Biomedical subjects

Jung-Der Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Jung-Der Wang.

59 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

XRCC1 and CYP2E1 polymorphisms as susceptibility factors of plasma mutant p53 protein and anti-p53 antibody expression in vinyl chloride monomer-exposed polyvinyl chloride workers.

Mutant p53 protein and anti-p53 antibody in circulating blood can be detectedamong individuals with mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. Plasma mutant p53 protein and anti-p53 antibody have also been associated with vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) exposure, although the mechanism of VCM-related carcinogenesis remains unclear. Polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repair genes have been implicated in chemical exposure-related carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to explore the association between polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repair genes with mutant p53 protein and anti-p53 antibody expression induced by VCM. Study subjects comprised 333 male workers occupationally exposed to VCM. Plasma mutant p53 protein and anti-p53 antibody detected with ELISA were grouped together as p53 overexpression. Genotypes of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1), and X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1, exon 10) genes were identified by the PCR. High VCM exposure group had significantly higher p53 overexpression as compared with low exposure group [odds ratio (OR), 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.1-3.8]. Individuals having experienced a high VCM exposure and displaying a XRCC1 Gln-Gln genotype had a highest risk of p53 overexpression among those having different combinations of VCM exposure and XRCC1 genotypes (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.7-24.2). Interestingly, those subjects reflecting a CYP2E1 c2c2 genotype among the low VCM-exposure group demonstrated a greater risk of p53 overexpression (OR, 9.8; 95% CI, 1.2-81.6) as compared with those experiencing a low VCM exposure and CYP2E1 c1c1/c1c2 genotypes. Additional analysis revealed that individuals possessing more susceptible XRCC1 Gln-Gln, CYP2E1 c2c2, ALDH2 1-2/2-2, and non-null GSTT1 genotypes were more likely to reveal p53 overexpression. Our results suggest that susceptible XRCC1 and CYP2E1 genotypes may modulate the mutation of the p53 gene among VCM-exposed workers.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

Development and verification of validity and reliability of the WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a cross-cultural project to develop the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaire. This paper describes how the brief version of this questionnaire was adapted for use in Taiwan and the results of validity and reliability testing. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from 1,068 subjects randomly sampled from 17 hospitals throughout Taiwan. According to the psychometric criteria of the WHO, two (culturally relevant) national items were selected, each from a culture-specific facet that was proposed for Taiwan in a previous study. psychometric properties (factor structures and various types of reliability and validity) were assessed for this brief questionnaire. RESULTS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a four-factor (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) model. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) coefficients ranged from 0.70 to 0.77 for the four domains. The test-retest reliability coefficients with intervals of 2 to 4 weeks ranged from 0.41 to 0.79 at item/facet level and 0.76 to 0.80 at domain level (all p < 0.01). Content validity coefficients were in the range of 0.53 to 0.78 for item-domain correlations and 0.51 to 0.64 for inter-domain correlations (all p < 0.01). The four domains of the brief form can explain 88% of the variance of the total QOL score and 60% of the variance of the Facet G score (measuring overall quality of life and general health). CONCLUSIONS: This culture-specific study shows that this adaptation of the brief form is a good alternative to the long form of the WHOQOL questionnaire for use in Taiwan.

Humans↗

PubMed2002

The distribution of blood lead levels and job titles among lead-acid battery workers in Taiwan.

There were several reports about elevated blood lead levels in lead battery workers. However, their subjects came from only one or several plants. We visited all the 23 registered lead-acid battery plants in Taiwan and collected their health examination records in 1992, the blood lead analyses of which were completed in 3 medical college hospitals. In total, we have obtained 1726 records. The average blood lead concentration was 37.1 ug/dl, and 37% of blood lead levels were more than 40 ug/dl (action level). The overall participation rate for health examination among employees was 69.4%. The participation rates were different among both plant sizes and job titles. Assuming that there was no peculiar variation within the four working zones (plate manufacture jobs, assembly jobs, part-time exposure jobs, and office jobs) in each plant, and that blood lead levels of our samples were stable after deleting newly hired workers, we estimated that the blood lead distributions of 2486 employees in these plants were 63.3%, 26.4%, 9.25% and 1.05% for below 40, 40-59, 60-79, and above 80 ug/dl respectively. We conclude that such an analysis should be performed each year to monitor the effectiveness of occupational hygiene in workplace of lead battery plants.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous absorption of inorganic lead compounds.

The objective of this study was to determine percutaneous absorption of lead compounds, including lead sulfate, lead oxide, lead powder, and lead stearate. The lead content on the skin surface of 10 lead-battery workers was measured by the method of skin stripping, and urinary lead content of rats was measured with epicutaneous application of four lead compounds: lead sulfate, lead oxide, lead powder, and lead stearate. There were significant amounts of lead on the 9th and 10th skin strippings of the dorsal hand and the back of lead workers. The amount of lead on the dorsal hand was significantly correlated with the amount in the blood (n = 10, r 2 = 0.66, p < 0.05, linear regression). In rats, after lead compounds were applied for 12 days, total lead amount in urine significantly increased to 146.0 +/- 6.4 ng (SD) for lead stearate, 123.1 +/- 7.2 ng for lead sulfate, 115.9 +/- 5.3 ng for lead oxide, 47.8 +/- 6.9 ng for lead powder, and 10.3 ng for the control, which indicated significant skin absorption. It was concluded that significant amounts of inorganic lead compounds can be absorbed through the skin, and skin protection in lead-working or any contaminated environment should be carefully considered.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Occupational health in Taiwan.

Challenges facing a developing country during transition to newly developed status include lack of: a hazard communication system, a prudent industrial zoning policy, and occupational safety and health (OSH) technology and personnel. The authors offer an approach to the future that encompasses implementation of a pollution prevention system, comprehensive coverage of occupational injuries and diseases, and integration of information technology with OSH protection.

Communication↗