Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumoconiosis ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Sputum ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible influencing factors of pulmonary dysfunction in coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).

METHODSA total of 141 patients with CWP and 200 control miners with similar exposure histories but without apparent pulmonary disease or inflammation were interviewed with the detailed questionnaires (including histories of coal dust-exposure, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, protective mask uses, et al). Lung function examinations were performed at the same time. Predicted formula of lung function index were established by the local healthy residents characters and the pulmonary dysfunction was classified by the ratios between tested and predicted values.

RESULTSAll parameters of lung function were significantly lower in CWP cases when compared with that of control miners and the healthy controls (P < 0.05). The main types of pulmonary dysfunction were restrictive and mixed ventilation disorders in CWP patients. The factors such as the category of CWP, the mask worn, the smoking quantity and exposure to coal mine dust were included in the unconditional logistic regression model.

CONCLUSIONSThe category of CWP, the usage of mask, the smoking and long duration exposure to coal mine dust may be the main possible influencing factors of pulmonary dysfunction of CWP. Influencing factor analyses were given to inform choice of pertinence preventive measures.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVESTo study the phosphorylation level of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF), and the expression level of cyclin D1-CDK4 protein in S-HELF and whether the expression level of cyclin D1-CDK4 protein mediated by MAPK/AP-1 signaling pathway in S-HELF.

METHODSTwo kinds of treatment: (1) Cells were harvested after stimulation 2 h for the detection of cytokines. (2) Cells were stimulated by quartz for a long time (2 months) for transformation characters (S-HELF). The MAP kinase was detected by western blot. Cyclin D1 and CDK4 (cyclin dependent kinase 4) proteins was measured by immunocytochemistry. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the alternation of cell cycle.

RESULTSCrystalline quartz could cause the phosphorylation level of ERKs, p38K, and JNKs in HELF increase. However, activated levels of ERKs and p46 of JNKs increased in S-HELF, and p38K activation decreased, and no effect on activation of p54 of JNKs, as compared with those in parental HELF. Cyclin D1 and CDK4 protein expression levels increased in S-HELF as compared with parental HELF. Inhibition of ERKs activation by AG126, AP-1 by curcumin, and JNKs by SP600125 could reduced the induction of cyclin D1 and CDK4, whereas inhibition of p38K by SB203580 did not show any inhibitory effects on S-HELF.

CONCLUSIONSThe phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 increased in HELF exposed to quartz. The phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and JNK1 increased, but the phosphorylation level of p38 decreased in S-HELF. The expression level of cyclin D1-CDK4 protein increased in S-HELF. Overexpression of cyclin D1-CDK4 is due to the activation of ERKs, JNKs/AP-1 signaling pathway in S-HELF.

Cell Line ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Quartz ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo explore the association between genetic polymorphisms of TGF-beta (TGF-beta) and susceptibility to pneumoconiosis.

METHODSOne hundred and seventeen patients with pneumoconiosis were selected as case. The control group was workers exposed to dust but without pneumoconiosis who had the same sex, nationality, and workshop or work site as case. The differences in the age and cumulative exposure time between the case and control group were not move than five years and two years, respectively. The case matched with the control according to 1:1. Polymerase chains reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine the frequencies of TGF-beta genes in the two groups.

RESULTSThe frequencies of this TGF-beta (-509) genotypes were CC (22.2%), CT (43.6%) and TT (34.2%) in cases, which was significantly different from the control group, respectively (OR = 1.390, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference for frequency of TGF-beta+869 genotypes and allelic between case and control (P > 0.05). The frequencies of the TGF-beta (+915) genotypes in case [GG (70.9%), GC (29.1%)] were significantly different from the control group (OR = 1.455, P < 0.05). The frequency of TGF-beta (+915) * C allele in the case and control was 14.5% and 8.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). The frequencies of carrying TGF-beta (-509) CC and (+915) GG genotypes were 12.8% and 29.9% in case and control. The frequencies of carrying TGF-beta (-509) * T and (+915) * C alleles were 9.8% and 5.1% in pneumoconiosis and control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTGF-beta (-509)CC genotype may be the protective factor for the pneumoconiosis. TGF-beta (+915)GC genotype may be a susceptible factor for the pneumoconiosis. The workers of carrying TGF-beta (-509) * T and (+915) * C alleles are more susceptible to pneumoconiosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumoconiosis ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics

Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; Risk Assessment ; Workplace

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Humans ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Radiation, Nonionizing ; adverse effects

Dermatitis, Occupational ; etiology ; Humans ; Trichloroethylene

Accidents, Occupational ; Adult ; Ammonia ; poisoning ; Burns, Inhalation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Male ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; therapy ; Respiratory Therapy ; Young Adult

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Comet Assay ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Micronucleus Tests ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Vincristine

Adult ; Back ; physiology ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; physiology ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiology ; Posture ; physiology