No abstract available.
Korea*

The concentrations of serum proteins fractions and their electrophoretical patterns were investigated in 135 patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis who participated in confirmative examination for pneumoconiosis in December 1989. Their radiographical profusions were classified as 1/0 or more. Agarose film and phosphoric acid-sodium hydroxide buffer(pH 8.6) were used for electrophoresis. Concentration of each protein fractions and electrophoretical patterns seemed to be equivalent to reference values. Serum alpah1- and beta-globulin concentrations, however, were significantly different(p<0.50) among categories of small opacity profusions and showed the lowest level in the group of category 1. Albumin concentrations decreased and alpha2-globulin concentrations increased significantly(p<0.05) in the group of complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. gamma-globulin concentrations were not varied by category of profusions nor by pulmonary tuberculosis complication.
Beta-Globulins ; Blood Proteins ; Coal* ; Electrophoresis ; gamma-Globulins ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Reference Values ; Sepharose ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Serum Immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgG, IgM, levels were measured in 99 coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) patients and 12 healthy coal workers and 9 non-miners to compare with each group by the radiological categories, its complications and working period in coal mine. Serum were measured by nephelometry. The findings were as follows: 1) Serum IgA levels were significantly different between three groups of CWP patient, healthy coal worker and non-miner (mean+/-standard deviation: 226.4+/-87.7, 221.3+/-45.1, 170.1+/-65.7 respectively). 2) There were no significant differences of Ig levels among radiological categories of CWP. 3) There were no significant differences of Ig levels among simple pneumoconiosis and its complicated disorders. 4) The three Ig levels were slightly increased in the group of mining years less than 20 years (IgA: r=0.1869, p<0.10 IgG: r=0.2902, p<0.05 IgM: r=0.2889, p<0.05).
Coal* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins* ; Mining ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Pneumoconiosis*

Tumors of the lung and bronchi containing cartilage were known by a variety of names, chondroma, adenochondroma, chondromatous hamartoma and mixed tumor. This variation in nomenclatures explain the difference of illustration on the nature of these tumor. The concept pulmonary harmatomas are benign neoplasm and not developmental malformations, has gained wide acceptance in recent years. We have experienced four cases of intrapulmonary hamartoma which were all discovered during routine chest film check up for certificate of health and evaluation of other disease. One case is added further detailed histologic examination by electron microscopy. The age at time of the detection were 53 (male), 23 (male), 39 (female), and 56 (female) years old. The mean size is 4.3x3.7x3.4 cm. The locations were three left upper lobes and one right upper lobe. Lobectomy and wedge resecions were done. Cut surface showed promiment lobular structures, papillary configuration and multiple cleft like spaces. Predominant cellular components were cartilage but fat tissue in one of the four cases. Microscopic findings showed abundant hyaline cartilages bearing lobular configuration and overlying pseudostratified ciliated columnar and cuboidal epithelium. Fibromyxoid and undifferentiated cells were seen in myxoid and fatty tissue. Electron microscopic findings revealed stellate, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells bearing collagen formation, stellate smooth muscle and transition areas between undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and mature cartilage. Epithelial components were similar to terminal bronchiole and alveolar epithelium. These findings suggest the concept that intrapulmonary hamartoma represent a histologic specturm of benign mesenchymal neoplasms, which originate in peribronchial connective tissue.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Hamartoma

No abstract available.
Coal* ; Humans ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Thorax*

Antinuclear antibody(ANA) and rheumatoid factor(RF) in the sera of 191 coal workers pneumoconiosis(CWP) patients, 65 healthy coal workers, and 52 non-mining controls were examined by the categories of CWP, age, duration of exposure, smoking and drinking habit. Indirect fluorescent antibody technique for ANA and latex agglutination method for RF were applied for detection. ANA was positive in 24.3% of CWP patients, 10.8% of healthy coal workers and 11.5% of non-mining controls. RF was positive in 36.5 % of CWP patients, 13.8 % of healthy coal workers and 9.6 % of non-mining controls.
Agglutination ; Anthracosis* ; Antibodies, Antinuclear* ; Coal* ; Drinking ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Humans ; Latex ; Rheumatoid Factor* ; Smoke ; Smoking

The purpose of this study is to analyze occupational history of coal miners with pnemoconiosis. In this study, occupational chracteristics of 49 coal miners with pneumoconiosis were compared with those of 45 coal miners without pneumoconiosis but in similar age category (43-52 years of age) based on interview survey. Various indices on occupational characteristics were developed for the following areas: duration of employment, perception of working condition, working density, dust concentration, temperature, humidity, and experience of respirator wearings. Perception of working condition were measured in 5 points scales but experiences of respirator wearing was measured in 3 points scale. Each index was multiplied by duration of employment. From the analysis, only the experience of respirator wearing showed statistically significant difference between the two groups. Therefore, respirator wearing seemed to be effective in reducing occurrence of pneumoconiosis.
Coal* ; Dust ; Employment ; Humidity ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Ventilators, Mechanical ; Weights and Measures

In order to evaluate the confounding factors of neurobehavioral tests and the neurobehavioral effects in the workers exposed to organic solvents, NCTB was carried out on 100 workers. 46 workers had never been exposed to neurotoxic substances, and the others were being exposed to the solvents, mainly toluene. Simple reaction time, digit symbol, Santa Ana dexterity test and persuit aiming were different with age in non exposure group. Simple reaction time was carried out well in males, and digit symbol and persuit aiming were in females. There was no difference at educational level when the subject was educated over 12 years. Santa Ana dexterity and Benton visual test differed according to exposure level to toluene, however simple reaction time didn't. The acute neurotoxic effect was not excluded in this study. But, NCTB could be used to evaluate and prevent neurobehavioral changes in workers exposed to neurotoxic solvents in Korea.
Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Reaction Time ; Solvents* ; Toluene

PURPOSE: Introduction of low osmolality contrast agent(LOCA) has allowed safer, more comfortable contrast-enhanced CT examination, but there has been significant increase in image degradation when evaluating the kidneys due to streaky artifact. The authors reviewed findings of contrast-enhanced abdominal and pelvic computed tomography(CT) to know the difference of renal streaky artifact between a high osmolality contrast agent (HOCA) and LOCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included two hundred contrast-enhanced CT in 200 patients, 100 performed with HOCA(meglumine ioglicate, 150ml) and 100 performed with LOCA (iopromide, 150ml). The severity of renal streaky artifact was compared between HOCA and LOCA groups. RESULTS: Of the scans performed with HOCA, 40 had no artifact, 52 had grade I artifact, 6 had grade II artifact, and 2 had grade III artifact Of the scans performed with LOCA, 23 had no artifact, 44 had grade I artifact, 29 had grade II artifact, and 4 had grade III artifact. There was significant difference in the degree of the streaky artifact depending upon the osmolality of the contrast media used(by {{{{x^2}}}}-test, P=.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed a statistically significant increased incidence of artifacts and distortions of renal image with LOCA when compared with HOCA.
Artifacts* ; Contrast Media* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Osmolar Concentration* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Ureter*