Occupational Dust Research Articles

Interactions between single nucleotide polymorphism of SERPINA1 gene and smoking in association with COPD: a case-control study.

BackgroundSERPINA1 gene has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), while smoking is a known risk factor for COPD. Little is known on the effect of SERPINA1 gene and its interaction with smoking in the Chinese population. In this study, the effect of SERPINA1 gene polymorphisms on COPD risk and its interaction with smoking status has been investigated.MethodA total of 120 COPD patients and 481 healthy controls were recruited at The Armed Police Corps Hospital. Data on demographic variables, smoking status, history of occupational dust exposure, and allergies were collected. Genotyping for single nucleotide polymorphism’s (SNP) rs1243160, rs2854254, and rs8004738 was performed in all participants.ResultsSNP rs8004738 genotype was associated with a significantly higher risk for COPD (odds ratio (OR) =1.835, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.002–3.360), whereas SNPs rs1243160 and rs2854254 did not exhibit such an association. Smoking habit also significantly increased the risk for COPD (OR =2.306, 95% CI: 1.537–3.459). On stepwise logistic regression analysis, advanced age, smoking, and SNP rs8004738 variant were associated with increased risk for COPD, while female gender and higher educational status decreased the risk. On additive interaction analysis, a significant interactive effect of SNP rs8004738 and smoking was observed in this population (relative excess risk due to interaction =0.478; attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) =0.123; S=1.197).ConclusionSNP rs8004738 of SERPINA1 gene significantly interacted with smoking status and was associated with a higher risk for COPD in the Chinese population.

Childhood secondhand smoke exposure and pregnancy loss in never smokers: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

ObjectiveStudies of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure especially childhood SHS exposure and pregnancy loss are limited. We used baseline data of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (GBCS) to examine the association...

Impairment of Lung Function During Adjuvant Oxaliplatin Treatment in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Prospective Trial

Forty-seven cases (38 men and 9 women) of pulmonary toxicity caused by oxaliplatin have previously been published, but the issue has not been investigated in a prospective setting. Our purpose was to assess how oxaliplatin affects the pulmonary function in colorectal cancer patients during adjuvant treatment. Forty patients (median age 57.5 years, range 33-74) radically resected for colorectal cancer, underwent three pulmonary function tests during post-surgery adjuvant treatment with oxaliplatin. Mean±sd haemoglobin corrected diffusion capacity (DLCOc) in the entire patient cohort were 7.65±2.24 at baseline, 7.11±2.11 during and 7.12±1.99 three months after oxaliplatin treatment (p=0.0002). The decrease was similar in men (n=22, p=0.02) and women (n=18, p=0.01), but most prominent in smokers (n=23, p=0.0005) and in patients exposed to occupational dust (n=21, p=0.0009). Besides a small decrease in the FEV1/FVC ratio (p=0.03), all other pulmonary parameters remained constant and no clinical signs of pulmonary failure were observed during the study period. A decline in DLCOc was detected in a majority of the examined patients, but none reported any clinical symptoms of pulmonary distress. The subtle decrease in DLCOc does not appear to be an isolated predictor of PT. Our data suggest that smoking and dust exposure might aggravate the effect of oxaliplatin on DLCOc. Routine pulmonary function test in patients treated with oxaliplatin is not recommended, but it is important to be aware of the early signs of pulmonary toxicity.

Recurrent DNA copy number alterations in intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma.

Intestinal-type sinonasal adenocarcinoma (ITAC) is a rare tumour related to occupational wood dust exposure. Few studies have described recurrent genetic changes on a genome-wide scale. The aim of this study was to obtain a high resolution map of recurrent genetic alterations in ITAC. Copy number alterations were evaluated by microarray CGH and MLPA in 37 primary tumours. The results were correlated with pathological characteristics and clinical outcome. Microarray CGH identified the following recurrent aberrations, in descending order: gains at 5p15 (22 cases, 60%), 8q24 (21 cases, 57%), 20q13 (20 cases, 54%), 20q11, and 8q21 (19 cases, 51%), 20p13, and 7p11 (16 cases, 43%), and losses at 5q11-qter, 8p12-pter, and 18q12-23 (15 cases, 40%), and 17p13, and 19p13 (13 cases, 35%). MLPA analysis confirmed this global pattern of gains and losses. Chromosomal loss at 4q32-ter and gains at 1q22, 6p22 and 3q29, as well as deletion of TIMP2 and CRK correlated with unfavourable clinical outcome. ITACs have a unique pattern of chromosomal abnormalities. The four different histological subtypes of ITAC appeared genetically similar. Four chromosomal gains and losses and two specific genes showed prognostic value and may be involved in tumour progression.

A case-case study on sinonasal cancer prevention: effect from dust reduction in woodworking and risk of mastic/solvents in shoemaking.

Background and aimsSinonasal cancers (SNCs) are rare neoplasms, accounting for about 3 % of head and neck cancers, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) as the most common subtypes. ADCs present strong associations with occupational wood dust exposure. Preventive measures have progressively reduced wood dust concentrations in workplaces but no study has evaluated the effectiveness of such interventions. Few studies indicate associations between ADC and exposure to solvents, which is common in the shoe industry, but this hypothesis still needs confirmation.MethodsIn a case-case study, we contrasted 32 ADCs against 21 Non-Adenocarcinoma Epithelial Tumors (NAETs) – all recruited from the same clinical setting (Padua’s University Hospital; period 2004–2015) – using questionnaires and clinical records to collect information on potential predictors. Non-occupational factors were age, sex, smoking, allergy and chronic sinusitis. Occupational factors were intensity and frequency of wood dust exposure, protection from wood dust, type of wood (in woodworking); frequency of exposure to leather dust or mastic/solvent (in shoemaking). Odds-ratio (OR), 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) and two-tail p-values were obtained through stepwise backward logistic regression for each industry, always using as reference patients never employed in either trade and adjusting for non-occupational risk factors.ResultsAdjusted OR was 22.5 (95 % CI = 3.50–144; p = 0.001) and 9.37 (95 % CI = 1.29–67.6; p = 0.026), respectively, in patients with low or high degree of protection against wood dust. In the shoe industry, adjusted OR was 1 and 18.8 (95 % CI = 1.29–174; p = 0.030), respectively, in patients with low or high exposure to only mastic/solvent; and 1 and 22.5 (95 % CI = 2.07–244; p = 0.011), respectively, in patients with low or high exposure to only leather dust.Discussion and conclusionsThe questionnaire used was able to estimate with simple algorithms past exposures in wood and footwear industries. The case-case design considerably increased the validity of this small study. Results in this study were always consistent with the extant literature; this could support reliability of novel findings. In woodworking, respiratory protective equipment and local exhaust ventilation reduced the risk of occupational SNC; in footwear manufacture, where preventive interventions were seldom adopted, SNC risk was significantly greater for high exposure from mastic/solvent and leather dust.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12995-016-0124-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Pulmonary illness as a consequence of occupational exposure to shrimp shell powder

ObjectivesAn employee with no prior history of allergy or asthma, experienced respiratory and flu-like symptoms during production of shrimp shell powder in a seafood savory factory in Norway. We aimed to clarify the diagnosis and to identify the cause of the symptoms by specific inhalation challenge (SIC) and by characterizing the powder's biocontaminants, particle size fractions and inflammatory potential. MethodsRespiratory and immunological responses were measured the day before and after each of four challenges with 20–150g shrimp shell powder during three consecutive days. The powder was analyzed for endotoxin, microorganisms and particle size fractions by standardized laboratory methods. Total inflammatory potential was quantified by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a granulocyte assay. ResultsThe patient had elevated IgG, but not IgE, towards shrimp shell powder. 20min challenge with 150g shrimp shell powder induced 15% decrease in FVC, 23% decrease in FEV1 and increased unspecific bronchial reactivity by methacholine. Neutrophils and monocytes increased 84% and 59%, respectively, and the patient experienced temperature increase and flu-like symptoms. The shrimp shell powder contained 1118 endotoxin units/g and bacteria including Bacillus cereus, and 57% respirable size fraction when aerosolized. The ROS production was higher for shrimp shell powder than for endotoxin alone. ConclusionsEndotoxin and other bacterial components combined with a high fraction of respirable dust might be the cause of the symptoms. The patient's characteristics and response to SIC were best compatible with occupational asthma and organic dust toxic syndrome, while hypersensitivity pneumonitis could not be excluded.

Isolated Tracheobronchial Hyperkeratosis

SESSION TITLE: Bronchology SESSION TYPE: Case Report Slide PRESENTED ON: Sunday, April 17, 2016 at 02:15 PM - 03:45 PM INTRODUCTION: Airway hyperkeratosis is uncommon and affects upper airway, such as the laryngeal area in most cases. Tracheobronchial involvement is very rarely reported, and here we report a case of isolated tracheobronchial hyperkeratosis. CASE PRESENTATION: An otherwise healthy 32-year-old man presented with recurrent cough, sputum production and intermittent low-grade fever over three years. He had been treated as bronchitis with antibiotics, and the above symptoms could be relieved temporarily. He had a 5 pack year history of smoking and had quit 3 years ago. He worked in an open-air steel market with heavy ground dust pollution. Physical examination revealed no significant abnormalities. His tuberculin skin test and T-spot. TB blood test were both negative. Pseudomonas aeruginosa were seen in sputum cultures. Spirometry showed mild airflow obstruction. Chest CT scan showed no significant abnormalities. Bronchoscopy revealed diffuse white nodules like paving stone changes in the tracheobronchial mucosa with no laryngeal area involvement (Panel A, B and C). The results of tissue stains and cultures for acid-fast bacilli and fungal organisms were negative. Multiple tracheobronchial mucosa biopsy showed squamous cell metaplasia and hyperkeratosis, with no dysplasia or malignancy (Panel D). DISCUSSION: Lower airway hyperkeratosis is very rare and isolated tracheobronchial involvement has not been documented before. The cause of airway hyperkeratosis is not clear and maybe related with chronic inflammatory stimulus, air pollution, inhalation of poisonous gases, occupational dust exposure or trace element deficiency. The tracheobronchial hyperkeratosis may occur as a result of smoking and chronic dust exposure in this patient who maybe genetically predisposed to such lesions. The relationship between chronic airway infection and hyperkeratosis has not been determined. Does chronic airway infection serve as an incentive for hyperkeratosis? Or loss of normal clean function of airway secondary to hyperkeratosis, induced recurrent infection. Tracheobronchial hyperkeratosis should be differentially diagnosed from bronchial tuberculosis and fungus infection. There is no specific treatment for airway hyperkeratosis yet. The primary concern for the management of airway hyperkeratosis is the potential for malignant conversion. The risk is increased by the presence of dysplasia, since increasing severity of dysplasia appears to increase the risk of malignant conversion. Hence close follow-up with surveillance bronchoscopy is ongoing for this subject. CONCLUSIONS: Lower airway hyperkeratosis has no specific clinical characteristics. Broncoscopy with multiple-section histopathological analysis is necessary for accurate diagnosis. Close follow-up is mandatory due to its potential for malignant conversion. Reference #1: Isenberg et al. Institutional and Comprehensive Review of Laryngeal Leukoplakia. Annals of Ototogy, Rhinology & laryngology. 117(l);74-79. DISCLOSURE: The following authors have nothing to disclose: Xiaolei Zhang No Product/Research Disclosure Information

High Cigarette and Poly-Tobacco Use Among Workers in a Dusty Industry: New Jersey Quarry Workers.

Tobacco use is high among US extraction and construction workers, who can also incur occupational dust exposure. Information on different types of tobacco use among quarry/mine workers is sparse. During mandated training sessions, New Jersey quarry workers were surveyed about their tobacco use. Prevalence was calculated for single and multiple tobacco use by demographic and workplace characteristics; logistic regression was used to assess associations with smoking. Two hundred forty (97.1%) workers completed surveys. Among respondents, 41.7% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 35.4 to 48.3] currently used any tobacco product of whom 28.1% smoked cigarettes. In multivariate analysis, positive associations with smoking included working as a contractor versus mine employee (odds ratio 2.32, 95% CI 1.01 to 5.36) and a usual job title of maintenance (odds ratio 2.02, 95% CI 0.87 to 4.94). Industry-specific information may be helpful in developing targeted tobacco-cessation programs.

Impact of industrial structure and soil exposure on the regional variations in pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease prevalence

Objective/backgroundThe prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (pNTM) disease, including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), varies widely according to geographic region. However, the factors that influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence remain unknown. This study was undertaken to examine whether environmental or occupational factors or host traits could influence regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence. MethodsWe collected laboratory data on pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) and pNTM from two hospitals in the West Harima area of Japan and five hospitals in Kyoto City, Japan from 2012 to 2013. We estimated microbiological pNTM disease prevalence by multiplying all pTB cases in each area with the ratio of pNTM cases and pTB cases at the survey hospitals in each area. We administered a standardized questionnaire to 52 patients and 120 patients with pulmonary MAC (pMAC) disease at Ako City Hospital and Kyoto University Hospital, respectively. ResultsThe estimated prevalence of microbiological pNTM disease in the West Harima area (85.4/100,000 population-years) was significantly higher than that observed in Kyoto City (23.6/100,000 population-years; p<.001). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, in Ako City Hospital, primary (activities directly related to natural resources) and secondary industries (construction, mining, and manufacturing primary industry produce; odds ratio [OR]=4.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.49−14.0; p=.007) and soil exposure (OR=13.6; 95% CI=4.94−45.26; p<.001) were associated with pMAC disease. ConclusionEnvironmental factors, both industrial structures associated with occupational dust and environmental soil exposure, could influence the regional variations in pNTM disease prevalence.

Dose-Response Relationship between Cumulative Occupational Lead Exposure and the Associated Health Damages: A 20-Year Cohort Study of a Smelter in China.

Long-term airborne lead exposure, even below official occupational limits, has been found to cause lead poisoning at higher frequencies than expected, which suggests that China’s existing occupational exposure limits should be reexamined. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 1832 smelting workers from 1988 to 2008 in China. These were individuals who entered the plant and came into continuous contact with lead at work for longer than 3 months. The dose-response relationship between occupational cumulative lead exposure and lead poisoning, abnormal blood lead, urinary lead and erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) were analyzed and the benchmark dose lower bound confidence limits (BMDLs) were calculated. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between cumulative lead dust and lead fumes exposures and workplace seniority, blood lead, urinary lead and ZPP values. A dose-response relationship was observed between cumulative lead dust or lead fumes exposure and lead poisoning (p < 0.01). The BMDLs of the cumulative occupational lead dust and fumes doses were 0.68 mg-year/m3 and 0.30 mg-year/m3 for lead poisoning, respectively. The BMDLs of workplace airborne lead concentrations associated with lead poisoning were 0.02 mg/m3 and 0.01 mg/m3 for occupational exposure lead dust and lead fume, respectively. In conclusion, BMDLs for airborne lead were lower than occupational exposure limits, suggesting that the occupational lead exposure limits need re-examination and adjustment. Occupational cumulative exposure limits (OCELs) should be established to better prevent occupational lead poisoning.

Influence of continuous mining arrangements on respirable dust exposures.

In underground continuous mining operations, ventilation, water sprays and machine-mounted flooded-bed scrubbers are the primary means of controlling respirable dust exposures at the working face. Changes in mining arrangements - such as face ventilation configuration, orientation of crosscuts mined in relation to the section ventilation and equipment operator positioning - can have impacts on the ability of dust controls to reduce occupational respirable dust exposures. This study reports and analyzes dust concentrations measured by the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division for remote-controlled continuous mining machine operators as well as haulage operators at 10 U.S. underground mines. The results of these respirable dust surveys show that continuous miner exposures varied little with depth of cut but are significantly higher with exhaust ventilation. Haulage operators experienced elevated concentrations with blowing face ventilation. Elevated dust concentrations were observed for both continuous miner operators and haulage operators when working in crosscuts driven into or counter to the section airflow. Individual cuts are highlighted to demonstrate instances of minimal and excessive dust exposures attributable to particular mining configurations. These findings form the basis for recommendations for lowering face worker respirable dust exposures.

Effects of Occupational Dust Exposure on the Ventilatory Functions among Cement Factory Workers: A Cross Sectional Study in Barak Velly Cement Limited, Assam

The present study is undertaken to find the effects of cement dust exposure on ventilatory functions among cement factory workers in the Barak valley district of Assam. Barak valley Cement Limited Started manufacturing Portland Cement since 1999. The Cement factory is situated at Badarpurghat 25Km from Silchar Town. They produce (43 and 53) grade Portland pozzlona Cement. Pulmonary Function Tests were carried out among 60 cement factory workers with more than 10 years duration of exposure to cement dust and 60 un-exposed subjects chosen from staffs of Silchar Medical college and Hospital, Silchar. The FVC (2.13±0.98L compare to 3.31±0.76L; P-value <0.00001) and FEV1(1.91±0.89L compare to 2.86±0.76L; P-value<0.00001 were significantly lower in cement factory workers than control subjects. The FEV1%(91.24±14.27 compare to 85.99±13.82; P-value 0.0201 showed little difference. However PEFR (5.33±2.23 compare to5.34±2.54 showed no significant difference. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to cement dust can decline ventilatory functions. So, far as protective gears were available but finding suggest poor compliance. However, cement factory management should focus attention on health education and introduce effective gadgets and enforce their usage.

Occupational exposure to textile dust increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: results from a Malaysian population-based case–control study

ObjectivesLung exposures including cigarette smoking and silica exposure are associated with the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the association between textile dust exposure and the risk of RA...

Effects of the Interactions between Dust Exposure and Genetic Polymorphisms in Nalp3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β on the Risk of Silicosis: A Case-Control Study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effects of the interactions between polymorphisms in Nalp3, caspase-1, and interleukin(IL)-1β genes and occupational dust exposure on the risk of silicosis.MethodsWe conducted a population-based case-control study in a large iron mine in China. Between January 2006 and December 2009, we identified 179 patients with silicosis to evaluate as cases and 201 individuals without silicosis to evaluate as controls. We estimated cumulative dust exposure (CDE) for all subjects and we genotyped polymorphisms in Nalp3, caspase-1, and IL-1β genes. We estimated odds ratios(ORs), 95% confidence intervals(95%CIs), and p-values using logistic regression models adjusted for selected confounders.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, smoking status, and CDE, subjects with the CT genotype of Ex4-849C>T in Nalp3 and the GA genotype of Ex2+37G>A in caspase-1 had increased risks of silicosis (adjusted ORs[95%CIs] = 2.40 [1.12–5.12] and 3.62 [1.63–8.02], respectively). Among subjects younger than 70 years old, those with the CC genotype of IVS8-7652A>C in Nalp3 had a lower risk of silicosis than those with other genotypes (adjusted OR[95%CI] = 0.24[0.06–0.88]). Among subjects aged 70 years and older, those with the CT genotype of Ex4-849C>T in Nalp3 and those with the GA genotype of Ex2+37G>A in caspase-1 had a higher risk of silicosis than those with other genotypes (adjusted ORs [95%CI] = 2.52[1.04–6.12] and 5.19[1.88–14.35], respectively). Among subjects with CDE greater than 120 mg/m3×year and among smokers, those with the GA genotype of Ex2+37G>A in caspase-1 had a higher risk of silicosis than those with other genotypes (adjusted ORs[95%CIs] = 26.37[3.35–207.39] and 3.47[1.40–8.64], respectively).ConclusionsGenetic polymorphisms in Nalp3 and caspase-1 may be associated with individual susceptibility to silicosis, especially when the polymorphisms interact with age, CDE, or smoking status.

Semi-quantitative exposure assessment of occupational exposure to wood dust and nasopharyngeal cancer risk.

Occupational exposure to wood dust is one cause of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC); however, assessing this exposure remains problematic. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative exposure assessment method and then utilize it to evaluate the association between occupational exposure to wood dust and the development of NPC. In addition, variations in risk by histology were examined. A case-control study was conducted with 327 newly diagnosed cases of NPC at the National Cancer Institute and regional cancer centers in Thailand with 1:1 controls matched for age, gender and geographical residence. Occupational information was obtained through personal interviews. The potential probability, frequency and intensity of exposure to wood dust were assessed on a job-by-job basis by experienced experts. Analysis was performed by conditional logistic regression and presented in odds ratio (ORs) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, a non significant relationship between occupational wood dust exposure and NPC risk for all subjects was observed (ORs=1.61, 95%CI 0.99-2.59); however, the risk became significant when analyses focused on types 2 and 3 of NPC (ORs=1.62, 95%CI 1.03-2.74). The significant association was stronger for those exposed to wood dust for >10 year (ORs=2.26, 95%CI 1.10-4.63), for those with first-time exposure at age>25 year (ORs=2.07, 95%CI 1.08-3.94), and for those who had a high cumulative exposure (ORs=2.17, 95%CI 1.03-4.58) when compared with those considered unexposed. In conclusion, wood dust is likely to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 or 3 NPC in the Thai population. The results of this study show that semi-quantitative exposure assessment is suitable for occupational exposure assessment in a case control study and complements the information from self-reporting.

The Relationship of Educational Attainment with Pulmonary Emphysema and Airway Wall Thickness.

Low educational attainment is a risk factor of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is limited knowledge on the relationship between educational level and computed tomography measures of emphysema and airway wall thickness (AWT). We hypothesized that low educational attainment is associated with increased emphysema and AWT in ever-smokers with and without COPD. We included 462 and 485 ever-smokers with and without COPD in a cross-sectional study, aged 40-86 years. The sample was divided into groups reflecting educational attainment: primary, secondary, and university. We performed linear regression to examine associations between educational attainment and both emphysema and AWT separately for those with and without COPD. We adjusted for sex, age, smoking status, age of onset of smoking, pack-years, height, and body mass index. Compared with university education, in subjects with COPD, primary education was associated with a 68.1% (95% confidence interval = 14.2-147.6%; P = 0.01) relative increase in emphysema and secondary education was associated with a 50.6% (95% confidence interval = 5.7-114.6%; P = 0.02) relative increase. There was a nonsignificant trend toward an association between lower educational attainment and increased emphysema among those without COPD (P = 0.18), yet greater age appeared to modify this association (P = 0.01). We did not detect significant linear relationships between educational attainment and AWT in subjects with or without COPD. Lower educational attainment was associated with increased emphysema among adults with COPD. Among those without COPD, this association was more pronounced with increasing age. No significant linear relationship between educational attainment and AWT was found. Clinicians treating adults with emphysema should keep in mind that factors related to low education beyond that of smoking and occupational dust exposure might be of importance to the disease.

P36 The role of EGFR pathway activation in sinonasal carcinoma

Introduction Two major tumour types exist in the sinonasal cavities: squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCC) and intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (ITAC). Both are etiologically related to several occupational exposure, especially wood and leather dust. Despite improvements in the field of surgery and radiotherapy, patients with these tumours still face a very unfavorable prognosis and new therapeutic approaches are needed. Previous studies indicated that EGFR is overexpressed in approximately 40% of cases and KRAS and BRAF mutations are rare, suggesting that targeted anti-EGFR therapy with monoclonal antibodies may be effective. The aim of this study was to further examine downstream factors in the EGFR pathway in these tumours. Material and methods Protein expression of PTEN, pAKT and mTOR was analysed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays containing primary tumours of 54 SNSCC and 98 ITAC. Results were correlated to clinico-pathological characteristics and follow-up data, as well as to the previously obtained results on EGFR, KRAS and BRAF. Results Loss of expression of PTEN was found in 30% of all tumours, irrespective of EGFR expression status. Co-expression of pAKT and mTOR was significantly more frequent in ITAC (40%) than in SNSCC (10%) and did not correlate to any of the clinical parameters. Conclusions The analysis of downstream factors in the EGFR pathway may help to predict therapeutic response. Anti-EGFR targeted therapy may be useful for a subset of patients with sinonasal carcinoma, particularly those that demonstrate EGFR overexpression and normal expression of PTEN. The finding of activated pAKT and mTOR in ITAC may open the possibility for anticancer therapy with inhibitors such as rapamycin.

The association between bronchial anthracofibrosis and pneumoconiosis: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) is associated with occupational hazardous dust exposure. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of BAF and BAC without fibrosis in patients with pneumoconiosis, and to evaluate the associations between BAC/BAF and occupational dust exposure and clinical manifestations among patients with pneumoconiosis. A retrospective cross-sectional study (n=170) among individuals who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis or suspicious pneumoconiosis and underwent bronchoscopy between January 2000 and February 2013 was performed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate associations. In total, 153 eligible subjects were included in the study because their records contained all the required information. Of these, 81 (53%) and 63 (41%) had BAC and BAF, respectively. Occupational coal dust exposure increased the risk of BAF and BAC (odds ratio [OR]=2.980, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.184-8.128; OR=2.840, 95% CI=1.092-7.926, respectively). Profusion category 3 pneumoconiosis also increased the risk of BAC (OR=33.887, 95% CI=5.317-394.729). BAF and BAC are associated with occupational exposure to coal dust. Therefore, clinicians should consider occupational history when they investigate the association between BAC/BAF and risk factors such as tuberculosis, lung cancer, and biomass fuel exposure.

CXCR1/CXCR2 antagonist CXCL8(3-74)K11R/G31P blocks lung inflammation in swine barn dust-instilled mice

Inhalation of agricultural occupational dusts from swine confinement facilities can result in lung inflammation. The innate immune response to organic barn dusts results in production of a number of pro-inflammatory factors in the lungs of barn workers such as cytokines, chemokines, and an influx of neutrophils. Many of these inflammatory factors are influenced by the chemokine CXCL8/IL-8 (KC or MIP-2 in mice). Previously, we have demonstrated that an endotoxin-independent component of swine barn dust extract (SBE) elevates lung chemokines in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent manner resulting in the significant formation of lung inflammatory cell infiltrates in a mouse model of SBE injury. In this study we test the ability of a CXCR1/CXCR2 antagonist, CXCL8(3-74)K11R/G31P (G31P) to block many of the features of lung-inflammation in response to challenge with SBE in an established mouse exposure system. Injection of G31P concurrent with SBE nasal instillation over a course of 3 weeks significantly reduced neutrophil accumulation in the lungs of barn dust exposed animals compared to those given SBE alone. There was a similar reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines IL-6, KC, and MIP-2 in SBE plus G31P-treated mice. In addition to excreted products, the receptors ICAM-1, CXCR1, and CXCR2, which all were elevated with SBE exposure, were also decreased with G31P treatment. SBE activation of PKCα and PKCε was reduced as well with G31P treatment. Thus, G31P was found to be highly effective at reducing several features of lung inflammation in mice exposed to barn dust extracts.

Endotoxin and gender modify lung function recovery after occupational organic dust exposure: a 30-year study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to determine the trajectory of lung function change after exposure cessation to occupational organic dust exposure, and to identify factors that modify improvement.MethodsThe Shanghai...