Pitfalls of using the ILO classification for silicosis compensation claims.

BACKGROUND: The International Labour Organization (ILO) Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses is used as the primary tool to determine compensation for pneumoconiosis in Turkey. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate how the ILO classification applied, but obtaining chest radiographs in the workplace for screening until the completion of compensation claim files by the referral centres, based on the ILO reading. METHODS: The study included 320 digital chest radiographs previously taken for screening from eight different ceramic factories and having finalised claim files by referral centres. We used an expert reference panel consisting of five ILO readers to re-evaluate all the radiographs independently using ILO standard films and reached a conclusion based on the agreement among at least three readers. The evaluation primarily included technical quality and silicosis diagnosis with an ILO 1/0 or above small profusion. The results were compared with previous findings. RESULTS: Sixty-three (20%) chest radiographs were unacceptable for classification purposes according to the ILO technical quality grades. Among the remaining 257 chest radiographs, we diagnosed 103 with silicosis (40%), while the referral centres diagnosed 182 (71%). A discrepancy was found between our results and previous evaluations. We diagnosed silicosis in 50% and 17% of the previous silicosis and normal evaluations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the use of the ILO classification for compensation claims may be problematic due to the way of its implementation in Turkey in addition to its subjectivity.

The prevalence of papilledema in patients with migraine: a crucial cooccurrence of migraine and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in patients with migraine by screening for papilledema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have included all the patients with migraine who applied to our neurology clinic during December 2019 and accepted to participate in the study. The demographic and clinical characteristics including migraine subtype (episodic/chronic), headache frequency per month, and headache characteristics of all patients were interrogated. Besides, the presence of fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was noted. Fundus examination was performed in all of the patients and the presence of papilledema was noted. RESULTS: Overall, 158 consecutive migraineurs were included in this study. The mean age of the group was 35.9 ± 9.9 and the female/male ratio was 134/24. Papilledema was determined in 10 (6%) patients. There was a past medical history of having IIH in one of these patients. In four of the patients, the diagnosis of IIH was newly established. Comparative analyses between episodic migraineurs and chronic migraineurs revealed that female gender was more prevalent in chronic migraineurs (p = 0.00) and the comorbidities of FM and CFS were more common in chronic migraineurs. Remarkably, papilledema was found to be more common in chronic migraineurs. The results of the logistic regression analyses revealed that obesity was the only predictor for the presence of papilledema (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Our results may suggest that IIH should be kept in mind as a notable comorbidity in migraineurs, particularly in the subgroup of obese patients with chronic migraine.

Effectiveness of the Biophysical Barriers to the Peridural Fibrosis in Rat Laminectomy Model.

Purpose: Peridural fibrosis which could occur after the spinal surgery could adhere neural tissue closely and may cause to neural entrapment symptoms and require surgical reintervention. Aim of the study: Present study was designed to reduce occurrence of peridural fibrosis in rat laminectomy model by using biophysical barriers called hyaluronic acid (HAS) dural barrier, activated polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine (PEG) dural barrier, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Materials and methods: In this study, 2 of 26 male Wistar albino rats (325-350 g body weight), which were not included into study groups were sacrificed by removing their total blood and their blood was used for preparation of PRP, and remaining rats were randomly delivered into four groups called SHAM, HAS, PEG, and PRP groups. Then L3-4-5 laminectomy was performed to all animals and experimental agents were administered to the selected groups mentioned above. Spinal colons of all animals were removed gross total after 6-week period and investigated histopathologically. Additionally, real-time-polymerase chain reaction was used to obtain collagen type I and type III, transforming growth factor-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions. Results: All results demonstrated that polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine dural barrier and PRP could decrease peridural fibrosis formation efficiently in rat. Conclusion: Present study results suggested that to reduce or block formation of peridural fibrosis, either polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine dural barrier or PRP could be used effectively in human subjects after they will be closely investigated in future studies.

Cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion injury could be managed by using tramadol.

OBJECTIVES: No valid treatment modality that will repair stroke damage and provide neurological recovery has yet been identified in literature. Studies demonstrated that adequate quality of life could be provided if post-stroke pain could be treated sufficiently and timely. Besides its pain relief effects, tramadol has oedema-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties. With these in mind, this study investigated the influence of tramadol in acute and/or chronic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Putting aside the Control group, 23 Wistar albino rats were distributed to four groups to investigate the acute (Sham-A, TR-A) and chronic (Sham-C, TR-C) periods of I/R injury, and temporary aneurysm clips were applied to their internal carotid arteries for 30 min. Four hours after clippage, tramadol was administered to animals of TR-A and TR-C groups intraperitoneally. After sacrificing all animals, pyknotic and necrotic neuronal cells in hippocampal cornu ammonis (CA)1, CA2, CA3 and parietal cortical regions were counted, and perivascular oedema, intercellular organization disorder (IOD) and inflammatory cell infiltration were scaled histopathologically. Additionally, tissue interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-10, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor-α, caspase-3, beclin-1, Atg12, LC3II/LC3I levels were measured biochemically. RESULTS: Tramadol could minimize perivascular oedema, IOD, parietal and hippocampal neuronal necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration in both periods of I/R injury histopathologically. Apart from inhibiting apoptosis and enhancing autophagy, tramadol had no influence on any other biochemical result. DISCUSSION: Tramadol can ameliorate the histopathological structure of ischaemic tissue in both periods of I/R injury in rat. We suggest further research investigating various dosages with different administration methods of tramadol in stroke should be conducted by adopting different explorative techniques.

Performing the screw fixation from C3 to odontoid process in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome and type II odontoid fracture.

A 56-year-old female patient was admitted with a history of pain during neck movements after cervical injury. Computerized tomography scan revealed type II odontoid fracture and fusion anomaly between C2 and C3 vertebrae. At surgery, the anteroinferior part of C2 vertebra corpus could not be reached; therefore, transodontoid screw was advanced from C3 vertebra toward odontoid process. At follow-up examination, the complaints of the patient had recovered, and fracture line was completely fused. Advancing screw from C3 to odontoid process via anterior cervical approach could be thought an alternative treatment option in the patient with short neck caused from vertebra fusion anomaly and/or obesity.

The relation between the extent of radiological findings and respiratory functions in pneumoconiosis cases of dental technicians who are working in Ankara.

INTRODUCTION: In dental technicians, parenchymal changes caused by dust affect pulmonary functions. The evaluation of the relation between radiological scores (chest X-Ray/HRCT) indicating the extent of pulmonary involvement and the severity of functional findings in dental technicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 440 dental technicians were evaluated with chest X-Ray, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The degree of pulmonary involvement in radiological images was categorized based upon emphysema, the profusion of opacities, ground-glass opacity, honey combing and extent of pleural abnormalities. RESULT: Mean age of the study population was 34.7 ± 8.5 and mean duration of work was 16.5 ± 7.9 years. The prevalance of Dental technicians' pneumoconiosis (DTP) was 11.1%. The most common opacity in HRCT was round opacity with a rate of 89.7%. The rate of large opacity was %14.3. There was positive correlation between ILO score and HRCT score. Negative correlation was found between ILO and HRCT scores and all pulmonary function tests (except for FEV1/FVC), while no relation was found with age, overall duration of exposure, smoking and the age ofwork onset. In Multiple regression analysis, the extent of pulmonary involvement (HRCT scores) was found to be an independent predictor of functional impairment. Functional parameter reflecting the extent of pulmonary involvement most accurately was (FEV1%). CONCLUSIONS: It is our suggestion that radiological measurement should be used along with functional measurements in the evaluation of functional impairment in mixed dust exposed dental technicians.

Relationship between radiological (X-ray/HRCT), spirometric and clinical findings in dental technicians' pneumoconiosis.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumoconiosis in dental technicians' has rarely been evaluated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical, functional and radiological impacts of exposure to dust on respiratory functions via chest X-ray (CXR), high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and spirometry in dental technicians. METHODS: Demographic data, respiratory symptoms, spirometry results, CXR and HRCT scans of 32 dental technicians were evaluated. The opacities on the radiological images were categorized based on their intensity. We investigated the relation of radiological scores with clinical, radiological and functional findings. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 31 ± 9 years and mean employment duration was 14 ± 9 years. Twenty-two (69%) technicians had a history of smoking. The most common symptom was phlegm, while dyspnea prevalence was higher in those with an elevated International Labour Office (ILO) profusion score (P < 0.01). Parenchymal opacities were determined in 10 (31%) technicians by CXR and in 22 (69%) technicians by HRCT (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ILO profusion score and HRCT score (r = 0.765, P < 0.01). ILO profusion score and HRCT score showed positive correlation with employment duration (r = 0.599, P = 0.01; r = 0.514, P = 0.01, respectively), while exhibiting negative correlation with FVC (r = -0.509, P < 0.05; r = -0.627, P = 0.01 respectively), FVC% (r = -0.449, P < 0.05; r = -0.457, P < 0.05, respectively) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (r = -0.473, P < 0.05; r = -0.598, P = 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that a combined approach including spirometry, CXR and HRCT modalities should be employed in demonstrating respiratory disorders associated with exposure to inorganic dusts in dental technicians.

Pneumoconiosis and respiratory problems in dental laboratory technicians: analysis of 893 dental technicians.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the rate of pneumoconiosis in dental technicians (DTP) and to evaluate the risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 893 dental technicians, who were admitted to our hospital in the period January 2007-May 2012, from 170 dental laboratories were retrospectively examined. Demographic data, respiratory symptoms, smoking status, work duration, working fields, exposure to sandblasting, physical examination findings, chest radiographs, pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography results were evaluated. RESULTS: Dental technicians' pneumoconiosis rate was 10.1% among 893 cases. The disease was more common among males and in those exposed to sandblasting who had 77-fold higher risk of DTP. The highest profusion subcategory was 3/+ (according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) 2011 standards) and the large opacity rate was 13.3%. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, it was the largest DTP case series (N = 893/90) in the literature in English. Health screenings should be performed regularly for the early diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, which is an important occupational disease for dental technicians.

The assessment of the malignant mesothelioma cases and environmental asbestos exposure in Sivas province, Turkey.

One of the most significant diseases related to environmental asbestos exposure is malignant mesothelioma (MM). Sivas province is located in the Central Anatolia where asbestos exposure is common. We aimed to study clinical, demographical and epidemiologic features of the patients with MM in Sivas, along with the history of asbestos exposure. In total, 219 patients with MM who were diagnosed in our hospital between 1993 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed in terms of demographical and clinical features. Rock, soil and house plaster samples were taken from the habitats of those patients and were evaluated with optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction methods. The age of the patients ranged between 18 and 85 years. The male-to-female ratio was 1.4:1. Most of the patients confirmed an asbestos exposure history. The most frequent symptoms of the patients were chest pain (60 %) and dyspnea (50 %). The gap between the start of first symptoms and the diagnosis date was approximately 4 months in average. The plaster materials used in most of the houses were made up of mainly carbonate and silicate minerals and some chrysotile. Ophiolitic units contained fibrous minerals such as serpentine (clino + orthochrysotile) chiefly and pectolite, brucite, hydrotalcite and tremolite/actinolite in smaller amounts. MM is not primarily related to occupational asbestos exposure in our region, and hence, environmental asbestos exposure may be indicted. Yet, single or combined roles and/or interactions of other fibrous and non-fibrous minerals in the etiology of MM are not yet fully understood and remain to be investigated.

A longitudinal study on lung disease in dental technicians: what has changed after seven years?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this 7-year follow-up study was to determine respiratory changes in dental technicians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our region, in the year 2005, 36 dental technicians were evaluated with a cross-sectional study on respiratory occupational diseases, and in 2012 we evaluated them again. Inclusion of information on respiratory symptoms and demographic features questionnaires was applied. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were performed. Chest X-rays (CXR) were evaluated according to the ILO-2000 classification. For the comparisons of the technicians' findings in 2005 and 2012, data analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon test in addition to descriptive statistical procedures. RESULTS: In 2012, 19 out of the 36 technicians continued to work in the same place, so we were able to evaluate their findings. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms in dental technician was as follows: dyspnea 7 (37%), cough 6 (32%), and phlegm 5 (26%). According to ILO classifications in 2005, among the 36 technicians, 5 (13.8%) had pneumoconiosis. At the end of 7 years, there were 9 pneumoconiosis cases among the 19 remaining technicians (47%). Thus, there was a statistically significant progression on the profusion of the radiologic findings (p < 0.005). Also there was a significant worsening on spirometric findings (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In dental technicians, a determination of both radiologic and functional progressions at the end of 7 years demonstrate that the primary and secondary preventive measures are necessary for these workplaces. Workplaces must be regularly controlled for worker health and hygiene.

Diagnostic usefulness of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A in suspected pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: The role of biomarkers for prognostication and diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasing. It has been reported that pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) can be used as a proatherosclerotic marker. The present study was aimed to evaluate whether PAPP-A levels are helpful in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with suspected PE. METHODS: 53 consecutive patients evaluated for suspected PE were prospectively enrolled in the study. Serum PAPP-A levels were measured in the blood samples which were taken at admission. Multi-slice computed tomographic angiography was used to verify the diagnosis of PE. RESULTS: PE was detected in 24 out of the 53 patients, while it was excluded in 29 patients by thorax multi-detector computerized tomography scan. No significant difference was detected in mean serum PAPP-A level between groups (5.72 ± 0.31 mg/L vs. 5.67 ± 0.06 mg/L, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Serum PAPP-A level has no role in the evaluation for PE.

Significance of serum cardiac troponin I levels in pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Some biomarkers can be helpful in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) and determining of severity and prognosis of the disease. In this study, we aimed to analyze the elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels and its association with electrocardiography (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings in patients with PE. METHODS: Totally 106 patients with suspected PE were included in the study. PE was confirmed in 63 of them, whereas it was excluded in the remaining 43 patients. Levels of cTnI were measured in all patients before the prescription of the anticoagulation therapy. RESULTS: High cTnI levels were found in 50.8% of patients with PE, and in 11.6% of patients without PE (P<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the test for the diagnosis of PE were 50.7%, 88.3% respectively. ECG findings were similar in PE patients having either elevated or normal cTnI levels. Approximately 75% of the PE patients with high cTnI had normal ECG findings; the most common pathological changes seen in ECG were S1Q3T3 pattern (~31%). TTE findings were not found to be distinguishing in the patients with suspected PE and high cTnI levels. Pulmonary hypertension (PHT) was the most common echocardiographic finding (~74%) in patients with PE and elevated cTnI levels. However, there was not a statistically significant difference between TTE findings in PE patients with increased and normal cTnI levels. CONCLUSIONS: In patients presenting with clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic features suggesting pulmonary embolism, increased serum cTnI levels endorse the diagnosis of severe PE.

[The practice of respiratory disability assessment in a university hospital: the analysis of 136 patients]. / Bir üniversite hastanesinde solunumsal maluliyet degerlendirme pratigi: 136 hastanin analizi.

INTRODUCTION: This study, to examine the outcomes of the respiratory disability assessment in our clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reports of 136 patients who attended the chest diseases clinic between January 2010 and June 2011 for the assessment of the respiratory disability were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 10.457 patients who presented in 18 months, 136 (1.3%) requested the assessment of the respiratory disability. The patients' average age was 51 ± 12 years and 118 (87%) were male. Farmers constituted 19.8% of the patients and mine and foundry workers 10.7% of the patients. The most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (91.2%) and cough (76.5%). The most frequent radiological pattern was reticular and nodular opacities (38.2%). The workup led to a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 64 patients (47%) and of interstitial pulmonary disease/pneumoconiosis in 19 (14%) patients. No respiratory disease was found in 19 patients. Among 44 (32.4%) patients for whom disability rate was calculated, 8 (18.2%) had an incapacity rate of 60% or higher and 13 had 0%. The disability rates showed positive correlations with age, the duration of the respiratory symptoms and PaCO2 level (respectively r= 0.395, p= 0.008; r= 0.391, p= 0.009; r= 0.790, p< 0.001), and negative correlations with FVC, FEV1 and PaO2 levels (respectively r= -0.681, p< 0.001; r= -0.766, p< 0.001; r= -0.661, p= 0.003). Linear regression analysis showed that high PaCO2 value is a determinant for a high disability rate (r= 0.902, p= 0.014). Furthermore, smokers had higher disability rates than non-smokers (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: We believe that new evidence-based guidelines that will resolve the medicolegal and social obscurities are needed.

[Nanoparticle: a nightmare for the future]. / Nanopartikül: Gelecegin korkulu rüyasi.

Nanotechnology is a new discipline where 1-100 nanometers long particles are used, with an extensive field of application including physics, chemistry, electronics, energy production, biology, and medicine. Just as in every innovation, the effects of this technology and its products on environment and health are wondered. Lungs are the major port of entry and target of the nanoparticles in human body. This review will discuss, in the light of the literature, the possible adverse effects of nanoparticles on living beings and especially on respiratory system.

Clinical characteristics, treatment and survival outcomes in malignant mesothelioma: eighteen years' experience in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an insidious tumor with poor prognosis, arising from mesothelial surfaces such as pleura, peritoneum and pericardium. We here aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and radiological features of patients with MM followed in our center as well as their survival. METHODS: The study included 228 patients (131 male, 97 female) who were followed up in our institution between 1993 and 2010 with the diagnosis of MM. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.1 years in men and 58.7 years in women and the sex ratio was 1.4:1 in favor of males. Environmental asbestos exposure was present in 86% of the patients for a mean duration of 40±20 years (range: 3-70). Pleural effusion and thoracic/abdominal pain were the most common presenting signs and symptoms (70.2% and 57.8%, respectively). One hundred-thirteen (66%) patients were treated with platinum-based combination chemotherapy (PBCT) plus supportive care (SC) and 67 (34%) patients received SC alone. The median follow-up time was 10.0 months. The median overall survival was significantly improved with PBCT plus SC compared to SC alone (11.4 vs. 5.1 months; p=0.005). The 6, 12, 18, and 24-month survival rates were significantly improved with PBCT plus SC compared to SC alone (72%, 43%, 19%, and 2% vs. 49%, 31%, 11%, and 1%). CONCLUSION: The survival of patients with MM improved in patients treated with PBCT. The survival advantage continued 12- and 24-month after the initial time of combination chemotherapy.

Thoracic computed tomography findings in malignant mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an uncommon neoplasm. MPM occurs more frequently in patients born or living in certain villages of Turkey. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to review radiological findings of MPM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the CT findings in 219 biopsy-proven MPM patients admitted to our clinic between 1993 and 2008. RESULTS: The most common CT findings included pleural thickening (n=197, 90%) classified as diffuse (n=138, 63%), nodular (n=49, 22%) and mass-type (n=16, 7%). Pleural effusion was found in 173 patients (79%), involvement of the interlobar fissures in 159 (73%), mediastinal pleural involvement in 170 (78%), volume contraction in 142 (65%), mediastinal shift in 102 (47%) and mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 54 (25%). CONCLUSION: MPM may present with diverse radiological features. Pleural thickening and pleural effusion were the most frequent radiological findings. Thoracic CT scans might be assessed more cautiously in patients with environmental exposure to asbestos.

Pulmonary toxicity of chronic exposure to tobacco and biomass smoke in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the separate and combined effects of tobacco and biomass smoke exposure on pulmonary histopathology in rats. INTRODUCTION: In addition to smoking, indoor pollution in developing countries contributes to the development of respiratory diseases. METHODS: Twenty-eight adult rats were divided into four groups as follows: control group (Group I, no exposure to tobacco or biomass smoke), exposed to tobacco smoke (Group II), exposed to biomass smoke (Group III), and combined exposure to tobacco and biomass smoke (Group IV). After six months the rats in all four groups were sacrificed. Lung tissue samples were examined under light microscopy. The severity of pathological changes was scored. RESULTS: Group II differed from Group I in all histopathological alterations except intraparenchymal vascular thrombosis. There was no statistically significant difference in histopathological changes between the subjects exposed exclusively to tobacco smoke (Group II) and those with combined exposure to tobacco and biomass smoke (Group IV). The histopathological changes observed in Group IV were found to be more severe than those in subjects exposed exclusively to biomass smoke (Group III). DISCUSSION: Chronic exposure to tobacco and biomass smoke caused an increase in severity and types of lung injury. CONCLUSION: Exposure to cigarette smoke caused serious damage to the respiratory system, particularly with concomitant exposure to biomass smoke.

Antiangiogenic activities of bemiparin sodium, enoxaparin sodium, nadroparin calcium and tinzaparin sodium.

INTRODUCTION: The low-molecular-weight heparins have been demonstrated to have antiangiogenic effects in various assays. We aimed to demonstrate and compare the antiangiogenic effects of four types of commercially available low-molecular weight heparins in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiangiogenic efficacies of bemiparin, enoxaparin, nadroparin, and tinzaparin were examined in vivo in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model. Drug solutions are prepared in three different concentrations (100 IU, 10 IU, or 1 IU/10 µl). For each set of experiment twenty fertilized eggs were used. The decrease of vessel formation is examined and scored according to previous literature. RESULTS: Bemiparin, enoxaparin, nadroparin, and tinzaparin sodium all have antiangiogenic effects on chick chorioallantoic membrane at the concentration of 100 IU/10 µl. This effect was also observed in 10 IU/10 µl concentrations of nadroparin and tinzaparin. CONCLUSIONS: The low molecular weight heparins studied have obvious antiangiogenic effects. There may be a difference in the potency of the drugs that could have a significant implication for further clinical research.