Occupational lung disease

LncRNA MRAK052509 competitively adsorbs miR-204-3p to regulate silica dust-induced EMT process

Silicosis is a systemic disease caused by long-term inhalation of free SiO2 and retention in the lungs. At present, it is still the most important occupational health hazard disease in the world. Existing studies have shown that non-coding RNA can also participate in complex fibrosis regulatory networks. However, its role in regulating silicotic fibrosis is still unclear. In this study, we constructed a NR8383/RLE-6TN co-culture system to simulate the pathogenesis of silicosis in vitro. Design of miR-204-3p mimics and inhibitors to overexpress or downregulate miR-204-3p in RLE-6TN cells. Design of short hairpin RNA (sh-RNA) to downregulate MRAK052509 in RLE-6TN cells. The regulatory mechanism of miR-204-3p and LncRNA MRAK052509 on EMT process was studied by Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, Immunofluorescence and Cell scratch test. The results revealed that miR-204-3p affects the occurrence of silica dust-induced cellular EMT process mainly through regulating TGF-βRΙ, a key molecule of TGF-β signaling pathway. In contrast, Lnc MRAK052509 promotes the EMT process in epithelial cells by competitively adsorbing miR-204-3p and reducing its inhibitory effect on the target gene TGF-βRΙ, which may influence the development of silicosis fibrosis. This study perfects the targeted regulation relationship between LncRNA MRAK052509, miR-204-3p and TGF-βRΙ, and may provide a new strategy for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of silicosis.

Self-management of oxygen and bronchodilators to relieve the dyspnoea of lung cancer with pneumoconiosis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the level of dyspnoea and the self-management strategies used to alleviate dyspnoea in lung cancer patients with concurrent pneumoconiosis, particularly oxygen therapy and bronchodilator treatment. Furthermore, the authors aimed to determine the factors associated with such self-management and to provide a basis for developing an applicable and safe treatment plan for alleviating dyspnoea.

METHOD

This study involved a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 79 participants between January and July 2016, and self-management strategies were analysed using analysis of variance and multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

In terms of the self-management practices employed to relieve dyspnoea, 53.2% of the patients adjusted their oxygen intake and 70.9% used bronchodilators over the prescribed dosage. Adjusting the oxygen intake was not significantly associated with any of the patient characteristics. The factors related to increased bronchodilator use were the presence of comorbidities, cardiopulmonary function, subjective respiratory distress, activities of daily living, and the number of prescribed bronchodilators.

CONCLUSION

Dyspnoea is a severe critical condition, and urgent management of its clinical symptoms is required. Healthcare professionals who care for patients with lung cancer with pneumoconiosis should pay attention to the dyspnoea and manage it based on clinical evidence. Development of customised, integrated nursing treatment plans is needed to alleviate dyspnoea in patients with complications and chronic dyspnoea who have low daily activity levels.

Chest Imaging in the Diagnosis of Occupational Lung Diseases

Imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and monitoring of occupational lung diseases (OLDs); however, the sensitivity and specificity of detection and diagnosis vary greatly depending on the imaging modality used. There is substantial overlap in appearance with non-occupation-related entities. OLDs should be considered in the differential even in the absence of a provided exposure history. Because many findings are not specific, a multidisciplinary approach is important in arriving at the diagnosis and will continue to be important as workplace-related pulmonary diseases evolve with changing industrial practices and workplace regulations.

Stimulatory actions of IGF-I are mediated by IGF-IR cross-talk with GPER and DDR1 in mesothelioma and lung cancer cells

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)/IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) system has been largely involved in the pathogenesis and development of various tumors. We have previously demonstrated that IGF-IR cooperates with the G-protein estrogen receptor (GPER) and the collagen receptor discoidin domain 1 (DDR1) that are implicated in cancer progression. Here, we provide novel evidence regarding the molecular mechanisms through which IGF-I/IGF-IR signaling triggers a functional cross-talk with GPER and DDR1 in both mesothelioma and lung cancer cells. In particular, we show that IGF-I activates the transduction network mediated by IGF-IR leading to the up-regulation of GPER and its main target genes CTGF and EGR1 as well as the induction of DDR1 target genes like MATN-2, FBN-1, NOTCH 1 and HES-1. Of note, certain DDR1-mediated effects upon IGF-I stimulation required both IGF-IR and GPER as determined knocking-down the expression of these receptors. The aforementioned findings were nicely recapitulated in important biological outcomes like IGF-I promoted chemotaxis and migration of both mesothelioma and lung cancer cells. Overall, our data suggest that IGF-I/IGF-IR system triggers stimulatory actions through both GPER and DDR1 in aggressive tumors as mesothelioma and lung tumors. Hence, this novel signaling pathway may represent a further target in setting innovative anticancer strategies.

Occupational Allergies: A Brief Review

Occupational allergies are groups of work-related disorders that are accompanied by immunologic reaction to workplace allergens and include occupational asthma, rhinitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, dermatitis, and anaphylaxis. This mini review presents a brief analysis of the more important aspects of occupational allergic disorders.

Imaging of Occupational Lung Disease

Occupational lung diseases span a variety of pulmonary disorders caused by inhalation of dusts or chemical antigens in a vocational setting. Included in these are the classic mineral pneumoconioses of silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis, and asbestos-related diseases as well as many immune-mediated and airway-centric diseases, and new and emerging disorders. Although some of these have characteristic imaging appearances, a multidisciplinary approach with focus on occupational exposure history is essential to proper diagnosis.