A novel anti-lipopolysaccharide factor SpALF6 in mud crab Scylla paramamosain exhibiting different antimicrobial activity from its single amino acid mutant.

In crustaceans, anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs) are important immune effectors that have sequence diversity and exhibit broad antimicrobial activities. In this study, we characterized a novel ALF homolog SpALF6 from mud crab Scylla paramamosain and its variant SpALF6-V, which was generated by mutations of two amino acids (H46 to R and A110 to P) due to the presence of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). SpALF6 was an anionic peptide with isoelectric point (pI) 6.

[Quality of life of inpatients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis and its influential factors].

Objective: To investigate the quality of life ( QOL) of inpatients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis( CWP) and analyse its influential factors, and to provide a theoretical basis for effective control measures.

Methods: Eighty-eight CWP patients in a hospital were included in the study. A questionnaire survey was conducted in them using a self-designed QOL scale.

[Silica induced α-SMA expression in HBE cell line by targeting the PI3K/Akt pathway].

Objective: To explore the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in silica-induced α-SMA (α smooth muscle actin) expression in HEB (human bronchial epithelial) cell.

Methods: The cultured HBE cells were divided into 5 groups: control, silica, PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002), both PI3K inhibitor (Ly294002) and silica at the same time and the inhibitor 24 h ahead of silica. The final concentrations of PI3K inhibitor and silica were 10 µmol/L and 100 µg/ml, respectively.

[Studing the health status of workers occupationally exposed to carbon disulfide].

Objective: To study the effects of carbon disulfide (CS(2)) on the health of workers, and to provide the basis for the further preventive measures.

Methods: The occupational health examination of 881 workers exposed to CS(2) in a chemical fiber factory was carried out according to the national technical standard of occupational health surveillance. The time weighted average concentrations (TWA) of CS(2) in the workshops of short silk and long silk exceeded the national standard, The workers in these two workshops served as the high exposure group.

[Clinical characteristics of the patients with occupational chronic carbon disulfide poisoning in a chemical fiber factory of Nanjing].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of 267 cases with occupational chronic carbon disulfide (CS(2)) poisoning and to provide the basis for revising the items of periodical medical examination of workers occupationally exposed to CS(2).

Methods: The subjects of present study were 267 patients with mild CS(2) poisoning diagnosed according to "Diagnostic Criteria of Occupational Chronic Carbon Disulfide Poisoning (GBZ4-2002)" from April in 2006 to May in 2010. All patients were from the same chemical fiber factory.

[Annexin A5 gene polymorphism (-1C/T) and the susceptibility to pneumoconiosis in coal works].

Objective: To explore the role of -1C/T single nucleotide polymorphism within Annexin A5 gene in the genetic susceptibility to coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).

Methods: Four hundred and seventy CWP Han chinese patients and 428 Han chinese controls were enclosed in present case-control study. All subjects were exposed to coal dusts.

[The analyses on dust pollution of one underground iron mine from 1991 to 2010].

Objective: The main purpose of this work was to give the evidence of reasonable and feasible dust control measures which will be taken in the future by analyzing the trend of dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 and identifying working faces with the severe dust contamination in one underground iron mine.

Methods: The data was from routine monitoring between the years 1991 and 2010, which enclosed the total dust concentrations and silica contents. China National Standard of Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace used to judge whether the dust concentration exceeded the National Standard.