Health of the metal industrial workers should be a noteworthy issue due to the hazard ofchronic exposure to metals or toxic elements. The interactions among multiple elements aresophisticated and may ...differ from person to person. Tumor necrosis factor-α (
)
polymorphisms were supposed to be involved with the interactions because TNF-α plays animportant role in inflammation, a mechanism by which toxic elements cause threats to humanhealth. This research aimed to analyze the influence of
polymorphisms and multielementson serum TNF-α level. Blood multi-elements concentrations (lead, cadmium, arsenic,selenium, cobalt, copper, and zinc), serum TNF-α level, and
single nucleotidepolymorphisms (SNPs), including -238G > A (rs361525), -308G > A (rs1800629), -857C > T(rs1799724), -863C > A (rs1800630), and -1031T > C (rs1799964), were measured in 462 metalindustrial workers. We applied mixed-effect models to analyze the interactions among multielementsand TNF-α SNPs. Blood concentration of all elements were positively associated withserum TNF-α level, and the effects may be modified by TNF-α gene polymorphisms. Our studyrevealed that TNF-α -308A/A and -1031C/C may be susceptible genotypes, and thus we suggestthat those workers should take preventive measures against metal toxicity.
Objective Agricultural pesticide handlers are at an elevated risk for overexposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides, but symptoms can be difficult to recognise, making biomarkers invaluable for ...diagnosis. Occupational monitoring programmes for cholinesterase depression generally rely on measuring activity of either of the two common blood cholinesterases which serve as proxy measurements for nervous-system acetylcholinesterase activity: red blood cell acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and plasma butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). These biomarkers, however, may be affected differentially by some OPs and the relationship between them has not been well characterised. We aim to determine the association between blood AChE and BChE activity levels and assess whether they produce comparable classifications of clinical cholinesterase depression among OP pesticide handlers. Methods Using blood samples from 215 participants of the Washington State Cholinesterase Monitoring Program, we quantified changes in AChE and BChE activity from before and after exposure to OP pesticides and calculated Pearson correlation statistics for correlation of AChE and BChE changes in activity, as well as weighted κ statistics for agreement of classification of clinical cholinesterase depression based on AChE versus BChE measurements. Results AChE and BChE activity measurements are weakly negatively correlated in our study population. Reaching a clinical threshold for diagnosis of cholinesterase depression based on the AChE marker did not correlate with reaching clinical depression based on the BChE marker. Conclusions Both AChE and BChE should be measured in monitoring programmes because they may both give potentially important but disparate classifications of clinical cholinesterase depression.
Musculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society. Computer users are subject to unique repetitive strains that ...predispose them to musculoskeletal symptoms. In the digitalized field of radiology, radiologists spend long hours interpreting medical images on computers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists in Saudi Arabia and their contributing factors.
An online survey was sent to radiologists in all hospitals (academic, public and private) in the major cities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia covering demographic characteristics, workload (e.g. the time spent at a computer workstation), and workstation environments including the number of monitors as well as the adjustability of the height of the workstation and the viewing distance. This survey of 263 radiologists was conducted in April 2019. It included an evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The study outcome was the presence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in any body region, which restricted the performance of normal activities in the last 12 months. Results were analyzed descriptively using a Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to estimate the odd ratio of experiencing disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months.
The survey was completed by 198 participants (111 men and 87 women) with a response rate of 75.3%. Most participants (71.2%) were aged below 40 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed being a female radiologist (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2-6.5), aged 30-39 years (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1-15.3), and predominantly reviewing computed tomography (CT) images (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.4-12.3) or ultrasound scans (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.4-25.3) were associated with higher prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms, compared to those aged below 30 years and those who reviewed various imaging modalities, respectively.
Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among radiologists with lower back and neck pain being the most frequent complaints. Being a female radiologist, aged 30-39 years, and reviewing CT or ultrasound scans were associated with higher rates of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To assess the annual risk for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among health care workers (HCWs), the incidence rate ratio for tuberculosis (TB) among HCWs worldwide, and the ...population-attributable fraction of TB to exposure of HCWs in their work settings, we reviewed the literature. Stratified pooled estimates for the LTBI rate for countries with low (<50 cases/100,000 population), intermediate (50-100/100,000 population), and high (>100/100,000 population) TB incidence were 3.8% (95% confidence interval CI 3.0%-4.6%), 6.9% (95% CI 3.4%-10.3%), and 8.4% (95% CI 2.7%-14.0%), respectively. For TB, estimated incident rate ratios were 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-3.6), 2.4 (95% CI 1.0-3.8), and 3.7 (95% CI 2.9-4.5), respectively. Median estimated population-attributable fraction for TB was as high as 0.4%. HCWs are at higher than average risk for TB. Sound TB infection control measures should be implemented in all health care facilities with patients suspected of having infectious TB.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
OBJECTIVES:To analyze cognitive functions and tau-protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocytes of retired aluminum (Al)-exposed workers.
METHODS:A total of 66 retired Al potroom workers and 70 ...unexposed controls were investigated. The cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The tau-protein expression in peripheral blood lymphocyte was analyzed with Western blot.
RESULTS:The cognitive functions of the exposed group were significantly decreased. Twelve mild cognitive impairment cases in the exposed group and four mild cognitive impairment cases in the control group were diagnosed. Significantly higher p-tau181 and p-tau231 levels were detected in the Al-exposed workers than in the control group.
CONCLUSIONS:The study suggests that long-term exposure to Al may cause cognitive disorders and that p-tau181 and p-tau231 might be useful indicators for monitoring cognitive decline in Al-exposed workers.
An outbreak of cholangiocarcinoma in a printing company was reported in Japan, and these cases were regarded as an occupational disease (occupational cholangiocarcinoma). This study examined the ...expression status of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) and programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) in occupational cholangiocarcinoma. Immunostaining of PD‐1, PD‐L1, CD3, CD8, and CD163 was performed using tissue sections of occupational cholangiocarcinoma (n = 10), and the results were compared with those of control cases consisting of intrahepatic (n = 23) and extrahepatic (n = 45) cholangiocarcinoma. Carcinoma cells expressed PD‐L1 in all cases of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, whereas the detection of PD‐L1 expression in cholangiocarcinoma cells was limited to a low number of cases (less than 10%) in the control subjects. In cases of occupational cholangiocarcinoma, occasional PD‐L1 expression was also noted in precancerous/preinvasive lesions such as biliary intraepithelial neoplasia and intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. Additionally, tumor‐associated macrophages and tumor‐infiltrating T cells expressed PD‐L1 and PD‐1, respectively. The number of PD‐L1‐positive mononuclear cells, PD‐1‐positive lymphocytes, and CD8‐positive lymphocytes infiltrating within the tumor was significantly higher in occupational cholangiocarcinoma compared with that in control cases. These results indicate that immune escape via the PD‐1/PD‐L1 axis may be occurring in occupational cholangiocarcinoma.
Purpose
Healthcare organizations often have to provide patient care around the clock. Shift work (any shift outside of 7 a.m. to 6 p.m) and long work hours increase the risk for short sleep duration ...and sleep disturbances. Thirty‐two percent of healthcare workers report they do not get enough sleep. The purpose of the article is to give an overview of the wide range of risks to nurses, patients, and employers that are linked to shift work, long work hours, and poor sleep from other sources.
Findings
Shift work and long work hours increase the risk for reduced performance on the job, obesity, injuries, and a wide range of chronic diseases. In addition, fatigue‐related errors could harm patients. Fatigued nurses also endanger others during their commute to and from work.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance
The key strategy to reduce these risks is making sleep a priority in the employer's systems for organizing work and in the nurse's personal life.
To examine the association between shift work or shift work disorder (SWD) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Nonstandard shift workers are defined as those working shifts outside of a normal 7 ...AM-6 PM work day.
Men presenting to a single andrology clinic between July 2014 and June 2017 completed questionnaires that included questions about work schedules, shift work status, SWD11, personal well-being via the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and LUTS (International Prostate Symptom Score IPSS). Men who had previously undergone prostate surgery were excluded. Shift work and SWD on IPSS was assessed via multivariate linear regression.
Of the 2571 men who completed all questionnaires, 619 (24.1%) reported working nonstandard shifts in the past month. Of these, 196 (31.7%) had high risk of SWD as determined by a questionnaire. When controlling for age, medications, surgical intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia, comorbidities, and testosterone (T) levels, nonstandard shift work overall was not associated with worse LUTS (P = .82). However, nonstandard shift workers at high risk for SWD had IPSS scores that were clinically significantly higher (3.74 points ± 0.57 standard error) than nonstandard shift workers without SWD (P <.0001).
Nonstandard shift workers at high risk for SWD have worse LUTS than those without SWD. However, no association between nonstandard shift work and LUTS was found.
Occupational driving of light-duty vehicles (LDVs) became increasingly important in parcel delivery faced with the explosive growth of e-commerce. Since musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent the ...most reported driving-related health problem, we aimed to analyze the risk of low back pain (LBP) and upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) associated with driving LDVs for parcel delivery. In 306 postal workers exposed to driving and 100 unexposed workers, information on occupational driving, physical/psychosocial constraints, and work organization were collected via a questionnaire. MSDs were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire, 14 additional questions regarding LBP, and a standardized clinical examination for UEMSDs. Statistical modeling consisted of multivariable logistic regression for UEMSDs and the item response theory approach for LBP. UEMSDs were associated with the distance of rural rounds and inversely associated with urban/mixed delivery rounds. Handling heavy loads was associated with LBP, and high physical demands during delivery rounds were related to MSDs. Karasek dimensions and mobbing actions were associated with MSDs. Work recognition, driving training, using an automatic gearbox, and the utilization of additional staff during peak periods were inversely associated with MSDs. Our results suggest that the distance driven in rural settings and high physical demands were associated with MSDs, while some organizational factors could protect from MSDs.
Background: Reported associations between shiftwork and health have largely been based on occupation-specific, or single sex studies that might not be generalizable to the entire working population. ...The objective of this study was to investigate whether shiftwork was independently associated with obesity, diabetes, poor sleep, and well-being in a large, UK general population cohort.
Methods: Participants of the UK Biobank study who were employed at the time of assessment were included. Exposure variables were self-reported shiftwork (any shiftwork and night shiftwork); and outcomes were objectively measured obesity, inflammation and physical activity and self-reported lifestyle, sleep and well-being variables, including mental health.
Results: Shiftwork was reported by 17% of the 277,168 employed participants. Shiftworkers were more likely to be male, socioeconomically deprived and smokers, and to have higher levels of physical activity. Univariately, and following adjustment for lifestyle and work-related confounders, shiftworkers were more likely to be obese, depressed, to report disturbed sleep, and to have neurotic traits.
Conclusions: Shiftwork was independently associated with multiple indicators of poor health and wellbeing, despite higher physical activity, and even in shiftworkers that did not work nights. Shiftwork is an emerging social factor that contributes to disease in the urban environment across the working population.
Key messages
Studies have linked shiftwork to obesity and diabetes in nurses and industry workers, but little is known about the implications of shiftwork for the general workforce
In this large cross sectional study of UK workers, shiftwork was associated with obesity, depression and sleep disturbance, despite higher levels of physical activity.
Shiftwork was associated with multiple indicators of compromised health and wellbeing and were more likely to report neurotic traits and evening preference
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