Lung Function of Grain Millers Exposed to Grain Dust and Diesel Exhaust in Two Food Markets in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Despite growing concern over occupational exposure to particulate matter (PM) such as grain dust and diesel exhaust, information about the exposure level and health implications among workers in small-scale milling enterprises in developing countries like Nigeria has not been adequately documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust and effect on lung function among grain millers in food markets in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. METHODS: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional design with a comparative approach. Sixteen grain milling shops each were randomly selected from two major food markets in Ibadan metropolis for indoor PM₁₀ and PM(2.5) monitoring. Seventy-two respondents each were proportionately selected from grain millers and shop owners for forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate tests. RESULTS: The PM(2.5) concentrations for both market locations ranged between 1,269.3 and 651.7 μg/m³, while PM₁₀ concentrations were between 1,048.2 and 818.1 μg/m³. The recorded concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limit of 50 μg/m³ and 25 μg/m³ for PM(2.5) and PM₁₀, respectively. As compared with control group (2.1 L), significantly lower forced expiratory volume in one second value (1.61 L) was observed among the exposed group (p < 0.05). Likewise, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate value (186.7 L/min) was recorded among the exposed group than the control group (269.51 L/min) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to grain dust and diesel exhaust accentuated respiratory disorders with declines in lung functions amongst grain millers. Improved milling practices and engaging cleaner milling facilities should be adopted to minimize exposure and related hazards.

Metabolic syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is considered as a systemic disease due to associated systemic inflammation which can manifest as metabolic syndrome or its component illnesses. This study was undertaken to determine the proportion of metabolic syndrome in patients with COPD.Methods: 51 patients with COPD were compared with equal number of age and gender matched controls. GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria were used for diagnosing COPD. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) was diagnosed based on modified NCEP:ATP III criteria (National cholesterol education Program Adult Treatment Panel III). Subjects were evaluated for hypertension, WC, FBS, and serum triglycerides and serum HDL (High-density lipoprotein) to diagnose MS.Results: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 16 (31.4%) patients with COPD and in 8 (15.7%) controls. The proportion of individual parameters of MS in cases and controls was as follows: DM in 19 (37.3%) cases and 13 (25.5%) controls, hypertension in 21(41.2%) cases and 9 (17.6%) controls, low serum HDL in 31 (60.7%) cases and 22 (43.1%) controls increased WC in 14 (27.5%) cases and 7 (13.7%) controls and elevated serum TG in 12 (23.5%) cases and an equal number of controls.Conclusions: Metabolic syndrome and its parameters are more prevalent in COPD patients. Early detection and treatment of MS in COPD patients can prevent development of complications due to the combined effects of both diseases

The correlation between the changes of exhaled nitric oxide and lung function in asthmatic children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation with lung function and clinical significance of lung function and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) changes in various disease stages for children with asthma.Methods Seventy-nine asthma outpatient children aged 6-14 years old were selected from Nanjing Children's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University,25 cases of whom were at acute exacerbation stage,28 cases at chronic persistent stage and 26 cases at remission stage.Twenty-five healthy children were randomly selected as the healthy control group, for whom FeNO and lung functions were measured respectively.FeNO and lung functions were analyzed on whether there were statistical differences between the subjects in these groups and whether their FeNO and lung functions were correlated.Results Comparison of FeNO and the percentages of the expected value(FEV1 ％) of forced expiratory volume in one second between acute exacerbation group [(58.79 ± 12.25) ppb and (52.25 ± 7.89) ％], chronic persistent group [(42.13 ± 11.38) ppb and (66.14 ± 5.29) ％], remission group [(25.41 ± 7.15) ppb and (86.22 ± 15.21) ％] and the healthy control group [(12.84 ± 6.22) ppb and (93.62 ± 12.13)％], showed that FeNO in asthma acute exacerbation group, chronic persistent group and remission group was higher than that in the healthy control group, with statistically significant difference(all P ＜0.05).Except for remission group,in which FEV1 was not statistically significant different from the healthy control group (P ＞ 0.05) ,the differences in other groups were all statistically significant(all P ＜ 0.05).FeNO and FEV1％ were negatively correlated at acute exacerbation (r =-0.779, P =0.000) , but they were not correlated at chronic persistent and remission state.Conclusions FeNO values increased in asthma children.FeNO as a sensitive indicator to reflect airway inflammation can be used to evaluate the control and severity of airway inflammation.FeNO and FEV1％ of lung functions were negatively correlated in asthma children at acute stage.

Evaluation of Serum Level of Neutrophil Elastase, Superoxide Dismutase and Nitric Oxide in COPD Patients and its Correlation with Lung Function Test.

Aims: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Its prevalence is increasing in the world. Tobacco smoking is the major risk factor for COPD. Oxidant-antioxidant and protease – anti-protease imbalance is the major hallmarks for the pathogenesis of COPD. The present study was planned to assess the correlation between markers of airflow obstruction with the serum level of neutrophil elastase, nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase in COPD patients. Study Design: Case Control Study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, B. J. Govt. Medical College, Pune [Maharashtra]. The study period was in between Feb.2012 to Dec. 2013. Methodology: Study comprised of 60 stable COPD patients and 60 healthy controls. COPD patients were selected as per the GOLD (Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease) criteria with of aged between 40 to 75 yrs. Each subject undergone through the pulmonary function test by spirometry prior to enter in the study and predicted values of FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were measured. Serum level of neutrophil elastase (NE) was analyzed using commercial available ELISA kits while serum level of nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software 17 version. Results: In our study we observed significantly increased levels of serum neutrophil elastase and nitric oxide and decreased level of enzymatic antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) in COPD patients as compared to healthy controls. We found significant strong inverse correlation between neutrophil elastase (r=-0.604, P<0.0001) and nitric oxide (r=-0.565, P<0.0001) with FEV1% predicted and positive correlation between superoxide dismutase and FEV1% predicted (r=+0.394, P<0.001) in COPD patients. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that the level of nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase and neutrophil elastase in serum might have played role in oxidative stress and inflammation in COPD patients. Hence, it can be concluded that the measurement of these biomarkers in serum may provide a good approach to assess the severity of the disease in COPD patients.

Clinical study of improved decortication in treatment of tuberculous empyema / 中国医师进修杂志

ObjectiveTo study the clinical effect of improved decortication in treatment of tuberculous empyema as well as the safety of operation.MethodsEighty-two cases who diagnosed as tuberculous empyema by pathology and operation from January 2007 to September 2010 were selected including improved decortication 44 cases,total empyema decortication 28 cases,thoracoplasty 10 cases.The operation time,peri-operative bleeding,postoperative complication and lung function recovery after 6 months operation were followed-up.ResultsAll the patients were in good recovery and there was no death in the operation for 1 year.The peri-operative bleeding in improved decortication was less than that in total empyema decortication and thoracoplasty [(56.23 ± 15.56) ml vs. (78.65 ± 23.14) and (66.92 ± 19.83) ml],and there was significant difference among them(P＜ 0.01 ).There was no postoperative complication in improved decortication,but 2 cases (7.1％,2/28) of partial lung recruitment maneuvers in total empyema decortication,1 case ( 10.0％,1/10) of extensive staxis with selective surgery in thoracoplasty.The proportion of forced vital capacity (FVC),forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),peak expiratory flow (PEF) turning to normal after 6 months operation in improved decortication [95.5％(42/44),93.2％(41/44),97.7％(43/44)]were higher than those in total empyema decortication[ 75.0％ (21/28 ),78.6％ (22/28),85.7％ (24/28) ]and thoracoplasty [ 80.0％ (8/10),90.0％ (9/10),80.0％ ( 8/10) ],and there was significant difference among them (P ＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the operation time among them(P ＞0.05).ConclusionImproved decortication has remarkable superiority in curing tuberculous empyema especially it is small in traumatic with less blood loss,fewer postoperative complications,lung function recovery rapidly after operation.

Diagnosis and treatment of gastric carcinoma combined with severe pulmonary dysfunction in 20 cases / 国际外科学杂志

Objective To summarize the experience of operation on gastric carcinoma combined with severe pulmonary dysfunction and reduce the incidence of postoperative fatality and complications.Methods According to FVC,MVV,FEV1 from high to low grouping,and interfere with ambroxol hydrochloride,doxofylline,budesonide,terbutaline,ipratropium bromide,tiotropium bromide to 20 patients who suffered gastric carcinoma combined with severe pulmonary dysfunction before and after operation,and interfere with different anesthesia methods.Results Postoperative complications occurred in 20 patients within one month,Hydrothorax in 2 cases,pulmonary infection in 2 cases,respiratory failure in 2 cases,acute pulmonary edema in 1 cases,acute pulmonary embolism in 1 case.After active treatment,19 patients cured,1 case died due to acute pulmonary edema.Conclusion The complications rate and risks are high in the gastric carcinoma patients combined with severe pulmonary dysfunction,and strict preoperative and postoperative managements are key to the operation.

Clinical research on the treatment of moderate bronchial asthma with inhaled inactivated-mycobacterium phlei / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To introduce inhaled inactivated-mycobacterium phlei on prevention and treatment of moderate bronchial asthma to observe the clinical effect. Method This study was a prospective and controlled study. The patients diagnosed with asthma in our out-patient from March 2009 to December 2010 were collected, who met the following conditions were included in the study: age≥ 14 years; met the criteria of moderate chronic persistent bronchial asthma in Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in 2008; suspended receiving systemic corticosteroids, Montelukast, ketotifen and other anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic drugs in one month; no significant respiratory tract infections; and other serious illnesses or abnormalities known.A total of 100 patients with asthma were selected, including 37 males and 63 females, age (32.11 ± 12.95 )years. The patients were randomly(random number) divided into two groups: A group(treatment group; 16males and 34 females, age 33.56 ± 14.23 years) and B group (control group; 21 males and 29 females,age 30.66 ± 11.50 years); 50 in each group. No significant difference was noted between the two groups on age and gender composition. The patients in A group were treated with inhaled inactivated-mycobacterium phlei F. U. 36 Injection 1.72 μg/mL × 2 that adding 3 mL normal saline, once a day for 5 days. The patients in B group were treated with salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate powder for inhalation (50/100 μg), twice daily for sustainable use. The patients in the two groups were observed for one month. During this course, the patients in the two groups could inhale the salbutamol sulphate aerosol as need to relieve symptoms. And the number of using was recorded. Pulmonary function test and asthma provocative test were carried out on the Day O, 6 and 31. ACT scores were measured before and after the treatment. Results On Day 6 and 31 after treatment, the negative conversion rates of asthma provocative test of the patients in A group were 82% and 78% respectively, B group were 84% and 90% respectively. Provocative test of the patients in the two groups were negative conversion significantly before and after treatment. There was no significant difference between the two groups by chi-square test (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Completely random designed data was analyzed by analysis of variance. The analysis showed that the accumulated doses of methacholine of the patients in the two group increased significantly ( P ＜ 0. 05 ), but no difference between the two groups.There was a improvement trend on forced expiratory volume in one second( FEV1 )of the patients in A group after treatment, but no difference. FEV1 of the patients in B group increased significantly higher ( P ＜0.05), which was significantly higher than A group on the 31th day (P ＜0. 05); Peak expiratory flow (PEF) of the patients in the two group increased significantly on Day 6 and 31 after treatment (P ＜0.05 ).On Day 31, B group was significantly higher than A group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ); Scores of asthma control test (ACT)of the patients in the two group were significantly increased, and the number of using of salbutamol sulfate aerosol was significantly reduced (P ＜0.01 ). B group was obvious than group A (P ＜0.05 ). During treatment, there were only two adverse reaction cases of transient low fever; most obvious was on the third day.Conclusions Inhaled inactivated-mycobacterium phlei would inhibit the airway hyperresponsiveness of the patients with moderate bronchial asthma in short time, improve the symptoms, reduce the acute exacerbation, and reduce the use of rescue medication, which has the roles of prevention and treatment of moderate asthma in a certain period of time.

Utility of a forced expiratory flow of 25 to 75 percent as a predictor in children with asthma / 소아과

PURPOSE: Asthma is defined as chronic inflammation of the lower small airways, and bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) is a pathophysiologic feature of asthma. It has been proposed that although there is no direct variable capable of assessing the small airways, a forced expiratory flow of between 25 and 75 percent (FEF25-75) might be considered a more sensitive early marker of small airway obstruction than the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). Thus, we proposed that the presence and degree of positive responses to bronchial methacholine testing were related to the difference (DFF) and ratio (RFF) between FEV1 and FEF25-75 in asthmatic children. METHODS: The subjects were 583 symptomatic children, including 324 children with BHR and 259 controls. Pulmonary function tests, methacholine challenge tests, and skin prick tests were performed, and the total eosinophil count, total serum IgE, and serum eosinophil cationic protein level were measured in all subjects. From a concentration-response curve, the methacholine concentration required to produce a decrease of 20% from post-saline FEV1 was calculated (PC20). RESULTS: The median DFF and RFF values decreased in controls compared to subjects with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and this trend was found in groups ranked by its severity. PC20 had a negative correlation with DFF and RFF. Cutoff values of 0.5 for DFF and 1.042 for RFF were identified, and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that DFF and RFF might be predictive of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in the context of normal FEV1 in children.

Differences in Prediction Formulas for the MVV According to the Status of Ventilatory Function / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: The MVV reflects subjective dyspnea, exercise capacity, postoperative complication. But, the MVV embodies certain disadvantages and is dependent on coordination, endurance and motivation. A timed vital capacity for calculation of an indirect maximal voluntary ventilation is used. We evaluated differences in prediction formulas for the MUV according to the status of ventilatory function. METHODS: Forty-seven normal subjects, 68 patients with obstructive ventilatory impairment, and 23 patients with restrictive ventilatory impairment were studied. The relationships between the MVV and Flow or time parameters in forced expiratory volume and flow volume curves were compared among normal subjects and patients with obstructive or restrictive ventilatory impairment. RESULTS: 1) High correlation coefficients(R>or=0.87) were found between the FEV0.5, 0.75, 1 and the MVV in 47 normal subjects and 91 patients with ventilatory impairment. 2) The MVV can be conveniently estimated from the FEV1 values. The following regression formulas for the prediction of the MVV were obtained. Normal: MVV=44.01 X FEV1-21.09(r(2)=0.771, SEE=11.085) Obstructive ventilatory impairment: MVV=38.34 X FEV1-4.58(r(2)0.812, SEE=4.816) Restrictive ventilatory impairment: MVV=45.20 X FEV1-3.80(r(2)=0.899, SEE=6.929). 3) There were significant differences in prediction formulas for the MVV obtained by FEV1 between each group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that different prediction formulas for the MVV, by multiplying the FEV1 by a constant, are respectively required in normal subjects and patients with obstructive or restrictive ventilatory impairment.