Background: Several studies have suggested that selenium may influence the natural history of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Recently, IFNγ-inducible chemokines (CXCL-9, -10 and -11) were shown to be elevated in AIT patients. Objective: This prospective, randomized, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effect of two doses of selenomethionine (Semet; 80 or 160 µg/day) versus placebo in euthyroid women with AIT, in terms of reduction of anti-thyroid antibodies, CXCL-9, -10 and -11 and improvement of thyroid echogenicity, over 12 months. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients, aged 21-65 years, were equally randomized into 3 groups: placebo, 80 µg/day of Semet (80-Semet) or 160 µg/day of Semet (160-Semet). Results: Anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels remained unaffected by Semet supplementation; anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels showed a significant reduction in the 160-Semet and the placebo group at 12 months. No significant change in thyroid echogenicity, thyroid volume and quality of life was observed within and between the groups. Subclinical hypothyroidism was diagnosed in 2 patients of the placebo group versus 1 patient in each Semet group. Serum CXCL-9 and -10 were significantly reduced in both Semet groups at 6 and 12 months, while they remained unchanged or increased in the placebo group. CXCL-11, TNFα and IFNγ showed a transient decrease at 6 months in both Semet groups but returned nearly to the basal levels at 12 months. Conclusions: Semet supplementation had no positive effect on thyroid echogenicity or TPOAb in our patients. However, we observed a Semet-dependent downregulation of the IFNγ-inducible chemokines, especially CXCL-9 and -10, which may serve as helpful biomarkers in future selenium supplementation trials.

Background Work-related solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The World Health Organization, through the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has classified solar UVR as a group 1 carcinogen since 2012. The main problems encountered so far in the study of occupationally induced skin cancer include the lack of accurate occupational UVR dosimetry as well as insufficient distinction between occupational and leisure UVR exposure and underreporting of NMSC. Objectives The aim of this study was to collect long-term individual UVR measurements in outdoor workers across European countries. Methods A prospective study was initiated through the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, Healthy Skin@Work Campaign, measuring UVR exposure doses at occupational settings of masons from five European countries. Measurements were performed for several consecutive months using the GENESIS-UV measurement system.

Introducere Silicoza, una dintre cele mai vechi boli profesionale, pân a nu demult în topul patologiei profesionale, a fost înlocuit a de bolile prin suprasolicitare. În România r amâne înc a pe locul doi în ierarhia bolilor profesionale, înregistrând în 2012 un num ar de 203 cazuri noi de silicoz a, faţ a de 263 boli prin suprasolicitare clasate pe primul loc. Comparativ cu 428 cazuri noi de silicoz a în 2003, acestea s-au redus aproape la jum atate în 2012. Scop Lucrarea de faţ a propune o analiz a a cazurilor de silicoz a din Clinica de Medicina Muncii Timişoara pentru o perioada de 5 ani. Material şi metod a Datele au fost extrase din foile de observaţie ale pacienţilor cu silicoz a internaţi în clinic a în perioada 2008-2012. Parametrii urm ariţi au fost: profesia, vechimea expunerii în mediu silicogen, vârsta, codificarea bolii la debut, parametrii funcţionali respiratori, statusul biologic, patologia asociat a, complicaţii, evoluţie.Rezultate si discuţii lotul studiat a fost format din 346 persoane, reprezentând 50,07% din cazurile cu patologie profesional a respiratorie, dar numai 13% din totalul intern arilor. Expunerea medie a fost de 23,79±7,97 ani, iar media de vârst a 53,14±9,31 ani. 38,43% reprezint a cazurile noi, care au fost semnalate, dar dintre acestea numai 73,68% au fost declarate ca boala professional a. Conform clasific arii ILO, 28,81% au fost încadraţi în gradul 2 de profuzie în momentul diagnosticului. Un procent mic (7%) asociaz a alte patologii: tuberculoza pulmonar a, antracoz a, sideroz a, iar o parte semnificativ a asociaz a patologie osteomusculo-articular a (62,01%) şi cardiovascular a (54,23%). Menţion am 3 cazuri asociate cu boli autoimune: lupus eritematos şi poliartrit a reumatoid a. Concluzii Deşi incidenţa este în sc adere, principalele locuri de munc a cu expunere s-au închis sau se vor închide (mine, turnatorii), lucr atorii cu expunere la pulberi silicogene trebuie monitorizaţi prin serviciile de medicina muncii toata viaţa. Nu trebuie uitat riscul cancerigenşi importanţa unui regim de viaţ a s an atos. De asemenea, includerea acestor pacienţi în programe de recuperare respiratorie.

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