Dose-related color vision impairment in toluene-exposed workers

Occupational exposure to various neurotoxic chemicals can impair color vision. We evaluated this possibility in toluene-exposed workers. Thirty-three rubber workers and 16 referents were studied. We estimated toluene exposure by measuring urinary excretion of the unmodified form of the solvent (i.e., TolU). Color vision was tested with the Lanthony D-15 desaturated panel, and the outcomes were expressed quantitatively with the Color Confusion Index and the Total Confusion Index. Toluene-exposed workers had a subclinical reduction in color vision, compared with referents. We related this effect to solvent cumulative exposure-estimated as the product of urinary excretion of unmodified toluene by previous toluene exposure duration. This approach supports the hypothesis that impairment progresses as exposure continues. In the examined group of workers, toluene exposure was within the occupational limit proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The observed loss in color vision raises doubts on the real protection afforded by this limit-at least for effects of the solvent on the eyes. Finally, the Total Confusion Index was a more sensitive index than the Color Confusion Index in the evaluation of toluene-related color-vision impairment, suggesting that this index should be adopted in future studies of the effects of chemicals on color perception

Experimental analysis of the CHP performance of a PEMFC stack by a 2^4 factorial design

The aim of the paper is the experimental analysis, through a statistical methodology, of the effects of the main stack operation independent variables on the cogenerative performance of a PEMFC stack. The tests have been performed on a ZSW 0184 stack of 800W using the GreenLight GEN VI FC Test Station. The statistical methodology used for the experimental data analysis has been the factorial design: we have analysed the significance of the main operation independent variables (anode and; cathode flow dew point temperature; cathode flow stoichiometry) considering their single and combined effects on the electric and thermal power which could be recovered from the stack. The results show that the anode flow inlet temperature and the cathode flow dew point temperature have no significant effect at every level of current density both for electric and thermal power. At the same time, the cathode flow inlet temperature has a significant positive effect on the electric power at every level of current density, and especially the cathode flow stoichiometry shows significant positive effects on the electric power and negative effects on the thermal power recovered from the stack

Chirurgia dei tessuti molli : gestione delle lesioni a livello dei dotti salivari

Objectives: To review the surgical management of salivary duct lesions, the authors describe the treatment of three patients, one with a traumatic pseudofibroma of Stensen's duct, the second with a mucocele involving the sublingual gland, and the third with sialolithiasis of Wharton's duct. Materials and methods: Using duct cannulation, sialodochoplasty, and lesion marsupialization, the oral surgeon could treat the most part of oral diseases close to salivary ducts and preserve their integrity. By this way could promote proper healing, eliminate risk of saliva extravasation and complications due to obstructed secretory flow. Results and conclusions: With careful surgical planning and careful technique, salivary duct lesions can easily be treated without complications involving slight structures close to them. \ua9 2011 Elsevier Srl. All rights reserved

Maxillary extrafollicular adenomatoid odontogenic tumor: Root resorption and involvement of the maxillary sinus and nasal cavity

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a benign, slow-growing lesion and it is considered the fourth most common odontogenic tumor. AOT affects more frequently the young subjects with a predilection for the second and third decades of life. We present here the case of a 36-year-old man affected by large extrafollicular AOT which caused roots resorption of multiple teeth. The lesion involved the entire right maxillary bone and extended into the right maxillary sinus up to the orbital floor and the nasal cavity. Intra-oral surgical excision of the AOT and functional endoscopic sinus surgery led to complete clinical healing in absence of local recurrences

Characterization of induced mucosal connective tissue separation : a comparison of six different techniques

BACKGROUND: Artificial separation of oral mucosa into epithelium and connective tissue represents the first step in investigating both the basement membrane zone and its two components (epithelium and connective tissue) separately. It is a useful tool in analysing the possible role of hepatitis C virus in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP). The aim of the present study was to test different methods to separate the epithelium from the connective tissue of oral mucosa affected by OLP as a preliminary step for further immunohistochemical or molecular investigations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen tissue biopsies of the oral mucosa of clinically and histopathologically confirmed OLP lesions underwent epithelial connective separation (ECS) using six different reagents. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Among the separation methods tested, CaCl2 1 M at 37 degrees C for 30 min, NaCl 1 M at 4 degrees C for 26 h and elastase at 4 degrees C for 22 h allowed good ECS without structural alteration or tissue loss. The present study provides useful information regarding techniques to separate the epithelium from the connective tissue as a preliminary step to investigate oral mucosa affected by OLP from an immunohistochemical or molecular viewpoint

Health-related quality of life profiles, trajectories, persistent symptoms and pulmonary function one year after ICU discharge in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients, a prospective follow-up study

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairment is often reported among COVID-19 ICU survivors, and little is known about their long-term outcomes. We evaluated the HRQoL trajectories between 3 months and 1 year after ICU discharge, the factors influencing these trajectories and the presence of clusters of HRQoL profiles in a population of COVID-19 patients who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Moreover, pathophysiological correlations of residual dyspnea were tested. Methods: We followed up 178 survivors from 16 Italian ICUs up to one year after ICU discharge. HRQoL was investigated through the 15D instrument. Available pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and chest CT scans at 1 year were also collected. A linear mixed-effects model was adopted to identify factors associated with different HRQoL trajectories and a two-step cluster analysis was performed to identify HRQoL clusters. Results: We found that HRQoL increased during the study period, especially for the significant increase of the physical dimensions, while the mental dimensions and dyspnea remained substantially unchanged. Four main 15D profiles were identified: full recovery (47.2%), bad recovery (5.1%) and two partial recovery clusters with mostly physical (9.6%) or mental (38.2%) dimensions affected. Gender, duration of IMV and number of comorbidities significantly influenced HRQoL trajectories. Persistent dyspnea was reported in 58.4% of patients, and weakly, but significantly, correlated with both DLCO and length of IMV. Conclusions: HRQoL impairment is frequent 1 year after ICU discharge, and the lowest recovery is found in the mental dimensions. Persistent dyspnea is often reported and weakly correlated with PFTs alterations