Characterization of a novel allergenic protein from the octocoral Scleronephthya gracillima (Kuekenthal) that corresponds to a new GFP-like family named Akane.

Certain marine organisms have been known to cause allergic reactions among occupational fishermen. We have previously reported that bronchial asthma among the workers engaged in spiny lobster fishing in Japan was caused by octocorals such as Dendronephthya sp. and Scleronephthya gracillima (previously named Alcyonium gracillimum). Now we have found another octocoral, Scleronephthya gracillima (Kuekenthal), which causes the allergic disease in fishermen. The octocoral was characterized as a new green fluorescent protein (GFP)-like family. The new allergen has a molecular mass of 27 kDa in 1D and 2D SDS-PAGE under reduced conditions. The 27 kDa component was determined to be an allergen by western blotting, ECL immune staining method and absorption of patient sera with the antigen. Furthermore, the combination of analysis with LC-ESI-MS/MS and MASCOT search in the NCBInr database concluded the 27 kDa component had the sequence YPADI/LPDYFK, and that the 22 kDa component had the sequence QSFPEGFSWER, which both matched a GFP-like protein in Acropora aculeus and in Montastraea annularis. Further analysis by MALDI-TOF/MS/MS and MASCOT search in the NCBInr database of all 27 kDa eight spot components from 2D SDS-PAGE indicated that the sequence QSFPEGFSWER also matched as GFP-like protein in Lobophyllia hemprichii and Scleractinia sp. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the new allergenic protein that corresponds to a new GFP-like protein named Akane, and which has fluorescent emissions in the red and green part of the spectra at 628 nm and 508 nm, respectively.

Chronic arsenic poisoning in drinking water in Inner Mongolia and its associated health effects.

Since 1990, a large number of people have been experiencing various health problems from drinking arsenic contaminated water (50-1860 microg/L) in 13 counties of Inner Mongolia, China, most of which are located in the Hetao Plain area. It is calculated that 411,243 people are currently at risk from arsenic poisoning. Clinical and epidemiological investigations were carried out on 13,021 people to ascertain the nature and degree of morbidity that occurred due to chronic arsenic toxicity. In all of the studied patients, 22% had typical hyperkeratosis on the palms or soles and some had raindrop-like hyperpigmentation and depigmentation on the trunk. Other data recorded included subjective and objective symptoms, such as chronic cough (35.0%) and insomnia (37.5%). During physical checkups of 680 villagers in arsenic affected areas, liver function tests showed elevated globulin levels in 6.8% (P value=0.006) of the subjects. Neurotoxicity manifesting as loss of hearing 5.88 (P value=0.005), loss of taste 5.44% (P value=0.001), blurred vision 17.35% (P value=0.000), tingling and numbness of the limbs 33.53% (P value=0.000) and hypertension 8.09% (P value=0.000) were significantly higher in the arsenic affected villages and arsenic pollution also seemed to affect patients' social life and mental health. To solve the problem of arsenic exposure, the quality of drinking water needs to be improved by reducing the arsenic content. We also plan to carry out a survey to detect the incidence and types of cancer among this population.

[A case of chrome asthma induced by exposure to the stone cutter dust].

The case of a forty-six year old, male patient with asthma caused by exposure to dust containing chrome is presented. When the patient was nineteen years old, he started working as a stonemason in a factory. He cut and ground stone with a stone-cutter to make statues and tombstones. Three years after staring to work, contact dermatitis was observed on his arms and hands. Within six years of work, he suffered from chronic coughing. After eight years, he experienced bronchial asthma attacks with wheezing and dyspnea. He had been exposed to dust for eight years before developing asthma. The symptoms increased gradually. He fell into severe asthma attacks causing unconsciousness and dyspnea. Several common therapies were not effective. The characteristics of his clinical course and occupational history suggested that the asthma must be caused by exposure to dust containing metal generated in the factory. Skin Patch Tests (SPT) were performed for cobalt, copper, iron, chrome, tin, and manganese salt. The result of the SPT indicated a strong positive result for potassium dichromate and positive for chromium sulfate, but did not show any indications in the control or for other metallic salt. Fluorescent X-ray analysis detected that chrome was present in the powder dust under the stone-cutter machine. However, the fluorescent X-ray analysis did not detect chrome in the stone materials. It was suggested that chrome must be contained in the metal dust generated from the steel cutter used to cut off and grind the stone. The metal component in the used cutter edge and the unused cutter edge were analyzed with electro-probe microanalyzer (EPMA). The result revealed that chrome was contained in the used, dull cutter edge and not in the new sharp cutter edge. Thus, the patient had been exposed to the dust containing chrome generated from part of the stainless steel of cutter. He had sensitized to chrome and this had caused the occupational chrome-asthma.

Arsenic in drinking water and peripheral nerve conduction velocity among residents of a chronically arsenic-affected area in Inner Mongolia.

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether chronic ingestion of arsenic in drinking water affects the peripheral nervous system. We examined the effects of arsenic exposure on nerve conduction velocity using electromyography. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted of a population living in an arsenic-affected village in Hetao Plain, Inner Mongolia, China. A total of 134 (93.7%) of 143 inhabitants took part in the study, and 36 (76.6%) of 47 inhabitants in a low-arsenic exposed village were recruited as a control group. Of the participants, 109 inhabitants in the arsenic-affected village and 32 in the low-arsenic exposed village aged > or =18 years were used for the analyses. An expert physician performed skin examinations, and median nerve conduction velocity was examined by electromyography. Arsenic levels in tube-well water and urine were measured. A mean level of arsenic in tube-well water in the arsenic-affected village was 158.3 microg/L, while that in the low-arsenic exposed village was 5.3 microg/L. RESULTS: No significant differences in the means of the motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) were observed in relation to arsenic levels in tube wells, urine, and the duration of tube-well use. Further, no differences in mean MCV or SCV were found between the subjects with and without arsenic dermatosis, with mean SCV of 52.8 m/s (SD 6.3) in those without and 54.6 m/s (5.2) in subjects with arsenic dermatosis (p=0.206). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that chronic arsenic poisoning from drinking water is unlikely to affect nerve conduction velocity, at least within the range of arsenic in drinking water examined in the present study.

Chronic arsenic exposure and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in an arsenic-affected area in Inner Mongolia, China.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown that generation of reactive oxidants during arsenic metabolism can play an important role in arsenic-induced injury. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between arsenic in drinking water and oxidative stress in humans by measuring 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in an arsenic-affected village in Hetao Plain, Inner Mongolia, China. A total of 134 of the 143 inhabitants (93.7%) of the village participated in the study. The levels of 8-OHdG, arsenic and its metabolites were measured in urine collected from the participants. Regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between arsenic species and 8-OHdG levels in urine. RESULTS: In the polluted village, monomethylarsenic was significantly higher in subjects with arsenic dermatosis than those without dermatosis despite no difference in mean levels of arsenic in well water between both types of subject. For subjects with arsenic dermatosis, arsenic species and metabolites in urine are significantly associated with 8-OHdG, while there was no statistically significant relationship for subjects without arsenic dermatosis. For all residents of the polluted village, the levels of dimethylarsenic and 8-OHdG were significantly higher for those who had been exposed to well water for more than 12 years. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of a link between exposure to arsenic from drinking water and oxidative stress, which may play an important role in arsenic-involved injuries.