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Chronic dust bronchitis morbidity of ore-mining workers is caused not only by high concentration of dust but also conditioned by carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, oil aerosols, unfavorable microclimate as well as different combinations of these adverse agents.
The research has been carried out on the chosen work stands of various strenuousness level in metallurgical industry. Microclimate conditions were estimated, together with noise exposure, dust density and the exposure to the chosen chemical agents, among others carbon monoxide, nitric oxides, manganese and iron. The analysis of the resulting figures showed exceeding of the binding quotas of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) indicator for some stands, leading sometimes to thermal discomfort. The exposure to noise exceeded NDN coefficient for equal sound levels. Dust density on the stands did not exceed binding quotas. The concentration of chemical agents did not exceed the norms, except for single exceeding of manganese, and does not constitute toxicity hazard.
With the purpose of evaluation of the role of production-professional factors on the health status of sodium cyanide production workers, the working conditions (pollution of the air by chemical substances, microclimate, noise, vibration) were examined and the data on temporary work incapacity during 2000-2004 years were analyzed. Among the production-professional factors the pollution of the air of working surroundings by toxic substances, as well as the high temperature of air, noise and vibration were leading causes. It is shown that the working conditions have certain influence on the morbidity rate among the workers. Morbidity rate in the main group was 1,7 times higher. In the morbidity structure, diseases of respiratory, cardio-vascular, nervous, digestive and musculoskeletal systems were leading.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are present in hindgut contents in high concentrations. SCFA are generated and also absorbed rapidly in the large intestine. Absorption results from diffusion of the undissociated and lipid soluble form or in exchange for bicarbonate. The controversial concepts concerning the extent of diffusion or the exchange for bicarbonate are partly due to contradictory findings and unequal mechanisms in different species and in different segments of the large intestine as well as in the different methods used. An almost neutral pH microclimate at the luminal surface is of importance for absorption of SCFA. The apical membranes of the epithelial cells in caecum and in proximal colon of guinea pigs are an substantial barrier for the diffusion of SCFA. After withdrawal of butyrate for only one hour from the perfusion or incubation solutions a massive apoptosis had been observed during the in situ perfusion of segments of guinea pig large intestine and also in in vitro studies with isolated epithelia in Ussing-chambers. In vitro apoptotic bodies and cells are emitted at the epithelial surface. However, in vivo induced by butyrate deprivation resident macrophages were tightly clustered below the surface epithelium. Aided by cytoplasmatic projections these macrophages phagocytose and transport apoptotic material from the epithelial intercellular spaces into their bodies. Obviously macrophages can be overloaded by this massive apoptosis, and some of the undigested apoptotic fragments are emitted into the lamina propria. Formation of a colitis ulcerosa may originate from these released undigested apoptotic bodies. Furthermore hints indicate aetiological interrelations between deprivation of butyrate and colon cancer. Butyrate-paradox denotes the contrarian effects on apoptosis and cell proliferation after addition or deprivation of butyrate in cultures of large intestinal tumour-cell-lines in comparison with the healthy, intact epithelium.
In this paper, the key factors of heat island effect in Zhengzhou city were monitored by grid method to study the diurnal and seasonal changes and the spatial distribution of the effect, and to evaluate the comfortable degree of human bodies at different sites of the city. The results showed that on the whole, the heat island effect had a unimodal diurnal change, while its intensity was distinctly different among seasons, being decreased in order of winter > spring > autumn > summer. The spatial distribution of heat island center was significantly related to its nearby industrial heat resources. As for the comfortable degree of human bodies, the People's Park was the best site because of its arbor virescence, while in the Xiliu Lake Park with lawn as its main greening type, its capability of improving microclimate was weaker. The railway station square still had 16% frequency of most comfortable degree, because of its open space and better air fluidity.
AIM: To produce poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres, containing a staphylokinase variant (K35R, DGR) with reduced immunogenecity and antiplatelet aggregation activities, which allowed the preservation of protein stability during both particle processing and drug release. METHODS: DGR-loaded microspheres were fabricated using a double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique. The effects of preparative parameters, such as stirring rate, polymer concentration, and the excipients of both internal and external aqueous phase (W2), on DGR encapsulation efficiency and microsphere characteristics were investigated. In vitro and in vivo release of DGR were conducted and the cause for instability of DGR during release was also investigated. RESULTS: Moderate ultrasonic treatment of aqueous DGR/dichloromethane mixtures caused approximately. Eighty four per cent DGR denaturation. However, the activity recovery of DGR almost amounted to 100% when 2% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was addled into the aqueous phase. It was found that NaCl in the external water phase significantly increased DGR encapsulation efficiency. Furthermore, NaCl in the external water phase played a role in determining size and surface morphology of microsphere. In vitro release test showed a burst release of DGR from microspheres, followed by sustained release of 50% total activity over 15 days. In vivo experiments showed that DGR released from microspheres sustained 5 days. Denaturation of DGR within microspheres might be resulted from acidic microclimate. CONCLUSION: The stability of DGR was effectively protected during microencapsulation and a relatively high encapsulation efficiency of DGR was obtained. PLGA microspheres could be an effective carrier for DGR.
BACKGROUND: The traditional occupational hazards of the productive cycle of oils are attributable to chemicals (use of solvents, pesticides and other agents), dusts, labour accidents (trauma, ignition, explosion), noise, manual lifting, work organization and hot-wet microclimate. The latest risk is due to the use of high temperatures (from 50 up to 250 degrees C) during the processes of extraction with solvent and refining. No cases are reported in literature of asbestos related disease in subjects who worked in oil factories. Nevertheless the structure and organization of the workplace, which is similar to that of sugar refineries, where cases of malignant mesothelioma have been described (moreover in workers employed in running and maintenance of the plants), led to the assumption that even in oil factories asbestos for the insulation of pipes and boilers could be present. OBJECTIVES: To describe 3 cases of Malignant Mesothelioma that occurred in workers of the same oil factory. METHODS: Since this occupational sector is not conventionally known for asbestos exposure the Local Health Unit and the Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry decided to investigate this industrial plant. RESULTS: Following examination of the archives of the Local Health Unit and inspection of the plant, an environmental asbestos contamination (pipes and boilers) was found. The 3 cases were defined as occupational disease and the required legal procedures were initiated. This underlines the importance of close cooperation with Local Health Units of occupational medicine and the Regional Mesothelioma Registry in the study and acknowledgment of cases which would otherwise not have been recognized, with consequent loss of precious information.
PURPOSE OF STUDY: The study focuses on evaluation of differences in serum levels of selected biological indicators in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM), primarily from the viewpoint of potential asset to clinical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY: The analyse set of 96 patients consisted of 30 individuals with MGUS and 66 patients with MM examined in the context of the disease diagnosis before therapy commencement. Serum levels of the assessed parameters were examined with the help of radio-enzymatic method (thymidinkinase), radioimmunoanalysis (beta2-micro-globulin, ICTP, PINP), enzymoimmunoessay method (sIL-6R, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sOPG and sRANKL) and the technique of quantitative sandwich enzymatic immunoessay (sHGF, sVEGF, bFGF, syndecan-1/CD138 and sFas). Statistical examination was performed by Pearson and Fischer test, chi2-test, or nonparametric U-test pursuant to Mann-Whitney (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between MGUS and MM in the case of serum level comparisons of sIL-6R (p = 0.02), ICTP (p = 0.001), sHGF (p = 0.001) and syndecan-1/sCD138 (p = 0.001), while no statistically significant differences were present in the case of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, PINP, sOPG, sVEGF and sFas. During the analysis of frequency of occurrence of abnormal values in the MM and MGUS groups, significant differences were found not only in the case of standard parameters, such as beta2-microglobulin, thymidinkinase, creatinin and albumin, but also in the case of sIL-6R, ICTP, sHGF and syndecan-1, but not in comparisons of the levels of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, PINP, sOPG, sVEGF and sFas. Attempts at examination of serum levels of sRANKL and soluble form of bFGF failed as too low values were measured. CONCLUSION: The analysis of behaviour of the 10 parameters, mostly intimately related to biological properties of clonal plasmatic cells or to changes of microclimate of bone marrow, effectively contributed to distinction between MGUS and MM only in the case of serum levels of sIL-6R, ICTP, sHGF and syndecan-l (sCD138), i.e. indicators with demonstrable relevance for MM prognosis assessment.
Rectal administration of drugs has become a standard procedure in clinical anesthesia, most notably for anorectal induction in children. Limitations of this method include low bioavailability, a wide scatter of pharmacokinetic and pharmacological results, and poor predictability of the clinical effect in any particular patient. Historically, the rectal route has been used for the administration of smoke ("fumigation") for resuscitation and various other purposes. An ether boiler for rectal application was developed by Pirogoff as early as 1847. The pharmacokinetics of rectally administered drugs are determined by the anatomical properties of the rectum and, owing to interindividual variance, this adds to the inconsistency of absorption. Aspects that can be better controlled include the drug preparation and the vehicle, with hydrophilic solutions resulting in improved absorption. Larger volumes such as are associated with lower concentrations increase the bioavailability by enlarging the mucosal surface in contact with the drug. In contrast to the hypothetical assumption that hepatic circulation may be circumvented--thus avoiding first-pass metabolism--by direct venous drainage from the rectum into the systemic circulation via the vena cava, it has been shown that hepatic clearance is the main factor affecting bioavailability. This may be due to blood flow through anastomoses interconnecting the superior, medium and inferior rectal venous systems. Resorption from the rectum is also determined by physicochemical properties of drugs. According to the pH-partition hypothesis, only the non-ionized moiety of a compound will be available for transmucosal diffusion. The degree of ionization is a function of the local (or microclimate) milieu pH and pKa of the drug; the former is close to neutral in adults but alkaline in most children. Adsorption of feces, intraluminal degradation by microorganisms, metabolism within the mucosal cell, and lymphatic drainage do not significantly affect the fate of rectally administered drugs. In clinical practice, the rectal administration of methohexital and midazolam is an established method of premedication or induction of anesthesia in children; so far, midazolam appears to be associated with fewer complications. Ketamine has been shown to be as effective and as quick-acting as methohexital, but at least in one study its use as sole induction agent was associated with respiratory distress in some cases. However, painful diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in children may be indications for the rectal administration of ketamine. Early trials with rectally administered etomidate have been abandoned since its implication in suppression of cortisol synthesis. Narcotic analgesics in a hydrogel vehicle are effective in adult pain management.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Work conditions on open-cast minest of Kuzbass include complex of unfavorable natural climate, mining technical occupational factors (microclimate, industrial noise, vibration, aerosols, toxic chemicals, hardiness and intensity of work). According to those occupational factors, the authors calculated risks of morbidity and safe length of service.
The authors analyzed prevalence of individual types of upper limb compression neuropathy in miners of coal and iron-ore mines. Medical examination covered main mining occupations exposed to suchhazards as local vibration, cooling microclimate, functional overstrain. Some types of compression neuropathies appeared to depend on duration of exposure to the hazards and on the occupation hands disease stage.
BACKGROUND: Over the last 30 years, transformation of indoor environments--in particular in office blocks--has been associated with complaints from workers of discomfort, malaise and even diseases termed Building Related Illnesses (BRI) which are classified as specific (e.g. Legionnaire disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia) or non-specific (e.g. the Sick Building Syndrome). METHODS: A review was made of data from international public health organisations, epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies and congress proceedings from 1990 to 2006 on the topic of indoor air quality and health in modern, non-industrial workplaces. RESULTS: Studies focused on ventilation, temperature and air humidity and specific pollutants such as Volatile Organic Compounds, particules asbestos fibres, environmental tobacco smoke, radon and biological agents. We can now measure microclimate parameters and many indoor air pollutant levels as well as their effects on health; we can also formulate indications of threshold and guideline values for some of these and make a preventive assessment for toxic emissions from construction and furnishing materials. A stepwise, multi-disciplinary approach--with the specialist in occupational medicine playing a major role--is most suitable for dealing with BRI and the effects of poor indoor air quality on health. CONCLUSIONS: Better criteria are needed to study emission of substances into the indoor environment, adequacy of ventilation, additive or synergistic effects of mixtures of chemicals and toxicity of micro-organism decomposition products. Objective clinical tests to assess the effects of indoor pollutants on health and indices for Indoor Environmental Quality in assessing buildings need to be improved.
The analysis of morphological variability of the ten samples of Microtus oeconomus from islands of Baikal and adjacent regions gas shown, that island samples differ from continental ones by complex of parameters, defining proportions of a skuul, mainly, proportions of an auditory region. Island samples also differ higher indexes of complexity and asymmetry of morphotypes of the third upper molar. An environment of the Baikal islands differ absence of the damp habitats preferred Microtus oeconomus, and also colder microclimate that has caused forming original morphological character of island micropopulations.
A total of 30 apparently healthy male pipe-rolling workers having various working conditions and no resting ESG abnormalities in cardiac arrhythmias. A continuous ECG recording was performed in all the examinees during a working day, followed by interpretation of the records separately at rest and during work and automatic calculation of heart rate per min and of the number of supraventricular and ventricular premature contractions per hour. There was a heating microclimate- and hard labour-induced increase in heart rate and the number of premature contractions, ventricular premature contractions in particular.
Five-year studies (1981-1986) were performed to investigate a total number of 2589 small mammals of 18 species. Refuse dumps are marked for highly specific conditions. The difference between refuse dumps and natural habitats consists in more sufficient quantity of food, better sheltering possibilities and in highly specific microclimate particularly. As a result of aerobic and anaerobic decompositions of organic materials, temperature in dumps is approximately 50 degrees C. From ecological point of view mammalian populations in refuse dumps could be classified in three groups according to the degree of their adaptation to this specific habitat: 1. permanent, abundant species, well-adapted to and closely connected with the habitat of dumps (Crocidura suaveolens, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Apodemus sylvaticus, Microtus arvalis), 2. permanent, common species which are, however, loosely connected with this habitat (Sorex araneus, Mustela nivalis), 3. rare species whose occurrence in this habitat is largely accidental.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The results of a thorough study of morbidity with temporary disablement in 4,164 agro-industrial workers from five types of agro-industrial associations (horned cattle breeding, pork breeding, mechanization, fruit and tobacco growing) are presented. After the main medical causes of morbidity with temporary digestive tract disorders, accidents and poisonings, diseases of the osteo-muscular and respiratory systems) the authors analyses the causal relations with various risk factors (alcohol abuse, non-observance of microclimate standards at the working spot, length of service, means of conveyance, worker's age, types of activities, etc.). It is underlined that a decrease in morbidity with temporary disablement is possible and that more sustained health programs are required.
Rescue emergency psychiatric team composed of psychiatrists and psychologists of the Central Medical Psychological Research Laboratory of the Ministry for Internal Affairs of the USSR made the checkup of 237 law-and-order officials that had come through an earthquake in Armenia. Persons, who had lost their close relatives, homes and property, had the most heavy upset, mainly of the reactive depression type. An important part in safe-keeping of the optimal capacity for work was played by the healthy psychological microclimate between the colleagues, as well as by constant and competent guidance, moral and psychological influence of the leadership.
The major hazardous factors of the labour conditions in modern poultry farms are presented by dust mixtures including both vegetable and organic substances, biologically active substances and microorganisms, gaseous products, as well as unfavourable microclimate conditions and physical overload. Detailed medical examinations of poultry farmers revealed dependence of respiratory and pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular and nervous disorders on the labour conditions, the major etiologic factor being such allergens as feathers, down, blood serum, poultry excrements, bacteria and fungi.