Pathologic Findings in Severe Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis in Contemporary US Coal Miners.

Context.—: The pathology of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and its most severe form-progressive massive fibrosis (PMF)-in US coal miners has changed in recent years. Severe disease is occurring in younger miners and has been linked to an increase in silica dust exposure.

Historical shift in pathological type of progressive massive fibrosis among coal miners in the USA.

Background: Pneumoconiosis among coal miners in the USA has been resurgent over the past two decades, despite modern dust controls and regulatory standards. Previously published studies have suggested that respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a contributor to this disease resurgence. However, evidence has been primarily indirect, in the form of radiographic features.

Mining Tenure and Job Duties Differ Among Contemporary and Historic Underground Coal Miners With Progressive Massive Fibrosis.

Objective: To characterize differences in mining jobs and tenure between contemporary (born 1930+, working primarily with modern mining technologies) and historic coal miners with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).

Methods: We classified jobs as designated occupations (DOs) and non-DOs based on regulatory sampling requirements. Demographic, occupational characteristics, and histopathological PMF type were compared between groups.

Pathology and Mineralogy Demonstrate Respirable Crystalline Silica Is a Major Cause of Severe Pneumoconiosis in U.S. Coal Miners.

The reasons for resurgent coal workers' pneumoconiosis and its most severe forms, rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), in the United States are not yet fully understood. To compare the pathologic and mineralogic features of contemporary coal miners with severe pneumoconiosis with those of their historical counterparts. Lung pathology specimens from 85 coal miners with PMF were included for evaluation and analysis.

Prevalence and outcome of delirium among acute general medical inpatients in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Delirium is a common, serious, underdiagnosed condition in medical and surgical inpatients with acute conditions. It is associated with increased risk of mortality and morbidity. Data of geriatric cohorts are largely limited to developed countries.

Non-diabetic ketoacidosis associated with a low carbohydrate, high fat diet in a postpartum lactating female.

A 31-year old non-diabetic woman presented to our hospital with symptoms of dehydration, drowsiness, fatigue, shortness of breath and vomiting present for two consecutive days prior to admission. She had started a low carbohydrate, high fat (LCHF) diet to induce weight loss while breastfeeding her 4-month-old child 2 weeks prior to admission. The patient was found to have a severely high anion gap metabolic acidosis.

Effects of commodity on the risk of emphysema in South African miners.

Purpose: To examine associations between mine commodity such as coal, platinum, or diamonds and emphysema among South African miners at autopsy.

Methods: We examined the association between mine commodity and emphysema using the Pathology Automation (PATHAUT) database, 1975-2014. Exposure was characterized as longest tenure in each commodity.

Silicosis and pulmonary tuberculosis in deceased female South African miners.

Background: Implementation of South Africa's 2002 Mining Charter increased women's participation in underground mining. However, occupational lung diseases (OLDs) in female gold miners have not been studied.

Aims: To compare autopsy-diagnosed pulmonary silicosis, lymph gland silicosis (a precursor of pulmonary silicosis) and active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in South African gold miners.

Occupational emphysema in South African miners at autopsy; 1975-2014.

Purpose: To determine the associations between exposure duration, measured by employment tenure, and emphysema presence and severity in black and white South African miners at autopsy.

Methods: We examined the association between mining tenure and emphysema presence or severity using the Pathology Automation (PATHAUT) database, 1975-2014. We used logistic regression models adjusted for age, tuberculosis, HIV status, and year of death.

Asbestos-related diseases in mineworkers: a clinicopathological study.

The accurate diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases is important because of past and current asbestos exposures. This study evaluated the reliability of clinical diagnoses of asbestos-related diseases in former mineworkers using autopsies as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma of the colon, rectum and anus.

Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP) is a neoplastic proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells that occur outside of the bone and bone marrow. It is rare, commonly occurring in the head and neck region, followed by the gastrointestinal tract. The aetiology, risk factors, natural history and consequent treatment are not well defined.

38 years of autopsy findings in South African mine workers.

Background: South African miners have a statutory right to autopsies for occupational lung disease compensation. These autopsies also provide information for research and surveillance.

Methods: Cardio-respiratory organs are removed where miners die and are examined at the National Institute for Occupational Health.

Twelve-month outcomes of patients admitted to the acute general medical service at Groote Schuur Hospital.

Objectives: Hospitalisation for medical illness has ongoing impact on individuals, healthcare services and society beyond discharge. This study's objective was to determine the 12-month mortality and functional outcomes of patients admitted to the acute medical service at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH).

Methods: Follow-up, using the hospital records system and provincial death registry, together with telephonic interviews or home visits, was attempted for 465 medical inpatients admitted to GSH between 14 September and 16 November 2009.