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Particle and Fibre Toxicology Jun 2024Today, nanomaterials are broadly used in a wide range of industrial applications. Such large utilization and the limited knowledge on to the possible health effects have...
BACKGROUND
Today, nanomaterials are broadly used in a wide range of industrial applications. Such large utilization and the limited knowledge on to the possible health effects have raised concerns about potential consequences on human health and safety, beyond the environmental burden. Given that inhalation is the main exposure route, workers exposed to nanomaterials might be at risk of occurrence of respiratory morbidity and/or reduced pulmonary function. However, epidemiological evidence regarding the association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and respiratory health is still scarce. This study focused on the association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and pulmonary function among 136 workers enrolled in the framework of the European multicentric NanoExplore project.
RESULTS
Our findings suggest that, independently of lifelong tobacco smoking, ethnicity, age, sex, body mass index and physical activity habits, 10-year cumulative exposure to nanomaterials is associated to worse FEV and FEF, which might be consistent with the involvement of both large and small airway components and early signs of airflow obstruction. We further explored the hypothesis of a mediating effect via airway inflammation, assessed by interleukin (IL-)10, IL-1β and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), all quantified in the Exhaled Breath Condensate of workers. The mediation analysis results suggest that IL-10, TNF-α and their ratio (i.e., anti-pro inflammatory ratio) may fully mediate the negative association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and the FEV/FVC ratio. This pattern was not observed for other pulmonary function parameters.
CONCLUSIONS
Safeguarding the respiratory health of workers exposed to nanomaterials should be of primary importance. The observed association between cumulative exposure to nanomaterials and worse pulmonary function parameters underscores the importance of implementing adequate protective measures in the nanocomposite sector. The mitigation of harmful exposures may ensure that workers can continue to contribute productively to their workplaces while preserving their respiratory health over time.
Topics: Humans; Male; Nanostructures; Female; Occupational Exposure; Adult; Inhalation Exposure; Middle Aged; Lung; Pneumonia; Forced Expiratory Volume; Respiratory Function Tests; Cytokines; Air Pollutants, Occupational; Europe
PubMed: 38943182
DOI: 10.1186/s12989-024-00589-3 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024Childhood choking is a global health concern that mainly affects children under the age of 5 years. The parent's and caretaker's responsibility is critical in the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Childhood choking is a global health concern that mainly affects children under the age of 5 years. The parent's and caretaker's responsibility is critical in the children's lives and can potentially influence the result of at-home injuries such as choking. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and associated factors of first aid management toward choking hazards among Saudi adults from the Eastern Province.
METHODS
The present analytical study was carried out among 390 Saudi adults attending different primary health centers in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. We used a standard and validated data research topic tool to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice. Spearman's correlation was applied to determine the correlation between each section, while binomial logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the associated factors.
RESULTS
We observed knowledge, attitude, and practice scores in 43.3, 38.9, and 36.4% of the participants, respectively. Furthermore, positive correlations between knowledge and attitude (rho = 0.42, = 0.001), between knowledge and practice (rho = 0.57, = 0.001), and between attitude and practice (rho = 0.41, = 0.001) were revealed in our survey. The knowledge of the participants was significantly higher with the age group of 30-40 years [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.67 (1.94-4.65), = 0.001] and participants who received training in first aid management [AOR = 1.64 (1.12-2.49), = 0.037]. This study found that males [AOR = 0.36 (0.21-0.63), = 0.001] and those working in the private sector [AOR = 0.61 (0.31-0.87), = 0.018] had significantly lower attitudes.
CONCLUSION
Our results underscore the importance of continuous health education initiatives and training courses at primary health care centers regarding first aid management of choking hazards to improve awareness and practices. Furthermore, we recommend prospective multicenter studies to address region-specific knowledge gaps.
Topics: Humans; Saudi Arabia; Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Female; Adult; First Aid; Surveys and Questionnaires; Airway Obstruction; Middle Aged; Young Adult
PubMed: 38939560
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1376033 -
International Journal of Surgery Case... Jun 2024Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is a rare and complex condition that often necessitates the collaboration of a full medical team from various disciplines to save the lives...
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is a rare and complex condition that often necessitates the collaboration of a full medical team from various disciplines to save the lives of babies with this genetic mutation, characterized by three clinical manifestations: glossoptosis, micrognathia, and cleft palate. Treatment primarily involves freeing upper airway obstructions and enhancing nutrition to allow the babies to lead a normal life. The lip-tongue adhesion procedure has been identified in medical literature as the recommended approach to addressing the issues associated with Pierre Robin sequence, and this method was successfully adopted in this case.
CASE PRESENTATION
2.5 kg, a newborn male baby with an abnormal position of the tongue and the inability to breastfeed and feed normally, without any medical, family, or social history. Following an examination, it was discovered that the baby had a posterior position of the tongue, micrognathia, and a cleft palate, leading to a diagnosis of Pierre Robin Sequence (Figs. 1, 2). Preparations for the baby's surgery have commenced. The baby was solely fed intravenously and provided with an oxygen mask for 25 days until all necessary consultations were completed and the baby's readiness for surgery and general anesthesia was confirmed. The surgical plan involved attaching the tongue to the lower lip to enhance the tongue's muscular strength, addressing the posterior position issue, and delaying the palate repair until the age of 1.5 years.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
PRS is a clinical entity characterized by the triad of mandibular hypoplasia (small jaw), glossoptosis (hypotonic, retracted tongue) and respiratory obstruction that require a multidisciplinary team for initial evaluation and management and maintenance care. TLA is a simple and effective procedure for increasing the cross-sectional area of oropharyngeal port.
CONCLUSION
Handling airway obstruction in Pierre Robin Sequence involves various factors, and there is no universal treatment that can address all cases. Appropriate airway management strategies and feeding programs are essential for each individual with PRS. Our review highlights that TLA is a straightforward surgical procedure with minimal or no short-term complications. TLA should be considered as the primary surgical intervention when relief is needed.
PubMed: 38936141
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2024.109932 -
Polymers Jun 2024The placement of endotracheal prostheses is a procedure used to treat tracheal lesions when no other surgical options are available. Unfortunately, this technique...
The placement of endotracheal prostheses is a procedure used to treat tracheal lesions when no other surgical options are available. Unfortunately, this technique remains controversial. Both silicon and metallic stents are used with unpredictable success rates, as they have advantages but also disadvantages. Typical side effects include restenosis due to epithelial hyperplasia, obstruction and granuloma formation. Repeat interventions are often required. Biodegradable stents are promising in the field of cardiovascular biomechanics but are not yet approved for use in the respiratory system. The aim of the present study is to summarize important information and to evaluate the role of different geometrical features for the fabrication of a new tracheo-bronchial prosthesis prototype, which should be biodegradable, adaptable to the patient's lesion and producible by 3D printing. A parametric design and subsequent computational analysis using the finite element method is carried out. Two different stent designs are parameterized and analyzed. The biodegradable material chosen for simulations is polylactic acid. Experimental tests are conducted for assessing its mechanical properties. The role of the key design parameters on the radial force of the biodegradable prosthesis is investigated. The computational results allow us to elucidate the role of the pitch angle, the wire thickness and the number of cells or units, among other parameters, on the radial force. This work may be useful for the design of ad hoc airway stents according to the patient and type of lesion.
PubMed: 38932041
DOI: 10.3390/polym16121691 -
Nutrients Jun 2024The metabolic-status-related mechanisms underlying the deterioration of the lung function in obese asthma have not been completely elucidated.
BACKGROUND
The metabolic-status-related mechanisms underlying the deterioration of the lung function in obese asthma have not been completely elucidated.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the basal metabolic rate (BMR) in patients with obese asthma, its association with the lung function, and its mediating role in the impact of obesity on the lung function.
METHODS
A 12-month prospective cohort study (n = 598) was conducted in a real-world setting, comparing clinical, body composition, BMR, and lung function data between patients with obese (n = 282) and non-obese (n = 316) asthma. Path model mediation analyses for the BMR and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were conducted. We also explored the effects of the BMR on the long-term lung function in patients with asthma.
RESULTS
Patients with obese asthma exhibited greater airway obstruction, with lower FEV (1.99 vs. 2.29 L), FVC (3.02 vs. 3.33 L), and FEV/FVC (65.5 vs. 68.2%) values compared to patients with non-obese asthma. The patients with obese asthma also had higher BMRs (1284.27 vs. 1210.08 kcal/d) and SMM (23.53 vs. 22.10 kg). Both the BMR and SMM mediated the relationship between obesity and the lung function spirometers (FEV, %FEV, FVC, %FVC, and FEV/FVC). A higher BMR or SMM was associated with better long-term lung function.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study highlights the significance of the BMR and SMM in mediating the relationship between obesity and spirometry in patients with asthma, and in determining the long-term lung function. Interventions for obese asthma should focus not only on reducing adiposity but also on maintaining a high BMR.
Topics: Humans; Asthma; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Male; Female; Basal Metabolism; Middle Aged; Lung; Adult; Muscle, Skeletal; Respiratory Function Tests; Body Composition; Cohort Studies
PubMed: 38931162
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121809 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Jun 2024Polysomnography and cephalometry have been used for studying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) etiology. The association between craniofacial skeleton and OSA severity...
Polysomnography and cephalometry have been used for studying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) etiology. The association between craniofacial skeleton and OSA severity remains controversial. To study OSA's etiology, cephalometry, fiberoptic pharyngoscopy, polysomnography, and sleep endoscopy have been used; however, airway obstructions cannot be located. Recent research suggested ultrasonography for OSA screening and upper airway obstruction localization. Thus, this study aims to investigate the relationship between specific craniofacial cephalometric and ultrasonic airway parameters in adults at high risk of OSA. To assess craniofacial structure, lateral cephalograms were taken from thirty-three adults over 18 with a STOP-Bang questionnaire score of three or higher and a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) of 0.5 or higher. Airway parameters were assessed through submental ultrasound. NSBA correlated with tongue base airspace width, while MP-H correlated with oropharynx, tongue base, and epiglottis airspace width. SNA, SNB, and NSBA correlated with tongue width at the oropharynx. At tongue base, ANB and MP-H correlated with tongue width. SNB and NSBA were associated with deep tissue thickness at the oropharynx, while MP-H correlated with superficial tissue thickness at velum and oropharynx. Cephalometric parameters (SNA, SNB, ANB, NSBA, and MP-H) were correlated with ultrasonic parameters in the velum, oropharynx, tongue base, and epiglottis.
PubMed: 38930069
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13123540 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete or partial upper airway...
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing and is characterized by recurrent episodes of complete or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in oxygen desaturation, autonomic dysfunction and sleep fragmentation [...].
PubMed: 38929653
DOI: 10.3390/life14060669 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a polysomnogram (PSG) in children...
Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a polysomnogram (PSG) in children with DS prior to the age of 4. This retrospective study examined the frequency of SDB, gas exchange abnormalities, co-morbidities, and surgical management in children with DS aged 2-4 years old at Seattle Children's Hospital from 2015-2021. A total of 153 children underwent PSG, with 75 meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 3.03 years (SD 0.805), 56% were male, and 54.7% were Caucasian. Comorbidities included (n, %): cardiac (43, 57.3%), dysphagia or aspiration (24, 32.0%), prematurity (17, 22.7%), pulmonary (16, 21.3%), immune dysfunction (2, 2.7%), and hypothyroidism (23, 30.7%). PSG parameter data collected included (mean, SD): obstructive AHI (7.9, 9.4) and central AHI (2.4, 2.4). In total, 94.7% met the criteria for pediatric OSA, 9.5% met the criteria for central apnea, and 9.5% met the criteria for hypoventilation. Only one child met the criteria for hypoxemia. Overall, 60% had surgical intervention, with 88.9% of these being adenotonsillectomy. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of OSA at different ages. Children aged 2-4 years with DS have a high frequency of OSA. The most commonly encountered co-morbidities were cardiac and swallowing dysfunction. Among those with OSA, more than half underwent surgical intervention, with improvements in their obstructive apnea hypopnea index, total apnea hypopnea index, oxygen saturation nadir, oxygen desaturation index, total arousal index, and total sleep duration. This highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Our study also suggests that adenotonsillar hypertrophy is still a large contributor to upper airway obstruction in this age group.
PubMed: 38929231
DOI: 10.3390/children11060651 -
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery Jun 2024In a sedated patient, airway compression by a large mediastinal mass can cause acute fatal cardiopulmonary arrest. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been...
BACKGROUND
In a sedated patient, airway compression by a large mediastinal mass can cause acute fatal cardiopulmonary arrest. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been investigated to protect the airway and provided cardiopulmonary stability. The use of ECMO in the management of mediastinal masses was reported, however, the management complicated by cardiopulmonary arrest is poorly documented.
CASE PRESENTATION
32-year-old female presented with acute onset of left arm swelling and subacute onset of dry cough. Further investigation showed a deep venous thrombosis in left upper extremity as well as a large mediastinal mass. She underwent mediastinoscopy with biopsy of the mass which was complicated by cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to airway obstruction by the mediastinal mass. Venoarterial ECMO was initiated, while concurrently treating with a chemotherapy. The mediastinal mass responded to the chemotherapy and reduced in size during 2 days of ECMO support. She was extubated successfully and decannulated after 2 days of ECMO and discharged later.
CONCLUSIONS
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can serve as a viable strategy to facilitate cardiopulmonary support while concurrently treating the tumor with chemotherapy, ultimately allowing for the recovery of cardiopulmonary function, and achieving satisfactory outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Female; Adult; Heart Arrest; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Airway Obstruction
PubMed: 38926736
DOI: 10.1186/s13019-024-02918-1 -
Cureus May 2024Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a refractory type 2 inflammation-based airway allergic disease that is prone to complications such as bronchial asthma....
Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a refractory type 2 inflammation-based airway allergic disease that is prone to complications such as bronchial asthma. Pott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a rare clinical entity characterized by osteomyelitis of the frontal bone accompanied by a subperiosteal abscess. A 56-year-old female with a history of cranial surgery and bronchial asthma presented to an otolaryngology clinic with nasal obstruction and loss of smell, later developing swelling and redness on her forehead. She was diagnosed and treated for ECRS and was thought to have developed PPT during her course. Nasal endoscopy reveals bilateral polyp formation originating from the middle meatus. Paranasal computed tomography (CT) indicates substantial swelling extending from the opening of the frontal sinus to the adjacent subcutaneous tissue, accompanied by a defect in the frontal bone and osteolysis at the base of the frontal skull. Her management included conservative antibiotic therapy adjusted due to a drug eruption and, subsequently, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The case was complicated by the patient's medical history and the absence of detailed surgical records, which limited the use of enhanced imaging techniques. This underscores the complexity of diagnosing and managing PPT in adults, particularly those with prior surgeries, emphasizing the need for a tailored diagnostic and therapeutic approach that integrates detailed patient history with current clinical indicators to effectively guide treatment. This case contributes to the limited literature on adult PPT and underscores the critical need for careful patient monitoring and detailed surgical history.
PubMed: 38910757
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60893