Emerging trends in silicosis research: a scientometric review

The rising influence of lipid metabolism in lung cancer: a global research perspective

Background

Lung cancer is a prevalent malignant neoplasm globally and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, posing a significant threat to human health and imposing a considerable societal burden. Researchers have recently focused more on lipid metabolism in lung cancer. However, to date, there has been no bibliometric analysis of lung cancer in relation to lipid metabolism. This study used bibliometric methods to analyze the link between lipid metabolism and lung cancer.

Methods

Publications on lung cancer and lipid metabolism from 1995 to 2024 were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The Microsoft Excel, R-bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer software were used to analyze and visualize the data.

Results

In this study, a total of 535 publications were identified, with a marked increase in the number of publications observed post-2016. Both China and the United States exerted substantial influence in this domain. Notably, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Huazhong University of Science and Technology have demonstrated leadership in various aspects of lipid metabolism research related to lung cancer. Professor Ana Ramirez de Molina and Frontiers in Oncology were the most productive authors and journals respectively. Besides, keywords like "lipid metabolism", "lung cancer", "expression", "metabolism" and "growth" were central to current research and are expected to continue driving future trends in lung cancer and metabolism studies.

Conclusions

Research on the relationship between lung cancer and lipid metabolism was still in its early stages. Targeting lipid metabolism in lung cancer represented a promising therapeutic strategy, as inhibiting key enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis and uptake has the potential to impede cancer progression and mitigate drug resistance. This bibliometric study was the first to thoroughly summarize research trends and developments in this area over the past thirty years, providing scholars with updated insights and identifying future research directions.

Former jean sandblasters die younger

BACKGROUND

Silicosis remains a critical public and occupational health issue, exacerbated by its expansion into non-traditional industries and resulting in significant global morbidity and mortality.

AIMS

This study aims to investigate the death rates associated with silicosis from jean sandblasting by comparing the results of diagnosed individuals to those of the general population.

METHODS

Conducted from 2008 to 2023 in Taşlıçay and Toklular villages, Bingöl City, Turkey, this retrospective cohort study analysed mortality among 220 diagnosed males versus 2851 undiagnosed residents. Data were derived from the Cohort database and validated with the Bingöl Provincial Health Directorate and the Turkish Statistical Institute. Statistical analysis involved univariate comparisons and survival analysis, utilizing the Mann-Whitney U-test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Cox proportional hazards model, with significance set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed a silicosis mortality rate of 10% in diagnosed individuals over 15 years, notably higher than the 4% in the general population. Higher radiological profusions and younger ages at diagnosis were significant mortality factors. A radiological profusion above five notably increased the mortality risk by 1.37 times, with age and radiological density proving critical in survival rates.

CONCLUSIONS

This research highlights the increased mortality risk in silicosis patients, particularly among former jean sandblasters, underscoring the significant effects of radiological density and early age exposure on mortality, thereby addressing a crucial gap in understanding the impact of silicosis on life expectancy and community health.

Whole transcriptome sequencing identifies key lncRNAs,circRNAs, and mRNAs for exploring the pathogenesis and therapeutic target of mouse pneumoconiosis

BACKGROUND

Pneumoconiosis is a kind of lung dysfunction caused by the inhalation of mineral dust. However, the potential molecular mechanism of pneumoconiosis have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

In this study, the silica-treated pneumoconiosis mice model was constructed and the transcriptome sequencing data including lncRNA, circRNA, and mRNA were obtained. Firstly, differentially expressed lncRNA, circRNA, and mRNA (DElncRNA, DEcircRNA, DEGs) between control and pneumoconiosis/silicosis samples were screened, the target miRNAs (co-pre-miRNAs) were obtained by intersecting the miRNAs predicted by DElncRNA and DEcircRNA, respectively, and the target mRNAs (co-mRNA) were obtained by intersecting the mRNAs predicted by target miRNA and DEGs. Then, the lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed by Cytoscape. Next, the key mRNAs were obtained by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and the key lncRNAs/circRNAs were selected by correlation analysis. Moreover, the expression of the key lncRNAs, circRNAs and mRNAs on chromosome were studied by the "circlize" package. Furthermore, the TFs-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed and the function of DEGs were explored by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). To demonstrate the feasibility and value of the constructed ceRNA networks, we validated key genes and mmu-miR-682 pathway. Finally, We used the Drug-Gene Interaction database to predict potential drugs that could interfere with key genes,which may help to find promising treatment.

RESULTS

There were 427 DElncRNAs, 107 DEcircRNAs and 1,597 DEGs between silicosis and control groups. Totals of 77 co-pre-miRNAs and 96 co-mRNA were screened, and the lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed with 27 lncRNA/25 circRNAs, 74 miRNAs and 96 mRNAs. Then, 6 key mRNAs including Igf1, Klf4, Ptgs2, Epas1, Gnao1, and Il1a were obtained by PPI, and all of these key mRNAs and 10 key lncRNAs and 8 circRNAs were significantly different between the pneumoconiosis and normal groups, in which 10 lncRNAs and 9 circRNA that have not been previously studied in pneumoconiosis/silicosis can be used as new potential therapeutic targets. Moreover, the TFs-miRNA-mRNA network were constructed with 11 TFs, 1 key miRNA (mmu-miR-682) and 3 key mRNAs (Igf1, Epas1, Ptgs2). And the validation of key genes revealing by RNA-seq through experimental approaches shows the the predictive power of this study. Finally, IPA results indicated that 41 pathways were activated and 2 pathways were suppressed in pneumoconiosis/silicosis groups, and Pathogen Induced Cytokine Storm Signaling Pathway was the most significant pathway affected by pneumoconiosis/silicosis. In addition, 93 drugs were screened out by Drug-Gene Interaction database. Among them, Hydroxychloroquine was a kind of drug which associated with Il1a and Ptgs2, may be a promising treatment.

CONCLUSION

This study constructed the lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA and TFs-miRNA-mRNA networks, which could deepen the potential molecular regulatory mechanism of pneumoconiosis/silicosis.

Investigation of the mechanism of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis: The role of lung microbiota dysbiosis and the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway

The widespread manufacture of silica and its extensive use, and potential release of silica into the environment pose a serious human health hazard. Silicosis, a severe global public health issue, is caused by exposure to silica, leading to persistent inflammation and fibrosis of the lungs. The underlying pathogenic mechanisms of silicosis remain elusive. Lung microbiota dysbiosis is associated with the development of inflammation and fibrosis. However, limited information is currently available regarding the role of lung microbiota in silicosis. The study therefore is designed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the role of lung microbiota dysbiosis and establish a basis for future investigations into the potential mechanisms underlying silicosis. Here, the pathological and biochemical parameters were used to systematically assessed the degree of inflammation and fibrosis following silica exposure and treatment with combined antibiotics. The underlying mechanisms were studied via integrative multi-omics analyses of the transcriptome and microbiome. Analysis of 16S ribosomal DNA revealed dysbiosis of the microbial community in silicosis, characterized by a predominance of gram-negative bacteria. Exposure to silica has been shown to trigger lung inflammation and fibrosis, leading to an increased concentration of lipopolysaccharides in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Furthermore, Toll-like receptor 4 was identified as a key molecule in the lung microbiota dysbiosis associated with silica-induced lung fibrosis. All of these outcomes can be partially controlled through combined antibiotic administration. The study findings demonstrate that the dysbiosis of lung microbiota enhances silica-induced fibrosis associated with the lipopolysaccharides/Toll-like receptor 4 pathway and provided a promising target for therapeutic intervention of silicosis.