Journal of UOEH最新文献

The hematoma cavity typically remains collapsed after intracranial hematoma evacuation, but here we report an adult case in which the cavity expanded into a cystic form, developing into a porencephalic cyst, after the removal. A 73-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital presenting with a disturbance of consciousness. A CT scan showed a subcortical hemorrhage with a blend sign and brain herniation, prompting emergent hematoma evacuation. Although there was an improvement in her symptoms after the operation, her consciousness deteriorated on the 14th day post-operation. A CT scan revealed a porencephalic cyst. Reoperation was performed, and no further recurrence of the cyst was noted. Reports of hematoma cavities expanding into a cystic form after hematoma removal are rare, and the mechanisms of such cyst expansion are not well understood. In this case, we hypothesize two pathways: 1) Residual hematoma components moving through the ventricular wall due to osmotic pressure differences between the hypertonic fluid and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and 2) Protein-rich plasma components leaking out of cells due to blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption caused by cerebral hemorrhage. We also consider the possibility of a check valve mechanism.

A scientist may realize, during a long academic career, that a widely accepted notion is not actually factual. An example for me is the fraction of adrenaline-secreting cells in human adrenal medullary chromaffin (AMC) cells. Even the authoritative textbooks for medical physiology differ regarding the fraction of adrenaline cells in human AMC cells, stating that it is 80% or 100%. This confusion may be ascribed to the substitution of the fraction of adrenaline in the catecholamines extracted from the human adrenal medulla for the fraction of adrenaline cells in human AMC cells. In this commentary, I look into the possible cause of this substitution and highlight the importance of understanding a process to reach a conclusion.

With the increasing incidence of dementia in Japan due to an aging population and declining birthrate, supporting family caregivers is crucial. A survey was conducted at the hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan from October 1, 2021, to February 29, 2024, involving dementia patients and their working caregiver relatives. The survey assessed health, living, work, caregiving status, sociodemographic factors, and the care recipient's condition. A total of 214 patient-caregiver pairs participated; consent was obtained from 212 pairs, and data were collected from 166 caregivers. The caregivers were predominantly women, with 54 (33%) male caregivers and a mean age of 54.7 years. Health status was reported as good (33%) or fair (50%); however, 46% experienced sleep disturbances, 44% had psychological distress, 18% reported work dysfunction, and 8% noted poor social adjustment. Most of the care recipients were women (65%), with a mean age of 79.8 years. The most common diagnoses were mild cognitive impairment (37%) and Alzheimer's disease (35%), with an average mini-mental state examination score of 21.6. This study outlines the survey protocol, focusing on the health, work, and caregiving conditions of working relatives caring for dementia patients.

To report a rare case of recurrent ectopic pregnancy in an ipsilateral fallopian tube remnant after left salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy. A 33-year-old patient presented with suspected ectopic pregnancy. The patient had previously undergone a left salpingectomy for a tubal pregnancy. Laparoscopy revealed ruptured swelling and bleeding from the left fallopian tube remnant. We diagnosed intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to ectopic pregnancy occurring in the fallopian tube remnant following a previous ipsilateral salpingectomy. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the ampulla of the fallopian tube, but the occurrence of spontaneous ectopic pregnancy in a remnant tube is rare. There are several mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. In this study, we consider both the prevention and treatment of this rare form of ectopic pregnancy.

Every finding during a neck autopsy may be essential for accurately diagnosing and explaining the mechanism of death. In this prospective study in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology of Jordan University Hospital, 17 out of 95 neck autopsies revealed contusions of the laryngeal mucosa in the vocal or perivocal area. These contusions were found to be associated with various causes of death, including mechanical asphyxia (such as throttling, ligature strangulation, hanging, smothering, choking, plastic bag asphyxia, gagging, and inhalation of blood) and other causes (such as atypical drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, head injury due to a road traffic accident, burns, electrocution, and brain edema). This study provides insight into the mechanisms of this important lesion and may contribute to a better understanding of the cause of death.

Digital and technological solutions constitute a key enabler to achieving better workplace safety and health outcomes. Fundamentally, the success of their implementation is underscored by a need for employers, employees, industry stakeholders and policymakers to collaborate in adopting a "digital first" mindset. This review provides a background on the evolution of work and the workforce in post-independence Singapore, and introduces pertinent local workplace safety and health trends. It delves into how a "digital first" approach may be adopted and effected, followed by challenges and opportunities in the digitalization of Singapore's workplace safety and health landscape. Illustrative examples are used to highlight applications of digital and technological solutions in the control of occupational hazards. In our discussion, workplace strategies are built around the hierarchy of controls framework, whereas worker-related strategies are divided into workspace optimization for productivity/performance enhancement, training/education, and instituting surveillance/open reporting mechanisms. We demonstrate that with an open and forward-looking mind, and well-executed change management, we will be able to capitalize on technological advances to improve work and working conditions for all workers.

This mini review explores the transformative potential of big data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) in reforming occupational medicine in Indonesia. Emphasizing the preconditions, case studies, and benefits, it underscores the role of big data in enhancing worker well-being. The review highlights the importance of informative health big data, especially in high-risk industries, with examples of case studies of AI implementation in occupational medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic and other relevant scenarios. While acknowledging the challenges of AI implementation, the essay identifies the role of academic and professional organizations as pioneers in big data utilization. Six potential benefits that are identified, including improved patient care and efficient resource allocation, demonstrate the transformative impact of big data analysis. The proposed pathway of preparation underscores the need for awareness, skill enhancement, and collaboration, addressing challenges in data management and stakeholder engagement. The conclusion emphasizes continuous assessment, feasibility studies, and commitment as essential steps in advancing occupational medicine through big data analysis.

Women's health issues, including menstruation, childbirth, and menopause, significantly impact work performance and career progression, and pose physical and mental burdens on women. Despite their importance, research on how these events and conditions affect women's quality of life and health in the workplace is limited. This study explores the relationship between living environment, health status, work factors, and the health and work performance of working women. It focuses on menstruation-associated symptoms (dysmenorrhea, PMS) and menopausal symptoms and their impact on working QOL and health. A cross-sectional study was conducted on the Internet from June 6 to 12, 2024 among working women in Japan aged 20-60. The sample came from a closed survey of panel monitors from a company commissioned to conduct the survey. Screening included gender, age, hours worked, place of residence, and type of work, with participants being women aged 20-60 and working at least 30 hours per week. Of 31,965 participants, 4,245 were excluded for reasons such as short response time, marital status inconsistencies, childcare inconsistencies, undergoing infertility treatment at age 55 or older, and incorrect responses, resulting in 27,720 participants. The survey consisted of 139 questions and was conducted on a relatively homogeneous sample across all strata. Understanding the impact of menstruation-related symptoms on labor productivity and enhancing knowledge of women's health can lead to a better healthcare system and improved business performance. This study aimed to generate evidence to support these goals.

The need for improved nutrition in older adults requiring care has been acknowledged, but, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of systematic review and integration of nutritional care studies with older adults in nursing homes. This scoping review aimed to examine the scope and nature of nutritional care research for older adults in nursing homes and to identify research gaps, following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute. We found varied nutritional care for older adults living in nursing homes, including individualized sessions, such as nutrition counseling, the addition of foods and preparations for increased nutritional intake, and the maintenance of an eating environment, such as feeding assistance and calling. The nutritional care identified in this scoping review also included studies that have improved the nutritional status of older adults in nursing homes by implementing educational programs for care staff. For future research on effective nutritional care for older adults in nursing homes, we suggest evaluating both short- and long-term intervention effects with an adequate sample size.