Risk Of Pneumoconiosis Research Articles

Eye Tracking to Evaluate the Usability of an Online Pneumoconiosis Education Booklet in a Sample of South Asian Construction Workers.

Pneumoconiosis is an incurable disease. An online educational booklet for South Asian construction workers has been developed to provide them with knowledge of the disease and its preventive measures. As eye tracking has long been applied to assess users' preferences with regard to the content of commercial products, this approach would likely offer a promising opportunity for an objective assessment of the usability of the developed booklet. This was a mixed-methods study that combined eye tracking and interviews to explore the usability of the educational booklet among South Asian construction workers. Twelve construction workers were invited to read the booklet individually on a laptop computer. An eye-tracking device was placed under the computer screen to collect eye tracking data of the participants to measure their attention to the contents of the booklet. Afterward, the participants were invited to attend a semistructured interview to explore their acceptance of and satisfaction with the booklet. Results showed that participants gazed more often and for a longer duration at the working environment that increases pneumoconiosis risk and the preventive measures for pneumoconiosis, and they paid more attention to the pictures. The workers reported that the booklet was useful and informative, and they were satisfied with its design and layout.

Respirable coal mine dust at surface mines, United States, 1982-2017.

Exposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause pneumoconiosis, an irreversible lung disease that can be debilitating. The mass concentration and quartz mass percent of respirable coal mine dust samples (annually, by occupation, by geographic region) from surface coal mines and surface facilities at U.S. underground mines during 1982-2017 were summarized. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) collected and analyzed data for respirable dust and a subset of the samples were analyzed for quartz content. We calculated the respirable dust and quartz concentration geometric mean, arithmetic mean, and percent of samples exceeding the respirable dust permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 2.0 mg/m3, and the average percent of quartz content in samples. The geometric mean for 288 705 respirable dust samples was 0.17 mg/m3 with 1.6% of the samples exceeding the 2.0 mg/m3 PEL. Occupation-specific geometric means for respirable dust in active mining areas were highest among drillers. The geometric mean for respirable dust was higher in central Appalachia compared to the rest of the U.S. The geometric mean for respirable quartz including 54 040 samples was 0.02 mg/m3 with 15.3% of these samples exceeding the applicable standard (PEL or reduced PEL). Occupation-specific geometric means for respirable quartz were highest among drillers. Higher concentrations of respirable dust or quartz in specific coal mining occupations, notably drilling occupations, and in certain U.S. regions, underscores the need for continued surveillance to identify workers at higher risk for pneumoconiosis.

Progressive plasterer\u2019s pneumoconiosis complicated by fibrotic interstitial pneumonia: a case report

BackgroundAlthough the prevalence of pneumoconiosis has been decreasing due to improvements in working conditions and regular health examinations, occupational hygiene measures are still being established. Plasterers encounter a number of hazardous materials that may be inhaled in the absence of sufficient protection.Case presentationA 64-year-old man who plastered without any dust protection for more than 40 years was referred to our hospital with suspected interstitial pneumonia. Mixed dust pneumoconiosis and an unusual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern with fibroblastic foci were diagnosed by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, and an elemental analysis detected elements included in plaster work materials. Despite the cessation of plaster work and administration of nintedanib, the patient developed advanced respiratory failure.ConclusionPlasterers are at an increased risk of pneumoconiosis and may have a poor prognosis when complicated by the UIP pattern. Thorough dust protection and careful monitoring are needed.

Association between tumor necrosis factor-α -308 Gauss/A polymorphism and risk of silicosis and coal workers pneumoconiosis in Chinese population

Background: Many studies have attempted to clarify the association between TNF-a -308G/A polymorphism and pneumoconiosis, but there has been no definite consensus to date. To further assess the effects of TNF-a -308G/A polymorphism on the risk of pneumoconiosis, a meta-analysis was performed in Chinese population.Methods: We searched the related literature in PubMed and Chinese databases through June 2018. The strength of the associations was assessed used pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: Nine case–control studies including 730 silicosis cases, 457 coal workers pneumoconiosis cases and 2429 controls were identified according to the inclusion criteria. In the total analyses, a significantly elevated risk was found in allelic model (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.16–1.71). In the subgroup analyses by geographic area and type of pneumoconiosis, significant results were found both in North China (A versus G, OR = 1.33, CI = 1.05–1.69) and South China (A versus G, OR = 1.56, CI = 1.14–2.15); significant results were also found in silicosis (A versus G, OR = 1.40, CI = 1.11–1.78) and coal worker pneumoconiosis (A versus G, OR = 1.42, CI = 1.03–1.96).Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that TNF-a gene -308 G/A polymorphism is associated with increased silicosis and coal workers pneumoconiosis risk in the Chinese population, and further studies in other ethnic groups are required for definite conclusions.

Polymorphisms in autophagy related genes and the coal workers' pneumoconiosis in a Chinese population

Autophagy is an evolutionary conserved intracellular degradation/recycling system that is essential for cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of this process leads to a number of disorders, including pulmonary fibrosis. However, the genetic association between singe nucleotide polymorphisms of autophagy related genes (ATGs) and the risk of coal workers' pneumoconiosis has not been reported yet. Total of 7 SNPs in ATGs (ATG16, ATG12, ATG5, ATG10) were investigated for their roles in CWP by a case-control study which including 705 CWP patients and 703 control subjects. Genotyping were performed by the Sequenom Mass ARRAY system. Luciferase assays were taken to test the effects of rs26538 C>T on the activity of ATG12 in the promoter. Our data showed that ATG10 rs1864182 GT genotype was associated with a decreased risk of CWP compared with TT genotype (OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.33–0.54, P=0.001). Another 2 SNPs (rs26538, rs510432) were also with the marked decreases in the risk of CWP under recessive models (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.40–0.83, P=0.002 for rs26538; OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.57–0.97, P=0.040 for rs510432). Luciferase assays in two different cell lines revealed that the rs26538 C>T substitution could reduce the expression of ATG12. Taken together, we identified three SNPs in ATGs, which implicated the development of CWP. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

The association of LAMB1 polymorphism and expression changes with the risk of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

Pneumoconiosis is a serious occupational disease worldwide, which is characterized by irreversible and diffuse lung fibrotic lesions. Laminin beta 1(LAMB1) is widely expressed in tissues and it is crucial for both lung morphogenesis and physiological function. In this study, we explored the association between LAMB1 rs4320486 and risk of pneumoconiosis in a Chinese population, as well as its mechanisms. In this case-control study, 600 CWP patients and 605 controls were genotyped for the LAMB1 rs4320486 polymorphism using TaqMan methods. Luciferase reporter assay was used to assess the LAMB1 transcriptional activities. The protein levels in cells and tissues were detected by western blot, and mRNA levels were determined by qRT-PCR. Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals with LAMB1 rs4320486 CT/TT genotypes had a significantly decreased risk of CWP (adjusted OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.64-0.94), compared with individuals with CC genotypes. Luciferase assays showed that the LAMB1 rs4320486(C > T) substitution could decrease the expression of LAMB1. Compared with normal groups, mRNA levels of LAMB1 were up-regulated in lung tissues of patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, expressions of LAMB1 and α-SMA were enhanced progressively, along with the development of lung fibrosis, while E-cadherin decreased. In this study, the functional LAMB1 rs4320486 mutation was associated with a decreased risk of CWP in a Chinese population, probably owing to the reduced activity of LAMB1 transcription. LAMB1 expression was increased in the progress of lung fibrosis, which suggests that LAMB1 may affect the initiation and progression of pneumoconiosis, or serve as a potential biomarker of pneumoconiosis for diagnosis and genetic susceptibility.

Association between Genetic Variants of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 and Susceptibility of Pneumoconiosis: A Meta-analysis.

Background:Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and gene variants have been extensively studied in various human diseases. For example, TGF-β1 polymorphisms were associated with fibrosis and pneumoconiosis, but the data remained controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the association between TGF-β1 −509 C>T [rs1800469], +869 T>C [rs1800470], and +915 G>C [rs1800471] polymorphisms and pneumoconiosis.Methods:A comprehensive literature search was conducted through searching in PubMed, Embase, the Chinese Biomedical Database, and the Wei Pu (Chinese) Database by the end of April 2016. Eleven publications with 21 studies were included in this meta-analysis, covering a total of 4333 patients with pneumoconiosis and 3478 controls. Study quality was assessed, and heterogeneity and publication bias were measured. All statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 12.0 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA) software.Results:The data showed significant associations between TGF-β1 −509 C>T polymorphism and the risk of pneumoconiosis development (T vs. C, odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.81, P = 0.046); between TGF-β1 +915 G>C polymorphism and the pneumoconiosis risk (C vs. G, OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.19–2.40, P = 0.004; CG vs. GG, OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.23–2.60, P = 0.002; CC+CG vs. GG, OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.24–2.61, P = 0.002). In addition, the subgroup analysis of ethnicity versus pneumoconiosis types indicated a significant association of silicosis among Asian populations but not that of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis in Caucasian populations. In contrast, no significant association was exhibited between TGF-β1 +869 T>C polymorphism and risk of pneumoconiosis.Conclusion:The polymorphisms of both TGF-β1 −509 C>T and +915 G>C are associated with increased risk of pneumoconiosis.

HSP70 gene polymorphism on genetic susceptibility to the coal worker's penumoconiosis of han nationality in Xinjiang, China.

Objective: To explore the influence of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene genetic susceptibility of coal worker's pneumoconiosis among the han nationality in xinjiang. Methods: 156 coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and 96 mine workers were randomly selected from the han coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and attend the health check retirement mine workers from March to December, 2014 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of Occupational Disease Hospital. Using TaqMan genotyping methods to detect HSP70 genotype distribution in the two groups. Results: The HSP70-1+190 loci GC genotype occurrence frequencies of coal worker's pneumoconiosis was significantly higher than the control group (χ2=6.75, P<0.05) , the risk of coal worker's pneumoconiosis armed with HSP70-1+190 GC genotype individual was 2.21 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI: 1.03~4.75) , and HSP70-2+1267 and HSP70-hom+2437 loci polymorphism were no significant difference between the two groups (HSP70-2+1267: χ2=3.30, P=0.19; HSP70-hom+2437: χ2=0.12, P=0.94) . Conclusion: HSP70-1+190 GC genotypes may be a susceptible genotype, the genotype individual may be more likely to suffer from coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

Polymorphisms in interleukin 17A gene and coal workers' pneumoconiosis risk in a Chinese population.

BackgroundThe interleukin 17A (IL-17A) which is located on chromosome 6p and has been linked to chronic inflammation, is an important candidate gene conferring coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-17A and CWP in a Chinese population.MethodsWe conducted a case–control study to investigate the role of four common SNPs in the IL-17A gene, and evaluated the relationship between these four SNPs and dust-exposure year, tobacco smoking and stages of CWP. A total of 1391 subjects was enrolled in this study, including 694 subjects in control group and 697 in case group. TaqMan based qRT-PCRs were taken to genotype rs2275913, rs3748067, rs4711998, and rs8193036 within the IL-17A gene. Luciferase assays were used to determine the effects of rs8193036 C > T alleles on the expression of IL-17A.ResultsUnconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the genotypes of rs3748067 AA (adjusted OR = 0.43, 95 % CI = 0.23–0.83) and rs8193036 TT (adjusted OR = 0.59, 95 % CI = 0.40–0.86) were associated with a decreased risk of CWP, particularly among subgroups of smokers (adjusted OR =0.34, 95 % CI = 0.13–0.86 for rs3748076; adjusted OR = 0.41, 95 % CI = 0.23–0.71 for 8193036) and CWP cases with stage I (adjusted OR = 0.45, 95 % CI = 0.21–0.98 for rs3748076; adjusted OR = 0.46, 95 % CI = 0.28–0.74 for 8193036). Furthermore, the polymorphism of rs3748067 significantly reduced the CWP risk among cases with over 27 years of dust exposure (adjusted OR = 0.42, 95 % CI = 0.18–0.97). The luciferase assays in two cell lines showed that the rs8193036 C > T substitution could reduce the expression of IL-17A, which was consistent with the findings of our association study.ConclusionsThe rs3748067 G > A and rs8193036 C > T polymorphisms decrease CWP risk. These findings could be helpful in identifying individuals at decreased risk for CWP and further studies are warranted to validate them.

Polymorphisms in SPARC and coal workers' pneumoconiosis risk in a Chinese population.

BackgroundThe SPARC is a crucial matricellular protein and may influence the course of various diseases like tumor metastasis and fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated the association between the potential functional polymorphisms in SPARC and coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) risk in a Chinese population.MethodsFive potentially functional polymorphisms (rs1059279, rs1059829, rs1053411, rs2304052 and rs4958281) in SPARC were genotyped and analyzed in a case-control study including 697 CWP cases and 694 controls. The genotyping was used by the TaqMan method with the ABI 7900HT Real Time PCR system.ResultsOur results revealed that three SNPs (rs1059279, rs1059829, rs1053411) were significantly associated with increased risk of CWP under an additive model (OR = 1.35, 95%CI = 1.06–1.71, P = 0.015 for rs1059279; OR = 1.20, 95%CI = 1.03–1.39, P = 0.021 for rs1059829; OR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.03–1.65, P = 0.025 for rs1053411). In the stratification analysis, significant associations were observed between each of these three SNPs and patients with 0–20 pack-years of smoking (OR = 1.73, 95%CI = 1.21–2.45 for rs1059279; OR = 1.48, 95%CI = 1.07–2.05 for rs105982; OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.13–2.22 for rs1053411). Furthermore, the association between rs1059279 and CWP risk remained significant among subjects with over 27 years of exposure (OR = 1.27, 95%CI = 1.03–1.56, P = 0.023). In the combined analysis of these five polymorphisms, individuals with multiple risk alleles had a higher risk of CWP (Ptrend = 0.015).ConclusionOur results indicate that three functional SPARC SNPs are associated with an increased risk of CWP in a Chinese population. Further functional research and validation studies with diverse populations are warranted to confirm our findings.

Polymorphisms in cyclooxygenase-2 gene and risk of developing coal workers' pneumoconiosis: a case-control study.

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is characterized by progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Inflammation is crucial in the host response to silica and it contributes to pulmonary fibrosis. Cyclooxygenase-2 is involved in this process. The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms in cyclooxygenase-2 gene with pneumoconiosis risk was investigated. An association study was conducted by analyzing two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of cyclooxygenase-2 (rs689466 and rs20417) in a case-control study involving 90 patients and 90 healthy individuals (controls). Genotyping was performed by the TaqMan method. The rs689466 AG and GG and rs689466 GC polymorphisms were significantly less frequent in patients than in controls. Cyclooxygenase-2 rs689466 and rs20417 variant genotypes exhibited 21% and 12% decreased CWP risk, respectively. Cyclooxygenase-2 rs689466 and rs20417 polymorphisms were associated with CWP risk.

Polymorphisms in SELE Gene and Risk of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis in Chinese: A Case-Control Study

BackgroundCoal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is characterized by chronic pulmonary inflammation and fibrotic nodular lesions that usually lead to progressive fibrosis. Inflammation is the first step in the development of CWP. E-selectin, an adhesion molecule, is involved in the development of various inflammatory diseases.MethodsWe investigated the association between the functional polymorphisms in SELE and the risk of CWP in Han Chinese population. Three polymorphisms (T1880C/rs5355, T1559C/rs5368, A16089G/rs4786) in SELE were genotyped and analyzed in a case-control study with 697 CWP cases and 694 controls. The genotyping was based on the TaqMan method with the ABI 7900HT Real Time PCR system.ResultsThe SELE rs5368 CT genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CWP (OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.02–1.60, P = 0.03) relative to the CC genotype. The statistical analysis of classification and regression tree (CART) and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) were used to predict the interactions among risk factors of CWP. The MDR analysis found that the best interaction model was the two-factor model that contains pack-years smoked and SELE rs5368 genotypes. For non-smokers, the CART analysis showed an increased risk of CWP for carriers of the SELE rs_5368 variant genotype compared with the common genotype (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.11–2.05, P = 0.0069).ConclusionThe results suggest that the T1559C/rs5368 polymorphism and smoking are involved in the susceptibility to CWP. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Associations between tumor necrosis factor alpha gene -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms and the risk of pneumoconiosis: update of a meta-analysis

Objectives:Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) gene (-238 G/A [rs361525] and -308 G/A [rs1800629]) polymorphisms have been extensively studied in relation to various diseases, several epidemiologic studies have been performed to investigate the associations of TNF-α gene polymorphisms with pneumoconiosis; however, the results of these studies were not entirely consistent. In an effort to clarify earlier inconclusive results, we performed this meta-analysis of case–control genetic association studies.Methods:We identified eligible studies by searching the relevant databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CBMdisc, CNKI, and Google Scholar, until February 15, 2013. Additionally, hand searching of the references of identified articles were performed. Heterogeneity and publication bias across studies were determined and the meta-analysis was performed by Stata 11.0.Results:Fourteen articles involving 20 studies were included in the final meta-analysis, covering a total of 1935 pneumoconiosis cases and 3753 controls. The results showed evidence for significant association between TNF-α gene -308 G/A polymorphism and pneumoconiosis risk, suggesting that TNF-α gene -308 A allele may be a risk factor for pneumoconiosis (for A allele vs. G allele: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10–1.81, p = 0.01; for A/A + G/A vs. G/G: OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.21–1.91, p < 0.01). For TNF-α gene -238 G/A polymorphism, no significant association was found between this genetic variation and pneumoconiosis risk.Conclusions:This meta-analysis indicates that TNF-α gene -308 G/A polymorphism is associated with an increased pneumoconiosis risk.

Mechanism of Electronic Charging of Coal Mine Dust

The electronic charging of mine dust can cause coal-dust explosion and increase the risk of pneumoconiosis, so it is necessary to take more attention to the study of its electronic charging properties. The mechanism of electronic charging of coal mine dust was investigated in this paper. It was found that the formation and polarity of dust are determined by the energy band structure and of the two contacting sides; then a mathematical model of work function is established in mesoscopic level. The experiments conclude that the work function decreases with the particle size for the dust with same properties, moreover large particles are positively charged and small particles are negatively charged. Finally, the experimental verification of the main particles charged model drive unipolar and bipolar charged modes and confirm the correctness of microstructure and mesoscopic analyses, which furthermore lay the foundation for further research. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i9.3237

Pneumoconiosis and malignant mesothelioma in a family operated metal casting business that used industrial talc from New York state

The United States is second only to the People's Republic of China in annual talc production. U.S. talc is used in the production of ceramics, paint, paper, plastics, roofing, rubber, cosmetics, flooring, caulking, and agricultural applications. A number of U.S. talc deposits consistently contain talc intergrown with amphiboles such as tremolite and/or anthophyllite. It has long been recognized that miners and millers of talc deposits are at risk for pneumoconiosis and it has recently been reported that it is prudent, on the balance of probabilities, to conclude that dusts from New York State talc ores are capable of causing mesothelioma in exposed workers. This is a report of the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis and mesothelioma in a husband and wife who operated a small metal casting business that used industrial talc from New York as a parting agent. Case reports, including medical records and exposure histories, were provided by an attorney who had also commissioned laboratory investigation of the industrial talc product used in the factory. Mrs X was diagnosed with pneumoconiosis characterized by interstitial fibrosis and heavily calcified pleural plaques. Mr X had calcified pleural plaques and developed a fatal pleural mesothelioma. Samples of the industrial talc contained fibrous tremolite and anthophyllite. The author concludes that end users of industrial talc from New York State may be at risk of pneumoconiosis and malignant disease. End users of talcs from other regions of the United States, where talc formation arose from processes driven by regional metamorphism, might also be at risk.

Polymorphisms in Inflammasome Genes and Risk of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis in a Chinese Population

BackgroundCoal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), resulting from the inhalation of silica-containing coal mine dust, is characterized by fibrosing nodular lesions that eventually develop into progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Recently, it has been hypothesized that inflammasomes could have a crucial role in the host response to silica and recent studies show that the inflammasome contributes to inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. NLRP3, CARD8 are components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which triggers caspase 1-mediated IL-1β and IL-18 release. In the present study, we investigated whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inflammasome genes are associated with CWP.MethodsWe performed an association study analyzing 3 NLRP3, 1 CARD8, 1 IL-1β, 2 IL-18 SNPs in a case-control study of 697 CWP and 694 controls. Genotyping was carried out by the TaqMan method.ResultsThe NLRP3 rs1539019 TT genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CWP (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.81), compared with the GG/GT genotype, in particular among smokers (adjusted OR = 1.67, 95%CI = 1.15–2.42). In addition, the polymorphism was significantly associated with risk of CWP patients with stage I.ConclusionsThis is the first report showing an association between the NLRP3 rs1539019 polymorphism and CWP, and suggests that this polymorphism may confer increased risk for the development of the disease. Further studies are warranted to confirm our findings.

The MIF -173G/C polymorphism and risk of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in a Chinese population

Correspondence: Chunhui Ni and Meilin Wang Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing 210029, People’s Republic of China Tel +86 25 86862748 Fax +86 25 86527613 Email chni@njmu.edu.cn Objective: To investigate the possible relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173 polymorphism (rs755622) and susceptibility to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) in a Chinese population. Methods: A total of 699 patients with CWP and 677 controls were genotyped for the polymorphism by TaqMan method. Results: Our results showed that the MIF -173CC genotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of CWP (adjusted odds ratio = 0.44, 95% confidence interval = 0.22–0.85), compared with the GG/GC genotype, particularly among smokers. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the functional MIF -173G/C polymorphism is involved in the etiology of CWP and susceptibility to this disease. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings.

Relationship between polymorphism of interleukin-8 and silicosis susceptibility

To explore the relationship between the polymorphisms of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the silicosis susceptibility. The case group consisted of 101 male patients with stage I silicosis diagnosed by the Pneumoconiosis Diagnosis Expert Panel according to the Chinese National Diagnosis Criteria of Pneumoconiosis (GBZ 70-2009). The control group consisted of 121 workers without silicosis exposed to same dusts. The cases and the controls had the same dust exposure history. The peripheral venous blood was drawn from each subject. DNA was extracted from leucocytes by the salting method. The polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques and PCR were used to examine polymorphism of IL-8 (Met31Arg, 781C/T, -251A/T and RA+860). There were no the differences of age, cumulative exposure time and smoking between the cases and the controls (P > 0.05). The frequencies of IL-8 (Met31Arg) GT genotypes in cases and controls were 12.87% and 2.48%, respectively, there was significant difference (P < 0.05). The frequencies of allele G in cases and controls were 6.44% and 2.07%, respectively, there was significant difference (P < 0.05). The frequencies of IL-8 (-251A/T) AA genotypes in cases and controls were 9.90% and 25.64%, respectively, there was significant difference (P < 0.05). The frequencies of IL-8 (781C/T) CC, CT, TT genotypes in cases and controls were 38.61%, 40.59%, 20.79% and 46.28%, 40.50%, 13.22%, respectively, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The frequencies of IL-8 (RA+860) GG, GC and CC genotypes in cases and controls were 75.25%, 21.78%, 2.97%, 80.17%, 14.88%, 4.96%, respectively, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). IL-8 (Met31Arg and -251A/T) genetic polymorphisms might play a role in the development of silicosis. The risk of pneumoconiosis in workers carrying (Met31Arg) genotype GT is likely to increase. The risk of pneumoconiosis in workers carrying IL-8 (-251A/T) AA genotype is likely to decrease. The relationship between IL-8 781C/T and RA+860 genes polymorphisms and silicosis is not found.

Evaluation of the risk of coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP): a case study for the Turkish hardcoal mining.

Occupational lung diseases such as coal workers pneumoconiosis coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) in mines are attributed to many factors. In this study, an attempt has been made to estimate the risk of pneumoconiosis for miners, accounting for their individual and workplace characteristics in Turkish hardcoal mines. Logistic regression modeling is used to assess the association between risk factor and probability of CWP occurrence. The case study results have revealed that individual and workplace characteristics of the miners have some significant effect on the risk of pneumoconiosis. It has been found that average workplace dust concentrations, occupational categories, and collieries bear some insignificant difference in their CWP susceptibility. However, duration of exposure, age of first exposure to dust, and workers’ educational background show significant differences in their risk of CWP occurrence. Based on the logistic model results, it has been inferred that, among the five collieries and occupational groups considered, Amasra colliery and face workers with elementary school education and exposure period over 15 years are more susceptible towards CWP compared to the others. Key words: Occupational disease, pneumoconiosis, coal workers, coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), risk, logit, logistic model.

Association of transforming growth factor-β1 gene variants with risk of coal workers' pneumoconiosis

Objective The aim of this case-control study was to explore whether five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) within the transforming growth factor-β1 ( TGF-β1) gene were involved in manifestation of inflammatory and fibrotic processes associated with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). Methods The study included 508 CWP patients and 526 controls who were underground coal miners from Xuzhou Mining Business Group. Five tSNPs were selected from the HapMap and detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results The single SNP analysis showed that the genotype frequencies of SNP2 (rs1800470, +869T/C, extron 1) and SNP5 (rs11466345, intron 5) in CWP cases were significantly different from those in controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SNP2 (rs1800470) CC genotype was associated with decreased risk of CWP (OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.32–0.78), which was evident among subgroups of those never smoke (OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.24–0.66), cases with stage II (OR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.22–0.76) and exposure period (< 28 y: OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.31–0.95; ≥ 28 y: OR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.32–0.96). However, the SNP5 (rs11466345) GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of CWP (OR = 2.5, 95%CI = 1.36–4.57), and further stratification analysis showed that the risk of CWP was increased in both smoking and nonsmoking groups, shorter and longer exposure groups, while the risk of CWP was only increased in patients with stage I and II . Conclusion This study suggests that TGF-β1 polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility of CWP.