12 research outputs found
Abnormal Plasma Cell Disorders in Refinery Waste Workers
No full textA monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) may develop into a multiple myeloma or a correlated lymphoproliferative malignancy with a progress rate of 1% per year. The immune status, occupational-environmental risk factors, and hereditary factors may influence the risk of developing MGUS. We investigated the prevalence of MGUS in 77 refinery waste workers. They were all males, averagely aged 36, with a mean working history of 18.5 years and working in the dump for about 4.2 years. After analyzing the results of standard serum electrophoresis migrations, 16% of cases (n = 12) showed levels beyond the normal ranges. In all 12 samples we observed an increase of gamma component: 67%, IgG; 17%, IgM; 8%, IgA; 8%, oligoclonal. Workers were exposed to hazardous refinery waste. After the biological monitoring of urine samples for metals and t,t-muconic acid, no extra-range values were observed. The multivariate analysis shows, however, that cigarette smoking and residence near industrial sites are significantly (p < 0.001) associated with a high risk of MGUS development; while no association was found with occupational exposure. Additional attention might be paid in particular to these conditions in epidemiological studies and further larger, prospective, population-based researches appear warranted to evaluate the strength of any positive association
DOG BITE-RELATED ACCIDENTS: A NEW FORENSIC APPROACH
No full textThe alarming statistics reported around the world have shown that dog attacks today represent a health hazard where prevention strategies have not always been successful 1,2. Most of the dogs involved in these events are known to the victim or belong to him. From our study we found 19 dog bite-related fatalities in Italy from 2009 to 2016 (2,37 cases for year) 3; these data are sharply increased in relationship with previous study that describes 32 dog bite-related fatalities between 1984 to 20094 with a frequency of 1,28 cases for year.
A scientific inclusion/exclusion of the involved dog is possible and also recommended because of the possible consequences for the animal’s owner that could have civil consequences or criminal consequences in the most serious cases. Since dog bite mark analysis should involve different forensic professionals such as pathologists, odontologists, veterinarians, biologists, and also police investigators, a review focused on this type of evidence from a multidisciplinary point of view is presented.
To the best of our knowledge, there are different approaches for identification of offending dog when a human attack occurs. Forensic investigations in dog attacks usually involve the examination of bite marks and toothprints, the dog’s stomach and pathological methods. For the identification of the offending dog the best approach is to evaluate the canine STR typing into saliva traces on dog bite marks. Generally, it is possible to obtain a canine-specific STR profile from the dog’s saliva left on the wound area, even when high background of human DNA was present (blood).
This approach is often a problem because the surface of the wounds may have been treated, for example by first aid workers, removing the canine cells. This approach causes less success in obtaining useful STR results, before that the medico-legal techniques are applied. Furthermore, the dogs appear more frequently in human social life, so it is no rare that the canine DNA is present on hands, arms, legs or foot of the people.
A new forensic approach was described for offending dog identification starting from dog's buccal swabs: the target is the identification of human profile starting from this sample. The further goal of this paper was to determine the latency time of this biological trace in the dog's mouth.
In this work, 10 different races of dogs were used that bite a beef meat sample, previously typed (internal control profile). At different times (30’, 45’, 60’, 90’, 120’, 150’, 180’, 240’), 2 dog buccal swabs were done (a swab for each dental arch). 160 samples were collected. Subsequently DNA was extract and bovine genotyping kit was used. We found in all samples a complete profile of our internal control until 45 minutes and a partial profile until 150 minutes.
These data are very important to confirm the possibility of approaching with buccal swabs to reach the identification of offending dog. The human STRs typing kits are much more specific and sensitive compared with cattle kit, so we can supposed that a complete human STR profile could be obtained from the dog buccal swab, after aggression, at least to 150 minutes. This time is usually enough for the medico-legal team arrive.
This study may offer a model that could be always applied for identification of offending dogs; furthermore, dog-bite related accidents can provide concrete cases even fatal, making it possible to develop, refine or validate medico-legal techniques
Thyroid cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up
No full textThis ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines provide updated state-of-the-art recommendations on management of thyroid cancer (diagnosis, treatment and follow-up), compiled by a multidisciplinary author panel and accompanied by level of evidence and grade of recommendation, depending on the strength of supporting data and magnitude of benefit from particular intervention
Effects of tapering on physical match activities in professional soccer players.
No full textPublishedJournal ArticleThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis via the DOI in this record.This study aimed to examine: (i) the effect of decreasing training load (TL) during taper weeks on physical match activities in professional soccer players, and (ii) to disclose the relationship between weekly TL and physical match activities. Rating of perceived exertion was collected after each training session and match to quantify the TL in 19 professional players over 17 standard and 7 taper weeks during the season. Physical match activities were quantified by a computerised match analysis system and compared between standard training and taper weeks. Compared to standard weeks, the duration and frequency of training sessions during the taper weeks decreased (-21.7% and -18.8%, respectively; P < 0.01) with no change in intensity (-4.8%; P = 0.09). Consequently, the weekly TL decreased during the taper weeks (-25.5%; P < 0.01). Increases in distance covered by intense running (+15.1%; P < 0.05), high-intensity running (HIR) (+15.7%; P < 0.01), number of sprints (+17.8%; P < 0.05) and number of high-speed runs (+15.7%; P < 0.05) were observed during the seven matches played after the taper weeks. High relationships were observed between TL and HIR distance covered, number of HIR and number of sprints (r = -0.53; r = -0.55; r = -0.65, respectively; P < 0.01). Decreasing TL during taper weeks by reducing training duration and frequency but maintaining intensity was associated with an increase in physical activities during matches. However, it needs to be determined whether tapering or other match factors led to the changes in match activity
Immunohistochemical expression and localization of MMP-9, MMP-13, E-Cadherin and Ki-67 in road pavers' skin chronically exposed to bitumen products.
No full textTo investigate the matrix metalloproteinase
(MMP)-9, (MMP)-13, E-Cadherin and Ki-67
expressions in road pavers’ skin chronically exposed to
bitumen products in order to contribute to a better
understanding of the earlier tissue alteration. Skin punch
biopsies from 16 daily exposed workers and a control
group were studied by immunohistochemistry.
Morphometric and densitometric analyses were also
conducted. Morphological specimen evaluation of skin
of road pavers showed epidermal thinning, flattening and
loss of intercellular junction with a decreased expression
of E-cadherin confined to the basal skin layer, together
with MMP-9 and MMP-13 overexpressions in all
epidermis layers, vascular structures and adnexa. No
immunohistochemical alteration was reported for Ki-67
vs normal skin. Results from this study show that
overexpression of MMP-9 and MMP-13 may represent
an early response of the first human barrier to exposure
to bitumen products. Regulation of MMPs could be one
of the strategies to prevent primary skin disease
Expression of stathmin in asbestos-like fibers-induced mesothelioma: A preliminary report
No full textBackground. Mesothelioma is strongly associated with exposure to asbestos fibers, however, recent studies have also linked exposure to "naturally occurring asbestos" fibers with this disease. Fluoroedenite, a silicate mineral found in the southeast of Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy), has been identified as a potential risk factor for mesothelioma. Unfortunately, this cancer often has a poor prognosis, and current diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are inadequate. Histological subtype, gender, and age at diagnosis are the most significant parameters for mesothelioma. Stathmin, a cytosolic protein that regulates cell growth and migration and is overexpressed in many human malignancies, has not yet been linked to mesothelioma survival or clinical-pathological variables. Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of stathmin in ten mesothelioma tissue samples with available clinical and follow-up data. Material and Methods. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from ten mesothelioma patients were processed for immunohistochemical analyses to evaluate stathmin expression. Results. Our findings suggest that stathmin overexpression is associated with shorter overall survival in patients with mesothelioma. Furthermore, stathmin expression was significantly correlated with the survival time of mesothelioma patients. Conclusion. Our results suggest that stathmin expression may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for mesothelioma. This biomarker could be used to promptly identify patients with poor prognosis and to guide clinicians in the selection of treatment options
Erratum to ‘Evaluation of COVID-19 impact on DELAYing diagnostic-therapeutic pathways of lung cancer patients in Italy (COVID-DELAY study): fewer cases and higher stages from a real-world scenario’: [ESMO Open Volume 7, Issue 2, April 2022, 100406](S2059702922000278)(10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100406)
No full textThe publisher regrets that at the time the article was published the name of the author N. La Verde was mistakenly abbreviated as N.L. Verde. This has now been corrected. The publisher would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused
The effect of bed head slope on patients’ outcomes in early postoperative period after thyroidectomy : A randomized controlled trial.
No full textTHE EFFECT OF BED HEAD SLOPE ON PATIENTS’ OUTCOMES IN EARLY
POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD AFTER THYROIDECTOMY: A RANDOMIZED
CONTROLLED TRIAL
Serpil Yüksel*
, Seher Deniz Öztekin, Zeynep Temiz, Gülay Altun Uğraş, Emel Şengül, Serkan
Teksöz, Nihal Sunal, İlhan Öztekin, Ertuğrul Göksoy
Background: The appropriate position that will be given to patient is important to prevent hematoma
related pulmonary complications and provide comfort in early postoperative period of thyroidectomy
patients (1,2).
Aim: This study was carried out to determine the effects of bed head slope on patients’ outcomes in early
postoperative period after thyroidectomy.
Methodology: The sample of this randomized controlled trial included 114 thyroidectomy patients in a
university hospital from May 2013 to September 2013. By randomization, the patients were divided into
three groups including 38 patients in each. Their bed head slopes were provided in three levels (0° flat,
30° low-fowler and 45° high fowler positions). In early postoperative period of thyroidectomy, outcomes
of patients were evaluated at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hours. Data were analyzed using number, percentage,
mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s chi-square, Kruskal Wallis, Friedman and advanced analysis tests.
Results: The mean age of patients was 46.61±15.28. The majority of the patients were female (83.3%)
and 84.2% had underwent total thyroidectomy. There was statistical significance among the three
groups for patients’ amount of drainage at 1st, 3rd, and 4th hours after thyroidectomy. However, amount
of drainage of patients in flat group was significantly higher compared to high fowler group at 2nd hour.
No hematoma was seen in any of the patients. Dyspnea did not occur in any of the patients in low fowler
group. The majority of patients with breathing failure had bed head levels of “0” degree in 2nd and 3rd
hours after thyroidectomy.
Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that affected breathing and amount of drainage of
thyroidectomy patients of different positions during early postoperative period.
Implications of perioperative nursing: Flat, low fowler and high fowler positions were safe and, low
fowler position was more comfortable for the thyroidectomy patients in early postoperative period.
Key Words: Bed head slope, Nursing care, Postoperative period, Position, Thyroidectomy
Reference
1 Terris DJ, Snyder S, Carneiro-Pla D, Inabnet WB 3rd, Kandil E, Orloff L, Shindo M, Tufano RP, Tuttle RM, Urken M, Yeh
MW, American Thyroid Association Surgical Affairs Committee Writing Task Force. American Thyroid Association
Statement on outpatient thyroidectomy. Thyroid, 2013; 23: 1193-202.
2 Rosato L, De Crea C, Bellantone R, Brandi ML, De Toma G, Filetti S, Miccoli P, Pacini F, Pelizzo MR, Pontecorvi A, Avenia N,
De Pasquale L, Chiofalo MG, Gurrado A, Innaro N, La Valle G, Lombardi CP, Marini PL, Mondini G, Mullineris B, Pezzullo L,
Raffaelli M, Testini M, De Palma M. Diagnostic, therapeutic and health-care management protocol in thyroid surgery:
a position statement of theItalian Association of Endocrine Surgery Units (U.E.C. CLUB). J Endocrinol Invest, 2016,
Apr 8.
*Presenter author: Assistant Professor Serpil Yüksel, Ph.D, R.N
Konya Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Health Science, Division of Nursing, Department of Surgical Nursing,
Konya, Turkey.
*Contact Author: Serpil Yüksel
Affiliation: Konya Necmettin Erbakan University, Faculty of Health Science, Division of Nursing, Department of
Surgical Nursing, Konya, Turkey.
Postal address: Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi, Cerrahi Hastalıkları Hemşireliği Anabilim
Dalı, İhsaniye Mah. Kazım Karabekir Cad. 42040. Selçuklu/Konya, Turkey.
Office phone: +90-(0)332 3204049 (2029 ext.),
Office fax: +90-(0)332-3204059
E-mail: [email protected]
Sex and Gender Differences in Ischemic Heart Disease: Endocrine Vascular Disease Approach (EVA) Study Design
No full text© 2018, The Author(s). Improvements in ischemic heart disease (IHD) management have been unbalanced between sexes, with coronary microvascular dysfunction considered the likely underlying reason. The Endocrine Vascular disease Approach (EVA) is an observational study (Clinicaltrial.gov NCT02737982) aiming to assess sex and gender interactions between coronary circulation, sexual hormones, and platelet function. Consecutive patients with IHD undergoing coronary angiography will be recruited: (1) to assess sex and gender differences in angiographic reperfusion indexes; (2) to evaluate the effects of estrogen/androgen on sex-related differences in myocardial ischemia; (3) to investigate the platelet biology differences between men and women with IHD; (4) to verify sex- and gender-driven interplay between response to percutaneous coronary intervention, platelets, sex hormones, and myocardial damage at baseline and its impact on 12-month outcomes. The integration of sex and gender in this translational project on IHD will contribute to the identification of new targets for further innovative clinical interventions
