Research progress on the relation and related mechanism of night shift work and cardiovascular disease / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Cardiovascular disease is a class of diseases involving the heart or blood vessels, which accounts for about one-third of all deaths worldwide each year. Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease. With the increasing number of night shift workers, the number of patients with cardiovascular disease has increased, and night shift work has gradually become a risk factor of cardiovascular disease. At present, the mechanism of cardiovascular disease caused by night shift work is still unclear. This review summarizes the relationship between night shift work and cardiovascular disease and its related biochemical indicators, and discusses the research on related mechanisms.

Research progress on the role of lncRNA in the occurrence and development of malignant mesothelioma / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a long latency, poor prognosis and asbestos exposure related malignant disease. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a kind of RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotides that does not encode protein. It plays an important role in epigenetic regulation, cell cycle regulation and cell differentiation regulation. Recent studies have shown that the abnormal expression or function of lncRNA is closely related to the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. In this paper, the lncRNA research on MM is reviewed to better understand the role of lncRNA in MM.

Analysis of Health Service Utilization and its Influencing Factors among Patients with Pneumoconiosis in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Pneumoconiosis, an interstitial lung disease that occurs from breathing in certain kinds of damaging dust particles, is a major occupational disease in China. Patients diagnosed with occupational pneumoconiosis can avail of free medical treatment, whereas patients without a diagnosis of occupational diseases cannot not claim free medical treatment in most provinces from the government before 2019. This study aimed to analyze the priority of medical facility selection and its influencing factors among patients with pneumoconiosis. A total of 1,037 patients with pneumoconiosis from nine provinces in China were investigated. The health service institutions most frequently selected by the patients were county-level hospitals (37.5%). The main reason for the choice was these hospitals' close distance to the patients' homes (47.3%). The factors for the choice of health care institutions were living in the eastern region (

A study on the mRNA expression of cell cycle related genes in population occupationally exposed to hexavalent chromium / 预防医学

Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of hexavalent chromium exposure on mRNA expression of cell cycle related genes in electroplating workers, and to provide population data for investigating the toxic mechanisms of hexavalent chromium. Methods A total of 155 cases of workers occupationally exposed to hexavalent chromium were selected, including 89 males and 66 females, and the average age of workers was 39.65±8.856 years old. Questionnaire was used to collect essential information of workers. Peripheral blood was collected from electroplating workers. The inductively couple plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MAS) was used to measure total blood chromium content. The workers were divided into four groups according to the blood chromium content. After extracting total RNA from whole blood and reverse transcription, the mRNA expression levels of p16 and CDK6 genes were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Meanwhile, the levels of blood chromium (BCr) and the mRNA expression of p16 and CDK6 genes were compared among four groups. The impact of BCr, smoking habits, drinking habits, gender on the mRNA expression of CDK6 gene was analyzed. Results The levels of BCr in group 1 to 4 were 0.04ppb, 0.47±0.29 ppb, 2.76±1.16 ppb, 9.36 ±4.38 ppb, respectively, and the difference between every two groups was significant (P<0.05) . The median of p16 gene expression in four groups was 4.22, 7.19, 7.47, and 14.60, respectively, and the difference between every two groups was not significant (P>0.05) . The mRNA expression levels of CDK6 gene in groups 2 to 4 were 15.05, 8.03 and 24.81, respectively, which were significantly higher than that in group 1 (P<0.05) . The results of logistic regression showed that the level of Bcr was the main influence factor, while smoking habits, drinking habits and gender had no obvious impact on the mRNA expression of CDK6 gene. Conclusions Long-term exposure of hexavalent chromium led to higher mRNA expression of CDK6 gene, and it may serve as a biomarker for workers occupationally exposed to hexavalent chromium.

An investigation on satisfaction of occupational health examination and diagnosis of occupational diseases in Zhejiang Province / 预防医学

Objective To investigate the employers' and employees' satisfaction of Zhejiang Province on occupation health examination and diagnosis of occupational diseases, and to guide and to standardize the occupation health examination and occupational disease diagnosis. Methods A random sample of 953 employers, 1791 workers with health examination and 135 workers with diagnosis of occupational diseases were selected in the survey, and the questionnaire about the Satisfuction on occupation health examination and occupation disease diagnosis were used in this survey. Results A total of 2879 questionnaires were sent out, in which 2841 valid questionnaires were returned, and the effective recovery rate was 98.68%. The recognition rates on comfortable environment, clear instructions process, workflow notification, and attention notification were all above 98%. The satisfaction rates for all items were above 86%, and the total satisfaction rate was 89.27% . The total satisfaction rates of workers with health examination, workers with diagnosis of occupational diseases and employers were 89.28%, 82.03%, and 90.22%, respectively. The recognition rates on clear instructions process and attention notification, and the satisfaction rates on service attitude, result information and overall satisfaction were significantly different between different types of respondents (P<0.05) . The results of pair wise comparison showed that the satisfaction rates of workers with diseases diagnosis on service attitude, results information and overall satisfaction were significantly lower than those of employers (P<0.05) . The overall satisfaction rate of workers with diagnosis of occupational diseases was lower than that of workers with health examination (P=0.011) . The recognition rates of workers with health examination on clear instructions process and attentions notification were lower than those of employers (P<0.016) . There was a significant difference in the overall satisfaction between respondents in different regions (P<0.01) . Conclusion The service of occupational health examination and occupational disease diagnosis services should be further improved. We should better learn the demands of employees and employers, improve service attitude, optimize service processes, shorten service time, and improve service quality and satisfaction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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