The L(+)-form of tartaric acid (L(+)-TA) exists extensively in nature, and is widely used in the food, chemical, textile, building, and pharmaceutical industries (Su et al., 2001). The main method for L(+)-TA production is microbial transformation by cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase (CESH), which can catalyze the asymmetric hydrolysis of cis-epoxysuccinic acid or its salts to TA or tartrate (Bao et al., 2019). Seventeen species containing CESH have been isolated so far. However, most species for L(+)-TA production have been reported from bacteria (Xuan and Feng, 2019). The only fungus isolated from soil by our lab recently, that could be used as catalyst for the process under acidic condition, is Aspergillus niger WH-2 (Bao et al., 2020). In order to find strains with new characteristics, this study attempted to isolate a new CESH source from fungi and investigate its application value.
Aspergillus niger/metabolism* ; Biomass ; Catalysis ; Fermentation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolases/chemistry* ; Hydrolysis ; Industrial Microbiology ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Penicillium/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Soil ; Species Specificity ; Stereoisomerism ; Tartrates/chemistry* ; Temperature ; Textiles

In order to quantitatively evaluate the performance of dry electrode for fabric surface bioelectricity, a set of active measuring devices that can simulate electrocardiosignal has been developed on the basis of passive system by our group. Five Ag/AgCl fabric dry electrodes were selected to test and evaluate the devices. The results show that the deviation ratios of peak time interval of the five electrodes are all less than 1%. The maximum voltage amplitude decay rate is 7.2%, and the noise amplitudes are lower than 0.004 mV. The variable coefficient of peak time offset is less than 8%. The variable coefficient of voltage amplitude is less than 2%. The variable coefficient of noise amplitude is less than 10%. Research shows the devices has good repeatability and stability in measuring the simulated electrocardiosignal. The active measuring devices proposed in this paper can provide a new method for performance evaluation and standard formulation of surface bioelectricity dry electrode.
Electrodes ; Textiles ; Wearable Electronic Devices

BACKGROUND: Exposure to organic dust has been widely investigated as a potential risk factor for asthma with different results. To clarify a potential relationship, we performed the present meta-analysis to integrate the results of studies examining the association of organic dust exposure with asthma. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search in the electronic databases including EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases (up to August 2018) was conducted. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for organic dust exposure and asthma were retrieved and pooled to generate summary effect estimates in Revman 5.2. RESULTS: Database searches retrieved 1,016 records. A total of 17 studies containing 3,619 cases and 6,585 controls were finally included in our meta-analysis. The summary estimates suggested that organic dust exposure was positively associated with asthma (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.26–1.75; P < 0.00001), whether among population-based case-control studies (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.13–1.35; P < 0.00001) or hospital-based case-control studies (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.27–6.12; P = 0.01). Subgroup analysis showed that paper/wood (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.38–1.90; P < 0.00001), flour/grain (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11–1.97; P = 0.008), and textile dust (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.08–2.09; P = 0.02) exposure were significantly associated with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the studies evaluated, our meta-analysis results prompt that organic dust exposure is a risk factor inducing asthma, although precise analysis focus on specific organic dust materials is still warranted.
Asthma ; Case-Control Studies ; Dust ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Textiles

OBJECTIVE: Para-aortic lymphadenectomy was the cornerstone of gynecologic oncology surgery. In endometrial cancer, the quality of para-aortic lymphadenectomy had direct impact on survival of patient. The launch of robot assisted laparoscopy started in 2005 in France, and in 2008 a transperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy was described [1]. With the increase of robots, the robot assisted laparoscopy became more and more popular, hence the need of video tutorial to help less experienced surgeon in this surgical procedure [2]. METHODS: We proposed a description in 10 key steps, of a transperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot assisted laparoscopy (Da Vinci® Si or Xi Robot Surgical System; Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA), without other surgical procedure. RESULTS: The 10 steps are: Step 1: port placement and Da Vinci robot positioning Step 2: identification of the right ureter Step 3: identification of the left renal vein Step 4: latero-caval and aorto-caval lymph nodes dissection Step 5: identification of the left ureter Step 6: creation of peritoneal tent Step 7: identification of the inferior mesenteric artery Step 8: latero-aortal lymph nodes dissection Step 9: pre-sacral lymph nodes dissection Step 10: extraction of bags with specimen and surgical textile CONCLUSION: A standardization of transperitoneal para-aortic lymphadenectomy by robot-assisted laparoscopy is the basis of teaching and learning process. Also it increases the quality of surgery, and consequently decreases the risk of complications.
Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; France ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Renal Veins ; Textiles ; Ureter

The present review summarizes the results of several follow-up studies assessing an asbestos product manufacturing plant in Chongqing, China, and discusses three controversial issues related to the carcinogenicity of asbestos. The first issue is the amphibole hypothesis, which asserts that the carcinogenicity of asbestos is limited to amphiboles, such as crocidolite, but not serpentines, such as chrysotile. However, considering the possible multiple component of asbestos carcinogenicity in the presence of tobacco smoke or other carcinogens, chrysotile cannot be regarded as non-carcinogenic. Additionally, in a practical sense, it is not possible to assume "pure" chrysotile due to its ubiquitous contamination with tremolite, which is a type of amphibole. Thus, as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) assessed, all forms of asbestos including chrysotile should be regarded carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). The second issue is the chrysotile/tremolite paradox, which is a phenomenon involving predominant levels of tremolite in the lung tissues of individuals who worked in locations with negligible levels of tremolite due to the exclusive use of chrysotile. Four possible mechanisms to explain this paradox have been proposed but this phenomenon does not support the claim that amphibole is inert. The final issue discussed is the textile mystery, i.e., the higher incidence of cancer in asbestos textile plants compared to asbestos mines where the same asbestos was produced and the exposure levels were comparable. This phenomenon was first reported in North America followed by UK and then in the present observations from China. Previously, levels of fiber exposure were calculated using a universal converting coefficient to estimate the mass concentration versus fiber concentration. However, parallel measurements of fiber and mass concentrations in the workplace and exposed air indicated that there are wide variations in the fiber/mass ratio, which unjustifies the universal conversion. It is possible that contamination by airborne non-fibrous particles in mines with mass fiber conversion led to the overestimation of fiber concentrations and resulted in the textile mystery. Although the use and manufacturing of asbestos has been banned in Japan, more than 10 million tons of asbestos had been imported and the majority remains in existing buildings. Thus, efforts to control asbestos exposure should be continued.
Asbestos ; classification ; toxicity ; Asbestos, Amphibole ; toxicity ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; toxicity ; Carcinogens ; China ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities ; statistics & numerical data ; Mining ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Textiles ; Tobacco Smoking ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) defined that asbestos is a group 1 substance that causes lung cancer, mesothelioma (pleura and peritoneum), laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer in humans. Many studies on lung cancer, and mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure have been conducted, but there was no case report of ovarian cancer due to asbestos exposure in Korea. We describe a case of ovarian cancer caused by asbestos exposure in a worker who worked at an asbestos textile factory for 3 years and 7 months in the late 1970s. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old woman visited the hospital because she had difficulty urinating. Ovarian cancer was suspected in radiologic examination, and exploratory laparotomy was performed. She was diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. The patient did not undergo postoperative chemotherapy and recovered. She joined the asbestos factory in March 1976 and engaged in asbestos textile twisting and spinning for 1 year, 2 years and 7 months respectively. In addition, she lived near the asbestos factory for more than 20 years. There was no other specificity or family history. CONCLUSION: Considering the patient’s occupational and environmental history, it is estimated that she had been exposed to asbestos significantly, so we determined that ovarian cancer in the patient is highly correlated with the occupational exposure of asbestos and environmental exposure is a possible cause as well. Social devices are needed to prevent further exposure to asbestos. It is also necessary to recognize that ovarian cancer can occur in workers who have previously been exposed to asbestos, and the education and social compensation for those workers are needed.
Asbestos ; Compensation and Redress ; Drug Therapy ; Education ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; International Agencies ; Korea ; Laparotomy ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mesothelioma ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Textile Industry ; Textiles

This article discusses the development of early acupuncture needles as demonstrated by the artifacts excavated from the Northern part of the Yanji district, Jilin, China, during the Japanese colonial era (reported in 1941). Numerous bone needles, stone needles, and other medical devices were found in the Xiaoyingzi excavation. The stone needles from Xiaoyingzi can be categorized into three grades, based on length, of 8cm, 12–15cm, and 18cm. A set of round stones for massage were also discovered, along with obsidian blades. These relics were carefully stored in the middle of the body in the stone coffin. In addition to Xiaoyingzi, stone needles were also excavated along the lower valley region of the Tuman (Tumen, 豆滿) River. These facts indicate that the owner was involved in medical practice, and that medical procedures using stone needles were quite popular at the time. This article carefully investigates that the relics have nothing to do with weaving textile or military use. Current research on the origin of acupuncture has been confined either to stone needles from the prehistoric age or to bronze needles, as well as to literature from the Warring States period to the Han China, during which acupuncture technology was considerably expanded. However, substantial knowledge on the “gap” between stone needles and metal needles has been procured through the analysis of Xiaoyingzi, Yanji. The findings of Xiaoyingzi are also significant in providing a more detailed reconstruction of the development of acupuncture in East Asia and emergence of acupuncture throughout history. A large amount of medical items (stone and bone needles, cases for needles, massage stone type bianshi, and etc.), have been excavated from Xiaoyingzi and other neighbouring sites, Along with geographic and ecological factors, this archeological data strongly suggests the medical tradition of using acupuncture needles was practiced around Tumen River basin in the Bronze Age (10th century B.C.).
Acupuncture* ; Artifacts ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Far East ; Humans ; Massage ; Military Personnel ; Needles ; Rivers ; Textiles

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder which affects millions of population worldwide. Global estimates published in 2010 reported the world diabetic prevalence as 6.4%, affecting 285 million adults. Foot ulceration and wound infection are major forms of disabilities arising from diabetic diseases. This study was aimed to develop a natural antimicrobial finishing on medical grade textile that meets American Association of Textiles Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) standard. The textile samples were finished with the ethanolic extract of Penicillium amestolkiae elv609, an endophytic fungus isolated from Orthosiphon stamineus Benth (common name: cat's whiskers). Endophyte is defined as microorganism that reside in the living plant tissue, without causing apparent disease symptom to the host. The antimicrobial efficacy of the ethanolic extract of P. minioluteum was tested on clinical pathogens isolated from diabetic wound. The extract exhibited significant inhibitory activity against 4 bacteria and 1 yeast with the minimal inhibitory concentration ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 mg/mL. The results indicate different susceptibility levels of the test microorganism to the ethanolic extract. However, the killing activity of the extract was concentration-dependent. The finished medical textile showed excellent antimicrobial efficacy on AATCC test assays. All the microbial cultures treated with the textile sample displayed a growth reduction of 99.9% on Hoheinstein Challenge Test. The wash durability of the finished textile was found good even after 50 washes with commercial detergent. Besides, the gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis showed that 6-octadecenoic acid and diethyl phthalate were the main bioactive constituents of the extract. In conclusion, the developed medical textile showed good antimicrobial efficacy on laboratory tests. This work can be extended to in vivo trials for developing healthcare textile products for antimicrobial applications.
Adult ; Bacteria ; Delivery of Health Care ; Detergents ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Ethanol ; Foot Ulcer ; Fungi ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Homicide ; Humans ; Orthosiphon ; Penicillium* ; Plants ; Prevalence ; Textiles ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries* ; Yeasts

Nipples are protected by nipple splints after reconstructing or reshaping them using various materials. We have devised a nipple splint using textile-like thermoplastic tape, which is made out of knitted hybrid fabric, is latex-free, and keeps its position well beneath a brassiere with simple taping. Its conformation is readily modifiable according to each patient's breast shape, if it is soaked into hot water. A patient who underwent nipple reconstructive surgery had this thermoplastic cast applied for a month, and the contour of the nipple was well preserved without reports of skin irritation or pressure sores developing on the areola.
Breast ; Humans ; Nipples* ; Pressure Ulcer ; Skin ; Splints* ; Textiles ; Water

BACKGROUND: Environmentally induced, occupational diseases are increasing worldwide, especially in rural agricultural communities. Poverty-associated malnutrition, environmental hazards and pollution, and lack of access to clean water, safe sanitation, and modern healthcare facilities are often associated with these chronic illnesses. METHOD: The authors systematically reviewed occupational public health issues that have been related to the environment. General interpretations of results were included as per the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Pertinent publications from research databases were reviewed on (A) the risk–benefits, (B) the prevalence of risk factors for various diseases, (C) the benefits of not ignoring the risk factors (i.e., broader evidence), and (D) the risks, effects, and outcomes of different types of interventions. The authors used chronic kidney disease of multifactorial origin (CKDmfo) as an example to explore the theme. Emphasis was given to the regions with emerging economies and developing countries located in the vicinity of the equator. FINDINGS: Geographical, socio-economic and aetiological similarities exist for many chronic non-communicable diseases that are affecting tropical countries around the equator. The authors identified manufacturing, mining, and agriculture as the biggest polluters of the environment. In addition, deforestation and associated soil erosion, overuse of agrochemicals, and irresponsible factory discharge (e.g., chemicals and paint, from rubber and textile factories, etc.), all contribute to pollution. To decrease the escalating incidences of environmentally induced diseases, governments should work proactively to protect the environment, especially watersheds, and take steps to minimise harmful occupational exposures and strictly enforce environmental regulations. CONCLUSION: Creating public awareness of environmental issues and their relationship to public health is essential. This includes regular monitoring and periodic publication of the quality of water, air and soil; preventing deforestation and man-made soil erosion, increasing forest and ground cover, preventing occupational injuries, judicious and safe use of agrochemicals, sustainable agriculture and development programs, and implementing legislation to protect and conserve water heriage and the environment. These actions are essential both for a healthier environment and for the health of the people who live in that environment. Such measures would also decrease public health threats from such, including global-warming-related erratic environmental changes and the occurrence and the spread of non-communicable diseases, such as CKDmfo.
Agriculture ; Agrochemicals ; Chronic Disease ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Delivery of Health Care ; Developing Countries ; Forests ; Incidence ; Kidney Diseases ; Malnutrition ; Methods ; Mining ; Mortality, Premature ; Occupational Diseases* ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Injuries ; Paint ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Publications ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Risk Factors ; Rubber ; Sanitation ; Social Control, Formal ; Soil ; Textiles ; Water