Enhanced morphological transformation of human lung epithelial cells by continuous exposure to cellulose nanocrystals.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), also known as nanowhiskers, have recently gained much attention due to their biodegradable nature, advantageous chemical and mechanical properties, economic value and renewability thus making them attractive for a wide range of applications. However, before these materials can be considered for potential uses, investigation of their toxicity is prudent. Although CNC exposures are associated with pulmonary inflammation and damage as well as oxidative stress responses and genotoxicity in vivo, studies evaluating cell transformation or tumorigenic potential of CNC's were not previously conducted. In this study, we aimed to assess the neoplastic-like transformation potential of two forms of CNC derived from wood (powder and gel) in human pulmonary epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) in comparison to fibrous tremolite (TF), known to induce lung cancer. Short-term exposure to CNC or TF induced intracellular ROS increase and DNA damage while long-term exposure resulted in neoplastic-like transformation demonstrated by increased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration and invasion. The increased proliferative responses were also in-agreement with observed levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Based on the hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) of the inflammatory cytokine responses, CNC powder was segregated from the control and CNC-gel samples. This suggests that CNC may have the ability to influence neoplastic-like transformation events in pulmonary epithelial cells and that such effects are dependent on the type/form of CNC. Further studies focusing on determining and understanding molecular mechanisms underlying potential CNC cell transformation events and their likelihood to induce tumorigenic effects in vivo are highly warranted.

Social Factors Related to Smoking among Rural, Low-Income Women: Findings from a Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review of the literature assesses congruency of findings from descriptive, qualitative, and association studies focusing on factors influencing smoking and smoking cessation with findings from smoking cessation interventions that included low-income rural women. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Six databases relevant to the health and social sciences were searched in this systematic review using combinations of select keyword terms, specific inclusion criteria, and studies between 1997 and 2012. RESULTS: Descriptive studies on this population of smokers provide economic, environmental, and social factors related to smoking patterns. Qualitative studies found social support received from an individual's social network was viewed as most beneficial when considering or maintaining smoking cessation while randomized controlled trials included in this review implemented social support through peripheral resources or resources with little personal connection to the sample and failed to produce significant results. CONCLUSIONS: Few studies have focused on the specific needs and difficulties of smoking cessation among rural low-income women and interventions have not targeted the complex social network of this population. Incongruence in study findings supports the need for smoking assessment and cessation interventions that incorporates the unique social and cultural meanings of smoking in rural low-income women.

Iron and Ferritin Levels in the Serum and Milk of Bovine Leukemia Virus-Infected Dairy Cows.

Iron metabolism was examined in 15 bovine leukemia virus (BLV)-infected dairy cows (2.6-7.8 years old). BLV infection was detected by measuring serum antibody titer against BLV virus antigen (gp51). The anti-BLV antibody titers of the BLV-infected cows were significantly higher in serum than in milk; a single serum-positive animal lacked detectable anti-BLV antibodies in its milk. Iron and ferritin concentrations also were significantly higher in serum than in milk. Although most of the BLV-infected dairy cows had past or present anamneses (such as inflammatory diseases, including intramammary infection), the milk ferritin concentrations of the infected cows were significantly lower than those of normal cows; serum ferritin concentrations did not differ significantly between these two groups. The anti-BLV antibody titers in milk samples showed significant correlation with serum iron concentrations. These results suggest that BLV infection affects iron homeostasis through iron metabolism in the dairy cow mammary gland.

The effects of occupational interventions on reduction of musculoskeletal symptoms in the nursing profession.

The objective of the review was to gain more insight into the effects of occupational interventions for primary prevention of musculoskeletal symptoms in healthcare workers. The Cochrane Collaboration methodological guidelines for systematic reviews functioned as a starting point. Thirteen studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analysed for methodological quality and effects. Eight outcome effect areas were established and defined as areas in which an effect had been determined in at least two studies. A method based on levels of scientific evidence was then used to synthesize the information available. Strong scientific evidence for the beneficial effect of occupational interventions was found for the outcome effect areas physical discomfort, technical performance of transfers and frequency of manual lifting. Insufficient evidence was found for the effect areas absenteeism due to musculoskeletal problems, musculoskeletal symptoms, fatigue, perceived physical load and knowledge of risk factors at work and ergonomic principles. Training and education combined with an ergonomic intervention were found to be effective.

Metastatic cystosarcoma phyllodes associated with paraplegia: an uncommon complication of an uncommon tumor.

Cystosarcoma phyllodes is a rare form of breast cancer that rarely metastasizes. This case represents the first reported case of a pathological spine fracture and neurologic injury as a result of metastatic cystosarcoma phyllodes. Physicians should be aware of a recently identified histological subtype of cystosarcoma that exhibits an increased incidence of hematogenous metastasis.

Diagnosis and management of the infected total joint arthroplasty.

The preoperative diagnosis of the infected orthopedic implant is complicated by lack of a single precise test to forewarn patient and surgeon of the presence of microorganisms. Given the overall limitation of accuracy of preoperative diagnosis to approximately 80% when 111In scanning, preoperative aspiration, and ESR are considered, it would seem prudent to approach each revision surgery with the possibility in mind of subclinical sepsis as the cause for failure of the implant. The essentials of surgical technique including thorough debridement of the wound and removal of all existing foreign bodies, especially including PMMA bone cement, are critical to minimizing the risk for occurrence or persistence of sepsis. Although the use of antibiotic impregnated bone cement may enhance the treatment of orthopedic sepsis, the data available to date lead to the conclusion that two-stage revision surgery in the face of known sepsis remains the cornerstone of surgical therapy for the infected implant, along with aggressive and rational antibiotic treatment. The surgeon is offered the following guidelines in the management of the septic total hip arthroplasty. 1. Preoperative evaluation including ESR, 111In WBC scan, and aspiration for culture and sensitivity (fluoroscopically guided for the hip) will produce on average approximately 80% accuracy. 2. Intraoperative cultures at the time of revision surgery should be obtained prior to administration of systemic antibiotics; three tissue specimens (hip capsule, femoral membrane, acetabular membrane) should be submitted for culture and sensitivity determination. 3. Careful debridement of the surgical site of granulation tissue and all foreign bodies (e.g., PMMA) should be performed within the limits of patient safety to maximize the likelihood of success.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immediate closed reduction of cervical spine dislocations using traction.

Cervical facet dislocations may be reduced rapidly and effectively using axial traction with weights applied at over the traditional 45-pound limit. Fifty-three sequential patients with cervical facet dislocations were reviewed. Thirty-nine patients required more than 50 pounds of traction to achieve rapid reduction. Sixty-eight percent of the entire series showed significant improvement in neurologic function. There were no cases of significant loss of function. A cadaver study confirmed that the cranial tongs could support over 100 pounds of traction. Careful application of up to 100 pounds seems to be associated with a low risk of neurologic compromise or tong failure, but results in effective reduction of dislocations.

Difficulties during removal of fluted femoral intramedullary rods.

The difficulties that were encountered during removal of a fluted intramedullary femoral rod from six patients were reviewed. The mechanisms of failure included metal breakage at three different locations along the rod or the rod extractor. Three of the six rods were left in place due to difficulties in removal. The design of the fluted intramedullary rod appears to be the main cause of the problem.

Capacitively coupled electrical stimulation of bovine growth plate chondrocytes grown in pellet form.

Pellets formed from isolated bovine growth plate chondrocytes were grown in various capacitively coupled electrical fields. The signals chosen were 0, 10, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1,000, and 1,500 V peak-to-peak, 60 kHz. The effect on cell proliferation and matrix production of these different voltages was determined by [3H]thymidine and [35S]sulfate uptake, respectively, Cyclic AMP assays were done to determine if increases in either thymidine or sulfate uptake were associated with changes in cAMP levels. Significantly increased cell proliferation occurred at 500, 750, and 1,000 V peak to peak. The calculated electric fields were 1.5 to 3.0 x 10(-2) V/cm. Proliferation was significantly inhibited at 1,500 V peak-to-peak with a calculated field of 4.5 x 10(-2) V/cm. Little if any change was seen in cAMP levels at 30 or 60 min following application of the appropriate electric signals.

Cytosolic calcium concentration in bovine growth plate chondrocytes.

The cytosolic free calcium ion concentration for mammalian cell systems is believed to be maintained within a narrow range compatible with cellular homeostasis. Growth plate chondrocytes have been shown to accumulate large quantities of calcium within their mitochondria, but the cytosolic free calcium concentration has not been determined. This study measures the cytosolic free ionic calcium concentration in growth plate chondrocytes using two variations of the Quin II fluorescence technique. The results indicate that in isolated growth plate chondrocytes, the cytosolic free ionic calcium concentration is similar to other nonmineralizing mammalian cell types (106-137 mM).