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Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Blood culture-negative infective endocarditis (BCNE) is a challenging condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This review discusses the... (Review)
Review
Blood culture-negative infective endocarditis (BCNE) is a challenging condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This review discusses the epidemiology, microbiology, diagnosis, and treatment of BCNE considering advancements in molecular diagnostics and increased access to cardiac surgery. BCNE can be categorized into bacterial endocarditis with sterilized blood cultures due to previous antibiotic treatment, endocarditis caused by fastidious microorganisms, and true BCNE caused by intracellular organisms that cannot be cultured using traditional techniques. Non-infectious causes such as nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis should also be considered. Diagnostic approaches involve thorough patient history; blood and serum testing, including appropriate handling of blood cultures; serological testing; and molecular techniques such as targeted and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Where available, evaluation of explanted cardiac tissue through histopathology and molecular techniques is crucial. The therapy for BCNE depends on the likely causative agent and the presence of prosthetic material, with surgical intervention often required.
PubMed: 37623987
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081027 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Aug 2023Occupational medicine is a clinical discipline that draws attention to the health of workers and their ability to work [...].
Occupational medicine is a clinical discipline that draws attention to the health of workers and their ability to work [...].
PubMed: 37629340
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165298 -
International Archives of... Apr 2024
PubMed: 38618603
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1782198 -
La Tunisie Medicale Mar 2024Several clinical and epidemiological data point to a possible link between smoking exposure and contact dermatitis (CD).
INTRODUCTION
Several clinical and epidemiological data point to a possible link between smoking exposure and contact dermatitis (CD).
AIMS
To identify the clinical and epidemiological differences of CD in smoking and non-smoking subjects, and to determine the influence of smoking on the allergological profile of CD.
METHODS
Retrospective descriptive study who consulted the Department of Occupational Medicine and Occupational Pathology of the Farhat Hached University Hospital of Sousse (Tunisia) during a period of 8 years for exploration of CD and who were tested with the European Standard Battery (ESB).
RESULTS
A total of 767 patients were enrolled during the study period, 40% of whom were smokers. The group of smokers was characterized by a male predominance (p=10-3) and a greater professional seniority compared to non-smokers (p=0.01). Personal history of atopy was predominant in non-smokers (p=0.02). Among the ESB allergens, there was a significant association between smoking and CD due to metals (chromium, cobalt) and conservatives. After binary logistic regression, the variables associated with smoking exposure were male gender (OR=12.12 ; 95% CI=[6.07 - 24.21]; p=10-3), Kathon CG allergy (OR=3.69 ; 95% CI=[1.24 - 10.81]; p=0.018), and right hand involvement (OR= 2.83; 95% CI=[1.29 - 6.17]; p=0.005).
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed an effect of smoking on the clinical and allergological characteristics of CD.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Retrospective Studies; Smoking; Allergens; Occupations
PubMed: 38545712
DOI: 10.62438/tunismed.v102i3.4226 -
La Tunisie Medicale Apr 2024Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are as the primary occupational disease (OD) in Tunisia. They can touch the elbow and cause occupational disability.
INTRODUCTION
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are as the primary occupational disease (OD) in Tunisia. They can touch the elbow and cause occupational disability.
AIMS
Describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of elbow MSDs recognized in Tunisia, identify the factors associated with these MSDs and assess their socio-professional impact.
METHODS
Retrospective descriptive study of elbow MSDs recognized as compensable OD by the Committees for the Recognition of Occupational Diseases of National Health Insurance Fund, in Tunisia, from 2012 to 2018.
RESULTS
We collected 431 cases of elbow MSDs or 8.35% of all recognized MSDs and 11.8% of recognized MSDs during the same period. The average annual incidence was 4.3 cases. Patients had a mean age of 43.59 years and a clear female predominance (82.2%). The largest provider was the textile industry (60.6%). The average length of employment was 16.78 years. Biomechanical factors were repetitive movements (92.8%), forced movements (67.1%) and prolonged static posture (7.4%). These were lateral epicondylitis (79.1%), medial epicondylitis (14.2%) and ulnar nerve syndrome (10.7%). These pathologies were associated with other MSDs including carpal tunnel syndrome (25.8%). These MSDs were responsible for 15,342 days of lost work. The rate of permanent partial incapacity was 10.6% with a job loss in 15.63%.
CONCLUSION
Elbow MSDs are responsible for heavy economic and socio-professional consequences justifying the implementation of a preventive strategy adapted within risk sectors.
Topics: Humans; Tunisia; Female; Male; Adult; Occupational Diseases; Retrospective Studies; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Middle Aged; Incidence; Tennis Elbow; Ulnar Neuropathies; Elbow Joint
PubMed: 38746963
DOI: 10.62438/tunismed.v102i4.4546 -
Cell Death & Disease Jul 2023Lung metastasis is the leading cause of breast cancer-related death. The tumor microenvironment contributes to the metastatic colonization of tumor cells in the lungs....
Lung metastasis is the leading cause of breast cancer-related death. The tumor microenvironment contributes to the metastatic colonization of tumor cells in the lungs. Tumor secretory factors are important mediators for the adaptation of cancer cells to foreign microenvironments. Here, we report that tumor-secreted stanniocalcin 1 (STC1) promotes the pulmonary metastasis of breast cancer by enhancing the invasiveness of tumor cells and promoting angiogenesis and lung fibroblast activation in the metastatic microenvironment. The results show that STC1 modifies the metastatic microenvironment through its autocrine action on breast cancer cells. Specifically, STC1 upregulates the expression of S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) by facilitating the phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK signaling in breast cancer cells. S100A4 mediates the effect of STC1 on angiogenesis and lung fibroblasts. Importantly, S100A4 knockdown diminishes STC1-induced lung metastasis of breast cancer. Moreover, activated JNK signaling upregulates STC1 expression in breast cancer cells with lung-tropism. Overall, our findings reveal that STC1 plays important role in breast cancer lung metastasis.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Glycoproteins; Lung Neoplasms; S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4; ErbB Receptors; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasm Metastasis; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37400459
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05911-z -
Journal of UOEH 2024The population of people in Japan over 65 years old is expected to exceed 30% by 2025. As the society ages, there are not only healthy workers and employers, but also an...
The population of people in Japan over 65 years old is expected to exceed 30% by 2025. As the society ages, there are not only healthy workers and employers, but also an increasing number of diseased or injured workers. Falls, the most common occupational hazard, increase in incidence with age. The management of osteoporosis and prevention of bone fractures from falls are emerging in elderly female workers, to reduce the loss of work productivity. Rheumatoid arthritis is a representative musculoskeletal disease that causes functional decline because of joint damage mainly in working women, but appropriate treatment improves disease activity and work productivity in workers with rheumatoid arthritis. It is also important not only to digitize subjective information by converting it into digital form (digitization), but also to digitalize the physiological information related to health, labor and disease (digitalization). In the future, artificial intelligence (AI) will be able to analyze vast amounts of physiological information (big data) obtained from workers and patients via the Internet of things (IoT), which will improve the information value linked to health promotion and optimal treatment practices, and contribute to the Digital transformation (DX).
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Occupational Medicine; Artificial Intelligence; Health Promotion; Efficiency; Arthritis, Rheumatoid
PubMed: 38479878
DOI: 10.7888/juoeh.46.79 -
Revista Brasileira de Medicina Do... 2023Shift and night work combine training and practice in medical education, assuming an essential character in some medical specialties. Nevertheless, it is recognized that... (Review)
Review
Shift and night work combine training and practice in medical education, assuming an essential character in some medical specialties. Nevertheless, it is recognized that this work schedule affects biological functions, cognitive performance, and the safety of both patients and workers. The aim of this narrative literature review was to describe current knowledge about the impact of shift and night work in medical professionals. The LILACS, MEDLINE, and SciELO databases were searched for publications between 2010 and 2020 using the terms: "shift work schedule" and "physicians". A total of 12 publications reported outcomes on sleep quality, family relationships, burnout syndrome, and cardiovascular health. Despite these outcomes, the studies highlighted the importance of shift and night work in medical training, reflecting a loss of learning opportunities when limitations are placed on work hours. The studies suggested initiatives to mitigate the effects of shift work, including increased awareness by managers, a culture of respect for resting periods, the encouragement of family support networks, and the availability of natural light in the workplace.
PubMed: 38313097
DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2021-881