Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme and lysosomal enzymes in tobacco workers

The activities of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in people with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) have been both increased and decreased. These observations suggest that pulmonary macrophages or endothelial cells participate in the disease process. Exposure to molds in the tobacco industry has recently been suspected to be associated with chronic extrinsic allergic alveolitis. In the present study, we analyzed the serum activities of ACE and two lysosomal enzymes, beta-N-acetylglycosaminidase (NAG) and beta-glucuronidase (GLU), among 57 tobacco workers. The tobacco workers not exposed had serum ACE levels similar to those of the reference population workers not occupationally exposed to dust (N = 127). The tobacco workers' serum levels of NAG (16.0 +/- 2.0 units/L and GLU (2.4 +/- 0.7 units/L) were higher than among the referents (NAG, 9.1 +/- 2.0 units/L; GLU, 1.0 +/- 0.6 units/L; p less than 0.01). Fifteen tobacco workers with respiratory symptoms compatible with pulmonary diseases caused by organic dust had a trend toward increased ACE, NAG, and GLU levels. The mean level of ACE in serum was higher among the workers with (25.8 +/- 4.5 units/L) than among those without pulmonary fibrosis (20.7 +/- 7.5 units/L; p less than 0.025). The mean ACE level was also higher among workers with the highest exposure to molds (24.6 +/- 7.1 units/L) compared to those with the mildest exposure (18.3 +/- 5.7 units/L; p less than 0.05). Tobacco workers with or without antibodies against one or more microbes had similar mean levels of ACE, NAG, and GLU. All of these findings indicate that raw tobacco dust and its contaminants may cause allergic or toxic reactions or both, reflected by the serum levels of ACE, NAG, and GLU.     

Prevalence of epicondylitis and elbow pain in the meat-processing industry

To determine the etiologic role of strenuous manual tasks in relation to epicondylitis, three clinical cross-sectional examinations were performed on meatcutters (N = 102), sausage makers (N = 125), packers (N = 150), and workers in nonstrenuous tasks (N = 332). The workers in strenuous jobs reported elbow symptoms 1.6-1.8 times as often as those in nonstrenuous jobs. Female sausage makers also showed epicondylar tenderness more often than the women in nonstrenuous jobs. In all the cross-sectional examinations combined, seven cases (0.8%) of epicondylitis were detected in both the strenuous and nonstrenuous jobs. A control for the possible sources of bias (leaving the company, changing task, being on sick leave) did not suggest a marked loss of potential cases of epicondylitis. A major role of strenuous tasks in the etiology of epicondylitis was not shown. However, because the number of clinical cases was small, the power of the study was low.     

Fadolmidine-induced ocular hypotension in normotensive rabbits

Fadolmidine, a novel selective alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, was evaluated for its efficacy to lower intraocular pressure in normotensive rabbits (n=5-6). The dose-response profile between 0.004 microg and 12.5 microg of fadolmidine was determined. The effect of pH on the partition of fadolmidine was studied in order to select an optimal pH for topical fadolmidine administration. After topical administration, fadolmidine significantly lowered the intraocular pressure in normotensive rabbits. The onset of action was immediate, with no initial increase in intraocular pressure. A significant decrease in intraocular pressure was already observed at 1 h after dosing. The maximum decrease in intraocular pressure was observed after a 2.5 microg dose of fadolmidine in both eyes at 2 h after dosing. The mean maximum decrease in the treated and untreated eye was 6.4 mmHg and 3.9 mmHg, respectively. In conclusion, fadolmidine is a potent intraocular pressure lowering agent. In addition, fadolmidine does not cause a significant initial increase in intraocular pressure. Because of the strong dependence of the distribution coefficient on pH, the pH of the administered solution is important, with physiological pH being optimal in this respect.     

Aerobic exercise and bone mineral density in middle-aged finnish men: a controlled randomized trial with reference to androgen receptor,aromatase, and estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms

Our aim was to investigate associations of the polymorphic loci of androgen receptor (AR), aromatase CYP19, and estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) genes with bone mineral density (BMD) in a four-year controlled randomized exercise intervention trial in Finnish middle-aged men. Additionally, we studied whether the gene polymorphisms affect circulating testosterone (T), estradiol (E(2)), and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations. The polymorphic CAG repeat of the AR gene, the TTTA repeat of the human aromatase gene, and the PvuII site of the ERalpha gene were analyzed. BMDs of the lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, and total proximal femur were measured with a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). In the exercise group, the subjects with the ERalpha gene PP or Pp genotypes showed an increase (+6.5 and +5.1%, respectively) in lumbar spine BMDs (P = 0.007; repeated measures ANOVA) during intervention, while there was no change in the subjects with the pp genotype. The long TTTA repeat (TTTA(9-12)) in aromatase gene was associated with greater height (P = 0.026) and lower BMI (P = 0.029) values than the short TTTA repeat (TTTA(6-8)). With regard to the AR gene, no statistically significant differences in bone properties were found between the genotypes. There were no significant associations of any analyzed polymorphic sites with the serum sex steroid hormone concentrations in the exercise or reference group. In conclusion, the Finnish middle-aged men with ERalpha PP or Pp genotypes appear to have increased BMD values in the lumbar spine. This increase may reflect a predisposition to age-related degenerative changes in the spine. In addition, the AR CAG repeat and aromatase TTTA repeat do not modify the effect of regular aerobic exercise on BMD.     

n-Hexane-induced changes in visual evoked potentials and electroretinograms of industrial workers.

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and averaged extraocular electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded from 15 workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane for 5-21 years and from 10 healthy control persons. The amplitude of the VEP components was clearly smaller among the exposed subjects with the exception of N0, which tended to be larger. In addition, the latencies of P1 and N1 were longer among the exposed workers, while that of P2 was slightly shorter. The peak-to-peak amplitude of the ERGs was also diministed among the exposed subjects. The changes were interpreted to indicate cerebral dysfunction, probably conduction block in intracerebral axons. n-Hexane is an aliphatic hydrocarbon found in gasoline and used in various industrial applications. It has been shown to cause axonal neuropathy of the dying-back type in both experimental animals and humans. According to the present findings the central nervous system is alos susceptible to the toxic effects of n-hexane.     

Endothelial LRP1 protects against neurodegeneration by blocking cyclophilin A

The low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein 1 (LRP1) is an endocytic and cell signaling transmembrane protein. Endothelial LRP1 clears proteinaceous toxins at the blood–brain barrier (BBB), regulates angiogenesis, and is increasingly reduced in Alzheimer’s disease associated with BBB breakdown and neurodegeneration. Whether loss of endothelial LRP1 plays a direct causative role in BBB breakdown and neurodegenerative changes remains elusive. Here, we show that LRP1 inactivation from the mouse endothelium results in progressive BBB breakdown, followed by neuron loss and cognitive deficits, which is reversible by endothelial-specific LRP1 gene therapy. LRP1 endothelial knockout led to a self-autonomous activation of the cyclophilin A–matrix metalloproteinase-9 pathway in the endothelium, causing loss of tight junctions underlying structural BBB impairment. Cyclophilin A inhibition in mice with endothelial-specific LRP1 knockout restored BBB integrity and reversed and prevented neuronal loss and behavioral deficits. Thus, endothelial LRP1 protects against neurodegeneration by inhibiting cyclophilin A, which has implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of neurodegeneration linked to vascular dysfunction.     

Quantity not composition of dietary fats represents the dominant contributor to experimental obesity: Relevance to human pathophysiology

Plant fats are low in saturated fats but high in unsaturated fats compared to animal fats, and are supposedly less obesogenic. This study compared the obesogenic effects of plant and animal derived fatty diets in Wistar rats. Rats of each gender were divided into three dietary (standard chow (SC), high fat diet rich in animal fat (HFDaf) and a high fat diet rich in plant fat (HFDpf)) groups of ten each and fed for 17 weeks. Anthropometric, Adiposity and nutritive variables were assessed using standard methods. Comparing HFDpf to HFDaf: Abdominal circumference (AC),initial feed intaken (IFI), final feed intake(FFI), final body weight (FBW), white adipose tissue (WAT) were increased but brown adipose tissue (BAT) decreased in male rats fed with HFDpf; also, there were increased body length, IFI, FFI but decreased AC, FBW, BAT in female rats fed with HFDpf. Comparing male to female rats: Thoracic circumference, IFI, FFI, energy intake were increased while Adiposity index decreased across diet groups in male rats; the AC, FBW increased while WAT, BAT decreased in HFDpf fed group, also, BAT was increased but AC, FBW decreased in HFDaf fed group in male rats. Palatability and high feed efficiency of consumed diets were more associated with obesogenic risk than just the level of saturation. Therefore, Obesogenic effects of fatty diets in both genders is more dependent on the quantity (amount) of fatty diet consumed than the dietary fat composition alone.     

Radiographic progression of asbestosis

A group of 85 patients with roentgenological evidence of asbestosis were examined on two occasions within a three- to four-year interval, first in 1976-1977 and again in 1979-1981. During this follow-up period, the asbestosis (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis) of 26 (31%) showed progression. The cases with either moderate or advanced fibrosis showed progression more often than those who initially had manifested only slight fibrosis. Included in the group whose interstitial fibrosis showed radiographic progression were asbestos sprayers and cigarette smokers.     

循证护理应用才精神科患者的效果评价

目的运用循证医学的思维方法，探讨在精神科护理工作中开展循证护理所达到的临床康复效果。方法将120例男性住院精神分裂症患者随机分为研究组和对照组各60例，研究组接受为期2个月的以循证理论为依据的综合性心理护理和技能训练，对照组常规给予一般支持性心理护理。采用护士用住院患者观察量表（NOSIE）、简明精神病评定量表（BPRS）、社会功能缺陷筛选量表（SDSS）、精神科症状自评量表（SCL-90）和自制的患者满意度／舒适度调查表作为评价工具，比较2组干预后的效果。结果入组时，所有量表评分2组间比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05），经过2个月的治疗和循证干预后，2组间各量表评分比较，研究组优于对照组，差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论循证护理可促进科学、有效的精神科护理实践活动，有助于促进精神分裂症患者的临床治疗和康复，为科学有效的临床护理决策提供依据和工作方法。