The exact role of FasL, and particularly its soluble and membrane-bound forms, in the development of chronic ILDs and lung fibrosis has not been extensively explored. We aimed at analyzing membrane-bound FasL expression on alveolar macrophages (AM) and lymphocytes (AL) as well as soluble FasL (sFasL) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from ILDs patients, incl. pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS), hy...

Inhalation of asbestos fibers causes pulmonary inflammation and eventual pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis). Although the underlying molecular events are poorly understood, protease/antiprotease and oxidant/antioxidant imbalances are believed to contribute to the disease. Implicated in other forms of pulmonary fibrosis, the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have not been examined in asbestosis. We ...

I. The relative power of sixteen clinical, radiological and pulmonary function variables for evaluating asbestosis and chronic osbtructive airway disease has been assessed by principal component analysis of the data from a survey of 201 asbestos workers. 2. A decrease in the transfer factor (diffusing capacity) for carbon monoxide followed by a decrease in the vital capacity had the greatest po...

To analyse the pattern of pulmonary gas exchange during maximal exercise (Emax) in asbestosis, we compared nine subjects with this disease (1 female/8 male), aged 54 +/- 11 yrs (mean +/- SD), to nine patients (1 female/8 male) with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) of a similar age, height, weight and smoking history, both at rest and during Emax. No differences were observed in dynamic and s...

Immunological abnormalities in 30 patients with asbestosis were investigated by examining the cytoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity by killer (K) cells from peripheral blood lymphocytes; the effects of interferon on NK activity was also examined. Fifteen men and 15 women (mean age 58; range 40-72) with asbestosis but who were free of complications ...

BACKGROUND The incidence of the pneumoconioses in the UK is primarily estimated using occupational-based registries and disability pension schemes. These sources indicate a downward trend in the incidence of the pneumoconioses from 1995 onwards. There are no previously published general population-based observational studies quantifying the incidence of the pneumoconioses in the UK. OBJECTIVE...

The recognition of different pneumoconioses is usually based on a history of exposure to a given dust together with the presence of characteristic changes in the chest radiograph. This implies that the radiological appearances are reasonably specific. Moreover, if they are to be used not only for clinical diagnosis but also for compensation purposes, and for the study of the disease in relation...

Inhalation of asbestos fibers results in a variety of neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases of the respiratory tract. Some of these diseases, such as asbestosis, generally occur after prolonged and intensive exposure to asbestos, whereas others, such as pleural mesothelioma, may occur following brief exposures. Inhalation of nonasbestiform mineral fibers can occur as well, and these fibers can ...