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Silicosis is an occupational lung disease because of exposure to silica dust in the workplace. Evidence on the spatiotemporal change of silicosis burden worldwide remains limited. This study utilized data extracted from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to examine the numbers and age-standardized rates of incidence (ASIR), mortality (ASMR), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) caused by silicosis between 1990 and 2019. Average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) were calculated to evaluate the temporal trends of age-standardized indicators by sex, region, and socio-demographic index (SDI) since 1990. Results indicated an increase in new silicosis cases globally, rising by 64.61% from 84,426 in 1990 to 138,971 in 2019, with a sustained high number of DALYs attributed to this disease. Although the global age-standardized rates of incidence, mortality, and DALYs of silicosis have decreased since 1990, the number of new cases has increased in 168 countries and territories, and the ASIR of silicosis has also risen in 118 countries and territories, primarily in developing countries. Since 1990, the burden of silicosis among the elderly has significantly increased. Countries with higher SDI experienced a more rapid decline in the silicosis burden. Silicosis remains a public health problem that requires significant attention. Programs for prevention and elimination of this public health issue need to be established in more countries and territories. Protecting young workers from silica dust exposure is crucial to prevent the onset of silicosis in their later years and to reduce the disease burden among older workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Association of circulating glycoprotein acetyls (GlycA), a systemic inflammation biomarker, with lung function and respiratory diseases remain to be investigated. We examined the genetic correlation, shared genetics, and potential causality of GlycA (N = 115,078) with lung function and respiratory diseases (N = 497,000). GlycA showed significant genetic correlation with FEV1 (rg = −0.14), FVC (rg = −0.18), asthma (rg = 0.21) and COPD (rg = 0.31). We consistently identified ten shared loci (including chr3p21.31 and chr8p23.1) at both SNP and gene level revealing potential shared biological mechanisms involving ubiquitination, immune response, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, cell growth and differentiation in tissues or cells including blood, epithelium, fibroblast, fetal thymus, and fetal intestine. Genetically elevated GlycA was significantly correlated with lung function and asthma susceptibility (354.13 ml decrement of FEV1, 442.28 ml decrement of FVC, and 144% increased risk of asthma per SD increment of GlycA) from MR analyses. Our findings provide insights into biological mechanisms of GlycA in relating to lung function, asthma, and COPD. Here, the authors observed significant genetic correlation of GlycA with lung function, asthma and COPD and identified ten shared loci revealing potential shared biological mechanisms involving ubiquitination and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Whether coal mine dust exposure increases cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) risk was rarely explored. Our objective was to examine the association between coal mine dust exposure and cardiovascular risk. Methods: We estimated cumulative coal mine dust exposure (CDE) for 1327 coal miners by combining data on workplace dust concentrations and work history. We used brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV, a representative indicator of arterial stiffness) and ten-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk to assess potential CVD risk, exploring their associations with CDE. Results: Positive dose-response relationships of CDE with baPWV and ten-year ASCVD risk were observed after adjusting for covariates. Specifically, each 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in CDE was related to a 0.27 m/s (95% CI: 0.21, 0.34) increase in baPWV and a 1.29 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.46) elevation in OR (odds ratio) of risk of abnormal baPWV. Moreover, each 1 SD increase in CDE was associated with a 0.74% (95% CI: 0.63%, 0.85%) increase in scores of ten-year ASCVD and a 1.91 (95% CI: 1.62, 2.26) increase in OR of risk of ten-year ASCVD. When compared with groups unexposed to coal mine dust, significant increase in the risk of arterial stiffness and ten-year ASCVD in the highest CDE groups were detected. Conclusion: The study suggested that cumulative exposure to coal mine dust was associated with elevated arterial stiffness and ten-year ASCVD risk in a dose-response manner. These findings contribute valuable insights for cardiovascular risk associated with coal mine dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a fatal human malignancy with a poor prognosis. Corosolic acid (CRA) is a triterpenoid, has been reported to have inhibitory effects on tumor growth. However, the role of CRA on PC has not been explored. Here, we aimed to uncover the molecular mechanisms of CRA in PC progression. Methods: Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, cell apoptosis and senescence were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), LDH, flow cytometry and senescence associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay. Levels of relevant proteins and oxidative stress (OS) markers were evaluated by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A xenograft tumor model was established to explore the in vivo effects of CRA on PC. Results: We found that CRA inhibited PC cell viability and promoted LDH release in a dose-dependent manner, but had no significant effect on human normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells HPDE6C7. CRA increased OS-induced cell apoptosis and senescence in HAPC and SW1990 cells. And CRA decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and elevated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and senescence-associated proteins P21 and P53. Besides, CRA decreased tumor growth in xenograft models. Furthermore, CRA inactivated the Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in HAPC and SW1990 cells. Functional experiments demonstrated that activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway by the JAK2 activator coumermycin A1 (C-A1) or the STAT3 activator colivelin (col) reduced the contribution effect of OS, apoptosis and senescence by CRA. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings indicated that CRA exerted anti-cancer effects in PC by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: TGF-β is related to the function of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. However, the characteristics of TGF-β affecting the function of CD8+ T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been clearly resolved. Methods: In this study, flow cytometry, mass cytometry, immunohistochemistry, RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high throughput sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay were used to study the regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of TGF-β on HCC infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Results: Here, we demonstrated that the overall effect of TGF-β on CD8+ T cells in HCC was to activate p-p38 to induce exhaustion, but it also initiated cell-intrinsic resistance mechanisms: 1) TGF-β upregulated the levels of p-STAT1 (S727) and promoted LAIR2 secretion; 2) the TGF-β-p-STAT1-LAIR2 axis relieved CD8+ T cells from exhaustion, which we called "self-rescue"; 3) this "self-rescue" behavior showed time and dose limitations on TGF-β stimulation, which was easily masked by stronger inhibitory signals; 4) the function of CD8+ T cells was improved by using TAK-981 to amplify "self-rescue" signal. Conclusion: Our study describes a "self-rescue" mechanism of CD8+ T cells in HCC against exhaustion and the good effects from amplifying this signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the potential causal pathways and temporal relationships of glucose metabolism and diabetes with heart rate variability (HRV). This cohort study was conducted among a sample of 3858 Chinese adults. At baseline and 6 years follow-up, participants underwent HRV measurement (low frequency [LF], high frequency [HF], total power [TP], standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals [SDNN], and square root of the mean squared difference between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals [r-MSSD]) and determination of glucose homeostasis (fasting plasma glucose [FPG] and insulin [FPI], homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]). The temporal relationships of glucose metabolism and diabetes with HRV were evaluated using cross-lagged panel analysis. FPG, FPI, HOMA-IR, and diabetes were cross-sectionally negatively associated with HRV indices at baseline and follow-up (P < 0.05). Cross-lagged panel analyses demonstrated significant unidirectional paths from baseline FPG to follow-up SDNN (β = -0.06), and baseline diabetes to follow-up low TP group (β = 0.08), low SDNN group (β = 0.05), and low r-MSSD group (β = 0.10) (P < 0.05). No significant path coefficients were observed from baseline HRV to follow-up impaired glucose homeostasis or diabetes. These significant findings persisted even after excluding participants who were taking antidiabetic medication. The results support that elevated FPG and the presence of diabetes may be the causes rather than the consequences of HRV reduction over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to hot or cold temperatures was reported to be associated with increased mortality and morbidity of type 2 diabetes, but few studies have estimated the temporal trend and global burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to non-optimal temperature. Based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we collected data on the numbers and rates of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of type 2 diabetes attributed to non-optimal temperature. The joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate the temporal trends of the age-standardized rate of mortality and DALYs from 1990 to 2019 by average annual percentage change (AAPC). From 1990 to 2019, globally, the numbers of deaths and DALYs of type 2 diabetes attributable to non-optimal temperature increased by 136.13% (95% (uncertainty interval) UI: 87.04% to 277.76%) and 122.26% (95% UI: 68.77% to 275.59%), with the number from 0.05 (95% UI: 0.02 to 0.07) million and 0.96 (95% UI: 0.37 to 1.51) million in 1990 to 0. 11 (95% UI: 0.07 to 0.15) million and 2.14 (95% UI: 1.35 to 3.13) million in 2019. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and DALYs rate (ASDR) of type 2 diabetes attributable to non-optimal temperature showed an increasing trend in the high temperature effect and lower (low, low-middle and middle) socio-demographic index (SDI) region, with AAPCs of 3.17%, 1.24%, 1.61%, and 0.79% (all P < 0.05), respectively. The greatest increased ASMR and ASDR were observed in Central Asia, followed by Western Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Meanwhile, the contribution of type 2 diabetes burden attributable to high temperature gradually increased globally and in five SDI regions. In addition, the global age-specific rate of mortality and DALYs of type 2 diabetes attributable to non-optimal temperature for both men and women almost increased with age in 2019. The global burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to non-optimal temperature increased from 1990 to 2019, particularly in high temperature, regions with lower SDI, and the older population. Appropriate temperature interventions are necessary to curb climate change and increasing diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Numerous genotype-guided warfarin dosing algorithms have been developed to individualize warfarin doses, but they can only explain 47–52% of the variability. Aim: This study aimed to develop new warfarin algorithms suitable to predict the stable warfarin dose for the Chinese population and to compare their prediction performance with those of the most commonly used algorithms. Method: Multiple linear regression analysis with the warfarin optimal dose (WOD), logarithm (log) WOD, 1/WOD, and WOD , respectively, as the dependent variables were performed to deduce a new warfarin algorithm (NEW-Warfarin). WOD was the stable dose that maintained the international normalized ratio (INR) within the target range (2.0–3.0). Three major genotype-guided warfarin dosing algorithms were selected and compared against NEW-Warfarin predictive performance using the mean absolute error (MAE). Furthermore, patients were divided into five groups according to warfarin indications [atrial fibrillation (AF), pulmonary embolism (PE), cardiac-related disease (CRD), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and other diseases (OD)]. Multiple linear regression analyses were also performed for each group. Results: The regression equation with WOD as the dependent variable had the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.489). The NEW-Warfarin had the best predictive accuracy compared to the three algorithms selected. Group analysis, according to indications, showed that the R2 of the five groups were PE (0.902) > DVT (0.608) > CRD (0.569) > OD (0.436) > AF (0.424). Conclusion: Dosing algorithms based on warfarin indications are more suitable for predicting warfarin doses. Our research provides a novel strategy to develop indication-specific warfarin dosing algorithms to improve the efficacy and safety of warfarin prescribing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative bolt-connected precast concrete (PC) shear wall structural system has recently been proposed for middle and high-rise buildings in seismic regions. As a further research step, this paper aims to investigate the seismic behavior of PC coupled shear wall with different types of dissipative coupling beams. The quasi-static cyclic tests on two PC coupled shear wall specimens with friction-based coupling beam (FCB) and yielding-based coupling beam (YCB) were conducted. Moreover, nonlinear finite element models of the specimens were established and validated with the experimental results. The results demonstrated that the proposed dissipative coupling beams can effectively couple the wall panels in elastic field, whilst they can sustain large plastic deformation adding to the structural assembly a relevant source of energy dissipation under thresholded actions. Whilst the specimen with YCB exhibited large overstrength in plastic field, the specimen with FCB provided a more stable plateau capacity associated to enhanced deformation capacity, ductility and energy dissipation. Moreover, the FCB resulted practically undamaged and immediately reusable at the end of the test, whilst the YCB was found highly plasticized and locally torn. In addition, the detailed finite element models of the test specimens accurately predicted the experimental behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron overload has been associated with acute/chronic organ failure, but whether iron overload induces liver injury remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between urinary iron and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT, a biomarker for liver injury), and investigate the potential mediating roles of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage in such association. Levels of urinary iron, serum ALT, and urinary biomarkers of lipid peroxidation (8-iso-prostaglandin-F2α [8-iso-PGF2α]) and oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-deoxyguano-sine [8-OHdG]) were measured among 5386 observations of 4220 participants from the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. The relationships of urinary iron with serum ALT and risk of hyperALT were evaluated by linear mixed model and logistic regression model, respectively. The mediating roles of 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG were assessed by mediation analyses. This cross-sectional analysis found that urinary iron was positively associated with ALT (β = 0.032; 95% CI: 0.020, 0.044) and hyperALT prevalence (OR = 1.127; 95% CI: 1.065, 1.192). After 3 years of follow-up, participants with persistent high iron levels had increased risk of developing hyperALT (RR = 3.800; 95% CI: 1.464, 9.972) when compared with those with persistent low iron levels. In addition, each 1% increase in urinary iron was associated with a 0.146% (95% CI: 0.128%, 0.164%) increase and a 0.192% (95% CI: 0.154%, 0.229%) increase in 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG, respectively. Urinary 8-iso-PGF2α (β = 0.056; 95% CI: 0.039, 0.074) was positively associated with ALT, while the association between 8-OHdG and ALT was insignificant. Furthermore, increased 8-iso-PGF2α significantly mediated 22.48% of the urinary iron-associated ALT increment. Our study demonstrated that iron overload was significantly associated with liver injury, which was partly mediated by lipid peroxidation. Controlling iron intake and regulating lipid peroxidation may help in preventing liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on nationally representative samples from US, we aimed to assess the associations of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem. A total of 25,312, 8425 and 24,234 participants were included in this study to investigate the relationship of vitamins with hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, respectively. Vitamins including niacin, folic acid, vitamin B6, A, C, E and carotenoids were considered in our study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between all included dietary vitamin intake concentrations and the prevalence of specific outcomes. Increased lycopene (odds ratio [OR]: 0.904, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.829–0.985) intake was associated with a deceased prevalence of hearing loss. Higher dietary intake of folic acid (OR: 0.637, 95% CI: 0.443–0.904), vitamin B6 (0.667, 0.465–0.947), alpha-carotene (0.695, 0.494–0.968), beta-carotene (0.703, 0.505–0.969) and lutein + zeaxanthin (0.640, 0.455–0.892) were associated with a decreased prevalence of vision disorder. The inversely associations of sleeping problem with niacin (OR: 0.902, 95% CI: 0.826–0.985), folic acid (0.882, 0.811–0.959), vitamin B6 (0.892, 0.818–0.973), vitamin C (0.908, 0.835–0.987), vitamin E (0.885, 0.813–0.963) and lycopene (0.919, 0.845–0.998) were also observed. Our findings provide evidence that increased specific vitamin intake is associated with decreased prevalence of hearing loss, vision disorder and sleep problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships of exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with vitamin D and kidney function remain unclear. Our analyses included 6070 adults from 2003 to 2010 survey cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to explore associations of six VOCs with serum vitamin D, albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The results suggested that dibromochloromethane was positively associated with ACR, and chloroform was inversely associated with ACR. U-shaped associations of toluene, m-/p-xylene, bromodichloromethane, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene with ACR were observed. Toluene, m-/p-xylene, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene were associated with eGFR in U-shaped manners, while bromodichloromethane and chloroform were inversely associated with eGFR. Elevation in 1,4-dichlorobenzene was associated with decrease in vitamin D, while chloroform and m-/p-xylene were in U-shaped associations with vitamin D. VOCs mixture was U-shaped associated with ACR, inversely associated with eGFR, and inversely associated with vitamin D. Vitamin D was in a U-shaped association with ACR. Vitamin D significantly interacted with VOCs on the two kidney parameters. In the US adult population, exposures to VOCs were associated with kidney function and serum vitamin D level decline, and the serum vitamin D may have interaction effects with VOCs exposures on kidney function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global prevalence trend and regional differences of coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP) remain unclear. This study aimed to provide systematic and comprehensive evidence for the global prevalence of CWP. Literature research for studies that reported prevalence of CWP was conducted in PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science. The identified studies were strictly screened according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of CWP in different periods and regions was calculated. A total of 37 studies were included after screening, and data from the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program was additionally included in the meta-analysis. The global pooled prevalence of CWP decreased from 23.33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.03%, 28.62%) before 1970 to 6.00% (95% CI: 4.11%, 7.90%) in 1981-1990, but indicated a rebound (10.35%, 95% CI: 8.08%, 12.62%) in 1991-2000 and finally dropped to 2.29% (95% CI: 2.06%, 2.51%) in 2011-2020. In the recent 30 years, the top three pooled prevalence of CWP was found in Europe, China, and the USA, respectively. Few articles have reported the prevalence in developing regions, but available evidence indicated that the prevalence in developing regions was much higher than that in developed regions. Higher pooled prevalence was observed in studies which reported larger number of miners in collieries, older average age of miners, underground collieries, and longer dust exposure time. The global prevalence of CWP indicates a rebound in 1990s, but the overall trend is downward in the recent 60 years. The prevention and treatment of CWP should be currently emphasized in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that Bacillus coagulans TBC169 can improve intestinal motility.Aim: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of Bacillus coagulans TBC169 probiotics in promoting the recovery of intestinal function after gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Method: Patients who underwent laparoscopic surgeries due to gynecological diseases were randomly assigned to the high-dose, conventional-dose, and the placebo-control groups (1:1:1 ratio). The primary outcome was the time to the first passage of flatus time (FFT). Secondary outcomes were the time to the first defecation (FDT), the time to the first bowel sounds (TFBS), the duration of hospital stay (DHS), and the incidence of postoperative adverse events (AEs).Results: Compared to the placebo-control group, shorter FFT values were observed in the conventional-dose (23.15 h vs. 29.10 h, P < 0.05) and high-dose (19.15 h vs. 29.10 h, P < 0.001) groups. Similar trends were observed regarding TFBS in the conventional-dose (18.50 h vs. 21.10 h, P < 0.05) and high-dose (15.20 h vs. 21.10 h, P < 0.001) groups. There were no significant differences in FFT and TFBS between the intervention groups. Compared to the placebo-control group, lower incidences of postoperative adverse events were observed in the conventional-dose (12.50% vs. 40.00%, P < 0.05) and the high-dose (5.00% vs. 40.00%, P < 0.001) groups. However, there were no significant differences between these intervention groups.Conclusion: Bacillus coagulans TBC169 probiotics can accelerate intestinal function recovery, and reduce postoperative adverse events in patients after gynecological laparoscopic surgery. The study protocol was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059518). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been no validated tool to assess workplace infection control towards SARS-Cov-2 in non-healthcare industries. In this first year survey during 07/2020–04/2021, 6684 workers were recruited from varied non-healthcare settings of Hong Kong, Nanjing and Wuhan of China and responded standard questionnaires containing information of prevention measures and policies implemented by companies and personal preventive behaviour towards infection control. All participants were randomly stratified into two sub-samples as training and validation sample. Workplace safety index towards SARS-Cov-2 (WSI-SC2) was developed and validated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). We identified 14 manifest variables in WSI-SC2, with three sub-indices named "Workplace infection control measures and prevention", "Company occupational safety and health management and commitment" and "Worker's personal preventive behavior and awareness towards infectious control". WSI-SC2 obtained a good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged: 0.76–0.91), good composite reliability (composite reliability ranged: 0.70–0.95) and satisfactory fit of the model (GFI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.05; RMSEA = 0.07). We further performed stratified analysis according to cities, and the index remained stable. Workers with higher scores of WSI-SC2 were more likely to uptake COVID-19 test. This multi-city large study developed a novel and validated tool that could horizontally measure the workplace safety towards SARS-Cov-2 in non-healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of caffeine exposure on children's health remains poorly understood. We aimed to characterize the associations of caffeine and caffeine metabolites with adiposity outcomes among children and adolescents. We performed cross-sectional analyses of 1,447 children and adolescents aged 6–19 years from the 2009–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were used to explore the associations of urinary caffeine and 14 caffeine metabolites with adiposity outcomes, including body mass index (BMI) z-score, waist circumference (WC), obesity, and overweight. In linear regression models, compared with the participants who consumed low caffeine, higher BMI z-score, WC, and risks of obesity and overweight were more likely among those who consumed high caffeine (P < 0.05). In WQS regression models, an interquartile range increase in the weighted caffeine index was significantly associated with increased BMI z-score (β = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.17) and WC (β = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.31, 2.09), and risks of obesity (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.17). Totally, no modification effect of age or gender was observed in the linear regression model. Nonetheless, in WQS models, the positive associations of caffeine exposure with WC and risks of obesity and overweight were significant in children aged 6–11 years rather than 12–19 years. When stratified by gender, caffeine exposure was significantly associated with BMI z-score and WC in both boys and girls. These results add novel evidence that caffeine exposure might be associated with adverse adiposity outcomes among children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The adverse effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), a group of common environmental pollutants, on mental health are unclear. This study is developed to evaluate the potential association of urinary PAH metabolites with depression in US adults. Methods: Measurement of 8 urinary PAH metabolites and assessment of depression were available for 9625 adults in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2005–2016. Multiple logistic regression models and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression models were applied to evaluate the association between urinary PAH metabolites and depression. Results: Among 9625 individuals with a weighted geometric mean age of 42.63 years, 801 participants suffered from depression. Significant positive dose–response relationships were observed between specific urinary PAH metabolites and the risk of depression after adjusting for potential confounders. Urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene was positively and dose-dependently associated with the risk of depression among total participants (odds ratio: 1.188; 95% confidence interval: 1.096–1.288). In addition, each 1-unit increase of ln-transformed urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2&3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and total PAH metabolites was associated with a 23.3%, 32.6%, 23.3%, 29.4%, 30.8%, 22.8%, 29.4%, and 31.7% increment in the risk of depression in smokers, respectively (all P and P trend < 0.05). Of note, the positive WQS index was also significantly associated with the increased risk of depression in smokers (1.122, 1.059–1.188). Conclusion: Exposure to PAHs may elevate the risk of depression among US adults. More studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanism by which PAHs induce the development of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We expected to explore the associations of hearing loss and hearing thresholds at different frequencies with total and cause-specific mortality. In this study, 11,732 individuals derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2012 were included. Data of death was extracted from the NHANES Public-Use Linked Mortality File through December 31, 2015. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the associations between hearing loss, hearing thresholds at different frequencies, and total or cause-specific mortality. A total of 1,253 deaths occurred with a median follow-up of 12.15 years. A significant positive dose-response relationship between hearing loss in speech frequency and total mortality was observed, and the HRs and 95% CIs were 1.16 (0.91, 1.47), 1.54 (1.19, 2.00), and 1.85 (1.36, 2.50), respectively, for mild, moderate, and severe speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL) with a Ptrend of 0.0003. In addition, moderate (HR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.20–3.00) and greater (3.50, 1.38–8.86) SFHL significantly elevated risk of heart disease mortality. Moreover, hearing thresholds of >25 dB at 500, 1000, or 2000 Hz were significantly associated with elevated mortality from all causes (1.40, 1.17–1.68; 1.44, 1.20–1.73; and 1.33, 1.10–1.62, respectively) and heart disease (1.89, 1.08–3.34; 1.95, 1.21–3.16; and 1.89, 1.16–3.09, respectively). Hearing loss is associated with increased risks of total mortality and heart disease mortality, especially for hearing loss at speech frequency. Preventing or inhibiting the pathogenic factors of hearing loss is important for reducing the risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the associations between sleep duration and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and the potential mechanism. Methods: Overall, 24,471 subjects without ASCVD were included from Dongfeng-Tongji (DFTJ) cohort. Data collection included questionnaires and general medical examinations. We used logistic regression models and generalized linear models to examine the associations between sleep duration, peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts, and 10-year ASCVD risk. Mediation analyses were further performed to assess the potential role of peripheral WBC counts in the associations between sleep duration and 10-year ASCVD risk. Results: Increased risk of 10-year ASCVD was observed as sleep duration extended. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of 10-year ASCVD were 1.24 (1.11–1.38), 1.12 (1.03–1.22), and 1.21(1.08–1.36) for individuals with nighttime sleeping duration of ≥ 9 h, daytime napping duration of > 30 min, and daily sleep duration of ≥ 9 h, respectively. Peripheral WBC counts mediated 14.1%, 14.5%, and 12.6% in the associations of nighttime sleep duration of ≥ 9 h, daytime napping duration of > 30 min and daily sleep duration of ≥ 9 h with 10-year ASCVD risk, respectively. Conclusions: Extended sleep durations are associated with the increased 10-year ASCVD risk, and the associations are partially mediated by peripheral WBC counts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few study has revealed spatial transmission characteristics of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China. We aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal spread of COVID-19 in Wuhan and its influence factors. Information of 32,682 COVID-19 cases reported through March 18 were extracted from the national infectious disease surveillance system. Geographic information system methods were applied to analysis transmission of COVID-19 and its influence factors in different periods. We found decrease in effective reproduction number (Rt) and COVID-19 related indicators through taking a series of effective public health measures including restricting traffic, centralized quarantine and strict stay-at home policy. The distribution of COVID-19 cases number in Wuhan showed obvious global aggregation and local aggregation. In addition, the analysis at streets-level suggested population density and the number of hospitals were associated with COVID-19 cases number. The epidemic situation showed obvious global and local spatial aggregations. High population density with larger number of hospitals may account for the aggregations. The epidemic in Wuhan was under control in a short time after strong quarantine measures and restrictions on movement of residents were implanted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric PM2.5-bound metals have been widely addressed, but research on the exposure levels and sources of personal PM2.5-bound metals among urban community residents is limited. The aim of this study is to explore the exposure levels and sources of 24-h personal PM2.5-bound metals among community inhabitants in Wuhan, China. We conducted a penal study of 216 observations with measurements of 16 metals bounded to 24-h personal PM2.5 samples in April–May, 2014, 2017. Analyses of covariance were used to compare PM2.5-bound metal levels across different living habits and ambient conditions. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed to explore PM2.5-bound metal sources. Personal PM2.5-bound aluminum (Al) (113.41 ng/m3) showed the highest geometric mean (GM) concentration, followed by lead (Pb) (90.89 ng/m3), zinc (Zn) (67.71 ng/m3), and iron (Fe) (51.85 ng/m3). The elevated levels of PM2.5-bound Al, vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), arsenic (As), rubidium (Rb), cadmium (Cd), and thallium (Tl) were found in participants with cigarette smoke exposure, compared with those without. The concentrations of Rb and strontium (Sr) were positively associated with the time spent outdoors. The increased concentration of nickel (Ni) was found in individuals who spent > 30 min/day in traffic. The elevated levels of V, Mn, and cobalt (Co) were associated with a short distance from dwellings to the main road. The results of PCA showed that PM2.5-bound metals might come from five sources: As, selenium (Se), Rb, Cd, Tl, and Pb from cigarette smoke exposure; Al, V, Mn, Fe, and Sr from crustal dust; copper (Cu) and antimony (Sb) from industrial activities; Ni and Co from traffic emission; and Zn from coal combustion. The concentrations of PM2.5-bound metals in this study were at moderate levels. Cigarette smoke exposure, industrial activities, traffic emission, and coal combustion might be major anthropogenic sources of personal PM2.5-bound metal exposures in Wuhan, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of minimizing the execution monetary cost of applications on cloud computing platforms has been studied recently, and satisfying the deadline constraint of an application is one of the most important quality of service requirements. Previous method of minimizing the execution monetary cost of deadline-constrained applications was the "upward" approach (i.e., from exit to entry tasks) rather than combining the "upward" and "downward" approaches. In this study, we propose monetary cost optimization algorithm (DCO/DUCO) by employing "downward" and "upward" approaches together to solve the problem of execution cost minimization. "Downward" cost optimization is implemented by introducing the concept of the variable deadline-span and transferring the deadline of an application to each task. On the basis of DCO, the slack time is utilized to implement "upward" cost optimization without violating the precedence constraints among tasks and the deadline constraint of the application. Experimental results illustrate that the proposed approach is more effective than the existing method under various conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Elevated serum bilirubin levels are associated with decreased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in cross-sectional studies among diabetic patients, but prospective evidence is limited. We investigated the relationship of serum bilirubin levels with incident CHD risk among type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: In a prospective study of 2918 type 2 diabetes embedded in the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort, serum total bilirubin (TBil), direct bilirubin (DBil), and indirect bilirubin (IBil) were measured at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between serum bilirubin levels and CHD risk. Results: A total of 440 CHD cases were identified during 12,017 person-years of follow-up. Compared with extreme quartiles, the adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of incident CHD were 0.74 (0.56-0.99) with P trend = 0.08 in IBil, while in TBil and DBil, the bilirubin-CHD associations were not significant. Moreover, serum TBil and IBil levels were interacted with drinking status on the risk of incident CHD ( P interaction = 0.021 and 0.037, respectively), and the associations were evident in ever drinkers. In drinkers, when serum TBil or IBil concentrations increased 1 μmol/L, the CHD risk both decreased 6% (95% CIs 0.89-0.99 and 0.87-1.00, respectively). Conclusions: Serum IBil levels were marginally related to decreased incident CHD risk among type 2 diabetes. Drinking could potentially enhance the associations of serum TBil and DBil levels with incident CHD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A minimized and concise drug alerting rule set can be effective in reducing alert fatigue. Objectives: This study aims to develop and evaluate a concise drug alerting rule set for Chinese hospitals. The rule set covers not only western medicine, but also Chinese patent medicine that is widely used in Chinese hospitals. Setting: A 2600-bed general hospital in China. Methods: In order to implement the drug rule set in clinical information settings, an information model for drug rules was designed and a rule authoring tool was developed accordingly. With this authoring tool, clinical pharmacists built a computerized rule set that contains 150 most widely used and error-prone drugs. Based on this rule set, a medication-related clinical decision support application was built in CPOE. Drug alert data between 2013/12/25 and 2015/07/01 were used to evaluate the effect of the rule set. Main outcome measure: Number of alerts, number of corrected/overridden alerts, accept/override rate. Results: Totally 18,666 alerts were fired and 2803 alerts were overridden. Overall override rate is 15.0% (2803/18666) and accept rate is 85.0%. Conclusions: The rule set has been well received by physicians and can be used as a preliminary medical order screening tool to reduce pharmacists' workload. For Chinese hospitals, this rule set can serve as a starter kit for building their own pharmaceutical systems or as a reference to tier commercial rule set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air pollutants from environmental tobacco smoke and cooking fume can induce oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which generate oxidatively damaged DNA in human body. Among 2224 adults, levels of FENO and urinary 8-oxodG were measured using a nano coulomb nitric oxide analyzer and a high performance liquid chromatography system with electrochemical detector, respectively. Association between aging with higher FENO levels and urinary 8-oxodG levels were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. Nonsmoking women aged 64 years and over, with higher FENO (≥ 25 part per billion) and self-catering but without passive smoking had a higher risk of increased urinary 8-oxodG (△% of urinary 8-oxodG: 81.3 %, 95 % CI: 27.4-158.0 %) levels, particularly these elderly women with using liquefied petroleum gas for cooking, had a higher risk for increased urinary 8-oxodG levels (△% of urinary 8-oxodG: 100.2 %, 95 % CI: 95 % CI: 35.3-196.3 %), compared with those aged less than 64 years, with lower FENO (< 25 part per billion). Cooking activity aggravated aging-related the aging-induced in urinary 8-oxodG excretion among nonsmoking women aged 64 years and over but without passive smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Publisher Correction to: International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy https://doi.org/10.1007/s... In the original publication of the article, the font of the section heading "Impact statements" is incorrect. The original article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-022-01451-2. [Extracted from the article]

Current epidemiological studies suggest that crystalline silica exposure is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal disease; however, the potential pathological damage of the heart and kidney and its underlying mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. This study tried to investigate the silica-induced inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the heart and kidney and evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-1 beta (β) in silica-induced cardiac and renal damage. In this study, a silica-exposed model was generated by intratracheally instilling silica dust in mice. The anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody (mAb) was used to neutralise IL-1β in the pulmonary alveolus and serum. The real-time PCR studies showed that (1) inhalational silica induced inflammatory responses in the heart and kidney by elevated mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1; (2) early fibrotic responses in the heart were observed as elevated mRNA levels of collagen I and fibronectin. What is more, fibrosis of the kidney was demonstrated by pathological results and significantly increased mRNA levels of TGF-β, collagen I, collagen III and fibronectin. Further studies showed that usage of anti-IL-1β mAb decreased the inflammatory response of the heart and kidney induced by inhalational silica and also attenuated fibrosis in the mouse kidney. In conclusion, this study found that inhaled silica induced inflammatory and early fibrotic responses in the mouse heart and inflammatory response and fibrosis in the mouse kidney. Neutralisation of IL-1β attenuated the silica-induced inflammatory response of the heart and kidney and decreased fibrosis in the mouse kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case-control study aimed to investigate whether the levels of Hsp70 (HSPA1A) and Hsp27 (HSPB1) in plasma and lymphocytes were associated with the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among coal workers. A total of 76 COPD cases and 48 age-matched healthy controls from a group of coal workers were included. The case group consisted of 35 COPD patients whose condition was complicated with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and 41 COPD patients without CWP. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) in plasma and lymphocytes were detected by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. Multiple logistic regression models were applied to estimate the association between Hsp levels and COPD risk. Our results showed that plasma Hsp70 and lymphocyte Hsp27 levels were significantly higher and plasma Hsp27 levels were significantly lower in COPD cases than in controls ( p < 0.01). No significant differences in lymphocyte Hsp70 levels were found between COPD cases and the matched subjects. Higher plasma Hsp70 levels (odds ratio (OR) = 13.8, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 5.7-33.5) and lower plasma Hsp27 levels (OR = 4.6, 95 % CI = 2.0-10.5) were significantly associated with an increased risk of COPD after adjusting for confounders. Higher lymphocyte Hsp27 levels were only associated with an increased risk of COPD with CWP (OR = 6.6, 95 % CI = 2.0-22.1) but not with an increased risk of COPD without CWP (OR = 3.0, 95 % CI = 0.9-8.9). Additionally, there were strong joint effects of different Hsps on COPD risk. These results showed that higher levels of plasma Hsp70 and lower levels of plasma Hsp27 might be associated with an increased risk of COPD among coal workers. They may have the potential to serve as monitoring markers for COPD in coal workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inflammation and fibrosis induced by silica dust are considered to be substantial responses in silicosis progression. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) plays an important role in silica-induced lung inflammation, but the mechanisms that underlie the influence of IL-1β on the progression of silicosis remain unclear. In this study, the role of IL-1β in silica-induced inflammation and fibrosis was evaluated by administering a suspension of 2.5-mg silica dust, either with or without 40 μg anti-mouse IL-1β monoclonal antibody (mAb), to the lungs of male C57BL/6 mice. Silica + anti-IL-1β mAb-treated mice showed the depletion of IL-1β as well as the attenuation of inflammation, as evaluated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and histological sections from 1 to 84 days after silica exposure. Further study of the BALF indicated that inhibition of IL-1β could reduce the contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The real-time PCR and pathology results showed that the neutralization of IL-1β attenuated silica-induced fibrosis by inhibiting the gene expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1, collagen I and fibronectin. The examination of Th1-cytokine and Th2-cytokine suggested that depletion of IL-1β decelerated the Th1/Th2 balance toward a Th2-dominant response. In conclusion, the present study suggests that the neutralization of IL-1β attenuates silica-induced inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting other inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators and modulating the Th1/Th2 balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic epoxy matrices have been widely used in the FRP reinforcing technique, but they have serious disadvantages of poor high-temperature resistance. An inorganic adhesive is invented to replace the organic adhesive. For the inorganic adhesive at normal temperature and different high temperatures, the microstructure and phase composition are investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and SEM respectively. Results show that inorganic adhesive can resist at least 600 °C high temperature. Fire-resistance performance of inorganic adhesive can meet the requirements of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthened RC structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to study whether there is causal association between serum uric acid and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A cross-sectional study was performed, including a total of 27,009 subjects (23,345 subjects having uric acid data) from the Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort study. The MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Foundation criteria of 2005. Association analysis was performed by logistic regression. A genetic risk score was calculated by adding the uric acid increasing alleles in two SNPs (rs11722228 in SLC2A9 and rs2231142 in ABCG2) which were identified from our genome-wide association study on uric acid levels. The causal association was examined by mendelian randomization analysis. Among a middle- and old-age Chinese population, serum uric acid concentrations were strongly associated with the risk of MetS and its several components ( P < 0.0001). The effects were stronger in women than in men. Despite the lack of statistical significance, both SNPs exhibited a trend with increased MetS risk (rs11722228, OR = 1.06, 95 % CI 0.99-1.14; rs2231142, OR = 1.02, 95 % CI 0.95-1.10), consistent with their increasing uric acid effects. Each additional uric acid increasing allele in the genetic risk score was associated with 3 % increased MetS risk (OR = 1.03, 95 % CI 0.98-1.09; P = 0.23). Further adjustment for serum uric acid attenuated the trend of individual SNP and genetic risk score with increased MetS risk (all OR < 1.0). These findings suggested that serum uric acid was associated with MetS risk in a middle- and old-age Chinese population. Whether this association was causal remained to be investigated in the future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen bonds exist in many polymer systems and play a large role in the physical and chemical properties. In this study, nylon-6, which consists of repeated amide groups and contains large number of hydrogen bonds, is chosen as an example. Meanwhile, the oxidized unzipped MWCNTs (μCNTs) with oxygenated species such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups are used as mediator to regulate the crystallization process of nylon-6 thin films. In-site experimental techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and polarized optical microscopy were utilized to get more direct insights on the crystallization mechanism of nylon-6 and μCNTs systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a nonparametric method, the Kruskal-Wallis test is widely used to compare three or more independent groups when an ordinal or interval level of data is available, especially when the assumptions of analysis of variance (ANOVA) are not met. If the Kruskal-Wallis statistic is statistically significant, Nemenyi test is an alternative method for further pairwise multiple comparisons to locate the source of significance. Unfortunately, most popular statistical packages do not integrate the Nemenyi test, which is not easy to be calculated by hand. We described the theory and applications of the Kruskal-Wallis and Nemenyi tests, and presented a flexible SAS macro to implement the two tests. The SAS macro was demonstrated by two examples from our cohort study in occupational epidemiology. It provides a useful tool for SAS users to test the differences among three or more independent groups using a nonparametric method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In coal mines, main occupational hazard is coal-mine dust, which can cause health problem including coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and lung cancer. Some heat shock proteins (Hsps) have been reported as an acute response to a wide variety of stressful stimuli. Whether Hsps protect against chronic environmental coal-mine dust over years is unknown. It is also interesting to know that whether the expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70 proteins as a marker for exposure is associated risk of lung cancer among coal miners. We investigated the association between levels of Hsp27 and Hsp70 expression in lymphocytes and plasma and levels of coal-mine dust exposure in workplace or risk of lung cancer in 42 cancer-free non-coal miners, 99 cancer-free coal miners and 51 coal miners with lung cancer in Taiyuan city in China. The results showed that plasma Hsp27 levels were increased in coal miners compared to non-coal miners ( P<0.01). Except high cumulative coal-mine dust exposure (OR=13.62, 95%CI=6.05–30.69) and amount of smoking higher than 24 pack-year (OR=2.72, 95% CI=1.37–5.42), the elevated levels of plasma Hsp70 (OR=13.00, 95% CI=5.14–32.91) and plasma Hsp27 (OR=2.97, 95% CI=1.40–6.32) and decreased expression of Hsp70 in lymphocytes (OR=2.36, 95% CI=1.05–5.31) were associated with increased risk of lung cancer. These findings suggest that plasma Hsp27 may be a potential marker for coal-mine dust exposure. And the expression of Hsp27 and Hsp70 levels in plasma and lymphocytes may be used as biomarkers for lung cancer induced by occupational coal-mine dust exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of exercise at high temperature on adult males’ routine blood indexes and biochemical indexes and the expression of HSP72 in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was studied in order to provide theoretical ground for health supervision of adults receiving exercise at high temperature. 180 adult males were selected and divided into exercise group and control group, in which the exercise group was subdivided into subgroup 1 and subgroup 2 receiving exercise at high temperature in the afternoon and in the morning, respectively. Peripheral venous blood was phlebotomized before and after the exercise to examine routine blood indexes and blood biochemical indexes. The expression levels of HSP72 in PBLs were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed that the routine blood indexes and biochemical indexes in each group were within the range of normal values of male adults. There was no significant difference between each exercise group and control group in indexes before exercise. After exercise, the expression levels of HSP72 in PBLs in exercise groups were higher than those before exercise, and HSP72 expression levels in subgroup 1 were obviously higher than those in subgroup 2 and control group. The contents of ALT, urea, Na+, Cl−, Ca2+ and K+ in subgroups 1 and 2 were lower than those in control group, but CK level was higher than in control group ( P<0.05). The contents of Na+ and Cl− in subgroup 1 were relatively lower than those in subgroup 2 ( P<0.05). It was concluded that while receiving exercise at high temperature, adult males’ HSP72 levels in PBLs could be increased and the biochemical indexes changed. Attention should be paid to health supervision to avoid obvious body injuries at high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the health impacts of crystalline silica mixed dust and other potential occupational hazards on workers in ceramic factories, a cohort study of 4851 workers registered in the employment records in 3 ceramic factories in Jingdezhen city of China between 1972 and 1974 was identified. The cohort mortality was traced throughout 2003 with an accumulation of 128970.2 person-years, revealed 1542 deaths. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated for the main causes of death by using Chinese national mortality rates as reference. The mortality from all causes in three ceramic factories was 12.0‰ and the cumulative mortality was 31.8%. Malignant neoplasm, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases were the first four illnesses that threaten workers’ life, and they accounted for 73.2% of all deaths. The results of this study showed that the standardized mortality ratio for all subjects was 1.02, which is very close to that expected on the basis of the China national mortality rates. Statistically significant mortality excesses for respiratory disease (SMR=1.36), pneumoconiosis (SMR=37.34), infectious disease (SMR=5.70) and pulmonary tuberculosis (SMR=3.88) were observed. The mortality of 2938 dust-exposed workers was higher than that of 1913 non dust-exposed workers. Except for pneumoconiosis, the mortality from lung cancer, non-malignant respiratory diseases and pulmonary tuberculosis in dust-exposed workers were significantly increased as compared with that in non-exposed workers, and the relative risks (RRs) were 1.86 (1.16–2.99), 2.50 (1.84–3.40), 1.81 (1.34–2.45). The exposure-response relationships between cumulative dust exposure level and mortality from all causes, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, respiratory diseases, and pulmonary tuberculosis were also identified. The findings indicated that silica mixed dust in ceramic factories has harmful impact on the workers’ health and life span in ceramic factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of silica in the causation of lung cancer is an ongoing debate. In order to explore whether observed association between silica exposure and lung cancer is confounded by exposure to other occupational carcinogens, we updated a previously nested case-control study among a cohort of male workers in 29 Chinese mines and factories on the basis of an extended follow-up. Five hundred and eleven lung cancer cases and 1,879 matched controls were selected. Exposure to respirable silica as well as relevant occupational confounders were quantitatively assessed based on historical industrial hygiene data. The relationship between exposure to silica and lung cancer was analyzed by conditional logistic regression analysis adjusted for exposure to arsenic, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), radon, and smoking. In a crude analysis adjusted for smoking only, a significant trend of increasing risk of lung cancer with exposure to silica was found for tin, iron/copper miners, and pottery workers. But after adjustment for relevant occupational confounders, no relationship between silica and lung cancer can be observed. Instead, there is a significant association between lung cancer mortality and cumulative exposure to inorganic arsenic (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.04 for each mg/m3-year increase) and carcinogenic PAHs (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.69 for each 100 μg/m3-year increase). This analysis does not provide any evidence to show that exposure to silica causes lung cancer in the absence of confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is the major component.of the spice turmeric and the yellow pigment in curry powder. Many studies have shown that curcumin (diferuloylmethane) has significant antiproliferative and apoptotic effects in cancer cells by several mechanisms. Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins are critical in mediating a response in hematopoietic cells. This study was designed to investigate whether curcumin is associated with proteins involved in signal transduction and activation of transcription (STAT) and to investigate the expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription and the significance of the STAT5 signaling pathway of by treating k562 cells and cells from CML patients with curcumin. The study was divided into the following groups: normal control cells (human bone marrow cells), untreated K562 cells, curcumin treated K562 cells, IFN-γ treated K562 cells, curcumin plus IFN-γ treated K562 cells, and CML patient cells with and without curcumin treatment. Cell proliferation was measured by the MTT assay. The expression of STAT5 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. The expression of the STAT5 protein was as sayed by Western-blotting and the expression of STAT5 in K562 cells was examined under confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The expression of STAT5 mRNA of K562 cells was determined with in situ hybridization. EMSA was used to assess the change in binding of STAT5 with DNA in CML patient cells. The proliferation of the K562 cells and CML primary cells was de creased in the curcumin-treated group and/or IFN-γ group. The expression of STAT5 mRNA and protein were decreased the curcumin-treated group as compared with the K562 untreated group (P<0.01). STAT5 mRNA and protein expression was decreased in the IFN-y group compared to the untreated K562 group (P<0.01). Combined use of curcumin with IFN-γ inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells and decreased the expression of STAT5 mRNA and protein of the K562 cells. For the CML patient cells, the OD value of STAT5-DNA binding in the curcumin treated cells was less than that compared to untreated cells. The antiproliferation effects of curcumin may partly be mediated through signal transduction and activation of transcription and may involve the STAT5 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore immune intervention effects of the combined use of cycloporin A (CsA) and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25(OH)2D3] at low doses on experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), porcine thyroglobulin (pTG) was injected into a CBA mouse at the dose of 100 µg on day 0 and day 14 to establish the model of EAT. The immune prevention group from day 0 to day 28, and treatment group from day 10 to day 38 were daily administered CsA (10 mg/kg) intragastrically and/or 1,25(OH)2D3(0.2 µg/kg) ip. After immunized by pTG, the mice were sacrificed on day 28 and day 38 to examine their thyroid gland pathologically, and to check the levels of serum porcine thyroglobulin antibodies (pTGAb), porcine thyromicrosomal antibodies (pTMAb). The incidences of EAT in the immune prevention group and treatment group, with administration of low dose of CsA and 1,25(OH)2D3, were decreased respectively by 44.44% and 37.50%. Those of severe disease in the two groups were decreased respectively by 71.43% and 60.32%. The levels of serum pTGAb and pTMAb in the immune prevention group were lower than those of the positive control group. It was concluded that combined use of CsA and 1,25(OH)2D3 at low doses could effectively prevent EAT with a synergic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Association between physical activity and mortality has rarely been investigated among the Chinese population. Furthermore, the most appropriate amount of physical activity for longevity benefits remains unclear. We used data from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort, including 24,606 middle-aged and older retired adults in 2008 and followed to 2013, to quantify linear and non-linear dose-response relationships between regular physical activity and mortality risks by Cox proportional hazards model. Compared with participants who did not engage in regular physical activity, those performing regular physical activity had significantly 46%, 56%, and 49% decreased risks of mortality from all causes, circulatory, and respiratory diseases, respectively. Each one-SD increase in regular physical activity was associated with 32% decrease of respiratory disease mortality. There were significant nonlinear dose-response associations between regular physical activity and mortality from all causes and circulatory diseases. Mortality risks decreased monotonically with increased regular physical activity amount, and appeared to reach a threshold at around 100 MET-hours/week. More mortality benefits were found among non-smokers than that among current and former smokers. Our results suggest that middle-aged and older Chinese adults can achieve mortality benefits from regular physical activity at the WHO recommended minimum, and the benefit threshold appears at approximately 100 MET hours/week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precise cytotoxicity of E. Adenophorum in relation to the cell cycle and apoptosis of splenocytes in Saanen goats remains unclear. In the present study, 16 Saanen goats were randomly divided into four groups, which were fed on 0%, 40%, 60% and 80% E. adenophorum diets. The results of TUNEL, DAPI and AO/EB staining, flow cytometry analysis and DNA fragmentation assays showed that E. adenophorum induced typical apoptotic features in splenocytes, suppressed splenocyte viability, and caused cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner. However, westernblot, ELISA, qRT-PCR and caspase activity analyses showed that E. adenophoruminhibited Bcl-2 expression, promoted Bax translocation to the mitochondria, triggered the release of Cytc from the mitochondria into the cytosol, and activated caspase-9 and -3 and the subsequent cleavage of PARP. Moreover, in E. adenophorum-induced apoptosis, the protein levels of Fas, Bid, FasL and caspase-8 showed no significant changes. E. adenophorum treatment induced the collapse of ΔΨm. Moreover, these data suggested that E. adenophorum induces splenocyte apoptosis via the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in splenocytes. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the effects of E. adenophorum cytotoxicity on splenocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a prognostic risk prediction model for the development of silicosis among workers exposed to silica dust in China. The prediction model was performed by using retrospective cohort of 3,492 workers exposed to silica in an iron ore, with 33 years of follow-up. We developed a risk score system using a linear combination of the predictors weighted by the LASSO penalized Cox regression coefficients. The model's predictive accuracy was evaluated using time-dependent ROC curves. Six predictors were selected into the final prediction model (age at entry of the cohort, mean concentration of respirable silica, net years of dust exposure, smoking, illiteracy, and no. of jobs). We classified workers into three risk groups according to the quartile (Q1, Q3) of risk score; 203 (23.28%) incident silicosis cases were derived from the high risk group (risk score ≥ 5.91), whilst only 4 (0.46%) cases were from the low risk group (risk score < 3.97). The score system was regarded as accurate given the range of AUCs (83-96%). This study developed a unique score system with a good internal validity, which provides scientific guidance to the clinicians to identify high-risk workers, thus has important cost efficient implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]