Benzene Exposure From Selected Work Tasks on Offshore Petroleum Installations

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Benzene Exposure From Selected Work Tasks on Offshore Petroleum Installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, 2002–2018 via Annals of Work Exposures and Health Advance Access Abstract Objectives Work on offshore petroleum installations may cause exposure to benzene. Benzene is a carcinogenic agent, and exposure among workers should be as low as reasonably practicable. We aimed to assess short-term (less than 60 min) benzene exposure from the most frequent work tasks on offshore installations on the Norwegian continental shelf and identify determinants of exposure. In addition, we aimed to assess the time trend in task-based benzene measurements from 2002 to 2018. Methods The study included 763 task-based measurements with a sampling duration of less than 60 min, collected on 28 offshore installations from 2002 to 2018. The measurements were categorized into 10 different tasks. Multilevel mixed-effect Tobit regression models were developed for two tasks: sampling and disassembling/assembling equipment. Benzene source, season, indoors or outdoors, design of process area, year of production start, sampling meth od, and work operation were considered as potential determinants for benzene exposure in the models. Results The overall geometric mean (GM) benzene exposure was 0.02 ppm (95% confidence intervals 95%(CI: 0.01–0.04). The pipeline inspection gauge (PIG) operation task was associated with the highest exposure, with a GM of 0.33 ppm, followed by work on flotation cells, disassembling/assembling, and sampling, with GMs of 0.16, 0.04, and 0.01 ppm, respectively. Significant determinants for the disassembling/assembling task were work operation (changing or recertifying valves, changing or cleaning filters, and breaking pipes) and benzene source. For sampling, the benzene source was a significant determinant. Overall, the task-based benzene exposure declined annually by 10.2% (CI 95%: −17.4 to −2.4%) from 2002 to 2018. Conclusions The PIG operation task was associated with the highest exposure out of the ten tasks, followed by work on flotation cells and when perfo rming disassembling/assembling of equipment. The exposure was associated with the type of benzene source that was worked on. Despite the decline in task-based exposure in 2002–2018, technical measures should still be considered in order to reduce the exposure. View on Web

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Single-dose versus prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis for alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Single-dose versus prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis for alveolar bone grafting in cleft patients via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com This study compared the infection rate between prolonged and single-dose prophylaxis for this procedure, with the null hypothesis of no difference between the two groups. In total, 109 ABG procedures in 94 cleft patients performed by two surgeons were included. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

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Three-dimensional evaluation of condylar position after mandibular reconstruction with a fibula free flap —comparison of different surgical techniques

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Three-dimensional evaluation of condylar position after mandibular reconstruction with a fibula free flap —comparison of different surgical techniques via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com Three-dimensional positional changes of the temporomandibular joint after mandible reconstruction using microvascular fibula flaps were investigated in 58 patients. The results of preoperative virtually planned surgery, intraoperative resection- and cutting-guided surgery, and non-guided surgery were compared. Pre- and postoperative computed tomography data of each patient were processed and superimposed digitally. The condyle deviations and rotations along the axes and planes of the skull, as well as Euclidean distances, were determined. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

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Knockdown of circGOLPH3 inhibits cell progression and glycolysis by targeting miR‐145‐5p/lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Knockdown of circGOLPH3 inhibits cell progression and glycolysis by targeting miR‐145‐5p/lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A) axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma via Head & Neck Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common head and neck malignancies. The aim of this study is to explore the role of circRNA Golgi phosphoprotein 3 (GOLPH3) (circGOLPH3) in OSCC. Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to detect changes in the levels of circGOLPH3, microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p), and lysine demethylase 2A (KDM2A). The functions of circGOLPH3 were assessed using in vitro and in vivo assays. Dual-luciferase reporter assay detected the interaction of miR-145-5p with circGOLPH3 or KDM2A. Results circGOLPH3 expression was upregulated in OSCC. circGOLPH3 downregulation inhibited cell growth, metastasis, and glycolysis in vitro, and in vivo experiments revealed that circGOLPH3 inhibited tumor growth. In addition, circGOLPH3 bound to miR-145-5p and competitively inhibited KDM2A expression, thereby regulating OSCC cell behaviors as well as glycolysis. Conclusion circGOLPH3 exerted pro-oncogenic effects through the miR-145-5p/KDM2A axis to regulate OSCC cell behaviors. View on Web

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Streptococcus mutans dexA affects exopolysaccharides production and biofilm homeostasis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Streptococcus mutans dexA affects exopolysaccharides production and biofilm homeostasis via Molecular Oral Microbiology Abstract Objectives : The study aimed to evaluate the role of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) dexA gene on biofilm structure and microecological distribution in multi-species biofilms. Materials and Methods : A multi-species biofilm model consisting of S. mutans and its dexA mutants, Streptococcus gordonii (S. gordonii) and Streptococcus sanguinis (S. sanguinis) was constructed, and bacterial growth, biofilm architecture and microbiota composition were determined to study the effect of the S. mutans dexA on multi-species biofilms. Results : Our results showed that either deletion or overexpression of S. mutans dexA had no effect on the planktonic growth of bacterium, while S. mutans dominated in the multi-species biofilms to form cariogenic biofilms. Furthermore, we revealed that the SmudexA+ group showed structural abnormality in the form of more fractures and blank areas. The morphology of the SmudexA group was sparser and more porous, with reduced and less agglomerated exopolysaccharides scaffold. Interestingly, the microbiota composition analysis provided new insights that the inhibition of S. gordonii and S. sanguinis was alleviated in the SmudexA group compared to the significantly suppressed condition in the other groups. Conclusion : In conclusion, deletion of S. mutans dexA gene re-modules biofilm structure and microbiota composition, thereby leading to decreased cariogenicity. Thus, the S. mutans dexA may be an important target for regulating the cariogenicity of dental plaque biofilms, expecting to be a probiotic for caries control. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Brain‐specific loss of Abcg1 disturbs cholesterol metabolism and aggravates pyroptosis and neurological deficits after traumatic brain injury

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Brain‐specific loss of Abcg1 disturbs cholesterol metabolism and aggravates pyroptosis and neurological deficits after traumatic brain injury via Brain Pathology Brain-specific knockout of Abcg1 disturbs cholesterol metabolism and aggravates TBI. Abstract Based on accumulating evidence, cholesterol metabolism dysfunction has been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiological process of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and lead to neurological deficits. As a key transporter of cholesterol that efflux from cells, the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter family exerts many beneficial effects on central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, there is no study regarding the effects and mechanisms of ABCG1 on TBI. As expected, TBI resulted in the different time-course changes of cholesterol metabolism-related molecules in the injured cortex. Considering ABCG1 is expressed in neuron and glia post-TBI, we generated nestin-specific Abcg1 knockout (Abcg1-KO) mice using the Cre/loxP recombination system. These Abcg1-KO mice showed reduced plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and increased plasma lower-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels under the base condition. After TBI, these Abcg1-KO mice we re susceptible to cholesterol metabolism turbulence. Moreover, Abcg1-KO exacerbated TBI-induced pyroptosis, apoptosis, neuronal cell insult, brain edema, neurological deficits, and brain lesion volume. Importantly, we found that treating with retinoid X receptor (RXR, the upstream molecule of ABCG1) agonist, bexarotene, in Abcg1-KO mice partly rescued TBI-induced neuronal damages mentioned above and improved functional deficits versus vehicle-treated group. These data show that, in addition to regulating brain cholesterol metabolism, Abcg1 improves neurological deficits through inhibiting pyroptosis, apoptosis, neuronal cell insult, and brain edema. Moreover, our findings demonstrate that the cerebroprotection of Abcg1 on TBI partly relies on the activation of the RXRalpha/PPARgamma pathway, which provides a potential therapeutic target for treating TBI. View on Web

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Lipopolysaccharides and Hydrogen Peroxide Induce Contrasting Pathological Conditions in Dental Pulpal Cells

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Lipopolysaccharides and Hydrogen Peroxide Induce Contrasting Pathological Conditions in Dental Pulpal Cells via International Endodontic Journal Abstract Abstract Aim To determine the effects of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and both combined on cell proliferation/differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial dynamics as indicated by mitochondrial fission/fusion, antioxidants as indicated by superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), and apoptosis of human dental pulpal cells (HDPCs). Methodology Pulpal tissues from eight healthy subjects (n=8) were collected from Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University. Isolated HDPCs from healthy donors were divided into four experimental groups: vehicle, 20 μg/mL LPS, 400 μM H2O2, and the two combined. All experimental groups were investigated to assess cell proliferation, mineralization, differentiation, inflammation, mitochondrial dynamics, antioxidants, and apoptosis. Results H2O2 and combined agents decreased cell proliferation of HDPCs equally. LPS, H2O2 and both combined decreased mineralization and differentiation with an increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels. Surprisingly, LPS and combined agents increased SOD2 expression and caused an imbalance in mitochondrial dynamics. A significant increase in apoptosis was observed in the case of H2O2 and combined agents. Conclusions These findings suggest that LPS induced inflammation, imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics, and reduced cell differentiation without altering apoptosis and cell proliferation. However, H2O2 decreased cell proliferation, and differentiation, and increased inflammation, and apoptosis without interfering with mitochondrial dynamics. Based on our findings, combining LPS and H2O2 could be potentially used the inducers in in vitro study to mimic the clinical pulpitis. View on Web

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Therapeutic effects of Rosa Canina, Urtica Dioica and Tanacetum Vulgare Herbal Combination in Treatment of Tinnitus Symptoms; A Double‐blind Randomized Clinical Trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Therapeutic effects of Rosa Canina, Urtica Dioica and Tanacetum Vulgare Herbal Combination in Treatment of Tinnitus Symptoms; A Double‐blind Randomized Clinical Trial via Clinical Otolaryngology Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of Neurotec® herbal capsule (100 mg twice a day for three months) on the tinnitus symptoms in comparison with the placebo. Design A double-blind randomized clinical trial Setting Otolaryngology clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital Participants Patients suffering from subjective tinnitus Main outcome measures Pure tone audiometry (PTA) was measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 KHz frequencies before and after the third month of intervention. In addition, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire as well as visual analogue scale (VAS) for tinnitus loudness, daily annoyance, daily life or sleep disturbance, daily perception and mood alteration were evaluated. Results Finally, 103 (69 males and 34 females) patients with a mean age of 51.33±13.91 years were analyzed. In contrast with control group, patients in intervention group showed a remarkable decrease in THI score after three months of treatment (p<0.05). Although both groups had improvements in VAS scores, mood disturbance, daily tinnitus perception and daily life alteration scores were only improved in the intervention group. The mean pure tone air and bone conduction were not significantly different between the control and the intervention group at baseline and three months after the intervention at 0.5,1,2 and 4 kHz (P>0.05). Conclusion A three-month treatment with Neurotec Capsules in addition to patient education is of benefit for managing symptoms in patients with chronic tinnitus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. View on Web

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Cytomegalovirus in the transplant setting: where are we now and what happens next? A report from the International CMV Symposium 2021

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Cytomegalovirus in the transplant setting: where are we now and what happens next? A report from the International CMV Symposium 2021 via Transplant Infectious Disease Abstract The CMV Symposium in September 2021 was an international conference dedicated to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after solid organ or haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This review provides an overview of the presentations given by the expert faculty, supplemented with educational clinical cases. Topics discussed include CMV epidemiology and diagnosis, the burden of CMV infection and disease, CMV-specific immunity and management of CMV in transplant settings. Major advances in the prevention and treatment of CMV in the past decade and increased understanding of CMV immunity has led to improved patient outcomes. In the future, management algorithms may be individualised based on the transplant recipient's immune profile which will mark the start of a new era for patients with CMV. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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Waning of first- and second-dose ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinations: a pooled target trial study of 12.9 million individuals in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Waning of first- and second-dose ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccinations: a pooled target trial study of 12.9 million individuals in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales via International Journal of Epidemiology - Advance Access Abstract Background Several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been shown to provide protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and death. However, some evidence suggests that notable waning in effectiveness against these outcomes occurs within months of vaccination. We undertook a pooled analysis across the four nations of the UK to investigate waning in vaccine effectiveness (VE) and relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) against severe COVID-19 outcomes. Methods We carried out a target trial design for first/second doses of ChAdOx1(Oxford–AstraZeneca) and BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) with a composite outcome of COVID-19 hospitalization or death over the period 8 December 2020 to 30 June 2021. Exposure groups were matched by age, local authority area and propensity for vaccination. We pooled event counts across the four UK nations. Results For Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1 and Dose 1 of BNT162b2, VE/rVE reached zero by approximately Days 60–80 and then went negative. By Day 70, VE/rVE was –25% (95% CI: –80 to 14) and 10% (95% CI: –32 to 39) for Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1, respectively, and 42% (95% CI: 9 to 64) and 53% (95% CI: 26 to 70) for Doses 1 and 2 of BNT162b2, respectively. rVE for Dose 2 of BNT162b2 remained above zero throughout and reached 46% (95% CI: 13 to 67) after 98 days of follow-up. Conclusions We found strong evidence of waning in VE/rVE for Doses 1 and 2 of ChAdOx1, as well as Dose 1 of BNT162b2. This evidence may be used to inform policies on timings of additional doses of vaccine. View on Web

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