Human Exposure to Styrene Vapor

Human volunteers were exposed to styrene vapor at approximately 50, 100, 200, and 375 ppm for periods of one to seven hours. Only at 375 ppm did the subjects experience significant subjective symptoms and show objective signs of transient neurological impairment. A small portion of the absorbed styrene was rapidly and exponentially excreted from the lungs in the postexposure period. A measurement of the amount of styrene present in the breath in the early postexposure period provided a means for making an estimation of magnitude of exposure. The determination of urinary hippuric acid proved to be insensitive as an indicator of exposure to this compound at these vapor concentrations.     

Effects of dietary lipids on cell proliferation of murine oral mucosa

Background  

The lack of certain essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) induces perturbation in cell proliferation, apoptosis and dedifferentiation that could be linked to an increased protumorigenic trend. Contrarily, n-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) arrest cell proliferation in several tumor models. According to the concept of field cancerization, multiple patches of abnormal epithelial proliferation may coexist in the vicinity of oropharyngeal neoplasms.     

Workforce Characteristics of Mohs Surgery Fellows

Background. Anecdotal evidence from program directors and Mohs surgeons suggests that Mohs fellowships are becoming increasingly popular and competitive among dermatology trainees.
Objective. To assess the characteristics and investigate the motivating factors of those pursuing Mohs fellowships.
Methods. Anonymous surveys were distributed to recent dermatology residency graduates taking a board exam review course in years 1999–2002.
Results. In 2002, 2001, and 1999, the percentages of recently trained dermatologists pursuing Mohs fellowships were 9.4%, 8.5%, and 8.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences between Mohs fellows and the rest of the recently graduated dermatologists in terms of debt levels, marital status, parenting status, and spousal employment status. The Mohs fellows were slightly more likely to be male than their non-Mohs counterparts. The factor considered the most important by both groups when choosing a job was location.
Conclusions. Further research is needed to discover potential factors that may be playing a role in the increased popularity of Mohs surgery. The number of Mohs surgeons is increasing and is likely to expand over time. It remains to be seen what effect the growth will have on the supply of Mohs surgery and whether it will outpace the increased demand for services.     

Clinical and Molecular diagnosis of the skeletal dysplasias associated with mutations in the gene encoding Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (FGFR3) in Portugal

Mutations in the gene that encodes Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 ( FGFR3 ) are associated with Achondroplasia (MIM 100800), Hypochondroplasia (MIM 146000), Muenke Syndrome (MIM 602849), Thanatophoric Dysplasia (MIM 187600, MIM 187601) and Lacrimo-Auriculo-Dento-Digital Syndrome (MIM 149730).Here we report a clinical and molecular study in a large cohort of 125 Portuguese patients with these skeletal disorders. The identification of the P250R mutation allowed the confirmation of the Muenke Syndrome in 9 out of the 52 cases referred. Two known mutations were found in the Thanatophoric Dysplasia referred cases. No mutations were identified in the LADD syndrome patient. In Achondroplasia and Hypochondroplasia, genetic heterogeneity was present amongst the 70 clinically diagnosed patients with 5 different mutations identified. As in other studies, complex phenotypic heterogeneity amongst patients carrying the same gene defect was observed. In several cases, the new amino acids encoded, as a consequence of mutations, were related to the severity of patients' phenotype. The presence of 10 misdiagnosed cases emphasizes the importance of performing mutation analysis of the hotspot regions responsible for both dysplasias (Ach and Hch). For patients with an unquestionable clinical diagnosis, lacking the most common mutations, a complete screening of FGFR3 is necessary.     

Blood transfusion during cardiac surgery is associated with inflammation and coagulation in the lung: a case control study

Introduction  

Blood transfusion is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery patients, but cause-and-effect relations remain unknown. We hypothesized that blood transfusion is associated with changes in pulmonary and systemic inflammation and coagulation occurring in patients who do not meet the clinical diagnosis of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI).