Welder's lung and brain MRI findings in manganese-exposed welders.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers of manganese (Mn) exposure and manganism are poorly understood. Blood Mn levels are often used to assess exposure, while brain Mn accumulation may be demonstrated by pallidal hyperintensity at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mn-containing electrodes used in manual metal arc welding may be associated with the welder's lungs. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was set up to compare T1 intensity in basal ganglia at MRI and Mn blood levels in subjects with or without pneumoconiosis. Clinical, radiological, pulmonary function and laboratory parameters were assessed among 154 welders referred to our hospital for suspected pulmonary pathology. RESULTS: The study group included 123 male welders with pneumoconiosis (79.9%) and 31 welders without pulmonary damage (20.1%). The cases without pneumoconiosis were younger (38.5±6.6 vs 42.1±7.1, p=0.012). Cases with pneumoconiosis had blood lower Mn levels [13.5 (10-21)] as compared to those without pneumoconiosis [18.5 (7.8- 34)], p=0.035. In the same groups, the cases with high blood Mn levels were 49 (39.8%) and 18 (58.1%) p= 0.052, respectively. Brain MRI hyperintensity was found in 86 (55.8%) subjects with welder's lung 63 (51.2) but also in 23 (74.2) individuals without welder's lung. MRI hyperintensity in basal ganglia was significantly related to high blood Mn (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating blood Mn levels of welders and their correlation with pulmonary and neurological effects. Poor working conditions may be associated with exposure to Mn and fibrogenic fumes leading to chronic lung diseases and hyperintensity in brain MRI suggesting Mn accumulation.

Impact of occupational lead exposure on nerve conduction study data.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate nerve conduction data of lead exposed workers. METHODS: A total of 287 subjects, consisting of 197 lead exposed workers and 90 healthy controls were included. Nerve conduction study of motor (median, ulnar, peroneal and tibial) and sensory (median, ulnar and sural) nerves were performed. The data were analyzed as two and three groups. RESULTS: The median blood lead level was 40.90 µg/dl. Median sensory, ulnar motor, and ulnar sensory conduction velocity were lower; distal latency of median motor, median sensory and sural sensory were longer than the controls (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of amplitudes. DISCUSSION: This study was indicated the neurotoxic effect of lead exposure may occur in the peripheral nerves, while the mean blood lead level is 40 µg/dl.

Prevalence of thrombophilic mutations and ACE I/D polymorphism in Turkish ischemic stroke patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of factor V Leiden (FVL), prothrombin G20210A, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene mutations, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D polymorphism in ischemic stroke (IS) patients. A total of 162 Turkish IS patients were included and analyzed according to stroke subtype by the TOAST classification. Their genotype data were compared with those of the control group, representing the healthy population, using the chi(2) test. The frequency of FVL heterozygocity was 12.3% in this series-higher than that in the normal population (9.8%; statistically insignificant, P = .478). The frequency of the ACE D/D genotype in all stroke patients and those with stroke of undetermined etiology was higher than that in our population (52.5% and 59.2%, respectively, vs 39.3%; statistically significant, P = .034, P = .020). Our results may suggest that ACE D/D genotype is a risk factor for IS, particularly in those with stroke of undetermined etiology in the Turkish population.