Ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers

Ventilacijska funkcija ispitivana je u 27 radnika izloženih prašini soje nakon ekstrakcije ulja. Prevalencija svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma bila je viša u eksponiranih nego u kontrolnih radnika, premda razlike nisu bile statistički značajne. Tijekom radne smjene ponedjeljkom utvrđene su statistički značajne akutne redukcije za maksimalni ekspiratorni protok pri 50% i 25% vitalnog kapaciteta (FEF50: -6,4%; FEF25: - 12,4%). Promjene u vitalnom kapacitetu (FVK: -3,6%) i forsiranom ekspiratornom volumenu u prvoj sekundi (FEV1: -2, 7%) bile su manje, ali još uvijek statistički značajne. Analiza rezultata testiranja ventilacijskih kapaciteta ponedjeljkom prije smjene u radnika na preradi soje upućuje na to da eskpozicija prašini soje u nekih radnika može dovesti do pojave kroničnog oštećenja respiratornog sustava.Ventilatory capacity was examined in a group of 29 workers exposed to soy bean dust. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in the exposed than in control workers, although the differences were not statistically significant. During the Monday work shift there was a significant mean acute across-shift decrease in maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and 25% vital capacity (FEF50: -6.4%; FEF25: -12.4%). Changes in forced vital capacity (FVC: -3.6%) and in one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1: -2. 7%) were smaller, but statistically significant. Analysis of Monday preshift values of ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers suggests that exposure to soy bean dust may lead to chronic respiratory impairment in some workers

Ventilatory capacity in furriers

Ispitivana je skupina od 40 žena zaposlenih u preradi krzna (srednja dob 36 godina, srednja ekspozicija 14 godina) i skupina od 31 radnice kontrolne neeksponirane skupine. Viša prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i bolesti utvrđena je u radnica na preradi krzna nego u radnica kontrolne skupine; te su razlike bile statistički značajne za kronični kašalj i sinusitis (p < 0,01). Najviša prevalencija u radnica na preradi krzna utvrđena je za kronični kašalj (50%), zatim sinusitis (30%), dispneju (25%), katar nosa (20%) i profesionalnu astmu (5%). Velik broj radnika u preradi krzna tužio se na akutne simptome tijekom radne smjene. U radnica na preradi krzna utvrđene su statistički značajne akutne redukcije tijekom radne smjene za FVK (-4,1%), FEV1 (-5,2%) i FEV50 (-6,3%). Vrijednosti ventilacijskih testova u usporedbi s normalnim vrijednostima pokazale su značajno sniženi FVK i FEV25 (p < 0,05). Primjena 40 mg kromoglikata natrija (Intala) prije smjene znatno je smanjila intenzitet akutnih respiratornih simptoma i smanjila redukcije ventilacijske funkcije pluća tijekom radne smjene.Forty women employed as furriers in the fur processing industry and a group of 31 control workers were examined. A higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the furriers than among the controls. The differences were statistically significant for chronic cough and sinusitis (P < 0.01). The highest prevalence in furriers was found for chronic cough (50%), sinusitis (30%), followed by dyspnea (25%), nasal catarrh (20%) and occupational asthma (5%). A large number of workers complained of acute symptoms during work shift. Statistically significant mean acute reductions in ventilatory capacity over the workshift were recorded for FVC (-4.1 %), FEV1 (- 5.2%) and FEV50 (-6.3%). The furriers demonstrated significantly lower mean measured pre-shift values for FVC and FEY25 (P < 0.05) when compared with the predicted. Pre-shift administration of 40 mg of Intal considerably diminished acute ventilatory capacity over the work shift

Preoperative short-term radiation therapy (25 Gy, 2.5 Gy twice daily) for primary resectable rectal cancer (phase II)

To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and long-term bowel function of preoperative hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in primary resectable rectal cancer. A total of 184 consecutive patients (median age 65 years, male : female=2 : 1) with clinical T3Nx rectal adenocarcinoma received preoperative pelvic radiation therapy with single fractions of 2.5 Gy twice daily (interval 6 h between fractions) to a total dose of 25 Gy within 1 week. Surgery was conducted the following week. Postoperative histology revealed UICC stage I in 33%, stage II in 26%, stage III in 34%, and stage IV in 7% of the patients. Median follow-up was 43 months (53 months for surviving patients). The actuarial 4-year-local-recurrence rate was 2.1%, overall recurrence 23%. Disease-specific and disease-free survivals at 4 years (excluding stage IV) were 82 and 69%, respectively. Overall survival for 4 years was 68%. Postoperative mortality was 0.5% (one patient), early anastomotic leakage occurred in 11.4%, and anastomotic stenosis requiring treatment in 6%, of 132 patients with primary anastomosis. Seven of 184 patients (3.8%) died of abdominal complications, all within the first year. Bowel function was satisfactory after more than 5 years. Local control in primarily resectable rectal cancer after 10 × 2.5 Gy is excellent, warranting further evaluation of this treatment

Increasing the effectiveness of combined strikers in the defeat of lightly armored targets

The article deals with the possibility of increasing the damaging effects of small-caliber artillery ammunition in the fuel tanks of aircraft and helicopters. A comparison of the results of the calculation of the probability of the incendiary effect of strikers based on fluoropolymers on diesel fuel was made. The calculations were carried out using the methods of “Fragment Criterion” and “Energy Balance”. © 2021 Institute of Physics Publishing. All rights reserved

Normal Values of Circulating IGF-I Bioactivity in the Healthy Population: Comparison with five widely used IGF-I immunoassays

Background: IGF-I immunoassays are primarily used to estimate IGF-I bioactivity. Recently, an IGFI specific Kinase Receptor Activation Assay (KIRA) has been developed as an alternative method. However, no normative values have been established for the IGF-I KIRA. Objective: To establish normative values for the IGF-I KIRA in healthy adults. Design: Cross-sectional study in healthy non-fasting blood donors. Study participants: 426 healthy individuals (310 M, 116 F; age range: 18 – 79 yrs) Main outcome Measures: IGF-I bioactivity determined by the KIRA. Results were compared with total IGF-I, measured by five different IGF-I immunoassays. Results: Mean (± SD) IGF-I bioactivity was 423 (± 131) pmol/L and decreased with age (β = -3.4 pmol/L/yr, p < 0.001). In subjects younger than 55 yrs mean IGF-I bioactivity was significantly higher in women than in men. Above this age this relationship was inverse, suggesting a drop in IGF-I bioactivity after menopause. This drop was not reflected in total IGF-I levels. IGF-I bioactivity was significantly related to total IGF-I (rs varied between 0.46 – 0.52; P-values < 0.001). Conclusions: We established age-specific normative values for the IGF-I KIRA. We observed a significant drop in IGF-I bioactivity in women between 50 and 60 years, which was not perceived by IGF-I immunoassays. The IGF-I KIRA, when compared to IGF-I immunoassays, theoretically has the advantage that it measures net effects of IGF-binding proteins on IGF-I receptor activation. However, it has to be proven whether information obtained by the IGF-I KIRA is clinically more relevant than measurements obtained by IGF-I immunoassays

Inhibiting mevalonate pathway enzymes increases stromal cell resilience to a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin

Animal health depends on the ability of immune cells to kill invading pathogens, and on the resilience of tissues to tolerate the presence of pathogens. Trueperella pyogenes causes tissue pathology in many mammals by secreting a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin, pyolysin (PLO), which targets stromal cells. Cellular cholesterol is derived from squalene, which is synthesized via the mevalonate pathway enzymes, including HMGCR, FDPS and FDFT1. The present study tested the hypothesis that inhibiting enzymes in the mevalonate pathway to reduce cellular cholesterol increases the resilience of stromal cells to PLO. We first verified that depleting cellular cholesterol with methyl-β-cyclodextrin increased the resilience of stromal cells to PLO. We then used siRNA to deplete mevalonate pathway enzyme gene expression, and used pharmaceutical inhibitors, atorvastatin, alendronate or zaragozic acid to inhibit the activity of HMGCR, FDPS and FDFT1, respectively. These approaches successfully reduced cellular cholesterol abundance, but mevalonate pathway enzymes did not affect cellular resilience equally. Inhibiting FDFT1 was most effective, with zaragozic acid reducing the impact of PLO on cell viability. The present study provides evidence that inhibiting FDFT1 increases stromal cell resilience to a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin

Adult Height in Patients with Advanced CKD Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy during Childhood.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Growth and final height are of major concern in children with ESRD. This study sought to describe the distribution of adult height of patients who started renal replacement therapy (RRT) during childhood and to identify determinants of final height in a large cohort of RRT children. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: A total of 1612 patients from 20 European countries who started RRT before 19 years of age and reached final height between 1990 and 2011 were included. Linear regression analyses were performed to calculate adjusted mean final height SD score (SDS) and to investigate its potential determinants. RESULTS: The median final height SDS was -1.65 (median of 168 cm in boys and 155 cm in girls). Fifty-five percent of patients attained an adult height within the normal range. Adjusted for age at start of RRT and primary renal diseases, final height increased significantly over time from -2.06 SDS in children who reached adulthood in 1990-1995 to -1.33 SDS among those reaching adulthood in 2006-2011. Older age at start of RRT, more recent period of start of RRT, cumulative percentage time on a functioning graft, and greater height SDS at initiation of RRT were independently associated with a higher final height SDS. Patients with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract and metabolic disorders had a lower final height than those with other primary renal diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Although final height remains suboptimal in children with ESRD, it has consistently improved over time

Management of acromegaly in Latin America: expert panel recommendations

Although there are international guidelines orienting physicians on how to manage patients with acromegaly, such guidelines should be adapted for use in distinct regions of the world. A panel of neuroendocrinologists convened in Mexico City in August of 2007 to discuss specific considerations in Latin America. Of major discussion was the laboratory evaluation of acromegaly, which requires the use of appropriate tests and the adoption of local institutional standards. As a general rule to ensure diagnosis, the patient’s GH level during an oral glucose tolerance test and IGF-1 level should be evaluated. Furthermore, to guide treatment decisions, both GH and IGF-1 assessments are required. The treatment of patients with acromegaly in Latin America is influenced by local issues of cost, availability and expertise of pituitary neurosurgeons, which should dictate therapeutic choices. Such treatment has undergone profound changes because of the introduction of effective medical interventions that may be used after surgical debulking or as first-line medical therapy in selected cases. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of therapy for small pituitary adenomas (microadenomas), potentially resectable macroadenomas and invasive adenomas causing visual defects. Radiotherapy may be indicated in selected cases when no disease control is achieved despite optimal surgical debulking and medical therapy, when there is no access to somatostatin analogues, or when local issues of cost preclude other therapies. Since not all the diagnostic tools and treatment options are available in all Latin American countries, physicians need to adapt their clinical management decisions to the available local resources and therapeutic options

Ventilatory capacity in workers processing food spices

Ventilacijska funkcija pluća ispitivana je u 92 radnice zaposlene u preradi dodataka jelima i u 102 radnice kontrolne skupine. Mjerenjem ventilacijske funkcije pluća eksponiranih radnica tijekom radne smjene ponedjeljkom utvrđene su akutne srednje redukcije forsiranog vitalnog kapaciteta (FVC: -2,0%), forsiranog ekspiratornog volumena u prvoj sekundi (FEV1: -3,0%) i maksimalnog ekspiratornog protoka pri 50% i 25% vitalnog kapaciteta (FEF50%: -8,3%; FEF25: -15,2%). Inhalacija Intala (40 mg) prije radne smjene značajno je umanjila akutne redukcije FEF50 i FEF25 tijekom radne smjene u usporedbi s vrijednostima testova nakon primjene placeba. Značajno veća prevalencija kroničnih respiratornih simptoma i nekih kroničnih respiratornih bolesti utvrđena je u eksponiranih radnica u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom. Relativno velik broj radnica tužio se na simptome iritacije očiju, nosa i grla za vrijeme rada. Uzorci aerogene prašine sakupljeni na radnim mjestima sadržavali su pretežno neinhalabilnu prašinu ili prašinu koja se zadržava pretežno u nazofarinksu, pa su koncentracije prašine koja bi mogla biti odgovorna za ustanovljene promjene ventilacijske funkcije relativno niske, ispod 3,3 mg/m3.Ventilatory capacity was studied in 92 female workers employed in a food processing industry and in 102 control female workers. In exposed workers a significant mean acute decrease was noted in forced vital capacity (FVC: -2.0%), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1: -3.0%) and maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% and 25% vital capacity (FEF50: -8.3%; FEF25%: -15.2%) over work shift on Monday. Administration of Intal (disodium chromoglycate) before the shift significantly diminished acute reductions in flow rates. A significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and some chronic respiratory diseases was found in the exposed than in the control group. A Iarger number of workers complained of acute symptoms such as irritation of the eyes, throat or nose during work. Dust samples collected in the working areas contained mostly non-inhalable dust, or dust which is deposited mostly in the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, the concentrations responsible for the changes in ventilatory capacity were those below 3.3 mg/m3