Objective: Through comparative analysis of the disease burden of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020, the main influencing factors are screened, and scientific basis is provided for rational allocation of limited health resources, precise management and policy implementation. Methods: In August 2021, survey and collect information on surviving occupational pneumoconiosis patients and dead occupational pneumoconiosis patients diagnosed in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2020, and analyze and calculate indicators such as morbidity, mortality, and disability adjusted of life years (DALY). Analyzing the influencing factors of disease burden usirrg multiple linear regression. Results: From 2010 to 2020, the average annual incidence of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province was 0.9992/100000, the average annual mortality was 0.897/100000, the cumulative case fatality rate was 25.75%, and the cumulative DALY was 28932.96 person-years. The first stage of occupational pneumoconiosis was the highest among DALY loss (19920.14 person-years), and the DALY loss was positively correlated with the stage of occupational pneumoconiosis. Among occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province, silicosis (13753.66 person-years) and coal worker's pneumoconiosis (13414.73 person-years) caused the highest disease burden, followed by cement pneumoconiosis and asbestos lung. Period, length of service, type of disease, and region are all influencing factors of DALY loss (P<0.05). Conclusion: From 2010 to 2020, the DALY losses caused by occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province showed a fluctuating decrease, with the composition of DALY mainly changing from the loss of life years due to premature death to the loss of years due to injury and disability.
Humans ; Pneumoconiosis/epidemiology* ; Silicosis/epidemiology* ; Anthracosis/epidemiology* ; Asbestos ; Cost of Illness ; China/epidemiology*

Objective: To analyze the radiological characteristics of chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of patients with asbestosis, and to investigate the signs of predicting the disease progression of asbestosis. Methods: A prospective method was used to enroll 68 patients with asbestosis who were regularly followed up from 2013 to 2016. The radiological characteristics of patients with asbestosis were described by the International Classification of HRCT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) , and the differences between patients with and without progression were compared during the observation period. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the chest HRCT radiological signs predicting the progression of asbestosis. Results: The study included 68 patients with asbestosis aged (65.5±7.8) years old, of which 64.7% (44/68) were female, 29.4% (20/68) had a history of smoking. There was no significant difference in age, sex, smoking and asbestos exposure between patients with progressive asbestosis (20.6%, 14/68) and patients without progressive asbestosis (79.4%, 54/68) (P>0.05) . Chest HRCT of patients with asbestosis showed irregular and/or linear opacities, of which 5.9% (4/68) were accompanied by honeycombing. Irregular and/or linear opacities were mainly lower lung preponderant, often accompanied with ground glass opacity and mosaic perfusion. 98.5% (67/68) had pleural abnormalities, of which 39.7% (27/68) had diffuse pleural thickening with parenchymal bands and/or rounded atelectasis. The analysis of multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression showed that the risk of the progression of asbestosis was increased with higher irregular and/or linears opacities cores (HR=1.184, 95%CI: 1.012-1.384, P=0.034) and the appearance of honeycombing (HR=6.488, 95%CI: 1.447-29.097, P=0.015) . Conclusion: The irregular and/or linear opacities scores and honeycombing on chest HRCT are independent influencing factors for predicting the disease progression of asbestosis.
Aged ; Asbestos/adverse effects* ; Asbestosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Diseases/chemically induced* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a long latency, poor prognosis and asbestos exposure related malignant disease. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is a kind of RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotides that does not encode protein. It plays an important role in epigenetic regulation, cell cycle regulation and cell differentiation regulation. Recent studies have shown that the abnormal expression or function of lncRNA is closely related to the diagnosis and prognosis of MM. In this paper, the lncRNA research on MM is reviewed to better understand the role of lncRNA in MM.
Asbestos ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Mesothelioma/genetics* ; Mesothelioma, Malignant ; Prognosis ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics*

A sixty-eight years old man was referred to the hospital for evaluation of lung adenocarcinoma treatment. Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging showed lung nodule, pleural plaques, ground-glass opacity, and parenchymal bands related to asbestosis. Pleural plaques are the proxy of asbestos exposure, and asbestosis is lung parenchymal fibrosis caused by asbestos. The interview revealed that the patient had worked as an owner of a construction firm for more than 37 years. Construction workers are at high risk of getting asbestos-related diseases because some building materials have asbestos. This case study aimed to describe chest CT findings of asbestosis and pleural plaques that suggest the presence of asbestos exposure in a lung cancer case. This case showed the pivotal role of chest CT to define asbestos-related lung diseases and a structured interview to obtain past asbestos exposure.
Lung Neoplasms ; Asbestos

BACKGROUND: Asbestos fibers possess tumorigenicity and are thought to cause mesothelioma. We have previously reported that exposure to asbestos fibers causes a reduction in antitumor immunity. Asbestos exposure in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) showed suppressed induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), accompanied by a decrease in proliferation of CD8 METHODS: For MLR, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured with irradiated allogenic PBMCs upon exposure to chrysotile B asbestos at 5 μg/ml for 7 days. After 2 days of culture, IL-15 was added at 1 ng/ml. After 7 days of MLR, PBMCs were collected and analyzed for phenotypic and functional markers of CD8 RESULTS: IL-15 addition partially reversed the decrease in CD3 CONCLUSION These findings indicate that CTLs induced upon exposure to asbestos possess dysfunctional machinery that can be partly compensated by IL-15 supplementation, and that IL-15 is more effective in the recovery of proliferation and granzyme B levels from asbestos-induced suppression of CTL induction compared with IL-2.
Asbestos/adverse effects* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Humans ; Interleukin-15/pharmacology* ; Lymphocyte Activation/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism*

asbestos-exposed workers. We present 2 such cases along supportive evidence of causation.CASE PRESENTATION: Patient A: A 57-year-old man had worked for about 40 years since 1978 as an oxygen cutter at workplaces that dismantle ships, buildings, boilers, and thermal power plants. In November 2016, endoscopy and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of advanced gastric cancer, for which he underwent subtotal gastrectomy and chemotherapy; however, he later died of the cancer. Patient B: A 71-year-old man had worked in shipbuilding and repair workplaces for approximately 49 years, being employed in pipe laying, asbestos insulation installation, grinding, and other ship repair work. In 2003, he was diagnosed of rectal cancer by abdominal computed tomography. He accordingly underwent surgical removal of the cancer. Based on the occupational history of the 2 patients and our review of the relevant literature addressing the occupational environment, we concluded that both patients had continuous exposure to high levels of asbestos while performing their jobs for 40 and 49 years, respectively.CONCLUSION: Both patients had a history of smoking and drinking (non-occupational personal risk factors). However, the possibility of an increased risk of gastric and rectal cancers from asbestos exposure cannot be excluded. Therefore, we considered that occupational exposure to asbestos had contributed to the cancer diagnosis in these cases. Workers exposed to asbestos should be made aware of the possibility of gastric or rectal cancer, and should undergo monitoring and medical examinations. Appropriate compensation for gastric and rectal cancers that occur in workers exposed to asbestos are anticipated in future.]]>
Academies and Institutes ; Aged ; Asbestos ; Biopsy ; Compensation and Redress ; Diagnosis ; Drinking ; Drug Therapy ; Endoscopy ; Gastrectomy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Occupational Health ; Oxygen ; Power Plants ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Ships ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach Neoplasms

Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is not very common, mesothelioma is directly attributable to occupational asbestos exposure, with 90% of cases showing a history of exposure. A 66-year-old male was admitted with an abdominal pain that persisted for 3 weeks. He had no abdominal mass. Computed tomography showed soft tissue thickening in perihepatic space and nodularities in omentum and peritoneum with ascites. There was no absolute diagnosis evidence in ascites analysis. Although the pathology of ascites was free for malignancy, the patient underwent omentum biopsy for definitive diagnosis. In laproscopic exploration, there was omental cake, peritoneal nodular seeding. It was suspected cancer carcinomatosis. Immunohistochemical findings suggested that it was sarcomatoid masothelioma. This is the rare case of a peritoneal sarcomatoid mesothelioma, without any exposure to asbestos.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Asbestos ; Ascites ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Mesothelioma ; Omentum ; Pathology ; Peritoneum ; Sarcoma

The present review summarizes the results of several follow-up studies assessing an asbestos product manufacturing plant in Chongqing, China, and discusses three controversial issues related to the carcinogenicity of asbestos. The first issue is the amphibole hypothesis, which asserts that the carcinogenicity of asbestos is limited to amphiboles, such as crocidolite, but not serpentines, such as chrysotile. However, considering the possible multiple component of asbestos carcinogenicity in the presence of tobacco smoke or other carcinogens, chrysotile cannot be regarded as non-carcinogenic. Additionally, in a practical sense, it is not possible to assume "pure" chrysotile due to its ubiquitous contamination with tremolite, which is a type of amphibole. Thus, as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) assessed, all forms of asbestos including chrysotile should be regarded carcinogenic to humans (Group 1). The second issue is the chrysotile/tremolite paradox, which is a phenomenon involving predominant levels of tremolite in the lung tissues of individuals who worked in locations with negligible levels of tremolite due to the exclusive use of chrysotile. Four possible mechanisms to explain this paradox have been proposed but this phenomenon does not support the claim that amphibole is inert. The final issue discussed is the textile mystery, i.e., the higher incidence of cancer in asbestos textile plants compared to asbestos mines where the same asbestos was produced and the exposure levels were comparable. This phenomenon was first reported in North America followed by UK and then in the present observations from China. Previously, levels of fiber exposure were calculated using a universal converting coefficient to estimate the mass concentration versus fiber concentration. However, parallel measurements of fiber and mass concentrations in the workplace and exposed air indicated that there are wide variations in the fiber/mass ratio, which unjustifies the universal conversion. It is possible that contamination by airborne non-fibrous particles in mines with mass fiber conversion led to the overestimation of fiber concentrations and resulted in the textile mystery. Although the use and manufacturing of asbestos has been banned in Japan, more than 10 million tons of asbestos had been imported and the majority remains in existing buildings. Thus, efforts to control asbestos exposure should be continued.
Asbestos ; classification ; toxicity ; Asbestos, Amphibole ; toxicity ; Asbestos, Serpentine ; toxicity ; Carcinogens ; China ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities ; statistics & numerical data ; Mining ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Textiles ; Tobacco Smoking ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) defined that asbestos is a group 1 substance that causes lung cancer, mesothelioma (pleura and peritoneum), laryngeal cancer, and ovarian cancer in humans. Many studies on lung cancer, and mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure have been conducted, but there was no case report of ovarian cancer due to asbestos exposure in Korea. We describe a case of ovarian cancer caused by asbestos exposure in a worker who worked at an asbestos textile factory for 3 years and 7 months in the late 1970s. CASE PRESENTATION: A 57-year-old woman visited the hospital because she had difficulty urinating. Ovarian cancer was suspected in radiologic examination, and exploratory laparotomy was performed. She was diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. The patient did not undergo postoperative chemotherapy and recovered. She joined the asbestos factory in March 1976 and engaged in asbestos textile twisting and spinning for 1 year, 2 years and 7 months respectively. In addition, she lived near the asbestos factory for more than 20 years. There was no other specificity or family history. CONCLUSION: Considering the patient’s occupational and environmental history, it is estimated that she had been exposed to asbestos significantly, so we determined that ovarian cancer in the patient is highly correlated with the occupational exposure of asbestos and environmental exposure is a possible cause as well. Social devices are needed to prevent further exposure to asbestos. It is also necessary to recognize that ovarian cancer can occur in workers who have previously been exposed to asbestos, and the education and social compensation for those workers are needed.
Asbestos ; Compensation and Redress ; Drug Therapy ; Education ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; International Agencies ; Korea ; Laparotomy ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mesothelioma ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupational Exposure ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Textile Industry ; Textiles

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to enhance understanding of the epidemiologic characteristics of asbestos-related diseases, and to provide information that could inform policy-making aimed at prevention and compensation for occupational asbestos exposure, through analyzing asbestos-related occupational disease claims to Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service from 2011 to 2015. METHODS: We analyzed 113 workers who filed medical care claims or survivor benefits for asbestos exposure and occupational-related disease from 2011 to 2015. Among these claims, we selected approved workers’ compensation claims relating to malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, and analyzed the general characteristics, exposure characteristics, pathological characteristics, and occupation and industry distribution. RESULTS: Malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer occurred predominantly in males at 89.7 and 94%, respectively. The mean age at the time of diagnosis for malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer was 59.5 and 59.7 years, respectively, while the latency period for malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer was 34.1 and 33.1 years, respectively. The companies involving exposed workers were most commonly situated within the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region. Histology results for lung cancer indicated adenocarcinoma as the most common form, accounting for approximately one half of all claims, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer. The most common occupation type was construction in respect of malignant mesothelioma, and shipbuilding in respect of lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the long latency period of asbestos and that the peak period of asbestos use in Korea was throughout the mid-1990s, damage due to asbestos-related diseases is expected to show a continued long-term increase. Few studies providing an epidemiologic analysis of asbestos-related diseases are available; therefore, this study may provide baseline data to assist in predicting and preparing for future harm due to asbestos exposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DUIH 2018–02–004-001. Registered 28 Februrary 2018.
Adenocarcinoma ; Asbestos ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Compensation and Redress ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Mesothelioma ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupations ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; Survivors ; Workers' Compensation