Rhinitis due to acrylates : case report

Background: Acrylates and methacrylates (salts and esters of acrylic and metacrylic acid respectively), are monomers commonly found in polymer plastics, resins and glues, and are widely used in many industry sectors. The first adverse health effects described were skin reactions and asthma. Exposure to acrylates, for instance when using multicomponent glues, is now a well known cause of occupational asthma. Methods: We report the case of a rhinitis - and possible asthma - to acrylates, in a 38-year-old woman, working in a nail beauty salon. She was currently treated for hypertension, and otherwise known for obesity and seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis, but did not have any respiratory problem. Two years after starting this activity, she progressively started to complain of anosmia, rhinitis, and intermittent dyspnea. Her job consisted in decorating nails with a mixture of a polymer powder and a liquid monomer, after removing the previous artificial nail with a small sander. We assessed exposure to acrylates at her working place, both as dust (from sanded nails) and volatile compound (from the mixture described above), and she was asked to measure her peak flow values twice a day for ten days, in order to detect a possible relationship between her occupational activities, the symptoms and the peak flow values. Results: Measures made during the visit of the patient's place of work showed that the existing aspiration system was efficient for eliminating the dust produced by nail sanding, but not for eliminating the volatile components. Thus, occupational exposure to acrylates was demonstrated. Moreover, the peak flow measures showed an average decrease of almost 10 percent when the patient was at work, compared to when she stayed home. We concluded that she actually suffered from professional rhinitis and, possibly, professional asthma (not certain because of the limited number of peak flow measures per day). Conclusion: Although exposure to acrylates is a well known cause of occupational asthma, it should be emphasized that the exact mechanisms of action remain unknown, despite the abundant literature about it. Some professions, which tend to be more frequent nowadays (such as working in a nail beauty salon), can expose the worker to particular risks. This highlights the need of always inquiring not only about the profession, but also the related activities, when facing a case of suspected asthma.

Clinical review: practical recommendations on the management of perioperative heart failure in cardiac surgery.

Acute cardiovascular dysfunction occurs perioperatively in more than 20% of cardiosurgical patients, yet current acute heart failure (HF) classification is not applicable to this period. Indicators of major perioperative risk include unstable coronary syndromes, decompensated HF, significant arrhythmias and valvular disease. Clinical risk factors include history of heart disease, compensated HF, cerebrovascular disease, presence of diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency and high-risk surgery. EuroSCORE reliably predicts perioperative cardiovascular alteration in patients aged less than 80 years. Preoperative B-type natriuretic peptide level is an additional risk stratification factor. Aggressively preserving heart function during cardiosurgery is a major goal. Volatile anaesthetics and levosimendan seem to be promising cardioprotective agents, but large trials are still needed to assess the best cardioprotective agent(s) and optimal protocol(s). The aim of monitoring is early detection and assessment of mechanisms of perioperative cardiovascular dysfunction. Ideally, volume status should be assessed by 'dynamic' measurement of haemodynamic parameters. Assess heart function first by echocardiography, then using a pulmonary artery catheter (especially in right heart dysfunction). If volaemia and heart function are in the normal range, cardiovascular dysfunction is very likely related to vascular dysfunction. In treating myocardial dysfunction, consider the following options, either alone or in combination: low-to-moderate doses of dobutamine and epinephrine, milrinone or levosimendan. In vasoplegia-induced hypotension, use norepinephrine to maintain adequate perfusion pressure. Exclude hypovolaemia in patients under vasopressors, through repeated volume assessments. Optimal perioperative use of inotropes/vasopressors in cardiosurgery remains controversial, and further large multinational studies are needed. Cardiosurgical perioperative classification of cardiac impairment should be based on time of occurrence (precardiotomy, failure to wean, postcardiotomy) and haemodynamic severity of the patient's condition (crash and burn, deteriorating fast, stable but inotrope dependent). In heart dysfunction with suspected coronary hypoperfusion, an intra-aortic balloon pump is highly recommended. A ventricular assist device should be considered before end organ dysfunction becomes evident. Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation is an elegant solution as a bridge to recovery and/or decision making. This paper offers practical recommendations for management of perioperative HF in cardiosurgery based on European experts' opinion. It also emphasizes the need for large surveys and studies to assess the optimal way to manage perioperative HF in cardiac surgery.

Generation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during woodworking operations.

Occupational exposures to wood dust have been associated with an elevated risk of sinonasal cancer (SNC). Wood dust is recognized as a human carcinogen but the specific cancer causative agent remains unknown. One possible explanation is a co-exposure to; wood dust and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs could be generated during incomplete combustion of wood due to heat created by use of power tools. To determine if PAHs are generated from wood during common wood working operations, PAH concentrations in wood dust samples collected in an experimental chamber operated under controlled conditions were analyzed. In addition, personal air samples from workers exposed to wood dust (n = 30) were collected. Wood dust was generated using three different power tools: vibrating sander, belt sander, and saw; and six wood materials: fir, Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF), beech, mahogany, oak and wood melamine. Monitoring of wood workers was carried out by means of personal sampler device during wood working operations. We measured 21 PAH concentrations in wood dust samples by capillary gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Total PAH concentrations in wood dust varied greatly (0.24-7.95 ppm) with the lowest being in MDF dust and the highest in wood melamine dust. Personal PAH exposures were between 37.5-119.8 ng m(-3) during wood working operations. Our results suggest that PAH exposures are present during woodworking operations and hence could play a role in the mechanism of cancer induction related to wood dust exposure.

16p11.2 600 kb Duplications confer risk for typical and atypical Rolandic epilepsy.

Rolandic epilepsy (RE) is the most common idiopathic focal childhood epilepsy. Its molecular basis is largely unknown and a complex genetic etiology is assumed in the majority of affected individuals. The present study tested whether six large recurrent copy number variants at 1q21, 15q11.2, 15q13.3, 16p11.2, 16p13.11 and 22q11.2 previously associated with neurodevelopmental disorders also increase risk of RE. Our association analyses revealed a significant excess of the 600 kb genomic duplication at the 16p11.2 locus (chr16: 29.5-30.1 Mb) in 393 unrelated patients with typical (n = 339) and atypical (ARE; n = 54) RE compared with the prevalence in 65,046 European population controls (5/393 cases versus 32/65,046 controls; Fisher's exact test P = 2.83 × 10(-6), odds ratio = 26.2, 95% confidence interval: 7.9-68.2). In contrast, the 16p11.2 duplication was not detected in 1738 European epilepsy patients with either temporal lobe epilepsy (n = 330) and genetic generalized epilepsies (n = 1408), suggesting a selective enrichment of the 16p11.2 duplication in idiopathic focal childhood epilepsies (Fisher's exact test P = 2.1 × 10(-4)). In a subsequent screen among children carrying the 16p11.2 600 kb rearrangement we identified three patients with RE-spectrum epilepsies in 117 duplication carriers (2.6%) but none in 202 carriers of the reciprocal deletion. Our results suggest that the 16p11.2 duplication represents a significant genetic risk factor for typical and atypical RE.

Winter survival of immature instars of Mansonia indubitans Dyar & Shannon and Mansonia titillans Walker (Diptera: Culicidae), in Buenos Aires, Argentina

We conducted a whole year research on the ecology of Mansonia indubitans and Ma. titillans in Macáes Pond, Costanera Sur Reserve, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The usage of different floating plants by immature instars and their overwintering was analized. The percentage of usage of the available floating macrophytes (Pistia, Limnobium, and Salvinia) by the larvae and pupae was studied. Also, we defined positivity (P+) as the percentage of plants with immature instars for each plant genus on a monthly basis. Ma. immature instars were captured throughout the year and Pistia was the resource most commonly exploited by the mosquitoes. The percentage of fourth-instar larvae and pupae on Pistia roots with respect to total immature instars captured was assessed on a monthly and seasonal basis. The proportion of fourth-instar larvae and pupae from both species of Mansonia on water lettuce roots, showed significant differences between months and seasons. Our results suggest that the populations of Ma. indubitans and Ma. titillans in Macáes Pond, survive during winter mainly as fourth-instar larvae.

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell function in relation to age: a pupillometric study in humans with special reference to the age-related optic properties of the lens.

BACKGROUND: The activity of melanopsin containing intrinsically photosensitive ganglion retinal cells (ipRGC) can be assessed by a means of pupil responses to bright blue (appr.480 nm) light. Due to age related factors in the eye, particularly, structural changes of the lens, less light reaches retina. The aim of this study was to examine how age and in vivo measured lens transmission of blue light might affect pupil light responses, in particular, mediated by the ipRGC. METHODS: Consensual pupil responses were explored in 44 healthy subjects aged between 26 and 68 years. A pupil response was recorded to a continuous 20 s light stimulus of 660 nm (red) or 470 nm (blue) both at 300 cd/m2 intensity (14.9 and 14.8 log photons/cm2/s, respectively). Additional recordings were performed using four 470 nm stimulus intensities of 3, 30, 100 and 300 cd/m2. The baseline pupil size was measured in darkness and results were adjusted for the baseline pupil and gender. The main outcome parameters were maximal and sustained pupil contraction amplitudes and the postillumination response assessed as area under the curve (AUC) over two time-windows: early (0-10 s after light termination) and late (10-30 s after light termination). Lens transmission was measured with an ocular fluorometer. RESULTS: The sustained pupil contraction and the early poststimulus AUC correlated positively with age (p=0.02, p=0.0014, respectively) for the blue light stimulus condition only.The maximal pupil contraction amplitude did not correlate to age either for bright blue or red light stimulus conditions.Lens transmission decreased linearly with age (p<0.0001). The pupil response was stable or increased with decreasing transmission, though only significantly for the early poststimulus AUC to 300 cd/m2 light (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Age did not reduce, but rather enhance pupil responses mediated by ipRGC. The age related decrease of blue light transmission led to similar results, however, the effect of age was greater on these pupil responses than that of the lens transmission. Thus there must be other age related factors such as lens scatter and/or adaptive processes influencing the ipRGC mediated pupil response enhancement observed with advancing age.

PD-1 is a regulator of NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T cell expansion in melanoma patients.

The programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor is a negative regulator of activated T cells and is up-regulated on exhausted virus-specific CD8(+) T cells in chronically infected mice and humans. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is expressed by multiple tumors, and its interaction with PD-1 resulted in tumor escape in experimental models. To investigate the role of PD-1 in impairing spontaneous tumor Ag-specific CD8(+) T cells in melanoma patients, we have examined the effect of PD-1 expression on ex vivo detectable CD8(+) T cells specific to the tumor Ag NY-ESO-1. In contrast to EBV, influenza, or Melan-A/MART-1-specific CD8(+) T cells, NY-ESO-1-specific CD8(+) T cells up-regulated PD-1 expression. PD-1 up-regulation on spontaneous NY-ESO-1-specific CD8(+) T cells occurs along with T cell activation and is not directly associated with an inability to produce cytokines. Importantly, blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in combination with prolonged Ag stimulation with PD-L1(+) APCs or melanoma cells augmented the number of cytokine-producing, proliferating, and total NY-ESO-1-specific CD8(+) T cells. Collectively, our findings support the role of PD-1 as a regulator of NY-ESO-1-specific CD8(+) T cell expansion in the context of chronic Ag stimulation. They further support the use of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway blockade in cancer patients to partially restore NY-ESO-1-specific CD8(+) T cell numbers and functions, increasing the likelihood of tumor regression.

Predicting cancer involvement of genes from heterogeneous data

Background: Systematic approaches for identifying proteins involved in different types of cancer are needed. Experimental techniques such as microarrays are being used to characterize cancer, but validating their results can be a laborious task. Computational approaches are used to prioritize between genes putatively involved in cancer, usually based on further analyzing experimental data. Results: We implemented a systematic method using the PIANA software that predicts cancer involvement of genes by integrating heterogeneous datasets. Specifically, we produced lists of genes likely to be involved in cancer by relying on: (i) protein-protein interactions; (ii) differential expression data; and (iii) structural and functional properties of cancer genes. The integrative approach that combines multiple sources of data obtained positive predictive values ranging from 23% (on a list of 811 genes) to 73% (on a list of 22 genes), outperforming the use of any of the data sources alone. We analyze a list of 20 cancer gene predictions, finding that most of them have been recently linked to cancer in literature. Conclusion: Our approach to identifying and prioritizing candidate cancer genes can be used to produce lists of genes likely to be involved in cancer. Our results suggest that differential expression studies yielding high numbers of candidate cancer genes can be filtered using protein interaction networks.

Asymmetries in the opportunity structure. Intergenerational mobility trends in Europe

It remains unclear whether social mobility is increasing in the advancednations. The answer may depend on mobility patterns within very recentbirth cohorts. We use the inter-generational module in the 2005 EUSILCwhich allows us to include more recent cohorts. Comparingacross two Nordic and three Continental European countries, weestimate inter-generational mobility trends for sons both indirectly, viasocial origin effects on educational attainment, and directly in terms ofadult income attainment. In line with other studies we find substantiallymore mobility in Scandinavia, but also that traditionally less mobilesocieties, like Spain, are moving towards greater equality. We focusparticularly on non-linear relations. Most interestingly, we revealevident asymmetries in the process of equalizing life chances, inDenmark. The disadvantages associated with low social class originshave largely disappeared, but the advantages related to privilegedorigins persist.

Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for detection of autologous blood transfusion.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate various biological processes. Cell-free miRNAs measured in blood plasma have emerged as specific and sensitive markers of physiological processes and disease. In this study, we investigated whether circulating miRNAs can serve as biomarkers for the detection of autologous blood transfusion, a major doping technique that is still undetectable. Plasma miRNA levels were analyzed using high-throughput quantitative real-time PCR. Plasma samples were obtained before and at several time points after autologous blood transfusion (blood bag storage time 42 days) in 10 healthy subjects and 10 controls without transfusion. Other serum markers of erythropoiesis were determined in the same samples. Our results revealed a distinct change in the pattern of circulating miRNAs. Ten miRNAs were upregulated in transfusion samples compared with control samples. Among these, miR-30b, miR-30c, and miR-26b increased significantly and showed a 3.9-, 4.0-, and 3.0-fold change, respectively. The origin of these miRNAs was related to pulmonary and liver tissues. Erythropoietin (EPO) concentration decreased after blood reinfusion. A combination of miRNAs and EPO measurement in a mathematical model enhanced the efficiency of autologous transfusion detection through miRNA analysis. Therefore, our results lay the foundation for the development of miRNAs as novel blood-based biomarkers to detect autologous transfusion.

Kaupunkilogistiikka ja kaupunkijakelu

Kaupunkilogistiikan merkitys kasvaa myös Suomessa yhä suuremmaksi. Siihen ovat vaikuttaneet väestön keskittyminen kasvukeskuksiin sekä liikenteen haittojen ja ruuhkien lisääntyminen. Tämän työn tavoitteena oli selvittää kaupunkilogistiikan kehitystä sekä nykytilaa Euroopassa ja Suomessa. Lisäksi työssä tarkasteltiin kaupunkijakelun ongelmakohtia sekä kaluston vaikutusta niihin. Kirjallisuustutkimuksena selvitettiin kaupunkilogistiikan tila sekä Suomessa että Euroopassa sekä tarkasteltiin projekteja, joilla kaupunkilogistiikkaa on pyritty kehittämään. Toinen osa työstä on suoritettu haastattelemalla eri tasoilla kaupunkilogistiikan parissa toimivia henkilöitä kaupunkijakelun näkökulmasta sekä tutkimalla Saksassa kaupunkijakelussa käytettävää kalustoa. Kaupungeissa suuri osa liikenteestä on henkilöautoliikennettä. Henkilöautoliikennettä vähentämällä voidaan pienentää liikenteestä aiheutuvia haittoja sekä parantaa huoltoliikenteen sujuvuutta. Henkilöautoriippuvuutta lisää kuitenkin yhdyskuntarakenteen leviäminen yhä laajemmalle. Samalla julkisen liikenteen kilpailukyky heikkenee. Kirjallisuustutkimuksessa esille tulleet kaupunkilogistiikan kehityksen esteet olivat yhteistyön sekä omistautumisen puute. Lisäksi projekteista saatavaa tietoa ei taltioida siten, että sitä voitaisiin hyödyntää tulevissa projekteissa. Euroopassa kaupunkijakelun tehostaminen kuljetusyritysten yhteistyönä ei ole rantautunut Suomeen. Kaupunkijakelun sujuvoittaminen on sekä kuljetusyritysten että kaupunkien etu, sillä jakelun muulle liikenteelle aiheuttamat haitat vähenevät sitä mukaa kun jakeluautojen määrää ja jakeluaikaa saadaan vähennettyä Kuljetuskaluston osalta Suomessa on jääty kehityksestä jälkeen Saksaan verrattuna. Osaksi syynä on laki, joka Saksassa rohkaisee kehittämään uusia vaihtoehtoja niin sanottuja minitraileriyhdistelmiä. Pilottihanke, jossa rakennettaisiin ja otettaisiin koekäyttöön tällainen minitraileri, antaisi uutta tietoa sen eroista verrattuna perinteiseen jakelukalustoon. Tulokset voisivat luoda paineita kehittää uutta kalustoa kaupalliseen käyttöön.

Kirkkodraama Hyvinkäällä : omakohtaisesti koettuna

Opinnäytetyö lähtee liikkeelle kirkkodraaman alkujuurilta, etsien kirkkodraaman kansainväliseen syntyyn liittyviä seikkoja ja edeten kohti kirkkodraaman rantautumista Suomeen ja kehitystä tämän päivän kirkkodraamaksi. Miten kirkkodraamaan liittyvä koulutus on käynnistynyt. Millaista kehitystä ja havaintoja on Suomessa toteutetussa kirkkodraamassa tapahtunut viime vuosikymmenillä ja mitä on tapahtunut 1980-, 1990- ja 2000-luvuilla Hyvinkäällä toteutetussa kirkkodraamatyöskentelyssä. Opinnäytetyö kartoittaa, millaisia kirkkodraaman lajityyppejä on ja miten niitä on Hyvinkäällä toteutettu, kuinka niiden tekemiseen on päädytty. Millaisia vaiheita kirkkodraaman ohjaustyön ammatillistumisessa on ollut omalla kohdallani ja miten se on ollut havaittavissa eri vuosikymmeninä Hyvinkäällä ja millainen oli kirkkoteatterin kiirastuli 2001, jolloin kirkkoteatterityön tulevaisuus oli hyvinkääläisten kirkkohallintoelinten ruodittavana ja miten se siitä selvisi. Opinnäytetyötä varten tein luettelon kaikista Hyvinkään seurakunnalle toteuttamistani kirkkodraamoista, joita opinnäytetyöhön 15.11.2006 mennessä oli kertynyt tasan 100 kirkkodraamaa. Tämä luettelo on opinnäytetyön liitteenä. Luetteloon on merkitty jokaisen näytelmän kohdalle mitä lajityyppiä teos edustaa.

Äänikerronnan suhde tarinaan kuunnelmassa

Opinnäytetyöni on monimuototyö, joka koostuu Suurin niistä on rakkaus -nimisestä kuunnelmasta sekä Äänikerronnan suhde tarinaan kuunnelmassa -otsikoidusta kirjallisesta osasta. Teoksen pituus on 45 minuuttia ja se kertoo tositapahtumiin perustuvan tarinan omasta saksalaisesta äidistäni, joka pakenee despoottista isäänsä Suomeen rakkaansa luo ja löytää itsensä "ojasta allikkoon" -tilanteesta. Mustasukkainen ja ennakkoluuloinen anoppi ei päästä helpolla ainoasta pojastaan irti ja Erika joutuu näkemään vaivaa lunastaakseen paikkansa miehensä rinnalta. Teoksen tavoitteena on ollut tutustua kuunnelman tekemiseen liittyviin työprosesseihin ja -rooleihin sekä tutkia, miten ne toimivat yhteydessä toisiinsa. Kirjallinen työ keskittyy äänikerrontaan kuunnelmassa, esitellen myös muissa radiomaailman ohjelmatyypeissä käytettäviä äänellisiä ilmaisukeinoja. Tausta-aineistoa ei radion äänikerronnasta ollut pahemmin olemassa, joten sovelsin elokuvien äänisuunnittelusta lähtöisin olevia käsitteitä. Tutkin myös, millaisia äänellisiä ratkaisuja olin käyttänyt Suurin niistä on rakkaus -teoksen yhteydessä. Arvioinnin kohteena on kirjallinen osuus ja teos, jossa olen vastannut yksin käsikirjoituksesta, ohjauksesta, äänisuunnittelusta sekä musiikista. Olen pyytänyt erityistä huomiota arvioinnissa teoksen äänisuunnitteluun, sillä keskitin siihen eniten aikaa ja äänikerronta on pääaiheena myös kirjallisessa osassa. Suurimmaksi ongelmaksi koin käsikirjoittamisen sekä ohjaamisen, sillä kummastakaan minulla ei ollut pahemmin aiempaa kokemusta. Tähän hain apua Ylellä työskentelevältä ohjaajalta Pekka Ruohorannalta, jolla on monien vuosien kokemus kuunnelmien tekemisestä. Ensimmäiset nauhoitukset näyttelijöiden kanssa tehtiin vuoden 2006 alussa. Äänileikkaamiseen ja -suunnitteluun paneuduin joulukuussa 2006. Viimeistely ja musiikin säveltäminen teokseen tapahtui maaliskuussa 2007, jolloin aloin kirjoittaa myös kirjallista osaa. Teos ja kirjallinen osa valmistuivat huhtikuussa 2007.