The development of an intervention programme to reduce whole-body vibration exposure at work induced by a change in behaviour: a study protocol

Background  

Whole body vibration (WBV) exposure at work is common and studies found evidence that this exposure might cause low back pain (LBP). A recent review concluded there is a lack of evidence of effective strategies to reduce WBV exposure. Most research in this field is focussed on the technical implications, although changing behaviour towards WBV exposure might be promising as well. Therefore, we developed an intervention programme to reduce WBV exposure in a population of drivers with the emphasis on a change in behaviour of driver and employer. The hypothesis is that an effective reduction in WBV exposure, in time, will lead to a reduction in LBP as WBV exposure is a proxy for an increased risk of LBP.     

On the occurrence of Leydig cell tumors in the F344 rat

Dunning began inbreeding, what is now the Fischer F344 rat, in 1931. Because of her publications showing a low incidence of spontaneous tumors to 35 months of age, we selected the F344 rat for most of the studies in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Bioassay Program, beginning in 1964. We were surprised by the finding that untreated male F344 rats displayed a high incidence of Leydig cell tumors of the testes beginning at about 17 months of age. The key difference between the results of Dunning and the NCI Bioassay Program was that her animals were retired breeders, whereas the NCI studies utilized virgin rats. The question of breeding was, therefore, examined as a possible protective factor.Groups of male F344 CDF/Crl rats were kept as virgin animals, or permitted access to bilaterally tube ligated female F344/Crl rats that were replaced twice over a 52-week period. At that time, all males from both groups were housed three per cage to 85 weeks when they were killed in a CO(2) atmosphere and necropsied. Sections were prepared from the fixed tissues, stained and studied by histopathology. The results were evaluated by appropriate statistical methods.Virgin and sexually active F344 rats displayed monolateral or bilateral Leydig cell tumors. There was no statistical difference between the two groups.Despite the early difference between breeding and virgin F344 rats, a control experiment failed to disclose an effect of sexual activity on the occurrence of Leydig cell cancers. This disease displays some difference in incidence in various parts of the world, with the higher socioeconomic groups having a greater incidence. Etiological factors on the occurrence of this disease in animals and in humans remain to be discovered.     

PLENARY LECTURES-PL3 Vascular dysfunctions and platelet activations by arsenic: two major contributing factors to cardiovascular disease

Arsenic in drinking water is a worldwide health problem that is associated with cardiovascular disease, but the cause is currently unknown. In order to examine whether arsenic affects vasomotor tone in blood vessels, we investigated the effect of arsenic on agonist-induced vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction using the isolated rat aortic rings in in vitro organ bath system.     

Diagnosis and management of cystic duct leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND： Operative complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy （LC） vary. Abdominal pain and other symptoms caused by fluid accumulation in the operative area are not uncommon. Cystic duct （CD） leakage is one of the main sources of the fluid. This study was to evaluate the procedures used in the diagnosis and management of CD leakage after LC. METHOD： The clinical materials of 3 patients with CD leakage after LC were studied retrospectively.     

Expression and immunogenicity of oncofetal antigen-immature laminin receptor in human renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE: The 32 to 44 kDa. oncofetal antigen-immature laminin receptor (OFA-iLR) is a multifunctional protein expressed by various tumors, including breast, lung, ovary and prostate carcinoma as well as lymphoma. OFA-iLR has been implicated in tumor invasiveness, metastasis and growth. Interferon-gamma producing effector T cells and interleukin (IL)-10 producing suppressor T cells specific for OFA-iLR have been described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 43515 IgG2a anti-OFA-iLR monoclonal antibody was used to detect OFA-iLR expression in human renal cell carcinoma tissue by flow cytometry and immunoblotting. Spontaneous or therapy induced immune responses against OFA-iLR were determined in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Proliferative and cytokine (interferon-gamma and IL-10) responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with renal cell carcinoma against recombinant OFA-iLR were assessed. RESULTS: Using flow cytometry OFA-iLR was detected in all 13 tumors tested. Immunoblotting revealed differences in OFA-iLR expression in renal cell carcinoma and normal kidney tissue. OFA-iLR specific proliferative and cytokine responses of mononuclear cells were detected in all 6 patients tested. Importantly evidence was also obtained that treating metastatic renal cell carcinoma with tumor lysate pulsed dendritic cells would enhance OFA-iLR specific immunity. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that OFA-iLR is an immunogenic tumor associated antigen in human renal cell carcinoma. OFA-iLR specific effector T cells producing interferon-gamma may have a role in the control of tumor growth, whereas suppressor T cells producing IL-10 may promote tumor tolerance and, thus, tumor progression.     

The usefulness of growth hormone treatment for psychological status in young adult survivors of childhood leukaemia: an open-label study

Background  

To reduce the risk of brain damage children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are nowadays mainly treated with intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC) instead of central nervous system (CNS) radiation therapy (CRT) to prevent CNS relapse. However, chemotherapy may also lead to cognitive deficits. As growth hormone deficiency (GHD) or impaired growth hormone secretion are frequently found in ALL patients treated with cranial radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy, we hypothesized that GH therapy may reduce cognitive deficits in these patients.