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Query: UMLS:C0037116 (silicosis)
 1,822 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Silicosis is a common occupational disease. We present a 64-year-old male patient suffering from symptomatic silicosis due to compression of the pulmonary arteries by enlarged hilar lymph nodes. Clinical symptoms and diagnostic imaging modalities are described, with emphasis on cross-sectional imaging. MR angiography and perfusion MRI of the lung in silicosis are described, and their diagnostic value in pneumoconiosis is discussed.
Br J Radiol 2001 Sep
PMID:Silicosis-induced pulmonary artery stenosis: demonstration by MR angiography and perfusion MRI. 1156 Aug 37

Inhalation of dusts is an important cause of interstitial lung disease in the tropical countries such as India. While dusts of organic origin, such as the cotton dust causing byssinosis, generally cause bronchial or bronchiolar involvement and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, inorganic metallic dusts cause progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Silicosis, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis are the three most commonly recognized forms of pneumoconiotic pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary tuberculosis is an important complication seen in up to 50% of patients of silicosis in some reports from India. The presentation is generally chronic, although acute and accelerated forms of silicosis are known when the exposures are heavy. Breathlessness, dry cough, and general constitutional symptoms are commonly seen. Patients with silicotuberculosis or other forms of infection may also have significant expectoration, hemoptysis, fever, and rapid progression. Respiratory failure and chronic cor pulmonale occur in the later stages. The diagnosis is easily established if the occupational history is available. Dense nodular opacities on chest roentgenograms, which may be large in patients with massive pulmonary fibrosis, are characteristic. Emphysematous changes generally appear in advanced stages or in patients who smoke. Bronchoalveolar lavage and/or lung biopsy may occasionally be required to establish or exclude other causes of interstitial lung disease. Treatment is largely palliative, although a variety of drugs including corticosteroids and procedures such as whole lung lavage have been tried. None of these methods has yet been found successful in the treatment. Preventive safety steps, including removal of the patient from the site of exposure, are the only effective strategies to control disease progression.
Curr Opin Pulm Med 2001 Sep
PMID:Dust-induced interstitial lung disease in the tropics. 1158 75

In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) upgraded its evaluation of crystalline silica to a Group 1 human carcinogen. Criticism against such decision is based on the lack of consistency in experimental results across animal species, violation of an important principle for causality, such as the replication of findings under different circumstances of exposure, and the lack of a clear dose-response curve. The most recent epidemiological literature on the silica-silicosis-lung cancer link replicates the inconsistent findings that have been characterising 50 years of scientific debate in the occupational arena. Exposure circumstances capable of modifying the silica-lung cancer association include chronic bronchitis, composition of the dust mixing, particularly concerning co-occurrence of other known or probable lung carcinogens, total respirable dust, concentration of silica in respirable dust, type of crystalline silica and particle surface characteristics. The hypothesis of a silicosis-mediated pathway points toward an unspecific mechanism shared with other fibrotic conditions, for which silica might be just one of the triggers. In envisaging a multivariate multistep model of lung cancer among silica-exposed workers, silica might be considered as a "passive components of the sufficient cause", i.e., one of the associated risk factors, concurrent or subsequent to the "active component(s) of the sufficient cause" (including, for instance, smoking, asbestos, radon-daughters, arsenic, hexavalent chromium, nickel, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and diesel exhausts among the external risk factors; and DNA repair enzymes polymorphism and spontaneous inactivation of tumour suppressor genes among the internal risk factors), which adds up in modulating the tumoral development in not easily predictable directions. If silica acts as a human lung carcinogen depending on certain occupational exposure circumstances, perhaps those circumstances and not silica itself should be classified for their human carcinogenicity potential.
Ann Acad Med Singap 2001 Sep
PMID:Multifactorial aetiology of lung cancer among silica-exposed workers. 1160 27

Dysregulation of apoptosis through the Fas-Fas ligand pathway is relevant in autoimmune disease onset. We recently reported elevated serum levels of sFas in patients with silicosis, systemic sclerosis (SSC) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and proposed a block of apoptosis in the pathogenesis. The disturbance of apoptosis in lymphocytes including autoreactive clones could induce autoantibody production. Since autoantibodies directed against unknown antigens are present in the sera of these patients, the sera samples were examined for the presence of autoantibodies directed to caspase-8. Using Western blotting, autoantibodies against caspase-8 were detected in healthy individuals and in over 60% of patients. Using epitope mapping employing 12 amino acid polypeptides with SPOTs system, a minimum of 4 epitopes and a maximum of 13 were found, which implied that epitope spreading was in progress. It is noteworthy that two important catalytic cystein residues were included within the epitopes; firstly the active site cystein Cys287, and secondly Cys360 located in the unique pentapeptide motif QACQG. Using recombinant human caspase-8 linked protein chip array, autoantibodies were identified and molecular weight determined. The antibodies were mainly IgG; 80% were subclass IgG1(lambda); 20% were IgG4(kappa). Despite the ratio of human light chain kappa:lambda = 2:1, the predominance of IgG1(lambda) is noticeable. Anti-caspase-8 autoantibodies are detectable in healthy individuals and in patients suffering silicosis, SSc or SLE. A few epitopes were detected in healthy individuals compared to those suffering autoimmune diseases, indicating the intramolecular epitope spreading. Relationship of autoantibodies and the clinical background of the patients requires clarification.
Clin Exp Immunol 2002 Sep
PMID:Intramolecular epitope spreading among anti-caspase-8 autoantibodies in patients with silicosis, systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as in healthy individuals. 1219 99

Iron is a vital element in life. Because of the insolubility of iron oxides and sulfides the implication is that dissolved iron was fairly abundant and that oxygen and sulfide were rare in the atmosphere and ocean. Iron and its compounds present as pollutants in the atmosphere can cause deleterious effects to humans, animals, and materials. Analyses of urban air samples show that the iron content averages 1.6 microg/m(3), with the iron and steel industry probably the most likely source of emission. Iron is a natural component of soils and its concentration can be influenced by some industries. Iron concentration in surface water varies greatly, from 61 ppm to 2680 ppm. The disposition of iron in the human body is regulated by a complex mechanism to maintain homeostasis. Iron concentrations in body tissues must be tightly regulated because excessive iron leads to tissue damage, as a result of formation of free radicals. Iron has the capacity to accept and donate electrons readily. The content of body iron is regulated primarily by absorption since humans have no physiological mechanism by which excess iron is excreted. Iron has been identified as a component of asbestos and other mineral and synthetic fibers. Inhalation of iron oxide fumes or dust by workers in the metal industries may result in deposition of iron particles in lungs, producing an X-ray appearance resembling silicosis. During the last decades efforts regarding dietary iron supply focused mostly on the prevention of deficiencies, especially during growth and pregnancy. The chemical form of the iron influences absorption, as do interrelationships with other dietary components.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2003 Sep
PMID:Essential metals--case study on iron. 1291 52

Health problems of gold miners who worked underground include decreased life expectancy; increased frequency of cancer of the trachea, bronchus, lung, stomach, and liver; increased frequency of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), silicosis, and pleural diseases; increased frequency of insect-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue fever; noise-induced hearing loss; increased prevalence of certain bacterial and viral diseases; and diseases of the blood, skin, and musculoskeletal system. These problems are briefly documented in gold miners from Australia, North America, South America, and Africa. In general, HIV infection or excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption tended to exacerbate existing health problems. Miners who used elemental mercury to amalgamate and extract gold were heavily contaminated with mercury. Among individuals exposed occupationally, concentrations of mercury in their air, fish diet, hair, urine, blood, and other tissues significantly exceeded all criteria proposed by various national and international regulatory agencies for protection of human health. However, large-scale epidemiological evidence of severe mercury-associated health problems in this cohort was not demonstrable.
Environ Geochem Health 2003 Sep
PMID:Health risks of gold miners: a synoptic review. 1297 Dec 53

Dysregulation of apoptosis through the Fas-Fas ligand pathway is associated with the onset of autoimmune disease. Since autoantibodies directed against unknown antigens are present in the sera of these patients, sera samples were examined for the presence of autoantibodies directed against the Fas molecule. Using Western blotting and a ProteinChip analysis, autoantibodies against Fas were detected in patients with silicosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), and weakly detected in healthy individuals. Using epitope mapping employing 12-amino-acid polypeptides with the SPOTs system, a minimum of four epitopes and a maximum of 10 epitopes were found. Several amino acid residues involved in binding FasL, such as C66, R87, L90, E93 and H126, were presented within the epitopes. Serum containing a large amount of anti-Fas autoantibody from silicosis patients inhibited the growth of a Fas-expressing human cell line, but did not inhibit the growth of a low Fas-expresser nor a Fas-expresser in which the Fas gene had been silenced by small interference RNA. All epitopes in the intracellular region of Fas were located in the death domain. The possible roles of anti-Fas autoantibody detected in healthy volunteers and patients with silicosis or autoimmune diseases are discussed here.
Immunology 2005 Sep
PMID:Detection, epitope-mapping and function of anti-Fas autoantibody in patients with silicosis. 1610 14

Abrasive blasting with silica sand has long been associated with silicosis. Alternatives to sand are being used increasingly. While NIOSH has done extensive investigations of the respiratory effects of the substitutes for sand, the ergonomic effects of the substitutes have not been examined. Too often, hazards are shifted, and technologies that might save workers' lungs could do so at the expense of their musculoskeletal systems. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine the ergonomic effects of alternatives to sand. Multiple methods, both qualitative and quantitative, were used to yield numerous kinds of data for the analysis of exposures to abrasive blasters. PATH, a method for quantifying ergonomic exposure in non-routine work, was combined with interviews with workers, biomechanical modeling and noise level readings to assess the ergonomics of two abrasive blasting operations: high-pressure water and steel shot. Advantages and disadvantages of each medium are discussed. High-pressure water was slightly less ergonomically stressful, environmentally cleaner, much quieter and less dusty that steel shot, and it was reported to be slower on those tasks where both media could be used.
Appl Ergon 2006 Sep
PMID:Ergonomics of abrasive blasting: a comparison of high pressure water and steel shot. 1628 59

Asbestosis, silicosis and Coal Worker's Pneumoconiosis (CWP) represent three of the most important occupationally-related dust diseases in Australia. To gain a clear picture of pneumoconiosis trends over time, a 24-yr retrospective analysis of national mortality data was performed for the period 1979 to 2002. Over 1,000 pneumoconiosis-related fatalities occurred during this time, 56% of which were caused by asbestosis, 38% by silicosis and 6% by CWP. Between 1979 and 1981, silicosis accounted for 60% of all pneumoconiosis-related fatalities in Australia, followed by asbestosis (31%). By 2002 however, asbestosis was causing 78% of all fatalities, while silicosis accounted for only 19%. Asbestos-related mortality increased three-fold between 1979 and 2002, with a clear excess risk demonstrated among males. On the other hand, mortality rates for silicosis and CWP declined significantly during the same time period. Overall, this study suggests that pneumoconiosis, particularly asbestosis, continues to be an important occupational disease in Australia. Although progress has been made in reducing deaths due to occupational silicosis and CWP, asbestosis rates continue to rise, reflecting the long latency between dust exposure and clinical disease. Countries which continue to use asbestos products in the workplace should note the tragic legacy of this material within contemporary Australia.
J Occup Health 2006 Sep
PMID:24 years of pneumoconiosis mortality surveillance in Australia. 1705 96

The aim of the study was to estimate the level of dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary fibrosis after 6 weeks' respiratory rehabilitation. The study comprised of 31 patients (F/M-12/19) with interstitial lung diseases (21 with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, 4 with lung fibrosis due to allergic alveolitis, 4 with lung fibrosis due to collagenosis, 2 with lung fibrosis due to silicosis) who successfully finished the rehabilitation program. Each patient underwent an intensive (every day for 30 min) inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program of an average length of 4 wk, continued later at home for up to 12 wk. The program consisted of respiratory muscle training and bicycle riding to the limits of the patient's tolerance. Dyspnea (MRC, OCD, BDI and Borg scale) and the quality of live (SF-36, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire) were assessed at the time of admission and discharge. Rehabilitation caused dyspnea sensation to diminish (Borg scale: 2.97 before vs. 2.19 after). Some domains of the quality of life in SF-36 questionnaire (Role-Physical 40.6 vs. 60.2) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (activity: 52 vs. 45, impact 47 vs. 40 and total 47 vs. 42) also were improved compared with the pre-rehabilitation results. We conclude that 12 weeks of combined inpatient and home-based rehabilitation programme improves the quality of live and sensation of dyspnea in patients with interstitial lung disease, despite changes in pulmonary function tests.
J Physiol Pharmacol 2006 Sep
PMID:Dyspnea and quality of life in patients with pulmonary fibrosis after six weeks of respiratory rehabilitation. 1707 40


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