Self reported respiratory symptoms and diseases among hairdressers

This paper presents some aspects of Polish legislation against chemical dependency. The legal regulations and rules related to enforcement and prevention of drug addiction are listed. Also included is the special insight of the Rule for Prevention of Drug Addiction of January 31, 1985.     

Reproductive disorders among hairdressers

A systematic theoretical study on histamine agonists and their interaction with H1 and H2 receptor models has been carried out utilizing ab initio molecular orbital technique. The effect of substituents on histamine agonists' charge distribution and their agonistic activity has been studied in detail. Drug-receptor interaction models have been studied at the Hartree Fock level of theory with a split valence basis set keeping the cost and efficiency of the calculation in mind. The study indicates that the agonistic activity is controlled either by receptor conformation or by steric hinderances caused by the substituents. The monocationic form of histamine does not appear to be a necessity for a proton relay process which is similar to the one proposed earlier by Weinstein and coworkers. The study also indicates some importance of common cellular ions in neurotransmitter properties of histamine.     

Occupational and occupationally determined diseases

Medical definitions of occupational and professionally conditioned pathology are given in the article together with relevant examples. With the view to account appropriately occupational pathology in accordance with its severity classification based on the degree of working capacity loss is presented. Notions of acute occupational disease (intoxication) and professional accident are determined. International list of occupational diseases is considered. Suggestions intended at promotion of safe working conditions are made on perfection of the Ukrainian list.     

Occurrence of asthma and chronic bronchitis among female hairdressers. A questionnaire study

AIMS: We examined the relationship between apoptosis and three different major stages of human breast carcinoma: intraductal carcinoma (DCIS), infiltrating duct carcinoma (IDC) and metastatic carcinoma in lymph nodes. We also determined the correlation between apoptosis and oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and p53. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study investigates the extent of apoptosis in 63 breast carcinomas by in-situ end-labelling, in formalin-fixed, paraffin-processed tissue sections. The 63 breast carcinomas, included 22 DCISs, 26 IDCs, three infiltrating lobular carcinomas (ILC) and 12 metastatic lymph nodes. The apoptotic labelling index was higher in DCIS than IDC and metastatic carcinoma (P < 0.001, P < 0.007, respectively). By immunohistochemistry, we also analysed p53, ER and PR. Apoptosis correlated significantly with p53 (r = 0.748, P = 0.0004) in IDC. Also, ER correlated significantly with PR (r = 0.629, P = 0.00001). No apparent correlation was found between the apoptosis and ER or PR. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that not only does apoptosis differ between intraductal carcinoma and infiltrating carcinoma but also it might be regulated by altered p53 expression.     

Occupational skin disease from cutting fluids

Cutting fluids, oils, and coolant are well-known causes of occupational skin diseases. The mission of cutting fluids, their major types, and the cutaneous disorders related with their use are discussed. The relevance and the clinical manifestations of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis secondary to metal working fluids are reviewed.     

Occupational injuries among urban recyclers

In this article, we describe the emergence of urban recycling as a new trade and discuss the new pattern of injuries among its practitioners. We conducted a retrospective chart review and convenience survey at an urban homeless health center. We found a high prevalence of severe, costly injuries, many of which are amenable to prevention. Lacerations, infections, needle sticks, and blunt trauma are all common in this group. Some cases are extremely expensive or even lethal. We conclude that a new trade and a new pattern of injuries associated with it have emerged around recycling.     

Volume pulse wave and respiratory diseases

We always record the volume pulse wave and oxygen saturation by using a pulse oximeter. The volume pulse wave fluctuation was induced by respiration; we have used this phenomenon to diagnose or assess respiratory diseases. First, differential diagnosis of sleep disorders, that is, central apnea, obstructive apnea, and respiration in upper airway resistance, by using only a pulse oximeter. Second, we used this phenomenon to evaluate dyspnea. When a big volume pulse wave fluctuation exists, most patients feel dyspnea, if they are awake and alert. Then, we monitored coughs by recording the volume pulse wave. Due to the pleural pressure change induced by the cough, the volume pulse wave reveals a characteristic form. This form changes with the intensity of the cough. Then we can evaluate the frequency and intensity of the cough. For recording the volume pulse wave, the pulse oximeter will be widely applicable in respiratory diseases.     

Phototherapy and photochemotherapy of skin diseases

One important aspect of photomedicine is the use of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation with and without exogenous photosensitizers to treat diseases. Phototoxicity (cell injury by photons) is a likely mechanism for phototherapy and photochemotherapy of several skin diseases. The mechanism of action for phototherapy of hyperbilirubinemia and of uremic pruritus appears to be photochemical alteration of extracellular metabolites. Psoriasis is an example of a disease benefitted by several forms of phototherapy and photochemotherapy with varying relative effectiveness and safety. Two successful forms of treatment are oral psoralen photochemotherapy and UVB plus topical adjunctive agents. New information about UVB therapy of psoriasis includes data about the therapeutic action spectrum and about the relative roles of various topical agents such as coal tar, mineral oil, "lubricants" and steroids. Although there are many surface similarities, phototherapy and psoralen photochemotherapy have fundamental differences which may alter longterm risks in quantitative and qualitative ways.     

Occupational medicine aspects of nasal diseases]

PURPOSE: The relations between image quality in last image hold images and dose in grid controlled fluoroscopy in comparison to the continuous mode need to be characterised and recommendations for the clinical application of this technique should be given. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spatial resolution, signal-noise ratio and, contrast-detail visibility were evaluated by phantom measurements in grid controlled pulsed and continuous fluoroscopy. Dose was measured at the image intensifier entrance. Image quality of last image hold (LIH) images of clinical examinations was graded in relation to single shot exposures. RESULTS: Signal-noise ratio and contrast-detail visibility depend on the dose per puls. Spatial resolution and contrast-detail visibility in grid controlled fluoroscopy are superior than to in the continuous mode. Image quality of the LIH images from the grid controlled fluoroscopy was improved. Radiation exposure could be reduced to 10-46%. CONCLUSIONS: Combinations of puls-dose and -frequency are recommended for achieving extensive dose reduction and improved image quality of LIH images.     

Occupational skin diseases in Washington State, 1989 through 1993: using workers' compensation data to identify cutaneous hazards

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to characterize occupational dermatoses and cutaneous hazards. METHODS: Workers' compensation claims filed for skin disease in the Washington State Fund were analyzed for 1989 through 1993; incidence rates for industries and employers were calculated, and cutaneous hazards associated with the highest rates were identified. RESULTS: A total of 7445 claims were filed for skin disorders, principally contact dermatitis; 675 (9.1%) involved more than 3 missed work-days. The rate of accepted skin disorder claims was 1.0 per 1000 full-time employee-years. The highest incidence rates (4.6 to 30.7 accepted claims per 1000 full-time employee-years) were in certain manufacturing industries (plastics related, concrete products, aircraft parts, sporting goods, and boat building), wholesale farm product raw materials, automotive glass replacement, and beauty shops. Seven of the 10 employers with the highest incidence rates (19.6 to 85.5 accepted claims per 1000 full-time employee-years) used fiber-reinforced plastics (composites) and exposed workers to epoxy and other resin systems associated with contact dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Workers' compensation data identify known and emerging workplace cutaneous hazards and show promise for targeting prevention efforts.     

Nitric oxide in respiratory diseases

Recent reports have described a pathogenic role of nitric oxide in several respiratory disease. It is specially useful in the adult respiratory distress syndrome, where it acts as a selective vasodilator and improves gas exchange, decreasing pulmonary shunting. Although it has a proven bronchodilator effect, its therapeutic role in diseases such as asthma and chronic limitation of airway flow is not well defined. This article review the metabolism, mechanisms of action, potential uses and adverse effects of nitric oxide in respiratory disease.     

临床护士职业紧张及其影响因素的研究

目的 了解临床护士职业紧张的现状及影响因素.方法 应用职业紧张量表修订版(OSI-R)对二级、三级甲等医院从事临床治疗工作的护理人员236名(临床护士组)及女性后勤管理人员189名(对照组)进行调查.结果 临床护士组职业任务、个体紧张反应得分高于对照组,有显著差异(p<0.05或p<0.01).临床护士紧张反应的主要影响因素是任务不适、任务冲突、责任感、自我保健、社会支持、理性处理.结论 临床护士暴露于较高的职业紧张因素水平,增强个体应对能力可降低紧张反应.     

Biopsy in non-neoplastic skin diseases

The Department of Dermatology at Ullev?l Hospital wanted to reveal any diagnostical problems with skin biopsies taken from patients in the Out-patient Clinic. 200 non-tumour skin biopsies from 200 patients were studied retrospectively (100 biopsies from 1986 and 100 from 1995/96). The tentative diagnosis coincided with the pathological anatomical diagnosis in 57.5%(n = 115) of the cases. Of the 200 patients, 22%(n = 44) had still not been given a specific diagnosis after biopsy. This study indicates that skin biopsy is of diagnostical help, but that closer cooperation between the pathologist and the clinician is probably necessary in order to increase the proportion of specific dermatological diagnoses.     

Syncillin in bacterial skin diseases

A multicentric open clinical trial was carried out by 8 practising specialists in dermatology or paediatrics in patients with bacterial skin diseases who were subjected to a systemic therapy with Syncillin (=Azidocillin). The Syncillin presentation for adults and schoolchildren was tablets of 750 mg each, and sachets of 125 mg or 250 mg for infants. The duration of treatment was 10 days. The parameters analyzed were bacteriological findings and the clinical course of disease. 71 (=74%) of the 96 patients included in this study were considered as cured, 21 (=22%) as improved and 4 patients (=4%) as unchanged. Bacterial identification was still positive in 10 cases after the termination of treatment. However, this did not preclude the assessments of "cured' (3 cases) or "improved' (7 cases). The tolerance of the preparation was considered as "very good' or "good' in 91 and as "poor' in 5 patients. The most common side effects were nausea and diarrhoea. Exanthema was observed in 2 cases. None of these side effects, however, made a discontinuation of medication necessary. The era of rational and well-directed chemotherapy enables good therapeutic approach also to bacterial skin diseases.