21-Day dermal exposure to aircraft engine oils: effects on esterase activities in brain and liver tissues, blood, plasma, and clinical chemistry parameters for Sprague Dawley rats.

This dermal study tested the potential toxicity of grade 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) organophosphate-containing aircraft engine oils in both new (G3-N, G4-N) and used states (G3-U, G4-U) to alter esterase activities in blood, brain and liver tissues, clinical chemistry parameters, and electrophysiology of hippocampal neurons. A 300 µl volume of undiluted oil was applied in Hill Top Chamber Systems®, then attached to fur-free test sites on backs of male and female Sprague Dawley rats for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 21 days. Recovery rats received similar treatments and kept for 14 days post-exposure to screen for reversibility, persistence, or delayed occurrence of toxicity. In brain, both versions of G3 and G4 significantly decreased (32-41%) female acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity while in males only G3-N and G4-N reduced (33%) AChE activity. Oils did not markedly affect AChE in liver, regardless of gender. In whole blood, G3-U decreased female AChE (29%) which persisted during recovery (32%). G4-N significantly lowered (29%) butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in male plasma, but this effect was resolved during recovery. For clinical chemistry indices, only globulin levels in female plasma significantly increased following G3-N or G4-N exposure. Preliminary electrophysiology data suggested that effects of both versions of G3 and G4 on hippocampal function may be gender dependent. Aircraft maintenance workers may be at risk if precautions are not taken to minimize long-term aircraft oil exposure.

Production, safety, health effects and applications of diacylglycerol functional oil in food systems: a review.

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a world leading anti-obesity functional cooking oil synthesized via structural modification of conventional fats and oils. DAG exits in three stereoisomers namely sn-1,2-DAG, sn-1,3-DAG, and sn-2,3-DAG. DAG particularly sn-1,3-DAG demonstrated to have the potential in suppressing body fat accumulation and lowering postprandial serum triacylglycerol, cholesterol and glucose level. DAG also showed to improve bone health. This is attributed to DAG structure itself that caused it to absorb and digest via different metabolic pathway than conventional fats and oils. With its purported health benefits, many studies attempt to enzymatically or chemically synthesis DAG through various routes. DAG has also received wide attention as low calorie fat substitute and has been incorporated into various food matrixes. Despite being claimed as healthy cooking oil the safety of DAG still remained uncertain. DAG was banned from sale as it was found to contain probable carcinogen glycidol fatty acid esters. The article aims to provide a comprehensive and latest review of DAG emphasizing on its structure and properties, safety and regulation, process developments, metabolism and beneficial health attributes as well as its applications in the food industry.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia in children: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical-radiological-pathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of children with suspected exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP). DESIGN: Systematic review. We searched electronic databases and reference lists published between 1967 and 2018, restricted to non-accidental cases. RESULTS: Forty-four studies including 489 participants aged 1 day to 17 years from 13 countries were included. Cultural, medical, and behavioural rationale for oil-use was described. The clinical-radiological presentation varied widely. Diagnostic certainty was deemed highest if ELP was confirmed on bronchoalveolar lavage/frozen section lung biopsy with documented extracellular lipid on cytological staining and/or fat analysis. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection was identified in six studies: Mycobacterium fortuitum/chelonei, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium abscessus. Treatment comprised supportive therapy, corticosteroids, stopping oil, therapeutic lung-lavage and surgical resection. Outcomes were reported inconsistently. CONCLUSION: Paediatric ELP resulting from cultural and medical practices continues to be described globally. Preventive interventions, standardized reporting, and treatment efficacy studies for cases not averted, are lacking. Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42017068313.

Occupational exposure to organic particles and combustion products during pregnancy and birth outcome in a nationwide cohort study in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To study if children of women exposed to organic particles and combustion products at work during pregnancy, have an increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth or small for gestational age. METHODS: A nationwide cohort of all occupationally active mothers and their children from single births during 1994 to the end of 2012 (1 182 138 observations) was formed. Information on birth outcome was obtained from the medical birth register. Information on absence from work, education, occupation, age, nationality and smoking habits was obtained from national registers. A job exposure matrix (FINJEM) was used to assess the exposure. RESULTS: Pregnant women with low absence from work and high (>50th percentile) exposure to organic particles had an increased risk of giving birth to children with low birth weight (OR=1.19; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.32), small for gestational age (OR=1.22; 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.38) or preterm birth (OR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.27). Subgroup analyses showed an increased risk of small for gestational age in association with exposure to oil mist. Exposure to oil mist and cooking fumes was associated with low birth weight. Paper and other organic dust was associated with preterm birth. Exposure to combustion products showed an increased risk of small for gestational age (OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.71). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that occupational exposure to organic particles or combustion products during pregnancy is associated with restriction of fetal growth and preterm birth. More studies are needed to confirm a casual association.

[Injected non-absorbable fillers in large volumes]. / In''ektsionnye nerassasyvaemye fillery miagkikh tkanei v bol'shikh ob''emakh.

AIM: To present treatment strategy for large volumes of injectable non-absorbable 'shell-less' soft tissue fillers (vaseline, synthol, silicone etc.). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors present an experience of surgical treatment of 8 patients who underwent injections of medical vaseline (breast augmentation, n=5) and synthol (muscles enlargement, n=3) and review of the current literature devoted to this problem. RESULTS: Injection of large amounts (over 50 ml) of non-absorbable fillers into soft tissues is unacceptable and leads to numerous complications. Oil-based 'shell-less' fillers cannot be removed by minimally invasive techniques (puncture, mini-incisions, etc.) due to multiple diffuse lesions in the form of oleogranulomas (cysts of different size) and surrounding widespread inflammation and fibrosis of tissues. Surgery is the only adequate method. However, this approach is followed by scars and often tissue contour deformation. Migration of these fillers to other anatomical areas (from the neck to the lower extremities) significantly complicates the situation, treatment and results. In case of categorical refusal of patients from surgical treatment and no complaints, they should be properly informed about possible consequences and complications and dynamic medical supervision is necessary. Intraoperative ultrasound examination is useful for the control of radical removal of pathological areas. Timely removal of non-absorbable fillers allows to avoid serious complications and to achieve good aesthetic results.

The INTEROCC case-control study: risk of meningioma and occupational exposure to selected combustion products, dusts and other chemical agents.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about occupational risk factors for meningioma. OBJECTIVES: To study whether risk of meningioma is associated with several occupational exposures, including selected combustion products, dusts and other chemical agents. METHODS: The INTEROCC study was an international case-control study of brain cancer conducted in seven countries. Data collection by interview included lifetime occupational histories. A job exposure matrix was used to derive estimates of exposure for the 12 agents. ORs for ever versus never exposed and for exposure-response using duration of exposure and cumulative exposure were derived using conditional logistic regression stratified by sex, age group, country/region, adjusted for education. RESULTS: These analyses included 1906 cases and 5565 controls. For 11 of the 12 agents, no excess risk was found for ever exposed. For ever exposure to oil mists, an elevated OR of 1.57 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.22, 51 exposed cases) was found. Statistically significant exposure-response relationships were observed with cumulative exposure (p=0.01) and duration of exposure (p=0.04). Among women, there were also significant trends for cumulative and duration of exposure to asbestos and excesses in the highest exposure categories for formaldehyde. CONCLUSIONS: Most agents examined did not provoke excess risks of meningioma. The main finding from this study is that it is the first study to identify a statistical association between exposure to oil mists and meningioma. This may be a chance finding or could be due to confounding with iron exposure and further research is required to understand whether the relationship is causal.

Pulmonary function and high-resolution computed tomography examinations among offshore drill floor workers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess short-term changes in pulmonary function in drill floor workers currently exposed to airborne contaminants generated as a result of drilling offshore. We also aimed to study the prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of another group of previously exposed drill floor workers. METHODS: Pulmonary function was measured before and after a 14-day work period in a follow-up study of 65 drill floor workers and 65 referents. Additionally, 57 other drill floor workers exposed to drilling fluids during the 1980s were examined with HRCT of the lungs in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The drill floor workers had a statistically significant decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) across the 14-day work period after adjustment for diurnal variations in pulmonary function (mean 90 mL, range 30-140 mL), while the small decline among the referents (mean 20 mL, range - 30 to 70 mL) was not of statistical significance. Larger declines in FEV1 among drill workers were associated with the fewer number of days of active drilling. There were no signs of pulmonary fibrosis related to oil mist exposure among the other previously exposed drill floor workers. CONCLUSION: After 14 days offshore, a statistically significant decline in FEV1 was observed in the drill floor workers, which may not be related to oil mist exposure. No pulmonary fibrosis related to oil mist exposure was observed.

Paraffinoma, siliconoma and Co: Disastrous consequences of failed penile augmentation-A single-centre successful surgical management of a challenging entity.

The purpose of this study was to present our series of patients with disastrous consequences of failed penile self-augmentation and suggested surgical reconstruction. Ten patients with median age of 23 years and a variety of penile and scrotal deformities due to injections of several substances had undergone successful surgical reconstruction of external genitalia. The injections were self-performed in nine cases and the patients reported from 4 to 20 substance injections throughout the penile shaft. Three patients presented with fibrotic scirrhous masses in their scrotum, although they did not report any injections in scrotal area. All patients underwent extended penile-shaft skin excision, while all palpable scrotal lesions were removed in one-by-one fashion, as an attempt to destroy the less possible scrotal tissue. All patients were discharged on first post-operative day and reassessed at 2 months post-operatively. As a result, penile self-augmentation with injected substances may cause severe complications. Our proposed single-staged procedure seems safe and effective.

Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils. Notification; declaratory order; extension of compliance date.

Based on the available scientific evidence and the findings of expert scientific panels, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) made a final determination that there is no longer a consensus among qualified experts that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), which are the primary dietary source of industrially produced trans fatty acids (IP­TFA), are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for any use in human food. In a declaratory order announcing our final determination, we set a compliance date of June 18, 2018. We are now extending the compliance date for certain uses of PHOs.

No pain no gain: tender nodules in a competitive bodybuilder.

The subculture of bodybuilding is rife with people willing to do whatever is necessary to achieve the perfect physique. One particularly concerning behavior is the injection of site-enhancing-oils (SEO) into lagging muscle groups to achieve instant size and symmetry. The typical SEO is a combination of lidocaine, alcohol, and oil; it is rarely, if ever, administered by a qualified professional. As a result, there are a variety of potential complications that can manifest in the skin and other organ systems. In our case, a 41-year-old former competitive bodybuilder was referred to our clinic for excision of a subcutaneous nodule. The initial histopathology was concerning for lymphoma, but a more thorough history and review of systems were completely negative. The patient underwent a negative systemic lymphoma workup and it was not until we discussed the prospects of radiation and other forms of treatment that he revealed a history of SEO use, as well as other identical nodules on his body. Subsequent excisions revealed a more classic sclerosing lipogranuloma-type reaction pattern. Owing to the taboo nature of SEOs, most patients are reluctant to provide this vital piece of historical information, highlighting the importance of patient rapport and clinical-pathologic correlation in our specialty.

[Safety evaluation for medical ozone oil on skin].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate skin irritation, acute toxicity, and allergy of medical ozone oil for clinical application.
 Methods: In contrast to their left and right side irritation, one or more skin irritation tests were performed on the intact and damaged skins of guinea pigs. With the maximum concentration, acute skin toxicity test was applied on the intact and damaged skins of rats.Active cutaneous anaphylaxis was applied to the guinea pigs.
 Results: High concentration (ozone consumption: 150 g/L) of medical ozone oil showed a slight irritation on the broken skin of guinea pigs, while low concentrations did not show skin irritation.Medical ozone oil had no obvious acute toxicity to rats. The medical ozone oil and base oil showed mildallergy for the skin of guinea pig.
 Conclusion: The irritation of medical ozone oil is related to its concentration. With appropriateconcentration and duration of treatment, medical ozone oil is safe.

Acute and subchronic toxicity studies of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) oil in rodents.

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) has been traditionally used as medicine and nutritional supplement for a long period of time. However, information on the systemic toxicity and safety evaluation of seabuckthorn and its extracts is still scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential toxicity of seabuckthorn oil by an acute oral toxicity study in mice and a 90-day repeated oral toxicity study in rats. No mortality or signs of toxicity was observed in mice treated with 20 mL/kg body weight seabuckthorn oil in the acute toxicity study. In the subchronic toxicity study, 80 Sprague-Dawley rats (10 animals per sex per treatment group) were administrated with 10, 5, 2.5 and 0 (control) mL/kg body weight of seabuckthorn oil daily for 90 days by gavage. There were no signs of toxicity and treatment-related changes in rats treated with seabuckthorn oil on mortality, body and organ weights, food consumption, blood biochemistry and hematology, gross necropsy and histopathological examinations. Based on the finding of this study, the maximum tolerated dose of seabuckthorn oil was >20 mL/kg for mice for acute toxicity study, and the no-observed-adverse-effect level was 10 mL/kg body weight for both male and female rats for 90-day toxicity study.

A Review of Indigo Naturalis as an Alternative Treatment for Nail Psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: Nail psoriasis is challenging to treat. The few currently available therapies are limited in efficacy, and often produce unfavorable side effects. A plant extract widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, indigo naturalis (Qing Dai), is presented in this review as an alternative topical treatment for skin and nail psoriasis. The purpose of this article is to present information on a viable alternative treatment with a favorable side effect profile for a difficult disease to treat. METHODS: A PubMed search for the term "indigo naturalis" was performed, and literature from 2006 to the present relevant to indigo naturalis and treatment of psoriasis and nail psoriasis was reviewed. RESULTS: Indigo naturalis shares several therapeutic mechanisms with current psoriasis treatments, such as regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, restoration of epidermal barrier function, and reduction of inflammatory processes. Clinically, it is well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Recent research of indigo naturalis suggests that it is a safe, inexpensive, and effective alternative topical treatment for skin and nail psoriasis.

Occupational skin disease in Victoria, Australia.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of patients with occupational skin disease (OSD) in a tertiary referral clinic in Victoria, Australia. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of records from patients seen at the Occupational Dermatology Clinic in Melbourne, Australia between 1 January 1993 and 31 December 2010. RESULTS: Of the 2894 people assessed in the clinic during the 18-year period, 44% were women and 56% were men. In all, 2177 (75%) were diagnosed with occupational skin disease (OSD). Of the patients with a work-related skin condition, 45% (n = 979) were considered to be atopic. The most common diagnosis in those with OSD was irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) (44%), followed by allergic contact dermatitis (33%) and endogenous eczema (11%). Women were significantly more likely to have soaps and detergents (P < 0.001) and water/wet work (P < 0.001) as causes of their ICD than men. Men were significantly more likely to have oils and coolants (P < 0.001) and solvent exposures (P < 0.001) as causes of their ICD. Occupational groups with the highest incidence of OSD were the hair and beauty professions (70 per 100 000), followed by machine and plant operators (38 per 100 000) and health-care workers (21 per 100 000). CONCLUSION: We confirm the importance of occupational contact dermatitis as the most common cause of OSD, with ICD being the most common diagnosis. There are differences in the causes of ICD between our group of male and female workers. For the first time in Australia, rates of OSD in certain industries have been calculated.

TGFß-1 and TGFBR2 polymorphisms, cooking oil fume exposure and risk of lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese nonsmoking females: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) plays an important role in regulating cellular functions, and many studies have demonstrated important roles for TGF-ß in various cancers. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TGF-ß may influence lung carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to test whether TGF-ß1 C509T and TGF-ß receptor II (TGFBR2) G-875A polymorphisms were associated with lung adenocarcinoma in nonsmoking females. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was performed in Chinese nonsmoking females. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan SNP genotyping assay, and demographic data and environmental exposure were collected by trained interviewers after informed consents were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 272 (95.4%) cases and 313 (99.4%) controls were successfully genotyped, and the results showed that the polymorphic allele frequencies of C509T and G875A were similar among lung adenocarcinoma patients and controls (P=0.589 and 0.643, respectively). However, when the data were stratified for cooking oil fume exposure, the TT genotype of the TGFB1 C509T polymorphism showed a significantly decreased risk for lung adenocarcinoma compared with the CC genotype (adjusted OR=0.362, 95% CI=0.149-0.878, P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: TGF-ß1 gene C509T polymorphism might be associated with decreased risk of lung adenocarcinoma in Chinese females exposed to cooking oil fumes, but no association was observed TGFBR2 gene G875A polymorphism.

Intramuscular injection of "site enhancement oil": forensic considerations.

The use of intramuscular injection of foreign substances for aesthetic purposes is well known. Complications are usually local to the site of injection but can be potentially lethal. Here, we present a case of "site enhancement oil" use in a 42-year-old man who died from asphyxia due to hanging. Macroscopic and microscopic changes as well as computed tomographic changes in injected musculature are described and the potentially lethal adverse effects after site enhancement oil use are warranted.

Cancer mortality and quantitative oil production in the Amazon region of Ecuador, 1990-2010.

PURPOSE: Controversy persists over whether cancer risk is increased in communities surrounding oil fields, especially in the Oriente region of Ecuador. This ecologic study uses quantitative exposure data, updated mortality data, and improved statistical methods to study the impact of oil exploration and production activities on cancer mortality rates in the Oriente. METHODS: Cancer mortality rates in the Oriente in 1990 through 2010 were compared between seven cantons with active oil exploration and production as of 1990 and thirteen cantons with little or no such activities. Poisson regression was used to estimate mortality rate ratios (RRs) adjusted for age and sex. In a two-stage analysis, canton-specific log-RRs were regressed against quantitative estimates of cumulative barrels of oil produced and well-years per canton, adjusting for canton-level demographic and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Overall and site-specific cancer mortality rates were comparable between oil-producing and non-oil-producing cantons. For overall cancer mortality in males and females combined, the RR comparing oil-producing to non-oil-producing cantons was 0.85 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.72-1.00]. For leukemia mortality, the corresponding RR was 0.80 (95 % CI 0.57-1.13). Results also revealed no excess of mortality from acute non-lymphocytic, myeloid, or childhood leukemia. Standardized mortality ratios were consistent with RRs. Canton-specific RRs showed no pattern in relation to oil production volume or well-years. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this first ecologic study to incorporate quantitative measures of oil exploration and production showed no association between the extent of these activities and cancer mortality, including from cancers associated with benzene exposure.

Oil-soluble vitamins: illegal use for lip augmentation.

Fillers for lip augmentation have become more and more popular in recent years and seem to be indispensable in the cosmetic market nowadays. A series of six young females is presented who developed massive swellings and pain after vitamins A and/or E lip augmentation. The vitamins were extracted from gelatinous capsules (Gericaps [Adipharm EAD, Sofia, Bulgaria], Geritamins [Actavis EAD, Balkanpharma-Dubnitsa AD, Bulgaria], or vitamin E yellow gel capsules) and injected by unprofessional physicians and beauticians in different cosmetic centers. Physical examination revealed firm indurations of the lips and perioral skin, tenderness, erythema, and hard dermal nodules. Histological analysis revealed numerous round-to-ovoid cavities of varying sizes, resulting in a Swiss cheese-like appearance, consistent with lipogranulomas. The patients were treated with systemic and intralesional triamcinolone injections and broad-spectrum antibiotics with good clinical response. In conclusion, these cases demonstrate the danger of the use of unregistered products as fillers injected by unprofessional physicians and beauticians.