Reduced production of anti-inflammatory soluble HLA-G molecules in styrene exposed workers.

HLA-G antigens are non-classical HLA-class I anti-inflammatory molecules. Since styrene exposure has been suggested to induce immune alteration, we analyzed plasma levels and "in vitro" peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) production of soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) molecules after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, in styrene exposed workers and healthy subjects. Exposed workers showed reduced plasma levels of sHLA-G and IL-10 in comparison to healthy controls.

DNA single- and double-strand breaks by alkaline- and immuno-comet assay in lymphocytes of workers exposed to styrene.

Occupational exposure to styrene was studied in 34 workers employed in the production of fiberglass-reinforced plastic sheets and compared to 29 unexposed healthy controls. We evaluated genotoxic effects induced by occupational styrene exposure in lymphocytes by alkaline version of the comet assay to detect single-strand breaks (SSBs), DNA oxidation products (formamido pyrimidine glycosilase (Fpg)- and endonuclease (Endo III)-sensitive sites) and DNA repair kinetics studies, as well as the neutral version of comet assay for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). An innovative aspect of this study was the use of immuno-comet assay, a new technique that recognizes DSBs with specific antibody by DAPI/FITC method.

[Lung cancer in a female non-smoker with occupational exposure to asbestos: a case report].

Background: Until recently, asbestos was widely used in a variety of industrial processes. Workers exposed to asbestos may develop lung and pleural diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, benign pleural effusion, pleural plaques and mesothelioma.

Objective: To describe a clinical case of lung cancer in a female non-smoker with occupational exposure to asbestos.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and occupational exposures.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both industrialized and developing countries. Cigarette smoking is the major risk factor for COPD. However, relevant information from the literature published within the last years, either on general population samples or on workplaces, indicate that about 15% of all cases of COPD is work-related.