MORBI ARTIFICUM – A POST-RAMAZZINIAN ACADEMIC DISSERTATION ON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES BY A PUPIL OF CARL VON LINNÉ.

This study presents the first full translation from Latin to English of the Linnaean dissertation Morbi Artificum or Occupational diseases, submitted by Nicholas Skragge in 1765. It consists of an essay that places the dissertation in historical and scientific context and of the translation. Skragge's thesis has not only significance in the history of occupational medicine but also provides a perspective on Linnaeus' thinking on dietetics.

Reactive arthritis and other musculoskeletal symptoms associated with acquisition of diarrhoeagenic (DEC).

Objectives: Using a prospective research design, we evaluated the association between acquisition of diarrhoeagenic (DEC) and development of reactive arthritis (ReA) and other reactive musculoskeletal (MSK) symptoms among international travellers.

Methods: A total of 526 study participants were asked to provide pretravel and post-travel stool samples and fill in questionnaires (pretravel, post-travel and 3-week follow-up). A multiplex quantitative PCR assay was deployed to detect five DEC comprising enteroaggregative , enteropathogenic , enterotoxigenic , enterohaemorrhagic and enteroinvasive and , , , and .

Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A: a possible new trigger of reactive arthritis.

Yersinia enterocolitica (YE) biotype 1A is generally considered non-pathogenic, and the role of it in causing reactive musculoskeletal complications is unclear. We evaluated the capability of YE biotype 1A to induce reactive arthritis (ReA) and other reactive musculoskeletal symptoms. Analysis of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms was supplemented with a telephone interview (with a permission to acquire copies of patient files from a local physician or hospital) and/or clinical examination of subjects with recent musculoskeletal symptoms after a positive stool culture for YE.

[Irritant-induced asthma].

Irritant-induced asthma is a rare disease, usually being caused by an accidental or other exceptionally strong exposure to substances irritating the respiratory passages. High-dose inhaled corticosteroid medication is immediately started at the emergency call service. If severe exposure is suspected, it is important to monitor the patient at least for a couple of days in hospital.

Systemic inflammatory responses following welding inhalation challenge test.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory and respiratory responses to welding fume exposure in patients with suspected occupational asthma.

Methods: Sixteen patients referred to the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health underwent mild steel (MS) and stainless steel (SS) welding challenge tests, due to suspicion of OA. Platelet count, leucocytes and their differential count, hemoglobin, sensitive CRP, lipids, glucose and fibrinogen were analyzed in addition to interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, endothelin-1, and E-selectin in plasma samples.

Non-pharmacological interventions for preventing job loss in workers with inflammatory arthritis.

Background: Work participation of patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA) is important not only economically but also for physical and psychological health. There is no Cochrane Review to date on studies of non-pharmacological interventions specifically aimed at preventing job loss in people with IA.

Objectives: To assess the effects of non-pharmacological interventions that aim to prevent job loss, work absenteeism or improve work functioning for employees with IA (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), other spondylarthritis (SpA) or IA associated with connective tissue diseases, such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)).

[Work aggravated asthma].

One out of five working persons with asthma has work-related respiratory symptoms. When exploring the symptoms of a working-age patient it is essential to survey the job description and working conditions. Early intervention in the factors aggravating the respiratory symptoms will decrease morbidity, maintain working capacity and improve the quality of life.

Prediction of obeche wood-induced asthma by specific skin prick testing.

Background: It has previously been shown that a positive skin prick test (SPT) result is a good predictor of a positive specific inhalation challenge (SIC) in patients with occupational asthma (OA) related to wheat or rye flours. This association has not been previously studied in OA attributable to obeche wood.

Aims: To describe a clinical series of patients with OA induced by obeche wood.

Inflammatory response to acute exposure to welding fumes during the working day.

Objectives: To investigate cardiorespiratory and inflammatory responses in male workers following exposure to welding fumes and airborne particles in actual workplace conditions.

Materials And Methods: We measured blood leukocytes and their differential counts, platelet count, hemoglobin, sensitive C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, E-selectin, IL-(interleukin)1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and endothelin-1 in blood samples of twenty workers before and after their working day. We also studied peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and exhaled nitric oxide (NO).

Reactive arthritis following Salmonella infection: a population-based study.

Objectives: To study the incidence and clinical picture of Salmonella-associated reactive arthritis (ReA), as well as other reactive musculoskeletal symptoms and the arthritogenicity of various Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serotypes in the population.

Method: We sent a questionnaire on enteric and extraintestinal (especially musculoskeletal) symptoms to 999 consecutive subjects with a Salmonella-positive stool culture.

Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome from acute inhalation of a dishwasher detergent powder.

Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome, a type of occupational asthma without a latency period, is induced by irritating vapour, fumes or smoke. The present report is the first to describe a case of reactive airway dysfunction syndrome caused by acute exposure to dishwater detergent containing sodium metasilicate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate. The diagnosis was based on exposure data, clinical symptoms and signs, as well as respiratory function tests.

Occupational respiratory and skin diseases among Finnish machinists: findings of a large clinical study.

Purpose: Machinists are exposed to many sensitizing and irritant substances, but no previous study has assessed the occurrence of clinically verified occupational diseases in an unselected large workforce of machinists. Our aim was to study the occurrence of clinically verified occupational respiratory and skin diseases cross-sectionally in a large sample of machinists in southern Finland.

Methods: A computer-assisted telephone interview on occupational exposures and health was carried out in a sample of 961 machining workers from 64 metalworking companies.

Reactive arthritis.

Reactive arthritis (ReA) can be defined as the development of sterile inflammatory arthritis as a sequel to remote infection, often in the gastrointestinal or urogenital tract. Although no generally agreed-upon diagnostic criteria exist, the diagnosis is mainly clinical, and based on acute oligoarticular arthritis of larger joints developing within 2-4 weeks of the preceding infection. According to population-based studies, the annual incidence of ReA is 0.

Short-term prognosis of occupational asthma in a Finnish population.

Background: Causative agents of occupational asthma (OA) are well described in literature but far less is known about factors affecting the outcome of OA. Short duration of exposure, early diagnosis when symptoms appear and further avoidance of exposure have been suggested as good prognostic factors. This study was designed to investigate a short-term outcome of OA.

Levosimendan decreases intracranial pressure after hypothermic circulatory arrest in a porcine model.

Objectives: Hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) provides an optimal operating field in aortic arch surgery, but it is associated with neurological complications. Levosimendan is an inotropic agent with clinical indications for open-heart surgery. Through peripheral vasodilatation, cardiac contractility enhancement and anti-inflammatory function it has a potential to improve cerebral protection after HCA.

Occupational asthma in professional cleaning work: a clinical study.

Background: Several epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of asthma among professional cleaners. To date, however, no analysis of large patient series from clinic of occupational medicine has been published.

Aims: To describe the cases of occupational asthma (OA) diagnosed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) during the period 1994-2004 in workers employed in professional cleaning work.

Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS) in a chemistry teacher induced by fumes of mixed iodine compounds.

The reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is a type of occupational asthma without a latency period, and it is induced by irritating vapour, fume, or smoke. Although the onset of RADS has been related to over 30 different agents, it has not been previously associated with acute exposure to iodine, aluminium iodide, or hydrogen iodide. The diagnosis was based on exposure data, clinical symptoms and signs, as well as respiratory function tests and bronchoscopy.

[Occupational asthma in a structure nail maker].

Chemicals that may cause allergy are being used in structure nails. In this case report two structure nail makers are described, who were diagnosed with occupational asthma in clinical studies. The studies included an inhalational exposure simulating the work.

Occupational rhinitis in damp and moldy workplaces.

Background: Numerous studies confirm the association between exposure to indoor air dampness and molds and different health outcomes. Of these, upper respiratory tract problems are the most commonly reported work-related symptoms in damp indoor environments. The aim of this study was to describe a clinically investigated patient series with occupational rhinitis induced by molds.

Long-term prognosis of immediate hypersensitivity type of occupational laryngitis.

The present study investigated, for the first time, the long-term prognosis of hypersensitivity type of occupational laryngitis (OL). Thirteen patients with OL diagnosed in 1990-1993 at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health participated in a questionnaire follow-up study. The records of the primary diagnostic investigations were also reviewed.

IgE-mediated occupational asthma from epoxy resin.

Background: Epoxy resins (ERs) are used in paints and other protective coatings, including flooring materials. Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) ERs (BADGE ERs) account for about 75% of the ERs used world-wide. ERs can cause both immediate and delayed allergic reactions, but immediate reactions are rare.

Occupational asthma caused by sculptured nails containing methacrylates.

Background: In recent decades, the use of artificial nails including methacrylates (MAs) has increased. This study presents the first two clinical cases of occupational asthma (OA) caused by sculptured nails containing MAs.

Methods: In both cases, OA was diagnosed on the basis of a work simulation test combined with the patient's history of occupational exposure and respiratory symptoms.