Objective To compare the morphology differences in small shadows of occupational pneumoconiosis (hereinafter referred to as "pneumoconiosis") between computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography (DR) imaging. Methods A total of 1 010 pneumoconiosis patients were selected as the research subjects using a judgment sampling method. Chest DR imaging and CT imaging were performed on patients, and the differences in small shadow morphology between the two images were compared. Results In both DR and CT images of patients, circular small shadows identified as p, q, and r shapes accounted for 76.2%, 11.5%, and 1.3%, respectively, while irregular small shadows were identified in 1.8% of cases. There was medium high consistency between DR and CT in detecting these four types of small shadow morphology (Kappa=0.72, P<0.01). The detection rate of irregular small shadows (including interlobular septal thickening, ground-glass opacity, and/or centrilobular emphysema) by CT images was 54.0% (545/1 010), with 88.6% (483/545) of these cases also showing small circular shadows. Irregular small shadows in CT images were mostly identified as p small circular shadows in DR images, accounting for 88.8% (484/545). The results of DR and CT images for p/p, p/q, q/p, q/q, q/r, r/q and r/r in small circular shadows showed medium high consistency (Kappa =0.52, P<0.01). Conclusion The results of CT and DR imaging for pneumoconiosis with small shadow were of medium high consistency, with CT demonstrating advantages in detecting irregular small shadow morphology of pneumoconiosis. CT images can be used to describe the shape of circular small shadow as DR images, and irregular small shadow can be described as interlobular septal thickening, ground-glass opacity, and/or centrilobular emphysema.

Iron is indispensable for the viablility of nearly all living organisms, and it is imperative for cells, tissues, and organisms to acquire this essential metal sufficiently and maintain its metabolic stability for survival. Disruption of iron homeostasis can lead to the development of various diseases. There is a robust connection between iron metabolism and infection, immunity, inflammation, and aging, suggesting that disorders in iron metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of arthritis. Numerous studies have focused on the significant role of iron metabolism in the development of arthritis and its potential for targeted drug therapy. Targeting iron metabolism offers a promising approach for individualized treatment of arthritis. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which the body maintains iron metabolism and the impacts of iron and iron metabolism disorders on arthritis. Furthermore, this review aimed to identify potential therapeutic targets and active substances related to iron metabolism, which could provide promising research directions in this field.