Lung function in textile workers.

Acute changes in ventilatory function during a workshift with exposure to hemp, flax, and cotton dust were measured on Mondays in a group of 61 textile workers, all working on carding machines. In addition, single-breath diffusing capacity (DLCOSB) was measured before dust exposure on Monday in 30 of the 61 workers. Large acute reductions during dust exposure were recorded in maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% VC (MEF50%), ranging from 38 to 22%. Acute reductions of FEV1-0 were considerably smaller, ranging from 17 to 9%. There was a statistically significant increase in residual volume (RV) with very small and insignificant changes in total lung capacity (TLC). Although preshift FEV1-0 and FVC were decreased, DLCOSB was within normal limits. Plethysmographic measurements in six healthy volunteers exposed to hemp-dust extract confirmed the results obtained in textile workers, that is, that TLC does not change significantly during dust-induced airway constriction and that maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% VC (MEF50%) is a more sensitive test than FEV1-0 in detecting acute ventilatory changes caused by the dust extract.     

Pre-operative Assessment of Anatomical Position of Inferior Alveolar Nerve and Its Significance in Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy

The aim of this study is to investigate the position and course of the mandibular canal through the ramus, angle and body of mandible using computed tomographic (CT) imaging pre-operatively and to relate these predetermined values intra-operatively to perform sagittal split ramus osteotomies. Pre-operative CT scans were taken and four points were marked at mandibular foramen, mandibular angle, mandibular body and midpoint and different dimensions of IAN were measured to localize the inferior alveolar nerve. With the obtained values, precise osteotomy cuts were made intra-operatively and intra-operative measurements for position of IAN were noted. Based on the preoperative CT measurements, the chance to encounter IAN bundle, during surgery was evaluated. The present study proved that pre-operative CT imaging prior to BSSO surgical procedure is an effective way to investigate the position and course of the IAN canal through the framework of the mandible and by interpolating these dimensions intra operatively, reduces the risk of direct injury to the IAN bundle.     

The significance of crystallographic texture of titanium alloy substrates on pre-osteoblast responses

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of grain orientation in polycrystalline materials on cell-substrate interactions. Samples are prepared from rods and sheets of Ti-6Al-4V substrates with predominately two distinct crystallographic orientations. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that 36% of the surfaces of rod samples consist of (1010) plane, while the predominant orientation in the surface of the sheet samples is (1120) plane (29%). Morphological studies and cell biological experiments including cell attachment, proliferation and differentiation are conducted using MC3T3 pre-osteoblast cells cultured on these two different samples. The number of attached cells on the rod Ti-(1010) samples (70% after 1 h and 50% after 2 h) is higher than on the sheet Ti-(1120) samples. Cell proliferation after 3 days is also significantly higher on the Ti-(1010) samples. Alkaline phosphatase activity, however, shows no significant difference between the two samples. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of MC3T3 cells grown on samples with different crystallographic texture demonstrate significant differences in morphology with respect to attachment and growth pattern. This study shows that crystal orientation of the substrate can influence cell responses and, therefore, substrate engineering can be used to improve and control cell-substrate interactions.     

Cellular and molecular interactions between MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts and nanostructured titanium produced by high-pressure torsion

Ultra-fine surface features are commonly used to modulate cellular activity on a variety of materials. The continuing challenge for materials in contact with bone is the development of a material with both favorable surface and bulk properties to modulate not only the cell-substrate interactions, but also to ensure the long-term stability of the implant. In a combined approach involving material sciences and cell and molecular biology, the nature and mechanism of cell-substrate interaction, in particular, the molecular machinery controlling cell response to the surface of the nanostructured titanium based material produced by the high pressure torsion (HPT) process is assessed. The degree of pre-osteoblast attachment and rate of growth, which are regulated through the activity and interaction of proteins present in the extracellular matrix and associated with cytoskeleton and focal adhesion, are notably increased on the HPT-processed titanium substrates. The improved cell activity is attributed to the nanostructured feature of these substrates consisting of ultra-fine crystals (<50 nm) and a distinct surface oxide layer which provide higher degree of surface wettability. These findings demonstrate the advantages of HPT-processed titanium over the conventional and coated titanium implants, as both mechanical properties and cellular response are improved.     

Subjective social status in association with various health and socioeconomic indicators in Tehran

Aim

Socioeconomic status (SES) is one of the most important determinants of health. Subjective social status (SSS) is a popular SES indicator. The objective of this study is to compare the associations between health and various SES indicators in order to examine whether SSS is a proper SES indicator.

Subject and methods

In this 2013 cross-sectional study, 1,995 Tehrani residents were selected through multi-stage random sampling. The questionnaires included items on subjective and objective SES, self-rated health (SRH) and objective health status. The crude and adjusted associations between health and SES indicators were assessed using bivariate and multiple logistic regressions.

Results

The crude associations between SSS and all assessed health outcomes were significant. After adjustment of the wealth index, consumption, education and occupation, the associations between SSS and SRH (OR?=?0.69, CI 95 %: 0.55–0.86) and having cardiovascular (OR?=?0.73, CI 95 %: 0.58–0.92), musculoskeletal (OR?=?0.81, CI 95 %: 0.70–0.94), asthma and other respiratory diseases (OR?=?0.71, CI 95 %: 0.54–0.92) still remained significant. The adjusted associations between SSS and having hypertension and diabetes were not significant. SSS had a stronger correlation with the wealth index (Spearman r?=?0.42) compared to other SES indicators.

Conclusion

SSS showed a significant association with most of the health outcomes, independent of other SES indicators; therefore, it can be used in health research, though it is not an exact alternative for other objective SES indicators.

     

Heterotopic salivary gland presenting as a supra-clavicular swelling

A 5-month-old female was referred to the paediatric surgery clinic with a neck swelling in the right supra-clavicular region. This was thought clinically to be cystic hygroma. Pathology showed an ectopic salivary gland. This should be added to the list of differential diagnoses of neck swelling in childhood.