Nickel-exposed workers in China: a cohort study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

There are more than 50 000 workers in Jinchuan Group Co, Ltd (JNMC). Since all staff in JNMC are eligible for a medical examination every two years, only 23 484 nickel-exposed subjects who participated in medical examination were included in this study. Their data, collected from June 22, 2011 to September 28, 2012, in a comprehensive epidemiological survey and during medical examinations, permitted an extensive evaluation of the relation between metal exposure, gene, epigenetics and risk of human diseases. Their lifestyle investigation showed that the overall prevalence of current smokers, alcohol drinkers, and tea drinkers was 39.1%, 19.7%, and 55.2%, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, allergic rhinitis and cholecystitis , the top 3 prevalent diseases, was 11.7%, 11.0%, and 8.9%, respectively.

Therapeutic efficacy of three bispecific antibodies on rheumatoid arthritis mice models / 药学学报

In order to obtain the lead compound for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in this study, therapeutic efficacy of three bispecific antibodies (BsAB-1, BsAB-2 and BsAB-3) against both hIL-1beta and hIL-17 were compared on CIA model mice. First, by ELISA method we compared the binding capacity of the three bispecific antibodies to the two antigens. The results showed that all three antibodies could simultaneously bind both antigens, among these antibodies, BsAB-1 was superior over BsAB-2 and BsAB-3. CIA model was established with chicken type II collagen (CII) and developed RA-like symptoms such as ankle swelling, skin tight, hind foot skin hyperemia. The CIA mice were treated with three antibodies once every two days for total of 29 days. Compared with the CIA model mice, the RA-like symptoms of the antibody treated-mice significantly relieved, while the BsAB-1 treated-mice were almost recovered. CII antibody level in the serum and cytokines (IL-2, IL-1beta, IL-17A and TNF-alpha) expression in the spleen were examined. Compared with the CIA model mice, all three antibodies could significantly reduce CII antibody and cytokine expression levels. BsAB-1 antibody was more potent than BsAB-2 and BsAB-3. In summary, BsAB-1 is superior over BsAB-2 and BsAB-3 in amelioration of RA symptoms and regulation of CII antibody production and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, therefore, BsAB-1 can be chosen as a lead compound for further development of drug candidate for treatment of RA.

The curative effects of different drugs on liver cell damage of rats induced by acute nickel carbonyl poisoning / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the curative effects of different drugs on liver cell damage of rats induced by acute nickel carbonyl poisoning.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In present study 220 SD rats were divided into control group (10 rats), carbonyl nickel group (10 rats), 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone group (40 rats), 100 mg/kg DDC group (40 rats), 10 µmol/kg sodium selenite group (40 rats), 0.25 ml shenfuhuiyangtang group (40 rats) and 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone with 100 mg/kg DDC group (40 rats). All rats except for control group inhaled passively 250 mg/m(3) carbonyl nickel for 30 minutes. At 4h and 30h after exposure, the drugs were given intraperitoneally to the rats. On the 3rd and 7th days after exposure, the liver samples were taken from 10 rats each group. The DNA damage of liver cells was detected using comet assay, the ultrastructure changes in liver cells were examined under an electronmicroscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to carbonyl nickel group, the tail lengths of liver cells in 5 groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the tail lengths of liver cells in sodium selenite and shenfuhuiyangtang groups administrated at 4h after exposure or sodium selenite, shenfuhuiyangtang and methylprednisolone with DDC groups administrated at 30h after exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), when tested on the 3rd day after exposure. Except from methylprednisolone sub-group administrated at 4h and tested on the 7th day after exposure, the tail lengths of liver cells in other groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure increased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared to carbonyl nickel group, the Olive moment of liver cells in 5 groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure decreased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared to the control group, the Olive moment of liver cells in following groups (selenite and shenfuhuiyangtang groups administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 3rd or 7th day after exposure, DDC group administrated at 4 h or 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure, DDC group administrated at 30h and tested on the 3rd day after exposure, and methylprednisolone with DDC group administrated at 30 h and tested on the 7th day after exposure) increased significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). As compared with carbonyl nickel group, the ultrastructure observation indicated that the nucleus and other organelles of liver cells in methylprednisolone, DDC and methylprednisolone with DDC groups administrated at 4h and tested on the 3rd day were access to normal levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results of present study showed that methylprednisolone, DDC and methylprednisolone with DDC could improve obviously the repair of rat liver cell damage induced by acute carbonyl nickel poisoning, and the curative effects of early treatment were better than those of later treatment.</p>

Submerged culture conditions for production of mycelial biomass and exopolysaccharides by Phellinus baumii / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the submerged culture conditions and nutritional requirments for the production of mycelial biomass and exopolysaccharides (EPS) by medicinal mushroom Phellinus baumii.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The carbon sources, nitrogen sources, inoculum volume, initial pH and temperature were investigated based on shake flask cultures, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The glucose was the most suitable carbon source for both mycelial biomass and EPS production, soy peptone was favorable nitrogen sources for both mycelial biomass and EPS production. The optimal inoculum volume, initial pH and temperature for both mycelial growth and EPS production were 6%, 6.0 and 28 degrees C, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study obtained basic datas for large-scale submerged culture of P. baumii.</p>

Identification and isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from human fetal pancreas / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and identify the phenotype and biological characteristics of pancreas derived mesenchymal stem cell.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fresh pancreas of 4-5 months old aborted fetus was dissected free from connective tissue, and was cut into small pieces. The adherent cells were harvested and subcultured, after the third subculture, the cells were used for examination. Cell cycle was analyzed by measuring DNA content by FACScan flow cytometer. Phenotype of MSCs was analyzed by immunohistochemical SA technique and differentiated cells were identified by relevant specific staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Fetal pancreas derived cells gave rise to a population of adherent cells characterized by the presence of a predominant cell type with a typical fibroblast like morphology. By transmission electron microcopy, MSC had few endoplasmic reticulums and mitochondrias. During the log phase of growth, MSC proliferated with a two fold population at 30 h. MSC can be ex vivo expanded by successive cycles of trypsinization, seeding, and culture. Under these conditions, MSC had capability of passaging up to 30 times without displaying significant changes in morphology, with 2-fold increase in cell number after each passage. This indicates the high ex vivo expansion potential of MSC. The results showed that the yield of CFU-Fs was above 200 clones even after the 6th passage. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed that more than 83% of cells were in the G0/G1 phases, while a small population of cells were actively engaged in proliferation (S + G2 + M = 17%). We also showed that more than 86% of cells were positive stained by FITC labeled CD44, CD29, CD13, and only about 1% of cells were positive for CD34, HLA-DR. Expression of collagen I, III was positive while vWF was negative. In the differentiation study, we found culture-expanded pancreas MSCs could be directed into the osteogenic lineage as detected by osteoblastic morphology, expression of alkaline phosphatase, modulation of osteocalcin mRNA production and the formation of a mineralized extracellular matrix. We also found that MSCs could give rise to the adipogenic and chondrogenic lineage as evidenced by accumulation of lipid-rich vacuoles within cells and the expression of lipoprotein lipase mRNA or the expression of collagen II and the deposition of proteoglycans.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mesenchymal stem cells existing in human pancreas can be isolated by their adherent ability and should be essential to sustain a steady supply of primitive cells in tissue remodeling.</p>