Analysis of apoptosis related genes in nurses exposed to anti-neoplastic drugs

Associations of anxiety and fatigue with hazardous occupational conditions of Korean nurses in early pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

AIM

To identify occupational conditions associated with anxiety and fatigue among Korean nurses in early pregnancy.

BACKGROUND

Pregnant nurses, like non-pregnant hospital nurses, are exposed to dangerous and stressful work environments, which can affect fatigue and anxiety.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled 1490 nurses who participated in the early pregnancy module in the Korea Nurses' Health Study between 2014 and 2020. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were employed to identify the factors associated with anxiety and fatigue among nurses in early pregnancy.

RESULTS

One-fifth of participants were working night shifts, and more than two-thirds were working overtime. When using antineoplastic drugs and disinfectants, the rate of use of protective equipment varied depending on the size of the hospital. Working overtime and lifting heavy objects were associated with increased anxiety and fatigue among nurses.

CONCLUSION

Overtime work was associated with both anxiety and fatigue among pregnant nurses. Pregnant hospital nurses were exposed to both night shift and overtime work. Therefore, hospital managers should improve hazardous working environments to protect the health of nurses in early pregnancy and their fetuses.

Teratogenic Effects of Drugs on Primary Lymphocytes Assessed by Flow Cytometry

Peripheral blood lymphocytes as primary cells can be isolated from human, animal, fetus, and placenta. These cells are an excellent cellular model for the assessment of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction induced by drug and chemicals. Moreover, peripheral blood lymphocytes are an easily available source of primary cells appropriate for basic research and in cellular studies regarding teratogenic, genotoxic, and cytotoxic effect of drugs and chemicals. Most drugs and other chemicals that produce birth defects, known as teratogenic agents, produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction. It seems that there is an important mechanistic link between oxidative stress, mitochondrial damages, lysosomal integrity, and teratogenic drug-induced birth defects. One of the most sensitive periods in the embryo is transition from an important developmental event to another such as transition from proliferation to differentiation. Mitochondria, lysosomes, and cellular ROS have an important role in proliferative, differentiative, and apoptotic activities during the development. Therefore, disruption of the function of mitochondria, lysosomes, oxidative stress, and redox imbalance leads to cellular dysfunctions and subsequently poor developmental outcomes in the fetus. In this chapter, we will focus on evaluation of mitochondrial/lysosomal functions and estimation of ROS formation using flow cytometry methods in isolated lymphocytes and their isolated mitochondria.

Associations between maternal occupational exposures and pregnancy outcomes among Chinese nurses: a nationwide study

BACKGROUND

Several studies have provided evidence about adverse pregnancy outcomes of nurses involved in occupational exposure. However, the pregnancy outcomes among nurses in middle-income countries are not well demonstrated. The main aim of this study is to present the prevalence and influencing factors of pregnancy outcomes among female nurses in China.

METHODS

We included 2243 non-nurse health care workers, and 4230 nurses in this national cross-sectional study in China. Information on occupational exposures and pregnancy outcomes was collected using a face-to-face investigation. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated through logistic regression.

RESULTS

The proportion of threatened abortion, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth of female nurses was 2.6%, 7%, and 2.1%, respectively. We found an increased risk of threatened abortion among nurses with overtime work (OR = 1.719, 95% CI 1.158-2.550). The risk of threatened abortion and spontaneous abortion was elevated among nurses handling disinfectant (OR = 2.293 and 1.63, respectively). We found a nearly twofold increased risk of premature birth (OR = 2.169, 95% CI 1.36-3.459) among nurses handling anti-cancer drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that maternal occupational exposures might be associated with the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among female nurses in China. We recommend that policy-markers and hospital managers work together to reduce exposure to occupational hazards and improve pregnancy outcomes among female nurses.

Exposure To Cytotoxic Drugs Threatens The Health Of Staff In Oncology Wards

Background — Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Using cytotoxic drugs for cancer treatment is increased. The hazardous effects of occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs are challenging. Objective — This study aimed to compare the frequency of adverse effects and using personal protective equipment (PPE) between the staff of oncology wards and other hospital wards staff in Iran. Methods — A cross-sectional study with a control group was conducted on female staff members in educational hospitals, selected through convenience sampling. A data collection form was designed for this study. It includes demographic data, acute complications (allergic and neurologic reactions), chronic complications (infertility, menstrual disorders, malignancy, and congenital malformations), and use of PPE. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software through Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. Results — The frequencies of chronic complications were not statistically different between the two groups. The frequency of itching (P=0.001), hair loss (P=0.003), itchy eyes (P=0.001), watery eyes (P=0.001), runny nose (P=0.003), headache (P=0.001), vertigo (P=0.007), and nausea (P=0.008) were significantly higher in oncology wards nurses. Among different PPE, only the frequency of using the mask (P= 0.001), and glasses (P=0.027) were significantly higher in the staff of oncology wards. Conclusion — Despite the frequency of acute complications of exposure to cytotoxic drugs, oncology staff does not fully adhere to the standard precautions. Providing effective training and emphasis on implementing accreditation laws can improve the existing situation.

Investigation of occupational safety in oncology nurses

Objective. This study aimed to examine the occupational safety of oncology nurses. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the risks faced by oncology nurses in the units they work in and occupational safety. The data of the study were collected between April and October 2020 using an online questionnaire prepared by the researchers in line with the literature. The sample for the study consisted of 117 oncology nurses who voluntarily participated in the study and filled out the questionnaire completely. Results. More than half of the participants stated that they did not find occupational safety practices sufficient and were not given additional rights or psychological support given the risks of exposure. Conclusions. The study concluded that to improve occupational safety in oncology nurses, the physical conditions of the working environment should be improved, and up-to-date oncology and occupational safety training should be given regularly.

The crosstalk between HIFs and mitochondrial dysfunctions in cancer development

Mitochondria are essential cellular organelles that are involved in regulating cellular energy, metabolism, survival, and proliferation. To some extent, cancer is a genetic and metabolic disease that is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are major molecules that respond to hypoxia, play important roles in cancer development by participating in multiple processes, such as metabolism, proliferation, and angiogenesis. The Warburg phenomenon reflects a pseudo-hypoxic state that activates HIF-1α. In addition, a product of the Warburg effect, lactate, also induces HIF-1α. However, Warburg proposed that aerobic glycolysis occurs due to a defect in mitochondria. Moreover, both HIFs and mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to complex reprogramming of energy metabolism, including reduced mitochondrial oxidative metabolism, increased glucose uptake, and enhanced anaerobic glycolysis. Thus, there may be a connection between HIFs and mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we systematically discuss the crosstalk between HIFs and mitochondrial dysfunctions in cancer development. Above all, the stability and activity of HIFs are closely influenced by mitochondrial dysfunction related to tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron transport chain components, mitochondrial respiration, and mitochondrial-related proteins. Furthermore, activation of HIFs can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction by affecting multiple mitochondrial functions, including mitochondrial oxidative capacity, biogenesis, apoptosis, fission, and autophagy. In general, the regulation of tumorigenesis and development by HIFs and mitochondrial dysfunction are part of an extensive and cooperative network.

Investigating the relationship between job stress, workload and oxidative stress in nurses

Objectives. Occupational stress and workload are common risk factors among nurses that increase absenteeism, reduce the quality and quantity of patient care, increase care costs and increase the patient safety risk. The relation between these risk factors and oxidative stress levels has not been clearly defined. Methods. This study was conducted with 258 participants (126 nurses as the case group and 132 healthy adults as the control group). Information was collected using a demographic questionnaire, the nurses' occupational stress scale and the NASA task load index workload questionnaire. Blood samples were taken from the participants and then the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in the serum samples. Independent t tests and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results. SOD and TAC were significantly higher and MDA was significantly lower among the case group compared to the control group. TAC levels significantly decreased with increased stress. MDA levels showed negative associations with stress and workload. Nurses experience high levels of occupational stress and workload. Conclusion. Biomarkers such as SOD, TAC and MDA are the most important predictors of work stress and overwork in this study.

MKL1/miR-5100/CAAP1 loop regulates autophagy and apoptosis in gastric cancer cells

PURPOSE

miR-5100 participates in the proliferation of lung cancer and pancreatic cancer cells, and participates in the differentiation of osteoblasts. However, the regulation of gastric cancer cells in gastric cancer cells remains unclear.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The blood of patients was collected to detect the expression level of miR-5100, and the apoptosis and autophagy levels of cells were detected using western blot, flow cytometry, and confocal. At the same time, in vitro tumor formation experiments in nude mice were used to verify the results of in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-5100 is related to the prognosis of gastric cancer, miR-5100 can enhance the apoptosis level of gastric cancer cells and inhibit the occurrence of autophagy by targeting CAAP1. MKL1 can inhibit the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells and promote the occurrence of autophagy by targeting CAAP1. At the same time, MKL1 can also increase the expression of miR-5100.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research reveals the mechanism by which the MKL1/miR-5100/CAAP1 loop regulates apoptosis and autophagy levels in gastric cancer cells, and miR-5100 is expected to become a new potential target for gastric cancer treatment.