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*

Carbamylated hemoglobin (CarHb) is formed by the reaction of hemoglobin with cyanate derived from the spontaneous dissociation of in vivo urea. Previous studies have shown that formation of CarHb depends upon both the severity and the duration of renal failure. To study the clinical significances of CarHb in Korean patients with chronic renal failure, we measured CarHb levels by high-performance liquid chromatography in 159 CRF patients and 46 normal controls. Patients with CRF had a higher CarHb concentration than normal controls (107.9+/-58.8 vs 35.1+/-14.2 microgramVH/gHb; P<0.001). In patients with CRF, nondialysis group had a higher value than dialysis group (129.8+/-77.9 vs 98.7+/-46.1 microgramVH/gHb; P<0.05). There were no siginificant difference in CarHb levels between hemodialysis (92.0+/-35.8microgramVH/gHb) and peritoneal dialysis (106.7+/-55.3microgramVH/gHb) groups. CarHb levels were not different between diabetic and nondiabetic patients in predialysis and hemodialysis groups. Although there was a significant difference in peritoneal dialysis group, the BUN levels were also lower in diabetic patients than nondiabetic patients. There were no correlation between CarHb and HbA1c percentage in patients with diabetes. CarHb levels were positively correlated with BUN (r=0.489; P<0.001) and creatinine (r=0.458; P<0.01) concentrations. There were negative correlations between CarHb and both Kt/V (r=-0.358; P<0.05) and URR (r=-0.415; P<0.05) in hemodialysis patients. In conclusion, CarHb may be a useful index of uremic control in patients with chronic renal failure, and are independent of the mode of dialysis and the presence of diabetes.
Chromatography, Liquid ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Urea

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

No abstract available.
Cor Triatriatum*

Serum lactate degydrogenase (LD) and LD isoenzyme activities were evaluated in sera from 74 patients of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) to investigate biochemical changes of these enzyme activities according to radiographical profusions of CWP. Subjects were participated patients in the detailed examination of pneumoconiosis in December 1989. LD activities were evaluated by lactate to pyruvate methods and isoenzyme activities were determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. And small opacity profusions on chest radiographs of subjects were evaluated by radiologist. The results were as follows: 1. LD activities were not significantly different among categories of radiographical profusions. 2. LD4 activities were shown difference significantly among categories of radiographical profusions (category 1: 8.2+/-2.69 U/l, category 2: 10.1+/-3.90, category 3: 10.6+/-2.63; p<0.05). 3. Activities of LD(1), LD(2), LD(3), and LD(5) were not different significantly among categories of radiographical profusions. Conclusionly, serum LD(4) activity seems to be increased by fibroplasia of CWP, but increasing activities of LD4 should not affect serum LD activities significantly.
Anthracosis* ; Coal* ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Humans ; Isoenzymes* ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase* ; Lactic Acid* ; Pneumoconiosis ; Pyruvic Acid ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Thorax*

No abstract available.
Head* ; Neck*