(1) Background: Welding fumes (WFs) are composed of fine and ultrafine particles, which
may reach the distal airways and represent a risk factor for respiratory diseases.(2) Methods …

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the leading cause of pneumonia and
bacterial meningitis. A number of recent studies indicate an association between the …

Studies have emphasised the importance of combustion-derived particles in eliciting
adverse health effects, especially those produced by diesel vehicles. In contrast, few …

Background Pneumococcal disease outbreaks of vaccine preventable serotype 4 sequence
type (ST) 801 in shipyards have been reported in several countries. We aimed to use …

Purpose Occupational exposure to inorganic dust and fumes in the year preceding disease
has been associated with increased pneumococcal pneumonia risk, but the impact of prior …

Sand and dust storms (SDS) can cause adverse health effects, with the oxidative potential
(OP) and environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) inducing oxidative stress. We …

The innate immune system evolved to detect and react against potential dangers such as
bacteria, viruses, and environmental particles. The advent of modern technology has …

Iron oxide nanoparticles/microparticles are widely present in a variety of environments, eg,
as a byproduct of steel and iron degradation, as, for example, in railway brakes (eg, metro …

The interaction between Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and the mucosal
epithelial cells of its host is a prerequisite for pneumococcal disease development, yet the …

Objectives Occupational exposures to metal fumes have been associated with increased
pneumonia risk, but the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has not been …