Impact of reactive iron in coal mine dust on oxidant generation and epithelial lung cell viability.

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is a preventable occupational lung disease caused by the chronic inhalation of coal mine dust. The inhalation of coal mine dusts can result in the development of a range of lung diseases termed coal mine dust lung diseases, which is not limited to CWP and includes silicosis, bronchitis, emphysema and cancer. For decades, the presence of elemental Fe, C and Si has been proposed to be the causal factors underlying CWP.

Focusing on Coal Workers' Lung Diseases: A Comparative Analysis of China, Australia, and the United States.

China has high and increasing annual rates of occupational lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis and silicosis. In contrast, Australia and the United States of America (USA) have greatly lowered their annual rates of lung diseases since the 1970s. This paper systematically compared and analysed the multi-elements of coal dust management and health management in these three countries to provide a reference for China.

A Methodology to Monitor Airborne PM Dust Particles Using a Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Throughout the process of coal extraction from surface mines, gases and particles are emitted in the form of fugitive emissions by activities such as hauling, blasting and transportation. As these emissions are diffuse in nature, estimations based upon emission factors and dispersion/advection equations need to be measured directly from the atmosphere. This paper expands upon previous research undertaken to develop a relative methodology to monitor PM dust particles produced by mining activities making use of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Emergence of pneumococcal 19A empyema in UK children.

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease due to serotype 19A has become a major concern, particularly in the USA and Asia. We describe the characteristics of pneumococcal serotype 19A related empyema and changes in its incidence in the UK.

Methods: Data from paediatric empyema patients between September 2006 and March 2011 were collected from 17 respiratory centres in the UK.

Tenofovir use in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected children in the United kingdom and Ireland.

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is neither licensed for use nor extensively studied in HIV-infected children. The only available formulation is an adult tablet, introducing the possibility of dosing errors in children. TDF interacts with other antiretrovirals and has been associated with decline in renal function and CD4 count.