Assessment of Benchmark Dose in BEAS-2B Cells by Evaluating the Cell Relative Viability with Particulates in Motorcycle Exhaust the Air-liquid Interface Exposure.

Objective: This study aimed to use an air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure system to simulate the inhalation exposure of motorcycle exhaust particulates (MEPs) and then investigate the benchmark dose (BMD) of MEPs by evaluating cell relative viability (CRV) in lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells.

Methods: The MEPs dose was characterized by measuring the number concentration (NC), surface area concentration (SAC), and mass concentration (MC). BEAS-2B cells were exposed to MEPs at different concentrations ALI and CRV was determined using Cell Counting Kit (CCK-8) assay.

[Association between cytokines and trichloroethylene-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis].

Objective: To detect the cytokines levels in serums of patients with trichloroethylene-induced hypersensitivity dermatitis and explore the effect biomarkers associated with this disease.

Methods: 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.

rs4215 SNP in zinc-α2-glycoprotein gene is associated with obesity in Chinese north Han population.

Objective: Zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) has been identified recently as a novel adipokine due to its close link with lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as regulation of body weight. The aim of our present study is to investigate the ZAG genetic polymorphism association with obesity in Chinese north Han population.

Design And Methods: Five SNPs of ZAG gene including rs2247607 (A>T), rs4727442 (G>T), rs4215 (A>G), rs2527923 (C>T) and rs2527882 (C>T) were genotyped in 648 overweight/obese patients and 313 healthy controls by TaqMan-PCR methods.

[Analysis of subgroups of lymphocyte in peripheral blood among dermatitis medicamentosa-like of trichloroethylene patients and healthy exposed workers].

Objective: 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.

Methods: 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.

The effect of 2,5-hexanedione on myelin protein zero expression, and its mitigation using Ginkgo biloba extract.

Objective: To investigate the role of myelin protein zero (P(0)) in 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD)-induced peripheral nerve injury, and the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (Egb761) on 2,5-HD-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy.

Methods: After 4 weeks of treatment with 2,5-HD at different doses (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/kg) in rats, changes in the levels of P(0) in rat sciatic nerves was investigated, and the effect of Egb761 on 2,5-HD-induced toxic peripheral neuropathy was studied.

Results: The blood-nerve barrier (BNB) permeability of the sciatic nerve increased, and the expression of P(0) mRNA and P(0) protein decreased in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with 2,5-HD for 4 weeks.

[Association between polymorphisms of metabolic genes and telomere length in workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon].

Objective: To investigate the association between the polymorphisms of metabolic genes and telomere length of genomic DNA in peripheral blood of workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Methods: One hundred and forty five coke-oven workers exposed to PAHs and sixty eight non-exposed medical staffs were recruited in this study. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) served as the internal exposure dose of PAHs for all subjects.

[Hypermethylation of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase in human bronchial epithelial cell induced by organic extracts of coke oven emissions].

Objective: To elucidate the mechanism of carcinogenesis induced by coke oven emissions by investigating the cell genetic damage index and the methylation of O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT).

Methods: The human bronchial epithelial cell 16HBE was treated by 1 µmol/L B(a)P for 48 h, and then was exposed continuously to either 1‰ dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or organic extracts of coke oven emission (OE-COE) for five days at the concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5.

Generalized glucocorticoid resistance accompanied with an adrenocortical adenoma and caused by a novel point mutation of human glucocorticoid receptor gene.

Background: Generalized glucocorticoid resistance syndrome is a rare familial or sporadic condition characterized by generalized, partial, target-tissue insensitivity to glucocorticoids. This syndrome is partially caused by mutations in the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) gene. The clinical spectrum of generalized glucocorticoid resistance is broad, ranging from fatigue or no symptoms to severe hypertension with hypokalemic alkalosis.

[A report of familial male-limited precocious puberty caused by a germ-line heterozygous mutation (M398T) in luteinizing hormone receptor gene].

Objective: To clarify the possible gene mutations in luteinizing hormone(LH) receptor gene in a boy with LH independent precocious puberty and probe the mechanism the of diseases caused by LH receptor activating mutations.

Methods: (1) Describe the clinical manifestations and laboratory data in a 5-year-old boy with LH independent precocious puberty. (2) Peripheral leukocytes were collected from the proband, his parents and other 20 normal puberty developed males.

[Association between telomere length and occupational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure].

Objective: To explore the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and telomere length (TL), so as to investigate the effective biomarkers to evaluate the genetic damage in peripheral blood of workers exposed to PAHs.

Methods: The exposure group consisted of 145 coke-oven workers (including 30 top-oven workers, 76 side-oven workers and 39 bottom-oven workers), and the non-exposure control group comprised 68 medical staffs. At 6 hours after the weekend duty shift, the samples of urine and 1 ml venous blood were collected from each subject.

[Cytotoxicity and genomic damage of benzo[a]pyrene in gene transformed cell model].

Objective: To investigate cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) by 16HBE-CYP1A1 cells which are human bronchial epithelial cell with CYP1A1 transformed.

Methods: Expression of CYP1A1 and mEH of cell models were tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cells were treated with 0, 1, 5, 10 and 20 micromol/L B(a)P for 24 h.

[The effect of 2,5-hexanedione on nerve growth factor in sciatic nerve of rats and VSC4.1 cell].

Objective: To explore the effect of 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) on the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in sciatic nerve of rats and motor-neurons.

Method: A total of 50 Wistar rats were randomly designed into five groups and intoxicated with 400 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1) 2,5-HD for 0, 7, 14, 21, 28 d. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were used to detect the levels of NGF and NGF mRNA.

[Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure levels and nucleoplasmic bridge and nuclear bud frequencies in coke-oven workers].

Objective: To seek new effect biomarkers as to evaluating the chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in coke-oven workers who were exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight coke-oven workers and 69 controls were recruited in this study. Nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds were counted as indicators of chromosomal damage in terms of cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) test.

[Mutagen sensitivity in peripheral blood lymphocytes among coke-oven workers].

Objective: To investigate the sensitivity to bleomycin (BLM) in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) among coke-oven workers.

Methods: Ninty-four coke-oven workers with exposure to a high level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and 64 non-coke-oven workers (control) were recruited into this study. PBL was challenged by 8 microg/ml BLM, a known carcinogen, to induce certain amount of DNA damage, the difference of olive tail moment (TM) measured by comet assay before and after BLM treatment reflected the sensitivity towards mutagens.

[Association between nucleotide excision repair gene polymorphisms and chromosomal damage in coke-oven workers].

Objective: To investigate the association of polymorphisms of nucleotide excision repair genes and chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes among coke-oven workers.

Methods: The genotypes of ERCC1 C19007T, ERCC2 C22541A, ERCC2 G23591A, ERCC2 A35931C, ERCC4 T30028C, ERCC5 G3507C and ERCC6 A3368G among 140 coke-oven workers and 66 non-coke-oven controls were determined by PCR-PFLP methods. Chromosomal damage was detected by cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay.

[Association between XRCC1 gene polymorphisms and DNA damage of workers exposed to formaldehyde].

Objective: To investigate the association between polymorphisms of DNA repair gene XRCC1 and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes among workers exposed to formaldehyde.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-one workers exposed to formaldehyde from plywood factories and one hundred and twelve workers without occupational exposure to formaldehyde were recruited into this study. DNA damage levels were measured by comet assay.

[Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene haplotypes and the susceptibility of chromosomal damage in coke-oven workers].

Objective: To investigate the association between MTHFR gene variances and chromosomal damage levels in peripheral blood lymphocyte in coke-oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Methods: One-hundred and forty coke-oven workers who exposed to a high level of PAHs and sixty-six non-exposed controls were selected as the study subjects. Chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocyte was measured by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay.

[Possible association between polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen-DQ genes and susceptibility to trichloroethylene-induced severe generalized dermatitis].

Objective: To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen-DQ (HLA-DQ) and susceptibility to trichloroethylene (TCE)-induced severe generalized dermatitis.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted which included 112 patients with TCE-induced severe generalized dermatitis and 142 healthy controls exposed to TCE in the same workshop. The DNA sequences in exon2 of HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DQB1 were performed by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products.

[Polymorphisms of aldehyde and alcohol dehydrogenase genes associated with susceptibility to trichloroethylene-induced medicamentosa-like dermatitis].

Objective: Investigate the genetic polymorphisms of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), major enzymes involving the trichloroethylene (TCE) metabolism, associated with susceptibility to TCE-induced medicamentosa-like dermatitis.

Methods: The study included 108 patients with TCE-induced medicamentosa-like dermatitis and 145 healthy controls exposed to TCE who were engaged in the same workplace, and frequency matched by sex and age. The genotypes of ADH2, ADH3 and ALDH2 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and distribution of genotype and odds ratio were calculated.

[Immunological mechanism in development of allergic dermatitis in guinea pig induced by trichloroethylene in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the immunological mechanism of allergic dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene (TCE).

Methods: The guinea pig model of TCE-induced allergic dermatitis was established by Guinea pig Maximization Test. The effects of TCE and its metabolites on splenic lymphocytes of TCE-sensitized and non-sensitized guinea pig were detected by MTT assay.

[Association of metabolic and DNA repair enzyme gene polymorphisms and DNA damage in coke-oven workers].

Objective: To investigate the association of polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repair enzyme genes and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in coke-oven workers.

Methods: One hundred and forty-four coke-oven workers and 50 controls were recruited in this study. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured as the internal dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure.

[Association of XRCC1 polymorphisms and chromosomal damage levels in coke-oven workers].

Objective: To investigate the association of XRCC1 polymorphisms and chromosomal damage levels in peripheral blood lymphocyte in coke-oven workers.

Methods: The study included 141 coke-oven workers who exposed to a high level of polycyclic aromahaplotpetic hydrocarbon and 66 non-exposed controls. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and chromosome damage in peripheral lymphocyte were measured.

[The immunological effects in guinea pig sensitized by trichloroethylene].

Objective: To investigate the changes of certain immunological indexes in development of Guinea Pig allergic dermatitis induced by trichloroethylene (TCE).

Methods: The Guinea Pig model of TCE-induced allergic dermatitis was established by Guinea Pig Maximisation Test. IgG levels in serum were measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay.

[Preliminary study on naphthalene-metabolites-albumin adduct as an exposure biomarker for coke oven workers].

Objective: To study albumin adduct with naphthalene metabolites, namely 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NPQ) and 1,4-naphthoquinone (1,4-NPQ), as a potential biomarker for intermediate/long-term exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in coke oven workers.

Methods: Twenty-eight coke oven workers and 22 control workers were recruited from a cokery. Spot urine and venous blood samples were collected from the workers after four continuously working days and personal information was obtained by questionnaire.

[Relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure with peripheral blood lymphocyte DNA damage in coke oven workers].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between lymphocyte DNA damage and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure in coke oven workers.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-five coke oven workers and 30 controls were selected in this study. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis was used to evaluate the lymphocyte DNA damage, HPLC was employed to measure 1-hydroxypyrene levels in spot urine samples which were obtained at the end of a workweek (4 days of 8 hours/day) and personal information including occupational exposure, age, sex, smoking and drinking status was collected by the questionnaire.