Association between cytokines and trichloroethylene-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect the cytokines levels in serums of patients with trichloroethylene-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis and explore the effect biomarkers associated with this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-two patients with TCE-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis, twenty-two healthy TCE-exposed workers from the same workshops with patients and twenty-two comparable unexposed controls were recruited in this study. Eight cytokines in serums from all subjects were detected using Liquid Suspended Biochip; the correlation among the eight cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β (IL-1β), IL-5, IL-8, IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β) and the correlation between IL-5 and eosinophil count were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The medians of levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-10, MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-8 among patients were 0.15, 80.13, 2.95, 6.45, 83.83, 1057.90, 440.22 pg/ml, respectively, which were higher than those among the TCE-exposed workers (0.09, 16.93, 0.11, 0.07, 28.75, 241.07, 28.26 pg/ml, respectively, all P values < 0.01) and unexposed controls (0.09, 3.14, 0.11, 0.07, 25.27, 209.64, 207.34 pg/ml, respectively, all P values < 0.01). The median of level of TNF-α among the patients was 13.26 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that among TCE-exposed workers (4.87 pg/ml, P < 0.01) but not among unexposed controls; the median of level of IL-5 among the TCE-exposed workers was 0.11 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that among the unexposed controls (0.11 pg/ml, P < 0.01). The median of levels of IL-8 among the unexposed controls was 207.34 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that among the TCE-exposed workers (28.26 pg/ml, P < 0.01). In case group, except for correlation of TNF-α and IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-5, the significant positive correlations were found among any two cytokines (r(IL-1β,IFN-γ) = 0.500, r(IL-1β,TNF-α) = 0.348, r(IL-1β,MCP-1) = 0.537, r(IL-1β,MIP-1β) = 0.477, r(IL-1β,IL-8) = 0.466, r(IL-1β,IL-5) = 0.610, r(IL-1β,IL-10) = 0.626, r(IFN-γ,MCP-1) = 0.460, r(IFN-γ,MIP-1β) = 0.491, r(IFN-γ,IL-8) = 0.322, r(IFN-γ,IL-5) = 0.532, r(IFN-γ,IL-10) = 0.511, r(TNF-α,MCP-1) = 0.325, r(TNF-α,MIP-1β) = 0.283, r(TNF-α,IL-8) = 0.430, r(TNF-α,IL-10) = 0.271, r(MCP-1,MIP-1β) = 0.659, r(MCP-1,IL-8) = 0.526, r(MCP-1,IL-5) = 0.504, r(MCP-1,IL-10) = 0.614, r(MIP-1β,IL-8) = 0.601, r(MIP-1β,IL-5) = 0.451, r(MIP-1β,IL-10) = 0.579, r(IL-8,IL-5) = 0.255, r(IL-8,IL-10) = 0.403, r(IL-5,IL-10) = 0.798, all P values < 0.05). The median of level of IL-5 among the patients with high eosinophils counts was 8.92 pg/ml, which was significantly higher than that among the patients with low eosinophils counts (1.04 pg/ml, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal production of IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1β, IL-5 and IL-10 was related with the pathogenesis of hypersensitivity dermatitis induced by TCE. These cytokines could be used as referential indexes in the early health surveillance and clinic disease treatment.</p>

Analysis of subgroups of lymphocyte in peripheral blood among dermatitis medicamentosa-like of trichloroethylene patients and healthy exposed workers / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of trichloroethylene (TCE) to lymphocyte subsets among exposed workers, and explore the early immunological effect biomarkers for prevention of hypersensitivity dermatitis induced by TCE.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-eight patients with TCE-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis, 56 healthy TCE-exposed workers from the same workshops with patients, and 28 comparable unexposed controls were recruited in this study. The total lymphocyte count and the major lymphocyte subsets including T cell, CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cell, B cell, NK cell in peripheral blood were measured by Flow Cytometer analysis and Standard blood count analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total lymphocyte count and T cell, CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cell among patients (median at 2810.00, 1846.17, 831.87, 904.05 cell counts/µl blood) were significantly increased compared with TCE-exposed workers (median at 2101.00, 1218.59, 643.87, 482.81 cell counts/µl blood, Z = -3.19, -4.96, -3.22, -4.99, P < 0.001) and unexposed controls (median at 1900.00, 1223.60, 558.60, 325.80 cell counts/µl blood, Z = -3.30, -4.46, -3.45, -5.03, P < 0.001), the NK cell and CD3(+)CD4(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+) ratio among patients (median at 255.50 cell counts/µl blood and 1.11) were significantly decreased compared with the unexposed controls (median at 642.60 cell counts/µl blood and 1.96, Z = -3.56 and -3.11, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, for the exposed workers, the CD8(+) T cell (median at 482.81 cell counts/µl blood) was significantly increased and the NK cell and CD3(+)CD4(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+) ratio (median at 318.76 cell counts/µl blood and 1.27) were significantly decreased compared with unexposed controls (median at 325.80 and 642.60 cell counts/µl blood and 1.96, Z = -2.63, -3.52, -2.29, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occupational exposure to TCE could affect the lymphocyte subsets, especially T cell and NK cell. The total lymphocyte count, T cell and CD4(+) T cell might be effect biomarkers for subjects with hypersensitivity dermatitis among TCE-exposed workers.</p>

Effects on serum myelin proteins of n-hexane exposure / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Exploring the effects of n-hexane on expression of serum myelin proteins in occupational exposure workers, and finding the early biomarker of n-hexane exposure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the study, 373 subjects were recruited, 269 exposure workers (work experience of more than1 year) and 104 non-exposure workers were selected. Firstly examined the level of urinary 2,5-hexanedione in the two groups, based on urinary 2,5-hexanedione biological limit value (4 mg/L), the exposed group was divided into high-exposed group and low-exposed group. And then collected blood samples and extracted serum. Human peripheral myelin protein zero (P0) antibody (IgG, IgM) and human peripheral myelin protein two (P2) antibody (IgG, IgM) analysis was performed according to ELISA kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The concentration of urinary 2,5-hexanedione in the exposed group was (3.10 ± 1.35) mg/L. The level of P0 antibody (IgG, IgM) and P2 antibody (IgG, IgM) in the high-exposed group and low-exposed group were both higher than that in the controls (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>P0 antibody and P2 antibody could be used as the early biomarkers of n-hexane exposure, which not only evaluate the occupational hazards in the early, but also provide the policy maker with scientific evidence.</p>

Effects of n-hexane exposure on human serum myelin basic proteins / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of n-hexane on expression of serum myelin proteins (MBP) in workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, 269 workers exposed to n-hexane for more than one year and 104 subjects not exposed to n-hexane served as the exposure group and the control group, respectively. The urinary 2,5-hexanedione levels in all subjects were detected. On the basis of urinary 2,5-hexanedione levels, the exposure group was divided into the high exposure sub-group and low exposure sub-group. The serum myelin basic protein (MBP) levels were measured by ELISA kit.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean concentration of urinary 2,5-hexanedione in the exposed group was (3.10 +/- 1.35) mg/L. The concentration of urinary 2,5-hexanedione in the control group was undetectable. The levels of serum MBP in the high exposure sub-group and low exposure sub-group were (2.43 +/- 0.24) and (1.62 +/- 0.23) microg/L, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (0.78 +/- 0.12) microg/L in the controls (P < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis showed the positive correlation between serum MBP levels and urinary 2,5-hexanedione levels (r = 0.781, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of present study showed that the serum MBP levels of workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane significantly elevated, and the serum MBP can serve as the effective biomarker of n-hexane exposure.</p>

Construction of Pseudomonas sp. M18 pqsR Mutant and Its Regulation on Plt Biosynthesis / 微生物学通报

Pseudomonas sp. M18 is one of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria capable of producing two kinds of anti-fungal agents: phenazine-1-carboxilic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt). The pqsR gene, which encodes a LysR family member PqsR, was amplified from chromosomal genome of strain M18. Using the homologous recombination technique, a chromosomal pqsR inactivated mutant strain M18PRG was constructed in Pseudomonas sp. M18. To study the effect of pqsR gene on Plt biosynthesis, the dynamic curves of Plt production by strains M18 and M18PRG was measured in KMB media. As a result, Plt production of the pqsR mutant was three to four folds higher than that of its parent strain M18. The Plt production was restored to the wild-type level when strain M18PRG was complemented with pqsR gene in trans. The regulation of pqsR gene on Plt production was further confirmed by the pltA′-′lacZ translational fusion analysis. These results indicate that pqsR gene negatively controls the Plt biosynthesis. Additionally, by analyzing the growth curves of wild type strain M18 and pqsR mutant, wecan readily find that PqsR has a negative influence on cell growth. It was also shown that the production of red pigments in strain M18 required the expression of pqsR gene. In conclusion, the data presented in this study clearly demonstrate that PqsR acts as a global regulator involved in many physiological activities in Pseudomonas sp. M18.

Inhibitory effect of new antimicrobial substance by Bacillus subtilis fmbJ on Newcastle disease virus and infectious Bursal disease virus in vitro / 生物工程学报

The resistance effect on Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Infectious Bursal Disease Virus(IBDV) in vitro of a new antimicrobial substance (AS), which produced by a Bacillus subtilis strain named B. subtilis fmbJ. Results showed that the TD50 and TD0 value of this AS on Chicken Embryo Fibroblasts cell (CEF) were 128.95mg/L and 25.79mg/L, respectively. This AS could strongly inhibit the cytopathic effects of cell induced by NDV as well as IBDV, and increase the survival rate of cell remarkably. This AS could inhibit the function of NDV and IBDV, and it could defend against the infection and inhibit multiplication of NDV and IBDV, and the effect was the same as the antiviral medicine Ribavirin. It had lower toxicity to CEF cell, therefore we would study it further that it was as antiviral medicine.

Isolation and identification of lipopeptides produced by Bacillus subtilis fmbJ / 生物工程学报

Isolation and idenfication of lipopeptides from Bacillus subtilis fmbJ was carried out in this paper. With HPLC method, it was determined that the antimicrobial substance was composed of many components, and one of them had the similar retention time similar to surfactin. In addition, the antimicrobial substance was proved to include the closed cycle peptide bind by TLC, and one of them had the migrating rate similar to surfactin. Furthermore, ESI-MS analysis showed that the antimicrobial substance contained five homologues of fengycin, such as m/z1449.9, m/zl1463.8, m/zl1477.8, m/z1491.9 and m/z1505.9, and three homologues of surfactin, such as m/z1008.8, m/z1022.8 and m/z1036.8.

Media optimization for the novel antimicrobial peptide by Bacillus sp. fmbJ224 / 生物工程学报

The novel antimicrobial peptide in submerged fermentation by Bacillus sp. fmbJ224 is strongly influenced by many internal and external factors, namely medium constituents and fermentation conditions. In this study, Plackett-Burman design was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the seventeen factors. By the statistical regression analysis, the significant factors affecting the novel antimicrobial peptide in submerged fermentation by Bacillus sp. fmbJ224 were determined as follows: glucose, NH4NO3, glutamic acid, CaCl2, MnSO4. In the second phase of the optimization process, a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the above critical internal factors, and to find out the optimization concentraction levels and the relationships between these factors. By solving the quadratic regression model equation using appropriate statistic methods, the optimal concentration of the variables were determined as: 8.13 g/L glucose, 6.14 g/L NH4NO3, 4.2 g/L glutamic acid, 3.98 mg/L CaCl2, 4.87 mg/L MnSO4. The content of the novel antimicrobial peptide was increased from 1304.21 microg/mL to 1487.58 microg/mL. The experimental data under various conditions have validated the theoretical values.

Construction and Characterization of a ppbR gene Mutant of Pseudomonas sp. M18 / 微生物学通报

Pseudomonas sp. M18, one of plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria, can produce secondary metabolites including phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (Plt). PA2572 gene coding protein is a probable two-component response regulator in Pseudomonas according to homologous speculations. In order to investigate its genetic function, PA2572 homologous gene, ppbR, was amplified from M18 genome, inactivated by inserting a Gm cassette. The resulting reconstruct was introduced into the M18 genome using homologous recombination technique, so as to obtain the null mutant M18P. The results showed that the M18P has less flagellar swimming and swarming motility, and yielded fewer PCA. The production of PCA was only 50% of the wild type. However, there was no remarkable difference between mutant and wild type in producing pyoluteorin in KMB medium.