Burkholderia cenocepacia vaginal infection in patient with smoldering myeloma and chronic hepatitis C

We report a case of a vaginal infection caused by a strain of Burkholderia cenocepacia. The strain was isolated from vaginal swab specimens from a 68-year-old woman with smoldering myeloma and chronic hepatitis C virus infection who was hospitalized for abdominal abscess. Treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam eliminated B. cenocepacia infection and vaginal symptoms.     

Supplementation with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit decreases oxidative stress in healthy humans: a comparative study with vitamin C

BACKGROUND: Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) fruit contains vitamin C and characteristic betalain pigments, the radical-scavenging properties and antioxidant activities of which have been shown in vitro. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of short-term supplementation with cactus pear fruit compared with vitamin C alone on total-body oxidative status in healthy humans. DESIGN: In a randomized, crossover, double-treatment study, 18 healthy volunteers received either 250 g fresh fruit pulp or 75 mg vitamin C twice daily for 2 wk, with a 6-wk washout period between the treatments. Before (baseline) and after each treatment, 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-epi-PGF(2alpha)) and malondialdehyde in plasma, the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) in erythrocytes, and lipid hydroperoxides in LDL were measured as biomarkers of oxidative stress; plasma Trolox-equivalent antioxidant activity (TEAC) and vitamins A, E, and C were evaluated as indexes of antioxidant status. RESULTS: Both treatments caused comparable increases compared with baseline in plasma concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin C (P < 0.05); vitamin A and TEAC did not change significantly. After supplementation with cactus pear fruit, 8-epi-PGF(2)alpha and malondialdehyde decreased by approximately 30% and 75%, respectively; GSH:GSSG shifted toward a higher value (P < 0.05); and LDL hydroperoxides were reduced by almost one-half. Supplementation with vitamin C did not significantly affect any marker of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of cactus pear fruit positively affects the body's redox balance, decreases oxidative damage to lipids, and improves antioxidant status in healthy humans. Supplementation with vitamin C at a comparable dosage enhances overall antioxidant defense but does not significantly affect body oxidative stress. Components of cactus pear fruit other than antioxidant vitamins may play a role in the observed effects.     

Results of risk and impairment assessment in groups of workers exposed to repetitive strain and movement of the upper limbs in various sectors of industry

BACKGROUND: This presents study the results of a number of investigations regarding risks associated with biomechanical overload of the upper limbs and the consequent health effects (UL-WMSDs) in a large sample of workers in various different jobs. METHODS: Risk assessment regarded 15 different working environments in which 4044 subjects were employed. Most were metalworking factories in which the workers performed assembly tasks (3015 workers). Some made motors for electrical appliances (714 workers), others assembled miniature components (shock absorbers and remote controls: 259 workers), while others handled larger sized parts such as components of large domestic appliances (refrigerators, freezers, ovens: 2037 workers). The sample also included workers in the meat processing industry (chicken and turkey, 969 workers) and hotel room cleaners (60). Exposure assessment was performed using the OCRA checklist for quantifying the risk attributable intrinsically to each individual workstation, as if used for the entire shift. The values thus obtained were entered into a special software program that, for each working area, produced mean weighted values for the results of the checklist and their percentage distribution over four categories: no risk (green), low risk (yellow), moderate risk (red) and high risk (purple). In 11 of the 15 working environments considered, a total of 3511 workers (2221 women and 1290 men) underwent a complete and standardized clinical examination of the upper limbs. Comparisons of the results of exposure evaluation and of the clinical surveys were made between the different types of jobs and between males and females.     

Health in indoor settings: old and new risks

Improved socio-economic and cultural conditions in industrialized countries have brought public health workers to focus greater attention to the comfort conditions of indoor settings, where people spend as much as 90% of their time. This study examines the interaction between man and the indoor environment and highlights conditions that may pose health risks in the workplace and home because of the presence of chemical, physical, and/or biological pollutants. Achieving healthy indoor air quality currently represents a challenge for international health organizations, governments and citizens alike.     

Nurses' attitude towards revealing the prognosis of no treatment possibility: a matter of bioethics

This study aims to get to know nurses' attitude and participation when they have to inform a patient about a prognosis of no treatment possibility. Twenty-five nurse practitioners from a general public school hospital took part in this study. Data were collected through interviews and were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, showing the following results: 40% of the nurses did not take a stand when informing about a prognosis of no treatment possibility; 56% did not take any part in the decision of informing the patient about the prognosis of no treatment possibility. This disclosed the need for nurses to consider bioethical matters, which can be of help in the analysis of dilemmas.     

Intraocular lens exchange assisted by preoperative neodymium:YAG laser haptic fracture

We present 3 cases of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in which a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser was used before surgery to fracture a haptic and make intraocular manipulations easier and safer. Strategic placement of the fracture facilitates maneuvering to explant the IOL segments. Delaying pupil dilation until after the Nd:YAG laser is used and prudent positioning of the patient's head minimize the risk that freed IOL segments will damage the cornea or subluxate posteriorly into the vitreous cavity. Neodymium:YAG laser IOL fracture before explantation/ exchange is a viable combined procedure.     

Complications of intraocular foreign bodies

Intraocular foreign bodies are grave ophthalmic emergencies. In this issue we present the complications that have been reported to the patients with intraocular foreign bodies admitted in the Ophthalmological Hospital from Cluj-Napoca between 1998-2002.