Follicle-stimulating hormone levels in female workers exposed to urban pollutants

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there were alterations in FSH plasma levels in female outdoor workers (traffic policewomen and drivers) exposed to chemical urban stressors vs. control group. After excluding subjects with main confounding factors, traffic policewomen, drivers and indoor workers were matched by age, working life, socioeconomic status, marital status, menstrual cycle day, age of menarche, habitual consumption of Italian coffee and soy. A total of 129 female subjects were included in the study: some 63 workers studied during proliferative phase and 66 during secretory phase of menstrual cycle. Proliferative phase of menstrual cycle: FSH mean values were significantly higher in traffic policewomen compared to controls (p < 0.05). Results suggest that in outdoor workers exposed to urban chemical stressors there are alterations in FSH levels; therefore FSH may be used as an early biological marker, valuable for the group, used in occupational set.     

Effects of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1 ) on hepatic IGF-1-mRNA, plasma IGF-1 and nitrogen excretion in gastrectomized rats with liver cirrhosis

The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is impaired in liver cirrhosis. We determined the effects of GH and IGF-1 treatments in gastrectomized rats with thioacetamide-induced cirrhosis. GH did not increase hepatic IGF-1-mRNA, plasma IGF-1 or the tissue, i.e. gastrocnemius muscle IGF-1 level. IGF-1 administration increased plasma IGF-1 without increasing hepatic IGF-1-mRNA. GH and IGF-1 independently decreased postoperative urinary nitrogen excretion. We conclude that both GH and IGF-1 improve postoperative nitrogen metabolism. Furthermore, GH may exert its anabolic effects directly and/or via actions mediated by IGF-1 production, other than in the liver and in the skeletal muscle, in the setting of cirrhosis.     

Occupational exposure to formaldehyde and wood dust and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES—To investigate whether occupational exposures to formaldehyde and wood dust increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC).
METHODS—A multicentred, population based case-control study was carried out at five cancer registries in the United States participating in the National Cancer Institute's SEER program. Cases (n=196) with a newly diagnosed NPC between 1987 and 1993, and controls (n=244) selected over the same period from the general population through random digit dialing participated in structured telephone interviews which inquired about suspected risk factors for the disease, including a lifetime history of occupational and chemical exposure. Histological type of cancer was abstracted from clinical records of the registries. Potential exposure to formaldehyde and wood dust was assessed on a job by job basis by experienced industrial hygienists who were blinded as to case or control status.
RESULTS—For formaldehyde, after adjusting for cigarette use, race, and other risk factors, a trend of increasing risk of squamous and unspecified epithelial carcinomas was found for increasing duration (p=0.014) and cumulative exposure (p=0.033) but not for maximum exposure concentration. The odds ratio (OR) for people cumulatively exposed to >1.10 ppm-years was 3.0 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.3 to 6.6) compared with those considered unexposed. In analyses limited to jobs considered definitely exposed, these trends became stronger. The associations were most evident among cigarette smokers. By contrast, there was no association between potential exposure to formaldehyde and undifferentiated and non-keratinising carcinomas. There was little evidence that exposure to wood dust increased risk of NPC, as modest crude associations essentially disappeared after control for potential exposure to formaldehyde.
CONCLUSIONS—These results support the hypothesis that occupational exposure to formaldehyde, but not wood dust, increases risk of NPC. This association seems to be specific to squamous cell carcinomas. Established cohorts of workers exposed to formaldehyde and wood dust should continue to be monitored for NPC and other respiratory cancers. Future studies of NPC should take into account histological type in assessing risk from environmental and host factors.


Keywords: occupational exposure; formaldehyde; wood dust     

Anticarcinogenic effect of quercetin by inhibition of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 signaling in mouse skin cancer

It has been shown that dysregulation of IGF-1 signaling is associated with tumor incidence and progression, whereas blockade of the signaling can effectively inhibit carcinogenesis. Although several mechanisms of anticancer activity of quercetin were proposed, molecular targets of quercetin have not been identified yet. Hence, we assessed the effect of quercetin on IGF-1 signaling inhibition in BK5.IGF-1 transgenic (Tg) mice, which over-expresses IGF-1 in the skin epidermis. A quercetin diet (0.02% wt/wt) for 20 weeks remarkably delayed the incidence of skin tumor by 2 weeks and reduced tumor multiplicity by 35% in a 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) two stage mouse skin carcinogenesis protocol. Moreover, skin hyperplasia in Tg mice was significantly inhibited by a quercetin supplementation. Further analysis of the MT1/2 skin papilloma cell line showed that a quercetin treatment dose dependently suppressed IGF-1 induced phosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, Akt and S6K; however, had no effect on the phosphorylation of PTEN. Additionally, the quercetin treatment inhibited IGF-1 stimulated cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner. Taken together, these data suggest that quercetin has a potent anticancer activity through the inhibition of IGF-1 signaling.     

胰岛素样生长因子受体(IGF-1R)重组单链可变片段的纯化优化

目的:将DoE应用于IGF-IR重组scFv的纯化优化,建立最优纯化条件,得到纯度高、收率高的最终产物。方法:本研究采用DoE方法对大肠杆菌中表达的1型胰岛素样生长因子受体(IGF-1R)进行重组单链可变片段(scFv)的优化纯化。结果:最终得到纯度为98%的scFv。最后通过20倍放大实验对优化条件进行了验证。结论:我们提出,这里描述的DoE方法也适用于生产其他重组抗体结构。     

Occupational and environmental exposure to tribromophenol used for wood surface protection in sawmills

This study analyses the occupational and environmental conditions of sawmills where the lumber is protected from microorganism action by dipping it in 2,4,6 tribromophenol (TBP). Three processes were evaluated: hydraulic immersion, chain conveyor system and manual immersion. The biggest occupational exposure to TBP was registered in manual and chain conveyor systems. The average values in the workers' urine for TBP were 6.9 and 5.7 mg/g creatinine, respectively. For environmental exposure, the highest value in well waters was 25.1 microg/L and in soil was 4,602 mg/kg. It could be established that the hydraulic immersion system presents less occupational TBP exposure. Nevertheless, the hydraulic system, as well as the other two anti-stain alternatives, requires the introduction of pollution prevention efforts. To reduce the environmental exposure to TBP, the lumber-dipping tank area, the forklift traffic areas, and the storage areas need to be waterproofed. It is also necessary to implement a TBP solution recovery system to eliminate dripping from the lumber once it is removed from the fungicide dipping tanks.     

Occupational exposure to eight organic dusts and respiratory cancer among Finns

Background

There is inconclusive evidence concerning cancer risks of organic dusts.

Aim

The carcinogenic exposures are mainly inhalatory and the authors therefore studied associations between occupational exposure to eight different organic dusts and respiratory cancers in Finland.

Methods

The authors followed up a cohort of all economically active Finns born between 1906 and 1945 for 30 million person‐years during 1971–95. Incident cases of nasal, laryngeal, and lung cancer and mesotheliomas were identified through a record linkage with the Finnish Cancer Registry. Occupations from the population census in 1970 were converted to exposures to eight organic dusts with a job‐exposure matrix (FINJEM). Cumulative exposure (CE) was calculated as a product of prevalence, level, and estimated duration of exposure. Standardised incidence ratios (SIR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for age, period, and social class were calculated for each organic dust using the economically active population as the reference.

Results

A total of 20 426 incident cases of respiratory cancer were observed. Slightly increased risk was observed among men exposed to wood dust for nasal cancer (SIR 1.42, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.44). For laryngeal cancer, men exposed to plant dust (mainly grain millers) had a raised SIR in the high exposure class (SIR 3.55, 95% CI 1.30 to 7.72). Men exposed to wood dust had a raised SIR for lung cancer, but only in the low exposure class (SIR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.18). Women exposed to wood dust showed an increased SIR for mesotheliomas in the low exposure class (SIR 4.57, 95% CI 1.25 to 11.7) and some excess in the medium exposure category.

Conclusions

Exposure to organic dusts is unlikely to be a major risk factor of respiratory cancer. Even exposure to wood dust which is a major exposure in Finland seems to have minor effect for nasal cancer. The authors found suggestive evidence that exposure to grain dust may increase the risk of laryngeal cancer, and some support to the hypothesis that exposure to textile dust, and to plant and animal dust (agricultural dusts) may decrease the risk of lung cancer.     

孕期持续性有机污染物暴露对妊娠结局和婴幼儿生长发育的影响

环境改变和污染所引起下一代的变化是深刻的,其中胎儿则是最敏感的人群之一。持续性有机污染物(POPs)是环境中很重要的一类化学污染物,随着气候变化和经济快速发展使得其暴露水平和模式也发生改变~([1])。虽然许多POPs在多年前已被淘汰,但由于它们具有持久性、亲脂性、生物累积性、半挥发性和高毒性,在环境中仍有残留。目前国内外动物实验和人群流行病学调查研究显示,孕期暴露POPs可能会对妊娠结局及儿童生长发育产生不良影响。其中包括低出生体质量、早产、出生缺陷、儿童神经系统和生殖系统发育不良等,本文以人群流行病调查资料为基础对孕期暴露POPs对下一代产生的上述影响进行阐述。     

单纯性肥胖学龄儿童纵向生长与血清IGF-1/IGFBP3变化

【目的】 调查单纯性肥胖儿童生长变化及血清胰岛素样生长因-1(IGF-1)/胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白3(IGFBP-3)浓度。 【方法】 根据广州两所小学从7岁开始建立的身高/体重纵向体检资料,然后依据体质指数分类标准筛选7岁以来一直处于正常体重和肥胖的11岁儿童,同时以父母身高中值为配对因素,选取一直肥胖的儿童31人(男20,女11)和一直体重正常的儿童42人(男20,女22)分析身高纵向变化,并测试空腹血清IGF-1/IGFBP3浓度。 【结果】 肥胖组男童身高高于同龄时正常体重儿童,且11岁时IGF-1/IGFBP3浓度皆高于正常体重儿童(P<0.05);女童肥胖组与正常组身高差异则无统计学意义,11岁时IGF-1/IGFBP3浓度也无显著变化。 【结论】 单纯性肥胖并不影响青春期前(或青春期)儿童的生长或反使生长加速,相应的血清IGF-1/IGFBP3浓度无改变或增加。     

Occupational toxicology and the control of exposure to pharmaceutical agents at work

BACKGROUND: The pharmaceutical industry employs >350 000 people worldwide in operations including research and development (R&D), manufacturing, sales and marketing. Workers employed in R&D and manufacturing sectors are potentially exposed to drug substances in the workplace that are designed to modify physiology and also to chemical precursors that are potentially hazardous to health. Pharmaceutical workers are at risk from adverse health effects, including occupational asthma, pharmacological effects, adverse reproductive outcomes and dermatitis. AIM: This study aimed to describe the approaches taken by pharmaceutical companies for identifying and communicating potential adverse health effects that may result from workplace exposures and in setting 'in-house' exposure control limits and to highlight the challenges in controlling workplace exposures to increasingly potent compounds. METHOD: The literature was reviewed by searching the Medline and HSELine databases. RESULTS: The findings are presented in five sections, covering: test methods and approaches to occupational toxicology; hazard communication; approaches to setting health-based occupational exposure limits for pharmaceutically active agents; recent approaches to risk control; and occupational hygiene and exposure controls. CONCLUSION: Significant efforts have been directed at predicting and evaluating potential occupational health hazards in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharmaceutical industry has provided leadership in controlling exposure to hazardous substances. Much of this work has been driven by a real need to control occupational exposures to substances that can have profound adverse health effects in exposed employees and that are becoming increasingly more potent.     

The exposure of cyclists,car drivers and pedestrians to traffic-related air pollutants

Volunteers provided with personal air sampling (PAS) equipment covered concurrently, by car or bicycle, various selected routes. These comprised two inner city routes in Amsterdam (ICR 1 and 2) as well as a route including a tunnel on a busy highway (TR) and a rural route just south of Amsterdam (RR). A third inner city route, a busy narrow street, was subsequently also selected, and covered by bicycle or walking (ICR 3). Each run lasted about 1 h; the sampling time on the TR route was approximately 30min. The sampling periods in January and May lasted 2 weeks with four sampling days per week. In August only ICR 3 was covered, this sampling period lasted 2 days. CO, NO₂, benzene, toluene and xylenes were measured in the personal air samples. A monitoring vehicle covered the routes concurrently and measured CO, NO₂ and pm₁₀ (semi) continuously. Lead and PAH content in pm₁₀ was determined. The ventilation of the volunteers was measured while they were using a car or a bicycle. The route and the type of transport influenced (P < 0.001) the concentrations of CO, benzene, toluene and xylenes. The daily average temperature was positively associated with the exposure of car drivers and cyclists to most compounds measured. A volunteer exhaled on average 2.3 times more air as a cyclist than as a car driver. Despite the much higher concentrations in the personal air samples of car drivers, the uptake of CO, benzene, toluene and xylenes of cyclists sometimes approached that of the car drivers. The uptake of NO₂ of cyclists was clearly higher than that of car drivers.     

Occupational exposure to power frequency magnetic fields and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Objectives

To investigate the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) using a job‐exposure matrix (JEM) to assess exposure to occupational magnetic fields at the power frequencies of 50/60 Hz.

Methods

The study population consisted of 694 cases of NHL, first diagnosed between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2001, and 694 controls from two regions in Australia, matched by age, sex and region of residence. A detailed occupational history was given by each subject. Exposure to power frequency magnetic fields was estimated using a population‐based JEM which was specifically developed in the United States to assess occupational magnetic field exposure. The cumulative exposure distribution was divided into quartiles and adjusted odds ratios were calculated using the lowest quartile as the referent group.

Results

For the total work history, the odds ratio (OR) for workers in the upper quartile of exposure was 1.48 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.16) compared to the referent (p value for trend was 0.006). When the exposure was lagged by 5 years the OR was 1.59 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.36) (p value for trend was 0.003). Adjusting for other occupational exposures did not significantly alter the results.

Conclusions

These findings provide weak support for the hypothesis that occupational exposure to 50/60 Hz magnetic fields increases the risk of NHL.     

护理人员HIV职业暴露及感染HIV原因分析

目的分析护理人员HIV职业暴露后感染情况及部分感染HIV护理人员情况,为预防护理人员发生HIV感染提供依据。方法对某院2004年1月—2015年6月发生的HIV职业暴露的护理人员,及2001年1月—2015年12月在该院住院、门诊咨询或院外会诊的抗HIV阳性的护理人员及其配偶的HIV感染情况进行分析。结果 76例护理人员HIV职业暴露进行规范化处理及随访后均未发生HIV感染。13例感染HIV的护理人员中既往可能职业暴露感染3例,二十世纪九十年代输血感染5例,性传播感染4例(其中男护士同性性行为感染2例),感染途径不明1例;发生二次传播2例;目前存活9例。感染者多得到有效治疗并改为从事后勤工作。结论护理人员常发生HIV职业暴露,可能职业暴露感染均发生在未实施规范化管理的情况下,实施规范化管理可避免HIV职业暴露感染的发生。性传播(包括男男同性性行为)已成为护理人员感染HIV的重要途径。     

Occupational exposure to asbestos: Population at risk and projected mortality-1980–2030

Estimates have been made of the numbers of cancers that are projected to result from past exposures to asbestos in a number of occupations and industries. From 1940 through 1979, 27,500,000 individuals had potential asbestos exposure at work. Of these, 18,800,000 had exposure in excess of that equivalent to two months employment in primary manufacturing or as an insulator (> 2-3 f-yr/ml). 21,000,000 of the 27,500,000 and 14,100,000 of the 18,800,000 are estimated to have been alive on January 1, 1980. It is further estimated that approximately 8,200 asbestos-related cancer deaths are now occurring annually. This will rise to about 9,700 annually by the year 2000. Thereafter, the mortality rate from past exposure will decrease, but still remain substantial for another three decades.     

胰岛素样生长因子-1受体与肿瘤的研究进展

胰岛素样生长因子-1受体是具有促进细胞增殖、分化等多种生物活性的生长因子。研究表明其参与多种恶性肿瘤的发生、发展过程,与癌基因及其他细胞因子相互作用促进肿瘤的发生,而且在基因的靶向治疗中也显示出优越性。胰岛素样生长因子-1受体与肿瘤的关系具有广阔的研究空间。     

Occupational exposure to noise in relation to pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders and diabetes

Objectives:Exposure to environmental noise has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, but evidence for occupational noise is limited and conflicting, especially related to pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the association of occupational noise exposure with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes.Methods:Our population-based cohort study utilized data on 1 109 516 singletons born to working mothers in Sweden between 1994–2014 from the Medical Birth Register and the Longitudinal Integration Database for Health Insurance and Labor Market Studies. Noise exposure came from a job exposure matrix (JEM) in five categories <70, 70–74, 75–80, 80–85, >85 dB(A). Relative risks (RR), adjusted for confounders and other job exposures, were calculated by modified Poisson regressions for the full sample and a subsample of first-time mothers reporting full-time work.Results:Exposure to 80–85 dB(A) of noise was associated with an increased risk of all HDP [RR 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.18] and preeclampsia alone (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.22) in the full sample. Results were similar for first-pregnancy, full-time workers. Exposure to >85 dB(A) of noise was also associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.10–2.24) in the analysis restricted to first-time mothers working full-time.Conclusion:In this study, exposure to noise was associated with an increased risk for HDP and gestational diabetes, particularly in first-time mothers who work full-time. Further research is needed to confirm findings and identify the role of hearing protection on this association so prevention policies can be implemented.