PurposeLong-term follow-up studies of asbestos-related cancer in shipbreaking workers are lacking. This study examines the relationship between cancer incidence and asbestos exposure among former Taiwan shipbreaking workers.MethodsA total of 4,427 shipbreaking workers and 22,135 population-based matched controls were successfully followed in this study. The study cohort was linked to the Taiwan Cancer Registry for new cancer cases. The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for cancer was calculated for the shipbreaking workers with Total Exposure Potential Scores (TEP) for asbestos.ResultsFollow-up generated 109,932 person-years, with 940 deaths and 436 cancer cases, among 4,427 shipbreaking workers from 1985 to 2008. The high asbestos exposure group also had a statistically significant increase in the risk of overall cancer (aHR= 1.71; 95% CI: 1.42-2.05), esophagus cancer (aHR= 2.31; 95% CI: 1.00-5.41), liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer (aHR= 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08-2.36), and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (aHR= 3.08; 95% CI: 1.80-5.25). Mesothelioma cases were found in the high asbestos exposure group. Moreover, overall cancer, esophagus cancer, and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer were seen in a dose-dependent relationship with asbestos exposure.ConclusionsThis study presented the elevated trend of asbestos exposure with cancer incidence for overall cancer, esophagus cancer, and trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer among shipbreaking workers. Those workers previously exposed to asbestos should receive persistent monitoring in order to early detect adverse health outcomes.

We have developed a rapid, reproducible, easy to execute, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method for detection of low volumes and total amounts of biological antigens using an analyte capture system derived from methods commonly used in Western blotting. Our method is a "half-sandwich" assay with an antigen detection scheme that employs a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane with 200 nm pore size to capture subnanograms of analyte and concentrate them in a small area from applied volumes as low as one microliter. The SERS probes used for detection consist of gold-silica nanoshells modified with a two-component mixed monolayer system. One component consists of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-modified Raman-active chromophore bound to the gold surface which allows for SERS detection and imparts particle stability. The second component uses (ortho-pyridyl) disulfide-PEG-succinimidyl ester to couple the recognition antibody to the particle surface. By controlling the reaction time and concentration of thiols, a mixed monolayer is prepared on the nanoshell surface with the ability to recognize low concentrations of analyte and generate reproducible SERS signals. Using this strategy, we have achieved SERS signals that are proportional to antigen present on the membrane allowing detection of total antigen amounts as low as 1.25 ng for some cases. The performance of this new SERS bioassay has been tested with a variety of potential antigens, demonstrating the potential for multiplexed detection of analytes.

Those employed in shipbreaking industries experienced an increase in mortality from all causes. The increased SMR for lung cancer was probably related to asbestos, metals, and welding fume exposure.

Ambipolar pentacene transistors in bottom contact‐bottom gate geometry are fabricated on flexible substrates using parylene as a dielectric and self‐assembled monolayer treatment of the source‐drain electrodes to improve charge injection. Hole and electron mobilities of 0.07‐0.1 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 0.01‐0.04 cm2 V−1 s−1 are achieved. CMOS like inverters are built and gains of up to 110 are reported.

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