A polymorphism in the FAM13A gene confers protection against tuberculosis in Brazilian workers exposed to silica.

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which was recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global epidemic in 1993. TB is the leading infectious disease associated with silicosis, with studies showing an increased risk when compared to healthy individuals. We conducted an association study to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in the ACE, FAM13A, FAS, FASLG, IL1RN, NOS2, TGFB1, and TNF genes on TB susceptibility.

Silica-exposed patients with silicosis show shorter telomeres than do unexposed individuals: a pilot study in a population in southeastern Brazil.

Objective: Silicosis is a pneumoconiosis characterized by fibrosis of the lung parenchyma caused by the inhalation of silica particles. Silica dust inhalation is associated with inflammation and induction of oxidative stress in the lungs. This oxidative stress affects telomeres, which are short tandem DNA repeats that cap the end of linear chromosomes.

Genetic polymorphisms and their effects on the severity of silicosis in workers exposed to silica in Brazil.

Objective: Silicosis is a pneumoconiosis characterized by fibrosis of the lung parenchyma caused by inhalation of silica particles. Genetic factors might play a role in the severity silicosis. We sought to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in the ACE, FAS, FASLG, NOS2, IL1RN, FAM13A, TGFB1, and TNF genes on the severity of silicosis.

The impact of healthcare-associated infections on COVID-19 mortality: a cohort study from a Brazilian public hospital.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in a cohort of patients admitted to a newly adapted intensive care unit in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

Methods: This was an observational, retrospective, and descriptive study. Data were obtained from electronic medical records.

Changes in lung ultrasound of symptomatic healthcare professionals with COVID-19 pneumonia and their association with clinical findings.

Purpose: To evaluate ultrasound signs of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pneumonia in symptomatic healthcare professionals and to correlate those changes with clinical findings.

Methods: All patients underwent real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), lung ultrasound (LUS) and clinical evaluation on the same day. In each of the 12 areas evaluated in the LUS, the LUS signs were scored to generate the aeration score.

Interleukin 1α and 1β gene variations are associated with tuberculosis in silica exposed subjects.

Introduction: Silicosis is a fibrotic lung disease resulting from the inhalation of crystalline silica and can be classified as simple or complicated according to the International Labour Organization criteria. Furthermore, individuals exposed to crystalline silica also have a higher risk for the development of tuberculosis (Tb). The contribution of inflammatory cytokines to the risk of silicosis and Tb in different populations has previously been reported.

Comparison of two smoking cessation interventions for inpatients.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two cognitive behavioral therapy-based smoking cessation interventions initiated during hospitalization and to evaluate the factors related to relapse after discharge.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized study involving 90 smokers hospitalized in a university hospital. We collected data related to sociodemographic characteristics, reasons for admission, smoking-related diseases, smoking history, the degree of nicotine dependence (ND), and the level of craving.

CT quantification of large opacities and emphysema in silicosis: correlations among clinical, functional, and radiological parameters.

Background: The assessment of the extent of silicosis on chest radiographs is subjective and could be more standardized by using computed tomography (CT) quantification methods. We propose a semiautomatic method of quantifying the anatomical lung damage (LD) (the sum of the emphysema and large opacities volumes) measured by CT densitovolumetry in complicated silicosis.

Methods: Twenty-three nonsmokers with complicated silicosis were included.