Shedding light on a potential hazard: Dental light-curing units

BackgroundDental light-curing units (LCUs) are powerful sources of blue light that can cause soft-tissue burns and ocular damage. Although most ophthalmic research on the hazards of blue light pertains to low levels from personal electronic devices, computer monitors, and light-emitting diode light sources, the amount of blue light emitted from dental LCUs is much greater and may pose a “blue light hazard.”MethodsThe authors explain the potential risks of using dental LCUs, identify the agencies that provide guidelines designed to protect all workers from excessive exposure to blue light, discuss the selection of appropriate eye protection, and provide clinical tips to ensure eye safety when using LCUs.ResultsWhile current literature and regulatory standards regarding the safety of blue light is primarily based on animal studies, sufficient evidence exists to suggest that appropriate precautions should be taken when using dental curing lights. The authors found it difficult to find on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration database which curing lights had been cleared for use in the United States or Europe and could find no database that listed which brands of eyewear designed to protect against the blue light has been cleared for use. The authors conclude that more research is needed on the cumulative exposure to blue light in humans. Manufacturers of curing lights, government and regulatory agencies, employers, and dental personnel should collaborate to determine ocular risks from blue light exist in the dental setting, and recommend appropriate eye protection. Guidance on selection and proper use of eye protection should be readily accessible.Conclusions and Practical ImplicationsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Infection Control in the Dental Health-Care Setting–2003 and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogen Standard do not include safety recommendations or regulations that are directly related to blue light exposure. However, there are additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations that require employers to protect their employees from potentially injurious light radiation. Unfortunately, it is not readily evident that these regulations apply to the excessive exposure to blue light. Consequently employers and dental personnel may be unaware that these Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations exist.     

Multiphasic checkup evaluation study. 3. Outpatient clinic utilization, hospitalization, and mortality experience after seven years

The Multiphasic Checkup Evaluation Study is a controlled clinical trial aimed at testing the efficacy of periodic Multiphasic Health Checkups in preventing or postponing illness, disability, and death. This paper reports on outpatient clinic utilization, hospitalization, and mortality experience of the study group subjects, who have been urged to undertake annual checkups, and of the control group subjects, who were not so urged, after the first seven years of the project effort.While there has been little difference in utilization of outpatient physician and laboratory services other than those directly connected with the Multiphasic Health Checkups, the study group subjects have had more diagnoses made. Among the men ages 45–54 at entry, hospital usage has been slightly lower in the study group, while the opposite has been the case among the women ages 45–54 at entry. The overall mortality rate has been slightly lower in the study group, while, for a group of causes of death defined as being potentially postponable or preventable, the study group mortality rate has been significantly lower (p < 0.05). There is no strong indication that chance fluctuation, underreporting, differentially selective loss to followup, or an initial study-control group health status disparity accounted for this last difference.     

Multiphasic checkup evaluation study. 2. Disabilty and chronic disease after seven years of multiphasic health checkups

A controlled trial has been in progress since April 1964 to evaluate the efficacy of the periodic health examination utilizing automated multiphasic testing.A study group of 5156 persons, randomly selected from among the members of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, born during 1910–1929 and living in the Oakland—San Francisco area, was urged to have annual Multiphasic Health Checkups. Evaluation was done by comparing outcomes between the study group and a similarly selected control group of 5557 subjects, who were not urged to have periodic health checkups.Measures of disability, chronic disease, and utilization of medical services were obtained by a questionnaire mailed biennially to study and control subjects.After 5–7 years, a favorable impact on the health of the older study males compared to the older control males (born during 1910–1919), was evidenced by: (1) a reduction in self-rated disability and reported time lost from work; (2) a greater proportion working; and (3) a lower self-reported utilization of medical services by the sick.     

Driving under the influence of alcohol. A 5-year overview in Piedmont,Italy

Alcohol consumption represents a major health issue worldwide and a crucial factor in road accidences. This study provides information on the prevalence of alcohol in blood testing performed on 2752 subjects involved in vehicle accidents, which occurred in Piedmont (northern Italy) between 2008 and 2013. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was determined by an ISO 17025 accredited GC/MS procedure. Fifty-one % of positive samples showed BAC concentrations above 1.5 g/L, with a legal cut-off fixed at 0.5 g/L (and 0 g/L for specified categories such as novice and professional drivers). BAC values proved statistically different regarding the day of sampling (week or weekend days), age and gender, with a prevalence of positive results that reflects different drinking habits of a multifaceted population of alcohol consumers.     

孟鲁司特钠联合匹多莫德治疗对反复呼吸道感染患儿肺功能及免疫功能的影响

目的探究孟鲁司特钠联合匹多莫德治疗对反复呼吸道感染（recurrent respiratory tract infections,RRTI）患儿肺功能及免疫功能的影响。方法选取2015年1月至2016年1月间就诊于海军总医院儿科门诊的RRTI患儿78例,根据随机数字法将其分为对照组和观察组,各39例。2组患者均予以匹多莫德,口服,予雾化治疗及积极抗感染等一般常规治疗,在此基础上,观察组患者予以口服孟鲁司特钠治疗,疗程3个月。疗程结束后,比较2组患者治疗总有效率、临床症候、肺功能、免疫功能。结果观察组患者治疗有效率(94.87%)明显高于对照组(61.54%),差异具有统计学意义(χ2=12.71,P=0.00);观察组咳嗽消失时间明显短于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t=5.82,P=0.00);观察组喘息消失、退热、肺内啰音消失的时间均低于对照组,但差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);2组患者治疗后用力肺活量、1秒用力呼气容积、1秒用力呼气容积/用力肺活量、50%最大呼气流量和最大呼气流量水平明显高于治疗前,且观察组明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组患者血清免疫球蛋白（immunoglobulin,Ig）G、IgA、IgM、分化簇(cluster of differentiation,CD)3+、CD4+及CD4+/CD8+水平均明显高于治疗前,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在一般常规治疗基础上,孟鲁司特钠联合匹多莫德治疗RRTI患儿比单纯应用匹多莫德具有总有效率更高、症候改善更明显,并能更加有效改善肺功能及免疫功能,值得在临床推广使用。     

Multiphasic checkup evaluation study. 1. Methods and population

A controlled long-term study to evaluate the efficacy of the periodic health examination, utilizing automated multiphasic screening techniques, is being conducted. A representative sample of approximately 5000 persons aged 35–54 was selected in 1964 and has been urged to undergo annual examinations. The morbidity, mortality, and disability, as well as the utilization of medical care, in this group are being compared to a similar group of persons who have been allowed to seek medical care on their own initiative within the same medical care program. The study design, characteristics of the study population, and the experience in examining the population are described in this report. At the start of the study the population was relatively healthy and experienced very little disability. Approximately 65% of the study group is being examined each year, and 78% of the original group were still under surveillance after 7 years.     

Malignant hypertension in women aged 15 to 44 years and its relation to cigarette smoking and oral contraceptives

To study the factors associated with malignant hypertension in young women, we reviewed the medical records of all women aged 15 to 44 years who were hospitalized in any of 15 affiliated hospitals from 1971 to 1980 with malignant hypertension. There were 15 new patients in this period, an incidence of 0.5 per 100,000 women of these ages per year. Four women had underlying renal disease. All of the remaining 11 used oral contraceptives, smoked cigarettes, or both. Nine were white, and 6 women had normal blood pressure in the 24 months before hospitalization. These findings support a relation of oral contraceptive use and cigarette smoking to an increased risk of malignant hypertension in young women.