Nasal septum lesions caused by chromium exposure among chromium electroplating workers

A chromium electroplating worker, suffering from epistaxis during work, was found to have nasal septum perforation. To determine the etiology and prevalence of nasal septum lesions, we conducted a survey of seven chromium electroplating factories and examined 79 workers. Forty workers from three aluminum electroplating factories were also enrolled as the reference group. Subjects were thoroughly examined by an otolaryngologist and each of them provided a blood and urine sample. A questionnaire interview regarding symptoms of the upper respiratory tract, past medical history, life style, and work history was also conducted. Air chromium concentrations were measured by taking area samples for 4–6 hours. Based on field observation and chromium measurements, we divided chromium electroplating into three different exposure zones: workers directly dealing with electroplating tanks (n = 31), other process workers (n = 29), and office workers and drivers (n = 19). Among the 79 chromium electroplating workers, there were 16 cases of nasal septum perforation, and 42 with either scar formation or ulceration; 10 chromium electroplating workers developed skin ulcers after performing chrome plating. No workers from aluminum electroplating factories had any nasal septum or skin abnormalities. There was a consistent trend between the degree of chromium exposure and the signs and symptoms related to the nose, throat, and skin. Immediate improvement of occupational hygiene is warranted.     

Sympathetic skin response and R–R interval variation in chronic uremic patients

Sympathetic skin response (SSR) and R–R interval variation (RRIV) were studied in 36 chronic, nondiabetic uremics to compare with their nerve conduction studies (NCS) and clinical dysautonomia. Abnormal SSR was noted in 5 (13.9%) patients, abnormal RRIV in 14 (38.9%), and abnormal NCS in 26 (72.2%). The patients were classified into three groups: group (GP) 1: “normal,” n = 21 (58.3%), normal RRIV and SSR; GP 2: “isolated parasympathetic dysfunction,” n = 10 (27.8%), abnormal RRIV and normal SSR; and GP 3: “sympathetic sudomotor dysfunction,” n = 5 (13.9%), abnormal SSR. A significant difference in age was found among the three groups (GP 3 > GP 2 > GP 1; P < 0.0001, ANOVA). After controlling the age factor, we still noted a tendency toward increasing NCS disturbances (distal latency and nerve conduction velocity of peroneal nerve; P < 0.05, multiple regression analysis) and frequencies of clinical autonomic symptoms (postural dizziness and impotence; P < 0.05, Mantel–Hanszel test) from GP 1 to GP 3. Patients with abnormal SSR (GP 3) displayed significantly higher frequencies of postural dizziness and impotence, indicating the relationship between an absence of SSR and clinical dysautonomia. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Fluorescence immunohistochemistry and confocal scanning laser microscopy

We have developed a reliable technique for labeling and examining neural structures in soft tissues associated with articular joints and have tested it in human wrist joints under various specimen-related conditions. The labeling protocol employs an immunohistochemical process with a panneuronal marker (PGP 9.5) as the primary antibody and Alexa Fluor 488 as the fluorescing secondary antibody. Imaging was done using a confocal laser scanning microscope, which produced exceptionally detailed three-dimensional images of nerve endings and transiting nerve fibers from thick sections of wrist joint ligaments obtained from human cadavers. The protocol provided a practical postmortem window for specimen acquisition and processing without significant apparent worsening of image quality. The images produced are resistant to fading with repeated exposure to a fluorescent light source, which gives many opportunities for observation. Background staining is minimal, producing high contrast labeling of target tissues, which, in turn, enhances image analysis.     

前哨淋巴结活检术应用于外阴癌的初步研究

目的 探讨前哨淋巴结活检术(SLNB)应用于外阴癌的可行性.方法 选择2004年10月-2008年4月间于中国医学科学院肿瘤医院接受手术治疗、术中采用SLNB的外阴癌患者21例,其中处于研究前期(即2005年5月前)的11例患者采用染料法识别前哨淋巴结(SLN)、处于研究后期的10例患者采用核素-染料联合法识别SLN,术后行常规病理检查.以病理检查结果为金标准,观察SLNB的检测效果;并观察与SLNB相关的并发症的发生情况.结果 21例患者中,20例(95%)检出SLN,其中8例为单侧腹股沟、12例为双侧腹股沟.20例SLN阳性患者共检出83枚SLN,每例患者平均检出4.2枚(1～9枚),每侧腹股沟平均2.6枚(1～6枚).其中,染料法每例患者平均检出4.4枚、每侧腹股沟平均2.5枚,核素-染料联合法每例患者平均检出3.9枚、每侧腹股沟平均2.7枚,分别比较,差异均无统计学意义(t=0.459,P=0.652;t=-0.421,P=0.717).20例SLN阳性患者腹股沟浅组淋巴结中均检出SLN,其中1例双侧腹股沟深组淋巴结中也检出SLN.20例SLN阳性的患者中,8例(10侧腹股沟)术后病理检查显示腹股沟淋巴结转移,其中7例患者(9侧腹股沟)的转移淋巴结中均包括有SLN、1例(1侧腹股沟)出现假阴性.以SLN识别预测同侧腹股沟淋巴结转移的假阴性率为10%(1/10),阴性预测值为96%(22/23).未发现与SLNB相关的损伤及不良反应.结论 SLNB应用于外阴癌安全、可行,以SLN预测同侧腹股沟淋巴结转移具有较高准确性.     

Inhibition on Telomerase Activity and Cytotoxic Effects by Cisplatin in Cultured Human Choroidal Melanoma Cells

Purpose: To study the changes of telomerase activity and cytotoxic effects by Cisplatin; cis-dichlorodiamine platinum (CDDP) in cultured human choroidal melanoma. Material and Methods: The primary cultured human choroidal melanoma cells were cultured in the presence and absence of CDDP with different concentration and time respectively. The toxic effects were evaluated by MTT and the level of telormarse was detected by PCR-ELISA assay. And the relationship between telomerase activity and cytotoxic effects were analyzed by a correlation analysis.Results: Following the increase of the concentration and the time of CDDP, gradually repressed telomerase activity was detected in cultured cells. Meanwhile, the restrain rate of the cells increased. The telomerase activity at 24h and 1μg/ml was repressed significantly compared with the control cells. However, the appearance of cell death lagged behind the decreasing of telomerase.Conclusions: CDDP is an effective telomerase inhibitor in cultured choroidal melan     

Early ocular hypertension after cataract extraction

The intraocular pressure (IOP) course during the first postoperative month was measured with Goldmann applanation tonometry in 93 eyes. The patients include 30 eyes of intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), 32 eyes of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and 31 eyes of ECCE combined with posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) implantation. The preoperative average IOP was 13.30 +/- 3.24 mmHg in 93 eyes. The first day after cataract extraction was 25.33 +/- 8.18 mmHg and 59 eyes (63.44%) had an IOP higher than 23 mmHg. On the second day it was 16.03 +/- 7.54 mmHg. On the third day it was 14.69 +/- 5.45 mmHg. On the seventh day it was 13.32 +/- 3.44 mmHg and only 2 eyes (2.14%) IOP was higher than 23 mmHg. The first postoperative month average IOP was 12.93 +/- 1.31 mmHg and it was above 23 mmHg in only one eye. When compared with preoperation a significant increase in IOP was found postoperatively. But on the seventh day and after the first month there was no significant difference (P greater than 0.05). The IOP rise among ICCE group, ECCE group and PC-IOL group did not differ significantly.