An analysis on plasma microRNA profiling and function among population exposed to asbestos / 预防医学

Objective To investigate the effects of asbestos exposure on plasma miRNA expression.Methods Plasma samples were collected from control group and asbestos -exposed group (time of exposure >10 years)and three samples from each group were selected to detect differentially expressed miRNA using LC Sciences miRNA Microarray -Single.The target genes of differential miRNA were predicted by three kinds of online software,Target Scan,miRanda and PicTar.GO term enrichment and KEGG pathways were analyzed.Results The results of microarray indicated that there were 40 differential miRNA expression between exposed and control groups(P <0.05),and the signal value of 9 differential miRNA exceeded 500.After analyzing signal pathways of target genes of 5 miRNA,of which the signal values were over 500,these target genes were found mainly involved in pathways associated with cancer and metabolism,including potential function targets of FAS,TP53 and FGFR3.Conclusion Asbestos exposure can result in differentially expressed miRNA in the plasma from workers occupationally exposed to asbestos and the target genes of these miRNA may play important roles in the pathways of cancer.However,the mechanism of these miRNA in asbestos -related diseases needs to be further studied in the future.

The role of caveolin-1 for carbon black nanoparticles uptake in vitro / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protein expression of caveolin-1 in type II alveolar epithelial cells (A549) exposed to carbon black nanoparticles (CB NPs) and the role of caveolin in the endocytosis of CB NPs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A549 cells were exposed to 0, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml CB NPs for 24 h; then, trypan blue assay was applied to determine the cell viability. A549 cells were also exposed to 0, 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml CB NPs for 24 h, then, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and flow cytometry were applied to observe the morphological change of cells and cellular side scatter (SSC), and Western blot was used to analyze the effect of CB NPs on the protein expression of caveolin-1. A549 cells were co-exposed to1 µg/ml filipin and 100 µg/ml CB NPs for 24 h, then, the cellular SSC was observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with controls, the A549 cells exposed to 200 and 400 µg/ml CB NPs had the cell viability decreased by 38.2% and 46.6%, respectively (P < 0.05), while those exposed to 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml CB NPs showed no significant decrease in cell vitality (P > 0.05). The protein expression of caveolin-1 was significantly higher in the cells exposed to 50 and 100 µg/ml CB NPs than in controls (P < 0.05). The TEM showed that plasmalemmal vesicles containing black particles were found in the cytoplasm of the cells exposed to 50 and 100 µg/ml CB NPs. The flow cytometry showed that the cellular SSC ratio increased from 1.007 to 1.331 as the dose of CB NPs rose within 0 ∼ 100 µg/ml and fell to 1.25 after the cells were co-exposed to1 µg/ml filipin and 100 µg/ml CB NPs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Carbon black nanoparticles can be transferred into A549 cells by endocytosis, but caveolin-mediated endocytic pathway plays a minor role in this process.</p>

Effect of N,N-dimethylformamide on calcium homeostasis and the calpain gene expression in human hepatocytes / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) on calcium homeostasis and calpain I and II gene expression in human hepatocytes (HL-7702).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HL-7702 cells were exposed to different concentrations of DMF (10, 25, 50, 100, or 200 mmol/L); other HL-7702 cells, which were used as a control group, were exposed to the equal volume of DMEM; the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration was monitored using the calcium fluorescent probe (fluo-3/AM). After 24-h exposure to DMF (10, 25, 50, 100, 150, or 200 mmol/L), the morphology of hepatocytes was observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope, and the cell viability was measured by MTT assay. After 24-h exposure to DMF (10, 25, 50, 100, or 150 mmol/L), the mRNA expression levels of calpain I and II in hepatocytes were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significant differences in cell viability among different exposure groups (P < 0.01); the 50, 100, 150, and 200 mmol/L DMF exposure groups had a significantly lower cell viability than the control group (P < 0.05). Under the inverted phase contrast microscope, HL-7702 cells gradually lost the original shape, with swelling and shrinking, as the dose of DMF increased, and those treated with 150 mmol/L DMF even became round and floated. The fluorescence density of fluo-3 in hepatocytes increased as the dose of DMF rose, demonstrating a dose-response relationship, and there were significant differences among these exposure groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in mRNA expression levels of calpain I and II among these exposure groups (P < 0.01), and the expression increased as the dose of DMF rose; but DMF did not promote the mRNA expression of calpain I at a concentration of 150 mmol/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DMF can cause damage to hepatocytes, which is related to intracellular calcium increase and calpain mRNA increase.</p>

Screening of differentially expressed serum proteins in patients with asbestosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To screen differently expressed proteins for serum biomarkers by studying serum proteome of population with asbestosis, population exposed to asbestos without asbestosis and population never exposed to asbestos, to further understand the mechanisms of asbestosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subjects of present study included 37 patients with asbestosis, 254 workers exposed to asbestos and 439 healthy controls. The 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS) were used to screen and identify the differentially expressed serum proteins among all subjects. ImageMaster6.0 software was utilized to analyze the differentially expressed proteins.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Well-qualified gel images of serum proteome were obtained, 21, 34 and 32 differentially expressed spots were found between asbestosis and normal controls, between asbestosis and negative controls or between negative controls and normal controls, respectively. Differentially displayed proteins were identified as cytokines, α1-AT, L-ficolin, etc.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to asbestos for a long period could interfere with the immune system of workers exposed to asbestos, and some proteins may serve as the biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention of asbestosis.</p>

Effects of image post-processing parameters on digital radiography chest radiograph for the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of image post-processing parameters on DR chest radiograph for the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty three coal miners were examined with high-kV and DR chest radiographs at the same time. Image post-processing parameters (density, contrast and so on) were designed in a Philips Essenta DR machine were designed, then differences of image quality between high-kV and DR chest radiographs were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After regulating image and proceeding the parameters, the OD (optical density) values of high density areas in the upper-middle lung fields, subphrenic and direct exposure areas were 1.58 +/- 0.10, 0.23 +/- 0.02 and 2.80 +/- 0.21, respectively. The quality of chest films met the requirements of diagnostic criteria of pneumoconiosis. The rate of excellent chest films for DR chest radiograph was 95.18%, which was significantly higher than that (80.72%) for high-kV chest radiograph (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Appropriate parameters of image post-processing can make DR chest radiograph to meet the requirements of chest radiograph quality for the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.</p>

The analysis of consistency between digital radiography and high-kV chest radiographs in diagnosis pneumoconiosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the consistency between DR and high-kV chest radiographs in diagnosis of pneumoconiosis and to explore the feasibility of DR chest radiograph in the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty five coal miners were examined with DR and high-kV chest radiographs at the same time. Image post-processing parameters (density, contrast, etc.) were set to ensure the quality of DR chest radiograph in Philips Essenta DR machine. In order to avoid the repetitive numbers, 50 chest radiographs were numbered at random. Pneumoconiosis diagnosis was conducted by six independent certified occupational physicians of pneumoconiosis by blind method. The consistency between 2 kinds of chest films was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All chest radiographs (25 cases, 50 chest films) were excellent. The diagnosis results of six readers on the 15 pairs of DR and high-kV chest radiographies were summarized. For high-kV chest radiographs, the consistency of pneumoconiosis classification for 12 pairs of readers was more than 68%, the consistency of total density for 11 pairs of readers was more than 68%. For DR chest radiographs, the consistency of pneumoconiosis classification for 13 pairs of readers was more than 60%, the consistency of total density for 14 pairs of readers was more than 60%. The consistency of pneumoconiosis classification between two chest radiographs was 72% (value: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.46-0.92), the consistency of total density between two chest radiographs was 80% (value: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.61-0.95).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>When the chest radiograph quality was good and the difference of reading films was low, there was a good consistency of pneumoconiosis diagnosis between DR chest radiographs and high-kV chest radiographs.</p>

Pirfenidone diminishes SiO2 induced lung fibrosis in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>to investigate whether pirfenidone (PFD) presents the antifibrotic effect in silicosis of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: the non-treat group, the normal saline group, the normal saline + PFD group, the SiO2 group, the SiO2 + PFD group. Rats except in the non-treat group were intratracheally instilled with SiO2 (25 mg/ml) or normal saline. The rats in normal saline + PFD group and the SiO2 + PFD group were given PFD (50 mg/kg) orally the next day after instillation and throughout the study. Rats were respectively sacrificed 7, 21, 42 days after instillation. The pathology changes were evaluated by Haematoxylin-eosin (HE), Van Gieson and Foot staining, and the hydroxyproline (HYP) content of pulmonary tissue was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>compared with the SiO2 group, PFD could relieve the fibrotic changes in the lungs of rats. The fibrotic degree in silicotic lesions of lungs was lower in the SiO2 + PFD group than that of SiO2 group. The HYP content in the lungs of the SiO2 + PFD group [(0.75 ± 0.12) mg/g] was significantly lower than that of the SiO2 group [(1.19 ± 0.17) mg/g] at 42 days after instillation (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>these data support that PFD has an antifibrotic effect against SiO2 induced lung fibrosis in rats, Which appears to be changing collagen accumulation and inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis.</p>

Analysis of lymph node metastases in early esophageal carcinoma and treatment regimens / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the incidence of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in early esophageal carcinoma and the techniques of dissection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Standard three-field dissection was performed in patients with small superficial esophageal carcinoma detected by endoscopy from 1993 - 2007. The lymph node metastases in different regions were identified by histopathology. The survival rate of the cases was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 149 patients with early esophageal carcinoma were identified by postoperative pathological examination. The overall lymph node metastasis (LNM) rate was 22.8%, and the degree of LNM was 2.4% in all fields. Most lymph node metastases from upper thoracic esophageal carcinoma were found in cervical and the right upper mediastinal nodes. The LNM from middle thoracic esophageal carcinoma were approximately equal in the cervical, mediastinal, and abdominal lymph nodes, and abdominal lymph node metastasis predominated in lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma. The metastatic rate of LNM adjacent to the right recurrent laryngeaal nerve was the highest (44.1%). Significant differences were shown among the rates of LNM in relation to different macroscopic pattern, depth of invasion and differentiation of tumor (P < 0.01), but not to the longitudinal length of tumor (P > 0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate was 77.9%. It was 87.0% in patients without LNM, and 47.1% in those with LNM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lymph node metastasis in early esophageal carcinoma is in a high frequency. Patients with tumor invasion into the mucosa or lamina propria but without lymph node metastasis may undergo a local operation such as endoscopic mucosectomy and have a good prognosis. Patients with tumor invasion into the muscularis mucosae or submucosa should be treated with radical surgery with three-field lymphadenectomy, especially, to dissect the lymph nodes adjacent to the recurrent laryngeal nerve.</p>

Comparative study on clinical effect of postoperative arterial infusion chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy in gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the clinical effect of postoperative arterial infusion chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy in gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From July 1997 to July 2002, the patients undergoing radical gastric resection were randomly divided into two groups, and received systemic or arterial infusion chemotherapy three weeks after radical resection. Systemic chemotherapy was carried out for two courses with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), pirarubicin (THP), and mitomycin (MMC) administered according to FAM program, while arterial infusion chemotherapy for four courses with the same anticancer drugs infused via the celiac artery. The outcomes were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Systemic chemotherapy was carried out in 188 cases, and arterial infusion chemotherapy in 180 cases. There were no significant differences in sex, age, tumor location, histological type, TNM stage and surgical procedure between the two groups (P > 0.05). The 1, 3, 5 year survival rates were 87.2%, 53.7% and 43.1% in systemic chemotherapy, and 93.3%, 72.2% and 53.6% in arterial infusion chemotherapy respectively (P< 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The survival rate of the patients with arterial infusion chemotherapy is higher than that with systemic chemotherapy, which indicates that arterial infusion chemotherapy can remarkably improve the prognosis of the patients with gastric cancer.</p>

Prediction of lymph node metastasis with binary logistic regression in gastric carcinoma / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate more specific markers to predict the lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of heparanase mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 43 cases with gastric cancer. The expressions of CD44V6, MMP-7, nm23 and syndecan-1 protein were examined by streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) two-step method. Clinicopathological features influencing lymphatic metastasis such as age,sex,tumor size,tumor location, Borrmann classification, histological type, differentiation and serosal infiltration were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-seven cases (62.8%) in 43 gastric cancer patients had lymphatic metastasis. The incidence of metastatic lymph nodes was(36.3 +/- 30.8)%. The median incidence was 19%. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, serosal infiltration, expressions of heparanase mRNA, CD44V6, nm23 and syndecan-1 protein were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in gastric carcinoma. Multivariate analysis showed expressions of nm23 and syndecan-1 protein, serosal infiltration were independent factors for lymph node metastasis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gastric cancer with serosal infiltration, positive expressions of nm23 and syndecan-1 has greater possibility of lymph node metastasis.</p>

Relationship between heparanase mRNA expression in human gastric cancer and its clinicopathological features / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between heparanase mRNA expression and clinicopathological parameters in human gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of heparanase mRNA in 43 human gastric carcinomas and 10 adjacent normal gastric tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Heparanase mRNA was expressed in 29 of the 43 cases of gastric cancer with a positive rate of 67.4%, which was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal gastric tissues (P = 0.013). The expression level was higher in late-stage tumors (stage III and IV) than in early-stage tumors (stage I and II) (P = 0.001), in tumors with invasion to serosa than those without serosal invasion (P = 0.009), in tumors with lymph node metastasis than those without lymph node metastasis (P = 0.018), and in large-sized tumors than in small-sized ones (P = 0.009). The expression was not correlated with patients' age, sex, tumor location, histologic types, differentiation, peritoneal dissemination and liver metastasis (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Heparanase might play an important role in the development of invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.</p>

Study on the pulmonary fibrogenetic effect induced by rush-mat dust in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the fibrogenetic effects induced by rush-mat dust in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SD rats were treated with 50 mg of rush-mat dust per rat by intra-tracheal instillation, sacrificed 3, 6, and 12 months respectively after exposure. The lung tissue and lung lymph-node were taken out for pathological and electron microscopic examination. The content of collagen and ceruloplasmin (CP) in lung tissues were also determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment for 12 months, fresh wet lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(2.69 +/- 0.22) g] was higher than those in saline group [(1.87 +/- 0.25) g], TiO(2) group [(2.25 +/- 0.26) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(11.41 +/- 1.63) g]; dry lung weight in rush-mat dust group [(0.47 +/- 0.03) g] was higher than those in saline group [(0.32 +/- 0.03) g], TiO(2) group [(0.41 +/- 0.08) g], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(2.06 +/- 0.28) g]; lung collagen content in rush-mat dust group [(103.08 +/- 14.79) mg] was higher than those in saline group [(75.96 +/- 13.91) mg, TiO(2) group [(85.84 +/- 17.62) mg], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(497.50 +/- 100.80) mg]; CP content in rush-mat dust group [(18.03 +/- 1.87) U/L] was higher than those in saline group [(15.05 +/- 2.24) U/L], TiO(2) group [(16.92 +/- 1.67) U/L], but lower than that in SiO(2) group [(25.37 +/- 3.58) U/L], P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. Pathological examination showed lung macrophage alveolitis, broadening of alveolar interval, one to two grade of silicotic nodes and increased amount of type II epithelial cell in alveolar as well as slight collagenous fibrosis in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group. Under electron microscope, primary and secondary lysosome and medullary sheath-like phagocytic residual body were found in lung tissue of rush-mat dust group, meanwhile the amount of type II alveolar epithelial cell and collagen fiber were slightly increased but these changes were less than those of quartz group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The rush-mat dusts have slight pulmonary fibrogenetic effect on rat.</p>