During a recent study of pulmonary fibrosis in one clinic area in Glasgow 21 proven cases of lung pathology associated with exposure to asbestos have come to light.
Difficulties in diagnosis may be due to “patient error” in that the patient may not remember that he had been in contact with asbestos, or know that he is exposed to asbestos in his current occupation — a joiner, for example, sawing up asbestos boards.
Examples are given of asbestosis or pleural tumours occurring many years after a short period of exposure to the dust.
Persons in innocent-looking occupations, such as joinery, may be in great danger from working near persons like laggers, who use asbestos. Especially in confined spaces on shipboard.
The importance is stressed of taking a very full occupational history, from the time the patient left school, where there is obscure pulmonary fibrosis.
The value of open lung biopsy is shown in diagnosing doubtful cases of early asbestosis.
The impression is gained that the incidence of asbestosis is increasing, and that it may come to assume great public health importance owing to the increased importation and more widespread use of asbestos.
The proposal to mix asbestos with tarmacadam for road use is viewed with concern. 相似文献
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has recently been considered as a potential target for cancer therapy. However, the expression status of various subunits of the heterotrimeric AMPK in human cancers is rarely reported. We decided to determine their expressions in ovarian carcinomas and their relationships with the disease. METHODS: Expressions and locations of the AMPK-alpha1, -alpha2, -beta1, -beta2, -gamma1 and -gamma2 were detected by quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) and immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Their expression levels in ovarian tumors were compared with normal controls and also correlated with clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Except AMPK-alpha1, expressions of the other five AMPK subunits are significantly higher in ovarian carcinomas as determined by Q-PCR. Although IHC detection of AMPK-gamma1 and -gamma2 were not successful, over-expressions of AMPK-alpha2, -beta1, and -beta2 were further confirmed by IHC. Over-expressions of various AMPK subunits occurred independently and were mainly detected in the cytoplasm. Interestingly, AMPK-alpha2 and -beta1 were also detected in the nucleus and cell membrane, respectively. Clinical correlation analyses indicate that expressions of different AMPK subunits are associated with different subtypes of carcinoma. High expression of AMPK-alpha2 is significantly associated with endometrioid carcinomas. On the other hand, high expressions of AMPK-beta and -gamma subunits are associated with mucinous and serous carcinomas, respectively. Furthermore, high expressions of AMPK-beta1 and -gamma2 are also associated with early and late stages of disease, respectively. Finally, patients with high expression of AMPK-alpha2 had better prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant expressions of AMPK subunits may play important roles in ovarian carcinogenesis. Each AMPK subunit may have its own function other than just a component of the AMPK molecule. Correlations with clinical parameters suggest that expressions of AMPK subunits have different clinical implications in ovarian cancer development. 相似文献