A study of inflammatory biomarkers in crystalline silica exposed rock drillers.

Background: Crystalline silica (CS) exposure can cause serious lung disease in humans, but mechanisms of pulmonary toxicity have not been completely elucidated.

Aims: To assess pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and biomarkers related to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fibrosis in serum of rock drillers exposed to CS.

Methods: Rock drillers (N = 123) exposed to CS and non-specified particulate matter (PM) were compared to 48 referents without current or past exposure to PM in a cross-sectional study.

A study of pneumoproteins in crystalline silica exposed rock drillers.

The objective was to assess serum concentrations of club cell protein 16 (CC-16) and the surfactant proteins A (SPs-A) and D (SP-D) in male rock drillers ( = 123) exposed to crystalline silica and in 48 occupationally non-exposed. The arithmetic mean (AM) duration of exposure was 10.7 years.

Novel associations between cytokines and pulmonary involvement in juvenile dermatomyositis - a cross-sectional study of long-term disease.

Objectives: To examine associations between cytokines and pulmonary involvement in patients with medium- to long-term JDM.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 58 patients examined median (range) 16.8 (6.

High Level of Chemokine CCL18 Is Associated With Pulmonary Function Deterioration, Lung Fibrosis Progression, and Reduced Survival in Systemic Sclerosis.

Objective: Markers for early identification of progressive interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) are in demand. Chemokine CCL18, which has been linked to pulmonary inflammation, is an interesting candidate, but data have not been consistent. We aimed to assess CCL18 levels in a large, prospective, unselected SSc cohort with longitudinal, paired data sets on pulmonary function and lung fibrosis.