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Biomedical subjects

M M Ziskind

Publications and source records attributed to M M Ziskind.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Function of lymphocytes and monocytes in silicosis.

The function of lymphocytes and monocytes was compared in a group of 18 ex-sandblasters with silicosis and 19 control subjects. Previously noted depressed lymphocytic proliferation in response to low concentrations of concanavalin A (ConA) in subjects with silicosis was not due to factors in the serum nor correctable by supplementation with allogeneic lymphocytes. Monocytes from the peripheral blood of the subjects with silicosis responded less to a chemotactic stimulus (zymosan-activated serum) than did monocytes from normal laboratory personnel; however, there was no difference in monocytic chemotaxis when groups of similar age were compared. There was a significant correlation between age and the monocytic response to chemotactic stimuli in the studied population (laboratory personnel, silicotic subjects, and age-matched control subjects). Overall, our data suggest subtle effects of silica on selected T-lymphocytic populations involved with responsiveness to the mitogen, concanavalin A, but no effects on monocytic function. Monocytic chemotaxis is unaffected by exposure to silica but is inversely related to age.

Age Factors

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) pulmonary disease: immunologic and inhalation challenge studies.

Clinical and serologic effects of TDI exposure were studied in 112 occupationally exposed plant workers. Sera were obtained before and after commencement of TDI production. All subjects were skin-tested with common inhalant allergens and a TDI-HSA conjugate. Total eosinophil counts, immunoglobulin quantitations, and specific antibody assays by PCA, P-K, and radioimmunoassay were performed. Clinically "sensitive" individuals were tested by provocative inhalation challenge with from 0.005 ppm to the threshold limit value of 0.02 ppm TDI. No TDI-induced immunologic changes were noted with the exception of 3 individuals who demonstrated small positive wheal-and-erythema reactions to TDI-HSA but not to HSA alone. Inhalation challenge with TDI vapor produced airways obstruction, as measured by FEF (25-75). These responses were of the immediate, delayed, and dual type, and were provoked in some cases with levels as low as 0.005 ppm TDI.

Airway Obstruction

Pneumothorax complicating pulmonary emphysema.

Clinical and roentgenographic findings were compared in patients 40 years of age and over and in those under 40 who were treated for acute unilateral pneumothorax. Dyspnea and anxiety were pominent in the older individuals, although pneumothoraces were usually small. Because physical findings were often unreliable, roentgenograms were required. In the presence of pulmonary emphysema, loss of retractility prevented total collapse of the underlying lung. Increased intrapleural pressure caused over-expansion of the chest wall and the depression of the diaphragm without much mediastinal shifting. Partial collapse of emphysematous lobes demonstrated bullae that were not previously obvious. Respiratory failure developed in five patients over 40 years of age, but four of them recovered after relief of the pneumothorax. Mortality for the group was low and related to associated pulmonary diseases.

Adolescent

Lung function consequences of dust exposure in asbestos cement manufacturing plants.

A comprehensive study of health effects associated with the mixed dust exposure in this industry has included the collection of clinical, radiographic, lung function, and dust exposure data on 859 workers in two plants. Evidence is presented supporting a dose-response relationship between indexes of dust exposure and lung function, similar to the previously reported relationship with extent of x-ray film changes using the ILO U/C classification. Lung volumes and maximum expiratory flow rates decrease in relation to increasing cumulative dust exposure while pulmonary diffusing capacity (DL) is not dust-dose related. Worders who had crocidolite exposure had smaller lung volumes, lower expiratory flow rates, and reduced DL when compared with those having only chrysotile exposure. When the study population is divided into exposure groups, data thus far analyzed suggest that the chest x-ray film will reveal small opacities as early as significant functional changes can be detected, but individuals may have functional reduction prior to the appearance of x-ray film changes.

Adult

Autoanalytic (colormetric) determinations of SGOT in isoniazid recipients are reliable.

A study was made to determine whether the ingestion of isoniazid interfered with the colormetric reaction used in most autoanalyzers to measure serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT). Colormetric (autoanalytic) and noncolormetric (enzymatic) measurements of SGOT were made on a venous blood sample from each of 100 hospital employees who were taking isoniazid to prevent tuberculosis. The 2 techniques of measuring SGOT yielded comparable results. It was concluded that autoanalytic (colormetric) measurements of SGOT in isoniazid recipients are reliable.

Aspartate Aminotransferases

Differences in lung effects resulting from chrysotile and crocidolite exposure.

Crocidolite asbestos exposure may carry a greater risk for the development of lung and pleural tumours than chrysotile exposure, although differences in regard to lung fibrosis have not previously been demonstrated. Clinical, radiographic and physiological indicators of lung disease were related to qualitative and quantitative estimates of past total dust exposure in two groups of workers who had spent 20 to 30 years in the asbestos cement industry. One group had exposure to chrysotile, silica and crocidolite in the pipe-making area; the other group had no crocidolite exposure. Crocidolite exposure was related to the prevalence of small irregular opacities and pleural thickening but not to small rounded opacities. The "crocidolite" group had significantly small lung volumes, lower forced expiratory flows, and reduced pulmonary diffusion. Finger clubbing was the only clinical fineing significantly more prevalent in the crocidolite-exposed workers. It is suggested that crocidolite exposure has a greater fibrogenic effect on the lungs than a similar total exposure to chrysotile asbestos.

Asbestosis