Prognostic Molecular Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Lesions with Non-Mass Enhancement on MR.

Clustered ring enhancement (CRE) is a new lexicon for non-mass enhancement (NME) of breast MR in the 5th BIRADS, indicating a high suspicion of malignancy. We wonder if the presence of CRE correlates with expression of prognostic molecular biomarkers of breast cancer. A total of 58 breast lesions, which MRI reported with NME, were collected between July 2013 and December 2018. The patterns of enhancement including CRE were reviewed and the pathological results with expression of molecular biomarkers were collected. The association between MRI NME, pathological, and IHC stain findings were investigated under univariate analysis. A total of 58 breast lesions were pathologically proven to have breast cancer, comprising 31 lesions with CRE and 27 lesions without CRE on breast MRI. The expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) (p = 0.017) and the progesterone receptor (PR) (p = 0.017) was significantly lower in lesions with CRE as compared with those without CRE. The expression of Ki-67 (≥25%) was significantly higher in lesions with CRE (p = 0.046). The lesions with CRE had a lower expression ratio of ER (50.71 ± 45.39% vs. 74.26 ± 33.59%, p = 0.028). Our study indicated that lesions with CRE may possess different features from those without CRE in molecular expression, bearing a more aggressive behavior.

Prolonged international normalized ratio and vascular injury at divisional level predict embolization failures of patients with iatrogenic renal vascular injuries.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), as an alternative to surgery for iatrogenic renal vascular injury (IRVI), may have unsatisfactory outcomes. Nonetheless, there is inadequate information regarding the predictors of TAE outcomes for IRVI in the literature. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the predictors of TAE outcomes for IRVI. Of 47 patients, none had major complications, 17 (36.2%) patients had minor complications, and none suffered significant renal function deterioration after TAE. Technical success and clinical success were 91.5% and 93.6%, respectively. Technical failure was associated with older age, thrombocytopenia, prolonged international normalized ratio (INR) and divisional IRVI. Clinical failure was associated with kidney failure, use of steroids, prolonged INR, and divisional IRVI. In addition, prolonged INR was a significant predictor of technical failure. This implies that aggressive measures to control the INR prior to TAE are warranted to facilitate technical success, and technical success could then be validated on post-TAE images. Furthermore, divisional IRVI was a predictor of clinical failure. Thus, divisional IRVI should undergo surgery first since TAE is prone to clinical failure. The avoidance of clinical failure is validated if divisional IRVI does not need further intervention.

Incidence of Occupational Asthma and Exposure to Toluene Diisocyanate in the United States Toluene Diisocyanate Production Industry.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines asthma risk in facilities producing toluene diisocyanate (TDI). METHODS: A total of 197 workers were monitored from 2007 to 2012. TDI air concentrations were used to estimate exposures. RESULTS: The incidence of cases consistent with TDI-induced asthma was 0.009 per person-years (seven cases) or consistent with TDI-induced asthma or asthma indeterminate regarding work-relatedness was 0.012 (nine cases). Increased risk of cases consistent with TDI asthma was observed for cumulative (odds ratio [OR] = 2.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07 to 4.05) per logarithm parts per billion-years and peak TDI exposures (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.32) (logarithm parts per billion). There was a weak association with cumulative and peak exposures for decline of short-term forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Asthma symptoms were associated with workers noticing an odor of TDI (OR 6.02; 95% CI 1.36 to 26.68). CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that cumulative and peak exposures are associated with TDI-induced asthma.

α-Naphthoflavone Increases Lipid Accumulation in Mature Adipocytes and Enhances Adipocyte-Stimulated Endothelial Tube Formation.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated factor that regulates biological effects associated with obesity. The AhR agonists, such as environmental contaminants 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and ß-naphthoflavone (BNF), inhibit preadipocyte differentiation and interfere with the functions of adipose tissue, whereas the antagonist may have opposite or protective effects in obesity. This study investigated the effects of α-naphthoflavone (α-NF), an AhR antagonist, on adipogenesis- and angiogenesis-associated factors in mature adipocytes and on cross-talk of mature adipocytes with endothelial cells (ECs). Besides, the roles of the AhR on lipid accumulation and on secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor were also determined by introducing siRNA of AhR. Differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were treated with α-naphthoflavone (α-NF) (1-5 µM) for 16 h. Lipid accumulation and the expressions of AhR-associated factors in the cells were determined. The interaction between adipocytes and ECs was investigated by cultivating ECs with conditioned medium (CM) from α-NF-treated mature adipocytes, followed by the determination of endothelial tube formation. The results showed that α-NF significantly increased triglyceride (TG) accumulation in mature adipocytes, which was associated with increased expression of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), estrogen receptor (ER), as well as decreased expression of AhR, AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT), cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1), and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (NRF-2) proteins. In addition, CM stimulated formation of tube-like structures in ECs, and α-NF further enhanced such stimulation in association with modulated the secretions of various angiogenic mediators by mature adipocytes. Similarly, increased TG accumulation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion were observed in AhR-knockout cells. In conclusion, α-NF increased TG accumulation in mature adipocytes and enhanced mature adipocyte-stimulated tube formation in ECs, suggesting that the AhR may suppress obesity-induced adverse effects, and α-NF abolished the protective effects of the AhR.

Small mine size is associated with lung function abnormality and pneumoconiosis among underground coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence of lung function abnormality and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) by mine size among underground coal miners in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. METHODS: During 2005-2012, 4491 miners completed spirometry and chest radiography as part of a health surveillance programme. Spirometry was interpreted according to American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society guidelines, and radiography per International Labour Office standards. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated for abnormal spirometry (obstructive, restrictive or mixed pattern using lower limits of normal derived from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III) and CWP among workers from small mines (≤50 miners) compared with those from large mines. RESULTS: Among 3771 eligible miners, those from small mines were more likely to have abnormal spirometry (18.5% vs 13.8%, p<0.01), CWP (10.8% vs 5.2%, p<0.01) and progressive massive fibrosis (2.4% vs 1.1%, p<0.01). In regression analysis, working in a small mine was associated with 37% higher prevalence of abnormal spirometry (PR 1.37, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.61) and 2.1 times higher prevalence of CWP (95% CI 1.68 to 2.70). CONCLUSIONS: More than one in four of these miners had evidence of CWP, abnormal lung function or both. Although 96% of miners in the study have worked exclusively under dust regulations implemented following the 1969 Federal Coal Mine Safety and Health Act, we observed high rates of respiratory disease including severe cases. The current approach to dust control and provision of safe work conditions for central Appalachian underground coal miners is not adequate to protect them from adverse respiratory health effects.

Application of the revised Tumour Node Metastasis (TNM) staging system of clear cell renal cell carcinoma in eastern China: advantages and limitations.

This study was designed to evaluate whether the revised 2010 Tumour Node Metastasis (TNM) staging system could lead to a more accurate prediction of the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. A total of 1216 patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy or partial nephrectomy for RCC from 2003 to 2011 were enrolled. All of the patients had pathologically confirmed clear cell RCC (ccRCC). All cases were staged by both the 2002 and 2010 TNM staging systems after pathological review, and survival data were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to evaluate cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after surgery. Continuous variables, such as age and tumour diameter, were calculated as mean values and standard deviations (s.d.) or as median values. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test assessed differences between groups. Statistically significant differences in CSS and PFS were noted among patients in T3 subgroups using the new 2010 staging system. Therefore, the revised 2010 TNM staging system can lead to a more accurate prediction of the prognosis of ccRCC patients. However, when using the revised 2010 staging system, we found that more than 92% of patients (288/313) with T3 tumours were staged in the T3a subgroup, and their survival data were not significantly different from those of patients with T2b tumours. In addition, T2 subclassification failed to independently predict survival in RCC patients.

Antiangiogenic activity of indole-3-carbinol in endothelial cells stimulated with activated macrophages.

The effect of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a major indolic metabolite in cruciferous vegetables, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage-induced tube formation and its associated factors in endothelial EA hy926 cells was investigated. LPS significantly enhanced the capillary-like structure of endothelial cells (ECs) co-cultured with macrophages, but no such effect was observed in single-cultured ECs. I3C, on the other hand, suppressed such enhancement in concert with decreased secretions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The results obtained from cultivating ECs with conditioned medium (CM) collected from macrophages suggested that both ECs and macrophages were inactivated by I3C. These results indicate that I3C from cruciferous vegetables may possess potential roles in preventing inflammation-associated angiogenic diseases.

Analysis of available diagnostic tests for latex sensitization in an at-risk population.

BACKGROUND: Lack of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved skin testing reagent for latex allergy in the United States requires reliance on patient history and serologic assays for diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of an FDA-cleared antilatex IgE serology test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with various sources of latex protein antigens in an at-risk but unselected population of health care workers. METHODS: Health care workers underwent duplicate latex and serologic testing for latex specific IgE with the CAP assay and ELISA from June 1, 1998, through December 31, 2002. Logistic regression with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the values, resulting in 98% and 99% specificity for the CAP assay and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Results of paired skin and serologic tests were available for 792 participants. Forty duplicate skin test results (5%) were positive. For the CAP assay, sensitivity was 35%; specificity, 98%; positive predictive value, 48.3%; and negative predictive value, 96.6%. ELISA demonstrated similar results. Multivariable logistic regression yielding a 98% or 99% specificity for the various ELISAs demonstrated that the adjusted odds of a positive skin test result significantly increased with positive CAP assay and ELISA results using a powdered glove extract. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of the FDA-cleared antilatex IgE serologic test for latex allergy has much lower sensitivity than previously reported. This finding confirms that this serologic test should be used only for patients with a history of latex allergy and not for screening the population with a low prevalence of latex sensitization.

The myeloperoxidase-463 G>A polymorphism influences risk of colorectal cancer in southern China: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress may be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an endogenous oxidant enzyme that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). We hypothesized that the MPO -463 locus polymorphism might therefore contribute to genetic susceptibility to colorectal adenomas. METHODS: RFLP-PCR analysis identified the MPO genotypes in 325 Chinese colorectal adenomas cases and 345 controls matched by age, sex, smoking status, and alcohol use. An epidemiological interview elicited detailed information on demographic data and lifestyle characteristics. RESULTS: Individuals with a GA/AA genotype had a significantly lower risk of colorectal cancer (adjusted OR = 0.57, 95% CI, 0.41-0.79) than those with the GG genotype. On stratification analysis, the decreased risk was more pronounced among older subjects (adjusted OR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.39-0.81), males (0.47, 0.33-0.68), smokers (0.54, 0.35-0.85), and ever-drinkers (0.44, 0.27-0.71). CONCLUSION: For a similar level of exposure to established carcinogens, individuals with MPO A-allele genotypes appear to have a reduced risk of colorectal adenomas in southern Chinese population, especially among older subjects, men, smokers, and ever-drinkers.

[The analyses on dust pollution of one underground iron mine from 1991 to 2010].

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this work was to give the evidence of reasonable and feasible dust control measures which will be taken in the future by analyzing the trend of dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 and identifying working faces with the severe dust contamination in one underground iron mine. METHODS: The data was from routine monitoring between the years 1991 and 2010, which enclosed the total dust concentrations and silica contents. China National Standard of Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace used to judge whether the dust concentration exceeded the National Standard. RESULTS: The general trend of total dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 was decreased, especially maximum and average levels. The highest exceeding rate was 43.16% in 1993 and the best years were 2009 and 2010, but the exceeding rates were still over 30%. The dust exposure levels varied with different work faces. The mining and supporting were the most severe dust pollution faces which the highest ultra exceeding rates were 51.61% and 51.48% and the maximum exceeding times were 64.6 and 16.4 respectively. The next was constructing face with 40.23% exceeding rate and 24.6 times more than standard. CONCLUSION: The trend of total dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 was decreased, but the dust exceeding rate was still high. The strong measures should be taken to control the dust pollution in this iron mine, especially mining and supporting faces.

Interpreting screening questionnaires: specific respiratory symptoms and their relationship to objective test results.

OBJECTIVE: To better delineate the relationship between responses to screening respiratory symptom questionnaires and various pulmonary function test results. METHODS: Spirometry, methacholine challenge, standardized questionnaires, smoking, medical, and work histories were recorded at initial and 5-year follow-up surveys among 411 participants. Percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (ppFEV1), 5-year FEV1 decline, and proportion of methacholine responders (% hyper-responders) were compared with questionnaire responses utilizing generalized estimating equations modeling and analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between ppFEV1 and cough, phlegm, dyspnea, or ever wheezing; between greater percentage of hyper-responders and dyspnea with wheezing, ever/persistent wheezing, or history of asthma/hay fever; and between accelerated FEV1 decline and new onset dyspnea with wheezing, phlegm, or persistent wheeze. CONCLUSIONS: Particular respiratory symptoms reported on screening questionnaires are associated with specific physiologic abnormalities, enhancing questionnaire utility in workplace health surveillance.

Synthesis, crystal structure, DNA-binding and cytotoxicity in vitro of novel cis-Pt(II) and trans-Pd(II) pyridine carboxamide complexes.

In an attempt to establish fundamental structure-activity relationships (SAR) of Pt/Pd-based anti-tumour compounds, we have recently designed monodentate pyridyl amide ligand containing central amide units which possess external metal co-ordinating pyridyl group and internal amide functionality. It was prepared in one step from commercially available compounds in moderate to good yield. Surprisingly, treatment of K(2)[MCl(4)] [M=Pt(II), Pd(II)] with ligand N-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide (L) in the same reaction condition affords two different hydrogen-bonded polymers: cis-[PtL(2)Cl(2)]·CH(3)OH·DMF (1) and trans-[PdL(2)Cl(2)]·2DMF (2). Fluorescence analysis indicates that the two complexes can bind to fish sperm DNA (FS-DNA) and gel electrophoresis assay demonstrates the ability of the complexes to cleave the pBR322 plasmid DNA. The two complexes exhibit cytotoxic specificity and significant cancer cell inhibitory rate. Furthermore, cytotoxicity values are higher in the case of cis-Pt(II) complex than trans-Pd(II) complex in four different cancer cell lines.

Genetic variations in the SMAD4 gene and gastric cancer susceptibility.

AIM: To explore the association between mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (SMAD4) gene polymorphisms and gastric cancer risk. METHODS: Five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) in the SMAD4 gene were selected and genotyped in 322 gastric cancer cases and 351 cancer-free controls in a Chinese population by using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine SMAD4 protein expression in 10 normal gastric tissues adjacent to tumors. RESULTS: In the single-locus analysis, two significantly decreased risk polymorphisms for gastric cancer were observed: the SNP3 rs17663887 TC genotype (adjusted odds ratio = 0.38, 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.71), compared with the wild-type TT genotype and the SNP5 rs12456284 GG genotype (0.31, 0.16-0.60), and with the wild-type AA genotype. In the combined analyses of these two tSNPs, the combined genotypes with 2-3 protective alleles (SNP3 C and SNP5 G allele) had a significantly decreased risk of gastric cancer (0.28, 0.16-0.49) than those with 0-1 protective allele. Furthermore, individuals with 0-1 protective allele had significantly decreased SMAD4 protein expression levels in the normal tissues adjacent to tumors than those with 2-3 protective alleles (P = 0.025). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that genetic variants in the SMAD4 gene play a protective role in gastric cancer in a Chinese population.

[Association of TGFB1 gene polymorphism -509C/T with disease severity in childhood allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the promoter polymorphism -509C/T of the transforming growth factor-ß1 gene (TGFB1) and the disease severity of allergic rhinitis (AR) in childhood. METHODS: A total of 96 Chinese patients with persistent AR aged 3 - 17 (9.4 ± 3.8) years old were enrolled in the study. Among these patients 53.1% were mild cases (n = 51) and 46.9% were moderate-to-severe cases (n = 45). Genotyping was performed on peripheral blood genomic DNA by using PCR-RFLP. Serum levels of TGF-ß1 was measured by ELISA, and serum total IgE, specific IgE and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were determined using an ImmunoCAP100E system. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS11.0 software. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in genotype frequencies for the TGFB1-509C/T polymorphism between mild and moderate-to-severe AR patients (χ(2) = 8.361, P = 0.015). Children with persistent AR bearing the TT genotype of the -509C/T polymorphism had significantly increased risk for moderate-to-severe AR (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.007) compared to children with the CC/CT genotypes. There was no significant association between the -509C/T polymorphism and serum TGF-ß1 levels (F = 0.389, P = 0.679); however, serum total IgE (F = 4.210, P = 0.018) and ECP (H = 6.297, P = 0.043) levels were found to be significantly associated with the polymorphism. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the TGFB1 gene polymorphism -509C/T may play a potential role in the severity of persistent AR in childhood.

Association between polymorphisms of TP53 and MDM2 and prostate cancer risk in southern Chinese.

Alterations in the TP53 and MDM2 genes appear to be important in the development of many human tumors, but evidence is conflicting on associations between polymorphisms in these genes and risk of prostate cancer (PCa). The influence of TP53 codon 72, MDM2 SNP309, and MDM2 C1797G polymorphisms in southern Chinese PCa patients was investigated. In the comparison of genotype distributions of TP53 codon 72 between cases and controls, the adjusted odds ratios for PCa associated with the Pro/Pro, Arg/Pro, and Arg/Arg genotypes were 1.00, 1.89 (95% CI = 1.20-2.97), and 2.01 (95% CI = 1.11-3.64), respectively; however, MDM2 SNP309 and C1797G did not show any significant difference between cases and controls. When TP53 and MDM2 polymorphisms were combined based on the numbers of variant risk alleles (i.e., G-allele of TP53 codon 72, G-allele of MDM2 SNP309, and G-allele of MDM2 C1797G), individuals with 3-5 variants had a 1.56-fold greater risk of PCa than those with 0-2 variants (95% CI = 1.07-2.26). Moreover, subjects with 0-2 variants had 33.3% positive p53 expression, whereas subjects with 3-5 variants had 23.3% p53 expression (P = 0.39). These findings suggest that TP53 and MDM2 polymorphisms play a role in PCa susceptibility in southern Chinese Han population.

p53 codon 72 increased biochemical recurrence risk after radical prostatectomy in a southern Chinese population.

INTRODUCTION: Alterations in P53 and murine double minute 2 (MDM2) genes appear to be important in the development of many human tumors. We investigated the potential prognostic roles of p53 codon 72 and MDM2 309 and 1797 polymorphisms in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty southern Chinese with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy were included in this study. All polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. Their prognosis on biochemical recurrence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model. RESULTS: p53 codon 72 GG genotype was associated with increased biochemical recurrence compared with CG+CC genotypes and poorer PSA-free survival. It was also noted that GG genotype was an independent risk factor for biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy on multivariate analysis. No statistical difference was observed in MDM2 polymorphisms and prostate cancer prognosis. CONCLUSION: Our data revealed that p53 codon 72 GG genotype carriers more frequently show biochemical recurrence than CG+CC genotypes carriers.

Excessive longitudinal FEV1 decline and risks to future health: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Accelerated loss of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) in an individual is considered an indicator of developing lung disease. METHODS: We investigated longitudinal FEV(1) slopes, calculated by simple linear regression, and adverse health outcomes after 10-30 years, among 1,428 chemical plant workers. Cases were defined by FEV(1) slopes below 5th percentile values for the cohort. Cases were matched with controls (107 pairs) for race, gender, smoking status, year of birth, age, height, and calendar year at first test. Matched pair statistics were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Cases had a higher proportion, compared to controls, of diagnosis of COPD or emphysema (17.8% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.0002), medication use for respiratory diseases (24.3% vs. 4.7%, P < 0.0001), dyspnea (15% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.0042), and wheezing or rhonchi on examination (10.3% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.0225). CONCLUSIONS: Chemical plant workers who experienced accelerated FEV(1) declines experienced four to nine times as many adverse health conditions over 10-30 years.

Interpreting longitudinal spirometry: weight gain and other factors affecting the recognition of excessive FEV1 decline.

BACKGROUND: Excessive FEV(1) loss in an individual or a group can reflect hazardous exposures and development of lung disease. However, multiple factors may affect FEV(1) measurements. METHODS: Using medical screening data collected in 1884 chemical plant workers between 1973 and 2003, the influence of multiple factors on repeated measurements of FEV(1) was examined. RESULTS: The FEV(1) level was associated with age, height, race, sex, cigarette smoking, changes in body weight, and spirometer model. After controlling for these factors, longitudinal FEV(1) decline averaged 23.8 ml/year for white males; an additional loss of 8.3 ml was associated with one pack-year smoking and 5.4 ml with a one pound weight gain. Depending on the spirometer model, FEV(1) differed by up to 95 ml. CONCLUSIONS: The study results provide quantitative estimates of the effect of specific factors on FEV(1), and should be useful to health professionals in the evaluation of accelerated lung function declines.

[Early change of pulmonary ventilation in new coal miners].

OBJECTIVE: To study the early effects of coal dust on lung function in new underground coal miners. METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-seven male miners were selected from new employees at the Xuzhou Mining Group Company as study group, and 132 male students at a mining technical school were selected as control. Data collection included: individual demographic parameters, family medical history, occupational history, and smoking history, measurement of dust concentrations in work areas, and lung function tests. This prospective cohort study took place over 3 years during which time total dust and respirable dust concentrations in the new coal miners' work areas were measured twice each month. For both miner and student groups, FVC and FEV(1) were tested initially before dust exposure, and then 15 times over the 3 years. RESULTS: The average total dust and respirable dust concentrations in the miners' work areas were 23.8 mg/m(3) and 8.9 mg/m(3) respectively, which greatly exceeded national health criteria. During the first year of dust exposure, the miners's average FVC was higher than that of the controls (5.19 L vs 4.92 L, P < 0.01). During the 2nd and 3rd year the difference in average FVC between miners and control group was not significant (5.14 L vs 5.12 L, P > 0.05). Before dust exposure, the miners' FEV(1) was significantly higher than that of the control group (4.48 L vs 4.28 L). In the miners group, FEV(1) declined rapidly during the first year following dust exposure (from 4.48 L to 4.25 L), and in the 2nd and the 3rd year the average FEV(1) of the miners was significantly lower than that of controls (4.34 L vs 4.56 L, P < 0.01), although there were some fluctuations during the follow-up period. Overall, the average FEV(1) of miners group showed a significant decline during the study. There were significant correlations between FVC or FEV(1) and age, height, weight, and smoking. The three-year total loss of FVC and FEV(1) in smoking miners (154 ml, 184 ml) were greater than in non-smoking miners (83 ml, 91 ml). CONCLUSION: There are apparent effects of coal dust on lung function in new underground coal miners, with FEV(1) being more impacted than FVC. Smoking may aggravate the effect of dust exposure on reducing lung function.

Flock workers' exposures and respiratory symptoms in five plants.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel cases of lymphocytic bronchiolitis in flock production and coating operations triggered a five-plant study of airborne respirable dust and fiber exposures and health symptoms. METHODS: Job histories from 219 current workers were linked to a job-exposure matrix derived from personal exposure measurements of respirable dust and fibers. Univariate group comparisons and multivariate modeling tested for relations between indices of cumulative and current exposure, and respiratory and systemic symptom outcomes. RESULTS: Respiratory symptoms and repeated flu-like illnesses were associated with use of compressed air to clear equipment (blow-downs) and with respirable dust exposure (current and cumulative) after controlling for smoking. Blow-downs had an equal or greater effect than smoking status on most symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Eliminating compressed air cleaning, engineering control of dust exposure, and respirators are needed to limit exposures to particulates. Longitudinal follow up may provide guidance for a dust or fiber level without adverse respiratory health effects.