Cholecystocolonic fistula secondary to ascending colon diverticular disease: A case report.

Cholecystocolonic fistula occurring as a complication of colonic diverticular disease is a rarely encountered clinical entity in which the patient may remain asymptomatic or present with vague abdominal or systemic symptoms. Imaging studies are usually not very reliable or effective in detecting direct communication between gallbladder and colon. However, indirect signs such as pneumobilia, gallstones, gallbladder adherent to colon and colonic diverticulosis may help reach the diagnosis.

'Bubbles and esophagus: A tale of unexpected and otherwise unexplained pain'.

Boerhaave's syndrome is a potentially fatal emergency, typically induced by forceful retching, which leads to increased intra-esophageal pressure. It commonly presents with vague symptoms such as chest pain or more classic symptoms like subcutaneous emphysema and vomiting. We present an unusual case of Boerhaave syndrome secondary to rapid and excessive intake of carbonated drinks in a 22-year-old male, who presented to our emergency department with atypical symptoms of fever and shortness of breath.

Reducing risk for chronic disease: evaluation of a collective community approach to sustainable evidence-based health programming.

Background: Community initiatives can shape health behaviors, such as physical activity and dietary habits, across a population and help reduce the risk of developing chronic disease. To achieve this goal and impact health outcomes, Pasadena Vibrant Community aimed to engage communities in an ongoing dialogue about the importance of healthy behaviors, implement and advance community-based strategies to promote health, and improve diet and physical activity behaviors. The initiative was centered around a collaboration between a backbone organization, steering committee, and 7 collaborating organizations funded to implement multicomponent, evidence-based programs.

Expanding the Focus of Occupational Safety and Health: Lessons from a Series of Linked Scientific Meetings.

There is widespread recognition that the world of work is changing, and agreement is growing that the occupational safety and health (OSH) field must change to contribute to the protection of workers now and in the future. Discourse on the evolution of OSH has been active for many decades, but formalized support of an expanded focus for OSH has greatly increased over the past 20 years. Development of approaches such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)'s Total Worker Health concept and the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Healthy Workplace Framework are concrete examples of how OSH can incorporate a new focus with a wider view.

Agreement Between SARS-CoV-2 PCR Test Results Using Nasopharyngeal and Mid-Turbinate Specimens Among Asymptomatic Working-Age Adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether mid-turbinate specimens reliably detect active infection in asymptomatic adults undergoing regular COVID-19 PCR testing.

Methods: Qualitative agreement between 2481 paired nasopharyngeal and mid-turbinate PCR results was assessed. Mean cycle threshold values for each positive result were evaluated as an indicator of active infection.

Fitness-for-Duty Assessments of Industrial Firefighters: Guidance for Occupational Medicine Physicians.

: Industrial firefighters share many characteristics with municipal firefighters; however, employers frequently have not addressed or characterized the unique job duties, hazards, and specific physical/mental demands associated with industrial firefighting. In addition, gaps exist in the medical literature with regard to industrial firefighter demographics, behavioral risk factors, and chronic diseases. Finally, the proper methodologies for fitness-for-duty assessment of employees acting in this capacity are lacking.

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastamosis: a comparison of short-term outcomes.

Background: There is wide variation among laparoscopic colon resection techniques, including the approach for mobilization and the extent of intracorporal vessel ligation, bowel division or anastamosis. We compared the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRHC) with intracorporeal (IA) versus extracorporeal (EA) anastamosis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all elective laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed at St.

Simulating the impact of changing trends in smoking and obesity on productivity of an industrial population: an observational study.

Objective: To estimate the impact of trends in smoking and obesity prevalence on productivity loss among petrochemical employees from 1980 to 2009.

Methods: Smoking and obesity informations were collected during company physical examinations. Productivity loss was calculated as differential workdays lost between smokers and non-smokers, and obese and normal-weight employees.

Clinical and economic comparison of laparoscopic to open liver resections using a 2-to-1 matched pair analysis: an institutional experience.

Background: Surgical resection of hepatic lesions is associated with intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Our center has introduced a laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) program over the past 3 years. Our objective is to describe the initial clinical experience with LLR, including a detailed cost analysis.

Comparison of outcomes and costs between laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and open resection at a single center.

Background: The cost implications of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and a detailed breakdown of hospital expenditures has not been presented in the literature to date. This study aimed to compare hospital costs and short-term clinical outcomes between LDP and open distal pancreatectomy (ODP).

Methods: The authors evaluated all the distal pancreatic resections performed at their center between January 2004 and March 2010.

Risk factors for illness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders in a 4-year prospective study of a petroleum-manufacturing population.

Objectives: To quantify risk factors for nonoccupational absence from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) among petroleum-manufacturing employees.

Methods: We conducted a 4-year follow-up study including 860 employees with an MSD illness absence of 4 days or longer and 5691 employees with no MSD absence. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression.

The Shell Disability Management Program: a five-year evaluation of the impact on absenteeism and return-on-investment.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Shell Disability Management Program (DMP) on U.S. manufacturing employee absenteeism.

Combined impact of health risk factors on mortality of a petroleum industry population.

Objective: To assess the combined impact of health risk factors on mortality.

Methods: A 21-year mortality follow-up of 12,896 Shell Oil Company employees was conducted. Relative risks of mortality, expressed as hazard ratios, in relation to the six risk factors, including cigarette smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, total cholesterol, serum glucose, and triglycerides, were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model.

The impact of obesity on illness absence and productivity in an industrial population of petrochemical workers.

Purpose: Examine employee illness absence and the economic impact of overweight and obesity in a petrochemical industry workforce.

Methods: A 10-year follow-up (1994-2003) of 4153 Shell Oil Company employees was conducted. Absence frequency rates and average number of workdays lost were calculated for normal weight, overweight, and obese employees with and without the presence of additional risk factors.

Impact of a disability management program on employee productivity in a petrochemical company.

Background: An inhouse disability management program was implemented to reduce nonoccupational absences in a petrochemical corporation. The program was administered by full-time certified, corporate-based case managers and nine manufacturing location nurses.

Methods: Employees were required to report all absences on the first day and again on the fourth workday of absence.

Refinery firefighters: assessing fitness for duty.

Firefighting is a hazardous and physically demanding activity. The demanding nature of the tasks involved in firefighting requires a high level of fitness both for the safety of the firefighting personnel as well as for the adequate performance of their tasks. Here, the characteristics (body weight, lung function, etc.

Reliability and validity of an occupational health history questionnaire.

This study determined the reliability and validity of a self-administered occupational health history questionnaire. Reliability was evaluated using a test-retest study design based on 123 volunteers (56% participation rate) who were administered the questionnaire approximately 1 month apart. Validity and general acceptability was evaluated in a clinical setting through in-depth clinician interviews of 25 patients.

Incidence of lymphohaematopoietic malignancies in a petrochemical industry cohort: 1983-94 follow up.

Objectives: In response to a previous finding of increased mortality from lymphohaematopoietic (LH) malignancies, this study examines incidence of LH malignancy in a petrochemical industry cohort. Emphasis is on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and on comparisons by period of first employment.

Method: The study cohort consists of 8942 employees who were active in the period 1970-92 and alive on 31 December 1982.

Impact of the long term supply of iodized salt to the endemic goitre area.

The study was designed to assess the impact of the supplementation levels of iodine in salt supplied since the last 12 years to Gilgit and Hunza, an endemic goitre area of Pakistan. The overall prevalence of visible goitre is reduced from 61.36% to 4.

Occupational injuries and perception of hazards among road-side welding workers.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to understand the extent of occupational injuries and the perception of hazards among the road-side welders in the city of Karachi. Burns and foreign body in eyes were reported to be the most common injuries. Few workers perceived their occupation as hazardous.