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Organic solvents have been suspected to exert detrimental effects on human spermiogenesis. Styrene, which is both mutagenic and neurotoxic, was selected as a suitable organic solvent for further assessment of a possible effect on semen quality and sperm DNA damage.

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Within the EUREKA 643 project "Eurolaser-Safety in the Industrial Applications of Lasers", the workplace exposure during laser materials processing under manufacturing conditions was determined. Concentrations of airborne pollutants, originating from laser machining, were measured under conditions similar to those encountered in industrial manufacturing processes. A quantitative analysis of the concentrations of airborne substances was carried out using measuring techniques as they are used by the Professional Associations. Selected results of measurements during laser beam cutting of mild steel and stainless steel, welding of stainless steel and zinc coated steel using Nd:YAG and CO lasers will be presented. Different production conditions, the efficiency of certain suction systems, and room ventilation systems have been assessed. Also the exposure to chosen chemical compounds during CO2 laser beam cutting of glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene was determined. The results are compare d with national exposure limit values and are used for recommendations for the use of laser processing systems in industry and the description of useful protective measures.

Mammary gland development is controlled by systemic hormones and by growth factors that might complement or mediate hormonal action. Peptides that locally signal growth cessation and stimulate differentiation of the developing epithelium have not been described. Here, we report that recombinant and wild-type forms of mammary-derived growth inhibitor (MDGI) and heart-fatty acid binding protein (FABP), which belong to the FABP family, specifically inhibit growth of normal mouse mammary epithelial cells (MEC), while growth of stromal cells is not suppressed. In mammary gland organ culture, inhibition of ductal growth is associated with the appearance of bulbous alveolar end buds and formation of fully developed lobuloalveolar structures. In parallel, MDGI stimulates its own expression and promotes milk protein synthesis. Selective inhibition of endogenous MDGI expression in MEC by antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides suppresses appearance of alveolar end buds and lowers the beta-casein level in organ cultures. Furthermore, MDGI suppresses the mitogenic effects of epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor antagonizes the activities of MDGI. Finally, the regulatory properties of MDGI can be fully mimicked by an 11-amino acid sequence, represented in the COOH terminus of MDGI and a subfamily of structurally related FABPs. This peptide does not bind fatty acids. To our knowledge, this is the first report about a growth inhibitor promoting mammary gland differentiation.