Occupations and geographical distribution of mesothelioma in Switzerland 1989-2018 - record linkage of an asbestos-exposed population with the Swiss National Cohort.

Objective: We investigated the possibility of linking the data of the Swiss Laboratory for Particle Analysis (Silag), a valuable but incomplete data source in the field of asbestos-related diseases, to the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). With the resulting comprehensive dataset, we intended to provide a source for further research in the field. We also conducted preliminary analyses of data focusing on occupations and regional distribution of malignant pleural mesothelioma cases.

Discrepancies of asbestos body and fiber content between formalin-fixed and corresponding paraffin embedded lung tissue.

Background: Formalin-fixed lung tissue and paraffin blocks containing peripheral lung tissue obtained from subjects with an occupational asbestos exposure are both regarded to be suitable to determine asbestos load. Because sample preparation of paraffin blocks requires a more intense treatment than formalin-fixed tissue, we tested whether asbestos analysis of formalin-fixed lung tissue and paraffin blocks obtained from the same patients deliver comparable results.

Materials And Methods: We determined numbers of asbestos bodies (AB) and amphibole asbestos fibers (AF) in formalin-fixed lung tissue and corresponding paraffin blocks from 36 patients.

Tocilizumab has no clinically relevant effects on methotrexate pharmacokinetics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To assess the effects of tocilizumab on methotrexate and 7-hydroxymethotrexate pharmacokinetics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and to explore the pharmacodynamic effect of tocilizumab on C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation.

Methods: Methotrexate (10 - 25 mg) was administered orally on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, and 43. On Day 8 patients received 10 mg/kg tocilizumab intravenously.