How do the work environment and work safety differ between the dry and wet kitchen foodservice facilities?

In order to create a worker-friendly environment for institutional foodservice, facilities operating with a dry kitchen system have been recommended. This study was designed to compare the work safety and work environment of foodservice between wet and dry kitchen systems. Data were obtained using questionnaires with a target group of 303 staff at 57 foodservice operations. Dry kitchen facilities were constructed after 2006, which had a higher construction cost and more finishing floors with anti-slip tiles, and in which employees more wore non-slip footwear than wet kitchen (76.7%). The kitchen temperature and muscular pain were the most frequently reported employees'' discomfort factors in the two systems, and, in the wet kitchen, "noise of kitchen" was also frequently reported as a discomfort. Dietitian and employees rated the less slippery and slip related incidents in dry kitchens than those of wet kitchen. Fryer area, ware-washing area, and plate waste table were the slippery areas and the causes were different between the functional areas. The risk for current leakage was rated significantly higher in wet kitchens by dietitians. In addition, the ware-washing area was found to be where employees felt the highest risk of electrical shock. Muscular pain (72.2%), arthritis (39.1%), hard-of-hearing (46.6%) and psychological stress (47.0%) were experienced by employees more than once a month, particularly in the wet kitchen. In conclusion, the dry kitchen system was found to be more efficient for food and work safety because of its superior design and well managed practices.     

Dry Eye Syndrome Due to Botulinum Toxin Type-A Injection: Guideline for Prevention

Dry eye syndrome is a potential complication of botulinum toxin type-A injection (BTX-A) into the lateral canthal rhytids (crow''s feet). The early manifestations of this syndrome are subtle and are rarely reported to the treating physician. A guideline for early detection of dry-eye state is proposed, in order to avoid more troublesome adverse effects that may develop with repeated injections of BTX-A into the crow''s feet region. If suspected early, clinical manifestations remain minor and are reversible. However, delayed diagnosis may lead to troublesome and persistent symptoms. A novel and practical grading scale of lower eyelid snap-back and distraction tests is offered that helps in documenting patient''s clinical progress and in deciding when BTX-A injections should be delayed or discontinued.     

Exercise-induced asthma and the use of hypertonic saline aerosol as a ronchial challenge

Abstract Exercise induced asthma is a common complaint and the prevalence appears to be increasing worldwide. Once confined to the research domain of university teaching hospitals, the study of EIA has extended into the school playground, defence force establishments and sports institutions. Standardized protocols have been developed to study EIA in the laboratory and in the field. A surrogate challenge using eucapnic or isocapnic hyperventilation with dry air is becoming popular because it has advantages over exercise, at least for adults. The stimulus that leads the airways to narrow is caused by the inhalation of dry air during hyperventilation and exercise, during which water is evaporated from the airways in order to condition the inspired air. The mechanism whereby the airways narrow is thought to be due to the dehydrating effects of water loss, particularly in relation to its potential to cause the airways to become hyperosmolar. Mast cell mediators such as histamine and the leucotrienes are probably involved in EIA because specific antagonists reduce severity. As a result of the osmotic theory of EIA, studies were carried out to determine whether subjects with EIA were sensitive to the effects of increasing airway osmolarity by inhalation of hyperosmolar aerosols of sodium chloride. A challenge protocol using an aerosol of 4.5% sodium chloride, generated from an ultrasonic nebulizer, has been used to identify persons with asthma and to assess response to drug therapy. There are many similarities between responses to exercise, hyperventilation and hypertonic saline in the physiological and biochemical responses and the responses to drugs. Challenge with hypertonic saline is easier and cheaper to use because expensive equipment and a source of dry air is not required as with exercise or hyperventilation. The ability to obtain a dose-response curve rather than a single response and the ability to collect inflammatory cells at the same time make challenge with hypertonic saline an attractive technique to study patients suspected of having asthma.     

Two cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with undetectable diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide

Pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) is a valuable pulmonary function test to evaluate the gas exchange capacity of the lungs. Generally, DL_CO values are significantly lower in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), particularly in those with a predominantly emphysema phenotype. However, it is extremely rare that DL_CO values cannot be obtained for reasons other than technical errors. Herein, we report two patients with COPD in whom DL_CO values were undetectable without prolonging the breath-holding time for the test. We discuss possible mechanisms for these peculiar findings.     

Multidisciplinary Management of Limited Interocclusal Space: A Clinical Report

Prosthetic management of partial edentulism can be challenging with the presence of limited interocclusal space. The extrusion of opposing teeth combined with the alveolar extrusion of the edentulous areas reduces the space needed for fabricating a removable or fixed prosthesis when edentulous areas are present in the maxilla. This clinical report describes the treatment provided to a patient who presented with a limited interocclusal space on the posterior right quadrant. Before prosthetic rehabilitation, mandibular right posterior teeth were intruded, and the maxillary right posterior alveolar crest was reduced by alveoloplasty. After gaining adequate space, prosthetic rehabilitation was completed with a maxillary removable partial denture. During the 2‐year follow‐up period, the patient's chewing functions and physical appearance improved, and no complications occurred.     

Dentoskeletal changes following mini-implant molar intrusion in anterior open bite patients

Objective:To evaluate skeletal and dental changes after intrusion of the maxillary molars in subjects with anterior open bite.Materials and Methods:This retrospective cephalometric study evaluated skeletal and dental changes resulting from the use of maxillary orthodontic mini-implants in 31 consecutively treated patients. Radiographs were taken at the start and end of maxillary molar intrusion to evaluate the associated changes. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-sample t-test.Results:The mean treatment observation time was 1.31 years (SD  =  2.03). The maxillary first molars (P  =  0.0026) and second molars (P  =  0.039) were intruded. However, the mandibular first molars (P  =  0.0004) and second molars (P  =  0.003) erupted in adolescent patients. Both the maxillary and mandibular first molars inclined distally (P  =  0.025 and P  =  0.044, respectively). The mandibular plane angle decreased (P  =  0.036), lower facial height decreased (P  =  0.002), and the occlusal plane angle increased (P  =  0.009). The overbite increased (P < .0001). The ANB angle decreased (P < .0001). Mandibular dental and skeletal changes were more apparent in adolescents, while adults tended toward maxillary changes.Conclusions:Vertical traction from orthodontic mini-implants reduces the maxillary posterior dentoalveolar height, thereby assisting orthodontic closure of anterior open bite. However, simultaneous eruption or extrusion of the mandibular molars should be controlled. Adolescent patients tend to demonstrate more favorable effects of mandibular autorotation than do adults.     

Temporomandibular disorders with skeletal open bite treated with stabilization splint and zygomatic miniplate anchorage: A case report

This case report describes the treatment of a patient with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and skeletal open bite. First, the patient was treated with a stabilization splint to stabilize the condyles in centric relation and to alleviate TMD signs and symptoms. After making a definitive diagnosis from postsplint records, orthodontic treatment was initiated. Titanium miniplates were placed at bilateral zygomatic buttresses and used as orthodontic anchorage for molar intrusion and distalization. The treatment was completed after 30 months. Satisfactory appearance and function were achieved for this patient.     

Multidisciplinary treatment for a patient with traumatically intruded permanent canine and premolar

When selecting treatment for traumatically intruded teeth, various factors should be evaluated including the degree of intrusion, pulp vitality, patient's age and maturity of the tooth. Treatment options consist of surgical repositioning, orthodontic extrusion and spontaneous re‐eruption. This study describes a case of a 22‐year‐old male with traumatically intruded maxillary canine and first premolar that was treated comprehensively by an orthodontist, endodontist and prosthodontist two months after injury.