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1.
AJR Am J Roentgenol ; 201(3): 626-30, 2013 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23971456

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Medical radiation-induced cataracts, especially those resulting from head and neck CT studies, are an issue of concern. The current study aimed to determine the risk of cataract associated with repeated radiation exposure from head and neck CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used information from a random sample of 2 million persons enrolled in the nationally representative Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Exposed cases consisted of patients with head and neck tumor 10-50 years old who underwent at least one CT between 2000 and 2009. The nonexposed control group was composed of subjects who were never exposed to CT studies but who were matched by time of enrollment, age, sex, history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, and diabetes. RESULTS: There were 2776 patients in the exposed group and 27,761 matched subjects in the nonexposed group. The exposed group had higher overall incidence of cataracts (0.97% vs 0.72%; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% CI, 1.18-2.63). Further stratifying the number of CT studies in the exposed group into one or two, three or four, and five or more revealed that cataract incidence increased gradually with increasing frequency of CT studies (0.79%, 0.93%, and 1.45%, respectively) (p=0.001, adjusted for trend). Radiation exposure due to repeated head and neck CT studies was independently associated with an increased risk of developing cataracts when the cumulative CT exposure frequency involved more than four studies (adjusted HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.09-4.14). CONCLUSION: Repeated exposure to head and neck CT is significantly associated with increased risk of cataract.


Assuntos
Catarata/etiologia , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/efeitos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Catarata/epidemiologia , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doses de Radiação , Risco , Taiwan/epidemiologia
2.
Nephrol Dial Transplant ; 27(6): 2457-64, 2012 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22058176

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Higher cardiovascular mortality has been noted in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD patients are also known to have impaired energy expenditure but the role of energy expenditure in cardiovascular disease is not yet known. Furthermore, the association between cold dialysis (CD) and clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients is unclear. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study consisting of two groups: a CD group with dialyzate temperature <35.5 °C and a standard dialysis (SD) group with dialyzate temperature between 35.5 and 37 °C. The end points of the study were overall mortality, cardiac mortality and non-cardiac mortality. The study analyzed the associations between dialyzate temperature and long-term survival in CD and SD groups. Propensity score analysis was used to control for intergroup baseline differences. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that CD was significantly associated with a lower risk for overall mortality (P = 0.006) and cardiac mortality (P = 0.023) but not for non-cardiac mortality or infectious mortality. After multivariate Cox regression analysis, adjusting for propensity scores and other possible confounding factors, CD remained a significant beneficial factor for overall mortality (P = 0.030) and cardiac mortality (P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Our studies show that CD is significantly and independently associated with a lower risk for overall mortality and cardiac mortality.


Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/etiologia , Doenças Cardiovasculares/mortalidade , Falência Renal Crônica/complicações , Diálise Renal/mortalidade , Temperatura Baixa , Soluções para Diálise , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Falência Renal Crônica/mortalidade , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prognóstico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Taxa de Sobrevida
3.
Dalton Trans ; 49(6): 1765-1775, 2020 Feb 14.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32016198

RESUMO

Morphological control of nanomaterials is essential for their properties and potential applications, and many strategies have been developed. In this work, a new strategy for simultaneously preparing and modulating the morphological structure evolution of copper layered hydroxyl salts and oxides is introduced. By changing the nature of the anions in the electroplating solution, significant variations in the size and porosity of nanosheets are achieved. Porous CuO nanosheets with a higher surface area were obtained by the use of copper nitrate as a copper source, while CuO nanoflakes were produced from copper sulfate. Photoanodes combining these porous CuO nanomaterials and a typical light absorber (BiVO4) exhibited good morphology-dependent activities for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The composite electrode displays a negative shift of 180 mV for the onset potential and an approximately 2-fold enhancement in the photocurrent compared to the bare BiVO4. The charge recombination rate in the photoelectrode with the porous CuO nanosheets was significantly lower than the bare photoanode due to the favorable electron diffusion path and effective charge collection. This research offers an effective method for constructing a highly active photoelectrocatalytic system for overall water splitting.

4.
Cell Signal ; 20(7): 1248-55, 2008 Jul.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18434089

RESUMO

ATP is an extracellular signaling molecule that activates specific G protein-coupled P2Y receptors in most cell types to mediate diverse biological effects. ATP has been shown to activate the phospholipase C (PLC)/diacylglycerol/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway in various systems. However, little is known about the signaling events in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). The objective of this study was to examine the presence of the P2Y2 receptor and the effects of exogenous ATP on the intracellular mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway, immediate early genes expression, and cell viability in hESCs. Western blot analysis, gene array analysis, and MTT assay for cell viability were performed. The current study demonstrated the existence of the P2Y2 purinergic receptor in hESCs. UTP and ATP activated MAPK in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Suramin (a P2-purinoceptor antagonist), neomycin (a PLC inhibitor), staurosporin (a PKC inhibitor), and PD98059 (a MEK inhibitor) significantly attenuated the ATP-induced activation of MAPK. ATP activated ERK1/2 and induced translocation of activated ERK1/2 to the nucleus. The gene array for 23 genes associated with members of the mitogenic pathway cascade and immediate early genes revealed that the expression of early growth response 1 was increased. In addition, MTT assay revealed an inhibition effect of ATP on cell viability. ATP activated MAPKs through the P2Y2 purinoceptor/PLC/PKC/ERK signaling pathway and induced translocation of ERK1/2 into the nucleus. Further, ATP induced the expression of early growth response 1 and inhibited cell viability in hESCs.


Assuntos
Trifosfato de Adenosina/farmacologia , Proteína 1 de Resposta de Crescimento Precoce/metabolismo , MAP Quinases Reguladas por Sinal Extracelular/metabolismo , Proteína Quinase C/metabolismo , Receptores Purinérgicos P2/metabolismo , Células Estromais/enzimologia , Fosfolipases Tipo C/metabolismo , Adulto , Núcleo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Núcleo Celular/enzimologia , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Endométrio/citologia , Endométrio/enzimologia , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Espaço Extracelular/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Quinases de Proteína Quinase Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos , Transporte Proteico/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptores Purinérgicos P2Y2 , Células Estromais/citologia , Células Estromais/efeitos dos fármacos , Uridina Trifosfato/farmacologia
5.
Polymers (Basel) ; 10(9)2018 Sep 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30960934

RESUMO

When stainless steel is implanted in human bodies, the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility must be considered. In this study, first, a protective organic silicone film was coated on the surface of stainless steel by a plasma deposition technique with a precursor of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDSZ). Then, ultraviolet (UV) light-induced graft polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and acrylic acid (AAc) in different molar ratios were applied onto the organic silicone film in order to immobilize thermos-/pH-sensitive composite hydrogels on the surface. The thermo-/pH-sensitive composite hydrogels were tested at pH values of 4, 7.4 and 10 of a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solution at a fixed temperature of 37 °C to observe the swelling ratio and drug delivery properties of caffeine which served as a drug delivery substance. According to the results of Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectra and a potential polarization dynamic test, the silicone thin film formed by plasma deposition not only improved the adhesion ability between the substrate and hydrogels but also exhibited a high corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the composite hydrogels have an excellent release ratio of up to 90% of the absorbed amount after 8h at a pH of 10. In addition, the results of potential polarization dynamic tests showed that the corrosion resistance of stainless steel could be improved by the HMDSZ plasma deposition.

6.
J Endocrinol ; 193(3): 393-404, 2007 Jun.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17535877

RESUMO

ATP has been shown to activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in various systems. However, little is known about the signaling events and the effects in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). The present study examined the effect of ATP on activating MAPKs and its subsequent events in hESCs. This study demonstrated the expression of the P(2U)/P2Y(2) receptor in hESCs by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). A PCR product with a sequence identical to the reported 599 bp P(2U)/P2Y(2) receptor cDNA was obtained. Western blot analysis, using a monoclonal antibody against the phosphorylated forms of ERK1/2, demonstrated that ATP activated MAPK in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy showed an evident nuclear translocation of phosphorylated ERKs after 10 microM ATP treatment, but this effect was blocked by PD98059. To study the gene(s) induced by exogenous ATP, mRNA was extracted from hESCs in the presence or absence of 10 microM ATP. The gene array for 96 genes associated with members of human matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and adhesion molecules revealed that the expression of MMP-2, -3, -10, and -24 genes was increased and the effect was attenuated by PD98059. Furthermore the effects of ATP on the expression of MMP genes were confirmed by semiquantitative RT-PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the ATP-induced nuclear translocation of phospho-ERK1/2 that mediates MMPs gene expression in human endometrial cells. These results support the notion that the ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in mediating ATP actions in the human reproductive system.


Assuntos
Trifosfato de Adenosina/farmacologia , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Endométrio/enzimologia , Líquido Extracelular/metabolismo , Metaloproteinases da Matriz/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Transporte Ativo do Núcleo Celular/fisiologia , Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Western Blotting/métodos , Células Cultivadas , Ativação Enzimática , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Metaloproteinases da Matriz/genética , Microscopia Confocal , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa/métodos , Células Estromais/enzimologia
7.
Environ Health Perspect ; 114(8): 1283-6, 2006 Aug.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16882540

RESUMO

In this study we investigated the risk of hearing loss among workers exposed to both toluene and noise. We recruited 58 workers at an adhesive materials manufacturing plant who were exposured to both toluene and noise [78.6-87.1 A-weighted decibels; dB(A)], 58 workers exposed to noise only [83.5-90.1 dB(A)], and 58 administrative clerks [67.9-72.6 dB(A)] at the same company. We interviewed participants to obtain sociodemographic and employment information and performed physical examinations, including pure-tone audiometry tests between 0.5 and 6 kHz. A contracted laboratory certified by the Council of Labor in Taiwan conducted on-site toluene and noise exposure measurements. The prevalence of hearing loss of >or=25 dB in the toluene plus noise group (86.2%) was much greater than that in the noise-only group (44.8%) and the administrative clerks (5.0%) (p<0.001). The prevalence rates were 67.2, 32.8, and 8.3% (p<0.001), respectively, when 0.5 kHz was excluded from the estimation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the toluene plus noise group had an estimated risk for hearing loss>or=25 dB, 10.9 times higher than that of the noise-only group. The risk ratio dropped to 5.8 when 0.5 kHz was excluded from the risk estimation. Hearing impairment was greater for the pure-tone frequency of 1 kHz than for that of 2 kHz. However, the mean hearing threshold was the poorest for 6 kHz, and the least effect was observed for 2 kHz. Our results suggest that toluene exacerbates hearing loss in a noisy environment, with the main impact on the lower frequencies.


Assuntos
Perda Auditiva/etiologia , Ruído/efeitos adversos , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Solventes/efeitos adversos , Tolueno/efeitos adversos , Adesivos , Adulto , Audiometria , Limiar Auditivo/fisiologia , Coleta de Dados , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Feminino , Perda Auditiva/induzido quimicamente , Perda Auditiva/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Indústrias , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise de Regressão , Fatores Socioeconômicos
8.
J Occup Environ Med ; 48(4): 394-9, 2006 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16607194

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated electrocardiography (ECG) manifestations for male workers with carbon disulfide exposure at rayon manufacturing plants. METHODS: A total of 251 men in the exposure group and 226 administrative clerks in the reference group received physical examinations and completed questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of ECG abnormalities was much higher in the carbon disulfide exposure group (25.9%, n = 65) than in the reference group (2.7%, n = 6), with an odds ratio (OR) of 12.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.4-30.2). The foremen were at the highest risk of abnormal ECG (OR = 20.6, 95% CI = 6.5-65.2), followed by filament-spinning workers (OR = 14.2, 95% CI = 5.7-35.3), viscose-manufacturing workers (OR = 11.3, 95% CI = 4.3-30.1), and carbon disulfide-manufacturing workers (OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.7-25.6). The multivariate logistic regression analysis based on cumulative exposure index also showed a dose-response relationship with the exposure, and the risk of ECG abnormality could be initiated at the exposure history of 31 to 57 year-ppm with an OR of 7.2 (95% CI = 1.5-36.7). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the ECG abnormalities observed in workers at the permissible exposure level of carbon disulfide implicate the importance of environmental control of the chemical and of workers' education in exposure prevention at work.


Assuntos
Arritmias Cardíacas/epidemiologia , Dissulfeto de Carbono/intoxicação , Celulose , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Indústria Têxtil/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Arritmias Cardíacas/diagnóstico , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Causalidade , Eletrocardiografia , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Doenças Profissionais/diagnóstico , Exposição Ocupacional/análise , Exposição Ocupacional/estatística & dados numéricos , Razão de Chances , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Taiwan/epidemiologia
9.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab ; 89(10): 5189-95, 2004 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15472225

RESUMO

With the stimulation of many types of cell surface receptors, MAPKs are activated. We have previously demonstrated an effect of extracellular ATP on ERKs and gonadotropin- induced progesterone secretion, implicating the significance of ATP in the regulation of ovarian function. However, little is known about the specific role of ATP in the subsequent MAPK-induced signaling cascade in human granulosa-luteal cells (hGLCs). The present study was designed to examine the effect of ATP on the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway, including nuclear translocation and the expression of the immediate early genes in hGLCs. Western blot analysis, using a monoclonal antibody, which detected the total and phosphorylated forms of ERK1 and ERK2 (p42(mapk) and p44 (mapk), respectively), demonstrated that exogenous ATP evoked ERKs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In contrast, p38 and JNK were not significantly activated after ATP treatment. To examine the translocation of activated ERKs, fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated secondary antibody was used to detect the distribution of total and phosphorylated ERKs. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that phosphorylated ERKs were translocated from cytoplasm into nucleus subsequent to 10 microm ATP treatment. To study the gene(s) induced by exogenous ATP, mRNA was extracted from hGLCs in the presence or absence of 10 microm ATP. Gene array for 23 genes associated with members of the mitogenic pathway cascade and immediate early genes revealed that the expression of early growth response 1 and c-raf-1 was increased. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the ATP-induced nuclear translocation of MAPKs in the human ovary. These results suggest that the MAPK signaling pathway plays a role in mediating ATP actions in the human ovary.


Assuntos
Trifosfato de Adenosina/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/fisiologia , Proteínas de Ligação a DNA/genética , Células da Granulosa/fisiologia , Proteínas Imediatamente Precoces/genética , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/efeitos dos fármacos , Fatores de Transcrição/genética , Quinases raf/genética , Núcleo Celular/metabolismo , Corpo Lúteo/citologia , Proteína 1 de Resposta de Crescimento Precoce , Feminino , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/fisiologia , Humanos , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases/fisiologia , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo
10.
Environ Health Perspect ; 111(13): 1620-4, 2003 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14527841

RESUMO

Simultaneous exposure to carbon disulfide and noise may have a combined effect on hearing impairment. In this study we investigated hearing loss in 131 men with exposure to noise [80-91 A-weighted decibels; dB(A)] and CS(2) (1.6-20.1 ppm) in a viscose rayon plant. These men were compared with 105 men in the adhesive tape and electronic industries who were exposed to noise only and with 110 men employed in the administrative office of the rayon plant who were exposed to low noise and no CS(2). We conducted interviews to obtain sociodemographic information and exposure assessments, and we performed physical examinations, including hearing tests. Results showed that the prevalence of hearing loss of > 25 dB hearing loss (dBHL) in rayon workers (67.9%) was much higher than that in administrative workers (23.6%) and in the adhesive tape and electronic industrial workers (32.4%). Hearing loss occurred mainly for speech frequencies of 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz. When the CS(2) exposure was measured by the product of CS(2 )exposure level and employment years, the adjusted odds ratios of hearing loss of > 25 dBHL in rayon workers, compared with administrative workers, were 3.8 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-9.4] for those with the exposure of 37-214 year-ppm, 14.2 (95% CI, 4.4-45.9) with 215-453 year-ppm exposure, and 70.3 (95% CI, 8.7-569.7) with exposure of > 453 year-ppm. The study suggests that CS(2) exposure enhances human hearing loss in a noisy environment and mainly affects hearing in lower frequencies.


Assuntos
Dissulfeto de Carbono/toxicidade , Perda Auditiva/etiologia , Ruído Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Exposição Ocupacional , Solventes/toxicidade , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances
11.
Fertil Steril ; 77(5): 1012-7, 2002 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12009360

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rearrangement of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in unfertilized human oocytes and compromised embryos to evaluate the fertilization capacity of oocytes. DESIGN: Prospective laboratory research. SETTING: IVF laboratory in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred twenty-four unfertilized oocytes, 98 arrested embryos, and 45 tripronucleate (3PN) embryos from 65 female patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). INTERVENTION(S): Unfertilized oocytes and poor quality embryos were collected 48 hours after IVF. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Comparison of the frequency of mtDNA deletions and fertilization rates of oocytes. RESULT(S): Multiple deletions of mtDNA were found in unfertilized oocytes and arrested embryos obtained from IVF patients. A 4977-bp deletion was the most frequent deletion in human oocytes and embryos. About 66.1% of the unfertilized oocytes, 34.8% of the arrested or fragmented embryos, and 21.1% of the 3PN embryos harbored the 4977-bp deletion of mtDNA. There was a significant increase in the proportion of deleted mtDNA in unfertilized oocytes. CONCLUSION(S): Accumulation of mtDNA deletions may contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired ATP production. We conclude that the accumulation of rearranged mtDNA may interfere with fertilization of human oocytes and further embryonic development.


Assuntos
DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Rearranjo Gênico , Oócitos/fisiologia , Embrião de Mamíferos/fisiologia , Feminino , Fertilização in vitro , Humanos , Estudos Prospectivos
12.
Fertil Steril ; 81 Suppl 1: 912-8, 2004 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15019829

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between mitochondrial gene expression of oocytes/embryos and their fertilizability in unfertilized oocytes, arrested embryos, and tripronucleate zygotes, because both nuclear and cytoplasmic factors contribute to oocyte activation, fertilization, and subsequent development. DESIGN: Prospective laboratory research. SETTING: In vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory in a university hospital. PATIENT(S): Seventy-five unfertilized oocytes, 45 arrested embryos, and 24 tripronucleate (3PN) embryos from 45 female patients undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Analysis of mitochondrial gene expression by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Comparison of the expression levels of mitochondrial genes including ND2, CO I, CO II, ATPase 6, CO III, ND3, ND6, and Cyt b in three groups. RESULT(S): Significantly decreased transcription levels were expressed in unfertilized oocytes and arrested embryos. The average expression levels of the eight determined genes compared with the control (GAPDH) was 4.4 +/- 0.7, 6.4 +/- 1.1, and 13.2 +/- 1.1 in unfertilized oocytes, arrested embryos, and 3PN embryos, respectively. Significantly decreased expressions of the ATPase 6, CO III, and ND3 genes were detected from samples with 4977-bp common deletion in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) compared with the non-deletion group. CONCLUSION(S): The present study is the first report to present globally decreased mitochondrial gene expression levels in human compromised oocytes and embryos. These data support the notion that the down-regulation of mitochondrial RNA by defective oxidative phosphorylation genes possibly affects oocyte quality including fertilization and further embryo development.


Assuntos
Regulação para Baixo , Embrião de Mamíferos/fisiologia , Expressão Gênica , Mitocôndrias/genética , Oócitos/fisiologia , Sequência de Bases , DNA Mitocondrial/genética , Feminino , Deleção de Genes , Humanos , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Estudos Prospectivos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Transcrição Gênica
13.
J Occup Environ Med ; 45(1): 73-8, 2003 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12553181

RESUMO

Carbon disulfide (CS2) is a man-made product utilized primarily in the manufacture of viscose rayon. Overexposure to CS2 has been associated with an increase in coronary heart disease. The aims of this study were to examine the dose-response relationship of CS2 exposure and elevated lipid profile tests among CS2-exposed workers in Taiwan. A total of 132 workers were recruited from two viscose rayon plants. Air sampling was performed to determine the CS2 exposure of workers. Demographic data and work history were gathered by a standard self-administered questionnaire. Lipid profile tests were also performed by routine methods. The average CS2 exposure concentration was 50.6 +/- 25.6 ppm (range: 24-127 ppm) in the high-exposure group, 12.9 +/- 5 ppm (range: 5.2-22.3 ppm) in the mid-exposure group, and 3.5 +/- 1.2 ppm (range 0.97-5.2 ppm) in the low-exposure group. There were 21 out of 33 (63.7%) elevated triglyceride levels among high-CS2-exposure workers, 27 out of 64 (42.2%) among the middle-CS2-exposure, and 14 out of 35 (40%) among low-CS2-exposure workers, respectively. Compared to the low-CS2-exposure workers, the age- and weight-adjusted odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) of the prevalence of elevated triglyceride value were 1.12 (0.5, 2.7) for middle-CS2-exposure workers, and 2.81 (1.02, 7.8) for high-CS2-exposure workers. There was a significant linear trend between CS2 exposure and the prevalence of elevated triglyceride value (P = 0.046) after adjusting for other factors. There was also a lower prevalence of elevated HDL level in high-CS2-exposure workers than low-CS2-exposure workers (15.2% versus 31.4%). Compared to the low-CS2-exposure workers, the age- and weight-adjusted odds ratio (and 95% confidence intervals) of elevated HDL level were 0.34 (0.1, 1.18) for high-CS2-exposure workers, which was borderline significant. In conclusion, this study suggests that elevated triglyceride level and decreased HDL level are associated with CS2 exposure. The study also suggests that exposure to CS2 (concentration > 23.2 ppm, which was above the current TLV-TWA of 10 ppm) are significantly associated with increased risk and decreased protective effect for coronary heart disease.


Assuntos
Dissulfeto de Carbono , HDL-Colesterol/sangue , Exposição Ocupacional , Indústria Têxtil , Triglicerídeos/sangue , Celulose , Estudos Transversais , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Humanos
14.
Sci Total Environ ; 322(1-3): 51-62, 2004 Apr 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15081737

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been conducted to explore how personal factors-personal hygiene, personal protective equipment, and skin exposure affect the exposure-dose relationship in workers exposed to carbon disulfide (CS(2)). METHODS: Personal environmental monitoring of airborne CS(2) and 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) levels in post-shift urine were determined for sixty-five rayon workers. The personal factors affecting the CS(2)-TTCA relationship were measured by questionnaire and dermatological diagnosis. RESULTS: In simple linear regression analyses, we found shower right after work, respirator, gloves, apron, and skin disease were significantly associated with U-TTCA levels among all personal factors. Skin disease was, however, the only personal factor that remained significant throughout multivariate linear regression analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the personal factor like host's skin disease was found to possibly affect the relations of U-TTCA to the occupational exposure to CS(2). The skin exposure to CS(2) for those who have skin problems on the sites possibly or potentially exposed to CS(2) in the occupational environment such as in the rayon manufacturing process is noteworthy. Workers with susceptible skins should either be assigned to work in areas without contacting hazardous materials directly or required to wear appropriately protective clothing.


Assuntos
Dissulfeto de Carbono/análise , Celulose , Indústria Química , Exposição Ocupacional , Tiazóis/urina , Administração Cutânea , Adulto , Biomarcadores/análise , Feminino , Humanos , Higiene , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Roupa de Proteção , Dermatopatias/complicações , Tiazolidinas
15.
Clin Respir J ; 7(1): 1-6, 2013 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22404955

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Early detection trials with chest radiography and sputum cytology were ineffective in decreasing lung cancer mortality. The advent of low-dose spiral chest computed tomography (LDCT) provided clinicians with a new tool that could be with early diagnosis; however, this also raised significant concerns regarding the systematic use of LDCT with its high false-positive rate for benign nodules. At this time, there is limited information about the true role of PET (positron emission tomography) for early detection of lung cancer. METHODS: We used systematic methods, including Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, to identify relevant studies, assess study eligibility, evaluate study methodological quality, and summarize findings regarding diagnostic accuracy and outcome. RESULTS: In total, only seven eligible studies were selected from 82 potentially relevant studies. The sensitivity of 18F-FDG-PET for the detection of T1 lung cancers ranged between 68% and 95%. The rate of detection tended to be lower for carcinoid tumors, adenocarcinoma and bronchoalveolar cell carcinomas. FDG-PET using SUV (standardized uptake value) level can predict the outcome of the screening detected lung cancer. A combination of FDG-PET and LDCT may improve screening for lung cancer in high-risk patients. CONCLUSIONS: PET or PET/CT may be used as a useful tool for early detection of lung cancer in high-risk population based on the existing information. However, there is still limited information with regards to evidence of survival benefits from PET screening in high-risk patients.


Assuntos
Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico por imagem , Programas de Rastreamento/métodos , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Diagnóstico Precoce , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/epidemiologia , Fatores de Risco
16.
Clin Lung Cancer ; 14(1): 55-61, 2013 Jan.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22607779

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib (Iressa; AstreZeneca, Wilmington, DE) is effective in the treatment of NSCLC, especially in the Asian population. However, ILD is usually a serious pulmonary adverse effect and almost leads to cessation of gefitinib treatment. In this study, we investigated the incidence, clinical features, and prognosis of gefitinib-related ILD in Taiwanese patients with NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study conducted in 2 medical centers and a local teaching hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1080 patients with NSCLC, who received at least 1 dose (250 mg per day) of gefitinib treatment, were enrolled. Of these, 42 patients were diagnosed with ILD. Twenty-five of the 42 patients were diagnosed with gefitinib-related ILD (incidence, 2.3%). The main manifestations of ILD included dyspnea, cough, and hypoxemia. Six of the 25 patients (24%) with gefitinib-related ILD required invasive mechanical ventilation and all patients were treated with steroids. Twenty-two patients (88%) discontinued gefitinib treatment without further rechallenge. Ten (40%) patients died directly from ILD and in-hospital mortality was 52%. Eleven patients received subsequent cytotoxic chemotherapy with a mean of 33.5 days after ILD events. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that gefitinib nonresponder and gefitinib use rather than first-line treatment were associated with poor prognosis when ILD developed during gefitinib treatment. CONCLUSION: Taiwanese patients with NSCLC had a relatively high incidence of ILD during gefitinib treatment. Gefitinib-related ILD is usually life-threatening, especially in gefitinib nonresponders and gefitinib use rather than first-line treatment.


Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/tratamento farmacológico , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/induzido quimicamente , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/epidemiologia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamento farmacológico , Quinazolinas/efeitos adversos , Idoso , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Tosse/etiologia , Dispneia/etiologia , Feminino , Gefitinibe , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Humanos , Hipóxia/etiologia , Incidência , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Doenças Pulmonares Intersticiais/complicações , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Quinazolinas/uso terapêutico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Taiwan/epidemiologia
17.
Drug Des Devel Ther ; 7: 53-8, 2013.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23386785

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear-positive sputum is usually an initial clue in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB); however, the test is not disease-specific. Nontuberculous mycobacterium-related colonization or lung disease often has AFB smear-positive sputum results, and physicians may prescribe unnecessary antituberculous drugs for these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with AFB smear-positive sputum who received unnecessary anti-TB treatment. METHODS AND PATIENTS: From January 2008 to July 2011, we retrospectively enrolled 97 patients with AFB smear-positive sputum who did not have pulmonary TB according to mycobacterial cultures and clinical judgment. We analyzed the clinical and radiographic features of the patients who received inappropriate and unnecessary anti-TB treatment. Preliminary analyses of chisquare and Fisher's exact tests were applied to determine factors unlikely to be associated with the independent variables. The relationship between independent covariates was then analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 97 enrolled patients, 25 (25.8%) were diagnosed with pulmonary TB and prescribed anti-TB drugs (mostly a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide). The other 72 (74.2%) patients were not initially diagnosed with pulmonary TB and were classified as the control group. Compared to the control group, the patients who received inappropriate anti-TB treatment had more chronic cough as presentation symptom and heavy AFB Ziehl-Neelsen staining in sputum (>10/100 fields, grading 2+ to 4+). There were no significant differences in the radiographic analysis between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Among the patients with AFB smear-positive sputum that did not have pulmonary TB, chronic cough and heavy AFB staining (2+ to 4+) were risk factors for the inappropriate administration of unnecessary anti-TB treatment.


Assuntos
Antituberculosos/uso terapêutico , Prescrição Inadequada/estatística & dados numéricos , Escarro/microbiologia , Tuberculose Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Doença Crônica , Tosse/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Coloração e Rotulagem , Tuberculose Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico
18.
J Chin Med Assoc ; 76(2): 78-82, 2013 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23351417

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The most common serious complication following acute ischemic stroke is pneumonia, which may increase mortality and worsen clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with pneumonia following acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: From June 2006 to May 2011, we retrospectively included 51 patients with pneumonia following acute ischemic stroke. We analyzed the clinical features, microbiologic data, and outcomes. Predictors of 30-day mortality were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The acute ischemic strokes were caused by large-artery atherosclerosis in 37 (72.5%) of the 51 patients. We found that the most common pathogen responsible for poststroke pneumonia was Klebsiella pneumoniae, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Ultimately, 12 patients died of progressive sepsis due to pneumonia after the acute ischemic stroke. The 30-day mortality rate was 23.5%. In the univariate analysis, patients who died within 30 days had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, higher CURB-65 scores, elevated instability of hemodynamic status, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores. In Cox regression analysis, a GCS score of <9 on the day of pneumonia onset was only significant indicator for 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 6.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.12-21.30, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pneumonia after acute ischemic stroke is a severe complication. Once stroke-related pneumonia develops, neurologic assessment, CURB-65 score, and shock can be used to predict the ultimate prognosis.


Assuntos
Isquemia Encefálica/complicações , Pneumonia Bacteriana/etiologia , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/complicações , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos de Riscos Proporcionais , Estudos Retrospectivos
19.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry ; 35(1): 23-7, 2013.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23044245

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are undergoing maintenance hemodialysis have a higher prevalence of depression than the general population. The underlying cause of this association is unknown, but may be related to accumulation of uremic toxins. Little is known about the association of accumulation of uremic toxins and depression in hemodialysis patients. METHOD: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 209 CKD patients from a single institution to evaluate the associations of a soluble small uremic toxin (urea), a soluble large uremic toxin (ß2 microglobulin) and two protein-bound uremic toxins [total p-cresol sulfate (PCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS)] with the presence of depression. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients (22.4%) had depression. Depressive patients had lower body mass index, lower serum creatinine, lower serum albumin and lower total IS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses that adjusted for age, gender and other statistically significant variables indicated that depression was significantly and independently associated with lower serum albumin and lower total IS. The levels of urea, ß2 microglobulin and PCS were not significantly associated with depression. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that depression in patients with CKD was significantly and independently associated with lower serum albumin and lower total IS. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying these associations are unknown.


Assuntos
Transtorno Depressivo/epidemiologia , Falência Renal Crônica/psicologia , Diálise Renal/psicologia , Uremia/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Índice de Massa Corporal , Estudos de Coortes , Creatinina/sangue , Cresóis/sangue , Estudos Transversais , Transtorno Depressivo/sangue , Feminino , Humanos , Indicã/sangue , Falência Renal Crônica/sangue , Falência Renal Crônica/complicações , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Albumina Sérica/análise , Ésteres do Ácido Sulfúrico/sangue , Ureia/sangue , Uremia/sangue , Uremia/etiologia , Microglobulina beta-2/sangue
20.
J Chin Med Assoc ; 73(4): 199-204, 2010 Apr.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20457441

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: We investigated the health effects of low-dose radiation on cardiologists exposed to scattered radiation while performing cardiac catheterization (CC) in a hospital setting from 2003 to 2006. METHODS: We performed a 4-year retrospective study on 2, 292 medical doctors, using claims data from all contracted hospitals of the Bureau of National Health Insurance, Taiwan. We gathered statistical data regarding radiation-related diseases using the International Classification of Diseases, 9(th) Revision, Clinical Modification record numbers of each doctor. RESULTS: Of the 2,292 doctors evaluated, 1,721 were aged 35-50 years and the remaining 571 were aged 51-65 years. There were 892 cardiologists who performed CC (experimental group), and the majority of these (733/892, 82.17%) were aged 35-50 years. There were 1,400 medical doctors who performed no CC from 2003 to 2006 (control group). A total of 988 of these belonged to the 35-50 years age group and 412 to the 51-65 years group. In the 35-50 years group, the controls had significantly more medical visits for hematological and thyroid cancer (p <0.05), skin disease (p <0.001), and acute upper respiratory tract infection (p <0.001) compared with the experimental group. In contrast, cardiologists who performed catheterization had more cataracts compared with the control group, but this difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: Doctors who did not perform CC had more visits for radiation-related diseases than those who performed catheterization. In the experimental group, cardiologists aged 35-50 years who were exposed to radiation during CC had more visits for cataracts than the control group. We recommend that radiation protection concepts be emphasized to cardiologists, and that hospital managers be obligated to upgrade angiography equipment because the newer models have less scattered radiation.


Assuntos
Cateterismo Cardíaco , Cardiologia , Exposição Ocupacional/efeitos adversos , Proteção Radiológica , Adulto , Idoso , Catarata/epidemiologia , Catarata/etiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias Induzidas por Radiação/epidemiologia , Estudos Retrospectivos
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