[Ergonomic risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome in workers of an automobile factory].

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of pain symptoms and risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in automobile manufacturing workers and provide theoretical basis for the prevention of CTS. Methods: From Nov.5th to Nov.19th, 2017, 446 workers in an automobile factory whose work age was above one year participate in questionnaires by cluster sampling. Chi square test and multifactor logistics regression analysis were used to analyze the factors related to the occurrence of CTS pain symptoms in workers. Results: The incidence of CTS pain among workers in this automobile factory was 20.8%. Working in the same position for a long time (OR=2.137, 95% CI:1.183-3.862) and unable to work reasonably because of uncomfortable posture (OR =2.067, 95% CI: 1.075-3.974) were identified as the risk factors of CTS pain symptoms by multifactor logistics regression analysis. Working age (OR=0.537, 95%CI:0.311-0.926) and work break (OR= 0.489, 95% CI: 0.282-0.849) were identified as the benefit factors of CTS pain symptoms. Conclusion: The incidence of CTS pain in automobile manufacturing workers is related to the posture in the process of labor . Effective ergonomic interventions should be carried out to prevent the occurrence of CTS pain in automobile manufacturing workers.

[The analysis of health effects of exposure to occupational hazards on works in gypsum mining enterprise].

Objective: To investigate the health of gypsum miners in Hubei province and analyze the health effects of occupational disease hazards exposure on gypsum miners. Methods: In April 2017, occupational disease hazard factors were tested on the site of a gypsum mine, and 500 workers were selected by random sampling to conduct questionnaires, relevant data such as occupational health examination was collected, and descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: The main occupational hazards of gypsum miners were gypsum dust and noise. The time-weighted average concentration of 8 h in the workplace was 4.32 to 9.34 mg/m(3), and the post pass rate was 69.2% (9/13) ; Respiratory dust 0.13-5.15 mg/m(3), post pass rate 75.0% (3/4). Gypsum miners had finger dysfunction and muscle numbness, joint pain (29.2%, 88/301) and chest pain and breathing difficulties (17.6%, 53/301). Followed by tinnitus, auricle pus, running water (4.7%, 14/301), abnormal muscle tension (2.7%, 8/301). The exposure of occupational disease hazards was associated with respiratory, auditory and neurological symptoms of gypsum miners. Conclusion: The long-term exposure of gypsum workers to gypsum dust, noise and other harmful factors may result in obvious symptoms of respiratory system and other health damage.

[Investigation of neck and shoulder pain among workers in an automobile plant].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) among automobile manufacturing workers and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention of NSP. Methods: From November 5 to November 19, 2017, a total 446 works who had worked for more than one year were recruited from an automobile plant by cluster sampling method. Chi square test and unconditional logistic regression were used to exam the relation between influencing factors and NSP. Results: The annual prevalence rate of NSP was 34.8%. Multifactor regression analysis showed that age、work fatigue、department staff shortages、lifting heavy objects in awkward positions、neck flexion foreword and prolong sitting position work were the risk factors of NSP (OR=2.18, 95%CI:1.49~3.18; OR=4.52, 95%CI:1.27~16.00; OR=1.66, 95%CI:1.04~26.68; OR=2.10, 95%CI:1.16~3.81; OR=2.25, 95%CI:1.39~3.66; OR=2.42, 95%CI:1.06~5.56) and work break was the benefit factors of NSP (OR=0.58, 95%CI:0.36~0.94) . Conclusion: The annual prevalence rate of NSP among automobile manufacturing workers was high. Lifing heavy objects、awkward working positions and unreasonable work arrangement were the major risk factors of NSP, and work break can effectively reduce the risk of NSP. Effective ergonomic intervention should be carried out to prevent the occurrence of NSP.

Updated meta-analysis of controlled observational studies: proton-pump inhibitors and risk of Clostridium difficile infection.

Attention has recently been directed toward a plausible link between Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, the results of studies on the association between CDI and PPI remain controversial. We searched the literature databases from their inception to December 2016, without restriction of language, including all controlled observational studies examining the association between acid-suppressive therapy and CDI. Pooled analysis of 50 studies showed a significant association between PPI use and risk of developing CDI (odds ratio: 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.39) as compared with non-users. When stratified by study patients, the relative risk of hospital-acquired CDI and community-associated CDI were 1.29 (1.14-1.44) and 1.17 (0.74-1.59). After restricting the studies according to hospital department, the relative risks of hospital-acquired CDI in ICUs and general wards were 1.43 (0.74-2.11) and 1.29 (1.13-1.45). By implementing cumulative meta-analysis, it was clear that earlier trials of CDI conducted in the early 2000s demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity and a high percentage of negative results. Since 2011, the overall association between PPI use and risk of developing CDI has remained relatively stable within an effect size between OR 1.20 and 1.26. Our findings indicate a significant associated risk of incident CDI among PPI users, especially in general ward patients. The totality of evidence, when using cumulative meta-analysis, showed that further trials are unlikely to overturn this positive result. Therefore establishing a guideline for the use of PPIs may help in future with the control of CDI.

Functional links between Disabled-2 Ser723 phosphorylation and thrombin signaling in human platelets.

Essentials Disabled-2 (Dab2) phosphorylation status in thrombin signaling of human platelet was investigated. Ser723 was the major Dab2 phosphorylation site in human platelets stimulated by thrombin. Dab2 S723 phosphorylation (pS723) caused the dissociation of Dab2-CIN85 protein complex. Dab2-pS723 regulated ADP release and integrin αIIbß3 activation in thrombin-treated platelets. SUMMARY: Background Disabled-2 (Dab2) is a platelet protein that is functionally involved in thrombin signaling in mice. It is unknown whether or not Dab2 undergoes phosphorylation during human platelet activation. Objectives To investigate the phosphorylation status of Dab2 and its functional consequences in thrombin-stimulated human platelets. Methods Dab2 was immunoprecipitated from resting and thrombin-stimulated platelet lysates for differential isotopic labeling. After enrichment of the phosphopeptides, the phosphorylation sites were analyzed by mass spectrometry. The corresponding phospho-specific antibody was generated. The protein kinases responsible for and the functional significance of Dab2 phosphorylation were defined by the use of signaling pathway inhibitors/activators, protein kinase assays, and various molecular approaches. Results Dab2 was phosphorylated at Ser227, Ser394, Ser401 and Ser723 in thrombin-stimulated platelets, with Ser723 phosphorylation being the most significantly increased by thrombin. Dab2 was phosphorylated by protein kinase C at Ser723 in a Gαq -dependent manner. ADP released from the stimulated platelets further activated the Gßγ -dependent pathway to sustain Ser723 phosphorylation. The Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa (CIN85) bound to Dab2 at a motif adjacent to Ser723 in resting platelets. The consequence of Ser723 phosphorylation was the dissociation of CIN85 from the Dab2-CIN85 complex. These molecular events led to increases in fibrinogen binding and platelet aggregation in thrombin-stimulated platelets by regulating αIIb ß3 activation and ADP release. Conclusions Dab2 Ser723 phosphorylation is a key molecular event in thrombin-stimulated inside-out signaling and platelet activation, contributing to a new function of Dab2 in thrombin signaling.

Formation of pseudodiscs in chronic recurrent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.

We report an unusual form of chorioretinal anastomosis in a 20-year-old man with chronic recurrent Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Several subretinal optic disc-like lesions of subretinal fibrosis were found in the vicinity of the equator. No evidence of neovascularization or arteriovenous shunt was noted.

Anticomplementary activity of cornea, vitreous and chorioretina in rabbits.

We wished to determine if inhibitors of the complement system are present in different rabbit ocular tissues. Soluble extracts of cornea, vitreous humor and chorioretina in different dilutions were incubated with normal human serum (as source of complement). The ability of the latter to lyse sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antisheep rabbit hemolysin was assessed. The cornea did not show any inhibition of complement. The vitreous humor exhibited very low inhibitory activity. The extracts of the uveo-retinal tissue contained heat-labile and heat-stable factors capable of cleaving C3 and factor B.

The anticomplementary activity of the rabbit lens.

We wished to determine if inhibitors of the complement system are present in the normal rabbit lens. Soluble less extract in various dilutions was incubated with normal human serum (as source of complement). The residual hemolytic activity was measured using sheep erythrocytes sensitized with antisheep rabbit hemolysin. The lens extract was found to contain two heat stable anticomplementary factors of different molecular weights capable of cleaving C2 and C4. Gel filtration showed that one of these factors was located in the alpha-crystalline region. It is suggested that the anticomplementary factors in the lens may be related to a natural mechanism for the modulation of complement mediated lens injury.

Endogenous Klebsiella pneumoniae endophthalmitis in diabetic patients.

We describe 12 patients with endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae seen between 1983 and 1988. Three patients had bilateral involvement. Eleven patients had diabetes mellitus, either newly diagnosed or poorly controlled. In six cases the infection was associated with a liver abscess. In all eyes the outcome was light perception or worse; nine eyes had no light perception. Six eyes were enucleated or eviscerated.

Biochemical analysis of the cornea stored in steroid medium.

We wished to measure changes in the tissue mass and the deoxyribonucleic acid and protein content of guinea pig corneas stored for up to 21 days in tissue culture medium with or without 1 microM hydrocortisone. Full-thickness discs 4 mm in diameter were cut from the corneas for measurement of the three variables. Whether the disc came from a steroid-treated cornea or not, and whether it came from a fresh cornea, hydrocortisone did not appear to have any adverse effect on the features studied.

Does the number of cells in the cornea decrease with age? A biochemical study.

We used biochemical techniques to investigate whether the cornea becomes more acellular with age. Guinea pigs of different body weights (age) were killed. From each cornea, a central full-thickness button (4 mm in diameter) was punched out. The DNA content of the corneal buttons was determined. Using spleen cells, the DNA content per diploid cell of guinea pig was also estimated. It was found that as the body weights of the animals increased, the amount of DNA per corneal disc decreased. This indicated that as the animal grows older the total cellular content of the cornea is reduced.

[Behcet's disease with ocular involvement in Taiwan: a joint survey of six major ophthalmological departments].

A total of 103 cases with ocular involvement of Behcet's disease, seen over a period of 19 years (1970 to 1988), were collected from the ophthalmological departments of 6 major medical centers in Taiwan. The yearly number of patients who first visited these hospitals from 1979 through 1983 was about 5 cases and about 14 cases from 1984 to 1988. The domiciles of the patients were most commonly (51.5%) in Northern Taiwan. All 103 patients were Chinese, of which 78 (75.7%) were men and 25 (24.3%) were women; the male to female ratio was 3.1. Extraocular symptoms of Behçet's disease, major or minor, and their frequencies among these patients included; oral ulcers, 97.1%, skin lesions, 74.8%; genital ulcers, 61.2%; arthritis, 47.6%; gastrointestinal lesions, 14.6%; epididymitis, 5.8%; central nervous system lesions, 2.9%; vascular lesions, 1.9%; pulmonary lesions, 2.9% and urinary lesions, 4.9%. Fifty-one (49.5%) patients were of the complete type and 52 (50.5%) of the incomplete type. The peak distribution of ages at the onset of the ocular lesions, was from 20 to 40 years. As for visual prognosis, 37.9% of the 198 diseases eyes had a visual acuity of 0.5 or better, 9.1% between 0.5 and 0.1, 25.3% between 0.1 and 0.01 and 27.8% were 0.01 or worse. In 24 (12.1%) eyes, the vision was completely lost. In HLA studies, a significantly increased incidence of HLA-A26 (p less than 0.01) and HLA-B51 (p less than 0.001) was found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Impaired thrombin generation in Reelin-deficient mice: a potential role of plasma Reelin in hemostasis.

BACKGROUND: Reelin is a large extracellular glycoprotein that is present in the peripheral blood. That Reelin interacts with the coagulation components and elicits a functional role in hemostasis has not yet been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: The hemostatic activity of Reelin is investigated and defined in this study. METHODS: The interplay of Reelin with coagulation components was elucidated by far-Western and liposome/platelet binding assays. In vivo and ex vivo hemostasis-related analyses of Reelin-deficient mice and plasma were also performed. RESULTS: Reelin interacted with the liposomes containing phosphatidylserine (PS) or phosphatidylcholine. Instead of interacting with known Reelin receptors (ApoE receptor 2, very low density lipoprotein receptor and integrin ß1), Reelin interacted with PS of the activated platelets. The interaction between Reelin and the coagulation factors of thrombin and FXa was also demonstrated with the Kd of 11.7 and 21.2 nm, respectively. Reelin-deficient mice displayed a prolonged bleeding time and an increase in rebleeding rate. Despite the fact that Reelin deficiency had no significant effect on the clotting time of prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin time, the fibrin clot formation was abnormal and the fibrin clot structure was relatively loosened with reduced clot strength. Abnormal fibrinogen expression did not account for the hemostatic defects associated with Reelin deficiency. Instead, thrombin generation was impaired concomitant with an altered prothrombin cleavage pattern. CONCLUSIONS: By interacting with platelet phospholipids and the coagulation factors, thrombin and FXa, Reelin plays a selective role in coagulation activation, leading to thrombin generation and formation of a normal fibrin clot.

Traumatic intracorneal cyst.

We describe clinical and pathologic characteristics of two cases of traumatic intracorneal cyst. Both patients were children, without a history of ocular surgery, but they had been injured by scissors many years before the corneal lesion was noted. The corneal lesion was characteristically circular, opalescent, quiet, and slowly progressive. Histopathologically it formed within the corneal lamellae and was lined by corneal epithelium. Some epithelial debris was noted in the cyst contents. The first case was treated with penetrating keratoplasty, and the graft remained clear after 11 months of follow-up. The second case received simple aspiration, and recurrence of the cyst was noted at a nine-month follow-up. Excision of the anterior cyst wall and chemical cauterization using aqueous iodine 1% was done subsequently.