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International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2017The prevalence of metabolic diseases has markedly increased worldwide during the last few decades. Lifestyle factors (physical activity, energy-dense diets), together... (Review)
Review
The prevalence of metabolic diseases has markedly increased worldwide during the last few decades. Lifestyle factors (physical activity, energy-dense diets), together with a genetic predisposition, are well known factors in the pathophysiology of health problems. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used for polycarbonate plastics, food containers, epoxy resins coating metallic cans for food and beverage conservation. The ability of BPA to act as an endocrine disruptor-xenoestrogen in particular-is largely documented in literature, with numerous publications of in vivo and in vitro studies as well as epidemiological data on humans. Recently, different researchers studied the involvement of BPA in the development of insulin resistance; evidences in this way showed a potential role in etiology of metabolic disease, both for children and for adults. We review the epidemiological literature in the relation between BPA exposure and the risk of metabolic diseases in adults, with a focus on occupational exposure. Considering published data and the role of occupational physicians in promoting Workers' Health, specific situations of exposure to BPA in workplace are described, and proposals for action to be taken are suggested. The comparison of the studies showed that exposure levels were higher in workers than in the general population, even if, sometimes, the measurement units used did not permit rapid comprehension. Nevertheless, occupational medicine focus on reproductive effects and not metabolic ones.
Topics: Animals; Benzhydryl Compounds; Endocrine Disruptors; Humans; Metabolic Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Medicine; Phenols
PubMed: 28841159
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14090959 -
Zentralblatt Fur Arbeitsmedizin,... 2022The academic Occupational Medicine in Magdeburg celebrates its 50th anniversary. This article deals with the research activities of the institute since Prof. Böckelmann... (Review)
Review
The academic Occupational Medicine in Magdeburg celebrates its 50th anniversary. This article deals with the research activities of the institute since Prof. Böckelmann became director. The paper presents the activities of the institute's staff and guest researchers since 2008.
PubMed: 35996416
DOI: 10.1007/s40664-022-00478-6 -
International Journal of Occupational... Apr 2019Cytostatics not only induce significant side-effects in patients treated oncologically but also pose a threat to the health of occupationally exposed healthcare workers:... (Review)
Review
Cytostatics not only induce significant side-effects in patients treated oncologically but also pose a threat to the health of occupationally exposed healthcare workers: pharmacists, physicians, nurses and other personnel. Since the 1970s numerous reports from various countries have documented the contamination of working areas with cytostatics and the presence of drugs/metabolites in the urine or blood of healthcare employees, which directly indicates the occurrence of occupational exposure to these drugs. In Poland the significant scale of occupational exposure to cytostatics is also confirmed by the data collected in the central register of occupational carcinogens/mutagens kept by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. The assessment of occupational exposure to cytostatics and health risks constitutes employers' obligation. Unfortunately, the assessment of occupational risk resulting from exposure to cytostatics raises a number of concerns. Provisions governing the problem of workers' health protection are not unequivocal because they derive from a variety of law areas, especially in a matter of hazard classification and safety data sheets for cytostatics. Moreover, no legally binding occupational exposure limits have been set for cytostatics or their active compounds, and analytical methods for these substances airborne and biological concentrations are lacking. Consequently, the correct assessment of occupational exposure to cytostatics, the evaluation of health hazards and the development of the proper preventive strategy appear difficult. The authors of this article described and discussed the amendments to the European provisions concerning chemicals in the light of employers' obligations in the field of employees' heath protection against the consequences of exposure to cytostatics. Some modifications aimed at a more effective health protection of workers occupationally exposed to cytostatics were also proposed. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(2):141-59.
Topics: Carcinogens; Cytostatic Agents; Female; Hazardous Substances; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Mutagens; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Poland; Workplace
PubMed: 30896680
DOI: 10.13075/ijomeh.1896.01248 -
Medycyna Pracy 2015Oxidative stress represents a situation where there is an imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the availability and the activity of antioxidants. This... (Review)
Review
Oxidative stress represents a situation where there is an imbalance between the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the availability and the activity of antioxidants. This balance is disturbed by increased generation of free radicals or decreased antioxidant activity. It is very important to develop methods and find appropriate biomarkers that may be used to assess oxidative stress in vivo. It is significant because appropriate measurement of such stress is necessary in identifying its role in lifestyle-related diseases. Previously used markers of oxidative stress, such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) or malondialdehyde (MDA), are progressively being supplemented by new ones, such as isoprostanes (IsoPs) and their metabolites or allantoin. This paper is focusing on the presentation of new ones, promising markers of oxidative stress (IsoPs, their metabolites and allantoin), taking into account the advantage of those markers over markers used previously.
Topics: Biomarkers; Free Radicals; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Poland; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 26325052
DOI: 10.13075/mp.5893.00137 -
Revista Brasileira de Medicina Do... 2022Threshold limit values for chemical substances and biological exposure indices are the main tools used in occupational hygiene and occupational medicine to control... (Review)
Review
Threshold limit values for chemical substances and biological exposure indices are the main tools used in occupational hygiene and occupational medicine to control worker exposure levels. The correlation between these limits and indicators is of fundamental importance. The setting of new toluene exposure limits has raised discussion about which indicator to use. This article aims to enrich this debate with scientific data. Through a literature review, we provide a broad analysis of the factors that led to the lowering of the occupational exposure limit. Although internationally, biological indicators for toluene were replaced more than a decade ago, Brazilian authorities only began to discuss changing them in 2020. Toluene is a concern due to critical effects observed in exposed individuals, especially miscarriage. Urinary οrtho-cresol was suggested as the main biomarker in 2007. Given the broad data analysis, there are no doubts about the utility of οrtho-cresol as a biological indicator for toluene; what is lacking now is implementation of a monitoring system to comply with the legislation.
PubMed: 37101451
DOI: 10.47626/1679-4435-2022-715 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... Jun 2022Work is a substantial contributing factor of adult-onset asthma. A subtype of occupational asthma (OA) is caused by irritant agents, but knowledge of the clinical...
BACKGROUND
Work is a substantial contributing factor of adult-onset asthma. A subtype of occupational asthma (OA) is caused by irritant agents, but knowledge of the clinical outcomes of irritant-induced asthma (IIA) is incomplete.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate whether the clinical picture of IIA differs from that of sensitizer-induced OA.
METHODS
This retrospective study analyzed acute and subacute IIA patients diagnosed in an occupational medicine clinic during 2004 to 2018. Sixty-nine patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and their characteristics were analyzed at the time of the diagnosis and 6 months later. The results were compared with those of 2 subgroups of sensitizer-induced OA: 69 high-molecular-weight (HMW) and 89 low-molecular-weight (LMW) agent-induced OA patients.
RESULTS
Six months after the diagnosis, 30% of the patients with IIA needed daily short-acting β-agonists (SABA), 68% were treated with Global Initiative for Asthma, 2020 report (GINA) step 4-5 medication, and 24% of the patients had asthma exacerbation after the first appointment. IIA depicted inferiority to LMW-induced OA in daily need for SABA (odds ratio [OR]: 3.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-10.46), treatment with GINA step 4-5 medication (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.08-4.57), and exacerbation (OR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.35-11.04). IIA showed poorer results than HMW-induced OA in the latter 2 of these features (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.07-5.79 and OR: 6.29, 95% CI: 1.53-25.83, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Six months after the OA diagnosis, a significant proportion of the patients with IIA remain symptomatic and the majority of these patients use asthma medications extensively suggesting uncontrolled asthma. The short-term outcomes of IIA appear poorer than that of sensitizer-induced OA.
Topics: Adult; Asthma, Occupational; Humans; Irritants; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Odds Ratio; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 35259533
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2022.02.021 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2020A sensor is a device used to gather information registered by some biological, physical or chemical change, and then convert the information into a measurable signal.... (Review)
Review
A sensor is a device used to gather information registered by some biological, physical or chemical change, and then convert the information into a measurable signal. The first biosensor prototype was conceived more than a century ago, in 1906, but a properly defined biosensor was only developed later in 1956. Some of them have reached the commercial stage and are routinely used in environmental and agricultural applications, and especially, in clinical laboratory and industrial analysis, mostly because it is an economical, simple and efficient instrument for the in situ detection of the bioavailability of a broad range of environmental pollutants. We propose a narrative review, that found 32 papers and aims to discuss the possible uses of biosensors, focusing on their use in the area of occupational safety and health (OSH).
Topics: Biosensing Techniques; Humans; Laboratories; Occupational Health
PubMed: 32260295
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072461 -
Revista Brasileira de Medicina Do... 2019The aim of the present study was to perform a literature review about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of varicose veins (VV) within the occupational medicine...
The aim of the present study was to perform a literature review about the symptoms, treatment and prevention of varicose veins (VV) within the occupational medicine setting. I reviewed scientific articles, books, master's and doctoral dissertations and synthesized the results of quantitative and qualitative studies. I further retrieved information from Brazilian federal government occupational health websites. The time frame considered was the period from 2004 through 2018. VV are abnormally dilated, twisted and congested veins caused by prolonged peripheral venous hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency. VV most commonly involve the lower limbs in association with static posture and continuous contraction which exhaust the muscles, especially among individuals who remain standing over long periods of time. VV are associated with risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and hormones. Symptoms include feelings of tiredness, pain and swelling. When untreated VV might result in venous ulcers. Occupational physicians should promote changes in the workers' lifestyle, particularly as concerns physical activity (stretching and walking), local massage and elevating the lower limbs - feet about 15 cm above the heart level, and prescribe compression stockings or bandages, and medications such as diosmin, calcium dobesilate, rutosides and horse chestnut extract.
PubMed: 32685759
DOI: 10.5327/Z1679443520190460 -
Molecular Medicine Reports Feb 2017Liver cancer is the second leading worldwide cause of cancer‑associated mortalities. Hepatocellular carcinoma, which accounts for the majority of liver tumors, ranks... (Review)
Review
Liver cancer is the second leading worldwide cause of cancer‑associated mortalities. Hepatocellular carcinoma, which accounts for the majority of liver tumors, ranks fifth among types of human cancer. Well‑established risk factors for liver cancer include the hepatitis B and C viruses, aflatoxins, alcohol consumption, and oral contraceptives. Tobacco smoking, androgenic steroids, and diabetes mellitus are suspected risk factors. Current knowledge regarding non‑infective occupational risk factors for liver cancer is inconclusive. The relevance of liver disorders to occupational medicine lies in the fact that the majority of chemicals are metabolized in the liver, and toxic metabolites generated via metabolism are the predominant cause of liver damage. However, their non‑specific clinical manifestations that are similar in a number of liver diseases make diagnosis difficult. Furthermore, concomitant conditions, such as viral hepatitis and alcohol or drug abuse, may mask liver disorders that result from occupational hepatotoxic agents and block the demonstration of an occupational cause. The identification of environmental agents that result in human cancer is a long and often difficult process. The purpose of the present review is to summarize current knowledge regarding the association of non‑infective occupational risk exposure and HCC, to encourage further research and draw attention to this global occupational public health problem.
Topics: Arsenic; Cadmium; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Dioxins; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Nitrosamines; Occupational Exposure; Pesticides; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Risk Factors
PubMed: 28000892
DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.6046 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2022
Topics: Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Occupational Health; Occupational Medicine
PubMed: 35291363
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2022.41.19.27713