Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “SILICOSIS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Experimental study of silica absorption through the digestive tract as a cause of extrapulmonary silicosis].

We have tested the hypothesis that the intestinal tract has some relation to the absorption of silica particles through the gastrointestinal mucous barrier. Its influence on extrapulmonary silicosis has been seen in experimental and clinical studies. Therefore we used male Wistar rats which were given up to six doses of 50 mg of silica through gastric tube. The animals were sacrificed at the 10th and 41st week. We have not observed silica particles in the submucosa, muscularis or regional lymph nodes. The liver and the spleen did not show silicotic nodules. Our results show that the healthy gastrointestinal barrier plays hardly any part in both silica absorption and extrapulmonary silicosis.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Consumption, silicosis, and the social construction of industrial disease.

In the wake of the bacterial revolution after Robert Koch identified the tuberculosis bacillus, medical and public health professionals classified the various forms of consumption and phthisis as a single disease--tuberculosis. In large measure, historians have adopted that perspective. While there is undoubtedly a great deal of truth in this conceptualization, we argue that it obscures almost as much as it illuminates. By collapsing the nineteenth-century terms phthisis and consumption into tuberculosis, we maintain that historians have not understood the effect of non-bacterial consumption on working-class populations who suffered from the symptoms of coughing, wasting away, and losing weight. In this essay, we explore how, in the nineteenth century, what we now recognize as silicosis was referred to as miners' "con," stonecutters' phthisis, and other industry-specific forms of phthisis and consumption. We examine how the later and narrower view of the bacterial origins of tuberculosis limited the medical professions' ability to diagnose and understand diseases caused by industrial dust. This paper explores the contention that developed at the turn of the century over occupational lung disease and tuberculosis and the circumstances that led to the unmasking of silicosis as a disease category.

Dust↗
PubMed1978

Angiotensin-converting enzyme and lysozyme in silicosis and asbestosis.

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and lysozyme (LZM) concentration in 22 silicosis and 18 asbestosis patients were studied. These patients were compared with 57 untreated and 36 treated sarcoidosis patients. In all groups significantly raised ACE and LZM mean values were noted. Untreated sarcoidosis patients had the highest values. Raised ACE activity in silicosis and asbestosis has not been reported before, and weakens the differential diagnostic value of this enzyme determination for sarcoidosis. The similar patterns of increased ACE and LZM mean values in all three diseases suggest that these enzymes have a common source.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The risk of silicosis from building site dust].

The quartz content of ordinary building materials such as concrete, mortar and bricks is 10-50%. The extension of concrete building which has occurred since 1960 and the subsequent repairs and preparation by means of mechanical tools result in increased concentrations of dust containing quartz. Measurements at various types of work in Danish building sites reveal that the quantity of respirable quartz constitutes 0.16-1.8 mg/m3 (limit 0.1 mg/m3). Corresponding figures are found in investigations from abroad. Cases of silicosis have been reported among builders abroad and, in Denmark, only few cases of occupational dust lung conditions have been notified to the Workers' Supervision Authorities. Whether or not quartz in dust at building sites also causes an increase in the occurrence of cancer of the lung, as is the case in sandstone workers exposed to pure quartz, has not yet been proved. The latent period of several decades for the development of silicosis is such that it may well be feared that the cases now reported are only the beginning of increased occurrence of the disease in coming years among particularly exposed concrete workers, bricklayers, unskilled workers, electricians, joiners and carpenters. Relevant technical methods have already been developed to limit exposure to quartz-containing dust at building sites. Prophylactic measures should be accelerated.

Construction Materials↗
PubMed1990

Preventive effect of aluminium citrate on silicosis.

Aluminium citrate (Al-cit) was shown to be biologically effective in preventing silicosis. A total of 917 cases selected from both engineering corps of railway and coalmines with stage 0 or 0+ by radiographs were studied. Cases were randomly divided into Al-cit treatment group and control group with continuing dust exposures. Workers in the treatment group were injected with Al-cit at a dose of 120 mg Al/year and these in the control group received a consolatant or nothing during the period of five years. The radiographic changes demonstrated that Al-cit showed clear-cut effects in both retardation of the dust-induced fibrosis and decrease of the morbidity of silicosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Studies on serum angiotensin-I-converting enzyme activity of experimental silicosis in rats].

The level of serum angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (SACE) activity on experimental silicosis in rats at different stages and under treatment with PVNO is reported. The results showed that levels of SACE in each dust groups begun to rise significantly higher than control groups as from the fifth day until 180th day (P less than 0.05). The levels of SACE of treatment groups with PVNO were significantly lower than the dust groups and similar to normal groups of the same age. It is suggested that SACE activity might be used as a reference index of silicosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Coincidence of silicosis and lupus erythematosis].

From 1975 to 1989 37 patients with Lupus erythematodes exposed to quartz dust over many years were observed. Thirty of them suffered from silicosis. The coincidence of silicosis and Lupus erythematodes can be an expression of a common pathogenesis.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1990

[The role of age at start of employment on the development of silicosis].

Multipart we examined the statistical connection of the age at job start and the development of silicosis by analytical epidemiological means. Examined on the basis of the professional duration no correlative connection was found in respect to the relation in question. The comparison of the two groups of dust exposed workers, which in their investigations have been shown to be "disposed" or "resistant", yielded no difference. In another study that investigated the function of cumulative dust doses the results varied so heavily, that the advantages and disadvantages of the different age groups at job start statistically mutually leveled off. Therefore, the age at job start may not be considered as an influencing factor of silicosis development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[An operative case of chronic constrictive pericarditis with silicosis and lumbar caries].

We reported a case of chronic constrictive pericarditis complicated with silicosis and lumbar caries, who was improved by the operation. The patient was a 65 year old man whose past occupation was a mason. He was admitted to our hospital with chronic heart failure on March, 1986. Atypical silicosis was diagnosed from the occupational history and the histopathological silicotic changes in mediastinal lymph nodes and fibrosis of alveolar wall. The diagnosis of chronic constrictive pericarditis was made from chest roentgenogram and intracardiac catheterization. The symptoms of chronic constrictive pericarditis was improved by the pericardial resection. The exact pathogenesis of the chronic constrictive pericarditis could not be identified from the histology of pericardial tissue, but tuberculosis was suspected because of the past history of tuberculous pleurisy and the recurrence of lumbar caries.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Chemoluminescence analysis of the functional state of blood phagocytes in silicosis and chronic dust-induced bronchitis].

Blood leukocyte function in patients with silicosis and chronic dust-induced bronchitis was examined by cellular chemiluminescence method for registration of free oxygen radical production. Significant differences in oxidation metabolism of blood neutrophils in the patients with these two nosologic entities were revealed. In silicosis blood phagocyte activation with silica particles in vitro activated production of active oxygen forms and chemiluminescent cells in all cases by 3 to 30 times. In chronic dust-induced bronchitis the production of active oxygen forms under the same conditions was either unchanged or enhanced but negligibly, the activation coefficient not surpassing 3. These data point to a new approach to the differential diagnosis between the above-mentioned conditions.

Bronchitis↗
PubMed1989

The illusion of medical certainty: silicosis and the politics of industrial disability, 1930-1960.

No firm differentiation existed between social and medical standards on silicosis, the salient industrial health problem of the 1920s and 1930s. As a result, professional groups, government and labor officials, and insurance executives negotiated about the causes and consequences of the disabling condition. Debates in the 1930s formed the basis for amending state and federal compensation systems for work-related disease. If attention to silicosis declined after World War II, disputes continued about diagnosis and functional criteria for identifying pulmonary and occupationally based impairments, and about appropriate policies for treating and compensating people disabled through the course of their work.

Disability Evaluation↗
PubMed1989

[Silicosis and lung cancer].

A clinicopathological analysis was carried out on 50 cases of lung cancer with silicosis diagnosed from April 1975 to March 1988. All patients were males and the age distribution ranged from 47 to 85 years with a mean of 63.5 at diagnosis. They had been exposed to silica in tunneling for 3 to 42 years, with an average of 15.1. Forty eight cases smoked. Histologically, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common with 29 cases, followed by 10 small cell carcinomas, 6 adenocarcinomas, 4 large cell carcinomas and one adenosquamous carcinoma. Thirty seven tumors were located in peripheral regions, mostly upper lobe or S6, while 13 tumors were in large bronchi. As the most common histological types of lung cancer with silicosis were squamous cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma, some carcinogens might be involved in tumorigenesis. Silica alone is not considered to be a carcinogen, however, silica containing adsorbed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from cigarette smoking or from industrial pyrolysis can act as a carcinogen or promoter.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Inter- and intra-observer variation in silicosis radiology].

The radiologic criteria are important for the diagnosis of silicosis and must be objective. Initial radiologic changes are nonspecific and sometimes misinterpreted. We asked six Pulmonologists with distinct training in pulmonary disease to interpret 112 chest films according to a simple established protocol. No further information was given. One year later, all the observers analysed the same films over again. Then, we compared the results among the observers and between the two analysis made by the same individual. In 34 cases (30%) there was unanimity in asserting or denying the presence of micronodules and in 74 cases (66%) there was an agreement among the three more experienced observers. The intraobserver variability ranged from 8% to 40% and it was more important in the least trained observers. We concluded that when interpreting early radiologic changes in silicosis inter and intraobserver variability was elevated, more objectivity was achieved by the observers with more experience in epidemiologic studies and that we must be careful in interpreting results of epidemiologic studies concerning this matter.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Inhalation treatment of silicosis with Kexiping].

The inhalation treatment of silicosis with polyvinyl-pyridine-oxide of molecule weight about 90,000 under the name Kexiping is the most perspective method at the moment for etiological effect of the silicotic fibrosis. The authors performed two 6-week inhalation course with interval of 6 months with 38 ill with silicosis. The daily dose 10 ml of 4% solution of Kexiping "Bayer". The first results alone and in comparison with the control group of 50 patients are very encouraging. The tolerance to the preparation is excellent, with no side effects or unfavourable deviations in the paraclinical indices. Further extensive, therapeutic applications and inhalation prophylaxis with healthy persons subject to high dust risk are completely justified. For final evaluation of the long-term effect a continuous observation of both treated and controls is necessary.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1988

Diseases associated with exposure to silica and nonfibrous silicate minerals. Silicosis and Silicate Disease Committee.

Silicosis, a disease of historical importance, continues to occur cryptically today. Its pathogenesis is under ongoing study as new concepts of pathobiology evolve. In this article, the gross and microscopic features of the disease in the lungs and the lesions in lymph nodes and other viscera are described. These tissue changes are then discussed in the context of clinical disease and other possible or established complications of silica exposure (ie, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, and bronchogenic carcinoma). Silicates are members of a large family of common minerals, some of which have commercial importance. Silicates are less fibrogenic than silica when inhaled into the lungs, but cause characteristic lesions after heavy prolonged exposure. The features of these disease conditions are described herein. Various aspects of the mineralogy and tissue diagnosis of silicosis and lung disease due to silicates are reviewed. An overview of contemporary regulatory considerations is provided.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Silicosis.

Silicosis, which is an ancient disease, is still epidemic in the United States. The author reviews current problems related to exposure to silica, the incidence and prevalence of silicosis in modern American industry, the causal association between silica exposure and cancer, and methods of prevention.

Dust↗
PubMed1988

Silicosis in non-mining industry on the Witwatersrand.

Silicosis outside the mines in South Africa has received little legislative or public attention. Between 1972 and 1986 217 such cases were seen at the National Centre for Occupational Health clinic, including 46 cases of progressive massive fibrosis. The relatively high proportion of cases of progressive massive fibrosis (21%), of patients less than or equal to 40 years at diagnosis (21% of blacks) and with exposures of less than or equal to 10 years (18%) indicate high silica exposures in industry. Four industries accounted for 83% of the cases--foundries, ceramics factories, refractories, and ore and stone crushing. Radiologically, readings of a mixture of rounded and irregular opacities were not uncommon (14%). Lymphadenopathy was very uncommon (less than 1%), while pleural thickening other than loss of the costophrenic angle was absent. Prevalences of symptoms, signs and lung function abnormality were high, probably owing to a range of factors other than silicosis. Cases of progressive massive fibrosis had significantly higher prevalences of these clinical abnormalities. When two separate lung function prediction equations were applied to the observed values in these cases, the number that met criteria for 'abnormality' differed. This finding has important implications for compensation. Recommendations include control of silica-using industries and careful occupational history-taking by clinicians.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Respiratory functional decline after 5 years in patients with silicosis and asbestosis].

A retrospective study of 561 patients with silicosis and 234 with asbestosis was performed to assess whether lung function decline in five years is related to the type (restrictive or obstructive) and/or to the degree of initial damage. Based on lung function tests, three groups of patients were identified: NC with normal lung function tests, CR with restrictive impairment and CO with airway obstruction. The degree of impairment was classified as mild, moderate and severe. Patients were considered worse if five years later they presented a higher degree of impairment. The prevalence of CR was significantly higher in asbestosis, that of NC and CO in silicosis (p less than 0.01). Among subjects with normal starting lung function, 9% only developed CR or CO 5 years later. The prevalence of subjects with worsened lung function in the CR groups was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in asbestotics (36%) than in silicotics (14%) and was closely related to starting functional impairment. In the CO group the prevalence of worsened subjects was significantly higher than in CR (p less than 0.001), similar in the two diseases and independent of starting lung impairment.

Adult↗