Risk Characteristics of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure in Wastewater Collection and Treatment Related Occupations

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Risk Characteristics of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure in Wastewater Collection and Treatment Related Occupations via Annals of Work Exposures and Health Advance Access Abstract Objectives Water and wastewater workers can be exposed to hydrogen sulphide (H2S), with an unpredictable exposure pattern, dominated by sharp peaks. These peaks can often be high above the ceiling value (CV) at 10 ppm. Methods We have analyzed self-administrated H2S exposure data among 60 wastewater workers in the Municipality of Trondheim, Norway, from 2015 till 2021. The detection range of the personal alarm equipment used was 1.6 to 100 ppm H2S. The workers were divided in four similar exposed groups (SEGs): wastewater collection net, wastewater treatment plants, wastewater pumping stations and water distribution net. Results We identified measurements from 7083 different workdays, approximately 10% of the workdays between 2015 and 2021. Within these, 1295 days had readings above 1.6 ppm H2S, and 424 (33%) of these days had readings that exceeded the CV of 10 ppm H2S. This percentage was similar across the SEGs. Only one workday had a time weighted average (TWA) exceeding the occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 5 ppm H2S, and only 14 days exceeded 0.5 ppm H2S, 1/10th of the OEL. Conclusions Wastewater workers in this study are regularly exposed to short peaks of H2S, but even high peaks do not influence the 8-h TWA values significantly. A preliminary measurement program over 3 days according to EN 689 to evaluate the need for further measurements would probably not find TWA values greater than 1/10 of OEL; the EN 689 standard is not made for evaluation to peak exposures. Exceedances of CV at 10 ppm H2S occur in 6% of workdays, and in 33% of days with exposure above 1.6 ppm. The toxicity and exposure profile of H2S makes continuous exposure monitoring necessary for alarm purposes. Reliance on the 8-h occupational exposure limit as has been the normal in Norway, will not be ade quately protective for wastewater workers. H2S alarm equipment should continue to be used. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Extracapsular dissection with a transparotid facial nerve dissection approach versus partial superficial parotidectomy for benign tumours in the tail of the parotid gland: a single-centre retrospective study of 89 patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Extracapsular dissection with a transparotid facial nerve dissection approach versus partial superficial parotidectomy for benign tumours in the tail of the parotid gland: a single-centre retrospective study of 89 patients via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the transparotid facial nerve dissection approach (TFND), in which the intraparotid cervicofacial or temporofacial division is identified first through a superficial lobe incision; and (2) to compare extracapsular dissection with a TFND (ECD-TFND) with partial superficial parotidectomy with a retrograde approach (PSP) for benign tumours in the tail of the parotid gland with respect to surgical outcomes. Eighty-nine patients underwent PSP or ECD-TFND for benign tumours in the tail of the parotid gland: 49 were treated surgically with PSP and 40 with ECD-TFND. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Analysis of the accuracy of computer‐assisted DCIA flap mandibular reconstruction applying a novel approach based on geometric morphometrics

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Analysis of the accuracy of computer‐assisted DCIA flap mandibular reconstruction applying a novel approach based on geometric morphometrics via Head & Neck Abstract Background This study evaluated the accuracy of computer-assisted surgery (CAS)–driven DCIA (deep circumflex iliac artery) flap mandibular reconstruction by traditional morphometric methods and geometric morphometric methods (GMM). Methods Reconstruction accuracy was evaluated by measuring distances and angles between bilateral anatomical landmarks. Additionally, the average length of displacements vectors between landmarks was computed to evaluate factors assumed to influence reconstruction accuracy. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to unveil main modes of dislocation. Results High reconstruction accuracy could be demonstrated for a sample consisting of 26 patients. The effect of the number of segments and length of defect on reconstruction accuracy were close to the commonly used significance threshold (p = 0.062/0.060). PCA demonstrated displacement to result mainly from sagittal and transversal shifts. Conclusions CAS is a viable approach to achieve high accuracy in mandibular reconstruction and GMM can facilitate the evaluation of factors influencing reconstruction accuracy and unveil main modes of dislocation in this context. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Radiomics based on magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in head and neck cancer: Machine learning study

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Radiomics based on magnetic resonance imaging for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in head and neck cancer: Machine learning study via Head & Neck Abstract Background In this study, we use machine learning techniques to develop an efficient preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiomics approach for evaluation of cervical lymph node (CLN) status. Methods After collecting all patients' MRI images, we used CLN radiomic features, the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and lymph node short diameter of the CLN to build MRI model to predict the status of the CLN. Results One hundred and twenty cases met inclusion criteria. The MRI model including the radiomic features, ADC, and lymph node size of the CLN achieved better performance for CLN status prediction with the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.83. Conclusions The multiomic signature of MRI radiomics, ADC, and lymph node size of CLNs has high predictive value for the status of CLNs. This model has provided scientific value to the surgeon regarding cervical lymph nodes before surgery. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Comparative effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 booster dose after BNT162b2 primary vaccination against the Omicron variants: A retrospective cohort study using large-scale population-based registries in Japan

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Comparative effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 booster dose after BNT162b2 primary vaccination against the Omicron variants: A retrospective cohort study using large-scale population-based registries in Japan via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Direct comparative effectiveness of booster doses of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 after BNT162b2 primary vaccination is unknown. Methods We investigated comparative effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 booster dose using data from registry systems for vaccination and COVID-19 infection in a local city in Japan. We followed participants aged ≥16 years who completed the BNT162b2 primary vaccination between November 22, 2021, and April 15, 2022. We collected information on age, sex, vaccination status, vaccine type, and infection status. Age was categorized as 16–44, 45–64, 65–84, and ≥85 years. Vaccine effectiveness for mRNA-1273 and no booster vaccination against BNT162b2 was estimated using age-stratified Cox regression adjusted for age, sex, and days since the second vaccination. The estimated hazard ratios for mRNA-1273 and no booster vaccinations were integrated separately using random effects meta-analyses . Results During the study period, we identified 62,586 (40.4%), 51,490 (33.2%), and 40,849 (26.4%) participants who received BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and no booster dose, respectively. The median age was 69, 71, and 47 years for BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, and no booster dose, respectively. The integrated hazard ratio with reference to BNT162b2 was 1.72 for no booster vaccination and 0.62 for mRNA-1273. The comparative effectiveness of mRNA-1273 was similar across age categories. Conclusions Both homologous and heterologous vaccinations are effective against Omicron variants. In the head-to-head comparison, the effect was stronger in people who received heterologous vaccination than in those who received homologous vaccination. These findings may help improve logistics and decision making in future vaccination programs. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Dupilumab use is associated with protection from COVID-19 mortality: A retrospective analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Dupilumab use is associated with protection from COVID-19 mortality: A retrospective analysis via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract We previously found that type 2 immunity promotes COVID-19 pathogenesis in a mouse model. To test relevance to human disease we used electronic health record databases and determined that patients on dupilumab (anti-IL-4R monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-13 and IL-4 signaling) at the time of COVID-19 infection had lower mortality. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Severe Arboviral Neuroinvasive Disease in Patients on Rituximab Therapy: A Review

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Severe Arboviral Neuroinvasive Disease in Patients on Rituximab Therapy: A Review via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract With increasing use of rituximab and other B-cell depleting monoclonal antibodies for multiple indications, infectious complications are being recognized. We summarize clinical findings of patients on rituximab with arboviral diseases identified through literature review or consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We identified 21 patients on recent rituximab therapy who were diagnosed with an arboviral disease caused by West Nile, tick-borne encephalitis, eastern equine encephalitis, Cache Valley, Jamestown Canyon, and Powassan viruses. All reported patients had neuroinvasive disease. The diagnosis of arboviral infection required molecular testing in 20 (95%) patients. Median illness duration was 36 days (range, 12 days–1 year) and 15/19 (79%) patients died from their illness. Patients on rituximab with arboviral disease can have a severe or prolonged course with an absence of serologic response. Patients should be cou nseled about mosquito and tick bite prevention when receiving rituximab and other B-cell depleting therapies. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Inhibition of kidney potassium channels by fluoxetine: in vivo and in vitro studies

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Inhibition of kidney potassium channels by fluoxetine: in vivo and in vitro studies via Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology Abstract In vitro studies have demonstrated that fluoxetine, a commonly used antidepressant drug, can modulate the activity of K+ channels. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo effect of acute and sub-chronic treatment of rats with fluoxetine on K+ renal transport. Furthermore, OK cells, a kidney epithelial cell line, was used in order to evaluate the in vitro effect of fluoxetine on K+ currents. In the sub-chronic study, fluoxetine was administrated daily (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 15 days to male adult Wistar rats. In the acute study, rats were given increasing doses of fluoxetine (1, 3, 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg, p.o.) for 24 hours. Results from the sub-chronic study show that urinary K+ content (in mmol/L) was markedly reduced in the fluoxetine-treated animals (fluoxetine: 83±9; control: 131±10; P<0.001). K+ fractional renal excretion (in %) was also significantly lower in the fluoxetine group (fluoxetine : 6±1; control: 13±2; P<0.001). No significant changes was observed in creatinine clearance and on renal tubular Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Results obtained from the acute study demonstrate that, after a 24-hour administration, fluoxetine produced a dose-dependent decrease in urinary K+, with an ED50 (in mg/kg) of 4.2 (2.8; 5.5) and a maximal effect of 62% reduction. In vitro, fluoxetine produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of K+ currents in OK cells, with an EC50 of 107 (84.8; 129.5) μM. In conclusion, fluoxetine produces a marked reduction on urinary K+ excretion; this effect constitutes an in vivo evidence for the inhibitory action of fluoxetine on kidney epithelial K+ channels. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Effect of TIVA on Pulmonary Complications in Microvascular Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of TIVA on Pulmonary Complications in Microvascular Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer via JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Online First This randomized clinical trial assesses the effect of total intravenous anesthesia vs inhalational anesthesia on postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction for head and neck cancer. View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Risk factors for lower border notching after bilateral mandibular sagittal ramus advancement: three-dimensional evaluation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Risk factors for lower border notching after bilateral mandibular sagittal ramus advancement: three-dimensional evaluation via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com The objective of this study was to calculate the incidence of MLBN and identify risk factors. This single-centre, retrospective study was performed between January 2018 and November 2020, in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Caen. Patients who underwent BSSO advancement and had cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans obtained preoperatively, immediately postoperative (within 1 week), and late postoperative ( ≥1 year) were included. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Scarless Neck Feminization: Chondrolaryngoplasty Through Endoscopic Transoral Vestibular Approach

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Scarless Neck Feminization: Chondrolaryngoplasty Through Endoscopic Transoral Vestibular Approach via The Laryngoscope We present in this paper a novel approach to perform endoscopic chondrolaryngoplasty without any external visible scars. The technique involves utilizing the endoscopic transoral vestibular approach. We have modified the technique by using the placement of a suture immediately above the anterior commissure, which provides a marker for the inferior extent of cartilage resection. Laryngoscope, 2022 View on Web

Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.