Moldy Hazelnut Husk and Shell Related Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: A Possible Novel Occupational Causative Agent.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a complex immune-mediated interstitial lung disease (ILD) triggered by inhalation exposure to environmental or occupational antigens in genetically susceptible individuals. Novel exposure sources and antigens are frequently identified. However, the causative agent remains unidentified in nearly half of HP cases.

Can Serum Chitotriosidase Levels, Immune, and Oxidative Stress Parameters Be Early Diagnostic Indicators in Patients With Silicosis?

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the enzyme activity of chitotriosidase as a biomarker in early diagnosis silicosis and to investigate immune system response and oxidative stress caused by silica exposure.

Materials And Methods: Silicosis patients (n = 116), exposed to silica without disease (n = 76), and healthy individuals (n = 55) were included. Serum levels of chitotriosidase, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidant-antioxidant, and immune parameters were measured.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Parameters and Genotoxic Effects in Patients With Work-Related Asthma and Silicosis.

Objective: To determine the mechanistic roles of oxidative stress, inflammation, and genotoxicity parameters in patients with work-related asthma (WRA) and silicosis.

Methods: Thirty-eight healthy office workers, 27 employees with a history of exposure and no disease, 24 employees with WRA, and 23 employees with silicosis were included in this study. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and interleukins (IL) 17, 23, and 27 levels were measured in the serum.

DNA damage assessment with buccal micronucleus cytome assay in Turkish coal miners.

The aim of this study was to assess DNA damage in Turkish coal miners with the buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt assay as the least invasive and therefore most practical method that may find wider application in coal miner biomonitoring. Buccal epithelial cell samples were taken from 54 coal miners and 42 controls from Zonguldak, Turkey to establish their micronucleus (MN), binucleus (BN), condensed chromatin (CC), karyorrhectic (KHC), karyolytic (KYL), nuclear bud (NBUD), and pyknotic (PYC) frequencies. We also analysed the effects of confounding factors such as age, years of work at the mine, smoking, alcohol drinking, and use of protective equipment on differences in MN frequencies.

Occupational Exposure to Metals and Solvents: Allergy and Airway Diseases.

Purpose Of Review: Occupational allergic diseases (OAD) such as occupational contact dermatitis (OCD), occupational asthma (OA), and occupational rhinitis (OR) are the most prevalent occupational diseases in industrialized countries. The purpose of this review is to provide an update about the main occupational metal and solvent exposures related to allergy and airway diseases and to discuss newly defined causative agents and industries in this field.

Recent Findings: Currently for over 400 causative agents for OA and OCD, several hundreds of agents for OR have been identified.

Occupational Risk Factors and the Relationship of Smoking with Anxiety and Depression.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relation of smoking with anxiety and depression in workers who were exposed to occupational risk factors. For this purpose, working time, smoking status, nicotine dependence, and respiratory functions of the workers who were exposed to physical and/or chemical harmful substances were evaluated and the presence of anxiety/depression was investigated.

Material And Methods: Male workers who were exposed to occupational risk factors such as solvents, heavy metals, and dust and visited the outpatient clinic for occupational diseases within a one-year period were included.

Can the ceramic industry be a new and hazardous sector for work-related asthma?

Background: Work-related asthma (WRA) constitutes a significant proportion of all asthma cases and continues to be reported from different industries. The aim of the study was to identify the occupations that can be related to WRA and diagnostic steps used in suspected WRA patients.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of WRA suspected patients who were referred to Ankara Occupational and Environmental Diseases Hospital, Turkey from January 2015 to January 2017.

Attitudes and behaviors of family physicians regarding occupational diseases.

Objectives: The incidence of occupational diseases (ODs) is below expectations. The approaches of family physicians are very important. In this study, we aimed to evaluate attitudes and behaviors of family physicians about ODs.

[Pollen food allergy syndrome].

Pollen food allergy syndrome, is a type I cross-reaction mediated by IgE antibodies between an aeroallergen and a plant-derived antigen. Main symptoms are typically consist of localized oral symptoms such as numbness of the lip or mouth, itching, tingling and swelling of lips, tongue, palate and pharynx without systemic symptoms. Patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma or both more frequently experience pollen food allergy syndrome.

Evaluation of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Levels in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Associations with Disease Severity.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a systemic disorder characterized by chronic airflow limitation and an increased inflammatory response of the airways. Comorbidities are frequent in COPD and it is crucial to predict these in early stage for adequate management of COPD. Recent studies have reported that elevated levels of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), a zinc-binding metalloproteinase, detected in patients with asthma, lung cancer, and pulmonary embolism and independently associated with cardiovascular events.

Pulmonary health effects of air pollution.

Purpose Of The Review: Air pollution continues to be a major public health concern affecting nine out of 10 individuals living in urban areas worldwide. Exposure to air pollution is the ninth leading risk factor for cardiopulmonary mortality. The aim of this review is to examine the current literature for the most recent updates on health effects of specific air pollutants and their impact on asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and respiratory infection.

[Sedation for fiberoptic bronchoscopy: review of the literature].

Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is a procedure which has an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases and is widely used in clinical practice. It is an invasive procedure and can cause cough, shortness of breath, nose and throat irritation. Stress during bronchoscopy can cause release of catecholamines, which may lead to tachycardia, vasoconstriction and possible myocardial ischemia in patients with impaired cardiopulmonary function.

Pentraxin 3 as a novel biomarker of inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs in which inflammatory markers are involved with significant extrapulmonary effects that may contribute to its severity and complications. Moreover, some of the inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with COPD. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is the member of long pentraxins.

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma.

Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs more commonly in asthma patients than in the general population and can complicate asthma management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of OSA in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma (DTA) and to investigate the sleep quality in these patients.

Methods: Patients with DTA were recruited from the adult allergy clinic of a tertiary care hospital.

Does gender affect asthma control in adult asthmatics?

Several studies have shown gender differences in prevalence of asthma but there is little information about asthma control. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of gender on asthma control in adult asthmatics. Medical records of 242 patients older than 18 years of age who regularly visited the allergy unit were evaluated.

A new diagnostic marker for acute pulmonary embolism in emergency department: mean platelet volume.

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic importance of mean platelet volume (MPV) on acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in the emergency Department (ED).

Methods: Subjects were selected from patients admitted to ED with clinically suspected APE. Demographic, anthropometric and serologic data were collected for each patient.

[Could plasma D-dimer levels be a predictive marker for prognosis in lung cancer?].

Introduction: Plasma concentrations of circulatory markers of hemostatic activation which may be associated with tumor growth and dissemination have been shown to predict prognosis in malignancy. The present study was designed to investigate the prognostic value of plasma D-dimer level in lung cancer.

Materials And Methods: Plasma levels of the D-dimer in 138 lung cancer patients [98 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 40 small cell lung cancer (SCLC)] were measured before the initiation of any therapy and each chemotherapy.

Serum omentin levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The basic mechanisms involved in the increased cardiovascular risk of OSAS remain unclear. Recent discoveries of fat-secreted substances which serve endocrine roles improve our understanding of the relationship between OSAS, CVD, and the metabolic syndrome.

Intermediate to long-term follow-up results of INH chemoprophylaxis prior to anti-TNF-alpha therapy in a high-risk area for tuberculosis.

Background: The use of anti-TNF drugs for rheumatic diseases has increased in recent years. Several studies have reported an increased risk of reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) with anti-TNF agents.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present the follow-up results of a single center from Turkey, a country with a high rate of active and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), for INH chemoprophylaxis in patients receiving anti-TNF-α therapy for rheumatic diseases infection.

Serum cardiotrophin-1 and IL-6 levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with increased rates of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Basic mechanisms involved in the increased cardiovascular risk of OSAS remain unclear. Inflammation has been shown to potentially play a critical role in this association.

Two cases of tracheal disease misdiagnosed as difficult-to-treat asthma.

Initial management of patients with difficult-to-treat asthma must begin with confirmation of the diagnosis. We present 2 cases of tracheal disease misdiagnosed as difficult-to-treat asthma. After systemic evaluation, tracheomalacia and tracheobronchial narrowing due to diffuse calcification of the cartilaginous rings were found as mimicking asthma.