ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of long-term low-level lead load on the immune function of occupationally exposed workers. METHODS: The convenient sampling method was used to select 57 lead-exposed workers as the observation group.These workers had the blood lead level of ≥300 μg/L and <400 μg/L.They worked in a battery plant from 2009 to 2018. Another 61 none-lead exposed logistical personnel with blood lead level of <100 μg/L were selected as the control group. The blood lead levels and immune function indicators were detected in these 2 groups, including serum immunoglobulin(Ig)G, IgA, IgM, complement(C) 3, C4, C-reactive protein(CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) level, blood intermediate cell(MID) count and MID ratio(MID%).The abnormal rates of the above immune indexes were calculated. RESULTS: The median blood lead level in the observation group was 338 μg/L. The levels of IgA(M: 2.3 vs 1.9 g/L), C3 [(10.8 ± 1.7) vs(10.1±1.5) mg/L] and C4(M: 2.6 vs 2.3 mg/L) of observation group decrease(P<0.05), the abnormal rate of IgG increased(1.6% vs 14.0%, P<0.05), compared with the control group. The other immune indexes of these two groups were compared, and the differences showed no statistical significance(P>0.05). Blood lead level was negatively correlated with C3 level and positively correlated with TNF-α level(Spearman correlation coefficients were-0.20, 0.19, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low level lead might have an impact on the immune system of lead-exposed workers.
ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the effects of polymorphism of A9570G in angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 gene ( ACE2) gene on cardiac dysfunction and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. Methods 252 patients with old myccardial infarction were included in this study. They were classified according to their polymorphisms of ACE 2 gene analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Echocardiograms were used to determine left ventricular end diastolic diameters (LVEDd) , Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) , mitral flow pattern early diastolic and late diastolic peak flow ratio (E/A) and left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF). Results In male, LVEDd, LVMI, and LVEF had significant difference among ACE2 genotypes ( t = 2. 609,3.527and 2.063, P =0.010,0.001 and 0.041), and no significant differences in E/A( t =0.689,P =0.492). In female,LVEDd, LVMI, E/A and LVEF had no significant difference among ACE2 genotypes( F =0. 848, 0.077,0. 985 and 1.611, P = 0. 432,0. 926,0. 377 and 0. 205 ). Conclusion The polymorphism of A9570G in ACE2 gene may be associated with cardiac dysfunction and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in male. ACE 2 gene polymorphism may be a genetic factor on cardiac dysfunction and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.
ABSTRACT
The characteristics of onset time of cough variant asthma (CVA) match with the human hypnagogic and arousal time nodes, which are also in accordance with the time of defensive qi entering yin and exiting yang of human body. Reviewing the generation and physiological function of defensive qi, we hold that the onset of CVA is related to the lung, the spleen and the kidney. Deficiency of the three viscera leads to defi ciency of defensive qi defi ciency, and blockade of the circulation pathway of defensive qi on body surface, thus interaction of the two factors results in the special time nods of CVA’s onset, which is also the basic pathomechenism of CVA.