Three cases of lipomas associated with heavy talc deposits are reported in local inhabitants near a fiber glass factory. Pathologic and mineralogical analysis by polarizing microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction of mass were done. Simultaneously, we performed an epidemiological survey and a mineralogical study of disposed fiber glass from waste site and ground water. All tumors consisted of mature fat tissue containing an abundant birefringent talc fibers and particles under polarized light. The concentrations of the fibers were 494.7, 6.7 and 50.7 million fibers per gram of dry tissue. The fibers were needlelike with rectangular fractured ends, up to 17 micrometer in length and 0.5 micrometer in diameter. EDX and X-ray diffraction analysis of the fibers showed that 71 to 100% of the fibers were magnesium silicate, talc. We also identified magnesium silicate fibers in the fiber glass from the waste site and in the ground water which were similar to talc fibers in lipomas,. We concluded that fibrous talc, a component of fiberglass waste, might be associated with the development of lipomas via unknown exposure route.
Environmental Exposure ; Foreign Bodies ; Glass ; Groundwater ; Lipoma* ; Magnesium ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Silicates ; Talc* ; X-Ray Diffraction

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between exposure to glass fiber waste from an insulator factory and the development of cluster of lipomas among local residents in suburb Incheon, Korea. Authors surveyed 152 residents(71 males and 81 females) living near an insulator factory with a questionnaire and physical examination. Unused and disposed fiberglass from the waste site, along with ground water samples were examined under light and polarizing microscope and scanning electron microscope(SEM). Subcutaneous tumors excised from three of the residents were also examined under light and polarizing microscope, SEM with energy dispersive X-ray analysis(EDX), and transmission electron microscope(TEM). Analysis of elemental composition of the fibers and fiber concentration was done by with EDX under SEM and TEM after low temperature ashing. Twelve(7.9%) had subcutaneous tumors among the 152 residents. Tumors were surgically excised from 3 of them and they were all lipomas, consisting of mature fat tissue. These lipomas contained abundant birefringent fibers and particles under polarizing microscope. The concentrations of the fibers were 6.7, 71.8 and 499.2 million fibers per gram dry tissue, respectively. The birefringent fibers were composed of needle shaped particles with rectangular fractured ends up to 17 micrometer in length and 0.5 micrometer in diameter. EDX and x-ray diffraction analysis of the fibers showed that 71 to 100% of the fibers were magnesium silicate, talc. Magnesium silicate fibers were also found in the glass fiber sampled from the waste site. Glass fibers and magnesium silicate fibers were also identified in the ground water. Based on the fact that the magnesium silicate fibers found in the lipomas were similar in morphology and elemental composition to those found in the ground water and those from the waste site, these particles are likely to be introduced into the gastrointestinal tract through consumption of the contaminated ground water. It is suggested that fibrous magnesium silicate, talc, a component of fiberglass waste, may be associated with the development of lipomas.
Environmental Exposure ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Glass* ; Groundwater ; Humans ; Incheon ; Korea ; Lipoma* ; Magnesium ; Male ; Needles ; Physical Examination ; Silicates ; Talc ; X-Ray Diffraction ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Sepiolite--an inexpensive, resourceful, fibrous yet inoffensive mineral--made DNA transformation rapid, simple and efficient but the mechanism for DNA transformation was still unclear. Through RNA competition test, we proposed the different transforming mechanisms from the previous report. Meanwhile, we optimized the transforming method and could transfer a colony stored at 4 degrees C for a month with plasmid through sepiolite fibers. The cells could be transformed well without competent cells preparation or incubation process. In sum, this was a novel potential transforming method, which could be explored further if the chemical method and electroporation could not be used.
DNA, Bacterial ; chemistry ; genetics ; Electroporation ; methods ; Magnesium Silicates ; chemistry ; Mineral Fibers ; Nanofibers ; chemistry ; Transformation, Bacterial

The aim of this study was to compare the compositions and cytotoxicity of white ProRoot MTA (white mineral trioxide aggregate) and 3 kinds of Portland cements. The elements, simple oxides and phase compositions of white MTA (WMTA), gray Portland cement (GPC), white Portland cement (WPC) and fast setting cement (FSC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). Agar diffusion test was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxicity of WMTA and 3 kinds of Portland cements. The results showed that WMTA and WPC contained far less magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) than GPC and FSC. FSC contained far more aluminum oxide (Al2O3) than WMTA, GPC, and WPC. WMTA, GPC, WPC and FSC were composed of main phases, such as tricalcicium silicate (3CaO.SiO2), dicalcium silicate (2CaO.SiO2), tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al2O3), and tetracalcium aluminoferrite (4CaO.Al2O3.Fe2O3). The significance of the differences in cellular response between WMTA, GPC, WPC and FSC was statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis Exact test with Bonferroni's correction. The result showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). WMTA, GPC, WPC and FSC showed similar compositions. However there were notable differences in the content of minor elements, such as aluminum (Al), magnesium, iron, manganese, and zinc. These differences might influence the physical properties of cements.
Agar ; Aluminum ; Aluminum Oxide ; Calcium Compounds ; Diffusion ; Glutamates ; Guanine ; Humans ; Iron ; Magnesium ; Manganese ; Oxides ; Plasma ; Silicates ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Spectrum Analysis ; Zinc ; Pemetrexed

Gastrointestinal melanosis is observed most frequently in the colon it also can develop in the ileum, duodenum and esophagus very rarely. Melanosis ilei was thought that causative materials such as aluminum, magnesium, silicate, titanium and other compounds entered the body through the ingestion of agents. We experienced a case of melanosis in the terminal ileum that a 65-year-old female patient ingested 10 g edible charcoal everyday for 3 years to address symptoms of chronic abdominal pain. In Korea, edible charcoal has been considered to be an effective folk remedy for patients with diarrhea or chronic abdominal pain. In our case, a follow up colonoscopy was performed 3.5 years after the termination of the ingestion of edible charcoal, at which point pigmentation was faded color intensity. In conclusion, it is thought that melanosis ilei is a rare disease by ingestion of causative materials and is discontinuous, local and reversible disease.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Aluminum ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Charcoal ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Diarrhea ; Duodenum ; Eating ; Esophagus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ileum ; Korea ; Magnesium ; Medicine, Traditional ; Melanosis ; Microscopy, Electron ; Pigmentation ; Rare Diseases ; Silicates ; Titanium

This study aimed to conduct measurement uncertainty assessment of a new method for determination of Sudan colorants (Sudan I, II, III and IV) in food by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Samples were extracted with organic solvents (hexane, 20% acetone) and first purified by magnesium trisilicate (2MgO·3SiO2). The Sudan colorants (Sudan I-IV) were also initially separated on C8 by gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.1% (v/v) formic acid aqueous solution as the mobile phases and detected with diode-array detector (DAD). The uncertainty of mathematical model of Sudan I, II, III and IV is based on EURACHEM guidelines. The sources and components of uncertainty were calculated. The experiment gave a good linear relationship over the concentration from 0.4 to 4.0 μg/mL and spiked recoveries were from 74.0% to 97.5%. The limits of determination (LOD) were 48, 61, 36, 58 μg/kg for the four analytes, respectively. The total uncertainty of Sudan colorants (Sudan I, II, III and IV) was 810±30.8, 790±28.4, 750±27.0, 730±50.0 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery uncertainty was the most significant factor contributing to the total uncertainty. The developed method is simple, rapid, and highly sensitive. It can be used for the determination of trace Sudan dyes in food samples. The sources of uncertainty have been identified and uncertainty components have been simplified and considered.
Azo Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Food Coloring Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Magnesium Silicates ; chemistry ; Naphthols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Asbestosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of lower respiratory tract in which alveolar wall are progressively thickened by a fibrotic process. Fibrotic process characterized by an expansion of fibroblast and collagenous extracellular matrix secreted from this fibroblast. Alveolar macrophage is believed to be a primary target cell and major participant in the evolution of lung fibrosis after asbestos inhalation. Alveolar macrophage are known to release a variety of substance that induce tissue damage and stimulate inflammatory cells and fibroblast. Macrophage also release a variety of metabolite of arachidonic acid. Of these, PGE(2) is known to suppress fibroblast proliferation. Asbestos may be a very effective stimulus for fibroblasts without triggering the relase of PGE(2). To assess the fibrogenic properties of asbestos according to kind and dosage of asbestos and the ability of PGE(2) to suppress the proliferation of fibroblast, alveolar macrophages cultured with crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile in presence or absence of PGE(2)10(-5)M. At 24 hours after alveolar macrophage cultured with various stimuli, the released fibronectin and TNF-alpha was measured. Viability of alveolar macrophages was observed and growth promoting activity of macrphage supernatant to fibroblasts was quantified. The results were as follows; 1. The viability of alveoair macrophages stimulated with asbestos fiber was markedly decreased compared with control group except chrysotile 10 microgram group. Crocidolite and amosite were more cytotoxic than chrysotile. 2. All of asbestos augmented fibronectin production in concentration dependent fashion. 3. There was a significant positive correlation between TNF-alpha production in supernatant and fiber concentration. 4. Supernatant from alveolar macrophages cultured with asbestos were inducible a significant increase in fibroblast proliferation. 5. Incubation of avieolar macrophages with asbestos in the presence of PGE(2) resulted in significant decrease of TNF-alpha production in supernant. 6. Supernatant from alveolar macrophages cultured with asbestos were inducible a: sig nificnat decrease in fibroblast proliferation when PGE(2) was added. The result of this study strongly suggested that crocidolite and amosite were more cytotoxic and fibrogenic and exogenous PGE(2) suppressed fibroblast proliferation following exposed to asbestos.
Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Asbestos* ; Asbestos, Amosite ; Asbestos, Crocidolite ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; Asbestosis ; Collagen ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins ; Fibrosis ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Rats* ; Respiratory System ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Asbestos is a fibrous silicate that was widely used because of its heat resistance properties. Asbestos exposure affects workers involved in mining or processing asbestos or those involved in the use of asbestos in the shipbuilding, construction, and textile- and insulation-manufacturing industries. There are three commonly available types of asbestos; chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). All three have been associated with cancerous and non-cancerous lung disease. Asbestos-related diseases includes benign pleural effusion, pleural plaques, diffuse pleural thickening (a non-malignant disease affecting the lung lining), rounded atelectasis, asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue caused by asbestos), mesothelioma and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a malignant pleural or peritoneal tumor that rarely occurs in patients who have not been exposed to asbestos. The latency period of most asbestos-related disease is 10 years or longer, asbestos-related disease remains an important public health issue. The clinical diagnosis of asbestos related diseases should be based on a detailed interview of the patient and occupational data on asbestos exposure, signs and symptoms, radiological and lung physiological findings and selected cytological, histological and other laboratory studies. Radiological imaging plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos ; Asbestos, Amosite ; Asbestos, Crocidolite ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; Asbestosis ; Cicatrix ; Compensation and Redress ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mesothelioma ; Mining ; Pleural Effusion ; Public Health ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Silicates ; Workers' Compensation

OBJECTIVES: To report a case of lung cancer caused by long-term asbestos exposure in a shipyard. METHODS: We evaluated chest X-ray, pulmonary function test, and chest CT and analyzed asbestos concentration in the lung tissue and bulk sample from the workplace. We also performed a workplace survey. RESULTS: The patient had worked at the shipyard for 31 years. The biopsy samples were processed to determine the asbestos content in the lung tissue and bulk sample using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDX). The TEM-EDX analysis revealed many asbestos fibers, the majority of which were amosite. In addition, the concentration asbestos fibers in the workplace exceeded the occupational exposure limits of asbestos. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly suggest that this patient's lung cancer was related to the long-term asbestos exposure.
Asbestos* ; Asbestos, Amosite ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Occupational Exposure ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 75-year-old man who was diagnosed as having a fluid-filled giant bulla was treated with a modified Brompton technique due to his poor performance status. Percutaneous drainage, suction, and talc sclerotherapy through a Foley catheter can be good treatment options for patients with conditions that are too poor to allow surgical intervention, especially if there is adhesion between a giant bulla and parietal pleura. Talc can also be used safely when mixed with normal saline as a sclerosant.
Aged ; Blister ; Catheters ; Drainage ; Humans ; Pleura ; Sclerotherapy ; Suction ; Talc