Occupational exposure of deck crews to carcinogenic agents on crude oil tankers

Occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents on the decks on six Norwegian crude oil tankers was examined in five harbors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the need for improving the working environment on deck on these tankers. Technical arrangments and the work itself on the deck were observed during loading or unloading. Occupational monitoring was performed by active sampling of benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and some aldehydes. The crew answered a questionnaire concerning their work, use of protective equipment, and occurrence of acute symptoms. The levels of air-borne carcinogenic agents were low, probably due to closed loading systems on all tankers. However, the seamen reported discomfort during the work that may be related to other chemical agents in the cargo. The seamen were frequently painting with lead chromate paint without using personal protective equipment. This type of chemical exposure should be evaluated.     

Role of Tyrosine Kinase in Desflurane-induced Preconditioning

Background: Short administration of volatile anesthetics preconditions myocardium and protects the heart against the consequences of subsequent ischemia. Activation of tyrosine kinase is implicated in ischemic preconditioning. The authors investigated whether desflurane-induced preconditioning depends on activation of tyrosine kinase.

Methods: Sixty-four rabbits were instrumented for measurement of left ventricular pressure, cardiac output, and myocardial infarct size (IS). All rabbits were subjected to 30 min of occlusion of a major coronary artery and 2 h of subsequent reperfusion. Rabbits underwent a treatment period consisting of either no intervention for 35 min (control group, n = 12) or 15 min of 1 minimum alveolar concentration desflurane inhalation followed by a 10-min washout period (desflurane group, n = 12). Four additional groups received the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (5 mg/kg) or lavendustin A (1.3 mg/kg) at the beginning of the treatment period with (desflurane-genistein group, n = 11; desflurane-lavendustin A group, n = 12) or without desflurane inhalation (genistein group, n = 9; lavendustin A group, n = 8).

Results: Hemodynamic values were similar in all groups during baseline (left ventricular pressure, 87 +/- 14 mmHg [mean +/- SD]; cardiac output, 198 +/- 47 ml/min), during coronary artery occlusion (left ventricular pressure, 78 +/- 12 mmHg; cardiac output, 173 +/- 39 ml/min), and after 2 h of reperfusion (left ventricular pressure, 59 +/- 17; cardiac output, 154 +/- 43 ml/min). IS in the control group was 55 +/- 10% of the area at risk. The tyrosine inhibitors had no effect on IS (genistein group, 56 +/- 13%; lavendustin A group, 49 +/- 13%; each P = 1.0 vs. control group). Desflurane preconditioning reduced IS to 40 +/- 15% (P = 0.04 vs. control group). Tyrosine kinase inhibitor administration had no effect on IS reduction (desflurane-genistein group, 44 +/- 13%; desflurane-lavendustin A group, 44 +/- 16%; each P = 1.0 vs. desflurane group).     

Rapid PCR Detection of Helicobacter pylori-Associated Virulence and Resistance Genes Directly from Gastric Biopsy Material

We have developed a PCR-based method to detect macrolide resistance and the virulence gene cagA in Helicobacter pylori within 24 h, thereby improving the lengthy process of culture-based approaches. Total DNA was prepared directly from stomach biopsy specimens. The procedure proved to be rapid and reliable and could be utilized for diagnostic purposes.     

Increase in the number of splenic plaque forming cells with length of gestation in untreated pregnant mice

The number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in spleens from untreated virgin and syngeneically pregnant CBA mice has been evaluated by use of two different hemolytic plaque assays. The total number of splenic IgM- and IgG-PFC in virgin and 16 day pregnant mice was determined by protein A-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) plaque assay. The number of both IgM- and IgG-PFC was significantly increased in spleens from pregnant mice, but the total number of IgM-PFC was several times higher than that of the IgG-PFC. In the same experiment the number of splenic anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) PFC was determined simultaneously. The values obtained for anti-TNP PFC in the different animals were found to correlate with the values for IgM-PFC in the protein A-SRBC plaque assay. Finally, the number of splenic anti-TNP PFC was determined at different occasions during pregnancy (day 4, 8, 12, and 16). It was found that the number of anti-TNP PFC was elevated as early as the 4th day of pregnancy, and that the number of PFC per spleen increased with the length of gestation.     

Acute pulmonary toxicity of inhaledβ-1,3-glucan and endotoxin

The number of inflammatory cells was studied in lung walls and airways after inhalation of endotoxin or -1,3-glucan. In the water unsoluble form, -1,3-glucan caused a delayed response in terms of a decrease in macrophages and lymphocytes in the lung wall, 1 to 7 days after exposure but no invasion of neutrophils into the airways. When solubilized in 0.02 N NaOH, the cell response was the same as that observed after exposure to endotoxin.     

Development of nocturia in relation to health, age and the menopause

Objectives:To analyse the relationship between nocturia, age, the menopausal transition, parturition and hormone replacement treatment (HRT) in women.Material and methods:A questionnaire study was carried out in 3669 randomly selected women (out of 6000 invited) in the County of Jämtland, Sweden. Questions were asked about health, the occurrence of somatic diseases and symptoms, habits, health care and medication.Results:In univariate analyses age, menopausal state and HRT, but not parturition, were associated with increased nocturia. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, independent correlates for two or more nocturnal micturition episodes versus no more than one episode were: health, poor versus good 2.9 (2.1–3.8); <5 years after the menopause versus before 1.8 (1.3–2.5); 5–9 years after the menopause versus before 2.1 (1.5–3.0); ≥10 years after the menopause versus before 3.1 (2.3–4.2). Age and HRT were deleted by the logistic regression model.Conclusion:The present data indicate that menopausal state, but not age, parturition and HRT are independent correlates of nocturia in 40–64-year-old women.     

The reliability of auscultatory measurement of arterial blood pressure. A comparison of the standard and a new methodology

In 48 individuals with a wide range of arm circumferences blood pressure measured indirectly with two different cuffs was compared to direct intraarterial measurements. The two cuffs were a standard size cuff (12 X 35 cm) and a newly developed cuff, containing three rubber bags of different sizes, which automatically selects the appropriately sized bag in relation to arm circumference (Tricuff, Pressure Group AB, Sweden). The Tricuff correctly placed 42 of the 43 patients in the "normotensive" range, ie, diastolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, whereas the standard cuff put only 33 of 44 patients in this range (P less than .005). The discrepancy was not only due to the expected better performance in patients with obese arms, but also in the subgroup of patients with arms in the range 22 to 31 cm, in which group both cuffs would measure blood pressure with a 12 cm wide rubber bag. The number of correctly identified "normotensive" patients was noticeably higher with the Tricuff than with the standard cuff (30/31 v 25/32, P = .053). The better specificity of the new cuff thus offers an improvement over the standard cuff. There are several potential clinical advantages of this, mainly that the risk of erroneously labelling normotensive individuals as hypertensive is reduced.     

Cancer patients' perceptions of quality‐of‐care attributes—Associations with age,perceived health status,gender and education

Aims and objectives

The aim of this study was to explore the associations between patients' gender, education, health status in relation to assessments of patient‐centred quality and individuality in care and trust in nurses for those <65 (working age) and ≥65 years (older people).

Background

Patients' assessments of the quality of care they receive are essential for the development of the provision of patient care and services. Previous studies have revealed age of the patient is associated with their assessment of care quality attributes.

Design

The study employed a cross‐sectional, multicultural comparative survey design.

Methods

The data were collected using questionnaires among hospitalised cancer patients (N = 876, n = 599, 68%) in four European countries: Greece, Cyprus, Sweden and Finland. The data were divided into two subgroups based on age (cut point 65 years) and were analysed statistically.

Results

Cancer patients' age, gender and level of education were not related to their assessments of care quality attributes: person‐centred care quality, individuality in care and trust in nurses. Subgroup analysis of the older adults and those of working age showed clear associations with patients' assessments of quality‐of‐care attributes and perceived health status. The lower the perceived health status, the lower the assessment of care quality attributes.

Discussion

The results suggest that the cancer itself is the strongest determinant of the care delivered, rather than any patient characteristics, such as age, education or gender. Perceived health status, in association with cancer patient assessments of care quality attributes, may be useful in the development of patient‐centred, individualised care strategies alongside a stronger focus on people instead of cancer‐care‐related processes and duties.

Conclusions

Health status was the only factor associated with cancer patients' assessments of care quality attributes. Cancer itself may be the strongest determinant of the care quality perceptions, rather than any patient characteristics.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings of this study have implications for cancer care professionals in terms of patient assessment and care planning. The measures may be useful in assessing quality of cancer nursing care.     

Radiostereometric analysis in hip revision surgery-optimal time for index examination: 6 patients revised with impacted allografts and cement followed weekly for 6 weeks

We revised the hip (6 stems and 5 sockets) with impacted morselized allografts and cement in 6 patients. We followed prosthetic migration by roentgen radiostereometric analysis (RSA) every 7th day for 6 weeks after the first (index) examination performed on the first postoperative day before mobilization. Most of the migration occurred during the first 2 weeks. In most cases more than half of the distal stem migration was seen between the 1st and 14th days. In all cases, the stem and socket migrations slowed down gradually and several prosthetic components had become stable after 5 weeks. We conclude that it is essential to perform the index RSA examination on the 1st or 2nd day after surgery and to state when and how weight bearing should be permitted. Otherwise it will be difficult to compare prosthetic migration in various studies and define normative values for migration predicting survival.