Effect of reduced exposure on natural rubber latex sensitization in health care workers.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the long-term course of allergy or sensitization to natural rubber latex (NRL) is insufficient. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term effect of preventive measures on sensitization variables in health care workers who had been diagnosed as having NRL allergy (NRLA) or NRL sensitization (NRLS) without clinical symptoms. METHODS: Repeated follow-up investigations, skin prick tests, and NRL specific IgE serum antibodies were performed in 88 health care workers-33 with NRLA and 55 with NRLS. All workers had been instructed to avoid NRL exposure. At the workplace, powder-free NRL gloves for all other employees were gradually introduced. Re-evaluations were done at 14 +/- 3.7 (N = 86) and 38 +/- 4.0 (N = 78) months after the first examination. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, a loss of skin prick test reactivity to NRL was observed in 1 of 29 subjects with NRLA (3.4%) and 16 of 35 with NRLS (45.7%) with previous skin test reactions (P < .001). Among those subjects who demonstrated a kU/L level (CAP class) equal to or greater than class I to NRL at the initial examination, NRL-specific IgE was absent at the last follow-up in 8 (32.0%) of 25 subjects with NRLA and 14 (38.9%) of 36 with NRLS. At the final examination, we could no longer demonstrate sensitization to NRL by any method in 24 (27.3%) of 88 health care workers. Complete loss of NRL sensitization was less frequent in subjects with NRLA than in those with NRLS (1 of 33 or 3.0% vs 23 of 55 or 41.8%; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of simple preventive measures lowers markers of sensitization to NRL quickly in many health care workers with NRLA or NRLS.     

Absolute pitch and pupillary response: effects of timbre and key color

The pitch identification performance of absolute pitch possessors has previously been shown to depend on pitch range, key color, and timbre of presented tones. In the present study, the dependence of pitch identification performance on key color and timbre of musical tones was examined by analyzing hit rates, reaction times, and pupillary responses of absolute pitch possessors (n = 9) and nonpossessors (n = 12) during a pitch identification task. Results revealed a significant dependence of pitch identification hit rate but not reaction time on timbre and key color in both groups. Among absolute pitch possessors, peak dilation of the pupil was significantly dependent on key color whereas the effect of timbre was marginally significant. Peak dilation of the pupil differed significantly between absolute pitch possessors and nonpossessors. The observed effects point to the importance of learning factors in the acquisition of absolute pitch.     

Using intervention time series analyses to assess the effects of imperfectly identifiable natural events: a general method and example

Background  

Intervention time series analysis (ITSA) is an important method for analysing the effect of sudden events on time series data. ITSA methods are quasi-experimental in nature and the validity of modelling with these methods depends upon assumptions about the timing of the intervention and the response of the process to it.     

Impact of postanesthesia care unit delirium on self-reported cognitive function and perceived health status: a prospective observational cohort study

Quality of Life Research - The objective of this study was to determine the influence of postanesthesia care unit (PACU)&nbsp;delirium on self-reported cognitive function and perceived health...     

Offshore telemedicine emergency service: a 1-year experience

Journal of Public Health - Offshore wind energy is a fast growing market. Accordingly, a correspondingly large number of employees are working at the wind farms. Owing to the harsh operating...     

SARS-CoV-2-Seroprävalenz bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland – ein Überblick

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - SARS-CoV-2-Antikörperstudien ergänzen und erweitern die Erkenntnisse aus der Meldestatistik laborbestätigter...     

External beam radiation therapy improves survival in elderly metastatic prostate cancer patients with low PSA

BackgroundIt is unknown, whether metastatic prostate cancer (CaP) patients with intermediate life expectancy (5–10 years) should be considered for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to the prostate. We addressed this void.MethodsWithin the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004–2016), we identified 835 M1a or M1b CaP substaged patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 20 ng/ml and with intermediate life expectancy (LE) 5 to 10 years, treated with EBRT or no EBRT. Inverse probability of treatment-weighting (IPTW), Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox-regression models (CRMs) were used.ResultsOverall, 179 (21.4%) patients received EBRT and 656 (78.6%) did not. EBRT rates increased from 13.9 to 23.8% (2004–2016; P= 0.04). After IPTW-adjustment, median OS was 45 vs. 35 months, in EBRT vs. no EBRT patients (P < 0.001). In IPTW-adjusted Cox-regression models, EBRT independently predicted lower overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.7, CI 0.61–0.89; P= 0.001). After stratification according to M1 substages, EBRT was associated with lower overall mortality in M1a (HR: 0.2, CI 0.05–0.91; P= 0.03) and M1b (HR: 0.7, CI 0.55–0.88; P = 0.003) substages.ConclusionEBRT was associated with lower mortality in metastatic CaP patients with low PSA and intermediate LE (5–10 years). In consequence, greater consideration for EBRT should be given in those patients. However, it is important to consider study limitations until clinical trials confirm the proposed benefit.     

Comparison between small renal masses 0-2 cm vs. 2.1-4 cm in size: A population-based study

BackgroundThe NCCN guidelines recommend active surveillance (AS) as an option for the initial management of cT1a 0-2 cm renal lesions. However, data about comparison between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) 0-2 cm vs. 2.1-4 cm are scarce.MethodsWithin the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2002–2016), 46,630 T1a N_anyM_any stage patients treated with nephrectomy were identified. Data were tabulated according to histological subtype, tumor grade (low [LG] vs. high [HG]), as well as age category and gender. Additionally, rates of synchronous metastases were quantified.ResultsOverall, 69.3 vs. 74.1% clear cell, 21.4 vs. 17.6% papillary, 6.9 vs. 6.8% chromophobe, 2.0 vs. 1.1% sarcomatoid dedifferentiation, 0.2 vs. 0.2% collecting duct histological subtype were identified for respectively 0-2 cm and 2.1-4 cm RCCs. In both groups, advanced age was associated with higher rate of HG clear cell and HG papillary histological subtype. In 0-2 cm vs. 2.1-4 cm RCCs, 13.8% vs. 20.2% individuals operated on harbored HG tumors and were more prevalent in males. Lower synchronous metastases rates were recorded in 0-2 cm RCC and ranged from 0 in respectively multilocular cystic to 0.9% in HG papillary histological subtype. The highest synchronous metastases rates were recorded in sarcomatoid dedifferentiation histological subtype (13.8% and 9.7%) in both groups.ConclusionsRelative to 2.1-4 cm RCCs, 0-2 cm RCCs harbored lower rates of HG tumors, lower rates of aggressive variant histology and lower rates of synchronous metastases. The indications and demographics of patients selected for AS may be expanded in the future to include younger and healthier patients.     

Acute cytomegalovirus infection modulates the intestinal microbiota and targets intestinal epithelial cells

Primary and recurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections frequently cause CMV colitis in immunocompromised as well as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Additionally, colitis occasionally occurs upon primary CMV infection in patients who are apparently immunocompetent. In both cases, the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms are largely elusive - in part due to the lack of adequate access to specimens. We employed the mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) model to assess the association between CMV and colitis. During acute primary MCMV infection of immunocompetent mice, the gut microbial composition was affected as manifested by an altered ratio of the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes phyla. Interestingly, these microbial changes coincided with high-titer MCMV replication in the colon, crypt hyperplasia, increased colonic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and a transient increase in the expression of the antimicrobial protein Regenerating islet-derived protein 3 gamma (Reg3γ). Further analyses revealed that murine and human intestinal epithelial cell lines, as well as primary intestinal crypt cells and organoids represent direct targets of CMV infection causing increased cell death. Accordingly, in vivo MCMV infection disrupted the intestinal epithelial barrier and increased apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells. In summary, our data show that CMV transiently induces colitis in immunocompetent hosts by altering the intestinal homeostasis.     

How do roll compaction/dry granulation affect the tableting behaviour of inorganic materials? Comparison of four magnesium carbonates.

The effect of roll compaction/dry granulation on the particle and bulk material characteristics of different magnesium carbonates was evaluated. The flowability of all materials could be improved, even by the application of low specific compaction forces. The tablet properties made of powder and dry granulated magnesium carbonate were compared. Roll compaction/dry granulation resulted in a modified compactibility of the material and, consequently, tablets with reduced tensile strength. The higher relative tap density of the compacted material does not allow a densification to the same extent as the uncompacted powder. The degree of densification during tableting can be expressed as the ratio of the relative tablet density to the relative tap density of the feed material. Increasing the specific compaction forces resulted in higher apparent mean yield pressure, gained from Heckel plots, of all materials analysed. The partial loss of compactibility leads to the demand of low loads during roll compaction. Comparing the tablet properties of different magnesium carbonates reveals an obvious capping disposition. However, it depends on the type of magnesium carbonate, the specific compaction force and also on the tableting force applied.