Review on novel toxicological effects and personalized health hazard in workers exposed to low doses of benzene.

Several recent reports indicate health hazards for workers with below occupational limit exposure to benzene (BZ). Our updated review indicates that such low exposures induced traditional as well as novel toxicity/genotoxicity, e.g., increased mitochondria copy numbers, prolongation of telomeres, impairment of DNA damage repair response (DDRR), perturbations of expression in non-coding RNAs, and epigenetic changes. These abnormalities were associated with alterations of gene expression and cellular signaling pathways which affected hematopoietic cell development, expression of apoptosis, autophagy, etc. The overarching mechanisms for induction of health risk are impaired DDRR, inhibition of tumor suppressor genes, and changes of MDM2-p53 axis activities that contribute to perturbed control for cancer pathways. Evaluation of the unusual dose-responses to BZ exposure indicates cellular over-compensation and reprogramming to overcome toxicity and to promote survival. However, these abnormal mechanisms also promote the induction of leukemia. Further investigations indicate that the current exposure limits for workers to BZ are unacceptable. Based on these studies, the new exposure limits should be less than 0.07 ppm rather than the current 1 ppm. This review also emphasizes the need to conduct appropriate bioassays, and to provide more reliable decisions on health hazards as well as on exposure limits for workers. In addition, it is important to use scientific data to provide significantly improved risk assessment, i.e., shifting from a population- to an individual-based risk assessment.

An exploration of biomarkers for noise exposure: mitochondrial DNA copy number and micronucleus frequencies in Chinese workers.

Few studies have been conducted that use biomarkers as early warning signals for noise-associated health hazards. To explore potentially effective biomarkers for noise-exposed populations, we recruited 218 noise-exposed male workers in China. We calculated cumulative noise exposure (CNE) through noise intensity and noise-exposed duration. When the model was fully adjusted, ln-transformed relative mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) decreased by 0.014 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.026, -0.003) units with each 1 dB(A)∙year increase in CNE levels. CNE was further included in the model as a grouping variable, and the results showed a negative dose-effect relationship between relative mtDNAcn and CNE (P-trend = 0.045). However, we did not find a correlation between CNE and micronucleus (MN) frequencies. Our findings suggest that CNE in workers was associated with a decrease in relative mtDNAcn which may provide a potential biomarker for noise and for certain health risk but not with MN frequencies.

Associations of changes in late-life blood pressure with cognitive impairment among older population in China.

BACKGROUND: The cognitive impact of changes in late-life blood pressure is less clear. We aimed to investigate the association between late-life blood pressure changing pattern and risk of cognitive impairment. METHODS: Using data from the community-based Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, change in systolic (SBP) or diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was calculated as the difference between follow-up and baseline, cognitive impairment was defined based on both the Mini-Mental State Examination and education level. The generalized additive model with penalized spline and multivariate logistic regression model were used, respectively, to examine the associations between continuous and categorized blood pressure changes with cognitive impairment at the follow-up wave. RESULTS: A total of 8493 Chinese elderly without cognitive impairment were included, with mean (standard deviation) age 80.6 (10.7) years. U-shaped associations between late-life blood pressure changes and risk of cognitive impairment were found, with only stable optimal blood pressure related to the lowest risk. For participants with baseline SBP around 130-150 mmHg, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.48 (1.13-1.93) for increasing follow-up SBP (> 150 mmHg), 1.28 (1.02-1.61) for decreasing follow-up SBP (< 130 mmHg), compared to stable follow-up SBP (130-150 mmHg). For participants with relative lower baseline DBP (< 80 mmHg), increasing their DBP to 80-90 mmHg during follow-up was associated with lower cognitive impairment risk (0.73 (0.58-0.93)), compared to steady low follow-up DBP (< 80 mmHg). Sex-specific analysis suggested that men were more vulnerable in term of SBP change. CONCLUSIONS: Adhering to a stable optimal level of blood pressure in late-life is related to lower risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese elderly.

Changes in late-life systolic blood pressure and all-cause mortality among oldest-old people in China: the chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure targets for oldest-old people have been long debated due to the concern that more stringent targets are associated with increased mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between changes of late-life systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean SBP and SBP variability (SBPV), and all-cause mortality in oldest-old. METHODS: Based on the community-based Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey with follow-up conducted in the 3-year interval, we assembled a retrospective cohort of 6639 participants ≥ 80 years with available blood pressure measurements at baseline and second wave. The primary exposures were mean SBP and SBPV (defined as the annual difference in SBP divided by mean SBP) measured between baseline and second wave. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality assessed from the second wave. RESULTS: During 21443.1 person-years of follow-up, 4622 death was recorded. U-shaped associations of mortality with mean SBP and SBPV were identified; the value of 137 mmHg and 4.0 %/year conferred the minimum mortality risk, respectively. The associations of a larger SBPV with an increased mortality risk were observed for both rises and large falls in SBP. The hazard ratio was 1.11 (comparing lowest versus middle quintile; 95 % CI: 1.01, 1.22) with large falls in SBPV and 1.08 (comparing highest versus middle quintile; 95 % CI: 0.98, 1.18) with large rises in SBPV. CONCLUSIONS: U-shaped associations between late-life SBP and SBPV and all-cause mortality were found. Our study suggests that a stable SBP level in the middle range is related to lower mortality risk in the oldest-old.

Evaluating the feasibility of a personal particle exposure monitor in outdoor and indoor microenvironments in Shanghai, China.

Existing particulate matter (PM) monitors have too low spatiotemporal resolution to properly characterize individual exposure doses. In order to support health impact assessment, it is essential to develop a better method to assess individual exposure by taking account of varied environments in which people spend their time. Compact light-scattering PM monitors can potentially fill this need. This study was conducted to evaluate feasibility of a low-cost PM monitor (Plantower PMS 7003) in indoor and roadside outdoor microenvironments compared to research-grade instruments in Shanghai, China. The monitors exhibited excellent performance with a high linear response and low bias values both in outdoor and indoor tests. The monitors also showed little confounding bias in low relative humidity environments. Taking into account the accessibility and portability of this monitor, the monitors were able to detect the dynamic nature of individual exposures and provide data and knowledge about human exposure assessments.

The modifying effect of kidney function on the association of cadmium exposure with blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality: NHANES 1999-2010.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that the associations of urinary Cd with blood pressure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality may be modified by renal function. METHODS: We tested these hypotheses using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 1999-2010). RESULTS: Both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were positively associated with blood Cd. DBP was positively related to urinary Cd whereas SBP was inversely associated with urinary Cd. In the stratified analyses by level of eGFR, the associations between SBP and urinary Cd were not statistically significant among those with normal renal function and those with mildly reduced renal function whereas SBP significantly positively associated with urinary Cd among those with moderately or severely decreased renal function (p for trend, 0.0004). Renal function appeared to be a modifying factor of the association between urinary Cd and mortality. CVD mortality risks (p for trend, 0.04) were significantly increased with increasing urinary Cd with hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) of 2.18 (0.68-7.01) for the highest quartile of urinary Cd compared to the lowest. The association between urinary Cd and CVD mortality became stronger in the stratified analyses by renal function and these associations became more consistent in those who never smoked. CONCLUSIONS: The inverse association between urinary Cd and blood pressure observed in previous studies may be due to lack of consideration of renal function as an effect modifier. The strength of the association between urinary Cd and CVD mortality may be underestimated without considering renal function.

Prospective evaluation of respiratory health benefits from reduced exposure to airborne particulate matter.

We aimed to investigate if short-term exposure to reduced particulate matter (PM) air pollution would affect respiratory function in healthy adults. We followed a cohort of 42 healthy participants from a community afflicted with severe PM air pollution to a substantially less polluted area for nine days. We measured daily airborne PM [with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) and 10 µm (PM10)] and PM2.5 carbon component concentrations. Five repeated respiratory function measurements and fractional exhaled nitric oxide test were made for each participant. Associations between respiratory health and PM exposure were assessed using linear mixed models. Each 10 µg/m3 decrease in same-day PM2.5 was associated with small but consistent increase in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) (9.00 mL) and forced vital capacity (14.35 mL). Our observations indicate that respiratory health benefits can be achieved even after a short-term reduction of exposure to PM. Our results provide strong evidence for more rigorous air pollution controls for the health benefit of populations.

Effects of DNA repair gene polymorphisms on DNA damage in human lymphocytes induced by a vinyl chloride metabolite in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies suggest that variability in DNA damage from vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) may be partially mediated by genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair. This study aimed to corroborate these observations with controlled experiments in vitro using cell lines from individuals with differing DNA repair genotypes to determine damage following VCM metabolite exposure. METHODS: Matched pairs of lymphoblast cell lines (homozygous wild-type versus homozygous variant for either XRCC1 399 or XPD 751 polymorphism) were exposed to chloroacetaldehyde and analyzed by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. RESULTS: All cell lines demonstrated a dose-response of increasing micronuclei with increasing exposure, but for both XRCC1 and XPD, the polymorphic cells peaked at higher micronucleus frequencies and declined at a slower rate to baseline than the wild-type cells. CONCLUSION: This supports the findings that XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms may result in deficient DNA repair of VCM-induced genetic damage.

[Effects of polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 on vinyl chloride-induced chromosome damage].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 genes on vinyl chloride (VC)-induced chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocytes. METHODS: In this study, 317 workers occupationally exposed to VC were recruited from a factory in Shandong Province, China. The micronucleus (MN) frequency in peripheral lymphocytes was used as an indicator of chromosomal damage. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and created restriction site combined with restriction fragment length polymorphism were used to determine the five single nucleotide polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 genes in the base excision repair pathway. The association of chromosomal damage with these polymorphisms and the haplotype of XRCC1 was analyzed using Poisson regression and PHASE 2.0.2. RESULTS: It was found that among the VC-exposed workers, individuals with XRCC1 polymorphisms (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln) had a significantly higher MN frequency than those with homozygous wild-type genotypes, with frequency ratios (FR) as follows, respectively: FR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.05∼1.39 (P < 0.05); FR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.00∼1.38 (P < 0.05); FR = 1.26, 95%CI: 1.11∼1.44 (P < 0.05); FR = 1.23, 95%CI: 1.08∼1.46 (P < 0.05). APE1 Asp148Glu was found of no significant relationship with MN frequency. Haplotype analysis of XRCC1 demonstrated that the MN frequencies in subjects with CTAA/CTAA and CCAA/CTAA were significantly higher than that in those with TCGG/TCGG (FR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.02∼1.32, P < 0.05; FR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.02∼1.87, P < 0.05). Furthermore, association was found between accumulated exposure to VC and XRCC1 polymorphisms (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, and Arg399Gln) after adjustment for age, sex, drinking, and smoking. CONCLUSION: VC can induce chromosomal damage even when the exposure level is lower than the national occupational health standard of China (PC-TWA: 10 mg/m(3)); the polymorphisms in XRCC1 and APE1 are associated with chromosomal damage induced by VC.

The association between genetic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphisms of three glutathione S-transferases in Chinese workers exposed to 1,3-butadiene.

1,3-Butadiene (BD) has been classified as a human carcinogen, group I; however, the relationship between polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferases that metabolize BD and chromosomal damage is not clear. The present study used sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assays to detect chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocytes of 44 BD-exposed workers and 39 non-exposed healthy controls. PCR and PCR-RFLP were employed to detect three known glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 (Ile105Val). The data demonstrated that the micronucleus (CBMN) frequency in BD-exposed workers was significantly higher than that in controls (frequency ratio (FR)=1.48, 95% CI: 1.14-1.91, P<0.01), and the CBMN frequency was higher in workers exposed to higher cumulative BD levels (FR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.28-2.27, P<0.01). However, differences in SCE frequency were not observed (FR=1.14, 95% CI: 0.81-1.61, P>0.05). Among exposed workers, chromosomal damage was related to BD exposure levels (FR=1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.80, P<0.05); age, older workers exhibited higher MN frequencies than younger workers (FR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.14-1.84, P<0.05); and years of work, those with more years of work exhibited higher MN frequencies than those with fewer years (FR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.10-1.77, P<0.05). Multivariate Poisson regression analysis showed that those who carried GSTM1 (-) (FR=1.48, 95% CI: 1.14-1.92) or GSTT1 (-) (FR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.10-1.83) genotypes, and especially those who carried both (FR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.43-3.09) exhibited significantly higher MN frequencies than those carrying GSTM1 (+), GSTT1 (+) genotypes or their combination. The GSTP1 Val genotype did not affect MN frequency (P>0.05). Our results suggested that higher levels of BD exposure in the workplace resulted in increased chromosomal damage, and that polymorphisms in GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes might modulate the genotoxic effects of BD exposure. Furthermore, the GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms exhibited an additive effect. Finally, urinary DHBMA was found to provide a biomarker that correlated with airborne BD levels.

Polymorphisms in BER and NER pathway genes: effects on micronucleus frequencies among vinyl chloride-exposed workers in Northern China.

In this study, a group of 317 workers occupationally exposed to vinyl chloride monomer and 166 normal, unexposed referents in Shandong province (Northern China) were examined for chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocytes using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CB-MN) assay. The exposure group (3.47±2.65)‰ showed higher micronucleus frequency than the unexposed workers (2.51±1.96)‰ (P<0.01). We explored the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of XRCC1 (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, Arg399Gln), APE1 Asp148Glu, XPA Ala23Gly, XPC.PAT, XPC Ala499Val, XPC Lys939Gln, XPF 5'-UTR T2063A, XPG Exon15 G-C, ERCC13'-UTR C8092A and susceptibility of chromosomal damage in all the subjects. It was found that XRCC1 -77, XRCC1 280, APE1148, XPC.PAT, XPG Exon15 G-C, and ERCC13'-UTR C8092A polymorphisms showed no significant associations with micronucleus frequency in unexposed workers. However, among the exposed workers individuals with XRCC1 (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, Arg399Gln) polymorphisms had a significantly higher micronucleus frequency as seen in mean frequency ratios (FR) compared with their homozygous wild-type genotypes (FR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.05-1.39; P<0.01); (FR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.00-1.38; P<0.05) and (FR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.11-1.44; P<0.01); (FR=1.23, 95% CI: 1.08-1.46; P<0.01). Four SNP sites in the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway were associated with susceptibility for MN frequency in either unexposed or exposed workers. Further, we observed the gene-MN association changed with exposure for XRCC1 (-77C/T, Arg194Trp, Arg280His, Arg399Gln), XPA Ala23Gly, XPC Ala499Val, XPC Lys939Gln, XPF 5'-UTR T2063A. Moreover, Individuals carrying the XPC (PAT)-(499)-(939) diplotype, PAT-CG/PAT-TG, had a higher MN frequency, compared with individuals carrying the wild-type PAT-CA/PAT-CA.

The Relationships Between Blood Pb Levels and Blood Pressure Among Lead-Exposed Workers in China: A Repeated-Measure Study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the differences in the increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in 3 consecutive years among lead (Pb) workers. METHODS: Four hundred forty-eight Pb workers were enrolled in this repeated-measure study. Blood Pb, SBP, and DBP were measured in 2015 to 2017. Repeated measure of analysis of variance was used to compare the differences in the increase of SBP and DBP. RESULTS: The mean SBP values were 124.0/125.5/126.9 mm Hg, and the mean DBP values were 75.4/77.4/77.8 mm Hg from 2015 to 2017. The differences in the increase of SBP and DBP were 2.94/2.42 mm Hg during the 3-year period. The average annual increase of SBP or DBP showed an upward trend in different Pb dose groups ( F = 4.904, P = 0.002; F = 3.612, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Lead exposure caused average annual increases in SBP and DBP with 0.98 and 0.81 mm Hg, which provided basic data for health surveillance.

Associations between DNA methylation and genotoxicity among lead-exposed workers in China.

Studies have shown that lead (Pb) exposure caused genotoxicity, however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. A mechanism may be via DNA methylation which is one of the most widely studied epigenetic regulations for cellular activities. Whether this is involved in Pb-induced genotoxicity has rarely been studied. Our study aimed to examine whether DNA methylation was associated with Pb exposure and genotoxicity, and to explore its potential mediating roles. A total of 250 Pb-exposed workers were enrolled. Blood lead levels (BLLs) and genotoxic biomarkers (Micronuclei and Comet) were analyzed. Methylation levels at CpG sites of LINE1 and Alu and promoter region of P53, BRCA1, TRIM36 and OGG1 were measured by pyrosequencing. Generalized linear model (GLM) combined with restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to analyze relationships between Pb exposure, DNA methylation and genotoxicity. Mediation effect was used to explore mediating roles of DNA methylation. The distribution of BLLs was right-skewed and showed wide ranges from 23.7 to 636.2 µg/L with median (P25, P75) being 218.4 (106.1, 313.9) µg/L among all workers. Micronuclei frequencies showed Poisson distribution [1.94 ± 1.88‰] and Comet tail intensity showed normal distribution [1.69 ± 0.93%]. GLM combined with RCS showed that Alu methylation was negatively associated with BLLs, while P53 and OGG1 methylation were positively associated with BLLs. Micronuclei were negatively associated with Alu and TRIM36 methylation but positively with P53 methylation. Comet was positively associated with P53 and BRCA1 methylation. Mediation effect showed that Alu methylation mediated 7% effects on association between Pb exposure and micronuclei, whereas, P53 methylation mediated 14% and BRCA1 mediated 9% effects on association between Pb exposure and Comet. Our data show that Pb exposure induced changes of global and gene-specific DNA methylation which mediated Pb-induced genotoxicity.

Benchmark dose estimation for benzene-exposed workers in China: Based on quantitative and multi-endpoint genotoxicity assessments.

Based on previous exposure studies, benzene (BZ) has been classified as a human carcinogen and occupational exposure limit (OELs) for BZ has been set to be about 1 ppm around the world. However, health hazards have still been reported with exposure below the OEL. Thus, the OEL needs to be updated to reduce health risk. The overall aim of our study was therefore to generate new OEL for BZ via a benchmark dose (BMD) approach and based on quantitative and multi-endpoint genotoxicity assessments. Genotoxicities were determined using the novel human PIG-A gene mutation assay, the micronucleus (MN) test and the COMET assay in benzene-exposed workers. Among the 104 workers with below current OELs, they exhibited significantly higher PIG-A mutant frequencies (MFs) (15.96 ± 14.41 × 10-6) and MN frequencies (11.55 ± 6.83‰) than those among the controls (PIG-A MFs: 5.46 ± 4.56 × 10-6, MN frequencies: 4.51 ± 1.58 ‰), but no difference in the COMET assay. A significant association was also observed between BZ exposure doses and PIG-A MFs and MN frequencies (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that health hazards were induced among workers with below OEL exposures. Based on results from the PIG-A and MN assays, the lower confidence limit of the BMD (BMDL) were calculated to be 8.71 mg/m3-year and 0.44 mg/m3-year, respectively. Based on these calculations, the OEL for BZ was determined to be lower than 0.07 ppm. This value can be considered by regulatory agencies to set new exposure limits and to better protect workers.

[Study on urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the urine biomarkers in 1,3-butadiene exposed workers, and to provide basement for establishing biological limit value. METHODS: 44 BD exposed workers as exposure group and 25 BD non-exposed people as control group including 12 workers in boiler workshop in the same factory and 13 people in one public institute, we collected their in-end-of shift urine, then detected urine BD-derived mercapturic metabolites [3,4-dihydroxybutyl mercapturic acid (DHBMA),1- and 2-monohydroxy-3-butenyl mercapturic acid (MHBMA)] concentrations using UPLC-MS/MS method. Meanwhile, we detected air BD concentration with GC-FID in the workplace, and compared their relationship. RESULTS: lgDHBMA and lg (MHBMA + DHBMA) levels in exposed group (lgDHBMA: 2.51 ± 0.44) µg/L, lg [MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.68 ± 0.27) µg/L] were higher than which in control group (lgDHBMA: (2.20 ± 0.25) µg/L, lg(MHBMA + DHBMA: (2.49 ± 0.34) µg/L), and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). Urine DHBMA was obviously influenced by air BD concentrations (r = 0.539, P = 0.001). The equation of Multiple Regression Analysis was y = 2.417 + 0.520x (x represents air BD dose, and represents urinary DHBMA level). Adjusted R(2) of this model was 0.262. Urinary MHBMA was not affected by smoking, alcohol and years of works. CONCLUSION: Urine metabolite DHBMA in BD-exposed workers might be major biological exposure indice.

[Polymorphism of XRCC1 and chromosome damage in workers occupationally exposed to benzene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the polymorphisms of DNA repair gene (XRCC1 194, 280 and 399) and the chromosomal damage induced by benzene. METHODS: The chromosomal damage of the peripheral lymphocytes in 459 workers occupationally exposed to benzene and 88 non-exposed controls were detected with cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. PCR-RFLP technique was used to measure polymorphisms in XRCC1 194, 280 and 399. RESULTS: It was found that the MN frequency (2.12‰ ± 1.88‰) of the exposed group was significantly higher than that (1.19‰ ± 1.68‰) of the control group (P < 0.05), in the exposed group, the MN frequency (3.00‰ ± 2.76‰) of older workers (> 35 years) was significantly higher than that (2.02‰ ± 1.71‰) of younger workers (≤ 35 years) (P < 0.05). The effect of genetic polymorphisms of XRCC1 on CBMN was not found. The haplotypes AAA/BAA, AAB/AAB, ABA/ABA, ABB/ABB could associated with the increased frequencies of total micronucleus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Benzene exposure could result in chromosome damage. Age of workers and diplotypes of XRCC1 could associated with chromosomal damage induced by benzene.

[The assessment of reliability and validity of musculoskeletal questionnaire].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of musculoskeletal questionnaire. METHODS: A self-administered modified musculoskeletal questionnaire was used to investigate 12 098 workers from eight occupations, i.e. coal mining, petroleum, metallurgical, mechanical manufacturing, chemical, garment and railroad transportation industries and education. The Cronbach's α coefficient, analysis of covariance and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the reliability and validity of musculoskeletal questionnaire. RESULTS: The consistent test between total items of Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and each factor showed that the range of Cronbach's α was 0.52 ∼ 0.92, except from vibration factor, other Cronbach's α was more than 0.7. All 55 items of Musculoskeletal Questionnaire were subjected to factor analysis, and ten latent factors were identified, which explained 55.17% of the total variance. The potentially hazardous working conditions could be categorized into seven dimensions (force, dynamic load, static load, repetitive load, climate factors, vibration exposure and environmental ergonomic factor), which consisted with the theory model. The results of covariance analysis indicated that there were significant difference among 7 dimension indices in different jobs (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The modified Musculoskeletal Questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for measuring musculoskeletal workload.

Lymphocyte-based challenge DNA-repair assays for personalized health risk assessment.

Combinations of genetic and environmental factors are responsible for the development of many human diseases, such as cancer, as demonstrated using various biomarkers. Within this scenario, DNA repair holds a gate-keeper position which determines outcomes after appearance of DNA damage and, therefore, adverse cellular consequences, e.g., initiation of carcinogenesis. DNA repair deficiency and some of the subsequent events can be validated from studies using live cells from cancer patients. However, these deficiencies/events are difficult to demonstrate in live cells from normal individuals because individual variations in DNA repair capacities (DRC) are too low to be measured easily. Such lack of information has been hindering progress in developing personalized disease prevention and intervention protocols, especially among exposed populations. However, using a variety of challenge assays as biomarkers, variations in individual's DRC can be amplified in live cells and be determined. Furthermore, evidence indicates that DRC are not only inherited but can also be modified by environmental factors (e.g., nutritional status and exposure to genotoxic substances). Using these challenge assays, e.g., in live lymphocytes, individual's DRC can be holistically and functionally determined as well as quantitated. With the more precise information, assessment of health risk can be better determined on an individual rather than on a population basis. This review provides a succinct summary on the development and application of recent challenge assays in lymphocytes which can provide measurements of individuals' DRC, and on the latest data for more precise disease prevention and intervention.

Occupational lead exposure on genome-wide DNA methylation and DNA damage.

Lead (Pb) exposure can induce DNA damage and alter DNA methylation but their inter-relationships have not been adequately determined. Our overall aims were to explore such relationships and to evaluate underlying epigenetic mechanisms of Pb-induced genotoxicity in Chinese workers. Blood Pb levels (BLLs) were determined and used as individual's Pb-exposure dose and the Comet assay (i.e., % tail DNA) was conducted to evaluate DNA damage. In the screening assay, 850 K BeadChip sequencing was performed on peripheral blood from 10 controls (BLLs ≤100 µg/L) and 20 exposed workers (i.e., 10 DNA-damaged and 10 DNA-undamaged workers). Using the technique, differentially methylated positions (DMPs) between the controls and the exposed workers were identified. In addition, DMPs were identified between the DNA-undamaged and DNA-damaged workers (% tail DNA >2.14%). In our validation assay, methylation levels of four candidate genes were measured by pyrosequencing in an independent sample set (n = 305), including RRAGC (Ras related GTP binding C), USP1 (Ubiquitin specific protease 1), COPS7B (COP9 signalosome subunit 7 B) and CHEK1 (Checkpoint kinase 1). The result of comparisons between the controls and the Pb-exposed workers show that DMPs were significantly enriched in genes related to nerve conduction and cell cycle. Between DNA-damaged group and DNA-undamaged group, differentially methylated genes were enriched in the pathways related to cell cycle and DNA integrity checkpoints. Additionally, methylation levels of RRAGC and USP1 were negatively associated with BLLs (P < 0.05), and the former mediated 19.40% of the effect of Pb on the % tail DNA. These findings collectively indicated that Pb-induced DNA damage was closely related to methylation of genes in cell cycle regulation, and methylation levels of RRAGC were involved in Pb-induced genotoxicity.

Genotoxicity in vinyl chloride-exposed workers and its implication for occupational exposure limit.

BACKGROUND: Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a colorless gas under room temperature and has been mostly used to produce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) since the 1970s. It is classified by the International Agency of Research on Cancer (IARC) as a known human carcinogen (Group 1). In this study, genetic damage in VCM workers was evaluated in relation to their occupational cumulative exposure to VCM. METHODS: Cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay was conducted in 229 VCM workers and 138 controls to detect chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The cumulative exposure dose (CED) of VCM was calculated based on the job type and duration of each worker and the workplace VCM concentration. Dose-response relationships between VCM CED and micronucleus frequency or chromosomal damage were evaluated, and benchmark doses (BMDs) estimated. RESULTS: Dose-response relationships between VCM CED and chromosomal damage were obtained. The 95% lower confidence bound of BMD of VCM CED was 2.86 mg/m(3) -year for both genders combined, leading to an estimated exposure limit of 0.072 mg/m(3) assuming a work life of 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: VCM exposure may induce chromosomal damage at occupational exposure levels below the Chinese national occupational health standard. Further research is needed to better understand micronuclei as biomarker of VCM genotoxicity. Better dose-response assessment and BMD estimation are desirable in order to improve the quantification of occupational exposure limits for VCM with respect to non-cancer risk.