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The prevalence of byssinosis and chronic respiratory symptoms was studied in 117 workers in four Swedish cotton mills. Changes of forced expiratory volume in 0·75 sec. (F.E.V.) during a Monday and a Wednesday were assessed in 64 male workers in four cardrooms in these mills. Dust sampling was performed with weighed millipore filters. Prevalences of byssinosis as judged from the workers' histories were 68%, 55%, 44%, and 25% in the four mills; the lowest prevalence of 25% was found in a mill spinning both high grade cotton yarn and rayon. Among 67 workers in the mills having a byssinosis prevalence of 68% and 55%, 60% were non-smokers, 70% had chronic cough, and 27% had chronic dyspnoea. The F.E.V. decreased on Monday in workers who gave a history of Monday dyspnoea, and to a lesser degree, but still significantly, in those who did not. In spite of marked differences in fine dust ( dust smaller than 2 mm. diameter) concentrations in the four cardrooms, no significant relations between dust content, byssinosis prevalence, and F.E.V. changes on Monday could be demonstrated. The prevention and treatment of byssinosis is discussed. Workers at risk should receive a periodical medical examination including at least a spirographical pulmonary function test at intervals of one year or less. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Studies some number of pregnant women with chronic hypertension to determine the sequence of events in the development of super imposed pre-eclamsia and to discover the time of onset. Sustained rise in plasma urate concentration which is characteristic of pre-eclampsia; Reduction of mean platelet count which continued till delivery; Association between the lower platelet count in severe pre-eclampsia and abnormal activation of the coagulation system.

Background: Although vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is recommended prior to introducing anti-CD20 therapies, limited data are available regarding the evolution of post-vaccinal immunity., Methods: This retrospective study compared anti-Spike antibody titres at 6 and 12 months from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination between patients vaccinated before switching to anti-CD20 ('Switch') and two control groups: (1) patients vaccinated under disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) other than fingolimod and anti-CD20 ('Other DMTs'); (2) patients vaccinated on anti-CD20 ('Anti-CD20'). Anti-Spike-specific T-cell responses were compared between 'Switch' and 'Anti-CD20' groups., Results: Fifty-three patients were included in the 'Switch' group, 54 in the 'Other DMTs' group and 141 in the 'Anti-CD20' group. At 6 months, in the subset of patients who received a booster dose, the 'Switch' group had lower anti-Spike titres compared with the 'Other DMTs' group (median 241.0 IQR (88.0; 504.0) BAU/mL vs 2034 (1155; 4634) BAU/mL, p<0.001), and less patients in the 'Switch' group reached the protective threshold of 264 BAU/mL. The 'Switch' group had higher anti-Spike titres than the 'Anti-CD20' group (7.5 (0.0; 62.1) BAU/mL, p=0.001). Anti-Spike titres were not different between the 'Switch' and 'Other DMTs' groups before booster administration. These results were similar at 12 months. Spike-specific T-cell positivity was similar between the 'Switch' and 'Anti-CD20' groups at 6 and 12 months (60.4% vs 61.0%, p=0.53, and 79.4% vs 87.5%, p=0.31, respectively)., Conclusions: Despite a primary vaccination performed before the first anti-CD20 cycle, our results suggest weaker immune responses at 6 and 12 months and decreased booster efficacy after introducing anti-CD20. Patients vaccinated prior to anti-CD20 introduction might falsely be considered as fully protected by vaccination., Competing Interests: Competing interests: CL has received consulting or travel fees from Biogen, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, Teva and Merck Serono, and research grant from Biogen, none related to the present work. EM has received consulting or travel fees from Alexion, Biogen, Horizon, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Sanofi and Teva, and research grant from Biogen, none related to the present work. VP has received consulting or travel fees from Gilead, ViiV, MSD, Biogen, Novartis, Roche and Merck Serono, none related to the present work. LJ, BA, CS, DS, YB, AH, LB and A-GM have no competing interest to declare., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)