silicon and Lymphedema

Lymphedema caused by the dissection of lymphatic node for treating a breast cancer produces serious swelling on the limbs and reduces the quality of life of the patient. For quantitative assessing the disease, this study newly proposed the stiffness measurement method of upper limb with lymphedema. A measurement system, where a roll-up belt was installed to circularly compress the limb by pulling the belt was developed. Both the belt tension and displacement were measured during the compresson of limb. Scale-independent stiffness index was newly derived from the bulk modulus and applied the measured force and displacement. The stiffness index of upper limb with lymphedema was measured. The index of affected limb was larger than that of healthy limb in a patient.

Topics: Aged; Biomechanical Phenomena; Female; Humans; Lymphedema; Middle Aged; Silicon; Upper Extremity; Young Adult

A link between the incidence of non-filarial elephantiasis and tropical red clay soil has been suggested after epidemiological surveys in Ethiopia and other African countries, although the mode of action of these soils in disease induction is unknown. We have thus investigated the physical composition of soils from both endemic and non-endemic areas of Ethiopia and their effect on the viability of macrophages using in vitro systems. Endemic and non-endemic soils were avidly phagocytosed by the macrophages. Cell shape was seen to change over a 144-hour period, the cells changing from approximately circular to spindle or stellate shape. Both groups of soils were cytotoxic towards the macrophages. Greatest cell death occurred during the first 48-hour period although some cells were viable after 96 hours. The soil groups could be divided by assessing their contents of silicon and aluminium, as well as observing the number of sub-2 micron particles they contained. The present study gives support to the epidemiological studies implicating soils as the cause of non-filarial elephantiasis.

Topics: Aluminum; Animals; Cell Survival; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; Elephantiasis; Ethiopia; Lymphedema; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Silicon; Soil

Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Arm; Chronic Disease; Drainage; Female; Humans; Lymphedema; Male; Mastectomy; Postoperative Complications; Silicon

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aluminum; Child; Child, Preschool; Elephantiasis; Ethiopia; Female; Geological Phenomena; Geology; Humans; Iron; Leg; Lymph; Lymph Nodes; Lymphedema; Male; Middle Aged; Silicon; Skin; Soil

Topics: Aluminum; Ethiopia; Female; Histological Techniques; Humans; Leg; Lymph Nodes; Lymphedema; Macrophages; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Silicon; Silicon Dioxide; Spectrum Analysis; X-Ray Diffraction