Regional Distribution and Human Health Effects of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Zhejiang Province

Zhejiang (ZJ) is a developed province located in the southeast coast of China. In recent years, growing concern has been aroused over the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) pollution associated with electronic and electric waste (e-waste) in this province. This chapter has provided numerous and integrated information concerning POPs pollution level and human health effects in ZJ. The residue levels of major POPs, including DDT, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCP/PCP-Na, in the environmental media, local food and human body were relatively higher in polluted areas of intensive e-waste dismantling industry compared with control areas. POPs pollution levels and cancer incidence in both polluted areas and control areas were comparable with the national data. In vitro test and population survey provided evidence that PCBs exposure altered the expression of genes involved in nervous system- and immune system-related diseases, and the CCL22 gene could serve as an effective biomarker for PCBs exposure. Additionally, e-waste management in ZJ province was discussed. Taken together, these data suggest that POPs pollution in ZJ may be correlated to local e-waste recycling activities. In the future, more efforts should be devoted to improve the techniques for e-waste recycling and establish a sound e-waste management framework

Application of grey-related decision-making methods to the evaluation of road performance for high-grade highway base materials

Paper presented at the 23rd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 12 - 15 July 2004 "Getting recognition for the importance of transport", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. This paper introduces the grey-related decision-making methods to the evaluation of road base materials for the purpose of providing more objective and scientific basis to the selection of high-grade highway base materials and the bettering of designs.This paper was transferred from the original CD ROM created for this conference. The material on the CD ROM was published using Adobe Acrobat technology. The original CD ROM was produced by Document Transformation Technologies Postal Address: PO Box 560 Irene 0062 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 667 2074 Fax: +27 12 667 2766 E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://www.doctech.co.z

Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Altered Peptide Ligand‐Loaded Dendritic Cell Act as A Therapeutic Vaccine for Spinal Cord Injury Through Eliciting CD4+ T cell‐Mediated Neuroprotective Immunity

Abstract The balance among different CD4+ T cell subsets is crucial for repairing the injured spinal cord. Dendritic cell (DC)‐derived small extracellular vesicles (DsEVs) effectively activate T‐cell immunity. Altered peptide ligands (APLs), derived from myelin basic protein (MBP), have been shown to affect CD4+ T cell subsets and reduce neuroinflammation levels. However, the application of APLs is challenging because of their poor stability and associated side effects. Herein, it is demonstrate that DsEVs can act as carriers for APL MBP87‐99A91 (A91‐DsEVs) to induce the activation of 2 helper T (Th2) and regulatory T (Treg) cells for spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. These stimulated CD4+ T cells can efficiently “home” to the lesion area and establish a beneficial microenvironment through inducing the activation of M2 macrophages/microglia, inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines, and increasing the release of neurotrophic factors. The microenvironment mediated by A91‐DsEVs may enhance axon regrowth, protect neurons, and promote remyelination, which may support the recovery of motor function in the SCI model mice. In conclusion, using A91‐DsEVs as a therapeutic vaccine may help induce neuroprotective immunity in the treatment of SCI

Role of DNA methylation in cell cycle arrest induced by Cr (VI) in two cell lines.

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(IV)], a well-known industrial waste product and an environmental pollutant, is recognized as a human carcinogen. But its mechanisms of carcinogenicity remain unclear, and recent studies suggest that DNA methylation may play an important role in the carcinogenesis of Cr(IV). The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of Cr(IV) on cell cycle progress, global DNA methylation, and DNA methylation of p16 gene. A human B lymphoblastoid cell line and a human lung cell line A549 were exposed to 5-15 µM potassium dichromate or 1.25-5 µg/cm² lead chromate for 2-24 hours. Cell cycle was arrested at G₁ phase by both compounds in 24 hours exposure group, but global hypomethylation occurred earlier than cell cycle arrest, and the hypomethylation status maintained for more than 20 hours. The mRNA expression of p16 was significantly up-regulated by Cr(IV), especially by potassium dichromate, and the mRNA expression of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK4 and CDK6) was significantly down-regulated. But protein expression analysis showed very little change of p16 gene. Both qualitative and quantitative results showed that DNA methylation status of p16 remained unchanged. Collectively, our data suggested that global hypomethylation was possibly responsible for Cr(IV)-induced G₁ phase arrest, but DNA methylation might not be related to up-regulation of p16 gene by Cr(IV)

Vaginal microecological changes of different degrees of cervical lesions in Hakka women in Meizhou City

Research shows an association between vaginal microbiota and the development of cervical cancer, but the role of altered microbiota in cancer development remains controversial. In this study, we attempted to reveal the vaginal microecological changes in cervical lesions by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Vaginal secretions were collected from Hakka women in Meizhou City, Guangdong Province, China. The diversity, composition and the correlations among species of the vaginal microbiota were determined by sequencing the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. The microbial functional abundance was detected via KEGG and COG (Clusters of Orthologous Groups). The results showed that the Cancer group was characterised by evident changes in the composition of the vaginal microbiota, increased alpha diversity, and altered community structure distribution and microbial interaction network. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size showed that 21 bacterial species were abundant in the Cancer group. In addition, the loss of Lactobacillus stimulated other flora proliferation, resulting in a microecological disturbance. KEGG and COG analysis indicated the cancer group is mainly concentrated in energy metabolism. In short, the vaginal microecology of Hakka women in Meizhou City presents with different degrees of cervical lesions, and the flora imbalance is an important factor in the development of cervical cancer.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies worldwide and has become a prominent public health problem.What the results of this study add? Our study showed that the type of vaginal community status of Hakka women in Meizhou area was characterised by L. Iners predominates, and the gradual loss of Lactobacillus dominance in vaginal bacteria is key to microecological imbalance.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Disturbances in vaginal microecology can stimulate energy metabolism and lipid metabolism to induce cervical cancer development. What is already known on this subject? Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies worldwide and has become a prominent public health problem. What the results of this study add? Our study showed that the type of vaginal community status of Hakka women in Meizhou area was characterised by L. Iners predominates, and the gradual loss of Lactobacillus dominance in vaginal bacteria is key to microecological imbalance. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Disturbances in vaginal microecology can stimulate energy metabolism and lipid metabolism to induce cervical cancer development.</p

Cr (VI)-induced cell cycle arrest in two cell lines.

<p>The concentrations of potassium dichromate were 0, 5 µM, 10 µM, and 15 µM, and the concentrations of lead chromate were 0, 1.25 µg/cm², 2.5 µg/cm², and 5.0 µg/cm². A–B:Percentages of human B lymphoblastoid cells at G₁, S, and G₂ phases after being exposed to potassium dichromate for 2 hours (A) and 24 hours (B). C–D: Percentages of human B lymphoblastoid cells at G₁, S, and G₂ phases after being exposed to lead chromate for 4 hours (C) and 24 hours (D). E–F:Percentages of A549 cells at G₁, S, and G₂ phases after being exposed to potassium dichromate for 2 hours (E) and 24 hours (F). G–H: Percentages of A549 cells at G₁, S, and G₂ phases after being exposed to lead chromate for 4 hours (G) and 24 hours (H). Hash keys above the bars: <i>P</i><0.05 as compared with control; asterisks above the bars: <i>P</i><0.01 as compared with control.</p