Environmental Mycological Study and Respiratory Disease Investigation in Fur-processing Workers

Journal of Occupational Health. Jul, 2003  |  Pubmed ID: 14646284

This paper presents the results of an investigation of respiratory symptoms, chest X-ray examinations, and analysis of antibodies to fungi of 138 fur-processing workers and 40 control workers. Industrial hygiene survey and environmental mycological studies were also conducted. The dust concentrations in fur processing workshops (1.8-6.7 mg/m3) were below the national health limit (10 mg/m3). Most dusts in all fur processing workshops contained less than 2.0% silica. Numbers of isolated fungi in fur processing workshops [629-3,681 cfu/m3 (colony forming unit/m3)] were significantly higher than those in control environments (63-503 cfu/m3). The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in fur processing workers were higher than those in control workers, especially among female exposed workers. The prevalences of the symptoms in female exposed workers were 37.9% with chronic cough, 28.4% with chronic phlegm, 10.5% with dyspnea, 22.1% with chest tightness, and 4.2% with fever. Seven cases showed abnormalities in chest X-ray examinations. The OD450nm values for antibodies to fungi in fur processing workers were significantly higher than those in control workers (P<0.05). The prevalences of positive anti-fungi antibodies in fur-processing workers were also significantly higher than those in control workers (p<0.01). The results suggested that fungi might be one of the main allergens in respiratory diseases in fur processing workers.

Environmental Mycological Study and Respiratory Disease Investigation in Tussah Silk Processing Workers

Journal of Occupational Health. Sep, 2004  |  Pubmed ID: 15492460

This study presents the results of an investigation of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function and chest X-ray examinations, and analysis of antibodies to fungi of 197 tussah silk-processing workers and 40 control workers. An industrial hygiene survey and environmental mycological studies were also conducted. The dust concentrations in tussah silk processing workshops were less than 5.1 mg/m(3) on average, with a maximum of 7.8 mg/m(3) below the national health limit of 10 mg/m(3). Most dusts in all tussah silk processing workshops contained less than 1.2% silica. Numbers of isolated fungi in tussah silk processing workshops [755-6,544 cfu/m(3) (colony forming unit/m(3)), were significantly higher than those in control environments (63-472 cfu/m(3)). The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in tussah silk processing workers were higher than those in control workers. The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in exposed male non-smoking workers were 44.4% with chronic cough, and 38.9% with chronic phlegm respectively, which were significantly higher than those (12.5%, 12.5% respectively) in male non-smoking control workers (p<0.05). The prevalences in exposed male smoking workers were 42.9% with dyspnea, and 38.1% with chest tightness respectively, which were significantly higher than those (16.7%, 8.3% respectively) in male smoking control workers (p<0.01). The prevalences of respiratory symptoms in exposed female workers were 25.3% with chronic cough, 38.0% with chronic phlegm, 31.0% with dyspnea, and 29.1% with chest tightness respectively, which were significantly higher than those (10.0%, 10.0%, 10.0%, 5.0% respectively) in female control workers (p<0.01). Fifteen exposed workers often suffered from fever. Five X-rays were abnormal and four cases had nodular or patchy shadows. The prevalences of pulmonary function abnormalities in the exposed female group were significantly higher than those in control groups (p<0.01). The OD(450 nm) values for antibodies to fungi in tussah silk processing workers were significantly higher than those of control workers (p<0.05). The positive rates of anti-fungal antibodies in tussah silk-processing workers were also significantly higher than those of control workers (p<0.01). The results suggested that fungi might be one of the main allergens in respiratory diseases in the tussah silk processing workers.

[Study on Human Leukocyte Antigen G1 Reducing Xeno-cell-rejection by Transfecting Porcine Endothelial Cells]

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi = Zhongguo Xiufu Chongjian Waike Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery. Jun, 2005  |  Pubmed ID: 16038470

To study whether the porcine endothelial cells (PECs) lines transfected by HLA-G1 can alter the lysis mediated by human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and natural killer cell 92 (NK-92).

Prognostic Value of Survivin and Livin in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The Laryngoscope. Jan, 2006  |  Pubmed ID: 16481824

Survivin and Livin are new members from the family of anti-apoptotic factors. Increased levels of Survivin and Livin have been observed in many malignancies and correlated with poor prognosis. Survivin is expressed almost exclusively in proliferating cells, including various kinds of cancers, but Livin expression is relatively rare in cancer cells. Therefore, the present study examines the expressions of Survivin and Livin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and investigates whether their expression contributes to the prognosis of NPC.

[Establishment of Eukaryotic Cell Line Stably Expressing Soluble Human Leucocyte Antigen G1 by Nucleofection]

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi = Zhongguo Xiufu Chongjian Waike Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery. Nov, 2006  |  Pubmed ID: 17191583

To establish a eukaryotic cell line that can express soluble human leucocyte antigen G1 (sHLA-G1) stably.

Novel Point Mutations in GDF5 Associated with Two Distinct Limb Malformations in Chinese: Brachydactyly Type C and Proximal Symphalangism

Journal of Human Genetics. 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18283415

Growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF5) is a secreted growth factor that plays a key regulatory role in embryonic skeletal and joint development. Mutations in the GDF5 gene can cause different types of skeletal dysplasia, including brachydactyly type C (BDC) and proximal symphalangism (SYM1). We report two novel mutations in the GDF5 gene in Chinese families with distinct limb malformations. In one family affected with BDC, we identified a novel nonsense mutation, c.1461T > G (p.Y487X), which is predicted to truncate the GDF5 precursor protein by deleting 15 amino acids at its C-terminus. In one family with SYM1, we found a novel missense mutation, c.1118T > G (p.L373R), which changes a highly conserved amino acid in the prodomain of GDF5. We transfected COS-7 cells with retroviral constructs to express human wild-type or mutant GDF5 cDNAs. The mature GDF5 protein was detected, as in the wild-type, in supernatant derived from the p.L373R mutant GDF5 transfected cells, but not in the supernatant from the p.Y487X mutant transfected cells, indicating that the two mutations led to different fates of the mutant GDF5 proteins, thereby producing distinct limb phenotypes.

The Han River Watershed Management Initiative for the South-to-North Water Transfer Project (Middle Route) of China

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Jan, 2009  |  Pubmed ID: 18306047

The South-to-North Water Transfer (SNWT) Project of China is the largest of its kind ever implemented. Of its three routes (i.e., East, Middle and West), the middle one will transfer 14 billion m(3) of water annually from the Han River, a tributary of the Yangtze and the water supplying area, to Beijing by 2030. Thus water quality in the 95,000 km(2) upper Han River basin is of great concern. A watershed management initiative has been implemented in the basin, and the ultimate objectives are to quantify basin's ecosystem functioning and to develop an integrated management system with respect to water resources conservation. Specifically, the program includes five activities: characterization of riparian ecosystems, detection of land use and land cover change, quantification of nutrient cycling of representative ecosystems, determination of spatial and temporal variations of water quality, and finally development of a watershed management system for water conservation. This article provides the justifications of the watershed management initiative and the initial results are comprehended with respect to the water conservation in the Han River basin.

A Novel Mutation in the EXT1 Gene Identified in a Han Chinese Kindred with Hereditary Multiple Exostosis

Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers. Jun, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20578942

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) is an autosomal dominant bone disorder characterized by growth of benign multiple exostoses. In our present study, we describe a four-generation Han Chinese kindred with eight members affected by HME. Haplotyping analysis and mutation detection was performed. The results linked the disease-causing gene to the EXT1 locus on chromosome 8. A novel mutation in EXT1, c.1897delC, which cosegregated with the disease phenotype, was detected. To further confirm this mutation, a mismatch primer was designed to introduce a ScaI restriction site into the normal allele by polymerase chain reaction, and the following restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis demonstrated that the mutation was not detected in any unaffected individuals of the family or 100 unrelated Han Chinese control individuals. This mutation leads to a frameshift from codon 633, resulting in a premature termination at codon 642 and loss of the highly conserved C terminal region of the protein. Therefore, this heterozygous mutation must be classified as pathogenic and can be regarded as the cause of HME in this Chinese family.

Modified Gold Nanoparticle Vectors: a Biocompatible Intracellular Delivery System for Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplantation

Surgery. Oct, 2010  |  Pubmed ID: 20800254

Islet transplantation is an emerging therapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus with variable success. Molecular therapeutics is a promising approach to improve islet graft function and transplant outcomes. Traditional delivery vectors, however, have poor cell penetration and generally lead to compromised islet function. Modified gold nanoparticles represent a potential alternative in that they are taken up into cells efficiently and have unique binding properties. The objective of this study was to investigate whether gold nanoparticles can transfect islets uniformly without compromising cellular function.

Prognostic Value of Androgen Receptor Expression in Operable Triple-negative Breast Cancer: a Retrospective Analysis Based on a Tissue Microarray

Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England). Jan, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21264529

The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic value of androgen receptor (AR) expression for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Clinical data of these patients were collected and analyzed, and immunohistochemical staining for AR was performed on tissue microarrays of operable breast cancer from 287 patients with TNBC, who were treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 1995 to December 2008. AR expression was found in 25.8% of the cases with TNBC. TNBC patients with AR negative have a higher proportion of positive lymph node. A significant correlation was found between AR expression and disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariated analysis indicated that AR expression had a significant prognostic value in TNBC patients, whereas multivariate analysis indicated that AR was a significant independent prognostic factor of DFS (P = 0.032) in all patients. Our results suggested that AR was a favorable prognostic factor of DFS and OS in patients with TNBC. Therefore, TNBC may be further divided into two subtypes according to AR status.

EGFR Expression Correlates with Decreased Disease-free Survival in Triple-negative Breast Cancer: a Retrospective Analysis Based on a Tissue Microarray

Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England). Jan, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21264531

The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of EGFR expression for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Clinical data of these patients were collected and analyzed, and immunohistochemical staining for EGFR was performed on tissue microarrays of operable breast cancer from 287 patients with TNBC, who were treated at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 1995 to December 2008. EGFR expression was found in 36.2% of the cases with TNBC. A significant correlation was found between EGFR expression and disease-free survival (DFS). Univariated analysis indicated that EGFR expression had a significant prognostic value in TNBC patients, whereas multivariate analysis indicated that EGFR was a significant independent prognostic factor of DFS (P = 0.011) in all patients. Our results suggested that EGFR was an independent prognostic factor of DFS in patients with TNBC. Therefore, EGFR could become a good therapeutic target in the treatment of TNBC.

Novel Vitamin D 1α-hydroxylase Gene Mutations in a Chinese Vitamin-D-dependent Rickets Type I Patient

Journal of Genetics. Aug, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21869486

[The Research of Combining High Resolution Melting with Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification Technology in the Mutation Scanning for PAH Gene]

Zhonghua Yi Xue Yi Chuan Xue Za Zhi = Zhonghua Yixue Yichuanxue Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22161097

To explore the value of combining high resolution melting (HRM) with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for detecting mutations underlying phenylketonuria.

Highly Purified Versus Filtered Crude Collagenase: Comparable Human Islet Isolation Outcomes

Cell Transplantation. Mar, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21396158

This study was designed to retrospectively compare the impact of crude Sigma V collagenase (Sigma V, n=52) with high-purified Serva NB1 collagenase (Serva NB1, n=42) on human islet isolation outcomes. A three-step filtration was applied to the crude Sigma V to remove endotoxin contamination and impurities; in addition, this process was used as a lot prescreening tool. Isolation outcomes were determined by digestion efficacy, islet yields, purity, viability, glucose-stimulated insulin release, and endotoxin content. The digestion efficacy between Sigma V and Serva NB1 was statistically significant (Sigma V: 64.71% vs. Serva NB1: 69.71%, p=0.0014). However, the islet yields were similar (Sigma V: 23422.58 vs. Serva NB1: 271097 IEq, p=0.23) between groups. There was no significant purity difference observed in fractions with purities greater than 75%. Viability (Sigma V: 93.3% vs. Serva NB1: 94.8%, p=0.061) and stimulation indexes (Sigma V: 3.41 vs. Serva NB1: 2.74, p=0.187) were also similar between the two groups. The impact of cold ischemia and age on the isolation outcome in the Sigma V group was comparable to the Serva NB1 group. The endotoxin content of the final products in the filtered Sigma V group was significantly less than that in the high-purified Serva NB1 group (0.022 EU/ml vs. 0.052 EU/ml, p=0.003). Additionally, in the Sigma V group there was minimal lot to lot variation and no significant loss of enzymatic activity after filtration. These findings indicate that the use of Sigma V or other crude enzyme blends for research pancreata is warranted to reduce isolation costs and increase the amount of islets available for critical islet research. These findings also validate the need for a systematic enzyme analysis to resolve these inconsistencies in overall enzyme quality once and for all.

Permanent Protection of PLG Scaffold Transplanted Allogeneic Islet Grafts in Diabetic Mice Treated with ECDI-fixed Donor Splenocyte Infusions

Biomaterials. Jul, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21458857

Allogeneic islet cell transplantation is a promising treatment for human type 1 diabetes. Currently, human islets are transplanted via intra-portal infusions. While successful, it leads to significant early islet attrition from instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction. An extra-hepatic site was established by transplanting islet-loaded microporous poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) scaffolds into the epididymal fat pad in syngeneic islet transplant models. This study examined this technology in allogeneic islet transplantation and determined whether transplant tolerance could be effectively induced to protect PLG scaffold transplanted allogeneic islets. The efficacy of an established tolerance induction strategy using donor splenocytes treated with ethylcarbodiimide(ECDI) was tested. ECDI-fixed donor splenocytes were infused 7 days before and 1 day after islet transplantation. Immediate normoglycemia was restored, and treated mice maintained indefinite normoglycemia whereas untreated mice rejected islet grafts within 20 days of transplantation. Interestingly, efficacy of tolerance induction was superior in PLG scaffold compared with intra-portal transplanted islets. Protection of PLG scaffold islet allografts was associated with several mechanisms of immune regulation. In summary, PLG scaffolds can serve as an alternative delivery system for islet transplantation that does not impair tolerance induction. This approach of combining tolerance induction with scaffold islet transplantation has potential therapeutic implications for human islet transplantation.

Classical CMF Regimen As Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Triple-negative Breast Cancer May Be More Effective Compared with Anthracycline or Taxane-based Regimens

Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England). Apr, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21528408

Patients suffering from triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have poor prognosis mainly because no standard treatment is currently available. Our objectives were to explore the prognostic factors for first relapse of patients with TNBC. A cohort of 687 patients with TNBC, diagnosed and treated between January 1995 and December 2008 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, were retrospectively analyzed. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to explore factors that predict relapse development. Survival rate was computed using the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. The median age of the 687 patients was 46 (range 16-76 years), and 64.8% of the patients were pre-menopausal. The median follow-up time was 56 months (range 14-156 months), in which 194 patients had recurrence, and 115 died. The median recurrence-free time was 25 months (range 4-143 months), with 118 (60.8%) of the cases first relapsing at a single site. The three- and five-year disease-free survival rates were 79.7 and 72.6%, respectively. Primary tumor size at diagnosis, lymph node status, and type of regimen used in the (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy were considered independent predictors of first relapse. CMF-containing adjuvant chemotherapy significantly decreased recurrence compared with the anthracycline- or taxane-based regimens (RR = 0.66, 95%; CI 0.45-0.96; P = 0.030). The median time from first relapse to death was 26 months (range 2-121 months). The two- and five-year survival rates were 60.6 and 36.6%, respectively. Liver metastasis at first recurrence and progression-free survival over 12 months after first-line therapy were two important factors that affected survival rate after recurrence. The median relapse time of TNBC was about 2 years after diagnosis. CMF regimens for TNBC patients may be more effective than anthracycline- or taxane-based regimens. Liver metastasis at first recurrence signifies unfavorable prognosis.

Patients 35 Years Old or Younger with Operable Breast Cancer Are More at Risk for Relapse and Survival: a Retrospective Matched Case-control Study

Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland). Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21843944

It has long been suggested that younger women with breast cancer have less favorable prognostic factors and poorer outcomes. Our main objectives were to determine whether poor prognosis among young women was independent of other common clinicopathologic parameters. We retrospectively analyzed 551 young patients (≤ 35 years, Group I) and 551 older patients (36-50 years, Group II), matched for year of diagnosis, family history of breast cancer, pathologic stage, hormone receptor expression and application of adjuvant therapy. Patients in Group I had significantly shorter disease-free survival (DFS) than Group II (median 23.2 months vs. 28.4 months, P = 0.024). Five-year DFS rate(63.7% vs. 74.7%, P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) rate (79.5% vs. 85.6%, P = 0.024) in Group I was inferior to those in Group II. Multivariate analysis showed that young age was a significantly negative predictor for DFS and OS. Our study thus shows that age (≤ 35 y/o) is an independent risk factor for prognosis in operable breast cancer.