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African Journal of Thoracic and... 2023
PubMed: 37970572
DOI: 10.7196/AJTCCM.2023.v29i3.1495 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Nov 2023Exposure to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) can cause pulmonary diseases such as asthma. Inhibition of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been found to be...
Exposure to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) can cause pulmonary diseases such as asthma. Inhibition of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been found to be protective against the toxic effects of TDI on human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. Here, we evaluated the in vivo positive roles of HMGB1 in the TDI-caused asthma mice and explored its underlying mechanisms in HBE cells. We found that suppression of HMGB1 obviously alleviated airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and airway remodeling in the lung tissue of the asthma mice. The in vitro results showed that inhibition of HMGB1 ameliorated TDI-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) release, inflammatory response, and activation of autophagy in HBE cells. At the molecular level, inhibition of HMGB1 decreased the expressions of HMGB1, Toll-like receptor 4, Vimentin and matrix metalloproteinase-9 proteins, activated NF-κB and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and increased E-cadherin expression. Importantly, activation of autophagy could lead to the overactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome in TDI-induced asthma. These results suggest that inhibition of HMGB1 can alleviate TDI-induced asthma through ROS/AMPK/autophagy pathways, which may provide valuable evidence for the pathogenesis and therapeutic targets of TDI-induced asthma.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Asthma, Occupational; HMGB1 Protein; Inflammasomes; Lung; Mice, Inbred BALB C; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Reactive Oxygen Species; Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate
PubMed: 37839183
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115575 -
Redox Biology Feb 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is associated with multiple environmental risk factors, including heavy metals. Lead (Pb) is a heavy...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is associated with multiple environmental risk factors, including heavy metals. Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal contaminant, which is closely related to the incidence of AD. However, the research on the role of microglia in Pb-induced AD-like pathology is limited. To determine the mechanism by which Pb exposure aggravates AD progression and the role of microglial activation, we exposed APP/PS1 mice and Aβ-treated BV-2 cells to Pb. Our results suggested that chronic Pb exposure exacerbated learning and memory impairments in APP/PS1 mice. Pb exposure increased the activation of microglia in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice, which was associated with increased deposition of Aβ, and induced hippocampal neuron damage. Pb exposure upregulated copper transporter 1 (CTR1) and downregulated copper P-type ATPase transporter (ATP7A) in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice and Aβ-treated BV-2 cells. Moreover, Pb enhanced mitochondrial translocation of the mitochondrial copper transporter COX17, leading to an increase in mitochondrial copper concentration and mitochondrial damage. This could be reversed by copper-chelating agents or by inhibiting the mitochondrial translocation of COX17. The increased mitochondrial copper concentration caused by increased mitochondrial translocation of COX17 after Pb exposure may be related to the enhanced mitochondrial import pathway of AIF/CHCHD4. These results indicate that Pb induces the activation of microglia by increasing the concentration of copper in the mitochondria of microglia, and microglia release inflammatory factors to promote neuroinflammation, thus aggravating the pathology of AD. The present study provides new ideas for the prevention of Pb-induced AD.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Alzheimer Disease; Copper; Mice, Transgenic; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Lead; Mitochondria; Disease Models, Animal; Amyloid beta-Peptides
PubMed: 38091880
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102990 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2023
PubMed: 37905242
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1302635 -
BMJ Open Aug 2023Workers in the construction industry have been exposed to asbestos in various occupations. In Italy, a National Mesothelioma Registry has been implemented more than 20...
OBJECTIVES
Workers in the construction industry have been exposed to asbestos in various occupations. In Italy, a National Mesothelioma Registry has been implemented more than 20 years ago. Using cases selected from this registry and exploiting existing control data sets, we estimated relative risks for pleural mesothelioma (PM) among construction workers.
DESIGN
Case-control study.
SETTING
Cases from the National Mesothelioma Registry (2000-2018), controls from three previous case-control studies.
METHODS
We selected male PM incident cases diagnosed in 2000-2018. Population controls were taken from three studies performed in six Italian regions within two periods (2002-2004 and 2012-2016). Age-adjusted and period-adjusted unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to estimate odds ratios (OR) for occupations in the construction industry. We followed two approaches, one (primary) excluding and the other (secondary) including subjects employed in other non-construction blue collar occupations for >5 years. For both approaches, we performed an overall analysis including all cases and, given the incomplete temporal and geographic overlap of cases and controls, three time or/and space restricted sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
The whole data set included 15 592 cases and 2210 controls. With the primary approach (4797 cases and 1085 controls), OR was 3.64 (2181 cases) for subjects ever employed in construction. We found elevated risks for blue-collar occupations (1993 cases, OR 4.52), including bricklayers (988 cases, OR 7.05), general construction workers (320 cases, OR 4.66), plumbers and pipe fitters (305 cases, OR 9.13), painters (104 cases, OR 2.17) and several others. Sensitivity analyses yielded very similar findings. Using the secondary approach, we observed similar patterns, but ORs were remarkably lower.
CONCLUSIONS
We found markedly increased PM risks for most occupations in the construction industry. These findings are relevant for compensation of subjects affected with mesothelioma in the construction industry.
Topics: Humans; Male; Construction Industry; Case-Control Studies; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Diseases; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Asbestos; Pleural Neoplasms; Logistic Models; Italy
PubMed: 37567753
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073480 -
Medycyna Pracy Nov 2023Occupational medical research involves the collection and analysis of data to draw conclusions about the causes and prevention of workplace injuries and diseases....
Occupational medical research involves the collection and analysis of data to draw conclusions about the causes and prevention of workplace injuries and diseases. However, there has been criticism that some studies lack rigour in determining causation. This article examines the similarities and differences between occupational medical research and particle physics in terms of their approach to hypothesis testing, statistical methods, and confounder control. The article also explores the use of criteria such as the Bradford Hill criteria to determine causation in occupational medical research. While particle physics is often viewed as a highly rigorous science, occupational medical research also employs rigorous scientific methods to ensure findings are accurate and reliable. However, there is room for improvement in determining causation in occupational medical research, particularly in the use of criteria such as the Bradford Hill criteria to guide the development of more robust studies. It is essential for occupational medical research to adhere to rigorous scientific methods to deliver findings that can help reduce workplace injuries and diseases. The use of criteria such as the Bradford Hill criteria can ensure that the conclusions drawn. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;74(4):333-9.
Topics: Humans; Occupational Medicine; Causality; Physics; Workplace
PubMed: 37966388
DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.01387 -
Journal of Occupational Medicine and... Sep 2023Occupational Health Services (OHS) are comprehensive, multidisciplinary services supplied by various trained workers, including occupational physicians (OP), whose...
BACKGROUND
Occupational Health Services (OHS) are comprehensive, multidisciplinary services supplied by various trained workers, including occupational physicians (OP), whose specialty is focused on workers' health.
AIMS
Our study questions are whether the OP/worker ratio may reflect the scope and availability of OHS.
METHODS
This comparative study, conducted on globally different OHS, was based on literature analysis of peer-reviewed articles published in journals covering topics of occupational medicine and public health that addressed parameters on the type and scope of OHS provision.
RESULTS
We described the number of OP/worker ratio, and the correlation to economic parameters (Gross domestic product-GDP, health expenditure, Gini Index-GI) by country. We found that among countries with a GDP per capita higher than US$30,000, only three (US, South Korea and Israel) had a very low OP/worker ratio (about 1:50,000 compared to 1:5,000 in other countries). Looking at all the countries together, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between health expenditure percentage of GDP per capita and OP/worker ratio (rs = -0.54, p = 0.01) and a significant positive correlation between GI and OP/worker ratio (rs = 0.47, p = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS
The lesser the percentage of health expenditure of GDP and the subsequent greater general inequality as reflected by the GI, the lower the OP/worker ratio. The data collected in our comparative study show that the OP/worker ratio is a parameter both easy to define and obtain which best represents the status and disparity of OHS in each country.
PubMed: 37710277
DOI: 10.1186/s12995-023-00386-2 -
Allergologie Select 2024Occupational skin and respiratory allergies are among the most common occupational diseases in Germany. The identification of the allergy trigger is essential for the... (Review)
Review
Occupational skin and respiratory allergies are among the most common occupational diseases in Germany. The identification of the allergy trigger is essential for the recognition of an occupational allergy as well as for effective individual prevention. However, occupational type I allergens are among the "rare" allergens and the possibilities of guideline-compliant diagnosis using quality-tested skin test solutions is becoming increasingly difficult due to the reduction in commercially available test allergens. In order to guarantee meaningful diagnostic workup for all affected insured persons with suspected occupational type I allergies and to ensure this in the future, a durable optimization, standardization, and availability of allergy tests for occupational allergic diseases is urgently required. The need for action has been recognized by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), and steps to eliminate the diagnostic gaps have been initiated by a joint research project at the Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the DGUV (IPA) and the Paul Ehrlich Institut (PEI). The evaluation of alternative methods for the production of standardized test allergen solutions can also be used for newly emerging allergens in the workplace. New allergen sources at workplaces and thus also sensitization and allergies among employees can be expected as a result of changes in work processes and the introduction of new technologies and/or working materials, which are also introduced in connection with climate change and the concept of sustainability.
PubMed: 38835747
DOI: 10.5414/ALX02500E -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Sep 2023Exposure to lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) during early life influences neurodevelopment and increases the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the level of...
Exposure to lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) during early life influences neurodevelopment and increases the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. However, the level of developmental neurotoxicity due to combined exposure to the two metals remains unclear. Although the microbiota plays an essential part in the development of the nervous system via the gut-brain axis, there is a paucity of information regarding the interactions between exposure to Pb and Mn, the destruction of the microbiome, and neurodevelopmental impacts. To fill in this knowledge gap, we investigated the developmental neurotoxicity and effects on the microbiota of Pb (0.05 mg·L) alone and in combination with Mn (0.3 mg·L) in zebrafish larvae. Our results revealed that combined exposure precipitated higher malformation rates and lower locomotor activity levels than exposure to either Pb or Mn alone. Additionally, when we separated the combined exposure group from the other groups by applying unsupervised principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and linear discriminant analysis (LEfSe) of microflora sequencing results, we observed extensive alterations in microbial abundances under combined-exposure conditions. Functional prediction analysis showed that combined exposure contributed to altered amino acid and lipid metabolism, and also that combined exposure to Pb and Mn reflected the greatest number of differentially activated biological pathways compared to the other three groups. ATP-binding cassette G (ABCG) genes and genes related to serotonin signaling and metabolism were altered following combined Pb and Mn exposure and exhibited disparate trends vis-à-vis Pb or Mn exposure alone. According to the results, the combined exposure to Pb and Mn led to more severe effects on both zebrafish locomotor activity and gut microbial composition. We suggest that the microbiota contributes to the combined neurotoxicity by increasing ABCG5 and ABCG8 gene expression.
Topics: Animals; Lead; Zebrafish; Manganese; Microbiota; Locomotion
PubMed: 37487434
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115260 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Mar 2024Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and irreversible fibrotic disease whose natural history is characterised by a progressive worsening of the pulmonary... (Review)
Review
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and irreversible fibrotic disease whose natural history is characterised by a progressive worsening of the pulmonary function, exertional dyspnoea, exercise intolerance, reduced physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impairment. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary programme that uses a combination of strength training, teaching, counselling, and behaviour modification techniques to reduce symptoms and optimise functional capacity in patients with chronic lung disease. Based on the well-documented effectiveness of PR in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), over the years supportive evidence of its benefits for other respiratory diseases has been emerging. Although the latest rehabilitation guidelines recognised PR's efficacy for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and IPF in particular, this comprehensive approach remains underused and under-resourced. In this review, we will discuss the advantages and beneficial effects of PR on IPF, analysing its impact on exercise capacity, disease-related symptoms, cardiovascular outcomes, body composition, and HRQOL.
PubMed: 38610791
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13072026