Environmental-sanitary risk analysis procedure applied to artificial turf sports fields.

Owing to the extensive use of artificial turfs worldwide, over the past 10 years there has been much discussion about the possible health and environmental problems originating from styrene-butadiene recycled rubber. In this paper, the authors performed a Tier 2 environmental-sanitary risk analysis on five artificial turf sports fields located in the city of Turin (Italy) with the aid of RISC4 software. Two receptors (adult player and child player) and three routes of exposure (direct contact with crumb rubber, contact with rainwater soaking the rubber mat, inhalation of dusts and gases from the artificial turf fields) were considered in the conceptual model. For all the fields and for all the routes, the cumulative carcinogenic risk proved to be lower than 10(-6) and the cumulative non-carcinogenic risk lower than 1. The outdoor inhalation of dusts and gases was the main route of exposure for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances. The results given by the inhalation pathway were compared with those of a risk assessment carried out on citizens breathing gases and dusts from traffic emissions every day in Turin. For both classes of substances and for both receptors, the inhalation of atmospheric dusts and gases from vehicular traffic gave risk values of one order of magnitude higher than those due to playing soccer on an artificial field.

Serum cytokeratin 18 and cytokine elevations suggest a high prevalence of occupational liver disease in highly exposed elastomer/polymer workers.

OBJECTIVE: Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) is a novel serologic biomarker for occupational liver disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of CK18 elevation in elastomer/polymer workers exposed to acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, and styrene. METHODS: A total of 82 chemical workers were evaluated. Cytokeratin 18 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by multi-analyte chemiluminescent detection. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent (32 of 82) had elevated CK18 levels, which were not explained by alcohol or obesity, except in potentially four cases. The pattern of CK18 elevation was consistent with toxicant-associated steatohepatitis (TASH) in the majority of cases (78%). Tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were increased in these workers compared with those with normal CK18 levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a high prevalence of occupational liver disease and TASH in elastomer/polymer workers with elevated proinflammatory cytokines.

Femtosecond laser fabricated spike structures for selective control of cellular behavior.

In this study we investigate the potential of femtosecond laser generated micrometer sized spike structures as functional surfaces for selective cell controlling. The spike dimensions as well as the average spike to spike distance can be easily tuned by varying the process parameters. Moreover, negative replications in soft materials such as silicone elastomer can be produced. This allows tailoring of wetting properties of the spike structures and their negative replicas representing a reduced surface contact area. Furthermore, we investigated material effects on cellular behavior. By comparing human fibroblasts and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells we found that the influence of the material was cell specific. The cells not only changed their morphology, but also the cell growth was affected. Whereas, neuroblastoma cells proliferated at the same rate on the spike structures as on the control surfaces, the proliferation of fibroblasts was reduced by the spike structures. These effects can result from the cell specific adhesion patterns as shown in this work. These findings show a possibility to design defined surface microstructures, which could control cellular behavior in a cell specific manner.

A misadventure with an elastic band, 38 years later.

This case report is of maxillary central incisors still in place 38 years after periodontal surgery to correct the damage to supporting tooth structure caused by an orthodontic elastic band.

Allergic contact dermatitis to synthetic rubber following breast augmentation.

Allergic reactions associated with silicone injection and implant were examined in a 50-year-old woman with a granulomatous reaction following breast silicone-gel prosthesis rupture who developed a delayed hypersensitivity to rubber compounds. Patch tests with SIDAPA, dental, and rubber series as well as open tests with latex, silicone and non silicone tubes, open application test with silicone gel, and skin prick test for aero and food-allergens were performed. Total and specific serum IgE measured by CAP-FEIA. Skin tests revealed a delayed-type hypersensitivity to thioureas, thiuram mixture and platinum. Specific IgE to natural rubber latex were found. Allergic contact dermatitis from thioureas, thiurams and platinum might be under-diagnosed, as they are not tested as part of the standard patch test series. Clinicians should consider this diagnosis in patients submitted to several cosmetic treatments.

Effect of 0.4% stannous fluoride gel on Streptococci mutans in relation to elastomeric rings and steel ligatures in orthodontic patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with fixed orthodontic appliances often experience an absolute increase in the number of Streptococci mutans colony-forming units (cfu). The aim of this investigation was to study the development of biofilm and S. mutans cfu in connection with stainless steel ligatures and elastomeric rings in orthodontic patients treated with and without 0.4% stannous fluoride gel (SFG). MATERIAL: Forty-seven patients were divided into 2 groups: those treated with 0.4% SFG for 4 minutes (experimental) and those without 0.4% SFG (control). In each patient, elastomeric rings were used for ligation on 1 side of the dental arch midline, and stainless steel ligatures were used on the opposite side. Saliva samples were collected before and after appliance placement. At 15 and 30 days after appliance placement, biofilm samples from the stainless steel ligatures and the elastomeric rings were collected and subjected to microbiologic procedures and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. RESULTS: The numbers of S. mutans cfu in the saliva and biofilm were not statistically different between the teeth fitted with elastomeric rings and stainless steel ligatures, or between the experimental and control groups. SEM analysis showed biofilm formation on both ligature ties. CONCLUSIONS: Topical application of 0.4% SFG in orthodontic patients with elastomeric rings or stainless steel ligatures does not cause a significant decrease in S. mutans cfu in the saliva and biofilm.

Critical review of additive mastoplastic with Arion hydrogel prosthesis.

The author reviews his personal experience using additive mastoplastics with the hydrogel prosthesis produced in France by Arion. The enumeration of cases covers 143 patients (285 prosthesis) with 36 months of follow-up evaluation. The positive aspects of this filling (especially the radiotransparency) and its complications are considered, with special attention paid to the wrinkling effect that may be caused by some physical instability of the hydrogel. The well-known controversy of 1992 concerning silicon mammary prostheses encouraged scientists to seek alternative solutions in the field of prosthetic extenders. This effort sometimes produced negative solutions such as the soya oil prosthesis, but at the same time provided materials with excellent physical-chemical qualities, with subsequent positive effects from a clinical point of view. This work is dedicated to one of these products, the Arion hydrogel. After 6-years of utilization with a 36-month follow-up period, 285 prosthesis have been fitted for 143 patients.

Role of connective tissue growth factor in breast implant elastomer capsular formation.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has been demonstrated to be a mediator in scar formation and in multiple fibrotic disorders such as in Dupuytren contractures and in pulmonary fibrosis. Recently, it has been demonstrated that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a downstream mediator of TGF-beta and acts to stimulate wound contraction and fibrosis. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of CTGF in the development of breast implant elastomer capsule formation over time and to evaluate the effects of TGF-beta and CTGF antisense (AS) oligonucleotides on capsule formation. Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 12) and control (n = 3) groups. Four 2- x 2-cm pockets were created on the dorsum deep to the panniculus carnosus in each rat. A 1- x 1-cm smooth breast implant elastomer was placed. Each rat in the treatment group received 1 ml vehicle, AS-TGF-beta, AS-CTGF, or scramble antisense oligonucleotide (AS-scramble). Control rats received either 1 ml vehicle or 1 ml saline in each pocket. At weeks 1, 3, and 5, four treatment rats and one control rat were randomly selected and killed. Tissue blocks were harvested for determination of CTGF levels using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and for hematoxylin and eosin slides to evaluate capsule formation. Levels of CTGF in capsular tissue treated with vehicle or AS-scrambled were similar and progressively increased in tissues on weeks 1, 3, and 5, compared with normal skin. At weeks 1 and 3 after surgery, levels of CTGF were suppressed in capsules treated with AS-CTGF or AS-TGF-beta compared with normal skin and with tissues treated with vehicle or AS-scramble (p = 0.002). At week 5, levels of CTGF were similar to levels in normal skin. Histological analysis revealed reduced capsular formation in samples treated with AS-CTGF or AS-TGF-beta compared with the two other treated sites. In conclusion, a single and local treatment with AS-CTGF or AS-TGF-beta at the time of surgery reduced CTGF levels in tissue and correlated with reduced capsular formation in a rat model. These data suggest a new therapeutic strategy to reduce early capsular formation based on local application of antisense oligonucleotides targeting CTFG and TGF-beta.