Evaluation of thyroid nodules on radiation-exposed workers

Background. Ionizing radiation could cause negative effects on DNA molecules, which leads mutation and tumorigenesis. Thyroid gland is one of the most radiosensitive organ due to the great oxidative process on their physiological condition. Medical workers have been exposed to radiation during medical image acquisition. The relation between radiation and the increase of thyroid cancer incidence have been studied before, the discussion mostly explain the acute effect of radiation. The aim of this study is to describe the incidence of thyroid nodule on radiation-exposed worker. Methods. The study was performed in 40 radiation-exposed workers with at least has 5 years working period. We examined using thyroid ultrasonography and blood level of T3, fT4 and TSH. Result. The incidence of thyroid nodule in radiation-exposed worker is 37.5%, which is higher among female (66%) than in male (29%). Based on the age distribution, most of the nodules were find in workers with age more than 35 years old. According to ultrasonography result and TIRADS scoring, 66.7% of the nodules were benign which categorize as TIRADS 1 and only 33% of the nodules were categorize as moderately suspicious or TIRADS 4. Conclusion. Radiation-exposed workers have high risk to develop thyroid nodules. This study could be used as basic data to do further evaluation. It is important to perform thyroid screening periodically among them.

Risk Assessment and Virological Monitoring Following an Accidental Exposure to Concentrated Sabin Poliovirus Type 3 in France, November 2018

The safe and secure containment of infectious poliovirus (PV) in facilities where live PV are handled is the condition to achieve and maintain poliomyelitis eradication. Despite precautions to minimize the risk of release of PV from such facilities to the environment, breaches of containment have already been documented. Here, we report the management of an incident that occurred on 30 November 2018 in a French vaccine manufacturing plant. Five adequately vaccinated operators were exposed to a Sabin poliovirus type 3 (PV3) spill. A microbiological risk assessment was conducted and the operators were monitored for PV shedding. On day 5 after exposure, Sabin PV3 was detected only in the stool sample of the most exposed worker. Shedding of Sabin PV3 (as detected by viral culture) was restricted to a very short period (less than 15 days). Monitoring of this incident was an opportunity to assess the relevance of our national response plan. We concluded that the measures undertaken and reported here were appropriate and proportional.

The Mother Menagerie

In a qualitative study, social workers compared young single mothers to animals. I believe the metaphors illustrated some of the paradoxes and tensions in the helping relationship. The analogies served to deal with workers’ ambivalences about aspects of power inherent in their positioning as agents of disciplinary practices. Despite evidence of empathy, the animal metaphors also exposed worker disapproval and emotional distance. The clients were viewed as out-of-control, with poor judgment, difficult to engage, and unable to protect themselves or their children. By these comparisons, the differences between workers and clients were polarized, reinforcing an existing hierarchy of morality, normalcy, and worth.