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At least 1,081 records · Page 60Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Invasion and survival of Fusarium solani in the dexamethasone-treated cornea of rabbits.

Electron microscopic observations, as well as in vitro experiments, on experimental Fusarium solani keratitis of rabbits were performed to study the mode of fungal invasion into the corneal stroma, the interactions between F. solani and inflammatory cells under the influence of topical dexamethasone (DXM) treatment, and the survival mechanism of the fungi in the DXM-treated cornea. Electron microscopy showed that, while the fungus invaded into the corneal stroma, digestion of collagen fibrils occurred around the hyphae, where amorphous material was often noted. In DXM-nontreated cornea, the fungal hyphae were entrapped by pseudopodia of the neutrophils and destruction of the hyphae was noted on day 3 of infection, most hyphae having disappeared by day 7. In the DXM-treated cornea, however, neutrophils could not ingest and destroy the hyphae. In qualitative nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT)-reduction tests using rabbit peripheral blood neutrophils, DXM significantly suppressed the rate of NBT-reduction and the rate of adherence to the fungal microconidia. In the DXM-treated corneal lesions, a considerable increase in both number and size of fungal peroxisomes was noted. Furthermore, the hyphae, surrounded by neutrophils, showed double or triple cell wall formation or sometimes a hypha-in-hypha structure. Similar hypha-in-hypha structures were also observed when the organisms were treated in vitro with a fungistatic concentration of H2O2. We suggest that this special structure is a protective device produced for the survival of F. solani when subject to neutrophil attack in the DXM-treated cornea.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational risks among public safety and security forces].

The present paper tries to identify the occupational risk factors (physical, chemical, biological, psychological), variable depending on jobs and tasks, to which the heterogeneous public safety/security workers are exposed. The fight against criminality and public order maintenance imply (sometimes fatal) traumatic risks, and expose to psychophysical and sensorial tiring, unfavourable macro- and microclimatic conditions, the risk of baropathy (air navigation, underwater activities), noise (generated by firearms and several other sources), vibrations and shakings (automatic weapons, transport vehicles), the risk of electric injury, ionizing (X and gamma rays) and non-inonizing (ultraviolet rays, microwaves and radiofrequencies, electromagnetic fields) radiations. Chemical hazards include carbon monoxide and other combustion products (fires, urban traffic), substances released in chemical accidents, tear gases, lead (firing grounds, metal works, environmental pollution), solvents, lubrificants and cutting oils (mechanic repair and maintenance), laboratory materials and reagents, irritant and/or sensitizing agents contained in gloves. The main biological risks are tetanus, blood-borne diseases (viral hepatitis, AIDS), aerogenous diseases (e.g., tuberculosis, Legionnaire's disease, epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis), dog- or horse-transmitted zoonosis. Finally, emotional, psychosomatic and behavioural stress-related disorders (e.g., burn-out syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder) are typically frequent. The presence of numerous and diversified hazards among public safety/security forces imposes the adoption of occupational medicine measures, including risk assessment, health education, technical and environmental prevention, personal protective devices, sanitary surveillance and biological monitoring, clinical interventions (diagnosis, therapy and rehabilitation of occupational accidents and illnesses), prompt medico-legal evaluation of occupational-related compensation claims.

Burnout, Professional↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Silent ischemia after neuroprotected percutaneous carotid stenting: a diffusion-weighted MRI study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess by diffusion-weighted MR imaging (DWI) the efficacy of cerebral protection devices in avoiding embolization and new ischemic lesions in patients with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis undergoing carotid artery stent placement (CAS). METHODS: One hundred sixty-two CASs in the extracranial ICA were performed with the use of distal filters. Mean age of the patients was 68.5 years (range, 33-86) and 122 patients (75.3%) were symptomatic. MR imaging was performed in all patients during the 3-day period before CAS, and DWI was obtained within 24 hours after the procedure. Ninety-five patients (58.6%) were monitored by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography for microemboli detection in the territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), ipsilateral to the vessel being treated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (17.3%) showed 58 new ischemic foci in DWI, and 13 patients (46.4%) had multiple foci. Location of new lesions was mainly in the vascular territory supplied by the treated vessel (19 patients; 67.9%), but also in the contralateral MCA (1 patient; 3.6%), and the posterior fossa (4 patients; 14.3%). A significant relationship (P < .03) was found between occurrence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and appearance of new lesions. Microembolic signals (MES) were detected in 88 patients (92.6%), with no relationship between number of MES and the appearance of new ischemic foci. CONCLUSION: New ischemic foci were observed in 17.3% of the patients undergoing neuroprotected CAS. Appearance of new ischemic lesions were only significantly related to the occurrence of TIA but not to the number of MES registered or other variables. Despite the encouraging results, the incidence of new ischemic lesions should promote research for safer techniques and devices.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Safety and efficacy of carotid angioplasty and stenting in high-risk patients.

Performance of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) may be associated with an increased risk in patients with significant comorbid medical conditions, neck irradiation, or previous CEA. This study compared the results of CEA with carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) in high-risk patients treated for carotid stenosis. Five hundred forty-five patients who underwent CEA and 148 patients who underwent CAS were evaluated. For patients undergoing CEA, general anesthesia was used in 91 per cent, electroencephalographic monitoring was used in 63 per cent, and shunting was performed in 19.8 per cent. Cerebral protection devices were used in 145/148 of CAS cases, and self-expanding stents were used in all cases. Evaluated end points included major cardiovascular events, and a composite of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction for the duration of the follow-up. Mean follow-up was 18 months for CAS and 23 months for CEA. Significant differences were present in patient age (CAS, 75 +/- 11.0 years vs CEA, 71 +/- 9 years, P = 0.012), however, there were no significant differences (P = NS) in gender or smoking history. The mean modified Goldman Score was significantly higher for CAS (21.1 +/- 14.8 [95% confidence interval = 18, 24]) than for CEA (6.3 +/- 6.8 [95% confidence interval = 5.7, 6.9]; P = 0.0001) patients. The incidence of periprocedural complications did not vary significantly between patients treated with CAS (CVA, 1.4%; myocardial infarction [MI], 1.4%; death, 0.7%; CVA/MI/death, 3.4%) compared with CEA (CVA, 1.8%; MI, 1.1%; death, 0.4%; CVA/MI/death, 4.0%). CAS is equivalent to CEA in safety and efficacy, even when performed in patients who may be at increased surgical risk.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Noise level in different places of Dhaka Metropolitan City (DMC) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Dhaka City dwellers.

A cross sectional, exploratory study was designed at "National Center for Hearing and Speech for Children" (NCHSC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from May 2001 to June 2002, with a view to determine the average noise level in different places of Dhaka Metropolitan City (DMC), and also aiming at evaluating the extent of Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in different groups of city dwellers and finally a base line information. A total of 32 places in DMC were selected randomly. The highest noise level recorded 104 dB at Sayedabad bus terminal and the lowest 68 dB in Banani and Baridhara residential area. In silent zone of DMC, average noise level was 79 dB, in residential zone 72 dB, in commercial zone 90 dB, and in mixed zone average noise level was recorded at 91 dB. Measured noise levels were more than acceptable and permissible levels in all places of DMC. A total of 312 persons aged between 15-45 years (mean age- 24.64 years) were enrolled for the study as per inclusion criteria. Gender-wise male were 211(67.62%) and female were 101(32.57%). Profession-wise Automobile drivers were 57(18.26 %), Garment workers 58(18.55 %), City dwellers 72(23.07%), Students 72(23.07%), Traffic polices 12(3.85%), Hawkers and Road side shopkeepers were 41(13.1%). Definite noise notch (>25dB) at 4KHz observed in 33(10.58%) audiogram of persons under study. Automobile drivers, Traffic polices, Road side hawkers and Shop keepers, Garment workers are mostly affected were 17.54%, 16.4%, 12.09% and 12.06% respectively. A total of 201 persons (64.42%) were not aware of their hearing impairment, 244(78%) of the person had poor level of knowledge regarding bad effects of noise on health and about protective means available. Amongst persons (33) found to have NIHL did not use any protective device.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of Milan University Dental Students' knowledge of health and hygiene risks related to clinical work.

AIM: Several different subjects in the Degree Course in Dentistry and Prosthodontics, including Hygiene, are of fundamental importance to understand and prevent hygiene/ health risks in the dental field. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the knowledge acquired by students during the Degree Course in Dentistry. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to 121 students of the Degree Course in Dentistry and Prosthodontics at Milan University; the questionnaire, drawn up by the Working Group SItI ''Hygiene in Dentistry'' was structured in 3 parts: personal data; transmission of infectious diseases in dentistry; measures to control and prevent cross-infection. RESULTS: The students were all aware of the health/hygiene risks in dentistry; they knew the principal transmissible infectious diseases (while confusing actual risk of transmission with disease's fears) and the procedures at highest risk of cross-infection for patients and dental professionals; they correctly determined the highest-risk categories of patients and the individual protection devices to be used in dental practice. However, they knew little about their own vaccination status; a low percentage of students answered correctly on which environmental matrices can be contaminated or the more technical questions on disinfection and sterilisation procedures for the instruments employed. CONCLUSIONS: The students' replies show they possess a fair theoretical knowledge of transmission risks; however, some gaps exist above all in the practical application of this knowledge, and it appears clear that these should be addressed in detail, possibly with the help of a specific tutor providing support during normal clinical work in the last year of the course.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed2006

Carotid artery stenting: where are we now?

Carotid artery disease is a frequent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Carotid endarterectomy was considered to be the standard treatment for high graded stenosis until carotid artery stenting (CAS) developed with promising results in early series and randomized trials. At present, stenting is supported in patients at high risk for surgery. Randomized trials analyzing low risk patient groups and studying the long-term results of CAS are necessary and partly underway. Although randomized trials are not yet available, current evidence suggests that cerebral protection devices reduce the number of neurological events. This review discusses the results of randomized trials and clinical series.

Carotid Artery Diseases↗
PubMed2006

[Carotid stenting revisited].

Recent publications about carotid-stenting are submitted to a critical analysis. The fact that an interventional approach in asymptomatic carotid lesions generates only marginal benefit being universally admitted, it is disturbing to see that modern series devoted to carotid artery stenting include a lot of asymptomatic patients and many symptomatic patients with a degree of stenosis well below the optimal range defined in NASCET (70 to 99%). Moreover, the degree of stenosis is often calculated from an inappropriate method that overestimates the degree of stenosis. Two objections have been made about an "hyper-sélection" of the patients enrolled in the NASCET study and the production of ideal not realistic results, not attainable in community hospitals; both objections have been overruled. The rate of acute perioperative myocardial infarction is mentioned, both in NASCET and ECST, it is around 0.9% vs 7.5% in SAPPHIRE study. Moreover, carotid artery stenting with an embolic protection device has resulted in the production of infra-clinical cerebral micro-infarcts in 40% of the patients. Significantly, the independent study EVA-3S, devoted to symptomatic patients had to be stopped because of the high cerebral morbidity in the dilatation-stenting group. Carotid artery stenting of asymptomatic lesions is futile (and potentially harmful because of microinfarcts) while carotid artery stenting of symptomatic lesions generate emboli.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute exposure to vanadium-containing dusts: the health effects and biological monitoring in a group of workers employed in boiler maintenance].

The authors describe an episode of acute intoxication due to inhalation of vanadium-containing dusts in a group of 10 workers during maintenance work inside a boiler of an oil-fired electricity power station. Historical, clinical and biological monitoring data concerning the acute exposure phase and subsequent checks are presented. The appearance of irritative symptoms of the upper airways, green tongue (in 6 out of 10 subjects) and the values of urinary excretion of vanadium (means = 92, D.S. = 47 micrograms/l: limits 20-270 micrograms/l) indicated acute vanadium exposure. With the use of appropriate individual protection devices and shorter shifts, 2 weeks after the episode there was a complete remission of the symptoms and a return of urinary vanadium concentrations to 38, D.S. = 26 micrograms/l. Checks made 6 months, 1 and 2 years later did not reveal any alterations in the general blood chemistry parameters and the urinary vanadium concentrations were below 1 microgram/l (reference value). As already often reported in the literature, this episode confirms the danger involved in working in the presence of fuel oil residues or ashes and the need to adopt appropriate prevention measures.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Practical clinical applications of sports dentistry in private practice.

Preparing a practice to become "trauma-ready" involves more than educating the dentist and the staff in the proper management of dentofacial trauma. All members of the office should understand their roles in preventing and treating trauma. They must be willing to provide care after hours when called upon to do so. Dentists who want to be more involved might wish to volunteer their services as sports dentists for local school or recreational league teams. The dentist who is conscious of his or her patients who are at risk for sports-related trauma will also find others in the practice who might benefit from many of the same protective devices that are being constructed for athletes. These include children involved in higher-risk activities, developmentally disabled patients, patients undergoing general anesthesia, and others. Being trauma-ready may open up several rewarding activities for the practice because of the many spin-off applications. The trauma-ready practice must also be cognizant of the some-times perplexing legal and insurance issues with regard to preventing and treating sport-related injuries. In addition to lowering the risk exposure to the practice, the dentist can help ensure the maximum third-party benefits for the patient.

Humans↗
PubMed1991

Patterns of occupational hand injury in pathology. The interaction of blades, needles, and the dissector's digits.

Details of injuries and exposures to body fluids while handling tissue that were sustained by 36 pathologists (nine residents and 27 staff pathologists) were ascertained by retrospective questionnaire. In the preceding year 56% (20/36) had sustained a cut or needlestick injury. A total of 72 individual injuries occurred and corresponded to one injury for every 2629 surgical specimens handled and for every 37 autopsies performed. Residents reported a five-fold excess in injuries compared with staff pathologists. The lesions described predominantly (67%) involved the oppositional area consisting of the distal thumb, index, and middle fingers of the nondominant hand; during dissection, when opposed to hold or retract tissue, these digits form a surface that is directly exposed to the cutting edge, and injury to this area may be termed dissector's digital injury. Injuries to other areas of the nondominant hand were much less numerous and the dominant hand was rarely injured. Splashes to the face and eyes and glove punctures were frequent. These injury and exposure rates are probably broadly representative of practice in areas of low acquired immunodeficiency syndrome prevalence and may be improved on with increasing concern about human immunodeficiency virus infection. It is likely, however, that development of comfortable protective devices, based on knowledge of the pattern and circumstances of injury, will be necessary to eliminate these occupational hazards.

Fingers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and precautionary behaviors among emergency medical professionals.

AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes, and precautionary behaviors were assessed among a random sample of Michigan-licensed emergency medical service (EMS) professionals between June and August 1988. Of 2,000 mailed questionnaires, 1,020 were returned (51 percent response), and 997 of the returned questionnaires were used in the final analysis. Survey results indicated that most respondents were able to correctly identify the transmission routes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but many respondents had misconceptions about nonviable routes, the incidence of HIV infection among health care workers, and some aspects of the natural history of HIV. More than half of the respondents (56.6 percent) believed that their chances of becoming infected with HIV were "somewhat high" or "very high," although the number of documented HIV seroconversions due to occupational HIV exposures in health care settings is low. Although only six respondents (0.6 percent) reported that they had refused treatment to patients known or suspected to be infected with HIV, 25 percent felt that EMS professionals should be allowed to refuse treatment under such circumstances. Potential exposures to HIV were assessed through respondents' reports of three activities in the 6 months prior to the survey. For each activity, use of universal precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control was also assessed. In general, few respondents reported the consistent use of precautions. While the majority of those attempting resuscitations (86.9 percent) reported that they always use a protective device, only 36.7 percent of those treating bleeding patients reported that they always wear gloves, and only 21.9 percent of those using needles reported that they do not recap them after use.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Noise and hearing loss.

The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Noise and Hearing Loss brought together biomedical and behavioral scientists, health care providers, and the public to address the characteristics of noise-induced hearing loss, acoustic parameters of hazardous noise exposure, individual and age-specific susceptibility, and prevention strategies. Following a day and a half of presentations by experts and discussion by the audience, a consensus panel weighed the evidence and prepared a consensus statement. Among their findings, the panel concluded that sounds of sufficient intensity and duration will damage the ear and result in temporary or permanent hearing loss at any age. Sound levels of less than 75 dB(A) are unlikely to cause permanent hearing loss, while sound levels above 85 dB(A) with exposures of 8 hours per day will produce permanent hearing loss after many years. Current scientific knowledge is inadequate to predict that any particular individual will be safe when exposed to a hazardous noise. Strategies to prevent damage from sound exposure should include the use of individual hearing protection devices, education programs beginning with school-age children, consumer guidance, increased product noise labeling, and hearing conservation programs for occupational settings. The full text of consensus panel's statement follows.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

Neurovascular injuries in the hands of athletes.

Neurovascular injuries are rare in the athlete. Prevention is the ultimate goal. Modification of protective devices, alteration of technique, and education may help avoid some of the neurovascular problems described in this article. Early recognition and appropriate conservative treatment may alleviate the need for surgical intervention.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1989

Non-fatal injuries among motorcyclists treated as in-patients in a general hospital.

In a study of the injury pattern among 198 motorcyclists who sustained road traffic accidents from 1986-1987, it was found that the following body regions, in decreasing order of frequency, were involved: external region (surface or integumentary lesion of any body region) with 285 injuries, extremities and bony pelvis with 118 injuries, head and face with 94 injuries, chest with 10 injuries, abdomen with 3 injuries, and spine with 2 injuries. Despite the extensive use of crash helmets, head injuries were still a common and severe form of injury resulting from traffic accidents, indicating the need for improvement of safety standards of crash helmets. Lower limb injuries, mostly fractures of bones and dislocation of joints, are also amenable to prevention through design of leg protection devices. Injuries to other body regions are difficult to prevent and other measures such as legal and administrative means, should be fully exploited in accident prevention.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anti-bacterial protection of patients during rendering of specialized medical services].

This paper surveys the available equipment and techniques to provide bacterial protection of out-patients given medical aid. It presents a classification of the medical equipment in terms of the design, spectrum of application and type of aid. It is emphasized that patients treated outside a hospital need bacterial protection. Methods for purifying and sterilizing the equipment as well as procedures for maintaining the preset environmental parameters are described. The paper outlines technical problems the solution of which may help the development and use of bacterial protection devices to be applied in special conditions.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Chemoprophylaxis of trypanosomiasis, due to Trypanosoma (Nannomonas) congolense, in rabbits using a slow release device containing homidium bromide.

The prophylactic activity of a subcutaneously implanted slow release device, containing homidium bromide, was assessed in rabbits, challenged with different stocks of T. congolense, and compared with the classical treatment of 1 mg homidium bromide/kg b.w. intramuscularly. The prophylactic activity of the intramuscular injection was less than a month, while the slow release device protected the rabbits against seven challenges with T. congolense during a period of more than 300 days.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ecological protection against volley discharges of radon from the installations of radon laboratories].

The authors analyzed the amount of radon waste and decay products discharged into atmosphere from radon laboratory units. Underlying principles of the design of radon escape monitoring and protection devices are considered. Relevant rating and the parameters of the apparatus developed to considerably limit the isotopes escape are presented. The apparatus is adjusted for current devices making radon concentrates.

Absorption↗