading of triclosan to the neighboring river. The mean value of triclosan concentration in the downstream surface water of the Jiaosu River (S1 20.2 ng/L) was approximately three times higher than that of the background level (S0 6.0 ng/L) (p = 0.011). The concentrations of triclosan in two surface water samples were over the predicted no effect concentration (PNEC) of 50 ng/L for algae. In addition, significant seasonal differences of triclosan in surface water of Jiaosu River (p = 0.020) and the HWWTP effluents (p = 0.302) were also observed. The concentrations of triclosan in sediments of these two rivers seemed stable. On average, triclosan was detected in 86 % of the sediment samples with a range from <1.1 to 13 ng/g. Triclosan in surface water and sediments of the tropical rivers might be rapidly photolyzed due to plenty of sunshine. It is worth to further investigate the occurrence and fate of triclosan photoproduct in the aquatic environment of the tropics.

Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage in workers exposed to ethylbenzene.

This study assessed the relationships between ethylbenzene exposure and levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) among spray painters. Sixty-four male workers employed at a large shipyard were recruited for this investigation. Fifteen spray painters exposed to paint, together with two non-exposed groups, namely 19 sandblasting workers and 30 office staffs were selected as the subjects. Personal exposure to xylene and ethylbenzene in air were collected using diffusive samplers. Urine samples of the spray painters were collected after a month-long holiday leave and during the pre- and post-workshifts. Urine samples of sandblasting workers and office staffs were gathered after their shift. Urinary mandelic acid and methyl hippuric acid were used as biological indices of dose of ethylbenzene and xylene, respectively. Urinary 8-OHdG was used as biomarker of oxidative DNA damage. The post-workshift concentration of urinary 8-OHdG for 10 spray painters (30.3 ± 9.28 µg g(-1) creatinine) significantly exceeded that of holiday leave (7.20 ± 1.08 µg g(-1) creatinine; P = 0.001). The post-workshift concentration of urinary 8-OHdG was higher among 15 spray painters (29.0 ± 6.52 µg g(-1) creatinine) than sandblasting workers (9.14 ± 2.05 µg g(-1) creatinine; P = 0.01) and office staffs (8.35 ± 0.84 µg g(-1) creatinine; P = 0.007). A stepwise regression model revealed an 8.11 µg g(-1) creatinine increase per 1 p.p.m. increase in ethylbenzene [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.13-12.1]. A stepwise regression model revealed an increase of 6.04 µg g(-1) creatinine (95% CI 2.23-9.84) per 1 p.p.m. in ethylbenzene after adjustment of age (95% CI 2.23-9.84). This pilot study suggests that occupational exposure to paint increases oxidative DNA injury. Moreover, urinary 8-OHdG levels displayed greater DNA damage in spray painters compared to other unexposed groups and their holiday leave samples. A significant correlation was found between urinary 8-OHdG and the exposure to ethylbenzene. The ethylbenzene exposure could not explain all urinary 8-OHdG measured. Other components of paint deserve further investigation.

The pollution characteristics of odor, volatile organochlorinated compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons emitted from plastic waste recycling plants.

Plastic waste treatment trends toward recycling in many countries; however, the melting process in the facilities which adopt material recycling method for treating plastic waste may emit toxicants and cause sensory annoyance. The objectives of this study were to analyze the pollution characteristics of the emissions from the plastic waste recycling plants, particularly in harmful volatile organochlorinated compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), odor levels and critical odorants. Ten large recycling plants were selected for analysis of odor concentration (OC), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and PAHs inside and outside the plants using olfactometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector, respectively. The olfactometric results showed that the melting processes used for treating polyethylene/polypropylene (PE/PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic waste significantly produced malodor, and the odor levels at downwind boundaries were 100-229 OC, which all exceeded Taiwan's EPA standard of 50 OC. Toluene, ethylbenzene, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, methyl methacrylate and acrolein accounted for most odors compared to numerous VOCs. Sixteen organochlorinated compounds were measured in the ambient air emitted from the PVC plastic waste recycling plant and total concentrations were 245-553 microg m(-3); most were vinyl chloride, chloroform and trichloroethylene. Concentrations of PAHs inside the PE/PP plant were 8.97-252.16 ng m(-3), in which the maximum level were 20-fold higher than the levels detected from boundaries. Most of these recycling plants simply used filter to treat the melting fumes, and this could not efficiently eliminate the gaseous compounds and malodor. Improved exhaust air pollution control were strongly recommended in these industries.

Evaluation of dermal absorption and protective effectiveness of respirators for xylene in spray painters.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the contribution of dermal absorption on the total exposure dose and the performance of respirators in the field for xylene in spray painters. METHODS: Eighteen male spray painters worked at shipyard were recruited for this study. The subjects were monitored during a 3-day-work period using a repeated-measures study design. Personal exposure to xylene outside and inside mask were collected using two 3 M model 3500 organic vapor monitors, respectively. Urine was collected before and after the work shift and urinary methyl hippuric acid (MHA) was determined. Total 98 of air and urine samples were obtained, respectively. RESULTS: Air sampling results showed that workers were primarily exposed to xylene and ethyl benzene. Xylene and ethyl benzene concentrations outside the mask were 52.6+/-63.7 (mean+/-SD) and 33.2+/-32.4 ppm, and concentrations inside the mask were 2.09+/-2.74 and 1.79+/-2.16 ppm, respectively. The median workplace protection factors of respirators for xylene and ethyl benzene were 25.0 and 17.4, respectively. On average, workers could reduce xylene inhalation by 96% and ethyl benzene inhalation by 94% for wearing respirators. A significant correlation (R(2)=0.935; P<0.001) was found between the WPFs for xylene and ethyl benzene. Total urinary MHA concentration was 240.2+/-42.3 (mean+/-SE) mg/g creatinine, whereas urinary MHA via skin absorption was estimated to be 202.1+/-40.1 mg/g creatinine. The contribution of dermal absorption to the total exposure dose of xylene was 64+/-4.3%. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that inhalation of solvent vapors in workers decreased as a result of wearing respirators and dermal exposure became the main contributor to the total body burden of solvents. Because workers had different attitude and behavior to wear respirators, the measured workplace protection factors varied. It is therefore equally important to prevent from being exposed to solvents through skin for shipyard spray painters.

Dermal absorption of solvents as a major source of exposure among shipyard spray painters.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relevance of inhalational and dermal exposure to solvents in shipyard spray painters. Special emphasis was placed on the spatial distribution of dermal exposure and absorption across different regions of the body. METHODS: Fifteen male spray painters were recruited for this study. The subjects were monitored during a 3-day work period using a repeated-measures study design. Air and dermal exposure of solvents were collected each day. Urine was collected before and after the work shift. RESULTS: Air samples showed that the workers were primarily exposed to ethylbenzene and xylene. The concentrations of ethylbenzene and xylene outside the workers' masks were 59.2 +/- 10.4 (mean +/- standard error [SE]) ppm and 29.4 +/- 4.70 ppm, whereas those inside the masks were 7.91 +/- 17.4 ppm and 3.83 +/- 8.22 ppm, respectively. The average mass of ethylbenzene and xylene across the different body regions inside the block units of assembled ships were 305.1 +/- 63.9 mg and 165.6 +/- 34.1 mg. The quantity was, on average, 5.8 and 5.1 times higher than those collected outside the blocks. In both measurements, the highest exposure mass was found on the upper legs, and the lowest exposure mass was found on the back. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to transform the variables of dermal exposure for all investigated body regions into only one principal component. Multiple regression analyses revealed a significant relationship between dermal exposure to xylene (PCA dermal xyl) and urinary methylhippuric acid (MHA) levels, adjusting for air xylene exposure (R2=0.491, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: :The present study indicated that dermal exposure to xylene significantly increased the urinary levels of MHA, suggesting that dermal exposure to solvents was an important route among spray painters.