Risk of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Patients with Coal Workers'Pneumoconiosis:A Case-control Study in China

The aim of this study was to estimate the association between occupational, environmental, behavioral risk factors, and active pulmonary tuberculosis（PTB） among coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis（CWP） patients. A matched case-control study was conducted in 86 CWP patients with active PTB and 86 CWP controls without TB. A standardized questionnaire was used for risk factors assessment. Conditioned logistic regression analysis was used to identify associations between the risk factors and active PTB among CWP patients. The results showed that the stage of CWP, poor workplace ventilation, family history of TB, and exposure to TB were independent risk factors for active PTB in patients with CWP with which recommendations for improving work environments, and for case finding activities in patients with CWP could be made.

Association oftransforming growth factor-β1 gene variants with risk of coal workers'pneumoconiosis

Objective： The aim of this case-control study was to explore whether five tagging single nucleotide poly- morphisms （tSNPs） within the transforming growth factor-ill （TGF-fll） gene were involved in manifestation of inflammatory and fibrotic processes associated with coal workers pneumoconiosis （CWP）. Methods： The study included 508 CWP patients and 526 controls who were underground coal miners from Xuzhou Mining Business Group. Five tSNPs were selected from the HapMap and detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） method. Results： The single SNP analysis showed that the genotype frequencies of SNP2 （rs1800470, ＋869T/C, extron 1） and SNP5 （rs11466345, intron 5） in CWP cases were significantly different from those in controls. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SNP2 （rs1800470） CC genotype was associated with decreased risk of CWP （OR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.32-0.78）, which was evident among subgroups of those never smoke （OR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.24-0.66）, cases with stage Ⅱ（OR = 0.41, 95%CI = 0.22-0.76） and exposure period （〈 28 y： OR = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.31-0.95; ≥ 28 y： OR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.32-0.96）. However, the SNP5 （rs11466345） GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of CWP （OR = 2.5, 95%CI = 1.36-4.57）, and further stratification analysis showed that the risk of CWP was increased in both smoking and nonsmoking groups, shorter and longer exposure groups, while the risk of CWP was only increased in patients with stage I and Ⅱ. Conclusion： This study suggests that TGF-β1 polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility of CWP.

An analysis of contributing mining factors in coal workers’pneumoconiosis prevalence in the United States coal mines,1986-2018

In the United States,an unexpected and severe increase in coal miners’lung diseases in the late 1990s prompted researchers to investigate the causes of the disease resurgence.This study aims to scrutinize the effects of various mining parameters,including coal rank,mine size,mine operation type,coal seam height,and geographical location on the prevalence of coal worker’s pneumoconiosis(CWP)in surface and underground coal mines.A comprehensive dataset was created using the U.S.Mine Safety and Health Administration(MSHA)Employment and Accident/Injury databases.The information was merged based on the mine ID by utilizing SQL data management software.A total number of 123,589 mine-year observations were included in the statistical analysis.Generalized Estimating Equation(GEE)model was used to conduct a statistical analysis on a total of 29,707,and 32,643 mine-year observations for underground and surface coal mines,respectively.The results of the econometrics approach revealed that coal workers in underground coal mines are at a greater risk of CWP comparing to those of surface coal operations.Furthermore,underground coal mines in the Appalachia and Interior regions are at a higher risk of CWP prevalence than the Western region.Surface coal mines in the Appalachian coal region are more likely to CWP development than miners in the Western region.The analysis also indicated that coal workers working in smaller mines are more vulnerable to CWP than those in large mine sizes.Furthermore,coal workers in thin-seam underground mine operations are more likely to develop CWP.

A systematic review of occupational exposure to respirable coal mine dust(RCMD)in the U.S.mining industry

Cumulative inhalation of respirable coal mine dust(RCMD)can lead to severe lung diseases,including coal worker's pneu-moconiosis(CWP),silicosis,mixed dust pneumoconiosis,dust-related diffuse fibrosis(DDF),and progressive massive fibrosis(PMF).Statistics from the number of reported cases showed a significant decrease in the progression of respiratory diseases in the 1990s.However,an unexpected increase in the number of CWP cases was reported in the late 1990s.To date,there has been no comprehensive systematic review to assess all contributing factors to the resurgence of CWP cases.This study aims to investigate the effects of various mining parameters on the prevalence of CWP in coal mines.A systematic review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis(PRISMA)method was conducted to investigate the health effects of RCMD exposure and identify the factors that may contribute to the recent resurgence of CWP cases.The systematic review yielded a total of 401 papers,which were added to the database.The total number of 148 and 208 papers were excluded from the database in the process of screening and eligibility,respectively.Then,18 papers were considered for data selection and full-text assessment.The review revealed that factors including geographic location,mine size,mining operation type,coal-seam thickness,coal rank,changes in mining practices,technology advancement,and engi-neering dust control practices are contributing to the recent resurgence of CWP among coal workers.However,the evidence for root causes is limited owing to the methodological constraints of the studies;therefore,further detailed studies are needed.