Transfer factor (diffusing capacity) for the lung in simple pneumoconiosis of coal workers.

Abstract

Fertility Control-Zafiartu BRITISH ovulatory cycles with good sperm tolerance. The tests were performed from 10 to 18 days after the last additional oestrogen tablet was taken. DiscussionThe incidence of uterine bleeding and menstrual cycle modifications in women receiving oral continuous chlormadinone acetate in microdoses is significant. In our experience 153 (39.2 %) out of 390 women presented some alterations in uterine bleeding while using this contraceptive method; amenorrhoea, for instance, was observed in 15 % of our subjects.However, the modifications of menstrual cycles were slightly less frequent (in 147 (37.6%) out of 390 treated subjects). The most annoying symptoms indeed were amenorrhoea, prolonged cycles, and intermenstrual bleeding.These alterations are apparently related to the antioestrogenic effect of the progestogen and are shown by those subjects more sensitive to such action. Furthermore, our macroscopic and microscopical observations on ovaries of subjects treated with 0.5 mg. of chlormadinone daily, who presented prolonged menstrual cycles or amenorrhoea, showed that ovulation was inhibited. A marked effect of the compound at the endometrium stroma and glands was also evident (Zafiartu et al., 1967b).These findings help us to understand why additional oestrogen therapy given for a few days for bleeding and cycle regulation could eventually reverse the effect in cervical mucus of chlormadinone 0.5 mg. daily, and yet preserve the main contraceptive effect of the therapy at other levels of the reproductive system (endometrium, endosalpinx).The gratifying action of the accessory oestrogens by correcting uterine bleeding and regulating cycles significantly helps to improve the acceptability of this valuable contraceptive method. It has also been valuable in improving the acceptability of other progestogens in microdosage. SummaryFifty women presenting alterations of uterine bleeding and menstrual cycles while using oral continuous 0.5-mg. chlormadinone tablets for fertility control were given additional oral oestrogens to correct the condition. Conjugated oestrogens 2.5-or 5-mg. tablets were given for five to seven days in each calendar month. Ethinyloestradiol 0.05 mg. was also used when well tolerated. The continuous oral administration of chlormadinone tablets was maintained. Accessory oestrogens were useful in correcting the bleeding and cycle disturbances resulting from the anti-oestrogenic effect of microdoses of oral chlormadinone without interfering with the fertility inhibition effect. It is suggested that the addition of oral oestrogens is useful to improve acceptability of continuous chlormadinone in microdoses as a contraceptive while maintaining the outstanding properties of this therapy.Chlormadinone acetate 0. Established simple pneumoconiosis of coal workers is accompanied by a widening of the alveolar-arterial tension difference for oxygen (Brasseur, 1963) and a minimal reduction in the transfer factor (diffusing capacity) for the lung, measured by the steady state carbon mon...

Lung gas exchange in simple pneumoconiosis of coal workers

“…There is now good evidence that this difference is associated with lower values for the transfer factor (diffusing capacity) for carbon monoxide measured by the single breath method (Billiet and Ulburghs, 1966;Lyons, Clarke, Hall, and Cotes, 1967;Cotes, Deivanayagam, Field, and Billiet, 1972). These changes constitute two components of the syndrome of defective gas transfer (Scadding, 1966), of which the third is hyperventilation during exercise.…”

Pulmonary Disability in Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis

“…Reduction of the transfer factor has also been reported in certain types of simple pneumoconiosis both from the Continent (Englert and De Coster, 1965) and from Great Britain (Lyons et al, 1967;Cotes et al, 1970). Rasmussen and Nelson (1971) reported results of lung function tests, including studies of both ventilation and gas transfer, in 368 Appalachian soft-coal miners.…”

Relationship of pulmonary impairment in simple coal workers' pneumoconiosis to type of radiographic opacity

“…When DL was divided by total lung capacity, those with p opacities had abnormally low values compared to the authors' normal controls. Lyons, Clarke, Hall, and Cotes (1967), using the single breath technique, found lower values for DL in those of their subjects with p than in those with q opacities, but when corrected for differences in cigarette smoking between the two groups, this finding lost its statistical significance. These authors also found that the group with a lower DL had a significant reduction in pulmonary capillary blood volume and in diffusing capacity of the membrane.…”