Environmental and respiratory health assessment of workers chronically exposed to coal dust in an Egyptian Coal-Mine at North Sinai

The present work aims at evaluating the respiratory effects among a group of Egyptian coalworkers chronically exposed to coal dust. The present work comprised 228 coal workers employed for durations ranging from 0.2 to 33 years in various sections of a coal mine, located at north Sinai of Egypt. The workers were subjected to a questionnaire comprising full personal, present, past, family and occupational histories, clinical examination, chest X-ray, ventilatory function tests, and assay of immunoglobulins M, G, and E. Total, respirable and non-respirable dust samples were collected and analysed from different workplace air. Personal total, respirable and non-respirable dust samples being collected from different workplace air proved to exceed the TLV, especially at the feeding tunnel and the washing box. The clinical study revealed mild to moderate affection of the ventilatory function parameters, especially for those related to small and medium size airways. Clinically, positive cases were about 40% of the studied workers, and radiologically, abnormal chest X-rays affected about 25% of the surveyed personnel. An increased incidence of obstructive and combined ventilatory defects was noticed with longer duration of employment. The same was noticed with abnormal findings elicited by the chest X-rays, especially mentioning suspected interstitial pulmonary fibrosis [IPF]. Workers at the underground sites had significant higher incidence of chest symptoms, abnormally higher values of IgG and IgE, more cases with broncho-vascular markings and JPF than their colleagues working on the ground. Clinically positive workers had more abnormal chest X ray findings and about 71% of them had COPD, irrespective to the place of work. Positive cases were also correlated well with abnormal IgG and IgE. The study pointed out the presence of definite exposure to coal dust, higher than the recommended TLV, in different sections at Maghara coal mine. The clinical study revealed adverse respiratory effects among coal-workers, which strongly suggest the relation with chronic coal dust exposure. Smoking has significant influence on the development of chest symptoms elicited among the studied workers. Adopting pre-placement and periodic medical examinations, provision of training, and supplying coal-workers with suitable protective equipment. Addition of "Coal dust Exposure and Consequent Effects" to the Egyptian list of occupational diseases. Continuous monitoring of coal dust should be a routine procedure

Anti-inflammatory effect of natural steroid sapogenins on oral aphthous ulcers

The search in plants for sapogenins has been stimulated by the need for readily accessible sources of sapogenins, which can be converted in the laboratory to animal sterols of therapeutic importance. The present study represented a clinical trial for the investigation of the anti-inflammatory effect of natural steroidal sapogenins on oral aphthus ulcers

Antazoline hydrochloride therapy for hyperoxaluria

The administration of antazoline HCl to 16 normo-oxalurics and 14 hyper-oxalurics resulted in a sustained and progressive reduction of the urinary oxalate output in all cases to normal levels. The drug has been well tolerated. It is recommended as a prophylactic measure in patients with recurrent oxalate urolithiasis

Parathyroid activity among stone-formers: a suggested score for evaluation of parathyroid activity

Parathyroid activity among stone formers was studied in 90 patients; 66 were bilharzial and 24 nonbilharzial. They were compared to 30 control non-stone-formers; half of them were bilharzial. A suggested score for the evaluation of parathyroid activity, using multiple indirect tests, was performed. It consists of ten points: Three points for serum calcium. Two points for phosphtae excretion index [PEI]. One point for tubular reabsorption of phosphate [TRP]. One point for plasma inorganic phosphate. One point for phosphate deprivation test. One point for calcium infusion test. One point for disrupted lamina dura of teeth. Any patient with seven points or more, can be considered to fulfill the criteria for the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism [HPT]. Our data shows a higher incidence of HPT among stone-formers. The incidence was higher in non-bilharzial than in bilharzial stone formers

Experience with sisomicin in the management of complicated urinary tract infections

Sisomicin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, has been tested in vitro against 100 uropathogens; only 3 isolates [3%] were not sensitive. The efficiency of the drug in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections was evaluated in 25 patients; sterilization of urine was achieved in 23 cases [92%], symptomatic cure or improvement occured in 92% of cases. The drug was well tolerated by all patients