BACKGROUND: This paper describes a simple-to-use and reliable screening tool called Critical Task Exposure Screening (CTES), developed by a chemical company. The tool assesses if the exposure to a chemical for a task is likely to be within acceptable levels. METHODS: CTES is a Microsoft Excel tool, where the inhalation risk score is calculated by relating the exposure estimate to the corresponding occupational exposure limit (OEL) or occupational exposure band (OEB). The inhalation exposure is estimated for tasks by preassigned ART1.5 activity classes and modifying factors. RESULTS: CTES requires few inputs. The toxicological data, including OELs, OEBs, and vapor pressure are read from a database. Once the substance is selected, the user specifies its concentration and then chooses the task description and its duration. CTES has three outputs that may trigger follow-up: (1) inhalation risk score; (2) identification of the skin hazard with the skin warnings for local and systemic adverse effects; and (3) status for carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic effects. CONCLUSION: The tool provides an effective way to rapidly screen low-concern tasks, and quickly identifies certain tasks involving substances that will need further review with, nevertheless, the appropriate conservatism. This tool shows that the higher-tier ART1.5 inhalation exposure assessment model can be included effectively in a screening tool. After 2 years of worldwide extensive use within the company, CTES is well perceived by the users, including the shop floor management, and it fulfills its target of screening tool.
Follow-Up Studies ; Inhalation ; Inhalation Exposure ; Mass Screening* ; Occupational Exposure ; Politics ; Risk Assessment* ; Risk Management ; Skin ; Vapor Pressure

BACKGROUND: An entry of needle into the epidural space has been identified by the development of negative pressure to the advancing needle; hanging drop, loss of resistance, or use of Macintosh balloon. But it is suspicious that epidural space is a true negative pressure space. METHODS: We measured the epidural pressures of pregnant patients in right lateral decubitus (RLD) and sitting position and compared with the values of non-pregnant patients of respective position. 17G Tuohy needle with closed system was used, the pressure of which was zeroed to the puncture level at third lumbar intervertebral space. RESULTS: Epidural pressures were positive in all subjects. Values of measurement were 13+/-4mmHg, 15+/-7mmHg, 16+/-6mmHg and 25+/-7mmHg for pregnant-RLD, pregnant-sitting, non-pregnant-RLD, and non-pregnant-sitting group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant difference between RLD and sitting position in non-pregnant patient only (p<0.05). It is suggested that the hydrostatic pressure of CSF above puncture level and the hydrostatic pressure of valveless epidural venous plexus blood influenced the epidural pressure of non-pregnant group in sitting position. But in pregnant group, abdominal mass may have elicited a draining effect on epidural venous plexus during lumbar flexion in sitting position and partially nullified the hydrostatic pressure of CSF and blood.
Epidural Space ; Humans ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Needles ; Pregnancy ; Punctures

In the management of hydrocephalus by shunts, two valve types are currently available:1) differential pressure valves(DPV) which provide a constant resistance and allow CSF flow when the proximal hydrostatic pressure exceeds the valve's present closing pressure, and 2) the newer variable resistance flow regulated valve(FRV). Eighty one cases of hydrocephalus were reviewed in this study to compare the two devices. Forty two patients were operated with FRV and 39 patients were operated with DPV. This study compared the preoperative and postoperative KPS score, ventricular size, periventricular low densities, and the frequency of complications. We have conclude that 1) In group 1(KPS score 50-70), FRV is useful and in group 2(KPS score 20-40), DPV is useful, 2) FRV is useful in dealing with excessively reduced ICP caused by over-drainage of a ventricular shunt;it can prevent postshunt subdural hygroma and symptomatic slit ventricles. 3) For evaluation of the effectiveness of FRV, the decrease of periventricular low densities is a more valuable index than the change of ventricle size(Hydrocephalus index).
Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Subdural Effusion ; Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt*

Mechanics plays an important role in regulating cell function. Hydrodynamics has become a hot topic of research in recent years. As an important factor, hydrodynamic pressure has significant influence on the form, cytoskeleton, proliferation, apoptosis and secretion function of cells. Many researches indicated that there are close relationships between kidney diseases and hydrodynamics which should be studied deeply.
Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Humans ; Hydrodynamics ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Kidney ; cytology ; Pressure

This discussion will highlight the following 9 specific points that related to metabolic acidosis caused by various toxins. The current recommendation suggests that alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor fomepizole is preferred to ethanol in treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning, but analysis of the enzyme kinetics indicates that ethanol is a better alternative. In the presence of a modest increase in serum osmolal gap (<30 mOsm/L), the starting dose of ethanol should be far less than the usual recommended dose. One can take advantage of the high vapor pressure of methanol in the treatment of methanol poisoning when hemodialysis is not readily available. Profuse sweating with increased water ingestion can be highly effective in reducing methanol levels. Impaired production of ammonia by the proximal tubule of the kidney plays a major role in the development of metabolic acidosis in pyroglutamic acidosis. Glycine, not oxalate, is the main final end product of ethylene glycol metabolism. Metabolism of ethylene glycol to oxalate, albeit important clinically, represents less than 1% of ethylene glycol disposal. Urine osmolal gap would be useful in the diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning, but not in methanol poisoning. Hemodialysis is important in the treatment of methanol poisoning and ethylene glycol poisoning with renal impairment, with or without fomepizole or ethanol treatment. Severe leucocytosis is a highly sensitive indicator of ethylene glycol poisoning. Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by salicylate can explain most of the manifestations of salicylate poisoning.
Acidosis ; Alcohol Dehydrogenase ; Ammonia ; Eating ; Ethanol ; Ethylene Glycol ; Ethylenes ; Glycine ; Imidazoles ; Kidney ; Kinetics ; Methanol ; Nitro Compounds ; Oxidative Phosphorylation ; Pyrazoles ; Renal Dialysis ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Vapor Pressure ; Water

BACKGROUND: There is pressure difference depending on the height of hand position when blood pressure is taken, applying the oscillometric electronic digital BP(blood pressure) monitor. Authors have calculated the degree of BP differences, and evaluated the accuracy and effectiveness of the digital BP monitor comparing with the conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. METHOD: Randomized sixty cases consisting of in-patients and hospital workers were subjected for this study. BPs were taken at three different levels-nose level, heart level and knee level-on conventional sitting position applying OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer, and statistical analysis was made. RESULTS: At the nose level, systolic BP and diastolic BP were lower with 23.5mmHg and 18.9mmHg respectively, than at the heart level, while at the knee level, they were higher with 21mmHg and 17.5mmHg respectively, than at the heart level. No actual statistical difference of systolic and diastolic values between OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitoring method at the heart level and conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometeric method. CONCLUSION: Present study demonstrated significant discrepancy of BP values, in systolic and diastolic values, depending on the height of measured finger, when OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor is applied in taking BP on conventional sitting position. However, no actual discrepancy of BP values was noted between two methods when BP is taken at heart level by OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor and on brachial artery BP by conventional Mercury Sphygmomanometer. Thus OMRON Digital Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor could take the place of Mercury Sphygmomanometer in taking peripheral BP, which subsequently enable us to estimate central artery BP, which is believed to be better clinical index, through this much more handy electrical oscillometric device in the future.
Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitors ; Brachial Artery ; Electric Impedance ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Heart ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Knee ; Nose ; Sphygmomanometers*

No abstract available.
Oxygen* ; Partial Pressure*

The typical radiographic findings of pulmonary edema from the increased hydrostatic pressure shows centrally localized consolidation, which is known as a "butterfly or bat's wing" pattern. These terms describe the anatomic distribution of edema that uniformly involve the hilum and medulla of the lung but not the peripheral region of the lung parenchyma (cortex). We present a case of butterfly wing-like pulmonary edema on a chest radiograph by mitral regurgitation due to an idiopathic chordal rupture.
Butterflies ; Chordae Tendineae ; Edema ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Lung ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Rupture*

Pneumothorax and pulmomary edema can be produced as a complication during general anesthesia. The former which occurs during pressure ventilation is highly dangerous. It is characterized by a dramatic onset which is readily recongnized and demands immediate management. The latter may be developed after the upper airway obstruction has been relived due to the reduction of the intersitial hydrostatic pressure and increased capilary permeability. We experienced a case of pneumothorax and pulmonary edema that occurred after treatment for upper airway obstruction.
Airway Obstruction* ; Anesthesia, General ; Edema ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Permeability ; Pneumothorax* ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Ventilation

PURPOSE: Articular cartilage is under continuous mechanical stresses during daily activity. The mechanical force must also be applied during the culturing process to produce a phenotypically correct tissue. We have developed bioreactor, capable to apply the three main fluid-induced stresses: shear stress, compression, and hydrostatic pressure. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of bioreactor on chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis in articular chondrocytes and to determine the most appropiate chondrogenesis biomechanical environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articular cartilage was harvested from the rabbit knee. Isolated chondrocytes from articular cartilage were cultured in static culture and bioreactor culture. Bioreactor culture condition was fluid rate of 0.2 cm/sec and shear stress of 0.6x10-3 dyn/cm2 After 3 days, the effects of fluid-induced shear stress were evaluated by measuring the cell proliferation, observation of cell morphology and expression of cartilage specitic ECM using Histology, and Immunocytochemistrical staining. RESULTS: We have developed bioreactor and subjected chondrocytes to fluid-induced shear stress of 0.6x10-3 dyn/cm2 for 3 days. We observed changes in chondrocyte shape, orientation, and nodule formation. In metabolic studies, the application of fluid-induced shear stress to articular chondrocytes resulted in a significant increase in the proliferation of chondrocytes and the synthesis of type II collagen compared to that of in the static culture. CONCLUSION: From these results, it was concluded that the bioreactor which we developed produced appropriate chondrogenesis biomechanical environment.
Bioreactors* ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cell Proliferation ; Chondrocytes ; Chondrogenesis ; Collagen Type II ; Hydrostatic Pressure ; Knee ; Stress, Mechanical