Experimental mice were immunized with cardiac myosin and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) on days 0, 7 and 30 and control mice were immunized with CFA. Sera and myocardium samples were harvested on days 15, 21 and 120 after the first immunization. Pathological findings demonstrated that there were necrosis and inflammatory infiltration in acute stage and fibrosis mainly in chronic stage of experimental group. Anti-myosin antibodies were also found in sera of experimental mice, but not in control group. Our study showed that cardiac myosin served as an autoantigen to provoke autoimmunity and lead to the transformation of VMC into DCM.

The relationship between carbon disulfide (CS₂) and the symptoms and signs of nervous system in rayon workers was investigated. In a cross sectional study of CS₂-exposed workers from the viscose industry and controls, data on neurological symptoms and clinical neurological examination were evaluated. The exposed subjects includes 326 workers and 105 workers from the same factory, without exposure to CS₂ or to any other neurotoxic agents, served as controls. The median exposure to CS₂(8 h time weighted) in the low-level exposure group was 4. 6 mg/m³, and 18. 3 mg/m³ in high-level exposure group. Non-conditional multiple logistic regression analysis was employed for evaluating statistical differences by using SAS software. In the analysis, age, sex, work time, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drinking habits, educational background and marriage status were controlled. The odds ratio (OR) significantly increased of some symptoms in workers exposed to CS₂ at levels below 10 mg/m³, as compared to controls. The dose-effect relationship between the exposure to CS₂ and the symptoms of nervous system was demonstrated. In terms of neurological parameters, no other abnormal change but that in temperature sensitivity was observed in workers exposed to CS₂. In conclusion, the influence of low level CS₂ on nervous system of workers should not be ignored.