Occupational exposure of deck crews to carcinogenic agents on crude oil tankers

Occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents on the decks on six Norwegian crude oil tankers was examined in five harbors. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the need for improving the working environment on deck on these tankers. Technical arrangments and the work itself on the deck were observed during loading or unloading. Occupational monitoring was performed by active sampling of benzene, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and some aldehydes. The crew answered a questionnaire concerning their work, use of protective equipment, and occurrence of acute symptoms. The levels of air-borne carcinogenic agents were low, probably due to closed loading systems on all tankers. However, the seamen reported discomfort during the work that may be related to other chemical agents in the cargo. The seamen were frequently painting with lead chromate paint without using personal protective equipment. This type of chemical exposure should be evaluated.     

Role of Tyrosine Kinase in Desflurane-induced Preconditioning

Background: Short administration of volatile anesthetics preconditions myocardium and protects the heart against the consequences of subsequent ischemia. Activation of tyrosine kinase is implicated in ischemic preconditioning. The authors investigated whether desflurane-induced preconditioning depends on activation of tyrosine kinase.

Methods: Sixty-four rabbits were instrumented for measurement of left ventricular pressure, cardiac output, and myocardial infarct size (IS). All rabbits were subjected to 30 min of occlusion of a major coronary artery and 2 h of subsequent reperfusion. Rabbits underwent a treatment period consisting of either no intervention for 35 min (control group, n = 12) or 15 min of 1 minimum alveolar concentration desflurane inhalation followed by a 10-min washout period (desflurane group, n = 12). Four additional groups received the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (5 mg/kg) or lavendustin A (1.3 mg/kg) at the beginning of the treatment period with (desflurane-genistein group, n = 11; desflurane-lavendustin A group, n = 12) or without desflurane inhalation (genistein group, n = 9; lavendustin A group, n = 8).

Results: Hemodynamic values were similar in all groups during baseline (left ventricular pressure, 87 +/- 14 mmHg [mean +/- SD]; cardiac output, 198 +/- 47 ml/min), during coronary artery occlusion (left ventricular pressure, 78 +/- 12 mmHg; cardiac output, 173 +/- 39 ml/min), and after 2 h of reperfusion (left ventricular pressure, 59 +/- 17; cardiac output, 154 +/- 43 ml/min). IS in the control group was 55 +/- 10% of the area at risk. The tyrosine inhibitors had no effect on IS (genistein group, 56 +/- 13%; lavendustin A group, 49 +/- 13%; each P = 1.0 vs. control group). Desflurane preconditioning reduced IS to 40 +/- 15% (P = 0.04 vs. control group). Tyrosine kinase inhibitor administration had no effect on IS reduction (desflurane-genistein group, 44 +/- 13%; desflurane-lavendustin A group, 44 +/- 16%; each P = 1.0 vs. desflurane group).     

Rapid PCR Detection of Helicobacter pylori-Associated Virulence and Resistance Genes Directly from Gastric Biopsy Material

We have developed a PCR-based method to detect macrolide resistance and the virulence gene cagA in Helicobacter pylori within 24 h, thereby improving the lengthy process of culture-based approaches. Total DNA was prepared directly from stomach biopsy specimens. The procedure proved to be rapid and reliable and could be utilized for diagnostic purposes.     

Increase in the number of splenic plaque forming cells with length of gestation in untreated pregnant mice

The number of plaque forming cells (PFC) in spleens from untreated virgin and syngeneically pregnant CBA mice has been evaluated by use of two different hemolytic plaque assays. The total number of splenic IgM- and IgG-PFC in virgin and 16 day pregnant mice was determined by protein A-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) plaque assay. The number of both IgM- and IgG-PFC was significantly increased in spleens from pregnant mice, but the total number of IgM-PFC was several times higher than that of the IgG-PFC. In the same experiment the number of splenic anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) PFC was determined simultaneously. The values obtained for anti-TNP PFC in the different animals were found to correlate with the values for IgM-PFC in the protein A-SRBC plaque assay. Finally, the number of splenic anti-TNP PFC was determined at different occasions during pregnancy (day 4, 8, 12, and 16). It was found that the number of anti-TNP PFC was elevated as early as the 4th day of pregnancy, and that the number of PFC per spleen increased with the length of gestation.     

Acute pulmonary toxicity of inhaledβ-1,3-glucan and endotoxin

The number of inflammatory cells was studied in lung walls and airways after inhalation of endotoxin or -1,3-glucan. In the water unsoluble form, -1,3-glucan caused a delayed response in terms of a decrease in macrophages and lymphocytes in the lung wall, 1 to 7 days after exposure but no invasion of neutrophils into the airways. When solubilized in 0.02 N NaOH, the cell response was the same as that observed after exposure to endotoxin.     

Terminal deletion 6p23: a case report

We report on a girl with cleft lip and cleft palate, antimongoloid slant of the palpebral fissures, umbilical hernia, skeletal anomalies, partial syndactyly, hypertonia with increased deep tendon reflexes, psychomotor and growth retardation, and other congenital anomalies. Cytogenetic studies demonstrated a 46,XX,del(6)(qter----p23:) chromosome constitution.     

Development of nocturia in relation to health, age and the menopause

Objectives:To analyse the relationship between nocturia, age, the menopausal transition, parturition and hormone replacement treatment (HRT) in women.Material and methods:A questionnaire study was carried out in 3669 randomly selected women (out of 6000 invited) in the County of Jämtland, Sweden. Questions were asked about health, the occurrence of somatic diseases and symptoms, habits, health care and medication.Results:In univariate analyses age, menopausal state and HRT, but not parturition, were associated with increased nocturia. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, independent correlates for two or more nocturnal micturition episodes versus no more than one episode were: health, poor versus good 2.9 (2.1–3.8); <5 years after the menopause versus before 1.8 (1.3–2.5); 5–9 years after the menopause versus before 2.1 (1.5–3.0); ≥10 years after the menopause versus before 3.1 (2.3–4.2). Age and HRT were deleted by the logistic regression model.Conclusion:The present data indicate that menopausal state, but not age, parturition and HRT are independent correlates of nocturia in 40–64-year-old women.     

Evaluation of oxygen saturation monitoring by pulse oximetry in neonates in the delivery system

The pulse oximeter was evaluated for use in neonates in the delivery room. One hundred neonates, delivered vaginally or by Caesarean section with general or epidural anaesthesia, were studied. After delivery, pulse oximetry probes were placed simultaneously on the ulnar side of the right hand and on the right Achilles tendon to determine whether there was a difference in arterial oxygenation (SpO2). Measurements of SpO2 were taken at 1, 5, 10 min, and 24 hr after delivery. At one and five minutes, SpO2 recorded from the right hand was higher than that recorded from the lower extremities (71.9% +/- 6.5% vs 63.4% +/- 4.3% and 83.3% +/- 4.2% vs 76% +/- 4.1%, mean +/- SD, respectively). At ten minutes these differences diminished, and had almost completely disappeared after 24 hr. These results can be explained by the presence of R-L shunting at the ductus arteriosus level, producing reduced SaO2 in the lower extremities. Oxygen saturation did not differ between neonates delivered vaginally or by Caesarean section, regardless of the presence or type of anaesthesia. We concluded that neonates remain relatively desaturated in the immediate postpartum period and that the SpO2 obtained from the right hand is a better index of neonatal oxygenation than that obtained from the heel.     

Treatment Improves Symptoms Shared by PTSD and Disordered Eating

Eating disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are debilitating conditions that frequently co‐occur. Although the two disorders have different clinical presentations, they share associated features, including cognitive disturbances, emotion dysregulation, dissociation, and impulsivity. We hypothesized that reductions in PTSD symptoms following cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and its treatment components (CPT without the written account or the written account only) would be associated with improvements in symptoms common to PTSD and eating disorders. Participants in the current investigation included women with PTSD (N = 65) who reported a history of rape or physical assault, were in a randomized dismantling study of CPT, and completed the Eating Disorder Inventory‐2 (EDI‐2) at pre‐ and posttreatment. Latent growth modeling results indicated that decreases in PTSD symptom scores were significantly associated with reductions in the Impulse Regulation, Interoceptive Awareness, Interpersonal Distrust, Ineffectiveness, and Maturity Fears subscales of the EDI‐2. Thus, PTSD treatment affected symptoms shared by PTSD and eating disorders. Currently, there are no clear guidelines for treatment of comorbid PTSD and eating disorders. Traditional CPT may impact symptoms common to both, but additional therapy may be needed for specific disordered eating attitudes and behaviors.