Syrian refugee child workers: Gender differences in ergonomic exposures and musculoskeletal health.

This study explores sex/gender-related differences in ergonomic exposures and musculoskeletal disorders for 4090 working Syrian refugee children (>8-≤18 years) in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon (n = 2107 males; n = 1983 females). Data was collected on demographic, occupational, and socioeconomic indicators and musculoskeletal disorders. Results revealed that children engaged in strenuous work. Ergonomic exposures differed by sex/gender, with girls more likely to engage in repetitive movements and boys in heavy lifting. Girls bore a double burden of work inside and outside their households and were more prone to wrist and hand pain. More girls reported working under pressure to finish their job on time while more boys reported that their salary is based on finishing a specific number of items per day. Syrian refugee child workers need immediate protection to safeguard their health. Interventions could target children of legal age for work in safer conditions and keep younger children out of work.

International consensus (ICON) on treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common and alarming symptom that often prompts an urgent visit to an ENT specialist. Treatment of SSNHL remains one of the most problematic issues for contemporary otorhinolaryngology: although many meta-analyses and national guidelines have been issued, management is not standardized in terms of medical treatment, and duration and route of administration. We present several methodological suggestions for the study of treatments for SSNHL. These were developed from the existing level of evidence of the main treatments used in SSNHL by experts who convened at the IFOS 2017 ENT World Congress in Paris, France. All panelists agreed that one of the main limitations present in studies on SSNHL is related to the wide heterogeneity, which characterizes both the initial hearing deficit and the amount of hearing recovery. Although evidence of the efficacy of systemic steroids cannot be considered as strong enough to recommend their use, it is still the most widespread primary therapy and can be considered as the current standard of care. Therefore, systemic steroids stand as an adequate control for any innovative treatment. To reduce the number of subjects we suggest that the inclusion criteria should be restricted to moderate to profound levels of hearing loss. The efficacy of trans-tympanic steroids as a salvage therapy was suggested in several reports on small populations and needs to be confirmed with larger randomized controlled trials.

Inhibition of murine renal carcinoma pulmonary metastases by systemic administration of interferon gamma: mechanism of action and potential for combination with interleukin 4.

We have previously demonstrated that IFN-gamma causes cell growth inhibition and up-regulation of MHC antigens in human renal cell carcinoma cell lines. In this study, we have investigated the therapeutic potential of IFN-gamma for the treatment of 5-day established pulmonary metastases induced by i.v. injection of Renca cells, a murine renal adenocarcinoma. We found that systemic injections of IFN-gamma significantly reduced the number of lung metastases in a dose-dependent manner and increased mouse survival. Histological evaluation of IFN-gamma-treated lungs showed residual small tumor nodules containing extensive necrosis and mononuclear infiltrates. Immunohistochemistry studies on lung sections showed macrophage infiltration into tumor nodules, and in vivo depletion of macrophages partially inhibited IFN-gamma antitumor effect, suggesting a role for the macrophages in tumor destruction. Lymphocyte depletion of either natural killer (NK) cells or CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell subsets or both T-cell subsets did not affect the IFN-gamma effect, whereas depletion of both NK and T cells decreased the antitumor activity of IFN-gamma. These data indicate that neither T cells nor NK cells are essential for this activity but that either lymphocyte population can contribute to the IFN-gamma effect. An optimal dose of IFN-gamma inhibited by 60% the growth of Renca cells treated for 3 days in vitro, but this effect was transient and less pronounced in a long-term colony assay, suggesting that IFN-gamma direct growth inhibition may play a role but may not be sufficient to mediate its antitumor effect in vivo. In vitro, IFN-gamma caused up-regulation of class I MHC antigens and induction of class II antigen expression in Renca cells, an effect that may enhance Renca immunogenicity but may be relevant only when a T-cell response is elicited. A sequential administration of IFN-gamma followed by interleukin 4 was therapeutically better than IFN-gamma alone for the treatment of advanced pulmonary metastases, probably due to different antitumor mechanisms induced by these two cytokines.

[Transurethral vaporization of the prostate for benign hypertrophy: preliminary clinical and histological study]. / Vaporisation trans-urétrale de la prostate pour hypertrophie bénigne: étude préliminaire clinique et histologique.

Twenty five patients with symptomatic BPH and normal PSA underwent electrovaporization. The mean IPSS was 21.5 before and 7.8 three months after treatment while the mean peakflow was 7.1 ml/s and became 16.9. With a short hospital stay (3 days) and a very low morbidity, electrovaporization seems to be a good alternative to TURP. A longer follow-up is necessary.

Local tumor irradiation augments the response to IL-2 therapy in a murine renal adenocarcinoma.

We have previously demonstrated that local tumor irradiation effectively enhanced the therapeutic effect of IL-2 therapy on pulmonary metastases from a murine renal adenocarcinoma, Renca. Irradiation with 300 rad to the left lung only, followed by systemic IL-2 therapy, results in increased tumor reduction in both lungs, suggesting that radiation enhances the systemic effect of immunotherapy. In this study, we show that irradiation of the tumor-bearing organ is essential for the combined effect of both modalities. This effect is radiation dose-dependent as increases in the radiation dosage result in greater tumor reduction in the irradiated field as well as systemically in nonirradiated fields when combined with immunotherapy. We find that irradiation has a direct inhibitory effect on Renca cell growth in vitro. Irradiation of Renca cells also causes an upregulation in H-2Kd class I MHC antigen detectable at 300 rad and more pronounced with 800 rad. By in vivo selective depletion of lymphocyte subsets, we demonstrate the involvement of Lyt-2+ and L3T4+ T cell subsets and AsGM1+ cells, including NK cells, in the antitumor effect mediated by tumor irradiation and IL-2 therapy. Immunohistochemistry studies, performed on lung sections, showed a significant infiltration of CD3+ T cells and macrophages in the tumor nodules following treatment with tumor irradiation and IL-2 therapy. Our studies indicate that the mechanism of interaction between tumor irradiation and immunotherapy may include radiation-induced alterations in the tumor growth and antigenicity which may enhance or trigger an anti-tumor response elicited by IL-2 and mediated by T cells, AsGM1+ cells, and macrophages.

Radiation-induced effects on murine kidney tumor cells: role in the interaction of local irradiation and immunotherapy.

Local tumor irradiation enhances the effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy in the Renca murine renal adenocarcinoma model. To investigate the mechanism(s) of this interaction, we studied the in vitro and in vivo effects of irradiation on the tumor cells. Tumor cells from in situ irradiated renal tumors had diminished proliferation in vitro. A similar growth inhibition was noted following injection of irradiated Renca cells into naive mice, but this effect could be overcome by injecting more cells. Histologic evaluation of tumors derived from irradiated cells revealed a decrease in mitosis and an increase in multinucleated giant cells, apoptosis and micronecrosis. The presence of irradiated tumor reduced the growth of nonirradiated tumor cells when both were injected into separate flanks of the same animal, suggesting that irradiated tumor cells may trigger a systemic antitumor response. Interleukin-2 therapy given after injection of irradiated tumor cells caused a significant increase in leukocytic infiltrates and micronecrosis. Our findings indicate that radiation directly affects tumor growth and induces a systemic mechanism which could be enhanced by IL-2.

Intralesional treatment of established murine primary renal tumor with interleukin-4: localized effect on primary tumor with no impact on metastases.

In an effort to develop new strategies for immunotherapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, we investigated the therapeutic potential of interleukin-4 in a visceral renal tumor using the murine Renca renal adenocarcinoma model. Renca cells were implanted underneath the renal capsule of Balb/c mice to induce a primary tumor that spontaneously metastasized to several organs. Established primary renal tumors 4 to 6 mm. in diameter were treated by intralesional administration of recombinant murine interleukin-4 (IL-4). This treatment caused a marked inhibition of the primary tumor growth but had little effect on the progression of metastases in the liver, mesentery and lungs. Immunohistochemistry studies performed on renal tumor sections showed a macrophage infiltration that became predominant 7 days after IL-4 treatment. CD8+ T cells were also observed at the periphery and within the tumor. These data suggest that IL-4 mediated a potent antitumor effect when administered intralesionally although its effects remained localized with no impact on metastases at distant sites. Interleukin-4 antitumor activity seems to be mediated by recruitment of macrophages and T cells in the tumor.

Systemic treatment with interleukin-4 induces regression of pulmonary metastases in a murine renal cell carcinoma model.

Advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma has been shown to be responsive to immunotherapy but the response rate is still limited. We have investigated the therapeutic potential of systemic interleukin-4 (IL-4) administration for the treatment of pulmonary metastases in the murine Renca renal adenocarcinoma model. Renca cells were injected iv in Balb/c mice to induce multiple pulmonary tumor nodules. From Day 5, Renca-bearing mice were treated with two daily injections of recombinant murine IL-4 for 5 consecutive days. IL-4 treatment induced a significant reduction in the number of lung metastases in a dose-dependent manner and significantly augmented the survival of treated animals. Immunohistochemistry studies, performed on lung sections, showed macrophage and CD8+ T cell infiltration in the tumor nodules 1 day after the end of IL-4 treatment. The CD8 infiltration increased by Day 7 after IL-4 treatment. Granulocyte infiltration was not detectable. To clarify further the role of the immune system in IL-4 anti-tumor effect, mice were depleted of lymphocyte subpopulations by in vivo injections of specific antibodies prior to treatment with IL-4. Depletion of CD8+ T cells or AsGM1+ cells abrogated the effect of IL-4 on lung metastases, whereas depletion of CD4+ T cells had no impact. These data indicate that CD8+ T cells and AsGM1+ cells are involved in IL-4-induced regression of established renal cell carcinoma.

Expansion of activated lymphocytes obtained from renal cell carcinoma in an automated hollow fiber bioreactor.

Immunotherapy using IL-2 alone or combined with activated lymphocytes has been promising for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Cytotoxic lymphocytes can be isolated from tumors, expanded in vitro with IL-2, and adoptively transferred back into the tumor-bearing host. These cells can also be transduced with the genes coding for cytokines for local delivery to tumor sites. A major drawback in adoptive immunotherapy is the cumbersome and expensive culture technology associated with the growth of large numbers of cells required for their therapeutic effect. To reduce the cost, resources, and manpower, we have developed the methodology for lymphocyte activation and expansion in the automated hollow fiber bioreactor IMMUNO*STAR Cell Expander (ACT BIOMEDICAL, INC). Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) isolated from human renal cell carcinoma tumor specimens were inoculated at a number of 10(8) cells in a small bioreactor of 30 ml extracapillary space volume. We have determined the medium flow rates and culture conditions to obtain a significant and repeated expansion of TIL at weekly intervals. The lymphocytes cultured in the bioreactor demonstrated the same phenotype and cytotoxic activity as those expanded in parallel in tissue culture plates. Lymphocyte expansion in the hollow fiber bioreactor required lower volumes of medium, human serum, IL-2 and minimal labor. This technology may facilitate the use of adoptive immunotherapy for the treatment of refractory malignancies.

Value of preoperative PSA in predicting pathologic stage of patients undergoing salvage prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and pathologic stage in patients with prostate cancer treated with radiation therapy and undergoing salvage radical prostatectomy. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of preoperative PSA levels and final pathology in 24 men undergoing salvage prostatectomy following prior radiation therapy. RESULTS: Although preoperative PSA values were significantly higher in patients with positive surgical margins, preoperative PSA levels failed to predict the presence of absence of extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle involvement, or lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PSA is not a reliable method of accurately predicting the pathologic stage of patients who are candidates for salvage radical prostatectomy.

[Retrospective comparative study of three surgical procedures in the treatment of urinary stress incontinence in women. Apropos of 119 patients treated from 1985 to 1990]. / Etude comparative rétrospective de trois interventions chirurgicales dans le traitement de l'incontinence urinaire d'effort de la femme. A propos de 119 patientes traitées entre 1985 et 1990.

From 1985 to 1990, 119 female patients underwent a cure for urinary incontinence on exertion according to a technique that varied according to the period and to the data of the literature. From 1985 to 1988, 42 patients were operated with the Goebbel-Stoeckel technique; from 1986 to 1988, 32 patients were operated with Stamey's procedure, and 47 patients with Gittes' procedure from 1988 to 1990. These three groups of patients with comparable ages, previous history and degree of urinary incontinence on exertion were analyzed by the same surgeon for functional results and morbidity, both in the immediate three months after surgery and in July, 1991, with an average distance in time of 29 months. The patients with no leakage of urine were regarded as healed, those presenting with occasional leakages on violent exertion but requiring no napkins were regarded as improved. All other patients were regarded as failures. The percentage of failure is similar for the three technical procedures when analyzing long-term results and according to our criteria, 66% of patients only are healed or improved. These figures are noticeably higher if surgery has been performed in a patient with normal preoperative closing pressure. The analysis of this series and comparison with series in the literature seem to allow outlining a therapeutic pattern for urinary incontinence on exertion, whether recurrent or not, with or without sphincter hypotonia.

[Treatment of urinary stress incontinence in women by percutaneous cervico-cystopexy. Gitte's operation: contribution of intraoperative ultrasonography. Apropos of 47 patients]. / Traitement de l'incontinence urinaire d'effort de la femme par cervicocystopexie percutanée. Intervention de Gittes: apport de l'échographie per-opératoire. A propos de 47 patientes.

Between March 1988 and February 1991, 47 patients with urinary stress incontinence (USI) were treated by Gittes' operation, suspension thread traction being determined by perioperative ultrasonography in 31 of these cases. All patients were re-examined on February 1992 after a mean follow-up of 26 months (range 12 to 24 mths). The global success rate (recovery and improvement) was assessed as 72% at 3 months and 56% at follow-up. Rated as a function of closure pressure (CP), the success rate at evaluation was 62% with normal CP, 42% with CP low for age, and 33% with CP < 30 cm H20. For the 31 patients with perioperative ultrasonography examination the success rate was 80% at 3 months and 70% at follow up. As a function of CP the rate was 83% at follow up with a normal CP, 50% with a CP low for age, 37.5% with a CP < 30 cm H20. Although Gittes' operation is a simple, fairly non-aggressive intervention, results diverge widely from those obtained with "classical" techniques. Optimization of indications is essential, therefore, only patients with pure USI without hypotonia of the sphincter obtaining maximum benefit from the intervention, carried out preferably under perioperative by control ultrasonography.