An integrated approach to evaluate PAH exposure

Introduction - An integrated evaluation of PAH exposure should consider different routes of absorption, reliability and specificity of biomarkers of dose, and individual susceptibility. Material and Methods - The present study investigated the exposure to PAHs in coke oven workers (n=100), asphalt pavers (n=98) and ground construction workers (n=47), by means of environmental exposure and biological monitoring. Results \u2013 Personal exposure to total airborne PAHs [from naphtalene to indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene] in coke oven workers (median 140 \ub5g/m3), was much higher than in pavers exposed to bitumen fumes (0.6 \ub5g/m3), or in construction workers (0.4 \ub5g/m3),. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HOP) in end-shift samples was significantly higher in cokeoven workers (2.2 \ub5g/l) than in asphalt pavers (0.7 \ub5g/l) and in construction workers (0.4 \ub5g/l). An increasing trend in 1-HOP levels, over the workweek and the workshift was registered. A similar trend was observed for urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-FLE) and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (3-PHE) as well as for some unmetabolised PAH in urine. In smokers with low exposures an important contribution to biomarkers was given by tobacco smoking. PAH-DNA adducts in peripheral blood lymphocytes were not associated with external exposure. Genetic polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repairing enzymes (CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, XPD) did not appear to influence the levels of biomarkers. Total dermal contamination of PAHs in pavers, assessed in a subgroup of workers (n=22), ranged from 23 to 623 \ub5g. Significant correlations between dermal phenanthrene or pyrene and 1-HOP (r = 0.41 and 0.55), suggest that dermal exposure significantly contributes to the internal dose of these compounds. Conclusion \u2013 Our results suggest that urinary biomarkers of PAHs, integrating exposure from all sources and routes, are reliable tools for risk assessment in occupational health

Routes to the arylglycoside core of neocarzinostatin and to combretastatin D-2

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Correlation between the Severity Prediction Index score (SPI-2) and tear production in 100 critically ill dogs admitted to the intensive care unit

urpose: To determine the relationship between the severity of a systemic disease and tear production (TP) in critically ill dogs admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: One hundred dogs of various breeds and both sexes were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: presence of a severe systemic disease, no anesthesiological procedures within the previous 24 h, and no therapy with drugs that could interfere with TP. Another inclu- sion criterium was the absence of any ocular abnormalities assessed by slit-lamp biomi- croscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and applanation tonometry preceded by the Schirmer Tear Test type I in both eyes. For each dog the illness severity was calculated by a diagnosis independent score (Severity Prediction Index - SPI-2) which predicts probability of survival based on variation of 7 clinical parameters within 24 h of admission. Data were statistically analyzed and the Spearmann test was used to detect a possible correlation between SPI-2 score and TP. Results: In the 53 male and 47 female dogs no statistical difference in TP was found between left and right eyes. No significant effect of both, age and body weight on TP was detected. A difference related to gender was found, with intact male dogs showing a lower TP. The variables SPI-2 and TP in the critically ill dogs were correlated (P < 0.0001) and a positive correlation was detected (rs 0.957). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that tear production tends to decrease in dogs with lower SPI-2 scores, in other words in the more critically ill dogs

Automated tru-cut imaging-guided core needle biopsy of canine orbital neoplasia. A prospective feasibility study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of imaging-guided core needle biopsy for canine orbital mass diagnosis. A second excisional biopsy obtained during surgery or necropsy was used as the reference standard. A prospective feasibility study was conducted in 23 canine orbital masses at a single centre. A complete ophthalmic examination was always followed by orbital ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) examination of the head. All masses were sampled with the patient still on the CT table using ultrasound (US) guided automatic tru-cut device. The most suitable sampling approach to the orbit was chosen each time based on the CT image analysis. One of the following different approaches was used: trans-orbital, trans-conjunctival or trans-masseteric. In all cases, the imaging-guided biopsy provided a sufficient amount of tissue for the histopathological diagnosis, which concurred with the biopsies obtained using the excisional technique. CT examination was essential for morphological diagnosis and provided detailed topographic information that allowed us to choose the safest orbital approach for the biopsy. US guided automatic tru-cut biopsy based on CT images, performed with patient still on the CT table, resulted in a minimally invasive, relatively easy, and accurate diagnostic procedure in dogs with orbital masses.Keywords: Computed tomography, Core-needle biopsy, Dogs, Orbital mass, Ultrasoun

A fuzzy Logic Based System for the Quantification of Visual Inspection in Clinical Assessment

The paper deals with medical diagnostic problems including visual inspection as a fundamental procedure with which to evluate clinical signs. Automated solutions are experiemnted using fuzzy logic and neural network

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the upper eyelid in a dog

Purpose: To describe an adenosquamous carcinoma of the upper eyelid in a dog. Methods: A 12-year-old, male mongrel dog with a 6-month history of a progressive eyelid mass of the right upper eyelid was evaluated. Long-term bilateral topical application of 0.03% tacrolimus for third eyelid plasmoma and treatment cycles with systemic corticosteroids for a long-standing atopic dermatitis were reported by medical history. Complete physical and ophthalmologic examination of the dog as well as CBC, serum biochemical analysis, urinalysis, thoracic radiographs, and abdominal ultrasonography were performed. The mass was surgically removed and the eyelid was restored using a semicircular rotational flap from the periocular region. The removed mass was routinely processed, and 4 µm-thick sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. An additional immunohistochemistry with the streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method, using an anti-pan cytokeratin antibody, was also performed. Results: Clinical staging did not show any abnormality. Histological examination showed an invasive proliferation of malignant epithelial cells with intermixing of both adenocarcinomatous and malignant squamous cell components. A diagnosis of eyelid adenosquamous carcinoma was made. No evidence of local recurrence or distance metastases was identified during the 12-month follow-up period. Conclusions: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on an adenosquamous carcinoma of the eyelid in the dog. Immunosuppression was found to be a significant clinical risk factor for cutaneous adenosquamous carcinoma in humans and it was considered a possible risk factor in this dog

Ocular fundus abnormalities in cats affected by systemic hypertension: Prevalence, characterization, and outcome of treatment

none4noObjectives: To determine the prevalence of ocular fundus abnormalities in cats with a diagnosis of systemic hypertension, to characterize the abnormalities observed, and to evaluate ophthalmoscopic evolution during treatment with amlodipine besylate. Animals studied: Cats diagnosed as affected by SHP in a 2-year period. Procedures: Systemic hypertension was assessed by oscillometric blood pressure measurement, and its etiology was also established. All the cats received an ophthalmic examination, and ocular lesions were classified with a score from 0 (no abnormalities) to 4 (severe abnormalities). All cats received amlodipine besylate by mouth, and those that showed fundus abnormalities were regularly rechecked from 7 to 365 days after diagnosis. Data were statistically analyzed to compare Psys and Pdia with all the variables and to correlate Psys and Pdia with the fundus score. Results: A total of 225 cats were enrolled in the study, and the prevalence of fundus abnormalities was 58.6% (21.2%: grade 1; 18.2%: grade 2; 36.4%: grade 3; and 24.2%: grade 4). Systemic hypertension was diagnosed concurrently with chronic renal failure (60.4%), hyperthyroidism (28.9%), both chronic renal failure and hyperthyroidism (7.6%), and hypertrophic myocardiopathy (3.1%). A significant effect of Psys values on the fundus score was detected. Amlodipine therapy improved fundus abnormalities in 50% of cases at the 21-day follow-up. Conclusions: This study showed that fundus abnormalities are common in hypertensive cats at the time of the systemic diagnosis, and most of the abnormalities are moderate to severe. Treatment with amlodipine appeared to improve ophthalmic lesions over time.noneCirla A.; Drigo M.; Andreani V.; Barsotti G.Cirla, A.; Drigo, M.; Andreani, V.; Barsotti, G

UNILATERAL PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC TUNICA VASCULOSA LENTIS/PERSISTENT HYPERPLASTIC PRIMARY VITREOUS (PHTVL/PHPV) IN TWO WIREHAIRED DACHSHUNDS FROM THE SAME LITTER.

To describe unilateral PHTVL/PHPV associated with retinal dysplasia and cataract formation in the contralateral eye in two 1-year-old female Wirehaired Dachshunds from the same litter