Autophagy in lung tissue of rats exposed to silica dust / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the autophagy of effector cells in lung tissue at different time points when rats were exposed to free SiO2 dust.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty Wistar rats (220∼230 g) were selected and allocated to experimental group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30). In the experimental group, a rat silicosis model was established by infusing SiO2 suspension into the trachea of rats. Six rats in each group were sacrificed on days 1, 7, 14, 21, or 28 of dust exposure. Lung tissue samples were collected to prepare lung tissue sections. The pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis were observed by HE staining. The proautophagosome, autophagosome, and autophagolysosome in lung tissue sections were observed under a transmission electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>On day 1 of dust exposure, many proautophagosomes and autophagosomes were seen in both experimental group and control group. On day 7 of dust exposure, the experimental group had more autophagosomes in lung tissue than the control group. On day 14 of dust exposure, the experimental group had fewer autophagosomes than the control group. On days 21 and 28, autophagolysosomes were seen in macrophage plasma in both experimental group and control group; the autophagolysosomes in experimental group showed cloudy swelling and expansion, and some were vacuolated, and these changes were more significant on day 28.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Free SiO2 dust can induce autophagy in the lung tissue of rats, with varying degrees at different time points of dust exposure.</p>

Macrophage apoptosis and the levels of interleukin-1 and interleukin-8 in the rats exposed to silica / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the roles of macrophage apoptosis, IL-1, and IL-8 in the pathogenesis of rat pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty eight male Wistar rats were divided into the 4 control groups (24 rats) and 4 experimental groups (24 rats). Rats in the control groups were treated with 1 ml normal saline by trachea instillation, whereas the rats in experimental groups were exposed 1 ml silica suspension (100 mg/ml) by trachea instillation for 1, 7, 14 and 28 days, respectively. Six rats of each group were sacrificed, then the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissues were collected, respectively. Pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis and other pathological changes were detected with H.E. staining. Morphological changes of the early stage apoptosis in macrophages were detected with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The early apoptosis rates of macrophages in BALF were also assessed using Annexin V-FITC/PI kit. The IL-1 and IL-8 levels of serum were measured with the ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The apoptotic rates (11.48% +/- 0.24%, 16.03% +/- 0.68%, 15.53% +/- 1.07%, 18.92% +/- 2.70%, respectively) of macrophage in the experimental groups increased obviously with time, as compared to the controls (5.47% +/- 2.06%, 6.39% +/- 0.215, 9.07% +/- 0.61% and 8.54% +/- 0.16%, Respectively) (P < 0.05). The IL-1 levels of serum in the experimental groups were 23.64 +/- 0.84, 23.38 +/- 1.10, 22.21 +/- 0.86 and 24.29 +/- 1.31 pg/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (18.52 +/- 1.23, 18.40 +/- 1.6, 17.92 +/- 2.21 and 18.53 +/- 2.64 pg/ml, respectively) in the control groups (P < 0.05) without time-effect relationship. The serum IL-8 levels on the 1st, 7th and 14th days in the experimental groups were 21.32 +/- 1.44, 21.90 +/- 2.08 and 22.00 +/- 2.80 pg/ml, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (17.69 +/- 1.09, 16.98 +/- 2.09 and 17.54 +/- 1.62 pg/ml, respectively) in the control groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The early macrophage apoptosis and changes of IL-1 and IL-8 may in lungs may play an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis induced by silica.</p>

Analysis of component and source of fine particulate matter in sarcoidosis granulomatous cells / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the source of the fine particulate matter (PM(2.5)) in the sarcoidosis granulomatous cell and the relationship between the sarcoidosis and the PM(2.5) in the atmosphere.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Paraffin-embedded tissues of 50 cases of human sarcoidosis biopsy samples, 10 cases of non-sarcoidosis autopsy lung samples, 18 cases of lung tissues (with granulomatous lesions) of rats exposed to PM(2.5) by bronchial infusion, and the free PM(2.5) sample in the atmosphere were collected. The characteristics of tissues above mentioned were observed under the light microscopy, which stained by HE staining and Warthin-Starry silver staining. The characteristics of the PM(2.5) in the four groups were analyzed using confocal Raman microscopy. The component of the PM(2.5) in the sarcoidosis granuloma was analyzed using transmission electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray detector (TEM-EDX), and the component of the PM(2.5) in the atmosphere was analyzed with X-ray fluorescence separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The PM(2.5) in the four groups have the similar Raman spectrum, they share the feature of carbonaceous composition, the element component of PM(2.5) in the human sarcoidosis was the same as PM(2.5) in the atmosphere.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study provided the further evidence that the PM(2.5) in the sarcoidosis lesion was from PM(2.5) in the atmosphere, and it should be not excepted that sarcoidosis may be a sensitive individual reaction to the PM(2.5) inhaled from the atmosphere.</p>

Effect of occupational stress on menses and sex hormones of female knitting workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of occupational stress on menses and sex hormones.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>415 female knitting workers were investigated using the generic job stress questionnaire. Their venous blood were collected and the six sex hormones were detected by using radio-immune method. The different rate of abnormal menses and sex hormones level between different stress degree groups were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The abnormal rate of menses, menstrual blood volume, menstrual cycle, menstrual period was 36.24%, 19.80%, 14.43%, 11.41% respectively. The prevalence rate of dysmenorrheal and premenstrual syndrome was 1.01% and 29.19% respectively. The more depression, the higher menses disorders in non-intrauterine device (IUD) group. The more job demands, the higher daily stress in IUD group while the longer work time, the more abnormal menstrual period in two groups. More physical symptoms and deeper depression in non-IUD group were related to higher abnormal rate of menstrual blood volume. The level of blood E2 was lower in the group of prolonged work-time than that of in normal work-time group. The increasing FSH level and decreasing T level was associated with higher job demands. Multiple factor analysis showed that physical symptom, control of resource and negative life affairs were the risk factors of menses disorder; The physical symptom was the risk factor of menstrual blood volume; More physical symptoms, less positive feeling and shift were the risk factors of premenstrual syndrome; Less positive feeling was the risk factor of menstrual cycle; Prolonged daily work-time was the risk factor of menstrual period.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Higher stress degree can lead to higher FSH and E2 and lower T level,and induce menses disorder.</p>

Investigation on job stress of pediatricians and nurses working in pediatric department / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the occupational stressors and modifiers of pediatricians and nurses in order to find the measurements for control of the job stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>427 pediatricians and nurses working in five hospitals of a city served as subjects. Of them, the staff in section of pharmacy and toll offices in each hospital mentioned above served as control group. The General Job Stress Questionnaire was used to investigate the job stress by self-assessment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The scores of job demand, job risk, drug using, daily job stress, positive feelings, patient A behavior, physical environment and feeling balance in pediatricians and nurses were higher than those of control group, but the scores of job-person conflict, environmental control, technology utility, mental health, responsibility on things were lower than those of control group (P<0.05). The points of job future, job locus of control, self-esteem, job satisfaction, job load variance, depression in nurses were higher than those of pediatricians, and non-work activities, job risk and daily life stress were lower than those of doctors (P<0.05). The main affecting factors on job strain of pediatric staff included job monotony, higher job demand, more non-work job, lower job control, more job risk, job future ambiguous, poorer social support, lower job locus control and lower self-esteem.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The stress degree of pediatric staff is higher than that of controls. The pediatricians have more job stress than that of nurses. The main stressors of pediatric staff are job monotony, higher job demand, more non-worker activity, lower job control, higher job risk and ambiguous job future. The main modifiers are good social support, external job locus of control and higher self-esteem.</p>

Relationship between gene polymorphism of transforming growth factor-beta and pneumoconiosis / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the association between genetic polymorphisms of TGF-beta (TGF-beta) and susceptibility to pneumoconiosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and seventeen patients with pneumoconiosis were selected as case. The control group was workers exposed to dust but without pneumoconiosis who had the same sex, nationality, and workshop or work site as case. The differences in the age and cumulative exposure time between the case and control group were not move than five years and two years, respectively. The case matched with the control according to 1:1. Polymerase chains reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine the frequencies of TGF-beta genes in the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of this TGF-beta (-509) genotypes were CC (22.2%), CT (43.6%) and TT (34.2%) in cases, which was significantly different from the control group, respectively (OR = 1.390, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference for frequency of TGF-beta+869 genotypes and allelic between case and control (P > 0.05). The frequencies of the TGF-beta (+915) genotypes in case [GG (70.9%), GC (29.1%)] were significantly different from the control group (OR = 1.455, P < 0.05). The frequency of TGF-beta (+915) * C allele in the case and control was 14.5% and 8.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). The frequencies of carrying TGF-beta (-509) CC and (+915) GG genotypes were 12.8% and 29.9% in case and control. The frequencies of carrying TGF-beta (-509) * T and (+915) * C alleles were 9.8% and 5.1% in pneumoconiosis and control (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TGF-beta (-509)CC genotype may be the protective factor for the pneumoconiosis. TGF-beta (+915)GC genotype may be a susceptible factor for the pneumoconiosis. The workers of carrying TGF-beta (-509) * T and (+915) * C alleles are more susceptible to pneumoconiosis.</p>

Association of genetic polymorphism of XPD with chromosomal damage in workers exposed to radiation / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore association genetic polymorphism of XPD with chromosomal damage in workers exposed to radiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>182 workers exposed to radiation for at least one year with chromosomal damage were selected as cases based on a general health examination for all workers exposed to radiation in Tangshan city. The control group without chromosomal damage was matched to case by age (within 5 years), sex, work unit, type of exposed to radiation, cumulate serve length (within 1 year) according to 1:1. The micro whole blood cultivation was used for the chromosome analysis. The chromosome aberration type and rate were observed and counted. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to examine the genotype of three XPD loci (751, 312 and 156).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of XPD 751 AA in cases was higher than that in controls (P < 0.05). The frequency of 751 allele in case group was statistically higher than that in the control groups (P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found in the frequencies of XPD 312 genotype and allele between the case and control group (P > 0.05). 156 mutant gene type in case group was higher than that in the control groups. The frequency of 156 A allele in case group were higher than that of the control groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of genotype with both 751AA and 156CA or 751AA and 156AA was higher in cases than that of controls (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>XPD 751AA genotype is a possible risk factor for radiation-induced chromosomal damage. XPD 156 mutant gene type is a possible risk factor for radiation-induced chromosomal damage. Individuals with both XPD 751AA and 156 (CA+AA) genotypes are susceptible to radiation-induced chromosomal damage. No association of XPD 312 polymorphism with radiation-induced chromosomal damage is found.</p>

Relationship between polymorphism of interleukin-1 and pneumoconiosis susceptibility / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between the polymorphism of Interleukin-1 and the pneumoconiosis susceptibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty patients with silicosis and 45 with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) were selected while 125 male workers, Han nationality in the same workplace as the patients were selected as the controls. Between the patients and the control, the differences of age and cumulative length of service were less than five years and two years, respectively. The controls were exposed to dusts but did not suffer from pneumoconiosis. Moreover, the patients and the controls were paired by 1:1. DNA was extracted from leucocytes by the hydroxybenzene chloroform method. The polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques and PCR were used to examine polymorphism of IL-1alpha (-889), IL-1beta (-511) and IL-1Ra (+2018) and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of IL-1Ra. After the preliminary experiment, the most adaptive PCR reaction, the restriction enzyme digest and electrophoresis system were used.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference in IL-1alpha (-889) 1/2 + 2/2 between the pneumoconiosis patients and the controls was significant (P < 0.01). The result of conditional Logistic regression showed that heterozygote and allele 2 of IL-1a (-889) were risk factors of pneumoconiosis. The difference in the genotype frequencies of IL-1beta (-511) 1/2 + 2/2, IL-1Ra (+2018) 1/2 + 2/2 and IL-Ra VNTR1/2 + 2/2 between the patients and the controls were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-1alpha (-889) gene polymorphism is related to pneumoconiosis. Workers with IL-1alpha (-889) allele 2 are susceptible to the pneumoconiosis. The relationship between IL-1beta (-511), IL-1Ra (+2018), IL-1Ra VNTR genes polymorphisms and pneumoconiosis are not found.</p>

Relationship between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and susceptibility to radiation injury / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and susceptibility to radiation injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In 1:1 case-control study, 113 abnormal chromosome workers exposed to ionizing radiation were selected as cases and 113 normal chromosome as controls who matched with case for sex, age (+/- 5 years), nation, type of work, the same or more but in 2 years work length and the same similar levels of the cumulative exposure radiation dose. Genotypes were analysed using PCR based restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of XRCC1 26304TT allele in case group (18.58%) was significantly higher than that in control group (7.08%), with OR for radiation damage being 3.47 (95% CI 1.43 - 8.44, P < 0.05). No association was observed between XRCC1 G27466A and G28152A and susceptibility to radiation injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The mutation of XRCC1 C26304T is related with the susceptibility to radiation injury. The polymorphisms of XRCC1 G27466A and G28152A are not found to have association with abnormal chromosomes.</p>

A study of high altitude environment affecting on worker's health during the constructing Qinghai-Xizang railway / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study high altitude environment affecting on worker's health</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the cohort study, the altitude reaction was investigated and the WBC, RBC, Hb and oxygenation indexes were measured on workers in several periods, namely, acclimatization period, initially arrived high altitude and resident 90 days.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 83.3% of men had altitude reactions with different kinds at initially arrived high altitude. The headache was the most. The rate of abnormal blood pressure increased with altitude and resident time (P < 0.01). The rate of 90 day's group was 41.7%. The rise of diastole pressure was obvious (P < 0.01). As the beginning of arrived highland, the increase of WBC, RBC were significant (P < 0.01). The increase of Hb appeared only in 90 day's group. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) obviously increased during acclimatization period and increased with altitude and resident time (P < 0.01). The activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased significantly in 90 day's group [(222.36 +/- 36.52) x 10(3) U/L, (158.49 +/- 14.42) U/L, (45.74 +/- 8.31) NU/ml respectively] (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The high altitude environment may result in the abnormal blood pressure, the rise of diastolic pressure was important. It lead to the increase of WBC, RBC, Hb. It initiated activity of oxygenation reaction. The symptoms of headache, dizziness, loss of appetite and insomnia appeared as working in high altitude environment.</p>

The effects of three kinds of biochemical indices on evaluation of occupational stress / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the feasibility of monoamine neurotransmitters, serum glucose, serum glycerinate and cholesterol as objective indices for evaluating occupational stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Job stressors, modifiers, job strains in 844 people with four kinds of occupation were investigated, and the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters, glucose, glycerinate and cholesterol in blood were detected at the same time. The methods of multiple stepwise regression and covariance analysis were used to analyze the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was close relationship between monoamine neurotransmitters and job stressors, the forecast of the equation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) was 0.7238, 0.5703, 0.4438 respectively, the critical values of them were 804.00, 226.00 and 275.00 ng/ml respectively. There was a little contribution of job stressors to the equation of glucose, glycerinate and cholesterol, the critical values were 6.40, 2.51 and 5.92 mmol/L respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Monoamine neurotransmitters may be a direct objective evaluating indices. Sugar, glycerinate and cholesterol may be an indirect objective indices.</p>

Effect of occupational stress on cardiovascular function of different vocational population / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of occupational stress on cardiovascular function of different vocational population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The occupational stressors, risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were investigated by questionnaire in 839 people with 4 kinds of jobs. Blood pressure, sugar, and lipid were detected at the same time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Blood pressure were higher in the groups of old age, long standing and teachers, and the abnormal rate of blood pressure was 21.69%. There was no difference in abnormal ECG among ages, standing and occupation, and the abnormal rate of ECG was 19.07%. Job control, job demands, job responsibility, role in a job and shift work were the main stress factors affecting systolic and diastolic blood pressure. More conflict in job, less chance of participation, severe job loads were the risk factors of primary hypertension. Accident due to job responsibility, job responsibility, role in a job were the main risk factors of abnormal electrocardiograph. Self-respect and activity beyond work were the good modifiers of heart function.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occupational stress has certain effect on cardiovascular function.</p>