This study aimed to determine the effect of long term exposure to cement dust on lung function in non-smoking cement mill workers. This is a cross-sectional study of respiratory functions. Spirometry was performed in 100 apparently healthy volunteers; 50 non-smoking cement mill workers and 50 non-smoking un-exposed subjects. Based on the duration of exposure, cement mill workers were divided into three groups, less than 5, 5–10 and greater than 10 years. All subjects were individually matched for age, height, weight, and socioeconomic status. Pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic spirometer. Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximal Voluntary Ventilation in cement mill workers who had been working in the cement industry for more than 10 years compared to their matched un-exposed group. Lung functions in cement mill workers were significantly impaired and results show a long term duration response effect of years of exposure to cement dust on lung functions.

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Objective: To determine the role of apoptosis inhibition in the prevention of diabetic neuropathy using the antiFas cell surface death receptor (Fas) antagonistic monoclonal antibody ZB4. Methods: This prospective study enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes with and without neuropathy and a group of healthy controls. The serum concentrations of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) were measured in all study participants using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ability of serum from study participants to induce apoptosis was evaluated in a human neuronal cell line using flow cytometry. Results: A total of 28 healthy subjects and 57 patients with diabetes were enrolled in the study. Serum Fas concentrations were significantly increased in diabetes patients with and without neuropathy compared with the controls. Cells treated with the serum from diabetes patients with neuropathy had significantly higher rates of early apoptosis compared with cells treated with control serum. Monoclonal antibody ZB4 was able to block serum-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Serum-induced apoptosis of a human neuronal cell line appeared to be mediated via Fas, which suggests that targeting and inhibiting Fas might offer a therapeutic target for diabetic neuropathy.