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Iranian Journal of Public Health Mar 2024Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic hematologic disorder caused by the excessive proliferation of plasma cells and leads to bone lesions, anemia, and kidney failure.... (Review)
Review
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a neoplastic hematologic disorder caused by the excessive proliferation of plasma cells and leads to bone lesions, anemia, and kidney failure. No definite etiology has been proposed for MM, but several environmental and genetic risk factors have been implicated so far. Exposure to pesticides, benzene, and organic solvents like methyl chloride have been considered a potential risk factor. Asbestos, ionizing radiation, and wood dust exposure have also been associated with MM. As MM is a relatively rare condition, the number of studies is insufficient, and in many studies, only a few study participants recall exposure to any agents. Therefore, establishing a definite risk factor is cumbersome and further studies with large study samples are needed. By recognizing these occupational risk factors, clinicians can encourage employees to reduce their exposure as more as possible and implement precautionary measures. In this review, we highlighted the current research on the potential association between occupational exposures and MM. Because of these studies, new regulations with the goal of occupational exposure reduction are anticipated in the future.
PubMed: 38919290
DOI: 10.18502/ijph.v53i3.15137 -
Environmental Epidemiology... Aug 2024Lower birth weight and preterm birth may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes later in life. We examined whether maternal exposure to air pollution and greenness...
BACKGROUND
Lower birth weight and preterm birth may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes later in life. We examined whether maternal exposure to air pollution and greenness during pregnancy is associated with offspring birth weight and preterm birth.
METHODS
We analyzed data on 4286 singleton births from 2358 mothers from Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, a prospective questionnaire-based cohort study (1990-2010). Mixed-effects regression models with random intercepts for mothers and centers were used to estimate the association of exposures to particulate matter (PM and PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), black carbon (BC), and greenness (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index in 300m-buffers [NDVI]) with birth outcomes, adjusting for potential confounders.
RESULTS
Median (interquartile range [IQR]) exposures to PM, PM, NO, O, BC, and NDVI during pregnancy were 8.4(5.0) µg/m, 14.4(8.3) µg/m, 14.0(11.0) µg/m, 54.7(10.2) µg/m, 0.47(0.41) µg/m, and 0.31(0.20), respectively. IQR increases in air pollution exposures during pregnancy were associated with decreased birth weight and the strongest association was seen for PM (-49g; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -83, -16). However, O showed an opposite association. IQR increase in NDVI was associated with an increase in birth weight of 25 g (95% CI = 7, 44). Preterm birth was not associated with the exposures.
CONCLUSION
Increased greenness and decreased air pollution may contribute to healthier pregnancies and improve overall health in the next generation. This emphasizes the need to adopt policies that target the reduction of air pollution emissions and exposure of the population.
PubMed: 38919266
DOI: 10.1097/EE9.0000000000000318 -
Cureus May 2024In a periodical medical checkup, a 39-year-old Mongolian underground miner was diagnosed with silicosis based on chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), and work...
In a periodical medical checkup, a 39-year-old Mongolian underground miner was diagnosed with silicosis based on chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), and work history. Chest radiography showed diffuse bilateral rounded nodules in both lung fields, with upper lobe dominance and large opacities in the right upper zone. Chest CT presented conglomerated massive changes in the right upper lobe and the coalescence of small nodules in the left upper lung. In the blood test, serum levels of the lung cancer marker neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were elevated (24.58 ng/mL). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) levels were within the reference range. Subsequent to the suspicion of a tumour in the right upper lobe, a right upper lobectomy was performed. The histopathological examination of the lung specimen revealed the coalescence of numerous silica nodules, accompanied by indications of associated sarcoidosis. The histological features suggested the presence of two concurrent pathological processes: silicosis and sarcoidosis. This case demonstrated the combination of three clinical conditions diagnosed in one patient, including complicated silicosis associated with sarcoidosis and elevated serum NSE levels. This case report may serve as a foundation for future investigations exploring the potential of NSE as a marker for silicosis.
PubMed: 38919222
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61130 -
BMC Pulmonary Medicine Jun 2024To understand the prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary dysfunction in workers exposed to silica dust and analyze its risk factors, so as to provide reference for the...
OBJECTIVE
To understand the prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary dysfunction in workers exposed to silica dust and analyze its risk factors, so as to provide reference for the formulation of diagnostic criteria for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by occupational dust.
METHODS
Data collection and structured questionnaire were used to collect the data of 2064 workers exposed to silica dust who underwent health examination in Hunan Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital and Yuanling Second People's Hospital from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. The prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction was analyzed and the risk factors were analyzed.
RESULTS
The prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (FEV1/FVC < 70%) was 2.3% in 2064 silica dust exposed workers. The prevalence of restrictive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (FVC/Pre < 80%) was 8.1%. The prevalence of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in the high level exposure group was higher than that in the low level exposure group, 8.2 vs0.9% (P < 0.05). The rate of obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in female group was higher than that in male group (5.3% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.00). Workers with obstructive pulmonary dysfunction were older and worked longer than workers without obstructive pulmonary dysfunction, but there was no statistical difference. Multivariate regression analysis showed that high exposure level was a risk factor for obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in silica dust exposed workers (P < 0.05). Females were the risk factors for obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Silica dust exposure can cause obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction and lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. High level of exposure is a risk factor for obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction. Women exposed to dust are more prone to obstructive pulmonary ventilation dysfunction than men. Early diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease caused by silica dust and timely intervention measures are very important to delay the decline of lung function and protect the health of workers.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Silicon Dioxide; Risk Factors; Dust; Cross-Sectional Studies; Occupational Exposure; Prevalence; Middle Aged; Adult; China; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Occupational Diseases; Surveys and Questionnaires; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Multivariate Analysis
PubMed: 38918735
DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03106-6 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Exposure to noise by generation of free radicals causes oxidative stress in body. The aim of this study was the evaluation of oxidative stress in workers who have used...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Exposure to noise by generation of free radicals causes oxidative stress in body. The aim of this study was the evaluation of oxidative stress in workers who have used hearing protection devices during working time.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
Pressing workers (n=24) of a home appliance industry were studied using hearing protection devices to reduce noise exposure. Twenty two office staff (without exposure to noise) were considered as a control group. Two groups were matched for age, work experience and smoking. Exposure to noise was measured by dosimeter method at workstations. By obtaining 3 ml blood sample, Malondialdehyde levels, Thiol groups and total antioxidant capacity were evaluated in all subjects.
RESULTS
Exposure to sound pressure level in pressing workers by considering the noise reduction factor of the earplug was observed in 77.65 dB with minimum 75.1 dB and Maximum 81.22 dB. Plasma thiol groups (0.076 (0.041-0.119) vs (0.110 (0.076-0.197), mmol/l P =0.0001) and total antioxidant capacity (361.33± 54.65 vs 414.14± 96.82, µmol/ml P = 0.026) in pressing workers significantly decreased than control group. Pearson correlation showed significant results between exposure to noise and oxidative stress parameters.
CONCLUSION
Exposure to noise wave cause oxidative stress in different site of body. Oxidative stress is an intermediate way for different disease due to noise exposure. Reducing of noise exposure by earplug in pressing workers is not efficient protection for oxidative stress generation. Therefore, hearing protection devices are not a barrier to the harmful effects of noise in occupational exposure.
Topics: Humans; Oxidative Stress; Occupational Exposure; Adult; Male; Noise, Occupational; Case-Control Studies; Ear Protective Devices; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Antioxidants; Middle Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Malondialdehyde; Female; Occupational Diseases; Industry; Prognosis
PubMed: 38918653
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1929 -
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer... Jun 2024Occupational diseases, characterized by the gradual accumulation of work-related harmful effects over extended periods, often lack a distinct, identifiable incident... (Review)
Review
Occupational diseases, characterized by the gradual accumulation of work-related harmful effects over extended periods, often lack a distinct, identifiable incident causative of the disease. This ambiguity in pinpointing the work-relatedness of such diseases stems from the intricate interplay between occupational risks, workers' pathophysiological predispositions, and pre-existing health conditions, all of which evolve slowly over time. Consequently, establishing a definitive causal relationship between occupational exposure and disease manifestation becomes a pivotal, yet challenging, aspect in securing industrial accident insurance benefits. In contrast to occupational accidents, where causality is relatively more discernible, the complexity escalates in the context of occupational diseases. Typically, employers maintain the majority of data pertinent to establishing causality, but this data is frequently inadequate. Furthermore, the onus of proving the work-relatedness of a disease falls on the worker, a process that necessitates specialized medical knowledge, thereby compounding the difficulty. Imposing the burden of proof on workers in occupational disease litigation could lead to a lapse in worker protection. This paper critically explores methodologies to safeguard workers, focusing specifically on the burden of proof concerning causality in occupational diseases. This analysis aims to highlight the challenges workers face in establishing a connection between their work and disease, proposing potential legal and policy solutions to ensure more equitable and just outcomes in occupational disease claims.
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Occupational Diseases; Occupational Exposure; Occupations
PubMed: 38918647
DOI: 10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.6.1875 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Jun 2024Prenatal exposures to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) from traffic may generate oxidative stress, and thus contribute to adverse birth outcomes. We investigated...
Prenatal exposures to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) from traffic may generate oxidative stress, and thus contribute to adverse birth outcomes. We investigated whether PM2.5 constituents from brake and tire wear affect levels of oxidative stress biomarkers (malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)) using urine samples collected up to three times during pregnancy in 156 women recruited from antenatal clinics at the University of California Los Angeles. Land use regression models with co-kriging were employed to estimate average residential outdoor concentrations of black carbon (BC), PM2.5 mass, PM2.5 metal components, and three PM2.5 oxidative potential metrics during the 4-weeks prior to urine sample collection. 8-OHdG concentrations in mid-pregnancy increased by 24.8% (95% CI: 9.0, 42.8) and 14.3% (95% CI: 0.4%, 30.0%) per interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 mass and BC, respectively. The brake wear marker (barium) and the oxidative potential metrics were associated with increased MDA concentration in the 1st sample collected (10-17 gestational week), but 95% CIs included the null. Traffic-related air pollution contributed in early to mid-pregnancy to oxidative stress generation previously linked to adverse birth outcomes.
PubMed: 38918040
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwae152 -
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory... Jul 2024Overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause severe lung disease including progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Field emission scanning electron microscopy with...
In Situ Lung Dust Analysis by Automated Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy With Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy: A Method for Assessing Inorganic Particles in Lung Tissue From Coal Miners.
CONTEXT.—
Overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can cause severe lung disease including progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) has been used for in situ lung dust particle analysis for evaluation of disease etiology. Automating such work can reduce time, costs, and user bias.
OBJECTIVE.—
To develop and test an automated FESEM-EDS method for in situ analysis of inorganic particles in coal miner lung tissue.
DESIGN.—
We programmed an automated FESEM-EDS procedure to collect particle size and elemental data, using lung tissue from 10 underground coal miners with PMF and 4 control cases. A statistical clustering approach was used to establish classification criteria based on particle chemistry. Data were correlated to PMF/non-PMF areas of the tissue, using corresponding brightfield microscopy images. Results for each miner case were compared with a separate corresponding analysis of particles recovered following tissue digestion.
RESULTS.—
In situ analysis of miner tissues showed higher particle number densities than controls and densities were generally higher in PMF than non-PMF areas. Particle counts were typically dominated by aluminum silicates with varying percentages of silica. Compared to digestion results for the miner tissues, in situ results indicated lower density of particles (number per tissue volume), larger size, and a lower ratio of silica to total silicates-probably due to frequent particle clustering in situ.
CONCLUSIONS.—
Automated FESEM-EDS analysis of lung dust is feasible in situ and could be applied to a larger set of mineral dust-exposed lung tissues to investigate specific histologic features of PMF and other dust-related occupational diseases.
Topics: Humans; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Dust; Lung; Coal Mining; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Occupational Exposure; Male; Particle Size
PubMed: 38918006
DOI: 10.5858/arpa.2024-0002-OA -
Surgical Oncology May 2024Bladder cancer (BCa) represents the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary tract. The major risk factors include age, gender, smoking attitude, and... (Review)
Review
Bladder cancer (BCa) represents the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary tract. The major risk factors include age, gender, smoking attitude, and occupational exposure, while the exact etiopathogenesis is still uncertain. Patients diagnosed with a BCa showing invasion of the muscle layer below the submucosa must undergo radical cystectomy (RC) with urinary diversion (UD). Many different surgical approaches to UD have been developed. Packaging an orthotopic neobladder (ON) with a bowel tract represents the gold standard when certain patient selection criteria are satisfied. Using PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review assessing early (within 90 days) and late (beyond 90 days) post-procedural complications of different ON surgical approaches. A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to identify papers starting from 2012 using dedicated keywords ("neobladder", "orthotopic neobladder", "complications'' and "outcomes"). A total of 27 articles were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria and selected. Although the ON is a safe procedure that guarantees the patient the best quality of life (QoL), it is not free from risks. Many complications could occur during and after the surgical time which imposes the necessity of strict follow-up and careful checks over time, which should be properly discussed with patients before.
PubMed: 38917777
DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2024.102090 -
Environment International Jun 2024The use of cleaning and disinfecting products both at work and at home increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those products often include surfactants, acids/bases,... (Review)
Review
The use of cleaning and disinfecting products both at work and at home increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those products often include surfactants, acids/bases, carcinogens such as chloroform, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as cyclosiloxanes, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which may cause harmful health effects among professional cleaners as well as among people exposed at home or in their workplaces. The aim of this study was to synthesize the effects of the commonly used chemical, surface cleaning and disinfecting products on indoor air quality, focusing on chemical and particulate matter pollutants, exposure, and human health in residential and public buildings. We also provide a summary of recommendations to avoid harmful exposure and suggest future research directions. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) were used to search the literature. Analysis of the literature revealed that the use of cleaning products and disinfectants increase occupants' exposure to a variety of harmful chemical air contaminants and to particulate matter. Occupational exposure to cleaning and disinfectant products has been linked to an increased risk of asthma and rhinitis. Residential exposure to cleaning products has been shown to have an adverse effect on respiratory health, particularly on asthma onset, and on the occurrence of asthma(-like) symptoms among children and adults. Efforts to reduce occupants' exposure to cleaning chemicals will require lowering the content of hazardous substances in cleaning products and improving ventilation during and after cleaning. Experimentally examined, best cleaning practices as well as careful selection of cleaning products can minimize the burden of harmful air pollutant exposure indoors. In addition, indirect ways to reduce exposure include increasing people's awareness of the harmfulness of cleaning chemicals and of safe cleaning practices, as well as clear labelling of cleaning and disinfecting products.
PubMed: 38917624
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108836