Pandemic influenza: implications for occupational medicine

This article reviews the biological and occupational medicine literature related to H5N1 pandemic influenza and its impact on infection control, cost and business continuity in settings outside the health care community. The literature on H5N1 biology is reviewed including the treatment and infection control mechanisms as they pertain to occupational medicine. Planning activity for the potential arrival of pandemic avian influenza is growing rapidly. Much has been published on the molecular biology of H5N1 but there remains a paucity of literature on the occupational medicine impacts to organizations. This review summarizes some of the basic science surrounding H5N1 influenza and raises some key concerns in pandemic planning for the occupational medicine professional. Workplaces other than health care settings will be impacted greatly by an H5N1 pandemic and the occupational physician will play an essential role in corporate preparation, response, and business continuity strategies

The postexercise increase in the threshold for cutaneous vasodilation and sweating is not observed with extended recovery

Contains fulltext : 157858.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Radboud University, 08 juli 2016Promotor : Dijkstra, A.F.J. Co-promotor : Muntendam, A.G.IV, 293 p

COMORBIDITY AND NON-PROSTHETIC INPATIENT REHABILITATION OUTCOMES AFTER DYSVASCULAR LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTATION

BACKGROUND: Dysvascular amputations arising from peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes are common. Patients who undergo amputation often have additional comorbidities that may impact their recovery after surgery. Many individuals undergo post-operative inpatient rehabilitation to improve their non-prosthetic functional independence. Thus far, our characterization of comorbidity in this population and how it is associated with non-prosthetic inpatient functional recovery remains relatively unexplored. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe comorbidities, using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and to examine associations between comorbidity and functional outcomes in a cohort of patients with dysvascular limb loss  undergoing non-prosthetic inpatient rehabilitation. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort design was used to analyze a group of 143 patients with unilateral, dysvascular limb loss who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation.  Age, sex, amputation level, amputation side, length of stay (LOS), time since surgery, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores (Total and Motor at admission and discharge), and CCI scores were collected. FINDINGS:  The data showed that neither total or specific comorbidities were associated with functional outcomes or LOS in this cohort and rehabilitation model. Multivariate analysis demonstrated an inverse relationship with age and FIM scores, where increased age was associated with lower Total and Motor FIM at admission and discharge. Comorbidities were not associated with functional outcomes. Dementia was negatively associated with FIM scores, however this requires more study given the low number of patients with dementia in this cohort. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that regardless of burden of comorbidity or specific comorbidities that patients with dysvascular limb loss may derive similar functional benefit from post-operative non-prosthetic inpatient rehabilitation. Layman’s Abstract: Lower extremity limb loss arising from peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes is common. Patients who require amputation often have multiple medical conditions that may impact their recovery after surgery. Moreover, many individuals undergo inpatient rehabilitation after surgery to improve self-care and mobility before discharge from hospital.  We understand very little about how multiple medical conditions in patients with recent limb loss who are admitted to rehabilitation hospitals are impacted. Specifically, whether individuals with multiple medical conditions have negative functional consequences and do they stay in a rehabilitation hospital for a longer period of time. The objective of this study was to describe the types of medical conditions that patients with recent limb loss have and to examine the relationship between these conditions with functional outcomes and length of stay in hospital while undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. 143 patients with unilateral, dysvascular limb loss who were admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital were included in the analysis.  Age, gender, amputation level, amputation side, length of stay, time since surgery, Functional Independence Measure scores (measure of a patient’s function) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (measure of multiple medical conditions) scores were collected. This study suggests that regardless of the burden of multiple medical conditions or specific medical problems, that patients with recent limb loss may derive similar benefit after surgery at an inpatient rehabilitation hospital prior to consideration for a prosthesis. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/33916/26327 How To Cite: Marquez M.G, Kowgier M, Journeay W.S. Comorbidity and non-prosthetic inpatient rehabilitation outcomes after dysvascular lower extremity amputation. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2020;Volume3, Issue1, No.1. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v3i1.33916 Corresponding Author: Dr. W. Shane Journeay, PhD, MD, MPH, FRCPC, BC-Occ MedProvidence Healthcare – Unity Health Toronto, 3276 St Clair Avenue East, Toronto ON M1L 1W1E-mail: [email protected]: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6075-317

HEMODIALYSIS IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH PRE-PROSTHETIC INPATIENT REHABILITATION OUTCOMES AFTER DYSVASCULAR LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTATION: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

BACKGROUND: Lower extremity amputation due to complications from peripheral vascular disease and/or diabetes are common and these patients often have multiple comorbidities. Patients with end-stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis (ESRD/HD) are a particularly vulnerable group at risk for amputation. After lower extremity amputation (LEA) surgery, many patients undergo post-operative inpatient rehabilitation to improve their pre-prosthetic functional independence. Given the increased complexity of dysvascular patients living with ESRD/HD compared to those without ESRD/HD, the association of HD with pre-prosthetic inpatient functional outcomes warrants further study. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the pre-prosthetic functional outcomes and Length of Stay (LOS) among patients with recent dysvascular LEA with and without ESRD/HD. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort design was used to analyze a group of 167 patients with unilateral, dysvascular limb loss who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation with 24 of these patients in the ESRD/HD group.  Age, gender, amputation level, amputation side, length of stay (LOS), time since surgery, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores (admission and discharge), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were collected. FINDINGS:  There was no difference between patients with dysvascular amputation with and without ESRD/HD in the association of functional outcomes or LOS in this cohort and rehabilitation model. The CCI score was higher in the ESRD/HD group. Multivariate analysis indicated an inverse relationship with age and FIM scores, where increased age was associated with lower Total and Motor FIM at admission and discharge. There were no associations with FIM change. Age was positively associated with LOS. Being female was inversely associated to motor FIM scores at admission and discharge CONCLUSION: Among patients with recent dysvascular LEA, ESRD/HD is not associated with different functional outcomes or LOS in the pre-prosthetic inpatient rehabilitation setting. This suggests that despite added comorbidity that patients with ESRD/HD may still benefit from inpatient rehabilitation to optimize pre-prosthetic function. Layman's Abstract Lower extremity limb loss caused by blood vessel disease and/or diabetes is common. Patients who need amputation often have additional medical conditions that may impact their recovery after surgery. One such condition, is diabetes-related poor kidney function requiring hemodialysis. Patients who attend hemodialysis are particularly vulnerable to limb amputation. After amputation surgery many individuals undergo inpatient rehabilitation to improve self-care and mobility prior to discharge from hospital and before being considered for a prosthesis. In patients who are admitted to rehabilitation hospitals after amputation we understand very little about how the demands of hemodialysis may impact their rehabilitation and how long they stay in a rehabilitation hospital. The objective of this study was to compare patients with amputation due to blood vessel disease and/or diabetes with patients who also require hemodialysis. We studied their functional outcomes and inpatient rehabilitation length of stay in hospital. 167 patients with unilateral, limb loss who were admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital were included in the analysis with 24 of these patients attending hemodialysis.  Age, sex, amputation level, amputation side, length of stay, time since surgery, Functional Independence Measure scores (measure of a patient’s function) and Charlson Comorbidity Index (measure of multiple medical conditions) were collected. We concluded that in patients with recent limb amputation, hemodialysis was not related to different functional outcomes or time in hospital in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. This suggests that despite receiving hemodialysis, patients with recent limb loss may still benefit from inpatient rehabilitation before being considered for a prosthesis. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/34471/26580 How To Cite: Journeay W.S., Marquez M.G., Kowgier M. Hemodialysis is not associated with pre-prosthetic inpatient rehabilitation outcomes after dysvascular lower extremity amputation: a retrospective cohort study. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2020; Volume 3, Issue 2, No.2. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v3i2.34471 Corresponding Author: Dr. W. Shane Journeay, PhD, MD, MPH, FRCPC, BC-Occ MedProvidence Healthcare – Unity Health Toronto, 3276 St Clair Avenue East, Toronto ON M1L 1W1E-mail: [email protected]: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6075-317

Cellular toxicity evaluation of helical rosette nanotubes

Helical rosette nanotubes (HRN) are synthesized through the molecular self-assembly of individual rosette compounds. HRN are water-soluble and synthesized in the absence of any metals. They have a range of potential applications including drug delivery. We have evaluated the potential in vitro toxicity of the HRN-K1 compound in the Calu-3 pulmonary epithelial cell line. Cells were treated with: Control (media only), Lysine (25\u3bcg/cm), 2.5, 12.5, 25\u3bcg/cm\ub2 of HRN-K1 (HRN with lysine residue), 200\u3bcg/cm\ub2 and 60\u3bcg/cm\ub2 of quartz. Lysine and quartz were used as controls. Cells and supernatant samples were collected for analysis at 1, 12, and 24h post-treatment. Cell viability was determined using Trypan Blue counting and a reduction in viability was detected in the high dose quartz group only. A gel electrophoresis assay showed DNA shearing in the high dose quartz group only. Preliminary ELISA data on cell supernatant indicate the release of IL-8 in the quartz groups and 25\u3bcg/cm\ub2 HRN-K1 group at 12 & 24h compared to media-only control. Real time quantitative Rt-PCR has also been performed for IL-8, TNF-\u3b1 and ICAM-1. In conclusion, HRN-K1 does not reduce Calu-3 cell viability or induce DNA strand breakage, but may activate cytokine release in vitro. These results contrast studies demonstrating cytotoxicity using single-walled carbon nanotubes in vitro.(Support: NSERC NanoIP to B.S. and CIHR Doctoral Award to W.S.J.)Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Rosette nanotubes show low acute pulmonary toxicity in vivo

W Shane Journeay1, Sarabjeet S Suri1, Jesus G Moralez2, Hicham Fenniri2, Baljit Singh11Immunology Research Group, Toxicology Graduate Program and Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada; 2National Institute of Nanotechnology, National Research Council (NINT-NRC) and Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, CanadaAbstract: Nanotubes are being developed for a large variety of applications ranging from electronics to drug delivery. Common carbon nanotubes such as single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes have been studied in the greatest detail but require solubilization and removal of catalytic contaminants such as metals prior to being introduced to biological systems for medical application. The present in vivo study characterizes the degree and nature of inflammation caused by a novel class of self-assembling rosette nanotubes, which are biologically inspired, naturally water-soluble and free of metal content upon synthesis. Upon pulmonary administration of this material we examined responses at 24 h and 7d post-exposure. An acute inflammatory response is triggered at 50 and 25 μg doses by 24 h post-exposure but an inflammatory response is not triggered by a 5 μg dose. Lung inflammation observed at a 50 μg dose at 24 h was resolving by 7d. This work suggests that novel nanostructures with biological design may negate toxicity concerns for biomedical applications of nanotubes. This study also demonstrates that water-soluble rosette nanotube structures represent low pulmonary toxicity, likely due to their biologically inspired design, and their self-assembled architecture.Keywords: nanotoxicology, biocompatibility, nanomedicine, pulmonary drug delivery, lung inflammatio

Effect of exercise intensity on the postexercise sweating threshold

The hypothesis that the magnitude of the postexercise onset threshold for sweating is increased by the intensity of exercise was tested in eight subjects. Esophageal temperature was monitored as an index of core temperature while sweat rate was measured by using a ventilated capsule placed on the upper back. Subjects remained seated resting for 15 min (no exercise) or performed 15 min of treadmill running at either 55, 70, or 85% of peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2 peak) followed by a 20-min seated recovery. Subjects then donned a liquid-conditioned suit used to regulate mean skin temperature. The suit was first perfused with 20°C water to control and stabilize skin and core temperature before whole body heating. Subsequently, the skin was heated (∼4.0°C/h) until sweating occurred. Exercise resulted in an increase in the onset threshold for sweating of 0.11 ± 0.02, 0.23 ± 0.01, and 0.33 ± 0.02°C above that measured for the no-exercise resting values ( P &lt; 0.05) for the 55, 70, and 85% of V̇o2 peak exercise conditions, respectively. We did note that there was a greater postexercise hypotension as a function of exercise intensity as measured at the end of the 20-min exercise recovery. Thus it is plausible that the increase in postexercise threshold may be related to postexercise hypotension. It is concluded that the sweating response during upright recovery is significantly modified by exercise intensity and may likely be influenced by the nonthermal baroreceptor reflex adjustments postexercise. </jats:p