Haosheng Mu

The Effect of Asian Dust Events on the Daily Symptoms in Yonago, Japan: A Pilot Study on Healthy Subjects

ABSTRACT The occurrence of Asian dust events is a frequent problem, with associated health issues throughout Northeast Asia. However, the effects of Asian dust on human health are not well known in Japan. The authors evaluated the association between daily symptoms and dust events in Yonago, Japan. The subjects were 54 healthy individuals who were distributed survey sheets on nasopharyngeal, ocular, respiratory, and skin symptoms, which were quantified in February 2009. The authors investigated the symptoms of the subjects on Asian dust days and control days, and compared the symptom scores with measures of suspended particulate matter (SPM), which is the indicator of Asian dust. The scores for symptoms were significantly higher on Asian dust days than on control days (p = .020). The skin symptom scores were positively correlated with the SPM level (p < .001). These results provide preliminary evidence that Asian dust influence the symptoms of healthy subjects, although the symptoms are not severe.

The relationship between skin symptoms and allergic reactions to Asian dust.

Asian dust events result from displacement of atmospheric pollutants from the Chinese and Mongolian deserts, causing associated health issues throughout Northeast Asia. We investigated the relationship between skin symptoms in Asian dust events and contact allergy to Asian dust and associated metals. Increases in atmospheric levels of heavy metals such as Ni, Al, and Fe occurred during the severe Asian dust event on March 21, 2010. We conducted a case–control study (n = 62) with patch testing to compare skin symptoms on an Asian dust day with metal allergic reactions. Skin symptoms were observed in 18/62 subjects. Nine subjects with skin symptoms (group A) and 11 without (group B) were patch tested for six metals and Asian dust particles. Metal and dust samples were applied to the subjects’ backs for 2 days and the reactions were scored according to the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group guidelines. Differences in the positive rates between the groups were analyzed. Skin reactions to ferric chloride (p = 0.015), aluminum chloride (p = 0.047), nickel sulfate (p = 0.008), and Asian dust particles (p = 0.047) were more common in group A than in group B. Skin symptoms during Asian dust events may be allergic reactions to Asian dust particle-bound metals.

Adverse Health Effects of Asian Dust Particles and Heavy Metals in Japan

Asian dust events are now considered an environmental problem rather than a natural seasonal phenomenon. In this study, we evaluated the associations between daily adverse health effects and Asian dust events in Yonago, Japan. Participants included 54 healthy volunteers, who were distributed survey sheets on nasal, ocular, respiratory, and skin effects in February 2009. Moreover, we collected meteorological and air pollutant (nitric oxide, sulfur dioxide, suspended particulate matter) data and determined pollen and metallic element concentrations in total suspended particulates. Both soil-derived metals (Fe, Ca, Al) and contaminating metals (Pb, Cr, Mn, Ni, Zn) were significantly increased on Asian dust days. Multiple regression analyses showed that the score of the skin effect was significantly associated with the levels of suspended particulate matter and Ni. The results show that increased air pollutants on Asian dust days may have skin effects.

Clustered components of the metabolic syndrome and platelet counts in Japanese females

Abstract Background: Blood platelet counts (PCs) play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The metabolic syndrome (MS) is also associated with high CVD risk. However, the connection between PCs and MS has not yet been thoroughly investigated in relation to various biosocial factors that can affect both PCs and the pathophysiology of MS. Methods: A total of 152 asymptomatic female subjects (mean age 50 years) with almost normal levels of hemoglobin and white blood cell counts were recruited. MS was diagnosed according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria with a minor modification. The relationships between PCs and MS were analyzed according to the number of MS components (0, 1–2, ≥3). Biosocial factors including age and some lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity) were included in the analyses. Results: PCs in subjects with ≥3 MS components (233±43 [SD]×109 /L) were strikingly and significantly higher than in subjects with 0 (194±34×109/L) or 1–2 MS components (207±38×109/L). General linear model analysis for PCs, adjusted for all biosocial factors and number of MS components, revealed a significant and positive correlation between PCs and number of MS components (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The results suggest that PCs may be a potential marker associated with clustered MS components, independent of some biosocial factors, in Japanese females. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:376–9.

The angiotensin II type 2 receptor gene polymorphism and body mass index in healthy Japanese women

Background: Angiotensin II (AngII), through the AngII type 2 receptor (AT2-R), might exert some effect on adipocyte-and lipogenesis-related biology. The Adenine/Cytosine 3123 (A/C3123) polymorphism in the AT2-R gene is reportedly involved in some diseases, such as hypertension. Methods: A total of 201 healthy Japanese women (mean age 43.2 years) were enrolled in the study to investigate the association among the AT2-R A/C3123 polymorphism detected by polymerase chain reaction methods, body mass index (BMI) and other obesity-linked metabolic parameters (blood pressure, serum lipid/lipoprotein, plasma glucose). Results: Homozygotes of the C-allele in the AT2-R A/C3123 polymorphism were associated with small but significant increases in BMI levels. There were no differences between genotype-based groups in the obesity-linked metabolic parameters. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the AT2-R A/C3123 polymorphism could be a polymorphic marker related to BMI in Japanese women.

Urinary protein 1/Clara cell 16 concentrations and lung functions in male subjects with pneumoconiosis

Background: Protein 1 (P1)/Clara cell 16 kDa protein (CC16, previously named CC10), a potentially immunosuppressive protein secreted by non-ciliated cells of the tracheobronchial epithelium, has been found to be a new useful lung-specific biomarker in several pathological lung conditions. Particularly, urinary P1 (uP1) may reflect the altered lung functions in pneumoconiosis. Methods: We investigated the relationship between uP1 values and lung functions in 31 non-smoking pneumoconiotic males (mean age 73 years) with a history of dust exposure work in shipbuilding. The protein was measured using an originally prepared enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s % (FEV1.0%) and % vital capacity (%VC) were tested with a spirometer. Results: The mean values of uP1 were 4.62 ± 4.82 (mean ± standard deviation) ng/mol creatinine. A univariable correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between uP1 and %VC (r = 0.356, P = 0.049). Also, a multiple regression analysis, when adjusted for age, disease duration, FEV1.0% and %VC, showed a significant correlation of uP1 with %VC (β = 0.467, P = 0.030). Conclusion: The results suggest that a decreased uP1, corroborated by a decreased %VC, may be the result of damage to secretory cells. Measurement of uP1 may become a possible index of fibrotic changes in pneumoconiosis.

Associations Between Subjective Symptoms and Serum Immunoglobulin E Levels During Asian Dust Events

Asian dust is a seasonal meteorological phenomenon caused by the displacement of atmospheric pollutants from the Mongolian and Chinese deserts. Although the frequency of Asian dust events and atmospheric dust levels have steadily increased in the eastern Asia region, the effects on human health remain poorly understood. In the present study, the impact of Asian dust on human health was determined in terms of allergic reactions. A total of 25 healthy volunteers were tested for a relationship between serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and subjective symptoms during a 3-day Asian dust event recorded in April 2012. They filled daily questionnaires on the severity of nasal, pharyngeal, ocular, respiratory, and skin symptoms by a self-administered visual analog scale. Serum levels of non-specific IgE and 33 allergen-specific IgE molecules were analyzed. Spearman rank-correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between nasal symptom scores and 2 microbial-specific IgE levels (Penicillium and Cladosporium). Microbes migrate vast distances during Asian dust events by attaching themselves to dust particles. Therefore, some of these symptoms may be associated with type 1 allergic reactions to certain type of microbes.

Assessment of the Effects of Severe Winter Disasters (Dzud) on Public Health in Mongolia on the Basis of Loss of Livestock.

OBJECTIVE Mongolia experienced one of its most severe natural winter disasters (dzud) in 2009-2010. It is difficult to accurately assess the risk of the effects of dzud on human lives and public health. This study aimed to evaluate the Mongolian public health risks of dzud by assessing livestock loss. METHODS We analyzed data from all 21 provinces and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia and compared the changes in infant mortality (2009-2010) and the decline in the numbers of livestock (percentage change from the previous year), which included horses, cattle, camels, sheep, and goats (2009-2010) and/or meteorological data. We also evaluated the association among the trends in the infant mortality rate, the number of livestock, and foodstuff consumption throughout Mongolia (2001-2012). RESULTS The change in the infant mortality rate was positively correlated with the rate of decreasing numbers of each type of livestock in 2010. Average temperature and total precipitation were not related to the change in the infant mortality rate. In the trend from 2001 to 2012, there was a significant positive correlation between the infant mortality rate and the number of livestock and the consumption of milk products. CONCLUSIONS Loss of livestock and shortage of milk products leading to malnutrition might have affected public health as typified by infant mortality in Mongolia. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:549-552).

Abstract 2179: Relationship between daily habits and risk of death in patients with biliary tract cancer: a large-scale cohort study in Japan

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Objective: Biliary tract cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in East Asia. Death due to this disease comprises 5% of total cancer deaths in Japan. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between biliary tract cancer and daily habits using data from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education (JACC study). Methods: In the JACC study, a cohort of 110,792 subjects aged 40-79 from 19 prefectures in Japan completed the baseline survey during 1988-1990. The subjects were followed up until 2009. The endpoint for the present study was death due to biliary tract cancer, coded as C22.1 (intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, CCC), C23 (malignant neoplasm of the gallbladder, GB cancer), and C24 (malignant neoplasm of other and unspecified parts of the biliary tract, BD cancer) in the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10). The hazard ratio (HR) of biliary tract cancer mortality for smoking and drinking habits, high intake of fatty food, body mass index, and the job category (office job, field work, and others) was evaluated. All results were considered to be significant at the 5% critical level. Results: High intake of fatty food, smoking habit, and field work showed a significant positive association with death in female patients due to BD cancer in females [HR = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-3.39; HR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.02-2.39; and HR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.03-4.84, respectively]. No significant relationship was observed between daily habits and death due to CCC and GB cancer. Conclusion: High intake of fatty food is often a key factor in the risk of death due to biliary tract cancer, and it is well known that smoking can cause various other cancers. Our findings support the results of a previous research. Moreover, our results suggest that occupational differences may have an effect on mortality in female patients with biliary tract cancer. Therefore, a more detailed analysis of the job category is required for a more meaningful interpretation of the data. Citation Format: Shinji Otani, Youichi Kurozawa, Takenobu Hosoda, Haosheng Mu, Kazunari Onishi, Yae Yokoyama, Joji Watanabe, Teruhisa Sakamoto, Kanenori Endo, Masahide Ikeguchi. Relationship between daily habits and risk of death in patients with biliary tract cancer: a large-scale cohort study in Japan. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2179. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2179