Publications by authors named "E L Fireman"
Article Synopsis
- Silica inhalation is linked to autoimmune diseases, and recent findings highlight new sources of exposure from industries like jewelry polishing and glass manufacturing, leading to a resurgence of silicosis globally.
- * Research suggests that long-term silica exposure may be a risk factor for autoimmune conditions such as scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis, and the interaction with other factors may trigger immune system issues.
- * Understanding the mechanisms behind silica-induced autoimmune diseases could enhance early detection and treatment options for affected individuals.
Background: Impulse oscillometry (IOS) is a noninvasive technique that measures lung physiology independently of patient effort. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the utility of IOS parameters in comparison with pulmonary function testing (PFT) among hospitalized subjects, with emphasis on obstructive and small airway diseases.
Methods: Sixty-one subjects hospitalized either with unexplained dyspnea or for pre-surgery evaluation were included in the study.
To evaluate the role of nanoparticles (NP) in sputum samples of active smokers as markers of inflammation and disease. 29 active smokers were included (14 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]) and underwent clinical assessment, pulmonary function tests, sputum induction (with NP analysis) and blood sampling. Higher particle and NP concentrations and smaller mean size directly correlated with clinical parameters such as the COPD Assessment Test score and impulse oscillometry results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResponse to: Correspondence on 'Demographic, exposure and clinical characteristics in a multinational registry of engineered stone workers with silicosis' by Hoy et al.
Occup Environ Med
December 2022
Objectives: To investigate differences in workplace exposure, demographic and clinical findings in engineered stone (ES) workers from a multinational consortium using the Engineered Stone Silicosis Investigators (ESSI) Global Silicosis Registry.
Methods: With ethics board approval in Israel, Spain, Australia and the USA, ES workers ages 18+ with a physician diagnosis of work-related silicosis were enrolled. Demographic, occupational, radiologic, pulmonary function and silica-related comorbidity data were compared cross-sectionally among countries using analysis of variance, Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression.