Air ; analysis ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; analysis ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the differences in the autophagy activity of alveolar macrophages between patients with different stages of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP).

METHODSA total of 116 coal workers were investigated in the field. Their lung lavage fluid was collected and purified to obtain alveolar macrophages. The morphological characteristics of autophagy were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression of autophagy marker (LC3) and autophagy regulators (Beclin1, mTOR, and p-mTOR) was measured by Western blot. The autophagy activity of alveolar macrophages was compared between dust-exposed subjects and patients with stage I, II, and III CWP.

RESULTSThe autophagy activity of alveolar macrophages differed between patients with different stages of CWP, according to transmission electron microscopy. Patients with stage II CWP had significantly higher protein expression of LC3 II/I and Beclin1 in pulmonary macrophages than those with stage ICWP (P < 0.05); patients with stage III CWP had significantly lower protein expression of LC3 II/I and Beclin1 in pulmonary macrophages than those with stage II CWP (P < 0.05), but had significantly higher protein expression of LC3 II/I and Beclin1 than those with stage I CWP (P < 0.05); patients with stage II CWP had a significantly higher protein expression of Beclin1 than the dust-exposed subjects (P < 0.05). Patients with stage II CWP had significantly lower expression of mTOR and p-mTOR in pulmonary macrophages than the dust-exposed subjects and those with stage I CWP (P < 0.05), while patients with stage III CWP had significantly higher expression of mTOR and p-mTOR than those with stage II CWP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe autophagy activity of alveolar macrophages varies between patients with different stages of CWP.

Anthracosis ; pathology ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; Beclin-1 ; Biomarkers ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Coal ; Coal Mining ; Dust ; Humans ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Occupational Exposure ; Pneumoconiosis ; pathology

Objective:To analyze the changes of serum metabolomics in rats with combined injuries caused by gas explosion and explore its possible mechanism.Methods:In April 2018, the large coal mine gas explosion test roadway and explosion test system were used to simulate the gas explosion experiment. All 32 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, control group (not involved in the explosion) , close range (40 m) group, medium range (160 m) group and long range (240 m) group, 8 in each group. The respiratory function at 2 hours and the neural behavior at 48 hours were detected after the explosion. The rats were anesthetized and sacrificed after 48 hours, and the serum, lung, liver and other tissues of the rats were isolated and histopathological changes of lung and liver tissues were observed by HE staining. Serum samples were detected by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap Elite/MS) , and metabolic spectrum differences between groups were evaluated by principal component analysis. Differential metabolites were screened and identified, and metabolic pathways were analyzed.Results:Compared with control group, respiratory function indexes (respiratory frequency, minute ventilation, peak inspiratory flow rate, peak expiratory flow rate and 1/2 tidal volume expiratory flow) of rats in different explosion groups were significantly decreased ( P<0.05) , but respiration pause, inspiratory time and 2/3 tidal volume required time were significantly increased ( P<0.05) in 2 hours after the explosion. However, the residence times of the neurobehavioral indicators of the 40 m group and 160 m group were significantly increased ( P<0.05) , and the movement distances were significantly decreased ( P<0.05) in 48 hours after the explosion. HE staining results showed that the lung and liver tissues of the rats in the gas explosion group structurally damaged, and the cells were disordered, with inflammatory cell infiltration, bleeding and edema. Metabonomics analysis showed that there were significant differences in metabolic profiles between groups. A total of 18 differential metabolites were identified in serum samples, including aconitum acid, citric acid, niacinamide and pyruvate, which involved in 12 major metabolic pathways, including the glutamic acid and glutamine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide metabolism, citric acid cycle (TCA cycle) . Conclusion:Gas explosion can cause multi-organ system damage in rats, the mechanism of which may be related to the biosynthesis of alanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, metabolism of niacin and niacinamide, metabolism of acetaldehyde and dicarboxylic acid, and TCA cycle, etc.

Objective:To investigate the expression of lipoic acid synthase gene ( LIAS) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene ( NRF2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with silicosis and their correlation with silicosis. Methods:A total of 45 healthy controls and 107 patients with silicosis were randomly selected in this study in May 2019. PBMCs were isolated from peripheral blood and NRF2 protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence. The mRNA levels of LIAS and NRF2 in PBMCs were determined by real-time PCR. The dose-response relationship beween LIAS and NRF2 mRNA expression levels and their association with silicosis were analyzed by restricted cubic spline (RCS) and logistic regression. Results:Compared with the control group, the number of monocytes in the case group was significantly increased, and the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1.0) decreased, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The positive expression rate of NRF2 in PBMCs of silicosis patients in stage Ⅰ group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the positive expression rate of NRF2 in silicosis patients in stageⅡ and Ⅲ groups was lower than that in silicosis patients in control group and stage Ⅰ group ( P<0.01) . Results of RCS showed that there was a linear dose-response relationship between LIAS and NRF2 mRNA expression (overall correlation test, χ 2=213.710, P<0.01; non-linear test, χ 2=1.340, P=0.511) . There was a positive correlation between mRNA expression of LIAS and that of NRF2 ( r=0.651, P<0.01) . The results of multivariate analysis showed that LIAS and NRF2 were increased the risk of incidence in silicosis patients with stageⅠ ( OR=11.184, 4.332, P<0.05) and NRF2 was the protective factor in silicosis patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ ( OR=0.225, 0.208, P<0.05) after adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, education level, BMI and smoking. Conclusion:There is a linear dose-response relationship between the expression of LIAS and NRF2 mRNA in PBMCs of silicosis patients, LIAS and NRF2 are involved in the pathogenesis of silicosis.

Objective:To analyze the changes of serum metabolomics in rats with combined injuries caused by gas explosion and explore its possible mechanism.Methods:In April 2018, the large coal mine gas explosion test roadway and explosion test system were used to simulate the gas explosion experiment. All 32 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, control group (not involved in the explosion) , close range (40 m) group, medium range (160 m) group and long range (240 m) group, 8 in each group. The respiratory function at 2 hours and the neural behavior at 48 hours were detected after the explosion. The rats were anesthetized and sacrificed after 48 hours, and the serum, lung, liver and other tissues of the rats were isolated and histopathological changes of lung and liver tissues were observed by HE staining. Serum samples were detected by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Orbitrap Elite/MS) , and metabolic spectrum differences between groups were evaluated by principal component analysis. Differential metabolites were screened and identified, and metabolic pathways were analyzed.Results:Compared with control group, respiratory function indexes (respiratory frequency, minute ventilation, peak inspiratory flow rate, peak expiratory flow rate and 1/2 tidal volume expiratory flow) of rats in different explosion groups were significantly decreased ( P<0.05) , but respiration pause, inspiratory time and 2/3 tidal volume required time were significantly increased ( P<0.05) in 2 hours after the explosion. However, the residence times of the neurobehavioral indicators of the 40 m group and 160 m group were significantly increased ( P<0.05) , and the movement distances were significantly decreased ( P<0.05) in 48 hours after the explosion. HE staining results showed that the lung and liver tissues of the rats in the gas explosion group structurally damaged, and the cells were disordered, with inflammatory cell infiltration, bleeding and edema. Metabonomics analysis showed that there were significant differences in metabolic profiles between groups. A total of 18 differential metabolites were identified in serum samples, including aconitum acid, citric acid, niacinamide and pyruvate, which involved in 12 major metabolic pathways, including the glutamic acid and glutamine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, nicotinic acid and nicotinamide metabolism, citric acid cycle (TCA cycle) . Conclusion:Gas explosion can cause multi-organ system damage in rats, the mechanism of which may be related to the biosynthesis of alanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, metabolism of niacin and niacinamide, metabolism of acetaldehyde and dicarboxylic acid, and TCA cycle, etc.

Objective:To investigate the expression of lipoic acid synthase gene ( LIAS) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 gene ( NRF2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with silicosis and their correlation with silicosis. Methods:A total of 45 healthy controls and 107 patients with silicosis were randomly selected in this study in May 2019. PBMCs were isolated from peripheral blood and NRF2 protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence. The mRNA levels of LIAS and NRF2 in PBMCs were determined by real-time PCR. The dose-response relationship beween LIAS and NRF2 mRNA expression levels and their association with silicosis were analyzed by restricted cubic spline (RCS) and logistic regression. Results:Compared with the control group, the number of monocytes in the case group was significantly increased, and the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV 1.0) decreased, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The positive expression rate of NRF2 in PBMCs of silicosis patients in stage Ⅰ group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the positive expression rate of NRF2 in silicosis patients in stageⅡ and Ⅲ groups was lower than that in silicosis patients in control group and stage Ⅰ group ( P<0.01) . Results of RCS showed that there was a linear dose-response relationship between LIAS and NRF2 mRNA expression (overall correlation test, χ 2=213.710, P<0.01; non-linear test, χ 2=1.340, P=0.511) . There was a positive correlation between mRNA expression of LIAS and that of NRF2 ( r=0.651, P<0.01) . The results of multivariate analysis showed that LIAS and NRF2 were increased the risk of incidence in silicosis patients with stageⅠ ( OR=11.184, 4.332, P<0.05) and NRF2 was the protective factor in silicosis patients with stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ ( OR=0.225, 0.208, P<0.05) after adjusting for potential confounding factors including age, education level, BMI and smoking. Conclusion:There is a linear dose-response relationship between the expression of LIAS and NRF2 mRNA in PBMCs of silicosis patients, LIAS and NRF2 are involved in the pathogenesis of silicosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate psychological stress and influence factors on the mine emergency rescue personnel.

METHOD564 mine emergency rescue personnel from a rescue group were select as subjects, and 60 designers from a steel design institute were as controls. Self-made questionnaire and general job stress questionnaire were used to investigate the basic information, rescue history, psychosomatic symptoms, depression symptoms, daily job stress and negative emotions of emergency rescue personnel. SPSS17.0 software was used to analysis the psychological stress on the mine rescue personnel and its influence factors.

RESULTSThe detection rate (41.94%) of depression symptoms in rescue team was higher than that of controls (24.90%). The score of daily job stress was higher than that of logistical support. The older age group with higher negative emotional and daily job stress than the younger. The highest negative emotion was in age group of more than 40 years old. The highest score of daily job stress was in ≤30 years old. The score of depression and psychosomatic symptoms were higher than those of the college and the above. The scores of depression in group of duration of rescue <10 years was higher than that of duration≥10 years. The score of daily job stress is the lowest in rescue for 1 to 2 times per year and the highest in group of simulation training once a week. The score of daily job stress and depressive symptoms were getting higher with the extension of combat duty time. Age, hours of combat duty, training times a week, education and life events were the main affecting fectors on mental health of mine rescuers.

CONCLUSIONSMine rescuers have more psychological stress than generic population. The psychological stress of the mine crew is related to age, education, life events, training and combat readiness duty time.

Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Disasters ; Emergency Responders ; psychology ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Mining ; Rescue Work ; Stress, Psychological ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To observe the intervention effect of polyguanylic acid( Poly G) on silicosis fibrosis in rats and to explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Specific pathogen free adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:control group,silicosis model group and 4 intervention groups( intervention group 1,2,3 and 4),with 5 rats in each group. Except for the control group,the other 5 groups were treated with 1. 0 m L silica suspension( 50. 0 g / L mass concentration) by intratracheal intubation,four intervention group was given by intraperitoneal injection of 1,2,3 and 4doses of Poly G at 2. 5 mg / kg body weight after establishing the model for 1 to 21 days. All rats were sacrificed 28 days after silicosis model establishment. Lung pathological changes were observed and the pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated by Ashcroft scores. The expression of Macrophage receptor with collagenous structure( MARCO),transforming growth factor-β1( TGF-β1),E-cadherin,Vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin( α-SMA) protein were detected by western blot.RESULTS: In the model group,a large number of dust cell aggregates were found in the alveolar cavity and diffuse collagen deposition appeared in the pulmonary interstitial,indicating that silicosis model was successfully constructed. The alveolar structure of the single dose intervention group was integral and the degree of fibrosis was significantly less than that of the silicosis model group. Compared with the control group,MARCO,TGF-β1,Vimentin and α-SMA expression levels of silicosis model group were increased,the expression level of E-cadherin decreased, the difference was statistically significant( P < 0. 05). Compared with the silicosis model group,TGF-β1,Vimentin and α-SMA expression levels of single dose intervention group decreased,E-cadherin expression level increased,the difference was statistically significant( P < 0. 05). The dose-response relationship could not perceived between the Poly G intervention times and the Ashcroft scores or the protein expression levels of MARCO,TGF-β1,E-cadherin,Vimentin and α-SMA respectively. CONCLUSION: Poly G can effectively reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis in rats. The effect of single dose intervention( 2. 5 mg / kg body weight,intraperitoneal injection) at the first day after silica exposure is the best. The mechanism of action may be related to the low-does Ply G which can inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and then result in the decrease of collagen synthesis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and mechanism of the endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS) pathway of apoptosis mediated by inositol-requiring enzyme-1(IRE1) in the intervention of silicosis fibrosis in rats using polyguanylic acid(PolyG).METHODS: The specific pathogen free adult male SD rats were randomly divided into control group(24rats),silicosis model group(24 rats),PolyG intervention group(16 rats) and PolyG treatment group(16 rats).The silicosis fibrosis rat model was constructed using the single inhalable intratracheal instillation method.The rats in the control group were injected with 1 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution.The other 3 groups were given 1 mL of silica suspension at 50.0 g/L mass concentration.The rats in PolyG intervention group on the day of model construction and rats in PolyG treatment group on the 28 th day after model construction were all given PolyG with 2.5 mg/kg body weight by one time tail vein intravenous injection.Eight rats in the PolyG intervention group and PolyG treatment group were sacrificed respectively on day 28 and day 56 after injection.The pathological changes of lung tissue in each group were observed.The expression of glucose regulated protein-78(GRP78),IRE1,CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP),Casepase-3,Casepase-12,type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen in lung tissue was detected by the Western blot.RESULTS: The histopathology examination results showed that the structure of lung tissue in control group was normal.The alveolar structure of the lung tissue of the silicosis model group was severe,and the fibrous nodules and a large amount of collagen deposition appeared.The silicosis nodules and collagen deposition in PolyG intervention group and PolyG treatment group were less than those in silicosis model group.The expression of GRP78,IRE1,CHOP,Casepase-3,Casepase-12,type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen in silicosis model group was higher than that of control group(P <0.05).The expression of the above 7 proteins in the PolyG intervention group and PolyG treatment group was lower than that of silicosis model group(P<0.05),higher than that of control group(P<0.05),except IRE1 and CHOP in PolyG intervention group.On day 56 after model construction,the expression of GRP78,IRE1,Casepase-3,Casepase-12,typeⅠ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen in PolyG intervention group were lower than that of PolyG treatment group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The unfolded protein response of ERS mediated by IRE1 may participate in the process of PolyG the intervention on silicosis fibrosis in rats.PolyG can effectively prevent and treat silicosis fibrosis.Prophylactic administration is recommended.

Objective To explore the association between dust exposure and the incidence of hypertension in male coal miners. Methods Using the method of retrospective cohort study,a hypertension cohort of colliery in Henan Province was established in January 2006. From 2006 to 2017,all the male coal miners in a colliery who were exposed to dust were selected into the exposure group including tunneling, mining,auxiliary and combining workers,and workers from administrative logistics departments who were not exposed to dust were selected into the control group. The eligible participants should satisfy following conditions: working more than one year, with clear and complete record of occupation change, and with complete archives and reliable diagnosis of occupational health surveillance. The exclusion criteria of participants were with hypertension at the baseline of study or with heart,liver,kidney diseases and malignant tumors. A total of 12 647 participants were enrolled in this study (11 663 in the exposure group and 984 in the control group). The follow?up period was from January 2006 to December 2017,with a total follow?up of 89 259.75 person?years. Questionnaires and physical measurements were used to collect general demographic characteristics, occupational exposure history and occupational health surveillance data of all participants. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the association between the dust exposure and the incidence of hypertension. Results During the follow?up period, 2 549 new?onset hypertension patients were identified with an incidence density of hypertension about 2 855.71 per 100 000 person?years. The incidence density of hypertension was 2 967.58 per 100 000 person?years in the exposure group, and 1 643.85 per 100 000 person?years in the control group. The results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that after the adjustment of marriage, age, smoking, alcohol drinking and body mass index,the risk of hypertension was higher in the exposure group compared with the control group ( HR=1.692, 95%CI : 1.410-2.032). Further analysis showed that compared with workers from administrative logistics departments,the risk of hypertension in tunneling,mining and auxiliary working was 1.629(1.345-1.973),1.677(1.374-2.046) and 1.782(1.475-2.151),respectively. Conclusion Dust exposure may increase the risk of hypertension in male coal miners.