The causal relationship between cigarette smoking during pregnancy and adverse maternal and child health outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome are well known. In addition, cigarette compounds are neurotoxic even at extremely low levels. Thirdhand smoke (THS) is the contamination that persists after secondhand tobacco smoke has been emitted into air. It refers to the tobacco-related gases and particles that become embedded in materials such as carpets, walls, furniture, blankets, and toys. THS is not strictly smoke but chemicals that adhere to surfaces from which they can be released back into the air, undergo chemical transformations, and/or accumulate. The concept of THS is a relatively new phenomenon in the environmental and public health field. Currently, the hazards of THS are not as well documented as the hazards of secondhand smoke. Furthermore, its health effects and biological effects are largely unknown. This review summarizes recent research progress in reproductive toxicology studies that use animal models and in vitro systems, studies of environmental contamination by THS, human exposure studies, and priorities for further research. Future research must be conducted to facilitate hazard identification, and exposure and risk assessment to address its health effect on susceptible populations, such as pregnant women and children. In addition, policies and laws concerning tobacco smoke will need to be reviewed and possibly revised with the role of THS considered as an indispensable component of a broader tobacco control strategy in maternal and child health.
Child Health ; Child ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Gases ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Jurisprudence ; Maternal Health ; Models, Animal ; Play and Playthings ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Premature Birth ; Public Health ; Risk Assessment ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Sudden Infant Death ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Products ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; Toxicology

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common problem among carpet weavers. This study was undertaken to introduce affecting personal and occupational factors in developing the number of MSDs among carpet weavers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 862 weavers in seven towns with regard to workhouse location in urban or rural regions. Data were collected by using questionnaires that contain personal, workplace, and information tools and the modified Nordic MSDs questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by applying Poisson and negative binomial mixed models using a full Bayesian hierarchical approach. The deviance information criterion was used for comparison between models and model selection. RESULTS: The majority of weavers (72%) were female and carpet weaving was the main job of 85.2% of workers. The negative binomial mixed model with lowest deviance information criterion was selected as the best model. The criteria showed the convergence of chains. Based on 95% Bayesian credible interval, the main job and weaving type variables statistically affected the number of MSDs, but variables age, sex, weaving comb, work experience, and carpet weaving looms were not significant. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that occupational factors are associated with the number of MSDs developing among carpet weavers. Thus, using standard tools and decreasing hours of work per day can reduce frequency of MSDs among carpet weavers.
Animals ; Bayes Theorem ; Comb and Wattles ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings* ; Humans ; Iran* ; Occupational Diseases ; Risk Factors*

Cryptosporidium is an important pathogen causing gastrointestinal disease in snakes and is distributed worldwide. The main objectives of this study were to detect and identify Cryptosporidium species in captive snakes from exotic pet shops and snake farms in Thailand. In total, 165 fecal samples were examined from 8 snake species, boa constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor), corn snake (Elaphe guttata), ball python (Python regius), milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), king snake (Lampropeltis getula), rock python (Python sebae), rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria), and carpet python (Morelia spilota). Cryptosporidium oocysts were examined using the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-modified acid-fast staining and a molecular method based on nested-PCR, PCR-RFLP analysis, and sequencing amplification of the SSU rRNA gene. DMSO-modified acid-fast staining revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 12 out of 165 (7.3%) samples, whereas PCR produced positive results in 40 (24.2%) samples. Molecular characterization indicated the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum (mouse genotype) as the most common species in 24 samples (60%) from 5 species of snake followed by Cryptosporidium serpentis in 9 samples (22.5%) from 2 species of snake and Cryptosporidium muris in 3 samples (7.5%) from P. regius.
Agriculture ; Animals, Exotic ; Boidae ; Colubridae ; Cryptosporidium parvum ; Cryptosporidium* ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Genes, rRNA ; Methods ; Milk ; Oocysts ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Snakes* ; Thailand* ; Zea mays

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a common and disabling problem among carpet weavers and is linked to physical and psychosocial factors of work. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MSP, its psychosocial risk factors, and association of pain in each pair of anatomical sites among carpet weavers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed among 546 hand-woven carpet weavers in rural small-scale workshops of Iran. Data were collected by using parts of a standardized CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) questionnaire focused on MSP in 10 body sites, including the low-back, neck, both right and left shoulders, elbows, wrists/hands, individual, physical and psychosocial risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed applying logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prevalence of MSP in at least one body site was 51.7% over the past month. The most common sites were low back and right shoulder pain 27.4% and 20.1%, respectively. A significant difference was found between the mean number of painful anatomical sites and the level of education, age, physical loading at work, time pressure, lack of support, and job dissatisfaction. In pairwise comparisons, strongest association was found between pain in each bilateral anatomical site (odds ratio = 11.6-35.3; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In home-based workshops of carpet weaving, psychosocial factors and physical loading were associated with MSP. This finding is consistent with studies conducted among other jobs. Considering the preventive programs, the same amount of attention should be paid to psychosocial risk factors and physical loading. Also, further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the relationship of psychological factors.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Elbow ; Floors and Floorcoverings* ; Iran* ; Logistic Models ; Musculoskeletal Pain* ; Neck ; Occupational Injuries ; Prevalence ; Psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Pain

This study was performed to analyze 6 day-term variations in bacterial communities contaminating the floor of two dry saunas that were operated at 64degrees C (low temp) and 76degrees C (high temp). Bacteria were sampled daily from the saunas for 6 days from Monday to Saturday. Genomic DNA was isolated directly from bacteria-collected cotton swabs. The diversity of the bacterial communities collected from the saunas was analyzed using thermal gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE). The total numbers of DNA bands separated by TGGE for bacteria collected from the low temp and high temp sauna were 20 and 18, respectively, during the 6 days. Seven of 20 bacteria in the low temp sauna and eight of 18 bacteria in the high temp sauna were detected more than three times over the 6 experimental days. Twelve of the 26 bacterial genera contaminating the saunas were cross detected. Bacteria belonging to the genera Moraxella and Acinetobacter were selectively detected in the low temp sauna, whereas those belonging to Aquaspirillum, Chromobacterium, Aquabacterium, Gulbenkiania, Pelomonas, and Aquitalea were selectively detected in the high temp sauna. Three species of bacteria contaminating both the low and high temp saunas were thermophile or thermoduric. The results indicate that the sauna-contaminating bacteria may have been transferred from outside the saunas by user traffic but did not inhabit the saunas.
Acinetobacter ; Bacteria ; Chromobacterium ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Moraxella ; Steam Bath

A ranula is a bluish, transparent, and thin-walled swelling in the floor of the mouth. They originate from the extravasation and subsequent accumulation of saliva from the sublingual gland. Ranulas are usually limited to the sublingual space but they sometimes extend to the submandibular space and parapharyngeal space, which is defined as a plunging ranula. A 21-year-old woman presented with a complaint of a large swelling in the left submandibular region. On contrast-enhanced CT images, it dissected across the midline, and extended to the parapharyngeal space posteriorly and to the submandibular space inferiorly. Several septa and a fluid-fluid level within the lesion were also demonstrated. We diagnosed this lesion as a ranula rather than cystic hygroma due to the location of its center and its sublingual tail sign. As plunging ranula and cystic hygroma are managed with different surgical approaches, it is important to differentiate them radiologically.
Contrast Media ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Humans ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Mouth ; Mouth Floor ; Ranula ; Saliva ; Sublingual Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To report the results of surgical repairing of inferomedial orbital wall fractures accompanied with loss of bony strut by an overlapping method using Resorb X(R) plates (poly(D,L)-lactic acid). METHODS: To repair inferomedial orbital wall fractures with loss of bony strut, we bent the medial aspect of the plate for floor fracture according to the anatomical structure and then inserted the floor implant, which was supported by anterior, posterior and lateral margins of the floor fracture. Then, the medial implant, which was supported by the bent medial edge of the floor implant, was inserted. Postoperatively, we analyzed the outcomes of 21 patients regarding postoperative enophthalmos, limitation of eye movement (LOM) and diplopia. The diagonal lengths of the orbit in the operated side were compared with the non-traumatized side based on the coronal view of the postoperative CT scans to determine the success or failure of the reconstruction. RESULTS: The average postoperative enophthalmic value was 0.5 mm, and no significant differences between the orbital diagonal lengths of the operated and non-operated eyes were observed. The LOM shown in 7 out of 8 patients was completely resolved during the postoperative follow-up period. All patients with diplopia, including one patient who showed partial remission of LOM, experienced complete symptom resolution. No other complications related to the implant were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Inferomedial orbital wall fractures with the loss of bony strut can be successfully repaired by the overlapping method using Resorb X(R) implants.
Diplopia ; Enophthalmos ; Eye ; Eye Movements ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Orbit ; Orbital Implants

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the anatomy of the intraorbital structures regarding to endoscopic sinus surgery and external frontal sinus surgery analyzing computer tomography (CT) scans. METHODS: The CT scans of 100 patients were retrospectively evaluated. The anatomic relationships between the intraorbital structures and paranasal structures were measured using multiplanar reconstruction of the CT scan. RESULTS: The mean distances from the medial orbital floor (MOF) to the intraorbital structures were measured at the depth of the anterior ethmoid (AE), basal lamella (BL), and midportion of posterior ethmoid (PE) in the coronal planes respectively. The mean distances from the MOF to the medial rectus muscle and inferior rectus muscle at the depth of AE were approximately 8 mm and those distances in the BL and PE decreased rapidly. The mean distances from the MOF to the infraorbital nerve at the depth of the AE and BL were approximately more than 10 mm. The mean distances from the vertical axis, which passed through the MOF, to the superior oblique muscle and optic nerve at the depth of the PE were approximately 5 mm medially and 1 mm laterally. In addition, the mean distance from the midline to the trochlea of the superior oblique muscle was approximately 15 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Those measurements provide spatial information on the placements of the extraocular muscles within the orbit. The measurements will contribute to the avoidance of orbital complications during sinus surgery.
Endoscopy ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Frontal Sinus ; Humans ; Muscles ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit ; Retrospective Studies ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the anatomical correlations of the sphenoid sinus with surrounding structures in the normal Korean population, and to identify surgical landmarks for safe sellar floor dissection in the anterior skull base by endoscopy and microscopy. METHODS: We reviewed the 196 brain magnetic resonance imaging findings showing a normal appearance, and measured the distances between anatomical landmarks. RESULTS: The mean distances from the base of the columella to the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus and the sellar floor were 69.71+/-4.25 mm and 86.26+/-4.57 mm, respectively in the over 15 age group, and showed the smallest degree of variation among the measurements. The mean angles between the floor of the nasal cavity and the straight line connecting the base of the columella and the sellar floor were 29.45+/-3.25degrees and 24.75+/-4.00degrees in the over 15 and under 15 age groups, respectively. The mean values of both distances and angles increased with age until 15 years after which no further increases were evident. There were no significant differences in the measurements between males and females or among subjects with different degrees of pneumatization in the over 15 age group. CONCLUSION: The distances from the base of the columella to the sellar floor and the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, which were consistent among individuals, could be used as a surgical indicator to investigate the sellar floor in endoscopic or microscopic transsphenoidal approaches.
Brain ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Neuroendoscopy ; Pituitary Gland ; Skull Base ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; Sphenoid Sinus

The other generalized type of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS) is a genetic blistering skin disease, caused by a mutation of the genes encoding keratin 5 and 14. EBS starts at birth and is characterized by generalized blisters following a minor trauma that heals with hyperpigmentation. A 19-year-old man presented with 19-year history of multiple erythematous vesicles in a herpetiform arrangement on the trunk, axilla, and thigh with post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentations. On light and electron microscopy, the biopsy specimen showed intraepidermal blisters that formed within the basal keratinocyte. The serum from a patient with bullous pemphigoid antibody and laminin 5 antibody showed the linear deposition at the floor of the blister on immunofluorescence mapping study. On the basis of our clinical, microscopic, and immunofluorescence findings, we diagnosed the patient as having a generalized type of EBS. Herein, we report on an interesting case of the other generalized type of EBS.
Axilla ; Biopsy ; Blister ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Epidermolysis Bullosa ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Keratin-5 ; Keratinocytes ; Laminin ; Light ; Methylmethacrylates ; Microscopy, Electron ; Parturition ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; Polystyrenes ; Skin Diseases ; Thigh