Évaluation des risques biologiques pour les personnels de soins : de l’évaluation a priori à l’expérimentation

But de l’étudeL’exposition des personnels de soins aux risques biologiques est inhérente à l’activité professionnelle dans ce milieu, mais les méthodes d’évaluation de ces risques sont encore limitées. L’objectif de ce travail est double : d’une part, élaborer un guide d’évaluation à partir des données de la littérature biomédicale et des données locales d’hospitalisation ou d’analyses microbiologiques, pour les germes les plus couramment rencontrés en milieu de soins, d’autre part, valider l’utilisation d’un impacteur mono-étage dans l’évaluation des expositions. Matériel et méthode Ce travail s’est déroulé selon deux grands axes : synthèse des informations existantes, identification et synthèse des documents scientifiques existants portant sur l’exposition des personnels de soins aux agents biologiques et sur les circonstances des expositions, puis réalisation et validation d’un guide des expositions a priori aux risques biologiques en milieu de soins. Utilisation d’un impacteur mono-étage pour évaluer la présence de staphylocoques résistant à la méthicilline dans les chambres de patients infectés ou colonisés par ce germe. Les prélèvements ont été réalisés sur des milieux gélosés sélectifs, et les souches retrouvées ont été comparées aux souches portées par les patients. Résultats Les documents de synthèse sur les expositions des soignants aux risques biologiques, sur les contextes des expositions et sur les recommandations en termes de vaccinations basées sur les prescriptions réglementaires et les connaissances scientifiques ont été élaborés et sont disponibles sur le site Internet http://wwww.chu-rouen.fr/mtph. Il concerne une vingtaine de germes reconnus comme les principaux risques biologiques en milieu de soins. Les résultats obtenus avec l’impacteur mono-étage confirment qu’il peut être valablement utilisé pour mesurer l’exposition aérienne aux germes cultivables

Cement dust exposure and acute lung function: A cross shift study

Background: Few studies have been carried out on acute effects of cement dust exposure. This study is conducted to investigate the associations between current "total" dust exposure and acute respiratory symptoms and respiratory function among cement factory workers. Methods: A combined cross-sectional and cross-shift study was conducted in Dire Dawa cement factory in Ethiopia. 40 exposed production workers from the crusher and packing sections and 20 controls from the guards were included. Personal "total" dust was measured in the workers' breathing zone and peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured for all selected workers before and after the shift. When the day shift ended, the acute respiratory symptoms experienced were scored and recorded on a five-point Likert scale using a modified respiratory symptom score questionnaire. Results: The highest geometric mean dust exposure was found in the crusher section (38.6 mg/m3) followed by the packing section (18.5 mg/m3) and the guards (0.4 mg/m3). The highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms for the high exposed workers was stuffy nose (85%) followed by shortness of breath (47%) and "sneezing" (45%). PEF decreased significantly across the shift in the high exposed group. Multiple linear regression showed a significant negative association between the percentage cross-shift change in PEF and total dust exposure. The number of years of work in high-exposure sections and current smoking were also associated with cross-shift decrease in PEF. Conclusions: Total cement dust exposure was related to acute respiratory symptoms and acute ventilatory effects. Implementing measures to control dust and providing adequate personal respiratory protective equipment for the production workers are highly recommended

Occupation, smoking, and chronic obstructive respiratory disorders: a cross sectional study in an industrial area of Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the independent effects of occupational exposures and smoking on chronic bronchitis and airflow obstruction. We assessed the association between lifetime occupational exposures and airflow obstruction in a cross-sectional survey in an urban-industrial area of Catalonia, Spain. METHODS: We interviewed 576 subjects of both sexes aged 20–70 years (response rate 80%) randomly selected from census rolls, using the ATS questionnaire. Forced spirometry was performed by 497 subjects according to ATS normative. RESULTS: Lifetime occupational exposure to dust, gases or fumes was reported by 52% of the subjects (63% in men, 41% in women). Textile industry was the most frequently reported job in relation to these exposures (39%). Chronic cough, expectoration and wheeze were more prevalent in exposed subjects with odds ratios ranging from 1.7 to 2.0 being highest among never-smokers (2.1 to 4.3). Lung function differences between exposed and unexposed subjects were dependent on duration of exposure, but not on smoking habits. Subjects exposed more than 15 years to dusts, gases or fumes had lower lung function values (FEV(1 )-80 ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) -186 to 26; MMEF -163 ml, CI -397 to 71; FEV(1)/FVC ratio -1.7%, CI -3.3 to -0.2) than non-exposed. CONCLUSION: Chronic bronchitis symptoms and airflow obstruction are associated with occupational exposures in a population with a high employment in the textile industry. Lung function impairment was related to the duration of occupational exposure, being independent of the effect of smoking

Analysis of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of subjects with asthma as a complement to exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study of pulmonary biomarkers with noninvasive methods, such as the analysis of exhaled breath condensate (EBC), provides a useful approach to the pathophysiology of asthma. Although many recent publications have applied such methods, numerous methodological pitfalls remain. The first stage of our study consisted of validating methods for the collection, storage and analysis of EBC; we next sought to clarify the utility of analysing nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the EBC of asthmatics, as a complement to measuring exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 23 controls matched with 23 asthmatics. EBC and FeNO were performed and respiratory function measured. Intra-assay and intra-subject reproducibility were assessed for the analysis of NOx in the EBC of 10 healthy subjects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was excellent for intra-assay reproducibility and was moderate for intra-subject reproducibility (Fermanian's classification). NOx was significantly higher in asthmatics (geometric mean [IQR] 14.4 μM [10.4 - 19.7] vs controls 9.9 μM [7.5 - 15.0]), as was FeNO (29.9 ppb [17.9 - 52.4] vs controls 9.6 ppb [8.4 - 14.2]). FeNO also increased significantly with asthma severity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We validated the procedures for NOx analysis in EBC and confirmed the need for assays of other biomarkers to further our knowledge of the pathophysiologic processes of asthma and improve its treatment and control.</p

Porównanie rezultatów tworzenia modeli cyfrowych za pomocą skanerów 3D

Obrazowanie 3D obejmuje wszechstronne oraz nowoczesne rozwiązania przestrzennego odwzorowywania obiektów rzeczywistych znajdujące zastosowanie w wielu obszarach – m.in. w przemyśle maszynowym do inżynierii odwrotnej, w archiwizowaniu zbiór dzieł sztuki, czy w medycynie do planowania zabiegów chirurgicznych. Wraz z rosnącą popularnością technologii 3D coraz częściej spotyka się producentów oferujących szeroki asortyment skanerów 3D. Duża konkurencyjność sprawia, iż firmy produkujące sprzęt tego typu proponują coraz nowocześniejsze rozwiązania. Celem niniejszej pracy jest ocena rezultatów procesu skanowania 3D, a także analiza parametrów wykorzystanych skanerów. W artykule przedstawiono oraz przeanalizowano rezultaty tworzenia modeli cyfrowych za pomocą ręcznych skanerów 3D. Zakres pracy obejmuje omówienie idei skanowania 3D, przedstawienie charakterystyk skanerów firmy Artec oraz szczegółowe zaprezentowanie metodyki procesu skanowania, obróbki modeli cyfrowych oraz analizę otrzymanych rezultatów.3D visualization includes modern and comprehensive real objects representation solutions. It is used in engineering industry (in Reverse Engineering), archiving of artworks collection or in a medicine (in surgery planning). Nowadays, there are a lot of producers which offer modern 3D scanners. High competitiveness stimulates grow of proposed solutions. The paper presents the evaluation of the real object scanning results by means of two 3D Artec scanners. First of all, the idea of creating digital models using handheld 3D scanners was described. Moreover, the specification of used scanners, methodology of visualization process and 3D models processing were outlined. In the final part of the paper the authors discussed the research results

Ocena wybranych technik TCT w odwzorowywaniu rzeczywistych obiektów

Techniki przyspieszające procesy prototypowania oraz wytwarzania we współczesnym przemyśle oraz nauce są obiektem dużego zainteresowania. Zwiększająca się dostępność nowoczesnych technik skracania czasu sprawia, iż coraz częściej prowadzi się szereg badań mających na celu analizę efektywności zastosowania technologii TCT (Time-Compressing Technologies) w różnorodnych procesach. Celem niniejszej pracy jest przedstawienie oraz ocena wybranych technik przyspieszających wytwarzanie. Zakres pracy obejmuje przedstawienie ogólnego podziału technik TCT oraz ich krótką charakterystykę, omówienie technik Rapid Prototyping oraz Rapid Manufacturing, a także ocenę wykorzystania skanera 3D oraz druku 3D w procesie odwzorowywania rzeczywistych elementów. W pracy przedstawiono rezultaty badań mające na celu porównanie parametrów elementu wytworzonego za pomocą technik TCT z parametrami obiektu rzeczywistego.Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing techniques are the subject of great interest in current industry and science. Increasing amount of modern TimeCompressing Technologies causes needs of conduct a lot of research in TCT efficiency analysis area in various processes. The article presents discussing and evaluation of selected Time-Compressing Technologies. First of all, the TCT – Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing was outlined. Moreover, the evaluation of using 3D scanner and 3D printer in real objects modelling are presented. In the final part of the paper the authors presented and discussed parameters comparison of real object and model prepared by means of TCT

Projekt aplikacji komputerowej umożliwiającej sterowanie robotem przemysłowym Kawasaki RS003N

Roboty znajdują szerokie zastosowanie w dzisiejszym przemyśle. Najczęściej wykorzystuje się je, aby zastąpić ludzi w pracy na stanowiskach niebezpiecznych, bądź uciążliwych. Niemiej jednak, coraz bardziej popularnym trendem w robotyce staje się współpraca robota z człowiekiem. Zagadnienie to stanowi nowe wyzwanie w tej dziedzinie – usuwane są bowiem bariery bezpieczeństwa, a ich działanie zastępowane jest inteligentnym oprogramowaniem robota. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest przedstawienie projektu zespołowego dotyczącego stworzenia aplikacji komputerowej, która umożliwia sterowanie robotem przemysłowym. W pracy omówiono także ideę współpracy robotów z ludźmi, przedstawiono stanowisko badawcze wyposażone w robota Kawasaki RS003N na którym realizowano prace, zaprezentowano aplikację opracowaną w języku Visual Basic, jak i metodykę programowania robota.Nowadays, robots are widely used in the industry. Mainly purpose of its implementation is to replace human at the danger and oppressive work stations. However, an increasingly popular trend in robotics is a human-industrial robots cooperation. This issue represents a new challenge in this area. The paper presents the results of group project on creating software which helps to industrial robot control. First of all, the idea of a human-industrial robots cooperation was presented. Moreover, the laboratory station equipped with a Kawasaki RS003N robot was outlined. In the final part of the paper the authors discussed the prepared software and industrial robot programming methodology

Optimization of Polycrystalline CVD Diamond Seeding with the Use of sp³/sp² Raman Band Ratio

The influence of various nanodiamond colloids used for seeding nondiamond substrates in microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition diamond process was investigated. Colloids based on deionized water, isopropanol alcohol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were used with different grain size dispersion: 150, 400 and 35 nm, respectively. The influence of growth time was also taken into consideration and bias enhanced nucleation. Microcrystalline diamond films were deposited on the seeded substrates in microwave plasma chemical vapour deposition using hydrogen-methane gas mixture. Seeding efficiency was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Authors defined the new factor called as diamond ideality factor (di) which can give a quick estimation of quality of film and relative sp³ content. Few main peaks were identified at the following wave numbers: diamond sp³ peak 1332 $cm^{-1}$, D band peak 1355 $cm^{-1}$, C-H bending peak 1440-1480 $cm^{-1}$ and G band peak 1560 $cm^{-1}$. The best di was achieved for DMSO based colloid in all cases. The application of bias enhanced nucleation increases the diamond crystals size and the sp³/sp² ratio